The Crux of the Story

As U.S. Latino purchasing power approaches $3.5 trillion, Latino public affairs and communications professionals are making a difference in diverse and mass markets, and in their community.  Estuardo Rodriguez, in addition to his work at the DC public affairs firm The Raben Group, serves as CEO of Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino.  Sonia Diaz is president of Miami-based Zaid Communications and the Hispanic Public Relations Association.

The producers of a highly-acclaimed documentary, Close The Divide, are hoping to get all of us to listen to one another on the subject of climate change and forge a better environment to actually address the associated issues and opportunities before us – even in the face of political polarization.

As he prepares for his induction into the Arthur W. Page Society Hall of Fame, GE’s former chief communications officer reflects on an amazing career as a journalist, a political press secretary, and working with GE execs Jack Welch and Jeff Immelt through some complex and dynamic business issues and global challenges. He also provides advice on how companies should think about social issues and a politically polarized world.

How is Microsoft’s communication team reimagining its strategy in the Age of AI? Steve Clayton, vice president of communications strategy, joins The Crux to answer this question. Steve, a former systems engineer, focuses on the revolutionary aspects of generative software that can help communicators while recognizing its fallibility in translating human emotion. Steve also gives listeners tips on how to create the perfect “prompt” using Microsoft’s AI app, “Copilot.”

Former prosecutor Debbie Hines joins The Crux for a conversation on enduring racial inequity in the American criminal justice system. Debbie is a leading voice in the fight for transforming the system from the inside and an expert on the history of racial inequality. She highlights themes of her new book, "Get Off My Neck: Black Lives, White Justice, and A Former Prosecutor’s Quest for Reform." Debbie notes how probation and misdemeanor crimes are leading to unnecessary and disproportionate incarcerations of Black people.

Corey duBrowa, head of BCW, and AnnaMaria DeSalva, head of Hill & Knowlton discuss the merger of their global PR agencies to become Burson. Hear what they have been doing to integrate and support their teams before the July 1 launch. As they work toward the launch, they are managing changing approaches to ESG, how to use emerging AI tools to help clients manage risk and reputation, and a turbulent political environment. Plus, in the midst of all this, Corey was able to write a book on extended play recordings.

A discussion with Weber Shandwick’s Chris Perry on his new book, Perspective Agents: A Human Guide to the Autonomous Age, which focuses on relationships of two parallel revolutions: the technological uprising of automation and AI; and, and a new sense of human autonomy that allows us to find new meaning and direction. Perspective Agents challenges us to adapt and thrive in this new era of machine and man. Chris asks, “How does having instant answers enable us to do our own discovery, to do our own fact finding, and frankly to elevate our own agency.”

New PMI Chief Communications Officer Moira Gilchrist, who holds a Ph. D. in pharmaceutical sciences, says she wants people to know her company has changed and is serious about ending cigarette smoking. “ My passion…is to bring those facts to the fore so that everybody can make a decision about us based on facts of today and not on the memory on the memory of the 1990s,” a reference to a time when many tobacco companies were found to have misled the public about the dangers of smoking.

Award-winning journalist and Boston University College of Communication professor David Abel, newest movie, Inundation District, focuses on Boston’s Seaport district, which is threatened by rising seawater. The film is a master class in science-based journalism in a time of eroding trust in science. A prolific filmmaker, Abel’s works have largely focused on natural resource issues off New England’s coast. However, his journey as a filmmaker began in 2013 when he was documenting the first little person to run the Boston Marathon. He was at the finish line when the bombs exploded that day. His reporting on the tragedy with colleagues at the Boston Globe earned the team a Pulitzer Prize. This is an episode for anyone interested in becoming a better storyteller and the power of visual media.

Jon Weisman of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Nancy Elder, of the New York Mets join The Crux to discuss leading comms for two of the world's leading sports franchises. From working with team execs to dealing with team execs to players’ social media habits, Nancy and Jon provide a fascinating inside look at their roles as communicators in major league baseball.