VIVA Social Communications

VIVA Social Communications is a strategic communications firm based in Mumbai, India, that specializes in the social impact sector. Founded in 2014 by Vinitha Venkatraman and Varadarajan Rajagopalan, the agency works with changemakers, nonprofits, and development organizations to transform communication into a tool for fundraising, visibility, outreach, advocacy, capacity building, and behavior change. With over a decade of experience, VIVA Social Communications focuses on aligning communication strategies with measurable impact goals, particularly in areas such as public health, water, sanitation, agriculture, and livelihoods.

Services and Specialties

VIVA Social Communications offers a range of tailored communication solutions designed to address complex social challenges. Their services are grounded in behavioral science, systems thinking, and design thinking approaches, ensuring that communication is not just informative but also drives meaningful change. Key services and specialties include:

• Strategic communication and behavior change communication (SBCC) strategies
• Stakeholder engagement and audience motive analysis
• Digital communication and media channel management
• Health education, promotion, and health system strengthening
• Social impact consulting and impact assessment
• Capacity building through training and workshops
• Production of films, campaigns, reports, and digital content
• Systems thinking models for program design and evaluation

These services are delivered in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Marathi, and Telugu, allowing the agency to work effectively across diverse communities in India. VIVA Social Communications also supports nonprofits with annual budgets ranging from less than 25 lakhs to 5 crores, offering scalable solutions that fit organizational needs.

Target Clients and Impact Areas

The primary clients of VIVA Social Communications are changemakers, nonprofit organizations, and development agencies operating in the social impact space. The agency has particular expertise in public health communication, where it develops SBCC strategies that address issues like disease prevention, maternal health, and nutrition. Beyond health, VIVA works in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), agriculture, and livelihoods, helping organizations reach communities with clear, culturally relevant messaging. The agency also serves government clients and B2B partners, offering stakeholder engagement and consulting services that align with policy goals and program outcomes. By focusing on behavior change and systems thinking, VIVA Social Communications ensures that its work contributes to long-term social impact rather than short-term visibility.

Approach and Methodology

VIVA Social Communications emphasizes a program-first, people-centered approach. This means that communication is designed to serve the objectives of the program or initiative, rather than being an afterthought. The agency uses design thinking and behavioral insights to understand audience motives, barriers, and enablers, then crafts messages and channels that resonate with specific communities. Systems thinking models are employed to map out the interconnections between different stakeholders and factors, ensuring that communication strategies are holistic and sustainable. Capacity building is a key component of their methodology, with training and workshops designed to equip partner organizations with the skills to sustain and scale their communication efforts. VIVA Social Communications also conducts impact assessments to measure the effectiveness of their work, using data to refine strategies and demonstrate value to funders and donors.

Location and Credentials

Based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, VIVA Social Communications operates from a headquarters that serves as a hub for its work across the country. The agency’s team combines expertise in communication, public health, and social development, with a strong track record of working with both small grassroots organizations and large international nonprofits. Over the past decade, VIVA has built a reputation for delivering high-quality, context-sensitive communication that drives behavior change and strengthens health systems. The agency is particularly well-suited for nonprofits and development organizations that need to move beyond basic awareness campaigns and adopt evidence-based, strategic communication approaches. Whether working on a local health initiative or a national advocacy effort, VIVA Social Communications provides the tools and expertise to turn communication into a driver of social impact.