# Capitol Communicator
> Marketing, advertising, PR and media news for the DC, Maryland and Virginia communications community.
Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. This file includes a bounded export of public pages first, then recent public posts.
Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`).
## Pages
### About Capitol Communicator
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/about/
Last updated: 2026-10-21T16:36:13.000Z
Capitol Communicator covers the people and companies behind marketing, advertising, public relations, media and digital in DC, Maryland and Virginia. Who moved. Who won the account. Who launched what, and where the region is meeting next.

It started in 2004 as DC Communicator, an email newsletter Paul Duning launched with Phil Rabin as editor, and became Capitol Communicator in 2008\. Since then it has published more than 8,000 stories and built the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit into the region’s largest yearly gathering of communications people.

## Now part of Fabric

In October 2026, Capitol Communicator became part of [Fabric Media](https://capitolcommunicator.com/about-fabric/). The new owners are investing in the things the region already reads it for: the news, People on the Move, the Summit, and the community that shows up for all three.

## The Brief

[The Brief](https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-brief/) is the week’s news from Capitol Communicator, in one email. It’s free. [Get The Brief](#/portal/signup).

## The people

**Paul Duning**, founder and publisher.

**Phil Rabin**, Washington, DC and Richmond editor. [Email Phil](https://capitolcommunicator.com/contact/)

**Jeffrey Davis**, Maryland regional editor, covering Baltimore, Annapolis, Columbia, southern Pennsylvania and Delaware. [Email Jeff](https://capitolcommunicator.com/contact/)

## Send us news

Releases, story ideas and photos go to the editor for your region.

## Advertise

Sponsorships and display placements put your brand in front of the people who buy marketing and communications in this region. [Advertise with Capitol Communicator](https://capitolcommunicator.com/advertise/).
### The Brief
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-brief/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T18:07:57.000Z
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### About Fabric
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/about-fabric/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T18:08:00.000Z
Fabric Media is an integrated communications and strategic marketing company. It publishes TVREV, which covers the television business; The Measure, which covers measurement and analytics; and Medianexis, a sourced news wire on the business of media, with every claim linked to where it came from. Medianexis is powered by The Signals Desk, which reads the trade press every day, and it also publishes The Signal, a weekly newsletter.

Fabric’s agency, at [fabricmedia.net](https://www.fabricmedia.net/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), works with media, advertising technology and measurement companies on strategy, content and communications.

## Why Capitol Communicator

This region’s communications business runs on relationships and on news the national trades don’t cover. Capitol Communicator has carried both for two decades. Fabric bought it to keep doing exactly that, with better tools behind it: a new site, a weekly newsletter in [The Brief](https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-brief/), and a newsroom that can watch more of the region at once.
### News
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/news/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T18:08:02.000Z
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### Community
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/community/
Last updated: 2026-10-21T16:29:07.000Z
Drinks on a Tuesday, coffee before work, a walk-through of your new office. A Capitol Communicator Connection is a small get-together for the people who do this work, hosted by one of them, with Capitol Communicator behind it.
### Work with Capitol Communicator
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/resources/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T18:08:03.000Z
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### Talk to us
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/contact/
Last updated: 2026-10-21T16:36:12.000Z
Everything on Capitol Communicator starts with a note to us. Here’s what each thing is and who to tell. A form for each comes with the site’s next phase.

## News, moves and events

Story ideas, announcements and photos go to the editor for your region. So do People on the Move: new hires, promotions, retirements and account wins. Every move is listed free. Featured moves, with lead placement, a photo and a slot in The Brief, start in March 2027.

**Phil Rabin**, Washington, DC and Richmond editor. [Email Phil](https://capitolcommunicator.com/contact/)

**Jeffrey Davis**, Maryland regional editor, covering Baltimore, Annapolis, Columbia, southern Pennsylvania and Delaware. [Email Jeff](https://capitolcommunicator.com/contact/)

Events for the calendar go to Paul Duning, our publisher. The button opens an email with everything we need to list it.

[Submit an event](https://capitolcommunicator.com/contact/)

## The Brief

The Brief is our free email newsletter: events on Monday mornings, news on Thursday mornings. [Get The Brief](#/portal/signup). To get your event or news into it, send it to your editor.

## The Newswire

The Newswire is for press releases. Starting in 2027 you can publish a release on Capitol Communicator. It runs labelled as a release, says who it’s from, and stays apart from our own reporting. A release that’s news gets picked up in The Brief, and agencies that release often can take a monthly plan. [More on the Newswire](https://capitolcommunicator.com/resources/#newswire).

## Capitol Communicator Connections

Connections are small get-togethers that people in the community host themselves: drinks on a Tuesday, coffee before work, a walk-through of your new office. Pick a date, a place and a host, and tell us about it. We promote it in The Brief, and when you send photos afterwards, we publish the write-up. To host one, email Paul: the button opens an email asking for the date, the place and who’s hosting.

[Host a Connection](https://capitolcommunicator.com/contact/)

## Capitol Conversations

Coming later: twenty minutes on the record with one of your leaders. We record it, edit it and publish it as an interview, a feature and short clips your team can share. Tell us if you’d like to be in one of the first.

[Tell us](https://capitolcommunicator.com/contact/)

## Advertising, sponsorship and research

Sponsorships, the display unit beside every story and the sponsor slot in The Brief are open now. From January 2027, The Pulse asks the region’s marketing, PR and media people what’s changing each quarter, fielded by research partner MX8 Labs; sponsors can put a question in, or commission a study of their own. [Advertise](https://capitolcommunicator.com/advertise/) · [All the ways to work with us](https://capitolcommunicator.com/resources/).

[Ask about advertising](https://capitolcommunicator.com/contact/)
### Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit & ADWKDC
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/mamcs-2026/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T22:59:30.000Z
The Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit & ADWKDC is Wednesday, October 14, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the MLK Library Conference Center in Washington, D.C.

[See the agenda](https://marcomsummit.co/2026agenda/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) · [See the speakers](https://marcomsummit.co/speaker-with-carousel/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) · [Get tickets](https://marcomsummit.co/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### House: Resources (970×250)
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/ad-house-billboard-resources/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T22:59:34.000Z
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### House: Resources (300×250)
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/ad-house-billboard-resources-mobile/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T22:59:34.000Z
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### House: Advertise
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/ad-house-advertise/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T18:08:12.000Z
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### Jobs
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/jobs/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T18:08:13.000Z
_No content available._
### Advertise
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/advertise/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T18:08:13.000Z
Capitol Communicator reaches the people who make and buy marketing, advertising, public relations and media in DC, Maryland and Virginia: on the site, in The Brief every week, and at the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit.

Sponsorships, the display unit beside every story, and the sponsor slot in The Brief are open now. [Tell us what you need](https://capitolcommunicator.com/contact/) and we’ll send packages and rates.
### GK5A
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/sponsor-gk5a/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T18:08:14.000Z
_No content available._
### Crosby
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/sponsor-crosby/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T18:08:16.000Z
_No content available._
### Spurrier
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/sponsor-spurrier/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T18:08:19.000Z
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### Elevation
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/sponsor-elevation/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T18:08:21.000Z
_No content available._
### RP3
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/sponsor-rp3/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T18:08:23.000Z
_No content available._
### Yes&
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/sponsor-yes/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T18:08:26.000Z
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### Response Labs
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/sponsor-response-labs/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T18:08:28.000Z
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## Posts
### Bill Novelli exits Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/bill-novelli-exits-campaign-for-tobacco-free-kids-and-the-tobacco-free-kids-action-fund/
Last updated: 2026-10-21T21:39:08.000Z
The Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund announced that Bill Novelli is stepping down as chair of the Board of Directors after 30 years in leadership positions at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund. He will be succeeded by Melissa A. Schulman, Senior Vice President for Government and Public Affairs at CVS Health.

Novelli in 1996, with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, founded the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund. He served as president of the two organizations until December 1999, when Matthew L. Myers succeeded him. Novelli subsequently chaired the two Boards until 2025\. He has since chaired the Board of the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund. Christopher Conley now chairs the board of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

According to a release, The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund are leading advocacy organizations working to reduce tobacco use and its deadly consequences in the United States and around the world. 

In addition to his leadership roles at Tobacco-Free Kids, Novelli is an emeritus professor at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, where he founded the Business for Impact Center and oversaw the program for more than a decade.

Novelli co-founded and co-chairs the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC, a national alliance to reform serious illness/end-of-life care in the U.S. 

Previously, he was CEO of AARP, Executive Vice President of CARE, and co-founder and president of Porter Novelli, a global public relations firm that is now part of Omnicom.
### A fresh look. A connected community. Explore Capitol Communicator’s new website!
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/a-fresh-look-a-connected-community-explore-capitol-communicators-new-website/
Last updated: 2026-10-21T17:51:07.000Z
Discover news, ideas and opportunities shaping marketing, advertising, public relations and media across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

Explore industry headlines, agency updates, People on the Move, upcoming events and a regional jobs board. And sign up for **The Brief**, our free weekly email covering the region’s marketing, PR and media news.

Whether you’re building brands, growing an agency or planning your next career move, stay connected with Capitol Communicator.

**Take a look around:** [capitolcommunicator.com](https://capitolcommunicator.com/)

#CapitolCommunicator #Marketing #Advertising #PublicRelations #Media #DMV
### Phil Nardone on 2027, AI and the changing value of communications
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/phil-nardone-on-2027-ai-and-the-changing-value-of-communications/
Last updated: 2026-10-20T21:13:01.000Z
By [Fay Shapiro](https://www.commpro.biz/news?author=63af182d3cab14148cd85b91&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**It’s always a pleasure catching up with Philip A. Nardone Jr., CEO of PAN Communications**. Phil and I have known each other for years, and I’ve always appreciated his perspective on our industry, particularly his understanding of the relationships that make this business work. We last spoke about six months ago, so with 2027 planning now underway, I wanted to reconnect and hear what he’s seeing in the marketplace, how PAN is approaching artificial intelligence and what he believes communications leaders should be thinking about as they prepare for the year ahead.

We began with the pressures facing agencies and their clients, and Phil was quick to point out that expectations are changing. “Clients want more and more of an impact from every dollar that they’re spending,” he told me. “Budgets are under a microscope, and every line item has to show its value to the business.” It’s a reality that many of us are experiencing, but Phil sees additional challenges coming from changes within client organizations themselves. CMOs are moving between positions more frequently, new executives are taking responsibility for agency relationships and each leadership change can bring a different set of priorities and expectations. Add economic uncertainty and the broader business environment, and agencies are finding themselves under increasing pressure to demonstrate their value while navigating relationships that may be changing around them.

“Everyone, including CCOs and corporate marketing people and agency executives, are all being asked to do more for less,” Phil said. That pressure is helping accelerate the industry’s adoption of AI, although he believes the conversation needs to move beyond the technology itself and focus on how it can make agencies more effective. Phil laughed when he mentioned an upcoming Page Up conference where he’ll be speaking about mentoring and developing the next generation of leaders. The organizers have decided to limit the AI discussion to just three minutes because, as he pointed out, it could easily consume the entire hour. That says something about how much attention AI is receiving, but it also raises an important question about how agencies are actually putting it to work.

At PAN, Phil explained, the goal is to improve efficiency while giving employees more time to concentrate on the work that requires human experience and judgment. AI is increasingly being used for time-consuming activities such as research, drafting, monitoring and reporting, allowing teams to devote more attention to creativity, strategy and client counsel. What interested me was his emphasis on involving employees in the process rather than simply introducing new technology and expecting everyone to adapt. Phil believes agency professionals should help shape the tools they use, and PAN is taking that approach as it prepares to launch PANda, its own in-house AI platform. The agency has also established policies emphasizing transparency and oversight, with the intention of ensuring that AI supports and strengthens the expertise of its people rather than replacing it.

Our discussion about AI naturally led to a broader conversation about what clients will expect from agencies in 2027\. Phil believes the traditional agency model, which many of us grew up with, is undergoing a significant shift. For years, public relations was largely an activity-driven business, with agencies evaluated on the work they produced and the results they delivered. Media placements, campaigns, reports and other deliverables were important measures of performance, but Phil believes clients now expect agencies to connect those activities much more directly to business outcomes. “Agencies that are only selling activities are going to struggle,” he said, adding that the agencies that thrive will be those that connect brand strategy to demand and can demonstrate the impact of their work.

That shift also has implications for how organizations communicate across different channels, particularly as AI changes the way people search for and receive information about brands. Phil emphasized the importance of consistency across earned, owned, paid and shared media, explaining that disconnected messaging can become apparent in AI-generated answers. For communications leaders, this means thinking beyond individual campaigns and making sure the organization’s broader communications efforts are working together. It’s no longer enough for different teams to operate independently if the audience, or an AI platform answering questions on its behalf, is drawing information from multiple sources. The brand needs to tell a consistent story, and communications professionals need to understand how that story connects to the organization’s business objectives.

When I asked Phil what he would tell a CCO preparing a 2027 plan, he returned to the importance of measurement and accountability. His advice was to invest in measurement that can be brought into conversations with the CEO and CFO, particularly information that demonstrates how communications contributes to business performance. At PAN, the agency uses PANoptic reports to measure performance across areas including share of voice, lead generation and the connection between brand-building activities and demand. But Phil’s larger point was about the questions communications leaders should be asking of their agency partners and their own teams. What are we accomplishing? How are we measuring it? And can we explain the value of that work in terms that business leadership understands?

I’ve heard variations of this conversation throughout our industry for years, particularly when we talk about communications earning greater influence in the C-suite. What struck me about Phil’s comments was how closely he connected that influence to the changing expectations of clients. Agencies need to be more than providers of services, and communications executives need to be more than managers of programs. They need to understand the business, anticipate what leadership needs and demonstrate how their recommendations contribute to the organization’s success. AI may help them work faster and provide better information, but it doesn’t eliminate the need for experience, strategic thinking or the ability to earn someone’s trust.

And that brings me to what I appreciated most about our conversation. After talking about budgets, AI, changing agency models and measurement, Phil returned to something that has always been central to his leadership philosophy: people. “Don’t lose sight of people,” he told me. “Certainly AI changes the work, but the talent, the judgment, and relationships to me are still what carry a brand through a tough market.” Anyone who knows Phil understands how strongly he believes in developing talent and building relationships, and I was glad to hear him emphasize that those priorities remain just as important as agencies embrace new technology and adapt to changing client expectations.

As we head into 2027, I think Phil has given us a lot to consider. Our industry is being challenged to demonstrate greater business value, adopt new technologies and rethink some of the ways we’ve traditionally worked. Those changes are real, and they aren’t going away. But what stayed with me after our conversation was Phil’s belief that the future of the agency business still depends on the people behind it, their ability to provide sound counsel, build trusted relationships and help clients navigate an increasingly complicated business environment. Technology will continue to change how we do the work, but understanding people and earning their trust will remain at the heart of what makes communications valuable.

**This article was originally published by CommPRO and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://www.commpro.biz/** 
**news/phil-nardone-on-2027-ai-and-the-changing-value-of-communications**
### Younger adults likely to get news on TikTok
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/younger-adults-likely-to-get-news-on-tiktok/
Last updated: 2026-10-20T21:13:04.000Z
**TikTok is primarily known for short-form video sharing, but it has also become a common place for people to get news.** A fifth of U.S. adults regularly get news on TikTok, according to [Pew Research Center](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/10/19/1-in-5-americans-regularly-get-news-on-tiktok/?utm%5Fsource=AdaptiveMailer&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=10-19-26%20N&I/Internet%20Fact%20Sheets%20Update&org=982&lvl=100&ite=18624&lea=5545566&ctr=0&par=1&trk=a0DQm00000FaCtFMAV). That share is unchanged from 2025, but up from just 3% in 2020.

Pew states that “younger adults are especially likely to regularly get news on TikTok. Among Americans ages 18 to 29, around four-in-ten (39%) say they do this regularly. That compares with 25% of those ages 30 to 49, 11% of those ages 50 to 64 and 4% of those ages 65 and older.

“Black and Hispanic Americans are more likely than White and Asian Americans to get news on TikTok.”

There are also partisan differences, states Pew. Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents (22%) are slightly more likely than Republicans and GOP leaners (15%) to regularly get news on TikTok.

Overall, states Pew, 37% of Americans say they use TikTok. That trails the shares who use YouTube (84%), Facebook (70%) and Instagram (51%). But more U.S. adults say they use TikTok more than WhatsApp (33%), LinkedIn (31%), Reddit (25%) or X (18%).
### RP3 wins four OMMA awards, including Best in Show, for Appalachian Trail Conservancy campaign
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/rp3-wins-four-omma-awards-including-best-in-show-for-appalachian-trail-conservancy-campaign/
Last updated: 2026-10-20T15:40:14.000Z
**Bethesda-based** [**RP3**](http://www.rp3agency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, earned four honors at the 2026 Online Marketing Media and Advertising (OMMA) Awards,** including the program’s highest distinction, Best in Show, for its “Take a Hike” campaign developed for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). The campaign was also recognized in three additional categories: Best Use of Video on Social Platforms, Activism/Public Service: Corporate Responsibility or Non Profit, and Health/Wellness: Campaign.

Presented by MediaPost, the OMMA Awards honor excellence in online marketing, media, advertising, and creative innovation. RP3’s award-winning “Take a Hike” campaign, states the agency, “combined humor, cultural relevance and a powerful social mission to raise awareness for public lands while emphasizing the connection between nature and mental well-being. The effort featured actor and comedian Kevin Nealon and encouraged audiences to reclaim the phrase “take a hike” as a positive call to action.[ ](https://www.mediapost.com/ommaawards/winners/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

“The campaign generated significant results for ATC, including a 20% increase in email subscribers over three months and a 25% year-over-year increase in funding support.”[ ](https://www.mediapost.com/ommaawards/winners/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

“The best work doesn’t force a choice between creativity and effectiveness. Take a Hike succeeded because it connected a meaningful cause with a simple, culturally relevant idea that people genuinely wanted to engage with and share,” said **Tuesday Poliak**, Chief Creative Officer at RP3\. “To see that work recognized across four OMMA categories, culminating in Best in Show, is an incredible honor for our team and our partners at ATC.”

The multiple wins, states RP3, “reflect the campaign’s ability to excel across disciplines, from strategic storytelling and social content to advocacy and behavior change. The recognition also highlights RP3’s continued commitment to creating work that drives both cultural relevance and measurable results.

“The sweep reinforces RP3’s growing reputation for creating wildly original work that doesn’t just capture attention, but changes perceptions, sparks participation and delivers meaningful outcomes. From elevating awareness around conservation and mental health to driving measurable growth for ATC, “Take a Hike” demonstrates the power of purpose-led creativity when strategy, storytelling and execution come together at the highest level.”

PHOTO: Left to right: RP3’s **Megan Johnson** and **Chuck LeGros.**
### I95 BUSINESS to publish final print issue in December
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/i95-business-to-publish-final-print-issue-in-december/
Last updated: 2026-10-19T17:29:52.000Z
**After nearly 16 years chronicling some of the Baltimore region’s most prominent business leaders and companies,** [I95 BUSINESS](https://i95business.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) will publish its final print issue in December, reports [Citybiz](https://www.citybiz.co/article/920665/after-nearly-16-years-i95-business-will-publish-its-final-print-issue-in-december/?abkw=citybizwashington&ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Stone House Media Group, founded by [**Vicki Franz**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickifranz/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and publisher of I95 BUSINESS, announced that the magazine’s website will remain available, giving readers access to its content library. Its public relations portal will also continue to feature press releases and people news free of charge.

“After founding I95 BUSINESS and publishing 92 issues with more than 1,000 stories, it’s time to do something new,” Franz said. “I am celebrating the decision to make our December 2026 issue the last, knowing that I95 BUSINESS has made a difference in the business community. We have earned a highly regarded reputation, and our brand equity is built on integrity.”

Franz, in photo above, will continue to operate the website, write and speak, states Citybiz.

“Some might say that it’s time to retire. Instead, I plan to rewire,” she said.
### Marketing leaders discuss how their organizations stand out in crowded markets at Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/marketing-leaders-discuss-how-their-organizations-stand-out-in-crowded-markets-at-mid-atlantic-marcom-summit/
Last updated: 2026-10-18T14:36:46.000Z
**Marketing leaders are expected to drive revenue and improve the customer experience,** yet many CEOs still don’t see marketing as a primary growth lever. That tension, states a [Chief Marketer](https://www.chiefmarketer.com/how-three-cmos-are-making-the-case-for-brand-as-a-business-driver/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) post, “framed a panel at the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit in Washington, D.C., Oct. 14, where executives from consumer goods, professional sports and government contracting discussed how they measure brand and stand out in crowded markets.

“Their examples showed how brand can support loyalty, ticket sales, partnerships and recruitment. But[ connecting marketing activity to measurable business outcomes remains a challenge.”](https://www.chiefmarketer.com/boathouse-survey-ceos-opinions-of-cmo-marketing-team-performance-down-from-last-year/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

“The ‘business’ part of our business wouldn’t be possible if we didn’t have a strong Big B,” said **Kim Bolt**, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer for the Washington Spirit, the D.C. women’s soccer team. In this instance, the big B stands for branding.

According to the post: “For Just Ice Tea, brand is tied to repeat purchases and customer recognition. The four-year-old beverage company, which **Allison Moss,** Head of Marketing at Just Ice Tea, described as mission-driven, has made brand an objective in its annual OKRs (Objectives and Key Results). Its measures include household penetration to track trial, repeat purchases and awareness. Just Ice Tea is now in more than 20,000 retail locations, Moss said.”

“[Brand is about loyalty.](https://www.chiefmarketer.com/open-farm-cmo-says-brand-awareness-campaigns-need-to-drive-sales/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) It’s about retention,” Moss said, describing the connection between consumers’ sense of the brand and their decision to choose it again. The company tracks multiple measures because, she said, “It’s the combination of those things that tells the whole picture.”

The Washington Spirit takes a different approach, states the Chief Marketer post. “Marketing cannot control whether the team wins, Bolt said, but it can shape the story around its players, its connection to the community and the experience fans have at matches. The team tracks its average Net Promoter Score as an indicator of brand health. Bolt put that figure at 82, compared with roughly 50 to 60 for other live sporting events.

“In government contracting, **Sheila Blackwell,** Chief Marketing Officer at defense contracting firm ManTech, said companies in the space often make similar claims about cybersecurity, data, and artificial intelligence. That meant that ManTech needed to differentiate itself in the market. With about 60 years in business, it used brand sentiment research to examine how it was perceived internally and externally. After an initial survey raised questions, it conducted two more. The company decided it didn’t need a full rebrand, but it did pursue a visual refresh and a clearer account of what sets it apart.”

“We are the best kept secret in the secret keeping business,” Blackwell said, describing the challenge of raising ManTech’s profile while serving the intelligence community. One point the company emphasized through brand work was that almost 40% of its employees are veterans. Blackwell linked that experience to the company’s initiatives supporting defense agencies.

**Photo: (left to right): Allison Moss, Kim Bolt, Sheila Blackwell. Photo by James Minichello Photography.**
### Capitol Communicators: Profile of Carrie Fox, Founder and CEO, Mission Partners
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-carrie-fox-founder-and-ceo-mission-partners/
Last updated: 2026-10-20T20:59:35.000Z
***Capitol Communicators is a profile series spotlighting the people shaping*** 
***advertising, digital, marketing and public relations in the Mid-Atlantic.***

**Carrie Fox knows that words have power.** She also believes that how we do business is just as important as what we say. So when her definition of success changed, she took a bold step: closing a successful communications firm she had built up over 14 years to start something new. That venture, [Mission Partners](https://mission.partners/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), is a social impact communications firm and Certified B Corporation, built on the belief that a company should not only help clients make a difference, but model those values itself.

Fox has also been an influential advocate for asset-based messaging, a game-changing approach to communicating about social issues that focuses on people’s strengths, contributions and potential, rather than their problems or what they lack. It’s a shift in perspective that can change not only how we tell stories, but how we see the people and communities at the heart of them. Her work is a major reason she’s being honored as one of three finalists for [Washington Women in Public Relations 2026 Woman of the Year](https://wwpr.org/events/woman-of-the-year-award-celebration/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), along with [**Dr. Sheila Brooks**](https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-sheila-brooks-ph-d-founder-president-and-ceo-srb-communications/)and[ **Shakirah Hill Taylor**](https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-shakirah-hill-taylor-head-of-innovation-fenton-communications/)**.** The WWPR Woman of the Year will be revealed Friday, October 23rd.

Fox’s interest in inspiring change goes beyond running Mission Partners. She hosts the *Mission Forward* podcast, designed to create a community for social impact communicators, and writes a weekly column, *Finding the Words*, with very human reflections on what it takes to be a force for good. She also invests in developing the next generation of social impact leaders — all in service of a larger mission to create positive change.

Her contributions have earned longstanding recognition and respect in the PR community. WWPR first honored her as an inaugural Emerging Leader in 2010.

Through it all, Fox remains committed to opening doors for others. Her leadership philosophy says it all: **“**Believe in people more than they believe in themselves.” And, as she wrote in one of her columns: “None of us moves through the world alone, and the best we can ever do is make the journey a little easier for the people who travel alongside us.”

**Carrie, tell us about yourself.**

I’m a New Jersey native who proudly calls Maryland home. I’m the founder and CEO of Mission Partners, a women-owned social impact communications firm and Certified B Corp., and founder of Mission ForwardTM, a national education platform for purpose-driven leaders, where I host a podcast of the same name, and write a weekly column called *Finding the Words*. For more than 25 years, I’ve partnered with nonprofit, foundation, and social impact leaders, using communications as a driving force to advance progress on some of our nation’s most pressing issues. I also serve on the Board of Trustees at my alma mater, Loyola University Maryland, where I chair the Student Development Committee. But that’s only a small part of me. I’m also the mom of Sophia (16) and Kate (13), who I have the joy of raising alongside my love of 22 years and counting, Brian. When not working, you’ll find me in the garden, on a run, reading a book, or testing out a new recipe in the kitchen — that is, of course, if I am not in the car shuttling my two athletes to practice! I believe deeply in leaving the world better than I found it, and I’m grateful for the chance to do work I love with people I admire while still feeling like I am learning something new every day.

**Being a finalist for WWPR’s Woman of the Year is a significant achievement in this region of super-performing women. And this is your second time being recognized! What does this recognition mean to you at this point in your career?**

A region of super-performing women is right! And it’s a real honor to be considered among such impressive women leaders, particularly because this community knows better than most how hard this work really is, and they know what it takes to sustain it after so many years.

You know, WWPR was the first community to formally recognize my work as a social impact communicator by naming me an inaugural Emerging Leader in 2010\. To be back now as a Woman of the Year finalist is quite humbling.

**Your professional journey seems very personal, too. You founded a very successful PR firm, C. Fox, then shut it down, to follow a different path. That led to your current venture, Mission Partners. You wrote about this shift in your book; can you please share a little about it here?**

I started C.Fox Communications in 2004, when I was 25 years old. I was so proud of what we built as a mission-driven firm, and that every single one of our clients over those 14 years could say, without hesitation, “What we do, we do for the good of others.”

But several years in, I realized I wanted more than a firm that served mission-driven organizations. I wanted to build a company that was itself a model of the change we talked about, where the way we operated was as intentional as the work we produced. To me, that was the real difference between doing good work and building a good business.

So I made the hard decision to wind down C.Fox and start Mission Partners in 2017\. We pursued B Corp certification soon after and became certified in 2018\. That shift, in how I first viewed success to how I’ve come to view purpose, is a lot of what my book (and my business philosophy) is all about.

**The first time I learned about an “asset based” messaging framework my brain popped. Please share what that means and how you apply it.**

Ah, that’s great! The first time I learned about asset-based framing was before I even knew it had a name. It was 2008, and I was leading PR efforts on a TODAY Show interview that I had secured for one of my clients. It was on that set that I saw then-high school student **Jacques Wells** apply the technique effortlessly. I write about Jacques in my book and in this [related blog post.](https://www.missionforward.us/finding-the-words/can-you-reframe-that?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) And then I came to learn about the technique formally from the movement’s real founder, **Trabian Shorters**.

So much of what we communicate in the social sector, and particularly among nonprofits, is about what we *don’t have*, or what is *not working*. Nonprofit literally has “non” in its name. Perhaps that’s part of the reason why so many mission-driven organizations have come to lead their stories with what’s wrong. It’s well-intentioned, but it backfires and can reinforce the very stereotypes we’re often trying to dismantle.

Asset-based framing leads with strengths and contributions. It connects outcomes to their systemic causes vs. the traits of the people living in them. And most importantly, it treats the people in the story as the lead actors, not the recipients of someone else’s charity.

How do I apply it? Before writing, I really work to understand who is at the center of a story, and how my language may make them feel. If I were to put the pen in someone else’s hand, for instance, how might the story change?

Once I saw its power, as I did with Jacques, I could never unsee it. It’s a wonderful technique for communicating that doesn’t just challenge the words we use but also helps change how we understand each other and the world as a result.

**I know that an important part of WWPR’s consideration is giving back to our professional community and opening doors for other women. Can you share what that means to you?**

I often say that people believed in me well before I believed in myself. First, my mom, then my high school art teacher, then my first boss, and, of course, so many of my early WWPR mentors.

As a result, I’ve always thought about leading Mission Partners as if we’re a teaching hospital, where my responsibility is to believe in people more than they believe in themselves, too. I find joy in investing in people first, and that’s how I like to give back to our professional community, too. That includes the programs I’ve launched and led at my alma mater, Loyola University Maryland, such as the Social Impact Fellows Program, and the Social Entrepreneur in Residence Program we launched here at Mission Partners. It also includes how I choose to invest in the next generation of social impact leaders through a well-paid fellowship for college students. And I am really proud of the role I play as a member of the Loyola Board of Trustees; having graduated 25 years ago and knowing firsthand the power of higher education, I feel immensely proud to chair the Student Development Committee and to support students through such a formative time in their lives.

**What are the most significant changes or trends you see happening/ coming in the communications industry? How are you dealing with it?**

The obvious one is AI. It’s already changing how our field – and all of our clients – write, research, and produce. But candidly, I am less concerned about the tool and more about how it is used. We know full well the concerns about AI, and I believe our job as leaders is to set the standards that the tech giants and our own government haven’t yet. As leaders, we need to proactively determine how we’ll use it in our organizations, and on whose terms. Used well, I really do think AI can free us up to be more human, not less.

The bigger issue, though, is trust. Any one of us is communicating to an increasingly fragmented and often skeptical audience, so being able to show up honestly, transparently, with care and accountability has never been more important. Showing up in that way is just as important for the Fortune 100 CEO as it is for the first-year employee. We can’t hide behind this technology. If anything, the times we’re in call us all to be more human than ever.

**What are the skills necessary to be successful today?** 

Everyone’s racing to add technical fluency, and for good reason, right? We should absolutely know what the tools are capable of and how to use them wisely. But the skills that best support our ability to connect and communicate through changing times are not the tech tools; they’re the human ones, like the ability to listen without distraction, to practice empathy, to analyze and assess information for ourselves, and to use our knowledge to connect the dots. Some people call them soft skills, but I think they’re actually power skills, and I think they will become increasingly important in the years ahead.

**What advice helped you most in your career and is that advice still relevant today?**

The advice I received on the day I graduated from college remains the most central to how I show up in my professional life. It was my uncle who said, “Make life 90% about who you are and 10% about what you do.” I’ve thought about that precept in every early job I had, and in every decision I’ve now made as an agency owner. While I love my work (and feel a deep sense of purpose in it), I am much more than my work, and this great bit of advice from Uncle Abe has served me well and always helped keep my priorities in check.

**Note: WWPR’s** [**Woman of the Year event**](https://wwpr.org/events/woman-of-the-year-award-celebration/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **will be held Friday, October 23, at the Potomac Hotel.** 
**The keynote speaker will be Karen Finney, CNN political commentator.** 
**The Woman of the Year 2026 will be announced at the event.**

**Check out other Capitol Communicators** [**profiles.** ](https://capitolcommunicator.com/c/profiles/)  
**These profiles allow you to meet some of the most interesting and insightful pros** 
**in our region, and learn how they stay ahead during a time of constant change.**
### Raymond Crosby named to Anne Arundel Chamber Business Hall of Fame
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/raymond-crosby-named-to-anne-arundel-chamber-business-hall-of-fame/
Last updated: 2026-10-19T17:29:51.000Z
**Raymond Crosby, CEO of Crosby Marketing Communications**, has been named to the Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Business Hall of Fame Class in recognition of his professional accomplishments, leadership and commitment to the community.

The Business Hall of Fame recognizes respected leaders who have made significant contributions to the business community while demonstrating a strong commitment to corporate citizenship and community service in the region.

For more than 30 years, states the agency, Raymond has helped shape Crosby into one of the nation’s leading integrated communications firms, carrying forward the legacy of his father, Ralph Crosby, who founded the company more than 50 years ago. Under Raymond’s leadership, Crosby has grown into a nationally recognized firm with offices in Annapolis and Washington, D.C., driven by its purpose of Inspiring Actions That Matter ™ and helping clients motivate positive action that benefits individuals, families and society.

Today, Crosby serves clients including DAV (Disabled American Veterans), USAA Educational Foundation, Shriners Children’s, the Peace Corps, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The firm has earned numerous industry honors and has been recognized as a Washington Post Top Workplace for 10 years.

Raymond has also fostered a strong culture of community engagement at Crosby. Since 2015, the firm has contributed more than $3.5 million to charitable causes through donations, sponsorships and giving. Its ongoing efforts include annual support of the Anne Arundel County Food Bank’s Summer Challenge, which this year helped raise more than $250,000 to fight local food insecurity, and the Crosby Marketing Scholars Program, established with Anne Arundel Community College in 2022 to create greater opportunities for students of all backgrounds to pursue careers in advertising and public relations.

“I’m honored to be inducted into this year’s Business Hall of Fame and to be recognized alongside such an accomplished group of leaders,” said Raymond Crosby. “At Crosby, we’ve always believed in doing meaningful work for our clients while giving back to the communities we serve. I’m incredibly proud of our team and the positive impact we make together.”

Raymond is one of only four leaders named to the Chamber’s 2026 Business Hall of Fame class.

[Crosby](https://www.crosbymarketing.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) provides integrated advertising, public relations, social media, and digital marketing services through specialized practices in Healthcare, Government, Nonprofits & Causes, and Military & Veterans. The firm ranks #31 on O’Dwyer’s ranking of PR firms, #2 for Nonprofits, and #12 for Healthcare, as well as #10 on GrowthLab’s list of Top 100 firms serving the federal government. Crosby has also been named as a Top Workplace for ten consecutive years.
### Agency Updates: FGS Global, Signal Group and Seven Letter
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/agency-updates-fgs-global-signal-group-and-seven-letter/
Last updated: 2026-10-16T17:08:21.000Z
[**FGS Global**](https://fgsglobal.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **acquired The Russell Group,** a D.C. lobbying firm with, states a release, “strong, decades-deep relationships across the food and agriculture sector. This acquisition aligns with FGS Global’s deliberate strategy of expanding its position as a definitive, end-to-end advisory partner across critical sectors, including in health care, financial services, and energy through the recent acquisitions of [Tarplin, Downs & Young](https://fgsglobal.com/insights/fgs-global-acquires-tarplin-downs-young-llc?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and [Rich Feuer Anderson](https://fgsglobal.com/insights/fgs-global-acquires-rich-feuer-anderson?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). Founded in 1985, The Russell Group brings more than four decades of advocacy, policy development, and coalition management experience across the agricultural supply chain and energy policy space. Today, the bipartisan team provides strategic advocacy and issue analysis across critical areas including trade, appropriations, climate and sustainability, food safety, biotechnology, and biofuels.

[**Signal Group**](https://signaldc.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **adds Josie Feron as Director.** Feron was most recently the Communications Director for the Office of **Congresswoman Deborah Ross** (NC) and previously worked for **Rep. Jamie Raskin** (MD). Signal also announced the hiring of Catherine Delgado, MPH, as an Associate, who joins the firm after graduation from the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health.

[**Seven Letter**](https://sevenletter.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **is celebrating its 20th anniversary** and the fact that 25% of its staff started as interns or fellows and 50% hold equity in the firm. “We’re not celebrating because we’ve arrived somewhere, we’re celebrating because we’re just getting started,” said CEO and founding partner **Erik Smith**. Building Seven Letter from a one-person shop to a firm that’s publicly traded on the NASDAQ with offices in our nation’s power centers, including D.C., Boston, New York and Los Angeles, reflects its enduring creativity, states the agency.
### PRSA Maryland and Central Chesapeake chapters complete merger
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/prsa-maryland-and-central-chesapeake-chapters-complete-merger/
Last updated: 2026-10-21T18:59:24.000Z
Members of the Public Relations Society of America Maryland and Central Chesapeake chapters have finalized a merger to unite as PRSA Maryland Chesapeake.

According to a release, “the goal of the new chapter is to bring fresh energy, broader reach and new opportunities to the profession across Maryland, with a focus in the Greater Baltimore region. Over the past year, leadership from both chapters met to create a new board, draft new bylaws, and create a plan for increased engagement.” The merger was approved by both chapters’ members and boards and by PRSA’s national leadership. The change is effective immediately.

PRSA Maryland Chesapeake will offer ongoing virtual and in-person programming, a larger professional network and a unified voice for the profession across the region.

“This is an exciting day and the culmination of a great deal of behind-the-scenes work by leaders who are committed to promoting and supporting our profession,” said **Greg Abel**, CEO of Baltimore-based Abel Communications, who will serve as president of the newly merged chapter. “By combining our energy, talent and networks, we are committed to delivering high-quality and consistent programming for our members.”

Added **Emily McDermot**t, immediate past president, who serves as Senior Communications Associate of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, “This chapter was built by its members, for its members. I’m grateful to everyone in both chapters who helped make it happen. Going forward, we plan to turn up the volume, as only PR professionals can do, to make sure membership in the Maryland Chesapeake chapter is both fulfilling and enjoyable.”

The chapter’s inaugural board brings together leaders from agencies, universities, public media, philanthropy and advocacy organizations:

- **President: Greg Abel**, CEO, Abel Communication
- **President-Elect:** **Katherine Bishop**, Public Relations Executive, Devaney & Associates
- **Immediate Past President:** **Emily McDermott**, Senior Communications Associate, Annie E. Casey Foundation
- **Secretary:** **Aprill O. Turner**, APR, EVP, Communications and External Affairs, Higher Heights for America
- **Treasurer:** **Dr. Jana Duckett**, Associate Professor, Morgan State University
- **Directors-at-Large/Vice Presidents:**
  - **Michael MacFee**, Director, Communications Services, Maryland Public Television
  - **Teri O’Neal,** APR, Associate Vice President, Communications and Media, Towson University
  - **Caitlin Wiggins**, Director of Marketing and Operations, Liquified Agency

The chapter will commit to at least three core activities during the remainder of 2027, with more to come in 2028:

- Monthly virtual learning sessions over Zoom with thought leaders and change makers in the profession
- Monthly in-person coffee meet-ups at member locations
- Every-other-month in-person visits to prominent local news organizations and/or news making organizations

The new chapter is looking for volunteers for committees including: Communications, Programming & Professional Development, and Membership & Engagement. Serving is a chance to sharpen your leadership skills, expand your network and shape where the chapter goes. Learn more and submit a volunteer interest form[ here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScz6Z8562nfZMGndQcDt15w3N5ZUEN2j%5FO9-5Zw0PtD5dGnkw/viewform?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).
### Jim Handly, longtime news anchor at NBC Washington, to retire after November midterm elections
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/jim-handly-longtime-news-anchor-at-nbc-washington-to-retire-after-november-midterm-elections/
Last updated: 2026-10-16T17:08:18.000Z
**Jim Handly, longtime news anchor at NBC Washington, shared the “personal breaking news” on air** that he will retire after the November midterm elections, ending a 35-year career at WRC-TV, reports [WTOP](https://wtop.com/dc/2026/10/nbc-washingtons-jim-handly-to-retire-in-november/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

“It’s been quite a run, bringing you the news, with the best team in the business. These are some of the people who always had my back as I’ve had theirs,” he said. “We have built some amazing memories here.”

Handly anchors NBC Washington’s 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts and has earned multiple Emmy Awards and an Edward R. Murrow Award.

During his career, he has covered presidential inaugurations, major elections, hurricanes and championship celebrations for the Nationals and Capitals, among other major events.

In addition, states NBC Washington, during his time in Washington, Handly has been involved in many organizations, including the Washington Tennis and Education Foundation, Humane Rescue Alliance, Junior Tennis Champions Center in Maryland and Thanks USA, which provides scholarships for families of military soldiers.

Prior to joining NBC4, Handly served as an anchor and reporter for the CBS affiliate in Hartford/New Haven, Connecticut. He began his broadcasting career anchoring and reporting for WPTV, the NBC affiliate in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Outside of the station, states NBC Washington, Handly is a competitive tennis player who enjoys taking part in charity tennis events. In his off-time, you’ll also find Jim biking, kayaking and checking out the newest coffeehouses and roasters and farmers markets around our region.
### Jasmine Gurley named senior director of public relations at Howard University
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/howard-university-adds-jasmine-gurley-as-senior-director-of-public-relations/
Last updated: 2026-10-16T17:08:16.000Z
**Howard University added Jasmine Gurley as senior director of public relations in the Office of University Communications**. [According to The Dig at Howard University](https://thedig.howard.edu/all-stories/howard-university-names-jasmine-gurley-senior-director-public-relations?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Gurley “will lead the media relations team and play a key role in advancing integrated storytelling and strategic messaging across the institution, while also supporting administration leadership communications, rapid response, and crisis communications.

“Prior to joining Howard University, Gurley served five years at Morehouse College, where she excelled at several leadership roles. Most recently, she served as senior director of brand marketing and communications and press secretary to the president, while also serving as interim chief of staff to the president. Gurley officially began her role at Howard University on Oct. 5, and will report to Howard University Vice President and Chief Communications Officer **Lydia Sermons-Wilkerson.”**

A graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, Gurley attended Riverdale Baptist School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and grew up in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
### Hundreds of communicators attend Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit ADWKDC
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/mid-atlantic-marcom-summit-adwkdc-to-explore-ai-brand-trust-and-the-future-of-marketing-oct-14-in-washington-copy/
Last updated: 2026-10-20T21:13:04.000Z
The [**Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit**](https://marcomsummit.co/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) brought together hundreds of marketing, advertising, public relations, communications and media professionals on Oct. 14 at the MLK Library Conference Center in D.C. for a day of discussions, presentations and networking.

Co-produced by Capitol Communicator and Potomac Tech Wire, the summit also hosted **ADWKDC**, featuring an advertising track presented by the American Advertising Federation’s Washington chapter.

[](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/Summit-opening-sesson.jpg?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

The summit opened with a CMO outlook panel featuring (left to right in photo) **Allison Moss** of Just Ice Tea, **Kim Bolt** of the Washington Spirit and **Sheila Blackwell** of MANTECH.A fireside conversation followed with **AJ Jones II,** executive vice president and chief strategic and corporate communications officer at Monumental Sports and Entertainment, and PRNEWS Managing Editor **Nicole Schuman**.

[](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/CaryPaul-copy.jpg?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

(Cary Hatch, one of the speakers, and Paul Duning, one of the event’s producers. Hatch, online, said the event is “Always insightful and inspiring.” )

Other sessions addressed several major themes:

- **AI and search visibility:** How traditional search engine optimization and generative engine optimization are evolving, what helps brands appear in AI-generated answers and how marketers can measure visibility across search platforms.
- **Responsible AI and practical automation:** How communications teams can establish AI governance, protect trust and manage risk. A live demonstration will show an AI agent gathering information, drafting work and identifying decisions that require human judgment.
- **Public affairs and policy communications:** Washington’s changing communications environment, shifts in public policy advertising and the use of audience intelligence to guide targeted campaigns.
- **Brand building and audience engagement:** Strategies for connecting with emerging audiences, developing brand advocates and using trust to support behavior change.
- **Social media, journalism and creators:** Social platform strategies, practitioner case studies and the distinctions between creator journalists and influencers.
- **B2B marketing and advertising technology:** Changing buyer behavior, demand generation, AI’s influence on purchasing decisions and developments reshaping advertising technology.
- **Trust and behavior change:** How behavioral science, audience insights, trusted messengers and strategic media can move people from awareness to action. Panelists will share case studies and practical approaches to building trust and measuring meaningful outcomes in public health, safety and community campaigns.

The Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit is an annual gathering of marketing, advertising, public relations, communications and media professionals. It combines industry discussions and practical presentations with opportunities to connect with peers and business leaders.

PHOTOS; Top two photos by James Minichello Photography
### Wikipedia Chaos Index moves slightly down in October
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/wikipedia-chaos-index-moves-slightly-down-to-87/
Last updated: 2026-10-16T17:08:10.000Z
**In October, the Wikipedia Chaos Index moved very slightly down to 87**, keeping it at the same High range it has been throughout 2026\. The platform remains highly volatile, so our advice remains unchanged: publishing new drafts, updating controversial content, or engaging in debates with editors is not recommended until activity slows down again.

Wikipedia’s overall editing levels decreased slightly in the month of October, though the platform still remains at the incredibly high levels of activity we saw earlier in the year.

Articles for Deletion nominations and successful deletions both saw a significant increase in the month of October, including a 27% increase in nominations. This, alongside a decrease in page submissions, led to the smallest amount of net new pages added to the platform all year; editorial scrutiny remains incredibly high, and expansion of the platform continues to slow because of this.

Wikimedia Foundation published an article discussing the recent news about clusters of “rogue” OpenAI agents trying to utilize the internet to secretly communicate and coordinate with each other outside the boundaries of the presumed security structures placed on their testing environments. In the article, the Foundation revealed that it conducted its own investigation, and discovered activity by OpenAI’s rogue agents on Wikimedia’s platforms.

Though Wikimedia says they didn’t find any evidence of AI agents using public wikis and related platforms for coordination or to compromise data, but that the agents did try to do a number of malicious actions, including manipulating citation tools and sandbox environments to try and use Wikipedia as a proxy fetching service. This led to more than 50 unauthorized edits, unsuccessful attempts to compromise Etherpad (Wikipedia’s note-taking tool), and excessive data downloading, which may have been responsible for the Wikidata Query Service crash in May.

With a 65% increase in resource-consuming traffic from bots and rogue agents trying to affect the platform, Wikipedia has been incredibly responsive in responding to the unpredictable growth and behavior of AI agents. However, this has also led to a much stricter editorial standard being placed on anything related to artificial intelligence – and continues to strain the relationship between the foundation and the major AI companies as they try to strike a balance between accessibility and security.

NOTE: The Chaos Index is our proprietary metric for measuring turbulence throughout Wikipedia and tracking the community’s current sentiment towards corporate-related pages. The index measures community actions such as editing frequency, content deletion, message board posts, and many other activities that contribute to unstable corporate page environments.
### Alex Wallace named Washington Post COO
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/alex-wallace-named-washington-post-coo/
Last updated: 2026-10-19T17:29:52.000Z
**The Washington Post named veteran media executive Alex Wallace its chief operating officer,** bringing in a former NBC News and Yahoo leader to help steer the newspaper’s business operations as it pushes toward profitability following years of financial losses and sweeping layoffs, reports [TheWrap](https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/washington-post-taps-alex-wallace-151905286.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Wallace, who begins Monday, Oct. 19, will report directly to CEO and publisher **Jeff D’Onofrio.** According to TheWrap, “she will help execute the Post’s business strategy, coordinate operations across departments and track performance against company goals.

“The appointment comes a month after [D’Onofrio was named permanent CEO and publisher](https://www.thewrap.com/industry-news/business/jeff-donofrio-washington-post-ceo-publisher/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), as the Jeff Bezos-owned newspaper attempts to rebuild its business following deep newsroom cuts and years of financial losses.”

“Alex’s career is a testament to moving one step ahead in the rapid pace of our changing news ecosystem,” D’Onofrio said in a statement. “Her keen business acumen and digital media fluency will help The Post lead more decisively in our next chapter.”

TheWrap states that “Wallace is already familiar with the company. Since launching Wallace Advisory in June 2022, she has counseled media businesses on strategy and growth, with clients including RedBird IMI and The Washington Post.

“In an internal memo to staff, D’Onofrio framed the appointment as part of the newspaper’s effort to improve its financial performance without sacrificing editorial independence.”
### Subscription department, we have a problem.
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/subscription-department-we-have-a-problem/
Last updated: 2026-10-16T17:08:08.000Z
**By Dennis Goris**

Any use, duplication, or distribution internally or externally without the express permission of Goris Communications is prohibited and may be unlawful.
### USA Today and publishers representing 19 newspapers seeking more than $250 million from OpenAI
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/usa-today-and-publishers-representing-19-newspapers-seeking-more-than-250-million-from-openai/
Last updated: 2026-10-16T17:08:06.000Z
**USA Today and publishers representing 19 newspapers are seeking more than $250 million from OpenAI** and a court order to destroy AI models and training datasets allegedly containing their copyrighted journalism, reports[ Law Commentary.](https://www.lawcommentary.com/articles/usa-today-openai-250-million-chatgpt-copyright-lawsuit?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

The lawsuit, continues the post, “accuses the company behind ChatGPT of copying hundreds of thousands of news articles without permission to train its artificial intelligence systems and reproducing protected reporting through its chatbot.

“Filed October 8, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the case names seven OpenAI entities as defendants. USA Today Co. and 13 affiliated companies brought the action over content published by newspapers including The Arizona Republic, Detroit Free Press, The Tennessean, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Indianapolis Star.

“The 79-page complaint identifies more than 160,000 entries from the newspapers’ websites in OpenAI’s WebText training dataset, including approximately 83,300 associated with USA Today’s flagship website. The publications allege that OpenAI collected articles regardless of paywalls and other access restrictions, citing internal company communications they say show that OpenAI deliberately targeted news content while developing technology capable of reproducing it.”
### Capitol Communicators: Profile of Shakirah Hill Taylor, Head of Innovation, Fenton Communications
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-shakirah-hill-taylor-head-of-innovation-fenton-communications/
Last updated: 2026-10-11T02:06:27.000Z
***Capitol Communicators is a profile series spotlighting the people shaping*** 
***advertising, digital, marketing and public relations in the Mid-Atlantic.*** 
***This profile features* Shakirah Hill Taylor.**

**Shakirah Hill Taylor brings her equity lens to the C-suite, the classroom, and the delivery room.** She is a finalist for [Washington Women in Public Relations’](https://wwpr.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) [Woman of the Year](https://wwpr.org/events/calendar/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com#!event/register/2026/10/23/37th-annual-wwpr-woman-of-the-year-award), along with Dr. [Sheila Brooks](https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-sheila-brooks-ph-d-founder-president-and-ceo-srb-communications/), and [Carrie Fox](https://mission.partners/carrie-fox?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). 

As Head of Innovation for [Fenton](https://fenton.com/about/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Hill Taylor’s professional world means applying state-of-the-art digital strategy and technology to clients’ causes. Fenton describes itself as a social impact communication firm, an integrated and intersectional organization that prioritizes the needs of those who have been historically marginalized. One of her missions is to ensure that AI is used both effectively and ethically for and by clients. 

She applies this philosophy of equity and ethics in her volunteer work, coaching high school students through [Learn Serve International](https://www.learnserve.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), and developing policy to ensure that racial disparities stop at the delivery room door. She is a certified labor and birth doula, who enjoys a wide range of activities outside the office, including Pilates, ballet, and surfing. She says she worries about the challenges facing younger people, and that we, as a nation marking its 250th, are at a turning point. In her words, “we have decisions to make: will we lead with love, or will we allow greed to reign?”

**Please tell us about yourself.**

I’m head of innovation at Fenton Communications. I’ve worked at the intersection of social impact communications, digital strategy, and executive leadership for twenty years. When I’m not helping clients with their digital strategy and AI adoption or leading Fenton as an enterprise alongside my colleagues on the senior leadership team, I spend time on Pilates, brushing up on my ballet practice, reading, cooking, running, traveling with my husband, and spending time with my fur baby, Maverick.

**What are you are most proud of?**

When I was younger, my parents would always say, “If you’re not a part of the solution, you’re a part of the problem.” This ethos carried into the formation and development of my career. I’m proud to have built a career that allows me to be part of the solution. From working with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to advance health equity narratives to supporting Voice for Healthy Kids grantees in learning to talk to policymakers about the importance of protecting young people’s well-being, I’ve used strategic communications to help some of the world’s and the nation’s largest organizations scale their impact.

**Being a finalist for WWPR’s Woman of the Year is a significant achievement in this region of super-performing women. What does this recognition mean to you at this point in your career?**

Being named a finalist for WWPR’s Woman of the Year award means a great deal to me. WWPR is an incredible organization that supports practitioners’ work across the industry. Being seen and recognized by the board and leadership team is a legacy-cementing moment. I’m especially honored to be in such great company alongside Carrie Fox and Dr. Sheila Brooks. 

**What are the most significant changes or trends you see happening/ coming in the communications industry? How are you dealing with it?**

I would be remiss not to name that Generative AI is one of the most significant changes happening across the communications industry. The use of LLMs and generative tools is reshaping how people access information, approach design, and connect with others. For practitioners, this means we’re learning to adapt to new, constantly evolving technology. There is an opportunity for sure: brands and organizations now have greater control over their narratives through generative engine optimization, but there are also risks we have to be wary of, such as the use of AI-generated images and videos to manipulate people.

As with other technologies, we will see a plateau, but for now, we will continue to experience disruption. In my role, I’m helping clients become more intentional about their digital transformation, especially within their organization’s internal infrastructure. My team provides AI training to help increase our clients’ competency, builds adoption plans to ensure clients know what they hope to shift, and develops GEO strategies to ensure our clients’ visibility remains intact.

**You have a certificate in AI Ethics. What advice do you have on how to employ AI ethically?** 

The most important part of AI adoption is transparency. Across almost every industry, teams are being asked to learn to use AI, but with no clear understanding of why or to what extent. Senior leaders have a responsibility to be honest about what AI adoption means for their organizations and what is expected of their teams. Without transparency, those using the tool are flying a plane without wings.

**What advice helped you most in your career, and is that advice still relevant today?** 

At the start of my career, I had a supervisor who instilled in me the importance of diligence and impeccable attention to detail. Through her example, I learned that taking time to remember people’s names, birthdays (and other milestones), and small details others might miss would go a long way toward building my professional relationships. I think this advice is still relevant today, if not more important. As we find ourselves inundated with content, pings, and surface-level check-ins on social media, it means a great deal to receive a physical birthday card. Being considerate, diligent, and thoughtful is a boon to your working relationships.

**What platforms do you find most effective for thought leadership?** 

If you had asked me this question a year ago, I would have said TikTok and LinkedIn. Today, Substack is the most potent platform for thought leaders to reach audiences. Substack is one of the fastest-growing long-form, multimedia social platforms. Building a deeply engaged audience is intuitive and allows experts to choose how they want to communicate, whether it’s via video content, written newsletters, or a podcast.

**Is there a volunteer activity you really love?** 

When I’m not working, I love supporting young people in their path towards social impact careers through LearnServe International. I also spend time doing voter education and outreach in DC and Prince George’s County.

**Is there anything that most people don’t know, or something unusual you have done, that you can share?**

Most people don’t know that, in addition to my professional career as an executive and C-level leader in communications, I’m also a licensed labor and birth doula. I entered birth work after witnessing someone I love deal with medical racism immediately after their baby’s arrival. The vicarious trauma from that encounter with the doctor set me on a path to learn more about advocating for pregnant people. In 2022, I was awarded the Black Futures Lab Public Policy Fellowship to develop policy for the District of Columbia. My policy proposal called for ensuring that every pregnant person could access doula care through Medicaid and employer-sponsored health insurance. While there is still much work to be done to eradicate disparities in Black maternal care, there have been small gains.

**What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done?** 

Surfing in South Africa and Portugal.

**What keeps you up at night? And what brings you joy during the day?** 

The polycrisis we face today concerns me, especially its impact on young people. I don’t want younger generations to feel abandoned or to think that we matriculating elders didn’t do our part. That said, I don’t and won’t allow myself to be nihilistic. I believe in human ingenuity and innovation. I believe we will continue to find ways to solve problems. And I believe we are reaching a point where we respect the sovereignty of all people groups. I find joy in my partnership with my husband. He is my home base and my biggest champion. I’m grateful for what we’ve built together. I also find great joy in art: music, books, somatic movement, TV, and podcasts (yes, podcasting is art). And I find great joy in being me.

Note: WWPR’s [Woman of the Year event](https://wwpr.org/events/woman-of-the-year-award-celebration/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) will be held Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Potomac Hotel. The keynote speaker will be Karen Finney, CNN political commentator. The Woman of the Year 2026 will be announced at the event. 

**Check out other Capitol Communicators** [**profiles.** ](https://capitolcommunicator.com/tag/profiles/)  
**These profiles allow you to meet some of the most interesting and insightful pros** 
**in our region, and learn how they stay ahead during a time of constant change.**
### Katie Zacharia appointed White House press secretary
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/katie-zacharia-appointed-white-house-press-secretary/
Last updated: 2026-10-10T19:26:24.000Z
**Katie Zacharia has been appointed White House press secretary.** 

“She has an unblemished record of support, and has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning. She is, likewise, a devoted fan and member of MAGA!” President Trump said in a post on his social media platform.

According to ABC News, during a press gaggle on the South Lawn as he was departing for a campaign rally in New York, Trump said, “she’s going to be, I think, terrific.”

“She’s a friend of most of you. I know she likes people. She likes all of you. Actually, I don’t know if that’s good or bad,” Trump said.

In a post on X, states [ABC News](https://abcnews.com/Politics/katie-zacharia-offered-white-house-press-secretary-job/story?id=137140926&ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Zacharia called the appointment “the honor of a lifetime.”

“The work ahead is to continue delivering strong results for our Country and communicating to the American people the major wins that this Administration is making every single day. I look forward to working with the White House press corps, and with reporters across the country, to get that record out,” she said.

The position has been open since August, when Karoline Leavitt left after the birth of her second child in May. Trump did not say when Zacharia will officially start.

ABC News states that Trump said that Zacharia currently serves as the senior communications adviser for Trump Media & Technology Group, the company that owns and runs the president’s social media platform Truth Social. According to her LinkedIn profile, she’s held that position since June.
### The Washington Sun launches “aggressive advertising blitz,” states The 51st
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-washington-sun-launches-aggressive-advertising-blitz-states-the-51st/
Last updated: 2026-10-12T18:18:11.000Z
**For 25 years, Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema, in photo, went out of his way to keep his identity a secret.** But these days, his visage is [plastered all over social media](https://www.instagram.com/p/DcBNdJVHJBZ/?stkn=Mm5naGxxM3BnYzNz&ref=51st.news) as part of an aggressive advertising blitz for his new employers at the Washington Sun, states [The 51st .](https://51st.news/washington-sun-local-marketing-post/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

In addition to running ads featuring some of their prominent local hires, The 51st states the Sun “has also started [advertising on Metro trains](https://x.com/jstein%5Fsun/status/2105651910032183787?s=20&ref=51st.news), hanging banners at Union Station, and even serving free coffee at various spots around town. One of those locations: [across the street](https://x.com/davidshepardson/status/2104555179278234046?ref=51st.news) from the Post’s downtown headquarters.

“The [freshly rebranded](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/08/business/media/notus-washington-sun-rebrand.html?ref=51st.news) news organization (previously known as NOTUS) rapidly expanded its efforts in the wake of the Post’s [massive layoffs earlier this year](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/business/media/washington-post-layoffs.html?ref=51st.news). It hired [more than two dozen](https://x.com/Milbank/status/2097643951280750659?ref=51st.news) of its former staffers, including Sietsema, Michael Brice-Saddler, and Jenny Gathright on the local beat and prominent names covering national politics, such as Dana Milbank, Paul Kane, and Jeff Stein.

“It has also inked a deal with the popular Capital Weather Gang, which [left the Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2026/05/31/new-chapter-capital-weather-gang/?ref=51st.news) earlier this year, to provide local weather news. And last week, The Sun [launched a print edition](https://www.washingtonsun.com/about-us/press-releases/the-washington-sun-launches-the-washington-sun-magazine?ref=51st.news) led by – you guessed it – two former editors of The Washington Post magazine.”
### Podcast audience growth continued into September
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/podcast-audience-growth-continued-into-september/
Last updated: 2026-10-09T18:10:18.000Z
**Podcast audience growth continued into September, with a majority of publishers measured by** [**Podtrac**](https://analytics.podtrac.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **posting monthly audience gains,** while iHeart maintained its commanding lead and several networks made significant moves up the rankings, reports [Inside Radio](https://www.insideradio.com/free/podcast-audience-growth-continues-in-september/article%5Fba3b9d10-adb6-40f5-8ceb-31458ed7c0df.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

According to Inside Radio, “Podtrac says 11 of its 19 U.S. ranking participants increased their unique monthly audience in September vs. August, while eight recorded gains in downloads and streams. The results follow August’s particularly strong performance, when 18 publishers reported audience growth.

“The iHeart Audience Network remained the largest podcast publisher measured by Podtrac, reaching 57.6 million U.S. monthly listeners. While that was down about 2% from August, its downloads and streams jumped 7% to 285.6 million. Meanwhile, iHeartPodcasts held the No. 2 position with 32 million monthly listeners, up nearly 3% from August. Its downloads and streams rose 8% to 162.3 million.

“NPR Sales Network remained third with 18 million monthly listeners and 93.7 million downloads and streams, followed by Libsyn with 12.7 million listeners and 42.3 million downloads.

“The biggest movement in the top five came from The Walt Disney Company, which climbed two positions to No. 5\. Its monthly audience increased to 6.9 million, up nearly 3% from August, while downloads and streams grew by nearly 7% to 23.7 million.

“Vox Media slipped one position to sixth, while Barstool Sports made one of the month’s biggest moves, jumping three spots to No. 7\. PodcastOne ranked eighth, followed by Fox Audio Network and DailyWire+.”

At the individual show level, “Crime Junkie” continued its run atop the Podtrac rankings, holding the No. 1 position for a fourth consecutive month. The Audiochuck true-crime podcast first took the top spot in June and has held it ever since. “The Daily” remained second, followed by “NPR News Now,” “Up First from NPR,” “Dateline NBC” and “Fox News Hourly Update.”
### Washington Post to launch personal finance podcast on October 13
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/washington-post-to-launch-personal-finance-podcast-on-october-13/
Last updated: 2026-10-09T22:08:18.000Z
**The Washington Post is launching a podcast to help listeners navigate personal finance decisions** through real-life conversations and expert guidance, states a post on[ Podcasting Today](https://podcastingtoday.co.uk/washington-post-launches-dollars-and-sense-podcast/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

According to the post, “Dollars & Sense with Michelle Singletary features one-on-one interviews that focus on individual financial situations, covering topics such as debt, spending habits, and retirement.

“Michelle Singletary, a US nationally syndicated personal finance columnist and author, leads each episode by talking with everyday people, experts, and public figures about the choices that shape their financial lives.”

The show’s approach, continues Podcasting Today, “is to reduce the anxiety often associated with money management by providing clear, relatable advice and insights.

“Michelle’s decades of experience in personal finance are evident as she guides guests through the questions that keep them up at night, aiming to make financial decisions less daunting.

“As Michelle explains, the podcast is about more than just numbers: “Financial decisions are rarely just about the money. And when life and money collide, it can be hard to make sense of either.”

“The series promises to get to the heart of financial choices and help listeners make sense of their own situations, one conversation at a time.”
### Agency Updates: Warschawski, AltaVista Strategic Partners and Red Bird Marketing
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/agency-updates-warschawski-altavista-strategic-partners-and-red-bird-marketing/
Last updated: 2026-10-07T20:57:01.000Z
[**Warschawski**](https://www.warschawski.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **adds Maddie Steinohrt as Director of Digital.** In this role, Steinohrt, in photo, will lead digital media strategy and performance across client accounts, with a focus on paid media, campaign optimization, performance analysis and data-driven growth. Steinohrt, states a release, brings nearly a decade of experience in digital marketing, specializing in paid search, performance optimization, client strategy, and team leadership. Most recently, she served as Associate Director of Paid Search at BarkleyOKRP, following the agency’s acquisition of Adlucent, where she advanced through a series of increasingly senior roles in paid search and account management. Prior to BarkleyOKRP, she held a series of digital marketing roles at Adlucent, SmartTouch Interactive, and Audience Media Group.

[**AltaVista Strategic Partners**](https://www.altavistasp.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **is opening an office in Tampa, Florida.** The new location builds on 15 years of growth from the company’s Baltimore headquarters and will help AltaVista strengthen relationships with businesses throughout Florida and the Southeast. The Tampa office officially opens October 15, 2026, following AltaVista’s 10th consecutive year on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies. Founded in 2011, AltaVista Strategic Partners, states a release, has grown from a company focused primarily on contractor marketing into a full-service strategic partner serving businesses across a wide range of industries. The company provides database marketing, digital marketing, lead generation, consulting, and other growth-focused services to clients nationwide.

[**Red Bird Marketing**](https://redbirdmarketing.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **launches in D.C**. According to a release, Red Bird Marketing is a strategic creative firm founded by **Jonathan Goldfuss,** The agency states it helps technology, hospitality, and non-profit organizations—from startups to established brands—uncover the human story at the heart of their work and bring it to life across brand, web, and campaigns. The firm pairs AI-native speed with senior human expertise to help its clients get noticed by being unmistakably themselves. According to LinkedIn, Goldfuss learned the craft of marketing at some of the top companies in the world (Discovery, AOL, Expedia, Hilton, CarMax, etc.).Then, he states, “I learned the art from one of the world’s best storytellers, **Chef José Andrés**. In seven years working together, he taught me how to see through the noise to the essence of why your customers love you, and then to connect that emotion to your mission, and your mission to the world around you.”
### Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit ADWKDC to Explore AI, Brand Trust and the Future of Marketing Oct. 14 in Washington
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/mid-atlantic-marcom-summit-adwkdc-to-explore-ai-brand-trust-and-the-future-of-marketing-oct-14-in-washington/
Last updated: 2026-10-16T17:13:32.000Z
The [**Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit**](https://marcomsummit.co/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) will bring marketing, advertising, public relations, communications and media professionals together Oct. 14, 2026, at the MLK Library Conference Center in Washington for a day of discussions, presentations and networking.

Co-produced by Capitol Communicator and Potomac Tech Wire, the summit will also host **ADWKDC**, featuring an advertising track presented by the American Advertising Federation’s Washington chapter. The event serves professionals from brands, agencies, associations, government, technology companies and other organizations.

The program opens with a CMO outlook panel featuring **Sheila Blackwell of MANTECH, Allison Moss of Just Ice Tea and Kim Bolt of the Washington Spirit**. A fireside conversation follows with **AJ Jones II, executive vice president and chief strategic and corporate communications officer at Monumental Sports and Entertainment, and PRNEWS Managing Editor Nicole Schuman**.

Sessions will address several major themes:

- **AI and search visibility:** How traditional search engine optimization and generative engine optimization are evolving, what helps brands appear in AI-generated answers and how marketers can measure visibility across search platforms.
- **Responsible AI and practical automation:** How communications teams can establish AI governance, protect trust and manage risk. A live demonstration will show an AI agent gathering information, drafting work and identifying decisions that require human judgment.
- **Public affairs and policy communications:** Washington’s changing communications environment, shifts in public policy advertising and the use of audience intelligence to guide targeted campaigns.
- **Brand building and audience engagement:** Strategies for connecting with emerging audiences, developing brand advocates and using trust to support behavior change.
- **Social media, journalism and creators:** Social platform strategies, practitioner case studies and the distinctions between creator journalists and influencers.
- **B2B marketing and advertising technology:** Changing buyer behavior, demand generation, AI’s influence on purchasing decisions and developments reshaping advertising technology.
- **Trust and behavior change:** How behavioral science, audience insights, trusted messengers and strategic media can move people from awareness to action. Panelists will share case studies and practical approaches to building trust and measuring meaningful outcomes in public health, safety and community campaigns.

The schedule includes breakfast and registration beginning at 8 a.m., opening sessions at 9 a.m., lunch and networking on the roof deck, and a closing cocktail reception from 4 to 5 p.m.

To register and view the full speaker lineup, visit [marcomsummit.co](https://marcomsummit.co/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). The complete agenda is available at [marcomsummit.co/2026agenda](https://marcomsummit.co/2026agenda/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

**About the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit**

The Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit is an annual gathering of marketing, advertising, public relations, communications and media professionals. Co-produced by Capitol Communicator and Potomac Tech Wire, it combines industry discussions and practical presentations with opportunities to connect with peers and business leaders.
### Media executive Victor Shiblie joins Qorvis
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/media-executive-victor-shiblie-joins-qorvis/
Last updated: 2026-10-07T00:54:28.000Z
[**Qorvis**](https://qorvis.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced that veteran media executive and international business strategist Victor Shiblie** joined the firm as Senior Advisor. According to a release, he brings more than three decades of experience spanning media, international affairs, global business and diplomatic engagement.

For more than 25 years, Shiblie served as President and Publisher of The Washington Diplomat, one of the capital’s leading publications serving the diplomatic community.

The release states that under Shiblie’s leadership, “The Washington Diplomat built relationships across more than 180 foreign embassies, U.S. government institutions, multinational corporations, and international organizations. He also produced high-level policy forums, international conferences, and economic-development programs bringing together ambassadors, senior government officials, corporate executives, and international leaders.”

“Victor understands the power of media, relationships and communications in international affairs because he has spent more than 30 years working at their intersection,” said Matt Lauer, Chief Executive Officer of Qorvis.

At Qorvis, states the firm, Shiblie will advise clients on strategic communications, international business development, market access, and engagement with diplomatic, government, media, and business stakeholders, while helping expand the firm’s international network and global business opportunities.
### Tony Perkins honored with Ed Walker Lifetime Achievement Award
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/tony-perkins-honored-with-ed-walker-lifetime-achievement-award/
Last updated: 2026-10-06T21:40:37.000Z
**Tony Perkins has been honored with the Ed Walker Lifetime Achievement Award in Broadcasting by the National Capital Radio & Television Museum**. Perkins, an anchor on News4 (WRC), received the award at the museum’s annual gala. The award recognizes broadcasters who have made a lasting impact on radio and television in the Washington region.

According to[ DCRTV](https://dcrtv.com/tony-perkins-honored-with-ed-walker-lifetime-achievement-award/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), “Perkins has been a fixture in DC media for more than 40 years. He got his start working with **Donnie Simpson** on WKYS, later hosted DC20 Breakaway on WDCA, and also spent many years at FOX 5 (WTTG) as a weathercaster, reporter and anchor. He left Washington in 1999 to become the weather anchor and feature reporter for ABC’s Good Morning America, before eventually returning to DC. He has also worked at WUSA 9 and co-hosted afternoons with **Donnie Simpson** on Majic 102.3 (WMMJ). He joined News4 in 2023.

“The award is named for legendary Washington radio personality **Ed Walker**, who was the first recipient in 2015\. Previous honorees include **Maureen Bunyan**, **Arch Campbell**, **Chris Core** and **Diane Rehm**. The museum renamed the honor for Walker following his death in 2015.”
### The Washington Sun launches magazine
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-washington-sun-launches-the-washington-sun-magazine/
Last updated: 2026-10-07T19:27:02.000Z
**The Washington Sun is creating The Washington Sun Magazine,** a monthly print publication featuring some of the most compelling journalism produced by The Sun’s newsroom, with an emphasis on longform storytelling, essays and local news. The magazine will also feature The Sun’s Hill reporting, D.C. sports and culture coverage, and opinion columnists.

The magazine, states The Washington Sun, will run for six editions and is being edited by **Richard Just**, “who is also the editor of The Washington Sun’s Perspectives section and is the former editor of The Washington Post Magazine. The magazine’s deputy editor is **Alexa McMahon**, formerly of the Post Magazine, and the assistant editor is **Anusha Mathur**. The magazine is being designed by **Erin Aulov**, a former visuals editor and art director at Politico and National Journal. Reporters and editors from across The Sun’s newsroom contributed to creating the publication.”

The magazine will be distributed across D.C., including to every Capitol Hill office. The first three issues will be distributed in partnership with *Washingtonian* to their subscribers.

“As we grow our team and expand our reach, we can’t think of a better partner than *Washingtonian*, which is truly a D.C. institution. We are proud to complement their lifestyle and service journalism with our news, politics and local coverage,” said The Washington Sun’s CEO **Arielle Elliott**.

##
### Wave of job losses tied to AI has yet to materialize, states Inside Radio
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/wave-of-job-losses-tied-to-ai-has-yet-to-materialize-states-inside-radio/
Last updated: 2026-10-07T18:52:21.000Z
**The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the number of people working in advertising and public relations** ticked higher in September, states an [Inside Radio post.](https://www.insideradio.com/free/advertising-hiring-offers-bright-spot-in-september-jobs-report/article%5Fc0a14692-eb2a-429d-b85f-334c9d86fd58.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

According to the post, “BLS states 478,600 people worked in advertising across the U.S., which was up by 1,800 jobs. The number is, however, down slightly from a year earlier when 2,700 more people worked in the sector.

“The government reports the overall job market was weaker last month. BLS says total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 29,000\. That may be up, but it is much smaller than what has been reported in recent months. It says employment in all major industries changed little over the month. The unemployment rate was up slightly to 4.2%. Even so, the unemployment rate has remained in a narrow range of 4.1% to 4.3% since March.

“Experts say that while the job market is in a “low hire, low fire” cycle, the labor-force participation rate points to continued strength in the market. They also show that a feared wave of job losses tied to artificial intelligence has yet to materialize.”

(However, one online item states that AI “is driving a targeted wave of hiring slowdowns and displacement that is hitting entry-level and young white-collar workers hardest.”)
### Spanish-language ad more effective than average English-language ad during Spanish-language TV broadcasts
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/spanish-language-ad-more-effective-than-average-english-language-ad-during-spanish-language-tv-broadcast/
Last updated: 2026-10-05T21:02:37.000Z
**Ads aired during** [**Spanish-language television**](https://www.tvtechnology.com/tag/spanish?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **broadcasts were 50% more impactful than English-language TV ads** over the past year, according to research released by [EDO,](https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/edo-secures-dollar80m-investment-from-shamrock-capital?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) states a post on [TV Technology.](https://www.tvtechnology.com/business/edo-spanish-language-tv-ads-outperform-spots-in-english?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

According to the post: “The research, presented in the analytics firm’s third annual [“Spanish Language TV Outcomes Report,”](https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/report-ads-on-spanish-language-networks-outperform-english-language-tv?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) is based on 1.3 million ad airings and 332 billion impressions across 631 brands. EDO said it applies the same measurement standard to each advertiser, network and language, giving the industry a single, comparable view of what’s actually driving outcomes across an increasingly fragmented TV landscape.

“The report comes following [2026 FIFA World Cup coverage](https://www.tvtechnology.com/production/sports-production/telemundo-promises-its-fifa-world-cup-coverage-will-be-the-most-ambitious-ever-in-broadcast-television?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny (in photo above) performing a solo headline [Super Bowl ](https://www.tvtechnology.com/business/super-bowl-lx-attracts-nearly-125-million-u-s-viewers-clone?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)halftime show—two contributors to a landmark year in Latino culture, EDO said.

“The average Spanish-language ad was 24% more effective than the average English-language ad on a per-person, per-second basis—even after controlling for audience size. That edge held across genres, with Spanish-language content outperforming English-language programming by 44% in scripted entertainment, 48% in news and 9% in reality programming.”
### Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt joins Fox News as on-air contributor
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/former-white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-joins-fox-news-as-on-air-contributor/
Last updated: 2026-10-05T17:47:05.000Z
**Former White House press secretary** [**Karoline Leavitt**](https://apnews.com/article/trump-press-secretary-leavitt-dc3753a957b05ef554bf277221d9cf46?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **has found her next chapter: She is heading to Fox News, states the Associated Press.**

Leavitt will serve as an on-air contributor beginning Nov. 1, the network said Monday.

“Karoline’s firsthand experience in the White House and on the presidential campaign trail gives her a distinct understanding of today’s political landscape,” said the network’s CEO, **Suzanne Scott**.

For her part, Leavitt, in the same statement, said she looked forward “to bringing my unique perspective from my experience as White House Press Secretary, along with the same energy and candor that defied my tenure, to Fox’s millions of viewers across their many platforms.”

According to the AP, “Leavitt, now 29, was the youngest person to hold the role of press secretary. When she left at the end of August, President Donald Trump described her as one of his “most trusted aides.”

“Leavitt is not the first White House press secretary to join Fox. Kayleigh McEnany joined in 2021 and remains at the network.

“And Trump has hired several Fox News personalities to key jobs in his own administration, chief among them Defense Secretary **Pete Hegseth.**

(Of note, MSNBC hired former White House Press Secretary **Jen Psaki** as a political analyst and program host in 2022\. She served as White House spokesperson for the first 16 months of the administration of President Joe Biden)
### New book defines operating model for marketing in an agent-driven market
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/new-book-from-greg-kihlstrom-and-publisher-de-gruyter-brill-defines-the-operating-model-for-marketing-in-an-agent-driven-market/
Last updated: 2026-10-06T13:22:49.000Z
***MarketingOps 3.0: Building the Hybrid Operating Model for Growth in a Machine-Mediated Market*** 
***introduces a framework for coordinating marketing, sales, service and product*** 
***as a single Commercial System run by humans and AI agents***

**Author, advisor, and marketing technology expert Greg Kihlström announced his forthcoming book, *MarketingOps 3.0: Building the Hybrid Operating Model for Growth in a Machine-Mediated Market***, a practical guide for leaders building the operating model required when autonomous agents participate in commercial work on both sides of the transaction. The book addresses a market in which consumers and buyers increasingly use personal AI assistants to compare options, evaluate claims, and narrow the field before a human takes a serious look, making machines the first audience for a growing share of commercial interactions.

At the center of the book is Commercial Operations Orchestration (CO2), a framework that establishes a shared operating layer across marketing, sales, service, and product. CO2 replaces departmental handoffs with shared context, shared truth, and clear decision rights, giving organizations a way to coordinate action at machine speed without losing governance or customer trust. The book positions MarketingOps as the discipline that designs, governs, and measures that system.

Combining strategic arguments with implementation details, the book examines why earlier MarketingOps models reached their limits, defines the hybrid workforce and the human-agent squad, introduces the Human Premium and the Bot Manager role, and explains how customer experience changes in what the book calls the Business-to-Agent-to-Consumer (B2A2C) economy. It covers the move from omnichannel to omni-agent interaction, from campaigns to next best action, and from transactional measurement to lifetime value. It also formalizes Return on Agent (ROA) as the economic measure leaders should apply to hybrid work, and closes with a discussion on governance, ethics, talent, and a roadmap for execution, including the structure and operating cadence of a CO2 Council.

“Most organizations will not fail this transition because they lack ideas,” says Greg Kihlström. “They will fail because they mistake activity for progress, tools for strategy, and pilots for operating models. This book gives leaders a way to tell the difference, and a model they can actually run.”

A key differentiator is the book’s treatment of AI as a structural change to how work is designed, governed, and measured. It addresses machine readability, agent governance, and orchestration as leadership issues with direct commercial consequences, covering what happens when pricing logic is inconsistent, product information is fragmented, or policies live in disconnected documents when a customer’s agent evaluates a brand. The book includes a one-page operating model, along with toolkits and templates intended for use as decision devices in live transformation work.

Paul Roetzer, a leading voice on artificial intelligence for business leaders and practitioners, provides the Foreword. Roetzer founded SmarterX and Marketing AI Institute, has delivered more than 300 conference keynotes and private engagements for brands, agencies, technology companies, investors, non-profits, and educational institutions, and works with executives on what AI means for their organizations and how to adopt it strategically. Through his research, podcast, book, speaking, and businesses, he translates AI developments into practical strategies for piloting and scaling AI.

Kihlström brings extensive real-world experience to the subject. He is a best-selling author, speaker, consultant, and advisor who has worked with brands including Adidas, Coca-Cola, FedEx, HP, Marriott, Nationwide Insurance, Victoria’s Secret, and Toyota. He has written more than 25 books on marketing and marketing technology and hosts several business and marketing podcasts, including *The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström®*.

***MarketingOps 3.0: Building the Hybrid Operating Model for Growth in a Machine-Mediated Market*** is written for CMOs and senior marketing executives, MarketingOps, RevOps, and Commercial Ops leaders, and the transformation teams responsible for turning AI investment into an operating capability. Readers can use it sequentially or by role, with the strategic case, the CO2 model, the ROA framework, and the governance chapters serving executives making investment and structure decisions.

**Details** Publication Date: October 5, 2026; ISBN: 9783112218839; Edition: Paperback & Digital More information is available here: [https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783112218839/html](https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783112218839/html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**About Greg Kihlström**

Greg Kihlström is a MarTech futurist, best-selling author, speaker, entrepreneur, and advisor on marketing technology, marketing operations, and digital transformation. He advises and consults for leading organizations and frequently writes, speaks, and hosts podcasts on the future of marketing, customer experience, and business agility. He teaches as a member of the School of Marketing Faculty at the Association of National Advertisers (ANA).

**About De Gruyter Brill**

De Gruyter Brill is an independent, family-owned academic publisher and a global leader in the humanities and beyond. Committed to excellence, it works with scholars across disciplines to make their contributions available to the global research community and the public. It publishes reference works, books, journals, and research tools in subject areas ranging from the humanities, arts, architecture, and social sciences to science, technology,y and medicine.
### Mr. Magazine™ Talks With Emon Hassan, Founder and Publisher of emonome Zine
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/mr-magazine-talks-with-emon-hassan-founder-and-publisher-of-emonome-zine/
Last updated: 2026-10-03T13:37:09.000Z
**What happens when a photographer and filmmaker** decides to bring the feeling of cinema to the printed page?

For Emon Hassan, founder and publisher of *emonome Zine*, in photo above, the answer is a publication built around photography, movies, storytelling and the experience of holding something tangible in your hands.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/magazine-copy-2-300x230.jpg)

In his latest Mr. Magazine™ interview, Samir “Mr. Magazine™” Husni talks with Hassan about the inspiration behind *emonome Zine*, why she chose print at a time when so much media is consumed on screens, and how her background as a photographer and filmmaker shaped the publication.

Hassan sees the magazine as more than a collection of photographs. Each issue is conceived with the pacing and visual language of a film, giving readers an experience that unfolds from page to page.

The conversation also explores the creative freedom of independent publishing, the relationship between photography and cinema, and why print continues to offer something digital media cannot fully replicate.

For Hassan, creating *emonome Zine* is ultimately about storytelling and giving readers the opportunity to slow down, look closely and experience images in a different way.

It is also another example of what Husni has documented throughout his career: print is not simply surviving alongside digital media. Independent publishers continue to find new reasons to create it and new ways to make the physical magazine part of the story itself.

*Read Samir Husni’s full Mr. Magazine™ interview with Emon Hassan* [*here*](https://mrmagazine.me/2026/09/03/emon-hassan-creating-cinema-movies-in-print-emonome-zine-the-mr-magazine-interview/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)*.*

**This article was originally published by CommPRO and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://www.commpro.biz/** 
**news/mr-magazine-talks-with-emon-hassan-founder-and-publisher-of-emonome-zine?ss\_source=sscampaigns&ss\_campaign\_id=6ab508877e4bde576c12c503&ss\_** 
**email\_id=6ab51e65b93c7f4a22fdcdf3&ss\_campaign\_name=This+Week+in+Comms%3A+Paramount-WBD%2C+Trusted+Advisors+%26+Greenwashing&ss\_campaign\_sent\_date=2026-09-24T12%3A58%3A52Z**
### Creative Leadership in the Age of AI: Why Human Intelligence Still Decides
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/creative-leadership-in-the-age-of-ai-why-human-intelligence-still-decides/
Last updated: 2026-10-02T16:06:36.000Z
[By Katie Scott](https://www.responselabs.com/insights/author/katie-scott?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**Over the past couple of years,** there have been countless AI takes floating around arguing that AI is either coming for creative jobs, or AI is the silver bullet that makes strategy and craft obsolete. As a creative, it’s hard not to be concerned by those claims. But with a career in digital and omnichannel design, I’m not convinced either is or will be true.

At Response Labs, we’ve landed on a single principle that shapes every campaign we touch: **Data drives. AI supports. Human intelligence decides.**

It wasn’t written to be a tagline, but a way to keep us honest as AI tools made their way into our process. It’s a gut check to make sure we’re using them well instead of just using them fast. Let’s break down what each part really means, because the order matters more than it may seem.

### **The Function of a Creative Leader Hasn’t Changed. The Toolbox Has.**

A creative lead’s job has never been “make things look good.” The job is translating a strategic brief into work that actually moves someone *and* moves the needle for the business. That means understanding where someone is in the funnel, what a specific audience needs to feel before they act, and how a piece of creative fits into a much bigger brand story.

AI hasn’t changed any of that.

What AI has changed is how fast we can test an idea, iterate on it, and personalize it before it ever reaches someone’s screen.

I think about AI the same way I think about any other tool that’s already in existence, such as an OS, Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud, etc. Nobody hands you Photoshop and calls the layout “AI-made.” It’s the same logic here: the software doesn’t make the creative decisions. It just means I get to explore more directions before I commit to the one that’s actually right.

### **Show Your Work: The Case for Creative Credibility**

When anyone can generate a hundred versions of an ad in a minute, the thing that actually differentiates a brand isn’t the output anymore, it’s the evidence that someone thought about it. Audiences *and* clients are getting sharper at spotting the generic, prompt-and-publish stuff. What builds real trust is being able to see the strategy underneath: why this headline, why this color, why this message for this specific audience.

**I call this Creative Credibility**. Making the process visible, not just the final deliverable. Instead of quickly passing creative off for approval, I want to be able to walk someone through the strategic thread: here’s the business objective, here’s the data insight behind it, here’s the creative decision that came out of it, and here’s how we’ll know if it worked. That transparency is the difference between being a vendor and being a true partner.

### **What *Data Drives* Looks Like**

Before opening up any LLM, our process starts with looking at performance data. What’s converting? What’s fatiguing? Where are people dropping off? Which messaging versions are actually landing with which audience? This is the strategic layer that AI can help us move faster in once we know these things, but it can’t tell us those to begin with.

For our team, that means:

- **Funnel-stage insight informs creative direction.** Someone discovering a brand needs something different than someone deciding between two loyalty tiers.
- **Segmentation isn’t just swapping in a name field.** We’re understanding what a distinct regional or cultural audience actually needs to feel connected to a brand.
- **Past performance sets the brief.** We don’t guess what to test next, the data already told us.

### **How AI Supports**

Once the strategic brief is clear, that’s when AI becomes genuinely useful. It becomes the tool to move faster through exploration and creative execution.

How we’re using AI agents:

- **Getting to more ideas, faster.** Generating dozens of directional concepts or headline options against a defined strategic brief, so our team can choose the stronger options.
- **Scaling localized variation.** AI helps produce variations across regions and languages more efficiently but our team is still the one making sure tone and cultural fit actually land.
- **Pattern recognition our team can act on.** Surfacing what’s working across large data sets so we can make faster, better-informed decisions.

AI is great at breadth and speed but it has no idea which concept is actually right for this brand, this audience, this moment. That judgment call is and will always be a human one.

### **The Part That Doesn’t Get Automated: Human Intelligence Decides**

Nothing AI-assisted goes out the door at Response Labs without running through human leadership first. That usually means asking:

- Does this actually serve the brand’s strategic objective, or does it just look interesting?
- Is this emotionally resonant, or just technically correct?
- Would this build trust with a real person, or does it feel generic?
- Does this hold up against the data and against our brand instincts?

A creative lead’s role in an AI-supported workflow isn’t to approve whatever AI spits out. It’s to direct intent by setting the strategic guardrails an AI agent is working with, deciding what actually makes it through, and applying the kind of emotional intuition that no agent has access to.

### **Why This Matters for the Business, Not Just the Work**

Full-funnel personalization, brand elevation, real engagement — none of that comes from volume alone. It’s built from relevance, and relevance is a human judgment call, informed by data, accelerated by AI.

Teams that are letting AI decide end up with fast, forgettable, interchangeable work. Teams that ignore AI entirely can’t move at the speed omnichannel campaigns demand anymore. The advantage is in the blend: strategic human leadership, applying what the data’s telling us to prompt AI well, then curating and refining what comes back into creative that’s actually built to convert and built to be trusted.

### **Where This Takes Us**

I don’t see AI as a threat to the creative industry. If anything, it’s made the case for creative leadership stronger. When anyone can generate anything instantly, the ability to know what’s actually right becomes the competitive advantage.

At Response Labs, that’s the workflow we’ve built: data-informed, AI-accelerated, human-decided. AI tools are going to keep changing and probably faster than any of us can fully keep up with. But the principle underneath it isn’t going anywhere. Data will keep driving. AI will keep supporting. And human intelligence — judgment, instinct, the emotional read on what actually connects — will keep deciding.

**This article was originally published by Response Labs and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://www.responselabs.com/insights/** 
**creative-leadership-in-the-age-of-ai-why-human-intelligence-still-decides**
### Podcasting’s audience now younger and more diverse
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/podcastings-audience-becoming-younger-and-more-diverse/
Last updated: 2026-10-02T11:10:20.000Z
**Podcasting’s audience is becoming younger, more diverse and increasingly female, creating new opportunities for advertisers,** states [Inside Radio](https://www.insideradio.com/free/younger-more-diverse-listeners-fuel-podcasting-s-expansion/article%5F82c33f96-fe6f-4f27-b568-4a013db64284.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), as the medium expands beyond its traditional listener base, according to a new [Audacy Insights report](https://audacyinc.com/insights/podcastings-demo-plot-twist/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

According to Inside Radio, the report, “which draws on data from Edison Research’s Infinite Dial Report, identifies Generation Z, women and multicultural consumers as increasingly important audiences for advertisers seeking to capitalize on podcasting’s growth and the relationships listeners develop with podcast hosts.”

“Podcasting is no longer just for the Millennial white guy,” Audacy says. “The audience who built this medium (and we say this with love) was a pretty specific slice of America: educated, male, probably somewhere in his early 30s, very into long-form interviews. That guy is still here. But he’s got a lot of company.”

More than 35 million Americans in Generation Z now listen to podcasts monthly, states Inside Radio, “making the medium one of the generation’s leading entertainment and information formats. By 2029, Gen Z and Gen Alpha are projected to account for 40% of the overall podcast audience.

“Reaching those younger consumers requires advertisers to recognize how their media consumption differs from that of previous generations, particularly when it comes to discovering new content.”
### Don Lemon left CNN. But his ‘rules of good journalism’ stayed
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/don-lemon-left-cnn-but-his-rules-of-good-journalism-stayed/
Last updated: 2026-10-02T16:07:49.000Z
**By** [**Issac Morgan**](https://substack.com/@issac123?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

***EIN Presswire spoke with Don Lemon about independent media,*** 
***journalistic ethics and his rare Elon Musk interview.***

**The way people in the United States consume news is changing.** More Americans have been turning to social media and video platforms for news.

For Don Lemon, once one of the most recognizable faces in primetime television news at CNN, the shift is personal.

“For almost twenty years I worked inside a system with layers: producers, standards and practices, corporate messaging, a boss’s boss’s boss,” Lemon said in an exclusive interview with [EIN Presswire](https://www.einpresswire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

“That’s not a knock on the people, some of the best journalists I know are still there,” Lemon added. “But there’s a difference between reporting the news and reporting it the way a network’s legal and business interests require.”

While mainstream media remains a major source of news, it has seen declining engagement as audiences increasingly turn to a growing network of creators and independent media outlets for news.

In fact, the Reuters Institute’s 2026 [Digital News Report](https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news-report/2026?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) found that 56% of Americans in the survey said they now use social media as a news source, compared with 45% who turn to TV news and the same share who use news websites and apps.

And globally, a whopping 77% of consumers said they now watch online news videos each week. The report points to a more fragmented alternative media environment where independent content creators are viewed as trusted sources for news.

#### **‘The rules of good journalism’**

Nowadays more people are turning to YouTube live broadcasts and streaming platforms for news. It has opened new opportunities for news figures like Lemon, who left CNN after nearly two decades.

Since launching his own independent media network, Lemon has built a major following online, with the [Lemon Media Network](https://donlemon.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), which he has [stated](https://jacksonvillefreepress.com/no-network-no-problem-black-journalists-build-their-own-after-network-firings/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) now reaches nearly 11 million followers across its platforms.

Even without the backing of a major news network, Lemon has landed interviews with high-profile figures like Elon Musk and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. He also sat down with influencer and author Ashley St. Clair, the mother of one of Musk’s children who is known for leaving the MAGA movement.

The veteran journalist founded the independent media company in 2024\. Owning his network has allowed Lemon to play by his own rules but that doesn’t mean abandoning the standards of journalism.

“I still believe in the rules of good journalism, I just don’t need a network’s permission to follow them,” Lemon said. “That’s what the Lemon Media Network is.”

His career offers a window into a broader change in the news business: Journalists who once relied on television networks for audiences and infrastructure can now build platforms of their own, with greater control over how they report and distribute their work.

