25 APR 2024 · This year, half of the world is heading to the polls, making it the most significant election year ever witnessed. However, amidst geopolitical unrest, polarization, and divisiveness, these circumstances bring forth substantial challenges in managing data and information. But how can you determine if your organization is adequately prepared to tackle them? In this episode, we are joined by https://www.linkedin.com/in/robjek/, Managing Director at https://theharrispoll.com, and https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliotmizrachi/, Vice President, Strategy and Content at https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-society/. Together, they offer insights into the current landscape of the communications function and its projected expansion. Central to this expansion are Chief Communication Officers (CCOs), who are playing a vital role in bridging divides with stakeholders to propel organizations forward.  Join us as we also discuss: - The risks and opportunities perceived by CCOs amidst economic and societal turbulence - Why companies should prioritize investment in skill development programs over AI initiatives - The significance of dismantling politicized acronyms like DEI and ESG to re-evaluate their relevance and value - Page’s https://page.org/knowledge-base/cco-outlook-2024/

9 APR 2024 · “I’m not creative.” “We don’t have time to be creative.” “This is not a creative profession.”   These are all too common refrains. Yet they are also false. We are socialized to view “creativity” as the domain of artists or individuals in specific fields. In organizations, we tend to fixate on an outcome or solution at the expense of falling in love with the process itself – which includes intentionally cultivating a culture of creativity within our teams. We speak about “innovation” without understanding what it is or approaches to unlocking it.   This week, host Anne Green speaks with https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalienixonphd/, Creativity Strategist & CEO at https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalienixonphd/. Rather than shying away from tensions around how creativity is perceived and practiced, Natalie both embraces and has made her life’s work trying to better understand and cultivate it in others. There’s an important balance to be struck between Wonder and Rigor (as she puts it) in both artistic endeavors and corporate environments, and this week’s conversation showcases how embracing both curiosity and discipline can unlock transformative breakthroughs.   Join us as we discuss:  - How everyone is and can be creative across all types of work – and how to intentionally build your own creative capacity   - Why hybrid and flexible thinking is essential to today’s workplace and world  - Fresh ways to think about the concept and application of “innovation”  - Embracing both wonder and rigor to unlock the creative process  - Knowing the right questions to ask in the creative and innovation process 

12 FEB 2024 · In 2020, the term DE&I, or Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, became part of corporate culture. Diversity executives were being hired across industries and companies large and small pledged to diversify workforces and take inclusion seriously. Fast forward four years, and in an uncertain economy and a downturn for the media and tech industries, DE&I leaders and initiatives were often the first to be cut. Host Anne Green sits down with two G&S Communications leaders to discuss the “I” in DE&I and why it’s not only important to employee performance and company culture, but why it’s also just good business. Hear our conversation with Marjani Williams, VP of DE&I and Client Service at G&S Communications and Kate Threewitts, Chief People Officer at G&S Communications as they discuss: - Implementing real vs. performative DE&I - Why inclusion is a winning business strategy - G&S Communications Inclusive Leadership Campaign

20 DEC 2023 · Perhaps the only topic more discussed in 2023 than Taylor Swift, is AI. From the rise of ChatGPT to conversations around job security across Hollywood and beyond, the technology has been everywhere. Building Brand Gravity hosts Anne Green and Kyle Turner discuss the year in generative AI - breaking down where the tech is today, how MarComms professionals can capitalize on its growth, and the focus businesses must place inside and outside of their organization as it continues to proliferate. Topics include: - Why curiosity is key in approaching AI - How leaders can encourage AI exploration and implementation organizationally - AI’s potential for good across industries, including healthcare - The importance of policy and regulation More information about Anne Green and Kyle Turner and today’s topics: - LinkedIn Profile:https://www.linkedin.com/company/gs-business-communications/ - Company Website: https://www.gscommunications.com/

12 DEC 2023 · The role that business plays in society is vastly different than it was 10 to 20 years ago and integrated marketing communications agencies have had to adapt…fast. A 2022 survey found that 82% of consumers want brands to align with their values. Younger demographics, including Millennials and Gen-Z, are at the forefront of this evolution. Luke Lambert is the outgoing President and CEO of G&S Communications. As he prepares to move on from this post, he recounts his career beginnings in PR and journalism and his natural pivot into management. Anne Green, co-host of Building Brand Gravity (and Luke’s successor as G&S CEO) invites him for a chat on agency leadership, cultivating culture, championing DE&I in the communications industry and leading with values. Hear our conversation with Luke Lambert, President & CEO at G&S Communications - Natural transitions into leadership roles and the importance of being grounded in the business - Cultivating trust in yourself and in your team - How to deliver on clients’ needs today while still investing in innovation for tomorrow - Creating and staying true to your brand’s voice in a more volatile social and political landscape - The importance to DE&I to organizations and how to authentically champion progress More information about Luke Lambert and today’s topics: - LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-lambert-33a19a9/ - Company Website: https://www.gscommunications.com/

