Dr. Praveen Tripathi
Co-Chairman, Confederation of NGOs of Rural India (CNRI)
Dr. Praveen Tripathi is a distinguished management professional, media strategist, consumer research expert, and data analytics leader with over four decades of experience in media, marketing, strategic communication, and business leadership. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad, he currently serves as Co-Chairman of the Confederation of NGOs of Rural India (CNRI). Leveraging his unparalleled expertise in market intelligence, public communication, media analytics, and evidence-based policy advocacy, he provides strategic leadership in strengthening civil society institutions, promoting knowledge-driven development, and advancing CNRI’s mission of empowering grassroots organizations, fostering good governance, and building resilient and inclusive communities across India.
Dr. Tripathi is the Founder and Chief Executive of Magic9 Media & Consumer Knowledge Pvt. Ltd. and Magic9 Media & Analytics Pvt. Ltd., organizations recognized for pioneering advanced market intelligence, media analytics, consumer insights, and communication solutions for leading corporate, public sector, and development institutions. His professional journey reflects a rare combination of strategic vision, technological innovation, and deep understanding of consumer behaviour, making him one of India’s most respected experts in media and market research.
Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Tripathi has held several landmark leadership positions, including Managing Director of Starcom India, Chief Executive of Hansa Consulting, and President – Marketing & Sales Services at Pidilite Industries Ltd. He has also served in senior strategic roles with MARG, Lintas, and ZenithOptimedia, where he played a pivotal role in shaping India’s modern media planning ecosystem. He was among the pioneers in introducing computerized media planning systems and advanced television audience measurement methodologies, significantly influencing the evolution of India’s advertising and communication industry.
A globally respected thought leader in media, marketing, and consumer research, Dr. Tripathi served as Past President of the Market Research Society of India (MRSI) and as Co-Chairman of the National Consumer Classification System (NCCS), a landmark initiative jointly developed by MRSI and the Media Research Users Council (MRUC). He has presented scholarly papers at prestigious international forums, including ESOMAR, and has contributed extensively to advancing global standards in market research, audience analytics, and strategic communication.
His expertise has been widely recognized through appointments to several national advisory bodies, including the Awareness and Communication Advisory Council of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). He has also served as an Independent Director on leading corporate boards and has been associated with premier academic institutions such as IIM Ahmedabad, Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad, and MICA as a visiting faculty member, mentoring future leaders in marketing, communication, analytics, and business strategy.
As Co-Chairman of CNRI, Dr. Tripathi plays a pivotal role in strengthening the organization’s institutional communication, knowledge management, digital outreach, research-based advocacy, and policy engagement. His deep understanding of data-driven governance and strategic communication enables CNRI to effectively amplify the voice of grassroots civil society organizations, enhance public awareness, and promote evidence-based development interventions across the country.
Dr. Tripathi firmly believes that sustainable national development must be built on credible research, informed public discourse, technological innovation, and active citizen participation. Through his visionary leadership, he continues to guide CNRI in integrating research, analytics, communication, and digital transformation into its programmes, thereby enhancing the organization’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to rural development, social inclusion, public policy, and nation-building.
