When celebrity publicist Dale Bhagwagar addressed the students of Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) at H.R.College, Churchgate, Mumbai, they were in for a huge surprise. He freely discussed PR strategies and media manoeuvres that went behind the makeover of ‘Brand Shilpa Shetty’.
Dale handled Shilpa Shetty's PR for the best five years of her life; throughout the hype and hoopla, during and post UK’s reality show 'Celebrity Big Brother'. The PR expert gave insights on newspaper stories in India as well as UK, on television feeds and also how he tackled the various raging controversies (including the Richard Gere one) surrounding his client.
He knowingly spilled a lot of beans, which was enlightening for students, especially as crisis-management is an integral part of the BMS course.
Dale was invited to SIES College in Sion to judge the PR event of an inter-collegiate BMM (Bachelor of Mass Media) festival titled ‘Copyrights’. He was asked to give the students hypothetical situations and prepare them to answer a volley of questions, facing an audience of other students posing as journalists in a mock Press Conference.
After each team's presentation, the publicist chose to grill the contestants of the lively PR event in tongue-in-cheek manner.
But by the time the event came to an end, everyone was rolling in laughter from the witty comments and rejoinders of the BMM students; PR's in the making.
Around 30 colleges across Mumbai participated in the 'Copyrights' fest, which provided an impressive platform for constructive speaking and debate.
It not only gave mass media students an opportunity to explore their untapped talent and potential, but also helped improve their presentation skills.
"From what a PR gets, he might make a living. But from what a PR gives, he might make a life," said Dale, after judging another inter-collegiate PR event titled 'Polaris' at Wilson College, Chowpatty. The event, which marked the opening of the three-day media fest, saw participation from 27 colleges in Mumbai.
Speaking at a guest lecture for BMM students of Rizvi College in Bandra, Dale gave insights about the importance of ethics in entertainment reporting, investigative journalism, advertising, marketing, PR exercises, image-building strategies and media manoeuvres.
The lecture also covered aspects of how information technology has helped contemporary publicists create new trends. It was followed by an interactive session with students.
Dale co-judged another intercollegiate PR event of the annual 'O2' college festival at Bhavan's College in Andheri.
Titled 'Junksatta', the event also marked the commencement of the fest, and had finalists undergoing rounds based on the fiery theme of current-day politics. Organized by BMM students, it showcased the talent of hundreds of young enthusiastic learners.
Dale gave another guest lecture on Entertainment PR at CHM College at Ulhasnagar. He spoke on the subjects of journalism, advertising, marketing, celebrity management, event co-ordination and PR.
Through the two-hour talk, the publicist gave insights with a few case studies.
He spoke about how PR strategists can help shape the minds of generation next.
Dale was invited as a guest lecturer at Event Management Development Institute at I.E.S. Management College, Bandra, to speak on the subjects of film journalism and Entertainment PR and how they are interwoven with events.
Dale participated as a speaker at an inter-collegiate media seminar titled 'Ankur – Opportunities in Media' for BMM students at L.S.Raheja College of Arts and Commerce in Juhu. In a bold talk, he threw light on some unethical practices of certain tabloids and how yellow journalism is being practiced in the garb of tabloid journalism inspired by the West. “Throwing caution to the winds, Bhagwagar was the most frank, blunt and forthright speaker of the seminar. We also admire his guts for answering all the students' questions with aplomb," commented the seminar convener at the concluding ceremony. Dr (Ms) M.B.Madlani, the principal of L.S.Raheja College, too, praised Bhagwagar for his efforts.
Dale conducted another PR seminar titled 'Impressions' for the BMM students of Vivekananda Education Society (VES) College of Arts, Science & Commerce in Chembur. Aimed at giving the students a forum to exhibit their creative skills, the seminar included an interactive session with students who were interested to take up Entertainment PR as a profession.
Dale was joined by film actress Koel Purie to judge another BMM event at the 'Impressions' festival at VES College. It showcased more than a dozen documentaries, short films and television commercials made by students from around 20 colleges in and around Mumbai.
Actor Jai Kalra from the award-winning movie 'Page 3', joined Dale to judge another 'Impressions' fest at VES College.
Addressing the students, Dale said, "We are living in a time, when perception is reality. Many BMM students will be the perception-builders of tomorrow. And if you have the right gripping thoughts in your minds, you will be able to influence, make, mould and change the perceptions of millions. That's the power of the media and the responsibility of a true publicist."
The publicist judged another short-film competition at another 'Impressions' media fest at VESCollege. Hundreds of students from various colleges competed as budding filmmakers in this event. Overwhelmed by Dale's speech after judging the competition, the organisers requested him to also judge a dance competition that followed on the college grounds. Dale couldnt help but marvel, at the outstanding efforts put up by the students, as he announced the winners of various competitions at the event.
Dale, who attended the 'Impressions’ media festival at VES for the fourth consecutive year, was the chief guest for the grand finale with nearly 20 colleges participating in it. "It's always been a pleasure to have the company of a smart mind like Bhagwagar," said Pratap Dhulap, the chairperson of 'Impressions'. The finale saw electrifying band performances by three college groups – Dhwani, Koshish and ATKT.
