PR Agency Head of the Year 2026: Maddie Amrutkar's Journey Behind Building Glad U Came

Winning the PR Agency Head of the Year (Gold) award at the PR Awards 2026 was a proud moment, but what stayed with me most wasn't the trophy.

It was a conversation with one of the jury members.

He told me that the jury had watched my journey video and that everyone was impressed by the story behind it.

That meant everything.

Because behind every award is a journey that most people never see.

Mine began in a Mumbai chawl.

I didn't come from a business family. I didn't have a roadmap. What I did have was ambition, resilience, and the belief that where you start should never determine where you finish.

Years later, that belief became Glad U Came.

What started as an idea has grown into one of India's leading PR and Influencer Marketing agencies, working with some incredible brands, creators, celebrities, and entrepreneurs.

Along the way, I've learned that success isn't built overnight.

It's built through consistency.

It's built through showing up every day, even when nobody is watching.

It's built through earning trust, building relationships, and staying committed to a vision bigger than yourself.

While this award carries my name, it truly belongs to every person who has been part of this journey—my team, clients, partners, mentors, friends, and family.

Your support, trust, and belief have helped shape both my journey and the growth of Glad U Came.

If there's one lesson I'd like to share, it's this:

Your beginnings do not define your future.

Dream bigger than your circumstances.

Stay committed to your goals.

Keep showing up.

And trust the process, even when the destination isn't visible yet.

Receiving this award is an honour, but for me, it's not a finish line.

It's a reminder that we're only getting started.

Thank you for being part of the journey.

Maddie Amrutkar

Founder & CEO, Glad U Came

PR Agency Head of the Year (Gold) – PR Awards 2026