prthrive2022

[prthrive2022]

Party in the USA

The United States can be said to be in a sorry state at the moment. The leadership of President Joe Biden was expected to be a restoration of calmness after a presidency full of ups and downs under President Trump, but it only turned out to be the opposite. The incumbent and his vice-president, Kamala Harris, have the lowest approval ratings for any presidency in the United States since the administration of President Richard Nixon. Undelivered campaign promises, prolonged lockdowns, unsuccessful strategy against two waves of Covid-19, a disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, an unsecure Southern Border, subpar job creation statistics, policies which end the nation’s status of being energy independent, and finally the inadequate measures to restrict Russia in their expansionist pursuits have painted an undesirable image of the president, one of being weak and unable to lead a global giant. It is very clear that Joe Biden is unlikely to get a second term in office, with both Democrats and Republicans dissatisfied of his term in office. Hence, the 2024 election is key for both parties, and a major challenge for the candidates standing up for it. Performing well in these elections would boost the political momentum in either party, and would allow the candidate to be in charge of the nation when it needs a courageous leader.

Task at Hand:

You are the Campaign Manager for a presidential candidate, as allotted to you. Given the several allegations levelled against your candidate, and the need to win over the American voters, you have been tasked with coming up with a Presidential Campaign for the 2024 US Presidential Elections. You are required to prepare a report and PPT (of not more than 5 slides, excluding title and thank you slides) containing the following deliverables:

• Executive Summary

• Defence Strategies (against all allegations)

• Public Relations Strategies

• Campaign Branding for 2024 (2024 Slogan, Vice Presidential Candidate, Key Promises to Appease Voters)

• Phase Wise Campaign (Schedule for Campaigning in States)

• Press Release

• Creatives

NOTE: Your strategies must align with the current political views of the candidate allotted to you. The profile will be sent to you personally.

Submission Guidelines: You are required to submit the ppt and report to pr.thrive2022@gmail.com by 4 AM. You also are expected to bring 4 physical copies of your report in stick files when you meet us in the morning. So get to work!

[prthrive2022]

Top 5!!!

Participants, the final 5 of Public Relations: The Promethean are as follows:

Congratulations to all those who have made it, this last leg of the event will be a painful one but most enriching and satisfying. It's time to work.

For those who didn't make it, we're so proud of all that you've done, and the margins were very tight. So don't be sad, soldier. Chins up! You made it to where it matters, and you put in some shift to get here. We definitely look forward to seeing you dominate Vistas!

[prthrive2022]

MÉNAGE À DEUX

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some hire Public Relations Officers.”

Every great brand has an even greater story behind it. And you, PRO’s, have been hired by the following companies who wish to diversify their brands across the globe, starting with the assigned country. 

Your task is simple - win the public over in the proposed country, and make the brand memorable to stick in the mind of every consumer. 

Remember, creativity coupled with logic is the best way to win over hearts!

Your Options:

Godrej Refrigerators in Alaska (People do not use refrigerators because the food freezes at normal temperatures) - VAL 2

Canon in North Korea (Photography is banned) - VAL 6 

Chai Point in Cuba (Cuba is the largest exporter and consumer per capita of coffee) - VAL 24

Qua Mineral Water in Germany (Normal Mineral Water is priced higher than beer; Qua Mineral Water is premium alkaline water) - VAL 8

Ooty Chocolates in Ghana (Ghana is finest and largest producer of cacao and cocoa) - VAL 9

Orbit in Singapore (Chewing gums are banned in Singapore) - VAL 1 

Woodland Apparel in Maldives (Woodlands makes apparel exclusively for mountaineering and Maldives is an island country) - VAL 3

Deliverables required but not restricted to: 

Rationale to Enter these Markets

Public Relations Strategies 

Campaign Plan

Press Release 

Creatives 

Submission Format: PPT with a minimum of 8 slides, submission time 2PM.

