Namrata Thakkar
(She/Her)
India, London
As seen in:
Medium,
HackerNoon,
Khaleej Times,
The Good Men Project,
Elephant Journal,
Richmond Times-Dispatch,
LA Weekly,
New York Weekly,
Eastern Eye,
MarketersMedia News
and
Covers:
✔ Entrepreneurial storytelling
✔ PR strategy & media placements
✔ Startup growth & funding announcements
✔ Brand visibility & thought leadership
✔ Tech trends & digital innovation
✔ Mental health
Doesn't Cover:
Politics
Adult content
Gambling & betting
Cryptocurrency promotions
Get-rich-quick schemes
Medical advice without expert sources
Illegal or unethical activities
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
My first role in journalism was as a freelance content writer and contributor, where I covered business, technology, and startup stories for digital publications. This early experience taught me how to craft compelling narratives that engage readers and capture the attention of editors—skills I now apply to strategic PR and media placements for global brands.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes, I used a typewriter during school, which gave me an early appreciation for the discipline of writing and storytelling. It’s interesting to see how far technology has come, and I now blend that same focus with modern digital media and PR strategies.
How is social media changing news?
Social media has fundamentally changed how news is discovered, consumed, and shared. It allows stories to reach global audiences instantly, amplifies engagement, and gives readers a voice in shaping the narrative. At the same time, it demands that journalists and PR professionals create credible, timely, and visually compelling content to stand out amid the noise. Social media has turned news into a two-way conversation, where impact depends not just on reporting, but on connecting meaningfully with audiences.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
One of my favorite fictional journalists is Lois Lane from Superman. I admire her tenacity, curiosity, and commitment to uncovering the truth, even in high-pressure situations. She embodies the qualities every journalist should strive for: courage, integrity, and a relentless drive to tell important stories.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To me, being a journalist means being a storyteller, investigator, and truth-seeker all at once. It’s about uncovering meaningful information, translating complex ideas into clear narratives, and delivering content that informs, inspires, and engages audiences. Beyond reporting, it’s a responsibility to maintain credibility, accuracy, and ethical standards, while helping people understand the world through well-crafted, insightful stories.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
One of the funniest news-related hashtags I’ve come across is #BreakingNewsButMakeItFashion. It’s a playful reminder that even serious topics can have a creative or viral twist—something I often think about when crafting stories and media placements that stand out.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I prefer pitches that are concise, clear, and tailored to the story or beat I cover. Highlight the key news angle, relevance, and potential impact, and include any supporting materials—quotes, data, or visuals. Personalized outreach that shows you’ve researched my work and understand the audience always stands out. I value pitches that respect my time while making it easy to see why the story matters.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
I rely on a mix of media monitoring, content creation, and analytics tools to do my work efficiently. Key tools include:
Muck Rack and Cision for journalist and media outreach
Ahrefs and SEMRush for keyword research and SEO insights
Canva and Adobe Creative Suite for visual storytelling
Google Analytics for tracking content performance
LinkedIn and Twitter/X for audience engagement and trend monitoring
These tools help me craft data-driven narratives, optimize media placements, and measure the impact of every campaign.
What's your favorite social network?
My favorite social network is LinkedIn. It’s where professionals, founders, and journalists connect, share insights, and discover compelling stories. I use it to spot trends, engage with thought leaders, and amplify media coverage for clients and brands.
Who do you wish followed you?
I’d love to connect with founders, startup leaders, PR professionals, and journalists who are passionate about storytelling, media strategy, and brand building. Following me allows them to discover insights on strategic media placement, high-impact storytelling, and global press coverage, while I get to engage with peers and innovators shaping the media landscape.
Why did you become a journalist?
I became a journalist because I’ve always been passionate about telling stories that matter and helping people understand complex topics in a clear, engaging way. Journalism allows me to combine curiosity, research, and strategic communication to inform audiences while also shaping narratives that create impact. Over time, this evolved into a focus on media strategy and PR, where I help startups, founders, and global brands turn their stories into high-visibility features.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I didn’t work for my high school newspaper, but I’ve been passionate about storytelling and media from an early age. I started exploring writing, content creation, and reporting independently, which eventually led me to a career in PR, media strategy, and digital storytelling.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
One story I’m most proud of is my feature on the psychological impact of infertility, published in Khaleej Times. It combined sensitive reporting, expert insights, and actionable advice for readers, while giving the subject a meaningful platform. This project exemplifies my approach: turning complex, human-centered topics into compelling narratives that reach global audiences and generate real engagement.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
My advice to aspiring journalists is to focus on curiosity, credibility, and storytelling. Always dig deeper, verify your sources, and aim to translate complex ideas into narratives that resonate with readers. Build a versatile skill set—writing, research, digital media, and SEO—and stay adaptable, because journalism today is as much about crafting stories that engage audiences online as it is about reporting facts. Consistency, ethical standards, and a genuine passion for uncovering truth are what will set you apart.
When's the best time to pitch you?
The best time to pitch me is during regular business hours, Monday to Friday, ideally early in the day. This allows me to review pitches thoughtfully and follow up if needed. Pitches that are concise, relevant, and tailored to my beat always get priority, no matter the timing.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
The best pitches I’ve received are concise, tailored, and clearly show the story’s relevance. They highlight a compelling news angle, provide supporting details or visuals, and demonstrate that the sender has researched my work and audience. A pitch like this immediately grabs attention, makes my job easier, and often leads to a feature or follow-up conversation.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
The worst pitches are usually generic, mass-sent emails that don’t show any understanding of my work or audience. Pitches that are overly promotional, lack a clear news angle, or fail to explain why the story matters make it very difficult to engage. Personalized, relevant, and well-researched pitches always stand out in contrast.
What's your favorite drink?
I enjoy a classic masala chai—it’s comforting, energizing, and a little ritual that helps me focus before diving into storytelling and media strategy.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
When I’m not at a computer, I’m usually exploring new media trends, reading about technology and business, or attending industry events to stay inspired and ahead of the curve. I also enjoy traveling and observing global markets, which helps me uncover stories and insights that inform my work in PR and media strategy.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Aside from my own work, I enjoy reading Harvard Business Review for insights on leadership and strategy, TechCrunch for the latest in technology and startups, and The New York Times for comprehensive global news coverage. These publications inspire me to create stories that are both engaging and impactful for my audiences.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
One common misperception is that PR and media placement is purely about “getting your name out there.” In reality, strategic PR is about crafting credible, newsworthy stories that resonate with editors and audiences, building long-term brand authority, and generating measurable business impact—not just exposure.
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