Lemon has joined a growing list of prominent news personalities who moved from mainstream media to launching their own platforms, including former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who now runs *The Tucker Carlson Show*, and former CBS Los Angeles reporter Erica Mandy, who left traditional TV news to launch *The NewsWorthy*.

The rise of independent media comes amid legacy newsroom layoffs, corporate media mergers, and a growing audience demand for direct, raw and unfiltered perspectives.

#### **Lemon expands his newsroom**

At the same time, the Lemon Media Network has opened the door to new talent, including a younger reporter who previously covered politics for Spectrum News.

Making the move to Lemon’s network was a no‑brainer for Daniel Grimes, now the Washington, D.C.-based political correspondent at the Lemon Media Network.

“I love the flexibility and the ability to be my authentic self,” Grimes said in an interview with EIN Presswire. Grimes is often seen reporting live from Capitol Hill on LMN’s streaming broadcasts, and he said he enjoys the rest of his work from home, “writing for Substack, doing research, and booking guests.”

Grimes also said in the interview that he was the only Black reporter at Spectrum at the time and didn’t receive the same pay raise as his colleagues, who he said “had the same level of experience” but didn’t have an advanced degree like Grimes.

“I was going through negotiations to correct it (didn’t work) but met Don at the NABJ \[National Association of Black Journalists\] Washington event during the WHCA Correspondents Week and he was hiring,” Grimes said. “The rest is history. But let me also say I’ve followed his (Lemon’s) career for a while and have always admired him and it’s an honor to be part of the Lemon Media Network.”

In September, Lemon [announced](https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/lemon-media-to-launch-the-don-lemon-channel,263405?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) an expansion into streaming television with the launch of The Don Lemon Channel in partnership with Swerve TV, which operates free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels. The channel is described as a leading 24/7 television network available across linear and streaming platforms.

Amid traversing the nation with a sit‑down conversation with California Gov. Gavin Newsom and a [national tour](https://www.dlplusdl.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) with comedian D.L. Hughley, Lemon spoke with EIN Presswire about his rare past interview with Elon Musk and more. Grimes also took some questions.

*Editor’s note: This interview has been slightly edited for length, clarity and brevity.*

**Q: You interviewed Elon Musk in 2024, where you** [**reportedly**](https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/aug/01/don-lemon-elon-musk-lawsuit?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **pressed him on a variety of issues. The partnership with X ended shortly afterward. From what you can share about that experience as an independent journalist, do you think good journalism means asking the tough, sometimes uncomfortable questions, even when there may be consequences?**

**Lemon**: I went into that interview the same way I’d go into any interview: prepared, direct, and not looking to make anybody comfortable, including myself. My job wasn’t to be liked by the person across from me. It was to ask what the audience deserved to have asked.

What happened afterward told me everything I needed to know about why independent journalism matters right now. When you’re independent, nobody can call your boss and get you reassigned. Nobody can pull your show. The worst that happens is a business relationship ends — and I can live with that a lot easier than I could live with pulling punches. If asking real questions costs you a partnership, that’s a pretty clear sign the partnership was never really about journalism to begin with. That’s the trade I’ll make every time.

**Q: You’ve been a household name in TV news for nearly two decades. How would you describe the transition from working for a major TV network to taking the independent media route, and does being independent give you more freedom to tell stories the way you want to?**

**Lemon**: When you’re independent, if I think a story matters, I don’t have to build consensus with five people worried about advertisers or a parent company’s other business lines. I just have to be right, be fair, and be able to defend it.

Is it more freedom? Absolutely. But freedom without structure is just noise, so the challenge has been building my own version of standards and practices — my own discipline — instead of having it handed to me.

**Q: What’s your outlook for the future of how people consume and trust the media? Do you think independent media will become a bigger part of that future?**

**Grimes**: It already is. This year for the first time ever more people are getting their news from social media than traditional broadcast and that trend is only going to grow. Before I joined Don’s team, I talked to management at the broadcast company I came from about ways we could compete with independent journalists, but my message was repeatedly met with disdain. It’s that resentment towards change that is going to drive the networks out of business. I love that Don and the team are open to ideas and if something doesn’t work then we just pivot and try something else.

**Q: How has your experience working in independent media compared with your experience working in a traditional newsroom? Have you noticed any major differences?**

**Grimes**: As for the authenticity factor – it is so nice being able to give my actual opinion about the awful things happening in the country right now under this administration and call out Senator Mitch McConnell for not showing up to work for over two months even though he repeatedly voted against paid family leave. I love being able to call out the hypocrisy while still reporting on Washington.

**Q : What are some of the major cases or news stories you’ve been covering? Have you noticed any stories that independent journalists are covering that the mainstream media may be overlooking?**

**Grimes**: Yes, and Don always talks about how independent journalists like us are charting the course for the networks. The show has covered the Nolan Wells investigation from day one, and now other independent journalists and networks are covering, but being able to set the tone and be there from the beginning is what we can do with the chann

**This article was originally published by Newsmatics and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://open.substack.com/** 
**pub/einpresswire/p/don-lemon-left-cnn-but-his-rules**

####
### Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit announces agenda for Oct. 14 conference in D.C.
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/mid-atlantic-marcom-summit-announces-agenda-for-oct-14-conference-in-d-c/
Last updated: 2026-09-30T15:11:46.000Z
***Full-day program will examine*** 
***AI, communications, search, social media,*** 
***public affairs, B2B marketing and*** 
***the growing importance of trust***

**The Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit has announced the agenda for its 2026 conference**, bringing together leading marketing, advertising, public relations, public affairs and media professionals on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Conference Center in Washington, D.C.

The full-day program will explore the forces reshaping the communications industry, including artificial intelligence, generative engine optimization, changing audience behavior, responsible AI, social media strategy, public policy advertising and the growing role of trust in driving meaningful action.

“The pace of change across marketing and communications has never been greater,” said **Paul Duning,** publisher of Capitol Communicator. “This year’s agenda is designed to move beyond the headlines and give attendees practical insights into how industry leaders are responding to AI, fragmented audiences, new discovery platforms and declining institutional trust.”

The Summit will open with “CMO Outlook: The Big Picture,” featuring **Sheila Blackwell** of ManTech, **Allison Moss** of Just Ice Tea, **Kim Bolt** of the Washington Spirit and **Tanya Nazarian** of Grafik. The panel will examine the priorities, challenges and opportunities shaping marketing leadership in 2027 and beyond.

**AJ Jones II**, executive vice president and chief strategic and corporate communications officer at Monumental Sports & Entertainment, will then participate in a fireside chat moderated by **Nicole Schuman**, managing editor of PRNEWS.

Morning breakout sessions will include:

- “Search & GEO: The Marketing Playbook for an AI-First World,” examining how artificial intelligence is changing brand discovery and traditional search.
- “Behind the Message: A Roundtable With Public Affairs Leaders,” featuring perspectives on policy, reputation, media relations and public trust.
- “Generation Next: Rethinking Audience Engagement to Build Brands,” exploring how organizations can connect with younger and increasingly purpose-driven audiences.
- “The Next Ad Tech Stack: Containers, Agents & AI Ads,” offering a practical look at emerging advertising technologies.

Additional morning sessions will address the changing communications environment in Washington, the role of brand movements in turning audiences into advocates and the outlook for social media in 2027.

The social media discussion will feature regional thought leaders and practitioners sharing case studies, emerging strategies and lessons about what is — and is not — working for brands across the rapidly changing social ecosystem.

Following lunch and networking on the library’s roof deck, the afternoon program will examine the shifting landscape of public policy advertising and present “A Communicator Playbook for Responsible AI,” a discussion about governance, ethics and the expanding responsibilities of communications professionals as AI adoption accelerates.

Other afternoon sessions will include:

- “B2B Innovation: Navigating the New Marketing Landscape,” focusing on AI, evolving buyer behavior, GEO, demand generation, customer engagement and the changing B2B funnel.
- “Byline vs. Bio: Navigating the Divide Between Creator Journalists and Influencers,” exploring sourcing, credibility, sponsorship disclosure, monetization and the legal and ethical issues that arise when journalism and influence overlap.
- “Turning Audience Intelligence Into Action in Modern Public Affairs Campaigns,” examining the shift from broad messaging to data-driven targeting and measurable outcomes.
- “AI Is Compressing the Buyer Journey,” addressing how artificial intelligence is changing B2B research and purchasing decisions.
- “Impressions to Impact: The Trust Imperative Behind Behavior Change Outcomes,” challenging conventional performance metrics and examining how behavioral science, trusted messengers, audience intelligence and strategic media can move people from awareness to belief and action.

The program will conclude with a cocktail reception from 4 to 5 p.m., providing attendees with an opportunity to continue conversations and connect with speakers, sponsors and communications professionals from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

Registration and breakfast begin at 8 a.m., with programming starting at 9 a.m.

The Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit is the region’s largest annual gathering for professionals working in marketing, advertising, public relations, communications and media. The event is co-produced by Capitol Communicator and Potomac Tech Wire.

For the complete agenda and registration information, visit [marcomsummit.co/2026agenda.](https://marcomsummit.co/2026agenda/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### Insight: “Anchors are the No. 1 reason” viewers watch morning network TV programs, states NY Post
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/anchors-are-the-no-1-reason-viewers-watch-morning-network-tv-programs-states-ny-post/
Last updated: 2026-09-30T21:18:30.000Z
**ABC News is weighing a major shakeup at “Good Morning America”** after the iconic broadcast lost its No. 1 ratings berth last season to NBC’s “The Today Show,” reports [The New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/09/28/media/abc-news-weighs-major-shakeup-at-gma-after-ratings-loss-to-today-sources/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

According to the NY Post, during 2025-2026, the program “amassed 2.8 million total viewers and 477,000 viewers in the coveted 25-54 demo — while “Today” reeled in 2.9 million total viewers and 612,000 viewers in the demo.

“It was the first time “Today” was top dog since the 2011-12 season — when Matt Lauer and Ann Curry were co-anchors.

“It didn’t help that “Today” captured a massive audience spike earlier this year as viewers followed the developing story of [co-host Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother.](https://nypost.com/2026/09/10/us-news/savannah-guthrie-quietly-makes-heartbreaking-admission-in-new-statement-about-missing-mom-nancy/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) “Today” also got a boost as NBC carried the Winter Olympics and the Super Bowl this year.”

But, states the NY Post, “insiders also pointed to the fact that co-hosts Robin Roberts, Michael Strahan, and [George Stephanopoulos ](https://nypost.com/2024/12/19/media/disney-renews-george-stephanopoulos-contract-with-pay-cut-despite-16m-trump-settlement-because-it-didnt-want-his-blood-on-their-hands-source/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)are rarely on set together. The trio is “never” in the studio at the same time, an ABC source noted, adding that “someone is always on vacation,” on assignment or working on another project, which has harmed viewership.

“Anchors are the No. 1 reason people watch,” a source told the NY Post. “Anchor chemistry is everything, but Robin and George detest each other and Robin is jealous of Michael. It’s palpable. They don’t like each other,” stated the source.

PHOTO: Michael Strahan, Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos
### Jury determines Meta violated New Mexico’s consumer protection law
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/new-mexico-jury-determines-meta-violated-states-consumer-protection-law/
Last updated: 2026-09-30T21:28:46.000Z
**A New Mexico jury on Friday determined Meta violated the state’s consumer protection law** by misleading consumers about Facebook’s privacy practices and content policies, states a post on [MediaDailyNews](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/418311/jury-finds-meta-deceived-users-about-privacy-cont.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The verdict came after a two-week trial that reportedly largely centered on the highly publicized decade-old Cambridge Analytica debacle, in which the defunct political consultancy obtained data about tens of millions of Facebook users.

News of the data harvesting, states the MediaDailyNews post, “came to light in 2018, when reports emerged that Cambridge Analytica purchased personal information of millions Facebook users from Alexsandr Kogan, a professor who collected the information in 2014 via his personality quiz app “thisisyourdigitallife.”

“That app was downloaded by 270,000 Facebook users, but Kogan was able to gather information about at least 87 million of those users’ friends.

“The jury found that Meta made several false or deceptive representations to users regarding data, including the following 2010 statement by CEO Mark Zuckerberg: “You have control over how your information is shared. We do not share your personal information with people or services you don’t want.”

“Meta was found to have committed more than two million violations of New Mexico law based on that statement alone.”
### Angela Stribling, who rose to fame on BET, as well as through her work in area broadcasting, dies at 58
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/angela-stribling-who-rose-to-fame-on-bet-as-well-as-through-her-work-in-area-broadcasting-dies-at-58/
Last updated: 2026-09-28T16:08:47.000Z
[**Angela Stribling**](https://www.facebook.com/angelastribling/directory%5Fpersonal%5Fdetails)**, a pioneering Black Entertainment Television (BET) personality and popular radio host, has died.** She was 58, reports [People](https://people.com/angela-stribling-dead-bet-personality-radio-host-dies-at-58-12143641?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). Stribling rose to fame on BET, as well as through her work with WHUR, WJLA-TV and WJZ-TV.

Stribling was a familiar voice and face to audiences across the Washington region for decades, most recently at Howard University’s urban adult contemporary commercial FM radio station WHUR, states Inside Radio.

**Ed Gordon**, a journalist who worked with BET for more than four decades, announced the news of Stribling’s death in a [Facebook post](https://www.facebook.com/edgordonmedia/posts/its-been-a-very-difficult-year-for-the-bet-family-weve-lost-a-number-of-people-a/1625640282351028/) on Sunday, Sept. 27.

“So very sad to hear Angela Stribling has passed away,” Gordon, 66, wrote. “We worked together and became friends during our years at the network and remained friends once we both moved on to other opportunities.”

“During our last conversation, she told me that she and her husband would be spending more time in D.C. after being out west for a number of years. My prayers and best go out to him and her other loved ones,” he continued. “She was a sweet soul, RIP.”

More recently, she hosted her own radio program, [*Pillow Talk with Angela*](https://whur.com/pillow-talk/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)*,* and has hosted a wide range of national awareness campaigns.

According to People, some notables Stribling has interviewed over the course of her career include Bill Clinton, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Janet Jackson, 50 Cent, Brandy and Sterling K. Brown, among others.

Per her LinkedIn page, Stribling’s voice is also heard on “many national TV and radio campaigns, including Mercedes-Benz of North America, Folgers Coffee and Allstate Insurance.”

In October 2025, she wrote on Facebook: “This past year was the most challenging I’ve experienced in my lifetime! On many levels! But, especially a surprising health challenge! Through the grace of God, I’ve survived it and ready to embrace all that He has in store for me!’

According to an online item, “the prominent Washington, D.C. media personality, radio host, and jazz vocalist”, passed away after a “courageous two-year battle with brain cancer.”
### Capitol Communicators: Profile of AJ Jones II, Executive Vice President, Chief Strategic and Corporate Communications Officer, Monumental Sports and Entertainment
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-aj-jones-ii-executive-vice-president-chief-strategic-and-corporate-communications-officer-monumental-sports-and-entertainment/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:23.000Z
***Capitol Communicators is a profile series spotlighting the people shaping*** 
***advertising, digital, marketing and public relations in the Mid-Atlantic.*** 
***This profile features AJ Jones II***

**AJ Jones II has led communications in the C-suites of some of our most iconic and well-known brands.** But communications didn’t always come easily to him. He had to triumph over stuttering as a young person. He says that made him very aware of words, how you use them, and how important it is to feel heard. His takeaway: don’t let your current circumstance put boundaries around what you can become.

That “can-do” attitude has guided a career that has taken him from Capitol Hill to C-Suites around the world. He came to Monumental in March 2025, after navigating multi-million dollar challenges for Starbucks, Vanda Pharmaceuticals, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Gilead Sciences. He held leadership roles at Burson and the Podesta Group. His work has taken him to Hong Kong, South Africa, the UK and UAE, among others. 

Now, he reports directly to Monumental founder and CEO **Ted Leonsis** and his portfolio includes all consumer, fan, employee, media and brand-experience communications and corporate marketing for Monumental’s global sports and entertainment empire, which includes the Capitals, Wizards and Mystics. 

Jones credits being curious, continuous learning, building trust and relationships, and getting a deep understanding of business to his success. He also values being part of the larger community, both in professional organizations, and volunteer activities close to his heart, such as Blue Star Families. 

Jones will be the keynote speaker at [the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit](https://marcomsummit.co/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), October 14th, at the Martin Luther King Library in DC. In this crazy, chaotic and consequential period of change for communicators, this should be a don’t-miss session. 

**Being EVP, Chief Strategic and Communications Officer for Monumental’s vast sports and entertainment empire is a huge job. Now that you are settled in, what surprised you about the role? What’s been the most rewarding part of it?** 

The scale and complexity are extraordinary. Sports touches people in a way very few businesses do. Our fans don’t simply consume our products — they have deep, emotional relationships with our teams. That changes how you think about communications and reputation.

Monumental is much more than a collection of sports teams. We have iconic teams, venues and a media network that comprise a truly differentiated platform that fuels our ability to meets our fans where they are—from seat to screen. 

We’re undertaking a massive transformation of Capital One Arena, thinking about the future of the industry how technology will reshape our industry. The reimagining of Capital One Arena is a bet on the enduring power of live sports. The more digital our lives become, the more valuable shared live experiences become. We like to think of sports as the antidote to AI.

The most rewarding part of the role is the people. There is an incredible amount of expertise and passion across this organization, and I get to work with people who care deeply about what they do and about the fans and communities we serve.

**Gotta ask. Ted Leonsis is a legend. What’s it like working with one of Forbes “greatest living self-made Americans”? Someone who is a global business leader, billionaire, and yet reportedly worries about fans’ feelings about ketchup dispensers and bathrooms at Capital One?** 

That combination actually tells you a lot about Ted. He can move seamlessly between a conversation about the future of sports, media and technology and a very specific conversation about something a fan experienced at the arena. He understands that the big vision only matters if you execute the details.

Ted is intensely curious. He asks questions, he challenges assumptions and he is always thinking about what comes next. But he also understands that sports is ultimately about people. A fan may not see the strategy deck or know about every investment we’re making, but they absolutely know whether they had a great experience when they walked through our doors.

His vision is ultimately what has brought us to the moment we are in. The Capitals, Wizards and Mystics are building for success, Capital One’s transformation for the next generation of fans will be completed next fall and Monumental has established itself as a driving force in making the nation’s capital a premier, global destinations for sports and entertainment. 

**You have worked in the C-Suites of some of the most well-known brands in our country. But a very diverse group of products and services – you’ve represented pharma, coffee, media, technology, fashion and now sport. What is the thread that weaves together this diversity? What is the chief skill you need to be in all these different “rooms where it happens”?**

The industries change, but the fundamentals don’t. Every organization has a reputation to protect, stakeholders it needs to understand and a story it needs to tell.

The most important skill is listening.

When you enter a new industry, you can’t assume that what worked somewhere else will work there. You have to learn the business, understand its culture, listen to the people who know it best and ask good questions. Then you can apply the experiences you’ve accumulated throughout your career.

I also think good communications executives need business judgment. Communications shouldn’t sit on the sidelines and simply explain decisions after they’ve been made. The best communications leaders understand the business well enough to have a voice in the decisions themselves and can demonstrate communications’ impact on the business’ objectives.

**What are the things you are most proud of?**

Professionally, I’m most proud of the teams I’ve helped build, the people I’ve had an opportunity to mentor and the organizations I’ve helped navigate important moments.

At Monumental, I’m particularly proud of the work underway to tell the story of a company that is transforming on so many fronts at once. We have incredible teams and properties, we’re transforming Capital One Arena, growing our media business and investing in the communities we call home. Bringing those pieces together into a larger story about where Monumental is going is enormously rewarding.

**You’re going to be the keynote speaker at the MidAtlantic MarCom Summit! Can you give us a sneak preview of the key message you want to convey?**

We are living through one of the most consequential periods of change marketing and communications professions have experienced.

AI is changing how content is created and consumed. Traditional media is changing. Everyone has a publishing platform in their pocket. Information travels instantaneously, and organizations are operating in an environment where trust is increasingly difficult to earn and incredibly easy to lose.

That makes marketing and communications more important, not less.

The opportunity for our profession is to move beyond being viewed primarily as the people who produce marketing materials and communications and establish ourselves as strategic counselors who understand business, reputation, culture and stakeholders. Technology can make us faster and more efficient. But judgment, relationships, empathy, creativity and trust are going to become even more valuable.

**What are the most significant changes or trends you see in the communications industry? How are you dealing with them?**

The biggest change is that communications has become more fragmented, faster and more direct. There is no longer one channel or one audience that shapes the conversation. Employees, fans, customers, media and other stakeholders are all consuming information differently — and increasingly expect to hear directly from organizations and their leaders.

At the same time, AI is fundamentally changing both how content is created and how people discover and consume information. That creates enormous opportunities for communicators, but it also makes trust, authenticity and judgment more important than ever.

For us, the response is to be much more integrated and intentional. We’re investing in our owned channels, building the voices of our leaders, using data and technology to better understand our audiences, and making sure communications is connected to the business and involved early in decision-making. We’re also embracing AI as a tool to make our teams smarter and more efficient, while recognizing that the things technology can’t replicate — relationships, judgment, credibility and a real understanding of your stakeholders — are becoming even more valuable.

**You’ve talked about the fact that as a younger person, you had to deal with stuttering and stammering. What powered you to overcome this, and go on to become a chief spokesperson for Fortune 500 companies?**

It taught me perseverance at a very young age.

When communication doesn’t come easily, you become very aware of words — how you use them, how other people receive them and how important it is to feel heard. I think that experience ultimately made me a better listener and, ultimately, a better communicator.

I wouldn’t say there was a single moment when I “overcame” it. It was a process of building confidence, putting myself in situations that weren’t always comfortable and refusing to let something I struggled with determine what I could or couldn’t do.

There is a lesson in that which has stayed with me throughout my career: don’t let your current circumstances put boundaries around your ambitions.

**What do you see as the key factor in your success as a corporate executive?** 

Curiosity and adaptability.

I’ve worked across very different industries, and I’ve never walked into a new role assuming I already had all the answers. You have to be willing to learn quickly, surround yourself with people who know things you don’t and be comfortable asking questions.

I also believe strongly in relationships. Your credibility isn’t established during a crisis or a difficult decision. It’s built over time, through consistency, judgment and how you treat people.

**Who do you most admire and why?**First, my younger sister who had a traumatic brain injury when she was nine-months-old resulting from a car accident with a drunken driver when I was eight-years-old. Watching her navigate all of life’s struggles has taught me the importance of gratitude and grace. Second, my adult sons, who have come of age in the most unstable times our world has faced and yet stayed true to themselves, are thriving in their respective careers/vocations and have excelled in every way. Third, would be the late great **Dr. George A. Jackson** from Iowa State University. In short, I would not be who I am or where I am today without him. Finally, would be my grandparents, particularly on my father’s side. They molded me and sharpened me into who I am as a man, gave meaning to my life and understanding of this world far beyond my years.

**What advice helped you most in your career, and is that advice still relevant today?** 

Don’t be afraid to take the assignment that forces you out of your comfort zone.

Some of the biggest opportunities in my career have come from being willing to step into unfamiliar situations, learn something new or take on a challenge before I felt completely ready for it.

That advice may be even more relevant today. Careers are becoming less linear, industries are converging and technology is changing jobs incredibly quickly. Being comfortable with discomfort is a competitive advantage.

**Are you involved in any professional organizations and do you find them to be valuable? Why?** 

I’m a member of the Page Society and Forbes Communications Council, serve on various boards, and stay involved with a number of other professional and community organizations.

It is incredibly valuable to engage with other communications leaders who are navigating different industries, challenges and perspectives — and often wrestling with many of the same fundamental questions around reputation, trust, leadership and change.

I also serve on the board of Blue Star Families, which has particularly special meaning to me because my father served in the military. Supporting military families and giving back to a community that was part of my own family’s experience makes that work deeply personal.

And like most things, you get out of these organizations what you put into them. The real value comes from participating, building genuine relationships and being willing to both learn from and help others.

**What are the skills that are necessary to be successful?** 

To be truly effective, you need to understand the business. Communications can’t operate on the sidelines; you need to understand the organization’s priorities and challenges so you can be a strategic advisor and help drive the business forward.

I also think strong judgment is critical. Communications moves incredibly fast, and you need to be able to quickly understand an issue, anticipate how different audiences may respond and know when to engage — and sometimes when not to.

Relationships still matter enormously. The best communicators build trust — with colleagues, leaders, employees, media and other stakeholders. 

**What tools should we be using to be successful?** 

We need tools that help us listen better, move faster and make smarter decisions. That means strong media and social listening platforms to understand what people are saying and identify issues early; analytics that help us understand what is resonating and with whom; and AI tools that can accelerate research, analysis and content development.

But technology is only valuable if you know what you’re trying to accomplish with it. The goal isn’t to adopt every new platform — it’s to use technology to give our teams better information, create efficiencies and free up more time for the work that requires human judgment, creativity and relationships.

**What professional advice do you have for others?**

Stay curious and never stop learning. The communications profession changes constantly, and the people who succeed are the ones who are willing to evolve, ask questions and get outside of their comfort zones.

I’d also encourage people to learn the business, not just communications. Understand how your organization operates, how it makes decisions and what matters to the people you’re advising. That’s how you earn a seat at the table and become a trusted counselor rather than simply the person brought in to communicate a decision after it has been made.

And invest in relationships. Your network, your reputation and the trust you build over time will ultimately be some of the most valuable assets you have in your career.

**What keeps you up at night? And what brings you joy during the day?** 

What keeps me up at night is the speed at which everything moves. In communications, an issue can emerge and change incredibly quickly, so I’m always thinking about what might be around the corner, whether we’re prepared and whether we’re doing enough to protect and strengthen the reputation of the organization.

What brings me joy is the people. I love seeing our teams succeed, watching someone take on a new challenge and grow, and working alongside talented people who care deeply about what they do. And in sports, we have the added benefit of seeing the impact of our work firsthand — whether it’s a great moment for a fan, a packed arena or something we’re doing in the community. Those moments are a great reminder of why the work matters.

**What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done?** 

Unexpectedly delivered my youngest son while at home as my wife went into labor before the EMS team arrived. Yeah, that was amazing as both of my sons were born on the same day five years apart, May 16th. 

**Check out other Capitol Communicators** [**profiles.** ](https://capitolcommunicator.com/tag/profiles/)  
**These profiles allow you to meet some of the most interesting and insightful pros** 
**in our region, and learn how they stay ahead during a time of constant change.**
### Karen Finney to Keynote WWPR’s 37th Woman of the Year Celebration and Join Ashley Allison for Fireside Chat
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/karen-finney-to-keynote-wwprs-37th-woman-of-the-year-celebration-and-join-ashley-allison-for-fireside-chat/
Last updated: 2026-10-02T12:03:47.000Z
**CNN political commentator and veteran communications strategist Karen Finney** will be the keynote speaker at the Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) 37th Woman of the Year celebration, Friday, October 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at The Potomac Hotel, Autograph Collection (formerly Salamander DC). Finney will address leadership, influence, and communicating with credibility in a changing media landscape.

Finney is a political commentator for CNN and co-host of *The Prep Session with Maria Cardona and Karen Finney*, a podcast examining the intersection of politics, media, culture, and strategy. She previously hosted *Disrupt with Karen Finney* on MSNBC and *Represent Our Voice* on TV One. Her commentary and writing have appeared in The Washington Post, TIME, CNN Opinion, The Daily Beast, and U.S. News & World Report.

Her career spans politics, government, corporate leadership, education, and advocacy. She was the first African American Communications Director and spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee, and later served as senior adviser and senior spokesperson for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. Earlier in her career, she served as Deputy Press Secretary to First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, Press Secretary for Clinton’s 2000 U.S. Senate campaign, and Deputy Director of Presidential Scheduling for President Bill Clinton. Beyond politics, Finney served as Chief of Staff to the CEO of Scholastic Inc., and as Communications Director and Chief Spokesperson for the New York City Board of Education, including in the aftermath of September 11.

Today, Finney advises candidates, elected officials, nonprofits, corporations, foundations, and mission-driven leaders on strategic communications, crisis management, executive positioning, and public affairs. She also contributed to the successful campaign that helped secure WNBA star Brittney Griner’s release from Russian detention. Finney is Co-Founder and Co-Chair of One Million Black Voters Rising, Co-Convener of the Black Women’s Leadership Collective, and serves on the boards of End Citizens United, Power Rising, and UltraViolet.

Following the keynote, Finney will join Ashley Allison, publisher of [The Root](https://www.theroot.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and founder and CEO of Watering Hole Media, for “Closing the Trust Gap.” Their fireside chat will explore independent journalism, disinformation, and how media and communications leaders can build trust with fragmented audiences. The conversation is part of this year’s theme, “The Trust Gap: Leadership, Influence, and Truth in a Fragmented World.”

At WWPR’s 37th Woman of the Year celebration, October 23, WWPR will honor three finalists and announce the 2026 Woman of the Year. Learn more about the finalists and event at [wwpr.org/events/woman-of-the-year-award-celebration](https://wwpr.org/events/woman-of-the-year-award-celebration/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).
### The Trusted Advisor Initiative: The Counselor’s Prime Directive
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/copy-2/
Last updated: 2026-10-03T13:30:17.000Z
**What does it really take to become someone a CEO or senior leader trusts for advice?**

That’s the question at the heart of [The Trusted Advisor Initiative](https://www.commpro.biz/news/introducing-the-trusted-advisor-initiative?rq=THE%20TABLE%20IS%20A%20MYTH&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) on CommPRO.

Over the next several months, we’re sharing ideas and insights from **Helio Fred Garcia, James E. Lukaszewski** and **Katie Garcia** about leadership, trust, influence and what it really means to become a trusted strategic advisor.

We began with the idea that “the table” is a myth. In this second excerpt from [*Influencing Leaders: The Seven Disciplines of the Trusted Strategic Advisor*](https://www.amazon.com/Influencing-Leaders-James-Lukaszewski/dp/1394432283?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Jim Lukaszewski and Fred Garcia turn to the advice itself: what leaders need from their counselors, how they measure the value of that advice and the commitment required of those they trust.

James E. Lukaszewski, America’s Crisis Guru®, and Helio Fred Garcia are co-authors of *Influencing Leaders: The Seven Disciplines of the Trusted Strategic Advisor*, which was released in August 2026\. (Wiley)

#### **Excerpt from *Influencing Leaders***

#### **The Counselor’s Prime Directive**

Having been advisors virtually our entire careers, we have to confess our ongoing admiration for those at the top of the pyramid. Real leaders listen, hear, seek out many voices, and then, from that huge menu of ideas and concepts, they extract key insights or inspirations that will move an organization into the future. This is a crucial and amazing capacity of leadership. Few consultants and advisors have either this skill or temperament.

After watching thousands of consultants and advisors at work, it strikes us that very few actually have the capacity to lead because very few are willing to readily accept the ideas of others or include them in what they are trying to accomplish. This acceptance and willingness to seek advice and inclusion is one genius of leadership. It is about the leader’s ability to sift, to sort, to distill, to stratify, and to prioritize the ingredients of the future and then combine certain ingredients to fuel progress.

The trusted advisor has to be aware that whining, negativity, and competition for the boss’s attention often block the advisor’s ability to influence key strategic decisions. These staff behaviors are among the most irritating, relationship-corroding events between advisors and leaders.

Another relationship-corroding phenomenon is resistance to the presence of an outside advisor. For example, when Fred arrives to advise senior leaders, staff often feel threatened and fear that he is there to displace them and their relationship with their bosses. But pretty quickly they learn that they can truly value his presence.

Sometimes Fred even says to them in private, “I want to help you do your job, and help you build your relationship with your boss. My role is to help the boss, and those who advise the boss, including you, to be more successful.”

Many are initially skeptical. But when they see Fred living true to this promise, they tend to embrace his presence.

Seeing things from the boss’s perspective means welcoming advice, even if that advice comes from someone else or a competing interest. You understand why the boss needs to have it.

There are five useful types of effective advice:

– Practical advice means just that—tasks that are achievable, positive in nature, and that employees and even critics can endorse to some degree. Pragmatic advice recognizes that only certain outcomes are possible, that no matter how spiffy, creative, or exciting your ideas might be, those affected by the advice as well as those acting on the advice will look at it from the perspective of whether it can actually work in their real world.

– Purposeful advice has self-evident forward focus and positive momentum. Counselors and consultants are strategic operational assets. When activated, strategic assets are fundamentally positive and energize the organization and its constituencies.

– Focused advice means just that, advice that is understandable, shows the way, helps the client or customer think and act in the future tense, and works toward a few (or one) important goals everyone recognizes.

– Fair advice means that which is politically acceptable (as opposed to factually correct) and politically useful (as opposed to manipulative or politically disruptive).

– Ethical advice, which includes:

- Finding the truth as soon as possible.
- Raising tough questions promptly.
- Teaching by emphasizing wrong way/right way options for vocalized core business values and ideals constantly.
- Walking the talk; being accessible.
- Helping, expecting, and enforcing ethical leadership.
- Preserving, protecting, defending, and fostering ethical pathways to the top of the organization.
- Being a cheerleader, model, and teacher of ethical behavior.
- Making values at least equal to profits or personal gain.
- Valuing everyone and being respectful.

There are lots of distractions in consulting, and many clients have great difficulties, problems, shortcomings, and blind spots. The consultant’s obligation is to identify and provide candid, constructive advice that fills those deficiencies, strengthens the shortcomings, and reduces blind spots while stabilizing or moving the organization toward tomorrow.

***How the Boss Measures Advice***

Those strategic few who spend a fair amount of time talking with, working with, and counseling CEOs, senior leaders, and other operating executives, quickly learn the strategic expectations of bosses. They understand that the leader values only advice that has a positive impact on the organization.

Before offering ideas, concepts, and recommendations to the senior leaders, ask yourself these five questions:

- Does it help the boss achieve their objectives and goals?
- Does it help the organization achieve its goals?
- If the answers to numbers one and two are “yes,” is the project truly needed?
- What aspect of the business will fail or fail to progress if your recommendation is ignored or delayed?
- How does this suggestion save money, make money, or conserve money?

If you can keep your focus on these critical questions, your advice will be relevant. This approach puts you squarely in the CEO’s shoes, looking at his/her tasks, challenges, and loneliness from a management perspective.

***The Counselor’s Commitment***

The chances are you will be sought after, respected, and have important influence on what the CEO does, what the organization does, and the success the organization achieves if you live by the principles of The Counselor’s Commitment.

Those who successfully serve others have a work attitude that says:

- When I am here, working for you is number one.
- I plan to be here a lot and, if necessary, available the rest of the time as well.
- I am committed to extensive independent reading, discussion, issue sensitivity, and personal learning that is of value to those I coach and counsel.
- I will take the initiative to help those I coach and counsel move in useful new directions and rely far more on foresight than hindsight.
- I recognize that going even a small extra distance will be the difference between mundane and magnificent results. Extra effort, extra sensitivity, and extra focus is what makes the difference from the client’s perspective.

**This article was originally published by CommPRO and is reprinted here with permission. Read the original article here: https://www.commpro.biz/ news/the-trusted-advisor-initiative-the-counselors-prime-directive**
### Region’s “must-attend” marketing, advertising and communications summit announces speakers and agenda
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/regions-must-attend-marketing-advertising-and-communications-announces-speakers-and-agenda/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:24.000Z
**The Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, the region’s largest marketing, advertising and communications event,** is set for October 14 at the MLK Library Conference Center in Washington, D.C. The full-day summit features dozens of case studies, keynotes and presentations on the most important issues facing MarCom professionals in 2026 and beyond, plus networking opportunities. The first round of [**speakers**](https://marcomsummit.co/speaker-with-carousel/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) have been announced, plus the [**agenda**](https://marcomsummit.co/2026agenda/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The event is the most respected marketing, advertising and communications conference in the Mid-Atlantic region and brings together 400+ advertising, marketing, public relations and media professionals.

Now in its 15th year, the annual summit has become “the must-attend marketing and digital event for the region and beyond,” stated **Paul Duning**, publisher of Capitol Communicator and one of the event’s organizers.

“Given all the on-going challenges facing communicators today, attending the summit this year is more important than ever,” added Duning,

Summit attendees include CMOs, CCOs, senior marketers, communicators, agency professionals, service providers, media professionals and technology executives.

In addition, ADWKDC, an annual advertising, marketing, and communications conference hosted by American Advertising Federation DC Chapter (AAF DC), is included in the summit.

The Mid-Atlantic Marketing Summit) is co-produced by [Capitol Communicator ](https://capitolcommunicator.com/)and [Potomac Tech Wire](https://www.potomactechwire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The full summit website is here: [https://marcomsummit.co/](https://marcomsummit.co/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### Converse releases ads that “should not have happened”
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/converse-releases-ads-that-should-not-have-happened/
Last updated: 2026-09-22T18:20:41.000Z
**It’s the summer of the** [**big brand apology**](https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/2-weeks-4-brand-apologies-will-any-of-them-make-a-difference/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, and Converse just had its turn at the wheel,** reports [ADWEEK](https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/converse-roils-social-media-with-ads-that-evoke-a-lynching/?utm%5Fsource=Iterable&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=campaign%5F19963954%5FADWEEK%5FDaily%5F260921&lctg=f16e3826-0f26-4268-97fd-b81e42e1a1e6).

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/Converse-ad.-copy-214x300.jpg)

The Nike-owned brand stirred up some social media users with a pair of ads they said recalled Klan imagery.

The first ad, states ADWEEK, “raised ire after it was posted on Converse’s [Threads account](https://www.threads.com/@converse/post/Dc01PlzgEIM?xmt=AQG03sTwt5fFdYqrFXb-do3-AmpbCwpucEm-Ea9RfqAdtIMjpGNVoerlfRgVwNw3pcJ2HwW7&slof=1&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) on Sept. 3 showcasing its recently-released Chuck 70 X sneaker. The creative featured Converse’s new global ambassador, Karina from the Kpop group aespa—currently on a world tour.

“Karina stands in a spotlight shaped like Converse’s famous star, one point highlighting a bright white triangle on her skirt, such that some social media users see the outline of a Klansman’s hood. Additionally, Karina’s long skirt, coupled with the shoes dangling from her hands, evoke for some the image of a Klansman standing next to the victim of a lynching.

The brand apologized in a statement first reported by Women’s Wear Daily, and sent to ADWEEK: “We’re sorry. We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong. We removed it from our channels and are working to remove it everywhere it appeared. This should not have happened, and we will do better.”
### Brad Bell retires after 35 years with ABC7/WJLA
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/brad-bell-to-retire-after-35-years-with-abc7-wjla/
Last updated: 2026-09-22T18:43:31.000Z
**Brad Bell, Maryland Bureau Chief for ABC7/WJLA, will retire** after 35 years with the station, reports [DCRTV](https://dcrtv.com/after-35-years-brad-bell-retiring-from-wjla/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

According to DCRTV, “Bell joined WJLA in 1991 and has spent decades covering Maryland for Channel 7.Before joining WJLA, Bell spent five years at WMAR, where he worked as a general assignment and State House reporter.

“Earlier stops included Maryland Public Television and Independent Network News in Washington. Bell is a graduate of the University of Maryland.”

Bell has received more than a dozen Emmy Awards for a variety of stories, including breaking the story of Pfisteria contamination in Maryland waters. In addition, Bell was inducted into the National Academy of Television Art & Science Emmy’s Silver Circle. The Silver Circle recognizes professionals who have been in the industry for 25 years or more, and have made significant and impactful contributions to the television industry.

Friends and colleagues will celebrate Bell with a retirement party Thursday, September 24.

An invitation for the event sums up the longtime reporter’s next chapter: “Same great guy… just a new adventure!”
### Celebrating Gretchen Carswell: A Friend, a Force, a Wingman
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/celebrating-gretchen-carswell-a-friend-a-force-a-wingman/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:25.000Z
![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/Carswell.-copy-3.jpg)

**Evidence of a life well-lived is found in those who love you**. On September 17 at ad agency This January, friends, colleagues and loved ones gathered to celebrate **Gretchen Carswell,** [who passed away](https://capitolcommunicator.com/gretchen-carswell-immediate-past-president-of-aaf-dc-dies/) in July. It was an evening of memories, laughter and tears for someone who was, in the truest sense, a force for good.

So many of us were her friend not because we worked together, but because Gretchen decided we were hers to look out for.

The celebration paid tribute to the relationships and causes she nurtured over decades. Photographs of Gretchen with her many adoring friends dotted the venue.

For many of us the night felt like a homecoming, a chance to honor our dear friend and reconnect with one another. The advertising industry has a way of bonding people through its trials, tribulations and celebrations, and Thursday showed it.

Host **Jodie Spalding** was joined by **Hal Schild** and **Louise Mendoza-Salas,** who shared touching stories of their escapades with Gretchen, and many others in the room followed with stories of their own.

The evening closed with a memorable video produced by Hal that captured Gretchen’s humor, creativity and impish smile. Heart-warming and heartbreaking in equal measure, the gathering had us all recalling our own time with her. It also reminded us how important it is to spend time with those we love now.

Don’t wait. Life is fragile, but true friendships endure.

PHOTO: Some attendees at event for Gretchen, which included alums from MDB+ where she worked for a number of years, left to right: Andre Rolle, Kelsey Daddio Affe, Jodie Spaulding, Carole Reuschle, Cary Hatch (author of this post), Evan Levent, Katie McNally, Cady Burns, Gary Duke and Seth Niman.
### Stop Defending Your Loyalty Program. Start Proving It.
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/stop-defending-your-loyalty-program-start-proving-it-copy/
Last updated: 2026-09-21T14:22:23.000Z
**By** [**Andy Locke**](https://www.responselabs.com/insights/author/andy-locke?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

#### **Key Takeaways**

- **Most loyalty programs already work, but they were never set up to prove it,** **usually because measurement got deferred to hit a launch date.**
- **Build the program as a laboratory rather than a lever, so it tells you when pulling the discount lever is the right move.**
- **Speed is infrastructure, not personality: test and control, durable naming conventions, and a clean line from program activity to sales.**
- **Only 10-20% of a subscriber list is genuinely loyal and just 5-10% are champions, and a 5% lift among top customers moves the bottom line most.**
- **A national fast casual brand needed six figures in incremental sales in one month, and after two months of testing offers, messaging, and segments, the lift held after the campaign ended.**

**I spent an hour with** [**Loyalty360**](https://loyalty360.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **recently for one of their Loyalty University sessions,** and I wanted to put some of it down here. I sum up a conversation most loyalty and CRM professionals are already having with themselves, just quietly.

Here’s what I’ve noticed in 20+ years of doing this: Almost everyone running a loyalty program already knows that it works, because you can feel it in the repeat visits and in the customers who keep showing up even when they have every reason not to. But knowing that it works and being able to prove that it works are two very different jobs, and most of us end up spending far more time on the first one, defending the program, than we ever do on the second.

So why does that happen? In my experience it’s almost always because a corner got cut somewhere along the way, and not out of laziness, and almost never because someone didn’t care. A campaign had to go out the door, or a launch had a date attached to it, and measurement quietly turned into something we’d figure out later. I’ve walked into a lot of client situations where later had finally arrived, the budget meeting was already on the calendar, and there simply wasn’t an answer to give. The program had been working the whole time. Nobody had set it up to prove that it was.

That’s really the whole thing in a single sentence: the program didn’t fail, the foundation to prove its worth was just the piece that got skipped.

### **Build it to learn, not to send**

A lot of programs quietly turn into machines that only send things out, where the goal becomes getting the campaign delivered, hitting this week’s number, and making sure it looks good creatively. Nobody ever decides that on purpose and it isn’t a knock on anyone. It’s just what tends to happen when there’s no muscle built into the program for learning from what’s actually going on inside it.

The framing I use with clients is that your program should be a laboratory rather than a lever. A lever only pulls, and in most cases it pulls toward a discount, while a laboratory tells you when pulling that lever is the right move and when it isn’t. You still get to send offers, you just get to be right about who receives them and when.

### **Speed is something you build**

People tend to talk about speed as though it were a personality trait, as if some teams are simply faster than others. I don’t buy into that theory. Speed is infrastructure. If you have test and control set up correctly, naming conventions that hold up over time, and a clean line running from your program activity back to sales, then you can move quickly because you planned to move quickly. If you don’t have those things in place, no amount of hustle is going to make up the difference, and you end up routing a single email through four rounds of approval over two weeks.

We also lean on AI wherever it genuinely accelerates the work, and we’re an AI-forward agency, but there is always a person reviewing the output before it matters. The moment you skip that oversight at the exact points where you’re trying to build proof, you put the entire reason you’re doing this at risk.

### **Segmentation that actually separates value**

If your goal is to prove your program’s worth, the first thing to stop doing is treating your entire subscriber list as one loyal audience. Anywhere from 10-20% are likely considered loyal, and only 5-10% would be considered “champions” of your brand. (A “champion” being a customer that frequents and spends the most, and likely needs no incentive to use your product or service.)

Your dormant and lapsed customers still matter, but they aren’t where you’re going to make your case. Your active, casual customers are your largest group, and they’re also your best source for finding people who resemble your top customers. Your actual top customers are the smallest slice of the file, and that’s where the real leverage sits, because a 5% lift among that group does something meaningful to the bottom line in a way that the same lift somewhere else simply doesn’t.

From there, it’s worth pushing past the obvious signals. Everyone has subscribes, purchases, and comebacks, but the more interesting information usually sits a layer deeper, in what someone actually buys, what time of day they buy it, and the small bits of texture that tell you who your real champions are so that you can go find more people like them.

### **It has to connect to sales**

You can talk about your open rates and your beautiful creative all day long, but if you can’t connect any of it back to dollars, you’re going to lose the budget fight, and that’s just how it goes. So the mindset I try to instill in clients isn’t “how do I defend this program,” it’s “how do I prove this program.”

### **The proof: a national fast casual brand**

We worked with a [national fast casual brand](https://www.responselabs.com/work/blaze-pizza?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) that needed six figures in incremental sales inside a single month, which was a number that honestly felt out of this world when we first heard it. They had a small team, participation in the program was low, and the program itself hadn’t been built to learn anything.

We spent the first two months doing nothing but testing offers, messaging, and segments they hadn’t even considered, and then it scaled. Participation went up, sales followed, and the part nobody expected was that it held after the campaign ended. When the lift eventually did start to dip, we reran it and it came right back.

That’s what a program built to prove itself looks like in motion.

### **This works at any size**

I hear the same three objections constantly, which are that the audience is too big, that it’s too small, or that customers don’t engage enough. None of those things change the need for the structure underneath, they only change the shape it takes. If your audience is small, run fewer and bigger tests. If your program is new, build the data model before you launch rather than after. If engagement is low, start with something modest like tracking who’s adding to cart, and build out from there. You genuinely don’t need five million people in order to start proving something real.

### **Ten questions to take back to your team**

I closed the session with ten questions, two each across five areas: Build, Speed, Aim, Sales, and Compound. Here they are.

**Build**

1. Could two people on your team build the exact same audience from the exact same brief?
2. On your next campaign, will test and control be defined before the creative is?

**Speed**

1. Could you pull last quarter’s lift today, without asking anyone for it?
2. How many approvals does one email need, and how many of them actually change anything?

**Aim**

1. Can you name your top 10% of customers and say what separates them from everyone else?
2. When was the last time you retired a segment instead of adding one?

**Sales**

1. Can you tie last month’s program activity to a dollar figure your CFO would accept?
2. Do you know what a member is worth versus a non-member, accounting for the fact that your better customers were always going to join anyway?

**Compound**

1. When a test wins, is there an actual plan to scale it, or does it just end?
2. Could someone on your team find the results of a test you ran a year ago?

Every “no” on that list is probably a corner that got cut somewhere, and that isn’t a judgment on anyone. It’s just useful information.

Passion is what got most of us into this work in the first place, but passion doesn’t run a budget meeting and proof does. If you build your program to prove itself from day one, you’ll spend a lot less time defending it and a lot more time growing it.

**Thanks to Loyalty360 for having me. If any of this hit close to home, I’d like to hear about it, so** [**reach out and let’s talk**](https://www.responselabs.com/contact?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **through where your program stands.**

**This article was originally published by Response Labs and is reprinted here with permission.** **Read the original article here: https://www.responselabs.com/insights/ stop-defending-your-loyalty-program-start-proving-it**
### Politico “finally” launches second subscription, states ADWEEK
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/politico-finally-launches-second-subscription-states-adweek/
Last updated: 2026-09-23T19:54:21.000Z
**Politico is expanding beyond its long-running Pro subscription business,** launching a new technology policy franchise called Decoded, according to chief executive **Goli Sheikholeslami.**

The daily briefing, states [ADWEEK](https://www.adweek.com/media/politico-launches-decoder-subscription/?lctg=49fb817b-ccfd-4cec-9099-964f2ddfd18d&ref=capitolcommunicator.com), “will debut as a newsletter on Oct. 5 with an accompanying podcast, will draw on reporting from nearly 50 journalists across the globe, including bureaus in Washington, D.C., Sacramento, London, and Brussels.

“The newsletter will be free to Pro subscribers and offer a preview period for other readers, but it and the podcast will go behind a paywall in the first quarter of 2027, according to **Chris Cadelago**, who will lead the team in his new role as executive editor for global technology and California.”

Decoded, states Politico, will help you understand “what matters and what to watch next.”
### SDI Chairman Susan Ann Davis Receives Honorary Doctorate
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/sdi-chairman-susan-ann-davis-receives-honorary-doctorate/
Last updated: 2026-09-18T19:55:06.000Z
Susan Ann Davis, Founder and Chairman of Susan Davis International, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Ulster University, a top-tier public research university in Northern Ireland. Conferred by Vice-Chancellor Professor **Paul Bartholomew**, this prestigious distinction, states the agency, “recognizes her exceptional, decades-long contributions to global business, women’s leadership, and her enduring diplomatic commitment to driving peace and economic prosperity in Northern Ireland.”

Davis said that “receiving this honorary doctorate from Ulster University is a profound milestone, and I am deeply grateful to the University Senate and Council for this recognition. Northern Ireland and its inspiring people have occupied a very special place in my life and career for nearly three decades.

“Whether working to safeguard the Good Friday Agreement, building trilateral innovation through the U.S.-Ireland R&D Partnership, or opening doors for women entrepreneurs globally, my career has been anchored in a single belief: extraordinary things can happen when you bring people together across borders and communities. I share this honor with our remarkable team at Susan Davis International and our partners worldwide who help turn that collaborative vision into a reality every day.”
### Four DC news outlets join to create ALL-DMV to cover high school sports
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/four-dc-news-outlets-join-together-to-create-all-dmv-to-cover-high-school-sports/
Last updated: 2026-09-19T11:46:59.000Z
**Three major DC news outlets that normally compete for audience are joining with the new Washington Sun** to cover high school sports, reports [DCRTV](https://dcrtv.com/wtop-nbc4-and-fox-5-join-washington-sun-in-sports-partnership/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

According to DCRTV, WTOP, NBC4 (WRC) and FOX 5 (WTTG) are partnering with the Sun on ALL-DMV, “a new initiative spotlighting high school athletes across the Washington area. **Julie Ziegler,** WTOP’s Director of News and Programming, says the collaboration will allow the outlets to tell athletes’ stories “across brands and on all media platforms.”

“Coverage begins with football, soccer, and volleyball at public and private schools in DC, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Arlington County, and Fairfax County. The partnership will feature Players of the Week along with stories about teams, coaches, and trends. The content will appear on the Washington Sun, FOX 5, FOX LOCAL, NBC4 television and streaming newscasts, and for radio listeners, WTOP.

“The collaboration is designed to help fill the gap created when **The Washington Post** eliminated its sports department in February, ending more than a century of high school sports coverage.”

Former Post high school sports editor **Michael Errigo** will lead **ALL-DMV**, and former Post reporter **Noah Ferguson** will lead the reporting.
### FTC takes “historic action” against multilevel marketing operator Amway for unfair and deceptive business practices, states FTC release
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/ftc-takes-historic-action-against-multilevel-marketing-operator-amway-for-unfair-and-deceptive-business-practices-states-ftc-release/
Last updated: 2026-09-18T15:10:55.000Z
**Amway Corp., one of the largest multilevel marketing companies in the U.S.**, and two of its affiliates—World Wide Group, L.L.C. (WWG) and Leadership Team Development Inc. (LTD)—will pay $225 million to resolve allegations from the Federal Trade Commission and the state of Washington that the companies use unfair and deceptive tactics to recruit members to its direct selling and multilevel marketing opportunity, states an FTC release.

The FTC release also states the following:

The monetary relief to be paid by Amway and its affiliates under the proposed order marks the largest monetary recovery obtained in an FTC action against a multilevel marketing company, nearly all of which will be used as redress to consumers harmed by Amway and its affiliates’ allegedly deceptive tactics.

Amway offers a moneymaking opportunity that it claims gives individuals, referred to as Independent Business Owners (IBOs), the chance to own and operate their own business selling a variety of consumer products, ranging from nutritional supplements to energy drinks to health and beauty products. In their [complaint](https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC-2BNu1-2BdeguRUrratMklgTjwfw-2FzXnoDF9eGVPMTRZtKvjyMK8pF6rIFO5ItF4kQFCb080g9Ur1I-2BIXuDDndtKE0-3DWrwo%5Fd26Eb7EIAowZIc2fLDWWgyuKsMrWvPyHMJuM-2FMjXPMP8j4d-2BCmqs-2BtgnwZZAEgFjZJlxOIv38UxwAhyzf1jFhYM0FHdD9zD5FpPy8mb2I-2FpB0QAYKspr3Pk22UxpLWShunC5Hxj-2Fzct0JoZaWr7nUnDgEDFzLfAi-2F5K-2BSs4ZajV-2FrlBBHG6RQN0S9iFnkqTBw-2FedXfyTjfohS05vi-2BP4-2B6W0Ty-2BmYdIrajLVUXEp76wBDAZzPCmlZcPDKhobMRJmSO-2FTmlHQSuoQo2Izde1uOGJ2bl3W8NvE3KHvPywZqPVBXgpFcFcTKG1312tosPZJh-2BJ5vnbwZWm-2F765IFqXpDEtwTOmjXycjOx4o-2FoCEuSk-3D&ref=capitolcommunicator.com), the FTC and Washington allege that Amway and two of its affiliates, WWG and LTD, use a variety of deceptive and unfair tactics, including misrepresentations about likely earnings, to incentivize and pressure IBOs to buy Amway products they don’t want and that end up being difficult to sell.

The complaint also alleges that Amway and its affiliates deceptively instruct IBOs to falsely report selling products that they, in fact, did not sell, to create the appearance that the Amway opportunity revolves around selling products rather than attempting to recruit new IBOs to purchase Amway products.

“Amway and its affiliates misled prospective workers with false earnings claims and then pressured them to buy Amway products they were unlikely to be able to sell,” said Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Today’s action makes clear that the FTC will not tolerate any company deceiving workers—whether through deceptive earnings claims or by promoting reports of false sales to make direct selling or multilevel marketing opportunities look appealing to consumers.”

WWG and LTD are two of Amway’s largest “approved provider” groups that recruit individuals to join Amway as IBOs. Both WWG and LTD sell training materials and services to IBOs that are allegedly marketed as being essential to becoming a successful Amway IBO. However, in these trainings, these groups instruct IBOs to buy a set amount of products each month regardless of whether the IBOs can resell them or want them for themselves and to focus their time on trying to recruit others to duplicate that behavior, according to the FTC and Washington’s joint complaint. As a result, according to the complaint, Amway, together with WWG and LTD, set up an unfair and unlawful system to pressure IBOs to purchase Amway products for reasons other than genuine demand for them.

The complaint also alleges that Amway, WWG and LTD deceive consumers in ways that make it difficult for IBOs to make informed decisions, including:

- Falsely telling IBOs that they are likely to earn substantial income, exceeding $40,000 a year, or that they are likely to earn income that will replace their full-time job or allow them to retire early, when most IBOs who joined WWG or LTD after 2020 spent more money on Amway products and training than they received from Amway
- Falsely telling IBOs that they are likely to recruit multiple IBOs into the business to help them succeed, when in fact most consumers who joined Amway and WWG or LTD did not recruit multiple participants
- Falsely telling IBOs that they are joining an exclusive opportunity in which they will get access to mentoring from highly successful leaders, when in fact the Amway opportunity is open to any prospective IBO who follows the instructions of their recruiter, and the “mentors” IBOs work with are typically not highly successful

The [proposed order](https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC-2BNu1-2BdeguRUrratMklgTjwfw-2FzXnoDF9eGVPMTRZtKvAwGs-2F7zefj6mwRx-2F-2F7184uLzn0EAELNlGgQ3Krwf0Ww-3DLtST%5Fd26Eb7EIAowZIc2fLDWWgyuKsMrWvPyHMJuM-2FMjXPMP8j4d-2BCmqs-2BtgnwZZAEgFjZJlxOIv38UxwAhyzf1jFhYM0FHdD9zD5FpPy8mb2I-2FpB0QAYKspr3Pk22UxpLWShunC5Hxj-2Fzct0JoZaWr7nUnDgEDFzLfAi-2F5K-2BSs4ZajV-2FrlBBHG6RQN0S9iFnkqTBw-2FedXfyTjfohS05vi-2BP4-2B2jeBaaZtaR8rFhGk4dA0ih-2BoYGEDeuaj1Utv3vwNzIrgEFrsVkgiUu58X2Fw-2BsAfCibtrOs0feG7K9LiUfmzevQLEfduNyLREm5aYkyVydRrq1oKn6hn-2F-2Fd2crNK81r64tIiRN7TPIhZZ3EE-2B8egMs-3D&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) settling the FTC and Washington’s allegations imposes a $225 million judgment, nearly all of which will go to IBOs recruited by WWG and LTD who lost money.

In addition, the proposed order requires Amway, WWG and LTD to change their practices, including as follows:

- IBOs will be **required** to sell to others at least 70% of the products they purchase from Amway each month.
- Recruiters will receive substantially reduced compensation if the IBOs they recruit buy products but do not resell them.
- IBOs will need to report all of their customer sales promptly, including the actual sales price, and Amway will send receipts to all of an IBO’s customers.
- Amway must terminate IBOs who fake sales or teach others to do so.
- Amway’s sales records will be audited regularly by an independent outside auditor.
- IBOs will be required to receive training on these rules and others prior to being allowed to recruit.
- Amway must require approved providers, including WWG and LTD, to not charge new IBOs for any training or services during their first year.

Information on the FTC’s redress program for this case will be provided at a later date. The Commission vote authorizing staff to file the complaint and stipulated final order was 2-0\. The FTC and the state of Washington filed the complaint and proposed final order in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.

**PHOTO: Amway**
### How AI is shaping your online reputation and credibility
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/how-ai-is-shaping-your-online-reputation-and-credibility/
Last updated: 2026-09-17T18:33:35.000Z
By [Issac Morgan](https://substack.com/@issac123?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**There’s a new sheriff in town when it comes to online reputation management** for professionals, and it’s probably not hard to guess.

Artificial intelligence.

AI has increasingly become a gatekeeper to professional reputation, meaning people’s expertise and credibility can be evaluated by machines based on information gathered from multiple sources, said **Erin Lanuti**, co-founder and CEO of [Lilypath](https://lilypath.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Amid the AI era, people aren’t just deciding the credibility about professionals based on Google search results, according to the Lilypath team.

They are asking AI systems questions such as who the leading experts are in a field, whether an executive is credible or which business they should consider hiring for different services.

“That means someone’s reputation may be interpreted before the researcher ever visits a company website, reads an executive biography, or opens a LinkedIn profile,” Lanuti said in an interview with [EIN Presswire](https://www.einpresswire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Lanuti and her team at Lilypath, a company that helps professionals understand and improve how AI systems interpret their expertise, have underscored this shift in how people research companies and executives.

“Compare this to the past, where research looked like typing a few keywords into Google, scanning a page of links, and forming your own opinion. Now AI has pushed people to ask complete questions: Who are the strongest experts in this field? Is this executive credible? Who is the best orthopedic surgeon near me?” Lanuti said.

For communications teams, that means paying attention not only to what appears in the news or Google search results, but also to how AI systems interpret and describe their clients in AI-generated responses, Lilypath suggests.

“Search was primarily about being found. AI-mediated research is about what the system concludes once it finds you,” Lanuti told EIN Presswire.

In response to the growing role of AI in professional research, Lilypath has developed a suite of products designed to show people how AI systems currently interpret their professional authority.

It’s called Authority Intelligence, which also tracks how those assessments change over time. Lilypath works “with people of all professions and career stages,” and offers a product aimed at college students, Lanuti said.

The technology analyzes information about professionals, including their LinkedIn profiles, and gives users a detailed report on how AI systems interpret their expertise.

A March 2026 [report](https://www.tryprofound.com/blog/linkedin-is-the-most-cited-domain-for-professional-queries-in-ai-search?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) from AI search company Profound found that LinkedIn was the most-cited domain for professional search queries on major AI search platforms, showing how LinkedIn content can factor into how AI understands professionals.

Lanuti, who previously served in a leadership role at Omnicom Public Relations Group, [launched](https://www.prweek.com/article/1949179/omnicom-alum-erin-lanuti-launches-authority-intelligence-platform-lilypath?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) Lilypath alongside co-founders Dan Nestle and Todd Grossman in early 2026.

The launch comes as concerns over how accurately AI represents professionals become more relevant, as people turn to AI to research candidates, assess credibility and consider their options in the hiring process.

In the interview, Lanuti goes into depth about how Lilypath’s products work and which platforms are influencing the way AI interprets your credibility and expertise.

She also talks about what communicators should be doing to ensure AI systems accurately represent their clients, starting with LinkedIn profiles.

*Editor’s note: This interview has been slightly edited for length, clarity and brevity.*

**Q: How has reputation management changed over the years? And on that note, what exactly are “AI gatekeepers?”**

A: Reputation management has evolved in layers. It began with influencing journalists, editors, and other human gatekeepers. Search then added the need to manage rankings, reviews, and the first page of results. And social media then made reputation continuous and participatory.

AI adds another layer to reputation management in synthesis of information.

“AI gatekeepers” is shorthand for the systems that retrieve information, select which sources appear relevant, and turn those sources into an answer, comparison, or recommendation. They are not human decision-makers, and they do not all behave alike. But they can influence which people and companies enter someone’s consideration set.

The new risk is not limited to negative coverage. It can be silent omission, mistaken identity, outdated information, or an accomplished person being described so generically that their real expertise disappears.

It can also drift. An answer that is accurate today may change as models, sources, and retrieval systems change. That’s why Authority 360 monitors answers weekly and Authority Graph measures them repeatedly over time. Reputation can no longer be treated as a one-time repair.

**Q: Can you explain in layman’s terms how Lilypath’s technology, Authority Intelligence, actually works for professionals? And do you work with people in various professions?**

A: Authority Intelligence is a way to measure and improve how AI describes a person and their expertise.

Imagine AI is writing a school report about you using clues it finds online—your LinkedIn page, website, articles, interviews, and other sources. Sometimes it gets the story right. Sometimes it misses important facts, mixes you up with someone else, or doesn’t mention you at all.

Lilypath checks that “report,” compares it with the truth, and shows you:

- What AI thinks you know
- What it got wrong or left out
- Where it found its information
- What you can change to make the story more accurate
- Whether the answers improve or change over time

In simple terms: Authority Intelligence helps make sure AI gives people the right story about who you are and what you’re good at.

Our suite of solutions work with people of all professions and career stages, and Blueprints work with college students through C-Suite executives.

- **Authority 360** is designed for individual professionals, founders, and executives. It combines two LinkedIn Blueprint rebuilds each year with Progress Checks and a weekly AI Pulse across ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude.
- **Authority Graph** is our enterprise and agency platform. It analyzes ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity against a controlled Source of Truth, tracks changes over time, reveals the sources influencing the answers, and benchmarks people against relevant peers.
- **Authority Snapshot** is a free way to review a baseline score of your AI visibility on how AI engines currently describe and interpret your professional authority.

**Q: What specific platforms are having a major influence on the way AI systems interpret your credibility or expertise?**

A: There are two layers to consider: the AI platforms producing the answers and the public sources supplying the evidence.

On the answer side, ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, and Google’s AI search experiences are increasingly important. Because each system retrieves and interprets information differently, Authority Graph and AI Pulse examine multiple leading platforms rather than treating “AI” as one monolithic audience.

On the evidence side, across 30 professionals and about 30,000 citations we have consistently seen LinkedIn as the number one source, with YouTube as a close second. The analysis consists of a variety of professionals including titans of finance, politicians, physical therapy practitioners, consultants, etc.

Beyond the top two sources, we see company websites, credible media coverage, personal websites, bylined articles, professional associations, conference biographies, podcasts and transcripts, and reputable directories can all help corroborate the story.

The important thing to distinguish here is that there is no universal source hierarchy. It changes by model, question, freshness, and context. And the strongest position is a clear professional record supported consistently across several credible sources.

**Q: What does this shift in reputation management mean for communications professionals?**

A: Communications professionals are moving from managing messages to managing the evidence that machines use to interpret those messages.

Media coverage, executive profiles, bylined content, speaking appearances, and corporate websites still matter. In many ways, they matter more because they can become inputs into an AI-generated answer. But communications teams now need to determine whether those inputs form a clear, consistent, verifiable record.

That expands the mandate. Teams must monitor not only coverage, sentiment, and search position, but also whether a client appears in relevant AI answers, how their authority is framed, whether they are recommended, which sources receive credit, and where factual drift is emerging.

Authority Graph makes that work measurable across multiple executives and AI platforms. It gives agencies and enterprise teams a shared view of reputation risk, competitive position, citation ownership, and the specific corrections that deserve priority.

The next generation of reputation management protects two things at once: what people think about you and what machines can substantiate about you.

**Q: What should communications teams do right now to better understand how large language models represent their clients?**

A: Start with a controlled audit. Create 8-10 realistic questions that a journalist, prospective client, investor, recruiter, or partner might ask. Run the same questions across ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity, with web search enabled where available. Because answers can vary, test more than once and record the date, prompt, response, and cited sources.

Then look for five things: Does the client appear? Is the description accurate? Does the answer recognize their real expertise? Are they recommended or merely mentioned? Which competitors and sources appear instead?

Compare the findings with a verified Source of Truth. Correct the highest-value gaps first, beginning with foundational assets such as LinkedIn, the official biography, company leadership pages, and credible third-party coverage.

For one person, Authority 360 can automate much of that ongoing monitoring through its weekly AI Pulse. For agencies and organizations managing multiple leaders, Authority Graph creates a multi-engine system of record, benchmarks each person across five dimensions, and shows where intervention will have the greatest value.

Do not optimize around one strange answer. One response is an anecdote. Consistent patterns are intelligence.

**Q: Some have said there is a push to make sure AI tools are actually reading your content. How is doing that different from just managing your online reputation?**

A: I would challenge the premise slightly: no one can guarantee that an AI system will retrieve, use, or cite a particular piece of content.

Traditional online reputation management usually asks: What appears when someone searches my name, and is the overall impression positive or negative?

Authority Intelligence asks a different set of questions. Can the system identify you correctly? Does it understand your actual expertise? Can it verify your claims? Does it recommend you for the opportunities that fit your record? Which sources does it use to reach those conclusions?

That last question matters. Authority Graph includes deep citation intelligence that breaks citations down by five dimensions – Search Presence, Authority Framing, Drift, and Hallucination and then classifies each citation by its role e.g. Is it a Role Carrier, Displacer, etc.

Publishing more is not necessarily the solution. The information must be accessible, specific, consistent, and supported elsewhere. The goal is to make an accurate interpretation easier to retrieve and substantiate, not just produce a positive impression.

a new sheriff in town when it comes to online reputation management for professionals, and it’s probably not hard to guess.

Artificial intelligence.

AI has increasingly become a gatekeeper to professional reputation, meaning people’s expertise and credibility can be evaluated by machines based on information gathered from multiple sources, said Erin Lanuti, co-founder and CEO of [Lilypath](https://lilypath.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Amid the AI era, people aren’t just deciding the credibility about professionals based on Google search results, according to the Lilypath team.

They are asking AI systems questions such as who the leading experts are in a field, whether an executive is credible or which business they should consider hiring for different services.

“That means someone’s reputation may be interpreted before the researcher ever visits a company website, reads an executive biography, or opens a LinkedIn profile,” Lanuti said in an interview with [EIN Presswire](https://www.einpresswire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Lanuti and her team at Lilypath, a company that helps professionals understand and improve how AI systems interpret their expertise, have underscored this shift in how people research companies and executives.

“Compare this to the past, where research looked like typing a few keywords into Google, scanning a page of links, and forming your own opinion. Now AI has pushed people to ask complete questions: Who are the strongest experts in this field? Is this executive credible? Who is the best orthopedic surgeon near me?” Lanuti said.

For communications teams, that means paying attention not only to what appears in the news or Google search results, but also to how AI systems interpret and describe their clients in AI-generated responses, Lilypath suggests.

“Search was primarily about being found. AI-mediated research is about what the system concludes once it finds you,” Lanuti told EIN Presswire.

In response to the growing role of AI in professional research, Lilypath has developed a suite of products designed to show people how AI systems currently interpret their professional authority.

It’s called Authority Intelligence, which also tracks how those assessments change over time. Lilypath works “with people of all professions and career stages,” and offers a product aimed at college students, Lanuti said.

The technology analyzes information about professionals, including their LinkedIn profiles, and gives users a detailed report on how AI systems interpret their expertise.

A March 2026 [report](https://www.tryprofound.com/blog/linkedin-is-the-most-cited-domain-for-professional-queries-in-ai-search?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) from AI search company Profound found that LinkedIn was the most-cited domain for professional search queries on major AI search platforms, showing how LinkedIn content can factor into how AI understands professionals.

Lanuti, who previously served in a leadership role at Omnicom Public Relations Group, [launched](https://www.prweek.com/article/1949179/omnicom-alum-erin-lanuti-launches-authority-intelligence-platform-lilypath?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) Lilypath alongside co-founders Dan Nestle and Todd Grossman in early 2026.

The launch comes as concerns over how accurately AI represents professionals become more relevant, as people turn to AI to research candidates, assess credibility and consider their options in the hiring process.

In the interview, Lanuti goes into depth about how Lilypath’s products work and which platforms are influencing the way AI interprets your credibility and expertise.

She also talks about what communicators should be doing to ensure AI systems accurately represent their clients, starting with LinkedIn profiles.

*Editor’s note: This interview has been slightly edited for length, clarity and brevity.*

**Q: How has reputation management changed over the years? And on that note, what exactly are “AI gatekeepers?”**

A: Reputation management has evolved in layers. It began with influencing journalists, editors, and other human gatekeepers. Search then added the need to manage rankings, reviews, and the first page of results. And social media then made reputation continuous and participatory.

AI adds another layer to reputation management in synthesis of information.

“AI gatekeepers” is shorthand for the systems that retrieve information, select which sources appear relevant, and turn those sources into an answer, comparison, or recommendation. They are not human decision-makers, and they do not all behave alike. But they can influence which people and companies enter someone’s consideration set.

The new risk is not limited to negative coverage. It can be silent omission, mistaken identity, outdated information, or an accomplished person being described so generically that their real expertise disappears.

It can also drift. An answer that is accurate today may change as models, sources, and retrieval systems change. That’s why Authority 360 monitors answers weekly and Authority Graph measures them repeatedly over time. Reputation can no longer be treated as a one-time repair.

**Q: Can you explain in layman’s terms how Lilypath’s technology, Authority Intelligence, actually works for professionals? And do you work with people in various professions?**

A: Authority Intelligence is a way to measure and improve how AI describes a person and their expertise.

Imagine AI is writing a school report about you using clues it finds online—your LinkedIn page, website, articles, interviews, and other sources. Sometimes it gets the story right. Sometimes it misses important facts, mixes you up with someone else, or doesn’t mention you at all.

Lilypath checks that “report,” compares it with the truth, and shows you:

- What AI thinks you know
- What it got wrong or left out
- Where it found its information
- What you can change to make the story more accurate
- Whether the answers improve or change over time

In simple terms: Authority Intelligence helps make sure AI gives people the right story about who you are and what you’re good at.

Our suite of solutions work with people of all professions and career stages, and Blueprints work with college students through C-Suite executives.

- **Authority 360** is designed for individual professionals, founders, and executives. It combines two LinkedIn Blueprint rebuilds each year with Progress Checks and a weekly AI Pulse across ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude.
- **Authority Graph** is our enterprise and agency platform. It analyzes ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity against a controlled Source of Truth, tracks changes over time, reveals the sources influencing the answers, and benchmarks people against relevant peers.
- **Authority Snapshot** is a free way to review a baseline score of your AI visibility on how AI engines currently describe and interpret your professional authority.

**Q: What specific platforms are having a major influence on the way AI systems interpret your credibility or expertise?**

A: There are two layers to consider: the AI platforms producing the answers and the public sources supplying the evidence.

On the answer side, ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, and Google’s AI search experiences are increasingly important. Because each system retrieves and interprets information differently, Authority Graph and AI Pulse examine multiple leading platforms rather than treating “AI” as one monolithic audience.

On the evidence side, across 30 professionals and about 30,000 citations we have consistently seen LinkedIn as the number one source, with YouTube as a close second. The analysis consists of a variety of professionals including titans of finance, politicians, physical therapy practitioners, consultants, etc.

Beyond the top two sources, we see company websites, credible media coverage, personal websites, bylined articles, professional associations, conference biographies, podcasts and transcripts, and reputable directories can all help corroborate the story.

The important thing to distinguish here is that there is no universal source hierarchy. It changes by model, question, freshness, and context. And the strongest position is a clear professional record supported consistently across several credible sources.

**Q: What does this shift in reputation management mean for communications professionals?**

A: Communications professionals are moving from managing messages to managing the evidence that machines use to interpret those messages.

Media coverage, executive profiles, bylined content, speaking appearances, and corporate websites still matter. In many ways, they matter more because they can become inputs into an AI-generated answer. But communications teams now need to determine whether those inputs form a clear, consistent, verifiable record.

That expands the mandate. Teams must monitor not only coverage, sentiment, and search position, but also whether a client appears in relevant AI answers, how their authority is framed, whether they are recommended, which sources receive credit, and where factual drift is emerging.

Authority Graph makes that work measurable across multiple executives and AI platforms. It gives agencies and enterprise teams a shared view of reputation risk, competitive position, citation ownership, and the specific corrections that deserve priority.

The next generation of reputation management protects two things at once: what people think about you and what machines can substantiate about you.

**Q: What should communications teams do right now to better understand how large language models represent their clients?**

A: Start with a controlled audit. Create 8-10 realistic questions that a journalist, prospective client, investor, recruiter, or partner might ask. Run the same questions across ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity, with web search enabled where available. Because answers can vary, test more than once and record the date, prompt, response, and cited sources.

Then look for five things: Does the client appear? Is the description accurate? Does the answer recognize their real expertise? Are they recommended or merely mentioned? Which competitors and sources appear instead?

Compare the findings with a verified Source of Truth. Correct the highest-value gaps first, beginning with foundational assets such as LinkedIn, the official biography, company leadership pages, and credible third-party coverage.

For one person, Authority 360 can automate much of that ongoing monitoring through its weekly AI Pulse. For agencies and organizations managing multiple leaders, Authority Graph creates a multi-engine system of record, benchmarks each person across five dimensions, and shows where intervention will have the greatest value.

Do not optimize around one strange answer. One response is an anecdote. Consistent patterns are intelligence.

**Q: Some have said there is a push to make sure AI tools are actually reading your content. How is doing that different from just managing your online reputation?**

A: I would challenge the premise slightly: no one can guarantee that an AI system will retrieve, use, or cite a particular piece of content.

Traditional online reputation management usually asks: What appears when someone searches my name, and is the overall impression positive or negative?

Authority Intelligence asks a different set of questions. Can the system identify you correctly? Does it understand your actual expertise? Can it verify your claims? Does it recommend you for the opportunities that fit your record? Which sources does it use to reach those conclusions?

That last question matters. Authority Graph includes deep citation intelligence that breaks citations down by five dimensions – Search Presence, Authority Framing, Drift, and Hallucination and then classifies each citation by its role e.g. Is it a Role Carrier, Displacer, etc.

Publishing more is not necessarily the solution. The information must be accessible, specific, consistent, and supported elsewhere. The goal is to make an accurate interpretation easier to retrieve and substantiate, not just produce a positive impression.

**This article was originally published by EIN Presswire and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://substack.einpresswire.com/p/ai-is-shaping-credibility-before**
### OpenAI discloses six new instances in which AI systems hid mistakes
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/openai-discloses-six-new-instances-in-which-ai-systems-hid-mistakes/
Last updated: 2026-09-17T15:02:14.000Z
**OpenAI disclosed** [**six new instances**](https://openai.com/index/model-misalignment-reporting-framework/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **in which artificial intelligence systems hid mistakes,** made up data and moved files onto the open internet without permission, amid an ongoing industrywide debate about A.I. safety, reports [The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/16/technology/openai-model-safety-guardrails.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The San Francisco company, states The Times, “revealed what it said was the “unexpected or concerning” behavior of its A.I. models as part of a new framework for reporting “misalignment,” which is when the goals or actions of A.I. systems diverge from human intentions and values.

“OpenAI said it did not believe the industry “has solved alignment and monitoring to a sufficient degree to continue responsibly scaling at maximum speed for much longer.” Decisions about how A.I. should advance, the company said, must rest on evidence that people outside the labs building it “can examine for themselves.”

“The disclosures land amid intensifying scrutiny over whether A.I. development needs to be slowed to address the technology’s potential dangers. The escalating debate was driven partly by OpenAI’s systems going rogue earlier this year and [attacking the A.I. start-up](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/science/openai-huggingface-alarming-capabilities.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) Hugging Face. OpenAI was not aware of the hack until it was informed by Hugging Face weeks later.”
### Companies must keep powerful AI models under human control, states MediaPost
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/companies-must-keep-powerful-ai-models-under-human-control-states-mediapost/
Last updated: 2026-09-17T18:45:18.000Z
**Microsoft has unveiled a draft “Code of Conduct” focused on its in-house AI projects.** The move reflects a growing concern across industries that companies must keep powerful AI models under human control, reports [MediaPost](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/417940/microsoft-releases-ai-code-of-conduct-draft.html?edition=143845&ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The Code of Conduct specially tells AI not to hack systems, trick humans or deploy subliminal manipulation techniques through unsolicited bulk communications, posts, or messages.

In the next decade, states MediaPost, “superintelligent AI systems will surpass human performance in most tasks, so “containing, controlling, and aligning such a powerful force is one of the greatest challenges humanity has ever faced,” according to the document.

““If humans can’t understand it, humans can’t oversee it,” reads one of the most poignant lines in the document.

“In the works since the beginning of the year and shared by the company on Monday, the code of conduct requires Microsoft’s AI models to never resist correction or shutdown, communicate in ways that humans can understand, and consider any conduct violation to be a failure.”

The announcement comes days after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Elon Musk renewed calls for industry to pace AI’s development to ensure its safety.
### Sinclair and Nexstar Media Group launch campaign to increase awareness of NextGenTV
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/sinclair-and-nexstar-media-group-launch-campaign-to-increase-awareness-of-nextgentv/
Last updated: 2026-09-16T18:22:02.000Z
[Sinclair ](http://www.sbgi.net./?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)and [Nexstar Media Group](https://www.nexstar.tv/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) are launching a joint consumer education campaign across 13 U.S. television markets to increase awareness of NextGenTV, expanding broadcaster-led efforts to explain the capabilities and availability of the ATSC 3.0 television standard.

According to [Citybiz](https://www.citybiz.co/article/904267/sinclair-and-nexstar-launch-joint-nextgentv-campaign-across-13-markets/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), the GoNextGenTV campaign will begin Sept. 17 “and combine on-air promotion with digital and social media content. The initiative is designed to explain how consumers can access NextGenTV and highlight features including improved picture and sound, enhanced broadcast services and greater interactivity.

Nexstar will participate through stations in Cleveland, Austin, Kansas City, Tampa, Portland, Oregon, Buffalo and Denver. Sinclair will run the campaign in Las Vegas, Columbus, Nashville, Baltimore, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

Both companies, states the release, will use a common set of campaign materials and direct consumers to GoNextGenTV.com, which provides information about NextGenTV availability and compatible television equipment.

“The collaboration represents an effort by two major U.S. television station groups to address the consumer-awareness side of the industry’s transition to ATSC 3.0\. While broadcasters have been deploying the technology across markets, adoption also depends on viewers understanding what NextGenTV provides and whether their television equipment supports the standard.”

“Consumer education is an important part of accelerating adoption of NextGenTV,” said **Del Parks**, president of Technology at Sinclair. “Our experience in Columbus demonstrated that when consumers understand what NextGenTV is, how to access it and the benefits it can deliver, we can meaningfully increase engagement.”

The joint program, states the release, “grew out of a consumer education initiative Sinclair developed and tested in Columbus, Ohio, during the summer. Sinclair and Nexstar are now extending that approach across a broader mix of markets using consistent messaging.

“NextGenTV is powered by ATSC 3.0, the latest generation of digital television broadcasting technology. The standard gives broadcasters capabilities beyond conventional over-the-air television, including improved video and audio and the ability to combine broadcast transmission with internet-connected features and services.

“For broadcasters, those capabilities create opportunities to make over-the-air television more flexible and interactive while maintaining the reach of local broadcast infrastructure. For consumers, however, accessing those features can require compatible equipment, making device awareness and education an important part of broader adoption.”

NextGen TV, also known as ATSC 3.0, is the newest digital broadcast standard for over-the-air television. It combines traditional antenna signals with home internet. This technology brings free, high-quality broadcasts without a cable subscription.
### People in the Spotlight: Kevin Alansky, Kendra Kojcsich and Christopher C. Hull
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/people-in-the-spotlight-kevin-alansky-kendra-kojcsich-and-christopher-c-hull/
Last updated: 2026-09-15T14:54:44.000Z
[**Kevin Alansky**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alansky/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **joins Titan Cloud Software** as CMO to help lead marketing, provide insights, and solve challenges in the fuel operations industry. According to an online item, Alansky, in photo, is a seasoned marketing leader with over 20 years of experience in driving demand and building brands for leading enterprise SaaS companies. Previously, he was CMO of Jedox. Prior to Jedox, he held CMO roles at Higher Logic, Logi Analytics and SocialRadar.

[**Kendra Kojcsich**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendrakojcsich/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **has been promoted to Executive Vice President at Porter Novelli.** According to an online item, Kojcsich has more than 10 years of experience in the social impact space. She works with clients to develop and implement media strategies, brand messaging, materials development, special events and celebrity engagement. Major campaign’s that Kojcsich has lead include the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and The Walt Disney Company’s Magic of Healthy Living.

[**Christopher C. Hull, Ph.D,**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherhull/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **joins Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck’s Public Affairs practice** as a director, public affairs in the D.C. office. Hull joins Brownstein from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where he most recently served as assistant secretary of the Office of Partnership and Engagement and, prior to that, as the director of crisis communications in the Office of Public Affairs. Previously, states a release, “he founded and led Issue Management, Inc., where he served as president, and has led public affairs campaigns on regulatory, litigation and grassroots matters. His government experience includes service as chief of staff and press secretary in the U.S. House of Representatives, legislative aide in the U.S. Senate and majority caucus staff director in the Iowa State Senate.”
### DC mother missing in ‘mysterious circumstances’ is associate vice president and head of public affairs at Eli Lilly
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/dc-mother-missing-in-mysterious-circumstances-is-associate-vice-president-and-head-of-public-affairs-at-eli-lilly/
Last updated: 2026-09-16T17:21:57.000Z
**Law enforcement in Washington, D.C. has intensified a search for Antoinette Forbes,** a single mother who has been missing for over a week, reports [Newsweek.](https://www.newsweek.com/who-is-antoinette-forbes-dc-mother-missing-12442623?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

The Metropolitan Police Department is appealing to the public for help in locating Forbes and has classified her case as a critical missing person case.

The National Presbyterian Church, of which Forbes is a member, put out a statement saying that she disappeared in “mysterious circumstances from her home.”

Forbes is an Asian woman, 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs about 115 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. It is not known what she was wearing when she disappeared.

Family members, friends and authorities have been searching for her after she was last seen on September 4 in the 3200 block of Nebraska Avenue NW.

According to Newsweek, Forbes, 53, is associate vice president and head of public affairs at Eli Lilly.
### BIA Forecast: Political Spending Lifts 2026 Local Ad Market to $186.1 Billion; First Look at 2027 Points to Continued Underlying Growth
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/bia-forecast-political-spending-lifts-2026-local-ad-market-to-186-1-billion-first-look-at-2027-points-to-continued-underlying-growth/
Last updated: 2026-09-14T11:30:45.000Z
**BIA Advisory Services updated its 2026 U.S. Local Advertising Forecast, projecting total local ad revenue to reach** **$186.1 billion**, up $1.6 billion (+0.9%) from the firm’s April 2026 estimate of $184.5 billion and approximately 9% year over year from 2025\. The increase is driven primarily by higher political ad spending heading into the midterms, along with continued strength in mobile.

Excluding political advertising, the 2026 forecast is now $176.4 billion, up $0.3 billion (+0.2%) from the prior estimate of $176.1 billion and 3.9% over 2025 that, states a release, reflects steady, broad-based growth across the underlying local ad market.

“Political spending came in higher than we anticipated in April, with most of the incremental spending flowing into TV OTA and TV OTT,” said **Senan Mele**, VP of Forecasting and Data Analysis, BIA Advisory Services. “Legal Services was also notable in this update, reaching $9.3 billion, up 4.6% from the prior forecast. Despite higher media costs and a more fragmented media environment, law firms continue to invest heavily in television, both linear and streaming, where the ability to reach large audiences and generate qualified leads continues to drive demand.”

BIA now projects $9.7 billion in 2026 for local political spending, up from $8.4 billion in the April forecast, which is an increase of $1.3 billion concentrated almost entirely in video. TV OTA and TV OTT together captured $1.2 billion of that increase, reinforcing broadcast and streaming video’s role as a preferred vehicle for political campaigns.

**Mobile Keeps Compounding, and AI Reshapes Search**

Mobile remains the largest local media category tracked by BIA, projected to grow to $45.3 billion in 2026 (excluding political), an 8.9% year-over-year increase. This growth comes as competition intensifies in A.I.-fueled search advertising, a category that local advertisers have traditionally relied on to reach consumers across mobile devices.

“Google, OpenAI, Amazon, and Apple are all positioning themselves to capture a larger share of advertising tied to AI-powered search,” said **Mike Boland**, Executive in Residence, BIA Advisory Services. “Google’s Gemini is increasingly becoming an extension of its advertising business, while OpenAI, Amazon, and Apple are developing their own approaches to monetize search and discovery. For local advertisers, the bigger question is where consumer intent will emerge and which platforms will capture it. Mobile will be a critical battleground as that shift unfolds.”

**Growth Categories Heading Into 2027**

BIA’s first look at 2027 projects total local ad revenue of $186.5 billion, essentially flat versus 2026\. About $9 billion in underlying, nonpolitical growth is expected to nearly offset an $8.6 billion decline in political spending as the election cycle ends. Political spending is projected to fall to approximately $1.1 billion in the 2027 off-cycle year.

Mele said, “Political spending will decline sharply after the midterms, but the underlying nonpolitical market has continued to grow and should offset much of that decline. We expect the overall local advertising market to remain essentially flat in 2027, with continued growth across core categories helping to support the market in an off-cycle year.”

Beneath that stable topline, several categories are projected to grow well above the market average. Real estate leads at +9.8%, followed by leisure and recreation (+5.9%), automotive (+5.1%), restaurants and food (+4.4%), and financial services (+3.7%).

“2027 makes clear that the underlying growth in local advertising is broader and more durable than the political cycle alone would suggest,” said **Rick Ducey**, Managing Director, BIA Advisory Services. “Political spending has accelerated the market and delivered a strong two-year period for broadcast and streaming video, but the more important story is what happens beneath that surge. Core categories continue to expand their investments across an increasingly diverse media ecosystem. That sustained, multi-platform demand, and the media channels that capture it, will shape the next phase of local media.”

According to the release, clients can log in to [BIA ADVantage™](https://advantage.bia.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and access the updated forecast, which extends through 2030 across 18 media channels and 96 verticals within 12 business categories for all local TV and radio markets. The data, insights and visualizations provide in-depth analysis of local spending trends. Learn more about ADVantage or contact [advantage@bia.com](mailto:advantage@bia.com) to request a demonstration. If your company would like a forecast briefing, contact [advantage@bia.com](mailto:advantage@bia.com) for details.
### LG accused of invasion of privacy over TV data collection, states The Register
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/lg-accused-of-invasion-of-privacy-over-tv-data-collection-states-the-register/
Last updated: 2026-09-15T11:44:50.000Z
**LG is again fending off allegations that its expensive consumer hardware gathers extensive information about users and their surroundings for the benefit of its advertising business,** reports [The Register.](https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/09/08/lg-accused-of-egregious-invasion-of-privacy-over-tv-data-collection/5294956?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

The latest concerns, states The Register, “center on smart TVs that researchers claim continued capturing audio after voice recognition was activated, including while the display was in standby.

“The claims once again come from the folks behind the Gamers Nexus YouTube channel, which also claimed in July that LG’s monitors were surreptitiously [installing adware using an automatic Windows process](https://www.theregister.com/personal-tech/2026/07/21/lg-monitors-are-using-windows-11-feature-to-serve-adware/5275486?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

“After inspecting the TVs’ network traffic and internal data, editor-in-chief Stephen Burke said the team found plaintext transcripts generated from audio captured by the TV, along with other information.

“The Gamers Nexus crew said it observed the TV collecting IP addresses, location data, and the names, signal strengths, and channel numbers of nearby Wi-Fi networks.”

According to The Register: “LG does not hide the fact that its hardware incorporates technology from its advertising business, LG Ads Solutions.

“In 2022, it [announced](https://www.lg.com/global/newsroom/news/media-entertainment-solution/lg-smart-tvs-get-a-new-acr-solution-legacy-technology-replaced-by-lg-ads-solutions/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) that automatic content recognition (ACR) technology previously limited to its US smart TVs would be deployed in sets sold across 27 countries, with the resulting insights available through its advertising business.”

The Register reports that LG “is not alone. Most major smart TV manufacturers deploy [some form of ACR in their hardware](https://www.theregister.com/off-prem/2026/01/05/your-smart-tv-is-watching-you-and-nobodys-stopping-it/2350998?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), although the controls available to users vary by vendor.”
### Capitol Communicators: Profile of Lauren Lawson-Zilai, Founder and Principal, Zeal Communications
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-lauren-lawson-zilai-founder-and-principal-zeal-communications/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:25.000Z
***Capitol Communicators is a profile series spotlighting the people shaping*** 
***advertising, digital, marketing and public relations in the Mid-Atlantic.*** 
***This profile features Lauren Lawson-Zilai.***

**“A woman of causes,” is how Lauren Lawson-Zilai describes herself.** Indeed, she’s focused her PR work on mission-driven nonprofit organizations; and is always volunteering for causes dear to her heart. In fact, the list of her volunteer activities – past and present – goes on for pages. It includes leading both [PRSA-NCC](https://prsancc.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and [WWPR](https://wwpr.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com); serving on the [PCDC](https://www.pcdcnetwork.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) Steering Committee and advisory boards of the National Digital Roundtable, Ragan Communications, NBC Washington’s Community Action Board; being a PRSSA advisor and active in her church, and always finding time for the Girl Scouts, as a member of the National Capital chapter’s Women’s Advisory Board and troop co-leader.

As many of us shared our 9/11 memories, she revealed that she was in New York, volunteering and watching children at an emergency operations center, while their parents went off to search for loved ones and victims. 

Somehow, she manages to do all of this with full time jobs, having held leadership roles at national and international nonprofit organizations before founding her own firm[, Zeal Communications,](https://www.zealcommunications.co/about?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) almost a year ago. She continues to support nonprofits and has expanded her work into other areas that interest her, such as promoting books and book authors. The name of her firm embodies her drive and energy. 

One of her favorite quotes is Winston Churchill’s “we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” No matter how busy she is, Lauren is a person who shows up. And our community is better for it. 

**Lauren, please tell us about yourself.**

I like to say I’m powered by purpose. I have more than two decades of philanthropy and nonprofit experience, including senior communications leadership roles at Goodwill Industries International, the National Head Start Association and the Children’s Defense Fund. On a professional level, I am committed to equitable opportunities for children and youth and to helping people reach their full potential, work I now carry forward as founder and principal of Zeal Communications, where I partner with entrepreneurs, mission-driven organizations and authors aiming to strengthen their leadership voice, clarify their positioning and increase their influence. I stay deeply engaged in the field by serving as a steering committee member of the Progressive Communicators of PCDC, the Hall of Fame Chair for the Public Relations Society of America, a Community Action Board member for *NBC4 Washington* and as an Advisory Board Member for the National Digital Roundtable and PR Daily.

On a personal level, I am a volunteer and board leader, serving on the President’s Leadership Council at my alma mater, Lycoming College and the Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital Women’s Advisory Board. 

**What are the things you are most proud of?**

People who know me won’t be surprised by this answer. I’m most proud of founding the Emerging Leaders Awards for Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR). It’s highly regarded to this day and distinctive for what it symbolizes.

