The Penta Podcast Channel

On the latest episode of What's At Stake, Penta partner Bryan DeAngelis hosts Viv O'Connor-Jemmett, a partner in Penta's Dublin office. The pair discuss how news cycles are moving faster than ever—and how search engines and social media play a large role in disseminating information to stakeholders. Being prepared to control and manage a crisis online before it gets out of hand is essential for any organization.Enter Online Reputation Management (ORM). Sharing insights learned from over 15 years of experience supporting brands' online reputations, Viv describes how ORM came to be and why it is critical in today's media landscape. With the rapid development of AI, businesses will need to be even more prepared to respond to the next reputational challenge. Tune in to hear about everything ORM. To learn more, check out Penta's article on ORM, as well as a podcast and article on Penta's framework for analyzing potential brand risks of AI.

Join us for an exciting holiday edition of the Macrocast! This week, Ylan, Brendan, and John are joined by David Cook, a partner at Penta's London office, where he leads the firm's international financial services practice. Together, the group delves into pressing macroeconomic issues from both sides of the pond, illuminating the challenges faced by the Bank of England as it navigates high inflation and an upcoming election along with what the results of the Fed's annual big bank stress tests mean for consumers. Brendan Walsh even takes us on a live reporting adventure from the Connecticut highway, shedding light on the real-world impact of high gas prices. You won't want to miss it!

The U.K. Labour Party has seen a remarkable turnaround in its political fortunes since the 2019 general election. The current polls show a consistent and sizable lead for Labour under Sir current party leader Keir Starmer. But what are the realistic prospects for a Labour Government? What would the priorities be for a new administration? And what will that mean for business and enterprise?On June 13, 2023, Baron Watson of Wyre Forest (formerly Tom Watson, Member of Parliament), former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and current Chair of U.K. Music, joined Penta Managing Director Mark MacGregor to discuss the future for the Labour Party.Make sure to also tune into Penta's next live discussion on Monday July 3rd, which will feature discussion on the future of the agri-food sector. Mark MacGregor will chair a conversation on the issue with Penta Partner Rory O'Donnell and Rt Hon George Eustice MP. Find further event details and registration here.

This week on the Macrocast, Ylan Mui, Brendan Walsh, and John Fagan sit down with John Dick, CEO and Founder of Civic Science, explore today's trends in consumer behavior, including the latest economic sentiment index from Penta and Civic Science, and private sector growth. The group also discusses what Fed Chair Powell's comments on the Hill mean for a potential "passive tightening cycle" this year, and compares activity from central banks across England, China, and the U.S. What does the Fed's outlook tell us about a potential rate hike? How could the bipartisan RECOUP Act shape the future of the banking industry? Tune in to find out.

Since 2020, there has been a shift in the political dynamics between the U.S., EU, and China. Between increasing tensions over regional security posturing, and upcoming policy in the U.S. and EU dictating outbound investments and ethical sourcing guidelines, the West's relationship with China is becoming increasingly complex. In the U.S., there have been calls for a full decoupling from China, while many in Europe have taken a more measured approach, calling for 'derisking'.On this week's episode of What's at Stake, U.S. Strategy Partners Bryan DeAngelis and K. Stratton Kirton sit down to talk with Penta Advisor Stuart Harbinson on how realistic decoupling is, what Western companies should know about doing business in China, and what he believes is necessary to stabilize the relationship between China and the West.The group also discusses the expected new rule from the Biden administration about outbound investments to China, the diversity of European posturing, and how Taiwan plays a role both economically and in regards to regional security.

Today on What's at Stake, Bryan DeAngelis, partner at Penta based in Washington, D.C., is joined by fellow D.C.-based partner Andrea Christianson and Brussels-based partner Chris Mehigan. The trio examine the current state of AI regulation in the U.S. and the EU. The AI regulatory framework is complex and evolving, and the group discusses the implications of recent developments, including the EU AI Act and testimony before Congress by CEO of OpenAI Sam Altman. Bryan, Andrea, and Chris offer their predictions and perspectives on the future of this regulation, and highlight opportunities for collaboration and cooperation between the U.S. and EU. 

This week on the Macrocast, Ylan, Brendan, and John dive into the  current global macroeconomic growth, exploring the latest trends in markets and consumer behavior among the world's major economies. The team also breaks down the latest economic sentiment index from Penta and Civic Science. What does the improving outlook mean for banks and homeowners? Should we expect the Fed to respond with another rate hike? Tune in to find out.Read Penta and Civic Science's ESI analysis here.

On today's episode of What's at Stake, Mike Berland, Senior Partner at Penta, sits down with Jonathan Adashek, IBM's Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications and Chief Communications Officer. The duo discusses the role stakeholder engagement has had in Jonathan's career, including how his past work on political campaigns impacted his ability to cater to different groups of stakeholders at IBM. They also talk about Jonathan's current experience leading both the marketing and communications functions at IBM and how the pairing of the functions allows for increased alignment on brand, reputation, and storytelling capabilities across the company. Mike and Jonathan also break down IBM's use of data and AI, including the company's Watson X product, to give clients and partners, including entertainment and sports sponsors, customized solutions. Jonathan emphasizes how AI will help augment the overall productivity of the workforce and urges companies to adopt the technology. 

On today's Macrocast, hosts Ylan, John, and Brendan are joined by Marc Goldwein, senior policy director at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, to break down the debt ceiling deal and its implications for fiscal and monetary policy going forward. Plus, the group dives into this month's surprisingly strong jobs report. Does the Fed have one more hike in it, or will it finally let up? Read Penta's May Jobs Day fact sheet here. 

This week on What's at Stake, host Elliott Owensby is joined by Penta experts Andy Whitehouse and Jill Craig to dive into the complicated mergers and acquisitions landscape companies are facing today. With a focus on the crucial role of communications and public affairs, they explore the complexities of completing transactions in today's uncertain macroeconomic environment while effectively managing stakeholder expectations.What are the key developments shaping the M&A landscape in the US and EU? What are the ingredients of a successful M&A public affairs approach? And how can effective communication enhance the success and longevity of deals? Tune in as Elliott, Andy, and Jill share their expertise on these questions and more.