This episode of PodCatalyst features guest host KamyarNaficy, chair of the IABC International Executive Board, and Jessamyn Katz, CEO of Heyman Associates, a leading executive search firm focused on communications, corporate affairs, marketing, and investor relations. Jessamyn has been with Heyman Associates for nearly twodecades. Since 2019, she’s…

With 64 countries around the world hosting elections,representing nearly 50% of the global population eligible to vote, many have dubbed 2024 as the year of elections. How do communicators navigate this landscape, especially as things continue to feel more polarized each year? We spoke with David Imber, political communications expert and principal…

In the latest episode of PodCatalyst, Matt Tidwell, member of the IABC International Executive Board, sits down with Fred Cook to discuss findings from “Communicating Culture During a Hybrid Revolution,” a joint report from IABC and the USC Center for Public Relations. Tune in as they discuss how the shift to remote and hybridwork is impacting corp…

In the latest episode of PodCatalyst, we sit down with Joe Spratt, expert, strategic communications and change, at McKinsey & Company. Tune in as we dig into the future of comms through the lens of the C-suite, based on a series of in-depth conversations, interviews, and survey results that McKinsey & Company conducted. Joe walks us through key fin…

Earlier this summer, IABC hosted communicators from all over at its annual World Conference, held this year in Chicago. In this special edition of PodCatalyst, we catch up with attendees between sessions to get their aha moments. From insights around how they’re are thinking about AI, tobetter practices for accessibility, rethinking hiring practice…

In the latest episode of PodCatalyst, we sit down with Candace Denison, communications and engagement manager at Rocky View County, to discuss misinformation and the role of the communicator. As we navigate the Wild West era of AI, allowingmisinformation to spread easier than before, how can communicators come armed with facts? What tactics and str…

In the latest episode of PodCatalyst, we sit down with Becca Chambers, chief communications officer at ControlUp. Her journey to the C-suite began with a role in sports PR and from there took a few twists and turns, including grad school and landing on her love of all things branding and communication. Today, she remains a staunch advocate for comm…

In the latest installment of In Under 10, we talk to EmilyCaister about what communicators can learn from Taylor Swift’s marketing mastery. Whether you consider yourself a Swiftie or not, there’s something for everyone to learn. Tune in as we discuss the pop star’s approach to branding,as well as how dialing into pop culture more broadly can help c…

“Everybody wants to be heard, but not many people areinterested in listening,” Julian Treasure, expert in sound and listening, says in the latest episode of PodCatalyst. So when was the last time you listened to the world around you? Is a lack of listening harming your business or, worse, your well-being? Tune in as Julian shares how listening has …

Editor’s Note: This episode was recorded one week prior to recent legislative decisions by U.S. President Joe Biden, signing into law that TikTok will be banned unless sold within a year. Catalyst will continue to follow this story as it develops. What happens when an app fades from existence — or gets legislated out of the hands of the public? Wha…

In today’s digital age, making sure your online presence meets basic accessibility standards isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s good for business, too. In the latest installment of In Under 10, Matisse Hamel-Nelis walks us through the basics of understanding digital accessibility, recent examples of well-known brands that have gotten into hot …

What happens when your frontline employees are tired of apologizing on behalf of the company? When public perception isn’t in your favor? This was the reality Oscar Munoz faced when he took the role of CEO and chairman of United Airlines in 2015. So he went back to basics, embarking on an extensive listening tour with thousands of employees — and i…

Founded in 1973, the Commission on Public Relations Education(CPRE) provides recommendations on public relations education foruniversities and professional associations around the world. CPRE’s latest signature report, “NavigatingChange: Recommendations for Advancing Undergraduate PR Education,” offersan in-depth look into what’s needed and expecte…

In Under 10:Guiding Principles for the Ethical Use of AI As a complement to the association’s Code of Ethics, IABCrecently released Guiding Principles for the Ethical Use of AI by CommunicationProfessionals. In this first edition of “In Under 10,” Kristin Frankiewicz,IABC content manager, sits down with Simon Murphy, a member of the IABC EthicsComm…

When it comes to brand-building, the communicator iswell-equipped to not only manage that of their organization or clients, buttheir own brand as well. So what does that look like in practice? Miri Rodriguez, senior storyteller at Microsoft, offers herinsight and sage advice to “date the brand and marry yourself.” IABC Content Manager Kristin Frank…

In the latest episode of PodCatalyst, Peter Finn, IABCexecutive director, sits down with Maliha Aqeel, IABC chair, Kamyar Naficy, IABC vice chair, and Danielle Bond, IABC past chair (2021-2022) to discuss the year ahead. This conversation has something for everyone: how commspros can wield influence in the C-suite and within their own teams, the im…

In the latest episode of PodCatalyst, Peter Finn, IABCexecutive director, sits down with Mike Klein, founder of #WeLeadComms. Mike is a seasoned comms pro and champion of the profession.In 2021, he created #WeLeadComms to recognize everyday achievement in the field. To date, he’s shone a light on more than 600 communication leaders. Tune in as Mike…