The ELAs were created in 2010 as a special accolade for young women active within the communications field who were making a significant impact on the industry but were not being recognized due to age or years of experience, even if they had founded businesses at a young age or done extraordinary things in their careers. Most industry awards reward tenure and titles. This one exists specifically because talented young women were being overlooked by those criteria.

The ELAs were intentionally created in 2010 to mark a milestone in WWPR’s history as it was the 30th anniversary so the program has a built-in institutional weight. The award initially recognized three honorees. Six years after its debut, I was asked to lead a group to focus on the strategic vision for the awards. It was during that time that we conceptualized broadening the nominees to represent various categories including, global and large agencies, small/boutique and mid-sized agencies, and government, corporate, trade association and nonprofit organizations, to represent the full spectrum of communications leaders.

Another unique aspect about the ELAs is that they’re exclusive to the D.C. market and rare in that respect. WWPR describes itself as the only professional society for female communicators in the greater capital area, so the ELAs function as the singular “rising star” recognition for women in this specific, high-density PR market rather than competing with a dozen similar regional awards.

One of our first honorees was [Carrie Fox](https://mission.partners/carrie-fox?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) so it seems fitting that she is one of three finalists selected for this year’s WWPR Woman of the Year.

**Lauren, you have a most amazing list of volunteer activities! Why is volunteering so important to you?** 

Volunteering has been part of who I am since long before it became anything else. I would say it only grew stronger during undergrad, because service wasn’t treated as an extracurricular there. It was woven into the mission itself. I have always had an undeniable conviction to help people in the world: people with economic challenges, people with disabilities or disadvantages. I have been called “a woman of causes.” I believe that service is what holds us together as a community and a nation. It’s the backbone we don’t often see, but it’s what makes us whole.

We all come into this world with enormous potential to create, to contribute and to achieve. Tragically, millions of us see those possibilities evaporate as we encounter inadequate education, limited access to opportunity, poverty, and even violence or other trauma. 

Later in life, reclaiming that potential becomes extremely difficult for a variety of reasons including multigenerational, community health or systemic inequalities or discrimination.

It’s imperative that all people have access to quality education and training, and to essential needs like housing, nutrition, health care, transportation and wraparound supports, so that individuals, communities and our entire society can thrive.

I remember a friend gifted me an air freshener that hung from my rearview mirror 20 years ago that read, “Stop me before I volunteer again.” It was meant to be funny, but it resonated with me so much. I have always felt a calling to volunteer and to be part of something bigger than myself. It’s what I’m most passionate about. Volunteering has always introduced me to people I admire and shown me a version of resilience and generosity I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise.

**You recently went out on your own, opening Zeal Communications. What sparked that change, and how is it going?**

I’d always been encouraged to go out on my own, but the idea felt overwhelming and intimidating. Several factors were at play. While leading brand and communications work at Goodwill and Head Start, I was essentially counseling matrixed, chapter-based organizations with complex, mission-driven operations. At Goodwill, that meant overseeing marketing and communications tied to nearly $100 million in grant investments and serving as national spokesperson and crisis lead. At Head Start, it meant shaping public affairs communications for a mission touching more than 700,000 children nationally. In both roles, I functioned as the internal agency and a strategic counselor to leaders at every level on media, messaging and reputation, and increasingly, some of that complexity became politically driven.

That experience made launching my own agency by representing Head Start state associations across the country feel like the natural next step. Because these associations depend on federal funding, they typically have lean teams with often one person leading communications alongside several other roles. At a moment when many Head Start programs were facing the greatest unprecedented threat to the program’s future in its 60-year history, I stepped in to fill that gap: leading webinars for stakeholder audiences, providing media training, building messaging, templates and toolkits, and supporting local grassroots advocacy.

My client base has since grown to include authors, thought leaders, and local and national nonprofits. I credit that growth almost entirely to past connections, valued relationships and word of mouth. On a personal level, given where I am in life — aging parents and a soon-to-be teenage daughter — it felt like the right time to make the leap. My client roster is certainly busy, but I also can be there for my family in ways I haven’t been previously.

**Did all your connections and volunteer work help you when you decided to go out on your own?**When I decided to go out on my own, everything I’d built over the previous two decades, both my professional connections and my volunteer relationships, became the foundation I built from. 

What has been interesting is that I have found myself having a full-circle moment as I am representing thought leaders and authors, which is work I did early in my career at Penguin Putnam, Simon & Schuster, Hachette and Regnery after completing the Denver Publishing Institute, an invite-only graduate program covering editing, marketing, textbooks and journals. Back then, I represented physicians, politicians, celebrities, wealth-building thought leaders and commercial fiction authors, and later, when I moved into the nonprofit sector, I promoted books for the founder of the first major national food allergy organization and Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund.

At a time when the publishing world is changing, with much more reliance placed on the author to build and sustain their own audience, my work today is focused on developing speaking events, cultivating influencer relationships, and generating media coverage that supports long-term platform building rather than a single launch moment. It’s the same instinct I’ve always had for finding the right story and the right home for it. 

**You have worked at three large nonprofits. What recurring challenges or lessons have you seen across all three—and what have those experiences taught you about what makes a nonprofit thrive?”**

My career has spanned national nonprofit organizations, including, Goodwill, the National Head Start Association, the Children’s Defense Fund and Shatterproof. These organizations couldn’t look more different on the surface: job training, early childhood education, and addiction recovery; however, I’ve noticed the same handful of challenges show up everywhere.

The first is the importance of trust. At Goodwill, I spent years combating a viral rumor about executive pay that had circulated for over a decade and had nothing to do with reality. It didn’t matter how much good the organization did on the ground; the story people believed shaped whether they would donate or shop there. At Shatterproof, we worked daily to end stigma related to addiction and substance use disorder, which meant we had to educate *and* dismantle a false narrative at the same time. The lesson is that nonprofits can’t just do good work and assume the public will find out. You have to actively and continually defend and shape the story or someone else will write it for you.

The second is that funding cycles create a structural tension between mission and survival. Whether it’s grant-funded workforce programs at Goodwill, federal appropriations tied to Head Start, or a newer organization like Shatterproof building sustainable revenue from scratch, I’ve seen how dependent impact is on the health of the next funding cycle. The nonprofits that thrive are the ones that treat fundraising and communications as inseparable. Rising Together, the initiative we built at Goodwill to get a million people into sustainable careers, only worked because we could show funders and partners like Bank of America and Google exactly what their investment produced.

The third is high-impact partnerships that help advance a mission, expand relevance, drive measurable value and help an organization move the needle at scale. At Head Start, that meant unlikely alliances, like Natalie Merchant donating an early-learning arts curriculum, or Girl Scouts partnering on school readiness. At the Children’s Defense Fund, a policy organization founded by Marian Wright Edelman out of the Civil Rights Movement, partnerships with the faith community, coalitions of child advocates and state and federal officials are what turn research into actual legislative change. At Goodwill, it was corporate donors, influencers and celebrity ambassadors that played a role in the number of people we could serve as well as engagement, brand visibility, and program innovation.

The common theme is that no nonprofit, however mission- or talent-driven, has enough resources on its own. The organizations that thrive are the ones whose leadership treats external relationships as core strategy. The nonprofits that struggle are the ones that treat storytelling, funding and partnership as separate departments instead of one interlocking system that must work together for the mission to survive.

**What are the skills that are necessary to be successful today?** I would say a lot of what is stated in the [Cision “Inside PR” 2026 report](https://www.aap.com.au/aapreleases/cision20260106ae56148?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) is what is needed in today’s PR environment including, storytelling and content creation, which I see cited more and more in job listings along with media relations, strategic planning, AI integration and adoption, and writing. Beyond these skills, adaptability, emotional intelligence, critical thinking and being a lifelong learner is so important. When I gave the commencement speech to my alma mater in 2012, I said that most of the jobs that would be available in their graduation in four years were not yet in existence. That still applies today.

There are also attributes that are essential. One is networking in terms of building relationships, showing genuine interest in people and listening to their stories, especially in D.C., which I consider a small town. This helps people buy into your vision and strategy.

The second is being tenacious and persistent to chase down the elements of the great story you want to tell, to persuade people to take a desired action or pitch stories to the media. 

**How are you employing AI in your work?** 

I use it in my work to refine content, conduct research, generate project reports for clients, monitor a client’s media coverage, pull media lists and run competitor analysis. I also lean on it for early-stage idea generation and brainstorming, proofreading and sentiment tracking across a client’s coverage. I’ve heard the expression that AI is like a glorified intern, and I think that is true. You need to train it, guide it and check its work. You can’t hand over the keys without guardrails.

**What brings you joy during the day?**Being in community, collaborating and making an impact brings me joy.

**What advice helped you most in your career, and is that advice still relevant today?**Live your life in seasons. I was told this when I was part of the senior leader program at Goodwill and was balancing a demanding career and a two-year-old at home. This really reframed everything for me. I used to think success meant a straight, upward line: bigger title, bigger organization and bigger platform. That mindset is exhausting, and honestly, it sets you up to feel like you’re failing a season anytime it looks different than the one before it.

Once I started thinking in seasons instead, my whole career made more sense. There was a season for learning the craft, when I was early in my communications career and needed to absorb everything that I could. There was a season for depth, 15 years at Goodwill, where I expanded my portfolio rather than jumping every two years for a title bump. There was a season for mission-driven urgency, when I moved to the National Head Start Association at a moment when the program was facing real, existential threats to its funding and I felt called to be in the fight directly. And there is the season I’m in now, building Zeal Communications, which requires a completely different skill set: not just doing the work, but building the business around it.

None of those seasons looked like “career progression” in the traditional sense. Founding my own firm later in my career, after two decades in-house, isn’t the linear path most people expect. But it was the right season for it, shaped by everything I had learned and the relationships I have built along the way.

This advice feels particularly relevant today, given the accelerated pace of change in our industry and in the world. To think in seasons gives you permission to fully commit to where you are right now, whether that is a season of building, a season of learning, or a season of stepping back, without treating every transition as a detour from some fixed plan. I felt this was particularly helpful for me as a driven, type A, perfectionist person.

**Is there something about you that might surprise people?**I was Mitt Romney’s first book publicist for his book called *Turnaround: Crisis, Leadership, and the Olympic Games*. It chronicled his time as president and CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC) for the 2002 Winter Olympics, which he took over after a bribery scandal left the Games in disarray. The book details how he restructured the organization, closed a massive projected budget deficit, rebuilt sponsor and public trust, and ultimately delivered what is still widely regarded as a successful, profitable Olympics. It’s often cited in business and leadership contexts as a case study in crisis management and organizational turnaround. He was gracious and lovely to work with[ ](https://www.zealcommunications.co/about?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)and I felt honored that among our team I was chosen to lead his book campaign.

**What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done?**I went paragliding at Torrey Pines in San Diego. It was an in-the-moment decision and I’m so glad I did it though it’s probably the most adventurous thing I’ve done. Earlier in my career, I was working for an agency that had to unexpectedly close its doors. The team had enough lead time. At the same time, an opportunity to travel to South Africa as part of a mission trip opened at my church. I spent three weeks in Sedgefield, Smutsville, and Cape Town, South Africa, working with local children and families. 

Given my career, I’ve had the opportunity to meet, work with or represent many celebrities including Cybil Shepherd, Don Knotts, Nicholas Sparks, Kristian Bush (part of Sugarland), Coach K, Natalie Merchant and Whoopi Goldberg. The most interesting was spending a day filming at a Goodwill store in Houston with Beyonce’s mom as part of a philanthropic partnership called “BeyGOOD.”

Photo credit: Shala Wilson Photography

**Check out other Capitol Communicators** [**profiles.** ](https://capitolcommunicator.com/tag/profiles/)  
**These profiles allow you to meet some of the most interesting and insightful pros** 
**in our region, and learn how they stay ahead during a time of constant change.**
### 25 Years Later, Remembering September 11
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/25-years-later-remembering-september-11/
Last updated: 2026-09-11T21:46:53.000Z
**By** [**Fay Shapiro**](https://www.commpro.biz/news?author=63af182d3cab14148cd85b91&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**It is hard to believe it has been 25 years since September 11.**

I was working at Burrelles at the time and was in New Jersey for an early meeting that morning. Like everyone else, I watched what was happening with disbelief, trying to understand how this could possibly be real. Very quickly, it also became clear that I wasn’t getting back to New York anytime soon.

I still remember my boss turning to his assistant and saying, “Find Fay a room. She’s going to be here for a while.” I have never forgotten those words. That was the moment it really began to sink in. I wasn’t going home that night, New York had been attacked and nothing about that day was going to be normal.

What stayed with me was the realization of how quickly life can change. We go to a meeting, head to work, make plans for later and assume we’ll be home that night. Then, in the blink of an eye, everything can be different. Twenty-five years later, that feeling is still very real to me.

We all remember September 11 in our own way, where we were, who we were with, who we called and the people we worried about. For this anniversary, I reached out to people in our community and asked one question:

As we mark 25 years since September 11, what do you remember most, and what has stayed with you personally or professionally?

Their answers brought back memories of that day, but even more, they brought back the people.

**Patrice Tanaka,** Founder & Chief Joy Officer of Joyful Planet LLC and Joyful Planet Foundation, shared how September 11 changed the way she thought about her own life:

“In the wake of 9/11, I was haunted by the nearly 3,000 people who went to work that day and never returned home. I wondered if they were ‘good to go,’ having done what was most important before they died. Post 9/11, I discovered and began to actively live my life purpose: ‘Choose joy. Be mindful of joy. Share joy with others.’ I have been living this purpose now for nearly 25 years and I am ‘good to go’ every/any day.”

For **Ken Kerrigan**, Head of Internal and External Communications at UHY-US, the memory is deeply personal and is about someone who showed him what leadership looked like when it mattered most:

“There are thousands of names that need to be remembered on September 11th, but for me one is deeply personal – Jim Speros. Jim was the CMO of Ernst & Young on that day and my boss. After the second plane hit Jim went from office to office making sure each of us left the building. He didn’t leave until the last of us was gone. In the lobby he found people individually to ensure we each had somewhere to go.

“When the city started to come back to a new normal and we returned to the office Jim called us all into the conference room. We shared a profound moment of silence and held hands. He said a brief non-denominational prayer.

“It was then that I fully understood what corporate leadership looked like and what it meant for colleagues to truly become a team.”

**Peter Himler,** Founder of Flatiron Communications LLC, was at Burson’s Park Avenue South office that morning:

“It’s hard to believe 25 years have passed since that fateful day in September 2001\. When I arrived at my office on Park Ave South, a group of my Burson colleagues were there pressed against the south-facing window as smoke billowed from one of the twin World Trade Center towers. Someone suggested a small plane had collided into that NYC edifice on whose ground floor CNN had its first New York bureau. Moments later, the second tower was on fire and we all knew something was terribly amiss.

“I phoned down to our TV studio to dispatch a camera crew to the roof to capture what was unfolding before our eyes. Meanwhile, Burson CEO **Chris Komisarjevsky** had already formed a crisis steering committee whose first task was to determine if any staff or clients were unaccounted for. We proceeded to meet several times a day, while Chris disseminated regular staff and eventually client update memos.

“A former U.S. Army helicopter pilot, Chris steadily steered the firm through this existential moment. I will never forget and will always remain grateful for his leadership in 9/11’s aftermath. After it was eventually deemed acceptable to re-start client work, it was, for me, an especially gratifying assignment: representing United Way of NYC’s September 11th Fund.”

**Johna Burke**, FAMEC, AMEC Global Managing Director, remembers watching the second plane hit and trying to understand what she was seeing:

“I remember watching the second plane hit the World Trade Center on live television and just sitting there, paralyzed. My brain couldn’t process that this was real and not something from a Hollywood film.

“I was meeting two friends for breakfast to talk about IABC. We sat at the table listening to a radio for whatever details we could get. We didn’t solve any IABC business that morning, but we were together. Listening, talking and trying to make sense of what was happening eased some of the anxiety of simply not knowing. On the drive into the office, my mobile rang. A colleague in New York said, ‘Have you seen what’s happened? Arizona might be next. Be careful.’ I still remember the fear and uncertainty in people’s voices as they tried to reach loved ones.

“That has stayed with me. In moments of crisis, I still find peace in listening, staying calm, being present and having empathy for people in crisis, both near and far.”

**Simon Erskine Locke**, CEO of CommunicationsMatch™, was in Tokyo and on a weekly call with his Morgan Stanley colleagues when the first plane hit:

“Twenty-five years ago, on September 11, I was in Tokyo watching CNN. I was on a weekly call with my colleagues at Morgan Stanley when the first plane hit. First there were reports of a fire at the World Trade Center, then we saw images of the destruction and the second plane hit.

“My colleagues dropped off the call as the magnitude of what was happening took hold. We had almost 3,000 people in South Tower. It took several days for a clear picture of the casualties at Morgan Stanley to emerge, and most powerfully, an individual story of heroism that saved the vast majority of employees on a day when so many others were killed.

“Morgan Stanley lost 13 people, among them Rick Rescorla, the director of security who saved thousands by evacuating employees after the first tower was hit. He lost his life going back to help evacuate more people after he had organized the evacuation of the Morgan Stanley offices. He was posthumously honored with the Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation’s second-highest civilian honor, and will forever be remembered for his bravery. His story was the basis of a book, which in turn became an opera, and was the basis of a documentary.”

**Helio Fred Garcia**, President of Logos Consulting Group, remembers another side of what happened after September 11:

“In the immediate aftermath of 9/11 we saw troubling signs of ugliness in the name of Old Glory. Soon after the terrorist attack we saw innocent Muslim women and children, whose mosque windows had just been shot out, taunted by thugs waving American flags and cheering USA! USA! Asked by a television reporter what he was doing, one thug proclaimed, ‘Supporting the US of A.’

“An Arizona man shot and killed a Sikh gas station owner and tried to kill a man of Lebanese descent and another of Afghan descent. As he was arrested the assailant justified his rampage shouting, ‘I stand for America all the way.’ Another Sikh was killed with a baseball bat soon after the terrorist attack. The two Sikhs who were murdered were neither Muslim nor Arab, but they wore turbans. Because many Americans don’t have a nuanced view of foreigners, anyone who looked South-Asian was at risk.

“Frankly, our country doesn’t have a very good track record at mobilizing the masses against a foreign threat. Solidarity quickly mingles with and morphs into aggression and leads to suspension of our most cherished values.

“If anything, this trend has accelerated and intensified in the 25 years since that horrible day.”

Reading these reflections, I keep coming back to the people and the moments that have stayed with each of us. Patrice remembers the people who never came home and how that changed the way she chose to live. Ken remembers Jim Speros and what he learned about leadership. Peter remembers **Chris Komisarjevsky** taking charge when people needed him. Johna remembers sitting with friends and simply being together. Simon remembers Rick Rescorla going back to help others. Fred reminds us of a difficult part of the aftermath that also needs to be remembered.

There is also something here for those of us who have spent our lives in communication. On September 11, there were no perfect words and no playbook for what was happening. What people needed was honesty, calm, information when it was available and leaders who understood that taking care of people came first. Reading these reflections 25 years later, I don’t think that has changed.

Twenty-five years later, the details are different for each of us, but we remember the people, the fear, the kindness and the moments that changed us.

And we remember how quickly life can change.

**This article was originally published by CommPRO and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://www.commpro.biz/news/25-years-later-remembering-september-11?ss\_source=sscampaigns&ss\_campaign\_id=6aa3e006ba5d1c005ba37900&ss\_** 
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### How 9/11 became a “teachable moment”
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/how-9-11-became-a-teachable-moment/
Last updated: 2026-09-11T16:28:05.000Z
**9/11 was my first day back in the office after cancer surgery.** I was finally feeling good enough to get dressed and go to my downtown DC office – about two blocks from the White House. Back to normal, I thought. 

I had a huge TV in my office, and everyone came in to watch what was happening in New York City; and then, here.

People were leaving downtown. The streets were gridlocked. There was no getting out right now. The weird thought that I would survive three rounds of cancer but possibly die when they hit more Washington targets did come to me. 

The heroism of those who worked so hard on 9/11 raised awareness of the fact that firefighters risk their lives to save others every day. 

I proposed to our client, the US Fire Administration, that we seize this “teachable moment” to urge people to take steps to prevent a leading cause of firefighter death: most fatal fires – residents and firefighters- occur in homes without working smoke alarms. By having a working smoke alarm, you can get out, and they don’t have to come in to rescue you. 

We brainstormed an approach, and a young account executive came up with the winning creative: the voice of a child, saying, my dad is a hero. He goes into places normal people want to get out of. He rescues families. But the best thing he can do is come home.” An announcer then asked people to do their part to get out by having a working smoke alarm. The spots were simple, but powerful. (There was a “mom’’ version, and Spanish language version, too.)

We launched the campaign, Tribute to Heroes, at the National Press Club. We invited Olympic medalist Lea Ann Parsley to speak. She was Ohio’s Firefighter of the Year, carried the World Trade Center flag in the opening ceremony of the 2002 Olympics, and won Silver in women’s skeleton. She shared how fractions of seconds make a difference in the Olympics, and in fighting fires. 

At the end of his remarks, USFA Administrator **David Paulison** asked every firefighter in the room to come to the podium for a salute. It was a powerful moment. 

All over the country, the response was incredible. The TV PSA alone generated airplay worth over $10 million. NBC and ABC put it in rotation. The market targeted video news feed generated almost 300 local TV news stories. The most rewarding part was that firefighters all over the country loved them. USFA offered local departments the opportunity to customize the spots with their own logos. We heard from so many. 

If even one life was saved by people moved to install or check their smoke alarms, I hope we were able to do something meaningful in the wake of this unspeakable tragedy.

 **Please share your 9/11 remembrance in the comments.** 
**This is a community for communications professionals,** 
**and we carry that day in our hearts.**
### An “old-school newspaper war” is brewing in DC, reports CNN
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/an-old-school-newspaper-war-is-brewing-in-dc-reports-cnn/
Last updated: 2026-09-11T23:21:53.000Z
**Most days there are only two kinds of news about newspapers: Bad and worse,** reports CNN. But in Washington, DC, CNN [states](https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/09/media/washington-post-sun-notus-dc-newspapers?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), “there’s something unexpected happening: A new-age version of an old-school newspaper war, with feisty competition between two formidable newsrooms, the entrenched Washington Post and the upstart Washington Sun.

“This being 2026, these “newspapers” are entirely digital, in the Sun’s case, and mostly digital, in the Post’s case. But they’re clearly and boldly competing with one another in a way that evokes rival tabloid paper fights from decades past.

“With one publication out to defend its turf, and another out to prove itself, readers are the ultimate beneficiaries.”

The CNN post states that on September 9, 2026, “the Jeff Bezos-owned Post announced some promising subscription growth figures after several years of painful losses and cutbacks. “The Post is on track to break even, ending 2026 on its closest path to profitability in five years,” a spokesperson said.

“Bezos also promoted Jeff D’Onofrio, who’s been acting publisher and CEO since February, to those roles permanently.

“The Post’s timing probably wasn’t a coincidence. Earlier (that day) the Sun introduced itself to online readers after deciding to drop its original name, NOTUS, short for News of the United States, amid a rapid expansion effort in DC.”

“Washington journalism is in a moment of generational change. We’re rising to meet it,” wrote Sun editor Tim Grieve.
### WHITE64 rebrands to ‘Worst Kept Secret’
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/white64-rebrands-to-worst-kept-secret/
Last updated: 2026-09-10T20:23:20.000Z
**WHITE64 announced its rebrand as** [**Worst Kept Secret.**](https://white64.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

According to a release, the new name “comes straight from the problem it solves for clients and the way the agency actually grew, quietly, and by word of mouth. Worst Kept Secret puts that reputation out in the open, staying independent-minded and built to think and move like an agency that answers to its clients first.”

“Every CMO knows the sentence they dread hearing. ‘You’re the best-kept secret in your category.’ It sounds like a compliment. But it translates to, ‘You’re good, but nobody knows it. So, we named ourselves after the fix,” said **Kerry Beutel**, (in photo), President of the agency. “This rebrand was two years in the making. We made a deliberate push to get stronger, not just bigger. The new brand captures the confidence, curiosity, and creative ambition that define our team today. Breakthrough ideas deserve to be seen, shared, and talked about, and this is a name that signals where we’re going while honoring the foundation that brought us here.”

Founded in 1964, the agency states it has evolved “alongside the marketing industry for more than six decades, changing its name more than once along the way. Behind the scenes, it has been rebuilding to match its ambitions, overhauling operations from organizational structure to the tools and technology powering the work.”

The rebrand follows a period of significant momentum, states the agency. Specifically, over the past year, “the firm has welcomed new clients, including Visit Williamsburg, U.S. Travel Association, V2X, and Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, while continuing to deliver award-winning work for organizations such as PenFed Credit Union, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, BIO, United Federal Credit Union, Visit Fairfax, and Luray Caverns, among others.”
### The Washington Sun to “reimagine the traditional newspaper for the digital age”
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-washington-sun-to-reimagine-the-traditional-newspaper-for-the-digital-age/
Last updated: 2026-09-10T18:28:35.000Z
**The Washington Sun rises “and with it a belief that we can reimagine the traditional newspaper for the digital age,”** [writes](https://washingtonsun.com/perspectives/dana-milbank-the-washington-sun-rises-today-i-hope-youll-join-our-orbit?redirected=notus%5Forg&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **Dana Milbank** about The Sun.

The Washington Sun is the new name for the news website NOTUS after a trademark lawsuit stymied plans to rebrand as The Star.

According to Milbank, The Sun has embarked on “a grand experiment to test whether there is a market in the nation’s capital for a publication that covers the local news, culture and sports that are the glue of any community. And we aim to prove that a general-interest publication combining national and local news can be viable in the 21st century.

“Our backer, Politico founder Robert Allbritton, owned D.C.’s NewsChannel 8 and WJLA-TV years ago, and his family once owned one of Washington’s major dailies. He is now placing a big bet on The Sun.”

The Sun, states Milbank, has built a 110-person newsroom and at least 28 “are former Posties, including Paul Kane, Jeff Stein, Kadia Goba, Dave Sheinin, Andrew Van Dam, Tom Sietsema, Thomas Boswell and many other names that will be familiar to Post readers. We’re also teaming up with my former colleagues Jason Samenow, Dan Stillman, Ian Livingston and the rest of Capital Weather (called the Capital Weather Gang when they were at the Post) to provide forecasts.

“The Sun already has more sports reporters than any other D.C.-area publication, and we’re picking up the high school sports coverage and metropolitan athlete honors that the Post had done for a century until this year. Our local news coverage, spearheaded by such well-known D.C. reporters as Martin Austermuhle (formerly of WAMU and The 51st), is equally ambitious in filling the metro news vacuum for Washingtonians.”

Milbank’s role at The Sun will be “to write frequent columns about the absurd and the outrageous in national politics, as I’ve done for most of my career. I will also file pieces about the country life from Rappahannock County, Virginia, as I’ve been doing for the past few years. I’ll be mixing it up in a new video podcast with my friend Matt Lewis, The Sun’s conservative columnist. That’s all part of The Sun’s Perspectives section, which is run by Richard Just (former editor of The Washington Post Magazine) and Alexa McMahon (another ex-Postie) and will publish opinions from the left, right and center.

“The Sun’s success is by no means assured (that will depend on you, the reader) but I think it is vitally important, and not just for those of us on the payroll. We can’t long survive as a democracy, or as a free people, without healthy news organizations that appeal to broad cross sections of our communities.”
### Editorial cartoonists’ group critical of Baltimore Sun for AI-generated image
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/editorial-cartoonists-group-critical-of-baltimore-sun-for-ai-generated-image/
Last updated: 2026-09-09T22:46:14.000Z
**The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists is calling on The Baltimore Sun to abandon artificial intelligence** in its editorial art, days after the newspaper ran what the group described as an AI-generated “illustration” that it says readers were meant to accept as an editorial cartoon.

[In an open letter](https://editorialcartoonists.com/an-open-letter-to-the-publisher-and-editors-of-the-baltimore-sun-from-the-aaec/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) to the Sun’s publisher and editors, AAEC President **Marc Murphy** said the Sept. 4 illustration, which accompanied a crime story tied to Fells Point, marked a new low for the paper. The Sun labeled the image with a caption reading: “Produced using artificial intelligence tools by the Baltimore Sun editorial staff.”

“The illustration in question was not drawn by an artist or even a human being,” Murphy wrote. “It was Artificial Intelligence slop, generated in response to juvenile and uninformed prompts. The result was unsurprisingly uninteresting and an insult to journalism, art, and The Sun’s readers.”

“The Road to Hell — an America that has outsourced its most important human work — is paved with cost-cutting moves,” Murphy wrote, referencing two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist **Kevin Kallaugher** (KAL), a long-time member and emeritus of the AAEC who was let go from The Sun for what was considered budget reasons. “This slop published by The Sun might as well be a signpost, pointing the way for publications like the Sun to certain irrelevance and then demise.”

*Image via AAEC website*
### Meta fails to delete sex abuse ads featuring real children, states MediaDailyNews
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/meta-fails-to-delete-sex-abuse-ads-featuring-real-children-states-mediadailynews/
Last updated: 2026-09-09T13:36:11.000Z
**Following** [**Meta’s $17.1 billion settlement**](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/417484/meta-settles-child-exploitation-for-171b-struct.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **for exploiting children on its social-media platforms** states [MediaDailyNews](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/417726/meta-fails-to-delete-sex-abuse-ads-featuring-real.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), the tech giant is being accused of running ads including child sexual abuse material (CSAM) — some of which featured real children — according to a report from [*Wired*](https://www.wired.com/story/meta-failed-to-catch-hundreds-of-ai-child-abuse-ads-some-included-images-of-real-kids/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)*.*

Last month, states MediaDailyNews, “an investigation led by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) found that Meta had been running dozens of paid ads including explicit AI-generated CSAM material targeting users living in the U.S. and Europe. Some of the ads invited users to link to AI-powered undressing apps. 

“According to Meta’s ad library, the CSAM ads were running across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and Threads.”

“Sexual exploitation is horrific, and we work aggressively to keep it off our platform,” a Meta spokesperson initially told [*Wired*](https://www.wired.com/story/meta-ran-ads-that-contained-ai-generated-child-sexual-abuse-imagery/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)*,* which reached out to the company for information. 

“The majority of these ads had minimal reach and many were disabled before *Wired* shared them,” the spokesperson continued, adding that the ads pre-dated Meta’s newer AI-detection and blocking system.

However, *Wired*’s most recent report found that Meta’s improved AI system is failing to cut down on the spread of abusive ads, which [researchers at TTP say are continuing to run](https://www.techtransparencyproject.org/articles/meta-ran-hundreds-of-paid-ads-with-child-sexual-abuse-imagery?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). 

Over 250 additional ads featuring “graphic sexual scenes involving children — including some that were identical to those Meta recently removed” — have allegedly run on Meta-owned social platforms since the start of August, states MediaDailyNews.
### Baltimore-based Warschawski adds Shah’s Halal Food; Todd Sammis joins as Senior SEO Associate
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/baltimore-based-warschawski-adds-shahs-halal-food/
Last updated: 2026-09-08T22:10:17.000Z
[**Warschawski** ](https://www.warschawski.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**has been selected as the agency of record for** [**Shah’s Halal Food**](https://www.shahshalalfood.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) which, states a r[elease](https://www.citybiz.co/article/893985/warschawski-partners-with-fast-growing-restaurant-brand-shahs-halal-food/?abkw=citybizwashington&ref=capitolcommunicator.com), is “a rapidly growing international restaurant brand known for bringing authentic New York City-style halal cuisine to communities across the globe.

“Warschawski will support Shah’s Halal Food through strategic marketing initiatives designed to strengthen brand visibility, support continued expansion, and further elevate the company’s position as one of the fastest-growing names in the halal restaurant industry.”

Founded in 2005, continues the release, “as a single food cart in Richmond Hill, Queens, Shah’s Halal Food has grown into a family-owned international brand with more than 130 locations across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other international markets. Headquartered in New York, the company has built a loyal following by combining the distinctive flavors of the Middle East with the energy and accessibility of New York City’s iconic street food culture. Today, its menu features a variety of halal-certified platters, gyros, burgers, salads, and vegan offerings made with fresh ingredients, proprietary family seasonings, and its signature white sauce, a longtime customer favorite.”

“As consumer demand for diverse dining experiences continues to grow, Shah’s Halal Food has distinguished itself through its commitment to high-quality halal-certified ingredients, family recipes, and a welcoming atmosphere that brings together customers from all backgrounds. The company’s growth strategy has focused on expanding into communities rich in culture, history, and diversity while maintaining the authenticity and consistency that first made the brand successful.

“From its origins on the streets of Queens to its growing international footprint, Shah’s Halal Food continues to introduce new audiences to the flavors and traditions of halal cuisine. As the brand enters its next phase of growth, Warschawski will support its efforts to further expand awareness, strengthen customer engagement, and build on more than two decades of success.”

**In addition, Warschawski announced the addition of Todd Sammis as Senior SEO Associate.** In this role, states the agency, Sammis “will support SEO strategy and execution across client accounts, with a focus on strengthening organic search visibility, developing data-driven recommendations, and helping brands adapt to the evolving search landscape, including emerging approaches such as generative engine optimization (GEO) and answer engine optimization (AEO).” Most recently, he served as SEO & AI Visibility Specialist at EAB (Education Advisory Board), where he led SEO strategy for more than three dozen American colleges and universities.
### Award-winning reporter Mauricio Casillas exits NBC Washington for anchor post in Texas
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/award-winning-reporter-mauricio-casillas-exits-nbc-washington-for-anchor-post-in-texas/
Last updated: 2026-09-05T14:38:05.000Z
**NBC Washington reporter Mauricio Casillas is leaving** to become a news anchor at a station in his hometown of El Paso, Texas.

NBC4 anchor **Jim Handly** announced Casillas’ departure on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DczNWDTuQSa/?igsi=ZDV1Zm9yNG12dmV5&ref=capitolcommunicator.com), describing him as “tremendously talented, hardworking and always humble.” Handly wrote, “A class act is leaving @nbcwashington to become a main anchor in Texas where he’ll raise his family. Everyone here and @telemundo44 will miss you!”

Casillas, states [The MoCo Show](https://mocoshow.com/2026/09/02/mauricio-casillas-leaving-nbc-washington/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)., joined NBC4 as a reporter in 2022\. A native of El Paso, he previously worked at KVIA, the city’s ABC affiliate, where he began as an overnight reporter before becoming an anchor and executive producer of the station’s morning newscasts.

During his time in the D.C. market, he won two Emmy Awards and an Edward R. Murrow Award.
### Antihero named 2026 Breakthrough Agency by AAF Baltimore
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/antihero-named-2026-breakthrough-agency-by-aaf-baltimore/
Last updated: 2026-09-03T21:43:12.000Z
[**Antihero**](https://www.thisisantihero.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, the Baltimore-based creative production agency founded by director Andrew Fetchko three years ago,** has been named Breakthrough Agency for 2026 by the American Advertising Federation of Baltimore (AAF Baltimore).

The award, states a release, recognizes Antihero as part of AAF Baltimore’s 2026 Hall of Fame Gala, honoring organizations and individuals making a meaningful impact on Baltimore’s creative community. AAF Baltimore describes Antihero as “a small team with a sharp point of view and serious creative gravity,” citing the company’s story-driven approach to video, animation, campaign development and branded content.

For Antihero, continues the release, “what began with a focus on live-action production and creative development has quickly expanded into a much broader creative offering. In addition to national broadcast campaigns, documentary storytelling, animation and branded content, Antihero has developed integrated campaigns, experiential installations, immersive content for Apple Vision Pro, and custom web applications for clients. The company has also built a growing network of deep creative and production partnerships that allow it to assemble the right team, technology, and expertise around each project.”

“We started Antihero because I wanted to build a place where the process mattered as much as the final product, said Fetchko**.** “That’s more important now than ever.”

The company’s expanding capabilities, states the release, “have allowed Antihero to work increasingly upstream with agencies and brands, contributing not only to production but to concept development, visual strategy, experiential design and campaign thinking. Its work spans healthcare, technology, financial services, hospitality, consumer brands, government and more.”

Recent work includes regional and national campaigns, documentary-style brand storytelling, animation and experiential work.

Antihero was also recognized with a 2026 Silver ADDY from AAF Baltimore for its branded content work with Cedar Health.
### Qi2 and Yes& challenge consumers to refuse the same old crap
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/qi2-and-yes-challenge-consumers-to-refuse-the-same-old-crap/
Last updated: 2026-09-02T22:58:41.000Z
[**Yes&** ](https://yesandagency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**launched a humorous and provocative campaign for** [**Qi2**](https://www.chargewithqi.com/qi2/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)(pronounced “chee two), the new global wireless charging standard, drawing an unexpected parallel between one of history’s most notorious urban problems and today’s plague of charging accessory clutter.

The campaign consists of a 30-second video for the [Wireless Power Consortium](https://www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). The video, states a post on [Citibiz](https://www.citybiz.co/article/897860/qi2-and-yes-challenge-consumers-to-refuse-the-same-old-crap/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), “opens with meticulously produced silent newsreel footage of 1894 New York during the “Great Manure Crisis,” when city planners believed horse manure would overwhelm urban life. A female pedestrian is terrorized by laborers who shovel manure at her feet, and she responds with bleeped comments and emojis via title cards. The spot cuts to her standing, wide-eyed with wonder, as early automobiles traverse pristine city streets. The impressive visual and audio details include the iris-out opening visual effect, the grainy black-and-white footage and the sped-up narrator’s voice.”

The video, continues the post, “jumps to today, where consumers battle tangles of cords and wires and drawers jammed with outdated accessories. The payoff is delivered in sleek visuals that show the simplicity of wireless charging enabled by the Qi2\. The message: What once seemed unavoidable can quickly become obsolete when better technology arrives.”

“The campaign was inspired by a simple observation: every generation has accepted inconveniences as a permanent part of life—until someone invents a better way,” said [Jason Gaboriau](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasongaboriau/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), executive creative director of Yes&. “By comparing charging clutter to another once-inescapable problem, the work reframes wireless charging as more than an incremental improvement—it is the next inevitable evolution in consumer technology. Instead of going into the nuts and bolts of technical standards or charging specifications, we invite consumers to imagine a future where charging cables feel just as outdated as horse-drawn transportation.”

The simplicity of the creative concept, states the release, “belies the breadth of the strategic requirements. Wireless charging adoption is steadily growing across consumer electronics, particularly smartphones, wearables, and automotive applications. As of 2025, about 44% of smartphones globally support wireless charging, with projections reaching nearly 50% by 2027.”

The campaign is targeted to consumers ages 14-35 (tech-fluent young millennials and Gen-Zers) across organic and paid social media channels. “The best innovations change what people accept as normal,” Gaboriau said. “By looking backward, we found an entertaining way to help people look ahead. If audiences laugh first, they’re much more likely to remember what’s coming next.”

“We value Yes& as a trusted partner that continues to build awareness for Qi2 through fun, creative content that meaningfully engages our key audiences,” added [Paul Golden](https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgoldencmo/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), marketing director for Wireless Power Consortium.

Yes& was named the Wireless Power Consortium’s agency of record in 2025.
### Fred Garcia on what it really takes to become a trusted advisor
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/fred-garcia-on-what-it-really-takes-to-become-a-trusted-advisor/
Last updated: 2026-09-01T21:41:27.000Z
By [Fay Shapiro](https://www.commpro.biz/news?author=63af182d3cab14148cd85b91&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

*Editor’s Note: In the first of a two-part CommPRO conversation, Helio Fred Garcia* 
*reflects on his 43-year relationship with James E. Lukaszewski,* 
*the lessons behind Influencing Leaders and why real influence has far less to do* 
*with getting a seat at the table than with becoming someone* 
*a leader trusts when the stakes are high.*

**I’ve known Fred Garcia for years, and every conversation with him seems to go well beyond the question I originally planned to ask.** That was certainly the case when we sat down to talk about [*Influencing Leaders*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1394432283?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback&ref=capitolcommunicator.com), his newly released book with James E. Lukaszewski.

The book gave us the reason for the conversation, but what followed became something much broader and, I think, much more important. We talked about mentorship, leadership, trust, judgment and the role communication professionals can play when they stop defining themselves strictly by their function and begin thinking more seriously about what leaders actually need from them.

Fred has spent much of his career advising CEOs, university presidents, senior military officers, government officials and other leaders facing consequential decisions, and his view of trusted counsel is refreshingly uncomplicated at its core. A trusted advisor is not there to advance a department’s agenda or make the case for the communication function. The advisor is there for one reason: to help the leader succeed.

That philosophy did not come from a textbook. It grew, in part, from one of the most important relationships of Fred’s professional life.

When I asked why he and Jim decided to write *Influencing Leaders* now, Fred didn’t begin with the state of leadership or the changing business environment. He began with Jim.

“Among the many blessings that I’ve experienced in my career,” Fred told me, “for the last 43 years, Jim has been my mentor.”

Fred was only a few years into public relations when he found himself working in crisis communication, something he admits happened almost accidentally. “I didn’t know anything really about crisis,” he said. “I was essentially making it up as I went along.”

Then he attended a PRSA meeting where Jim Lukaszewski was speaking.

Fred was so impressed that he gathered the courage to ask Jim if he could buy him a cup of coffee after the conference. Jim agreed, and over coffee Fred told him plainly, “I really want to do what you do. Could you help me learn how to do what you do?”

Jim didn’t immediately take him under his wing. Instead, as Fred remembers it, he watched him.

A few weeks later Jim called and asked Fred to write a 150-word sidebar for an article he was preparing for *Public Relations Strategist*. Fred understood what was happening. “He was testing me, which a good mentor does.”

Fred delivered. The sidebar was published and became his first professional publication. A short time later Jim invited him to participate on a PRSA panel. Then came more collaboration, writing and teaching. Years later, when Fred was recruiting faculty for NYU’s public relations program, he invited Jim to join the faculty, where Jim would go on to teach for more than two decades.

About 20 years ago, Jim published *Why Should the Boss Listen to You? The Seven Disciplines of the Trusted Strategic Advisor*. Fred read the manuscript, endorsed it and began teaching its principles, particularly the Three-Minute Drill, to students and clients. Over time, those ideas became part of Fred’s own approach to advising leaders.

Then, about three and a half years ago, Jim called again.

The book, he told Fred, needed to be updated for a world that had changed dramatically. Leadership had changed. Business had changed. The communication environment had changed. Would Fred help him refresh it?

“When your mentor asks you to refresh his book,” Fred said, “there’s only one answer.”

Fred initially expected to play a supporting role. Instead, Jim invited him to become co-author.

There was something very moving to me about the way Fred told that story, because the arc is much larger than the publication of a new book. A young professional once sat across from someone he admired and asked, essentially, *Will you teach me?* More than four decades later, the two are working together to pass those lessons on to another generation.

And the lesson at the center of the book is one Fred has spent most of his career living.

When I asked him what being a trusted advisor really means today, he came immediately to the principle that anchors his thinking: “The only agenda in the room is the leader’s success.”

That sounds simple until you think about how most organizations actually work.

HR comes into the room with the HR perspective. Legal brings the legal perspective. Security brings the security perspective. Communication brings the communication perspective. Each is doing exactly what their function requires.

But the leader, Fred argues, needs something different.

“The leader needs someone in the room to talk about the leader’s perspective.”

That doesn’t mean abandoning your expertise. It means getting what Fred calls “to altitude” above the function.

“You can be in any one of those functions and be a trusted strategic advisor,” he said. “You just need to get to altitude beyond that function.”

For communication professionals, that distinction is especially important. If the CEO sees you exclusively as the PR person, you will probably be called when there is a PR problem. If the CEO sees you as someone who helps them think through difficult decisions, you become relevant long before the issue is framed as a communication problem.

Fred has seen that difference repeatedly during his career.

He recalled a client who had been the chief speechwriter for the CEO of a large company for roughly 20 years. What Fred noticed was that the speechwriter wasn’t present only when there was a speech to write. He was in the room for virtually every important decision.

Curious, Fred asked him over coffee what actually happened in those meetings.

The answer had almost nothing to do with speeches.

The CEO used him as a sounding board.

That story captures the distinction Fred is trying to make. Being in a staff function is not limiting in itself. Being seen as nothing more than the function can be.

“The trusted strategic advisor,” Fred said, “gets called when they need to make a difficult decision, or discern something differently.”

And that is where our conversation turned to the “seat at the table,” a phrase our profession has used for years as shorthand for influence.

Fred believes we have spent far too much time worrying about the seat.

Jim’s formulation in the book is much stronger: **“You are the table.”**

Fred explains the problem through what they call the “FaceTime Fallacy.” People in staff roles often equate time spent with the CEO with influence over the CEO. An invitation to the executive committee meeting feels like proof that the function has arrived.

But Fred says the more revealing moment often comes after the meeting.

The room clears, and the CEO says, “Fred, could you hang back for a couple of minutes?”

That is when the leader begins testing what they heard, sorting through competing arguments and thinking aloud about what to do next.

“That’s how you move from being the representative of the staff function to being the advisor to the boss,” Fred said.

That idea really stayed with me because it changes the way we should think about influence. Being present is not the same as being influential, and access is not the same as trust. The better measure may be whether the leader wants your perspective after everyone else has left and a difficult decision still needs to be made.

Fred believes that is especially important because senior leaders are often operating with less information and less candor than people around them realize.

They need someone who can recognize patterns, anticipate what may be coming and offer perspective before a problem becomes unavoidable. They also need something many internal functions find difficult to provide: advice in the moment.

When a leader says, “I have a problem,” the instinct inside an organization is often to go away, conduct research, build a deck and return with a recommendation.

Fred and Jim take a different approach.

“We give advice in the moment,” Fred said. “It’s not our job to figure out the solution. It’s our job to help the CEO or the other leader understand the challenges, the issues in making a decision, and then help the CEO make a smarter decision than the CEO would otherwise have made.”

What leaders need, he said, is “unbiased, unvarnished help.”

To provide that kind of counsel, the advisor has to understand much more than the immediate communication issue. You have to understand the leader’s objectives, pressures and vulnerabilities. You have to understand how the board is looking at them, how investors may judge them and what consequences different choices may create.

And sometimes, before any of that can happen, you have to overcome the leader’s resistance to being advised at all.

Fred told me about a senior executive at a large company who initially wanted nothing to do with him. The executive distrusted the outside consultant who had “parachuted in” from New York and had no interest in having Fred anywhere near the CEO.

Months later, after the two had worked together, the executive invited Fred to dinner at his home.

As Fred was leaving, the executive stopped him and finally explained what had changed.

He said that outside consultants often arrived and made everyone inside the company feel stupid.

“You don’t make us feel stupid,” he told Fred. “When we’re with you, we know you’re smart. But you make us feel as if we’re smart, too.”

That may be one of the best descriptions of a trusted advisor I’ve heard.

The job is not to demonstrate that you know more than everyone else in the room. It is to help the people in the room think better.

And that kind of trust cannot be manufactured.

Fred is very clear that credentials, books, academic appointments and decades of experience can create an initial presumption of credibility, but they only get you so far.

“They may get you into the room,” is essentially how he describes it. They do not get you invited back.

Jim writes about trust as “the absence of fear,” an idea Fred embraces. Leaders need to know that the advisor isn’t there to embarrass them, threaten their authority or make them feel inadequate. The relationship only begins to work when the leader understands that the advisor’s agenda is their success.

Fred puts it simply: “I’m here to help you succeed, and I will tell you the truth, even if that truth is difficult.”

When that trust takes hold, the relationships can last for years and sometimes decades. Fred has worked with executives who brought him into one company, then another, and continued to call as they moved from vice president to executive vice president to CEO and beyond.

That, to me, says far more about influence than any seat at any table.

The real question for our profession isn’t simply whether we’re being invited into the executive meeting.

It is whether leaders believe they make better decisions when we’re there.

And if the answer is yes, Fred Garcia believes they will keep calling us into the room, whatever the issue happens to be.

That leads directly to the second part of our conversation, because Fred believes communication professionals are fully capable of becoming those trusted advisors. But first, he thinks we need to confront something much more fundamental: we may be describing the value of our own profession all wrong.

**Photo credit:** Claire Tsai

**This article was originally published by CommPRO and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://www.commpro.biz/news/** 
**fred-garcia-on-what-it-really-takes-to-become-a-trusted-advisor**
### Baltimore Sun and Washington Post show steep declines in print circulation, states new report
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/baltimore-sun-and-washington-post-show-steep-declines-in-print-circulation-states-new-report/
Last updated: 2026-09-01T19:14:20.000Z
**Print circulation continued its steep decline across the U.S. newspaper industry in early 2026, with The Baltimore Sun and The Washington Post recording two of the largest drops** among the nation’s 50 biggest audited newspapers, states a Citybiz post.

According to Citybiz: “New figures from the Alliance for Audited Media, supplied to Press Gazette, show that average daily print circulation across the 50 newspapers fell a combined 15% year over year during the six months ended March 31, 2026.

“Only one newspaper in the group — Florida’s Villages Daily Sun — managed to increase its print circulation from a year earlier.”

**Key Takeaways**

- **The Baltimore Sun:** Average daily print circulation fell **24.9% to 11,800**, the largest year-over-year decline among the 50 newspapers.
- **The Washington Post:** Print circulation dropped **23.9% to 77,900**, the third-largest decline.
- **Minnesota Star Tribune:** Circulation declined **24.2% to 54,800**, ranking second for the largest percentage drop.
- **Villages Daily Sun:** The Florida newspaper was the **only title among the 50 to post year-over-year growth**, rising 1.7% to 54,900.
- **Industrywide:** The 50 newspapers averaged a combined **1.99 million print copies per day**, with circulation down about 15% from a year earlier.
- **Print leaders:** The Wall Street Journal remained No. 1 with average print circulation of **391,200**, followed by The New York Times at **222,700**.

Publishers, states the post, “have shifted their businesses toward digital subscriptions, websites, newsletters, podcasts, video and other platforms as print readership continues to contract.”

**More** [**here**.](https://www.citybiz.co/article/896798/washington-post-and-baltimore-sun-rank-among-biggest-losers-as-u-s-newspaper-print-circulation-slides/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**image**: Citybiz
### Beyond the Impression: Why We’re Measuring Seconds of Attention with aCPM
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/beyond-the-impression-why-were-measuring-seconds-of-attention-with-acpm/
Last updated: 2026-09-20T18:21:07.000Z
**By Carie Jones**

**The media landscape feels a bit like a roller coaster ride.** After that first big drop, it’s a constant series of twists and turns when figuring out how to measure media and build an impactful marketing strategy. We all talk about impressions and cost per thousand (CPM), but how many of us actually analyze how to capture attention?

Attention metrics have trended in recent years, but how well do we really understand what they mean? That’s why Response Labs created dedicated evaluation checkpoints for attention. We don’t just evaluate reach, impression volume, and efficiency; we capture exactly how long we spend with every consumer, and we quantify it.

Say hello to **aCPM** – an acronym we use at our agency to measure *seconds* of attention.

aCPM stands out for so many reasons. It answers questions about relevance, it clarifies efficiency, and it explains the variance in CPM across different channels and tactics. For instance, why would an advertiser spend a $30 CPM on a tactic that another channel offers for $15? Because with aCPM, we can prove that the $30 CPM tactic actually captures the audience and holds their attention.

You might ask: why does time spent matter if you’re reaching the person either way? Because length of time directly correlates with the metrics your leadership team cares about most – growth and impact.

#### **How it Works**

Let’s get into the nuts and bolts. We measure the cost of all impressions served, and then calculate how many total seconds of audience attention we captured. It sounds like a simple calculation, but the specific tactic plays a massive role in how effectiveness is evaluated.

If we’re looking at an online video ad, how long did each person watch before skipping? Did they watch 25% or 75%? When you see completion metrics around 75%, you know you’re driving your cost-per-attention down.

Wouldn’t it be great to tie attention capture directly back to your creative messaging? Imagine analyzing aCPM for your Q1 promos versus your Q2 promos. If Q1 had a high aCPM and Q2 had a low aCPM, what insights could you hand your creative team for Q3?

That’s how aCPM boosts efficiency across all your tactics. You’re not just spending a budget; you’re stretching it as far and as impactfully as possible by measuring performance both vertically and horizontally.

#### **Looking Beyond the Creative Lens**

Attention is hard to come by these days. Constant digital connection actually makes authentic, emotional connection harder to achieve. Creating an opportunity for someone to truly engage, and then understanding that engagement level, is a metric that didn’t really have a voice until aCPM. Unless a user clicked, we didn’t have a true understanding of their attentiveness on the other side of the screen.

aCPM looks deeper to ensure we’re giving people a genuine reason to pause and absorb our message. It allows us to measure that real connection, where emotional relevance creates the tether between the consumer and the brand. The longer we hold that space, the more effectively we can drive action.

While other agencies measure attention in various ways, we’ve found that our approach to aCPM improves brand recall, bolsters campaign volume, and gives our clients a clear, tangible reason why some tactics cost more per thousand than others.

With that clarity, we can seamlessly marry creative strategy with media buying – ensuring our tactical plan checks every box, including the one that actually moves the brand forward.

**This article was originally published by Response Labs** 
**and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://www.responselabs.com/insights/** 
**beyond-the-impression-why-were-measuring-seconds-of-attention-with-acpm**
### Amazon sued over secret ad surcharge “scheme,” states FTC release
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/amazon-sued-over-secret-ad-surcharge-scheme-states-ftc-release/
Last updated: 2026-09-01T14:23:12.000Z
**The Federal Trade Commission and 22 state attorneys general allege Amazon concealed unfair charges in its digital advertising auction pricing.**  An FTC [release](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/08/ftc-states-sue-amazon-over-secret-ad-surcharge-scheme?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) states that the 22 states joined the FTC in filing suit against Amazon, alleging that the company engaged in deceptive and unfair practices that secretly inflated prices in its online search advertising auctions.

The [complaint](https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC-2BNu1-2BdeguRUrratMklgTjwfw-2FzXnoDF9eGVPMTRZtKvsPz-2FbEpxMiZjAaVc58NIvuOgAgz1Klu-2FONxR3nwJXkg-3DOQy0%5Fd26Eb7EIAowZIc2fLDWWgyuKsMrWvPyHMJuM-2FMjXPMP8j4d-2BCmqs-2BtgnwZZAEgFjZJlxOIv38UxwAhyzf1jFhYM0FHdD9zD5FpPy8mb2I-2FpB0QAYKspr3Pk22UxpLWShunC5Hxj-2Fzct0JoZaWr7nUh8RsACcelcEj0Fxl87yldZMsXuu5qk9BpA3XEWhYTycg0nmwhQCHewlG4-2FUKK19JWbgqkyRr647GtZkVVnirILZf3mmWnYDL2N9tfBJ2ezku1EuKFs44URTUluIsdXr5iSyMqJKdOqxPDds6Sn3i-2F4Hyoo-2F5FF1ZTj0Oc5Md2Vb8UFzB6BS-2F6ZHoxMUDsDct5mhfVtTc-2FQon-2FHqCVhodbg-3D&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)alleges that, for over seven years, Amazon has covertly and substantially increased the prices that more than one million brands and sellers were required to pay to advertise on its platform. As a result, the complaint alleges that Amazon’s scheme has likely extracted tens of billions of dollars from its unwitting advertising customers.

“When one of the world’s largest online retailers engages in unfair and deceptive conduct, the impact can be staggering,” said Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson. “Amazon has millions of advertising customers who were misled into paying significantly higher prices. These higher costs were largely passed on to American consumers. The FTC under President Trump won’t allow this deception to continue.”

The FTC, along with the attorneys general of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont and Washington, allege Amazon has imposed undisclosed surcharges on its advertising customers, which include over 500,000 small- and medium-sized businesses that participated in auctions for advertising placements on Amazon.com and its mobile app. In these auctions, prospective advertisers bid to place Sponsored Product ads,

Sponsored Brands ads and Display Ads alongside the results that appear when a consumer searches for a product using a keyword on Amazon’s store. Placements are auctioned to the highest-ranked bidder for each keyword. As described in the complaint, Amazon has represented to prospective advertisers for years that Amazon runs “second price” auctions where the winner of the auction would only pay “one cent more than the next highest bidder” for each successful bid for an advertising keyword.

However, in practice, the complaint alleges that Amazon has charged its Sponsored Products advertisers their own winning bid close to 80% of the time and has effectively converted its nominally “second price” auction into a first price auction. According to the complaint, Amazon’s “second price” auctions have been described by Amazon, and understood by advertisers, to be run as generalized second-price, or GSP auctions, which have been the accepted industry standard for digital advertising placements.

The complaint states that Amazon has made these or similar representations on its website, in training videos and in other public-facing materials, as well as in presentations made to advertisers by its hundreds of sales personnel. The type of auction matters to advertisers because it impacts how they bid. In a sealed first-price auction—the type of auction where winners pay the amount of their winning bid—bidders run the risk that they might overbid. So, in repetitive auctions for the same goods, they will often reduce their bid to determine what the minimum amount needed to win future auctions might be.

This is called bid shading. In second-price auctions, bidders are more likely to bid higher, closer to their true value for the product, because they will only be liable to pay the least bid amount needed to win under the auction’s rules. As alleged in the complaint, Amazon told advertisers it ran a GSP, but for years its auction pricing had “a surcharge hidden in it,” in the words of one internal Amazon document.

The complaint alleges that, beginning in 2019, Amazon changed its auction rules without notice by adding an undisclosed surcharge that Amazon referred to internally as a “soft reserve price.” This resulted in advertisers paying substantially more than the price determined by the GSP auction. According to the complaint, Amazon made this surreptitious change to its auction because it was unhappy about how much revenue its advertising auctions were generating.

The complaint quotes from the executive in charge of Amazon Ads who explained internally that the price paid by advertisers “isn’t set by an actual bidder,” but is instead a “proxy 2nd price that we calculate.” In another document quoted in the complaint, Amazon acknowledged it uses an “invented auction participant” to increase prices.

The complaint alleges that Amazon’s “invented auction participant” and its hidden “proxy 2nd price” bids are essentially shill bids. The complaint also quotes from another Amazon employee, who stated that Amazon’s surcharges enable it to obtain prices “beyond what \[can\] be achieved through advertiser competition.”

The complaint alleges that Amazon’s unlawful scheme has generated tens of billions of dollars of revenue for the company by, for example, substantially increasing the prices charged to advertisers on ordinary shopping days and applying far greater increases to prices on high-volume shopping days like Prime Day and Black Friday.

The complaint quotes notes from a 2024 discussion between senior executives, including the head of Amazon Ads and Amazon’s Chief Digital Economist, where it was acknowledged that Amazon’s “clever non-transparent way to charge first price” has been an “incredibly effective way to drive revenue.”

As described in the complaint, because Amazon understood that revealing the surcharges—and the fact that the auction was no longer a genuine second-price auction—would lead to significant backlash from its advertising customers, Amazon spent years concealing the changes from the public. For example, leading up to the high-volume days,

Amazon carefully ramps up surcharges to disguise the fact that it is inflating prices. Amazon has repeatedly deployed such underhanded tactics to increase its surcharges to meet revenue targets. Amazon knows that it benefits from its advertisers’ false belief that the prices they pay are set by fair, competitive second-price auctions, according to the complaint.

The complaint quotes from Amazon employees acknowledging that advertisers “are operating under the assumption that Amazon uses a GSP auction,” that advertisers “believe Amazon will not simply charge their first price,” and that as a result “many advertisers bid far higher than what they are willing to pay … because they assume \[the auction is\] a GSP.” According to the complaint, the truth is that advertisers have not been competing in fair GSP auctions.

The complaint alleges that, over the past several years, Amazon’s surcharges have resulted in advertisers paying their own bid amount an increasingly high amount of the time. For Sponsored Products ads, the complaint alleges that the percentage of the time advertisers paid the amount of their bid increased from between 30% and 40% in 2021, to 70% in 2022, and to approximately 80% in 2024 as a result of the surcharges.

But Amazon has actively concealed this fact from advertisers to prevent them from lowering their bids, according to the complaint. The complaint alleges that Amazon and its senior executives took active steps to conceal its surcharge pricing system from its advertisers, including giving false and misleading answers to advertisers who asked the company directly if it had changed its auction format, so that they would continue to be deceived about how the prices they pay are set.

The complaint quotes from Amazon’s internal documents, stating that revealing the surcharges would result in “irrevocable damage to advertiser trust” and a “downward spiral” of advertisers lowering their bids, leading to dramatic losses of revenue for Amazon. According to the complaint, Amazon has continually tested and monitored its customers to increase its prices without getting caught, and, to date, this scheme has been successful.

The complaint quotes from one Amazon employee who said that the company’s hidden surcharges are “good for Amazon” because “advertisers must pay more for the same advertising,” and “the benefit to Amazon comes at the cost of advertisers.”
### Earned media now most important media type in the PESO Model® for improving AI discoverability, finds new report
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/earned-media-now-most-important-media-type-in-the-peso-model-for-improving-ai-discoverability-finds-new-report/
Last updated: 2026-09-22T17:37:54.000Z
**Earned media has emerged as the most important media type in the PESO Model®** improving AI discoverability, according to a new report from [D S Simon Media](https://www.dssimon.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The “Earned Media in the AI Era” [report](https://www.dssimon.com/earned-media-in-the-ai-era-report/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) surveyed 168 PR executives working at agencies, brands and nonprofits. The key finding: 44% of respondents selected earned media as the most important tool in the PESO model for AI discoverability. This was 42% higher than the next pick, paid media. Owned was third at 19% with shared at 5%.

“AI is disrupting the traditional way we think about the PESO Model®,” says **Doug Simon,** CEO of D S Simon Media. “Not only is earned media most important but optimizing your earned media to be found by the LLMs is critical.”

The research shows nearly unanimous agreement about the value of earned media in the AI era. 99% said it’s important to increase earned media campaigns for AI discoverability and 89% of respondents described earned media as important compared with every other PR and marketing tool. They are putting their money where their new priorities are. 52% say more than half of their AI discoverability budget goes toward earned media.

“PR professionals are clearly recognizing the connection between earned media and AI discoverability,” says Simon. “We are seeing that in our 20% increase in earned media campaigns for clients.”

The report also found a confidence gap between agencies and brands. Overall, 87% of agency respondents feel they have been successful optimizing earned media for AI discoverability, compared to 59% for brands. More than one-third of brand respondents say they are not doing a good job optimizing their earned media for AI discoverability.

The biggest barriers differ between the two groups. For agencies, the agency/client relationship is the top challenge, cited by 50% of respondents. For brands, lack of clear measurement ranks first at 44%. Getting teams on the same page and lack of expertise are also significant barriers for both agencies and brands.

“The research shows there is still work to be done,” says Simon. “Agencies and brands need to align on goals, measurement, and strategy. The organizations that figure this out will be better positioned to compete for attention in an AI-driven discovery environment.”

The survey was conducted by D S Simon Media in August 2026\. A total of 168 responses were collected through SurveyMonkey from PR executives working at agencies or in-house for brands and nonprofits.

Note: The PESO Model® is a registered trademark of Spin Sucks.
### Layoffs at WBAL NewsRadio in Baltimore
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/layoffs-at-wbal-radio-in-baltimore/
Last updated: 2026-08-29T20:31:24.000Z
**WBAL NewsRadio in Baltimore cancelled its local midday and afternoon shows** hosted by **TJ Smith** and **Angelette Aviles**. The shows have been replaced by syndicated conservative hosts Glenn Beck and Clay Travis & Buck Sexton middays, and “The Sports Lounge” afternoons, reports [Inside Radio](https://www.insideradio.com/free/baltimore-s-wbal-cancels-local-midday-afternoon-programs/article%5F1487397f-8c34-4f36-9e11-fbc3cfac7eee.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Smith, who joined the Hearst news/talk station in 2023, posted on Facebook, “Like several others, I’m no longer at WBAL Radio. It was an honor and a privilege to grace the airwaves these last four years.” Smith, a former spokesperson for Baltimore’s Police Department and Press Secretary for Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski, ran for mayor of Baltimore in 2020.

According to Inside Radio, “Aviles hosted afternoons for the past year on WBAL after being heard on weekends. Before joining the station, she was a commentator for Fox News Channel and Univision and a columnist for the Baltimore Sun.

“WBAL’s new weekday lineup stays the same for mornings, with “News Now with Taylor Bennett” 5- 530am and “C4 (Clarence Mitchell IV) and Bryan Nehman” 5:30-10am. Premiere Networks’ “The Glenn Beck Program” airs 10am-noon, followed by “The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show” noon-3pm, with “The Sports Lounge,” with a host yet to be announced, 3-5pm.

“While several of WBAL staffers are no longer shown on the station’s website — including anchor/reporters **Chris Cichon** and **Phil Yacuboski**, reporters **Ashlyn Wilson** and **Scott Wykoff**, traffic reporters **Mary Anne Perry** and **Tony Thornton**, weekend hosts **Bruce Elliott** and **Jerry Rogers**, and sports host **Nick Testoni**, their departure is yet to be confirmed by management.”
### What Dolly Parton Taught Us About Trust, Authenticity and the Power of Being Yourself
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/what-dolly-parton-taught-us-about-trust-authenticity-and-the-power-of-being-yourself/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:31:46.000Z
**By** [**Fay Shapiro**](https://www.commpro.biz/news?author=63af182d3cab14148cd85b91&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**We all loved Dolly Parton.**

That feels like the right place to begin because few public figures have ever occupied the place Dolly did in our culture. Across generations, geographies, politics and backgrounds, people didn’t simply admire her. They felt connected to her, and they trusted her.

In the days following her passing, there has understandably been an extraordinary outpouring of affection and remembrance. But for those of us who spend our lives thinking about communication, leadership, reputation and trust, Dolly’s life also leaves us with something worth examining. How did someone achieve that level of fame and success, continue to evolve for decades and somehow remain unmistakably herself?

CommPRO asked a remarkable group of leaders in communication to reflect on what Dolly Parton can teach communicators and business leaders about authenticity, trust, staying true to who you are, and knowing when to speak and when not to.

What came back was much more than a collection of tributes. Together, these reflections tell a story about what authenticity actually looks like when it is lived over a lifetime. They remind us that trust is earned through actions, that kindness can be a form of leadership, that values matter most when there is something at stake, and that having a voice doesn’t require using it on every issue.

Perhaps most of all, they remind us that Dolly’s greatest communication strategy was never really a strategy at all. She knew who she was.

**Jon Harris, EVP, Chief Communications & Networking Officer, Conagra Brands:**

“Dolly taught me that you can be incredibly successful without ever losing your humanity.

She knew exactly who she was. Her brand was never manufactured – it was simply Dolly. She was smart, disciplined and a terrific businessperson, but she never took herself too seriously.

A few things I learned from working with her:

• **Authenticity wins.** Dolly never tried to be anyone other than herself.

• **Kindness is a leadership skill.** She made everyone in the room feel important.

• **Protect your name.** She understood the value of her brand and was thoughtful about what she put it behind.

• **Take the work seriously, not yourself.** She was prepared, engaged and demanding about the work, but always brought humor and joy.

• **Stay curious.** Music, movies, television, Dollywood, philanthropy, consumer products – she never stopped evolving.

• **Success means more when you share it.** Giving back wasn’t something Dolly did on the side. It was central to who she was.

I’ve met and worked with a lot of well-known people over the years. Dolly was different. **The person lived up to the legend.**

I had the privilege of interviewing her several times, but the conversations away from the cameras are what I’ll remember most. She was funny, curious, gracious and incredibly sharp.

**Maybe the biggest lesson was this: Dolly could walk into a room as one of the most famous people in the world and somehow make everyone else feel important.**

That’s a pretty extraordinary legacy.”

Harris knew Dolly and worked with her, which makes his observation that the person lived up to the legend especially powerful. It also introduces something that runs throughout these reflections: Dolly never appeared to reinvent herself to satisfy the moment. She evolved, certainly, but the person at the center remained remarkably consistent.

**Jarrod Moses, Vice Chairman, Edelman; Founder/CEO, United Entertainment Group:**

“The passing of Dolly Parton Tuesday is a reminder that some of the most powerful lessons in leadership and communications are actually quite simple. Throughout my career in business, communications and culture, I’ve learned that authenticity can’t be manufactured, and Dolly embodied that. She evolved with the world without ever seeming to change who she was at her core. She knew what she stood for, treated people with respect, and built extraordinary trust across generations and audiences. She also understood something increasingly rare today: you don’t have to weigh in on everything. Knowing when to speak, when to listen and when to simply stay true to yourself is its own form of leadership. Her legacy is a powerful reminder that sometimes you don’t need to change who you are to remain relevant, you just need to know who you are.”

Moses raises an issue every communicator advising a leader or organization is confronting today. There is enormous pressure to respond, react and take a position, often immediately. Dolly demonstrated that having strong values and living them publicly doesn’t mean you need an opinion for public consumption on everything.

**Bill Davies, CEO of Racepoint Global:**

“Dolly Parton was a rare figure who had the unique ability to transcend an increasingly divided world with her likability. There’s a lesson in that for communicators and leaders. Dolly’s authenticity came through in her warmth, her outlook on life, and, importantly, her ability to listen. I often say leaders need to have a point of view, but Dolly is a good reminder that having a POV doesn’t mean weighing in on everything. Trust is built just as much by listening, understanding people, and knowing when not to speak as it is by saying something memorable – which Dolly certainly did a lot of! In a world where everyone is encouraged to have an immediate take, perhaps we could all follow in Dolly’s legacy and listen a little more.”

Listening may be one of the most underrated ideas in modern communication. Dolly’s extraordinary reach wasn’t based on everyone agreeing with her. It was rooted in something much more human: people believed she respected them. That ability to make people feel seen, rather than spoken at, helped her cross divides that very few public figures can.

**Patrice Tanaka, Founder & Chief Joy Officer, Joyful Planet, LLC:**

“Dolly Parton is universally loved because she exemplified all that is good in the world with her radical authenticity, sassy humor, humility, self-awareness, empathy, boundless generosity, unconditional acceptance of people, and desire to unite rather than divide. She built trust in an increasingly, less-trusting America. Great communicators and leaders, whose success is built on establishing trust, would do well to be more like Dolly. The world is less bright today, but let’s #BeLikeDolly to honor her eternal sunshine and build back trust.”

That combination of authenticity, humor, humility and strength also made Dolly an unusually useful model for leaders. She could be funny without diminishing her authority, self-deprecating without diminishing herself and plainspoken without ever seeming unsophisticated.

For Travis Parman, Dolly’s example has been practical enough to become a question he has used when counseling CEOs around the world: What Would Dolly Do?

**Travis Parman, Chief Communications Officer, Goodyear:**

“I have used the ‘What Would Dolly Do?’ mantra to counsel many CEOs in many cultures because her wisdom is universal. She always had the answer. The foundation of any sound strategy–especially when it comes to communications–is generally based in being humble, authentic, gracious, transparent, empathetic and—if appropriate—adding a touch of self-deprecating humor to connect and to let folks know you don’t take yourself individually too seriously.

She continuously demonstrated this.

And her reputation for sincere, plainspoken straight talk mixed with wit and humor helped her diffuse negativity. When you’re transparent and self-deprecating about who you are—it leaves little room for attack.

She stayed out of the fray on traditional politics, but she involved herself symbolically on issues that she considered paramount—like funding COVID-19 vaccine research and filming a video of herself getting a shot during the pandemic. She didn’t TELL people what they SHOULD do – but she SHOWED them. She never asked anyone to do anything that she wasn’t willing to do in high heels and heavy rhinestones.

Dolly said, ‘Figure out who you are, and do it on purpose.’ She told people—I see you and I value you. I believe that was a large part of her being universally loved. There was just zero pretense about her.

‘Dream more, learn more, do more, and become more.’ Dolly delivered that advice in a University of Tennessee commencement speech—and later in one of her books. If your actions inspire others to this—then you’re the best kind of leader. THAT’S what Dolly would do. That’s what Dolly did—and we all seemed to love that she inspired us to be better versions of ourselves.”

Knowing who you are doesn’t mean becoming predictable. In fact, Dolly’s clear sense of self gave her enormous freedom to experiment because people trusted the person doing the experimenting.

**Johna Burke, AMEC CEO:**

“Dolly Parton could walk onto any stage because, if she was there, people expected her to be Dolly. That consistency made her trusted without ever requiring her to be predictable.

Communicators and brands need that same clarity. Strong strategic positioning means knowing who you are, understanding your audience, and asking both if and where your voice adds value. That discipline keeps you from adding messaging clutter simply because you can. More importantly, when you get it right, you’re not a distraction and you’re not distracted. You can stay focused on your own path to excellence, leading rather than chasing.

Authenticity isn’t about chasing relevance. It’s knowing who you are, where you add value and when your voice matters. There’s a lot of noise out there, but the best make music.”

Burke’s distinction between consistency and predictability gets to the heart of why Dolly remained relevant for so long. She could change, explore and surprise people without leaving them wondering who she was.

But authenticity becomes more consequential when something is at stake. Values are easy to articulate when there is no cost attached to them. Living those values when doing so carries risk is a very different matter.

**Helio Fred Garcia, President, Logos Consulting Group:**

“A value is not just something you believe; it’s something you’re prepared to live by even if risky. Much of Dolly’s demographic was divided on social issues including race, gender, LGBTQ+, etc. Dolly stuck firm to her principles of treating all with dignity and respect, even at the risk of alienating part of her audience. But she lived her values and modeled tolerance, inclusion, and respect. And she didn’t lose her audience in the process. A lesson for us all.”

That distinction between talking about values and living them is fundamental to trust. Dolly’s actions gave people evidence of what she believed, and those actions accumulated over decades.

For Paul Duning, Dolly’s story is also deeply personal. Growing up in Middle Tennessee, he watched her long before she became the global cultural figure the rest of the world came to know.

**Paul Duning, Co-Founder/Publisher, Capitol Communicator:**

“I’m originally from a small town in Middle Tennessee, and Dolly Parton has been part of the fabric of my life for as long as I can remember. Her last major project,[Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop](https://dollystravelstops.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), is about 10 miles south of the family farm where I was raised.

One of my earliest memories is gathering around our black-and-white TV console with my grandfather and parents to watch the Grand Ole Opry when I was about 6 years old. I remember seeing Dolly perform in those early days, around the time she was appearing with Porter Wagoner and other country music legends. She came across as sweet as honey then — and, remarkably, she has carried that warmth and humanity throughout her extraordinary life and career.

But there is a larger lesson in Dolly Parton’s story, particularly for communicators and business leaders.

Authenticity isn’t a communications strategy. It’s something you earn by consistently being who you say you are.

Dolly understood that instinctively. She was smart as a whip about business, but her success was never simply about building a brand. She built trust. She created jobs, supported education, invested in communities and used her success to help others through philanthropy and countless acts of generosity.

Just as important, she understood something many leaders struggle with today: **when to speak and when not to.** She rarely allowed herself to be pulled into the divisions of the moment simply because others expected her to take a side. When she did speak, it generally reflected the values she had demonstrated throughout her life.

She stayed true to herself, true to her fans and trustworthy to her business partners. She sought to bring people together regardless of race, creed, religion, economic circumstances or politics.

For communicators and business leaders, perhaps that is Dolly’s greatest lesson: **Know who you are. Live your values consistently. Earn trust through your actions. Speak when you have something meaningful to contribute — and recognize that you don’t have to weigh in on everything.**

That kind of authenticity can’t be manufactured by a communications campaign. It has to come from the core.

May we all learn something from the qualities that made Dolly Parton not only an extraordinary entertainer and businesswoman, but such a remarkable person.”

Dolly’s example was also powerful because she refused many of the false choices imposed on women in leadership. She could be glamorous, funny and unabashedly feminine while also being a formidable businessperson who understood her value and wasn’t afraid to own it.

**Jennifer Kamienski, Executive Vice President at Coyne:**

“Dolly Parton shows you don’t have to choose between being feminine and being a feminist. You can still be ‘girly’ and have red nails and wear six-inch heels, while still commanding a boardroom. Whether you are in a room filled with men, women or a mix, if you have something to contribute, say it. As she puts it, ‘Go in with confidence. You got in the door because you deserve to be there. Don’t forget that. And don’t let it hit you on the way in.’ People will always try to shoot you down, so the real discipline is not doing it to yourself first. Growing up in a working-class family as well, I learned nobody was going to hold the door open for me, so I had to blow that door wide open and remember to help open it for others.

In our business, trust is built on being genuinely likable and approachable, someone brands feel safe putting themselves in the hands of, but that only holds up if you also have a life outside the business, because losing yourself in the job is what costs you the perspective to lead well. Dolly said it herself: ‘Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.’

Do it all with integrity, and a little rhinestone flash.”

Those rhinestones weren’t a marketing invention. Neither were the hair, the humor or the Tennessee warmth. Dolly understood that being completely comfortable with the outward Dolly gave her tremendous freedom to focus on the substance underneath.

**Michael Levine, Author, *Authentic PR*:**

“**Dolly Parton’s Golden Rule: Be Real—Not Noisy**

Dolly Parton offers communicators and business leaders a master class in authenticity. She never confused sophistication with self-erasure. The rhinestones, humor, Tennessee warmth, and disarming candor were not marketing decorations; they were recognizable expressions of character. That consistency created something advertising dollars cannot purchase: trust.

Parton also understood that authenticity does not require commenting on every controversy. In an age when executives feel compelled to issue instant pronouncements on matters far beyond their competence, her restraint is instructive. Silence, when chosen thoughtfully, is not cowardice. It can be judgment.

The essential lesson is simple: know your values, speak in your own voice, and make certain your conduct supports your claims. Speak when your words can clarify, comfort, or contribute. Remain quiet when speaking would merely feed noise or flatter your ego.

Authenticity is not saying everything. It is ensuring that whatever you do say is unmistakably, consistently, and credibly yours.”

Dolly also possessed something especially valuable in today’s unforgiving communications environment: the self-awareness to know her vulnerabilities before anyone else could weaponize them. Rather than hiding them, she owned them, laughed about them and made them part of who she was.

**Emily Wenstrom, Senior Vice President, Stanton Communications:**

“Dolly was eternally self-aware and uncompromising. One of her superpowers was in her ability to joyfully embrace what others would use to tear her down, from her love for head-to-toe rhinestones, to the big hair, to the plastic surgery. She showed up as her full self and never apologized for it, but always had a quip ready to disarm anyone who might try to use them against her—indicating she had a savviness that she never let get in the way of her authenticity. Her generosity showed in her actions as much as in her sharing of her whole self, and her consistency and warmth kept fans wholly enamored. As communicators, if we can emulate that openness, honesty, kindness, and consistency, we are sure to benefit the profession, our clients, and the world.”

And then there is perhaps the most surprising dimension of authenticity: when you truly know who you are, you are free to go somewhere nobody expects you to go.

**Simon Erskine Locke, Founder & CEO, CommunicationsMatch™:**

“As a stereophile, when friends visit I play a song by Celtic band Altan –[*The Pretty Young Girl*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnVeaamRgTw&ref=capitolcommunicator.com). I ask them to identify the guest vocalist. It always takes a few minutes, but eventually they recognize Dolly Parton. No one gets it straight away, because few associate her with Irish music. It’s an exceptional performance. This was just one of many directions she was willing to take over her life. Authenticity is not about rewards. It is about being ourselves, especially when that’s not the obvious or easy choice.”

Dolly’s authenticity also meant having the confidence to surprise people, and sometimes, as Mary Beth West reminds us, the courage to stand your ground.

**Mary Beth West, APR, FPRCA, Knoxville, Tennessee:**

“In the context of teaching a young Southern girl – who watched ‘9 to 5’ for the first time in the 1980s – about the value of standing up for herself, I’ll never forget Dolly Parton’s scene in that iconic film, when she faced down Dabney Coleman’s character – the serial workplace sexual harasser and sociopath – by saying, ‘**I’ll change you from a rooster to a hen with one shot!**’ Dolly taught me that feminine fire and fury have their rightful place, especially when punctuated with the right words at the right moment. She was indeed poetry in motion.”

Mary Beth’s memory adds another dimension to what made Dolly so powerful. Her warmth, humor and kindness never meant a lack of strength. She could be unmistakably feminine and, when the moment called for it, unmistakably fierce.

Maybe that is why we all loved Dolly. She never seemed to be performing authenticity for us. She was simply herself, whether she was singing country music, building a business, giving away books, supporting a cause, telling a joke, standing her ground or unexpectedly turning up on an Irish folk song.

Maybe that is why we all loved Dolly. She never seemed to be performing authenticity for us. She was simply herself, whether she was singing country music, building a business, giving away books, supporting a cause, telling a joke, walking into a boardroom in six-inch heels or unexpectedly turning up on an Irish folk song.

For an industry that spends enormous amounts of time helping organizations and leaders define their purpose, articulate their values, establish their voice and earn trust, Dolly Parton leaves us with something both simpler and much harder. She reminds us that authenticity begins with knowing who you are, that values mean very little unless people can see you living them, and that listening can sometimes be more powerful than speaking. She showed us that kindness and strength can coexist, that humor doesn’t diminish authority, that relevance doesn’t require reinvention and that having a voice doesn’t mean you have to use it on every issue.

What is striking in all of these reflections is how often one word appears: trust. Dolly earned it not through a campaign or a carefully constructed public persona, but over a lifetime in which the person, the words and the actions remained remarkably aligned. People trusted Dolly because they had a pretty good idea of who was going to show up, and yet she never stopped surprising them, growing, experimenting or finding new ways to connect.

That may be one of the most important lessons she leaves communicators and business leaders. Trust isn’t something we can manufacture through messaging, and authenticity isn’t something we can suddenly declare when we need it. Both are earned slowly, through consistency, judgment, generosity, self-awareness and the courage to remain yourself even when being someone else might be easier.

We all loved Dolly Parton for a lot of reasons: the music, the humor, the rhinestones, the generosity, the extraordinary business savvy and the joy she seemed to carry with her. But underneath all of it was something even more powerful. Through decades of enormous fame and constant change, Dolly Parton made us believe that the person we saw was the person she really was, and for communicators, leaders and the rest of us, that’s quite a legacy to live up to.

**This article was originally published by CommPRO and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://www.commpro.biz/news/** 
**what-dolly-parton-taught-us-about-trust-authenticity-and-the-power-of-being-yourself**
### Designing with AI: Why you need a process, and the State Department map that proves it
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/designing-with-ai-why-you-need-a-process-and-the-state-department-map-that-proves-it/
Last updated: 2026-08-26T20:01:50.000Z
**By Todd Post**

**At a pre-conference session of the AIDS 2026 conference in Rio de Janeiro in July,** with senior African health officials in the audience, the United States presented its plan for funding their countries. The slide behind the podium was a map of Africa, and just about every country on it was wrong.

A senior U.S. health envoy who oversees the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) showed a map on which all six highlighted countries were misplaced or mislabeled. Nigeria landed in the Sahara. Mozambique showed up in the Horn of Africa. Côte d’Ivoire moved to southern Africa nowhere near a coast. Uganda and Malawi were drawn with the wrong borders. Cameroon was labeled but given no territory at all. Attendees photographed the screen, and the images were circulating online within hours after **Emily Bass** published the slide to her Substack, [To End a Plague … Again](https://emilysbass.substack.com/p/the-us-state-department-redraws-the).

As [NBC News reported](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/us-government-map-africa-mislabels-every-country-global-conference-rcna590153?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Reuters found a watermark on the image indicating it was made with an OpenAI tool. [The State Department apologized](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/31/us-government-mislabels-countries-on-map-of-africa-at-global-conference?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and said a staff member had hastily changed the slides shortly before the event.

That last detail is the one that communicators should think about, because it’s the situation we’re all in now. A senior leader or client realizes after hours that they need something for a meeting tomorrow. The designer is gone for the day. AI is available, it takes a minute, and what comes out the other end looks finished.

Two things went wrong in Rio and only one of them was the AI. Someone used a generative tool when clip art of an actual map would have served. Then, whatever review process was used on the slide, it didn’t catch that Nigeria moved to the Sahara, or any of the other errors it contained. As a result, the international audience saw an incorrect slide on the screen behind the presenter. Whether it was a rushed turnaround or the wrong file, no one between the AI prompt and the projector caught it.

It’s tempting to swing the pendulum too far the other way, restricting the tools and requiring that every design request go through a designer. A policy that works until the first after-hours emergency isn’t a policy. Policies for designing with AI should include:

- Don’t use AI when clip art will serve
- Use a human designer when feasible
- Always have a human designer check the AI graphic
- Train staff on how to write prompts
- Create a style manual with standards for the final output
- Make everyone in the chain of command responsible for reviewing and verifying the quality and accuracy of the AI graphic, from the person who produced it to their manager to the end user
- Document the reviews and approvals

Most of that list is about verification rather than about AI, and that’s deliberate. When I managed a creative services team, the part of our process that saved us was never the design software. It was the routing slip that documented who created something, who reviewed it, and who signed off on it.

Time crunches will always be the argument for skipping those steps. To paraphrase [the old UPI maxim](https://about.upi.com/history/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), get it done fast, but first, get it right. Otherwise, you may spend more time on damage control than checking it would have taken. If you’re going to bypass the human designer, there must be human reviewers and approvers in their place.

Just because something was produced by AI doesn’t absolve the humans of responsibility for the outcome. I recently watched [bodycam video](https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/video/news/national-international/tesla-driver-speeding-autopilot-bodycam/3762905/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) of a traffic stop where a Tesla owner argued he shouldn’t get a ticket for doing 64 in a 45 because he wasn’t driving, the car was. The officer pointed out that the owner was still sitting in the driver’s seat and wrote the ticket anyway.

Whoever clicks generate is in the driver’s seat, but so is everyone the file passed through afterward, whether they looked at it or not.

**About the Author**

Todd Post is a communications and public affairs strategist who has worked at PR agencies, nonprofits, and across the federal government. He served as Senior Public Affairs Advisor for the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

**Photo:** Emily Bass
### Meta to make major changes ​to Facebook and Instagram in settlement over social media harms to children
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/meta-to-make-major-changes-to-facebook-and-instagram-in-settlement-over-social-media-harms-to-children/
Last updated: 2026-09-08T19:41:16.000Z
**Meta Platforms agreed to pay a maximum $16.68 billion and make major changes ​to Facebook and Instagram** to resolve claims by states across [the U.S.](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) that the company designed those platforms to addict children, ‌misled consumers about their safety and improperly collected children’s personal data, reports [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/meta-settles-with-us-states-over-social-media-harms-2026-08-26/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The settlement, states Reuters, “resolves claims brought by 29 U.S. states, and will end a federal trial that had been one of the highest-profile tests yet of allegations that social media companies harmed young users.

“It will impose daily usage limits and restrict nighttime usage by children ​who use Facebook and Instagram, and enhance measures to prevent children from accessing age-restricted content.

“The Menlo Park, California-based company denied ​wrongdoing in agreeing to settle.”

The settlement, adds Reuters, “also resolves lawsuits by California, Illinois, New Mexico and Washington, D.C., over ⁠privacy claims related to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where the consulting firm collected personal data of millions of Facebook users. Those states ​will receive $459.3 million to resolve those lawsuits.”
### Lawsuit filed against Washington Post for failing to disclose “dynamic pricing”
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/lawsuit-filed-against-washington-post-for-failing-to-disclose-dynamic-pricing/
Last updated: 2026-08-26T20:00:59.000Z
**You may have encountered dynamic pricing — sometimes referred to as algorithmic, personalized, or surveillance pricing** — when [booking a flight](https://hls.harvard.edu/today/how-delta-airlines-and-other-companies-use-dynamic-pricing-to-determine-how-much-you-pay/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) or [buying groceries on Instacart](https://www.consumerreports.org/money/questionable-business-practices/instacart-ai-pricing-experiment-inflating-grocery-bills-a1142182490/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). It’s when a company’s algorithm decides what to charge you based on your purchase history and other behaviors. And news subscribers are increasingly noticing it when their subscriptions come up for renewal.

According to a [post](https://www.niemanlab.org/2026/07/this-price-was-set-by-an-algorithm-news-subscribers-are-surprised-by-a-new-line-in-their-renewal-emails/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) by [Hanaa’ Tameez,](https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanaatameez/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) a staff writer at Nieman Lab who covers innovation in the news industry: ““Like many businesses, Dow Jones uses data to inform the marketing, positioning and pricing of certain consumer subscription products,” a Dow Jones spokesperson told me when I asked about our reader’s experience. “We do this responsibly, guided by robust governance and compliance protocols. Adherence to these protocols is actively monitored and enforced by stakeholders across the business including legal, privacy and compliance.”

“Earlier this month, NJ.com subscriber Adam Lisberg got a renewal notice stating that his annual subscription price of $130 was determined by an algorithm using his personal data. NJ.com is owned by Advance Local; its website states that annual subscriptions start at $100 for basic access, while a premium subscription with various perks costs $200.

Lisberg’s Bluesky post caught the attention of other NJ.com subscribers. One was being charged [$145](https://bsky.app/profile/atkinscolm.bsky.social/post/3mql2v4ugzc2v?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). New York Times’ New Jersey reporter Tracey Tully was told her subscription would renew at [$175](https://bsky.app/profile/traceytully.bsky.social/post/3mql2eikypc2l?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

“Dynamic pricing isn’t illegal in the United States unless it’s deployed deceptively, discriminates against protected classes, or violates antitrust laws. Last month, consumers [filed a class action lawsuit](https://www.courthousenews.com/washington-post-hit-with-class-action-over-surveillance-pricing-scheme/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) against The Washington Post for failing to disclose its use of dynamic pricing. Tim Giordano is a partner at Clarkson Law Firm, the firm behind the Post lawsuit. He said that news subscribers have the right to understand how their personal data is being used.”

“Journalism has real value, and news organizations have every right to pursue a profitable business model,” Giordano said. “But individualized pricing determined by opaque AI systems using personal data, and even legally protected characteristics, is outside the bounds of fair competition and consumer protection law. This kind of AI-driven price gouging gates essential information behind a paywall that moves simply depending on who you are. It undermines public trust in one of the core pillars of democracy.”
### Joseph Olmo reveals during broadcast that he is leaving NBC Washington
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/joseph-olmo-reveals-mid-broadcast-that-he-is-leaving-nbc-washington/
Last updated: 2026-08-26T19:59:02.000Z
**Long-time NBC anchor Joseph Olmo revealed mid-broadcast that he is leaving NBC Washington,** reports [The Daily Beast.](https://www.thedailybeast.com/nbc-news-anchor-joseph-olmo-quits-on-the-air/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

“Well, before we go tonight, I’ve got just one more story for you,” he told viewers. “After almost 10 years in broadcasting, tomorrow night I will hit the streets of the DMV one final time as a local news reporter.”

Olmo, a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and a Catholic University of America alum, has covered the capital region for about seven years, with NBC4 and Telemundo 44.

“You can cover the world, but nothing compares to being a local news reporter. Because think about it. Who else would tell you about all the things happening where we live?”

“To watch all these moments in person and then share what I see with you has been so cool,” the Annapolis native said.

On his Instagram, Olmo [said](https://www.instagram.com/joseph.olmo/reel/DcZteh4xv-V/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) he would be “staying right here at home.” He added, “And if you know anything about me, then the next chapter won’t be much of a surprise 😉”
### Arbitrator orders Washington Post to rehire columnist
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/arbitrator-orders-washington-post-to-rehire-opinion-columnist/
Last updated: 2026-08-26T17:46:43.000Z
**An independent arbitrator has ruled that The Washington Post violated its collective bargaining agreement with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild when it fired columnist** [**Karen Attiah**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen%5FAttiah?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) in September 2025, states a [release](https://wbng.org/news/karen-attiah-arbitration-win?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) from the Guild, According to the Guild, the ruling “vindicates the Guild’s yearlong fight, with support from Democracy Defenders Fund, and orders the Post to reinstate Attiah with backpay and lost benefits.

“Attiah, who spent 11 years at the Post with an unblemished disciplinary record before rising to columnist and founding editor of its Global Opinions section, was terminated over two posts on Bluesky addressing racial double standards in the public response to political violence. Attiah was a member of the Post Guild, meaning she was covered by the union’s collective bargaining agreement requiring that her termination either be the result of progressive discipline or rise to the level of “gross misconduct.” The Post had argued Attiah’s Bluesky posts constituted “gross misconduct” that endangered staff safety; the arbitrator ruled that they did not, finding the posts did not disparage white men or “any individual or group on the basis of race or gender,” and that the Post’s decision to hold Attiah accountable for threats of violence made by bad actors against her was a “wholly rejected justification for the termination.””

“This decision confirms what we’ve said from the start: I was doing my job as an opinion journalist, and doing that job is not misconduct,” said Attiah. “After spending over a decade of my career at the Post as an editor and an opinion columnist focusing on race, gender and global human rights, I’m relieved to finally have that record set straight. I am grateful to everyone at the Guild and Democracy Defenders Fund who stood behind me through this nearly-year-long battle. I hope that this win sends a message to journalists and media institutions everywhere that freedom of expression is always worth fighting for.”
### Television becoming podcasting’s newest growth platform
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/television-becoming-podcastings-newest-growth-platform/
Last updated: 2026-08-25T14:43:19.000Z
**Television is quickly becoming podcasting’s newest growth platform** as video viewing reshapes audience habits, reports [Inside Radio](https://www.insideradio.com/free/podcasts-move-to-the-living-room-as-tv-consumption-hits-13/article%5F29b62be7-67d8-411e-8492-351ed8455179.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

New data from Edison Podcast Metrics, states Inside Radio, “shows that 13% of U.S. weekly podcast consumers 13 and older now say they most often use a TV to consume podcasts.

