How I Write

Lulu Cheng Meservey: The PR Class You Didn’t Know You Needed

Sep 6, 2023

Lulu Cheng Meservey, EVP of Corporate Affairs at Activision Blizzard and author of the newsletter "Flack," offers a fresh perspective on corporate communication. She discusses the pitfalls of jargon and stresses the essence of relatable narratives in messaging. Lulu shares insights on handling crisis communications with a personal touch and critiques the media's reaction to new platforms like Substack. Her unique writing process highlights the value of authenticity and diverse reading, making a compelling case for clear, impactful communication.

01:11:08

Creator website

Episode guests

Lulu Cheng Meservey

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Storytelling can make messages clearer and more relatable by framing them within familiar narratives.

Infusing personality and authenticity into corporate communication builds trust and engagement.

Embracing vulnerability and avoiding corporate templates can lead to more impactful writing.

Deep dives

The Power of Storytelling and Framing Stakes

Storytelling is a powerful tool for conveying ideas and resonating with people. By framing the stakes in a way that aligns with a familiar story or narrative, you can make your message clearer and more relatable. This can be seen in the example of Christianity, which spread by appealing to the universal human desire for redemption and offering a clear path to achieve it.

Frame Your Offer Wisely

01:52

Building a Bridge between Offerings and Audiences: Finding the Right Distribution Channels

01:21

Framing and distributing

00:37

Corporate-speak is enculturated

00:33

Intro

2min

Navigating Crisis Communication

10min

The Media's Hostility and Strategies for Change

2min

The Power of Narrative in Communication

12min

Crafting Creativity: Late Nights and Clear Writing

16min

The Nuances of Writing Style and Cultural Influence

3min

The Power of Diverse Reading

4min

Navigating Authenticity in Writing

19min

The Art and Strategy of Writing in Corporate Communications

2min

Lulu Cheng Meservey gives a masterclass on non-boring corporate communications, Korean pop culture, and religious fanaticism. Lulu shares what she’s learned running comms for startups, decoding cultural erogenous zones, and crafting impactful messages in 280 characters or less. Whether you're a writer, a communications professional, or simply curious about the intersection of K-POP and Internet whackos, this podcast is a window into modern communication.

Lulu is currently the Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Chief Communications Officer at Activision Blizzard, and was formerly head of comms at Substack. Her newsletter “Flack” is a new playbook for communications, written to help you win over people who matter, without wasting time or being cringe.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lulumeservey

Newsletter: https://www.getflack.com/

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