Martha Muzychka was named an IABC Fellow in 2019, acknowledging her decades of service to the profession and excellence in the field. Peter Finn, IABC executive director and host, sat down to talk with Martha about what led her to an entrepreneurial career, observations from her experience as a Gold Quill evaluator, what it means to join the ranks …

Josie Cox is a global journalist with a long held interest in business, power, workplace culture and gender. As author of the upcoming book, “Women Money Power” (March 2024), Josie sat down with IABC Executive Director Peter Finn to talk about the work she’s done to uncover the stories of women who have been instrumental in driving significant lega…

Linda Rutherford, chief administration and communicationsofficer at Southwest Airlines, joins IABC Executive Director Peter FinnPodCatalyst to talk about her 30+ years with the company and the changes she’s seen in the field along the way. After a pivot from journalism, Rutherford grew her PR careerand climbed the ranks to where she is today. Tune …

While AI excels at word predictions and learns from existing content, itlacks empathy, emotion and sometimes accuracy. This is where communicatorsshine, leveraging the technology as one tool in their toolbox rather than aone-stop solution. Tune into this episode of PodCatalyst to hear from Jared Curtis, seniordirector of corporate communications at…

Managing reputation in today’s polarized world is not unlikesolving a Rubik’s Cube — each move is connected and one step impacts the next. This is lens through which USC Annenberg viewed the findings of their 2023Global Communication Report. In this episode of PodCatalyst, Fred Cook, chairman emeritusat Golin and director of the USC Center for Publ…

Zaria Parvez, global social media manager at Duolingo, joinsPodCatalyst host and IABC Executive Director Peter Finn to share heroutstanding journey on TikTok. With her creative and interactive approach,Zaria has made Duolingo a prominent figure in the TikTok community,particularly among Gen Z and with over 6.7 million followers and counting. This e…

In the latest episode of PodCatalyst, Eli Carmona,communication specialist at The 519 andWorld Conference 2023 speaker, talks about the critically important rolecommunicators play in supporting trans and gender diverse communities throughtheir work. They share how design can help break stereotypes, theirexperience navigating difficult conversations…

Can change bring joy? Ed Cook, co-founder of The ChangeDecision, believes so — and has years of experience and the data to back it up. Tune in to the latest episode of PodCatalyst, where Eddiscusses how change can drive energy, boost morale and make people feel moreconnected to their work. Prior to co-founding The Change Decision, Ed worked at amaj…

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) remains one of thehottest topics of 2023 and is changing the way businesses think about contentcreation. Who better, Alex Sevigny argues, than the communicator to lead thischarge? Long before it was trending, Sevigny, an associate professorat McMaster University, has been interested in the power of AI and how…

Returning for a second year, Chris Lee shares insights from the 2023 Gallagher State of the Sector report. Tune in as he and IABC Executive Director Peter Finn discuss trends around belonging and culture, a results-only work environment, how communicators can retain their role as strategic partner and more. Want to hear more from Chris? Join him at…

As Twitter shifts under new leadership and platforms like TikTok continue to emerge, what is the state of social media for communicators? We spoke with Slma Shelbayah, chief marketing and communications officer at Yardstick Management, to gain her perspective on this evolving landscape. Plus, learn how her seven-year tenure as a journalist at CNN h…

If you search ESG on Google, you’ll get about 436 million search results. The term (environmental social governance), while not new, has been gaining traction in recent years. We spoke with Kamyar Naficy, who’s been following this business framework for the better part of two decades. In this episode, he helps us unpack what ESG really means, oppor…

Stephanie Speck has had a fascinating career, working in more than 23 countries across the world. While she was a soprano diva early in her career, Speck soon shifted gears and became a first responder during the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. Her passion for development work in change communication and crisis response took flight. She has since bui…

This episode of PodCatalyst is republished as an encore of the April 2022 interview featuring Dr. Lilian Ajayi-Ore. Revisit the episode in anticipation of Dr. Lilian's upcoming, three-part webinar series on digital acumen for business communicators. Learn more and register for the webinar series. Dr. Lilian Ajayi-Ore has had a rich, remarkable care…

Charlene SanJenko is a two-time Founder, Impact Producer, and Modern-Day Medicine Woman — and media is her medicine. She’s taken her background in impact investing and applied it to advertising, asking the question “What if we brokered impact media deals like we do any other business deal?” In other words, how can advertising dollars shift toward m…

EDITOR’S NOTE: This episode briefly discusses how companies might respond in the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned, and was recorded prior the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to do so on June 24. According to the USC Center for Public Relation’s 2022 Global Communication Report, “The Future of Corporate Activism,” 85% of PR professionals believe b…

Holograms: a technology that was once a plot device in sci-fi movies is now more commonplace in business communications than the average person might think. In this episode of PodCatalyst, IABC Executive Director Peter Finn sits down with Ziena Jalil and Natasha Meleisea, who are intimately familiar with using this emerging technology. Tune in for …