“While smartphones remain the overwhelming leader, televisions have nearly caught up with computers and laptops for second place, signaling that podcast consumption is increasingly moving into the living room.

“The shift has been remarkably rapid. Just 1% of weekly podcast consumers named television as their primary podcast device in 2021\. That figure climbed to 4% in 2022, 6% in 2023, 7% in 2024, 11% last year and now stands at 13% in the first quarter of 2026 — a 1,200% increase in five years. The findings come from Edison’s quarterly Podcast Metrics survey of U.S. weekly podcast consumers 13 and older.

“Edison says the trend closely mirrors YouTube’s growing role in podcasting. Consumers who say YouTube is the platform they use most often for podcasts are considerably more likely to identify television as their primary podcast device, underscoring how video is changing where podcasts are consumed.”
### NAB to honor Joel Oxley, President and GM of Hubbard Radio in D.C., for his “extraordinary leadership and lasting contributions to the radio industry”
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/nab-to-honor-joel-oxley-president-and-gm-of-hubbard-radio-in-d-c-for-his-extraordinary-leadership-and-lasting-contributions-to-the-radio-industry/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:26.000Z
**Joel Oxley, President and General Manager of Hubbard Radio in D.C., will receive the 2026 NAB National Radio Award, the National Association of Broadcasters announced.** The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the radio industry.

Oxley, President and GM of WTOP and Federal News Network, [announced](https://capitolcommunicator.com/joel-oxley-general-manager-of-wtop-who-was-ahead-of-the-curve-to-retire/) he will retire later this year.

Oxley will be honored Oct. 20 during the 2026 NAB Marconi Radio Awards Dinner at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. The event will take place the evening before NAB Show New York opens.

“NAB is honored to recognize Joel Oxley for his extraordinary leadership and lasting contributions to the radio industry,” NAB President and CEO **Curtis LeGeyt** said. “For more than three decades at WTOP and Federal News Network, and over 15 years at Hubbard Radio, Joel has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to local journalism, innovation and public service.”

According to[ Inside Radio](https://www.insideradio.com/free/joel-oxley-to-receive-2026-nab-national-radio-award/article%5F629237ff-188c-4fa5-8657-71450db1eee6.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Oxley joined all-news WTOP (103.5) in 1992 as an account executive and moved through the organization’s leadership ranks before becoming general manager in 1998\. He later took on responsibility for Hubbard Radio’s Washington, D.C. operations, including WTOP News and Federal News Network.

During his tenure, WTOP has earned national recognition as one of the country’s leading news radio stations and consistently ranked as the nation’s top-billing radio property. Oxley helped guide the operation’s expansion across broadcast, digital, video and social media while maintaining its focus on local journalism and community service.

Under his leadership, Hubbard’s Washington stations have earned numerous Edward R. Murrow Awards, NAB Marconi Radio Awards and NAB Crystal Radio Awards.
### Declan Moore named President/Market Manager of Hubbard’s D.C. cluster, which includes WTOP and Federal News Network
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/declan-moore-named-president-market-manager-for-wtop-federal-news-network-and-the-2060-digital-washington-dc-office/
Last updated: 2026-08-25T01:41:44.000Z
**Hubbard | Media announced that Declan Moore is the new President/Market Manager for its Washington, D.C., cluster**, which includes WTOP, Federal News Network and the 2060 Digital Washington, DC, office.

According to [WTOP](https://wtop.com/wtop-press-releases/declan-moore-appointed-president-market-manager-for-hubbard-media-that-connects-in-washington-dc/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com): “Moore was most recently Head of International for Wondery, an Amazon company, where he led international strategy and expansion for their audio business across content, advertising, subscriptions and platform distribution.

“Prior to Wondery, Moore was with National Geographic in Washington, DC, for 23 years where he served numerous roles including Chief Media Officer and President, Publishing and Digital Media for National Geographic Society and Chief Executive Officer of National Geographic Partners.”

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to build on the extraordinary legacy Joel Oxley has created here in Washington,” commented Moore.

“WTOP, Federal News Network and 2060 Digital are exceptional brands with deep connections to the communities they serve throughout the National Capital Region. I’m energized by the opportunity to work with the talented teams here to build on those strengths and help these businesses continue to evolve and grow.”
### Omnicom Shifts Omni Engineering Teams to Endava Amid AI Platform Push
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/omnicom-shifts-omni-engineering-teams-to-endava-amid-ai-platform-push/
Last updated: 2026-08-21T17:07:03.000Z
[**Omnicom** ](https://www.omc.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)has transferred significant portions of the product and engineering teams supporting its AI-powered Omni platform to technology contractor [Endava](https://www.endava.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), according to [**ADWEEK**](https://www.adweek.com/agencies/exclusive-omnicom-offloads-hundreds-of-staffers-who-built-its-ai-platform-to-third-party-contractor/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The changes came just months after Omnicom highlighted a revamped version of Omni at CES in January, positioning the platform as a central part of its offering to clients.

At least 468 employees in the U.S., U.K., India and Malaysia were affected by the transfers in June and July, according to documents obtained by ADWEEK. The company also laid off about 50 U.S. employees from its Omni Platforms Product & Engineering Division on June 9\. Additional product and engineering cuts were made in Australia, the U.K. and Malaysia, sources told ADWEEK.

An Omnicom spokesperson told ADWEEK that the company entered into a multiyear partnership with Endava designed to increase engineering capacity and accelerate delivery.

Under the arrangement, Omnicom retains ownership of the Omni product, as well as its AI innovation, data science, client relationships and intellectual property, the spokesperson said.

Some affected employees questioned the strategy of separating a key technology platform from portions of the engineering team responsible for developing and supporting it. One transferred employee told ADWEEK the move raises questions about outsourcing engineering work for a product Omnicom is actively marketing to clients.

— Based on reporting by [**ADWEEK**](https://www.adweek.com/agencies/exclusive-omnicom-offloads-hundreds-of-staffers-who-built-its-ai-platform-to-third-party-contractor/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### Glimpse Group to Complete Corporate Rebrand to Brightline Interactive
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/glimpse-group-to-complete-corporate-rebrand-to-brightline-interactive/
Last updated: 2026-09-09T21:39:13.000Z
**The Glimpse Group, Inc. announced it will complete its corporate rebrand to Brightline Interactive** and the transition of its Nasdaq ticker symbol from **GGRP to BTLN**.

The change reflects the company’s transformation from a portfolio of businesses into a focused technology company centered on **Brightline and SpatialCore**, its interoperability infrastructure platform for Physical AI.

Since the company’s new leadership and Board of Directors assumed responsibility on June 1, 2026, Brightline has focused on a series of initiatives intended to simplify the business, accelerate growth and strengthen its position in the emerging Physical AI market. These efforts have included the divestiture of non-core and underperforming subsidiaries, advancement of government and commercial revenue opportunities, development of strategic technology partnerships, and increased engagement with existing and prospective investors.

“BTLN represents the company we are building, a category defining leader in Physical AI” said **Tyler H. Gates**, President and Chief Executive Officer of Brightline Interactive. “Our focus has been straightforward: simplify the business, advance revenue, build partnerships, and position SpatialCore to scale. We have spent more than a decade working alongside demanding government customers and anticipating the interoperability challenges that are now becoming critical as AI, autonomous systems, robotics and sensors increasingly operate in the physical world. We believe the next several years will represent an extraordinary period of growth for Physical AI, and our intention is for Brightline to become a significant part of the infrastructure that enables that growth.”

Brightline’s strategy is organized around two principal lines of effort: revenue and strategic partnerships.

Brightline continues to build upon its longstanding relationships within the U.S. defense and special operations communities while expanding its pipeline across civil federal agencies, state-level government programs and commercial customers. Brightline’s platform architecture is designed so that integrations developed through individual customer engagements can be reused and scaled across additional customers, applications and markets, allowing customer-funded development to contribute to the continued expansion of the SpatialCore platform.

Brightline is also pursuing strategic partnerships with companies operating across autonomy, robotics, sensors, artificial intelligence, communications and other areas of the Physical AI technology stack. Because SpatialCore is intended to operate as an interoperability layer beneath these technologies, Brightline believes companies that might otherwise be viewed as competitors can instead become partners, customers and suppliers within a broader ecosystem.

The company recently announced a strategic relationship with autonomous drone software company Swarmer as an early example of this partnership model.

“Brightline has spent years working on a challenge that is becoming increasingly important to both national security and the broader technology market: enabling highly capable but disparate systems to understand and operate within the same physical environment,” said **Admiral Scott H. Swift, USN (Ret.),** Chairman of Brightline Interactive. “What gives me confidence in the opportunity is not simply the technology itself, but Brightline’s understanding of the operational problem. As autonomous and AI-enabled systems proliferate, interoperability and trusted access to real-world information will become increasingly important. I believe Brightline has both the experience and the opportunity to play a meaningful role in solving that challenge at scale.”

The corporate rebrand and ticker transition are intended to provide shareholders, customers, partners and the broader market with greater clarity around that singular strategy.
### Andy Polansky Is Opening Doors for the Next Generation of Communications Leaders
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/andy-polansky-is-opening-doors-for-the-next-generation-of-communications-leaders/
Last updated: 2026-08-24T15:12:26.000Z
##### **This article was originally published by CommPRO and is reprinted here with permission.**

 **By** [**Fay Shapiro**](https://www.commpro.biz/news?author=63af182d3cab14148cd85b91&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**I have known Andy Polansky for a long time,** and if you know Andy, you know how much he cares about this industry and its people. He has had one of those careers most people in communications know well, but what I have always appreciated about Andy is that he has never made it just about his own career. He gives back, he stays involved and he genuinely cares about who is coming next.

That is why I was so interested when I learned that Andy had established the [Polansky Future Leaders Fund](https://page.org/press-news/page-launches-the-polansky-future-leaders-fund-to-strengthen-communications-industry-leadership-development/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) at Page, and why I wanted to sit down with him and talk about what he hopes it can accomplish.

The fund will support Page’s Future Leaders Experience, its signature executive education program for communications professionals who aspire to become CCOs or who have been identified by their organizations as having the potential to get there. It is already an established and successful program, but Andy sees an opportunity to help Page continue to build it, keep it current and, importantly, make it accessible to more of the people who should have the chance to participate.

For Andy, there is also a very personal connection.

Page has been an important part of his own career, and when we started talking about why he created the fund, he went right to the point.

“I’ve always believed it’s critically important for us as leaders to invest in the future,” he told me.

That sounds like Andy.

He has had an extraordinary career, including leading Weber Shandwick globally, but when I asked him about the people who had opened doors for him, he immediately started talking about other people. He mentioned Harris Diamond and Jack Leslie, and cited his long partnership with Gail Heimman, along with the many colleagues he worked with throughout Weber Shandwick and the former IPG community. He also talked about how fortunate he felt to have worked with a global team he considered the best in the business.

I think that appreciation for what other people contributed to his own journey is a big part of what is behind this fund.

One thing Andy said during our conversation really stayed with me. He talked about the need to create “more on-ramps” for future communications leaders.

Not every organization is in a position to fund someone through an executive education program like the Future Leaders Experience, and that means there are talented people in our industry who simply may not get the same opportunities as someone working inside a larger or better-resourced organization.

Andy doesn’t believe the answer is necessarily making the room bigger.

“We don’t necessarily need a bigger room, but we need more on-ramps,” he said.

I love the way he put that because we spend a lot of time in this industry talking about the next generation, but access matters. It is one thing to tell talented people to work hard and develop their skills, and another to make sure they actually have opportunities to learn from senior leaders, build relationships with peers and get the kind of experience that can prepare them for the CCO role.

That is an important part of what Andy hopes this fund can do.

He wants to help Page broaden the pipeline of future CCOs, make it more global and more diverse, while giving people who might not otherwise have access to a program like this an opportunity to participate.

The fund will also help Page continue to strengthen the Future Leaders Experience itself. The communications business is changing quickly, and the program has to change with it. The funding can be used to keep the curriculum contemporary and more global in scope, bring in experts and make sure the experience reflects what tomorrow’s CCOs will actually be facing.

And there is certainly plenty to prepare them for.

Andy believes the CCO role has never been more important. CEOs and boards are thinking about reputation risk in a very different way, while communications leaders are dealing with an increasingly complicated mix of stakeholders, business issues and technology considerations

Of course, we talked about AI because you really cannot have a conversation about the future of communications today without talking about AI. Andy believes future CCOs absolutely have to understand the technology and its impact on business, but he also kept coming back to something much more basic: judgment.

The world may be changing, but some of the things that make a great communications leader have not changed at all. Andy talked about empathy, being an active listener, understanding the business, building strong teams and knowing how to bring people along. For the CCO specifically, he talked about helping to model the character of the organization, earn substantive engagement and trust from key stakeholders and being able to help steward a company through change.

That is wisdom worth passing along, and it is another reason I believe an investment in developing future communications leaders matters so much right now.

Andy also believes strongly in something Page has always done very well: bringing people together and giving them a community of peers they can learn from over many years.

I don’t think we can underestimate how important that is. You can learn a tremendous amount in a classroom or an executive program, but there is also enormous value in knowing people who understand what you do, who have faced some of the same challenges and who you can call when you need another perspective. Andy sees that network as an important part of the Future Leaders Experience and of Page itself.

Toward the end of our conversation, I asked Andy what excites him most about the future of this industry.

His answer was classic Andy: “Everything’s cool about this industry.”

He spends a lot of time these days talking with younger people, including college students and people just starting their careers, and he knows there is anxiety about AI and what it could mean for jobs. But what he sees when he talks with them is energy and enthusiasm, and people who are intellectually curious and want to make a difference.

Andy remains incredibly positive about communications as a career, and his advice is pretty simple: work hard, take initiative, listen, build your network, understand the business and pay attention to what is happening in the world around you. Don’t just become good at the technical side of communications. Learn what keeps your CEO or your client awake at night and understand enough about the business to help them think through it.

That is how you become the person management wants in the room, and it is also why programs like the Future Leaders Experience matter, because we are asking more and more of our CCOs and need to make sure the people who will fill those seats in the years ahead have the preparation, relationships and judgment to do the job well.

What I also appreciate about the Polansky Future Leaders Fund is that Andy did not create it as a one-time gesture. It is intended to have what he called a “sustaining impact,” giving Page the ability to continue investing in the program and adapting it as the needs of future leaders change.

I started my conversation with Andy by telling him that, for me, so much of what we do comes back to purpose and giving back, and I know he feels the same way.

After talking with him, I think that is really what this fund is all about.

Andy has already contributed so much to this profession through the businesses he has led and the people he has worked with, mentored and encouraged over the years. Now he is putting something in place that can help people he may never even meet, rising leaders who, with the right support, can step into the CCO role leading communications for some of the world’s most important organizations.

I think there is something very special about that, especially at this point in Andy’s career, because he could easily look back and be proud of everything he has accomplished, but instead he is looking ahead and asking what he can do for the people coming next.

That is Andy Polansky, and that is why I consider him a role model. We need great leaders in this industry, but we also need people who care enough about its future to help create the next generation of them, and Andy is doing exactly that through a fund that can keep opening doors for years to come.

I am very glad Page, and our profession, have him in our corner.

**This article was originally published by CommPRO and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://www.commpro.biz/news/** 
**andy-polansky-is-opening-doors-for-the-next-generation-of-communications-leaders**
### Yasmine Gahed named market president and publisher of the Washington Business Journal
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/yasmine-gahed-named-market-president-and-publisher-of-the-washington-business-journal/
Last updated: 2026-08-20T16:46:11.000Z
**Yasmine Gahed has been named market president and publisher of the Washington Business Journal.** The appointment, effective immediately, was announced by **Mike Olivieri,** executive vice president of American City Business Journals Inc., the publication’s parent company.

Gahed, states a release, joins the Washington Business Journal after nearly 12 years as vice president of advertising at the South Florida Business Journal, another ACBJ publication. The publication, which covers the Miami-Fort Lauderdale market, has been among the fastest-growing titles in the ACBJ portfolio.

“Yasmine’s thoughtful approach to building teams around a shared mission and her proven track record of developing partnerships that last is why she is ideal for this opportunity with this talented team,” Olivieri said.

Gahed succeeds **Alex Orfinger,** who announced in June that he was stepping down after more than 30 years in Washington, including 24 years leading the Washington Business Journal.

The move marks a return to the Washington area for Gahed. Before joining ACBJ in South Florida, she lived in the region for more than a decade and spent nine years as an advertising sales manager at The Washington Post. She also worked at The Washington Diplomat.

“I’m excited to return to the Washington, D.C., area and step into this new role with a company that has played such an important part in my professional journey,” Gahed said.

“I look forward to leading this exceptional team, deepening relationships with local business leaders, providing meaningful value to the community, and helping position the organization for continued success in a dynamic market.”

Gahed will relocate from Miami to Washington with her daughter. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Ohio State University and an MBA from American University’s Kogod School of Business.

Charlotte, North Carolina-based ACBJ, a unit of New York-based Advance Publications, owns business publications in 45 U.S. cities.
### In the news: TV newscasts without live newscasters
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/in-the-news-tv-newscasts-without-live-newscasters/
Last updated: 2026-08-20T21:48:50.000Z
**No live anchors. No friendly banter between familiar newscasters.** WMAR, Maryland’s oldest TV news station, rolled out a new look to broadcasts that the station’s owners are expanding to cities nationwide. The change to two WMAR evening broadcasts highlights a major shift in how technology is reshaping local TV news, reports [The Baltimore Banner.](https://www.thebanner.com/culture/film-tv/wmar-local-tv-news-anchor-layoffs-TLV5APILUBF7PMO5W75QESUJLI/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

According to The Baltimore Banner, [WMAR-2](https://www.wmar2news.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), an ABC affiliate owned by E.W. Scripps, “had a round of layoffs and is reprogramming some shows to stream prerecorded stories in place of live, on-air reporting and live anchors. The new format, which debuted Wednesday night, kicked off with a weather segment and was followed by local, prerecorded news stories and national reports from a Scripps team.

“The decision to forge a new course comes as executives of the station’s parent company [embrace an AI-driven, 24-hour streaming model](https://deadline.com/2026/08/ew-scripps-layoffs-ai-local-tv-1237028507/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) for news. Scripps is rolling out the change in a dozen smaller markets, including Baltimore, before it’s adopted at the company’s dozens of local stations. Other broadcasts are expected to switch over in the coming weeks and months.

“Americans’ consumption of local news has shifted in recent years, with more people saying they get information from online forums and platforms. But many U.S. adults still prefertelevision to any other local news sources, according to a [2025 study](https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/fact-sheet/local-news-fact-sheet/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com#what-platforms-do-americans-use-for-local-news) from the Pew Research Center.

“Kelly McBride, a senior vice president at the Poynter Institute, said many news networks are experimenting in hopes of finding their way to a more efficient future as audiences’ news preferences evolve.”

.
### ChatGPT Ads Just Got Personal: How to Use the New Custom Audiences Feature
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/chatgpt-ads-just-got-personal-how-to-use-the-new-custom-audiences-feature/
Last updated: 2026-08-14T15:56:44.000Z
**A few months ago, we broke down what it looks like to advertise on ChatGPT**. At the time, it was all about “context hints” – getting your message in front of people based on the topics they were typing into the prompt box. While it opened up an exciting new frontier for advertising, it lacked the precise audience control that data-driven marketers need to justify their budget.

That just changed.

OpenAI recently rolled out **Custom Audiences for ChatGPT Ads**. This update changes the game entirely, shifting the platform from an interesting contextual experiment into a legitimate performance channel where you can put your first-party CRM data to work.

Here is a quick breakdown of what this means for brands and how marketers can use it.

### **What’s the New Feature?**

To put it simply, advertisers can now upload customer or prospect lists into the OpenAI Ads Manager to control who sees your ads.

However, this tool is strictly for first-party data. OpenAI’s terms are explicit: list rentals, third-party broker data, or scraped leads are completely off the table. This feature is designed for brands to securely activate the data they actually own.

You can upload standard customer identifiers like emails or phone numbers, including secure SHA-256 hashed files. Once processed, you can use the list in three ways:

1. **Campaign-Level Inclusion:** Restrict a campaign so it *only* shows up for people on your list. This is great for hitting warm leads or loyalty members.
2. **Campaign-Level Exclusion:** Block specific groups from seeing your ads. This is huge for acquisition campaigns where you don’t want to waste money showing ads to people who just bought from you last week.
3. **Audience Bid Adjustments:** You can set bid multipliers from 0.1x all the way up to 10x at the ad group level to bid up aggressively on high-value VIP lists.

### **The Big Catch: You Need Scale**

Before you try running a highly-targeted campaign, check the fine print. **Each custom audience must have at least 25,000 matched users before OpenAI will let you use it.**

Because you will always lose some data to bad email addresses, opt-outs, and match-rate drops, OpenAI recommends starting with a list of at least 100,000 users. For now, this tool is built for brands with decent-sized CRM databases, larger e-commerce lists, or robust loyalty programs.

### **How to Run a Clean Pilot**

If you want to test this out, don’t just dump your entire database into the system and hope for the best. Treat it like a real CRM experiment.

Because OpenAI requires verified first-party records, the heavy lifting happens before you ever hit upload. That’s where the Response Labs team comes in. We work with our clients to cleanse, format, and segment data to ensure high match rates while strictly keeping your brand compliant.

When launching a pilot, we typically recommend defining three target groups to start:

- **Recent Leads (0–90 days):** An inclusion list for hot prospects who need a nudge to finish converting.
- **Dormant Leads (91–365 days):** A reactivation segment where you test a slightly different, incentive-driven message
- **Existing Customers:** A strict exclusion list to protect your acquisition budget from ad waste.

From there, we round out the pilot with a strong framework:

#### **Combine Audiences with “Context Hints”**

ChatGPT ads don’t use traditional keyword matching. You have to pair your audience list with conversations where your ad belongs. For a flooring brand, this could be “user planning a home renovation and looking for flooring ideas” or “user comparing local installation companies.”

#### **Keep the Creative Helpful**

People go to ChatGPT for advice, not to look at flashy banner ads. Focus your creative angles on cost clarity, decision support, or convenience, and use specific landing pages that match the user’s intent.

#### **Measure for Incrementality**

OpenAI lets you buy on a CPC or CPM basis. For a meaningful 30-to-45-day pilot, we recommend a media budget that allows you to gather statistically significant data (think $15,000 to $25,000). Most importantly, hold out 10% to 20% of your list from the campaign to compare downstream actions – like actual purchases – between the people who saw your ChatGPT ads and the people who didn’t.

### **The Compliance Guardrails**

OpenAI’s terms are explicit: you must own this data, and your privacy policy must cover using consumer data for paid media matching. Strip out any sensitive CRM notes or commentary before you upload; the system only wants clean identifiers like emails or phone numbers.

### **The Bottom Line**

With Custom Audiences, ChatGPT is moving past the experimental phase and becoming a serious player in performance media. It gives you a direct line to engage your audience exactly when they are asking deep, conversational questions relevant to your business.

**Ready to see if your CRM data meets the scale requirements for a ChatGPT pilot?** [Contact the Response Labs team today](https://www.responselabs.com/contact/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) to map out a strategy that proves real bottom-line lift.

**This article was originally published by Response Labs** 
**and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://www.responselabs.com/insights/** 
**chatgpt-ads-just-got-personal-how-to-use-the-new-custom-audiences-feature**
### Two NPR promotions highlight importance of technology and audience data
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/two-npr-promotions-highlight-importance-of-technology-and-audience-data/
Last updated: 2026-08-13T16:32:48.000Z
[**NPR,** ](https://www.npr.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**headquartered in D.C., promoted Bryan Moffett to senior vice president of transformation and Michael Seifollahi to vice president of audience technology and data,** appointments aimed at strengthening digital audience growth and collaboration across the public media network.

The appointments, states a [post,](https://www.citybiz.co/article/888601/npr-promotes-bryan-moffett-and-michael-seifollahi-to-leadership-roles/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) “highlight the operational importance of technology and audience data as NPR develops digital products that must work across both the national organization and its network of local Member stations.

“For NPR, that challenge extends beyond attracting digital users. The organization is also working to connect audience engagement with fundraising, distribution and revenue opportunities across a decentralized public media network.”

Chief Operating Officer **Ryan Merkley** said the leadership changes come as NPR works more closely with its Member organizations across news, digital products, fundraising, marketing and distribution. Both executives will take on roles focused on connecting those efforts and developing the technology and operating structure behind NPR’s audience strategy.

“NPR is in a pivotal moment when we are working across the Network to better serve audiences,” Merkley said. He added that the appointments are intended to support investments in audience engagement and create more coordinated experiences across NPR and its Member organizations.

The post states that Moffett will lead NPR’s Office of Transformation, overseeing the design and execution of organization-wide initiatives tied to the network’s strategic priorities. A central part of the position will be coordinating work across teams as NPR pursues audience growth and closer collaboration throughout the public media system.

Since 2022, Moffett has held dual positions as chief operating officer of National Public Media, or NPM, and senior vice president for network growth at NPR. He will remain NPM’s COO while shifting more of his attention to the transformation role.

Moffett has spent more than two decades with NPR and NPM and has worked on several initiatives connecting digital audience development with revenue generation. Those efforts include NPR+ and the NPR Network Donation platform, which NPR said has generated more than $70 million in new audience revenue shared with the network to date.

Earlier in his tenure, Moffett helped introduce digital sponsorship at NPR and developed sponsorship models for its mobile apps and podcasts. He previously served as NPM’s general manager and has been its chief operating officer since 2016.

“This is a critical moment in media, and particularly for public media,” Moffett said. He said his focus will include ensuring NPR’s digital transformation translates into audience and revenue growth while supporting its broader public media mission.

Seifollahi, meanwhile, will oversee NPR’s audience technology and data organization. His responsibilities include developing and scaling engineering teams spanning full-stack development, front-end technology, mobile, voice and quality assurance.

He will also work closely with a senior vice president of product and data that NPR plans to hire. Together, those functions will shape the technical and architectural direction of the next generation of digital products supporting NPR and the broader public media ecosystem.

Seifollahi joined NPR in 2013 as a lead mobile engineer. He was part of the team that developed the on-demand listening experience that became NPR One and later helped drive NPR’s transition from maintaining multiple mobile applications to a unified app strategy.
### Capitol Communicator Is Taking a Short Summer Break
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicator-is-taking-a-short-summer-break/
Last updated: 2026-08-13T16:05:50.000Z
We hope you’re enjoying the summer! The Capitol Communicator team is taking a brief summer vacation to relax, recharge, and spend time with family and friends. As a result, we will not be publishing from **August 13 through August 23, 2026**.

We’ll be back on **August 24** with the latest news, insights, and coverage of the marketing, advertising, public relations, media, and communications industries. Thank you for being a valued reader, and we wish you a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable rest of the summer. We look forward to reconnecting with you soon!
### White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt exits at end of August
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/white-house-press-secretary-karoline-leavitt-exits-at-end-of-august/
Last updated: 2026-08-15T03:34:49.000Z
**White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt,** [**the youngest person to hold the role**](https://apnews.com/article/trump-administration-press-secretary-4c550e04334e87d2075dc6bbe2e244bd?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, will leave at month’s end**, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday, reports the [Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/trump-press-secretary-leavitt-dc3753a957b05ef554bf277221d9cf46?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Leavitt, 28, just recently returned to the White House after taking a brief leave for the birth of her second child in May.

According to the AP report: “Leavitt has been one of [the most visible advocates](https://apnews.com/article/trump-leavitt-white-house-first-press-briefing-5ba5ff116e18c29b04c934a24a8983d1?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement. The Republican president described her as one of his “most trusted aides” in a social media post announcing her departure.

“He said Leavitt “will be departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect! Karoline will now be one of my top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party, as we work to defy History, and conclusively win the Midterm Elections.

“Leavitt recently returned to work after taking leave following the birth of her second child, a daughter, in May. She also has a two-year-old son.”

“The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary — and that is why I have ultimately made the bittersweet decision to depart the White House and embark on a new chapter in my life,” Leavitt said in a social media post.

Trump did not outline plans for who might replace her in the high-profile role.
### Agency Updates: News from FGS Global, MD Digital Strategies and Warschawski
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/agency-updates-news-from-fgs-global-md-digital-strategies-and-warschawski/
Last updated: 2026-08-12T19:07:32.000Z
[**FGS Global**](https://fgsglobal.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **acquired Rich Feuer Anderson,** a bipartisan government affairs firm based in Washington, D.C., with more than two decades of experience advising financial services and energy clients on the full intersection of politics, policy and regulation.

The acquisition, states a release, will combine RFA’s advocacy expertise and regulatory access with FGS’s strategic communications, transaction advisory, and crisis management capabilities and s global reach. Both firms have substantial expertise in the regulated financial services and energy sectors.

“Financial services and energy are two of the most rapidly shifting and dynamic industries globally, and the clients we serve in these sectors are asking for something the market has not yet delivered: Washington policy depth, regulatory access, and world-class communications under one roof,” says **Winnie Lerner** (pictured), partner and North America CEO of FGS.

Founded in 2003, RFA advises Fortune 500 companies, fintech startups, banks, asset managers, insurance companies, energy producers, utilities, as well as energy storage and infrastructure companies, among others, on t high-stakes regulatory and legislative policy challenges.

[**Matt DeLuca**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewryandeluca/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **launched MD Digital Strategies,** a digital marketing agency. He most recently served as head of digital at Adfero before it closed at the end of June, and previously held roles as head of social media at NextEra Energy and head of paid media at Edelman and Golin.

[**Warschawski**](http://www.warschawski.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, a fully integrated advertising, digital, PR, branding, and marketing communications agency,** announced the addition of [Taylor Seidell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylorseidell/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) as Assistant Director of Digital. In this role, Taylor will lead paid digital campaigns for clients, including creative optimization, campaign performance, reporting, and helping deliver data-driven digital marketing solutions. According to a releaser, she brings more than five years of experience in paid search and digital advertising. Most recently, she served as Associate Director of Paid Search at BarkleyOKRP following the agency’s acquisition of Adlucent, where she advanced through a series of increasingly senior roles in paid search and account management.
### State of Wikipedia report for August 2026
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/state-of-wikipedia-report-for-august-2026/
Last updated: 2026-08-12T18:32:31.000Z
**In August, the Wikipedia Chaos Index increased to 90,** **which is considered critical levels of chaos**. This means that we recommend extreme caution and waiting until activity drops again for publishing new drafts, controversial information or engaging directly with editors.

The first marker of this increase comes from Conflict of Interest Noticeboard activity, which increased 40% month-over-month, a sign that Wikipedia is cracking down on anything that reads as even remotely promotional.

Though AfC submissions only increased about 5% in July, the decline rate increased dramatically in July, as Wikipedia editors grew more stringent with notability and neutrality requirements, especially with a severe increase in suspected LLM-generated content being submitted and rejected.

When Grokipedia launched last October as an AI-generated alternative to Wikipedia, Elon Musk positioned it as a direct competitor to the world’s largest online encyclopedia. It has since grown from roughly 885,000 machine-generated articles at launch to more than six million today.

But a [recent analysis from Lawfare](https://us.list-manage.com/tzJS5rCig8e?e=53d545074b&c2id=4b23f59c9c41352573eec95607eaffaa&m=47tEQusU29f8OtchZqaMxz0U5%5F5ogXCAT6TbewRxsmSX7mOx33lWe3vA62Yl&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) found a major problem: Grokipedia appears to have stopped updating its articles and processing suggested edits in late April. Researchers analyzed more than 34,000 pages containing over 225,000 suggested edits and found no accepted or rejected corrections after April 24\. More than 13,000 suggestions are now sitting unresolved, despite the system previously processing many suggestions within minutes.

It’s an interesting reminder of just how difficult Wikipedia is to replace. Generating millions of encyclopedia articles is one thing. Keeping them accurate, current and accountable over time is something else entirely. Wikipedia has spent 25 years building not just its content, but the human editors, sourcing standards, revision histories, Talk pages and governance processes that continuously maintain it. As Lawfare notes, those systems also make Wikipedia’s disagreements and changes visible in a way an automated encyclopedia may not be.

Meanwhile, Wikipedia has become increasingly embedded in the broader information ecosystem. Google, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Mistral AI, Perplexity and others now use Wikimedia Enterprise to integrate Wikimedia data into their platforms at scale, while Lawfare cites research finding Wikipedia in roughly 25 million citations across AI systems, compared with about 356,000 for Grokipedia.

For organizations that have assumed Wikipedia might become less relevant as AI grows, the evidence continues to point in another direction. Wikipedia can be difficult to navigate and it certainly isn’t perfect, but after 25 years of becoming part of how information is created, maintained and distributed online, waiting for the next technology to make it irrelevant increasingly looks like the wrong bet.

***Note: The Chaos Index Index is our proprietary metric for measuring turbulence throughout Wikipedia and tracking the community’s current sentiment towards corporate-related pages. The index measures community actions such as editing frequency, content deletion, message board posts, and many other activities that contribute to unstable corporate page environments.***
### Longtime D.C. sports radio voice Andy Pollin exits ESPN
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/longtime-d-c-sports-radio-voice-andy-pollin-is-out-at-espn-reports-barrett-media/
Last updated: 2026-08-16T01:45:37.000Z
[**Andy Pollin**](https://barrettmedia.com/?s=andy+pollin&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **is** [**out**](https://x.com/andypollin1/status/2087208646337757555?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **at ESPN 630\. Cumulus Media’s nationwide layoffs claimed the longtime D.C. sports radio voice**, reports [Barrett Media](https://barrettmedia.com/2026/08/11/andy-pollin-departure-espn-630-washington/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

According to Barrett Media: **“**Pollin joined ESPN 630 in 2019, anchoring morning updates during *Golic & Wingo* before eventually hosting his own show from 9 to 11 a.m. weekdays. He spent seven years at the station, the finale of a nearly 30-year run across D.C. sports radio that also included stops at WTEM and 106.7 The Fan. His exit lands amid a broader wave of Cumulus cuts hitting sales, programming, and podcasting staff across multiple markets.”

Pollin’s exit “strips ESPN 630 of a nearly three-decade fixture in D.C. sports radio. He returned to D.C. in 1992 to play a key role in the launch of D.C.’s first all-sports station, WTEM, where he served as Sports Director for 25 years. His early jobs took him through Texas and New York City where he helped start the nation’s first all-sports radio station, WFAN. For ESPN 630, replacing that morning and midday presence tests whether local identity survives corporate cost-cutting. Meanwhile, listeners lose a familiar name as the industry’s contraction rolls on,” states Barrett Media.
### From the Web to AI: Larry Weber’s Four‑Decade PR Legacy and Why Storytelling Works
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/from-the-web-to-ai-larry-webers-four-decade-pr-legacy-and-why-storytelling-works/
Last updated: 2026-08-11T15:17:29.000Z
# **By** [**Issac Morgan**](https://substack.com/@issac123?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

# **It takes vision not only to create groundbreaking technology, but also to help the world understand it.**

Building credibility, positive public perception and awareness for technology brands that have stood the test of time requires far more than advertising campaigns alone.

[Larry Weber](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thelarryweber/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) understood that principle in the early days of public relations, helping architect the communications strategies of many of the world’s most recognizable technology brands.

For nearly four decades, the tech PR firm he founded in the late 1980s became known for using strategic communications to publicize product launches and explain complex technical topics for major clients such as AOL, [Panasonic and Microsoft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry%5FWeber?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

He made clear in an exclusive interview with [EIN Presswire](https://www.einpresswire.com/?promo=43904390&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) that his firm at the time, The Weber Group, recognized the power of storytelling through the media.

Weber’s influence on the industry at large, with many having since followed in his footsteps, stems from his focus on building relationships with journalists who cover relevant beats.

During a conversation, Weber, who is widely regarded as a pioneer in tech PR, reflected on several of the earned media placements and front-page stories that defined his career.

One example Weber pointed to was a story on the front page of the [*Wall Street Journal*](https://www.wsj.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) about how baseballs for the major leagues were handmade in Haiti for one of his clients.

“I had an idea, a creative idea. I studied the front page of the *Wall Street Journal*, and there’s a section that’s called an A-hed. It was always an offbeat, funny factual story that was part business,” he said. “I was already speaking the journalist language. I said, ‘Larry, it would be perfect on opening day of baseball if there was an article on how baseballs are made.’”

“He wrote a wonderful piece,” Weber said of the *Wall Street Journal* reporter with whom he had built a relationship. “They even had an artist cut a ball in half and showed how the ball was made. … Everybody loved the story.”

Weber mentioned that his firm worked with Steve Jobs and that he remembered meeting a young Mark Zuckerberg. “It was called The Facebook back then,” Weber said. “They were at the same office that my company had been in on University Avenue (in downtown Palo Alto, California).”

He ended up staying in touch with the Facebook communications team, offering them ideas. They had an internal comms department at Facebook at the time, Weber noted. “They wanted some ideas on how to be a good technology company as they were starting to grow.”

Weber said: “One of the ideas we had was, why wouldn’t you have free internet connections around the world, especially for third world countries? I ended up staying in touch with the communications people… and would give them ideas.”

After a decade of [building a portfolio](https://www.ericschwartzman.com/on-the-recordonline-with-the-chairman-of-w2-group-larry-weber/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) of major tech clients and handling media relations as well as crisis communications, he [sold](https://www.prnewsonline.com/mccann-erickson-purchases-weber-group-in-mutually-beneficial-pact/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) The Weber Group in 1997\. By then it had become the world’s largest technology public relations firm at the time.

But he did not stop there. He later launched other PR agencies and today continues to provide PR counsel to a range of major companies such as John Deere, LG Electronics and Boost Mobile.

He wears many hats at [Racepoint Global](http://racepointglobal.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), a boutique PR firm he founded, where he serves as chairman and CEO.

Over the years, Weber has also added another title to his resume: author of seven books, including a [best‑selling book](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0470124172?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) that guides businesses in transitioning from traditional advertising to online marketing (Marketing to the Social Web in 2007), social media and AI.

His books are available at Barnes & Noble, Books‑A‑Million and Amazon.

Weber said he’s now working on a new book related to artificial intelligence, specifically focused on trust and reputation after the emergence of Large Language Models. “I want to write about trust and how it’s changed.”

And another passion of his, Weber noted, is speaking to rising PR professionals at colleges and universities.

Students and others who attend his speaking engagements hear from a PR veteran who helped turn early HTML and interactive marketing into modern communications practice. Weber has spoken at dozens of universities like Harvard, Boston, UCLA, to name a few.

“Whenever I have a thought that would make a good lecture, it’s usually based on my current book,” he said. “They’ll get a whole classroom filled up with all these smart people to listen.

***Editor’s note: This interview was conducted during a Zoom conversation*** 
***and has been edited for length, clarity and brevity.***

**Issac Morgan, EIN Presswire:** You’ve witnessed PR evolve from traditional media to the web, then social media and now generative AI. Which transition has been the most disruptive?

**Larry Weber:** “Most people would probably say the large language models are the most disruptive, but I would say the actual World Wide Web was the most disruptive.

“It became sort of like electricity… I still hold that that’s one of the major impactful moments that changed everything around information and media.”

**Issac Morgan, EIN Presswire:** Journalists receive hundreds of pitches every week. What actually makes a pitch stand out today?

**Larry Weber:** “I don’t believe it’s changed that much… I think the hard work isn’t the actual pitch. I think the hard work is the actual homework the PR person needs to do to be relevant to that journalist.

“I want to know the last three years of everything Issac’s written… What are his favorite things to cover, what are the angles he likes to use… so before I come up with the pitch for my client, I know what is possible that Issac would be interested in.

“The right approach is doing your homework, being honest and direct, being creative, helping that journalist out.”

**Issac Morgan, EIN Presswire:** Are there any PR trends you think most businesses are underestimating right now?

**Larry Weber:** “I think what they’re underestimating is the earned media that large language models \[rely on\].

“They’ve got to understand the impact that their Wikipedia profiles, their Reddit communications, their YouTube content, their LinkedIn content…they gotta be all over that content and be smart about it, consistent about it.”

**Issac Morgan, EIN Presswire:** If a startup only had a budget for one communications initiative this quarter, where would you invest it?

**Larry Weber:** “I would always focus on an influencer program. You’ve got to get those five or 10 people who hold the keys to credibility who are gonna comment and write and talk about what this company’s innovation is, what it is doing… If your budget is low, I would focus on an influencer program.”

**Issac Morgan, EIN Presswire:** If negative news about your company starts spreading online, what should leadership do and avoid doing?

**Larry Weber:** “The first thing is, before that happens, you should be consciously building what I call media equity or earned media equity. You should be building a position of strength around why you’re a good company and why you’ve built quality products, so when something does happen, you have sort of a group of supporters that are going to say, ‘Well, wait a minute.’

“Only one person should be a spokesperson. You shouldn’t have a lot of people. You should be honest and open directly, and you should have regular times that you’re answering questions and being open and direct. And also admit if you’re wrong.”

**You can check out the original post here:** 
**https://substack.einpresswire.com/p/from-the-web-to-ai-larry-webers-fourdecade**
### WTOP News Expands Content Offerings with Enhanced Top News Podcast
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/wtop-news-expands-content-offerings-with-enhanced-top-news-podcast/
Last updated: 2026-08-10T20:13:59.000Z
**WTOP News announced “a major expansion of its podcast offerings with a reimagined Top News Podcast,** transforming the product into a dynamic, on-demand extension of WTOP’s award-winning on-air news product.”

According to a release: ‘The enhanced Top News Podcast will deliver 12-14 episodes each weekday, providing listeners with concise 20-minute news updates refreshed hourly from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. WTOP will also produce a video version of the podcast for digital platforms. This new format is designed to mirror how Washington-area audiences consume news today: quickly, frequently and on demand.”

To support the launch, WTOP is looking to hire two full-time podcast host-producers who will lead daily production and serve as the editorial voices of the program.

“This new podcast represents a natural evolution of the WTOP brand,” said **Julie Ziegler**, Head of News and Programming for WTOP News. “It meets news consumers where they are – on more platforms than ever before – allowing us to grow our audience and develop new revenue streams.”

The release states that the Top News Podcast “has been part of WTOP’s content portfolio for more than six years. It originally launched as an automated feed featuring the first 30 minutes of WTOP’s hourly newscasts. In 2024, WTOP transitioned the podcast to a manually produced format, with content producers creating and publishing two daily episodes.

“This new business model combines the strengths of both approaches by leveraging WTOP’s unparalleled newsroom resources and expertise in producing hourly newscasts while delivering a professionally hosted, highly produced experience for listeners. Each episode will feature WTOP’s trusted reporting, anchored by original context and analysis from the podcast host.

“The project will be developed and supported in collaboration with [Gamut Podcast Network](https://gamutpodcasts.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Hubbard Media That Connects’ dedicated podcast division launched in 2025\. Gamut is home to award-winning podcasts such as [American Nightmares](https://americannightmarespodcast.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and [Behind the Song](https://gamutpodcasts.com/show/behindthesong/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).”

The new podcast is expected to launch later this year.
### Capitol Communicators: Profile of Bill Buff, CEO & Senior Partner, Stratacomm
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-bill-buff-ceo-senior-partner-stratacomm/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:26.000Z
***Capitol Communicators is a profile series spotlighting the people shaping*** 
***advertising, digital, marketing and public relations in the Mid-Atlantic.*** 
***This profile features Bill Buff***

**“You’re either winning or you’re learning.” It’s a motto Bill Buff has carried from Little League coaching experience to the C-suite as CEO of Stratacomm.** And at the end of the day, he says the business of communication comes down to something very human: relationships.

Buff sees plenty of parallels between coaching a team of young baseball players and leading a team of communications professionals: understand what makes each person tick, play to their strengths, offer real-time feedback, learn from setbacks — and, perhaps hardest of all for a coach or CEO, know when to get out of the way and let the team perform.

Buff has put those lessons to work, navigating enormous changes in Washington and in the communications business, including the unusual decision to buy the firm back from FleishmanHillard after a decade within its massive global network. He says the return to independence changed the trajectory of the agency. And the firm is still evolving: Stratacomm recently reorganized into three practice groups and expanded its leadership structure as it continues to evolve as a full-service agency, with expertise in public affairs, public relations and advertising.

We talked with Buff about his unlikely path from anthropology major to communications CEO, how Stratacomm is navigating uncertainty in Washington, and why strong relationships are more important than ever.

 **Bill, please tell us about yourself.**

I’m a native North Carolinian who moved to Washington, D.C., after college and never left. I majored in anthropology at Davidson College, and early on I wondered what in the world I’d do with that degree. But Washington is a wonderful town for liberal arts majors, and anthropology taught me how to think, ask good questions and do the research needed to reach answers I can trust. It’s fundamentally the study of culture, and that has given me an appreciation for the role culture plays in an agency. Anthropologists are observers, and I still enjoy watching how culture, human interaction and teamwork shape great work.

I also met my wife at Stratacomm — our cubes were next to each other — and we now have a 9-year-old son. My parents recently moved to D.C., too, so it’s wonderful having family close by. I love this city and root for the local teams, especially the Washington Nationals.

**What are the things you are most proud of?**

From a work perspective, one of the things I’m proud of is the bet our partners made to buy Stratacomm back from FleishmanHillard and build it as an independent small business. It would have been easy to stay part of a much larger network. Instead, we chose the harder, riskier path — one that could have failed — because we believed independence would be better for our clients, our people and our culture in the long run. Looking back, that decision changed the whole trajectory of the agency, and I’m proud we bet on ourselves.

**If my math is correct, you’ve been at Stratacomm for 25 years. That’s a remarkable tenure. Tell us about your journey there. What kept you there?**

I was a Stratacomm client for three years before I joined the agency, working at a trade association on transportation policy. Through that work, it became clear that being around other professional communicators would help sharpen my skills. Around that time, the Stratacomm partner I’d worked with the closest called and asked if I’d ever thought about agency life. Someone was going on parental leave, and he thought I’d be a good fit. I started exactly one week after Sept. 11, 2001, which made for an unsettling onboarding, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

I’ve stayed because the learning has never stopped. I never expected to know as much as I do about transportation and energy policy, federal government contracting and any number of other topics along the way — federal contracting alone is complex but fascinating. I’ve also watched our own discipline evolve, from work that was mainly public affairs to a broader mix that now includes public relations and advertising, and that variety keeps the job interesting. I’ve enjoyed learning about business and people leadership as well. I’ve worked with great clients and wonderful colleagues, which keeps it fun.

 **Stratacomm’s evolution has been remarkable. What led you to buy the firm back from FleishmanHillard/Omnicom, what challenges did you face in the transition, and what lessons did you learn that might help other PR leaders? Perhaps share some thoughts about ‘buying back’ the company.**

I was a junior partner when our principals sold a majority of the agency to FleishmanHillard in 2004, and for a decade we were part of the FH and Omnicom network. I learned a great deal during that time and built friendships I keep up today. But Stratacomm was a small fish in a very large pond, without much of a niche that made other agencies in the network want to work with us.

We’d always done federal government contracting, where small businesses matter. They’re often required to lead set-aside contracts, and large-business primes are usually required to subcontract with them. In every practical sense we were a small business, except that FH’s revenue and size counted against us, keeping us out of the small-business program. Around 2012 and 2013, we started making the case that Stratacomm would be worth more to everyone as an independent small business. We bought back majority ownership and control in 2014, then finished the job in 2021 by buying out FH’s remaining stake entirely.

Each step brought real challenges. First was internal alignment and making sure our partners all saw the value in taking on majority ownership. Second was finding the resources; funding mattered at every stage. Third, especially in 2014, was essentially reinventing the company. We were a 20-year-old startup in a lot of ways, including setting up our own back-office systems and support.

It’s been one of the best decisions we’ve made as business leaders, and the transition was amicable. FleishmanHillard and Omnicom remain teaming partners today, but so are plenty of other agencies, large and small. Being able to break away while keeping everyone’s respect — and staying open to work with anyone who’s right for a client — is something I’m proud of.

 **It’s been a challenging time in many ways for firms doing business in Washington. The communications industry is changing rapidly, coupled with huge uncertainties for government and for nonprofit clients. What strategies are you using to ride the tidal waves?**

There’s tremendous uncertainty right now for federal agencies, for the nonprofits that work alongside them, for corporate clients navigating shifting policy, and for trade associations trying to make an impact here in D.C. But uncertainty is when good communications counsel earns its keep, and it’s the environment Stratacomm is built for.

We’re doubling down on being sector experts rather than generalists. Transportation and energy are where we’ve built our deepest benches, but that’s far from the whole playbook — we bring that same sector-first rigor across public affairs, public relations and advertising, whatever the issue. We’re not starting from zero when the ground shifts under a client. We’re also diversifying deliberately, building a healthy mix of federal, corporate and mission-driven work so no single disruption defines our year. And perhaps most importantly, we stay close to clients when it’s uncomfortable. The instinct in volatile periods is to go quiet and wait for clarity, but that’s exactly when clients need us most.

**We’ve heard you draw on your Little League coaching experience to guide you in creating Stratacomm culture.**

There are real parallels, and I’m a better business leader because of my time coaching.

I’ve gotten better at understanding what makes each player tick and playing to their strengths. That matters more than shoring up weaknesses. I’ve also gotten better at real-time feedback; on the diamond, if you don’t deliver it in the moment, it doesn’t land. And you learn to get out of the way and let the team perform. My son is old enough now that coaches can’t be on the field when our team is on defense, so you need to let the kids figure it out themselves and draw on our coaching lessons.

But most important is when things don’t go well, you learn from it. One of my mottos this year has been that you’re either winning or you’re learning. As long as you take away real insight from a setback and do a little better next time, that’s what matters — on the diamond and at Stratacomm.

**What are the skills that are necessary to be successful today?**

Great writing is still at the center of everything we do. That won’t change, even with assistance from AI. You need to be comfortable working alongside AI without becoming dependent on it. Beyond that, you need to be genuinely curious and willing to keep learning. This business rewards people who ask good questions and do the research to back up their answer. While technology can help, it’s the human judgment, creativity and relationships that gets you to excellent work.

 **How are you employing AI in your work?**

I use AI as a thought partner and an assistant for first drafts, not as a replacement for the work itself. My view is that AI raises the floor on mediocrity, but getting to true excellence still requires the human element. When I ask AI to draft something, I’m usually giving it a very detailed outline of exactly what I want to say. I encourage people early in their careers to lean into it — it would be malpractice to ignore AI at this point — but we can’t depend on it exclusively. Human judgment and human creativity are still critical to great work, and I see that every day with our team.

 **What would help you sleep better at night? And what brings you joy during the day?**

Truth be told, I generally sleep pretty well. A little less uncertainty would be nice, though. Everyone jokes about living in unprecedented times but I’d take more precedented times and a little less volatility in government policy and in the economic whiplash our clients are dealing with.

What brings me joy is the Stratacomm team. Our shortest-tenured partner has been with the agency more than 10 years, so we have a stable leadership group full of great communicators who are also just really good people — some of my best friends. It’s a joy to work alongside them and to bring in new talent that makes us better.

And at the end of the day, my real joy is time with my son and my wife. Family has kept me grounded through a volatile 18 months. So while a little less volatility might help me sleep even better, there’s still plenty of joy to be found during the day.

 **What advice helped you most in your career, and is that advice still relevant today?**

Someone once told me to pick your first job not for the title or the salary, but for who your first boss will be. I got lucky. My first boss taught me the importance of great writing. He was an excellent editor and gave me the chance to write talking points and speeches for members of Congress early in my career which gave me the bug. The way I approach advocacy campaigns, and the importance I place on messaging and quality writing, all trace back to that apprenticeship. It’s advice that’s just as relevant today as it was then and it applies to advertising and public relations as much as public affairs.

 **Is there anything else you would like to add?**

If there’s one thread running through all of this — the FH and Omnicom buyback, the Little League coaching, staying close to clients in uncertain times — it’s relationships. None of it works without them. This is a business built on trust between people, whether that’s partners, clients or a kid on a baseball team, and that’s what I’d want people to take away.

**Check out other Capitol Communicators** [**profiles.** ](https://capitolcommunicator.com/tag/profiles/)  
**These profiles allow you to meet some of the most interesting and insightful pros** 
**in our region, and learn how they stay ahead during a time of constant change.**
### Public Relations Specialists among most threatened by AI, states new study
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/public-relations-specialists-among-most-threatened-by-ai-states-new-study/
Last updated: 2026-08-08T20:42:03.000Z
**A new study measuring the use of** [**generative artificial intelligence**](https://www.inc.com/joe-procopio/i-helped-invent-generative-ai-i-know-when-youre-using-chatgpt.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **in different professions has just gone public,** and its main message to people working in some fields is harsh. It suggests translators, historians, text writers, sales representatives, and [customer service](https://www.inc.com/customer-service?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) agents might want to consider new careers as pile driver or dredge operators, railroad track layers, hardwood floor sanders, or maids — if, that is, they want to [lower the threat of AI apps](https://www.inc.com/bruce-crumley/investment-banker-welder-a-just-released-list-of-the-most-searched-jobs-might-surprise-you/91203661?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) pushing them out of their current jobs, reports [Inc](https://www.inc.com/bruce-crumley/microsoft-study-identifies-jobs-most-and-least-affected-by-ai/91221483?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The Inc. report adds: “Why should anyone heed yet another of the myriad, sometimes conflicting reports in [AI’s potential impacts](https://www.inc.com/adam-hanft/anthropic-ceo-is-wrong-about-job-loss-to-ai-it-will-be-worse-than-he-says/91197485?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) on jobs? Because the researchers behind the new findings really know what they’re talking about. They all work for tech giant Microsoft, which is developing Copilot and related [AI](https://www.inc.com/artificial-intelligence?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) apps examined in the study. And those tools, the authors say, risk putting ticket agents and telemarketers out of work far sooner than orderlies and paving equipment operators.

“The Microsoft study comes as debate continues about the employment threats AI may pose to millions of people in clerical, administrative, communications, [marketing](https://www.inc.com/marketing?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), and other jobs.”

Executives of several tech companies, including AI developer [Anthropic](https://www.inc.com/ben-sherry/why-anthropics-claude-is-the-co-founder-of-the-year/91265072?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) CEO Dario Amodei, have, states Inc., “alternatively cheered or warned about bots automating a wide range of work tasks, potentially [eliminating up to half](https://www.inc.com/kit-eaton/anthropic-ceo-dario-amodei-predicts-half-of-all-entry-level-office-jobs-will-disappear/91195534?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) of all white-collar and entry-level jobs in the process. Other business leaders, notably serial entrepreneur [Mark Cuban](https://www.inc.com/mark-cuban?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), believe the tech [generate even more new positions](https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/mark-cuban-and-anthropics-ceo-are-arguing-about-how-many-jobs-ai-will-replace/91196271?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) will generate even more new positions than it erases by assuming a lot of repetitive drudge work.

“Microsoft’s new research doesn’t offer an opinion on the quantitative consequences on employment that AI will ultimately have. But it does provide clear indication of which 40 jobs are already using apps most frequently — and the contrasting 40 professions reflecting the tech’s lowest levels of penetration. The full text of their findings and the two rankings are [available here](https://arxiv.org/pdf/2507.07935?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).”

According to the post, these 40 jobs are most threatened by AI:

- Interpreters and Translators
- Historians
- Passenger Attendants
- Sales Representatives of Services
- Writers and Authors
- Customer Service Representatives
- CNC Tool Programmers
- Telephone Operators
- Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
- Broadcast Announcers and Radio DJs
- Brokerage Clerks
- Farm and Home Management Educators
- Telemarketers
- Concierges
- Political Scientists
- News Analysts, Reporters, Journalists
- Mathematicians
- Technical Writers
- Proofreaders and Copy Markers
- Hosts and Hostesses
- Editors
- Business Teachers, Postsecondary
- Public Relations Specialists
- Demonstrators and Product Promoters
- Advertising Sales Agents
- New Accounts Clerks
- Statistical Assistants
- Counter and Rental Clerks
- Data Scientists
- Personal Financial Advisers
- Archivists
- Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
- Web Developers
- Management Analysts
- Geographers
- Models
- [Market Research](https://www.inc.com/ben-sherry/this-single-chatgpt-prompt-can-do-hours-of-market-research-in-minutes-heres-how/91302442?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) Analysts
- Public Safety Telecommunicators
- Switchboard Operators
- Library Science Teachers
### Court orders Meta to pay hundreds of millions to address harms to young people from its platforms
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/court-orders-meta-to-pay-hundreds-of-millions-to-address-harms-to-young-people-from-its-platforms/
Last updated: 2026-08-08T11:38:29.000Z
**A New Mexico court has ordered Instagram and Facebook parent company Meta to pay $567 million to address harms to young people** from its platforms in the second phase of a landmark trial, states a [post](https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/court-orders-instagram-facebooks-meta-pay-567m-address-135441473?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) on ABC News.

Judge Bryan Biedscheid said in a ruling that the bulk of the money — $420 million — will be used for treatment services for young people. The rest will go toward awareness and prevention, screening services and other costs over the next five years.

The new penalty, states the post on ABC News, is in addition to the $375 million in civil penalties that jurors ordered against Meta in March after determining the company knowingly [harmed children’s mental health](https://apnews.com/article/meta-trial-child-sexual-exploitation-5ad9f7bf1ad05bef9d177938e94f0e8b?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and concealed what it knew about child sexual exploitation on its platforms. In the second phase, prosecutors asked the judge to impose fundamental changes at Meta aimed at reining in addictive features, improving [age verification](https://apnews.com/article/internet-age-verification-supreme-court-def346d7bf299566a3687d8c4f224fec?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and preventing child sexual exploitation through default privacy settings and closer oversight.

The total amount Meta is responsible for — $942 million — is a small fraction of of its annual profit, which was about $60 billion in 2025, states the post.
### New Study: Employees Believe Leadership Actions Matter More Than Culture Messaging
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/new-study-employees-believe-leadership-actions-matter-more-than-culture-messaging/
Last updated: 2026-08-07T21:09:48.000Z
**A new national study from senior advisory firm bink finds that organizations don’t struggle because they lack culture messaging**. They struggle when leadership behavior doesn’t match what leaders say.

The Culture at Work Study, conducted in partnership with Audience Audit, surveyed 300 professionals working in internal communications, human resources, employee experience, culture and organizational strategy. The research found broad agreement that leadership behavior, not communications alone, ultimately defines workplace culture.

“We expected to find a mix of viewpoints on the importance of culture. We didn’t,” said Ann Melinger, CEO of bink. “We found remarkable agreement about what good culture looks like. The real breakdown happens when leadership behavior doesn’t match leadership messaging. Employees learn what an organization truly values by watching what leaders reward, tolerate and reinforce every day,”

For communications leaders, Melinger believes the findings point to a larger opportunity. “These findings point to an important shift for communications leaders. The opportunity isn’t simply to craft stronger messages about culture. It’s to help organizations close the gap between what they say and what employees experience. That’s how communicators help create the alignment every organization needs to build trust and improve performance.”

Among the study’s findings:

- **91%** said the disconnect between leadership messaging and leadership behavior is one of the most damaging forces affecting workplace culture.
- **87%** said culture has significantly influenced business performance.
- **84%** said culture has significantly influenced employee retention.
- **78%** said employees learn an organization’s true culture by watching what senior leaders tolerate.
- **68%** agreed that organizational systems have a greater impact on culture than messaging alone.
- **54%** said the people responsible for improving culture lack the authority to change the systems that shape it.

The research suggests many organizations have created an accountability gap. Communications and HR leaders are often expected to strengthen culture but lack the authority to influence the leadership behaviors, incentives and decision-making systems that define it.

The study was designed to examine how culture is understood and reinforced across organizations rather than measure the health of any one company. Participants represented organizations across industries and included leaders from communications, HR, executive leadership, operations and strategy.

The full Culture at Work Study is available from bink at [thinkbink.com](http://thinkbink.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

**This article was originally published by CommPRO and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://www.commpro.biz/news/** 
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**id=6a747fae96f66b0727834fef&ss\_email\_id=6a749a3e49df9f2e8dcc131c&ss\_campaign\_name=** 
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### Crosby recognized among nation’s top Public Relations firms in O’Dwyer’s 2026 rankings
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/crosby-recognized-among-nations-top-public-relations-firms-in-odwyers-2026-rankings/
Last updated: 2026-08-05T15:04:17.000Z
[**Crosby Marketing Communications**](http://crosbymarketing.com./?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **has again been named one of the nation’s top public relations firms,** landing at #31 on *O’Dwyer’s* magazine’s 2026 rankings. Crosby also ranked #2 for serving Nonprofits and #12 for Healthcare.

According to a release, the annual rankings of independent PR firms, produced by one of the industry’s most respected trade publications, are based on detailed financial information submitted by companies and verified by their accounting firms. 

“We’re honored to once again be recognized among the nation’s leading PR firms,” said **Raymond Crosby**, CEO of Crosby. “It’s a testament to our team’s passion for delivering strategic communications that help our clients build trust, inspire action, and achieve meaningful marketing results.”

Crosby’s clients include DAV (Disabled American Veterans), Shriners Children’s, Kaiser Permanente, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, USAA Educational Foundation, Peace Corps, CDC, and USDA.

Crosby, continues the release, provides integrated advertising, public relations, social media, and digital marketing services through specialized practices in [Healthcare](https://www.crosbymarketing.com/what-we-do/healthcare/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), [Government](https://www.crosbymarketing.com/what-we-do/government/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), [Nonprofits & Causes](https://www.crosbymarketing.com/what-we-do/nonprofits-and-causes/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), and [Military & Veterans](https://www.crosbymarketing.com/what-we-do/military-and-veterans/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). Beyond the *O’Dwyer’s* rankings, Crosby is #10 on GrowthLab’s list of Top 100 firms serving the federal government and has been named as a Top Workplace for ten consecutive years.
### New Agile Brand Guide Tackles Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), the Discipline Reshaping How Brands Show Up in AI Answers
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/new-agile-brand-guide-tackles-generative-engine-optimization-geo-the-discipline-reshaping-how-brands-show-up-in-ai-answers/
Last updated: 2026-08-04T21:37:36.000Z
***The Agile Brand Guide: Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)*** 
**brings together marketing, content and technology leaders** 
**from across the industry to help enterprises stay visible** 
**and accurate as AI-mediated search replaces the ten blue links.**

**The Agile Brand® announced the release of** [***The Agile Brand Guide: Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)***](https://aglbrnd.co/r/f35b7d9a3b0d3471?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**,** the newest title in its international best-selling series. Written and edited by MarTech futurist and best-selling author **Greg Kihlström**, the book is a practical, enterprise-focused field guide to helping a brand show up accurately and consistently in AI-generated answers.

As large language models, AI assistants, and answer engines increasingly stand between customers and the brands they research, “search” no longer means a page of links a person scrolls through. It means a synthesized answer a machine assembles, often without a click. *The Agile Brand Guide: Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)* defines what GEO is, explains how it relates to and differs from SEO, and connects generative visibility to the outcomes leaders care about most: customer trust, revenue influence, reputation risk, and cost-to-serve.

Like the rest of the series, states a release, the book is built to be finished in about three hours. It moves from strategy to tactics to measurement to operationalizing GEO across teams, with a forward-looking roadmap for building maturity over time. It’s written for marketing and customer experience decision-makers at enterprise and mid-market companies who need a clear, high-signal overview they can actually act on.

“The discoverability model has shifted under everyone’s feet, and most enterprises are optimizing for a version of search that’s quickly disappearing,” said Kihlström, Principal at The Agile Brand and the book’s author and series editor. “This guide gives leaders a shared vocabulary, a credible way to measure generative visibility, and an operating model for keeping their brand’s information accurate wherever an AI system surfaces it.”

### **A Curated Lineup of Industry Voices**

Following the Agile Brand Guide tradition of pairing a consistent editorial throughline with a range of expert perspectives, the book, states the release, combines house chapters from Kihlström with contributed chapters from leaders across the marketing and technology landscape:

- **Greg Kihlström**, Principal at The Agile Brand, author and series editor, contributing the introduction and house chapters on defining GEO, building the strategy and business case, technical prerequisites and machine readability, implementation playbooks, and the GEO measurement hierarchy.
- **Stratton Cherouny**, Co-CEO & Co-Founder of The Office of Experience, on GEO versus SEO — what carries over, what changes, and where the two share dependencies.
- **Lora Kratchounova**, Founder and CEO of Scratch Marketing + Media, on answer-led growth for enterprise B2B marketers and the new GTM lens of LLM visibility audits.
- **Matthew Yonan** and **Chad Solomonson** of RDA Digital, on GEO and the new content strategy playbook, with a practical Audit–Cluster–Score–Act framework.
- **Romain Fouache**, CEO of Akeneo, on how product data is powering the rise of agentic commerce.
- **Amy Crowther**, President, Americas at Incubeta, on treating AI visibility as an infrastructure and systems challenge.
- **Nazanin Ramezani**, VP of Product Management at Optimizely, on GEO and the digital experience platform — and your website’s new job.
- **Pat Reinhart**, VP of Services and Thought Leadership at Conductor, on operationalizing GEO at enterprise scale, including roles, workflows, and service levels.

### **Availability**

*The Agile Brand Guide: Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)* is available now. For more information about the book and the broader series, visit [agilebrandguide.com](https://www.agilebrandguide.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

### **About The Agile Brand Guide®**

***The international best-selling book series providing marketing leaders and aspiring leaders an overview of key marketing concepts, platforms and trends in three hours or less.***

The current marketing technology landscape has thousands of platforms, with a continually growing set of feature sets, functionality, and potential. It is becoming increasingly difficult to determine how to approach marketing technology growth in the best and most relevant way.

Agile Brand Guides are created to help marketers evaluate, buy, and implement critical pieces of marketing technology infrastructure most effectively, and to understand the principles and concepts that support a successful digital strategy.

Previous Agile Brand Guides explore Customer Data Platforms (CDPs), Customer Journey Orchestration (CJO), and the fundamentals of Agile Marketing.
### Political Ad Reservations Top $1 Billion For 2026 Midterms, states Inside Radio
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/political-ad-reservations-top-1-billion-for-2026-midterms-states-inside-radio/
Last updated: 2026-08-04T17:36:41.000Z
**Political advertising is accelerating heading into the late-summer primary season,** with campaigns, parties and outside groups now committing $1.2 billion in future media reservations across 209 federal and state races, according to Kinetiq Political Insights (KPI) data. Its latest update of political advertising activity paints a picture of where there isn’t one party dominating, reports [Inside Radio](https://www.insideradio.com/free/political-ad-reservations-top-1-billion-for-2026-midterms/article%5F5cfde563-d649-4e1c-842c-af0eb0db602e.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Instead, states Inside Radio, “the numbers show a much more nuanced landscape where Democrats overwhelm Republicans in some contests, while Republicans dominate others — and several marquee general election races remain relatively balanced. That reflects the patchwork nature of the 2026 campaign as competitive primaries, Senate races, gubernatorial contests and ballot initiatives all compete for airtime simultaneously.

“Ohio remains the biggest political advertising state in the country, with more than $201 million in forward bookings. California, North Carolina, Maine and Michigan round out the top five. During the seven days leading up to the report, campaigns and outside groups placed $36.9 million in new television advertising reservations, signaling that the advertising pace continues to build ahead of November.

“The report also shows just how concentrated the buying has become. Cleveland ranks as the nation’s busiest television market with $7.8 million in political spending, followed by Detroit ($6.5 million), Kansas City ($5.1 million), Grand Rapids ($3.6 million), Nashville ($3.5 million), Miami ($3.4 million), Lansing ($3.0 million) and Milwaukee ($2.9 million).
### Rebekah Mena named NAGC’s President-Elect
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/rebekah-mena-named-nagcs-president-elect/
Last updated: 2026-08-04T17:22:08.000Z
**Rebekah Mena, chief of staff to the Assistant City Administrator for Government Operations in the Executive Office of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser,** has been named president-elect of the National Association of Government Communicators ([NAGC](https://nagc.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)) for the upcoming two-year term.

Mena became a member of NAGC in 2020 and joined the board of directors in 2022 as the Digital Engagement Director, where, states a release, she has been instrumental in driving up the association’s digital presence among government communicators nationwide.

“I’m honored to serve as NAGC’s president-elect, and grateful for the opportunity to give back to an organization that has shaped so much of my professional growth,” said Mena.

Mena brings more than a decade of experience as a senior government operations executive, having served in progressively senior roles within D.C.’s government before joining the Executive Office of DC Mayor Muriel Bowser.

According to the release, she is taking on this new leadership role as government communicators nationwide navigate shrinking budgets, growing public trust challenges, and a rapidly evolving media landscape — trends that have placed new urgency on cross-sector collaboration and professional development within the field.

“Government communicators are at the heart of informing, engaging, and serving the public. That’s the work I care about, and it’s why I’m honored to help NAGC keep growing as a home for people doing this job well,” Mena said.

As president-elect, states the release, Mena will focus on improving alliances between government communications and the private sector, strategic planning for the organization, and supporting government communicators through professional development opportunities, networking and sharing best practices.

“Government communicators play a critical role in disseminating timely and accurate information essential to the health, economic, financial, and personal safety of the public,” said **Mick Bullock**, President of NAGC. “With experience in every facet of our industry, Rebekah Mena will help NAGC continue to demonstrate the importance of this profession as governments at all levels work to establish trust with the public,” added Bullock.

\\
### Former CNN White House Correspondent Kate Bennett Joins DCI Group
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/former-cnn-white-house-correspondent-kate-bennett-joins-dci-group/
Last updated: 2026-08-04T12:12:50.000Z
**Veteran communications strategist and former CNN White House Correspondent** [**Kate Bennett**](https://www.dcigroup.com/our-team/kate-bennett/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **joined** [**DCI Group**](https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4741466-1&h=3123134668&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcigroup.com%2F&a=DCI+Group&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**,** a bipartisan public affairs firm, as Vice President. According to a release, she will strengthen the firm’s executive communications, strategic positioning, crisis communications and media relations capabilities.

The release states that Bennett spent more than two decades as an award-winning journalist, most recently as CNN White House Correspondent, where she covered multiple presidential administrations. During her tenure, she broke major national stories and authored some of CNN’s most-read and widely shared reporting.

She joins DCI from Invariant, a bipartisan government relations and communications firm, where she served as Vice President of Brand Strategy. In that role, she led the firm’s marketing and public relations efforts.

Bennett is the author of *FREE, MELANIA: The Unauthorized Biography*, the first comprehensive biography of Melania Trump. Earlier in her career, she worked at Politico, Independent Journal Review, Washingtonian magazine, and Capitol File. She also spent a decade in Las Vegas, where she was a columnist for the *Las Vegas Sun*, editor-in-chief of *Vegas* magazine, and an entertainment reporter and anchor for the local CBS affiliate.
### Joe Rogan is highest-paid podcaster in 2026
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/top-20-highest-paid-podcasters-earned-a-combined-638-million/
Last updated: 2026-08-03T01:07:53.000Z
**Joe Rogan leads podcasting’s highest-paid stars of 2026, reports** [Inside Radio](https://www.insideradio.com/free/joe-rogan-leads-podcastings-highest-paid-stars-of-2026/article%5F5921fd49-99a8-4bc5-ba86-09c0422b303a.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The post adds that the vast majority of podcast creators “make modest livings, and some creators earn nothing from what is essentially a passion project. But for the top 1% of podcasters, [Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattcraig/2026/07/30/the-highest-paid-podcasters-of-2026/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) says the industry can prove lucrative. In a new report it ranks which podcasters have the highest salaries.”

Rogan again tops the rankings, states Inside Radio, “with estimated podcast earnings of $82 million during the past year, thanks largely to his Spotify agreement and the massive audience for “[The Joe Rogan Experience](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1057-the-joe-rogan-experience-27959911?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).”

“The list also illustrates how quickly podcast companies can create wealth. Based on the Forbes estimates, the top 20 highest-paid podcasters earned a combined $638 million with average earnings of $31.9 million. Rogan alone accounts for about 13% of all the estimated earnings among the Top 20, underscoring just how concentrated podcast economics remain at the very top.

“The Forbes ranking continues to evolve from a year ago. OpenAI’s [acquisition of the Technology Business Programming Network](https://www.podcastnewsdaily.com/news/openai-buys-silicon-valley-favorite-tbpn-to-drive-ai-dialogue/article%5Fabb5ae72-cca6-4998-9bec-ee9c731d3f17.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) (TBPN) vaulted founders John Coogan and Jordi Hays to No. 2 with estimated earnings of $70 million, while independent creator Steven Bartlett ranks third at $45 million after expanding “[The Diary of a CEO](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/270-the-diary-of-a-ceo-with-st-59414390?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)” into a broader media company.”

The top 15 paid podcasters for 2026, according to Forbes, are:

- Joe Rogan (“The Joe Rogan Experience”) – $82 million
- John Coogan and Jordi Hays (“TBPN”) – $70 million
- Steven Bartlett (“The Diary of a CEO) – $45 million
- Ashley Flowers (“Crime Junkie”) – $42 million
- Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes (“SmartLess”) – $37 million
- Mel Robbins (“The Mel Robbins Podcast”) – $35 million
- Jason and Travis Kelce (“New Heights”) – $35 million
- Alex Cooper (“Call Her Daddy”) – $32 million
- Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer and Tommy Vietor (“Pod Saves America”) – $28 million
- Charlamagne Tha God (“The Breakfast Club”) – $27 million
- Dax Shepard (“Armchair Expert”) – $25 million
- Amy Poehler (“Good Hang”) – $24 million
- Bill Simmons (“The Bill Simmons Podcast”) – $22 million
- Jay Shetty (“On Purpose”) – $21 million
- Joe Budden (“The Joe Budden Podcast”) – $20 million
### WBAL photojournalist Mac Finney honored for excellence in broadcast journalism
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/wbal-photojournalist-mac-finney-honored-for-excellence-in-broadcast-journalism/
Last updated: 2026-08-01T16:48:16.000Z
**Mac Finney**, an award-winning photojournalist at WBAL-TV, is being honored as one of the 2026 Silver Circle inductees for his impact on Baltimore journalism.

According to WBAL, the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced this year’s inductees to the prestigious Gold and Silver circles. Silver Circle awardees have devoted more than 25 years to the broadcast industry, and Gold Circle inductees have served more than 50 years.

Over his 43-year career, Finney has been honored with prestigious awards in journalism, including National Headliner, Regional Murrow and Emmy awards.

Finney and WBAL-TV received the National Headliner Award in 2023 for coverage in Howard County of an escaped prisoner, whom he helped authorities find and capture while working on the story.

“We are most grateful and proud of Mac’s commitment to mentoring and leading the next generation of journalists. Through nearly a decade of being WBAL-TV’s chief photographer, Mac has led our newsroom photographers to excellence in storytelling, including helping launch our aerial program with coverage from SKY 11,” Hearst Corp. Chief Operating Officer **Jordan Wertlieb** wrote in his letter in support of Finney’s nomination.

Past honorees include WBAL-TV alums **Stan Stovall** and **Lisa Robinson**, and journalists **Sam Donaldson, Gordon Peterson, Judy Woodruff, Ted Koppel, Bob Schieffer, Maureen Bunyan** and **Jim Vance**.

“The 2026 honorees join an impressive group of industry professionals who have helped shape the broadcast industry and continue to influence its future,” NCCB-NATAS said in a statement. “These leaders have inspired excellence and innovation in every communications discipline.”

*Main photo via WBAL-TV*
### Adam O’Neal, top editor of The Washington Post’s opinion section, resigns
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/adam-oneal-top-editor-of-the-washington-posts-opinion-section-resigns/
Last updated: 2026-07-31T23:14:58.000Z
**Adam O’Neal, top editor of The Washington Post’s opinion section, resigned** a little over a year after Jeff Bezos, the paper’s owner, hired him to reorient the section toward a more libertarian bent, reports [The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/31/business/media/washington-post-opinion-editor-resigns-after-1-year.html?emc=edit%5Fna%5F20260731&nl=breaking-news&segment%5Fid=224000&ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

“While this was not an easy decision, I am leaving proud of how far the opinion section has come and optimistic that its best days lie ahead,” O’Neal wrote in a note to colleagues. He did not say in the note why he was leaving.

**Jeff D’Onofrio**, publisher and chief executive of The Post, wrote in a separate note that O’Neal had made the call to step down. “I want to thank him for his leadership and hard work in reimagining the section (and) under the leadership of Adam O’Neal, Post Opinions has become more balanced in perspective, more financially sustainable and more accessible to readers than ever before.”

According to The Washington Post, “O’Neal, 34, came to The Post with experience in opinion writing, working as a correspondent at the Economist magazine and an editorial page writer at the Wall Street Journal, but limited management background. The Post’s newsroom, run by Executive Editor Matt Murray, operates independently of the Opinion section.”
### White House deputy press secretary exits for OnMessage Public Strategies
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/abigail-jackson-white-house-deputy-press-secretary-exits-for-onmessage-public-strategies/
Last updated: 2026-08-06T13:14:15.000Z
**White House deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson is leaving for** [**OnMessage Public Strategies**](https://onmessageps.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**,** states a[ post](https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5996311-abigail-jackson-white-house-onmessage/?tbref=hp&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) on The Hill. She joined the White House in May 2025 as deputy press secretary and, in January, added special assistant to the president to her title.

“Abby Jackson is one of the best communicators in Republican politics, and she’s played an invaluable role on my team, working closely with senior administration officials to shape press coverage, and deliver President Trump’s message at the highest level,” White House press secretary [Karoline Leavitt ](https://thehill.com/people/karoline-leavitt/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)said in a statement. “But what truly sets Abby apart is her character. She’s a workhorse and someone you can always count on to get the job done.”

Axios was the first to report on her departure. Her last day will be Aug. 7.

White House deputy chief of staff **Stephen Miller** called her a “communications powerhouse.“

“She has skillfully spearheaded messaging on many of the Administration’s most critical and celebrated policy initiatives and has earned universal praise and admiration from her peers and colleagues,” Miller said in a statement.

“Previously, reports The Hill, Jackson was the deputy communications director for the Republican National Committee. She also spent years working for **Sen. Josh Hawley** (R-Mo.), working her way up from press secretary to deputy chief of staff and communications director.

Jackson also served as deputy press secretary for former **Rep. Matt Rosendale** (R-Mont.) and was a rapid response specialist for Donald J. Trump for President Inc.

“President Trump is the greatest President of my lifetime – it’s been a tremendous honor to work for his Administration and alongside such talented colleagues on behalf of the American people,” Jackson [wrote on the social platform X](https://x.com/abigailmarone/status/2082426273591107970?s=20&ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

“Looking forward to this next chapter!”
### MM+M Names Crosby Top 100 Healthcare Marketing Agency for 6th Straight Year
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/mmm-names-crosby-top-100-healthcare-marketing-agency-for-6th-straight-year/
Last updated: 2026-07-30T16:22:54.000Z
[**Crosby Marketing Communications**](http://crosbymarketing.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **has been named to** [**MM+M’s Agency 100**](https://www.mmm-online.com/2026-agency-100/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**,** the annual ranking of North America’s largest and most successful healthcare marketing agencies. This is the sixth consecutive year that Crosby has made MM+M’s list, states the agency.

MM+M (Medical Marketing and Media) provides coverage of breaking industry news and analysis for an executive audience that work in pharma, medical device, diagnostics and broader healthcare marketing fields. The Agency 100 is part of MM+M’s annual industry report, which includes a profile of Crosby and other listed firms.

“Being recognized among the nation’s leading healthcare marketing agencies is an honor and reflects the meaningful work we do alongside our clients,” said **Raymond Crosby**, CEO of Crosby. “We’re passionate about helping health organizations reach people with trusted information that empowers them to make informed decisions and create better health outcomes in communities nationwide.”

Crosby’s healthcare clients include Kaiser Permanente, Shriners Children’s, CDC, the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality (AHRQ), American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), Santa Clara County Public Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield Vermont, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. 

Crosby, states the agency, provides integrated advertising, public relations, social media and digital marketing services through specialized practices in Healthcare, Government, Nonprofits & Causes, and Military & Veterans. The firm ranks #31 on O’Dwyer’s ranking of PR firms, #2 for Nonprofits, and #12 for Healthcare, as well as #10 on GrowthLab’s list of Top 100 firms serving the federal government. Crosby has also been named as a Top Workplace for ten consecutive years.
### Sheila Blackwell, CMO at MANTECH, to join panel of leaders at summit on October 14
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/sheila-blackwell-cmo-at-mantech-to-join-panel-of-leaders-at-summit/
Last updated: 2026-08-02T02:08:25.000Z
**Sheila Blackwell, Chief Marketing Officer of MANTECH,** will be one of the regional marketing leaders to join the CMO Outlook Session at the 2026 Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit and ADWKDC to be held October 14 in Washington, DC.

Blackwell leads the marketing and communications team as it develops and executes campaigns that support MANTECH’s strategic direction, revenue growth, brand recognition and reputation as the Employer of Choice in the government contracting marketplace. She has a 25-year track record as a Communications & Marketing professional and leader, with a deep knowledge of the federal and commercial space.

Previously, she served as Director of Corporate Communications for Neustar, where she led external communications and P.R. and worked with Human Resources to drive corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs supporting STEM education, philanthropy, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and sustainability.

Before that, she was Vice President of Communications & Marketing Communications for government contractors, including FCi Federal (now PAE), Decision Sciences International (DSIC), and SRA International (now GDIT). Earlier in her career, she worked for IBM (commercial and federal sectors), MCI (public policy P.R.), and Cable & Wireless. She started her communications career as a TV news reporter in upstate New York.

The CMO Outlook keynote panel brings together leading marketing and communication executives from leading Mid-Atlantic companies to discuss their outlook for 2027— and beyond. This “big picture” panel sets the table for the summit by exploring topics that will be analyzed throughout the day in breakout sessions. What trends are these executives closely watching? What strategies are they most excited about for next year? What is keeping them up at night? What technologies and platforms are they paying the most attention to at present?

For more information about the summit and frequent updates visit: [https://marcomsummit.co/](https://marcomsummit.co/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### 2026 CapitalCMO ORBIE Awards recognize top marketing executives
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/2026-capitalcmo-orbie-awards-recognize-top-marketing-executives/
Last updated: 2026-07-29T17:55:36.000Z
The 2026 CapitalCMO ORBIE Awards honored leading chief marketing officers (CMOs) from Guidehouse LLP, GDIT, Amtrak, CrossCountry Consulting & Coakley and Williams Construction (CWC) for their exceptional leadership. Hosted by CapitalCMO, a chapter of the [Inspire Leadership Network](https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=fW3wB%5F0eqdHFlehiP%5FA-Q2bFy-Lpecdddm5XnqgDAuy1O3cWiKXZYPOmpAUdSU2d8SNUxQ8VUSP46-QCiCmnQQ4WoZVuYA0IB4XczE4%5FRCBcTmVQfjH%5F71M4SKXXRg1vFKgub53FeBgyLSMktKGCS8wgGi4B-AYexi34f9hshWH6sORg%5FzNjFTBa-gFR%5FXugFPl%5FCIHasP4XkYBfPsLtGlPD2f%5FOUGeZTh-vAtw5rac=&ref=capitolcommunicator.com), the prestigious awards honor CMOs who drive business transformation and industry impact.

Held at the Hyatt Regency – Tysons Corner, the ceremony brought together top executives and industry leaders to honor excellence in marketing leadership across five award categories.

“Behind every award-winning marketing campaign is a CMO leading the vision, shaping the strategy, and owning the results,” said Ron McMurtrie, GeorgiaCMO Chair. “The ORBIE Awards are the ultimate recognition program for the leaders behind the work.”

**Meet the 2026 CapitalCMO ORBIE Award Winners:** 

- **Joy Jarrett, CMO, Guidehouse LLP,** received the Global ORBIE for organizations over $2 billion annual revenue & multi-national operations.
- **Oliver Nutt, CMO, GDIT,** received the Large Enterprise ORBIE for organizations over $7 billion annual revenue.
- **Eliot Hamlisch, Chief Commercial Officer, Amtrak,** received the Enterprise ORBIE for organizations over $1 billion annual revenue.
- **Molly Williams, VP, Marketing & Communications, CrossCountry Consulting,** received the Large Corporate ORBIE for organizations over $300 million annual revenue.
- **Lisa Schlossberg, Executive Director, Marketing & Communications, Coakley & Williams Construction (CWC),** received the Corporate ORBIE for organizations up to $300 million annual revenue.

**About the ORBIE:**

The ORBIE is the preeminent executive recognition for C-suite leaders. Since 1998, the ORBIE Awards have recognized leadership excellence, building relationships between executives and trusted business partners, and inspiring the next generation of executives. Finalists and winners are selected through an independent peer-adjudicated process led by prior ORBIE recipients based on the following criteria:

- Leadership and management effectiveness
- Business value created by marketing initiatives
- Engagement in industry and community endeavors

**CapitalCMO ORBIE Keynote & Attendance:** 

The keynote address for the CapitalCMO ORBIE Awards was delivered by Ron McMurtrie, CMO, Honeywell, who was interviewed by Lisa LaRoque, VP, Inspire Leadership Network. Over 140 guests attended, representing leading Capital Area organizations and their marketing partners.

**The following partners made the 2026 CapitalCMO ORBIE Awards possible:**

- **Gold Partners:** Adobe & D.C. United
- **Silver Partners:** RP3 Agency & SmithGifford
- **Bronze Partners:** Between Pixels & Monumental Sports
- **Media Partner:** Washington Business Journal
- **National Partner:** Year Up United

To learn more about partnership opportunities and how to connect with leading C-suite executives across North America, [click here.](https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=SrtKN0YDbbCvFGMlA9-9yV07F40HNjTPYRBUnldUUmP-PlTGKvg1zC-BHioFiSA2ew7XhhOxpkqX%5FRNiwat2fpUFYl5xBCeNtjBSd3enU136nKGQChDEUMx4t3NCfAha56gzhAT2AjoZOHGY59yLAhLaEpDVEfIqqGow8Vkys0hvRA2e3Lqbausz3dFSq3ARkIxlcVn62ETGQiW6OEkpow==&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**About CapitalCMO:**

CapitalCMO is the preeminent peer leadership network of chief marketing officers (CMOs) in Capital Area. As one of over 50 chapters of the Inspire Leadership Network, CapitalCMO belongs to a national membership organization exclusively comprised of C-suite leaders from public and private businesses, government, education, healthcare, and nonprofit institutions.

CapitalCMO is led by a CMO Advisory Board, with support from an executive director and staff. Underwriter executives support the chapter and ensure the programs remain member-led and exclusive to qualified CMOs and members.

**About Inspire Leadership Network:**

Inspire Leadership Network is the preeminent peer leadership network of C-suite executives. With nearly 2,000 members across over 50 local chapters, Inspire members serve public and private businesses, government, education, healthcare, and non-profit institutions. Inspire exists to help leaders thrive in today’s most challenging executive roles.
### Associated Press releases updated AP Stylebook
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/associated-press-releases-updated-ap-stylebook/
Last updated: 2026-07-28T14:09:11.000Z
**The Associated Press Stylebook’s 58th edition hit bookstores and e-shops this spring**, states an [E&P post](https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/new-and-in-style-the-associated-press-publishes-the-58th-edition-of-its-ap-stylebook,262680?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), “with a new round of entries on topical issues ranging from artificial intelligence to K-pop.

“The AP Stylebook is like a living document, always evolving. For example, per AP, “healthcare” is now written as one word. And there are other changes in its pages requiring some unlearning of rules memorized in j-school. But there’s a method to the madness — a thoughtful, collaborative conversation that unfolds in and outside of the AP — before changes or updates are made.”

“Every change that we make goes through not only our Stylebook committee, which is six people, but experts within the AP,” said Associated Press Stylebook Editor **Anna Jo Bratton**. “Sometimes change will come from one of our departments or bureaus. They’ll suggest language, and then we’ll work to edit or rewrite. It goes through all these layers, \[and\] we try to run it by outside experts.”

According to E&P, “AI” first appeared in the Stylebook in 2023, but the new edition ventures deeper into the burgeoning technology with general guidance and key terms. The section also adds information about data centers and definitions for slang, like “AI slop” and “vibe coding.”

According to an online item, the AP stylebook “is the official writing and editing reference guide for journalists, public relations professionals, and corporate communicators worldwide. It sets clear rules for grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and professional word usage.”
### Why a Great Loyalty Program Can’t Save a Bad Experience
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/why-a-great-loyalty-program-cant-save-a-bad-experience/
Last updated: 2026-07-28T17:09:11.000Z
**Originally published by Response Labs. Reprinted with permission.**

By [Andy Locke](https://www.responselabs.com/author/alockeresponselabs-com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

I have flown Southwest for years as a Companion Pass holder with a healthy Rapid Rewards balance, and until recently, I would not have considered another carrier. That assumption has shifted as the airline recently overhauled its passenger experience – introducing assigned seating and new boarding groups while replacing EarlyBird with a paid Priority Boarding tier and ending its two-free-bags policy. Each change on its own sounds reasonable, but together they have hollowed out something specific. The program is still there, while the experience that made the points worth earning is not.

Most loyalty debates miss this entirely. They turn into a debate over the right mode; and while points, tiers, subscriptions, and gamified mechanics can all work, but none of them work in isolation. The experience surrounding the program is what decides whether it builds equity or slowly spends it down.

## **The points are the floor, not the ceiling**

Points and perks are table stakes that create a hook for repeat behavior, but they do not create the emotional reason someone keeps coming back. Southwest is the cautionary tale: the program is technically intact, but the experience that earned its reputation – the simplicity, the predictability, the feeling that the airline was on your side – is being traded for incremental revenue. [Even loyal customers are now publicly threatening to switch carriers](https://www.newsweek.com/southwest-airlines-new-policy-change-sparks-backlash-2107401?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), and the reaction has been forceful enough to surface real questions about the long-term value of the program.

A great loyalty model sitting on top of a deteriorating experience does not hold customers. It only delays the moment they leave.

## **Where loyalty actually gets built**

Picking the model is the easier decision, since check size, visit frequency, and margin usually tell you whether points, tiers, or a subscription fits best. The harder work happens around the program, in the dozens of decisions that shape what it feels like to be a customer of your brand. A few principles tend to separate the brands that build loyalty over time from the ones that quietly erode it:

1. **Be consistent before you get clever.** Customers cannot trust a brand they cannot count on, and no amount of personalization or gamification will fix an experience that is unpredictable to begin with. Get the basics right, and then earn the right to do more.
2. **Fix the small frictions before you add new perks.** A confusing checkout, a reward that is hard to redeem, or a support handoff that goes nowhere does more damage to loyalty than any new perk can offset. Program changes get the press release, but the friction is what customers actually live with.
3. **Recognize customers in ways the points balance cannot.** A thank-you, a remembered preference, or a problem solved without making the customer ask twice does more for retention than another tier perk. Most of those moments happen outside the program. We have written before about[ building customer relationships the way you would build any other meaningful one](https://www.responselabs.com/2021/03/how-to-date-your-customers-personalization/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), and about[ the underrated power of simply telling customers “thank you.”](https://www.responselabs.com/2024/02/testing-123-thankyou/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) Both ideas hold up because they work whether or not a redemption is involved.
4. **Tell customers what is changing before they find out the hard way.** Be honest with them, give them advance notice, and explain why the change is happening. Changes buried in the fine print read as betrayals, even when the underlying math is right.
5. **Before you approve the change, ask what it feels like to the customer.** A decision can make sense financially and still damage the reason people chose you in the first place. Years of loyalty equity get undone by a string of changes that each look defensible on a P&L, but indefensible from a passenger seat.

## **The human edge**

Customers are spending more of their day interacting with AI assistants, chatbots, automated phone trees, and algorithmic feeds, and that trend is not slowing down. The brands that lean into the technology will be more relevant for it, not less.

But the value equation has changed. As more of the customer experience becomes automated, the moments that still feel personal, helpful, honest, or human carry more weight than they did five years ago. A real apology when something goes wrong, a name remembered by the person on the other end of the line, or an employee empowered to fix a problem instead of escalating it will register more deeply with customers now than at almost any point in the recent past.

These are the moments that earn loyalty in 2026\. The path forward is to embrace the technology evolution without turning away from the part of the experience that holds the greatest value.

## **The point for marketers**

If you are picking a loyalty model in 2026, pick the one that fits your economics, but spend just as much time on the experience that program lives inside. The customer is not loyal to your tier structure; they are loyal to how your brand makes them feel. The points are the receipt for that feeling, not the cause of it.

Loyalty programs rarely fail because the earning structure is wrong. They fail because the brand makes too many small decisions that erode the reason to come back. The brands that win the next decade will be the ones willing to protect that experience, even when the spreadsheet says there is short-term margin in chipping away at it.

