India's top PR firm bucks the trend with substantial increments and aggressive growth plans
Recession or no recession, the employees of Clea PR, one of India's largest and premier PR and Communications Firm and a part of the multi-billion dollar Percept Group, are in a pretty upbeat mood.
Amidst the gloom of falling stock markets, global downturns and cutbacks by firms, the Management of Clea PR announced upto 100% increments for its employees. Timing it perfectly with Diwali through a countrywide teleconference involving over 200 people across 33 locations, Vinod G. Nair, Managing Director said "Cheer up guys! The need for cost effective services like ours is only going to rise. I want to reassure every one of you that apart from virtually doubling your salaries, we are also investing in opening up 25 new branches, recruiting at least 60 more people and investing heavily into technology and software in the coming 18 months. Happy Diwali to all of you! "
Even personnel who were not due for increments have been given substantial raises and already, new people are being inducted. Within a week of the announcements, new upcountry support branches have been opened in Indore, Bhopal, Ratlam, Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur. By the end of the financial year, 12 more satellite operations will be online, taking the total branch strength to 50, making it the largest self-owned PR network in India. Funds for the expansion and technology upgradation are being put in as additional equity by the promoters.
A delighted Apeksha Gupta, who joined Clea just a few months back says - "Recession, hip, hip hurray!
I was so surprised and happy to receive my out-of-turn increment. Not only is it substantial and unexpected, it helped to reassure me in these times of insecurity that Clea truly cares for our well-being and values us as partners."
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Sangeeta Kuriakos, CEO, added - "Clea has always been different and has always bucked every trend! In the coming year, we hope to grow by at least 75-80% and the entire team is now motivated and geared to achieve the same."
Clea PR is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Percept Group that offers a plethora of services ranging from Public Relations, Media Relations and Dissemination, Film Production, Marketing Consultancy, Celebrity PR, Visual Communication & Design, Brand Custodial Services and Market Research. With offices in 33 cities across the country and employing over 200 experts, Clea handles over 125 brands and corporates and is acknowledged as the Indian pioneer of planned and strategic PR that is measurable and effective.
Truly, recession is only a state of mind! If the steely reserve of India were to come to the fore, then a robust economy like ours should easily be able to beat all doomsday merchants and emerge as a true superpower in the coming years. With Clea's example leading the way, will others follow suit?