Rishi Seth’s rollercoaster journey of becoming a PR leader

The e4m PR & Corp Comm Luminaries series aims to share the untold stories of individual leaders, highlighting the unique paths they took to build remarkable careers, and the different things they do, personally and professionally, to become the inspiring leaders they are today.

For today’s e4m PR & Corp Comm Luminary series, we talked with Rishi Seth, Strategic Partner and Investor, The PRactice.

Rishi Seth is a communications leader focused on growing the revenue and respect for the industry. He has management and entrepreneurial experience of close to three decades and has been associated with BCW, Six Degrees BCW, Text 100 India, Genesis PR and Perfect Relations. Seth is a well-known professional for his ability to navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape and has been instrumental in driving strategic initiatives that align with the fast-paced evolution of the industry. His passion for technology, data, and creative storytelling has led him through an interesting professional journey in the public relations industry.

This story will discuss several intriguing facts and stories about his journey in the PR industry. You’ll also learn how he got his fresh start in the industry, his industry experiences, the journey of co-founding his brainchild, Six Degrees PR, the reasons behind his decision to sell, and much more.

His Entry into PR Industry

Seth’s entry into PR wasn’t a planned affair; instead it was purely marked by a fortuitous turn of events. Reflecting on his early career, he shares, "I was working for a rural marketing firm, immediately after finishing my MBA. However, after some time, I was looking for something different. During this search, I happened to interview with Perfect Relations which began my journey in the public relations sector." This unexpected introduction helped him gain a working opportunity at one of the largest and most successful firms in the industry. 

He also shared that he started his journey at a very nascent stage for the industry that gave him a huge headroom for growth. Talking about his learning experiences and the three decades of journey, he recalls, "I have had the opportunity to work in wonderful organizations and the good fortune of being a co-founder to one. It was a lot of learning and development, which helped me forge a strong foundation on which to build my career.”

His Journey to Co-Found Six Degrees BCW Consulting

Rishi's journey to founding Six Degree BCW Consulting began with a moment of reflection after completing his tenure at Text 100. This introspection period led to a pivotal conversation with his business partner, Zach, where the duo recognized the potential to leverage their collective experience. "We felt that we should look to put our joint experience and learnings into building an organization, which would provide an exciting opportunity for people to work at and clients to get value from," Rishi recalls. Their vision was clear: to create a company that combined the dynamism of founder-led firms with the expansive reach of global enterprises.

Transferring ownership of Six Degree BCW Consulting was a deeply emotional decision for Rishi. "It is always going to be emotional for a founder to let go of their company," he admits. Yet, Rishi knew that as a leader, he had to prioritize the future of the company and its people. This commitment led him to choose Cohn & Wolfe as the new custodians of his brainchild. 

With a heart filled with mixed emotions, Seth concludes, "We found in Cohn & Wolfe a partner, with whom we felt that the future of Six Degrees was secure and prosperous.” 

Reasons Behind his Strategic Partnership with The PRactice

Rishi's took a significant turn in his career trajectory when he decided to join The PRactice as a strategic investor and partner. But do you know what persuaded him to take this bold move? It was the perfect blend of reputation, values, and innovation he observed in the ethos and working culture of The PRactice. Praising the contributions of the firm, he mentions, "The PRactice has been a well-respected firm for 25 years now and Nandita has a strong reputation as a capable and ethical leader. During our conversations with Nandita, we found common ground as professional founders with similar values.” 

Seth enthusiastically remarks, "I find this partnership to be a unique opportunity, where I get to be a part of the excitement in the agency life again, with an established brand and an entrepreneurial heart." He believes that The PRactice, with its strong technology credentials will address the market more effectively. This persuaded him to begin his exciting chapter in with The PRactice.

His Learning Experiences at Text100 India, Six Degrees PR, and more

Rishi has shaped his career trajectory by working at diverse leading organizations like Text100 India, Six Degrees, and other esteemed organizations. Talking about his time at Text100 India, he shares that it is one of the first global agencies to establish a 100% subsidiary in India. 

Moreover, crediting the firms for his growth, he states, "Text 100 India deployed all the systems, processes, skills, and methodology in India. This gave me a very different viewpoint to the experience I had with Perfect Relations and Genesis." This exposure helped him in nurturing his skills as a consultant and team player and taught him the business side of running a firm.

After dedicating some crucial years of his life to other organizations, he started the next chapter of his journey by founding Six Degrees PR. This venture tested his mettle as a leader as they had a firm with no credentials or founders to lean on and no team to support. In regard to this, Seth recounts, "We were able to build an organization from the ground up, defining its DNA and charting its growth path. Zac and I got to test all our learnings and backed ourselves to make decisions which we believed were necessary for the long term growth of the organization." 

Rishi attributes his success to his relentless pursuit of self-improvement, emphasizing, "One of the key questions one must keep asking is what am I doing to challenge and improve myself." This mindset enabled him to add value to clients and firms he consults, making him the strategic leader he is today.

His Entrepreneurship Definition

Rishi Seth's definition about entrepreneurship is not just about founding companies; it's about taking responsibility, solving problems, and leading. He emphasizes that this mindset is crucial for young professionals, urging them to adopt it to make a meaningful impact rather than being hindered by challenges. Reflecting on his own career, he acknowledges, “I have benefited from this spirit and it is today even more relevant as the world is changing faster and one needs to adapt quicker.”

Glimpse of His Early Days

When asked about his younger self, Seth shares that the younger Rishi was someone who worked hard and also partied harder, and while he was more opinionated and less patient, these traits were part of his learning curve that eventually shaped the professional he is today.

His Vision for the Future

Rishi is a pragmatic individual who follows a present-focused approach, with a focus on short-term plans due to the fast-changing world. He aspires to learn and become proficient at utilizing technology to drive communications, with interest in data analytics, creative idea generation, and visual storytelling. His passion for the PR industry is firm and clear and he hopes to continue working on exciting campaigns with talented individuals as this is his greatest motivation.