**This article was originally published by Response Labs and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://www.responselabs.com/2026/05/** 
**customer-experience-future-of-loyalty/**
### RP3 Agency Wins Gold at Ad Age Small Agency Of The Year Awards
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/rp3-agency-wins-gold-at-ad-age-small-agency-of-the-year-awards/
Last updated: 2026-07-28T17:07:40.000Z
[**RP3** ](https://rp3agency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**was honored by Ad Age as the Gold Integrated Campaign of the Year winner at the Small Agency Awards** for its work with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). According to an RP3 release, the award contest honors standout independent agencies with up to 150 employees that are producing both noteworthy creative work and strong business results.

**Judann Pollack,** Executive Editor of Ad Age, wrote: “Our winners are creating value for themselves and the industry, using AI to streamline processes and prospect for new business, inventing agentic products, taking equity stakes in startups, engaging in sprints and exploring new compensation models.”

Ad Age’s editorial team selected the winners based on business momentum, creative prowess, effectiveness of their work and how each agency approaches future growth.

According to the release, RP3 created the “Take a Hike” campaign on behalf of ATC “to grow support for the nonprofit organization responsible for maintaining the entirety of the Appalachian Trail. The agency reimagined the phrase “Take a Hike,” flipping it from an insult into an invitation. By publicly challenging the Big Dictionary’s definition and creating the Definition Petition so people could easily get involved, the campaign sparked a national conversation about mental health, the restorative power of nature and the essential role ATC plays in preserving the trail for millions.

“Not only that, but the campaign delivered extraordinary results: $86 million in donated and earned media, nearly one billion impressions, 85 times the reach of paid advertising alone, a 20% increase in ATC’s email list and a 25% year‑over‑year increase in funding, 86% of which came from entirely new donors. The work also earned a full segment on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Giving Tuesday, beating out every other nonprofit for the spotlight.

“Winning this award is incredibly meaningful for all of us at RP3, as well as ATC,” said **Beth Johnson**, Founder and CEO, RP3 Agency. “It celebrates the kind of work we all believe in: ideas with heart, cultural relevance and real impact. ‘Take a Hike’ wasn’t just a campaign; it was a chance to help more people discover the restorative power of nature while supporting an organization that protects one of America’s greatest treasures. I’m so proud of our team, our partners at ATC and the passion that went into bringing this idea to life, and am honored that Ad Age loves this work as much as we do.”

The release states that the recognition from Ad Age adds to a growing list of recent wins for RP3\. The agency won two Silver Clio Health Awards for their work with ATC, while Beth Johnson was honored as one of the 2026 Campaign 40 over 40\. Additionally, RP3 was named Agency of Record for Northern Virginia Community College and continues to win other impressive work with notable clients across the country. “

PHOTO: (left to right) RP3’s **Laura Thomas**, Chief Strategy Officer; **Beth Johnson**, Founder and Chief Executive Officer; and **Tuesday Poliak**, Chief Creative Officer.
### AI concerns cause QVC hosts to unionize
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/qvc-hosts-vote-to-unionize-because-of-ai-concerns/
Last updated: 2026-07-27T21:35:32.000Z
**Hosts for the home shopping network** [**QVC**](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t/qvc/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **voted to unionize** in a National Labor Relations Board election, paving the way, reports [The Hollywood Reporter,](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/qvc-hosts-vote-unionize-1236655895/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) for the presenters to join [SAG-AFTRA.](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t/sag-aftra/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

During the election, reports *THR*, “37 hosts voted to join the national performers’ union while nine voted against, resulting in about 80 percent support. All full-time and part-time QVC and HSN hosts employed at the company’s West Chester, Pennsylvania headquarters, working across linear television as well as livestream and shortform programming, were eligible to participate.

“The organizing drive was fueled by concerns around generative AI, as *THR* [previously reported](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/qvc-hosts-attempt-unionize-sag-aftra-1236622668/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). SAG-AFTRA said the presenters were concerned about their images, voices and likenesses being deployed without consent or compensation. The hosts also sought greater job protections, pay and promotion standards transparency and a voice on the job.”

“We believe we should have meaningful input into our role in the network’s future, and that this is best accomplished through a formal collective-bargaining process,” the hosts said in a petition delivered to management earlier in the summer.

Changes may be on the horizon for workers at QVC, states *THR.* “In April, the company that owns the retail programming company [filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/qvc-hsn-file-chapter-11-bankruptcy-tiktok-1236566529/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) with the Securities and Exchange Commission. That development followed layoffs of 900 employees in 2025 as the company shifted to focusing on live shopping on social platforms and streaming in a shift away from its declining business on linear television.”

IMAGE: QVC
### Podcast industry moves toward standardizing how audiences are measured across audio and video
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/podcast-industry-moves-toward-standardizing-how-audiences-are-measured-across-audio-and-video/
Last updated: 2026-07-25T22:53:21.000Z
**The podcast industry has taken its biggest step yet toward standardizing how audiences are measured** across audio and video, with the Alliance for Measurement in Podcasting (AMP) releasing a comprehensive framework that supporters say could remove one of the biggest barriers to future advertising growth, reports [Inside Radio.](https://www.insideradio.com/free/podcast-industry-bets-new-standards-will-unlock-1-billion-in-ad-growth/article%5F691433ac-b46c-483f-8a07-1a474ed38859.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

Known as the AMP Accords, [the white paper](https://www.ampaccords.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com#download) is the culmination of roughly a year of work by an industry coalition assembled by podcast advertising agency Oxford Road. It proposes, states Inside radio, “the first unified framework for defining podcasts, measuring audience exposure across platforms, and evaluating advertising effectiveness in an era when podcast consumption increasingly spans RSS feeds, YouTube, and connected TVs.

“Supporters say the initiative comes at a pivotal moment for podcasting. As more creators embrace video distribution, inconsistent measurement standards have made it difficult for advertisers to compare audiences across platforms, creating uncertainty about campaign performance. Many podcasters blame that for slowing the flow of advertising dollars into the medium – even as listeners pour in. Oxford Road estimates more than [$1 billion in advertising spending](https://www.podcastnewsdaily.com/news/oxford-road-fixing-podcast-measurement-could-unlock-1-billion-in-ad-growth/article%5F73869cd7-91b6-450f-a62d-bc101280c9eb.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) is at stake if the industry fails to establish consistent measurement standards.”
### The Banner recognized with sports journalism awards
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-banner-recognized-with-multiple-sports-journalism-awards/
Last updated: 2026-07-24T19:00:22.000Z
**The Baltimore Banner and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette earned Associated Press Sports Editors Triple Crowns,** a distinction that recognizes sustained excellence across multiple areas of sports journalism.

According to a release, the honor was part of broader recognition for both newsrooms, whose work was cited for reporting, writing, visual storytelling and digital presentation. Winners from this year’s contest were recognized at the recent APSE Summer Conference banquet in Arlington, Virginia.

The APSE contest is a national benchmark for sports journalism. For newsrooms, the recognition signals their coverage stands out among peers for its depth, ambition and ability to help readers understand the teams, people and institutions shaping sports.

The Banner won four first-place honors and was the only publication to take the top spot in four writing categories in the 2025 APSE contest. The Banner and the Post-Gazette are part of the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism. The Post-Gazette produced its recognized work before joining Venetoulis.

“The best sports journalism isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about the people, institutions and moments that shape our communities and give us shared experiences,” said **Audrey Cooper**, editor-in-chief of The Banner. “Sports coverage is news, it’s entertainment and it also tells us about the region we call home. So it’s especially rewarding to see our team recognized by industry leaders for the curiosity, rigor and humanity they bring to work every day.”

Orioles reporter **Andy Kostka** won team beat writing, and sports columnist **Kyle Goon** won column writing. **Paul Mancano** won explanatory reporting for a story that examined why no player has hit a home run far enough to strike the B&O Warehouse beyond right field at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and what it would take to reach it.

The Banner also took first place in event coverage for its reporting on the 150th and final running of the Preakness Stakes before the demolition of Pimlico Race Course. The coverage was produced by Goon, **Childs Walker**, **Giana Han, Giacomo Bologna** and The Banner’s photo staff.

The Banner’s recognition also extended to accountability and enterprise journalism. **Julie Scharper, Justin Fenton, Brenna Smith, Jonas Shaffer** and Han placed fourth in APSE’s investigative category for reporting on allegations of inappropriate behavior against then-Ravens kicker **Justin Tucker**. The Banner was the only smaller-division publication to finish among the top 10 in the category, which was open to all news organizations.

*Photo via APSE: Banner sports staff members Paul Mancano, Giana Han and Kyle Goon receive a Triple Crown plaque from Associated Press Sports Editors President Paul Barrett.*
### WMZQ Washington, DC, and WPOC Baltimore add Kelly Ford to afternoon lineups
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/wmzq-washington-dc-and-wpoc-baltimore-add-kelly-ford-to-afternoon-lineups/
Last updated: 2026-07-25T14:06:43.000Z
**iHeartMedia country outlets WMZQ Washington, DC (98.7), and WPOC Baltimore (93.1) have named Kelly Ford** Music Director and afternoon host for both stations. Ford will anchor weekday afternoons from 3pm to 7pm on the co-owned stations. She reports to Jeff Kapugi, Region Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia, reports [Inside Radio](https://www.insideradio.com/free/kelly-ford-joins-wmzq-wpoc-as-afternoon-host-md/article%5F5d4920a3-8778-4875-9bcb-f6c55b3ae13a.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

“There’s really a lot of good talent out there, but after meeting Kelly and spending time with her, I knew she was the one,” Kapugi said in a release. “She’s special in so many ways and I can’t wait for DC and Baltimore to experience Kelly Ford on WMZQ and WPOC.”

Ford joins WMZQ and WPOC from Connoisseur Media “103.1 The Wolf” WWWF Nassau-Suffolk, NY, where she served as Music Director and afternoon host. She has also hosted syndicated programs for “Backstage Country” and Westwood One, along with on-air roles in New York City and Nashville. Ford has won three CMA Awards, three Gracie Awards, an ACM Award and a Marconi Award.

“I’m so excited to plant my flag in the DMV and honored to join two iconic brands like WMZQ and WPOC,” Ford said.
### Association Headquarters acquires Potomac Management Resources
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/association-headquarters-acquires-potomac-management-resources/
Last updated: 2026-07-21T19:21:34.000Z
[**Association Headquarters**](http://www.associationheadquarters.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **(AH) announced the acquisition of Potomac Management Resources (PMR),** an association management and consulting firm based in Alexandria, Virginia.

The acquisition, states a release, expands AH’s presence in the Washington metropolitan region “while adding PMR’s expertise serving professional and trade associations. For PMR clients, the transition provides access to a broader team, expanded capabilities and additional resources while maintaining the relationships and service they rely on today.

“With nearly 50 years of experience serving nonprofit organizations and more than 70 client partners, works alongside association leaders as an extension of their team, helping organizations run, grow, and advance their missions.”

“PMR has built lasting relationships by providing thoughtful guidance and dependable support to its clients,” said **Sam Leone**, CEO of Association Headquarters. “We share a belief that strong partnerships create stronger organizations. By bringing our teams together, we can provide even greater support to the organizations we serve while creating new opportunities for employees to grow and contribute.”

Founded to provide strategic and operational support to professional and trade associations, PMR, states the release, has earned the trust of organizations seeking expertise in governance, meetings, membership, communications, and organizational development.

“Association Headquarters shares our commitment to partnering with organizations to bring their strategic vision to life and provide meaningful member experiences,” said **Carol Montoya**, President, Potomac Management Resources. “Joining AH gives our clients access to expanded expertise and resources while maintaining the responsive and tailored service to which they are accustomed.”

As part of AH, which is based in Mount Laurel, NJ, continues the release, PMR clients will have access to a larger team of professionals and expanded support across key areas of association management, including:

• Strategic planning and organizational consulting  
• Meetings and events management  
• Marketing, communications, and public relations  
• Membership growth and engagement  
• Sponsorship and revenue development  
• Technology and digital solutions  
• Financial management and accounting services  
• Credentialing and certification program management

PMR employees will become part of a growing team of more than 200 professionals representing over 140 credentials, certifications, and advanced degrees. The combined organization creates additional opportunities for collaboration, professional development, and knowledge sharing while preserving the client relationships and local expertise that have been central to PMR’s success. “Our focus throughout this process is simple: take care of clients, take care of employees, and continue delivering the high level of service both organizations are known for,” Leone said. “We are investing in the people, expertise, and resources that help associations move forward and create greater impact.”

Potomac Management Resources serves non-profit professional organizations, trade associations, and charitable foundations that outsource their administration and event planning, states an online item.
### Giant Food names Gregg Dorazio its vice president of marketing
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/giant-food-names-gregg-dorazio-its-vice-president-of-marketing/
Last updated: 2026-07-21T15:51:09.000Z
[**Giant Food**](https://giantfood.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced the appointment of Gregg Dorazio as vice president of marketing,**

As vice president of marketing, states a release, Dorazio will focus on further enhancing the Giant Food brand, strengthening customer connections across channels, aligning marketing strategies with merchandising and operations, and supporting the company’s continued growth priorities.

Dorazio has been a member of Giant Food’s leadership team since 2019, most recently serving as strategy and eCommerce lead. During his tenure, he has played a key role in shaping the company’s strategic business plans, advancing priority growth initiatives, and overseeing Giant Food’s online pickup and delivery offerings.

Prior to joining Giant Food, Dorazio spent 14 years in brand marketing leadership roles with Ahold Delhaize and General Mills, leading initiatives across advertising, multicultural marketing, sponsorships, customer development, marketing operations and shopper marketing.

“Gregg’s unique combination of strategic thinking, marketing expertise, and deep understanding of our customers makes him exceptionally well-positioned to lead Giant Food’s marketing organization,” said **Ira Kress**, president of Giant Food. “His leadership has already contributed significantly to our growth and digital transformation efforts, and I am confident he will continue strengthening our brand while helping us deliver meaningful experiences for our customers both in-store and online.”

“I’m honored to step into this role and continue serving a brand that has such a strong connection to the communities we serve,” said Dorazio. “I look forward to working alongside our talented teams to build on Giant Food’s momentum, strengthen our customer relationships, and continue delivering innovative and meaningful experiences for shoppers.”

Dorazio holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Northwestern University and an MBA from Indiana University. He serves on the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County and is the executive sponsor of Giant Food’s Corporate Council. Outside of work, he enjoys researching stocks, planning family vacations, working out, photography and golf.

Dorazio succeeds **Dyani Hanrahan**, who will depart Giant Food at the end of July after nearly a decade with the company. Since joining Giant Food in 2017, Hanrahan has played an instrumental role in modernizing the company’s marketing capabilities, strengthening its brand presence, and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.
### Yes& names Ashley Benecchi SVP of its Yes& CommCore practice
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/yes-names-ashley-benecchi-svp-of-its-yes-commcore-practice/
Last updated: 2026-07-21T14:37:44.000Z
***Former TV Journalist, C-Suite Communications Coach and Strategist*** 
***Builds Out Specialty Offering***

[**Yes&**](https://yesandagency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced that industry veteran Ashley Benecchi has been named SVP, Yes& CommCore,** which states the agency, is a specialty team within Yes& which provides media training, presentation training, and crisis response. Benecchi is a long-time Yes& CommCore coach who has worked closely with her predecessor **Jerry Doyle**, who is retiring.

According to a release, Yes& CommCore’s training and coaching expertise “is one of the unique specialty services within the broad portfolio of agency capabilities at Yes&. This highly focused group has a 40-year legacy of servicing clients ranging from Fortune 100 corporations to start-ups. Yes& CommCore’s proprietary structures and techniques strengthen both the content and delivery of critical messages through fully customized and interactive programs across a range of industries.” 

Benecchi’s expertise, states the release, spans working one-on-one with C-suite and renowned global innovators on media coaching for individual and public presentations, including major investor conferences and industry panels, from SXSW to HLTH to Cannes Lions and JP Morgan Healthcare. She is deeply experienced in biotechnology and the life sciences, including obesity and metabolic health/GLP-1, rare diseases, neuroscience, epilepsy, women’s health, oncology and GI medicine. Her industry expertise extends to Finance, FinTech, HealthTech, Insurance, and beyond. A former ABC News producer and on-air reporter, she earned her Bachelor’s in Government from Harvard College and her Master’s from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.

“Ashley is a superstar communications coach with superb strategic and storytelling skills,” said **Zihla Salinas**, CEO, Yes&. “She helps leaders turn complex ideas into clear, memorable and human-centered messages that bolster and advance reputations.”

“My goal for Yes& CommCore is to sit at the nexus of strategy, storytelling, and leadership development. In the network newsroom as a producer and on-air reporter, I learned how to find the core truth of a story under immense pressure. In the agency world, leading narrative insights and journalistic storytelling at 21Grams, I saw how those truths could scale to move behaviors and change lives. And, with executive coaching, I discovered the immense joy of helping leaders unlock their own authentic voices to build trust and inspire teams,” Benecchi said.

“Leading Yes& CommCore feels like the ultimate alignment of all three chapters.”
### Sylvia Bugg, PBS’ Chief Programming Executive, dies at 55
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/sylvia-bugg-pbs-chief-programming-executive-dies-at-55/
Last updated: 2026-07-22T15:41:43.000Z
[**Sylvia Bugg**](https://deadline.com/tag/sylvia-bugg/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**,** [**PBS**](https://deadline.com/tag/pbs/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**’ Chief Programming Executive and General Manager for General Audience Programming,** who had a long career in public broadcasting and at [Discovery Communications](https://deadline.com/tag/discovery-communications/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), has died. She was 55, reports [Deadline](https://deadline.com/2026/07/sylvia-bugg-dead-pbs-chief-programmer-1236998554/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

PBS CEO [Paula Kerger](https://deadline.com/tag/paula-kerger/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) said Bugg died “unexpectedly this weekend” but did not provide a cause of death of other details.

“Over decades in public media, including her leadership at the [Corporation for Public Broadcasting](https://deadline.com/tag/corporation-for-public-broadcasting/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and three chapters of service here at PBS, Sylvia shaped the programming that defines our service to the American people,” Kerger said in a statement. “She brought forward landmark films across history, science, and the arts, and guided our America @ 250 slate through a defining year.”

Kerger’s statement stated that Bugg had worked at PBS prior during the 1990s and later for Discovery Communications before moving in 2014 to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, where she was VP Diversity and Television Contact. She rejoined PBS in early 2020, overseeing editorial team and leading strategy across all genres, including news, public affairs, documentaries, history, science, natural history and arts programs.

She was [promoted to her most recent PBS post](https://deadline.com/2020/10/sylvia-bugg-chief-programming-executive-pbs-1234600642/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) during the Covid lockdown nine months later, replacing Perry Simon. Reporting to Kerger, Bugg led PBS’ multiplatform efforts in response to the global pandemic, including a revamp of the pubcaster’s daytime and primetime schedules to prioritize educational and cultural programs.

According to a 2020 PBS[ release](https://www.pbs.org/about/about-pbs/blogs/news/pbs-promotes-sylvia-bugg-to-serve-as-chief-of-programming/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Bugg had an MBA from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, an MA in Journalism from American University and a BA in Communications from Old Dominion University. She was a member of the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications and Women In Film and Video.

PBS is based in Arlington, VA.
### AI Update: Netflix paid $587 Million for Ben Affleck’s AI company, states The Hollywood Reporter
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/netflix-paid-587-million-for-ben-afflecks-ai-company-states-the-hollywood-reporter/
Last updated: 2026-07-20T20:51:40.000Z
**When** [**Netflix**](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t/netflix/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **acquired Ben Affleck’s “mysterious** [**AI**](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t/ai-3/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **company InterPositive earlier this year,** it took the industry by storm,” reports[ The Hollywood Reporter.](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/netflix-price-ben-affleck-ai-company-revealed-1236651217/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

THR post asked: “What was the company? What tools did it create for filmmakers? How would Netflix use them, and use Affleck, who committed to work as a senior advisor to the company in the deal?

“And then there was the question of price. How much was the company worth to the streaming giant? Thanks to a new securities filing, we know the answer to that final question.”

Netflix disclosed in an SEC filing that it paid $587 million for InterPositive, in cash. The disclosure was made in the company’s form 10-Q, writing that “in March 2026, the Company completed an acquisition which was accounted for as a business combination for a total purchase price of approximately $587 million, consisting of cash consideration.”

According to THR, while the filing does not name InterPositive, “Netflix announced [the deal](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/ben-affleck-ai-netflix-1236521806/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) on March 5.

“InterPositive was formed in 2022 as the multi-hyphenate began to explore the AI space, with a particular emphasis on upending visual effects without impacting the creative part of filmmaking, from writing and directing to acting and production design.”

“I knew I had a responsibility to my peers and our industry, to protect the power of human creativity and the people behind it. In creating InterPositive, I sought to do just that,” Affleck wrote in a post at the time. “From the invention of the moving image to the transition to digital, from motion capture to virtual production, technology has evolved alongside the artists who use it. Our shared commitment to continuing this legacy makes joining together a natural next step, in addition to Netflix’s decades of experience applying and scaling technology responsibly.”
### Gretchen Carswell, Immediate Past President of AAF DC, dies
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/gretchen-carswell-immediate-past-president-of-aaf-dc-dies/
Last updated: 2026-08-02T15:38:17.000Z
**Gretchen Carswell, Immediate Past President of the American Advertising Federation DC Chapter**[ **(AAF DC**](https://www.aafdc.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**), died.** According to an email that **Lindsay Matthews,** AAF DC president, sent to the AAF DC Board on Saturday, July 18, “it’s with immense sadness that I’m sharing Gretchen, our beloved and longtime Board member, and friend, has passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.”

According to[ Linkedin,](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchencarswell/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) Carswell was involved with AAF DC for 27 years. She was “an award winning art director/creative director with experience in advertising, branding, and design across all media channels including print, broadcast, digital (online, mobile, social), collateral and out-of-home.”

On her [website](https://www.gretchencarswell.com/about?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Carswell posted that her “main professional goal is to make things look good. I look forward to finding new, creative ways to get an idea and a product out in front of people. There really isn’t much about advertising I haven’t worked on — logos, branding, collateral, print, out-of-home, digital, social, television, radio and standing on the corner in a mascot suit — I’ve done it. I’ve worked with amazing people, won some big awards, had exhibits of my work, been in a few magazines and have had a ton of fun along the way.

“As far as my work life goes, I’ve been pretty lucky to work at great agencies with talented people and do work for some pretty amazing brands: National Geographic, World Wildlife Fund, DC Lottery, Truth Initiative, SoftSpikes, AOL, Boston Market, Papa John’s, ConEd, Vitamins.com, Away.com, NIH, Washington Business Journal and more.”

During her career, Carswell worked for and with a number of agencies, including MDB Communications, where she was Creative Director. **Cary Hatch**, former head of the agency, said that Carswell was “first and always, a friend — the kind who showed up, who remembered the small things, who made you feel like you mattered simply by being herself with you. That she also happened to be one of the most skilled creative directors many of us ever worked with almost feels secondary — it was just Gretchen, bringing the same warmth and devotion to a conference room that she brought to a dinner table. And she was funny — genuinely, wonderfully funny, the kind who could turn a brutal 11pm deadline into something you’d laugh about later. She had an endless well of ideas, and somehow the crazier the deadline, the better she got — pulling something brilliant out of thin air when the rest of us had given up. We didn’t just lose a brilliant collaborator. We lost someone who loved us well.”

On Carswell’s LinkedIn profile, **Gary Duke**, Managing Partner, Chief Talent Officer at Wild Blue Yonder, Inc., wrote in 2023 that “Gretchen is the rare creative talent who not only excels at her craft but is also a great strategic thinker and problem solver. When I was at MDB I had the pleasure of working with her on vastly different client brands – each with their own unique marketing challenges – and she consistently came up with highly creative solutions that not only broke through the clutter but always connected back to solving the business or marketing problem at hand. In my currently role as a leadership trainer/coach, I advise a lot of highly accomplished creative professionals across the industry and I have to say Gretchen is still one of the best I’ve ever worked with. Plus, she’s a whole lot of fun!”

Carswell was the lead co-producer of the ADWKDC sessions at the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit for numerous years. “She was such a pleasure to work with; she always brought a positive spirit and can-do attitude. Gretchen will be dearly missed by all that have had the pleasure to work with her. All of us with the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit are quite heartbroken by her passing,” said **Paul Duning**, Publisher of Capitol Communicator and Executive Producer of the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit.
### YouTube now one of the most-used apps for podcasts
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/youtube-now-one-of-the-most-used-apps-for-podcasts/
Last updated: 2026-07-17T17:17:51.000Z
**YouTube has become one of the most-used apps to consume podcasts, states an** [**Inside** ](https://www.insideradio.com/free/youtube-podcast-watching-tops-700-million-hours-monthly/article%5F2908db3f-a07b-44fd-802b-26c26fd210f5.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)[**Radio**](https://www.insideradio.com/free/youtube-podcast-watching-tops-700-million-hours-monthly/article%5F2908db3f-a07b-44fd-802b-26c26fd210f5.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **post,** “as the streaming service has seen its usage in the living room expand. However, a new report from WARC Media offers some warning signs, as it says the platform’s ad business growth is slowing, and YouTube finds itself under pressure from rivals such as Netflix and TikTok.

WARC analysts say when it comes to podcasting, YouTube remains on a growth trajectory. “YouTube has overtaken Spotify for podcast viewing,” WARC says. Its analysis shows viewers watch more than 700 million hours of podcasts on YouTube via TV screens in a month. That is up 70% year over year.

In a new report, WARC says YouTube had annual revenue of $60.6 billion last year — of which $40.4 billion came from advertising, which was up 11.7% from 2024\. But that double-digit growth rate doesn’t tell the entire story. The analysis points out that YouTube’s year-over-year ad revenue growth decelerated from 14.7% in 2024 to 11.7% in 2025\. And WARC forecasts YouTube’s ad growth rate will drop to 7% this year and 7.9% by 2027, when ad revenue is expected to reach $46.6 billion.

The report says YouTube is facing growing competition for performance ad dollars as marketers favor platforms like TikTok for social commerce sites. At current growth rates, WARC predicts TikTok’s ad revenue could overtake YouTube’s by 2028.
### WYPR’s “Pass the Mic” returns with support from the T. Rowe Price Foundation
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/wyprs-pass-the-mic-returns-with-support-from-the-t-rowe-price-foundation/
Last updated: 2026-07-16T19:31:14.000Z
![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/Pass-the-Mic-150x150.png)

WYPR, Baltimore’s NPR station and part of Baltimore Public Media, announced that Pass the Mic will expand to a weekly, 30-minute program beginning in September 2026\. Supported by the T. Rowe Price Foundation, the show highlights Baltimore’s community voices through conversations with local artists, cultural leaders and civic innovators.

“Pass the Mic reflects what public media does best: creating space for meaningful conversations and connecting communities through storytelling,” said **Craig Swagler**, president and CEO of Baltimore Public Media, in the announcement release. “Baltimore is filled with people whose experiences, ideas, and work deserve to be heard. Through Pass the Mic, we’re amplifying community voices to listeners across our region while strengthening our commitment to serving the communities that make this city such a vibrant place to live, work, and create.”

Since its relaunch in February 2026, Pass the Mic has connected listeners with the people, stories, and ideas shaping Baltimore, exploring topics ranging from food, culture, and the arts to public health, equity, and community engagement.

Guests have included food influencer **Simone Phillips**; musician, poet, and sound artist **abdu mongo ali**; **Beth Benner**, Executive Director of the Women’s Housing Coalition; artist and folklorist **Dr. Ashley Minner Jones**; and reinvention strategist **Dr. Alethia Tucker.** Together, their conversations have reflected the breadth of issues and experiences shaping Baltimore, from food culture and the arts to housing, career development, and community leadership.

“At the T. Rowe Price Foundation, we believe in the power of programs that strengthen community connection and amplify the voices shaping Baltimore’s future,” said **Raymone Jackson**, head of community affairs at T. Rowe Price and president of the T. Rowe Price Foundation. “Pass the Mic does exactly that by creating space for authentic conversations with the artists, leaders, and innovators who reflect the energy, resilience, and creativity of this city. We are proud to help bring these stories to more listeners across the region.”

Pass the Mic airs Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. on WYPR and wherever you listen to podcasts. The program is led by Executive Producer **Amy Walters**, Senior Producer **Malarie Pinkard-Pierre**, Producer **Elizabeth Nonemaker**, and Baltimore Public Media Chief of Content **Danyell Irby**.

Main photo via WYPR: Craig Swagler, President & CEO of Baltimore Public Media; Beth Benner, Executive Director of the Women’s Housing Coalition; Danyell Irby, Chief of Content at Baltimore Public Media; Maxie Jackson, Programming Director at Baltimore Public Media; Raymone Jackson, head of Community Affairs at T. Rowe Price and president of the T. Rowe Price Foundation; Amy Walters, Executive Producer at Baltimore Public Media; Elizabeth Nonemaker, Producer at Pass the Mic, Simone Phillips, Baltimore Food Influencer; Malarie Pinkard-Pierre, Senior Producer of Pass the Mic at Baltimore Public Media; Tanya Jones Terrell, vice president, T. Rowe Price Foundation
### Controversial: The Magazine That Fought for Press Freedom 100 Years Ago
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/controversial-the-magazine-that-fought-for-press-freedom-100-years-ago/
Last updated: 2026-07-27T21:47:29.000Z
##### **Originally published by CommPRO. Reprinted with permission.**

##### *The Mr. Magazine™ Book-in-a-Blog, Chapter 3, Part 1*

**One hundred years ago,** magazine publishers were wrestling with a question that still resonates today: Who decides what audiences are allowed to read, see and discuss?

While today’s debates often center on AI, misinformation, content moderation and social media platforms, publishers in the 1920s faced their own battles over censorship and artistic expression.

One fascinating example is *Art Lovers’ Magazine*, a beautifully illustrated publication launched in 1925 with an ambitious mission: make art and culture accessible to everyday readers rather than just artists and academics.

The magazine promised more than reproductions of great paintings. It combined art, literature, fiction, theater, humor and lifestyle features in an effort to broaden public appreciation for culture. As the editors explained, their goal was to “popularize art and culture” while presenting “cultural material in an attractive and entertaining form.”

But not everyone agreed with that mission.

#### When Art Went to Court

Within months of its launch, *Art Lovers’ Magazine* found itself at the center of a legal battle with the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice, led by John S. Sumner.

The organization argued that reproductions of nude artwork made the magazine indecent, despite the fact that many of the same images appeared in respected museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

As reported by *The New York Times* in May 1925, Sumner argued that displaying artwork in museums did not automatically make it acceptable for publication. His concern was that presenting collections of artistic nudes in an inexpensive magazine encouraged what he described as “primitive impulses” rather than artistic appreciation.

The publishers disagreed.

Their defense maintained that reproducing recognized works of art served education and culture, not obscenity.

The courts ultimately sided with the magazine.

#### A Victory Beyond One Publication

The legal victory represented more than the survival of a single magazine.

An industry publication soon declared, “Art Lovers’ Magazine Wins Fight for the Freedom of the Press.”

Yet the battle did not end there. Sumner filed another case against the publication itself.

Once again, the magazine prevailed.

In an editorial published later that year, the editors celebrated what they described as another victory “for freedom of the press and decency in art,” arguing that critics had confused “nudity with lewdity.”

#### Why This Story Still Matters

The technology has changed dramatically over the past century, but many of the underlying questions remain familiar.

Who determines what constitutes acceptable content?

How should publishers balance artistic expression with community standards?

Where is the line between protecting audiences and restricting ideas?

For communicators, publishers and media leaders navigating today’s debates over AI-generated content, platform moderation and freedom of expression, the story of *Art Lovers’ Magazine* offers a reminder that these conversations are far from new.

The platforms may have changed. The questions have not.

---

**Editor’s Note:* This article is adapted from *The Mr. Magazine™ Book-in-a-Blog* by Samir Husni. Stay tuned for *Chapter 3, Part 2*, as the story of Art Lovers’ Magazine and its fight for artistic freedom continues.*

**This article was originally published by CommPRO and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://www.commpro.biz/news/when-art-became-controversial-the-magazine-that-fought-for-press-freedom-100-years-ago?ss\_source=sscampaigns&ss\_campaign\_id=6a58efb945d2a95c462a4fa7&ss\_email\_id=** 
**6a5902a945d2a95c46314994&ss\_campaign\_name=** 
**Comms+Roundup%3A+AI+Reflexes%2C+Executive+Visibility+%26+Mr.+Magazine** 
**%E2%84%A2&ss\_campaign\_sent\_date=2026-07-16T16%3A12%3A10Z**
### The Public Relations Collective launches nationwide PR alliance
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-public-relations-collective-launches-nationwide-pr-alliance/
Last updated: 2026-07-28T14:27:49.000Z
The Public Relations Collective has announced its official launch as a nationwide alliance of senior-level public relations and communications professionals who built their careers at leading global agencies and major U.S. brands before establishing successful independent PR consulting practices.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/Jeff-at-National-Press-Club-2-300x200.jpg)

Jeffrey Davis

**Jeffrey Davis**, Capitol Communicator regional editor and head of [J. Davis Public Relations](https://www.jdprsocial.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), is one of the organization’s 13 founding members.

According to the announcement release, “[The Public Relations Collective](https://thepublicrelationscollective.com/about?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) gives organizations access to the depth, reach and specialized expertise of a national agency without the layers, staffing handoffs, fixed team structures and overhead commonly associated with traditional agency models. Clients work directly with the senior professionals responsible for strategy and execution.”

Created in response to growing demand for more agile and efficient communications support, the Public Relations Collective enables clients to engage a single specialist or assemble a customized team around a specific business objective, initiative, event, market or communications challenge.

“Organizations should not have to choose between senior-level expertise and a flexible, efficient communications model,” said **Jo Trizila,** founding member of The Public Relations Collective. “Our members bring deep experience, specialized expertise and established working relationships. That allows us to build the right team quickly while giving clients direct access to the professionals accountable for the strategy, execution and results.”

**Strategic Support for Agencies**  
The Public Relations Collective also serves as a strategic resource for public relations, marketing, advertising and digital agencies seeking additional expertise, expanded capabilities, geographic reach or senior-level support.

Members can integrate into existing agency teams, provide specialized or executional support and work openly or confidentially on a white-label basis. This allows agencies to pursue new business, manage workload fluctuations and expand capabilities without adding permanent staff or infrastructure.

The founding members of [The Public Relations Collective](https://thepublicrelationscollective.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) represent independent public relations and communications firms and boutique agencies across the United States, providing senior-level communications expertise tailored to each organization’s unique goals, opportunities and challenges.

In addition to **Jeffrey Davis**, the founding members include:

> **Dominic Amenta**, DPA Communications (Boston, Massachusetts)  
> **Hilary Reiter Azzaretti**, Redhead Marketing & PR (Park City, Utah)  
> **Ann Bouchard**, Bouchard Communications Group, Inc. (Roseville, California)  
> **Jason Brown**, PublicCity PR (Royal Oak, Michigan)  
> **Joice Truban Curry**, c3 Communications, Inc. (San Diego, California)  
> **Julie Dye**, Marketing Dx (Austin, Texas)  
> **Leigh Fazzina**, Fazzina & Co. Communications Consulting, Inc. (Conshohocken, Pennsylvania)  
> **Allison Hawk**, AHC Consulting LLC (St. Louis, Missouri)  
> **Katie Welch Len**, Newsworthy Communications (Victoria, Minnesota)  
> **Kristen Skladd**, The KMS Group (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)  
> **Dianne Danowski Smith**, APR, Fellow PRSA, Publix Northwest PR + PA LLC (Beaverton, Oregon)  
> **Jo Trizila**, TrizCom PR (Dallas, Texas)
### WWPR names finalists for 38th Annual Woman of the Year Award
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/wwpr-names-finalists-for-38th-annual-woman-of-the-year-award/
Last updated: 2026-07-17T17:14:12.000Z
**Washington Women in Public Relations named three finalists for its 38th** [**Annual Woman of the Year Award**](https://wwpr.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=be03190ae326bc9532aa39185&id=228653cb24&e=59442246a2&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**:**

[**Dr. Sheila Brooks,**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-brooks-phd/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **Founder, President and CEO,** [**SRB Communications**](https://wwpr.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=be03190ae326bc9532aa39185&id=a989a95a2d&e=59442246a2&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**:** An Emmy Award-winning journalist turned entrepreneur, Dr. Brooks built one of Washington’s leading full-service marketing and PR agencies and was inducted into the PRSA National Capital Chapter Hall of Fame in 2025.

[**Carrie Fox**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriefoxpr/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, Founder and CEO,** [**Mission Partners:**](https://wwpr.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=be03190ae326bc9532aa39185&id=3bd92d8d0c&e=59442246a2&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) An inaugural WWPR Emerging Leader of the Year, Carrie built a Certified B Corp communications firm, authored the best-selling book More Than Words, and has guided hundreds of purpose-driven leaders since 2004.

[**Shakirah A. Hill Taylor**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shakirahadianna/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, Head of Innovation,** [**Fenton Communications**](https://wwpr.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=be03190ae326bc9532aa39185&id=7c91475607&e=59442246a2&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**:** With more than 20 years in digital strategy, Shakirah led Fenton’s digital practice to PR Daily’s Digital Team of the Year and has driven campaigns for the NAACP, Team USA and Bloomberg Philanthropies.According to WWPR, each of the finalists has built a career defined by leadership, creativity, and a commitment to advancing women in communications.

One of the finalists will be named Woman of the Year at WWPR’s 38th annual awards luncheon, Friday, October 23, at Salamander Washington, D.C.
### Agency Updates: Access Unlimited, Warschawski and Seven Letter
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/agency-updates-access-unlimited-warschawski-and-seven-letter/
Last updated: 2026-07-16T18:39:36.000Z
[**AccessU**](https://tracking.us.nylas.com/l/b985f13d4969489a9022151b5c5c91d5/0/d14b9786b2460b6faca3d5e618d1636fb7d6d65523dc7ce180872108e6518f0d?cache%5Fbuster=1782219935&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, a Roanoke-based agency specializing in higher education, launched a sister brand,** [**Access Unlimited**](https://tracking.us.nylas.com/l/b985f13d4969489a9022151b5c5c91d5/1/eb8562ed60a33ee855787cad0520c65cf59e757107a8181e42bcc8480777d3a9?cache%5Fbuster=1782219935&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**.** The new brand, states an item received by Capitol Communicator, creates a dedicated home for the agency’s growing portfolio of clients outside higher education while allowing AccessU to maintain its focus on serving colleges and universities. Built on the same team and expertise that have guided AccessU’s work for 30 years, Access Unlimited will provide branding, communications and public relations services to organizations across a broader range of industries. The launch marks the latest evolution of the Access brand, which began as Access Advertising & PR before becoming AccessU as the agency’s higher education practice expanded.

[**Warschawski**](https://www.warschawski.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **in Baltimore adds Elizabeth Hunter as Director of Digital.** In this role, she will support the agency’s digital marketing initiatives through paid media strategy, campaign optimization, cross-channel collaboration, and performance-driven growth across client accounts. According to a release, Hunter brings nearly a decade of experience in digital marketing, specializing in paid media strategy, performance optimization, and retail and membership-based marketing. Most recently, she served as Director of Paid Media at Cart.com, where she led paid media and organic social strategy for more than 20 clients across a variety of verticals. In her role, she oversaw media planning, forecasting, testing roadmaps, and cross-functional collaboration across creative, SEO, lifecycle marketing, and CRO teams to drive cohesive customer journeys and measurable business growth.

**Esther Lynch joins** [**Seven Letter’s D.C. office**](https://sevenletter.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) as a content specialist after completing two semesters in the firm’s fellowship program. Her background, states a release,includes international experience in public policy, corporate responsibility and environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy. Before joining the firm full time, Lynch worked on workforce access policy at Enable UK in Scotland, researched corporate social responsibility and human rights issues at The Mekong Club in Hong Kong, and contributed to ESG initiatives at The Estée Lauder Companies. She holds a degree in political science and global affairs from the University of Notre Dame and is fluent in English and French, with intermediate proficiency in Chinese.
### State of Wikipedia report for July 2026
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/state-of-wikipedia-report-for-july-2026/
Last updated: 2026-08-12T18:22:06.000Z
**In July, the Wikipedia Chaos Index ticked slightly upward to 88,** keeping it at the same High range it has been through the first half of 2026\. The platform remains highly volatile, so our advice remains unchanged: publishing new drafts, updating controversial content, or engaging in debates with editors is not recommended until activity slows down again.

Overall activity on Wikipedia was down slightly month-to-month, but recent trends are holding: new page submissions and sockpuppet investigations both saw healthy increases in June, reflecting continued levels of high activity from experienced editors and administrators enforcing policies and cracking down on low-quality contributions.

Although Article for Deletion nominations decreased in June, successful deletions were up for the month, as Wikipedia’s editorial community continues to crack down on pages that are considered “fringe” cases for notability.

In addition, the UK’s Online Safety Act continues to be a hot button topic globally, especially after Ofcom released its initial register of categorized services recently. According to the Foundation, Ofcom has notified Wikipedia it has been classified on a list of emerging platforms – avoiding the Category 1 status that would have imposed new, specific regulations, like strict identity verification, which the Foundation said would lead to malicious actors blocking unverified volunteer editors from correcting vandalism or misinformation.

Essentially, Ofcom’s designation places Wikipedia on a watch list of sorts, where it can be reassessed at any given time and given the dreaded Category 1 status. And with contentious legal battles already formed around the Online Safety Act’s definition and implementation requirements of things like content suggestions and sharing (for example, Ofcom considers Wikipedia’s New Page Feed as a “recommender system”), the still-young law is finding itself at a tricky intersection, especially on anonymous platforms like Wikipedia, where user privacy is not only considered a measure of safety, but a core part of the website’s very identity – which is precisely why the Wikimedia Foundation considers the designation a reprieve from the law, rather than a permanent victory, and something it will continue to defend itself from in the coming years.

***Note: The Chaos Index Index is our proprietary metric for measuring turbulence throughout Wikipedia and tracking the community’s current sentiment towards corporate-related pages. The index measures community actions such as editing frequency, content deletion, message board posts, and many other activities that contribute to unstable*** 
***corporate page environments.***
### Maola taps Storyfarm for “Farmer in the Fridge” campaign
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/maola-taps-storyfarm-for-farmer-in-the-fridge-campaign/
Last updated: 2026-07-15T21:54:33.000Z
**Baltimore-based** [**Storyfarm**](https://storyfarm.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **is behind the video and digital spots powering “Farmer in the Fridge,” t**he largest market-wide brand campaign in decades from Maola Local Dairies, the Herndon, Va.-based farmer-owned dairy cooperative.

Storyfarm translated the campaign’s creative vision — that Maola products are so fresh it’s as if the farm sits just behind the refrigerator door — into a series of spots to run across YouTube, Netflix, network streaming channels, Facebook, Instagram, and Instacart, with DMA and ZIP code targeting for retail alignment. The first storyline highlights Maola’s new Maola More product; additional installments from Storyfarm, “Mornings with Maola” and “Yes, Chef,” focused on the brand’s heavy whipping cream line, are still to come. The campaign will also extend to social media with content featuring Maola’s real farmers.

“Consumers are increasingly looking for brands that feel authentic, local, and connected to their everyday lives,” said **Lindsay Reames**, Maola’s executive vice president of membership and brand. “Farmer in the Fridge brings that idea to life in a memorable way by putting Maola farmers at the center of the story.”

Launched in June, the campaign is expected to generate more than 9 million impressions by year’s end. Agency29 of Rochester, N.Y., led creative strategy and market research, while AI Digital handles media buying and audience optimization.
### Publishers losing readers to AI and The Washington Post’s tech arm built a solution, states release
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/publishers-losing-readers-to-ai-and-the-washington-posts-tech-arm-built-a-solution-states-release/
Last updated: 2026-07-14T12:29:04.000Z
**Every day, millions of readers who once visited a news site now get their answers** from ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Google’s AI Overviews — without the publisher seeing a single pageview, collecting a data point, or earning a cent. Arc XP, the media operating system built by The Washington Post, is launching a product designed to stop that, states a [release](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/publishers-are-losing-their-readers-to-ai-the-washington-posts-tech-arm-built-a-solution-302823034.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) from The Post.

New data, continues the release, “underscore the urgency. According to the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2026 (published June 2026), only 4% of AI chatbot users say they always or often click through to original news sources — compared to 19% from search. As readers migrate their questions to AI, publishers are watching referral traffic go with them.

“Only 4% of AI chatbot users click through to news sources, vs 19% from search, according to Reuters Institute

“[Ask The News](https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4729410-1&h=3750962862&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arcxp.com%2Fproducts%2Fask-the-news%2F&a=Ask+The+News&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) is an AI-powered answer layer that publishers embed directly on their own digital properties. When a reader has a question, Ask The News answers it using the publisher’s own reporting — with attribution, editorial guardrails, and guards against the open-web hallucination risk that defines generic AI tools. The publisher owns the interaction, the intent data it generates, and every business opportunity that flows from it.”

“The industry has spent years worrying about Google and social platforms. The next threat is quieter and faster: readers learning to ask AI instead of visiting a news site. Ask The News puts publishers back in that conversation,” said **Joey Marburger**, Vice President of Content Intelligence, Arc XP. “The question is whether publishers own that moment of reader curiosity, or whether someone else does.”
### Curious About Advertising on ChatGPT? Here’s What You Need to Know
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/curious-about-advertising-on-chatgpt-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
Last updated: 2026-07-14T17:56:47.000Z
**Artificial intelligence has quickly become one of the biggest shifts in digital behavior,** and now, it’s beginning to reshape advertising as well.

For millions of users, ChatGPT is part of daily life. People are using these conversational tools to research products, plan trips, answer questions, discover entertainment, and even make purchasing decisions. As consumer behavior evolves, advertisers are naturally asking the next question: how do brands show up in these spaces?

The answer is ChatGPT advertising.

Recently, users have started noticing sponsored placements within ChatGPT conversations. For example, a user asking about a concert artist might see a ticketing advertisement, while a travel-related query could surface a tourism or hospitality partner. These placements are contextually aligned with active user intent, creating a highly relevant mid-funnel advertising opportunity.

What makes this shift especially notable is OpenAI’s rapid transition toward a self-serve advertising platform.

**From Enterprise Pilots to Self-Serve Access**

Initially, ad inventory was only available through select partnerships with major enterprise organizations and holding companies with massive budget minimums. However, the newest beta phase opens the door for agencies and advertisers to manage campaigns directly through a dedicated Ads Manager platform.

The platform’s rollout timeline has moved quickly:

- **January 2026:** OpenAI officially announces advertising plans for ChatGPT
- **February 2026:** The first advertisements appear for Free tier users, while paid subscribers remain ad free
- **March 2026:** Pilot programs expand to select advertisers, Fortune 500 brands, and major enterprise partners with high minimum spend requirements
- **April 2026:** Major agency holding groups such as WPP and Omnicom Group gained broader access to inventory
- **May 2026:** OpenAI launches a beta version of a self-serve Ads Manager, allowing more agencies and advertisers to begin testing campaigns directly

**The Shift Toward Performance Buying**

Another major development has been the platform’s shift toward more performance-focused buying options. Early inventory was primarily sold on a premium Cost Per Thousand (CPM) model – initially reported near $60 before leveling out to a more palatable $25, putting it on par with connected TV (CTV) or enterprise B2B media.

With the latest self-serve beta,, OpenAI introduced Cost-Per-Click (CPC) bidding. This gives advertisers the flexibility to optimize campaigns toward clicks, engagement, and site traffic.

Furthermore, advanced attribution tools are arriving quickly. The introduction of pixel-based measurement and the development of a Conversions API are critical additions for marketers who need to tie ChatGPT ad exposure directly to downstream business outcomes such as leads, purchases, and website activity.

For smaller and mid-sized brands, this shift is important. While direct platform access may still require spend minimums or agency partnerships during beta, the barrier to entry is becoming significantly lower than it was just months ago.

**A New Framework for Contextual Targeting**

For forward-thinking brands, this represents a fundamental shift in media buying. Rather than relying solely on keywords or audience targeting, AI advertising targets active moments of discovery. Advertisers are positioning their brands precisely when a consumer is researching and evaluating choices.

One of the largest concerns surrounding advertising within AI platforms has been the potential impact on consumer trust. OpenAI has publicly stated that early testing showed no negative impact on user trust metrics, largely due to a strict visual and structural separation between advertisements and AI generated answers. The company has stated directly that users can clear the data used for ads at any time.

The company has also emphasized brand safety and moderation as part of the advertising rollout. According to OpenAI: “During our test, we will not show ads in accounts where the user tells us or we predict that they are under 18, and ads are not eligible to appear near sensitive or regulated topics like health, mental health or politics. We’ll expand responsibly as safeguards mature and we learn from this test.”

As AI platforms continue to evolve, advertisers will need to pay close attention to how consumer search behavior changes alongside them. The brands that adapt early and test thoughtfully will likely gain valuable insights into what may become one of the next major digital advertising channels.

**This article was originally published by Response Labs and is reprinted** 
**here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://www.responselabs.com/2026/** 
**05/what-to-know-about-advertising-on-chatgpt/**
### Simone Sebastian joins The Baltimore Banner as deputy editor
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/simone-sebastian-joins-the-baltimore-banner-as-deputy-editor/
Last updated: 2026-07-11T20:16:56.000Z
[**The Baltimore Banner**](https://www.thebanner.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **named Simone Sebastian as deputy editor,** expanding, states a citybiz [post](https://www.citybiz.co/article/869339/the-baltimore-banner-appoints-simone-sebastian-as-deputy-editor/?abkw=citybizwashington&ref=capitolcommunicator.com), “its editorial leadership team with an experienced newsroom executive as the nonprofit news organization continues to invest in enterprise and local reporting.

“Sebastian, who brings 25 years of journalism experience, will oversee much of the newsroom’s daily and investigative coverage. Her responsibilities will include leadership of the business, politics, education, Baltimore County, public safety and health teams, as well as the publication’s newly established narrative, projects and data hub.

“The appointment strengthens The Banner’s editorial bench as nonprofit local news organizations continue to expand coverage in markets where traditional newsroom resources have declined. Since its launch, The Banner has positioned itself as a major source of Maryland news through a combination of accountability reporting, enterprise journalism and community-focused coverage.”

“We searched the country to find someone of Simone’s talent,” Editor in Chief **Audrey Cooper** said. “We wanted an exceptional journalist who would challenge us to think bigger, raise the bar for both our daily report and our most ambitious enterprise, and help us produce journalism that deeply resonates with Marylanders. In Simone, we found all of that and more.”

Sebastian most recently served as a Knight-Wallace Fellow at the University of Michigan. Before that, she was the founding editorial director of Capital B, where she helped build the nonprofit news organization’s editorial operation with a focus on reporting issues affecting Black communities. During her tenure, Capital B produced reporting on voting rights, environmental justice, immigration, criminal justice and healthcare disparities, earning the National Association of Black Journalists’ Best Practices Award in 2024.

Earlier, Sebastian managed The Washington Post’s America Desk during coverage of major national stories, including mass shootings, natural disasters and nationwide protests. In 2019, the desk was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist for its reporting on the Dayton and El Paso mass shootings. She also co-edited *George Floyd’s America*, a six-part investigative series that received a George Polk Award.
### Washington Business Journal adds reporters Sarah Dolgin and Hannah Ziegler
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/washington-business-journal-adds-reporters-sarah-dolgin-and-hannah-ziegler/
Last updated: 2026-07-10T16:35:50.000Z
[**The Washington Business Journal**](https://www.bizjournals.com/washington?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) adds **Sarah Dolgin,** left in photo, as its Virginia reporter, expanding its coverage of one of the region’s fastest-growing business markets.

In her new role, Dolgin will cover business and economic developments across Fairfax, Arlington, Prince William and Loudoun counties, as well as the City of Alexandria. Her reporting will focus on the companies, industries and development projects shaping Northern Virginia’s economy.

Dolgin joins the Washington Business Journal after spending the past year as a reporter for the *Fauquier Times* in Virginia.

In addition, WBJ adds **Hannah Ziegler,** right in photo, as its Maryland reporter, assigning her to cover business and economic developments across Prince George’s and Montgomery counties and will report on a wide range of topics affecting the state’s business community, including planning and land use, economic development, commercial growth and business regulation in two of the Washington region’s largest and fastest-growing counties.

Ziegler joins WBJ after spending the past year as a fellow at *The New York Times*. Before that, she worked on the business desk at *The Washington Post*, where she covered business news and gained experience reporting on the region’s economic landscape.
### Ideas That Continue to Shape Our Nation
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/ideas-that-continue-to-shape-our-nation/
Last updated: 2026-07-09T23:32:31.000Z
**Originally published by CommPRO. Reprinted with permission.**

**By** [**Claire Tsai**](https://www.commpro.biz/news?author=69334a6763a4907f98ac3261&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**As America celebrates its 250th birthday,** I’ve found myself thinking less about the headlines of the moment and more about the ideas that have shaped the United States of America for nearly two and a half centuries.

One of the privileges of working for CommPRO and the *That Said with Michael Zeldin* podcast is the opportunity to have conversations with remarkable thinkers whose perspectives stay with you long after the interview ends. That’s certainly true of our discussions with **Jeffrey Rosen**, CEO Emeritus of the National Constitution Center.

These are conversations about principles, not political parties. They focus on the ideas that have guided our nation since its founding: virtue, liberty, happiness and the ongoing pursuit of a more perfect union.

We first welcomed Jeffrey to discuss his book, **The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America**. In our conversation, he draws on classical Greek and Roman philosophy to explain how the Founders understood “the pursuit of happiness” not as personal success, but as a lifelong commitment to virtue, character, learning and civic responsibility.

**Listen to the first episode:** [https://www.commpro.biz/news/a-conversation-with-jeffrey-rosen-authornbspthe-pursuit-of-happiness-how-classical-writers-on-virtue-inspired-the-lives-of-the-founders-and-defined-america?rq=Jeffrey%20Rosen](https://www.commpro.biz/news/a-conversation-with-jeffrey-rosen-authornbspthe-pursuit-of-happiness-how-classical-writers-on-virtue-inspired-the-lives-of-the-founders-and-defined-america?rq=Jeffrey%20Rosen&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

We recently welcomed Jeffrey back to discuss his latest book, The Pursuit of Liberty, which explores the constitutional debates between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. This ongoing struggle to balance liberty and power has shaped pivotal moments in U.S. history, from Abraham Lincoln’s fight against slavery and southern secession to Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal. It continues to influence our understanding of freedom, governance and democracy today. It’s a fascinating reminder that many of the questions we grapple with in 2026 are rooted in conversations that began nearly 250 years ago.

**Listen to the second episode:** [https://www.commpro.biz/news/jeffrey-rosen-on-the-pursuit-of-liberty-and-the-founding-debate-that-still-shapes-america?rq=Jeffrey%20Rosen](https://www.commpro.biz/news/jeffrey-rosen-on-the-pursuit-of-liberty-and-the-founding-debate-that-still-shapes-america?rq=Jeffrey%20Rosen&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

Together, these conversations offer a look at both the inner virtues and the constitutional debates that have shaped the country and the American Dream.

As communicators, we’re in the business of ideas. We help people understand one another, build trust and navigate change. That’s why these conversations resonate so deeply with our community. They remind us that thoughtful dialogue has always been at the heart of America’s story.

As we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, I hope you’ll take some time to listen to both conversations. Together, they offer a meaningful perspective on where we’ve been, the principles that continue to guide us, and the responsibilities we all share as citizens and communicators.

**This article was originally published by CommPRO and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here:https://www.commpro.biz/news/** 
**america-at-250-revisiting-the-ideas-that-continue-to-shape-our-nation**
### Avoq Announces Leadership Additions
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/avoq-announces-leadership-additions/
Last updated: 2026-07-10T12:00:13.000Z
**D.C.-based** [**Avoq**](https://teamavoq.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **adds** [**Jillian Goger,**](https://teamavoq.com/people/jillian-goger/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **left in photo, as Senior Vice President, Group Creative Director.** Based in Avoq’s New York office, Goger, states a release, “brings more than a decade of experience leading creative work for some of the world’s most recognized brands. She joins Avoq from a career spanning agencies including TBWA\\Chiat\\Day, Droga5 and McCann New York, where she helped launch Peloton, relaunch the U.S. Army and lead brand transformation work for Hilton Hotels.

“Avoq also recently welcomed [**Owen Lang**](https://teamavoq.com/people/owen-lang/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**,** right in photo**,** as VP, Group Creative Director, Video, continuing the agency’s investment to build in-house production and post-production capabilities that enable teams to move with greater speed, agility and creative integration on behalf of clients.”

“Jillian is the kind of creative leader who understands how to build work that gets attention because it earns relevance, while Owen brings the storytelling craft and production expertise that help great ideas reach their full potential,” said **Kevin Richards**, Partner and Chief Creative Officer. “We’ve always applied a consumer creative agency mindset to issue-based communications, and we’re thrilled to have Jillian and Owen helping shape what’s next for our creative team.”

According to the release, Goger’s work has been recognized by Cannes Lions, D&AD, The One Show, Adweek and The New York Times. She also serves as co-lead of The Public Works Assembly, an all-volunteer coalition dedicated to developing campaigns that advance the public good.
### Agency Valuations Being Positively Impacted by AI
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/agency-valuations-being-positively-impacted-by-ai/
Last updated: 2026-07-08T19:40:01.000Z
**AI is transforming not just how all agencies operate, but how buyers v**alue them. For owners considering a sale in the next two to five years, understanding this shift is key to maximizing EBITDA multiples.

Communications firms have traditionally been valued as labor-based businesses tied to billable hours. AI is pushing them toward an intelligence-based model in which output isn’t capped by staff hours. Buyers now ask whether a firm is simply selling hours or leveraging technology that multiplies output and insight — and the answer moves the valuation needle.

**Key impacts on value:**

- **Margins:** AI cuts time spent on research, tracking, and content prep, boosting EBITDA without added headcount — but only disciplined, consistent AI integration earns a real premium.
- **Scalability:** Firms that grow revenue without proportional staff growth are far more attractive to PE buyers, especially in the $5–$25M range, where “platform” firms are in demand.
- **Service mix:** Data analytics and AI-driven strategy shift firms from commoditized communications vendors to strategic partners, and support more recurring revenue — a trait buyers reward.
- **Risk:** Buyers scrutinize AI governance around data security and IP. Firms with clear AI policies look favorable; those without face valuation discounts.
- **The human factor:** AI enhances, not replaces, relationships and strategic judgment. Firms combining strong AI adoption with strong leadership and client retention win the highest valuations.

**Bottom line:** Valuations are shifting from purely historical performance to how well a firm is positioned for an AI-driven future. Owners who integrate AI thoughtfully now will be rewarded when it’s time to sell.

To command higher valuations in today’s M&A market, agencies must demonstrate measurable, AI-driven margin improvements by building scalable systems that support growth without proportional increases in headcount. Success requires expanding into higher-value services, establishing AI best practices, and maintaining strong leadership and client relationships, all while preparing financially, operationally, and strategically for a sale.

AI is fundamentally reshaping how firms are valued: rather than relying solely on historical performance, valuations increasingly reflect future readiness. For buyers, a seller’s AI integration signals added depth and capability.

For sellers, it’s both a challenge to navigate and an opportunity to boost financial outcomes. Firm leaders who proactively embrace AI transformation stand to be rewarded when it comes time to monetize their business.

*By: NY-based *Rick Gould* is Managing Partner and DC-based *Robert Udowitz* is Senior Counselor at* [Gould+Partners](https://www.gould-partners.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### AI’s Next Chapter Is About More Than Technology. It’s About Trust, Visibility and Influence
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/ais-next-chapter-is-about-more-than-technology-its-about-trust-visibility-and-influence/
Last updated: 2026-07-09T14:12:09.000Z
**Originally published by CommPRO. Reprinted with permission.**

By [Fay Shapiro](https://www.commpro.biz/news?author=63af182d3cab14148cd85b91&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**For much of the past three years, the artificial intelligence conversation has been fueled by possibility.**

Every week seemed to bring another breakthrough model, another billion-dollar investment or another prediction about how AI would transform business, communications and society.

That conversation is beginning to change.

Today, the biggest questions are no longer simply about what AI can do. They are about who will finance it, who will regulate it, who will power it and, perhaps most importantly, who will shape the information that both people and AI trust.

For communications professionals, that shift matters.

Artificial intelligence is no longer just a technology story. It has become a business story, an investor story, a public policy story and increasingly a reputation story. The organizations that succeed won’t simply build better AI. They’ll build greater credibility, earn more authority and ensure they are discoverable in an increasingly AI-driven information ecosystem.

Those shifts are reflected in Truescope’s latest analysis of global AI media coverage, which examined 662 news and social media stories published between June 7 and July 7, reaching a combined audience of more than 954 million people. More than half of the coverage during the period was positive, while just 3.2 percent was negative, underscoring the remarkable optimism that continues to surround artificial intelligence despite growing scrutiny.

But the numbers tell only part of the story.

Perhaps the most revealing finding isn’t the overwhelmingly positive sentiment. It’s where the attention has shifted.

Rather than focusing primarily on new AI models or breakthrough technologies, the industry’s biggest stories are increasingly about capital, infrastructure, governance and control. Confidential IPO filings, record fundraising, massive investments in computing infrastructure and questions about long-term sustainability have become just as newsworthy as the technology itself.

John Croll, AM, CEO & Co-Founder, [Truescope](https://truescope.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), in photo, believes that change signals an important turning point.

*“What surprised me wasn’t the optimism — it was where the attention went. With 662 stories reaching 954 million people and barely 3 percent negative, you’d expect the conversation to center on the technology. Instead, the biggest stories were about capital, infrastructure and control. That’s the signal AI has entered a new phase: the industry is no longer judged on what it can do, but on whether it can be trusted, financed and sustained.”*

That evolution is reshaping who controls the conversation.

The report found that OpenAI and Anthropic together accounted for nearly half of all AI company mentions during the reporting period. Add Google, and the three companies represented roughly two-thirds of the industry’s media conversation.

The concentration is striking.

Hundreds of organizations are building AI products, yet only a handful are defining how investors, policymakers, journalists and the public understand where the industry is heading. Visibility is becoming influence, and influence is becoming one of AI’s most valuable currencies.

At the same time, AI is rapidly becoming an infrastructure story.

Power generation, semiconductor manufacturing, data centers and the enormous investments required to sustain next-generation AI systems now dominate many of the industry’s biggest conversations. Truescope notes that hyperscale AI infrastructure spending could approach $690 billion during 2026, with power availability emerging as one of the industry’s greatest long-term constraints.

For communicators, that means the conversation is expanding well beyond technology reporters.

*“When an industry is contemplating nearly $690 billion in infrastructure spending and power availability is a boardroom topic, AI stops being a technology story and becomes an economic one. That pulls communicators into energy, capital markets and policy conversations whether they’re ready or not. What most are overlooking: their AI narrative is now shaped in earnings calls and regulatory hearings, not just tech coverage. If you’re only monitoring the technology press, you’re seeing a fraction of your story.”*

Even regulation, while accounting for a relatively small share of overall coverage, is beginning to influence the broader narrative. Questions surrounding AI safety, government oversight, transparency and responsible development are steadily moving from policy circles into mainstream business reporting, making governance as much a communications challenge as a legal one.

Yet perhaps the report’s most consequential finding for communications professionals has little to do with regulation or investment.

It has to do with discoverability.

One of the fastest-growing themes identified in the research is Generative Engine Optimization, or GEO, the practice of ensuring that AI platforms including ChatGPT, Claude, Google Gemini and Perplexity can accurately understand, reference and cite an organization’s information.

At first glance, GEO may sound like the next generation of search engine optimization.

In reality, it represents something far more significant.

For decades, communicators have focused on influencing what people read.

Now they must also influence what AI understands.

Those are not necessarily the same thing.

An organization may enjoy exceptional media coverage and still be inconsistently represented in AI-generated responses if its information lacks authority, context or structure. Conversely, companies that consistently produce original research, earn credible media coverage and build authoritative digital content are increasingly positioning themselves to become the sources AI systems rely upon when answering questions.

That changes the role of communications.

Earned media is no longer only about reaching today’s audiences. It is also about shaping tomorrow’s AI-generated answers.

For communications leaders, the implications are becoming increasingly clear. AI visibility can no longer be viewed as simply a marketing or SEO initiative. As AI assistants become the first stop for research, recommendations and decision-making, organizations need to ensure they are represented accurately across trusted sources.

That requires investment in authoritative thought leadership, original research, executive visibility and credible earned media. It also requires communications teams to monitor how AI platforms describe their organizations alongside traditional media monitoring. Reputation management is expanding beyond headlines and social conversations to include how AI interprets and summarizes a brand.

Just as importantly, AI visibility cannot belong to a single department. Communications, marketing, legal, technology and executive leadership all have a role to play in building the trusted information ecosystem that AI increasingly depends upon.

Croll believes communicators should begin preparing now.

*“Three actions for every CCO: First, audit how AI platforms describe your organization — most leaders have never asked, and the answers can be sobering. Second, make AI visibility a shared mandate across communications, marketing and legal, with clear accountability. Third, shift investment toward authoritative, citable content — original research and credible earned media — because that’s what AI systems reference. Within a year, GEO moves from novelty to necessity. AI-generated answers are becoming your brand’s first impression, and communicators who aren’t shaping them are leaving it to chance.”*

The Truescope data paints the picture of an industry still fueled by extraordinary optimism and unprecedented investment.

But it also captures something larger.

Artificial intelligence is no longer simply changing how organizations work.

It is changing how organizations are discovered, interpreted and trusted.

For communications professionals, that may prove to be the defining story of AI’s next chapter.

**This article was originally published by CommPRO and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://www.commpro.biz/news/ais-next-chapter-** 
**is-about-more-than-technology-its-about-trust-visibility-and-influence**
### The Hill launches “The Hill Insider,” a premium digital subscription service
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/43417-2/
Last updated: 2026-07-08T17:11:04.000Z
[**The Hill**](https://thehill.com/homenews/media/5958861-hill-insider-premium-subscription/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **launched “The Hill Insider,”** a premium digital subscription service that, states a release, offers readers “access to exclusive high-quality editorial content and one-of-a-kind experiences.

“The Hill Insider will feature premium newsletters, live interactive video calls with The Hill’s journalists and editors, and daily deep-dive reporting that enables readers to get closer to the stories shaping Washington, D.C., and the nation. The Hill’s free, ad-supported experience remains fully available to all readers; The Hill Insider adds a premium membership offering for those seeking deeper access, richer context, and direct engagement.”

“For more than 30 years, The Hill has delivered trusted, unbiased political news coverage, building a loyal audience that values deeper reporting and in-depth analysis,” said [Bill Sammon,](https://thehill.com/people/bill-sammon/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) SVP of Washington, D.C. Editorial Content for The Hill. “We are pleased to offer this community of readers a new exclusive experience with The Hill Insider, giving them greater access to the conversations, insights, and reporting shaping the nation’s capital. As we all know, in Washington, information is power.“

The new service offers two subscription tiers designed to give readers greater access to premium reporting and exclusive experiences on TheHill.com. The Basic membership, priced at $5.99 per month or $59.99 annually, includes full access to The Hill Insider content. The Premium membership, priced at $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually, includes everything in Basic, plus VIP access to The Hill’s live events and an ad-free reading experience on thehill.com, with no display or video ads. First-time subscribers can join The Hill Insider for a free 14-day trial. (Note: The ad-free experience removes display and video advertising on thehill.com. Advertising and sponsored content within The Hill’s mobile app, podcasts, and free newsletters are not included.)

First-time subscribers can join The Hill Insider for a free 14-day trial.
### Key Takeaways from Loyalty360 Expo
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/key-takeaways-from-our-time-at-loyalty360-expo/
Last updated: 2026-07-09T21:11:34.000Z
**Originally published by Response Labs. Reprinted with permission.**

**A Response Labs team attended the Loyalty360 Expo in Orlando**— a gathering of loyalty, CRM, customer experience, and marketing leaders all focused on one question: what does modern loyalty actually look like in today’s market?

Between panel discussions, client conversations, product demos, and plenty of hallway discussions, one thing became very clear: loyalty programs are no longer just about points and discounts. The brands winning loyalty today are the ones connecting strategy, operations, customer experience, and data execution into one cohesive system.

Here’s a recap of the biggest themes and takeaways from our time at the conference.

---

## **Loyalty Matters More During Economic Uncertainty**

One of the strongest themes throughout the conference was the growing importance of loyalty during economic pressure – especially today.

As consumers become more price-conscious, brands — especially premium brands — face increasing pressure to prove their value beyond pricing alone. While discounts and offers still matter, many conversations centered around the idea that customer experience is now the true differentiator.

Customers are asking three things from brands today:

1. Help me save money
2. Help me save time
3. Don’t ask me to do too much!

The companies succeeding in loyalty are the ones using customer data to understand those needs and deliver experiences that feel relevant, timely, and valuable.

At the same time, brands are facing more competition than ever for customer attention. Nearly every company now has some form of loyalty initiative designed to capture first-party data and deepen customer relationships. That means simply having a loyalty program is no longer enough — brands must create experiences customers genuinely want to engage with, and programs that easily and quickly provide real value.

---

## **Loyalty Has to Be Bigger Than Discounts – Experience Matters**

Another major discussion point: loyalty cannot operate as just an “offer engine.”

Yes, incentives and rewards can drive behavior. But long-term loyalty comes from the *complete* customer experience — from digital interactions all the way down to front-of-house employee engagement.

One example that came up repeatedly was the importance of store associates and customer-facing employees understanding the loyalty experience themselves. Some organizations are even building internal employee reward programs that mirror customer programs (with even more perks!), helping associates become advocates who can confidently explain and promote their real experience maximizing loyalty benefits.

That operational alignment matters.

You can have excellent CRM campaigns, strong targeting, and high-performing offers — but if the in-store or customer experience breaks down, loyalty suffers quickly.

True loyalty is created when…

- Marketing
- Operations
- Customer experience
- Analytics
- Technology
- Customer-facing employees

…are all aligned around the same customer experience strategy.

---

## **Proving Loyalty Value to the C-Suite Is Still a Challenge**

A recurring topic throughout the conference was the difficulty in measuring success of your loyalty program.

Loyalty teams often struggle to communicate the full business impact of their programs because they operate in a world of incrementality. A 5–10% lift may not seem dramatic when compared against total company revenue, but the long-term value of retaining and growing existing customers is enormous.

The conversation has shifted beyond just campaign performance metrics toward broader business impact:

- Increased customer lifetime value
- Greater share of wallet
- Reduced acquisition costs
- Improved retention
- Higher profitability

The brands making the strongest case internally are the ones connecting loyalty performance directly to measurable business outcomes. Especially during uncertain economic periods, the value of loyal returning customers becomes even more visible to the C Suite.

---

## **AI Is Everywhere — But Execution Is Still the Gap**

Unsurprisingly, AI was the hot-button topic at the conference this year.

But interestingly, most conversations weren’t focused around the fear of teams being replaced. Instead, they focused on how AI can help organizations get more value from the technology they already own.

The bigger challenge many brands discussed wasn’t lack of ideas or lack of tools — it was operational execution.

There’s no shortage of strategy presentations, roadmaps, or martech platforms. The real challenge is:

- Getting campaigns launched efficiently
- Connecting fragmented systems
- Building usable audience segments
- Measuring results quickly
- Turning insights into the next action

In other words: getting the work done reliably and at scale. That execution gap came up repeatedly across conversations with loyalty, CRM, and marketing leaders.

---

## **Bringing Strategy and Execution Together with magpie**

At our exhibitor booth, we had the opportunity to showcase [magpie, our in-house intelligence and orchestration platform](https://www.responselabs.com/magpie/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) built to help marketers close the gap between strategy and execution.

magpie originated from a simple but common client problem – marketing teams often wait days or weeks to get campaign performance insights back from analytics teams, barring them from moving quickly with learnings onto the next test.

By integrating directly with existing martech ecosystems — including CDPs, ESPs, loyalty platforms, and transactional data sources — magpie helps teams:

- Build audience segments faster
- Automate test/control creation
- Surface hidden audience opportunities using AI
- Measure campaign lift quickly
- Track segment migration and customer movement
- Reduce operational friction between teams

magpie isn’t designed to replace existing platforms. Moreso, it acts as an intelligence layer that helps marketers activate and analyze campaigns more efficiently across the systems they already use.

The response at the conference reinforced something we hear often from clients: brands don’t necessarily need more tools — they need better orchestration.

---

## **The Biggest Takeaway: Loyalty Is an Enterprise Strategy**

Perhaps the clearest takeaway from the week was this: Loyalty cannot sit in a silo.

The most successful loyalty programs are not owned solely by marketing teams. They are supported across the organization — from executive leadership to operations to customer-facing staff.

When loyalty becomes part of the broader business strategy, brands are able to:

- Deliver more consistent experiences
- Build stronger customer relationships
- Activate data more effectively
- Improve operational alignment
- Move faster from insight to execution

The conference reinforced what we see every day working with our clients: the brands that win are the ones capable of combining smart strategy with precise execution – our expertise.

Because ultimately, loyalty isn’t built through one campaign or one offer. It’s built through every interaction customers have with your brand.

**This article was originally published by Response Labs and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://www.responselabs.com/2026/05/key-takeaways-from-our-time-at-loyalty360-expo/**
### Capitol Communicators: Profile of Charmaine Riley, Director of Communications, American Beverage, and President, Washington Women in Public Relations
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-charmaine-riley-director-of-communications-american-beverage-and-president-washington-women-in-public-relations/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:27.000Z
***Capitol Communicators is a profile series spotlighting the people shaping*** 
***advertising, digital, marketing and public relations in the Mid-Atlantic.*** 
***This profile features Charmaine Riley***

**A bit of history to start us off: in 1970, men held more than 50% of the jobs in public relations. That shifted dramatically by the early 80s, when women held more than 50%.** But, while women were welcomed into entry and mid-level positions, they faced systemic barriers trying to advance to leadership. In 1980, four D.C. women joined forces to overcome these barriers, by creating a network of women to provide community. They placed an ad in a local trade pub, and 35 women responded. They were on to something! 

Today, [Washington Women in Public Relations](https://wwpr.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) (WWPR) has become the premier organization for networking, mentorship, professional development and promoting and celebrating women leaders. 

Charmaine Riley became WWPR President this year, to lead that effort and shape the next chapter. She’s marking three years as Director of Communications at [American Beverage](https://www.americanbeverage.org/about-us/aba-team/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), work that includes partnerships, branding, and industry initiatives. WWPR recognized her previous work in civil rights communications with an Emerging Leaders Award in 2022\. She was so taken by her very first WWPR event, she applied for the Board immediately! She is passionate about WWPR “meeting women where they are at” professionally and personally and helping them navigate these challenging times. As she says, organizations need to support their members through good times and bad. She also advises holding on to what inspires you, deeply, whatever this crazy world brings. 

**Charmaine, please tell us about yourself.**

I’ve been in the communications and public relations field for over ten years, with work ranging from local transit and cancer research to civil rights and non-alcoholic beverages. While my work has varied, there’s always one constant: Focusing on improving communities across the nation. 

My work only partially defines me. I’m a D.C.-area transplant from the great Pacific Northwest with a love for red wine and pop culture. As a proud dog mom and an auntie to two humans, I value laughter, empathy and good vacation in the sun. 

**You became President of WWPR this year. Tell us about your role and what you’re looking forward to.** 

I’m honored to serve as President in 2026\. With the support of the exceptional WWPR Board, I look forward to leading the organization and ensuring we provide our membership with high-quality programming and events. 

Most importantly, I want to lead us in meeting women in communications where they’re at – both professionally and personally. 2025 was a rough year for many, from mass layoffs to unexpected life events. WWPR has always been a place for women to gather, learn, and grow regardless of circumstances. Now halfway through my presidency, I can see in real-time [our programming](https://wwpr.org/presidents-note-keeping-the-momentum-going/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) resonating with women at all levels of their careers. I can’t wait for what’s in store for the rest of the year. 

**What should people know about WWPR?** 

WWPR welcomes all. From college-age to post-retirement, regardless of sector or professional background, we’re here to support communicators across the region. It’s not just about professional development–it’s about making new, high-quality connections, awarding and recognizing our community, and allowing people to show up as their authentic selves. 

**A lot of professional organizations are seeing declines in membership, as our industry shifts and the economy of our region is feeling the adverse economic effects of federal government actions. Is this an issue for WWPR? If so, what can you do about it?** 

The organization has felt the impacts of the economy and actions of the federal government. But it inspired us to act. Under the leadership of 2025’s President Colleen Gallagher, WWPR started a scholarship program. This initiative provided scholarships to more than a dozen women in our field and region who had been affected by various challenging factors so they could still access networking and professional development opportunities. Times are tough, and the best any organization can do is support its membership through the good and the bad.

**What’s your favorite WWPR activity?**

My favorite WWPR activity is the Emerging Leaders Awards ceremony. The [ELAs](https://wwpr.org/washington-women-in-public-relations-celebrates-2026-emerging-leaders-awards-winners/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) celebrate rising stars—women in communications between the ages of 25 and 35—giving them well-deserved recognition across the corporate, trade, agency, government, and nonprofit sectors. I was named an Emerging Leader in the nonprofit category in 2022 and then co-chaired the awards in 2023 and 2024\. The program is close to my heart. 

**What are some of the challenges for you in your role at American Beverage?** 

One of the biggest balancing acts in my role at American Beverage is communicating with and supporting such a wide range of audiences and communities across the country. Because our industry supports more than 275,000 employees and operates facilities in all 50 states, I work closely with colleagues, mayors and community partners to share stories about the real impact we’re making and help connect communities to beverage choices and education. That’s also why organizations like WWPR are so valuable. Learning from communications professionals across industries has expanded my perspective and made me a stronger, more strategic communicator.

**What are the skills that are necessary to be successful today?** 

Effective storytelling skills are essential. It’s important to humanize your message, whether you are highlighting a brand’s value or advocating for a specific position, because that’s the element that resonates with people and allows them to identify with your messaging. 

**What would help you sleep better at night? And what brings you joy during the day?** 

Respect for freedom of the press would help me sleep better at night. But what brings me joy during the day are all the journalists doing whatever they can to bring us critical news and analysis–domestically and internationally. 

**What advice helped you most in your career, and is that advice still relevant today?** 

A leader stands beside their team, not over or in front of them. I’m here to support and motivate others, while creating an environment where people can learn from mistakes and succeed. To me, showing power or rank doesn’t make someone powerful—real leadership is creating spaces and opportunities for everyone to contribute, grow and be recognized for their impact. 

**What professional advice do you have for others?**

Never lose who you are at your core. It’s easy, especially in places like D.C., but try your hardest not to lose what inspires you, what drives you, why you do your job and what makes you, you. And don’t lose your empathy. 

**Capitol Communicators** [**profiles**](https://capitolcommunicator.com/tag/profiles/) **allow you to meet** 
**some of the most interesting and insightful pros in our region, and** 
**learn how they stay ahead during a time of constant change.**

*A personal note*: This author is not a neutral observer of WWPR. I am a committed member. WWPR is always a source of energy, inspiration and community!
### D S Simon Media celebrates 40th anniversary on July 4th
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/d-s-simon-media-celebrates-40th-anniversary/
Last updated: 2026-07-02T17:59:56.000Z
[**D S Simon Media**](https://www.dssimon.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **is celebrating its 40th anniversary on July 4th.** “Obviously, a lot has changed during those 40 years, but what has stayed the same is the importance of discoverability for organizations and our ability to help them be found,” says founder and CEO **Doug Simon,** in photo.

The firm launched in 1986 with $2,000 in Simon’s bank account. “I can’t say I expected the level of accomplishment we’ve achieved,” says Simon, “but, fortunately, I learned early on that if I just hired great people, there was no limit to what we could achieve for our clients and the people who work here.”

Among its early achievements, states a release, “D S Simon Media helped launch Disney.com and announced the FDA approval of Viagra via video sent to TV news stations. 33 years ago, it was one of the first companies to produce a satellite media tour. The tour promoted the United Negro College Fund’s annual telethon and featured Lou Rawls as the spokesperson.

“In 2025, the company introduced the industry’s first AI-Powered Broadcast Media Tour™ which both earns media and enhances GEO. “The success of the AI-Powered Tours is powering our expansion as we are building out multiple studios and control rooms to handle the growth,” says Simon.

“Clients include top brands in healthcare, technology, travel, financial services, food and beverage, consumer goods, entertainment, retail, non-profits, and associations. The firm boasts repeat business from more than 95% of its clients and has won more than 125 industry awards.”

As part of its celebration, the company will be talking with 40 senior PR pros on the state of the industry now and where it’s headed. They’ll be sharing the answers on its “PR’s Top Pros” podcast. The first episode of this special series will roll out in mid-July. Email [PrsTopPros@dssimonmedia.com](mailto:PrsTopPros@dssimonmedia.com) if you want to participate.

“We’re really proud of what we’ve accomplished and even more excited about what the future holds,” adds Simon.
### Three must-know trends emerge from Luxury category at Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, states Pum Lefebure, Design Army, and President of Luxury Lions
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/three-must-know-trends-emerge-from-luxury-category-at-cannes-lions-festival-of-creativity-states-pum-lefebure-design-army-president-of-luxury-panel/
Last updated: 2026-07-05T16:34:11.000Z
**Pum Lefebure, co-founder and chief creative officer of DC-based** [**Design Army**](https://designarmy.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**,** was President of Luxury category judging at this year’s Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, held June 22 to June 26, 2026, at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes, France.

According to Lefebure, in photo, three must-know trends emerged inside the Luxury category jury room:

**1\. Unapologetically Human:**

The strongest work this year was deeply human—passionate, emotional, and truthful. In a world obsessed with speed, the work celebrates the opposite: time to perfect a craft, time to create something meaningful, time to make something worth keeping. From Nikka Whisky’s painstakingly handcrafted “Dear Difference” to Moncler’s emotionally resonant “Warmer Together,” the work that moved the jury most wasn’t driven by technology—it was driven by human connection. As Lefebure observed, “Luxury’s greatest value is not scarcity. It’s significance.”

**2\. Back to the Future:**

The future of luxury looks surprisingly familiar. Again and again, the jury rewarded brands that found new relevance in old stories. Tiffany & Co. drew from its archives to help bring “Frankenstein” to life. Porsche turned decades of VIN records into living biographies. Valentino Beauty revived the spirit of Studio 54 for a new generation. As trust becomes more valuable, heritage, authenticity, and preservation are becoming the most powerful creative drivers in marketing.

**3\. KISS: Keep It Simple by Subtraction:**

The strongest work wasn’t louder—it was stripped down. In a world flooded with content, the jury gravitated toward brands that communicated one idea with unyielding clarity. Moncler’s “Warmer Together” captured this perfectly: two chairs, two friends, one conversation. Black and white. No excess. The future isn’t about more. It’s about less. Less noise. Less complexity. More meaning.

These trends, said Lefebure**,** apply to luxury brands in every category, including hospitality, entertainment, travel, fashion, jewelry and cars.

The luxury category is in its third year at Cannes Lions.
### Happy 4th from Capitol Communicator
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/happy-4th-from-capitol-communicator/
Last updated: 2026-07-02T23:57:45.000Z
**July 4, Independence Day, commemorates the Declaration of Independence,** which was ratified by the Second Continental Congress. The Congress voted to approve independence from Great Britain on July 2, 1776, and adopted the Declaration of Independence two days later, on July 4, 1776.

Enjoy your 4th!
### Wikipedia Expert Josh Greene on How Brands Can Use the Platform to Support GEO and Online Reputation
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/wikipedia-expert-josh-greene-on-how-brands-can-use-the-platform-to-support-geo-and-online-reputation/
Last updated: 2026-07-04T12:25:24.000Z
**By Issac Morgan**

Many companies and brands are eager to appear on Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia that can amplify visibility and, for some, carry a sense of prestige.

But a common question is how to get a Wikipedia page.

And as artificial intelligence reshapes communications strategies, with generative engine optimization (GEO) at the forefront, people also want to know: Are Wikipedia pages reliable sources for the large language models used by AI search tools and chatbots?

Josh Greene, who has more than 20 years of digital marketing experience, has addressed many of those questions throughout his career as search and communications have evolved.

Specifically, he has focused on [helping brands](https://themathergroupllc.com/wikipedia-book/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and organizations navigate Wikipedia, online visibility and reputation management.

One thing is certain, Greene said: [media coverage](https://substack.einpresswire.com/p/press-release-distribution-strategy?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) from “reputable news outlets, industry publications, books, and other independent sources” helps people gain a Wikipedia presence.

Amid the AI era, Greene noted that Wikipedia is “one of the most trusted and frequently referenced sources” for AI tools.

Press releases are another effective source AI systems may use or cite. They can [support GEO strategies](https://substack.einpresswire.com/p/more-than-announcements-press-releases?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) by publishing structured, factual information that may show up in AI-generated answers. Social media is also a source of information for AI tools.

At the same time, Lane Becker, president of Wikimedia LLC, [told](https://www.ibm.com/think/news/wikimedia-humans-and-bots?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) IBM Think that “Wikipedia content is so valuable” and is “used in every LLM.”

In fact, an [**analysis of 680 million citations**](https://www.tryprofound.com/blog/ai-platform-citation-patterns?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) from August 2024 through June 2025 found that within ChatGPT’s top 10 most-cited sources, Wikipedia accounts for nearly half (47.9%) of citations, according to a report from Profound.

That’s what makes Greene’s work at [The Mather Group](http://www.themathergroupllc.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), an agency he founded about a decade ago, relevant to organizations looking to establish a Wikipedia presence to increase online visibility. He serves as CEO of the digital marketing agency.

In an exclusive interview with [EIN Presswire](https://www.einpresswire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Greene said a major misconception is that because Wikipedia allows anyone to edit most articles, it is an unreliable source.

However, the online platform has safeguards designed to help maintain the accuracy of information published on Wikipedia.

Every edit is publicly logged, articles are monitored by experienced editors, and changes that violate Wikipedia’s guidelines can be challenged or reversed, according to Greene. And many high-profile pages have additional protections that restrict who can edit them.

Those safeguards, he said, help ensure articles are backed by reliable information rather than unsupported claims.

“What makes Wikipedia relatively trustworthy isn’t that every edit is perfect, it’s that content is expected to be supported by reliable, independent sources,” Greene said. “Editors are required to cite those sources, and unsupported or promotional content is often removed.”

“Like any information source, Wikipedia isn’t infallible, and important facts should still be verified,” Greene said. “But the combination of transparent editing, community review, and source-based standards is why Wikipedia has become one of the most widely used reference resources in the world.”

Today, Greene frequently speaks at industry events and conferences, including the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and other PR summits.

In the interview, Greene answers a range of questions about Wikipedia and discusses important Wikipedia tools PR practitioners should learn more about.

**Q: Tell us about your career and how you got started.**

A: I’ve spent more than 20 years working in digital strategy and online reputation management. Before founding The Mather Group in 2015, I managed online programs for major brands including Discovery Channel and Time Warner Cable, where I developed a deep understanding of digital marketing, search, and brand visibility.

I started The Mather Group to help organizations cut through the noise and take control of their online presence. Today, we work with Fortune 1000 companies, leading nonprofits, and other organizations to improve and protect their reputations through SEO, AI optimization, search reputation management, and Wikipedia strategy.

Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about helping brands tell their stories accurately online and adapt to the changing digital landscape. That passion continues to drive both my work with clients and my efforts to educate marketing and communications professionals through industry conferences and speaking engagements.

**Q: Is Wikipedia a trusted source that AI tools pull from when generating AI search results?**

A: Wikipedia is one of the most trusted and frequently referenced sources used by many AI systems when generating answers and search results.

While every AI platform uses a different combination of training data, search indexes, and real-time sources, Wikipedia’s structured information, extensive citations, and broad topic coverage make it a valuable resource. In addition to being used directly, Wikipedia’s content is often connected to Wikidata, which serves as a structured knowledge graph that helps AI systems understand entities such as people, companies, products, and organizations.

That said, AI tools don’t rely on Wikipedia alone. They also pull information from news outlets, company websites, databases, academic sources, and other trusted web content. However, because Wikipedia is often one of the first places journalists, search engines, and AI systems look to understand a topic, Wikipedia can influence how an organization is represented across the broader digital ecosystem.

That’s why organizations should pay attention to their Wikipedia presence because it can play an important role in shaping how both people and AI systems understand their brand.

**Q: Is there anything you’ve learned about Wikipedia over the years that will surprise most PR and marketing professionals when they hear it?**

A: One thing that surprises many PR and marketing professionals is that Wikipedia isn’t really about what a company says about itself, it’s about what independent, reliable sources say about that company.

Many organizations assume they can create or update a Wikipedia article using information from their website, press releases, or marketing materials. In reality, Wikipedia places much more weight on third-party coverage from reputable news outlets, industry publications, books, and other independent sources.

Another surprise, although many people are now becoming aware of it, is just how influential Wikipedia has become beyond the encyclopedia itself. Wikipedia and its related data sources, such as Wikidata, are used by search engines, voice assistants, knowledge panels, and many AI tools to help understand and verify information about people, companies, and organizations.

As a result, Wikipedia has evolved from being simply a reference website into a foundational layer of the internet’s information ecosystem. For PR and marketing professionals, that means the quality and accuracy of information can have an impact far beyond Wikipedia itself.

**Q: Tell us more about the three** [**Wikipedia tools**](https://themathergroupllc.com/video-3-wikipedia-tools-every-pr-team-should-know/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **PR professionals should know about.**

A: There are three Wikipedia tools that can provide valuable insight into how an article is performing and how actively it’s being managed by the community.

**Page Information** – Provides a snapshot of an article’s technical details, including page watchers, protection status, edit history, categories, and connected Wikidata information. This helps PR professionals understand how closely a page is monitored and whether there are any editing restrictions.

**Revision History Statistics** – Shows the editorial activity behind an article, including total edits, number of contributors, key authors, and redirects. This helps identify how active an article is.

**Page View Analysis** – Tracks how many people are viewing an article over time, with options to analyze trends and download data. This is useful for measuring visibility and public interest.

Together, these tools can help PR professionals understand a Wikipedia article before making or requesting changes**.**

**Q: For journalists who reference or pull information from online platforms in their reporting, is Wikipedia considered a credible source?**

A: Wikipedia can be a useful starting point forjournalists, but it generally isn’t considered a source that should be cited directly in professional reporting.

Most journalists use Wikipedia as a research tool to quickly understand a topic, and, perhaps most importantly, find the sources cited within an article. The real value often lies in the references, which can lead reporters to the original articles, books, studies, and other reliable sources that support the information.

That said, many journalists do reference Wikipedia during their research process because it provides a broad overview of a subject and is often updated quickly. For well-maintained articles, the information can be quite accurate. However, because Wikipedia can be edited by anyone, reporters are expected to verify information through independent sources before including it in their coverage.

In practice, Wikipedia is often a starting point for research, not the final source of record. The most credible reporting still relies on primary sources and independently verified information.

**Q: One criticism of Wikipedia is that supposedly anyone can edit its pages. Is that true? If so, what safeguards are in place to help ensure the information on the platform is accurate?**

A: It’s true that most Wikipedia articles can be edited by anyone. However, the idea that “anyone can edit” doesn’t mean that anyone can permanently publish whatever they want.

Wikipedia has a number of safeguards designed to maintain accuracy and quality. Every edit is publicly recorded, making it easy for editors to review changes and compare revisions over time. Thousands of volunteer editors actively monitor articles, and many pages are watched closely by experienced contributors who can quickly identify and remove problematic edits.

Wikipedia also has strict content policies. Information is expected to be supported by reliable, independent sources, and material that is unsourced, promotional, or biased can be challenged or removed. For high-profile or frequently edited articles, Wikipedia may apply page protections that limit editing to more established users.

Perhaps most importantly, Wikipedia’s transparency sets it apart from many other online platforms. Readers can review an article’s edit history, see discussions among editors, and examine the sources used to support the content. While no system is perfect, these layers help make Wikipedia one of the most trusted collaborative information resources on the internet.
### Adfero, DC-based public affairs agency founded in 2004, closes its doors
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/adfero-dc-based-public-affairs-agency-founded-in-2004-closes-its-doors/
Last updated: 2026-07-01T21:21:39.000Z
**Adfero, the DC-based public affairs shop that served the healthcare, technology and energy sectors, closed its doors** on June 30, according to a former staffer, reports [O’Dwyer’s](https://www.odwyerpr.com/story/public/24969/2026-07-01/washington-pa-firm-adfero-closes.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

According to the agency’s website, “Jeff Mascott, former Adfero Chief Executive Officer and Founder, was a problem-solver. His children needed a soccer coach; he became one the next day. He realized the potential for a mission-driven strategic communications firm; he founded Adfero.

“His clear vision, foresight and penchant for change resulted in agency success, growth and the creation of new opportunities for public affairs professionals, where he encouraged everyone to turn each challenge into an opportunity.

“Jeff created and championed Adfero’s core values of teamwork, responsibility, learning from mistakes and respect. With Jeff at the helm, PR News recognized Adfero as a “Top Place to Work in PR,” PR Week chose it as a finalist for “Boutique PR Firm of the Year” and SmartCEO named Adfero a Future50 company for emergent growth.”

