It's another Hot Take episode and The Katies are in a mood.

Hot Take #1 (2:02): Emma Grede's statements around work-life balance were not completely out of line - she was just lacking tangible examples in her messaging.

Hot Take #2 (25:30): X's search for a new comms lead validates that comms is a critical role at the leadership table.

Takeaways

• Work-life balance is often viewed differently by CEOs and employees.
• CEOs need to provide examples of HOW they maintain work-life balance to set a new executive standard in answering the work-life balance question.
• Every time a women gets asked about work-life balance, a fairy dies.
• If you' ask about flexibility in an interview, don't position it as work-life balance.
• Work-life balance looks different for everyone based on personal circumstances.
• X has an opportunity to reinvent itself by starting its own news publication to reposition the way it delivers news; the traditional X feed would be the comments section (we want credit for this!!)
• To manage a tough exec and/or founder, you need teammates that back you when you're not in the room

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In episode 32 of Smart in Public, the Katies are joined by Zixin Chai, Senior Partner at RICE, a FINN Partners Company, to learn about the comms and media landscape across Asia.

Zixin guides Boysen & Dufficy through the challenges of working with multinational clients in Asia, cultural nuances, and the current talent pool in Singapore (where she's based). We also explore the media landscape, shifts in the communications industry, and the growing significance of internal communications across companies in Asia.

Fun fact - did you know that Asia is not one big country? All jokes aside, this episode is full of insights around how to tailor your execs, storytelling strategies, and expectations across Asian countries. Thank you Xin for joining us!!!

Chapters

• 02:35 - Xin's Journey in Communications
• 05:54 - Agency vs. In-House Experience
• 08:18 - Client Relationships and Ideal Client Work
• 12:40 - Working with Multinational Clients in Asia
• 18:33 - Cultural Nuances in Client Engagement
• 21:07 - Talent Pool and Industry Challenges in Singapore
• 23:38 - Diversity and Inclusion in the Comms Industry
• 28:34 - Media Landscape and Storytelling in Singapore
• 31:41 - Engaging Journalists in the Digital Age
• 32:44 - Navigating Cultural Differences in Communication
• 34:55 - Understanding Local Customs and Etiquette
• 36:08 - Language Barriers and Business Communication in Asia
• 41:29 - Shifts in the Communications Landscape
• 44:20 - The Importance of Media Relations
• 46:00 - The Rise of Internal Communications
• 48:00 - Dumb and Private: Personal Anecdotes and Reflections

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In this episode of the Smart and Public Podcast, the Katies welcome Abenaa Hayes, Founder and CEO of Elysee Consulting. It won't take long in the episode for you to agree with us when we say that Abenaa AND her career are not only impressive, but incredibly interesting. Her experience in communications and brand spans across a wide range of companies - from start-ups to growth to established US and global firms in healthcare, social impact, and more. Abenaa’s professional mission is to guide leaders and brands who want to meet 21st century societal mandates head on by driving engagement and transformation through inclusive communications.

We also discuss the evolving landscape of public relations, the importance of inclusive communications, and how companies can navigate societal shifts. We're so grateful to have spent this hour with Abenaa and can't wait for you to listen.

Show references:

• Annie Jean Baptiste: Building for Everyone https://www.amazon.com/Building-Everyone-Practices-Googles-Inclusion/dp/1119646227
• Alison Taylor Higher Ground https://www.alisontaylor.co/higher-ground
• Forbes - Harvard Rebrands Their DEI Office “Community & Campus Life” In Latest Move To Evolve: https://www.forbes.com/sites/dougmelville/2025/04/29/harvard-rebrands-their-dei-office-community--campus-life-in-latest-move-to-evolve/

Chapters:

