Thanzyl Thajudeen becomes first South Asian to receive CIPR Fellowship

Wednesday, 30 July 2025 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Thanzyl Thajudeen

Thanzyl Thajudeen was recently awarded a Fellowship by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), the world’s oldest and largest professional body for public relations (PR) practitioners, making him the first in South Asia to receive this honour. Thajudeen is the Managing Director of Mark and Comm Ltd., a Colombo-based agency that serves a diverse portfolio of clients.

The CIPR Fellowship represents the pinnacle of professional recognition within the PR industry, reserved exclusively for individuals who have made significant and sustained contributions to the profession.

The Fellowship comes on the heels of Thajudeen also achieving Chartered PR Practitioner status with the CIPR, further cementing his credentials as one of the region’s most qualified communications professionals. He is currently a Member of the CIPR International Committee and previously on the Professional Standards Standing Committee. Last year, Thajudeen was also recognised among Campaign Asia 40 Under 40 for 2024, joining other trailblazers driving innovation and pushing boundaries across the region’s marketing landscape. With over 14 years of experience in the communications industry, Thajudeen has established himself as a formidable force in both regional and global PR circles

His influence extends far beyond his agency’s walls. As a member of the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) Asia Pacific Regional Board since 2022, Thajudeen has been instrumental in elevating Sri Lanka’s profile within the international communications community. In his role as Country Representative for the PRCA, he has led various knowledge-transfer initiatives and facilitated crucial connections between local practitioners and global industry leaders, establishing a vital bridge between Sri Lanka’s communications sector and the global PR community.

Thajudeen is also among the judging panel in this year’s SABRE Awards APAC, PRCA APAC Awards, including two previous years, and PRCA Platinum Awards 2025, having previously been a judge at PR Awards Asia-Pacific by Campaign Asia-Pacific.

He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from CIM and an Executive MBA from the University of Colombo.

His service on various PRCA committees, including the Membership Committee and Education Advisory Board, alongside his previous role as a Council Member, demonstrates his unwavering commitment to professional development and industry advancement.

The CIPR Fellowship represents not just an individual achievement but also marks a significant milestone for Sri Lanka’s communications industry. Thajudeen’s elevation to this elite professional tier demonstrates the growing global recognition of South Asian communications expertise and the increasing sophistication of regional PR practice.