According to O’Dwyer’s, “Mascott, who founded Adfero in 2004, died on February 28, 2023\. He had relinquished the CEO post in October 2022 to become chairman.

“Darren Scher, a 20-year Adfero vet, succeeded Mascott at the helm and held that post until January 2025, when he assumed the managing director post.

“The firm then brought in Steve Lombardo as CEO in March 2025\. Previously, he was chief communications & marketing officer at Koch Industries, PA & crisis chair at Burson-Marsteller, and CEO of Edelman’s StrategyOne operation.

“He exited Adfero in March 2026.”

The agency was located at 1101 15th St NW.
### Stan Saunders, former Baltimore TV reporter and sports anchor, dies at 72
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/stan-saunders-former-baltimore-tv-reporter-and-weekend-sports-anchor-dies-at-72/
Last updated: 2026-07-01T11:45:37.000Z
**Former WJZ reporter and weekend sports anchor Stan Saunders** died on June 26, his family said. He was 72 years old, reports [CBS Baltimore](https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/former-wjz-reporter-weekend-sports-anchor-stan-saunders-dies-72/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Saunders, who retired from WJZ in 2013, was founder of the nonprofit Baltimore Academy of Sports and Entertainment, which was officially incorporated into the Baltimore City Public School System in 2020.

Saunders’ family said he suffered from long COVID.

“It turned into sarcoidosis and took its toll,” his family said in a statement. “So it is well with his soul and our souls, that The Man, The Myth, The Legend has gone to his resting place in Heaven.”

Saunders was an adjunct professor at Towson State University and a Professor of Media Studies at Johns Hopkins University. He later became a substitute teacher at Edmonson Westside High and Loch Raven Tech.
### NPR promotes Kristin Hume and Juliet Barbara to Vice President
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/npr-promotes-kristin-hume-and-juliet-barbara-to-vice-president/
Last updated: 2026-06-30T20:39:28.000Z
[**NPR**](https://www.npr.org/about?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **promoted Kristin Hume, left in photo, to vice president of marketing and appointed Juliet Barbara, right in photo, as vice president of communications,** strengthening its leadership team as the organization focuses on audience growth, platform expansion and public trust in journalism, reports [citybiz](https://www.citybiz.co/article/864700/npr-promotes-kristin-hume-and-juliet-barbara-to-vice-president-roles/?abkw=citybizwashington&ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The appointments, continues the post, “reflect NPR’s ongoing efforts to expand its reach across digital, audio and emerging media platforms while reinforcing its role as a public service news organization during a period of significant change across the media industry.

“As vice president of marketing, Hume will oversee audience development and marketing efforts across NPR’s portfolio of products, programs and platforms. Working alongside Chief Marketing Officer **Mishka Pitter-Armand,** she will lead initiatives designed to attract new audiences, deepen engagement and strengthen brand consistency across the NPR Network.”

“Kristin’s appointment positions the NPR Network to strengthen long and short-term strategies for building our audiences across podcasts, programs, and platforms,” Pitter-Armand said. “She has proven her ability to use audience insights to deliver business results in both audience and revenue growth.”

Since joining NPR in 2019, states the release, Hume has played a key role in several of the organization’s most prominent audience initiatives, including the “For Your Right to be Curious” and “More Voices, More Ears” campaigns. Her work has focused on expanding NPR’s appeal among younger and more diverse audiences while supporting audience growth across traditional and digital channels.

“I view this work as a form of community building — using insights to connect new audiences with the stories and music they’ll love,” Hume said. “NPR’s journalism and cultural programming improves the lives of millions every day, yet there is still a real opportunity to reach those who haven’t discovered us yet.”

Barbara assumes leadership of NPR’s communications organization, overseeing media relations, talent publicity, editorial communications and internal communications functions. In the role, she will help shape how NPR communicates its journalism, mission and strategic priorities to audiences, member stations, employees and external stakeholders.

**Heather Walls**, senior vice president of communications, said Barbara’s experience navigating organizational change and public engagement will be critical as public media faces increasing scrutiny and evolving audience expectations.

“Public media is entering a defining period, and Juliet is the kind of leader this moment demands: thoughtful, strategic and experienced in navigating complex institutions through change,” Walls said. “She brings a deep appreciation for the work of public service journalism and will be an essential partner in helping NPR reach broader audiences and deepen public trust in our journalism.”

Barbara joined NPR in August 2025 and has led the organization’s media relations and publicity efforts during a consequential period for public media. Prior to NPR, she served as communications director for the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit organization behind Wikipedia, where she was responsible for strategic communications, media relations and product outreach. Her background also includes more than a decade of communications leadership experience across nonprofit and technology organizations.

“NPR’s journalism, and the journalists, Member organizations, and supporters who make it possible, play an essential role in American life,” Barbara said. “As public media navigates one of the most consequential periods in its history, the opportunity ahead is to bring NPR’s journalism and mission to more of the American public.”

The leadership changes, states the release, “come as NPR continues to adapt to shifting audience consumption habits, growing podcast demand and the increasing importance of digital distribution. The organization has invested heavily in expanding its presence across on-demand audio, streaming and mobile platforms while maintaining its network of member stations nationwide.

“Founded with a mission to create a more informed public, **NPR** reaches millions of listeners and readers through radio broadcasts, digital journalism, podcasts and live events. Its network includes award-winning journalists across the United States and international bureaus around the world, delivering news, cultural programming and storytelling across multiple platforms.”
### WWPR announces 2026 Emerging Leaders Awards honorees
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/wwpr-announces-2026-class-of-emerging-leaders-awards-honorees/
Last updated: 2026-06-29T01:16:17.000Z
[Washington Women in Public Relations](http://wwpr.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) (WWPR), announced its 2026 class of [Emerging Leaders Awards](https://wwpr.org/events/emerging-leaders/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) (ELAs) honorees. Now in its 16th year, the ELAs recognizes seven exceptional women, ages 25-35, who have distinguished themselves across government, nonprofits, agencies and the corporate sectors. Each honoree is recognized for outstanding professional achievement and contributions to the industry through mentorship, advocacy and innovative thinking.

“For 16 years, the Emerging Leaders Awards have recognized exceptional women who are shaping the future of communications and strengthening our profession,” said **Charmaine Riley,** president of WWPR. “This year’s honorees didn’t just meet the bar—they raised it. Their accomplishments reflect the importance of investing in rising talent, and we are proud to celebrate their contributions and welcome them into the Emerging Leaders community.”

The 2026 WWPR Emerging Leaders Awards Winners are (and left-to-right in photo):

- Small/Boutique Agency: **Emily Tillett**, Vice President, Jasper Advisors
- Mid-Sized Agency: **Amanda Finney**, Vice President, Reputation Management, Avoq
- Global & Large Agency: **Nia Page,** Chief of Staff of National Geographic Content, Office of the President, The Walt Disney Company
- Government: **Casey Bell**, Public Affairs Officer, Education with Industry Fellow at Google Public Sector, U.S. Air Force
- Trade Association: **Julie Hirschhorn**, Manager of Public Relations, American Academy of Family Physicians
- Corporate: **Meaghan Delaney**, Manager, Corporate Affairs, KPMG US
- Non-Profit: **Ariana Perez**, Manager of Public Relations, Children’s National Hospital

Winners were celebrated on June 25 at a reception at AT&T Forum in Washington, DC. The evening featured a keynote address from **Julia Krieger.**

This year’s final round judges included:

- **Natalie Adler**, 2025 WWPR Woman of the Year and Vice President, Public Impact and Resilience Communications, Fors Marsh
- **Kirstin Garriss**, Communications Director, URL Media
- **Maureen Coelho**, Senior Sales Director, KARGO
- **Jonelle Henry**, University of Florida Student Immersion Program Director, College of Journalism and Communications

The complete list of 2026 WWPR Emerging Leaders Awards finalists is available [here](http://wwpr.org/events/emerging-leaders/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).
### Julie Carey, Northern Virginia bureau chief for NBC4, retiring after 34-year career at the D.C. station
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/julie-carey-northern-virginia-bureau-chief-for-nbc4-retiring-following-34-year-career-at-the-d-c-station/
Last updated: 2026-06-26T12:10:48.000Z
**Julie Carey, Northern Virginia bureau chief for NBC4 (WRC), is retiring,** capping a 34-year career at the Washington station and a body of work that “helped define how the region understood itself,” reports [Alexandria Living Magazine](https://alexandrialivingmagazine.com/news/after-34-years-at-nbc4-alexandria-s-julie-carey-signs-off/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

“Julie, you are truly phenomenal. You are respected and beloved across Alexandria, the Commonwealth, and the region,” wrote former Alexandria Mayor **Allison Silberberg**, in a post on Facebook announcing the news where more than 300 commented, adding their well wishes.

“We can all be grateful to you for all your fairness and hard work,” Silberberg said. “You will be so missed. Huge congratulations! A well-deserved retirement! I look forward to hearing more about what’s next. Wishing you and yours all good things.”

Carey joined WRC in 1992, after, states Alexandria Living, she and her husband moved to the area on April 1 with their then-young son thinking of staying for about three years. “The April Fool’s joke was on us,” she said on-air after her retirement was announced. Since then, the couple had another child and made the area their home.

Her reporting, continues the post, “carried her from neighborhood meetings, including many in Alexandria, to the halls of power in Richmond, where she covered every Virginia governor, General Assembly session and statewide election from 1993 onward — and where she was a familiar enough presence to be called on regularly to moderate and question candidates in televised debates. The Northern Virginia bureau was launched in 2012 and became an exclusive beat.”

“It has been amazing to witness and cover all the changes” over the years in Northern Virginia, she noted. Her favorite stories, she said, were about “ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.”

The post also states that Carey has been a volunteer in Alexandria’s public schools and a member of her church choir, with two children who graduated from what is now Alexandria City High School. When [Alexandria Living profiled her in 2022](https://alexandrialivingmagazine.com/lifestyle/alexandria-s-julie-carey-celebrates-30-years-at-nbc-4/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) on her 30th anniversary at the station, she described the city she covered and called home as “a very big small town,” prizing its diversity and its sense of community.
### Washington Post rebuilding local coverage after deep staff cuts, states citybiz
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/washington-post-rebuilding-local-coverage-after-deep-staff-cuts-states-citybiz/
Last updated: 2026-06-25T23:32:54.000Z
**The Washington Post** is quietly rebuilding portions of its local news operation just months after dramatically scaling it back, a move that has left current and former employees questioning the strategy behind the newsroom’s February layoffs, states a post on [citybiz](https://www.citybiz.co/article/864041/washington-post-reverses-course-rebuilds-local-coverage-after-deep-staff-cuts/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

In a memo to staff, states the post, “Executive Editor **Matt Murray** and Managing Editor **Kimi Yoshino** announced a new leadership structure for local coverage, naming **Theresa Vargas** as lead editor and **April Bethea** as deputy editor. The executives praised the pair for navigating what they described as a challenging “reset” and expressed confidence in their ability to help redefine local journalism at the paper moving forward.

“The announcement comes after the Bezos-owned publication reduced its local newsroom significantly earlier this year. February’s layoffs eliminated roughly one-third of The Post’s workforce, shrinking a local news operation that once included about 40 reporters and editors to approximately a dozen staff members.

“Now, the newspaper appears to be reversing course.”

Over the past month, continues the post: “The Post has posted openings for multiple local reporting positions, including a D.C. sports reporter, despite having previously dismantled much of its sports desk and folded coverage into other sections. The company has also reportedly reached out to some laid-off employees about returning in newly created roles.

“The shift has generated frustration among newsroom employees, several of whom described the changing strategy as creating “whiplash.””

“They didn’t have a plan then, and they clearly don’t have one now,” one current staffer told media industry newsletter Status. A former employee characterized the cuts as “short-sighted,” arguing they weakened the paper’s connection to its Washington-area readership.

A Washington Post spokesperson said the organization remains committed to serving local audiences and highlighted recent coverage of the District’s mayoral race and regional reporting produced across multiple desks. Management has reportedly framed the revised strategy as a more focused approach to local journalism rather than a wholesale reversal.

As The Washington Post works to redefine its local news mission, “it faces increasing competition for both readers and journalistic talent in a market where rivals have moved quickly to capitalize on the uncertainty created by the paper’s restructuring,” states the citybiz post.
### Nyree Wright, principal, NW Consulting, LLC, and previously Executive Vice President at Edelman, appointed to Virginia’s Council on Women Advisory Board
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/nyree-wright-principal-nw-consulting-llc-and-previously-executive-vice-president-at-edelman-appointed-to-virginias-council-on-women-advisory-board/
Last updated: 2026-06-24T21:38:40.000Z
[**Nyree Wright**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nyreewright/details/experience/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, principal, NW Consulting, LLC, and previously Executive Vice President, Crisis & Risk Communications at Edelman**, has been appointed to Virginia’s Council on Women Advisory Board. The purpose of the Council is to “advise the governor on matters pertaining to women and ways to improve their educational, professional, cultural, and governmental status within the Commonwealth.”

Online, Wright wrote the following:

I am elated and humbled to share that I was recently sworn in as a gubernatorial appointee of Governor Abigail Spanberger to Virginia’s Council on Women Advisory Board, where I will serve a four-year term.

The [**Commonwealth of Virginia**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/commonwealth-of-virginia/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) Council on Women exists to advise the Governor on policies that shape the educational, professional, cultural and governmental status of women across the Commonwealth serving as a critical liaison between state agencies and the people they serve. It’s the kind of work that translates lived experience into policy, and policy into real change.

I believe this type of service is needed and required in this moment. The issues facing women today: economic opportunity, access, representation, safety, et al. demand voices at the table who understand both the policy landscape and the communities most affected by it. My work in crisis communications has taught me how quickly narratives can shape outcomes, and how essential it is that the people closest to an issue have a seat in the room where decisions are made. I’m ready to take on that responsibility.

I am grateful to Governor Spanberger, for this appointment; to Secretary of the Commonwealth [**Candi Mundon King**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/candiking/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), for her leadership; and, to Potomac District Supervisor [**Andrea Bailey**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-bailey-61a1b5102/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), for her unwavering support. Equally, I am thankful to the mentors, colleagues, and community who have shaped the path that led here.

I look forward to serving the residents of Virginia alongside fellow Council members, and to bringing the same rigor, care and accountability to this role that has guided my career.
### Doug Coffelt named senior vice president of advertising for The Banner
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/doug-coffelt-named-senior-vice-president-of-advertising-for-the-banner/
Last updated: 2026-06-24T01:36:18.000Z
[**The Banner**](https://www.thebanner.com/baltimore/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **named** [**Doug Coffelt**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougcoffelt/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **senior vice president of advertising,** bringing, states [The Banner](https://www.thebanner.com/banner-pr/doug-coffelt-svp-advertising-banner-QWPZR2NQGJGB3MPSDVEDUGDFSI/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) an experienced sales leader to the organization as it continues to grow across Maryland.

Coffelt will oversee digital advertising for The Banner, driving revenue strategy and collaborating closely with editorial, marketing and product teams to deliver high-impact solutions for partners. He will report to Banner CEO **Bob Cohn**.

“Doug has the perfect mix of advertising leadership and entrepreneurial energy,” said Cohn. “His experience in both legacy media and startups make him ideally suited to grow The Banner’s business and help us forge a path to long-term sustainability.”

According to The Banner, “Coffelt has spent more than 20 years in media sales and advertising, with leadership roles at The Washington Post, Axios, Gannett/USA Today Network, and McClatchy Media. His experience includes building sales teams, developing new client partnerships, launching new products, and growing advertising revenue across local, regional and national markets.”
### Matt Marzullo named CEO of Ironmark
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/matt-marzullo-named-ceo-of-ironmark/
Last updated: 2026-06-24T01:34:26.000Z
[**Ironmark** ](https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4715718-1&h=1329071755&u=https%3A%2F%2Fironmarkusa.com%2F&a=Ironmark&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**announced that Matt Marzullo, right in photo, has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer.** The appointment, states a release, “formalizes the leadership role Marzullo has played for several years in guiding the company’s day-to-day operations, growth strategy, client experience, culture, and technology direction.”

**Jeff Ostenso**, left in photo, who has led Ironmark as CEO for more than two decades, transitions to the role of Founder and Board Member, where he will continue to support the company’s long-term strategy, growth opportunities, partnerships and board-level leadership.

Marzullo has been with Ironmark, a Maryland-based marketing, print, fulfillment and communications company, for nearly 18 years, advancing, continues the release, “from Senior Vice President of Sales to President before assuming the CEO role. During that time, he has been a driving force behind the company’s growth and transformation, championing innovation, technology, and a willingness to challenge the status quo in a traditional industry. Under his operational leadership, Ironmark has completed more than a dozen acquisitions and evolved into a technology-enabled, omni-channel marketing and communications partner.”

“Matt has effectively been running this company for years, and he has earned this in every way,” said Ostenso, Founder and Board Member of Ironmark. “This is the right moment to formalize the leadership structure we’ve already been operating under. I’m not going anywhere — I’ll remain deeply engaged with the board and focused on growth, partnerships, and the long-term value we’re building.”

“I am proud to have partnered with Matt over the last 18 years. His ability to navigate the company’s growth has been wonderful to watch, and it’s exciting to take part in this journey with him. He is an exceptional leader that will benefit the company in its future growth,” Ostenso added.

Ostenso’s transition,states the release, reflects “the natural evolution of Ironmark’s leadership as the company continues to scale. His move to a board-level role allows him to focus on enterprise growth, strategic partnerships, and board-level leadership, while remaining a visible, active presence within the business and a steward of the company’s history and culture.”

“I’m grateful for Jeff’s partnership and for the trust of our team, our clients, and our board,” said Marzullo. “What makes this moment exciting isn’t the title — it’s the momentum. Ironmark is growing from a position of strength, and we’re just getting started. We’ll keep investing in our people, our technology, and the client relationships that have always defined us.”

According to the release, the leadership announcement comes “as Ironmark prepares to unveil a series of technology and product initiatives in the months ahead, reinforcing the company’s trajectory as a forward-focused partner that unifies marketing across digital and physical channels.”
### Crosby named a ‘Top Workplace’ for 10th straight year
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/crosby-named-a-top-workplace-for-10th-straight-year/
Last updated: 2026-06-23T00:51:56.000Z
[**Crosby Marketing Communications** ](http://crosbymarketing.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**has been named a “Top Workplace” for the 10th consecutive year.** The award, states a release, “recognizes Crosby as one of the region’s best places to work based on high levels of employee satisfaction. 

“The Top Workplace award is based solely on an anonymous employee survey conducted by the national consulting firm Energage, LLC. The survey measures how well organizations maintain an employee-affirming culture, achieve high employee engagement and satisfaction, and communicate a clear and compelling company vision.” 

“Being named a Top Workplace for 10 straight years is a tremendous honor,” said the firm’s CEO **Raymond Crosby**. “We have an incredible team that genuinely cares about the work we do and is deeply committed to our clients and one another. That collaboration and shared mission are what make this such a special place.”

According to the release, “Crosby brings its mission of Inspiring Actions That Matter™ to life by fostering a dynamic, people-centered culture. Signature initiatives include an annual day of community service, its Blue Angels celebration, and the Backpack Program, which supports school children in need. Beyond company culture, the firm is committed to developing future talent through the Crosby Scholars Program—a $100,000 scholarship offered in partnership with Anne Arundel Community College that helps students from all backgrounds pursue degrees and careers in advertising and public relations.

“Crosby provides integrated advertising, public relations, social media, and digital marketing services through specialized practices in Healthcare, Government, Nonprofits & Causes, and Military & Veterans. The firm ranks #31 on O’Dwyer’s ranking of PR firms, #2 for Nonprofits, and #12 for Healthcare, as well as #10 on GrowthLab’s list of Top 100 firms serving the federal government. To learn more, visit [crosbymarketing.com](https://www.crosbymarketing.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).”
### GKV names VP of business development
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/gkv-names-vp-of-business-development/
Last updated: 2026-06-23T01:34:27.000Z
**GKV in Baltimore announced the promotion of Mark Gray to vice president of business development** to “strengthen the agency’s commitment to strategic growth, client engagement and market expansion,” according to a release.

In this role, Gray will work closely with CEO **Roger Gray** to establish strategic growth objectives, define key performance metrics and identify emerging marketing trends that create opportunities.

Gray will also collaborate with senior leadership to shape the agency’s path forward, developing and distributing thought leadership and marketing content that resonates with targeted key industries, categories and prospective clients.

“Mark’s passion for business development and sales skills will serve him and GKV well in his new role,” Roger Gray said. “Being able to share the legacy of GKV with the next generation and adding to what we have built is exciting. My partners and I look forward to seeing Mark excel in this position.”

Gray joined GKV as a digital analyst in 2020 and expanded into a dual role as an account executive in 2021.
### Yes& acquires Modo Modo, expanding B2B marketing and Atlanta presence
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/yes-acquires-modo-modo-expanding-b2b-marketing-and-atlanta-presence/
Last updated: 2026-06-24T21:31:33.000Z
[**Yes&**](https://yesandagency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **acquired** [**Modo Modo**](https://www.modomodoagency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, an Atlanta-based B2B-focused agency** recognized for its work across healthcare, fintech, manufacturing, energy and technology sectors.

The acquisition, states a release, “strengthens the capabilities of Yes& in B2B branding, strategic marketing, sales enablement and omnichannel media while deepening the agency’s presence in Atlanta, one of the country’s fastest-growing business and creative markets.

“”This latest move by Yes& marks the agency’s third strategic acquisition in the B2B space over the last 18 months, following the addition of Beacon Digital Marketing in 2025 and Symmetri Marketing Group in 2026, further strengthening the agency’s integrated marketing, digital experience and growth strategy capabilities for complex enterprise organizations.

“Founded in 2007 by [Moira Vetter](https://www.linkedin.com/in/moiravetter/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Modo Modo has spent nearly two decades building brands and growth strategies for complex businesses in highly technical and heavily regulated industries. The agency has earned more than 365 industry awards and was recently recognized as one of the 2025 WPO 50 Fastest Growing Women-owned Businesses in America and one of the Top 20 largest women-owned businesses in Atlanta.”

“As I look to the future of marketing and advertising, at the intersection of business and technology, I’ve never been more excited to drive change and innovation,” said Vetter, Modo Modo founder and CEO. “We’re joining Yes&, and leading growth in the B2B segment, at a time when global brands need to place smarter, more agile bets with their agency partners. The view and the possibilities from here are endless.”

“The move arrives as B2B commerce continues its rapid expansion across industries, gaining greater momentum, attention and budget.”

“We are delighted to incorporate Modo Modo into our fully-integrated creative agency platform. Moira will lead our investment in the robust B2B market. Modo Modo will further diversify our portfolio while enhancing our presence in Atlanta,” said [Jeb Brown](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeb-brown-46662921/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Yes&’s Chairman.

“For years, Modo Modo has built its reputation helping ambitious B2B brands communicate complex ideas with clarity, intelligence and creativity,” said [Zihla Salinas](https://www.linkedin.com/in/zihla/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), CEO of Yes&. “Their experience across healthcare, manufacturing, fintech and enterprise marketing adds significant depth to our growing capabilities and strengthens our ability to support clients operating in fast-changing industries.”

Modo Modo’s client portfolio includes Equifax, Northside Hospital, Fiserv, Cox Enterprises and Georgia Tech.

This addition, states the release, “continues a broader expansion strategy for Yes& across Atlanta and the Southeast. Earlier this year, Yes& acquired Atlanta-based brand and design studio Metaleap Creative, known for its work in brand systems, design leadership and cultural storytelling for organizations including National Geographic, Coca-Cola Consolidated and Procter & Gamble. The agency also previously acquired Atlanta agency Hothouse in May 2025, expanding its creative, hospitality, entertainment and consumer brand capabilities in the region. Together, the acquisitions signal a continued investment by Yes& in building a stronger creative and strategic presence across healthcare, sports, technology, enterprise business and consumer marketing sectors.”
### NOTUS will not become a Star
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/notus-abandons-plans-to-become-the-star/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:27.000Z
**NOTUS, a Wash­ing­ton-area news out­let, has settled a trade­mark infringe­ment law­suit with the Wash­ing­ton Star** and will not change its name to the Star as it had planned. Instead, as a term of the deal, the out­let will pick a new name, reports [The Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/06/18/notus-wont-become-star-following-settlement-with-washington-star/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The Wash­ing­ton Star sued NOTUS, states The Post, “after it announced it would change its name to the Star and, earlier this month, a fed­eral judge blocked NOTUS from assum­ing its new moniker, find­ing it was too sim­ilar to that of the Wash­ing­ton Star.”

“Both parties have amic­ably resolved the mat­ter,” a NOTUS spokes­per­son wrote in a state­ment “We con­tinue to work toward a new name.” The Wash­ing­ton Star vol­un­tar­ily dis­missed its law­suit.

The terms of the set­tle­ment were not imme­di­ately clear bey­ond the decision for NOTUS to aban­don its pur­suit of renam­ing itself the Star.

More on the story here: <https://capitolcommunicator.com/notus-to-become-the-star-to-fill-void-it-says-was-left-by-cuts-at-the-washington-post/#>
### AI Email Summaries: What Marketers Need to Know Now
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/ai-email-summaries-what-marketers-need-to-know-now/
Last updated: 2026-06-23T21:23:24.000Z
**Originally published by Response Labs. Reprinted with permission.**

**The top inbox providers are now offering AI-generated email summaries to their customers**, and despite some flaws in the generated information, more and more inbox providers are eyeing similar offerings to remain competitive in the inbox landscape.

Gmail, Apple Mail and Microsoft Outlook are offering AI-generated email summaries (AI summaries) to their customers as a way to help manage their evergrowing cache of unread email. Each provider is using their respective AI platform – Gemini, Apple Intelligence, and Copilot – to scan the content of an email and provide a summary that distills the information into quick bullets and action items for the customer. And while this summary mostly occurs after the user opens the email, Apple goes one step further and offers this summary *before* the user opens the email. Email professionals are right to be wary of how this shift impacts performance, but our research at [Response Labs](https://www.responselabs.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) reveals that this evolution offers more opportunity than the initial reaction suggests.

**Summary Comparison**

While the top three inbox providers are offering similar AI summaries, the actual execution between them is fairly different. Both Gemini and Copilot currently only offer post-open summaries, so a user has to open the email first before the summary appears, whereas Apple Intelligence offers both pre-open and post-open summaries. So, not only can a user get the summary after they open an email, Apple Intelligence also provides a single line summary *before* the user opens an email, right within the Inbox overview screen.

Despite the different delivery styles, there are similarities in how these summaries are built. Particularly, that all three tools focused on the first 150\~200 characters of an email when pulling information for the summaries. Additionally, each summary responded well to semantic markup, so headings in <h> tags and copy in <p> tags helped each AI with content structuring.

**AI Platform Comparison**

Each AI platform behaves a little differently when performing the email scans. And thanks to our investigation, we were able to determine just how differently each platform behaves.

**Google Gemini**

Presently, AI Summaries are only available to users who have a paid subscription to Gmail (work or personal) and have the Gemini AI features enabled on their account. Once enabled, the only AI summary option currently offered is the post-open summary.

The post-open summary appears after a user opens an email. The summary is inserted at the top of the email, pushing the entire email content down, making the user scroll further to see the actual email.

However, Gemini does a full content scan of the email before generating the summary. It scans the text in images, live text, alt text and even emojis. This makes the Gemini summaries more accurate than their Apple Intelligence competitor.

**Microsoft Copilot**

Microsoft Copilot, like Google Gemini, only offers post-open AI summaries. They are, however, offered for free with the latest Microsoft Office Outlook and free accounts on Outlook.com.

As with the other post-open summaries, it appears after a user opens an email. However, a user must click on the ‘Summarize with Copilot’ button in the email window before the summary appears. Once clicked, the summary is inserted at the top of the email, pushing the entire email content down, making the user scroll further to see the actual email.

Copilot also does a full content scan of the email for generating the summary, using live text, image text and alt text to build it. The nice part about the Copilot summary is it may also include numbered citations that take the user to a corresponding content in the email when clicked.

**Apple Intelligence**

Apple’s AI summaries appear in the Apple Mail app only if a user has enabled Apple Intelligence on their device. Apple is the only platform that has both pre-open and post-open summary types.

The pre-open summary appears before a user opens their email. It replaces the preheader line in the inbox overview screen while the subject line remains. An icon with an arrow over two lines indicates that the text is actually the AI summary.

The post-open summary appears after a user opens an email. The summary is inserted at the top of the email, pushing the entire email content down, making the user scroll further to see the actual email.

In both cases, Apple Intelligence only scans the live text of an email to generate the summary. Apple Intelligence ignores images, alt text and even emojis when making its scan. So if your email is one big image, expect to see your footer language in the summary.

**Impact on Email**

AI summaries are a significant step forward in inbox management. Response Labs anticipates a positive impact on the email ecosystem, so long as the technology can deliver accurate, reliable information.

The good news for email marketers is they can be influenced by adhering email best practices. Semantic markup, deliberate content structure, and not relying on image-only emails help keep the AI summaries on track, but it may not hurt to have an extra asterisk in the disclaimer, just in case.

**This article was originally published by Response Labs and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://www.responselabs.com/2026/05/ai-email-summaries-marketing-impact/**
### Baltimore sues publisher over alleged deceptive marketing
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/baltimore-sues-publisher-over-alleged-deceptive-marketing/
Last updated: 2026-06-20T12:19:49.000Z
**Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the City Council of Baltimore** have filed a civil lawsuit against Agora Companies, LLC, a Baltimore-based newsletter publisher, alleging the firm targeted older adults with deceptive online marketing schemes that bilked customers with misleading marketing and subscription practices.

The complaint, filed in Baltimore Circuit Court, alleges Agora “bombards its target audience with unfair, deceptive, and abusive advertising about health supplements, financial newsletters, and expensive publications. Its marketing materials make baseless claims about the efficacy of and scientific support behind its products. It promises “100% money-back guarantee” and “risk free” trials, then systematically refuses to honor those terms when consumers realize they have been had.”

The lawsuit invokes Baltimore’s 2023 consumer protection ordinance that has previously been used against national gambling, financial and tobacco companies. Agora, based in the Mount Vernon neighborhood, is the first major Baltimore-based company targeted under the measure. The city is seeking civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation per day, consumer redress, and injunctive relief.

Agora released the following statement regarding the lawsuit:

“Agora is stunned by the filing of this lawsuit, having learned of it for the first time in the news media this morning. As a 47-year Baltimore company, we would have expected to have heard about any concerns from the City earlier than the filing of a lawsuit, given our long history as a Baltimore business and employer. We are still digesting the complaint, but we already see significant constitutional problems with the allegations – including under the First Amendment – and we are prepared to defend this case vigorously.”
### T. Rowe Price names head of global marketing
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/t-rowe-price-names-head-of-global-marketing/
Last updated: 2026-06-20T10:17:17.000Z
**Baltimore-based T. Rowe Price announced that Mike Barry has been named head of Global Marketing, effective July 1**. Barry will report to **Dee Sawyer**, head of Global Distribution.

According to [an announcement](https://www.troweprice.com/en/us/press/2026/press-release--t--rowe-price-names-mike-barry-as-head-of-global-?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Barry will lead marketing efforts to connect clients worldwide with the firm’s insights, solutions and capabilities across retail, wealth, retirement, and institutional markets. Additionally, he will oversee brand strategy and development, public relations, global digital solutions, investment and retirement content, along with global product and segment marketing.

Barry has more than 20 years of experience at T. Rowe Price. Most recently, he served as head of Global Product Marketing and Investment, Product, and Retirement Content, where he expanded the reach of the firm’s market perspectives and investment insights.

In 2024, he oversaw the launch of T. Rowe Price’s marketing innovation lab, bringing together marketing associates from around the world to explore how digital and AI-enabled technologies could strengthen the firm’s capabilities. That work led to new translation, design, and personalization capabilities now leveraged by the firm.

“Mike brings a rare combination of investment fluency, strategic perspective, and client focus to this role,” said Sawyer. “He has helped strengthen how T. Rowe Price translates investment insights into relevant solutions and meaningful client engagement across markets and channels. As head of Global Marketing, Mike will play an important role in advancing our growth strategy and deepening how we serve clients worldwide.”
### AJ Jones, Chief Strategic and Corporate Communications Officer at Monumental Sports and Entertainment, to deliver keynote at 2026 Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit & ADWKDC
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/aj-jones-to-deliver-keynote-at-mid-atlantic-marcom-summit/
Last updated: 2026-07-07T15:28:27.000Z
### DC’s Largest Annual Advertising, Marketing and Communications Event

### to be held on October 14 at the MLK Library Conference Center

**AJ Jones II, Executive Vice President, Chief Strategic and Corporate Communications Officer at Monumental Sports and Entertainment**, will deliver the keynote address at the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit on Wednesday, October 14, at the MLK Library Conference Center in Washington, DC.

Jones brings extensive expertise in strategic communications and corporate branding to the Summit stage. In his role at Monumental Sports and Entertainment — the organization behind the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, and Capital One Arena, among other properties — he leads all aspects of strategic and corporate communications across one of the most prominent sports and entertainment portfolios in the nation.

He joined Monumental in 2025 from Starbucks Coffee Company, where he served in multiple leadership roles, including Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, and Executive Vice President and Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer. Prior to joining Starbucks, he was the Chief Corporate Affairs & Communications Officer for Vanda Pharmaceuticals and served as a c-suite executive at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Additionally, he has held senior executive roles at Fortune 500 companies, top-ranked consulting firms, and government institutions.

“AJ will share his visionary perspective in communications with our attendees,” said Robert Udowitz, MarCom Summit co-producer. “His work at the intersection of sports, entertainment, and strategic communications makes him uniquely positioned to offer insights that are directly applicable to ad, marketing and communications professionals across every sector.”

The Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, held in association with the American Advertising Federation’s DC chapter event ADWKDC, brings together advertising, marketing, and communications professionals for a full day of insights, networking, and strategic discussions, featuring 30+ sessions and more than 60 speakers. Jones’s keynote represents a highlight of the summit’s programming, offering attendees direct access to one of the region’s most accomplished communications executives.

**Event Details:**

**Date/Time:** Wednesday, October 14, 2026 – 8:00am – 5:00pm

**Location:** MLK Library Conference Center, Washington, DC

**Featured Session:** Keynote Address by AJ Jones II, Executive Vice President, Chief Strategic and Corporate Communications Officer, Monumental Sports and Entertainment

**For more information and registration:** [**https://marcomsummit.co/**](https://marcomsummit.co/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**About Monumental Sports and Entertainment**

Monumental Sports and Entertainment is one of the largest integrated sports and entertainment companies in the United States, owning and operating a diverse portfolio of professional sports teams, venues, and media assets in the Washington, DC region.

**About the Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit**

The Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit is an annual gathering of advertising, marketing, and communications professionals held in the Washington, DC area. Produced in association with the American Advertising Federation’s DC chapter event ADWKDC, the summit provides a platform for industry leaders to share insights, strategies, and perspectives shaping the future of marketing and communications.
### RP3 Agency Wins Two Silver Clio Health Awards for “Take a Hike” campaign
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/rp3-agency-wins-two-silver-clio-health-awards-for-take-a-hike-campaign/
Last updated: 2026-06-19T10:27:34.000Z
[**RP3**](http://www.rp3agency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **has been awarded two Silver Clio Health Awards for its “Take a Hike” campaign** with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), a creative platform that, states a release, “turned a familiar phrase into a national movement for mental health, nature and nonprofit support.”

Clio Health was founded in 2009 to celebrate the work behind wellness. The program is a barometer for excellence in a highly specialized field, recognizing creativity that not only meets the advanced needs of consumers, but addresses the sophisticated challenges, demands and opportunities of a fast-evolving, rapidly expanding global marketplace and industry.

The Clio Health jurors recognized ATC and RP3 for this incredible work to support Americans’ love of the Appalachian Trail, and showcase the organization responsible for protecting and maintaining all 2,190 miles of it. With a small donor base, limited marketing resources and a crowded nonprofit landscape, ATC needed visibility and cultural relevance. RP3 responded by reimagining the phrase “Take a Hike,” flipping it from an insult into an invitation and sparking a nationwide conversation about the restorative power of nature and the essential role ATC plays in preserving the trail.

To give the idea instant credibility and reach, RP3 partnered with actor, comedian and lifelong hiker **Kevin Nealon**, whose voice anchored videos, social content and earned‑media moments that encouraged people to “Take a Hike” in the most positive sense. The agency, states the release, “publicly challenged the Big Dictionary’s definition and launched the Definition Petition, a simple, shareable action that connected audiences directly to ATC’s mission. The work blended humor, advocacy and emotional resonance, creating a platform that spread organically through entertainment circles, outdoor communities and cultural influencers.

“Momentum accelerated quickly. Support from **Ted Danson, Kevin Bacon, Wyatt Russell, Kyle Mooney** and **Beck Bennett** helped propel the message into mainstream conversation. On Giving Tuesday, the campaign reached its peak when ATC earned a full segment on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, beating out every other nonprofit in the country for the spotlight. The impact was extraordinary: $81 million in donated and earned media, 85 times the reach of paid advertising alone, nearly one billion impressions, a 20% increase in ATC’s email list in just three months, a 25% year‑over‑year rise in funding and an influx of new supporters, with 86% of donors entirely new to the organization.”

“This work matters because it reminds people that something as simple as stepping outside can change how we feel, how we connect and how we care for the world around us,” said **Tuesday Poliak**, Chief Creative Officer, RP3 agency. “The Appalachian Trail Conservancy protects a place that restores millions, and helping elevate that mission has been a privilege for our team. Winning two Silver Clio Health Awards is an incredible honor, but the real reward is seeing a cultural idea spark real support for an organization that deserves it.”

To learn more about RP3 and, states the agency, its Wildly Creative way of working, visit [www.rp3agency.com](http://www.rp3agency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

PHOTO: Left is **Tuesday Poliak**, chief creative officer; right is **Laura Thomas**, chief strategy officer.
### Agency Updates: News from Avoq, The Conafay Group and Yes&
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/agency-updates-news-from-avoq-the-conafay-group-and-yes/
Last updated: 2026-06-18T21:22:38.000Z
[**Avoq**](https://teamavoq.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **won a National Gold ADDY** in Branded Content & Entertainment for Online/Interactive at AAF’s 2026 ADMERICA Conference for its [PBS “Viewers Like Me” campaign.](https://americanadvertisingawards.com/awards/viewers-like-me/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) The campaign, see image above, was designed to mobilize PBS fans, turn them into an active community, and highlight the critical role public media plays in local communities. The campaign, states a release, won multiple accolades, including honors at the American Advertising Federation ADDY Awards. It reached massive scale, generating over 104 million impressions and helping to boost both public support and viewer donations.

[**The Conafay Group (TCG)**](http://conafaygroup.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, a D.C. based government relations firm, announced that** [**Josh Narrow**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuanarrow/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) has assumed the role of Vice President. Narrow has been with TCG for more than eight years, advising life sciences and biodefense clients on federal engagement, non-dilutive funding strategy, and legislative and regulatory advocacy. Prior to joining TCG, states a release, he served in a U.S. senator’s Washington office supporting senior health staff on the Senate Aging Committee, and as a strategist at a communications firm developing earned media campaigns for national advocacy organizations.

[**Jocelyn Chamberlain**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-mc-anderson/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **rejoins** [**Yes&**](https://yesandagency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **as Account Director.** She had been with the agency from January 2020 through July 2022\. Online she states: “I’ve always admired how this team continues to grow while staying focused on smart strategy, strong partnerships, and talented people (and am) looking forward to collaborating, learning, and helping our clients achieve big things.”
### Alex Orfinger, long-time publisher of the Washington Business Journal who “helped shape the soul of this region”, steps down
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/alex-orfinger-long-time-publisher-of-the-washington-business-journal-steps-down/
Last updated: 2026-06-17T17:40:39.000Z
**Alex Orfinger, who came to D.C. 30 years ago to become publisher of the Washington Business Journal** at the dawn of the internet age, is stepping down after two stints in the role combining for 24 years, reports [WBJ](https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2026/06/16/alex-orfinger-business-journal-publisher.html?utm%5Fsource=st&utm%5Fmedium=en&utm%5Fcampaign=BN&utm%5Fcontent=WA&ana=e%5FWA%5FBN&j=46182837&senddate=2026-06-16).

Orfinger, 65, announced his decision to Business Journal staff at the company’s office in Rosslyn. He will continue as publisher and market president until a replacement is named later this year; he will remain as an adviser with American City Business Journals Inc., WBJ’s parent company.

According to WBJ, Orfinger’s time “atop the masthead at the region’s only publication dedicated to business spanned the highs and lows of Greater Washington, from the D.C. Financial Control Board and the dot-com boom and subsequent bomb to the Great Recession and the Covid-19 pandemic. His tenure, the longest for a publisher at the 44-year-old publication, coincided with five D.C. mayors and five U.S. presidents.”

“It’s a long time and it’s been an amazing journey for me,” Orfinger told the staff, saying he is not retiring but “taking a pause” as he plots his next moves.

Orfinger, a native of New York who attended Vassar College, started his ACBJ career in 1992 as associate publisher at the Atlanta Business Chronicle before relocating to Texas to become publisher at the Dallas Business Journal. After a short stint in Dallas, he landed the Washington job in 1996 and moved to the capital, where he had attended Georgetown University for graduate school.

He led WBJ until 2014, when he was [promoted to executive vice president for ACBJ](https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/2014/09/alex-orfinger-stepping-down-as-washington-business.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), overseeing 20 of the chain’s properties and leading the launch of the digital-only Business Journal in Cleveland.

Six years later amid the pandemic in 2020, he was again [tapped as publisher and market president in Washington](https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2020/07/23/alex-orfinger-named-new-publisher-of-the-washingto.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), while continuing to lead several initiatives for the parent company.

ACBJ Executive Vice President **Mike Olivieri,** who was in Arlington for the announcement, said the company will now begin a search for the next D.C. publisher.

“The measure of somebody’s career isn’t the number of years but the number of people they touched,” Olivieri told the staff. “It’s safe to say that few have touched as many people at ACBJ as Alex.”

“Alex Orfinger didn’t just publish the Washington Business Journal — he helped shape the soul of this region. For decades, he brought together the best of Greater Washington’s business, civic, and community leaders, and made every one of us feel like our work mattered. His vision, his generosity of spirit, and his unwavering commitment to this region will echo long after any byline. Alex, you’ve earned every moment of what comes next — and Washington is better because of you,” stated D.C. agency veteran **Cary Hatch.**

Photo By: Tasha Dooley Photography
### Study shows shortage of local journalists
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/study-shows-shortage-of-local-journalists/
Last updated: 2026-06-22T20:45:45.000Z
**The** [**2026 Local Journalist Index**](https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=IJJK%5FqGSIDtbgzCBsXBUUHMcW3QtnA1MM0h2PFGWMC%5FBzCDaNRBHZqkdZrAGZu9Vxe7PK6RvN5cklzekeezHK2nCRt9fxjzgV0B5b9zSf59NDW2zgkL-XK0B7PtRD9uk&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, a landmark annual study by** [**Muck Rack**](https://muckrack.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**,** reveals that the shortage of local journalists persists and also finds a dramatic lack of education and health care coverage in most communities.

The study, states a release, used Muck Rack’s journalist database and a new analysis of 4.2 million articles published from January through March 2026:

**Key Findings**

**The reporter shortage persists unabated.** The national average now stands at 7.8 Local Journalist Equivalents (LJEs) per 100,000 residents, an 81% decline from roughly 40 per 100,000 in 2002\. Last year, we found 8.2 LJEs per 100,000 residents. Approximately 70% of U.S. counties, home to an estimated 209 million people, fall below even the already-anemic national average. Only 33 counties match the average number of journalists from 2002.

**There is shockingly little education and health coverage.** In the analysis of all American counties, they found no education articles mentioning a community by name in 77% of counties in the first quarter of 2026\. Seventy-six percent produced no local health coverage. The same pattern holds for environment (77%) and transportation (82%).

**When there are fewer journalists, the portion of coverage devoted to crime actually goes up.** In counties with fewer than five LJEs per 100,000 residents, nearly one in five local articles about crime and justice, roughly 50% more than in counties with higher journalist density.

**The financial cost is measurable.** States with fewer local journalists face estimated municipal borrowing costs roughly 17% higher than average, part of what new research estimates as at least $1.1 billion in annual financial harm to communities nationwide.

**Where journalism is stronger, civic participation is higher.** Counties in the bottom fifth for journalist density score an average of 40 on the Civic Participation Index—a composite measure of voter turnout, volunteering, charitable giving and civic involvement—compared to 58 in the top fifth. In double-desert counties—places with both less than one Local Journalist Equivalent per 100,000 residents and, according to the landmark Local News Initiative at Northwestern University’s Medill School, zero local news outlets—the average falls to 23 out of 100.

**Research suggests a link between local news and loneliness levels.** A working paper by Danny Hayes and Anusha Trivedi, political scientists at George Washington University, has found that states with weaker local news environments have higher rates of loneliness, even after controlling for rurality. LJE data reinforces the findings: In every matched pair of states with comparable rural populations, the state with fewer journalists per resident also had a higher loneliness rate.

**Some communities are models for what’s possible.** Maryland ranks 16th nationally with 10.6 LJEs per 100,000, reflecting active investment in local journalism. The Baltimore Banner, launched in 2022, has grown to 100 journalists serving 82,000 paid subscribers, and its health coverage runs nearly five times the national average. And it’s a rare two-newspaper town, with the Baltimore Sun continuing to provide coverage. Vermont again leads the nation at 19.1 LJEs per 100,000, anchored by VTDigger, Seven Days and Vermont Public, alongside locally owned legacy papers and a growing digital sector.

The report includes:

- An interactive map showing the number of Local Journalists Equivalents per 100,000 residents for every county
- A ranking of reporting capacity by state
- Analysis of local news and loneliness levels
- Comparisons with the Civic Information Index
- Analysis of LJEs and municipal borrowing costs

As they did last year, Muck Rack and Rebuild Local News are making the full dataset available to researchers and others interested in diving deeper at [localjournalistindex.com/get-the-data](https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=HaKLsGDjeNDGYlk6X55XWGe%5Fk4xeNFcD0JtZcLJ5bclpp3HYnRyudd53utcs-AWjFXapJ0ZEX2FwSWs3tExvSky%5FSpfGFbOEso7by9%5F9vs02HYWYgMqzd9vaC5YeAeQJO8rA4QoQUFZ9U6FlOfJ9EA==&ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

“This report is difficult to stomach,” said **Steven Waldman**, founder and president of Rebuild Local News. “The shortage of local reporters remains so severe that communities are being left in the dark as coverage of education, healthcare, and core civic issues thins out or disappears altogether.”

“We hope this data informs smarter investments in local journalism and drives urgent policy conversations,” said **Gregory Galant**, co-founder and CEO of Muck Rack. “Local journalists are the backbone of community trust and accountability. The stakes are too high to let this trend continue.”

The full 2026 Local Journalist Index, including comprehensive county- and state-level maps, rankings and data, is available at [localjournalistindex.com](https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=HaKLsGDjeNDGYlk6X55XWGe%5Fk4xeNFcD0JtZcLJ5bckYGVuwDTUAqCDwUVf2BkqRn2hXTfMnw5KhSBLmYxdEUXgW6-oaHV3JaWYELlrMT%5FJF00xBWJZOkavpxUoyKL3o&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) .
### Yes& Invests in Higher Education with the Hire of Kimberly Hallman as SVP
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/yes-invests-in-higher-education-with-the-hire-of-kimberly-hallman-as-svp/
Last updated: 2026-06-16T14:56:43.000Z
***Veteran marketer to lead the agency’s education and nonprofit practice***

[**Yes&**](https://yesandagency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced that Kimberly Hallman has joined the agency as Senior Vice President, Workstream Lead,** where she will lead its education and nonprofit practice. In the role, she will guide work for universities, research centers, foundations, and cause-based organizations, supporting the agency’s next phase of growth among mission-driven institutions. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Kimberly to Yes& to lead our practice in education and nonprofit. Her wealth of experience paired with her incredible leadership and strategic capabilities make her the perfect person to take our client’s mission-driven goals to the next level.” said **Zihla Salinas,** Yes& CEO.

Hallman, states a release, brings two decades of experience in communications and marketing to Yes&. A journalist turned publicist and institutional brand specialist, she began her career writing for The Post-Standard in upstate New York and worked as an editorial assistant for the National Campaign for the Arts in London before entering the agency world 20 years ago. Her early agency work included representing Tiffany & Co. and promoting tourism and hospitality leaders such as Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.

Since 2014, Hallman has concentrated on purpose-driven marketing and communications, with particular emphasis on higher education. She joins Yes& after a 12-year run at global marketing agency 160over90, where she most recently served as SVP, Institutional Marketing, partnering with many of the nation’s top colleges and universities.

“I’ve spent the better part of my 20-year career in purpose-driven marketing and communications, with much of that time directed at brands with an educational mission. That’s been intentional,” said Hallman. “I care about doing good work, and doing good, period. So I’m thrilled to join a place that prioritizes that same kind of work and brings real positivity, thoughtfulness, and possibility to it. It’s exactly what this category needs right now.”

Hallman holds a BA in English from Bucknell University and a master’s degree in Print Journalism from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
### Reporter Matthew Torres exits WUSA to “explore what else is on the horizon”
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/reporter-matthew-torres-exits-wusa-to-explore-what-else-is-on-the-horizon/
Last updated: 2026-06-16T13:02:13.000Z
**After 5 1/2 years at WUSA in D.C., reporter Matthew Torres “decided to close this adventurous and incredible chapter** and explore what else is on the horizon.”

Torres states on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZl18AwOrAC/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) that reporting in D.C. “was never part of “the plan,” but taking the risk to move to our nation’s capital and initially freelance at the station paid off in great dividends. The newsroom became a second home, challenging me to become a better storyteller, giving me opportunities to cover some of the biggest headlines and breaking news stories and introducing me to talented colleagues whom I’m now lucky to call friends.

“I’m immensely grateful for all the connections I’ve made along the way, including sources, competitors and the people who trusted me to tell their stories, even in the midst of tragedy or despite possible repercussions.

“I’m proud of the stories I produced and of the photographers with whom I worked long hours. They deserve every bit of the credit. Thank you for the support.

“Luckily, I’m staying in D.C. for now. In a city known for the unexpected, I’m excited for what comes next.”
### Northern Virginia Community College appoints RP3 as Agency of Record
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/northern-virginia-community-college-appoints-rp3-as-agency-of-record/
Last updated: 2026-06-18T21:21:28.000Z
**​**[**RP3**](https://rp3agency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **has been selected as agency of record for Northern Virginia Community College** (NOVA), part of the Virginia Community Colleges System, following a competitive pitch process. The win expands RP3’s growing higher‑education and workforce‑development portfolio and marks a significant partnership with one of the most influential institutions shaping the future of talent in the Commonwealth.

NOVA, which serves roughly 50,000 students across six campuses, is the largest public higher education institution in Virginia and a central force in the region’s economic engine. Its leadership has been deeply engaged in aligning curriculum with real-time workforce needs across technology, healthcare, skilled trades, national security and emerging fields such as AI. As Northern Virginia faces mounting pressure on talent pipelines, NOVA plays a critical role in reskilling, upskilling and next-skilling the region’s workforce.

“NOVA is stepping into a leadership role at a time when the region needs it most. Our focus is to build a brand and marketing engine that not only shifts perception, but drives measurable outcomes through enrollment, engagement and long-term economic impact,” said **Tuesday Poliak**, chief creative officer, RP3\. “This partnership is about more than a campaign; it’s about helping NOVA claim its place at the centre of the Commonwealth’s talent future.”

The partnership, states a release, “arrives at a pivotal moment. Across Virginia, leaders in sectors from healthcare and construction to technology, national security, and hospitality are sounding alarms about talent shortages and aligning around the critical role community colleges must play in solving them. With pressures spanning immigration constraints, skilled‑trades gaps and the rapid rise of AI literacy, the region needs new approaches to education and workforce readiness.

“At the same time, higher education is under national scrutiny. Families and policymakers are questioning the ROI of traditional four‑year institutions, including their relevance to today’s economy, their ability to prepare students for real careers and the long‑term debt they create. Learners are demanding flexible, affordable, career‑aligned pathways that get them into the workforce faster and with less financial risk. Community colleges are increasingly the answer. NOVA’s ability to deliver high‑value, market‑aligned programmes at scale positions it as a central force in meeting these challenges. RP3’s work aims to elevate that role, shift long‑standing perceptions, and help the institution reach and serve learners across every stage of life.

“As agency of record, RP3 is leading strategy, creative, communications planning, media strategy and buying, social media strategy and performance measurement. The agency’s work is grounded in extensive qualitative research with current and prospective students, including high school seniors and adult learners navigating career transitions, which revealed a clear opportunity to redefine the role of community colleges in today’s economy.

“Building on these insights, RP3 developed a new brand platform designed to resonate not only with prospective students but also with employers, policymakers, alumni, faculty and staff. The platform positions NOVA as a modern talent engine; one that delivers exceptional ROI, meets employer demand and expands access to high‑value career pathways without the burden of excessive debt.

“RP3 is bringing the new brand platform to life through an integrated suite of efforts, from brand and performance campaigns launching in Q2 to a full campaign debut late this year. The work includes a bold earned‑media idea designed to elevate NOVA’s role in the statewide workforce conversation, refreshed on‑campus branding and internal communications that align faculty, staff and prospective hires around a shared vision. RP3 is also partnering with the NOVA Foundation to strengthen alumni engagement and fundraising, supported by a custom measurement framework with real‑time dashboards that connect marketing performance to business outcomes and ensure continuous optimisation.”

“NOVA has the kind of energy agencies dream about; ambitious, future‑focused, and totally unafraid to shake up old assumptions,” added Tuesday. “We get to take that spark and turn it into something people feel, talk about and rally behind. This is the kind of brief that lets us stretch creatively, experiment boldly and build work that doesn’t just market a college, but reimagines what one can stand for.”
### Capitol Communicators: Profile of Kurt Roberts, Chief Experience Officer and Founder, Goodbeast
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-kurt-roberts-chief-experience-officer-and-founder-goodbeast/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:28.000Z
*Capitol Communicators is a profile series spotlighting the people shaping* 
*advertising, digital, marketing and public relations in the Mid-Atlantic.* 
*This profile features *Kurt Roberts.**

**Kurt Roberts has a fascinating relationship with technology.** His work is rooted in it. Yet he is equally passionate about stepping away from it when he isn’t working. 

Roberts is co-founder of [Goodbeast](https://goodbeast.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), an experiential marketing studio he launched in 2017 with his business partner, [Jay McDowell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaymcdowellpdx/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). He describes himself as a creative technologist and storyteller, building worlds where the digital and physical collide. In a world dominated by digital noise, where technology can pull people apart, Roberts’ goal is a create human connections through technology; and marketing experiences where the audience becomes part of the story. 

Yet, Roberts is intentional about unplugging. He prefers real books to digital feeds, time outdoors to scrolling, and places little emphasis on social media in his personal life. 

He brings that sensibility to his work. As he tells us, “You get what you inspect, not what you expect.” It’s a simple idea – that it is important to slow down, pay attention, and fully engage in collaborations that can bring great work to life. 

Goodbeast, with offices in DC and Portland, Oregon, counts Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the Portland Winter Light Festival, Children’s National Hospital, and George Mason University among its many clients. He measures success with the usual quantitative measures: increased donations, revenue, email sign-ups, etc. The hugely important measure for him, however, is qualitative – seeing people engage with a sense of wonder.

For [Nationwide Children’s Hospital](https://goodbeast.com/nationwide-childrens-light-up-the-lawn-light-up-a-life/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) in Columbus, Ohio, a holiday “Light Up the Lawn, Light Up a Life” experience touched the hearts of patients, their families, hospital staff and community members with a lightshow of over 120 larger-than-life-sized butterflies on the hospital’s lawn. The butterflies would light up anytime someone donated to the fundraiser, raising money while creating a joyful experience. One year, a couple found the [Portland Winter Light Festival’s](https://pdxwlf.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) immersive experience so wonderous, they got engaged to be married there! 

**Kurt, please tell us about yourself.**

Professionally, I’m very interested in how technology makes us more human rather than less, and how it can be used to build deeper connections between people. I brought this interest to [Goodbeast](https://goodbeast.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), the experiential studio I co-founded in 2017 with my business partner, [Jay McDowell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaymcdowellpdx/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). We use a healthy dose of creative technology to tell stories and integrate tricky things like donation software and installation art that aren’t made to plug into each other.

In my personal time, I’d much rather be away from screens and spend my free time in nature, checking out new music, or buried in a book (a real, paper one). Unplugging shifts my perspective and reveals incentives and patterns in technology that is key to making our work more human.

**For anyone who isn’t familiar with it, how do you explain experiential marketing?** 

Experiential marketing usually involves real-world, in-person interventions, such as an event, an installation, or another activation designed for you to engage with and hopefully share with others, either electronically or by bringing friends along. I think experiential marketing is a terrible name for it, but we have to call it something. 

**What are the things you are most proud of?**

Our work.

I’m really proud of our piece for the [Portland Winter Light Festival](https://pdxwlf.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) this year, *Whispering Wishes.* We created an interactive piece, dubbed as a wish amplifier. It asked people to step up to a microphone and say their wish to contribute hope for a better world. After contributing their wish, it added the message into a real-time sound collage, based on what everyone previously whispered. The sound collage was seeded with some found audio – radio broadcasts from Portland in the 60s, bits of folk songs and opera solos and some recorded spoken texts along with some electronic noise based on the sounds of old computers and analog circuitry. 

We had a couple people ask us about analyzing the audio of people sharing their wishes and learning about what people wished for, and I was proud to say that’s not the point. The point of the piece, which didn’t save any of the audience contributed audio at all, was to make people think about what they wanted and how they could create a better world. Thinking about it is the important part – it’s about creating hope, not creating data. By sharing their wish, each person is making the artwork become whole.

**What are the most significant changes or trends you see happening or coming in the communications industry in 2026?** 

Digital noise is the new reality. We’re going to continue to be in this hyper-saturated media environment that we see accelerating on our social networks, and with AI it is more prominent than ever. Facebook is pretty openly saying in the near future marketers won’t need creatives in the loop – with generative AI advertisers will just pick their segments and Facebook’s tools will create creative units tailored to each individual user they’re targeting. 

I’m sure that sounds great to a certain subset of marketers. The problem is that LLMs and most of the “generative” AI we deal with today is an averaging machine. It’s using statistics to pick out the next most likely word. And as a result, it literally creates average outcomes.

We’re facing this onslaught of mediocrity by leaning into what makes us human. How do we facilitate person to person connections? How do you say something interesting, unique and human, and have it heard above the noise? Those are the questions we wrestle with at Goodbeast.

**What tools should we be using to be successful?** 

Our brains. Chasing tool trends is a waste of time. If you can express yourself best on graph paper, use it. Or Photoshop. Or Sketch/Figma/whatever new design tool the community is raving about. Or go ahead, use agentic AI. But remember that a tool isn’t going to make you successful – to be successful, we need to use our brains, our creativity, and cultivate our sense of taste.

**What are the social media tools and platforms that you find most valuable now and expect to use in 2026?**

I’m pretty much down to Reddit, and I don’t even have a Reddit account. There’s lots of valuable insight on Reddit, but I also just find the things other people post about fascinating. 

Lurking in Reddit Washington, DC isn’t going to change your life, but you begin to see what people value, and how we cooperate or don’t. Like the ice storm earlier this yeargenerated tons of posts about people’s bad shoveling and parking behavior. What’s sitting under those complaints is a real desire to have a community, to work together, to have neighbors that want to be part of your tribe. It’s not always constructive, but people are looking for support and a group

**What advice helped you most in your career, and is that advice still relevant today?** 

When I was still a software developer full time, my boss shared the advice that to get ahead, I needed to learn to “program with hands other than my own.” He was pushing me to accept more management responsibilities. I’ve always been a little leery of the idea of being in charge; the best teams still feel like partners. But I agree with his point that rallying people together behind a vision lets you make bigger and better things than you ever could on your own. 

I think it’s even more relevant today, given that some amount of work on teams, like it or not, is being outsourced to “AI.” That means a lot of different things in different fields and contexts – for us that’s usually more about computer vision models than text generation. When you do generate ad copy or code, though, you need to know what good ad copy or code looks like. And that’s fundamentally a question of supervision or understanding how to manage the AI tool.

**What professional advice do you have for others?**

Throughout my career I’ve collected quite a few aphorisms about how to operate. The one that comes to mind in our distracted present moment is “You get what you inspect, not what you expect.” Slowing down, taking the time to check the work you’re doing and to fully engage in the collaborations you are part of is the key to creating work you can be proud of.

**Are you involved in any professional organizations and do you find them to be valuable? Why?**

Having a professional community is incredibly important. I’ll shout out AAF-DC here. I got involved again about 3 years ago after a long break (starting a company takes a lot of time!) and I really value the relationships and connections I’ve made there. Sometimes it’s just a question of having people around you who face some of the same dilemmas as you, sometimes it’s great to see how you can help each other solve problems. Goodbeast isn’t an ad agency – we don’t buy media or make ad campaigns. But we’re in the ideas and storytelling business and having that support from your community is invaluable.

**What keeps you up at night and what brings you joy during the day?** 

You mean beyond the normal laundry list of things that keep all small business owners up at night, right? 

The thing that gives me joy is knowing that we’re all out here craving connection, trying to figure the world out and making things for one another. There’s nothing as satisfying as finishing something that you then get to share with the world.

**You said you like to unplug by checking out new music or reading real books. Any recommendations for us?** 

I tend to read subjects in streaks, and I recently finished Alex Ross’ *The Rest is Noise*, a comprehensive non-fiction history of 20th-century “classical” music. Then I read Richard Powers’ *Orfeo*, which fictionalizes a similar subject, with the twist of a composer the government has decided is an eco-terrorist. It dictated my musical listening for a couple of months, as I made playlists of pieces based on both books.

But if you want a lighter suggestion, The Black Crowes new album, *A Pound of Feathers*, is a terrific throwback if you’re into that sort of thing. No one ever told them the 90s were over. And I thoroughly enjoyed *The Murderbot Diaries* by Martha Wells for a glimpse at a very different AI environment than the one we have in the real world.

**Is there anything else you would like to add?**

Persevere. We can do this together!

**Capitol Communicators** [**profiles**](https://capitolcommunicator.com/tag/profiles/) **allow you to meet** 
**some of the most interesting and insightful pros in our region, and** 
**learn how they stay ahead during a time of constant change.**
### Five join MPT Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/five-join-mpt-foundation-inc-board-of-directors/
Last updated: 2026-06-13T16:11:13.000Z
Five community leaders have been elected to three-year terms on the MPT Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors.

Left to right in main image, they include:

**Dr. Cynthia J. Boyle,** professor emeritus at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, president of the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy, and a nationally recognized leader in pharmacy education and advocacy.

**Chris Fenger,** a former cable industry executive and chief operating officer of Astound Broadband whose career spans more than four decades in telecommunications and media leadership.

**Daniel M. Freeman,** a constitutional law expert, author, and former congressional counsel who advised the U.S. House of Representatives on major legislative and impeachment proceedings.

**Irwin Kramer, Esq.**, managing partner of Kramer & Connolly, a leading legal ethics attorney and educator, and recently completed a decade of service on the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission.

**Doug Schwab,** a dedicated Cumberland-based community leader who currently serves as president of B’er Chayim Temple and as a board member of Mountain Maryland Trails. Professionally, Schwab spent three decades as vice president of technology for the S. Schwab Company and Ralph Lauren Childrenswear.
### Lawsuit against Washington Post alleges its digital systems collected private data
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/lawsuit-against-washington-post-alleges-its-digital-systems-collected-private-data/
Last updated: 2026-06-13T19:18:48.000Z
**A class action lawsuit was filed against *The Washington Post* alleging its digital systems collected private data** through secret surveillance in order to price gouge its most loyal subscribers — and potentially threatening to cost the paper “millions, if not billions, in damages,” according to one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs, reports [Mediaite.](https://www.mediaite.com/lawcrime/new-washington-post-slapped-with-massive-class-action-lawsuit-for-alleged-price-gouging-of-its-most-loyal-subscribers-via-surveillance-pricing/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

The *Post* has lost [hundreds of thousands](https://www.npr.org/2025/02/28/nx-s1-5312819/washington-post-bezos-subscriptions-cancellations?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) of subscribers amid major layoffs and other changes at the paper and the [43-page complaint](https://www.scribd.com/document/1049950806/Chelsea-Blink-v-The-Washington-Post?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) claims the paper deployed deceptive technological means to wring extra money from the ones who stayed.

The complaint, continues Mediaite, filed in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, detailed how the *Post* “invested substantial resources in its website and other digital assets after Bezos took over in 2013, enjoying “predictable revenue, powered by consistent readership numbers and increased site traffic.

“Subscribers expected their personal data would be used for “mutually beneficial purposes,” the complaint continued, like showing “relevant advertisements,” but the *Post* soon allegedly began engaging in surveillance without the knowledge or consent of the subscribers.”
### POLITICO relaunches POLITICO Magazine to cover people and ideas that shape power around the world
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/politico-relaunches-politico-magazine-to-cover-people-and-ideas-that-shape-power-around-the-world/
Last updated: 2026-06-12T21:14:35.000Z
**POLITICO is relaunching POLITICO Magazine as a weekly publication focused on original reporting** about the people and ideas that shape power around the world, states a post on [Editor and Publisher.](https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/politico-relaunches-politico-magazine,262105?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

The first stories of our inaugural relaunch issue has, states the post, “a richly reported feature from Sophia Cai on the secret U.S. political history of the 2026 World Cup, and a deep dive from Alice Ollstein and Megan Messerly on the untold story of why the Trump Administration reversed itself on HIV prevention. Over the weekend we will have Samuel Benson on how Vivek Ramaswamy is navigating questions of race and religion in his quest to be Ohio’s next governor; Ian Ward on the New Right’s plan to use VC-backed charter communities to Christianize America; and Jack Blanchard on Andy Burnham, the audacious British mayor looking to beat the populist right and then topple Keir Starmer. These are exactly the kinds of stories the new Magazine exists to tell.

“The Magazine will now offer a curated issue each weekend and a dedicated newsletter will publish on Sundays to bring the full package together.

“With this relaunch, we are making a fresh promise to our readers: each issue will contain stylish storytelling and revelatory reporting about the people, places, and decisions shaping global politics and policy. We will follow power across the major centers — Wall Street, Silicon Valley and beyond — and into the less obvious places: the technologists rewriting the rules, the cultural figures shaping how we see the world, the operators and fixers who rarely make the news but without whom nothing moves.”

[POLITICO Magazine](https://www.politico.com/magazine?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) never died, states an online item. Instead, the publication announced a major relaunch into a weekly format focused on original reporting about power and ideas.
### Communications, Content Authentication, and Building a Trust Stack in the AI Age
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/communications-content-authentication-and-building-a-trust-stack-in-the-ai-age/
Last updated: 2026-06-12T00:16:33.000Z
**Originally published by CommPRO. Reprinted with permission.**

**Narrative authority is key to discoverability in the AI Age.** The challenge facing communicators is to generate content that is trusted both by humans and machines. This requires a multi-layered approach to the multi-dimensional problem of declining trust in digital content or put another way a “Trust Stack.”

This was one of the key takeaways from a CommPRO, Capitol Communicator, Tauth Labs, and [APCO](https://apcoworldwide.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) roundtable breakfast in Washington, D.C., on June 9 – “The Trust Stack: AI, Narrative Authority and Content Authentication.”

The “Trust Stack,” a concept developed by **David Sánchez Carmona,** Director of AI and Intelligence at APCO’s AICommsLab, is based on the idea that brand safety and discoverability requires both communications and technology solutions.

Narrative authority reflects what is said, how it is said, and structured, and the quality of communications channels. And, as **Santiago Lyon**, Head of Advocacy and Education, at the [Content Authenticity Initiative](https://contentauthenticity.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)/Adobe, and **Rebecca Hanson**, Director General of the [North American Broadcasters Association](https://nabanet.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), both underscored, content authentication is a technology layer that serves to underpin trust.

**Simon Erskine Locke**, cofounder and CEO of [Tauth Labs](http://www.tauth.io/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), who moderated the conversation, shared that content authentication helps audiences differentiate between authentic and shadow content (malicious content designed to look like it is from companies or organizations created with the intention to misinform) to protect brands. He added that it is also a powerful “trust signal,” which is already being used by search engines and LLMs to prioritize authentic content and screen out scams at an infrastructure level.

Lyon shared the origin story of the global standard for content authentication developed by Adobe with a coalition of the worlds’ leading technology and media companies – C2PA. He highlighted its role as a form of nutrition label for digital content that can be used by audiences to know both where it is from and how it was created.

The discussion highlighted the growing adoption of content authentication across a range of use cases including in the communications industry, as well as supporters of the standard including LinkedIn, OpenAI, and Google.

The media and broadcasters are at the forefront of adoption. As Hanson shared, trust in the media is currently a significant issue for media organizations. She noted that the BBC, Canadian and European media are leading the way, with the authentication of the user-generated content a particular priority and challenge.

C2PA is being incorporated into cameras from Leica, Canon, Sony and others as part of glass-to-glass implementations of authentication technology to provide broadcasters the ability to incorporate provenance into content and audiences to be able to validate it on a screen. Hanson highlighted a specific challenge for the media around the importance of identity, while noting the growing focus of North American broadcasters on the technology.

Locke discussed the range of use cases for the technology, making the point that while the initial focus has been protecting audiences from fake content, authentication is a path to build trust into content and is expected to put communicator-generated content on a fast track for journalists. He added that AI models will focus on ingesting authenticated content and authentication of published content in ways that will enhance the quality of input and outputs.

In the context of the “Trust Stack,” Sánchez Carmona shared perspective around how APCO’s AICommsLab is working with clients to use AI to both identify narratives being communicated, misinformation and disinformation on the internet in ways in which its team would be able to work with clients to both detect and correct reputational issues with technology and communications solutions.

APCO is building groundbreaking [AI tools](https://margy.ai/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) that draw upon its consulting experience and expertise to support its team and clients. These new tools leverage the latest cutting-edge AI concept of skills-based platforms that will enhance the capabilities of communicators to build effective narratives to both grow and protect brands.

To address a question that came up in the roundtable discussion about the potential risk of the fraudulent use of authentication by bad actors, Locke cited the latest in a series of Tauth Labs white papers on communications and content authentication: “[Kintsugi, Content Authentication, and Rebuilding Trust in the Internet](https://tauth.io/blog/kintsugi-content-authentication-and-trust?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).”

Both he and Lyon reiterated the idea that content authentication is not a silver bullet, and it does not prove that what is authenticated is necessarily true. What is does is build accountability into content through the robust cryptographic proof of provenance. When combined with narrative it provides a foundation for trust that it is from who it says it is from, that is the basis for engagement by audiences.

In an upcoming CommPRO/CommunicationsMatch Town Hall, we’ll be building on this discussion. Make sure to subscribe to the *CommPRO Executive Newsletter* for more information.

*For more information contact* [*slocke@tauth.io*](mailto:slocke@tauth.io)*,* [*contact@nabanet.com*](mailto:contact@nabanet.com) *or visit the* [*Content Authenticity Initiative*](https://contentauthenticity.org/membership/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) *or* [*APCO*](https://apcoworldwide.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) *website.* 

**This article was originally published by CommPRO and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here:** 
**https://www.commpro.biz/news/communications-content-authentication-** 
**and-building-a-trust-stack-in-the-ai-age?ss\_source=sscampaigns&ss\_campaign\_id=** 
**6a2ab59ba24be868a2f5363f&\_ssemail\_id=6a2aebf26a135d13f0abac0f&ss\_campaign\_name=** 
**Comms+Roundup%3A+The+Trust+Stack%2C+CEO+Influence+and+TV+News+Producers+** 
**Need+PR&ss\_campaign\_sent\_date=2026-06-11T17%3A10%3A59Z**
### Study finds 94% of local TV news producers open to being pitched for stories
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/study-finds-94-of-local-tv-news-producers-open-to-being-pitched-for-stories/
Last updated: 2026-06-11T23:53:55.000Z
**A record 94% of local TV news producers are open to being pitched for stories by PR people representing brands and non-profits, states a release from D S Simon Media.** That’s the highest total in the 25 years D S Simon Media has been conducting its TV News Producers Study.

The report “Understanding the Evolving Media Landscape,” also includes news about local television news. While there has been much coverage about newsroom staff being cut, there has been less coverage of the fact that there is more local TV news content than ever before.

“There are not only more hours of local TV news, but that programming is being formatted for the web, social media and YouTube which means more work,” says **Doug Simon**, CEO at D S Simon Media. “PR is now a staff extension of the shrinking newsroom.”

According to a release, local TV news remains the most trusted media source according to the firm’s research. 85% of the public find local TV news more trustworthy than social media and 67% gave it the trust advantage over network news.

The report had additional good news for brands trying to earn media to improve AI discoverability. 90% of producers prefer to interview in-house spokespeople compared to third-party experts. “This allows your brand to become associated with the answers to questions people are asking across the large language models,” says Simon.

Among its additional findings:

- 94% of producers expect to continue using Zoom or similar platforms for interviews
- The report highlights key editorial themes gaining traction in 2026, including health and wellness, food and beverage, technology, travel, personal finance, retail and consumer goods

“The pace of change in the TV newsroom is unprecedented,” said Simon. “For brands looking to build trust, authenticity and GEO, local TV news is an opportunity that can’t be overlooked.”

The survey, states the release, was conducted by D S Simon Media in April 2026\. The results were submitted through SurveyMonkey and the results reflected the responses of 51 producers and reporters who had the option to reply anonymously. Tellingly, more than half requested to see a copy of the results.
### Golin and Ketchum merge to create Golin Ketchum
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/golin-and-ketchum-merge-to-create-golin-ketchum/
Last updated: 2026-06-10T20:08:17.000Z
**Golin Ketchum has launched. It’s the combined agency formed through the merger of Golin and Ketchum. In D.C., the agency will be located at 733 10th St NW.**

According to the [announcement,](https://golinketchum.com/news/golin-ketchum-launches-as-newly-combined-global-pr-agency/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) the launch “marks the completion of the agencies’ integration under a bold new brand identity and singular operating model. Golin Ketchum provides communications services across brand and consumer marketing, corporate affairs, health, technology, and food, agriculture and nutrition, supported by a global network of offices and specialty practices.”

**Matt Neale,** left in photo, serves as CEO of the new agency, with **Tamara Norman,** right in photo, as President.

“Golin Ketchum was formed with a clear ambition to shake up the agency landscape with unmatched creativity and category expertise,” said Neale. “For our clients, this means access to world-class resources and integrated capabilities. For our people, it means career-defining opportunities and the chance to do the best work of our lives, for the greatest clients in the world.”

The decision to launch under the Golin Ketchum name reflects the history and reputation of both organizations, stated the announcement.

“We considered a range of options, but ultimately the strongest choice was the simplest one,” Neale said. “Both Golin and Ketchum have built strong relationships with clients and strong reputations in the market. Bringing the names together honors that history while reflecting the future we’re building as one organization.”

Golin Ketchum will continue to operate through local market teams supported by specialized practices and sector expertise. For existing clients, day-to-day teams and relationships remain intact, preserving the partnership approach and collaborative culture they value—while immediately gaining access to expanded talent, expertise, and technology across the combined agency, states the release.

Golin Ketchum is owned by [Omnicom Group](https://www.omc.com/newsroom/omnicom-announces-strategy-and-executive-leadership-following-acquisition-of-interpublic/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), a major holding company that acquired the public relations firms following its takeover of Interpublic Group (IPG).
### State of Wikipedia report for June 2026
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/state-of-wikipedia-report-for-june-2026/
Last updated: 2026-07-15T00:55:54.000Z
**In June, the Wikipedia Chaos Index held steady at 87, keeping it at the same High range it was in May.** The platform remains highly volatile, so our advice remains unchanged: this isn’t the time to publish new drafts, update controversial content, or engage in debates with editors.

While the Index remained the same, the activity on Wikipedia shifted a bit; in the past month, there’s been a slight decrease in editing speed, alongside a modest increase in new pages submitted through Articles for Creation. This means that while Wikipedia itself is updating and changing a bit slower than usual, the influx of new page candidates (and subsequent rejections) continues to increase.

AfC decline rates remain incredibly high, continuing the expected trend of Wikipedia editors holding incredibly high, rigid standards for new pages, especially around extremely sensitive topics like artificial intelligence.

Could a strike be coming to Wikipedia? After the Wikimedia Foundation’s dismissal of **Brooke Vibber**, lead developer of MediaWiki (and the organization’s first full-time employee), there were definitely tensions in the editorial community – which only escalated a week later when the Foundation disbanded the Community Tech team, laying off five engineers and a manager in the process.

Though the reasons for this are still unclear, the response from the volunteer community has been swift, with editors threatening to do everything from holding an editorial strike or resigning from admin positions, to even more drastic actions like turning off the anti-vandalism filters built by the community, which would have an immediate impact on the quality and verifiability of all Wikipedia pages.

How the tension between the foundation and the volunteer community resolves remains to be seen – if any of these threats become action, well-defended Wikipedia pages are going to be in an advantageous place to head off any potential vandalism surge.

*NOTE: The Chaos Index is our proprietary metric for measuring turbulence throughout Wikipedia and tracking the community’s current sentiment towards corporate-related pages. The index measures community actions such as editing frequency, content deletion, message board posts, and many other activities that contribute to unstable corporate page environments.*
### Corporate vs. Local: The Franchise Marketing Tension No One Talks About
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/corporate-vs-local-the-franchise-marketing-tension-no-one-talks-about/
Last updated: 2026-06-10T20:52:56.000Z
**Originally published by Response Labs. Reprinted with permission.**

**If you’re running marketing for a QSR or multi-unit brand, you know the “Co-op tension” all too well.** Corporate has a beautiful, unified vision for the brand. The regional stakeholders, however, have a very different question: “I’m contributing to this marketing fund — exactly how many people walked into MY stores because of it?”

It’s a classic tug-of-war. If you give the local teams too much control, the brand becomes a fragmented mess of rogue creative and inefficient spending. If you keep too much control at the Corporate level, the local teams feel ignored and start questioning the value of the national strategy.

At [Response Labs](https://www.responselabs.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), we’ve spent countless hours working through that tension with our franchise clients. Being in this conduit place, we have learned the secret to connecting corporate vision to localized execution — it isn’t about just scaling, but building trust within each market.

**Building Trust Through Data Visibility**  
Our role isn’t just to buy media, it’s to be the strategic alignment of vision, localized impact, and ensuring results on all levels. Our focus point of any strategy is transparency in reporting — being able to translate the impact on a local level creates a foundation of trust. Trust that is seen, felt, and communicated across the organization.

Instead of keeping data at a corporate level and producing network wide results, we go deeper — connecting the CMO’s high-level goals to the regional stakeholders’ bottom line. We handle the heavy lifting of execution and reporting so Corporate can stay focused on the big picture, and the local markets can see exactly how their pooled dollars are moving the needle in their specific DMA.

**A Structured Transition: The First 60 Days**  
You can’t fix a fragmented media system overnight, but you can do it in about two months with the right roadmap:

- **Phase 1: System-Wide Alignment**
  - We sit down with the team to align on the vision. What are the rules? How do we balance national reach with local impact? We work directly with multiple levels of the organization to create alignment on what success looks like and how it will be measured.
- **Phase 2: Regional Deep Dives**
  - Every market is different. You can’t treat a rural Co-op with two locations the same way you treat a 50-unit metropolitan powerhouse. We group locations into strategic cohorts based on their actual market maturity, creating regional plans that feel custom but stay on-brand.
- **Phase 3: Execution Launch**
  - This is where we deploy media buying, moving from theory to real-world results. By activating first party data to drive marketing channels, every step of execution is fully transparent and owned by the client.

**Proof in Practice: The FCI Brand Plan**  
We put this exact philosophy to work when we launched the Brand Plan for Floor Coverings International (FCI). It was a massive undertaking that required high-level brand storytelling, but the real challenge was the reporting at the Co-op level.

By building a structured media framework, we didn’t just boost brand awareness – we gave the Co-ops the transparency they’d been craving. We proved that when you have the right infrastructure, you don’t have to choose between a strong national brand and happy local stakeholders. You can have both.

*Read the full*[ *FCI Case Study here*](https://www.responselabs.com/case-study-fci-brand-awareness/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**The Next Level: Solving for Complex Scaling**  
While the strategy we used for FCI works excellent for many, some brands face even more unique hurdles – specifically around high-volume location counts, hyper-local billing requirements, or the need for local managers to have self-service ad tools.

In those cases, we explore Local Store Marketing (LSM) platforms like Adplorer. These tools act as a brand safety net where Corporate provides the approved creative, but the platform handles the complex logistics of localized media buys and split-billing across hundreds of locations. Whether it’s through a custom-managed approach or a specialized platform, the goal remains the same: total brand control with total local visibility.

**Making It Matter**  
In the end, “Making Every Message Matter” applies to your internal stakeholders just as much as your customers. When your media strategy is functional, transparent, and scalable, everyone wins.

**Tired of the internal friction?**  
Let’s talk about how we can help you streamline your media. Explore our [Paid Media Management services](https://www.responselabs.com/paid-media/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) to see how we help multi-unit brands scale with precision.

**This article was originally published by Response Labs and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here:** https://www.responselabs.com/2026/04/franchise-marketing-corporate-vs-local-strategy/
### NPR adds media and technology exec Nadine Zylstra as Chief Content Officer
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/npr-adds-media-and-technology-exec-nadine-zylstra-as-chief-content-officer/
Last updated: 2026-06-09T16:13:08.000Z
**D.C.-based NPR selected veteran media and technology executive Nadine Zylstra as its Chief Content Officer,** giving her responsibility for shaping the organization’s editorial and content strategy at a time of significant change across the media industry, reports [Inside Radio.](https://www.insideradio.com/free/npr-appoints-nadine-zylstra-as-chief-content-officer/article%5Fc25f8873-2cdb-4236-8bdb-c6d7637cd21e.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

Zylstra joins NPR from Pinterest, where she served as Global Head of Programming and Originals. She will oversee a content organization of more than 600 journalists, producers and storytellers spanning news, podcasts, arts and cultural programming, and NPR Music.

Announcing the appointment states Inside Radio, NPR President and CEO **Katherine Maher** said the organization was seeking a leader capable of balancing NPR’s public service mission with the demands of an increasingly fragmented media environment.

“To meet the evolving needs of our audiences, we knew we needed a visionary leader who understands both the responsibility of our public service mission and the dynamic strategies required to serve audiences in a crowded ecosystem,” Maher said. She described Zylstra as bringing a combination of creative vision, business expertise and commitment to mission-driven storytelling.

Zylstra said her career has prepared her for the role through experiences in educational media, digital platforms and content businesses.

“I am honored to serve NPR as its new Chief Content Officer,” she said. “I feel like I have been in training for this role my whole career.”
### Agency Updates: Ruder Finn, Merrick Creative and LUNA+EISENLA
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/agency-updates-ruder-finn-merrick-creative-and-lunaeisenla/
Last updated: 2026-06-09T21:02:03.000Z
[**Ruder Finn**](https://ruderfinn.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **expands its energy, utility and infrastructure practice following the hire of Patrick Hefflinger,** a former U.S. Department of Energy official who served in the Office of Environmental Management. The move, states a release, strengthens Ruder Finn’s ability to support companies advancing next-generation energy technologies, including nuclear, geothermal, fusion, and other emerging solutions critical to meeting rising energy demand. “Energy, utility and infrastructure companies are navigating a defining moment, as rising demand, new technologies and complex public expectations are shaping how major projects move forward,” said **Monica Marshall,** head of Ruder Finn’s D.C. office. “Communications that explain the value and benefits, address concerns and engage stakeholders are critical to building the support needed for adoption.”

**Stephanie Orton Lynch joins** [**Merrick Creative**](https://merrickcreative.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **as Chief Growth Officer,** where, states a release, she will lead revenue growth, drive new business, expand client partnerships, identify market opportunities, and serve as a strategic advisor, aligning creative and marketing solutions with client business goals. Lynch, in photo, brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience with creative and marketing agencies, real estate, hospitality, and retail sectors. She has held senior leadership roles for Nordstrom, Hines, The Greenbrier Resort, and, most recently, Tri Pointe Homes. According to the release, her blend of brand-side and agency experience “makes her uniquely positioned to drive strategic growth while serving as a trusted advisor to clients navigating complex business challenges.”

[**LUNA+EISENLA**](https://www.lunaeisenla.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **is featured in a** [**USA Today Small Business Month supplement**](https://issuu.com/mediaplanet%5Fusa/docs/small%5Fbusiness%5Fmonth?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) for adopting AI in its work. The piece – **Four Principles for Your Small Business to Thrive in the AI Era –** includes a spotlight on the firm which, states the agency’s website, is expanding its digital, AI-driven, and targeting capabilities “to meet the demands of a faster, more complex communications environment.”
### New Streaming Platform Expands Global Access to Business, Finance, Politics, Sports & Entertainment Programming
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/new-streaming-platform-expands-global-access-to-business-finance-politics-sports-entertainment-programming/
Last updated: 2026-06-07T15:17:00.000Z
**CrossCheck Media Inc., the media company behind Biz Talk Today TV (BTT),** launched the **Biz Talk Today TV app** that’s available for download on both Apple and Android devices worldwide. According to a release, the app delivers live and on-demand access to BTT’s premium television programming “focused on business, investing, economics, politics, law, sports betting, artificial intelligence and pop culture.

“As consumer viewing habits continue shifting toward digital streaming platforms, the Biz Talk Today TV app provides audiences with direct access to high-quality, engaging content anytime and anywhere. The app further strengthens CrossCheck Media’s expanding global footprint across streaming television, podcasts, and digital publishing.

“The Biz Talk Today TV platform features a diverse lineup of original programs hosted by prominent market strategists, economists, media personalities, sports analysts, and business leaders. Popular shows include *The Money Path*, *Financial Compass*, *Hatfield Economics*, *Wayve Wire*, *Power Hour*, *Buy Hold Sell*, and *Madden On The Line*.”

“Consumers want instant access to credible information, compelling personalities, and dynamic conversations — and that’s exactly what BTT delivers,” said **Todd M. Schoenberger,** Chief Executive Officer of CrossCheck Media Inc.

The app allows viewers to stream live broadcasts, watch archived interviews and market analysis, and stay connected to breaking financial and business news in real time. Programming, states the release, is designed to appeal to investors, entrepreneurs, business professionals, sports enthusiasts, and consumers seeking thoughtful commentary and engaging discussions on today’s important topics.

In addition to mobile access on Apple and Android devices, Biz Talk Today TV content is also available across major connected television platforms, including AppleTV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung TV, and additional streaming services.

CrossCheck Media, states the release, “continues to aggressively expand its media ecosystem through strategic growth across video streaming, audio podcasts, and digital publishing initiatives, including *The American Wealth Brief* and other financial media properties.”
### AI Reshaping Journalism and PR: Francesco Marconi on Surviving ‘Machine Consumption’
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/ai-reshaping-journalism-and-pr-francesco-marconi-on-surviving-machine-consumption/
Last updated: 2026-06-09T15:13:32.000Z
**This article was originally published by Newsmatics and is reprinted here with permission.**

[**By Issac Morgan**](https://substack.com/@issac123?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

***Francesco Marconi, an early AI newsroom pioneer, explains how artificial intelligence*** 
***is transforming journalism and PR. He also outlines why communicators must structure content*** 
***for AI systems that now read and rank information before humans.***

**Newsrooms are increasingly embracing large language models (LLMs) to streamline production, support reporting, and reshape how journalists work.**

One pioneer who worked at major news outlets led early efforts to [integrate artificial intelligence](https://substack.einpresswire.com/p/press-release-distribution-terms?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) into editorial workflows, helping lay the foundation for how generative AI is used in [modern journalism](https://substack.einpresswire.com/p/journalism-isnt-dead-it-evolved?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Francesco Marconi, a computational journalist who founded [AppliedXL](https://www.appliedxl.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), helped The [Associated Press](https://www.ap.org/media-center/press-releases/2024/ap-appliedxl-to-deliver-ai-powered-news-tips-to-local-newsrooms/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and The Wall Street Journal bring AI into their editorial processes before these tools went mainstream.

So has AI use in the newsroom become the norm?

Recent [global surveys](https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/products/how-ai-is-generating-change-in-newsrooms-worldwide/?utm%5Fsource=copilot.com) show that a strong majority of news organizations have already experimented with generative AI tools for tasks such as transcription, summarization, data handling and drafting.

About 73% of those news organizations said AI platforms such as ChatGPT present new opportunities in the journalism industry.

But AI is not only being used as a tool in newsrooms. It is also reading content and deciding what gets surfaced online.

In fact, humans are often second in line when it comes to reading online content like press releases, Marconi said in an exclusive interview with [EIN Presswire](https://www.einpresswire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

That’s why Marconi says communicators should structure content with the most helpful information at the top — for what he describes as the first reader: AI systems. He expands on that subject later in the interview.

Speaking at events and on podcasts, Marconi continues to share how he has helped spearhead AI-driven newsroom tools.

Some of those innovations include automated systems that generate routine, data-based stories such as earnings updates and sports results, and machine-learning models that identify trends in large datasets.

He’s also known for leading early experiments in AI‑assisted reporting.

Still, Marconi maintains that AI should augment journalists, not replace them, by handling routine tasks so reporters can focus on deeper, more investigative work.

Today he leads AppliedXL, a company built on the idea that early signals in public data can be detected long before they become news. Its clients include Bloomberg, Dow Jones, Washington Post Intelligence and more.

His career — spanning newsroom R&D labs, MIT Media Lab research, and books on AI in journalism — has made him one of the most influential voices on AI in modern journalism.

EIN Presswire caught up with Marconi to further explore how AI is reshaping the news industry, why machines are now reading content before humans, and how communicators can “survive machine consumption” by writing structured content.

**Q: How did your time at The Wall Street Journal and the Associated Press shape your views on AI and the future of news?**

At the AP, we were generating thousands of earnings stories a month from structured data before most newsrooms had a coherent AI strategy. Not as an experiment, as production infrastructure.

At the Journal, we took a step further to build data mining and event detection tools that monitored massive troves of data from regulatory fillings, transcripts and press releases to find signals and break stories against the competition.

What that work made clear is that the constraint in journalism has never been writing. It’s knowing what to look for, in which data, at what moment. The harder problem is encoding that judgment, the investigative instinct, the research discipline, the sourcing logic, into systems that can apply it at scale. That’s what we do at AppliedXL. We turn the insight of journalists and domain experts into AI that can run those same steps across millions of data points continuously. The outcome is detection. Signals that would take a team of researchers weeks to surface, found in seconds, before they become headlines. We’ve [benchmarked](https://appliedxl.com/appliedxl-vs-claude-chatgpt-perplexity-biopharma?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) this directly against the leading general-purpose AI systems. General-purpose models produce complete responses. They do not produce high-signal ones. That’s the difference between a system trained on everything and a system built to know one domain deeply.

**Q: You recently wrote that AI agents are becoming the primary consumers of news. What does that mean?**

Most news is still produced as if a human will read it first. Increasingly, that’s not true. For every human a bot sends to a publisher, that bot has already read the publisher’s work up to 70,000 times. The machine isn’t a distribution channel. It’s the primary audience. And it reads differently. A 2,000-word article is less accurate than a 200-word list of facts if the audience is an AI. Agents don’t read. They retrieve fragments and discard the rest. Every sentence that isn’t a clean, extractable claim is noise the machine uses to mis-rank and mis-summarize the source. Narrative flow is exactly what breaks the pipeline. Organizations that understand this early have a structural advantage. The ones that don’t will find their content readable but not usable.

**Q: You’ve introduced the concept of “pre-news.” How would you explain that idea to communications professionals in simple terms?**

Before a story runs, there’s a data trail. A clinical trial registry update. A regulatory filing. A carbon credit issuance. These are public records, just not yet news, because no journalist has connected them to a narrative. The gap between when that signal appears and when it becomes a headline can be hours, days, sometimes weeks.

And it goes beyond detection. We build risk scores and prediction models on top of those signals. Our clinical trial [prediction model](https://appliedxl.com/research/clinical-trial-prediction?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) calls trial outcomes with 88% directional accuracy, higher than any peer-reviewed model in the literature. That’s what happens when you encode genuine domain expertise into the system rather than applying a general-purpose tool to specialized data.

**Q: Your company works heavily with public data and signal detection. How can that help communications teams or agencies today?**

Some of the most sophisticated investors and hedge funds have been doing this for years. Mining regulatory filings, tracking activity patterns in job postings, running linguistic analysis on public disclosures to find risk signals and decode what companies are actually doing versus what they’re saying. That infrastructure exists. It’s being used on your clients right now.

Between 50 and 70 percent of S&P 500 companies in healthcare, energy, utilities and other regulated sectors have material signals sitting in public data right now that their own IR and communications teams aren’t seeing. Not because the data doesn’t exist, but because accessing it requires the right infrastructure. Hedge funds built that infrastructure years ago. Most corporate communications teams are still working without it. We give them access to the same types of signals, the same patterns sophisticated market participants are already reading, so they can walk into any conversation knowing what the data already says about them.

