The 3rd edition of the IAA Voice of Change summit turned into an insightful evening of ideas and leadership as S.K. Swamy, Executive Group Chairman of the R K Swamy Hansa Group, appeared in a special episode of Chrome Talkies.

Hosted by Pankaj Krishna, Founder & CEO of Chrome DM, the candid conversation brought together decades of business wisdom, media sensitivity, and entrepreneurial foresight—all against the backdrop of a growing movement for inclusive representation in Indian advertising.

According to a press release by Chrome DM, the episode was filmed live at the summit venue and stood out as a highlight of the event. With a packed audience from media, marketing, and leadership backgrounds, the conversation dove into the roots of the Voice of Change initiative and Swamy’s pivotal role in its evolution.

Reflecting on its origin, he recalled the first major step—a seminar on Violence Against Women co-hosted with UNICEF and Population First over a decade ago—that sparked an industry-wide awakening around the portrayal of women in advertising.

“Back then, we even launched a research study on how women were being portrayed in advertising,” Swamy said. “To our delight, we found a high level of awareness and responsibility already emerging in the industry.” He acknowledged key champions like Nina Jaipuria and Meeta Wagle for their persistent work, and pointed out how global insights—particularly those from the Geena Davis Institute—helped shape the initiative’s Indian chapter. Swamy called ‘Voice of Change’ not just a campaign, but a cultural shift, extending across metros and even agency-level roadshows at firms like Leo Burnett, FCB, and Famous Innovations.

The dialogue soon shifted focus to Swamy’s recent IPO milestone, where he opened up on the intricacies of preparing a business for public listing. His advice was practical and grounded: scale, solid partners, profitability, and internal depth. “We chose to list on the main board, not SME. We wanted to benchmark ourselves with the best, and that demands a different level of discipline,” he shared, underlining the commitment to transparency and governance that investors expect post-IPO.

Speaking on leadership, he offered a window into the culture at R K Swamy Hansa Group. “Top 50 of our employees have been with us for over 15 years,” he said with pride. “When your team feels more like friends and family, attrition is not a concern.” He noted that while he remains involved with core strategy, the next generation is steadily taking the reins.

In his message to young entrepreneurs, Swamy did not hold back. “There’s no magic wand. No shortcut. Just grow your business with integrity, keep your fundamentals strong, and the rewards will follow,” he said. He encouraged new-age founders to aim for main board IPOs, stating, “That’s where the quality investors are.”

A light-hearted yet powerful moment came when host Pankaj Krishna jokingly secured a promise from Mr. Swamy—“on the record”—to mentor Chrome DM through its own IPO journey, drawing laughs and applause from the crowd.

This special Chrome Talkies episode resonated strongly with the summit’s underlying theme—driving change through responsible media, ethical leadership, and a vision rooted in inclusivity and action. The episode is now streaming online and offers a compelling watch for anyone shaping the future of business or media in India.

Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IY9BqMBLf0