Catalyst Public Relations

Public relations in Tamil Nadu is the territory Catalyst Public Relations has built its practice around. The consultancy is headquartered in Chennai, is led by a former journalist, and describes itself as the only PR firm with an in-depth presence across the state. These are its own claims, as is its statement that over two thousand assignments for upwards of six hundred clients have passed through its hands.

A certified quality system

One feature the firm stresses is certification. It says it is the first PR agency in India to hold ISO 9001:2015 certification, and it ties that to its promise of measurable, tangible results. The site adds that the firm keeps its commitments narrow: it says it is upfront with clients about what it can deliver and promises only that.

Services built on media relationships

Four services are set out on its site. Editorial services are described as complete PR support, starting from understanding a client's brief and running through planning and placing coverage. Advertorial services are handled by a specialised in-house team for clients that need sponsored editorial content. Media partnering rests on long-term relationships with publications and broadcasters, which the firm says lets it design PR plans that are sharp, sensible and sensitive. Media monitoring tracks coverage, and the firm says few PR agencies in South India offer it.

Who the firm works for

Its pages group clients by sector. Education is framed around India's very large number of universities. Finance, food and lifestyle, healthcare and media houses each have their own section, and it also serves advertising agencies and industry associations that need publicity for announcements and events. Case studies on the site give a sense of the work: promotion of a student festival that revives a traditional celebration, a centenary celebration for a Tamil Nadu political figure, a music album launch during the pandemic, and publicity for a foreign energy company's corporate social responsibility work on global warming.

Awards the firm reports

The agency says that recognition and appreciation follow from doing excellent work, and it lists a run of honours it has received, which it says now number ten national awards. They include gold awards from the Public Relations Council of India for digital sales channels, media relations and a human resources initiative, further silver and bronze awards from the same body, national awards from the Public Relations Society of India for event management and a public awareness programme, and a Times Business Awards title for best PR agency in 2021. It also reports a place on a 2022 list of the top regional PR agencies and a 2017 jury award as a promising agency. As with all awards listed here, they are the firm's own account and have not been checked.

Catalyst Public Relations is a PR consultancy headquartered in Chennai with a strong presence throughout Tamil Nadu. It is led by a former journalist and draws on long-standing media relationships to plan campaigns for brands and institutions. The firm reports more than 2,000 assignments for over 600 clients.

What Catalyst Public Relations offers

• Editorial services: complete PR support, from reading the brief to planning and placing coverage.
• Advertorial services: an in-house team that produces sponsored editorial features where clients need them.
• Media partnering: tie-ups with publications and broadcasters built on long-term relationships.
• Media monitoring: tracking of coverage, a service the firm says few agencies in South India provide.
• Campaigns and events: cultural and awareness campaigns, such as festival events aimed at students.

Who it serves

Clients span education, finance, food and lifestyle, healthcare, media houses and advertising agencies. Case studies include CSR publicity for Rosatom, a centenary celebration for Dr MGR and a music album launch during the pandemic.

Key facts

• Based in: Chennai, India
• Certification: ISO 9001:2015, which it says was a first for an Indian PR agency
• Awards: honours from PRCI, PRSI and the Times Business Awards
• Track record: more than 2,000 assignments for over 600 clients