The birth of the metaverse is offering communicators a new space to explore. What is there to look forward to? How can we prepare ourselves and our organizations? Do we all need VR headsets at our desks? These are some of the questions Jo Eyre will answer in her World Conference 2022 session, “The Communicator’s Guide to the Metaverse,” on Tuesday …

Oscar Suris got his start in journalism, including time as a staff writer for The Wall Street Journal, and eventually transitioned to corporate communications. Over the course of 20 years, he has counseled like State Farm and Goodyear, and served in senior leadership roles at Ford Motor Company and an executive role at Wells Fargo. Today, he is the…

Dr. Lilian Ajayi-Ore has had a rich, remarkable career that spans work with the United Nations, the creation of the award-winning Global Connections for Women Foundation (GC4W), teaching the next generation of communicators at Columbia and NYU, and so much more. In this episode of PodCatalyst, IABC Executive Director Peter Finn sits down with Dr. L…

Frank Shaw started his career in the Marines, with aspirations to be a pilot. After a series of changes, he found himself at the intersection of communication and tech. Today he serves as the corporate vice president of communications at Microsoft and will be the opening keynote at the IABC World Conference 2022. Tune in to learn more about this fa…

ABOUT THE EPISODE In the latest episode of PodCatalyst, IABC Executive Director Peter Finn dives into the Gallagher’s State of the Sector 2022 report with Chris Lee, vice president of communications for Gallagher’s employee communication and experience practice. Listen to this episode to learn more about: Key takeaways and insights from this year’s…

ABOUT THE EPISODE In the latest episode of PodCatalyst, IABC Executive Director Peter Finn sat down with Zora Artis, CEO of Artis Advisory cofounder of The Alignment People and chair of the IABC World Conference 2022 Program Advisory Committee (PAC). Listen to this episode to learn more about: The thought process and longevity behind this year’s co…

ABOUT THE EPISODE In the latest episode of PodCatalyst, IABC Executive Director Peter Finn sat down with David Albritton, who has had an interesting and varied career path, from being in the Navy to working for Amazon Web Services and now leading Nineteen88 Strategies, an executive coaching business. Listen to this episode to learn more about: Less…

ABOUT THE EPISODE In the latest episode of PodCatalyst, IABC Executive Director Peter Finn sat down with Roger Bolton, who has had a remarkable, varied and successful career — from his early days serving under President George H.W. Bush, to roles at IBM and Aetna, and now as president of the Arthur W. Page Society (Page). Listen to this episode to …

ABOUT THE EPISODE In this episode of PodCatalyst, IABC Executive Director Peter Finn sits down with CNN’s Fuzz Hogan, who currently serves as senior editor for The Row. Hogan discusses his career history with CNN and his commitment to ensuring stories meet high standards of storytelling, clarity, accuracy, quality, fairness and balance. Listen to t…

ABOUT THE EPISODE In this episode of PodCatalyst, IABC Executive Director Peter Finn sits down with Barbara Puffer, MA, ABC, IABC Fellow. Puffer is a contributing author in IABC’s recently launched book, “The IABC Guide for Practical Business Communication: A Global Standard Primer.” Puffer’s chapter explores the role of ethics in business communic…

ABOUT THE EPISODE In this episode of PodCatalyst, IABC Executive Director Peter Finn sits down with Mark Schumann, ABC, IABC Fellow. Schumann, a past IABC IEB Chair, is a contributing author for IABC’s recently launched book, “The IABC Guide for Practical Business Communication: A Global Standard Primer.” Schumann’s chapter explores how communicati…

ABOUT THE EPISODE In this episode of PodCatalyst, IABC Executive Director Peter Finn sits down with Cary Bainbridge, chief marketing officer for the facility management provider ABM. In 2021, Bainbridge and her team received Gold Quill Awards for their campaign, ABM EnhancedClean. The campaign was designed in partnership with infectious disease exp…

ABOUT THE EPISODE In this episode of PodCatalyst, IABC Executive Director Peter Finn sits down with communications consultant Liz Roch. With more than 20 years of experience in communications, including her time at United Airlines and Walgreens, Roch is passionate about finding the right mix between partnership, strategy, message and tools to suppo…

ABOUT THE EPISODE Friendship Centres facilitate Indigenous people’s transitions from rural, remote and reserve life to Canada’s cities. They are the first point of contact to connect many people to culturally based socio-economic programs and services. During the pandemic, this was more urgent than ever, given the higher risk and impact of COVID-19…

ABOUT THE EPISODE In this episode of PodCatalyst, IABC Executive Director Peter Finn sits down with IABC World Conference 2021 presenters Elizabeth Williams and Andrew Brown, co-founders of The Academy of Business Communications, for a deep-dive into the evolutions of leadership communications. Listen to this episode to learn about: Why the traditi…

ABOUT THE EPISODE In this episode of PodCatalyst, IABC Executive Director Peter Finn sat down with IABC International Executive Board (IEB) Chair Danielle Bond to discuss Stronger Together, IABC’s new strategic plan, comprising six pillars that will drive the association forward over the next four years. Listen to this episode to learn about: How t…