Hanmer bags General Motors India PR job

General Motors India (GMI) has selected Hanmer & Partners Communications to manage its public relations account.

"We needed a PR consultancy which could deliver during the most crucial juncture of our existence in India," said P. Balendran, VP, corporate affairs, GMI. "GM India is embarking on its most ambitious expansion plan to date."

The GMI account will be supervised by Amit Misra, VP (North), Hanmer & Partners, and managed by Sandeep Raj Singh, principal consultant, based in New Delhi, directly coordinating with GMI's Balendran.

Hanmer & Partners attributed the win to its strategic input and its extensive network of offices, with experienced and senior resources, across India. "The client's brief stressed the need for a public relations consultancy capable of providing strategic value to GM India's plans, and one which could execute with instant turnaround times," said Sunil Gautam, MD, Hanmer & Partners.

GMI expanded its Chevrolet line of vehicles early this year with the Aveo, Tavera Neo and SRV models. The carmaker has also announced plans for capacity expansion in Gujarat and a manufacturing unit in Maharashtra.

"The key challenges will be taking the brand to tier-two and -three cities in India, where incumbent carmakers already enjoy a certain loyalty due to a relatively longer presence. GMI is preparing for the long haul and, with its current Chevrolet portfolio, it's just a matter of time before it makes inroads into the hinterland," said Gautam.