Lisa Sullivan

The October monthly episode of our For Immediate Release podcast explores critical communication trends. Shel Holtz, SCMP, and I discuss six compelling topics, including Reddit's potential for crisis comms, the state of blogging in 2024, ethical concerns in celebrity news coverage, workplace connection challenges, and AI's impact across industries. In a blog post, I've set out some key takeaways that present opportunities for communicators, including leveraging Reddit for stakeholder engagement and preparing to guide organisations through AI adoption. Read more and listen now for valuable perspectives and insights on navigating today's complex communication landscape. https://lnkd.in/e5_CcMR2

5

Meet stakeholders where they are. Comms teams often dive in to diagnosis a problem and identify several actions the business *should* take. But tackling everything at once might not be feasible. Business leaders are navigating a lot and facing multiple challenges, all at once. That means trade-offs are inevitable. Instead of recommending multiple work streams, focus on one or two achievable areas to make an impact. This can be challenging for some. But the best solution also needs to fit the reality of the situation—not just the theory. Progress often beats perfection.

31

2 Comments

Hat tip to all the internal communicators who: ➡️ Stay positive even when the days are HARD ➡️ Constantly educate stakeholders about what they do ➡️ Come up with creative ways to talk about boring topics ➡️ Carve out time to experiment, innovate and try new things ➡️ Smile and nod politely when stakeholders think they know better I see you. You're doing great work.

492

20 Comments

To get a first hand account of how the role of the CMO continues to shape-shift, I sat down with Chief Growth and Disruption Officer at Xerox, Deena LaMarque Piquion and Global President of EssenceMediacom, Kristin Gower to hear their thoughts on the subject. Our conversation ranged from changing titles to AI and everything in between. Three insights that might ring true for you: 1. CMO as Growth Orchestrator –  We saw this last year with EssenceMediacom's research too: With an expanded remit, CMOs are now responsible for multifaceted, data-driven strategies and the ability to scale initiatives quickly and globally. 2. Tracking Brand Health and Customer Insights to Drive Growth – Using brand studies and NPS surveys to understand strengths and focus areas, particularly targeting emerging decision-makers, to identify growth opportunities and refine engagement tactics. 3. Redefining the B2B Marketing Playbook with Emotion – Adopting a more human and playful approach, using platforms like TikTok to engage younger buyers, and aligning with digital transformation trends for more relatable and impactful messaging. Full scoop here: https://lnkd.in/eZjhffm9

30

4 Comments

One of the hottest topics in comms at the moment..is your organisation ready? Learn from the experts on how to prepare in this upcoming webinar. #cybercrisis

9

Great communications is both internal and external. Internal comms eliminates internal silos. External comms, to quote Sandy, reinforces to all stakeholders "that we are all working toward the same goal." Back-end accountants and front-line salespeople need to respect and strengthen each other. Investors should understand what customers want. And customers need to understand senior executives' vision. The CCO makes it all happen. It's a huge job, and greater respect for the position is a massive step in the right direction. Jeremy, Stephanie, Jeff - this reminded me of the conversation we had on Jeremy's post a couple of months back. Billy, it reminded me of our recent conversation, as well. #CCO #StakeholderMessaging #Communications #Strategy

7

4 Comments

Us Comms folks are wired to navigate tricky situations. MacGyver was my favorite show growing up. ‘Mac’ had a knack for solving problems and extensive scientific knowledge.  → He could unlock a vault with a paperclip and some bubble gum. Comms doesn’t always have all the resources, either. But we know how to play the hand we're dealt. - Assess the situation  - Explore options  - Make it work Being great at Comms requires us all to be MacGyvers. → A mix of expertise, experience and resourcefulness. We're strategic. We're scrappy. We're problem solvers.

41

31 Comments

As our world gets more fraught and complex, audiences are increasingly choosing news sources which are more visual, reports are more watched, less read, with YouTube continuing its rise. The implications of this trend for deep understanding of difficult issues is worth pondering. More people are concerned about how to grapple with the rising torrent of fake news, and many having doubts about how AI might be deployed by newsrooms. Edelman has partnered with the Reuters Institute for this annual report as we are all in the business of communicating and good, credible and trusted information is critical to everyone in that process

42

What is one skill that differentiates Chief Comms Officers from their C-suite peers? We are dot connectors. 🔗 We can connect the dots between seemingly disparate initiatives and messages. ↔️ We tend to have a wide-ranging remit that enables us to see across the organization. 🧩 Because storytelling is core to what we do, we can fit all the pieces of the puzzle together to tell one larger story. 💡We love digging into audience insights, which means we can tailor that story to different audiences. That’s true even with employee communications. 🎯We can channel what employees want to speak to their direct needs. We can also help build bridges to connect internal efforts while breaking down silos. ⁉️What do you think? Does this ring true for those of you who are communications professionals?