7 NOV 2023 · The advancements in digital marketing from just 5 or 6 years ago to now are staggering - even in industries that tend to be overlooked as purveyors of the space. Agriculture has had a complete makeover post-pandemic, and therefore so has the marketing around it. https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosalyn-moore-nc/is the Marketing Insights and Innovation Manager at https://www.syngenta.com/en a farming technology company on a mission to safely provide more food to more people across the globe. Rosalyn’s unconventional career journey - with beginnings in electrical engineering - saw her transition to psychology in undergrad, ultimately leading her to digital marketing. Having worked together over the years, host https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleturner1?challengeId=AQFJMo9LoWkl5gAAAYtEJ0aoQq7EUK6Df-rUecNzcca_s61RfNhrZeyghRa6CouU_rGeZ33ZCMaqE9lJDuIqMOELGa3WvUEm2Q&submissionId=78c74236-b048-8f17-42cd-b91d1b9b767c&challengeSource=AgHDda_h3-03WAAAAYtEKDgzy5yd-DS-1socTOo9FqDfcKo4FsYix2-GA2RloBE&challegeType=AgGMLD4y_dw5xQAAAYtEKDg36AXstvBIWIZBllWNFwOi-nVRr0A9AEk&memberId=AgHkaJbI2Ad7JAAAAYtEKDg6L6hu13wn8BZ8ztv56uoC4X0&recognizeDevice=AgEwugjLSlHbLgAAAYtEKDg-lo81bxTk6qknTckOQRI54c3A2XJX invited Rosalyn for a conversation on the podcast. Listen in as Kyle and Rosalyn discuss: - Misnomers and misunderstandings about technological advancement in agriculture today - The ubiquity of digital marketing and what it looks like in agriculture - The importance of identifying your audience, and meeting them where they are across digital platforms - How recent evolutions in the ag industry are driving changes to the marketing around it - The power and potential of AI tools on the digital marketing landscape

6 OCT 2023 · There is no “average user” of digital experiences in our world today. If we can grasp that there is significant nuance beyond current understandings of “ability” and “disability,” can generative AI help us narrow a digital divide that is far greater than most individuals and organizations perceive? https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardpyle/ is a leading voice in the mission to advance inclusivity in digital experiences as the founder ofhttps://www.xf.works/. After an enlightening encounter with Howard at the https://page.org/events/2022-page-spring-seminar/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-e-green/, host and G&S Principal, asked him to join her on the podcast. Listen in as Howard and Anne discuss: - Today’s limited conceptions of "ability" versus "disability" and why our approach to accessibility in digital spaces needs a significant paradigm shift - The importance of human guidance and ethical considerations in employing AI as a tool to advance inclusivity and accessibility - Sorting through the hype and potential of AI in bridging the digital divide and transforming accessibility

21 SEP 2023 · Branding is a long game requiring continuous attention and reinvention, all pointed back to the core values of the business. With strategic intention, marketers can help to build something as valuable as Marvel or Nike— cultivating meaning and relevance that spans audience demographics and decades. Yet marketing executed without an understanding of a brand’s true “north star” can just as easily result in indifference, erosion of market share, or memeable attention of the wrong kind. After spending 22-years contributing to the marketing of a brand that is 117-years old, https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmarine/, Chief Marketing Officer at https://www.coldwellbanker.com/, knows a little something about playing the long game. He joins G&S Principal https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-e-green/ to share insights on two decades of experience at Coldwell Banker, thoughts on the concept and evolution of branding, and smart advice for those looking to build a career in marketing. David underscores the significance of staying grounded in the essence of your message, despite shifting priorities, technologies and tactics. This is especially critical when guiding a well-known brand that is over a century old while continuing to innovate. Listen in as David and Anne discuss: - How to continuously advance and innovate while remaining true to core brand values - The roles of compelling storytelling and cultural relevance in brand longevity - Lessons from the evolution of iconic brands like Nike and Marvel - and how David translates these learnings for into selling the American Dream of home

11 SEP 2023 · Communities are at the heart of success — building the right one can fuel your business, but when community is lacking, your organization will feel its absence. According to https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaykap/, Co-founder https://chief.com/, there are two wildly different types of communities: one made of brand advocates and followers, and another more formally official where individuals opt-in to participate. With the latter, an organization can soar, building an incredibly powerful brand. But communities aren’t always intuitive. Building them takes intentionality, inclusive leadership and active investment. Join us as we discuss: - How to actively invest in inclusivity and belonging to avoid lip service, build relationships and champion diversity - The vital role of internal champions in driving DEI initiatives - Staying true with a mission-driven focus for genuine impact and organic growth

2 JUN 2023 · In this episode, https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-e-green/ interviews https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanksample/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcclennan/ about the ethical implications of the use of AI in communications and beyond. This conversation delves into the experiences and insights of Kim, as President of the https://prcouncil.net/ and Mark, General Manager at https://cplusc.com/, Host of the https://www.ethicalvoices.com podcast, and one of today’s top voices in ethics in PR and communications. With the growing exploration of generative AI in all industries, including communications, there is a need for intentional ethical consideration across all contexts — Kim, Mark and Anne dive in and discuss: - The transformative potential of generative AI as a technology and societal shift - Overall role and importance of ethics in communications, and the pressing need to apply an ethical lens to uses of generative AI - Importance of and opportunities to lean into ethical decision-making training in the context of AI - How core tenets of the PR Council Code of Ethics & Principles - such as transparency, disclosure, sourcing and promoting truth/accuracy - are hugely relevant to the generative AI evolution To make sure you never miss an episode of Building Brand Gravity, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the website. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Building Brand Gravity in your favorite podcast player.