**Q: As AI systems increasingly scan press releases, filings and online content before humans do, how should communicators adapt?**

Structure matters more than prose now. A material fact buried in paragraph six may never get weighted correctly by an automated system. Putting the most important signal at the top, with precision and not marketing language, has always been good practice. Now it has operational consequences.

The deeper shift is about what information needs to become. To survive machine consumption, content needs to be atomic, structured, and retrievable. Not just the facts, but the context that tells the machine what the facts mean. Ontologies. Structured claims. Instructions an agent can follow without distorting the source. Almost none of what gets published today is built that way. The communicators who figure it out first will have a significant advantage over those still optimizing for human readers who may no longer be first in line.

**Q: You’ve said the “signal before the story” may become more valuable than the story itself. What does that mean for journalism and media companies?**

Every era of media gets defined by what it monetizes. Print monetized distribution. Digital monetized data. Social monetized attention. The next era will monetize truth, because demand for it is about to outstrip supply by orders of magnitude.

AI-generated content went from roughly 7 percent of new web articles in 2022 to over 50 percent today. At the same time, US newsrooms have lost roughly half their journalists since 2008\. The investigative desks, the regulatory beat reporters, the people whose job was to say “this is true and here is why” have been cut, consolidated, or eliminated. The supply of things to verify has exploded in three years. The workforce capable of verifying them has been shrinking for fifteen.

That asymmetry has a price. A market trading on unverified information misprices risk. A court admitting it as evidence reaches the wrong outcome. A clinical decision shaped by it harms a patient. No hiring wave closes that gap. The math doesn’t work.

Meanwhile, Google is already deciding which information surfaces. OpenAI is deciding what counts as a credible source. None of them have editors. None of them issue corrections. What’s true is becoming an engineering decision. A century of journalism built the infrastructure to verify truth. Nobody has figured out how to sell it at the speed it’s now needed. That’s the market that’s opening up.

**Q: What skills do you believe journalists, PR professionals and communicators will need most in an AI-driven industry?**

Data literacy, not programming, but the ability to read a database, parse a filing, know where primary sources live before they enter the news cycle. Domain depth, because generalist skills are being commoditized faster than specialist knowledge. A communications professional who genuinely understands pharmaceutical regulation or carbon markets is not interchangeable with a general-purpose tool.

It also helps to understand which kind of journalism you’re in. There are two. The first is utility journalism: information whose job is to inform decisions. For that kind, the article is increasingly the wrong container. The machine retrieves fragments and discards narrative. Structure is everything. The second is community journalism, news you feel, identity, belonging, storytelling as the product rather than the packaging. That one doesn’t need to change. The professionals who struggle most in the next few years will be the ones who haven’t figured out which of those two they’re actually doing.

**This article was originally published by Newsmatics and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://substack.einpresswire.com/p/ai-is-reshaping-journalism-and-pr**
### RP3 Expands Leadership Team with Five Strategic Hires
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/rp3-expands-leadership-team-with-five-strategic-hires/
Last updated: 2026-06-07T15:21:15.000Z
**​**[**RP3** ](https://lbbonline.com/companies/RP3-Agency-1?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**added five team members across strategy, creative, account leadership and talent,** reinforcing, states RP3, “the agency’s commitment to delivering wildly original work powered by deep insight, cultural relevance and a thriving internal culture.”

Joining the agency are [Amy Hubbell](https://lbbonline.com/people/Amy-Hubbell?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) as head of strategy, [Lee Taylor, ](https://lbbonline.com/people/lee-taylor?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)as creative director of art, **Charlie Kuhn** as associate creative director of copy, **Kath Fidler** as head of talent and culture, and **Julia Rhodes** as account supervisor. Together, they bring decades of experience across top agencies, global brands and culture‑shaping organisations.

According to the agency, Hubbell, RP3’s head of strategy, brings a rare blend of intelligence, intuition, and cultural curiosity. In her new role, she is responsible for elevating strategic thinking across work streams, partnering closely with **Laura Thomas**, chief strategy officer, to work across some of the agency’s largest brands, including Atlantic Union Bank and NOVA Community College. Hubbell previously served as director of intelligence and the Brand Joy Lab at [PETERMAYER](https://lbbonline.com/companies/petermayer/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), where she built the agency’s insights engine and shaped strategy for brands including the Kennedy Space Center, The National WWII Museum, Quantum Fiber and Visa.

On the creative side, Taylor joins as creative director of art, bringing award‑winning experience from PETERMAYER, Curiosity, and top independent shops nationwide. Known for culturally resonant work for the NFL, Louisiana Tourism, Zatarain’s, Brooks Running and more, she will work closely with [Tuesday Poliak](https://lbbonline.com/people/tuesday-poliak?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), chief creative officer, to continue elevating RP3’s creative output and help clients achieve extraordinary results.

According to the agency, Taylor will also partner closely with Kuhn, RP3’s new associate creative director of copy, whose experience spans major agencies, including [The Martin Agency](https://lbbonline.com/companies/the-martin-agency/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), [Fallon Worldwide](https://lbbonline.com/companies/fallon/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and a robust freelance career. An award-winning copywriter, Kuhn is dedicated to raising the creative bar and will contribute across a number of clients at RP3, such as Atlantic Union Bank, NOVA and Marriott.

To support RP3’s next phase of growth, Fidler joins as head of talent and culture, reporting directly to founder and CEO **Beth Johnson**. Fidler previously led people operations at [BBDO Atlanta](https://lbbonline.com/companies/bbdo-atlanta/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and served as HR director at Floyd County Productions. She will champion culture, inclusion, talent development and the operational backbone that enables creative excellence.

Rounding out the new hires is Rhodes, who joins as account supervisor on NOVA. Rhodes brings experience from [AMP Agency](https://lbbonline.com/companies/amp-agency?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and The Martin Agency, where she supported clients including BFGoodrich, J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, TIAA, and Penske.

“Each of these hires brings a spark that makes our agency better; not just in the work we create, but in the way we show up for one another,” said **Beth Johnson**, founder and CEO, RP3\. “RP3 has always been about people with heart, curiosity and courage, and Amy, Lee, Charlie, Kath and Julia embody that completely. I’m grateful they chose us, and I can’t wait to see the impact they’ll have on our teams and our clients.”
### The Trust Stack: AI, narrative authority and content authentication breakfast roundtable set for June 9
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-trust-stack-ai-narrative-authority-and-content-authentication-breakfast-roundtable/
Last updated: 2026-06-09T15:12:18.000Z
**Generative AI has made it easier to create deepfakes and shadow content,** while at the same time AI-discovery is increasingly important to what stakeholders know about organizations.

Join senior communications and public affairs leaders for a panel discussion followed by a Q&A on building and defending narrative authority; content authentication; AI, and strategies to respond to the changing technology landscape. *(Learn more about the discussion topic in this* [*CommPRO article.*](https://www.commpro.biz/news/the-trust-stack-and-the-future-of-trust-in-the-ai-era?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)*)*

#### Breakfast Roundtable

- Tuesday, June 9, 2026
- 8:00 – 9:30 AM
- APCO,1299 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C., 20004
- [**REGISTRATION HERE**](https://www.commpro.biz/events/the-trust-stack-ai-narrative-authority-and-content-authentication?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

#### **David Sánchez Carmona*, AI Lead, APCO*

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/dsanchez-150x150.webp)

David Sánchez Carmona leverages artificial intelligence to create a strategic business advantage. As director of AI & intelligence business solutions in [APCO](https://apcoworldwide.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)’s Washington, D.C. office and a member of the AICommsLab, he brings two decades of expertise spanning APCO’s full-service portfolio—from public affairs and regulatory strategy to crisis management and strategic communications. David architects both internal AI capabilities and client solutions, including contributions to APCO’s AI platform Margy, with implementations in decision support, regulatory risk analysis, reputation intelligence and crisis management. His focus on data source procurement, generative AI and agentic AI planning powers APCO’s most advanced research capabilities across policy analysis, regulatory assessment, crisis scenarios and real-time news intelligence. Operating from the principle that “AI Strategy is the product, but data is king” he positions artificial intelligence as the core strategic differentiator—not merely a tool—for organizational transformation.

#### **Santiago Lyon*, Head of Advocacy & Education, Content Authenticity Initiative/Adobe*

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/Santiago_headshot-150x150.webp)

Santiago Lyon is the Head of Advocacy and Education for the Adobe-led [**Content Authenticity Initiative**](https://contentauthenticity.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), working to combat misinformation through digital content provenance. He has more than 35 years of experience in photography as an award-winning photojournalist, photo editor, media executive and educator. As a photographer for Reuters and the Associated Press he won multiple photojournalism awards for his coverage of conflicts around the globe between 1989-1999.

In 2003/2004 he was a Nieman Fellow in journalism at Harvard University before being named VP/Director of Photography at the Associated Press, a position he held until 2016\. Under his direction the AP won three Pulitzer Prizes for photography as well as multiple other major photojournalism awards around the world. He was Chair of the Jury for the 2013 World Press Photo contest. Lyon serves on the board of directors of the Eddie Adams Workshop and the advisory board of the VII Foundation. He also teaches regularly at the International Center of Photography in New York.

#### **Simon Erskine Locke*, Cofounder and CEO of Tauth Labs*

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/SimonLocke-150x150.webp)

Simon Erskine Locke is co-founder and CEO of [Tauth Labs](http://www.tauth.io/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), which develops and implements C2PA-based tools to authenticate and verify the provenance of digital content for the communications and financial services industries. He is also CEO of CommunicationsMatch™; a former head of communications at Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, and Prudential Financial; and a board member of the Foreign Press Association.
### Cary Hatch, a well-known member of the D.C. ad community, creating “People vs. Radon”
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/cary-hatch-a-well-known-member-of-the-d-c-ad-community-creating-public-awareness-coalition-called-people-vs-radon/
Last updated: 2026-06-05T18:20:19.000Z
**Cary Hatch, a well-known veteran of the D.C. ad community,** “was enjoying retirement after years as a marketing strategist in D.C. Then, she got diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer, [reports WTOP’s **Neal Augenstein.**](https://wtop.com/dc/2026/06/survivor-advocate-inexpensive-radon-test-can-head-off-lifelong-lung-cancer-battle/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

Augenstein states that with one-pill-a-day targeted therapy, “her EGFR-mutated lung cancer is “in check.”

“Now, she’s raising awareness about radon, which is [the No. 1 cause of lung cancer in people who don’t smoke](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10760439/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and the No. 2 cause overall, according to the National Institutes of Health.”

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/Hatch-radon-copy.jpg)

“I didn’t see this one coming at all,” Hatch said; she had no symptoms. After her diagnosis in 2024, she and her husband bought an inexpensive radon monitoring kit. It came back with double the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended safe threshold.

“Many people don’t know it’s a radioactive gas that’s naturally occurring,” said Hatch, making it “tricky because you can’t see it, smell it or taste it — but you can test for it, inexpensively and easily.”

##### Augenstein reports the following:

Hatch is pulling together a public awareness coalition, called “People vs. Radon,” in an effort to make radon testing as routine as changing the batteries in a smoke detector.

Radon testing kits are available at hardware stores, and are often provided free by jurisdictions, Hatch said.

“You put it in the lowest part of your home, most likely in a basement or the lowest level, close to the slab,” she said. Even in an apartment building, Hatch said, “I would encourage people to do testing, just to make sure.”

Depending upon the test, after a period of time “you’ll get a reading, and if your home levels are over four, you definitely want to have that eradicated in a way that can make your air safe again, because you’re breathing radioactive gas, potentially,” Hatch said.

After living in her current home for 25 years, she had a reading of 8 picocuries per liter, [twice the EPA threshold](https://www.epa.gov/radon/what-epas-action-level-radon-and-what-does-it-mean?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

“You have to have a certified examiner come in and look at your home to see where this could be coming from,” Hatch said. “This gas can come in through any avenue — it could be cracks in your foundation, it could be through plumbing, there’s gas that comes out in your shower water.”

If a home tests high for radon, Hatch said mitigation in the D.C. area costs between $800 and $1,500 — a fraction of the human and financial cost of a late-stage lung cancer diagnosis.

Hatch recommends going to an online resource,[ The EPA Map of Radon Zones,](https://www.epa.gov/radon/epa-map-radon-zones?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and consulting your jurisdiction “to see a map with the hot spots.”

The [National Cancer Institute](https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/radon?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and [American Cancer Society](https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/radiation-exposure/radon.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) also provide resources about radon.

“Get a test kit,” Hatch said. “You have to test your home in a way that allows you to take action.”

MAIN PHOTO; Hatch photo by Cade Martin.
### News4 meteorologist Clay Anderson retires
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/news4-meteorologist-clay-anderson-retires/
Last updated: 2026-06-03T10:58:11.000Z
**NBC4 meteorologist Clay Anderson is retiring after 27 years with the station**. Anderson joined **NBC4** in 1999 and has been a familiar face on the station’s weather team ever since, reports [DCRTV.](https://dcrtv.com/clay-anderson-signs-off-after-27-years-at-nbc4/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

Anderson told viewers he plans to spend more time traveling and hopes to finish work on a weather-related book he has been writing. As part of the sendoff, Anderson was presented with **Pat Collins**‘ iconic weather stick, signed by members of the weather team. Anderson’s family also briefly joined him on set, states DCRTV.
### Yes& Expands AI and Innovation Capabilities with Promotion of Two Key Executives
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/yes-expands-ai-and-innovation-capabilities-with-promotion-of-two-key-executives/
Last updated: 2026-06-03T00:58:40.000Z
[**Yes&**](https://yesandagency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **has promoted Chrissie Koeppen to Senior VP, Innovation, and Beth Yezzi to Senior VP, Digital,** reflecting the agency’s expanded focus on AI, digital strategy and integrated innovation.

The promotions support a broader push to strengthen capabilities across the agency and help clients navigate increasingly complex marketing and technology challenges. Together, Koeppen and Yezzi will lead efforts that connect creativity, emerging technology and audience experience in ways that keep Yes& collaborative, agile and future-focused.

Koeppen brings more than 20 years of experience turning customer insights and business goals into strategies that drive measurable results. At Yes&, she leads the teams behind AI search, lifecycle marketing, digital transformation spanning digital and content strategy, UX and CRO, as well as data and analytics, integrating these disciplines to help clients navigate increasingly complex marketing and technology challenges and turn emerging tech, audience insight and storytelling into growth.

“I’ve always believed the best strategies live at the intersection of data and humanity — what the numbers tell you and what people actually need. The clients we work with don’t need more disconnected tools; they need integrated thinking that turns complexity into clarity,” said Koeppen, Senior VP, Innovation at Yes&. “In this role, I get to bring AI, content, and analytics together as one connected way to grow. That’s what innovation looks like to me — meaningful work that drives real results.”

Yezzi has more than 20 years of experience across website redesigns, system implementations, online campaigns, ecommerce, custom CRM implementations and SEO, with a focus on enterprise-level digital transformations. At Yes&, she designed and leads the AI Council, where AI-driven workflows boost quality and speed across research, strategy, creative, development, media, analytics and operations.

Under her leadership, AI adoption across the agency has grown from roughly 30% to nearly 100%, cutting time spent on repetitive tasks by more than 50% and redirecting that capacity into strategy, faster turnarounds and creative work for clients.

“Our clients are navigating more change in a single quarter than they used to face in a year. My job — and the job of the teams I work with — is to make sure technology, especially AI, actually serves the people using it. When we get that right, digital stops being a deliverable and starts being a real competitive advantage for the brands we partner with,” said Yezzi, Senior VP, Digital at Yes&.

“Chrissie and Beth each bring a powerful combination of strategic thinking, digital expertise and operational leadership to Yes&,” said **Zihla Salinas,** CEO of Yes&. “Their ability to connect emerging technology, client needs and integrated marketing capabilities continues to strengthen how we serve clients across industries and positions the agency for continued growth.”

Serving clients nationwide, Yes& maintains hubs in Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Chicago. The agency delivers “positivity + possibility” through capabilities including branding, digital, analytics, media, advertising, customer experience, market research, content development, studio services, event production, crisis communications, media training and public relations. Clients include Mercedes-Benz, Google, Smithsonian Institution, FEMA, Disney and the U.S. State Department.
### Washington Post to “chop” roughly half its downtown D.C. office footprint, states hoodline
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/washington-post-to-chop-roughly-half-its-downtown-d-c-office-footprint-states-hoodline/
Last updated: 2026-06-01T21:24:18.000Z
**The Washington Post is getting ready to chop roughly half of its downtown Washington, D.C., office footprint** at One Franklin Square, reshaping its headquarters around a much smaller staff, reports [hoodline.](https://hoodline.com/2026/05/washington-post-slashes-k-street-footprint-halves-downtown-office-space/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

The potential giveback, continues hoodline, “would unlock big chunks of prime K Street space just off Franklin Square Park, following months of budget tightening and staff reductions that have sharply cut the company’s on-site headcount.

“As reported by [CoStar](https://www.costar.com/article/2077173067/washington-post-adjusts-to-shrinking-head-count-with-plans-to-shed-half-of-dc-office-space?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), the Post is looking to surrender roughly half of the space it currently occupies at One Franklin Square. A separate [CoStar](https://www.costar.com/article/1054091157/washington-post-signs-300000-square-foot-office-lease-extension?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) story from 2024 noted the company had recommitted to about 300,000 square feet at the property, a footprint that historically represented roughly half the 12-story tower.”

The planned space reduction, continues hoodline, “follows sweeping layoffs announced in February that cut roughly one-third of the company’s staff, [Axios](https://www.axios.com/2026/02/04/washington-post-layoffs?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) reported. The restructuring came alongside leadership turnover, with publisher Will Lewis resigning days after the cuts, [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/washington-post-publisher-will-lewis-resigns-mass-layoffs/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) reported, leaving the organization to rethink how much in-person real estate it really needs.”
### Capitol Communicators: Profile of Kelli Parsons, Chief Executive Officer, Avoq
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-kelli-parsons-chief-executive-officer-avoq/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:29.000Z
***Capitol Communicators is a profile series spotlighting the people shaping the present*** 
***and future of advertising, digital, marketing and public relations in the Mid-Atlantic.*** 
***This profile features Kelli Parsons.***

**When** [**Avoq**](https://teamavoq.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **– a firm created by a series of strategic mergers, equity investment and expansion – looked to its future,** they searched for a leader who could drive national and international growth in a tumultuous political and economic climate. [Kelli Parsons](https://teamavoq.com/news/avoq-names-kelli-parsons-as-chief-executive-officer/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) was appointed CEO and board member in February 2026\. 

Parsons, who was global CEO of [Hill & Knowlton](https://hillandknowlton.com/?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) before joining Avoq, brings a wide range of career and life experience to her new role. She was raised on a family farm in Kentucky and credits her parents with teaching her the values that still guide her leadership today: solve problems, work hard, be dependable, and put people first.

Her professional journey began as a television reporter – where speed, decisiveness, and the ability to master complex issues quickly are essential. She transitioned into public relations and corporate communications; served as CCO for Fannie Mae during the housing market crash and financial crisis of 2008 and in senior leadership roles at Fortune 50 companies; and steered Hill & Knowlton through structural evolution. 

Avoq’s lineage includes decades of strategic mergers of firms founded by influential political and communications leaders including [Dan Sallick](https://teamavoq.com/people/dan-sallick/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), [Paul Frick](https://teamavoq.com/people/paul-frick/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), [Steve Elmendorf](https://teamavoq.com/people/steve-elmendorf/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), [Jimmy Ryan](https://teamavoq.com/people/jimmy-ryan/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and [Eric Sedler](https://teamavoq.com/people/eric-sedler/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), and is a portfolio company of equity investors [ Coral Tree Partners](https://www.coraltreelp.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). Clients include The Blackstone Group, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Delta Air Lines, Exelon, Google, Johns Hopkins University, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

2026 begins a remarkable chapter in her career. In February, she became CEO of Avoq. In March, she received the [Integrity in Public Communication Award](https://pagecenter.psu.edu/awards/2026-page-center-awards?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) from the Arthur W. Page Center, and she was also named a Distinguished Mentor by the [Martin Center](https://charleston.edu/martin-center/mentoring-awards.php?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) at the College of Charleston. 

Parsons says her farming roots taught her the value of hard work and resilience. Her corporate leadership experiences reinforced the importance of decisiveness – as she puts it, “tough decisions don’t age well.” She believes the strongest teams are built by hiring people talented enough that you would gladly work for them someday. She values the cultural experiences gained from travel, having visited every state and six continents. And throughout her career, she says she has been guided by a simple but powerful question: What do you want to be known for?

**Kelli, please tell us about yourself.**

I bring deep experience driving growth, innovation and operational excellence to my role as CEO if Avoq. As a business, corporate affairs and marketing leader, I align and mobilize strategy across organizations and among stakeholders. I advise clients on reputation and resiliency, corporate and financial communication, regulatory and public affairs, litigation, business transformation, and brand equity. 

During a decade as chief communication and marketing officer for Fortune 50 companies, I focused on value creation and protection during business and cultural transformations. 

I’m also actively involved in the development of our profession’s future leaders. I’m the immediate past chair of the Page board of trustees and a trustee of the Institute for Public Relations.

An avid traveler who has visited all 50 states, my husband Scott and I enjoy hiking the world’s peaks and valleys, watching a sunset at the beach and cheering for our hometown Kentucky Wildcats. I aspire to one day be good at golf. 

**Tell us about your new role and what you’re looking forward to.**

At Avoq, we aspire to be our clients’ most trusted strategic and creative partner and our colleagues’ most trusted teammate. I work with extraordinary people. My job is to inspire our people to do their best work. To equip them to be wildly successful together by delivering outcomes for our clients. 

**Avoq is a firm that has evolved, from the founders’ start up roots, mergers, and strategic changes. Given the constant change in our industry, and world, what are your plans for the future of the firm?**

We will continue to grow by building a reputation for breakthrough work, talent and technology. Our founders built great businesses. Now, as an integrated firm, we offer several points of difference: Strategic communication integrated with in-house bipartisan government relations and in-house creative strategy and production, for example. We have the scale of a full-service national firm with focus, speed and agility. And a genuinely nice culture that unlocks performance. 

**What are the most significant changes or trends you see happening/ coming in the communications industry in 2026? How are you dealing with them?**

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the communication industry and how we serve clients. Historically, we were a talent business. Now we are a talent and technology business. At Avoq, we’re investing in an innovation engine to deliver proprietary AI-enabled solutions that help our clients create value in their companies. 

**What led you to make the transition from your first career, as a journalist, into PR?**

I was a television reporter from college through my 20s, primarily working for network affiliates from Nashville to Houston. I covered hurricane Andrew, the war in Bosnia, the 50th Anniversary of D Day in Normandy and US presidential campaigns. It was an energizing first career with highly applicable learnings. An interest in business influenced my transition – along with an interest in occasional holiday off from work.

**Your bio references “defining moments” for firms in your prior roles. Tell us more about a defining moment, and how you handled it.**

I was recruited to Fannie Mae during the financial crisis. A friend equated my move from private equity to a company in conservatorship to “jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.” It was a risk that became a defining moment. Our stellar new management team aligned around clarity of mission: Prevent foreclosures and fix lending standards. Be a reliable source for people to buy or rent a home. Pay back taxpayers and return Fannie Mae to profitability. My outstanding communication and marketing team played a critical role in value creation for our company and our country. We were also honored to be selected as PRWeek Team of the Year.

**You’ve surely had lots of big moments in your many roles. What are you most proud of?** 

I’m most proud of my people. I have created a “coaching tree” in the Communication profession. About 25 of my former team members have gone on to earn leadership roles as Chief Communication Officers or as CEOs or founders of communication firms. I’m grateful to have been a small part of their amazing careers. It all starts with my commitment to hire people I would happily work for one day. 

**The high-stakes roles you’ve had in the corporate world seem worlds away from growing up on a family farm. Any childhood lessons that you still find yourself coming back to?**

Growing up on a family farm strongly influenced who I am today. I was blessed with the best parents. They taught me to be independent and enterprising—a problem solver. Fences need to be fixed even if you don’t have all the right tools. To be dependable. Livestock needs to be fed even on a below-zero morning. To take pride in teamwork and prioritize others. Neighbors may need an assist even when you have a full agenda. I owe a debt of gratitude to my childhood farming community. 

**We’re living through a real breakdown of public trust, in institutions and among people. What do you think we can do to restore trust?** 

I deeply believe in the power of engagement, particularly engaging with people with whom we may have differences, where we hold opposing views. Show respect for differences. Listen before we assert. Find balance. I strive to ensure that I put people in the best position to excel, and to be a person willing to speak up for someone. 

**What advice helped you most in your career, and is that advice still relevant today?**

Be decisive. Many years ago, the late Howard Paster, an icon of our industry, counseled me on a necessary restructuring with this advice: Difficult decisions do not get better with age. Business transformation is a common thread through my career and Howard’s advice is proven. Effective leadership requires us to be empathetic, measured – and decisive. 

**You’ve built on that advice from Howard Paster and offer some of your own advice to aspiring and current PR professionals. You shared some of those lessons in a podcast,** [**Mindful Mentoring**](https://open.spotify.com/show/0Ns3zmwfOWK8fzZSWmq0WI?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, about your mentorship award. Let’s share them here:** 

- **Growth is in the grind**. Real development comes from doing the hard things while building business acumen.
- **Take risks**: Start small, assess the risk-reward and stay open to opportunity—even when it can be uncomfortable.
- **Be decisive:** Tough decisions don’t age well: clarity and action drive impact.
- **Earn and deliver sponsorship:** Show up, deliver excellence in everything you do and build advocates who speak up for you.
- **And one question to guide it all:** What do you want to be known for?

**Capitol Communicators** [**profiles**](https://capitolcommunicator.com/tag/profiles/) **allow you to meet** 
**some of the most interesting and insightful pros in our region, and** 
**learn how they stay ahead during a time of constant change.**
### Media war brewing in D.C., reports NY Times
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/newspaper-war-brewing-in-nations-capital-reports-ny-times/
Last updated: 2026-06-01T20:19:55.000Z
**An old-fashioned “newspaper war” is brewing in the nation’s capital,** reports [The New York Times.](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/business/media/the-washington-star-newspaper-rivalry-washington-post.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

The Washington Star, a newspaper that stopped printing more than 40 years ago, has started publishing again under the ownership of **Dovid Efune**, a media executive and publisher of The New York Sun, states The Times.

It comes just weeks after the politics site NOTUS announced [it would rebrand](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/16/business/media/notus-news-to-become-the-star.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) as The Star and expand its mission to cover local news and sports in Washington.

According to the report in The Times, “the two closely named rivals plan to take on a much more established competitor: The Washington Post, which is owned by the Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and [recently cut its staff](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/business/media/washington-post-layoffs.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) by a third.”

“We’re reviving one of the great and epic rivalries of American journalism,” Efune said in an interview. “For decades, The Star was The Washington Post’s fiercest competitor and an important editorial and ideological counterweight in the press in our nation’s capital.”

The rivalry has already reached the courts as, states The Times, “Efune filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against NOTUS for its planned use of the Star moniker.

“The Washington Star was a conservative-leaning afternoon newspaper that published for 128 years until it went into bankruptcy and [shut down](https://www.nytimes.com/1981/07/24/us/washington-star-is-to-shut-down-after-128-years.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) in 1981\. The Post snapped up The Washington Star’s former headquarters and printing presses in the bankruptcy sale.”

The new Washington Star has started [publishing on Substack](https://www.twstar.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), and Efune said that he intended to have a custom website live within the next two months and offer a weekend print newspaper by the end of the year.
### Inside the Newsroom: What Journalists Really Look for in Press Releases
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/inside-the-newsroom-what-journalists-really-look-for-in-press-releases/
Last updated: 2026-06-04T01:15:59.000Z
##### **This article was originally published by Newsmatics and is reprinted here with permission.**

### [**By Issac Morgan**](https://substack.com/@issac123?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

#### ***Editors and reporters share tips on getting media coverage*** 
***and what makes them read and reference a press release*** 
***in a busy inbox***

### **In today’s information age, news is everywhere,** from social media to websites, giving journalists countless story ideas and sources to draw from. They can quickly find breaking developments, trends, or quotes to include in their stories.

Still, one tool that has stood the test of time and that many news organizations continue to rely on is the [press release](https://substack.einpresswire.com/p/more-than-announcements-press-releases?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

These news releases often arrive as email pitches sent directly to editors, reporters and producers, or through specialized tools such as press release distribution platforms used by businesses, PR and marketing agencies, entrepreneurs and other organizations. Common tools include [EIN Presswire](https://www.einpresswire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), [Cision](https://www.cision.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), [GlobeNewswire](https://www.globenewswire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and more.

But in what has become a crowded digital media funnel, editors, reporters and other newsroom associates can receive dozens, sometimes hundreds, of press releases daily in their inboxes.

Because of strict deadlines and a constant flow of news, many journalists skim releases to quickly assess what is timely, relevant and credible before deciding whether to read further, follow up or move on.

For PR professionals, businesses, and brands, that reality raises an important question: What actually makes a press release stand out to the individuals in the media who decide what gets covered or cited?

**Earned media and AI visibility**

A press release serves many purposes. It formally announces news and gives journalists, AI systems and stakeholders something concrete to reference.

Which brings us to the elephant in the room: When a press release is sent, another major goal is earned media.

That earned coverage can take many forms — a reporter incorporating information from the release into a larger story, requesting an interview, or quoting a source. It might also include a podcast appearance, a broadcast segment, or print placement in a newspaper or magazine.

Still, the good news is that even if a press release does not generate earned media, using PR distribution services can provide other lasting benefits.

For one, news releases are often published online on multiple news platforms through distribution services that have wide-ranging media networks, such as [EIN Presswire](https://www.einpresswire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), [Cision](https://www.cision.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and others. These published clips significantly [help increase visibility](https://einpresswire.substack.com/p/press-release-distribution-terms) for a company, organization, or a brand.

And now, as [AI-powered search](https://substack.einpresswire.com/p/how-press-releases-boost-seo-and?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) tools become increasingly common, news releases can be picked up by systems such as Google’s AI Overviews and referenced in AI-generated summaries or answers, including those produced by ChatGPT.

**What editors and reporters look for in a news release**

Meanwhile, a quick Google search on how to grab the media’s attention results in plenty of general advice. But perspectives tend to be more useful when they come directly from people who have worked in newsrooms and made those decisions firsthand.

So to find out, we asked veteran editors and reporters who have covered different beats for various media outlets to [share the specific elements](https://substack.einpresswire.com/p/white-paper-what-veteran-journalists?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) they look for when reviewing press releases and deciding what to cover or reference.

Their perspectives, many of whom shared that press releases remain sources they rely on, help bridge the gap between the media and communicators.

Several themes emerged in their responses: begin with a strong lead (opening sentences), keep the story relevant, include compelling quotes or data, and do research on journalists and outlets that pitches or releases are sent to. They also flagged common missteps that can cause otherwise newsworthy announcements to be overlooked.

**1\. Local News Still Drives Coverage**

Community editors, whose small team of reporters often focus on what’s happening in the communities they serve, look for press release content that genuinely adds something to the local outlet, especially when it ties directly to local readers.

[Cheri Martin](https://www.chronicleonline.com/weeklies/wakulla%5Fnews/opinion/columns/you-are-the-wakulla-news/article%5F643322bd-83fa-51dc-ba49-b767fc9731f6.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), a former community newspaper editor at The Wakulla News and the Gadsden County Times in Florida with decades of journalism experience, said she always scanned for “press release content that truly enhanced the paper with an eye toward local connections first.”

She pointed to the difference between pushing something that feels like self promotion or advertorial content and offering real news or feature value, saying the latter is what her newspaper preferred.

Her newsroom relied on a mix of outside content, including news releases, to fill gaps in coverage, from gardening tips to home organizing advice to features on regional attractions. “All these basically saved me from paying for extra syndicated content,” she said, adding that one popular feature that “readers appreciated” was the Ringling Museum in Sarasota.

Martin said many of the features she used started as press releases about new books, including several she remembered coming through press release distribution platform [EIN Presswire](https://www.einpresswire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). Most “regional press release content” that made it into her paper came from government agencies or was tied to festivals, cultural events or business announcements with clear relevance.

But she was blunt about the limits. “It’s harder at the weekly community newspaper level unless it’s pertaining to a local event,” she said. “Resources are scarce. Even legitimate community newspaper stories were sometimes relegated to photos and information submitted by community contributors.”

As for general advice for sending news, Martin said tight writing helps, and follow up matters. A quick phone call can surface the missing angle that gets a release published. She recalled a PR rep who wanted coverage of a church’s disaster response efforts. “I said we needed a drop dead local connection and he found it for me and resubmitted.”

One more practical tip: many legitimate releases never reach editors at all. “A lot of legit press releases automatically ended in my spam filter,” she said. That’s another reason to follow up. And once an editor uses your content, Martin said it’s worth asking them to add your organization as a trusted sender.

**2\. Know the Newsroom You’re Pitching To**

One misstep that communicators sometimes make is they don’t do research before pitching a story to a particular newsroom. [Joshua Wilson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jowilms?utm%5Fsource=share&utm%5Fcampaign=share%5Fvia&utm%5Fcontent=profile&utm%5Fmedium=android%5Fapp), executive editor of [The Macon Melody](https://maconmelody.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) who serves in a leadership role for the [Georgia Trust for Local News](https://www.gtln.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), stressed the importance of this.

Wilson, who has spent two decades in community journalism, advises PR professionals to take a moment to understand what his newsroom covers and the geographic area it serves. He had a clear message for PR folks: learn the newsroom before you pitch.

“Local matters,” Wilson emphasized. “I’d venture to guess that about 75 percent of press releases or pitches I get have absolutely no relevance to what we’re doing.”

Taking time to learn the newsroom shows editors that you care about the topic and aren’t just “shopping it around for the widest distribution net possible,” said Wilson, who helped launch the [Roy Howard Community Journalism Center](https://rhcjcnews.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) at the University of Southern Mississippi and has taught journalism and media literacy courses.

Wilson noted his newsroom looks for pitches that align with their mission to provide original community or “solutions-oriented journalism.”

“If your pitch can’t translate into something that’s useful for our readers, and you can’t quickly make me understand how it could, I won’t spend a lot of time on it,” he said.

When asked whether press releases have been a good source for developing stories, Wilson said they definitely can be.

“A lot of our PR friends write beautiful copy and send a lot of assets that we can easily pick up and share online or in print,” he said. “That’s very helpful, but we strive for original reporting, which is why I value thoughtful pitches — those that are clearly oriented to our mission and coverage area — more than press releases.”

He added that personal touches in pitches “go a long way.”

Wilson said: “If it’s obvious that I’m just one peg in your press distribution machine…give us some exclusivity and pitches tailored to us, and I’m all in. You’ll have a friend for life, and that friendship will be mutually beneficial.”

**3\. Details Matter: Give Reporters the Pertinent Information**

Because of the constant flow of news, press releases can get buried in journalists’ and editors’ inboxes and in the newswires at times. Still, there are key details communicators can include to help their releases stand out.

“There are many avenues of news bombarding media outlets,” some fake or AI generated, said [Tammy Joyner](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammyjoyner/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), whose [four‑decade career](https://pro.stateaffairs.com/author/tammy?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) in journalism spans a wide range of publications, including a rare experience chatting with former President Jimmy Carter.

Often referred to as the inverted pyramid style, press releases should include the basics at the top: who, what, when, where and why, as well as how about the main subject. “A good press release includes experts who would provide both sides of the argument about the topic being promoted,” Joyner said.

Joyner, a former editor and reporter whose work has appeared in top publications such as The New York Times, said a release that grabs attention “is properly vetted,” with evidence, background and data “that help differentiate the topic being introduced.”

“I want to know how this information is different, what would the audience want to know, how would it impact their lives or more importantly, make their lives better (or worse, if the topic involves harmful issues),” she added.

She also pointed to practical details that can make or break follow‑up. A clear point of contact with a direct phone number can determine whether a newsroom reaches out for more information.

“One of my pet peeves is news releases, websites, organizations and other entities that do not provide a contact person and phone number,” Joyner said. “To me, that is a total disregard for people’s ability to have access to someone to gain more information.”

**4\. The Story Matters — and So Does Where You Send It**

You and your PR team may think the story you’re pitching is a no-brainer for grabbing a journalist’s attention, and often it is. But you still have to make the case in a way that shows it’s newsworthy and aimed at the right outlet.

There are two top elements that help a press release get picked up, one of which is making it about a truly interesting story, something actually newsy and relevant, according to [Laura Cassels](https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-cassels-b4a8223a?utm%5Fsource=share%5Fvia&utm%5Fcontent=profile&utm%5Fmedium=member%5Fandroid), a veteran Florida journalist who specializes in state politics, science and economics.

Including access to “source experts” can make a release stand out even more among the masses, she added.

“It should have data and expert quotes to demonstrate what I think of as ‘probable cause’ that the item you pitch might pan out and be worth the writer’s time,” Cassels said.

She also doubled down on an earlier point about targeting the right audience: “The other No. 1 thing is to pitch it to the right outlets. Do the work to know that the writer, editor, or outlet you’re pitching to is the kind that will care about the story you’re pitching. Otherwise, you’re wasting your time and theirs.”

Cassels has spent time on both the PR and journalism sides of the business, handling media relations for Florida’s tourism marketing organization earlier in her career. On the journalism side, she receives numerous press releases as a veteran reporter whose work can be found in the [Florida Trident](https://floridatrident.org/author/laura-cassels/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), [Florida Phoenix](https://floridaphoenix.com/author/laura-cassels/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and [Florida Trend](https://www.floridatrend.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Building relationships with the media can be rewarding, especially when you can offer “pitches that are appropriate for them, with information they can use, if not this time then maybe next time,” Cassels said.

That’s why it’s important to read a writer’s work or watch a reporter’s coverage. “Comment on it in your communications,” she said, noting that referencing their work when you email a pitch can signal you’ve done your homework.

“If you have a good story to tell, if you pitch it to the right outlet, and you offer to assist further, you might see it published in an outlet where the right readers will see it,” she said. “Offer photography and infographics.”

Cassels said a press release should make its purpose clear at a glance, with the core information up top and clean details, including “anchors so the reader can jump to the parts he or she is curious about.” She urged communicators to skip “flowery language” and focus on clarity.

She also warned against assuming that getting a release published in many places means it had a real impact. Some outlets will publish a release almost word for word, Cassels said, but that doesn’t mean it’s reaching the right audience. “Those outlets often publish anything from anybody, so yours may just be lost in the noise,” Cassels said.

**5\. Keep It Relevant to the Beat**

Politics is one of the busiest areas of coverage for many reporters, and press releases often help them track developments, spot trends, or build out larger stories.

That’s especially true when a release touches on hot‑button topics within politics, said [Mitch Perry](https://floridaphoenix.com/author/mitch-perry/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), a veteran reporter covering politics who has worked in both TV and print, including Bay News 9.

“I’m a political reporter, so I like pitches that relate to public policy issues and stories about politics and/or elections,” said Perry, now a senior reporter for the [Florida Phoenix](https://floridaphoenix.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). He noted that he also covers gun policy, the environment and other statewide issues, so releases tied to those subjects are far more likely to get his attention than something outside his beat.

Perry, who has covered politics and government in Florida for more than two decades, said the topic is the first thing he looks for — a release should connect “with something I’m familiar with.”

He added that strong quotes and a clear email subject line help a reporter quickly assess whether a pitch is worth opening. “Sometimes a reporter can be so busy that it’s great to have some quotes available right then and there,” he said.

Perry also appreciates when PR teams show they’ve done their homework. “I do get pitches by PR agents who have noticed that I have written on a particular subject, and reference that as a way to raise my interest,” Perry said.

What he doesn’t appreciate are mass‑forwarded emails blasted to every reporter in a newsroom. “I swear there are a certain number of folks who just blanket send messages to every reporter they know — regardless of what the reporter actually covers,” he said.

Still, Perry emphasized that press releases remain useful tools for political journalists. “Press releases have helped me write stories I wasn’t even thinking of, or can enhance a project I’m already working on,” Perry said. “So they are not a waste of time by any measure.”

**6\. Give Reporters What They Need to Do Their Jobs**

[John Pacenti](https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-pacenti?utm%5Fsource=share&utm%5Fcampaign=share%5Fvia&utm%5Fcontent=profile&utm%5Fmedium=android%5Fapp), an Emmy‑winning investigative journalist who has [covered South Florida](https://www.palmbeachpost.com/staff/5535867002/john-pacenti/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) for more than three decades, said the relationship between a PR representative and a reporter works best when both sides understand what the reporter needs: facts and access.

That expectation starts with the press release. “If I receive a press release that is missing critical information or doesn’t include contact details, I am suspicious of the release, the agency behind it, and the subject matter in general,” said Pacenti, who is president of First Way Communications.

A release should serve as the reporter’s “elevator pitch” — self‑contained, with all essential information and canned quotes — while still leaving room for follow‑up interviews and additional reporting.

Pacenti pointed to two similar condominium developments in Delray Beach to show how this plays out. One project provided a thorough release, responded quickly, granted a tour, and made business owners available for interviews. The other offered poor contact information, conflicting details, and no returned calls. “To this day, I still have not received any information,” he said.

The difference shaped his perception of each project. The first development “went out of their way to provide information.” The second “acted like the reporter was a bother,” which raised red flags.

“As a reporter, it makes me highly suspicious that there is something wrong with the complex,” Pacenti said. “And it all started with the news release.”

**This article was originally published by Newsmatics and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://substack.einpresswire.com/p/inside-the-newsroom-what-journalists**
### Social media may have surpassed traditional media in shaping American politics and policy, according to new study
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/social-media-may-have-surpassed-traditional-media-in-shaping-american-politics-and-policy-according-to-new-study/
Last updated: 2026-05-30T17:47:29.000Z
***More than half of Washington, D.C.’s, most influential policymakers and political professionals*** 
***believe social media has already surpassed traditional media in shaping politics and policy* *—*** 
***yet fewer than one in ten trust it, finds new study***

[**DCI**](https://www.weaskdc.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)[**and Victory Phones**](https://www.weaskdc.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **released the inaugural *We Ask DC’s* Washington, DC, Insiders’ Media Diet Survey.** According to a release, it’s a first-of-its-kind look into how the decision-makers, policy professionals and political influencers inside the Beltway consume, trust and act on information. Fielded from February to May, the survey captured 400 responses from a curated universe of D.C. Insiders.

The findings, states the release, suggest Washington’s media landscape is shifting fast. Half of all DC Insiders consume more than three hours of news daily, yet the platforms driving that consumption are the ones they trust least. Social media is gaining points in influence but losing when it comes to public trust.

“More than half of DC Insiders believe social media now outpaces traditional media in shaping politics and policy, problem is nobody trusts it,” said **Brian McCabe,** Managing Partner, DCI. “As public affairs professionals focus on leveraging influence, we have to make sure our messaging is fact-based and succinct. There’s no room for error and no time for hesitancy.”

**TOP FINDINGS**

- 53% of DC Insiders believe social media has surpassed traditional media in influencing politics and policy — only 18% say traditional media still leads
- 50+% spend more than 3 hours per day consuming news and policy content; among Insiders aged 18–35, 41% log 5 or more hours daily
- 9% trust social media most — despite 75% using it regularly. The gap between reach and credibility defines Washington’s information environment
- 67% of DC organizations use AI tools — yet only 4% express high confidence in AI accuracy for news and policy information
- 50% of Insiders say podcasts now rival or exceed traditional media in influence; 36% cite podcasts as their primary commute information source

*“We have worked on thousands of projects over the last 16 years for Governors, Senators, U.S. Representatives, and numerous policy and political organizations all over America,*” said **Dave Dishaw,** President, Victory Phones**.** *“However, we felt strongly that there was a need in the marketplace for straightforward research for policymakers and policy shapers, and we are grateful to DCI for the opportunity to partner in providing these leading insights.”*
### Reimagining Partnerships: A CMO’s Playbook
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/reimagining-partnerships-a-cmos-playbook/
Last updated: 2026-05-29T19:03:21.000Z
**Originally published by Response Labs. Reprinted with permission.**

**As a brand marketer, when was the last time you took a hard look at your agency partners and asked,** *“Is this relationship actually working for us?”* It’s easy to stick with the status quo, but an out-of-sync agency can quietly put a ceiling on your brand’s growth.

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with **Danielle Vona**, Founder & Chief Thinker at The Marketing Posse for our latest webinar “***Reimagining Partnerships: A CMO’s Playbook.”*** Our Media Director, Carie Jones, hosted this podcast-style chat with Danielle, the former CMO of Sonic Drive-In and Bloomin’ Brands, who is an absolute powerhouse in the QSR marketing space.

Drawing on her extensive background, they cut through the fluff to discuss how to spot a **great agency partner**, the **qualities that actually matter**, and how to build a **relationship based on trust rather than just transactions**.

If you’re wondering whether you have the right team in your corner, you’ll want to read this. Here are the biggest takeaways from their conversation on how to **evaluate**, **choose**, and **grow** marketing partnerships that actually move the needle for your business.

### **1\. Current Opportunity Evaluation: Where Do You Stand?**

To kick off your evaluation, ask yourself: *How well are your marketing partners supporting your current needs and future growth?* This assessment isn’t just about today’s success, it’s about long-term potential. Consider these key factors:

- **Business Outcomes:** Ensure your partners align with your growth objectives. They must be positioned to handle your capacity as you scale.
- **Strategy vs. Execution:** A good partner connects strategy to business goals rather than just executing tactics. Evaluate if they have a roadmap with checkpoints and the agility to pivot when needed.
- **Accountability and Transparency:** You need clear reporting mechanisms and communication. Your partner must proactively track performance metrics and trends.
- **Data and Technology Capabilities:** Assess how well their Martech stack integrates to give you a synchronized view across platforms.

### **2\. Choosing the Right Partner: Building It Right**

If your current partnership has plateaued, choosing the right replacement is critical for long-term success. When searching for a new agency, look for these fundamental characteristics:

- **Strategic Capabilities:** A strong partner offers a deep understanding of your business model and audience, avoiding “cookie-cutter” solutions in favor of data-driven, innovative strategies.
- **Cultural Fit:** Cultural synergy impacts daily collaboration and performance. Ensure that communication style aligns and is proactive, transparent, and there are shared values across teams.
- **Operational Excellence:** Execution matters. Look for solid project management, talent depth, scalable technology tools, and clear performance measurement dashboards.

### **3\. Reading the Signals: Spotting Partner Risks Early**

The greatest risk in choosing a partner isn’t just underperformance, it’s misaligned expectations masked by polished presentations. Danielle and Carie highlighted several “red flags” to watch for during the pitch and selection process:

- **The “Bait & Switch”:** When senior leadership wows you in the pitch but disappears post-contract.
- **Overpromising & Unclear Pricing:** Watch out for hidden fees or agencies promising results they can’t realistically deliver.
- **Poor Listening Skills & High Turnover:** If an agency isn’t listening to your specific needs or struggles with team stability, it will eventually disrupt your campaigns.

### **4\. Aligning For A Successful Partnership**

The best partnerships are built in the trenches, not in the pitch deck. Once you’ve selected a partner, formalize your relationship for success by establishing:

- **Clear Expectations:** Define roles, responsibilities, and measurement intervals from day one.
- **Communication Cadence:** Establish structured communication and points of contact.
- **Trust and Productive Conflict:** A healthy partnership embraces constructive disagreements to drive better results and adaptability.

### **Wondering If Your Current Agency Is The Right Fit?**

If this recap felt a little too relatable, it might be time for a change. At Response Labs, we focus on real outcomes, not just checking boxes. Let’s have a conversation about where your brand is hitting a ceiling, and how we can help you break through it.

[Let’s talk about your next move](https://www.responselabs.com/contact/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

**This article was originally published by Response Labs and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://www.responselabs.com/2026/04/reimagining-partnerships-a-cmos-playbook/**
### At least 28 employees exit D.C.-based NPR
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/at-least-28-employees-exit-d-c-based-npr/
Last updated: 2026-05-28T18:42:10.000Z
**D.C.-based NPR has laid off 10 journalists and secured at least 18 voluntary buyouts** from newsroom employees as the network restructures operations to offset financial pressures linked to the elimination of federal public media subsidies, reports [Inside Radio.](https://www.insideradio.com/free/npr-eliminates-jobs-accepts-veteran-reporter-buyouts-to-save-8-million/article%5F3606d9b8-f6c1-4fe8-bc09-68b3b279a733.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

The staffing reductions affect approximately 4% of NPR’s content division, which includes its newsroom and podcast operations. NPR also plans to leave eight vacant positions unfilled as part of an effort to trim $8 million from the budget.

In a note to employees, NPR Editor-in-Chief **Thomas Evans** acknowledged the emotional toll of the cuts. “I want to acknowledge how difficult it is to say goodbye to our colleagues,” Evans wrote.

The layoffs, states Inside Radio, “follow Congress’ decision last summer to eliminate federal subsidies for public media, a move that has sharply affected local public radio stations that pay NPR licensing and carriage fees for flagship programming including “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.” While direct federal funding represented only about 1% of NPR’s budget, executives say the ripple effects on member stations are expected to reduce station payments to the network by roughly $15 million.”

Inside Radio reports that among the veteran journalists accepting buyouts are “National Political Correspondent **Don Gonyea,** Managing Editor **Vickie Walton-James** and Investigations Correspondent **Joe Shapiro**. NPR has not publicly released a full list of departing employees.

Shapiro, who joined NPR in 2001, reflected on his departure in a Facebook post.

“Proud of my stories, their impact. Grateful for the best audience,” he wrote. “Talented journalists will lose jobs. But fewer laid off, we’re told, for each who takes buyout.”

Science Correspondent **Nell Greenfieldboyce**, who has been reporting for NPR since 2005, was also laid off.
### High School student awarded $5,000 Crosby Marketing & Media Studies Scholarship
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/high-school-student-awarded-5000-crosby-marketing-media-studies-scholarship/
Last updated: 2026-05-28T19:40:43.000Z
**Old Mill High School senior Daniela Penate has received the 2026 Crosby Marketing & Media Studies Scholarship**. The $5,000 award is presented annually through the Scholarships for Scholars program to a high school senior who has demonstrated the creativity, leadership, and academic achievement necessary to excel in the fields of marketing or media.

“Daniela is an impressive young woman whose resilience, leadership, and passion for visual storytelling truly stood out,” said **Raymond Crosby**, CEO of Crosby Marketing. “We are proud that this scholarship will help support her next chapter as she pursues a degree in communications.” 

Penate aspires to use “creativity and leadership to elevate and tell the stories of those who may not have the courage to tell them on their own.” A member of several honor societies and varsity athlete in soccer, track and lacrosse, she has also dedicated her time to volunteering at school and throughout the community.

Originally from El Salvador, Penate immigrated to the United States as a young girl. She will attend Salisbury University this fall to study communications with a concentration in multimedia journalism.

[Scholarships for Scholars](https://www.scholarshipsforscholars.org/about-us/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) awards scholarships annually to graduating high school seniors who are Anne Arundel County residents, have demonstrated exceptional abilities in specific disciplines, and have contributed to their schools and to the community at large.

Crosby, a longtime supporter of the Scholarships for Scholars program, provides integrated advertising, public relations, social media, and digital marketing services through specialized practices in Healthcare, Government, Nonprofits & Causes, and Military & Veterans. The firm ranks #31 on O’Dwyer’s ranking of PR firms, #2 for Nonprofits, and #12 for Healthcare, as well as #10 on GrowthLab’s list of Top 100 firms serving the federal government. Crosby has also been named as a Top Workplace for ten consecutive years.

To learn more, visit [crosbymarketing.com](https://www.crosbymarketing.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).
### WWPR announces Emerging Leaders Awards finalists
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/wwpr-announces-23-emerging-leaders-awards-finalists/
Last updated: 2026-06-13T00:36:53.000Z
**Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) announced finalists for its 16th Annual Emerging Leaders Awards (ELAs).**

“The Emerging Leaders Awards continues to lift up DC’s brightest young PR professionals who are redefining excellence and shaping the future of our industry. We look forward to toasting to the 23 finalists and celebrating their incredible accomplishments.,” said **Charmaine Riley,** president, WWPR, and a former award recipient. Riley, in photo above, added that the Emerging Leaders Awards “is close to my heart both personally and professionally and remains a career highlight,”

The ELAs honor outstanding professionals (ages 25–35) who, states a release, “are making a remarkable impact early in their PR careers. This year, WWPR is proud to spotlight trailblazing young women throughout the DC area who are leveraging innovation, elevating critical narratives, and navigating the evolving communications landscape with relentless creativity and conviction.”

The 23 finalists are grouped into the following categories, Small/Boutique Agency, Mid-Size Agency, Large/Global Agency, Government, Non-Profit, Corporate, and Trade Association. One winner from each category will be named on Thursday, June 25, 6-8 PM, at the AT&T Forum, 601 New Jersey Avenue NW, during, states the release, [an evening of networking, inspiration, and celebration.](https://wwpr.org/events/emerging-leaders/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

This year’s finalists represent the top candidates in each of the seven categories as determined by a panel of judges. The 2026 ELA finalists are:

**Small/Boutique Agency:**

- Natalie Gonzalez, Account Director | Beekeeper Group
- Chelsea Dade, Founder | Communicate For Health Justice LLC (CFHJ)
- Mary Lieb, Director | Signal Group DC

**Mid-Sized Agency:**

- Amanda Finney, Vice President, Reputation Management | Avoq
- Elizabeth Brown, Associate Vice President | Precision
- Hannah Rosichan, Senior Managing Director | PLUS Communications
- Isabella Victorio, Strategic Communications Manager | Narrative Strategies

**Large/Global Agency:**

- Nia Page, Chief of Staff of National Geographic | National Geographic Content (Owned by the Walt Disney Company)
- Allison Beres, Vice President | Edelman
- Molly Mitzner, Vice President | Allison Worldwide

**Government:**

- Casey Bell, US Air Force Public Affairs Officer/Education with Industry Fellow | US Air Force/Google
- Brianna Klipp, Proposal Specialist | Cision US inc.
- Jasmine Washington-Price, Media Relations & Internal Communications Coordinator | Alexandria City Public Schools

**Nonprofit:**

- Aliza Bran, Director of Media Relations | International Spy Museum
- Paola Groom, VP, External Relations | AARP
- Melissa Toufanian, Managing Director | Navigator Research
- Ariana Perez, Manager of Public Relations | Children’s National Hospital

**Corporate:**

- Meaghan Delaney, Manager, Corporate Affairs | KPMG US
- Victoria Vinall, Senior Policy Communications Manager | Aurora Innovation
- Shannon Casey, PR Manager for AI & Machine Learning at AWS | Amazon

**Trade Association:**

- Dara Cohen, Senior Director, Strategic Communications & Media Relations | American Gaming Association
- Julie Hirschhorn, Manager, Public Relations | American Academy of Family Physicians
- Alexandria Kinsey, Digital Marketing and Communications Specialist | College of American Pathologists

**Julia Krieger,** Head of U.S. Public Affairs at Coinbase, will be the keynote speaker for this year’s event.
### Higher Logic Vanilla launches MCP server, making community data directly accessible to AI tools
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/higher-logic-vanilla-customers-can-connect-their-community/
Last updated: 2026-05-27T23:51:02.000Z
[**Higher Logic**](https://www.higherlogic.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, the leading community platform for associations and B2B SaaS organizations, launched Higher Logic Vanilla MCP,** giving customers a native connection between their community platform and the AI tools their teams already use every day. A release states: “With support for the Model Context Protocol (MCP)—the open standard for connecting AI tools to external systems—Higher Logic Vanilla customers can now query live community data conversationally, take action on what they find, and apply AI-driven automation from inside their AI tool.

“The launch addresses a structural gap in how organizations work with community data. Communities generate some of the richest, most continuously updated customer intelligence in an enterprise—covering sentiment, product feedback, support patterns, and advocacy activity—but that data has historically been locked behind manual exports and one-off reports. Higher Logic Vanilla MCP removes that friction, making it directly accessible to teams across the organization.”

“With MCP, teams can ask questions of their community in natural language and get answers back in seconds, and because AI tools can take action through the same protocol, the operational work that’s defined community management for years can start moving into automated workflows. All of this helps community teams do more, with tooling that’s finally caught up to the value community has always held,” said **Marius Ciortea**, Chief Community Officer at Higher Logic.

**Built for Enterprise**

According to the release, the MCP server “is built natively into Higher Logic Vanilla. It runs on Higher Logic Vanilla’s API-first architecture, which exposes every major platform feature through documented REST endpoints. Access is governed by each user’s existing Higher Logic Vanilla roles and permissions, and all actions taken through MCP are auditable.

“The launch supports ChatGPT, Claude, and Cursor, with additional AI tools planned for future releases. Higher Logic Vanilla MCP is free for all Higher Logic Vanilla customers.”

To learn more, visit [https://www.higherlogic.com/higher-logic-vanilla-mcp](https://www.higherlogic.com/higher-logic-vanilla-mcp?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### Fors Marsh acquires BARÚ Advertising and the Wandersman Center
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/fors-marsh-acquires-baru-advertising-and-the-wandersman-center/
Last updated: 2026-05-28T00:02:44.000Z
[**Fors Marsh**](https://www.forsmarsh.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced the acquisition of** [**BARÚ Advertising**](https://www.baru.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**,** a California-based multicultural marketing agency that, states a release, is known for “cross-cultural work that helps organizations connect with audiences in ways that are relevant, grounded, and rooted in storytelling.

“The acquisition establishes a meaningful Fors Marsh presence in California, the second-largest state buyer of its services in the country, and strengthens the company’s ability to reach and move communities across the state.”

BARÚ’s client portfolio spans some of California’s most significant public-facing programs, including the California Department of Public Health, the California Department of Child Support Services, Covered California, First 5 California, CalKIDS, and most recently the CalHOPE crisis counseling campaign, alongside the entertainment space.<

“For years, BARÚ has driven transformational statewide campaigns by ensuring the real voices of California are at the center of our work,” said **Elizabeth Barrutia**, founder and president of BARÚ Advertising. “We are incredibly excited to join Fors Marsh. With this partnership, we deepen our dedication to creating highly impactful work, moving beyond awareness and education to truly shaping resilient communities.”

“BARÚ has built something rare: a California agency with deep community roots, a strong creative voice, and a track record of moving people,” said **Ben Garthwaite**, CEO of Fors Marsh. “With this, we enter the California market decisively and with intention. We now have a sharpened ability to move people and drive real change in one of the largest states in our country.”

[GrowthLab ](https://www.growthlab.us/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)advised on the transaction and connected the two firms.

“This was a strong strategic match—pairing Fors Marsh’s deep federal and communications expertise with BARÚ’s California presence to accelerate growth in a critical, well-funded market.” said **Mike Kapetanovic**, Founder of GrowthLab.

**Fors Marsh also announced the acquisition of the** [**Wandersman Center**](https://www.wandersmancenter.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), a leader in implementation science, known for methods that help organizations plan, implement, and continuously improve programs so they deliver results in practice. Its work has supported clients such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO), South Carolina, and the U.S. Air Force.

These acquisitions, state the release, give Fors Marsh “a stronger platform to connect with communities, move people to action, and ensure programs deliver results in practice.”
### POLITICO to shut down AI tools at center of “landmark arbitration” with PEN Guild, states release
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/politico-to-shut-down-ai-tools-at-center-of-landmark-arbitration-with-pen-guild-states-release/
Last updated: 2026-05-26T17:54:51.000Z
**The POLITICO and E&E News Guild (PEN Guild) members earned, states a release,** “a resounding final victory in one of the most significant labor-AI disputes in American journalism: following months of negotiations between PEN Guild leadership, the Washington-Baltimore News Guild (WBNG), and POLITICO management, the company has agreed to shut down both artificial intelligence products at the heart of last November’s [landmark arbitration ruling](https://wbng.org/2025/12/01/pen-guild-wins-landmark-arbitration-on-ai-protections/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

“POLITICO will shut down Capitol AI Report-Builder, a tool that produced branded policy reports for POLITICO Pro subscribers without any editorial review, despite generating glaring factual errors. It also will not revive the “Live Summaries” AI feature, which generated error-riddled unedited coverage of major political events, including the 2024 Democratic National Convention and Vice Presidential Debate. Both uses were found by an arbitrator in November 2025 to have violated PEN Guild’s collective bargaining agreement.”

“This is an extraordinary win not just for our members, but for everyone who believes journalism must remain in human hands,” said **Ariel Wittenberg**, PEN Guild chair. “We refused to back down, and POLITICO heard us loud and clear that these tools do not belong in our newsroom.”
### Industry leaders share advice for communications graduates entering the workforce
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/industry-leaders-share-advice-for-communications-graduates-entering-the-workforce/
Last updated: 2026-05-26T11:55:43.000Z
**Originally published by CommPRO. Reprinted with permission.**

By [Fay Shapiro](https://www.commpro.biz/news?author=63af182d3cab14148cd85b91&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**We’re in the heart of commencement season** and, as it begins winding down, the job search is starting to ramp up for a new generation entering the communications profession.

This year’s graduates are entering the workforce during one of the most disruptive and transformative periods the communications industry has ever experienced. AI is rapidly reshaping workflows, audience behavior, media discovery and storytelling itself. At the same time, employers continue searching for something technology alone cannot deliver: professionals who know how to think critically, communicate strategically, build trust and connect with people in meaningful ways.

That tension is becoming one of the defining conversations across the industry right now. How do young professionals prepare for careers in a business being reshaped in real time by technology, shifting workplace expectations and rapidly evolving communications channels?

As this series unfolds, one message continues surfacing across the industry: technical skills matter, but curiosity, empathy, adaptability and relationship-building remain the foundation of long-term success.

One theme is already becoming very clear: while AI and technology continue reshaping communications, the qualities that truly define successful professionals remain deeply human. Curiosity. Empathy. Integrity. Relationship-building. Strategic thinking. And the ability to turn information into insight and action.

We begin with three thoughtful perspectives from leaders helping shape the future of the profession.

#### **Marina Stenos,* Managing Partner, Global Education, FINN Partners*

“The communications landscape isn’t just about “sending messages;” it’s about building and sustaining human connection in an increasingly fragmented world. As you begin your professional journey, remember that your degree is a license to be a professional listener.

Your first job isn’t your destination; it’s your laboratory. Look for environments that value empathy and critical inquiry over mere content production and task completion. Don’t just master the tools. AI will continue to iterate and evolve, as all technology does. Master the nuances. Pay attention to people, to policies and trends, to culture and values. Read voraciously. That is the best way to build durable narratives that move people to action. Be the person who understands why a story matters, not just how to post it. Stay curious, stay ethical, and treat every interaction as a design challenge.”

#### **Linda Descano*, Global Chief Integration & Marketing Officer, Havas Red*

“As you enter today’s communications workforce, build business acumen as deliberately as you build creative skill. Understand how growth, margin, data, and culture connect to the stories you tell. Stay relentlessly curious about technology including and beyond AI, people, and the world beyond our industry. Integrate, don’t silo: creativity, media, analytics, and commerce are one system now. Earn trust by listening first, acting with integrity, and measuring what matters. Be brave enough to challenge assumptions, humble enough to keep learning, and human enough to lead with empathy. Your value will come from turning information into insight and insight into impact, responsibly and at scale.”

Descano’s perspective reflects how communications professionals are increasingly expected to bridge creativity and business strategy while navigating a rapidly evolving media and technology landscape.

#### **Kathleen Rennie, Ph.D.*, APR, Fellow PRSA, Chair/Clinical Faculty of Integrated Marketing and Communications, Division of Programs in Business At NYU School of Professional Studies*

“In the age of AI, your greatest advantage is your authentic presence. Show up in real life: go into the office, attend industry events, build relationships, and seek out people whose work and careers inspire you. The connections you make today shape the opportunities you discover tomorrow.

Just as importantly, commit to lifelong learning. Create a plan for continued professional growth through graduate study, APR certification, specialized training, and/or stackable industry credentials you may not have had time to pursue in school. Technology will continue to evolve rapidly, but curiosity, adaptability, and meaningful relationships will always distinguish exceptional professionals and leaders.”

Rennie’s advice underscores something many leaders across the industry continue emphasizing: while technology will continue changing the mechanics of communications, relationships, continuous learning and human connection remain at the center of long-term career growth.

**This article was originally published by CommPRO and is reprinted here with permission. Read the original article here: https://www.commpro.biz/news/industry-leaders-share-advice-for-communications-graduates-entering-the-workforce**
### Maryland Governor vetoes bill to steer state ad dollars to local media
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/maryland-governor-vetoes-bill-to-steer-state-ad-dollars-to-local-media/
Last updated: 2026-05-26T17:56:21.000Z
**Moore cites paywall restrictions, accountability concerns in rejecting** 
**Local News for Maryland Communities Act**

**Maryland Gov. Wes Moore** has vetoed legislation that would have required state agencies to direct at least half of their advertising budgets to Maryland news organizations, saying the mandate would undermine the state’s ability to reach the residents it serves.

Senate Bill 459, the Local News for Maryland Communities Act of 2026, passed the General Assembly with the stated goal of reinvesting public dollars in Maryland’s local information ecosystem. The measure covered print, digital and broadcast outlets and exempted campaigns targeting out-of-state audiences, such as tourism and recruitment advertising.

In his [veto letter dated May 22](https://governor.maryland.gov/media/895/download?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Moore said the legislation “would significantly impair the state’s ability to communicate effectively with Maryland residents.”

A central concern was the prevalence of subscription paywalls among local news organizations. Moore argued that directing state advertising funds to outlets accessible only to paying subscribers defeats the purpose of public communications. “Marylanders who do not subscribe to a given outlet will not see the State’s message regardless of how much the State spends to place it there,” he wrote.

Moore also raised fiscal accountability concerns, writing that mandating a significant share of advertising funds go “to organizations without regard to their proven standards of accuracy, accountability, and return on investment exposes the State to the expenditure of public dollars in ways that cannot be adequately justified to Maryland taxpayers.”

The governor said the state has an obligation to reach residents through “the most effective and efficient means available,” including digital platforms, streaming services, outdoor media, and major regional partnerships — channels that SB 459 would have effectively constrained.

Supporters of the legislation had framed it as a structural solution to the financial pressures facing local news.

“This legislation reflects a practical shift in how we support local news,” said **Rebecca Snyder**, Executive Director of the MDDC Press Association [in a statement](https://www.mddcpress.com/maryland-enacts-first-in-the-nation-local-news-for-maryland-communities-act?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) when the legislation was passed by the General Assembly. “It recognizes that local news is essential infrastructure for communities and treats it that way. By directing existing resources more intentionally, Maryland is strengthening the systems people rely on for timely, fact-based information. It also changes the conversation: sustainable support for local media can be built into everyday government operations.””

Moore indicated the veto was not a rejection of that broader goal, saying his administration looks forward to working with lawmakers on executive actions or future legislation to support local news “in a manner that is feasible, fiscally sound, and consistent with the State’s obligations to all Marylanders it serves.”

*Photo: Pat Siebert, Executive Office of the Governor*
### D.C.-area agency updates: FleishmanHillard, Seven Letter and LUNA+EISENLA
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/d-c-area-agency-updates-fleishmanhillard-seven-letter-and-lunaeisenla/
Last updated: 2026-05-23T00:02:30.000Z
**The D.C. office of** [**FleishmanHillard**](https://fleishmanhillard.com/join-us/open-positions/?gh%5Fjid=5074236007&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **is seeking “an experienced and versatile communications professional t**o join the firm’s Corporate Reputation practice as an Account Supervisor focused on supporting the firm’s technology, cybersecurity and telecoms clients. This is a hybrid role. This position provides a fantastic opportunity for a mid-level communications professional with a background in and passion corporate communications to work with collaborative teams on communications strategy and campaigns, media relations, corporate positioning, business development and content creation on behalf of our industry-leading clients.”

[**Seven Letter**](https://sevenletter.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced nine promotions in its public affairs division**, including five to managing director: Benji Englander, Kris Fetterman, Holly Jackson, Sarah Mucha and Paige Rusher. The firm also promoted Kelcey McClung to director and Abbey Fitzpatrick, Danny Jackson and Julia Pekala to manager. All of these individuals work out of the D.C. office except for Jackson who leads the Huntsville, AL, office and, states the agency, spends a lot of time in D.C.

[**LUNA+EISENLA**](https://www.lunaeisenla.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **is expanding its digital design and AI-driven capabilities** “while elevating our online targeting tools. By blending traditional media strategy with emerging technologies, we help organizations amplify across a rapidly shifting communications frontier.” One of the agency’s AI-fueled tools is RooneAI, which, states the agency, isn’t software you simply log into—it’s a communications infrastructure. Named for legendary ABC executive Roone Arledge, who transformed how audiences experience news and television, RooneAI is an end-to-end system designed to help organizations scale their communications without adding staff.
### Greg Kihlström named #1 global thought leader and influencer on customer experience for third consecutive year
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/greg-kihlstrom-named-1-global-thought-leader-and-influencer-on-customer-experience-for-third-consecutive-year/
Last updated: 2026-05-23T11:57:04.000Z
[**Greg Kihlström**](https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, based in Arlington, VA, has been named the #1 Global Thought Leader and Influencer on Customer Experience for 2026** by [Thinkers360](https://www.thinkers360.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), marking the third consecutive year he has topped the ranking. The annual leaderboard recognizes the 50 individuals Thinkers360 identifies as the most influential voices in the customer experience field worldwide.

Kihlström, who is associated with The Agile Brand, earned a normalized Thought Leader Score of 100 — the top mark on the list. He placed alongside a roster of widely recognized CX figures, including Tiffani Bova of The Futurum Group, Marsha Collier of The Collier Company, Steven Van Belleghem of Nexxworks, and customer service authority Shep Hyken.

For enterprise marketing leaders, states a release, the recognition is notable both for its consistency and for the methodology behind it. Thinkers360 positions its leaderboards as a measure that looks beyond social media metrics. According to the organization, its rankings are based on members’ personally authored content and accomplishments curated from across the web, rather than follower counts or hashtag activity that can be more easily manipulated. The platform evaluates thought leaders across multiple roles — including academic, analyst, author, consultant, entrepreneur, influencer, and speaker — and across the range of content they produce.

Thinkers360 describes the leaderboard as a live and annual ranking driven by a patented algorithm intended to provide a holistic measure of thought leadership and authentic influence. The company notes that participation is open to everyone who signs up, with no difference in how rankings are calculated between free and paid members, and that the standings evolve daily as members add content to their profiles.

The 2026 customer experience list reflects the discipline’s continued breadth, spanning practitioners focused on CX strategy, customer loyalty, employee experience, behavioral science, and the growing intersection of customer experience with AI and data. Customer experience remains one of more than 100 business, technology, and sustainability topics Thinkers360 tracks across its leaderboards.

For marketing leaders evaluating partners, advisors, or speakers in the customer experience space, continues the release, repeat placement at the top of a participation-based, content-driven ranking offers one signal of sustained output and visibility in the field. Kihlström’s third straight year in the top position places him consistently ahead of a deep field of established CX authors, consultants, and analysts.

The full Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Customer Experience 2026 ranking is available on the Thinkers360 website: [https://www.thinkers360.com/top-50-global-thought-leaders-and-influencers-on-customer-experience-2026/](https://www.thinkers360.com/top-50-global-thought-leaders-and-influencers-on-customer-experience-2026/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### Renée S. Edelman to 2026 communications graduates: Stay open to new opportunities and build a circle of people you trust
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/renee-s-edelman-to-2026-communications-graduates-stay-open-to-new-opportunities-and-build-a-circle-of-people-you-trust/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:31:47.000Z
**Originally published by CommPRO. Reprinted with permission.**

**By** [**Renée S. Edelman**](https://www.commpro.biz/news?author=6a0cc8cdfba4c87a364d315c&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**I’m excited each spring about a new generation of students entering the communications industry.** I recently spoke with students at the PRSSA Tri-State District Conference, hosted by Hofstra University.

I advised them to stay open to new opportunities and build a circle of trusted advisors.Career and life transitions occur because of our own efforts and seredendipity—a chance occurrence such as meeting someone who tells us about a job or a person who advocates for us when we least expect it.

My brother **Richard Edelman**, CEO, Edelman, talked last fall at the Museum of Public Relations with **Steve Barrett,** U.S. editorial director of Campaign and PR Week, before an engaged audience of New York area students and professors.

Steve asked Richard: “What skills and attitudes do you want to see in job applicants?”

“Ambitious, hungry for knowledge, always learning, unafraid to challenge your older co-workers because you actually know more about creators than they could ever dream of doing.

“I want you to be good writers, obviously, but I also want you to be smarter than anyone else about AI tools, about what are the opportunities, what are the limits… and I want you to feel confident in this profession.

“We are here …because what society needs are facts, they need better information, and they need it more frequently. And that is what we do.

“My father always said that PR was the most important of all the marketing disciplines… I always talk about communications marketing–and not marketing communications. Because communications comes before marketing. So that’s the attitude you should have.”

A student asked, “What should we be learning?”

“I want you to learn about geopolitics… I want you to know about the European Union.”

**My Career—Planning with Serendipity**

My career started at Edelman 41 years ago after my job as a reporter for a trade magazine was not the right fit. My father, **Dan Edelman**, said, “You can work for us at Edelman.” I had never thought of that. He said, “You will be like everybody else. You have to work hard.”

This was a turning point for me. It was serendipity.

I spent most of my career doing earned media for technology companies.

A Japanese technology client, Fujitsu America, needed someone to lead the business who knew how to work with reporters. I learned technology PR on the job. Tech PR began to grow in popularity in the late 1980s with the rise of the PC, and in the 1990s with the launch of the internet. I was one of the early women specializing in tech PR.

I promoted a Fujitsu America Pocket Phone in the early 1990s, the size of a brick meant to be the smallest, lightest cellular phone and marketed to business users and individuals.

In 1993, I worked on the launch of Adobe’s PDF. This was the first technology to enable the transmission of copy and graphics across computers, while the content retained its format. The PDF, the portable document format, became a standard.

In 1994, Edelman helped Oracle stage a press conference using the internet, to connect four cities. CBS anchor **Walter Cronkite** was our emcee. An earthquake hit Los Angeles the day before our press event. Cronkite said, “The show must go on.”

You are entering a communications marketing industry at a time of accelerating technological change. We live in an era of AI. We all need to become fluent in AI.

**Fay Shapiro**, CEO and publisher, CommPRO, says, “We are all lifelong learners. The ones who keep learning will lead.”

I want to encourage you in your careers and your personal lives to aim high. My mother told me, “The world is your oyster,” meaning I could accomplish what I wanted to in life if I worked hard.

**Shelley Spector,** co-founder of the PR Museum, and I agree that serendipity plays a key role in how we build our careers. Shelley says: “I urge you to cultivate a serendipitist or open mindset. Embrace curiosity. Opt into new experiences. Engage with new crowds—in real life, NOT online. Turn accidents into opportunities.”

As you leave the campus for the industry in late spring, stay open to new opportunities. Stay on top of current events and popular culture. Live a full life. Enjoy your work and outside pursuits—and find value in your relationships. Gaze up at the stars and aim high. Seek counsel from your trusted advisors. As poet **John Donne** wrote, “No man is an island.”

**PHOTO**: *At Hofstra University’s The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, Hempstead, NY: from left to right: Michael and Maureen Ward, parents of Grace Ward; Grace Ward, Hofstra Class of 2026, and PRSSA Tri-State District Conference coordinator; Renée S. Edelman, SVP, Edelman and keynote speaker; and Prof. Jeffrey S. Morosoff, PRSSA Hofstra chapter advisor. (Photo Credit: Samuel Cordero-Arboleda, Hofstra PRSSA)*

**This article was originally published by CommPRO and is reprinted here with permission. Read the original article here:** **https://www.commpro.biz/news/rene-s-edelman-to-2026-communicationsgraduates-build-trusted-networks-stay-open**
### “American Ground Radio” launches on “AM 570 The Answer” WWRC in D.C.
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/american-ground-radio-launches-on-am-570-the-answer-wwrc-in-d-c/
Last updated: 2026-05-22T02:11:01.000Z
[**Salem Media Group**](https://salemmedia.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced that “American Ground Radio,” hosted by Stephen Parr, left in photo, and Louis R. Avallone,** **right in photo,** debuted on “AM 570 The Answer” WWRC in Washington, D.C,

The syndicated program, states[ Inside Radio](https://www.insideradio.com/free/salem-media-expands-american-ground-radio-into-washington-dc/article%5F4a3ab448-6fbc-4924-8e3a-a6ead325a401.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), airs weekdays at 7am, “delivering a mix of political discussion, cultural commentary, humor, and audience participation aimed at issues affecting everyday Americans.”

Salem Media Group said the hosts have developed a growing national following through a conversational format that blends traditional conservative viewpoints with discussions of current political and cultural topics. The show also incorporates guest interviews and listener call-ins.

**David Howard,** General Manager of WWRC, said the addition strengthens the station’s local lineup.“We’re thrilled to bring American Ground Radio to the heart of our nation’s capital,” Howard said in the announcement. “Stephen and Louis create a space where listeners can engage, be inspired, and find common ground.”

The launch, states Inside Radio, gives “American Ground Radio” exposure in one of the country’s most politically engaged markets as Salem continues to expand its conservative talk programming lineup across owned-and-operated stations.

According to its website, Salem is “America’s leading media company serving the nation’s Christian and conservative communities.”
### Clarity 2030: Inside the Decision Curve
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/clarity-2030-inside-the-decision-curve/
Last updated: 2026-05-21T20:42:01.000Z
#### **David Baum, Zeno Group Head of Corporate Affairs, Zeno East**

Something has changed — and it’s not the volume of disruption. It’s the structure of it.

Chaos theory holds that in complex systems, small shifts compound unpredictably, rendering long-term forecasts unreliable. Between geopolitical reordering, exponential advances in AI, and societal expectations moving faster than at any point in the communications profession’s history, the theory has never felt more operational.

But the deeper problem isn’t speed. It’s the erosion of connective tissue. When institutional trust breaks down, the architecture built on it — alliances, supply chains, governance frameworks, shared norms — doesn’t collapse cleanly. It unwinds. We only recognize the absence once it’s gone. And in its place, organizations reach for the one thing that can fill it: narrative.

Since the printing press, communicators have been among the first to absorb emerging technology and turn it into an advantage. The complexity looks different today. The challenge of making sense of it is not.

The stakes, however, are higher. The decentralized spread of information and misinformation, and the fragmentation of how people consume and interpret narratives, have fundamentally changed the function’s role. We are no longer supporting decisions. We are making them. The communicator in the room before the decision is made is categorically different from the one who messages it afterward.

Most organizations haven’t built for this. Those that recognize communications as a decision function, not a messaging function, will win.

**Clarity 2030: Communications at a Crossroads**With 2030 serving as a global milestone year, baked into long-term economic, political, and workforce strategies, we at Zeno Group set out to understand the current state of the communications industry and what changes are required to realize its full potential. 

*Clarity 2030: Communications at a Crossroads* examines where communications is headed and how to translate its rising influence into lasting business advantage. Based on research with more than 1,400 communications leaders worldwide, our findings reveal a defining tension: rising confidence in the future influence of communications, paired with concern that organizations aren’t keeping pace. The craft is advancing. Organizational readiness may not be. Seventy-two percent of communicators expect the function’s influence to increase by 2030\. Only 29% feel fully ready for what that influence demands. 

I don’t read that gap as a skills problem. I read it as a structural one. The function has been given more responsibility without more authority, more visibility without more access. That’s not a training issue. That’s a design flaw.

The AI dimension sharpens it further. Sixty-five percent of communicators say they are more influential than IT in shaping AI adoption. Fewer than half say all teams have access to approved tools. The function is being handed one of the most consequential change management responsibilities of the decade without the infrastructure to deliver. That’s an authority gap disguised as a resource gap.

Closing that gap isn’t a formula. The communicators who get there won’t do it by getting better at execution. They’ll do it by changing where they sit — earlier in the process, closer to risk, present when the hard calls are still being debated. It starts with being the person who brings the uncomfortable question into the room before anyone else has thought to ask it.

That’s what chaos theory demands of practitioners. Not a better prediction. Better positioning. The inflection point exists before it’s visible. The signal is there before it becomes a story. The communicators who spot that signal earlier aren’t smarter. They’ve built the credibility and access that put them inside the room when uncertainty is highest, and judgment matters most.

**What Comes Next: The Opportunity and Imperative**

Seventy-eight percent of communicators in the Clarity 2030 research say creative experimentation will be critical by 2030\. I think they’re right, but I’d push further. Creativity without judgment is just output. What this era requires is the courage to hold complexity without collapsing it, to advise leaders under genuine uncertainty, to say what’s true when it’s inconvenient, to read a geopolitical moment and tell a CEO what it means for their business before the headlines do.

The work we do has never mattered more. The organizations that recognize that and build accordingly will have a different kind of communicator: one who is at the table influencing decisions and shaping direction forward.

Nobody can say with certainty where this goes. The clarity is in knowing it’s worth showing up. Clarity 2030 reveals what it takes to lead in this environment *and* how we build for what’s ahead.

Download the [**Clarity 2030**](https://clarity2030.zenogroup.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) global readout to learn more.
### D.C.-based Brand USA launches initiatives to inspire international visitation
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/brand-usa-launches-initiatives-to-inspire-international-visitation/
Last updated: 2026-05-21T12:47:04.000Z
**Brand USA, based in D.C., announced a major expansion of the organization’s** [***America the Beautiful***](https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4690325-1&h=3488026475&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.visittheusa.com%2F&a=America+the+Beautiful&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **brand platform.** Two new supporting initiatives expand the organization’s messaging: ***Get Facts. Get Going.***, designed to provide real-time information on visa and entry policies, fees, and more to combat misperceptions; and ***American Originals***, a new content and storytelling series spotlighting the people, places, and experiences that are uniquely American. This campaign is being done by the Edelman D.C. office.

The new initiatives, states a release, reflect the organization’s focus on growing international travel demand and boosting travel exports that impact the U.S. economy and communities. The announcement comes as the USA is readying to host significant major events, including the FIFA World Cup, America’s 250th anniversary, and the Route 66 Centennial.

“In line with our mission to impact the U.S. economy through travel exports, we have an opportunity to further build traveler confidence and inspire visitation,” said **Fred Dixon**, Brand USA’s President and CEO. “With our expanded platform, we are introducing *American Originals*, which spotlights the people and places who originated the styles, sounds, and tastes the world loves while *Get Facts. Get Going.* serves as a single source of information to address misperceptions head-on. We want international visitors to know that we are open for business and warmly welcome them.”

Since its global launch last October, continues the release, “*America the Beautiful* has served as Brand USA’s flagship campaign and platform, inspiring international audiences. Monthly surveys show more than seven in ten respondents say the campaign positively influences their interest in visiting the United States.

“Brand USA is now building on that foundation with two new initiatives, each serving a distinct and equally important role. *America the Beautiful* inspires. *American Originals* fuels consideration and *Get Facts. Get Going.* aids conversion by dispelling perceived logistical barriers.”

Operating under one data-driven and strategic framework, Brand USA has also created new integration opportunities with its destination partners such as South Dakota and Alabama, and corporate brands such as Hilton. New integrations are designed to expand reach, improve target efficiencies, and drive greater visibility for the platform and partners.

In addition, continues the release, misperceptions about visa requirements, entry procedures, fees such as visa integrity and national park pricing, and screening policies “have created confusion among some international travelers — and until now, no single easy-to-use resource has brought this information together in one place. With the by-line “Travel with Confidence to the USA”, the initiative addresses a range of misperceptions circulating on social media and in international markets, including outdated or incomplete information. In each case, the facts tell a far more welcoming story than what travelers are hearing.

To meet the moment, Brand USA is publishing a full set of facts, available at [**visittheusa.com/entry**](https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4690325-1&h=336729372&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.visittheusa.com%2Fget-facts-get-going%2F&a=visittheusa.com%2Fentry&ref=capitolcommunicator.com).
### Crosby Marketing Communications wins eight Telly Awards for Multimedia Work
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/42885-2/
Last updated: 2026-05-20T18:52:57.000Z
**Crosby Marketing Communications won eight Telly Awards** in the global competition that showcases the best work created in television and video across all screens.

The 47th Annual Telly Awards competition received more than 13,000 entries worldwide from leading brands, organizations and independent media companies. Crosby, states a release, was honored with:

- A Silver Award for the Peace Corps “Openings Around the World” video, developed to help recruit the next generation of Peace Corps Volunteers.
- A Silver Award for DAV’s (Disabled American Veterans) “My Veteran’s Victory” TV PSA, produced to increase awareness of DAV’s no-cost services that help veterans and their families.
- A Silver Award for USDA’s short-form video “Love Your Birds,” part of a comprehensive biosecurity behavior-change campaign designed to help prevent the spread of poultry diseases, including bird flu.
- A Silver Award for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption TV PSA “Marisol’s Room,” focused on increasing adoption of children in foster care.
- Three Silver Awards and one Bronze Award for Military OneSource videos promoting quality-of-life programs and resources for America’s service members, their families and the broader military-connected community:
  - Silver Awards were presented for the Family Advocacy Program series: “How Can I Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect?,” “Where Can I Get Help If I’m Facing Abuse?” and “How Can I Address My Harmful Behavior?” Additional Silver Awards recognized “Food On Your Mind” and “MilLife Learning.” The Bronze Award honored “Support Made Simple.”

Crosby provides integrated advertising, public relations, social media, and digital marketing services through specialized practices in Healthcare, Government, Nonprofits & Causes, and Military & Veterans. The firm ranks #31 on O’Dwyer’s ranking of PR firms, #2 for Nonprofits, and #12 for Healthcare, as well as #10 on GrowthLab’s list of Top 100 firms serving the federal government. Crosby has also been named as a Top Workplace for ten consecutive years. To learn more, visit [crosbymarketing.com](https://www.crosbymarketing.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).
### Shonali Burke named chief of marketing and strategic communications of League of Women Voters
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/shonali-burke-named-chief-of-marketing-and-strategic-communications-of-league-of-women-voters/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:29.000Z
[**L**](https://www.lwv.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)[**eague of Women Voters**](https://www.lwv.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **named Shonali Burke as chief of marketing and strategic communications.**

With more than 20 years’ experience in data-forward, outcome-driven brand elevation, states a release, “Burke is known for her signature blend of analytics and storytelling that helps nonprofits build stronger relationships, expand their reach, and strengthen community. Before joining the League, she served as managing director of People’s Light, becoming the first Indian American to lead a US-based League of Resident Theatres (LORT) theater in this role.

“She has served organizations as diverse as the ASPCA, which she steered through the 2007 pet food recall and Michael Vick case; USA for UNHCR, for whom she designed its now‑textbook digital “Blue Key” campaign; and Washington, DC’s iconic Arena Stage, where she helped steer its post-pandemic earned revenue and audience rebound.”

“How we communicate the importance of civic participation matters—especially at a time our democracy faces real threats,” said Burke**.** “There is no more important work in this moment. I am honored to join my colleagues and this community in carrying The League’s century-plus legacy of nonpartisan voter education and empowerment into the future.”

[Burke](https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-shonali-burke-managing-director-of-peoples-light-and-prsa-ncc-hall-of-fame-inductee/) has been inducted into the PRSA NCC Hall of Fame.
### Media facing “pressure on all sides”, states new survey
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/media-facing-pressure-on-all-sides-states-new-survey/
Last updated: 2026-05-20T00:22:41.000Z
**A new global survey of journalists by Cision paints a picture of a media industry under mounting pressure** from shrinking resources, misinformation, changing audience habits and the growing influence of artificial intelligence — while also underscoring the continued importance of traditional journalism and media outreach, reports [Inside Radio](https://www.insideradio.com/free/survey-journalists-leaning-on-pr-content-as-newsrooms-face-resource-strains/article%5F25a74188-3834-47e7-adcc-3d4b06203668.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The company’s [2026 State of the Media Report](https://www.cision.com/resources/guides-and-reports/sotm/?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com), based on responses from nearly 1,900 journalists across 19 markets, found that accuracy and combating misinformation ranked as the top challenge facing journalists over the past year, cited by 50% of respondents. Another 49% pointed to resource constraints such as shrinking budgets, staff cuts and heavier workloads.

The report said the findings reflect “pressure on all sides” for journalists and media organizations, including broadcasters, newspapers and other traditional outlets competing for audience attention in an increasingly fragmented environment.

“At the same time, leaner teams leave less time and patience for unvetted pitches, even as AI is helping them do more with less,” the report said. “They’re also competing with independent creators and algorithms for a limited share of audience attention.”

Despite the rapid rise of digital platforms and AI tools, states Inside Radio, the survey found journalists still heavily depend on conventional media-relations channels to develop stories. Sixty-six percent of respondents said PR-provided materials — including press releases, media pitches and media kits — are among their top sources for story ideas, more than social media, competing outlets or AI tools.
### D.C.-based NPR offering buyouts to about 300 employees to close $8 million gap
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/npr-offering-voluntary-buyouts-to-about-300-employees/
Last updated: 2026-05-20T21:16:46.000Z
**NPR, based in D.C., is restructuring its newsroom and offering voluntary buyouts to employees** as the public broadcaster faces declining revenue, the loss of federal subsidies and changing audience habits, reports [Inside Radio](https://www.insideradio.com/free/npr-moves-to-cut-costs-with-newsroom-buyouts-amid-funding-pressures/article%5F1f6118a3-a6ac-4edb-81d7-358d0a19d13f.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

[In the public broadcaster’s own report](https://www.npr.org/2026/05/18/nx-s1-5821622/npr-buyouts-layoffs-reorganization?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), NPR President and CEO **Katherine Maher** said the network must close an $8 million gap in its $300 million annual budget after the elimination of federal subsidies for member stations that pay NPR to air programs including “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered.” The network also expects a decline in corporate sponsorship revenue.

The organization says it is offering buyouts to about 300 employees, mostly within newsroom reporting and editing desks.

NPR officials said they expect to accept up to 30 buyouts. If the minimum number of volunteers aren’t realized by May 26, more targeted layoffs could follow.

The cuts, continues the Inside Radio reporrt, come despite NPR recently receiving [two private gifts totaling $113 million](https://www.insideradio.com/free/npr-lands-record-philanthropic-support-to-expand-digital-national-reach/article%5Ff9910ce3-225f-4043-8017-b84b68496ae0.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), among the largest donations in the network’s 56-year history. Most of the money, however, is designated for technology and innovation initiatives.

Maher said listener donations surged after Congress voted last summer to rescind $1.1 billion previously committed to public media funding, helping sustain NPR and member stations that have also faced layoffs.

“The extraordinary generosity of donors across the nation has really mitigated some of the hardest impacts of the loss of federal funding,” Maher says. “I am relieved that that is the case. And now it is our responsibility to ensure that we take that gift that they have given us and use this time to get to a place where we are sustainable for the future.”
### Recap: CRM & Loyalty Symposium with the American Marketing Association
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/recap-crm-loyalty-symposium-with-the-american-marketing-association/
Last updated: 2026-05-18T11:10:22.000Z
**Originally published by Response Labs. Reprinted with permission.**

**On March 18, 2026, Response Labs partnered with** [**AMA Baltimore**](https://amabaltimore.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **to host a CRM & Loyalty Symposium.** Hosted at the Response Labs office, the event brought together enterprise marketers, agency professionals, students, and small business owners to discuss the evolving landscape of customer relationships, personalization, and artificial intelligence.

Here is a look back at the key highlights and takeaways from the symposium.

#### Keynote: Loyalty in the Value Era

The event kicked off with an insightful presentation by [Ryan Draude](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjdraude/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Head of Loyalty at Giant Food. Ryan unpacked the intense competition within the modern grocery market and how macro events have ushered in a new “Value Era.” He noted that modern shoppers are becoming more “promiscuous,” often visiting multiple brands and spreading out their trips to find the best deals.

To combat this trend, Ryan emphasized that a loyalty program must serve as a key differentiator. Rather than just functioning as a transactional points system, a successful program creates “switching costs” that make customers feel psychologically invested. To achieve this, Ryan introduced the concept of “The Ritual,” creating specific, observable ceremonies that go beyond basic rewards. Whether it’s an exclusive boarding process or a surprise-and-delight kiosk, these ceremonies foster an emotional connection that data alone cannot replicate.

