This new series will feature career advice from IPR ELEVATE Members. IPR ELEVATE is a diverse and select membership community of high-performing innovators and catalysts for growth, change, and advancement who support the mission and insights-focused work of IPR.
With 18 years of experience, Nupur Raghunath is well-versed in building long-lasting relationships, and creating and implementing award-winning initiatives that move consumers to take action and achieve amazing results. She has spent her career leading public relations for various brands in the consumer, retail, food, healthcare, and nonprofit spaces. As a Senior Vice President in MSL’s consumer practice, she manages senior client relationships, leads strategic planning, and ensures her clients have the right team to deliver on all objectives on a daily basis. One of her biggest passions is truly integrated communications, something she is able to facilitate through Publicis Power of One integrated teams. She collaborates closely with agencies and clients alike to ensure that public relations, corporate communications, influencer marketing, activations, and more are delivering on brand and business goals, through both cross-discipline campaigns and day-to-day collaboration between disciplines.
Nupur is passionate about mentoring and leading the next generation of communicators. At MSL, she often leads training and career pathing initiatives for her team and the agency overall. In 2021, she joined her alma mater Columbia University to support the strategic communications program and students as a course associate. In this role, she supports the lecturer, gives lectures, provides feedback on assignments, and shares real-world examples of communication in action for the students.
Prior to joining MSL in 2017, she was with Marina Maher Communications for nearly 6 years and with Edelman for 5 years. She began her career at the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, working on public affairs, government relations, and community relations projects. Nupur holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Hofstra University and a master’s degree in strategic communications from Columbia University. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and keeping up with the adventures of her husband and two daughters.
What is the most helpful piece of advice you’ve received throughout your career?
When developing a communication or any material, really try and understand the point of view of the person at the other end that you are communicating with. Whether it’s a target consumer, senior leader, or a client, understanding their goals, needs and challenges will make you a stronger communicator every single time. While we are used to this mindset for external materials, we should apply it for even everyday communications, such as emails. It will reduce swirl, get you faster responses, and improve relationships.
What mistakes did you make early on in your career?
There are countless directions in which one can take their career. For some time, when I was more junior, I rode the wave a little bit, just taking opportunities that fell in my lap. A lack of confidence and imposter syndrome, which we all face, kept me from choosing a path or advocating for myself. I wish I had spent more time thinking through where I wanted to be and what I wanted for myself, and had more confidence to manifest those things.
I’d recommend being thoughtful and intentional about what you want your career and your life, to look like. Write down where you want to be in the next 3-5 years, and use that as your north star to filter how you spend your greatest resource – your time. Make sure you’re balancing personal fulfillment, as well as a career direction.
What career advice would you give to young professionals?
Raise your hand for opportunities. Be proactive, and show that you’re hungry, trustworthy, and capable. Good work is rewarded when you have the right leadership.