Smart in Public

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 Gold Chain06:40 - The Impact of Meta's Changes on Society12:39 - The Masculine Energy Debate: Zuck on Joe Rogan20:54 - The Impact of Corporate Changes on Employee Retention22:15 - Megan's New Show: A Blend of Cooking and Interviews23:14 - The Public Perception of Meghan Markle24:39 - Navigating Identity and Brand in the Public Eye26:25 - Challenges of Authenticity in a Media-Driven World28:42 - Comparing Brands: Meghan Markle vs. Martha Stewart31:12 - The Role of Guests in Meghan's New Show34:29 - The Complexity of Meghan's Transition from Royalty35:35 - The Future of Meghan's Brand and Public Image38:15 - The Fascination with Royal Family CommunicationsConnect with us on: Instagram TikTok Web Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

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 rapid-growth environmentsThe critical importance of succession planning and talent developmentHow AI is reshaping the future of corporate communicationsWhether you're a seasoned communications professional or aspiring to leadership in tech PR, Jane's perspective on maintaining engagement and pride in high-stakes environments while fostering continuous learning is invaluable. Her emphasis on hiring for raw intelligence and proactive thinking provides a fresh perspective on talent acquisition in today's competitive landscape.Available now on your favorite podcast platform.Connect with us on: Instagram TikTok Web Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

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 - Reflecting on 2024: Top Moments in PR05:52 - Innovative PR Campaigns: Dad Shift and Wicked09:01 - MasterCard's Wheelchair Ball Kid Initiative14:55 - Dove's Face of Ten Campaign: Addressing Tween Skincare17:56 - Celebrating Women's Sports: A Growing Movement21:00 - Jaguar's Controversial Ad and Its Impact23:59 - Jojo Siwa's Rebranding Journey32:18 - Lessons from CEO Interviews: What Went Wrong?40:42 - Reflections on Personal Growth and Professional NetworksConnect with us on: Instagram TikTok Web Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

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 Women's Day shouldn't be the only time your company speaks out to support women.You can listen to the Women's Agenda podcast here: https://womensagenda.com.au/podcastsSkippers Paradise:01:39 - Tarla Lambert-Patel's Journey and Women's Agenda05:27 - Identifying the Gap: Women's Agenda's Mission07:43 - The Freedom of Independent Publishing10:02 - Challenges of Independent Publishing in Australia12:37 - Impactful Stories and Interviews15:28 - Navigating Sensitive Topics and Building Trust17:45 - Working with PR: Building Meaningful Stories20:22 - The Saturation of International Women's Day22:27 - Building Brand Partnerships Effectively27:25 - The Impact of Remote Work on Parents34:31 - Addressing Women's Health Issues in the WorkplaceAbout Tarla Lambert-PatelTarla is the co-founder of Agenda Media - parent company to Women’s Agenda, Women’s Health News, The Crux podcast, and The Keynotes app alongside her business partner, Angela Priestley. Across their mastheads, they engage more than a million Australian women every month and have achieved this as a wholly independent, women-owned and run entity. Tarla is also the editor-in-chief of Women's Agenda, Australia's leading online news site championing women in their lives and careers and she co-leads a team of exceptional journalists and producers. Women's Agenda has been in-market for 11 years, and was launched by Private Media in 2012 as a key career resource for women. Since then, it’s been established as a genuine staple in the Australian media landscape, covering everything from business, tech, and politics through to lifestyle, finance and leadership. It is the go-to news source for thousands.Connect with us on: Instagram TikTok Web Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

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 privateConnect with us on: Instagram TikTok Web Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

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 strategy and audience engagement.Episode links:Axios Communicator ArticleSign up for the Axios Communicators Newsletter  Timestamps02:43 - The Evolving Role of the Chief Communications Officer (CCO)10:14 - Succession Planning in Communications19:22 - The Future of Communications Teams and CCO Responsibilities26:53 - The Importance of CEO-Communications Partnership29:19 - Analyzing Jaguar's Controversial Ad Campaign33:59 - Shifting Brand Identity and Audience Perception36:49 - Speculation on Jaguar's Future StrategyConnect with us on: Instagram TikTok Web Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

