Abhinav Kanchan: Purposeful and passionate communications maestro

In today’s Comms Pioneer series, we shine a spotlight on Abhinav Kanchan, a communications maestro and the current President & Group Head at Puravankara Ltd. Renowned for his storytelling prowess and commitment to communications, he has redefined the corporate communications landscape by emphasizing the critical role of TRUST. With over 28 + years of leadership experience, he has helmed communications functions at prestigious organizations such as FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry), Aditya Birla Group, ArcelorMittal, Moser Baer, and SOBHA. With double Masters’ degree – one from DU and another from the University of Stirling, UK on full Chevening scholarship, Abhinav has a strong academic background. Moreover, he has served as an international jury member for the esteemed Gold Standard Awards by Public Affairs Asia, Hong Kong, for seven consecutive years. He is also an active member of the Asia Pacific Association of Communication Directors (APACD) and a passionate advocate for underprivileged children battling cancer.

In this feature, we will delve into his journey from the ground up and take a closer look at:

• His nearly three-decade-long career in the communications industry
• His favourite campaigns
• His efforts in supporting underprivileged cancer patients
• The top three lessons he has learned as a leader in communications
• His vision for the future of corporate communications, and much more.

His journey in the communications industry 

Abhinav started describing his journey from his college days and elaborates, “After completing my BA (Hons.) and Masters from St. Stephen’s, University of Delhi, in 1992, I enrolled myself on a PhD program at BHU (Banaras Hindu University) as a UGC/JRF (Junior Research Fellow scholar). I soon realised that even if I did an excellent PhD from BHU, teaching opportunities were very few. In those days, to clinch an ad-hoc lectureship position was also very difficult.” 

This stumbling block made him explore other career options. Then, he enrolled himself for more learning at Aurobindo Ashram, New Delhi, where he nurtured his communications and filmmaking skills. “Communications was a natural choice for me as a few opportunities had opened up. It awoke an interest and passion for more,” he added.

Abhinav’s turning point came when he joined the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) as a management trainee in the Press and Publications Division. Recalling his time there, he describes, “The experience of working at FICCI – the apex chamber of Commerce & Industry was so rich and engaging that I stayed there for almost a decade (1996-2006).” During his tenure at FICCI, Abhinav gained invaluable experience, working on diverse media engagements and higher-profile initiatives. From collaborating with Nobel laureates to organizing corporate retreats, and being part of the first Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to accompanying prime ministerial delegations to Russia, China, Malaysia, and Iran, his tenure offered him enormous learning opportunities and a chance to plough back at work.

Thanking his mentors, he mentions, “I owe much to FICCI and Mr. Joseph Thachil, and Dr Amit Mitra, the then Secretary General. My managers and mentors empowered me to put my education and learning into the tasks and do my best with media communications. FICCI rose to eminence and was one of the top think tanks, well respected in the government, business and media circles.”

Highlights from his different roles in the past 28+ years

With over three decades of experience, Abhinav has become a recognized name in the communications field, having collaborated with some of the most brilliant minds and esteemed organizations across various industries. Highlighting his illustrious career, Abhinav shares stories, observations, impact, and lessons he gained.

Citing his experience with FICCI, one of the amazing organizations he worked at, he mentions, “At FICCI, we organised the first Pravasi Bhartiya Divas in 2003. It was attended by 1500+ journalists from all over the world. It was the first program attended by our Prime Minister, the President of India, and almost all the cabinet members until then. Thousands of NRIs and some of the most illustrious personalities participated. Managing such a large-scale event along with my team members (with a special focus on media and publicity) was a memorable experience.” He further mentions that at FICCI, he also organised media engagement retreats at Hotel Soaltee, Kathmandu, Nepal; Taj Fort Aguada, Goa and The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur where they would bring in the top thirty corporate leaders, along with their spouses or significant other, from across the industry, a Secretary to the Government of India, and a Resource Person from Harvard or Chicago University, USA. Such conclaves threw up  compelling media stories that cemented FICCI’s popularity within the corporate and media circles.