[prthrive2022]

Caught Offside

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is going to be held in Qatar this December, and while it is expected to generate a lot of publicity for the country, the event has been marred controversy since its bid was accepted by FIFA way back in 2014. Corruption, safety hazards, player boycotts and protests have been the story of the World Cup so far. What was supposed to whitewash Qatar's not-so-attractive image to the world is now about to lead it to further peril.

Task at Hand:

You are the Social Media Manager (Twitter) of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. You are expected to respond to each tweet of the Twitter handle of @SkySportsWC2022 with a single tweet or thread.

Format:

You are required to Quote Tweet your response to each tweet sent out by the aforementioned account. The response could include any strategies, announcements, defences or PR which would mitigate the crisis for you.

Requirements:

You are required to create a new Twitter account with the handle "@FIFAWC2022_VAL<Number>" and send the link to the handle to pr.thrive2022@gmail.com by 11:10 AM.

[prthrive2022]

Dethrone The King

The Maharaja Group is one such hotel chain brand that has changed the face of hospitality in India. Established in 1975, this luxurious hotel group has served its guests with the utmost comfort and leisure, thereby becoming a trusted brand and the leader of the market. In terms of capacity, the Maharaja Group operates through a fleet of 36 luxurious hotel establishments worldwide in addition to its origin in India. With about 14,500 employees, the company’s annual turnover for the financial year 2018-19 observed a 13% jump resulting in a figure as high as Rs.3032.60 million. Exceptional service, wide acceptance by the customers and stronghold over the market for the 46 years of service rendered has made this giant unbeatable in the hospitality realm.

On the other hand, Radisson Bay Oriental is a fairly new entry into the market but has swept away a large market share from many of its competitors since the time of its inception. Established in the late 90s, the company with its uniquely personal approach towards the target audience has been successful in making its name in the top 25 luxurious hotel brands of the country. With about 19 hotel establishments, 7000 employees and an annual turnover of Rs 2062 million, the company is slowly making its way to the top in the Indian markets.

Submission Deadline: 11:05 AM

Task in hand:

The participants are required to establish PR strategies and policies for Radisson Bay Oriental to outpower the leader, that is, The Maharaja Group and establish the company as a giant in the Indian Hospitality Industry. Feel free to be as creative as possible.

[prthrive2022]

Simon Go Back!

In today’s day and age, finding love is simple… It’s as simple as swiping right. Dating apps like Bumble and Tinder have caused havoc in the online world. The $7bn dating app industry was built to bring couples face-to-face. Yet, while the majority of the world endures lockdowns, restrictions and curfews, dating apps are getting more attention than ever. US giant Tinder reported its busiest day to date, ringing in more than 3bn swipes globally. Despite the need for ease and comfort of removing someone completely out of your life with just a block button, these dating apps have also led to some of the most dangerous experiences women and corporates like the American Express and even the InterPol have had.

Shimon Hayut, or Simon Leviev, better known as the Tinder Swindler, is a convicted fraudster born in Israel. Hayut used dating apps to meet multiple women, then established lines of credit and loans in their names, ultimately leaving them holding the bills. Like a demonic Leonardo DiCaprio in Catch Me If You Can, Hayut appeared happy to jump from one identity to another in order to keep his scheme running. He was convicted of fraud in Finland under his birth name but carried out his Tinder con under the name Simon Leviev, claiming to be the son of wealthy diamond magnate Lev Leviev. Once his name was revealed in a VG expose, he supposedly took the name David Sharon to evade the authorities.

He stole an estimated $10 million and the trauma he caused to women like Cecilie Schrøder Fjellhøy, Ayleen Koeleman and many others is unimaginable. Hayut was released 5 months after for faking his identity but never for conning those women. He continued the same lavish lifestyle he led before prison, along with a new girlfriend and the VG Magazine even reported that he’s back on Tinder. (Even though Tinder said he would be banned from Tinder when the documentary about his exposé came out).

Task at Hand:

You have been appointed as the Publicist and Representative for Simon Leviev in a press conference conducted by VG Magazine.

Given all the information that women will so easily have about him online, your job is to convince the people, especially women, that he is safe to date and you also have to justify his actions in the past. Make this creative.