159

32 Comments

Comms Pros know - more than most - words matter. But sometimes, we use language that undermines our value. In-house stakeholders aren’t “clients.”  → We’re shoulder-to-shoulder partners. P&L centers shouldn't be called “The Business.”  → We're part of the business, not a subordinate function. Reinforcing an "us'" and "them" mindset is a disservice: It positions us as a less strategic function and makes us less effective. Ultimately, our job is to protect & promote brands and reputations. - Our roles are critical. - Our opinions are essential  - Our voices / expertise truly matter. We're Strategic Partners, not Service Providers.

110

23 Comments

Good article on the value of original quality content and risks of GenAI’s generics & distortions today when AI volume is everywhere online. The image simulation is cool example!

10

Authenticity is key for senior executives to be influential on LinkedIn, but not every leader finds it easy to engage genuinely. 🔸In episode 342 of our For Immediate Release podcast, Shel Holtz, SCMP, and I explore how communicators can help executives craft authentic online personas and build influence and trust, focused on LinkedIn, with practical examples. I also dive into this topic in a new blog post published today, arguing that authenticity opens the door to success. Communicators must guide leaders who struggle with authenticity, identifying formats or mediums that play to their strengths. Take a read and listen to our discussion ⬇️ #Authenticity #Communication #LinkedIn #FIRPodcast https://lnkd.in/eMu9D48j

5

Start-up and scale-up founders, CEOs and CMOs can save themselves a lot of heartache if they assess their company's readiness for corporate communications before they bring on an expensive corp comm leader. By identifying where the requisite building blocks for success already exist, executives can develop the function in a way that impacts business results by making better hiring decisions, understanding where to expect results near and long term, and strategically planning their investments in the function. Looking for a guide to help you do this? Drop me a line. As a 25-year veteran leader who has helped a number of start-ups and scale-ups build their corporate communications departments, I can help you figure out if you are ready to add this strategic function. #CorporateCommunications #ScaleUp #StartUp #PublicRelations

4

Reputation is tied to performance and business leaders are seeing the value in comms to drive results. This is why more CCOs now report to the CEO rather than marketing – a structure that recognizes the wider role comms plays in shaping the organization’s market perception, beyond just selling products. By building trust and shaping perceptions, communications leaders ensure a company’s reputation isn’t just managed, but is leveraged as an asset. #ThoughtLeadership #Communications #CorporateStrategy #BusinessGrowth

18

In this recent article with Authority Magazine, I discuss the barriers women face in advancing to leadership roles and share actionable strategies to overcome these challenges. It's an honor to be part of this conversation and to continue advocating for a future where equity is not just an aspiration but a reality. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/dXx-XWxK 💪🏽 #Leadership #WomenInLeadership #Equity #DEI #HopeForTheFuture #AmiraBarger

45

12 Comments

The @PageSociety just released its newest report Beyond Communication: CCO Leadership in Navigating New Complexity. The findings underscore the CCO as an ever-more-essential partner with the CEO in defining and activating corporate character. Read more here: https://hubs.la/Q02x4nPQ0

14

✨ "Data tells, but stories sell." ✨ Imagine harnessing the true power of #storytelling to ignite passion and drive innovation within your organization. That's what I discussed with host Nikki Lewallen Gregory on the latest #FRINGE podcast episode. 🎙️ Here are Key Insights for #Innovation Leaders: 💡The Sensory Connection: Engage your audience on a deeper level by activating all five senses in your storytelling. 💡The Billion Dollar Storytelling: my upcoming book after a four-year journey promises to reshape your narrative skills. 💡Memory-Making Devices: Stories are not just tales; they're strategic tools for deepening relationships and enhancing recall. So, if you're eager to explore how a simple story can rally a team around innovation or transform a client meeting into a memorable experience, this episode is a not-to-be-missed listening experience. And while you're here, share with us ⬇️ a moment when a story profoundly affected your leadership or business strategy. #podcast #leadership

3

Grateful to Agility PR Solutions for featuring my brand new book, 𝐁2𝐁 𝐏𝐑 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬! "New Book from Influential PR Vet Michelle Garrett, B2B PR That Gets Results, Just Released" "I felt there was a need for this type of book that explains—in a straightforward fashion—the work of PR professionals and the challenges they face so that companies can get the most out of engaging with a PR consultant or agency and achieve their public relations goals." #B2BPRbook #newauthor #publicrelations

30

2 Comments