Under the mandate, PR Professionals will lead the company’s corporate communications strategy, focusing on strengthening its corporate brand, enhancing leadership visibility, and amplifying its vision of redefining hospitality through experience-led concepts. Over the years, True Palate Hospitality has built a distinguished portfolio of award-winning, experience-led brands, including One8 Commune, Neuma, and Pincode by Chef Kunal Kapur. Recognized as one of India’s fastest-growing hospitality and lifestyle companies, it seamlessly blends food, culture, design, entertainment, wellness, and community to create immersive, destination-led experiences. With 22 operational outlets across key markets in India and UAE and an ambitious expansion roadmap, the company continues to redefine modern hospitality. As part of the mandate, PR Professionals will spearhead strategic media relations, corporate storytelling, leadership positioning, and reputation management to further strengthen True Palate Hospitality’s corporate identity and support its continued growth and expansion.

Speaking on the association, Aditi Tihara, Senior Vice President, True Palate Hospitality, said:
“At True Palate Hospitality, we are building much more than hospitality brands- we are creating
experiences and communities that resonate with today’s consumers. As our portfolio continues to
grow, it is equally important for us to strengthen our corporate visibility and articulate the vision
behind our brands. We are delighted to partner with PR Professionals and are confident that
their communications expertise will help us build a stronger corporate narrative.”

Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Sarvesh Tiwari, Founder and Managing Director, PR Professionals, said, “True Palate Hospitality has built a remarkable portfolio of brands that have redefined hospitality in India. Beyond the success of its individual brands lies a larger story of innovation, entrepreneurship and a focus on creating differentiated hospitality experiences. We are excited to partner with the company and look forward to strengthening their corporate reputation and showcase the larger vision driving the company’s growth.”

PR Professionals has established a strong lifestyle, hospitality and food & beverage communications practice, partnering with some of the most renowned national and international brands. Our diverse portfolio includes The Westin Hotels & Resorts, Worldmark Aerocity, Nukkadwala, Magnolia Bakery, Pour’d Cocktails, GianChand Indian Single Malt Whisky, Devialet, Withings, D’YAVOL by Shah Rukh Khan and Aryan Khan, Libas, OYO, PVR Cinemas, Refresh Botanicals, Biryani Blues, Sawai Capital, Fackelmann, and Time Out Market, among others. With extensive experience across luxury, hospitality, consumer, food & beverage and retail brands, we deliver integrated communications programmes backed by strategic storytelling, strong media relationships and impactful brand positioning.

The panel also featured distinguished industry leaders, including former PwC India Chief Marketing and Communication Officer Nandini Chatterjee and BJP Spokesperson and senior lawyer Charu Pragya. The insightful session was moderated by BW Business World Senior Editor Ruhail Amin.

The session focused on PFC’s brand identity, strategic media management, and reputation building, while sharing valuable perspectives with 14 newly inducted colleagues from the IIMs and IITs. The interaction underscored the importance of effective communication in strengthening PFC’s institutional image and supporting its mission of excellence.

Akshat brings with him close to two decades of experience in strategic communications, reputation management and media relations across the automotive, corporate, FMCG and consumer sectors. Over the years, he has worked with leading brands including Tata Motors, Yamaha, Jaguar Land Rover, Jeep, FIAT, Kinetic Green, Simple Energy, Castrol and Greaves Cotton, among others.

Prior to joining Storytellers 101, Akshat served as Vice President at Weber Shandwick India, where he led key mobility and corporate mandates over an eight-and-a-half-year tenure with the agency. During this period, he played an instrumental role in shaping integrated communication strategies, leadership positioning, product launches, crisis communication and reputation management initiatives for some of India’s most recognised brands. Before Weber Shandwick, he worked with Perfect Relations and Allied Blenders & Distillers, building expertise across corporate communications, crisis management and media engagement.

At Storytellers 101, Akshat will focus on strengthening the agency’s communications capabilities, scaling integrated mandates, mentoring teams and driving growth across emerging and high-impact sectors.

Commenting on the appointment, Leon De Souza, Founder & CEO, Storytellers 101 Communications, said, “Storytellers 101 has grown steadily over the past 12 years, and bringing Akshat on board is an important step in strengthening our senior leadership team. His experience will further add depth to the agency as we continue to grow. We are excited to have him with us, and this is also part of a larger plan to bring in more senior industry talent in the near future. “

Devendra Singh, COO, Storytellers 101 Communications, added, “Akshat has built strong knowledge of the communications ecosystem across sectors over the years, and we are happy to have him on board. As we look at expanding into new verticals, his experience will be key in further strengthening our communications capabilities and ensuring we continue to build on the strong foundation we have created.”

Speaking on his new role, Akshat Jain, Managing Director, Storytellers 101 Communications, said, “What excited me most about Storytellers 101 is its entrepreneurial energy, creative mindset and strong focus on impactful storytelling. The communications landscape today demands authenticity, agility and culturally relevant narratives, and that is something the agency strongly believes in. I look forward to working closely with Leon and the team to build meaningful communication strategies, nurture talent and create impactful stories that drive both brand reputation and business growth.”

With this appointment, Storytellers 101 aims to further strengthen its presence across sectors while continuing to tell stories that create impact through its work.