• 03:19 - Abenaa's Career Journey and Transition to PR
• 05:52 - The Importance of Inclusion in Corporate Culture
• 07:45 - Navigating Corporate Reputation and Authenticity
• 10:16 - Engagement Strategies for Brands
• 11:16 - Crisis Management in Corporate Communications
• 13:14 - Building Effective Messaging Frameworks
• 14:26 - Adapting Communication Strategies Across Industries
• 15:49 - Employee Enablement and Internal Communication
• 16:55 - The Future of Diversity and Inclusion
• 19:15 - The Interconnection of Business and Inclusion
• 21:28 - Using Employees as a Sounding Board
• 23:02 - Navigating DEI Pushback in the Current Climate
• 27:41 - Acknowledgment of Country: A Cultural Conversation
• 30:54 - The Importance of Representation in Communications
• 34:46 - Diversity in the Communications Field
• 39:16 - Local Talent vs. Expat Leadership
• 40:26 - AI and Inclusion: The Dangers of Bias
• 45:23 - The Importance of Diverse Voices in Brand Messaging
• 48:25 - Resources for Best Practices in Inclusion and DEI

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In this episode of the Smart in Public podcast, The Katies discuss the ins-and-outs of working with PR agencies, including the pros and cons of different agency types, best practices for finding the right agency, and how to build successful partnerships. We also delve into the RFP process, emphasizing the importance of communication and transparency in agency-client relationships.

We have a tonne of experience in this space -- from both ends of the spectrum -- so this episode is packed with personal anecdotes and insights into the evolving agency landscape of PR (with a consulting twist!).

Takeaways

• Consider the type of work and budget when choosing an agency.
• Agencies can provide valuable ideation and media relations support.
• Building a strong partnership with your agency is crucial for success.
• Regular communication and transparency about budgets are essential.
• Don't hesitate to hire a consultant alongside your agency for specialized needs.
• Thank your agency for their hard work to foster a positive relationship.
• Be open about team dynamics and address any issues respectfully.
• Conduct due diligence when selecting an agency to ensure a good fit.
• Trust and mutual respect are foundational for effective agency partnerships.
• The RFP process should be fair and proportionate to the budget.

Chapters

• 07:11 - Exploring PR Agencies
• 14:19 - Finding International Agencies
• 20:08 - Building Strong Partnerships with Agencies
• 25:11 - Maximizing Agency Effectiveness
• 31:49 - Building Relationships with Clients
• 34:47 - Navigating the RFP Process
• 39:31 - Feedback and Stakeholder Engagement
• 43:10 - Evaluating Agency Performance
• 46:27 - When to Consider an RFP
• 48:30 - Recognizing Agency Contributions
• 50:50 - The Future of Agencies and AI

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It's a HOT TAKE BAY BEE! In this bonus episode of the Smart in Public podcast, the Katies slightly unravel talking about Blue Origin's recent space mission featuring an all-female crew. They unpacked the publicity leading up to the launch, how it aligned to Blue Origin's company mission, the media's reaction, the public backlash, and the implications of celebrity involvement in space exploration. Yes we did some [heavy] critiquing on the PR strategy around the mission, including the focus on superficial aspects rather than substantive discussions about women in STEM and the role of NASA amidst budget cuts. They also reflect on the impact of wealth on space tourism and the need for humility in celebrity culture, ultimately celebrating the achievement while calling for a more meaningful narrative around women in space.

Chapters

• 03:04 - The Crew and Their Significance
• 06:05 - Public Perception and Media Coverage
• 08:57 - The Role of Celebrity in Space Exploration
• 12:06 - Critique of Blue Origin's Messaging
• 15:03 - The Broader Implications for Women in STEM
• 18:08 - Conclusion and Reflections on the Future
• 19:40 - Gail King's Perspective on Space Travel
• 22:00 - The Cost of Space Travel and Public Perception
• 24:35 - Celebrity Influence and Public Relations in Space
• 26:04 - Katy Perry: Public Image and Controversies
• 29:58 - Reflections on Female Representation in Space
• 33:01 - Concluding Thoughts on Space Exploration and Celebrity Culture

Key Takeaways

• The crew consisted of notable public figures, raising questions about representation.
• Media reactions highlighted the superficial focus on celebrity appearances.
• Criticism arose regarding the lack of substantive discussions on STEM.
• NASA's budget cuts coincided with Blue Origin's flight, raising concerns.
• The wealth disparity in space tourism was a significant point of contention.
• Gail King's comments sparked backlash regarding the mission's purpose.
• Katy Perry's involvement drew mixed reactions about celebrity influence.
• The conversation emphasized the need for humility in celebrity culture.

