The Future of PR Is Here—and It’s Powered by AI
From career risks to PressOffice.ai, why challenging the status quo is the only way forward.
Aug 22, 2025
Dear Rebels of the Comfort Zone,
When I look back on my career—spanning insurtech, marketplaces, startups, and banking—one thread stands out: growth begins at the edge of what feels safe. It was the 1991 opening of India’s economy, with global brands flooding TV screens, that first stoked my curiosity about what drives human behavior. That curiosity led me to pursue an MBA in Marketing at IIM Bangalore—and set me on the path where I am today.
That curiosity morphed into conviction and action. I left a comfortable leadership position at Tokio Marine to join Carro—a Series A startup. It meant a pay cut, a giant leap into uncertainty… and even selling my Rolex because it felt out of place in a lean, early-stage company. But I believed one thing more than my fears: if you stop growing, you’re done. That leap helped Carro reach unicorn status in three years.
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Later, I took another bold step—relocating to Australia to lead digital transformation across Gumtree, CarsGuide, and Autotrader under eBay. That leap tested me in new ways—but it also confirmed that disruption starts with intentional movement.
Mentorship: The Anchor on Your Journey
Early in my career, I believed that dedication alone would lead to recognition. I was wrong. We must be intentional and own our trajectories—not wait for someone else to hand us a tiara.
That’s why mentors have meant so much to me. They helped me define and reach for goals, rather than assume success would find me. Today, I’ve been honored to mentor women from underprivileged backgrounds and train over 1,000 individuals in social and digital marketing through Singapore’s SkillsFuture program.
From Redhill’s Rise to Inclusive Leadership
Joining Redhill first as a Senior Advisor in 2022—and now as President—has been both a privilege and urgent opportunity. My mandate: unify our recently acquired capabilities into a full-stack communications powerhouse with intentionality.
At Redhill, “walking the talk” is non-negotiable. In 2024, we launched an Employee Stock Ownership Program open to all full-time staff with three+ years tenure—equity, regardless of rank. We overhauled pay structures to center skills and experience, not past salaries. And today, women hold over 70% of our senior leadership roles—long before many asked us to do so.
The Future: Powered by Purpose and Creativity
What excites me most now is AI—not just for its shiny interfaces, but for how creativity meets necessity. Think of the “AI Granny” tool that confounds voice-scam attempts. It’s unconventional, smart, and profoundly human.
What doesn’t excite me? The idea of “micro-retirements.” To me, true fulfillment doesn’t come from escaping work—it comes from leaning into meaningful challenges and leaving behind impact.
PressOffice.ai: The Next Leap for PR
Speaking of challenges and opportunities, I’m thrilled to share that we’ve just launched PressOffice.ai—a first-of-its-kind platform that brings AI-powered PR agents to life. From streamlining media outreach to generating impactful narratives, PressOffice.ai will revolutionise the way communications is done—making it faster, smarter, and more effective. And because you’re friends of Redhill, here’s a special gift link for you to try it out for free and see the future of PR for yourself.
Final Thoughts
Here are my guiding beliefs:
- Discomfort isn’t a setback—it’s the signal that you’re not done learning.
- Success isn’t delivered—you pursue it proactively, with clarity.
- Leadership isn’t an achievement—it’s about lifting others through action and equity.
- And the work that lasts is work that cares—for people, potential, and purpose.
I recently shared some of these reflections in my interview with The Peak Magazine and on the Marketing Interactive podcast. My thanks to both platforms for giving me the space to tell my story and hopefully inspire others on their journeys.
I’d love to continue this conversation with you. If these reflections resonate, let’s connect—drop me a note, get in touch, or even grab a coffee. Because the best ideas are rarely born in isolation—they’re sparked in dialogue.
With purpose,
Manisha