Nandita Lakshmanan - CEO

Nandita Lakshmanan is the Founder and CEO of The PRactice, a public relations firm specializing in the technology, healthcare and consumer domains.

Prior to founding The PRactice, Nandita was a Partner at Genesis Burson Marstellar (then Genesis Public Relations), responsible for starting and scaling the firm's southern operations.

The PRactice, under Nandita's leadership, has won several international awards including the APAC PR Week "New Consultancy of the Year" award. She led the firm's historic win of India's leading software giant Infosys Technologies in December 2000, and has since rigorously entrenched the philosophy of growth through retention within the Firm.

Under her aegis, the firm entered into a global partnership with leading PR firm, Porter Novelli. She recently launched The PRactice Seed, an initiative focused on providing PR services to start-ups. She often conducts media training workshops while striving to incorporate operational and client servicing best practices in the firm.

Nandita is an alumnus of the Fortune/US State Department Global Mentorship Program. She also served as a juror at the prestigious Cannes Advertising Festival of 2010, in the Public Relations category.

Nandita is an active member of PRCAI (Public Relations Consultants Association of India) and completed a two year term as the organization's President in 2008. She currently heads the Knowledge Forum for PRCAI.

She is also a member of the Board at Dream a Dream, an NGO focused on imparting life skills to children from vulnerable backgrounds.

Nandita enjoys and is currently training in Indian classical music. She lives in Bangalore with her husband and eight year old son.

Vivek Rana - Principal and Head (Healthcare & Consumer)

Vivek Rana began his career with The PRactice in 2001. He has been part of a core team at The PRactice that has helped the firm implement key systems and processes and achieve recognition on a global scale.

Vivek has led important regional and portfolio diversification efforts at The PRactice, including establishing the firm's presence in Mumbai and Delhi and launching its healthcare practice. He brings to his role extensive experience in media relations, corporate and product positioning, investor relations, crisis communications, community relations and advocacy support.

During the course of his public relations career, Vivek has helped develop strategies for both Indian and international clients in the technology, healthcare, financial services and consumer sectors. He has successfully handled crisis situations for companies of varying sizes and geographical reach.

As the Head of the Consumer and Healthcare practices, Vivek currently works closely with clients in these sectors, advising them on trends, policies and issues that impact their communications.

Vivek has a master's degree in Business Law, a degree in Psychology and a diploma in Public Relations.

Shane Jacob - Principal and Head (Digital Media)

Shane Jacob has been part of The PRactice since March 2005. He has extensive experience in product launches, crisis communications and online campaigns and has led public relations campaigns for clients across the consumer, technology, automobile and finance sectors. He currently heads the firm's Digital practice and, in this role, has driven several successful online initiatives for clients. In addition, Shane is actively working with teams at The PRactice in rolling out New Media efforts for all of the firm's clients.

Shane comes from a sales and marketing background. Prior to joining The PRactice, he worked for www.hungama.com, South Asia's No.1 promotions website. While at hungama.com he helped manage the company's operations in South India.

Shane has a master's degree in Marketing and Management Communications, a diploma in Personnel Management & Industrial Relations, and a degree in Journalism.