The Crux of the Story

Maril MacDonald, founder and CEO of Gagen MacDonald, joins The Crux to explore how leaders can steer organizations through today’s turbulence—AI disruption, geopolitical risk, layoffs, and rapid M&A activity. A pioneer in culture and change management, Maril shares lessons from advising Fortune 500 executives on building resilient, future-ready enterprises. She discusses how leaders can balance transparency with stability, spot when culture is an asset or liability, and mobilize employees around strategic goals. Drawing on decades of experience, including her own leadership journey, Maril offers practical advice on engagement, succession planning, and the traits leaders need most in a topsy-turvy world.

Three of the lead researchers behind the Canadian Public Relations Society’s landmark report, 2025 State of Public Relations in Canada: Ethics, AI and Reframing the Professional Field, join The Crux of the Story to unpack how the profession is evolving at a pivotal moment. Kim Blanchette (EVP of Castlemain/ChangeMakers), Dr. Terry Flynn (Associate Professor at McMaster University), and Colleen Killingsworth (Principal of CKCommunications) explore the identity shift between “communications” and “public relations,” the trust gap with the public, and the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence. Together, they reveal how Canadian practitioners are adopting AI, where governance is falling short, and what role professional associations must play to remain relevant. This episode goes beyond the findings—it challenges the profession to confront its future with clarity, courage, and purpose.

Bill Myers, Managing Director of Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility at Liberty Global, joins The Crux to reflect on the legacy of media titan John Malone and the shifting dynamics of global telecom. With a career spanning government and politics, healthcare, and tech, Myers shares insights on leading through crisis, balancing local brands within a global strategy, and embracing AI’s role in storytelling. From DaVita controversies to Liberty’s European footprint, we explore how Myers blends political acumen with corporate leadership to shape communications in a fragmented media world.

Leroy Chapman Jr., Editor-in-Chief of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, discusses the paper’s bold decision to go digital-only in 2026—making Atlanta the largest U.S. city without a printed daily. Chapman shares his vision for transforming local journalism in a polarized media landscape, and how he’s guiding one of the South’s most influential newsrooms through cultural, technological, and civic shifts. We explore his leadership philosophy, and the transformation of modern newsrooms. Chapman also reflects on his journey from reporter to editor-in-chief, including pivotal moments covering the rise of Barack Obama and Nikki Haley.

Fernando Vivanco, Chief Communications Officer at Marelli, returns to The Crux to unpack one of the most challenging—and least talked about—topics in corporate communications: bankruptcy. Following Marelli’s Chapter 11 filing, Fernando has led a global messaging strategy across 23 countries, confronting myths, managing stakeholder sentiment, and maintaining morale amid uncertainty. In this episode, he shares how his team crafted a proactive, multi-channel approach to reshape perceptions of restructuring, coordinate with legal and financial leaders, and keep employees and customers informed and engaged. Drawing on lessons from Boeing, Honeywell, and Medtronic, Fernando offers candid insights into balancing transparency with legal constraints, tailoring messages across cultures, and leading with empathy in the face of disruption.

American Airlines’ EVP of Communications and Marketing Ron DeFeo, shares insights from a decade at one of the world’s largest airlines. We explore his approach to crisis management—from flight disruptions to viral passenger incidents—and how empathy, transparency, and strategic storytelling shape public response. Ron reflects on his career journey through Ketchum, Darden Restaurants, and The Home Depot, and discusses the importance of building resilient teams and defining corporate ethos. We also dive into his role as host of American Airline’s podcast Tell Me Why.

The President & CEO of The Latino Coalition discusses public policy and expanding economic opportunity for Latino entrepreneurs. We explore his career journey across five companies – Anheuser-Busch, Carnival, Ford Motor Company, Tyson Foods, and Waste Management Inc – and his leadership of the Hispanic Association for Corporate Responsibility. We also talk about Carlos’s book From Havana to DC: The Rise of Cuban Americans in Florida Politics as he shares insights on stakeholder engagement, communications strategy, and the evolving role of Latino leadership in business and politics.

Described as a “creative instigator,” Cheryl Overton who leads her own firm and previously worked for top agencies – including Ogilvy, Edelman and EGAMI Group – and has worked on several iconic brands from P&G to Lancome, Dove, the American Red Cross, and McDonald’s talks with us about the intersection of brands with culture. We discuss: the NFL and the “Taylor Swift effect,” the American Eagle jeans campaign with actress Sydney Sweeney, the backlash to Cracker Barrel’s brand refresh, and the DEI boycott impact on Target’s retail sales. We also chat about emerging issues: how marketers need to better connect with consumers over the age of 50, balancing cultural connectivity and authenticity, and what CMOs and advertisers might do to future-proof their brands.

Manny Ruiz is a media, marketing and creative dynamo. From founding the first Hispanic PR newswire service in the U.S… to launching Hispanicize an event that highlighted the best of Hispanic and Latino PR, marketing and advertising… to co-founding Brilla Media Ventures with his wife and creative partner Angela, Manny has spent three decades shaping how brands engage with U.S. Hispanic and Latino audiences. He’s also the creative force behind Bistec – Audible’s top Spanish-language fiction podcast of 2024. In this episode we discuss his journey from Miami Herald journalist to entrepreneur, his impact, the missteps of marketers as they try to connect with Latino and bicultural audiences. And the future of Latino media.

Chernoff Newman CEO David Campbell, head of one of the US’s more successful regional agencies, discusses his firm’s integrated approach – employing public relations, advertising, digital media and public affairs – to solve unique client challenges across many industry sectors, government and education. In our conversation we touch on agency growth, how technology and AI are changing the firm’s work, and the challenges of navigating brands in today’s politically charged world as we reflect on Cracker Barrels’ attempt to modernize its brand and other events.