In episode 23 of Smart in Public, the Katies sit down with Cheryl Sanclemente, Chief Communications Officer at Lattice, for ​a real-talk conversation about career development, ​mentorship, comms leaders on boards, the sentiment in HR tech​ during a time of massive layoffs across the industry, ​and ​age old question of work-life balance. Key Discussion Highlights: Career Transformation: Cheryl's remarkable journey from finance to tech leadershipAI in the Workplace: Exploring the critical role ...

This week, the Katies are joined by Allie Cefalo, Marketing Partner at Kleiner Perkins, who shares her journey from leading global communications teams to running marketing for one of the world's best known Venture Capital firms. In this episode, you'll get a peek into the world of VC comms and the insider communications strategies. Discover how top VC firms support founders, craft compelling brand narratives, and navigate the evolving landscape of startup marketing. We laughed a lot, we lear...

In episode 21 of the Smart in Public podcast, Burson CEO Corey duBrowa shares insights as to how world of communications has transformed over the years and his predictions on where it's headed. Whether you're a comms leader (or any leader, really) that's building a team, working with an executive or founder, interested in transitioning from agency to in-house (or visa versa), trying to switch to a different PR field, or want to understand how to become a better storyteller, this is your chanc...

Looking for a job in comms? Well it's your lucky day. This week, the Katies welcome Brooke Kruger, founder of KC Partners, to discuss the current hiring landscape in the communications field through the eyes of one of the industry's best comms recruiters. The conversation covers a broad range of job hunting, hiring, and interview tips including the importance of skills and education, career advice for newcomers in communications, preparing for interviews, and the impact of AI on hiring. They ...

In episode 19 of the Smart Public Podcast, the Katies discuss Meta's announcement led by Mark Zuckerberg and the implications of his messages on the company's reputation. They also debate on Meghan Markle's new show on Netflix and the challenges she faces in rebuilding her brand. The conversation highlights the complexities of communication strategies in today's media landscape and the impact of social media on public figures.Episode Timestamps00:44 - Meta's Announcement: The Zuck and His Gol...

In episode ​18, the Katies welcome special guest Jane Hynes, VP of Global Communications ​f​or Google Cloud for a masterclass in how to effectively build and lead highly functioning communication teams. If you're currently building a team or managing people managers for the first time, this episode is for you. Jane also shares candid insights about:Developing quotable, impactful messaging that resonates in today's fast-paced media landscapeBuilding and nurturing high-performing teams in ...

In this holiday special episode of the Smart in Public podcast, the Katies discuss their top PR campaigns in 2024, like Mastercard's wheelchair ball kid initiative, Dove's Face of Ten campaign, and the rise of women's sports. The conversation also touches on the US election campaigns and notable PR disasters, all while sharing personal anecdotes and insights about the importance of networking and self-awareness in the industry. 00:00 - Holiday Cheer and Podcast Introduction02:45 - Reflec...

This week the Katies welcome Tarla Lambert-Patel, co-founder of Agenda Media, parent company to Women’s Agenda, Women’s Health News, The Crux podcast, and The Keynotes app. In this episode, they discuss the challenges of independent publishing and the importance of addressing women's issues in media. Tarla also shares tips for PR professionals who are looking to pitch and build campaigns around women's issues, curating event content with a publisher that delivers impact, and why International...

It's a predictions episode, people! In episode 15, the Katies discuss industry trends, predictions for the year ahead, and best practices for 2025 communications program planning. Episode Timestamps00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast and Recap of Previous Episode04:43 - Reflections on Industry Layoffs and Support13:47 - Best practices for your 2025 communications program planning 32:20 - 2025 Communications Trends and Predictions35:52 - The Impact of AI on Communications43:55 - Dumb...

In episode 14 of the Smart in Public podcast, the Katies explore the evolving role of the Chief Communications Officer (CCO) and the importance of succession planning in communications. They discuss the rise of CCOs in the C-suite, the new 'CCO plus' role that encompasses a broader range of responsibilities, and the skills needed to prepare for a CCO position. The conversation also delves into the recent Jaguar rebrand and the controversial ad campaign that sparked discussions about brand str...