Deliverables include - a PPT that consists of:

1.A new Tinder profile (Just a few pictures with a bio and interests in a slide- do NOT actually create one)

2.Defense strategies

3.Strategies to recover his public image

Brownie points for usage of props and attire to suit the profile, when you present this round to us!

Submission Deadline: TONIGHT 11:05 PM

[prthrive2022]

Expo-Nential Growth

Expo 2020 Dubai is a world fair organised by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) and the Government of United Arab Emirates (UAE). It has invited a lot of excitement from the general public, multinational corporations and governments alike. The organisation of the expo has led to growth in the economy and infrastructure in the city of Dubai, inviting over 25 million tourists, with a month still remaining. The economic gains were realised ever since the announcement of Dubai as the host city back in 2013. It is a matter of prestige for any nation to host the World Expo.

The year is 2023, and the BIE has invited bids from all interested nations to host the prestigious world fair in 2030. You shall represent the bidding countries, as allotted to you.

You are required to represent the culture, ethos, attire, food habits and lifestyle of your nation, and convince the representatives of the BIE that your nation is the perfect host for the World Expo in all aspects: culturally, economically, politically, etc. Your proposal will be evaluated on the basis of your creativity, research and personality. You aren’t required to submit any deliverables, so you can steer your bid in any direction you want to!

[prthrive2022]

Welcome!

Welcome the Top 2 from the Kengeri/Decision Science leg of Thrive 2022, who will be joining us for future rounds:

[prthrive2022]

Top 5

Participants, we are glad to announce the top 5 for our event:

For those who made it through, the struggle has just begun, and we wish you the very best for what lies ahead. For those who didn't, we are so very proud of you, and you did light up the event with your amazing strategies. The margins are so very close. We hope to see you all festing in the future! Thank you so much, and remember, chins up!

[prthrive2022]

Lights, Camera, Action!

“Cinema is the most beautiful fraud in the entire world.”

The film industries worldwide amass more than $60 billion annually, and are only projected to grow further with the indelible increase in the use of OTT platforms and digital streaming services. Format changes abound, but what remains the gospel truth of cinema is its the entertainment quotient and time value that it gives to viewers.

Your task, should you choose to accept it, is as follows:

The following two films are some unconventional remakes, and the makers of these films aspire to screen their work at the International Film Festival, Cannes. Assisting as the Communications Chief to the filmmakers, you are to prepare a PowerPoint Presentation of not more than 7 slides containing:

● Strategies to convince the Board at Cannes to screen your film

● Explain the role changes and plot changes that have been pivotal in the remake

● Creatives!!! (No limits here)

FILM 1 - Mission Impossible 8 starring Govinda (in place of Tom Cruise): VAL 1, VAL 3, VAL 9, VAL 17, VAL 24

FILM 2 - Chennai Express Returns starring Meryl Streep (in place of Deepika Padukone): VAL 2, VAL 4, VAL 8, VAL 14, VAL 26

Submission Time: 5:00 PM

[prthrive2022]

No Michael No! This Is So Not Right!

Formula One is the biggest motorsport event in the world, and its popularity has increased immensely ever since the release of the Netflix documentary: ‘Formula 1: Drive to Survive’. It also underwent a successful rebranding campaign which gave it a fresh appearance, and also appealed to the youth worldwide. Its partnership with Amazon Web Services also gave the fans data insights and made the sport much more interesting to watch. The 2021 season was one of the best years for the sport in its history, given the tense and action-packed rivalry between eventual champion Max Verstappen and 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, and their teams Red Bull Racing and Mercedes AMG F1 Petronas throughout the calendar.

