Kirti Arora, DOB: 25.01.89, Mob: (+91) 9911288435
Email: kirti.writes@gmail.com, Location: Mumbai
Summary: With 8+ years of experience as a communication professional, I am well-adept at media relations, government relations, research, social media, advocacy, writing press releases, blogs, articles, and working with a diverse group of stakeholders for goal-oriented communication and brand-building for organizations.
Articles in international and local publications:
1. Saree, not sorry: Traditional Indian attire finds place in modern society
2. Online education is the way forward in changing education culture in India
3. Theatre enhances creative potential of children and adults
4. Entrepreneurial innovations taking India by storm
5. Late Mohammed Rafi was a music director’s delight, says author Sujata Dev
Work Experience
Content Head with https://stepapp.ai/ (Jan 2020 – till date) – Mumbai
o Write proposals for government and private stakeholders
o Review content created by subject-matter experts & suggest improvements
o Work with designers & animators for creating impactful e-learning modules & content
o Create in-house communication collaterals
o Create presentations for investors & relevant stakeholders
o Draft content for social media pages, in-app communication, blogs, press releases, case studies, & newsletters
o Pitch for brand-partnership opportunities
Communications Manager with Praja Foundation (Oct 2019 – Jan 2020) – Mumbai
o Write proposals for local/ international organizations to seek funds
o Draft internal and external communication strategies for better engagement
o Manage media personnel and social media advocacy
Spanish Translator and Correspondent with EFE News Agency (Feb 2019 – July 2019) – New Delhi
o Translate Spanish news into English
o Write original news stories in English
Researcher with www.betterbutter.in (Sep 2017 – Jan 2018) – New Delhi
o Engage with chefs and food influencers for branding activities
o Write blogs, newsletters, press releases and online ads
o Analyze data and ideate creative ways to build better user engagement
o Social Media Management – Facebook and Instagram
Advocacy Officer with Centre for Media Studies (March 2017 – July 2017) – New Delhi Project Based Assignment
o Organize media workshop on Climate Change Reporting in Hyderabad for Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
o Handle media relations and research for Indian Himalayas Climate Change Adaptation Programme (IHCAP)
o Coordinate IHCAP Media fellowship programme
o Social media advocacy
Correspondent with Asian News International (Nov 2014 – Oct 2016) – New Delhi
o Undertake political research on India and Pakistan
o Write stories on areas such as education, entrepreneurship, and online trends
Programme Coordinator with Directorate of Film Festivals, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
– New Delhi (Aug 2014 – Oct 2014, contractual assignment)
o Research, write, and edit catalogues, press releases, press ads and brochures for International Film Festival of India (IFFI), 2014
o Coordinate with media personnel for wide coverage
Freelance journalist with www.mytheatrecafe.com (May 2012 – June 2014)
o Review theatre plays, music concerts, books and theatre related text
o Interviewing theatre related personalities
Content Writer with www.snapdeal.com (Dec 2010 – March 2012) – New Delhi
o Write product descriptions and internal communication collaterals
o Write blogs, articles, press releases
Communication Associate with Rotary International (March 2010 – Dec 2010) – New Delhi
o Write fortnightly newsletters with distribution across the globe
o Visit Polio-afflicted areas and government health camps for report writing
o Manage internal and external communication
Education Qualifications
o MA in English, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), 2017 – 1st division. Percentage – 61%
o BA in Journalism (H), Kamala Nehru College, Delhi University, 2009 – 1st division Percentage: 63%
o B1 DELE (Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera)
o 12th CBSE – Gyan Mandir Public School. Science Stream. Percentage: 80%
o 10th CBSE – Gyan Mandir Public School. Percentage: 87%
Hobbies
Travelling, reading, writing, meeting new people, and watching films
Cover Letter
I am currently working as a Content Head with the mobile app ‘STEPapp’ that aims to simplify education for school kids. Here, I manage a team and oversee their work, which includes writing proposals to private and government stakeholders, proof-reading, content creation for the app as well as for promotional purposes. Additionally, I am also involved in branding and partnership opportunities for the company.
I began my career working with NGO Rotary International, which worked for the eradication of the polio virus globally. Working there, I learnt finer nuances of effective communication as we visited villages in Uttar Pradesh acquainting people about the importance of vaccination. I would also write regularly for Rotary’s brochures, magazines, and case studies, offering a glimpse of the Indian polio situation to the world.
Post Rotary, I worked with www.snapdeal.com, where I looked after various aspects related to internal and external communication including content writing, SEO writing, social media management, and strategizing for promotional material. Working with an e-commerce firm helped me understand how to write saleable, rich, and engaging content.
I also worked with Spain’s news agency efe.com, where I translated news articles from Spanish to English and also wrote original pieces in English. Working in a multi-cultural environment was a truly enriching experience and added a lot to my personal and professional growth.
My story which was published in several global newspapers: https://www.efe.com/efe/english/destacada/saree-not-sorry-traditional-indian-attire-finds-place-in-modern-society/50000261-4016471
Further, I have also worked with Indian news agency Asian News International (ANI). There, I was responsible for political research and writing original stories on art, culture, entrepreneurship, and education, etc. I also managed a team of sub-editors.
Some of my published stories at ANI:
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/education-goes-digital-in-india-115073101354_1.html
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/Online-education-is-the-way-forward-in-India/articleshow/49391102.cms
http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/entrepreneurial-innovations-taking-india-by-storm-115121200427_1.html
http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-language-comes-from-regions-not-religions-javed-akhtar-2069372
In the past, I had a brief stint with the Indian government’s film wing, also known as The Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF) under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. I wrote newsletters, press advertisements, press releases along with researching and editing film catalogues. Moreover, I collaborated with external agencies for creative work and other internal work requirements.
To conclude, I would like to mention my core strengths which are research, result-oriented communication strategies, translation, advocacy, social media, editing, public relations, and strategic alliances. Being fluent in Hindi, English, and Spanish helps reach out to a wider audience, which is in the best interest of any organization.
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