Talking about his tenure at Aditya Birla Group, he mentions, “I experienced the art of storytelling on a global stage with the company newsletter – Aditya Kiran, which was translated into 6 different languages, reaching more than 1.25 lakh employees across several countries at that time. The high point and most interesting engagements happened with the employees during my communication workshops conducted at some of the units of Viscose Staple Fibre (VSF) business at Kharach in Gujarat, Nagda in Madhya Pradesh, and Harihar in Karnataka. All these workshops were highly interactive and engaging and ran for several hours! I still cherish my interactions and learning from it. ”
 
During his tenure at ArcelorMittal, he unleashed   the power of mass communication – especially the use of radio as a means to reach out to the villagers! He elucidates an initiative that presented a life-threatening situation and states, “The company was trying to acquire 10,000 acres of land in the tribal belt of Jharkhand. It was a violent Naxalite belt, and the tribals had once gheraoed our CEO as they were protesting against our company. It was dangerous to operate in such a condition. We were not allowed to go to the villages to speak to people. Yet we had to acquire land for the proposed steel plant. In such a situation, we tied up with a local FM radio channel called DHOOM and tailor-made a radio program called “Saath Chalenge Sab” in SADRI (local tribal dialect), peppered with popular folk music specific to the area. The idea was to address those issues lurking in people's minds and infuse trust among them. We made it as interactive as possible.” He led a year-long initiative through which he established a network of village-level stringers to amplify messages in mainstream media and conducted impactful Samvad Karyashalas with village elders. It resulted in creating huge positivity in the region.

He further describes that at SOBHA, he went beyond their remit of PR and Communications on several occasions. “We broke new ground with a program called SOBHA CONNECT, where we met more than 5000+ customers directly over 60+ carnival programs organised at Sobha Societies. The idea began as a listening exercise, and we decided to listen to our customers and gauge their experiences of living in a Sobha apartment. We would capture their sentiments and feedback without conditioning them and do so on a video with their permission.”

In his current role at Puravankara, he shares, “I have the unique opportunity to lead brand transformation, aligning communication strategies with the company’s customer-first approach. From creating compelling narratives to launching initiatives that resonate with over 16 lakh prospects. I have been able to elevate the brand's presence through innovative storytelling and strategic initiatives like launching AMORE magazine, starting a webinar series (Real Talk) on real estate and others.”

His most favourite campaigns

He has led numerous impactful CSR initiatives throughout his career, but he believes that the one he undertook at Puravankara holds a special place in his heart.

From Puravankara he is leading a standout campaign started by BIOME named ‘Million Wells for Bengaluru’ that aimed at addressing Bengaluru’s water scarcity by reviving traditional well-digging techniques and restoring shallow aquifers. By collaborating with local communities and artisans, this initiative has raised awareness about sustainable water management and empowered villages to access lakhs of litres of groundwater daily.

Another impactful program he is currently leading  in collaboration with Wockhardt Foundation is  Khel Khel Mein, which fosters holistic development in underprivileged children through games and informal engagements. “Providing access to quality infrastructure, coaching, and mentorship instils confidence, discipline, and life skills in young minds, shaping future leaders,” he mentions. His work in education and skill development is equally inspiring, as he has partnered with local organisations and is providing  access to the underprivileged children  to education and vocational training, empowering them to build brighter futures and create positive change.

In environmental sustainability, he has led tree plantation drives, preserving the environment while bringing communities together. On behalf of the company, he has led the pledge to plant 1 million trees under the 1 trillion trees program of the World Economic Forum and are promoting the use of Miyawaki forests to provide green cover to areas in need. His leadership in these campaigns reflects a genuine drive to address pressing social and environmental challenges.