If you're looking for an episode that feels like you're eavesdropping on some random gals chatting next to you, this hodgepodge of an episode is the one for you. The Katies have had some manic work schedules lately, so we thought we'd use this time to share some items that are top of mind. Do we talk about PR? Sure. Will you laugh more than you learn in this episode? Likely. We're just happy to be here, honestly. So grab a sandwich and a glass of wine and enjoy our happy ramblings. We'll be more productive next week, we promise!Episode Timestamps00:00 - Introduction and Life Updates05:57 - Adapting to a New Industry12:00 - Work Travel Experiences, Tips, & Self Care28:00 - The power of the PR community and ideas to bring Smart in Public listeners together32:13 - Looking Ahead: Upcoming Guests and Future PlansConnect with us on: Instagram TikTok Web Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

In this week's episode, the Katies welcome Matt Fairhurst, co-founder and CEO of Skedulo, to the pod to discuss the partnership between a founder and a comms team. Fun fact: this episode isn't just for Comms people. It's also a great one to listen to if you're a founder wanting to explore how and when to bring comms support into your business, and identify the best strategies to improve your communications style as a leader. Topics include:How internal communications is critical for founders to maintain alignment and culture.Technology shifts that create opportunities for new businesses and communication strategies.How effective communication requires trust and transparency between leaders and teams.Company culture is a reflection of the founder's personality and values.All hands calls and their ability to provide a platform for transparency and team engagement.How storytelling enhances the memorability and impact of communication.How different cultures have varying expectations for communication styles and performance.Building relationships with external consultants can provide valuable perspectives.Communication is a skill that can be developed over time through practice.Leaders must adapt their communication style as their company grows and evolves.Episode time stamps:02:44 - The Impact of Technology on Business05:39 - The Importance of Internal Communications08:21 - Navigating External Communications10:56 - The Role of Transparency in Leadership13:33 - Building Company Culture Through Communication16:11 - The Value of All Hands Meetings19:01 - Storytelling as a Communication Tool21:54 - The Role of External Consultants in Communication24:40 - The Value of External vs. Internal Collaboration26:42 - Building Trust and Access in Consulting28:49 - Cultural Differences in Communication31:20 - Adapting Communication Styles Across Borders36:01 - Personal Anecdotes and Lessons LearnedConnect with us on: Instagram TikTok Web Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the PR team at Intuit as we dive into this all too familiar case study focused on executive training, expectation setting, and article amendments. We'll dive into the various fallouts that can stem from a CEO interview, the importance of context when navigating article amendments, new ways of thinking around executive and journalist preparation, and what we would have done differently in the situation. It's a tough but critical topic for any PR person who manages the C-suite.Episode time stamps:1:14 - Case Study: Intuit and The Verge Interview4:35 - Analysis of Intuit's PR Response9:43 - The Importance of Executive Preparation14:40 - Navigating Media Relationships and Expectations20:57 - Preparing for Executive Interviews24:12 - Handling Unexpected Questions26:54 - Understanding the Journalist's Perspective28:17 - The Role of PR in Interview OutcomesConnect with us on: Instagram TikTok Web Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com

We’ve been getting a lot of listener emails – some with episode topic requests and some with quick questions. For this episode, we thought it would be fun to read the quick questions and answer on the fly! Hear our experiences and views on media accountability, navigating a PR career when you move internationally, the definition of comms and the role it plays throughout a business, and some PR horror stories that won't get us fired.Episode Timestamps:2:51 - Media accountability and journalism5:36 - Navigating career transitions when moving internationally8:37 - The definition of Communications and PR11:26 - PR horror stories and industry challengesWe'd love to hear from you. Email us with topic requests, questions, or feedback at hello@smartinpublicpod.com.Connect with us on: Instagram TikTok Web Have a topic or a guest idea? Email us at hello@smartinpublicpod.com