Gaurav Shrinagesh. Image: Penguin Random House India
By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson
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Shrinagesh: ‘Forward-Thinking Perspectives’
Today in New Delhi, Gaurav Shrinagesh, the CEO of Penguin Random House India has announced his formation of an advisory committee, the design of which he says is an industry first because it’s being created “to work closely with the Penguin board to strategically enhance readership across the country and prepare the company for the evolving landscape of the publishing industry.
“This initiative underscores Penguin India’s commitment to maintaining its leadership position in the publishing industry while adapting to and capitalizing on evolving trends in market development and reader engagement. The newly formed advisory committee includes distinguished professionals from diverse fields including retail, marketing, digital media, and technology.”
Shrinagesh—whose reach as CEO takes in not only Penguin Random House India but also the Southeast Asia, Middle East, and North African elements of the biggest of the Big Five—is messaging the news media in glowing terms about his chance “to introduce our new advisory committee that brings together a wealth of experience and forward-thinking perspectives.
“Their guidance,” he says, “will help us navigate the challenges and opportunities in the publishing industry, widen our readership, and ensure that Penguin continues to be a source of knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration for generations to come.”
What’s particularly interesting is that each of the four members assigned to the new advisory board is a key author with Penguin Random House, specialized in one element or another of business. The unique factor that Shrinagesh is talking about is found there: The PRH India board is about to be advised on business by some of its authors.
The company’s installation in India produces more than 250 new titles annually and maintains a backlist now of at least 3,000 titles. Considered to be especially strong in fiction and nonfiction, the range of output includes biography, travel, business, politics, history, religion and philosophy, lifestyle, cooking, health and fitness, sports and leisure, visual books, and children’s books, those kids’ books being published by the company’s Puffin imprint.
Market Development
The new advisory board is expected to focus on a tight set of dynamics:
- The strategic expansion of market development
- Leveraging artificial intelligence and advanced technologies
- Integrating offline and online retail channels
- Cultivating readership across diverse demographics
The committee, Publishing Perspectives understands, is also expected to explore new initiatives relative to both emerging and established authors, the intent being to make sure they’re being supported in reaching wider audiences.
Here are members of the new committee, as sent to us today for release:
Shiv Shivakumar
Shiv Shivakumar is an operating partner at Advent International; a non-executive chair with BOD-BKC India; an advisory board member with Multiples Equity, BOG-IMU; a board member with XLRI & XIMB; and a former chair and CEO with PepsiCo India. Shivakumar’s experience in multiple industries is seen by Shrinagesh as a key factor in his selection, bringing to the committee a background in business strategy, market expansion, and leadership development. Shivakumar is also a bestselling Penguin author, and his books include The Right Choice and The Art of Management.
Harish Bhat
Harish Bhat is a former brand custodian for Tata Sons, as well as a marketer, author, and columnist.
Bhat, says Shrinagesh, brings “decades of experience in brand building and market strategy.” Harish is a bestselling Penguin author, and some of his books include Jamsetji Tata: Powerful Learnings for Corporate Success; #Tata Stories; Extreme Love of Coffee; Tata Log; and The Curious Marketer.
Rama Bijapurkar
Rama Bijapurkar is a business advisor, an independent director, a researcher, author, columnist, and academic.
Bijapurkar is a specialist in market strategy and consumer behavior. Her insights are said to have guided several top companies in navigating complex business environments and understanding diverse consumer bases. Bijapurkar is one of Penguin’s bestselling authors and some of her books include Liliput Land and Customer in the Boardroom.
Puneet Chandok
Puneet Chandok is president of Microsoft India and South Asia. In his role, Chandok leads Microsoft’s operations in the region, “focusing on driving digital transformation by leveraging cutting-edge technology,” according to Penguin Random House. His participation, the company says, is important for “shaping an artificial-intelligence-enabled future.”
In addition to its publication work, Penguin Random House India operates as an exclusive distribution partner for several of Indian and subcontinental and international publishing houses.
More of Publishing Perspectives’ coverage of Penguin Random House and its international elements is here, more on the Indian book market is here.