Kunal Kishore’s journey of trials, transformation and triumphs

Today’s e4m PR & Corp Comm Luminaries series discusses, Kunal Kishore, Group CEO & Co-Founder, Value 360 Communications.

An accidental entrepreneur, Kunal Kishore is a leading entrepreneur and PR expert with more than two decades of experience in the industry. He is a well-known leader and the Group CEO & Co-founder of India’s fastest-growing and award-winning PR firm. During his entrepreneurial journey, he has played multiple roles as founder, employee, salesperson, head of administration, HR Manager, and Accountant. Kishore is celebrated for his focus on building long-term relationships with clients.  Furthermore, his idealistic mindset and ability to anticipate industry trends have helped him pioneer several initiatives and fuelled his growth in the industry.

This story discusses Kishore’s rollercoaster ride to success in the PR industry, how he took his first step into the PR industry, his childhood experiences, his journey of building Value 360 Communications, how he overcame adversities, his key to success and so much more.

How He Found His Calling in PR

“I marked two decades in the PR industry in March 2023, and the journey has been nothing less than a roller coaster,” Kishore notes. He unveils that it wasn’t any industry leader or mutual connection but, his beloved wife and partner, Manisha, who helped him find his footing in this field. 

Talking about the hardships he faced initially, he explains, “After completing my mass communication degree, financial constraints led me to join a BPO, where strong communication skills were the only requirement. The night shifts were beginning to take a toll on me, and Manisha, who had been my rock since our college days, strongly believed that this path wasn't sustainable.”

Realizing this, his wife pointed him to a PR firm that was urgently hiring, encouraging him to reframe his career and make the most of his degree. This is how he found himself at India Relations, a boutique PR firm from Bangalore, just starting its Delhi operations. Kishore asserts that he was their first employee in the city—a fresher expected to perform like someone with 6-7 years of experience. He embraced this early challenge and quickly learned the ropes of PR.

Sharing about his next move after India Relations, he says, “When India Relations shut down, I moved to Lexicon, where I discovered my knack for sales and deal-making. I began cold-calling companies to convince them to hire a PR firm. My first win was an air hostess academy, and this opened the door to more clients.”

In his early jobs, he leveraged his skills to the best and while managing varied roles and responsibilities, he realized he had the skills and drive to establish his PR firm. That's when the entrepreneurial bug truly bit him and he took the next step of starting his firm - Value 360 Communications. 

His Early Life

When we think about the early years of our lives, it's often the experiences outside of our comfort zone that leave the most lasting impact. For Kunal, it was his time spent in boarding school that significantly shaped his personal and professional journey.  He accepts that it indeed was tough but also an enriching experience that shaped his character, preparing him for the larger, unpredictable world beyond the school gates.

Sharing the snippets from his early life, he asserts, “Coming from a protected home environment, boarding school was a stark contrast that exposed me to daily challenges.” He accepts that this shift from a sheltered upbringing to a more demanding environment became a critical turning point in his development. The structured routine of boarding school, away from the comforts of home helped him learn the life skills of resilience and discipline and adapt to the ebb and flow of life’s uncertainties. 

His Journey to Building Value 360 Communications 

Every great venture begins with a vision, and for Kunal and his partners, the set-up of "Value 360 Communications" was born out of a desire to deliver more than just PR services—it was about offering real, measurable value and becoming an indispensable ally in their client's success stories. Also naming the venture wasn’t a piece of cake for him. His vision was not just about finding something catchy but it was about finding something meaningful, something that reflects their core mission. So, Kishore and his partners, came up with the name ‘Value 360 Communications’ as it aligns with their vision of delivering comprehensive, impactful services. 

Talking about the highs in their journey, Kunal speaks proudly of a significant professional achievement, which was helping their client Snapdeal reach unicorn status. He notes that this milestone was more than just a feather in their cap. “It brought us immense word-of-mouth among the investor community. This opened the door to collaborate with start-ups like Practo, Urban Company, Zoomcar, and Droom, allowing us to be part of their growth stories while building our legacy,” he shares. 

However, as with any entrepreneurial journey, the path wasn’t always smooth. Highlighting the challenging time, Kunal recalls, “We faced a severe financial crunch that forced us to shut down ‘Trendspotters,’ a YouTube lifestyle channel.” While he believes the channel would have been perfectly suited for today’s digital landscape, at the time, the company had to make tough decisions. “We had to divert resources back into our core PR business,” he acknowledges, recognizing that it was a necessary step for their firm's long-term sustainability. 

This decision, although difficult, helped ensure that Value 360 Communications could focus on what they did best helping their clients thrive in the PR realm.

The Inception of Popkorn and ClanConnect

Kishore’s idea to establish ClanConnect and Popkorn is connected with his broader vision to position Value 360 Communications as a future-ready organization.

Unveiling the inception story of ClanConnect, he explains, “ClanConnect came to life in October 2020, thanks to a collaboration with my college friend, Sagar Pushp, who had a great idea for a tech-based solution to simplify the cluttered influencer marketing landscape. Together, we built a product that makes a difference in this burgeoning industry.”

On the other hand, Popkorn already existed under the Value 360 Communications umbrella but needed a fresh direction. Kishore saw the potential in transforming Popkorn into a full-fledged digital creative agency. He says that with Vishal Mehra at the helm, Popkorn soon thrived, delivering remarkable work for top-tier brands like TARC, WildStone, CODE, Mondelez, Sunglass Hut, Apollo 24/7, and others. He believed that this transformation was the right move, as Popkorn became a powerful force in the digital marketing landscape.

Number Nine: What role does this random number play in his life?

In life, we often encounter patterns that seem to carry a deeper meaning, even if we can't fully explain why. Coincidence or fate, in Kishore’s life, the number 9 holds a mysterious but undeniable significance. While he doesn't consider himself overly superstitious, he can't deny the role this number has played in his journey.

“The day I stepped into the PR industry—03/03/03—adds up to 9. Our first office address also added up to 9. Many of the significant dates, like the birthdates of important people in my life, also align with the number 9. Most importantly, when my partner Gaurav and I started Value 360 Communications, it was on 10/01/07, which also adds up to 9,” Kishore shares with a sense of quiet wonder. For him, the number 9 serves as a cosmic signpost that guides him toward success as every time the number appears, things seem to fall into place. 

What Truly Fuels His Drive Every Day?

Sharing about what motivates him to keep pushing forward every day while managing his different roles and responsibilities, he speaks passionately, “My motivation comes from the people who make up the Value 360 family. While this journey started as a personal endeavor, it has evolved into a collective mission, nurtured by every team member who has embraced the vision as their own. It’s more than motivation—it’s a sense of responsibility towards them that drives me every day.”

His Key to Success

As a first-generation leader in the PR industry, Kishore believes that success is more of a state of mind. “It's about finding the right balance between personal growth, professional achievement, and the well-being of those around you. It’s not just about hitting targets or achieving accolades; it’s about feeling fulfilled and aligned with your purpose while creating a positive impact on the people and organizations you work with,” he says.

Kishore believes that success is ever-evolving and personal. “It means different things at different stages of life. At one point, it was about proving myself and building a reputation. Today, it's more about nurturing the team, fostering innovation, and maintaining a healthy balance between ambition and well-being,” he describes.

The most valuable lessons Kunal has learned revolve around relationships and the necessity of continuous growth. “These relationships often open doors to new opportunities and provide support when it's needed most,” he acknowledges. Moreover, he emphasizes the importance of staying adaptable in an ever-changing industry. “The importance of continuous learning and adapting” is a crucial mindset that has allowed him to stay relevant and innovative, ensuring his growth, as well as the growth of his team and clients.