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In this episode of the Smart in Public podcast, the Katies discuss the significance of data storytelling across executive messaging, narrative creation, cross-functional campaign development, industry positioning, and public relations. They explore various types of data research, the importance of sample size, and how to effectively leverage data for storytelling and media engagement. The conversation walks comms & marketing leaders how to strategically plan and collaborate across business functions to maximize the impact of data-driven narratives.

Takeaways

• What data storytelling programs are and how they can can be a critical communication tool
• Learn good and bad examples of data storytelling
• Why sample size is essential for credible research findings
• Where data can fill gaps in narratives where proof points are lacking
• How to successfully collaborate across business functions to enhance the impact of data
• Why timing is key when releasing data to align with external events
• When to refresh your data should be refreshed in order to remain relevant
• Why quick and dirty research has a limited lifespan
• How engaging journalists with exclusive data can yield better results
• Planning early is critical to avoid rushed research processes

Chapters

• 08:10 - Data Storytelling: The Importance of Data in Communication
• 10:33 - Successful Examples of Data Storytelling
• 13:34 - Challenges in Data Storytelling
• 16:30 - Aligning Data Research with Business Goals
• 19:27 - Funding and Cost Considerations for Research
• 24:30 - Understanding Research Costs and Sample Sizes
• 30:38 - The Importance of Data Storytelling
• 38:33 - Maximizing the Longevity of Data
• 40:54 - Key Recommendations for Effective Data Use

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In this episode of the Smart in Public podcast, the Katies welcome Cath Anderson to the pod to talk about narrative development, messaging, her board seat on Planned Parenthood, career breaks, and A LOT MORE. For those that don't know Cath, she's a comms powerhouse with two decades of experience working in corporate communications and marketing roles. She specializes in shaping company narratives, mitigating reputation risk, and strategically positioning brands for long-term relevance and growth. Cath has built best-in-class communications teams, while advising CEOs and founders across various stages and sectors, from established global brands like Apple, Google, and Meta, to healthcare startups like Amwell and Cityblock Health. Her most recent role was a Corporate Comms Exec at Anthropic.

We tap into Cath's experience to discuss the challenges of navigating social and political issues in corporate communications, the significance of internal versus external messaging, and the art of crafting compelling narratives for executives.

Chapters

• 02:47 - Navigating Career Transitions and the Power Pause
• 05:40 - Engaging in Strategic Networking and Career Opportunities
• 08:30 - Board Membership and Advocacy in Women's Health
• 11:15 - Communications in a Changing Social Landscape
• 13:57 - Preparing Executives for Social Issues and Crisis Management
• 25:58 - Navigating Emotional Responses in Corporate Messaging
• 28:12 - The Importance of Internal Communication
• 32:08 - Building Trust Through Transparency
• 35:53 - Crafting Compelling Narratives for Executives
• 41:25 - Lessons in Humility and Growth

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In episode 26, the Katie's welcome Roberto Munoz, CEO of Munoz Communications, to give our listeners a crash course in comms consulting. This episode comes at a time when we're seeing a flood of top communications talent leave the corporate world to become consultants, and Roberto is the perfect guest to help set anyone -- from the seasoned consultant to the consultant curious -- on the right track for building a client pipeline, identifying what services you want to offer, how much to charge, how to evolve with the market, and even how to simply get started.

Thank you Roberto for joining us!!

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Roberto and Boysen's Consulting Journeys
02:56 - The Rise of Consultants in the Market
06:12 - Navigating Imposter Syndrome
08:35 - Building a Personal Brand
11:56 - The Importance of Community
14:53 - Pricing Strategies for Consultants
17:56 - Testing Ideas and Feedback
20:57 - Final Thoughts and Audience Questions
35:18 - The Deconstructed Agency Model
38:03 - Fractional CCO: A New Approach
41:31 - Navigating the Consulting Landscape
44:49 - Building Relationships with VCs
47:57 - Finding Clients and Opportunities
49:05 - Starting Your Consulting Journey
52:11 - Leveraging AI in Consulting
56:54 - Essential Tech Tools for Consultants

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