His definition of TRUST 

Abhinav believes every organisation passes through a particular stress point in its journey. It is important to recognise those stresses and address it honestly.  ‘TRUST’ in corporate communications is the foundation for all successful stakeholder relationships and to evolve as a good communicator, one must develop as a good human first. Defining TRUST in the context of corporate communications, he illustrates, “Trust is about creating alignment between words, actions, and values. I adhere to the beautiful and simple concept of the Trust Triangle in my personal and professional life. With its three sides represented by Authenticity, Logic and Empathy – the triangle emphasises how one can gain immense TRUST in whatever one does. If you are authentic in what you do with empathy, using loads of common sense (logic), you will invariably gain the stakeholders' trust. When these three elements are practised in a balanced way, it helps create a strong foundation for trust. One has to be truthful in what one does and be fair in all practices.”

If you had to summarise your journey in one sentence, what would it be?

“Immensely grateful to Govind, who gave me such great opportunities to learn and work in some of the best institutions and with people whom I shall always cherish – more power to honest communication,” he summarises.

His Inspiring Contributions to Social Initiatives

Abhinav opens up about his passion for supporting underprivileged children battling cancer. This cause is close to his heart as he dedicates significant time and resources to bringing hope and support to the little souls fighting this life-altering disease.

He firmly believes that no child should face barriers to receiving life-saving cancer treatment due to financial or social constraints. To address this, he actively supports initiatives that ensure access to critical healthcare, affordable treatment, and emotional support for these children and their families. In addition to direct aid, Abhinav collaborates with organizations that focus on raising awareness about early detection of cancer. “Early detection can save countless lives,” he emphasized, highlighting the importance of spreading knowledge that could prevent late-stage diagnoses.

Abhinav is also involved in campaigns designed to demystify cancer and reduce the stigma surrounding the disease. More than cancer, it is the fear of cancer that is most agonising and needs to be addressed by the proper counselling. Through these efforts, he aims to create a society where patients and their families feel supported and empowered during their journey. he believes in the power of small, impactful actions to drive change. Whether through organizing fundraisers, amplifying awareness through storytelling, or connecting patients with resources, he focuses on practical steps that foster a culture of empathy and care.

Top three lessons he has learned as a communications leader

Offering a blueprint from his journey for fostering authenticity, trust, and impactful relationships in the world of communications, Abhinav guides, “I have learnt the importance of always being authentic all these years. Managing the internal expectations of the top leadership is critical. Lastly, one must be fair in all dealings (with the media, employees, vendors, agencies and the larger stakeholders - government, customers, prospects, green brigade etc.) with empathy and common sense.”

Summarizing his learnings, Abhinav states, “The foundation of successful communication lies in authenticity. Whether engaging with employees, customers, or the community, delivering messages that reflect the organisation's true values builds trust. Stakeholders respond best when honest and transparent communication is provided, making it crucial to align words with actions.”

“Similarly, clear and honest communication with management and internal teams is vital. It’s essential to set realistic expectations, especially in fast-paced environments. Overpromising can lead to disappointments, while under promising and over-delivering can help build credibility and trust. Setting achievable goals and delivering them consistently ensures alignment and fosters confidence within the organisation. Communication is about connection. Understanding your audience’s needs and emotions allows you to craft meaningful messages. Genuine empathy is key to creating impactful campaigns. It’s about crafting narratives that truly add value and create positive change,” he further adds.

His vision for the future of corporate communications

Abhinav shares his  outlook on the evolving role of communications in the corporate world and emphasizes its growing significance and transformative potential. “Communication will come to hold the importance it deserves in the future. Without a good-quality, trustworthy, and honest story, no organization can build trust,” he stated firmly. He envisions a future where corporate communications in India and across the globe will serve as a catalyst for fostering sustainable relationships, building trust, and inspiring meaningful change in an increasingly interconnected world.

He highlights the core of effective communications: "It will blend AI, personalisation and multi-lingual strategies to engage diverse audiences – customers, government, NGOs, climate change activists, media and other influencers. Ultimately, we will all be reduced to a story as individuals and as organisations. It is supremely important to have a story worth telling!”