Despite all the success sporting wise, 2021 was definitely a colossal disaster governance and management wise. The governance of the sport is the responsibility of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), which is headed by the current Race Director, Michael Masi. In the business end of the season, Michael Masi made some very controversial racing decisions, applying some rules and judgments for one race and then not applying the same reasoning in the next race. In the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, for example, he conducted a negotiation with Max Verstappen to give up places unfairly gained instead of imposing a penalty, as is common practice. And then there was a lack of clarity when Verstappen overtook Hamilton but was asked to give his position back, but Hamilton was never informed of the same, so the Brit rammed into the back of the Dutch driver’s car. But the worst was yet to come, as the final showdown took place in Abu Dhabi with both drivers on level times. Lewis Hamilton led almost the entire race, but Masi tweaked common practice during Safety Car Procedures to “promote racing” which allowed Verstappen to win the race and the championship. This was a huge shock to Hamilton, who was pretty much sure of clinching his eighth title. The Brit considered hanging up his boots as he didn’t “see himself returning to an unfair sport.” Given the influence of the biggest personality in motorsport, this sent tremors through all parties involved with F1.

This is not the only point of embarrassment for the management. The Formula One Management (FOM) introduced the “We Race As One” initiative to promote inclusivity in the sport. Yet the Hamilton Commission, founded by Sir Lewis Hamilton himself, being the only Black driver in the sport, found that the sport had severe issues in terms of diversity, and had done little to promote having a more inclusive workforce. In addition, the FOM agreed to host races in countries like Hungary, Azerbaijan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is banned and punishable by law, and the women residing in these nations have extremely limited rights. Drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton openly criticised FOM before the conduct of these races, and wore rainbow attire in protest. The FOM has hence been branded as a hypocritic organisation.

Task in Hand:

You have been appointed as the Publicity Manager for Formula One, and are tasked with representing both, the FIA and the FOM. Given the controversy which has marred the sport off late, several sponsors are considering backing out from their deals. Given that 2022 is an important year due to the biggest ever car regulation changes in its history, it is vital to secure the contracts. You have been tasked with changing the mood of the angry fans, as well as the sponsors. For that purpose, you are required to prepare a report containing:

1) Executive Summary

2) Defence Strategies

3) Public Relations Strategies

4) Strategies to Retain Sponsors

6) Strategies to Retain Drivers and Teams

7) Press Release

8) Creatives.

Submission Details: You are required to submit the report to pr.thrive2022@gmail.com by 9:00 AM tomorrow.

For any further details, contact:

Anmol Betala: +91 63624 21887

Sanjana Mukund: +91 99640 09900

[prthrive2022]

Top 10

Participants, the top 10 participants are given as below:

VAL 1

VAL 2

VAL 3

VAL 4

VAL 8

VAL 9

VAL 14

VAL 17

VAL 24

VAL 26

Congratulations to all who have made it through. To those who didn't, we are proud of you and thank you for being with us over these past few days! Do not let the spirit of festing in you die, y'all have been wonderful!

[prthrive2022]

Paisa Oh Paisa!

Nice and sunny in the rich man’s world, isn’t it?

Well, guess what participants, this isn’t the rich man’s world.

Your current task is to come up with a completely unconventional PR Campaign for a brand or company of your choice with a budget of only 300 INR.

Deliverables expected:

● PPT not exceeding 4 slides (Not including title and thank you slides, and not including creatives)

● Creatives (Maximum!)

Submission Details: By 5:15 PM

[prthrive2022]

A God-Send!

We woke up and felt generous. So we decided to give you a clue for one of today's onspots.

The atom is the smallest particle of any chemical element which can exist. Yet, the fission of this miniscule particle leads to the generation of humongous amounts of energy.

Yes, we are speaking about nuclear energy. Stay prepared about the risks associated with it and what can be done to minimise these risks in the future.

Happy festing!

[prthrive2022]

Top 20!

Participants, here are the top 20 who've made it through to the next phase of the event:

[prthrive2022]

Mars On! Christites, Mars On!

“In essence, everything is energy.”

If you dig deep enough into the foundational beliefs that lay the core to life in this universe, you will undoubtedly reach the conclusion that all matter is energy.

Every action, reaction and transaction, of this dimension has been deduced to be the reciprocal of energy, and therein lies the source of all creation. Our universe is governed by 13 laws that stand tall as the pillars of spiritual thought. Paired with this understanding of energy, exists a field of study devoted to foreseeing that which lies ahead in the near future. Calculating and analyzing the various tangents and trajectories among the planets and the Sun, the science of astrology aims to understand the influence that cosmic movement has on earthly life.

All of this changes when you are on Mars. It is the year 2040, and you find yourself in charge of representing a fictitious religious centre (which you must create) on Mars. Your task at hand is to revise all 13 laws of the universe to suit the needs of differential planetary conditions on Mars, and recreate all astrological beliefs about planet positioning to match with the Martian way of life. Along with this, you are to also create the blueprint and style of living for the inhabitants of the Centre, whom you will be handpicking from Earth.

Remember, at the root of all philosophical thought lies a core belief - and that will be your rationale.

You are required to submit a report of not less than 8 pages (excluding cover page and table of contents) and a PPT of not more than 5 slides (excluding title and thank you slides). Deliverables expected but not restricted to:

● Executive Summary

● Core Belief and Rationale behind the 13 New Laws

● Revision of Astrological Beliefs and new interpretations of planetary positioning

● Public Relations Strategies

● Architectural Blueprint of the religious centre on Mars

● Daily schedule for the chosen members of the Centre

● Press Release

● Creatives

Submission Details: You are required to email the PDF report and PPT to pr.thrive2022@gmail.com by 1 pm tomorrow, and are expected to carry a physical copy of your report to the panel while presenting.

For any clarifications regarding the round, contact:

Sanjana Mukund: +91 99640 09900

( And Sanjana only, until 1 AM)

[prthrive2022]

The World's Happiest Place

When the Covid–19 pandemic hit in late 2019 and early 2020, governments around the world shut down theatres to curb the spread of the virus. Global theatrical business went kaput as lockdowns were put in place. Many Hollywood movies intended for theatres instead went to streaming services.

The contracts of big-time actors like Scarlett Johansson depend on the box office performance of their movies. Before the pandemic, there used to be a certain time gap (usually 30 days of 45 days) between theatrical and streaming releases. Since theatres, at least the few that opened, ran at half capacity, the model did not exactly work.

Black Widow was released on July 9 in most markets. In the US and a few other select countries, the film was also released on Disney+’s PVOD service called Premier Access. On July 29, Johansson had sued Disney saying its hybrid release strategy for Black Widow breached the terms of her contract. She also alleged that Disney’s decision to release the film in the current environment robbed her of $50 million in box office bonuses. As the simultaneous release diminished the film’s box office returns, her bonuses that depended on the film’s theatrical profits also suffered negatively.

Disney's response to this lawsuit was shockingly aggressive, denying any merit to these allegations while also calling the lawsuit ‘sad’ and ‘distressing’ for disregarding the horrific effects of Covid 19. In this response, they also revealed the ‘$20 million USD’ compensation she received for the movie, a practice generally not followed by studios.

Disney’s response resulted in criticism from several bodies such as Creative Arts Agency (CAA) and SAG-AFTRA for their ‘misogynistic’ and ‘gender shaming’ remarks about her earnings.

While the lawsuit has now been settled, the incident has invited a lot of public scrutiny over its unfavorable, sexist and toxic response, tainting its public perception. This lawsuit is also believed to have increased tensions among other Disney-employed artists who might pursue legal action over similar issues.

Task at Hand:

As PRO of Disney, you are required to justify its actions and create a framework to re-establish its public image while also addressing concerns about the artists’ and their deteriorated relationship with Disney.

Deliverables:

You are required to submit a report of not less than 5 pages (excluding cover page and table of contents) containing the following deliverables:

• Executive Summary

• Defense Strategies

• PR Strategies

• Strategies to deal with artists and artist organisations, and their concerns

• Press Release

Submission Details: All reports are to be submitted to pr.thrive2022@gmail.com before 8 am tomorrow. All submissions are to be made in PDF file format.

The subject of the email and the name of the file should be written as "(VAL Number)_(Task Name)". For example, a submission for this round by VAL 50 would require the subject line of the email to be VAL 50_The World's Happiest Place and the name of the file would be VAL 50_The World's Happiest Place.pdf.

For any doubts, feel free to contact:

H Balabhaskar: +91 76187 15909

All the best!