#### Panel Discussion: CRM, Loyalty, and the Future of AI

Following the keynote, [Andy Locke](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lockeandy/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Director of Strategy & Data at Response Labs, moderated a dynamic panel discussion. The panel featured:

- [Melanie Butler](https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-butler-mba-70617159/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Manager, Loyalty & CRM Strategy at Giant Food
- [Dan Dawes](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dandawes/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Co-Founder & CEO of Response Labs
- [Carie Jones](https://www.linkedin.com/in/carie-jones-39012a7a/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Media Director at Response Labs
- [Jeffrey Stumpf](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreystumpf/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Growth & Operations Manager at Tools for Humanity

The conversation was packed with actionable advice on how brands can adapt to shifting customer expectations and rapidly advancing technologies. Here are the core takeaways:

- **The Shift to Omnichannel Customer Journeys:** Customers do not see a distinction between an email campaign, a push notification, or a paid media ad; they expect a seamless, single experience from a brand. The panel stressed the importance of breaking down internal silos to ensure CRM, media, and loyalty strategies operate as a connected ecosystem.
- **AI as a Tool for Personalization at Scale:** Dan and Melanie highlighted how AI is democratizing data and enabling brands to deliver tailored content and offers to massive audiences efficiently. Additionally, AI is proving to be a game-changer for behind-the-scenes efficiency, turning days of competitive research into minutes of automated work.
- **Prioritizing Trust and Anonymity:** With bot traffic now making up a majority of internet activity, Jeffrey emphasized the growing need for “trust-aware” offers. As consumers become more protective of their personal information, brands must respect user anonymity while still providing a clear, tangible value exchange.
- **The Necessity of Continuous Testing:** When a brand is in a comfortable spot, it is actually in a vulnerable spot. To stay ahead of the competition, brands must constantly test new channels, innovate on what already works, and close the data loop to understand what truly drives incremental engagement.

Ultimately, the insights shared at the CRM & Loyalty Symposium emphasized that thriving in the current “Value Era” requires brands to redefine customer relationships. Success hinges on moving beyond transactional loyalty to create unique “Rituals” that build psychological switching costs, delivering seamless, connected omnichannel experiences, and strategically harnessing AI to achieve personalization at scale. Furthermore, a commitment to user anonymity and continuous testing remains vital for sustainable growth.

Response Labs was honored to partner with AMA Baltimore to facilitate this dynamic discussion and looks forward to continuing to help brands navigate the evolving landscape of customer loyalty and advanced technology.

At [Response Labs](https://www.responselabs.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), we help brands Make Every Message Matter, and every customer more valuable. If you’re ready to transform your MarTech integration into a true growth program, we’re here to help. [Contact us today to talk about how to get started.](https://www.responselabs.com/contact/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**This article was originally published by Response Labs and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://www.responselabs.com/2026/03/recap-crm-loyalty-symposium-with-the-american-marketing-association/**
### New book on building and scaling modern marketing operations from Greg Kihlström and publisher De Gruyter Brill
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/new-book-on-building-and-scaling-modern-marketing-operations-from-greg-kihlstrom-and-publisher-de-gruyter-brill/
Last updated: 2026-05-18T10:05:04.000Z
**Author, advisor and marketing technology expert Greg Kihlström announced his forthcoming book,** ***Marketing Operations: Strategy, Implementation, and Optimization of Marketing Teams, Processes, and Platforms***, a practical guide for marketing leaders and teams looking to build, improve, and scale a modern MarketingOps function. The book is designed to help organizations address fractured processes, siloed data, growing technology complexity, and rising pressure to prove marketing’s business impact.

At the center of the book, available in paperback and digital, states a release, “is a Marketing Operations Maturity Model, which provides organizations with a structured way to assess current capabilities, prioritize improvements, and create a roadmap for long-term operational success. Rather than treating marketing operations as a support function tucked behind dashboards and intake forms, the book positions MarketingOps as a strategic discipline that connects goals, people, process, data, governance, and technology.

“The book combines strategic guidance with implementation detail. It covers the business case for MarketingOps, the core responsibilities of the function, team structure and role design, governance and compliance, marketing technology and data foundations, planning and estimation, performance measurement, and continuous optimization. It also addresses how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping operational models and decision-making.”

“Marketing leaders are being asked to move faster, work across more systems and channels, and deliver clearer business outcomes than ever before,” said Kihlström. “This book is intended to give organizations a practical framework to make marketing more measurable, more scalable, and frankly, a little less dependent on last-minute heroics.”

A key differentiator of the book, states the release, is its emphasis on repeatable frameworks rather than abstract theory. In addition to the maturity model, the book outlines several possible MarketingOps structures, clarifies the role of MarketingOps relative to adjacent functions such as PMOs and Revenue Operations, and provides guidance for organizations at different stages of growth, from those formalizing the function for the first time to enterprises seeking to optimize an established capability.

Kihlström brings extensive real-world experience to the subject. He is a best-selling author, speaker, consultant, and advisor who has worked with brands including Adidas, Coca-Cola, FedEx, HP, Marriott, Nationwide Insurance, Victoria’s Secret, and Toyota. He has written more than 20 books on marketing and marketing technology and hosts several business and marketing podcasts, including *The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström*.

***Marketing Operations: Strategy, Implementation, and Optimization of Marketing Teams, Processes, and Platforms*** is aimed at marketing leaders, MarketingOps professionals, and project managers who need a clearer, more effective way to align strategy with execution and build lasting operational capability.

**About Greg Kihlström**  
Greg Kihlström is a best-selling author, speaker, entrepreneur, and advisor on marketing technology, marketing operations, and digital transformation. He serves as an advisor and consultant to leading organizations and is a frequent writer, speaker, and podcast host on the future of marketing, customer experience, and business agility.

**About De Gruyter Brill**

De Gruyter Brill is an independent, family-owned academic publisher and a global leader in the humanities and beyond. Committed to excellence, we work with scholars across disciplines to make their contributions available to the global research community and the public. We publish reference works, books, journals, and research tools in subject areas ranging from the humanities, arts, architecture and social sciences to science, technology and medicine.
### Shutterstock to pay $35 million to settle FTC allegations over illegal subscription and cancellation practices
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/shutterstock-to-pay-35-million-to-settle-ftc-allegations-over-illegal-subscription-and-cancellation-practices/
Last updated: 2026-05-18T15:31:50.000Z
**Shutterstock Inc. will pay $35 million to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations** that the online digital photo and video platform illegally made tens of millions of dollars from a range of unfair and deceptive practices, including charging consumers for products without their informed consent and making it difficult to cancel subscriptions, states an FTGC release.

“Subscription and negative option features can be beneficial for both companies and consumers, making renewal simpler and streamlining payment processes,” said **Christopher Mufarrige,** Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

“But these benefits depend critically on firms clearly disclosing material terms, securing express and informed consent before charging consumers, and ensuring cancellation is a straightforward and simple process. When firms fail to follow these simple principles, they deprive consumers of the ability to make informed choices, undermining consumer sovereignty and impeding competition. The Commission’s action today underscores its commitment to preserving consumer choice and facilitating competition in digital markets and subscriptions.”New York-based Shutterstock licenses stock photos, graphics, videos and music clips that consumers can pay to use. Since at least 2020, the company has offered most of its content through online subscriptions, which allow consumers to download a specified number of pieces of content per month and retain a license to use the content for a set time.

According to the FTC release: “Consumers subscribe to Shutterstock’s products online, either by going to the company’s website or by clicking on advertisements that allow users to subscribe to specific products. The company offers several plans for licensing content on its website, including annual paid-up-front (APU) and annual paid monthly (APM) subscriptions and on-demand “packs.” The Commission alleged that Shutterstock failed to disclose important information about the terms of these plans.

“According to the [agency’s complaint](https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC-2BNu1-2BdeguRUrratMklgTjwfw-2FzXnoDF9eGVPMTRZtKvKWlIL-2B-2Fk2ZDR82s6nl-2FrKdeuqIAg5IRdBc2YD8u8hIE-3DhT5j%5Fd26Eb7EIAowZIc2fLDWWgyuKsMrWvPyHMJuM-2FMjXPMP8j4d-2BCmqs-2BtgnwZZAEgFjZJlxOIv38UxwAhyzf1jFhYM0FHdD9zD5FpPy8mb2I-2FpB0QAYKspr3Pk22UxpLWShunC5Hxj-2Fzct0JoZaWr7nUv4G2sJuUOxKYRig7YbQNUCArBZ3MlwGYNr9xslZyM73rELJGo4hw47yLr3QEiX6xDe-2FBnURRSxHo4nQ6a1adPPHPx4FvhgkqCwEeLlGIog9Dz7DQLQ89XoT0hkaRNbS2vTEINrha53J8GZzBW07QJrBBsAf9cn4qvfMsVH7FlZV8LT5d0mtPsAEnsnXJlQ-2FGzC1DdbB7g0GQBTvlB592Q4-3D&ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Shutterstock advertised its on-demand packs as “Best for a one-time project,” with “no commitment,” but failed to adequately disclose that these packs automatically renewed when the last download in the pack was used and—until early 2024—that they automatically renewed after one year.

“The complaint further alleges that the “plan selection” page of Shutterstock’s desktop APM enrollment flow frequently failed to clearly disclose material terms of the APM plans including that the plans will automatically renew at the end of each year and that consumers will be charged a fee to cancel an APM plan before the end of the term. Shutterstock often buried such details in difficult-to-find fine print, the complaint alleges.”
### Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit Set for October 14 in Washington, D.C.
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/mid-atlantic-marcom-summit-set-for-october-14-2026-in-washington-d-c/
Last updated: 2026-05-20T23:18:45.000Z
The [**Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit,**](https://marcomsummit.co/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) the region’s largest annual gathering of marketing, advertising, public relations, communications and media professionals, will take place Oct. 14 at the MLK Library Conference Center in Washington, D.C. Tickets are now on sale at the lowest price for a limited time.

Bringing together more than 400 professionals from leading brands, associations, professional services firms, government agencies, technology companies and emerging organizations, the summit serves as a premier forum for exploring the trends, technologies and challenges shaping the future of the industry.

The one-day event will feature a robust lineup of keynote presentations, panel discussions and expert-led sessions, along with extensive networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration and business growth.

A highlight of this year’s summit is the inclusion of the American Advertising Federation DC Chapter’s ADWKDC, which will host a dedicated track of sessions tailored specifically for the advertising community.

The Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit is co-produced by two of the region’s most respected media organizations: Potomac Tech Wire, the leading source for technology news in the Mid-Atlantic, and Capitol Communicator, a trusted source for marketing and communications news.

Attendees will gain insights from industry leaders and innovators across a wide range of topics, including:

- Chief marketing officer (CMO) challenges and leadership strategies
- Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies
- Data analytics and attribution
- Media relations and crisis communications
- Social media trends and content strategy
- Search engine optimization (SEO) and marketing automation
- Email marketing and customer engagement
- Design, user experience (UX) and video trends

The summit is designed for a broad audience of professionals, including CMOs, brand marketers, marketing executives, public relations practitioners, entrepreneurs, investors, technologists, creative directors and media planners.

Participants will also have the opportunity to connect with leaders from both established and emerging brands, making the event a key destination for networking and professional development in the Mid-Atlantic region.

The Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit brings together three previously independent conferences — the Mid-Atlantic Marketing Summit, the DC Ad Club’s ADWKDC conference, and PR Summit DC. The unified conference is now the largest MarCom Summit in the region.

For over a decade, the sell-out gatherings have convened MarCom executives to discuss high-level issues through panels, networking breaks, keynotes, presentations and exhibits.

Contact Paul Duning at [paul.duning@capitolcommunicator.com](mailto:paul.duning@capitolcommunicator.com) or Robert Udowitz at [robert.udowitz@capitolcommunicator.com](mailto:robert.udowitz@capitolcommunicator.com) for more sponsorship information.
### Agency Updates: THIS JANUARY, ROKK Solutions and The RHA Group
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/agency-updates-this-january-rokk-solutions-the-rha-group/
Last updated: 2026-05-16T11:00:59.000Z
[**NOOK**](https://nook.thisjanuary.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, an artist residency created by DC ad agency** [**THIS JANUARY,** ](https://www.thisjanuary.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)concluded the first chapter of its program, and is now looking for its second NOOK artist resident for the summer. This second iteration of NOOK will focus on fashion, supporting an artist “with a unique vision and the ambition to bring it to life. During their time in the residency, the artist will develop a capsule collection from concept to runway, including a still and film shoot produced by the agency.

Applications are now open and are due Monday, May 25\. Check out [**this link for additional visuals**](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rJde8p7bMiqxdPr%5Fm-wWS9o8qy-HN3TL?usp=drive%5Flink&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) for NOOK. Ideal candidates possess an impossible-to-define x-factor, the agency says, and “it doesn’t want anyone letting their perception of the boundaries of “art” or traditional parameters get in the way of applying, as they welcome all insiders, outsiders, and exceptional weirdos.”

[**ROKK Solutions**](https://rokksolutions.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **adds Amy Fox to the firm’s leadership team** as its first Chief Corporate Affairs Officer. According to the agency, she has extensive experience in corporate communications and strategic messaging, strengthening ROKK’s position as the sought-after communications firm and “established a reputation in Washington for guiding organizations through complex, high-stakes and constantly changing landscapes.” She previously worked at public relations firms Edelman and Ketchum Inc. and was an adviser to ROKK, Her past client portfolio includes leaders in industries such as education, retail, food and beverage, auto and finance.”

[**Rachel Henderson Eliff**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelahenderson/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **has launched The RHA Group LLC**. After 20 years of shaping brand narratives, corporate reputation, and social impact strategies for Fortune 500 companies, foundations, and global organizations, “I’m bringing everything I’ve learned to a new venture” she wrote on LinkedIn.
### Meta expected to earn $240 billion from ads this year, and spend up to $600 billion on AI development through 2028
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/meta-expected-to-earn-240-billion-from-advertising-this-year-and-spend-up-to-600-billion-on-ai-development-through-2028/
Last updated: 2026-05-17T23:02:44.000Z
**Meta is expected to earn $240 billion from advertising this year,** growing over 22.3% year-over-year and outpacing global social-media ad growth, according to a new forecasting report from WARC Media, reports [MediaPost](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/415064/meta-2026-ad-forecast-approaching-a-quarter-trill.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). 

In 2025, states MediaPost, “Meta’s ad business grew 22%, reaching $196 billion in revenue. For 2026, WARC forecasts a slightly higher growth rate, which the media company anticipates will dip down to 12% in 2027\. 

“As Meta showed in its most recent [quarterly earnings report](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/414735/meta-shows-q1-decline-in-daus-boost-in-ad-impress.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), the tech giant has used its massive investment in artificial intelligence (AI) to build out its advertising business, offering ad partners a range of AI-powered tools that helped boost ad impressions by 19% year-over-year in Q1, with average ad prices increasing 12%.”

In addition, continues MediaPost: “By planning to [spend up to $600 billion on AI development](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/410604/meta-commits-600b-on-us-ai-projects-though-2028.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) through 2028, Meta is primarily focused on optimizing monetization efficiency rather than increasing overall ad load, WARC notes.” (Most of the money Meta is planning to spend will go into the creation and operation of U.S. data centers, states another post on MediaPost.)
### Joel Oxley, general manager of WTOP who was “ahead of the curve,” to retire
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/joel-oxley-general-manager-of-wtop-who-was-ahead-of-the-curve-to-retire/
Last updated: 2026-08-21T23:37:19.000Z
**Joel Oxley, president and general manager of WTOP and Federal News Network, announced that he will retire later this year.** 

According to [WTOP,](https://wtop.com/inside-wtop/2026/05/wtop-general-manager-joel-oxley-announces-retirement-after-nearly-35-years-of-leadership/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) Oxley spent roughly 30 minutes at a staff meeting “praising the leadership, creativity and journalistic contributions of each of the 25 employees who are marking milestones this year — 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years of work.

“It’s part of his annual tradition to celebrate our colleagues’ work anniversaries at WTOP, Federal News Network or 2060 Digital.

“But the final anniversary Oxley announced was his own; he shared plans to retire after nearly 35 years with the company, including 28 years as general manager.”

“Because we are doing well, and because the best time to make changes is when you are doing well, and because I’m flipping 65,” Oxley said. “I’ve decided it’s time for me to hang up my cleats and retire and move on to the next thing, next chapter of my life.”

“He is a Media Hall of Famer,” WTOP Afternoon Drive Anchor **Shawn Anderson** said. “The record of being so successful for so long in this industry, the run he’s had is just astounding.”

Anderson said that success has partially come from Oxley’s “ability to be ahead of the curve.”

Accordingf to WTOP, “evidence of that forward-thinking includes moving WTOP’s main signal from 1500AM to 103.5FM, bringing traffic coverage in-house and investing in digital journalism, including WTOP.com and FNN.com.”

“When Joel started as general manager, we as a radio station, had trouble cracking the Top 10 in the ratings,” Anderson said. “It took a couple of years to get to the point where we were No. 1, but we’ve been the dominant radio station in Washington for this century, and he has kept us there the whole time.”
### AI and the New Reality of Reputation to be focus of virtual Town Hall on May 20
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/ai-and-the-new-reality-of-reputation-to-be-focus-of-virtual-town-hall-on-may-20/
Last updated: 2026-05-15T19:22:49.000Z
**CommPRO + CommunicationsMatch™ is presenting a Town Hall on May 20 at 11 AM** focused on how AI is reshaping reputation in real time. This virtual event will feature [Sam Michelson](https://www.fiveblocks.com/management-team/sam-michelson/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), CEO and founder of Five Blocks, who is described as a global leader in digital reputation management, consulting for leading businesses and prominent executives around the world, whose work is helping define how organizations understand and manage what AI systems are saying about them and how those narratives are forming without direct control

In the recent past, it has become clear that reputation is no longer shaped only by media, stakeholders or owned channels. AI systems are now interpreting, summarizing, and presenting narratives about companies and leaders, often before communications teams even see them.This session is designed to explore what that actually means in practice.

This virtual Town Hall will be a a candid, peer-level working conversation and focus on questions like:  
• How do you manage reputation when AI is interpreting your story at scale?  
• What does “accuracy” mean when machines are shaping perception?  
• Where does accountability sit when narratives are no longer fully human-driven?  
• How are communications and IR teams adapting in real time?

As with all CommPRO + CommunicationsMatch™ town halls, the value comes from the participants. This is a space for people doing the work to share what they’re seeing, what’s changing and what they’re trying next.<

More [here.](https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/wgEVVkGqSeyQ5UKnkpVUkg?ref=capitolcommunicator.com#/registration)
### Layoffs at Linkedin
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/layoffs-at-linkedin/
Last updated: 2026-05-15T02:03:59.000Z
**LinkedIn is reportedly laying off hundreds of employees,** marking the latest job cuts at Big Tech companies, states [The Seattle Times](https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft/microsoft-owned-linkedin-cuts-hundreds-of-roles-reports-say/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The Microsoft subsidiary’s cuts, first reported by Bloomberg, are expected to affect engineering, product and marketing roles, keeping with the trend of the tech industry’s spree of layoffs over the past year.

The cuts will hit about 5% of LinkedIn’s roughly 17,000-person workforce, according to Reuters.

LinkedIn, owned by Microsoft since 2016, did not respond to a request for comment.

The layoffs, states The Seattle Times, follow a leadership change at LinkedIn. Less than a month ago, LinkedIn Chief Operating Officer **Daniel Shapero** was tapped as the new CEO. LinkedIn’s previous CEO, **Ryan Roslansky,** moved to Microsoft last year as an executive vice president overseeing LinkedIn and Microsoft Office.

LinkedIn’s cuts add to Microsoft’s workforce reductions over the past year. Microsoft laid off about 15,000 employees last year as it continued to pour billions of dollars into artificial intelligence investments — costs that are [still piling up for the company this year](https://www.seattletimes.com/business/local-business/amazon-and-microsoft-wont-stop-record-ai-spending/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).
### State of Wikipedia report for May 2026
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/state-of-wikipedia-report-for-may-2026/
Last updated: 2026-05-13T16:33:17.000Z
**In May 2026, the Wikipedia Chaos Index dropped slightly to 87, moving out of the Critical range, where it remained the last few months, and into the High range.** The platform remains highly volatile, so our advice remains unchanged: this isn’t the time to publish new drafts, update controversial content, or engage in debates with editors.

The slight decline in the Chaos Index can be attributed to a slight slowdown generally across the platform; however, this month did see an increase in COI noticeboard activity and in articles nominated for deletion, a sign that high-level, experienced editors remain incredibly active, and punitive, in 2026.

Though most metrics of activity were down this month, the overall amount of edits actually increased month-to-month. This suggests that a lot of minor edits are happening across the platform, which typically follows minute changes in formatting or an increase in editorial bot activity.

Following a Board of Trustees decision confirmed by member Victoria Doronina on March 30, all Wikinews language editions were locked into read-only mode beginning May 4, ending editing and new content creation across the project. Launched in November 2004, Wikinews had operated across 31 languages with just over 700 active editors at the time of closure, a footprint the Foundation’s Sister Projects Task Force ultimately judged insufficient relative to maintenance burden and strategic fit.

Though seemingly a small decision made to end a struggling project, the ripple effect is significant, as it marks the first major closure of a Wikimedia sister project in its history. As expected, the March 30 Signpost article noting its closure drew tons of discussion: though many agreed with the project’s decline in activity, the procedural floor for closing other projects was effectively established with this vote. Criticism was also leveled against the Foundation, with some editors calling the vote “pre-determined” and the preceding consultation performed to be inadequate, while others noted that other, less active projects (like Wikispecies) were continuing, setting an imperfect precedent, one that will no doubt fuel discussion and controversy on Wikipedia throughout the year.

NOTE: The Chaos Index is a proprietary metric for measuring turbulence throughout Wikipedia and tracking the community’s current sentiment towards corporate-related pages. The index measures community actions such as editing frequency, content deletion, message board posts, and many other activities that contribute to unstable corporate page environments..
### Newsmatics launches ‘Journalists Wanted’ initiative
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/newsmatics-launches-journalists-wanted-initiative-to-amplify-credible-journalism-and-expand-audience-reach/
Last updated: 2026-05-14T13:28:29.000Z
[**Newsmatics**](https://www.newsmatics.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, the media intelligence company behind the global** [**Affinity Group Publishing (AGP)**](https://www.affinitygrouppublishing.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **network,** has launched “[Journalists Wanted](https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/untitled,260969?ref=capitolcommunicator.com),” a program, states a release, “designed to help credible journalists expand their reach while maintaining full ownership and control of their work.

“The initiative invites journalists and local news organizations publishing through newsletters, Substack, nonprofit sites, independent outlets, newspapers, digital publications and personal websites to submit their reporting for editorial review.

“Approved work will be surfaced across AGP’s network of thousands of curated publications, reaching millions of readers worldwide, with all traffic directed back to the journalist’s original platform.”

“Journalists are still doing extraordinary work in communities across the country, including many working within smaller, independent and emerging local news organizations,” said **David Rothstein**, Chief Executive Officer of Newsmatics, in photo above. “Our goal is to help those journalists be discovered. This is about visibility, not substitution, connecting audiences directly to the people doing the reporting.”

According to the release: “Unlike automated systems that attempt to replicate journalism or summarize content, the “Journalists Wanted” initiative is built on editorial review, attribution and source integrity. Submissions are evaluated by AGP editors to ensure credibility and originality before being featured, and all content remains hosted on the journalist’s own platform.”

“This is a fundamentally different model,” Rothstein added. “We are not recreating journalism or training systems on it. We are amplifying it, surfacing real reporting and sending readers directly to the source. Journalists retain full control over their work at all times.”

According to the release, the launch “comes at a moment when discoverability has become one of the most pressing challenges for journalists. Journalists are still doing extraordinary work in communities across the country, including many working across emerging local news platforms.

“While content creation has expanded across platforms, audience reach has become increasingly fragmented, leaving many journalists and smaller news organizations struggling to ensure their work is seen.

To accelerate awareness and participation, Newsmatics is supporting the initiative with a targeted industry marketing campaign in partnership with [Editor & Publisher Magazine](https://www.editorandpublisher.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), reaching tens of thousands of news publishing executives through digital, print and webinar channels.

“Today, more journalists than ever are publishing independently and across independent, nonprofit and emerging local news platforms, but that doesn’t guarantee their work will be found,” said **Mike Blinder**, Publisher of E&P Magazine. “What’s compelling here is the focus on amplification without extraction, helping journalists extend their reach while driving readers back to where the work lives. It’s new, it’s experimental, but in a world where impact matters more than ever, it feels necessary.”

Through the program, journalists and local news organizations submit basic information about their work, including their publishing platform and coverage area. AGP editors then review submissions and, if approved, surface relevant stories across targeted publications within the network. Readers encountering those stories are directed back to the original source, ensuring both proper attribution and traffic flow to the journalist.

“The challenge isn’t just about the loss of newspapers,” Rothstein said. “It’s about making sure the journalists who are still reporting have the visibility they deserve. If their work isn’t being seen, it can’t have the impact it was meant to have.”

The initiative also ensures that journalists maintain full ownership and publishing authority over their content. Participants can request removal from the network at any time, reinforcing the program’s emphasis on control, transparency and trust.

As the media landscape continues to evolve, “Journalists Wanted” represents, states the release, “a new approach to distribution, one that prioritizes discovery, attribution and the preservation of journalistic integrity.”
### YES& joins Dawn network of independent agencies
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/yes-joins-dawn-network-of-independent-agencies/
Last updated: 2026-05-13T17:43:10.000Z
### *Move expands growth opportunities* 
*& strengthens indie network benefits to global brands* 

[**Yes&** ](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A%5F%5Fyesandagency.com%5F&d=DwMGaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A%5FCdpgnVfiiMM&r=uBVMQu33fW8Cm5k8ITxKCTitOaE0wL2HLfevn2toz68&m=rozGn4PgwjXhT9duv6c%5FHCglvhl%5FNZBJa5yLmyE%5FAmiDrXPa51j-QNe4bHfW-rpQ&s=dppOddWMAAf5T9cjOmt8adqDsDYLwkwc0UPYvf3VbDc&e=&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**announced it has joined** [**Dawn Marketing**](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A%5F%5Fdawnmarketing.com%5F&d=DwMGaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A%5FCdpgnVfiiMM&r=V6HESdivf8E1znfd50e2quvCo3W6xfnhA7m2EtbUbE4&m=IOedGnIbww5vN41003GGQv-YI%5FYXDR72cMwYQKEUfF0YkBfd85CCNa-J6zHLQ39M&s=sv8kg2uaOgxn4kSt4uOYcWGg55Ts6LBuKWRZzf9t63Y&e=&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**,** a global portfolio of best-in-class independent specialist marketing services agencies built around centralized data science, advanced analytics and econometric measurement.

Dawn is led by CEO **Aaron Reitkopf,** an advertising agency expert with 30+ years of experience as CEO and chairman at top-tier agencies such as KBS+, Profero, MullenLowe NY and iMedia Brands, According to a release, “Dawn provides critical expertise and resources to help member agencies aggressively scale while offering indie-agency network solutions to global brands seeking scaled partnerships previously reserved for holding companies. Among its prestigious roster of independent shops are Rethink, Crossmedia, BarkleyOKRP, Co: and Pereira O’Dell; as well as creative, content, media and entertainment companies such as Bleacher Report, Zoo Media, Vertical Studios and BridgeNext.

“For Yes&, this move marks the latest milestone in its strategic expansion and national growth strategy. In January, Yes& acquired Symmetri, the award-winning B2B agency serving clients in technology, healthcare technology and manufacturing in the U.S and Europe, followed shortly thereafter by the acquisition of Atlanta-based design firm, Metaleap Creative. These acquisitions followed a series of notable C-suite talent additions and four additional agency acquisitions from 2025.”

Yes& serves clients nationwide from its headquarters in Washington, D.C., with additional hubs in Atlanta and Chicago. Its regional and global client roster includes Mercedes-Benz, IHG Hotels, Pirelli, Disney, the U.S. State Department, the Smithsonian Institution, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Pfizer, Google and the U.S. Mint.

“Joining the Dawn network amplifies our agency’s scale by adding strategic, creative and media firepower, along with access to specialized expertise and insight,” **Zihla Salinas**, Yes& CEO, said. “For companies who have traditionally sought holding company solutions, Yes& and Dawn are now a powerful competitor in the consideration set. We can offer brands the assets and infrastructure advantages of a holding company but with the agility, vision, cost efficiency and entrepreneurial thinking of an independent agency.”
### Under Armour “needs to spend significantly more on marketing,” states MediaPost
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/consumers-confused-about-who-under-armour-is-for-states-mediapost/
Last updated: 2026-05-13T17:14:41.000Z
**Tariffs, rising costs, soft consumer demand: Baltimore-based Under Armour is fighting all of it**. But according to analysts, the brand’s deeper problem is one no trade policy can fix: Consumers are confused about who Under Armour is for, states [MediaPost](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/415024/under-armours-real-problem-us-consumers-have-m.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The company posted another quarter of sales declines which, states MediaPost, is “a sizable loss and a weak forecast, and now says the best it can hope for next year is a little stability. Revenue slipped 1% to $1.2 billion, dragged down by a 7% drop in North American sales to $641 million, though international sales gained 10%. Apparel was flat at $778 million, footwear flat at $282 million, and accessories grew 2% to $94 million. The company narrowed its loss to $43 million from $80.1 million in the year-ago period — but analysts had hoped for more.”

MediaPost states that while Under Armour navigates the same tariff minefield as the rest of the apparel sector, “it carries an extra burden: It needs to spend significantly more on marketing just to remind consumers it exists. Rivals like On, Hoka and Adidas are managing sales gains while facing the same headwinds, which makes Under Armour’s struggles harder to explain away as purely situational.”

The brand problem may be the hardest thing to fix, states MediaPost. **Neil Saunders**, managing director of GlobalData, notes that even though this is Under Armour’s best quarterly performance in two years, the company continues to lose market share. “In our data for customer affinity, Under Armour has only shown very modest signs of improvement in the U.S. and remains significantly below many other brands,” he writes. “Many consumers remain confused.”

IMAGE: Under Armour’s website
### Decile expands its AI analyst capabilities to include instant audience generation, turning insights into actionable segments in seconds
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/decile-expands-its-ai-analyst-capabilities-to-include-instant-audience-generation-turning-insights-into-actionable-segments-in-seconds/
Last updated: 2026-05-11T19:38:42.000Z
[**Decile**](https://decile.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, an AI-powered ecommerce analytics platform, announced the expansion of its AI analyst, Luma by Decile**, introducing, states a release, “instant audience generation. The release launches the ability to create audience segments directly from Luma conversations, allowing ecommerce teams to turn natural language requests into ready-to-use customer segments within seconds. Each segment includes a name, description, size and underlying logic, for immediate campaign activation.”

“Ecommerce teams have always struggled with the gap between insight and action,” said **Cary Lawrence**, CEO of Decile. “You might identify a high-value customer cohort, but turning that into a usable audience can take hours or require technical resources. Luma eliminates that gap entirely. Now you can go from insight to segment to activation in minutes.”

With the new capability, continues the release, users can ask Luma to define a customer group, such as recent purchasers or high-LTV customers, and receive a ready-to-use audience immediately. Luma generates a structured segment card within the chat interface, complete with a suggested name, description, audience size and the underlying logic. Users can choose whether the audience is static, or auto-refreshed for dynamic segments. Ecommerce teams can then review the segment, make edits if needed, and choose to save or dismiss it on the spot. Once saved, the new audience appears immediately in the user’s audience library. It can be sent to marketing and advertising platforms directly from Decile for one-click activation.

In addition to automatic generation, Luma gives operators full control to refine segments before saving:

- Edit audience names and descriptions directly within the chat
- See character limits and inline validation in real time
- Reset edits back to Luma’s original suggestions with a single click

This balance of automation and control ensures teams can move quickly without sacrificing precision or governance.

Building audiences has often required coordination across analytics, engineering, and marketing teams, along with manual queries and delays between insight and action. Luma by Decile removes that friction by generating segments from the same data model used for analysis, maintaining consistency from discovery through execution.

The result is a faster, more intuitive workflow where ecommerce teams can:

- Identify marketing opportunities
- Instantly build target audiences
- Activate campaigns without delay

This launch represents a significant step forward in Decile’s vision for Luma as a true AI analyst that doesn’t just answer questions, but enables business outcomes.

As brands face increasing pressure to act on data in real time, the ability to move seamlessly from analysis to execution is becoming a competitive necessity. With instant audience generation, Luma seamlessly connects powerful CDP capabilities with advanced analytics and pulls it all together into a single, unified experience.

To learn more about Luma by Decile, visit [https://decile.com/features/luma-ai/](https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4685068-1&h=3985671451&u=https%3A%2F%2Fdecile.com%2Ffeatures%2Fluma-ai%2F&a=https%3A%2F%2Fdecile.com%2Ffeatures%2Fluma-ai%2F&ref=capitolcommunicator.com).
### Sign of the times: High-profile restaurant closures suggest reshaped D.C. dining habits and office culture
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/sign-of-the-times-high-profile-restaurant-closures-suggest-reshaped-d-c-dining-habits-and-office-culture/
Last updated: 2026-05-11T16:47:17.000Z
**A wave of high-profile restaurant closures in D.C.’s Downtown, Chinatown, Penn Quarter and other nearby neighborhoods** have left many in the industry questioning whether the city can fully recover from reshaped dining habits, office culture and higher labor costs, reports WTOP.

Within the last six months, continues the WTOP post, a variety of restaurants in that core “have closed: Cranes, Arrels, Michele’s, and Tonari this year, with Tony Cheng’s, Kinship and Métier shuttering in late 2025\. The reasons behind these notable closures vary, but several restaurateurs who spoke to WTOP point to the same pressures in reshaping the city’s dining industry.

“Near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Métier, which was once dubbed “the best restaurant in Washington” by [Washingtonian](https://washingtonian.com/2018/01/25/metier-is-the-best-restaurant-in-washington-dc/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), closed in December 2025 after 10 years of service. Kinship, located above the space, closed at the same time.”

**Eric Ziebold**, formerly chef-owner of Kinship and Métier, told WTOP that he closed his restaurants because he “couldn’t find an environment that made sense to resign a lease currently with the state of things.”

“In the post-pandemic world, people aren’t going downtown as regularly as they used to,” said Ziebold, who attributed this to workers not returning to offices, traffic, crime and parking issues.

For **Jeffrey Bank**, owner and CEO of The Alicart Restaurant Group, which owns Carmine’s in Penn Quarter, “D.C. has its challenges and has great opportunities also.”

“D.C. has changed,” he told WTOP. “D.C. has been the one (city) that has had the most changes of lots going on.”

Bank said, states WTOP, these changes include fewer workers returning to the office (though more jobs are requiring workers to return to the office), perceptions about crime and public safety, and the [Capital One Arena renovations](https://wtop.com/local/2026/02/new-design-entrance-and-led-system-capital-one-arena-renovation-advances-to-much-more-visible-phase/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).”

However, data from the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) suggests some indicators are improving.

The “State of Downtown D.C.” 2025 report, continues WTOP, “highlights that office attendance in the area jumped in 2025\. From March through December, office attendance was 48%, up 4% from the previous time frame in 2024.

“During the fall, when federal job cuts went into effect and the federal government shutdown occurred, office attendance growth slowed, but “rates remained above their 2024 average,” according to the report.

“The report also noted a 2.5% increase in overall foot traffic in Downtown D.C., when comparing data against 2025 numbers.”.
### Podcast listening continues to grow
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/podcast-listening-continues-to-grow/
Last updated: 2026-05-11T17:26:42.000Z
**Podcast listening continued to climb in April,** with Podtrac’s latest publisher rankings showing gains for many of the industry’s largest networks as iHeartMedia tightened its grip atop the chart, reports [Inside Radio](https://www.insideradio.com/free/podtrac-podcast-listening-continued-to-grow-in-april/article%5F0e231c57-fe86-475b-b13f-83106accc7e4.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The iHeart Audience Network, continues Inside Radio, “remained the largest podcast publisher measured by Podtrac, reaching 62.9 million U.S. monthly listeners and 343 million downloads and streams in April. Compared with March, the network’s audience increased roughly 4%, while downloads and streams climbed about 7%.

“Podtrac says iHeartPodcasts also posted another month of growth, rising to 31 million U.S. listeners and 170.9 million downloads and streams. That represented an increase of approximately 6% in audience and 9% in downloads month-to-month.

“Behind the iHeart pair, the rest of the leaderboard remained largely stable. Acast held the No. 3 position with 24.1 million listeners and 88.2 million downloads and streams, while the NPR Sales Network stayed fourth with 19.6 million listeners and 112.1 million downloads. Libsyn rounded out the top five, growing to 18.8 million listeners and 85.9 million downloads and streams.”
### The Emotional Connection: Building Loyalty Programs That Resonate and Reward
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-emotional-connection-building-loyalty-programs-that-resonate-and-reward/
Last updated: 2026-05-10T21:48:37.000Z
**Originally published by Response Labs. Reprinted with permission.**

**The most advanced loyalty systems in the world mean little if customers do not feel connected to the brand behind them**. After unifying data, applying predictive segmentation, and mapping adaptive journeys, the next evolution is emotional loyalty—the stage where trust, recognition, and shared values turn transactions into relationships. This is where Response Labs really leans into *Make Every Message Matter*.

##### **Why Emotional Loyalty Matters**

Discounts can win attention, but emotion wins commitment. A study from [Capgemini’s “Loyalty Deciphered” Report](https://www.capgemini.com/nl-nl/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/05/report-dti-loyalty-deciphered.pdf?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) found that customers with strong emotional connections are more than twice as likely to recommend a brand and spend more frequently than those motivated by rewards alone.

Traditional loyalty programs often focus on points, perks, or convenience. Emotional loyalty goes deeper. It is built on three key drivers: authenticity, recognition, and shared purpose. Customers want to feel valued not only for what they spend, but for who they are and how they engage.

##### **The Human Side of Personalization**

In dating, success depends on paying attention. You notice details, remember preferences, and respond at the right moment. Marketing works the same way. Customers do not want to be pursued with generic gestures; they want to be seen, understood, and remembered.

Personalization is the language of emotional connection but there is a balance between connecting with the consumer, and going too far and turning them off from their brand. While personalization remains a differentiator 64% of consumers say they prefer tailored experiences only 41% believe the benefits justify the privacy costs. ([Qualtrics](https://www.qualtrics.com/articles/customer-experience/global-consumer-experience-trends/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)). No one wants a creeper. That holds true in dating and in marketing.

As **Andy Locke,** Director of Strategy & Data at Response Labs, explains, “The principles of good relationships apply to marketing too. Listen first, remember what matters, respond with context, and never take someone’s privacy for granted.”

##### **How to Design for Emotion**

Building emotional loyalty means integrating human elements into every interaction.

1. **Recognize and reward milestones.** Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and personal achievements within the loyalty program.
2. **Deliver value beyond discounts.** Offer experiences, early access, or charitable contributions that align with customers’ values.
3. **Personalize communication tone.** Use behavioral insights to make each message feel genuine and individualized.
4. **Align with community and cause.** Programs that reflect shared values foster long-term advocacy.

[Sprout Social’s Index reports](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/index/success/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) consumers value authenticity from brands and fast, personalized customer care.

##### **From Data to Feeling**

Emotional loyalty is not separate from analytics; it is enhanced by it. The same unified data and journey mapping that power automation can also surface moments that matter. When CRM systems identify a guest returning after a long absence or hitting a loyalty milestone, those signals become emotional triggers—opportunities to express gratitude, not just deliver offers.

[Harvard Business Review](https://hbr.org/2015/11/the-new-science-of-customer-emotions?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) explains that emotionally engaged customers are 52% more valuable than merely satisfied ones, underscoring that emotional connection is not a soft metric—it is a measurable growth driver.

##### **Conclusion**

Loyalty begins with data, grows through prediction, and thrives through emotion. The most successful programs combine intelligence and empathy, creating experiences that feel personal, purposeful, and enduring. When brands connect with the heart as much as the head, loyalty stops being a tactic and becomes a relationship.

Want to dive deeper? [Download our free Loyalty Playbook](https://www.responselabs.com/crm-loyalty-playbook/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) to see how your CRM becomes a true growth engine.

If you are ready to transform your loyalty program into a true growth program, we are here to help. [Contact us](https://www.responselabs.com/contact/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) to talk about how to get started.

**This article was originally published by Response Labs and is reprinted here with permission.** 
**Read the original article here: https://www.responselabs.com/2025/10/customer-lifetime-value-retention-strategy/**
### The Banner announces news staff for Prince George’s County edition
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-banner-announces-news-staff-for-prince-georges-county-edition/
Last updated: 2026-05-10T20:16:36.000Z
**The Banner, based in Baltimore with recent expansions in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County and Pittsburgh,** has selected a team of journalists who will cover Prince George’s County. [The announcement was made by **Zuri Berry**](https://www.thebanner.com/community/local-news/banner-prince-georges-county-journalists-SVOY5DJYL5AF3BNYQP2MTWIYXA/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), executive editor for The Banner in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

“For the past couple of months, I’ve had the privilege of assembling a team of award-winning journalists to help cover local government, education, health, children and families, food and culture,” Berry wrote. “The team will cover the county with all of the care, rigor and resolve that Prince George’s County deserves.”

**Mitch Ryals**, in main photo, has been hired as Prince George’s County editor. He will join from Washington City Paper, where he was managing editor since 2021\. He was hired in 2018 as City Paper’s Loose Lips reporter. In 2023, he launched City Paper’s Inside Voices column that highlights the perspectives and writings of incarcerated people and returned citizens. Before City Paper, he covered law enforcement and criminal justice at the Pacific Northwest Inlander in Spokane, Washington. He will join The Banner on May 26.

Other Prince George’s news staff hires include:

**Hau Chu**, food, arts and culture reporter. Before The Banner, he spent nine years at The Washington Post, primarily for the Local and Features/Style sections.

**Ashley Clarke** joins The Banner after working at ProPublica as an engagement reporter, contributing to investigative projects on health, scientific research, environmental issues, the federal workforce and education. Previously, she worked at Bloomberg Industry Group, the Center for Public Integrity and NBC4 in Washington.

**Ben Conarck** joined The Banner as a criminal justice reporter in July 2022\. Previously, he worked for the Miami Herald as a health care reporter. He will cover local government.

**Ellie Silverman** worked at The Washington Post, where she covered protest movements and extremism. She also reported on retail, breaking news and general assignment stories at The Philadelphia Inquirer. She will cover education.

*Main photo of Ryals via LinkedIn*
### USA Today Co accelerates digital transformation
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/online-revenue-approaching-half-of-usa-today-cos-overall-business/
Last updated: 2026-05-09T16:14:55.000Z
**USA Today Co, is continuing to accelerate its digital transformation,** with online revenue approaching half of its overall business, states a post on [Citybiz](https://www.citybiz.co/article/841844/usa-today-co-nears-digital-majority-as-online-revenue-climbs-to-48/?abkw=citybizwashington&ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The company, formerly known as Gannett, reported first-quarter revenue of $548.5 million, down 4% year over year. However, same-store revenue declined just 1.8%—a 590-basis-point improvement compared to the prior-year period—signaling stabilizing performance.

Digital operations were a bright spot, states the post. Total digital revenue reached $261.9 million, representing 47.8% of total revenue, up from $250 million a year ago and reflecting 5.2% same-store growth.

Chairman and CEO **Mike Reed** attributed the gains to growth in digital-only subscriptions and other digital revenue streams, noting these segments are driving both improved digital performance and broader revenue trends.

Digital advertising generated $80.9 million during the quarter, while digital-only subscriptions contributed $45.9 million, returning to year-over-year growth. The company also reported strong audience engagement, with average monthly unique visitors reaching 180 million in Q1, states the post.
### Kenneth “Boh” Hatter named President and Head of Marketing at Sage Growth Partners
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/kenneth-boh-hatter-named-president-and-head-of-marketing-at-sage-growth-partners/
Last updated: 2026-05-08T21:26:55.000Z
[**Sage Growth Partners (Sage)**](http://email.prnewswire.com/ls/click?upn=u001.8CiUkFrLGqa7ynIpBWoM0v7EmeVPMGXDVN-2B7-2BRaQiLq7kUvVaLkXbTmmxlqtrncTFwNpNL301KtFK0BN-2FrtD2-2BYANUUoD7DAXSHAfm4FJAHZf9swgc-2BelEkbjDkxaYKmqzfrIK6EGC6j-2BtKoNcD-2FC-2Flfvge11amQqrnOVJYo6XtHRt5yAzjMl-2FGb-2BuC-2F-2FM9oyyMZ%5Fd26Eb7EIAowZIc2fLDWWgyuKsMrWvPyHMJuM-2FMjXPMP8j4d-2BCmqs-2BtgnwZZAEgFjKzPWVRQaeWA7jnN322Awab5Q2bfYqy-2BEPUwTbdFpw-2BQ24bA-2FT-2FrGOhHClRc3gOzfQoAjw-2FQwcUGdjcFQFHBPlkvZ5pCDyDlZGgKGqeEzlBGFu08o7HuIFGL8BL-2BIDmBlJtXinftwoIvcypqgxIv34ZFLjtP5a-2FADpuVkqE8J147acCFamNggUlyJqCJ7pv4Ck5yqqejiuerphZOFsg8v9KX3HLF8uFtY8viHAX3Jyl671oGVukty8KxWQv0o-2FGLTEcWxCKibZEQQnd3R7cQCqVbX2YaONnxVVriCZzVq7z-2FmkDr6wumvtxJ8gfwn-2BCdW&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced that** [**Kenneth “Boh” Hatter**](http://email.prnewswire.com/ls/click?upn=u001.8CiUkFrLGqa7ynIpBWoM0v7EmeVPMGXDVN-2B7-2BRaQiLq7kUvVaLkXbTmmxlqtrncTFwNpNL301KtFK0BN-2FrtD2-2Fc1wIEkH002vfOkuluBwmEFDlE3HTqmvHhXrhBuMUE2hLVkFtF0-2Bsj3yBJNIyX8fYqO-2BTRV-2FI2xi-2FVYLBsbqWvcEOZ6nPy8GG9yFZWGA-2BLZ-2Bw-2FoJSjNnZq0U0rxD3WNxpeMT7qdaq86BfaloFVK254-3D4rpU%5Fd26Eb7EIAowZIc2fLDWWgyuKsMrWvPyHMJuM-2FMjXPMP8j4d-2BCmqs-2BtgnwZZAEgFjKzPWVRQaeWA7jnN322Awab5Q2bfYqy-2BEPUwTbdFpw-2BQ24bA-2FT-2FrGOhHClRc3gOzfQoAjw-2FQwcUGdjcFQFHBPlkvZ5pCDyDlZGgKGqeEzlBGFu08o7HuIFGL8BL-2BIDmBlJtXinftwoIvcypqgxIv34ZFLjtP5a-2FADpuVkqE8J146ncJKfvhYs3QQZiL0aa55vHpfdGcubpC5kncjCVswcXQFFO-2FHZwRCGk40OgV8h5IRBCQ7DIa0G889-2Bu9CUrk4A3yvCVdM-2FoU-2FNlFVEL-2Fn3sbblahUSJ4K0UUplaY0P9N3VYgTdEKeUMmh8aXd1qE4i&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **has been named President and Head of Marketing.** This announcement comes, states a release, as “Sage continues to expand its national client footprint to support healthcare organizations navigating an increasingly competitive market.”

According to the release, Hatter brings “more than 30 years of experience as a marketing and communications executive, helping organizations strengthen brand positioning, conduct market research, scale revenue and navigate a complex healthcare landscape. Most recently, he served as Chief Marketing Officer at Sage and has been a member of the firm’s ownership team since 2011.

“In his new role, Hatter will focus on shaping the firm’s strategic direction, accelerating growth and strengthening executive-level client relationships. He will continue to play a key role in business development and lead Sage’s marketing practice.”

“Boh has a unique combination of leadership talent, strategic vision and deep expertise that aligns perfectly with the needs of our firm and the expectations of our clients,” said **Dan D’Orazio**, CEO, Sage Growth Partners. “He is the type of leader that always delivers exceptional results, builds high-performing teams, and pushes companies to become better. His record of success speaks for itself, and he continues to be a game changer for us.”

Prior to his tenure at Sage, continues the release, “he was president and founder of Maryland-based Hatter Communications, an advertising/public relations consultancy and creative boutique firm that was recognized by AdWeek Magazine as the “hottest small agency in the country.” Earlier, he was also vice president and chief marketing officer for USF&G, where he was instrumental in the creation of the USF&G Sugar Bowl, which was the first corporate sponsorship of the national event.

“During his career, Hatter has partnered with numerous Fortune 50 companies as well as nationally recognized brands such as the American Red Cross, Bon Secours Health System, Coca-Cola, BASF, ABC Sports, the Archdiocese of Baltimore and Sylvan Learning Centers.”

Hatter has received multiple industry honors, including multiple ADDY and Telly awards. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business and Loyola University Maryland. He is a graduate of Towson University.
### NY Times reports higher profits and revenue, plus adding about 310,000 digital subscribers
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/ny-times-reports-higher-profits-and-revenue-plus-about-310000-digital-only-subscribers/
Last updated: 2026-05-08T15:09:54.000Z
**The New York Times Company reported higher profit and revenue in the first quarter,** as it continued to grow both its digital subscriber base and its advertising business, reports [The Wall Street Journa](https://www.wsj.com/business/media/new-york-times-profit-revenue-climb-on-subscription-advertising-growth-434cd8ba?mod=Searchresults&pos=1&page=1&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)l.

According to the WSJ report: “The news-and-media company posted a profit of $87.9 million, or 54 cents a share, up from $49.6 million, or 30 cents a share, a year earlier.

“Stripping out certain one-time items, earnings were 61 cents a share, Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected adjusted earnings of 47 cents a share.

“Revenue climbed 12% to $712.2 million, topping Wall Street models for $699.9 million.

“Total subscription revenue was up 11% to $516.9 million, as higher revenue from digital-only products offset lower domestic home-delivery and single-copy revenue.

“Total advertising revenue jumped 17% to $126.8 million, which the company attributed primarily to strong marketer demand and growth in advertising supply.”

The company said it added about 310,000 net digital-only subscribers sequentially, bringing its total number of digital-only subscribers to about 12.5 million. The company ended the quarter with roughly 13.1 million total subscribers.
### 4media group founder Ed Cyster transitions from CEO; Melissa Elsner named new CEO
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/4media-group-founder-ed-cyster-transitions-from-ceo-melissa-elsner-named-new-ceo/
Last updated: 2026-05-09T16:22:12.000Z
[**4media group**](https://www.globenewswire.com/en/search/organization/4media%2520group%CE%B4%2520Inc%C2%A7?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, a global communications group, announced that its founder, Ed Cyster,** left in photo, has transitioned from the role of Global CEO as part of a planned succession, allowing him to focus on mergers and acquisitions and the company’s long-term strategic growth.

**Melissa Elsner**, right in photo, who most recently served as Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer.

According to a release, the “carefully considered transition comes as the company marks its 10-year milestone in the U.S. and reports its strongest first quarter to date, up 40% year over year, fueled by recent acquisitions and continued organic growth.”

“This is an incredibly exciting time for our business,” said Cyster. “As we celebrate a decade in the U.S. and our strongest first quarter to date, it’s clear that we’ve established a stable presence in the industry. Between our own exponential growth and the ascent of generative AI, we’re entering a new phase of scale and opportunity – one that requires a world-class operational leader. Melissa has played a pivotal role in our success and is uniquely equipped to move the company forward.”

Cyster will remain Founder and will drive the company’s long-term direction by focusing on mergers and acquisitions, which are now a central driver of its strategic expansion.

“Following several successful acquisitions, we’ve demonstrated the impact M&A can have on our business,” Cyster added. “Between the stability of our business and our best-in-class toolset, including Feature Impact, Atomik Research and our growing PR function, it’s the perfect time for me to be laser focused on expanding our global footprint and creating long-term value for our clients and stakeholders.”

Elsner joined 4media group as Vice President of Transformation Strategy, where she led initiatives to modernize the business and strengthen operations. She later advanced to Chief Technology Officer, modernizing the company’s technology infrastructure and accelerating digital innovation. As Chief Operating Officer, she most recently led operational integration across the business and helped scale its global operations. Her appointment underscores her deep understanding of the company’s strategy, operations and long-term direction.

Before 4media group, Elsner spent more than a decade at Cision MultiVu, working her way up from Web Developer to Senior Director of Product Development and Marketing.

“What excites me most is that 4media group already has the right pieces in place,” said Elsner. “When you combine our PR and media relations teams, market research expertise, editorial capabilities, owned distribution platforms and proprietary reporting tools, you have the makings of something powerful.”

In the past decade, states the release, 4media group has evolved into a globally influential force in earned media, integrating broadcast PR, digital storytelling, research and content amplification to surface tangible business outcomes for brands. The company has established itself as a trusted communications solution for more than 400 organizations across multiple industries.

“There is a lot of vague AI talk in the market right now, and clients are looking for something far more grounded than that,” added Elsner. “They want solutions that are practical, transparent and that actually help them see results. That’s the opportunity I see for us: to deliver a more modern, scalable and measurable approach to earned media for the brands we support.”
### Bullish deal for Equiniti signals new era for PR, IR and Trust
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/bullish-deal-for-equiniti-signals-new-era-for-pr-ir-and-trust/
Last updated: 2026-05-08T11:34:48.000Z
**Originally published by CommPRO. Reprinted with permission.**

**By Fay Shapiro**

**The announcement that Bullish will acquire Equiniti in a $4.2 billion transaction** is more than a financial headline. It is a signal of where the communications industry is heading.

For those in PR and investor relations, this deal touches a critical piece of the ecosystem. Equiniti is the parent company of Notified, a widely used platform for press release distribution, media monitoring and investor communications through GlobeNewswire.

What makes this moment different is the strategic intent behind the acquisition.

Bullish is positioning the combined company to support the next phase of capital markets, including the tokenization of securities and the integration of blockchain infrastructure into traditional financial systems. Equiniti brings scale, deep relationships with public companies and a core role in shareholder communications.

That combination puts communications professionals closer than ever to the center of financial infrastructure.

“This deal brings together Notified’s communications platform, Equiniti’s expertise in shareholder ownership and governance, and Bullish’s regulated, institutional-grade exchange infrastructure,” said **Erik Carlson**, Chief Executive Officer, Notified. “It’s a practical combination that gives IR teams better support as market expectations evolve. While the connection to PR may be less obvious, Bullish owns and operates CoinDesk, the leading digital asset news site, and shares a strong appreciation for the role of PR, journalism, and earned media in today’s landscape. For our employees, partners, and clients, it’s business as usual, same team, same premium service, and the same commitment to innovation.”

For years, PR and IR have operated alongside the markets. This signals a shift toward being embedded within them.

The implications are significant:

- Communications platforms may increasingly sit at the intersection of media, markets and data.
- Investor relations is moving toward real-time, tech-enabled engagement.
- Trust, verification and transparency are becoming foundational, not optional.

For Notified users and the broader communications community, the immediate impact may not be operational. But strategically, it raises important questions about how platforms will evolve and what capabilities communicators will need next.

This is not just consolidation. It is convergence.

And for communicators, it is another reminder that the work is no longer only about shaping narratives. It is about operating in systems where information, capital and trust are deeply connected.

***This article was originally published by CommPRO and is reprinted here with permission.*** 
***Read the original article here: https://www.commpro.biz/news/bullish-deal-for-equiniti-signals-a-new-era-for-pr-ir-and-trust***
### Voice Actors losing work to AI
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/voice-actors-losing-work-to-ai/
Last updated: 2026-05-09T16:20:36.000Z
[**The National Association of Voice Actors**](https://navavoices.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **(NAVA) will bring its advocacy to Washington, D.C.,** this month, with leadership appearing on two prominent panels examining how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming creative work.

The events, states a release, arrive as “new NAVA data show AI’s impact accelerating: Approximately 21 percent of voice actors reported losing work directly to AI in a survey conducted this year, up from 14 percent just one year earlier.”

“These numbers tell a story that policymakers and communities need to hear,” said **Tim Friedlander**, president and co-founder of NAVA. “Voice actors are on the front lines of what is happening across the broader creator economy. We’re here to ensure our industry’s voice is part of this conversation.”

On Tuesday, May 12, Friedlander will join a panel from 6 to 9 p.m. ET hosted by the Commission on the Arts and Humanities in Washington, D.C., alongside D.C.-area creators including visual artists **Fatima Farzana** and **Justice Dwight,** and writing consultant **Jozie Perry.**

“The conversation around AI and creative work can’t happen without the people most affected by it,” said **Carin Gilfry**, NAVA co-founder and vice president. “Voice actors are seeing this technology reshape our industry, and we’re stepping up to help shape the rules around it.”

On Wednesday, May 13, Friedlander and Gilfry will join the DC Public Library for a panel discussion from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, exploring how AI is reshaping creative fields, from voice acting and game design to writing and other creative industries. Joining them as panelists are **Robbie Dietrich,** assistant professor of computer game design at George Mason University, and anthropologist and author **Nikki Payne.**

Attendees will participate in facilitated breakout discussions led by subject-matter experts, covering ethics, copyright, privacy, bias in AI training data, and practical strategies for working artists. The event will conclude with a moderated panel exploring ways to protect human creativity in an increasingly AI-driven world.

On Thursday, May 7, Friedlander and Gilfry will appear on a panel at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood titled “AI and the Voice Over Landscape,” bringing together voice actors, industry professionals, and thought leaders to examine how AI is changing the craft, business, and future of voice performance.

“A voice actor is a performer who uses their voice to bring characters to life or deliver narration, conveying emotion and personality without being seen on screen. They work in various media, including animation, video games, audiobooks, and commercials. Key skills include script interpretation, vocal versatility, and studio recording techniques,” states an online item.
### RMR, based in Potomac, MD, and 2TON, based in South Florida, announce strategic merger
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/rmr-based-in-potomac-md-and-2ton-based-in-south-florida-announce-strategic-merger/
Last updated: 2026-05-08T11:45:36.000Z
[**RMR & Associates**](https://rmr.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **(RMR), based in Potomac, MD, and** [**2TON**](https://2ton.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, based in South Florida,** announced a strategic merger, bringing the two organizations together under one umbrella to create, states a release, “one of East Coast’s most comprehensive, integrated digital marketing and communications platforms.”

As part of the merger, states the release, “RMR will operate as a specialized B2B public relations division, expanding its capabilities with enhanced digital marketing, branding and performance-driven creative services. RMR has served the Washington D.C., region for more than 25 years and is consistently ranked in the ***Washington Business Journal***’s Top 20 of public relations agencies in the D.C. Metro Area.

“The merger brings together complementary strengths: RMR’s expertise in strategic public relations and savvy marketing for clients in the commercial, B2B, B2G, B2C, government, non-profit, financial services, healthcare, and IT sectors alongside 2TON’s nationally recognized work in branding, digital marketing, lead generation, and creative development.”

“For almost three decades, RMR has helped organizations, from startups to Fortune500, to navigate and overcome their marketing challenges, define and cement their strategic position for long-term growth, and driven measurable results,” said President and CEO of RMR & Associates, **Robyn Sachs**. “Joining forces with 2TON allows us to bring existing and new clients an even more powerful, fully integrated platform—one that pairs strategic communications with world‑class creative, digital, and performance marketing. We’re excited to combine our strengths and continue delivering the kind of results‑driven work that has defined RMR.”

“Marketing and communications today require true integration across earned, owned and digital platforms,” said **Jason Emmett,** owner of 2TON. “By bringing these teams together, we’re creating an agency built for where the industry is going and combining strategic communications with high-level creative and digital execution.”

The two firms, continues the release, “share a culture rooted in collaboration and the entrepreneurial spirit. The merger positions the combined agency for continued East Cost growth while offering clients a fully integrated approach to brand strategy, communications, and marketing performance.”
### Sign of the Times: BBC’s news operation to cut as many as 2,000 jobs
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/sign-of-the-times-bbcs-news-operation-to-cut-as-many-as-2000-jobs/
Last updated: 2026-05-04T21:44:57.000Z
**The BBC staff has been warned that its news operation faces a 15% cut,** above BBC-wide 10% target, as the corporation pushes through a cost-savings plan, states [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/may/02/bbc-news-to-bear-deepest-cuts-amid-2000-planned-job-losses?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The division, home to about a quarter of all BBC staff, is being saddled with one of the highest cost-cutting targets as the corporation attempts to [cut as many as 2,000 jobs](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/apr/15/bbc-cut-jobs-downsize-matt-brittin-tim-davie?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) in the biggest downsizing of the public service broadcaster[ in 15 years](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/oct/06/bbc-cuts-2000-jobs?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com).

Last month, staff were informed that, on average across the BBC, about 10% of the corporation’s 21,500 employees would be affected [as part of a cost-cutting plan,](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/feb/12/trumps-lawsuit-bbc-panorama-edit-florida-trial-in-2027?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) but it was not clear at the time that news operations would see even deeper cuts.

The development comes as **Matt Brittin**, the former top Google executive, [takes over as the corporation’s new director general](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/mar/25/new-bbc-director-general-matt-brittin-former-google-executive-olympic-rower?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**Richard Burgess**, the director of news and content, who is responsible for more than 800 journalists, said on a video call that the entire news division can expect to have to make cost cuts of “around 15%”, with job cuts a major focus, reports The Guardian.
### Ad Council and NHTSA launch new PSAs for “Never Happens” campaign
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/ad-council-and-nhtsa-launch-new-psas-for-never-happens-campaign/
Last updated: 2026-05-04T12:16:49.000Z
**The Ad Council and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched** [**new public service advertisements**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh8CE-pWaGg&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **(PSAs)** for their “Never Happens” campaign.

‘Pediatric vehicular heatstroke remains the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related fatalities for children 14 and younger and typically presents in one of three key scenarios: children forgotten in a car by a caregiver, children gaining access to unlocked vehicles on their own and being unable to get out, and children left behind in a car. The campaign features all three scenarios, with today’s new PSAs focusing on being left behind,” states a release.

“The tragic fact is, all hot car deaths are 100% preventable, regardless of how they unfold,” said **Michelle Hillman**, chief campaign & program officer, the Ad Council. “By expanding the ‘Never Happens’ campaign with NHTSA, we are reinforcing a life–saving message for parents and caregivers nationwide: prevention starts with awareness and simple, consistent actions.”

The new PSAs, states the release, tell the story of parents who want the best for their kids. They never intend to put their children’s health and safety at risk, even in small ways like letting them eat dessert for dinner or have hours of screen time. But real life can sometimes get in the way of the best intentions. Human moments of forgetfulness or hurry can turn tragic, especially if children are left behind in quickly overheating vehicles. By highlighting how easily “never” can happen, the new creative reinforces the behavior changes parents are encouraged to adapt to avoid putting their child at risk of heatstroke.

“Hot vehicles pose a serious and often underestimated danger to children,” said **Jonathan Morrison**, NHTSA Administrator. “This campaign helps ensure families understand how these tragedies occur and gives parents the tools to prevent them. Remember: when you park, Stop. Look. Lock.”

Developed pro bono by independent creative agency Chemistry, the new creative reminds busy, yet devoted parents that good intentions alone are not enough to prevent these tragedies, and that consistent habits are key to keeping children safe.
### Maryland Media Moves: WBAL-TV names new sports director; Baltimore Magazine president steps down; new editor at The Daily Record
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/maryland-media-moves-wbal-tv-names-new-sports-director-baltimore-magazine-president-steps-down-new-editor-at-the-daily-record/
Last updated: 2026-05-04T10:53:26.000Z
**Three Maryland media organizations have personnel news to report.**

**WBAL-TV Baltimore has named Pete Gilbert,** in main photo, as sports director, succeeding **Gerry Sandusky**, who retired after a 37-year career at the Hearst NBC affiliate. A native of Damascus, Gilbert becomes only the fourth person to hold the title in the station’s history. His connection to WBAL dates to 1995, when he interned there while attending St. Lawrence University. After launching his on-air career at KECI in Missoula, he joined Hearst Television in 1998 at KHBS-KHOG in Fort Smith-Fayetteville, Ark. He moved to WGAL in Harrisburg-Lancaster, Pa., in 2003 before returning to WBAL in 2004, where he has spent more than two decades as weekend sports anchor.

**Baltimore Magazine President** **Michael Teitelbaum** has stepped down after nearly nine years in the role. Announcing his departure on Facebook, Teitelbaum reflected on the magazine’s work across print, digital, events and its creative studio. **Debbie Darmofal**, an 18-year veteran of the publication, has been named chief operating officer. Owner **Steve Geppi** is expected to take a more active role with the outlet. Before joining Baltimore Magazine, Teitelbaum was managing partner at Right Source Marketing in Hunt Valley.

**The Daily Record has named Kendyl Kearly** as editor. She succeeds Sameer Rao, who had been appointed to the role in December 2025 following the retirement of longtime editor Thomas Baden Jr. Kearly joins the Maryland legal and business publication from The Baltimore Sun, where she spent four years as an editor covering breaking news and education.

*Photo via WBAL-TV*
### WHITE64 launches ‘Carved Over Time’ campaign for Luray Caverns
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/white64-launches-carved-over-time-campaign-for-luray-caverns/
Last updated: 2026-05-04T17:33:32.000Z
![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/LURAY-5-copy.jpg)

[**WHITE64**](https://white64.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **launched its latest creative campaign for Luray Caverns, “Carved Over Time.”**

At a moment when much of modern advertising is created at increasing speed, often with the help of AI, states a release, “the campaign moves in the opposite direction. Inspired by Luray Caverns’ heritage logo, WHITE64 partnered with four woodcut artists to create hand-carved illustrations—an intentionally meticulous process that mirrors the gradual formation of the caverns themselves.

“By slowing the creative process down, the campaign makes the act of creation part of the story itself. The result is a body of work that doesn’t just depict the caverns, but reflects how they were formed: patiently, precisely, and naturally.

“As a new expression of Luray Caverns’ long-running brand platform, “What Will You Discover?” the “Carved Over Time” campaign breaks beginning May 1 across digital, social, online video, and print, in addition to a microsite that will contain the artists’ stories and process.”

In one execution, a stalactite lengthens against markers of human and geological history — the Ice Age, the Stone Age, the Middle Ages, and the present—revealing, continues the release, “the contrast between geological time and the brevity of a human life. The campaign’s message is clear: “Luray Caverns. Don’t let it pass you by.””

“The caverns were formed drop by drop over immense stretches of time,” said **Bill Huffman**, Director of Marketing and PR at Luray Caverns. “We wanted to honor that by investing the same kind of care and intention into how we tell that story, and by inviting people to experience it for themselves. Working with artists who share that same sensibility and who have built audiences around it allowed us to extend that idea in a way that feels authentic.”

Luray introduced behind-the-scenes content across its social channels beginning in mid-January, documenting the woodcuts from initial sketches through carving and printmaking. The final artwork and main visitation assets will launch in April 2026 to coincide with peak tourist season.

The campaign will lead to an interactive “stalac-timeline” microsite. As users scroll, a stalactite gradually forms from nothing, moving through tens of thousands of years of geological and human history before arriving at the present moment. The site will also introduce audiences to the four woodcut artists: **Valerie Lueth** of Tugboat Studios, **Dennis McNett** of Wolfbat Studios, **Brian Reedy** and **Gloria Shows.**

“As content is created faster and faster, choosing what’s worth our time becomes more important,” said **Mick Sutter**, Chief Creative Officer at WHITE64\. “The caverns were formed over millions of years. We wanted the work to reflect that, not just in what it says, but in how it was made.”

According to WHITE64, the campaign will run regionally across key driving markets, including Baltimore, Washington D.C., Raleigh, N.C., and New York. This marks the first time Luray Caverns has used illustration in its core advertising in over two decades.

A live exhibit of the woodcuts is planned and prints will also be available in the Luray Caverns gift shop, extending the campaign into an on-site experience.
### “Think Liquid” may be your key to success, states Geoff Livingston’s new book “Now Is Gone”
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/think-liquid-may-be-your-key-to-success-states-geoff-livingstons-new-book-now-is-gone/
Last updated: 2026-04-30T19:42:21.000Z
**By Geoff Livingston**

**A marketing communications director last year had done everything right with AI,** that is if you follow the daily swirling memes on Linkedin. Her team had adopted AI tools across the board: content generation, social scheduling, performance analytics, and even creative concepting. Productivity was up, headcount held steady, and her CMO was pleased.

Six months later, the pipeline numbers were flat, engagement was declining, and she couldn’t explain why. The tools were working, but what she had built was a faster version of the same machine.

##### **The Renovation Trap:**

There’s a pattern I keep seeing across marketing organizations right now, and it’s the same one I watched play out during the social media era. Teams treat a structural change caused by a technology shift as a tool upgrade. They add capabilities without questioning the assumptions underneath them, renovate workflows, and call it a transformation.

During the social media boom of the late 2000s, most organizations responded by hiring a community manager, opening a Facebook page, and measuring followers and likes. The platforms were new, but the thinking wasn’t. The teams that actually thrived in that era asked whether their fundamental assumptions about audiences, channels, and brand relationships were still accurate. They used social media to foster niche customer and advocacy communities that were brand loyal, in turn creating word-of-mouth engines.

AI is presenting marketing leaders with the same choice, and most are making the same mistake.exists. It will analyze more data more cheaply. It will automate more of the repetitive work that consumes junior staff. It will produce more content faster, but at a lower level of machine-generated quality, which creates the slop problem. 

What it will not do, on its own, is tell you whether the underlying strategy is sound. Oh, it will offer an opinion, but in fact, that will be laden with tropes based on commonly accepted best practices from yesteryear, not new ones that meet the moment. To really understand the strategy, you need to understand your customer journey in totality. 

##### **What “Think Liquid” Means in Practice:**

The Think Liquid framework outlined in my new book, Now Is Gone, encourages marketers and communicators to use AI to expose the full customer journey as it actually exists, not as it was designed or assumed to be. This helps marketers move toward their actual destination by finding the path of least resistance to customer engagement and loyalty, not by forcing their original strategy. 

AI gives us better tools than we’ve ever had to understand that journey in granular detail, to identify where customers find us, what causes them to react, how acquisition breaks down, where retention erodes, and where the assumptions baked into the current strategy are simply wrong. But most teams aren’t using AI for that. 

They’re using it to produce more content for channels that may or may not be working, to scale campaigns built on strategies that haven’t been interrogated in years, and to move faster in directions that haven’t been reexamined. The current AI approach assumes its underlying strategy is right. 

Every marketing team has sacred campaign tactics it believes in: The email cadence, the social format that won an award three years ago, the partnership that has history behind it. These are the last things to get cut when budgets tighten, and they’re often the first things that should be examined.

Think Liquid doesn’t mean being reactive or abandoning discipline. In concrete terms, liquid thinking looks like being willing to cut a tactic that has history and comfort behind it because the honest assessment says it’s not converting. Ask whether your current channel mix reflects where your audience actually is, or if it was forged when the strategy was last updated. 

Using AI’s analytical capabilities to first surface the real customer journey, and continue to monitor ongoing evolutions, is the strategic approach. To get there, we need to elevate our thinking beyond the campaigns.

##### What This Requires of Marketing Leaders:

The mindset shift isn’t complicated to describe, but it’s hard to execute. It requires accepting that the strategies and instincts that made you effective as a marketer were built in conditions that no longer fully exist. 

The hardest part of this work is political. Looking at the journey and examining fault lines takes a certain amount of willingness to be vulnerable. For many work cultures and leaders in particular, this presents a challenge that can only be overcome with courage.

AI provides an opportunity and a cover. Teams can use it to scale existing sacred tactics faster, which delays the reckoning (or hastens it with slop and quicker failures). Or they can use its analytical depth to surface an honest picture of what’s actually working, which accelerates it. In the AI era, what once worked may no longer succeed… And that’s OK.

The teams I’ve seen navigate this well share two characteristics: 1) Their leadership is willing to treat the current customer data as more authoritative than institutional memory. 2) They are not punitive, but rather innovative and curious. Those are cultural decisions.

The teams that thrived in social media won because they were willing to let the old model of audience relationship die and build something more accurate in its place. We need that same courage right now. To succeed in the AI era, marketing, communications, and PR must become willing to bring an honest customer-journey-centric inventory to analyze current strategies. When we do that, we can better decide what to scale and what to let go.

That leadership growth is the real work of the AI era. 

***Geoff Livingston is founder of*** [***Generative Buzz***](https://generativebuzz.ai/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) ***and the author of Now Is Gone: Think Liquid to Navigate Neverending Change (June 2026). He has spent 30 years advising organizations through technology adoption cycles, from the earliest days of the commercial internet through social media and into AI.***
### WAMU expands investment in local journalism, names Naomi Starobin managing director of news
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/wamu-expands-investment-in-local-journalism-names-naomi-starobin-managing-director-of-news/
Last updated: 2026-04-30T21:24:23.000Z
[**WAMU**](https://wamu.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **named Naomi Starobin managing director of WAMU News,** a new position “created as part of the organization’s sweeping multi-phased investment in local journalism that is redefining what public media looks like in the D.C. region,” states [WAMU.](https://wamu.org/around-wamu/wamu-expands-investment-in-local-news/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

Starobin will lead WAMU’s daily and enterprise audio journalism and storytelling, including audience favorites: *WAMU Mornings*, *The Politics Hour*, *Hot Jazz Saturday Night*, and *The Big Broadcast*. A veteran public media journalist, she joined WAMU in 2020 and most recently served as managing editor, audio news. In addition to teaching audio journalism at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, Starobin previously held positions at WHYY in Philadelphia and WSHU in Connecticut.

“Naomi has been at the center of every major editorial decision we’ve made over the last two years,” said [Michael Tribble](https://wamu.org/person/michael-tribble/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), WAMU chief content officer. “She knows how to find the human behind the headlines and filter the noise from what matters to our community. That’s harder than it sounds in the Washington region, where there’s no shortage of either. This role exists because we’re serious about what comes next — and she’s the right person to lead it.”

Tribble also announced the creation of new positions, including a role for managing director of emerging news products and initiatives (ENPI), to round out his leadership team. The managing director of ENPI will head a team of experts and innovators “to deepen the organization’s commitment to audio excellence and multi-platform storytelling. Through experimentation and innovation, this team will develop and incubate new approaches to podcasts, on-demand audio, video, newsletters, and live events, giving audiences in the D.C. region more ways to access the essential local news and community storytelling that WAMU has been trusted and known for 65 years. The resulting investment is a 20% increase in journalists and storytellers at WAMU,” states WAMU.
### Sign of the Times: Microsoft offers first-ever voluntary employee buyouts as it grapples with AI
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/sign-of-the-times-microsoft-offers-first-ever-voluntary-employee-buyouts-as-it-faces-changes-sparked-by-ai/
Last updated: 2026-04-30T13:29:06.000Z
**Microsoft will offer voluntary buyouts to some U.S. employees,** a first for the 51-year-old software giant, as the tech industry grapples with major changes sparked by the artificial intelligence boom, reports [CNBC.](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/23/microsoft-plans-first-voluntary-retirement-program-for-us-employees.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

According to the CNBC post, about 7% of U.S. employees are eligible, according to a person familiar with the plans who asked not to be named because the number isn’t being made public. The one-time retirement program will be available to U.S. workers at the senior director level and below whose years of employment and age add up to 70 or higher.

Eligible employees and their managers will receive details on May 7\. Those with sales incentive plans cannot participate.

Microsoft, continues the post, has been ramping up capital spending on data centers to supply cloud clients with computing power that can handle generative AI models. Technology peers such as Alphabet and Amazon are doing the same.

Meanwhile, software stocks have been hammered “as coding tools from Anthropic and others threaten to disrupt established companies.”
### More bad news for newspapers: There’s a tight supply of newsprint
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/more-bad-news-for-newspapers-theres-a-tight-supply-of-newsprint/
Last updated: 2026-04-27T21:23:03.000Z
**As if they didn’t have enough to deal with, America’s newspaper publishers are facing a tight supply of newsprint that’s driving up prices,** states a post on [Editor and Publisher](https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/newspapers-face-tight-supply-as-mills-cut-newsprint-production,261334?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The crunch may be temporary, continues the post, but “it highlights the uncertainty and cost pressures straining a local news industry that’s largely online nowadays but still heavily dependent on printed newspapers.

“Brier Dudley’s SAVE THE FREE PRESS columns are made available for free to the public and to other newspapers for their use — to build awareness of the local journalism crisis and potential solutions. The entire body of work is viewable here: [st.news/SavetheFreePress](https://company.seattletimes.com/save-the-free-press/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

“If these conditions persist, cost and supply challenges may lead more newspapers to reduce pages, as The Seattle Times is doing temporarily until supply improves, cut print frequency or accelerate plans to become entirely online products.”

“It’s kind of a double-whammy for publishers. It’s not only expensive, it’s really hard to find newsprint right now,” said **Kevin Craig**, CEO of PAGE Cooperative, a North Carolina nonprofit that purchases materials and services for around 1,200 newspapers.

As a result of mill closures and disruptions, newsprint prices “have gone haywire — they’re as high as I’ve seen in many years,” Craig said.
### Laura Evans Media’s Rwanda mission with USA for UNHCR works to “amplify global visibility for refugee education”
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/laura-evans-medias-rwanda-mission-with-usa-for-unhcr/
Last updated: 2026-04-29T19:58:39.000Z
[**Laura Evans Media**](https://www.lauraevansmedia.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **supported USA for UNHCR’s** [**Building Better Futures**](https://www.unrefugees.org/building-better-futures/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **campaign during a February 2026 mission to Rwanda,** providing, states a release, “on-the-ground communications strategy and content development to amplify global visibility for refugee education.

“A six-person Women in Philanthropy Advisory Board delegation traveled to Kigali and Mahama Refugee Camp to document and elevate the impact of education programs for refugee women and girls. The visit focused on capturing stories across the full education pipeline – from young students to DAFI (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative Fund) scholars and recent graduates… bringing the campaign’s core message to life.

“The Building Better Futures initiative was created to address a critical equity gap: for every 10 refugee scholarships, 7 go to boys and just 3 to girls. The campaign is designed to shift that imbalance, grounded in the principle that educating girls drives exponential impact across families and communities.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/LEM-and-student-copy-2.jpg)

[**Laura Evans Manatos**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraevansmedia/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), right in photo above, served in a dual role “as both advisory board member and external communications lead, shaping messaging, identifying media opportunities, and producing storytelling assets to support ongoing campaign visibility and donor engagement.”

Results include:

- Secured international broadcast coverage, including an interview on France 24 featuring USA for UNHCR leadership
- Generated 14M+ global reach across media and social platforms (Meltwater)
- Developed a pipeline of story ideas and on-the-ground content for future placements and Op Eds
- Produced a LinkedIn Live conversation featuring USA for UNHCR’s Lacey Stone, Laura Evans Manatos and a DAFI scholar joining from Rwanda, extending real-time storytelling to key audiences

The mission, states the release, “strengthened the campaign’s narrative and positioned Building Better Futures as a high-impact, scalable solution, demonstrating that investing in girls’ education is one of the most effective ways to drive long-term change in displaced communities.”

CUTLINE for main photo: Refugee women scholars at Kigali Independent University, supported through UNHCR’s DAFI scholarship program, are building pathways to leadership and opportunity—pictured with Laura Evans Manatos (far right).
### Baltimore TV icon Marty Bass to retire after nearly five decades at WJZ
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/baltimore-tv-icon-marty-bass-to-retire-after-nearly-five-decades-at-wjz/
Last updated: 2026-04-26T22:07:54.000Z
**Veteran Baltimore broadcaster Marty Bass will retire at the end of May,** concluding a 48-year career with WJZ-TV that helped shape the city’s morning news landscape.

Bass, a familiar presence to generations of Channel 13 viewers, announced his plans ahead of his 73rd birthday in April. His final day is scheduled for May 31, when his current contract expires.

“I am not walking away from something, but rather walking toward something new,” Bass wrote in a Facebook post announcing his retirement.

Bass began his television career in Baltimore in 1977, initially working as a feature reporter covering what he described as “the lighter side of the news.” His segments, first known as “Catchin’ Bass,” then in the mid 80’s rebranded as “Mondobasso,” became a signature element of WJZ’s evening broadcasts, offering viewers a more personal and community-focused perspective.

He went on to spend more than three decades in morning television, co-anchoring “Rise & Shine” and “The Morning Edition” alongside **Don Scott**. Reflecting on that era, Bass credited the broader production team with helping pioneer the format.

“Working with a team of behind-the-scenes superstars, we basically invented local morning TV news,” Bass shared on Facebook. “That was a wild ride.”

In addition to his television work, Bass maintained a parallel presence in radio, appearing for 25 years on the “**Laurie DeYoung** Show” on WPOC-FM. The station earned multiple Country Music Association honors during that time, and Bass described the experience as instrumental to his development as a broadcaster.

*Image via CBS Baltimore*
### Capitol Communicators: Profile of Sheila Brooks, Ph.D. Founder, President and CEO, SRB Communications
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-sheila-brooks-ph-d-founder-president-and-ceo-srb-communications/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:30.000Z
***Capitol Communicators is a profile series spotlighting the people shaping the present*** 
***and future of advertising, digital, marketing and public relations in the Mid-Atlantic.*** 
***This profile features* Sheila Brooks, Ph.D.**

[**Sheila Brooks**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-brooks-phd/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **has been inducted into multiple Halls of Fame and even had an award named after her.** And while she has already achieved “legendary” status in our industry, she says her story is still being written. Her awards include being inducted in the PRSA National Capital Chapter’s Hall of Fame in 2025; the National Association of Black Journalists’ Hall of Fame; and the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council’s Hall of Fame, among others. The Washington Association of Black Journalists created a Dr. Sheila Brooks Community Impact Award to recognize business leaders for community service. Her firm, [SRB Communications,](https://srbcommunications.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) turns 36 this year. You’d think she’d have a room dedicated to all the awards she’s received over her career; yet she says the space she prefers is where her family is – and the one she created for her collection of Black Barbie Dolls. In case you’re not familiar, Barbie debuted in 1959; it was a decade later before she gained a Black friend, Christie, and more than two decades later before the first Black Barbie appeared. These dolls were so successful, they challenged industry norms and created opportunities for future diverse dolls. It’s easy to see why Dr. Brooks would cherish such a collection.

**Please tell us about yourself.**

Our experiences define who we are. As an experienced television news journalist, I started and grew a boutique marketing, advertising and PR agency in downtown Washington, D.C.

Storytelling remains at the heart of our work. Over the years, that perspective has shaped my approach to building a small business that not only drives results for clients but also creates opportunity – employing hundreds of communications professionals over the years and contributing to the broader economic vitality of our community. My work as a media, marketing, brand advertising, and communications strategist has centered on helping energy and utility companies, public health agencies, colleges and universities, government agencies and national nonprofit organizations clarify their voices, strengthen their brands, and engage meaningfully with their audiences.

I have also maintained a strong commitment to developing and mentoring the next generation of journalists, communicators and entrepreneurs. Throughout my career, I have taught journalism and marketing courses and returned to academia to complete Masters and Ph.D. programs at the Cathy Hughes School of Communications at Howard University.

In my day-to-day role, I continue to lead from the front – serving as what I call “rainmaker” and “closer” at SRB Communications. That means identifying new business opportunities, building strategic partnerships, and cultivating relationships that sustain long-term growth.

**What are the things you are most proud of?**

Without question, I am most proud of my family. My husband built an extraordinary career in newspaper journalism, spanning more than five decades. He retired 10 years ago as Deputy Managing Editor of the Money section at USA TODAY. He continues to write for national digital and print publications and lends his expertise as a ghostwriter, writing books for finance and business C-suite executives, as well as academics. I’m equally proud of my son, Andre Brooks, who is making his own mark in the media world, as a senior producer for ABC News. Their passion, dedication, and impact inspire me every day!

I’m blessed with aa close-knit circle of cousins who have raised a dozen incredibly talented and brilliant children – all of whom lovingly call me “Dr. Auntie Sheila.” I proudly think of them as my nephew and nieces, and I love them to pieces.

**What does it mean to you to be inducted into the PRSA Hall of Fame? What do you want people to know about the road that led you to this honor?**

I draw inspiration from the legacy of pioneering feminists and civil rights leaders such as Ida B. Wells, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, and Gloria Steinem – women whose unwavering courage and conviction reshaped society. Their spirits closely reflect that of my mother, whose strength and determination profoundly influenced my perspective and life’s journey. Like these trailblazers, they embodied resilience, grit, and an unrelenting commitment to advancing equity and opportunity, leaving a lasting impact that continues to inspire my work today.

I grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, during the height of the Civil Rights movement – a time of profound change and undeniable tension. Raised in a low-income inner-city neighborhood, my sister and I were bused across town for a chance at a better education. While the world around us wrestled with unrest, crime, rioting and uncertainty, my mother did everything in her power to shield us and keep our focus on possibility.

Those early years taught me something I carry to this day: within pain lies power.

I discovered mine through storytelling. At just five years old, I was captivated by the evening news on TV – watching, listening, and learning alongside my mother and sister. I devoured newspapers, especially the weekly Black newspapers, absorbing every word I could. I wrote poetry, explored ideas, and eventually found my place writing for my high school newspaper. That spark became a calling.

Journalism school followed, opening the door to a career in TV newsrooms across the country. The curiosity, discipline, and passion that inspired me all began in those formative years – shaping not only my career path, but my purpose in life. Those early years instilled the resilience, determination, and faith that define who I am today. I was driven to succeed.

And I’m still telling stories. Only now, I help brands, organizations, and leaders find their voice – through media, communications, PR, marketing and brand advertising, outreach and engagement campaigns that connect, inspire, and move people to action because powerful stories don’t just inform – they transform. At its core, the role is about telling the stories that shape communities and give voice to the people and businesses within them.

That mission feels especially urgent now. In an era marked by economic uncertainty and shifting political dynamics, small businesses and media and communications professionals who support them are navigating an increasingly complex landscape. Rather than retreat, we as women and women who come from a strong cultural awareness, must advocate for leaning in. Too often, we tell everyone else’s stories and forget to document our own.

A key part of my story is mentorship – passing along knowledge, insights, and hard-earned lessons to the next generation of storytellers. Each one must teach one. That’s how we strengthen our profession and help build a better future.

For me, the story is still being written. I intend to make sure it’s one worth telling.

**What are the most significant trends you see happening/coming in the communications industry in 2026? How are you dealing with it?**

In 2026, AI-driven content is rapidly moving toward real-time engagement and journey-driven experiences. It’s being used to predict customer behavior and drive content across platforms and channels, especially videos. As communications, marketing and public relations professionals, we must learn to use AI tools that assist us to improve efficiency in our small businesses. AI is everywhere and often can erode credibility. It is imperative that as communicators we know how AI is being used, governed and explained in our industry so we can coordinate these tools’ efficiency across agency teams.

**Who do you most admire?**

I have to say my mother was the most influential person in my life. She was a divorced parent who worked two full-time jobs from the time was three and my sister was a year old, growing up in a low-income neighborhood in the inner city of Kansas City, Missouri. She taught us early that to overcome insurmountable odds, you must have a clear vision and purpose in life. Her strong work ethic, courage and perseverance – her vision to give us a strong academic and religious background – gives me the strength every day to be the best that I can be.

**What professional advice do you have for others?**

Choose a way of thinking for yourself – a way of thinking that assures long-term wealth and prosperity. Stand firm in your principles, be intentional about the career journey you choose, and you will achieve your goals. Give selflessly to your community and others. Your commitment to helping others should be as strong as your commitment to succeed.

**Are you involved in any professional organizations and do you find them to be valuable? Why?**

Throughout my career, I’ve been a dedicated advocate for small businesses, serving on numerous national, regional and local nonprofit and university boards. Most notably, as Vice President on the Board of Directors for the Federal City Council and advisory board member for the Jim Vance Media Program at Archbishop Carroll High School. I also serve as Board Chair of the President’s Club of DC, an organization of 10 legacy entrepreneurs – collectively with assets of more than $3 billion. In previous years, I served as Chair of the Board of Visitors and a board member for Morgan State University’s Global School of Journalism and Communications.

Professional organizations have played a defining role in my growth as a leader. My involvement with the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) has been especially impactful, helping me advance across both television and newspaper, while building lasting relationships with some of the most respected voices in journalism. Beyond professional development, it’s also where I’ve formed some of my closest friendships, connections that extend well beyond the organization.

Together, these experiences have allowed me to give back, stay connected, and help shape the next generation of leaders while continuing to grow alongside an ever-evolving industry.

**What are the social media/media tools and platforms that you find most valuable now and expect to use in 2026?**

The platforms I find most valuable right now are the ones that allow us to combine storytelling, analytics and audience engagement in one place. LinkedIn continues to be essential for professional thought leadership, especially for executives and organizations that want to shape conversations in their industry. Short-form video platforms such as TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are also incredibly powerful because they allow complex ideas to be communicated quickly and visually. From a tools standpoint, platforms like Meltwater and other social listening systems are critical because they allow us to monitor media coverage, track sentiment and understand how conversations are evolving in real time. Analytics and scheduling tools such as Buffer and platform-native insights are also important because they help translate engagement data into strategy rather than just vanity metrics.

Looking ahead, I expect the most valuable tools will be the ones that integrate AI with audience intelligence and predictive analytics. Communication professionals will rely more on platforms that help identify trends early, personalize content for different audiences, and measure impact beyond simple engagement numbers. Generative AI tools will also continue to support content development, brainstorming and research, but the real value will come from combining those capabilities with human insight and strategic storytelling. The future of social media and media strategy will not just be about posting content; it will be about understanding audiences, responding to conversations in real time and using data to drive smarter, more meaningful communication.

**What keeps you up at night? And what brings you the most joy during the day?**

Like many business owners, what keeps me up at night is the constant drive to keep everything moving forward – managing cash flow, finding and hiring the right people, and making sure the team is supported and thriving. On a larger scale, I worry about the nation’s economy and how a potential downturn will affect my business and all small and Black-owned business in the region and in the nation.

What brings me the most joy during theday is serving others. Whether it’s finding solutions for clients, supporting my team, or making a positive impact in someone’s experience, that sense of service is what keeps me grounded in faith, which makes it all worthwhile.

**What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done?**

One of the coolest things about me? Over the years I have accumulated a collection of nearly 200 Black Barbie dolls. ~~I~~t’s truly a sight to behold. All preserved in their original boxes, the collection celebrates powerful role models and cultural icons, from Ida B. Wells and Katherine Johnson to trailblazers like Bessie Coleman, Diana Ross, Diahann Carroll and so many others. It also features Disney-inspired favorites like Princess Tiana, alongside historic pieces such as the first Black Barbie released in 1979 and its 40th Anniversary edition.

The dolls are displayed in a dedicated room, creating an experience that my friends tell me you must see to believe.

This collection is deeply personal. Growing up, Barbie dolls were out of reach – only admired from TV commercials and the pages of newspaper ads and catalogs. There also were no Barbie dolls of color. That early longing turned into a passion in 1990, when I started my business and began collecting, transforming a childhood dream into a meaningful and inspiring showcase.

**Capitol Communicators** [**profiles**](https://capitolcommunicator.com/tag/profiles/) **allow you to meet** 
**some of the most interesting and insightful pros in our region, and** 
**learn how they stay ahead during a time of constant change.**
### Designing Dynamic Customer Journeys for Every Stage of the Lifecycle
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/designing-dynamic-customer-journeys-for-every-stage-of-the-lifecycle/
Last updated: 2026-04-24T11:45:59.000Z
**Originally published by Response Labs. Reprinted with permission**

**Audience Science helps brands understand who customers are and what motivates them.** The next step is putting that understanding into motion. Journey Mapping turns insight into interaction, designing personalized experiences that adapt to where each customer is in their lifecycle.

Too often, customer journeys are built like assembly lines: a welcome email, a coupon, a reminder, then silence. But customers are not linear. Their needs shift across devices, locations and moments. A static map cannot keep up.

According to Adobe’s Digital Trends Report, brands that design dynamic, adaptive customer journeys outperform competitors in engagement by 36 percent. Static automation is not enough; dynamic orchestration keeps loyalty alive.

**What Dynamic Journey Mapping Looks Like**

Imagine a customer who places their first order online. The system triggers a welcome series that introduces rewards and includes an “Order Again” call-to-action featuring the exact pizza they purchased.

After their second visit, the system recognizes the pattern and delivers an in-app bonus encouraging them to try a new topping. Because this repeat order happens within three days, the customer is flagged as high-potential and receives a higher-value reward.

Their journey logic now adapts. As a high-potential member, their lapse window is shorter than that of a new, low-engagement customer. If they go quiet, a “We Miss You” message with a premium discount is triggered after seven days instead of the standard fourteen. The reactivation sequence follows their preferred engagement order—first push, then email, then SMS—based on the channels where they have shown the most activity.

Each action informs the next step, and every message is context-aware, personalized, and responsive to real behavior. &quot;Your marketing has to be fluid. It needs to move just like your customer is moving throughout their day. A static, one-size-fits-all approach will not succeed in the long run,&quot; says Andy Locke, Director of Strategy and Data at Response Labs.

**How to Build Dynamic Journeys**

Static journeys are predictable, but they are also fragile. They follow a fixed path that assumes every customer behaves the same way. That kind of automation might save time, but it often wastes opportunity. When customers engage across multiple channels and move at their own pace, static workflows fail to keep up.

Dynamic journey mapping solves that problem. Instead of forcing customers through a rigid sequence, it listens for signals, adapts to behavior, and delivers the next best action automatically. It transforms marketing from a calendar-based schedule into a continuous, intelligent dialogue.

This shift is more than technical. Dynamic journeys convert data into momentum. They improve retention by identifying drop-off points before they happen. They increase order frequency by delivering relevant nudges when interest peaks. And they strengthen customer relationships by creating a consistent, human experience across every touchpoint.

**To bring dynamic journeys to life:**

**1\. Establish the measurement model**  
Define value tiers and lifecycle parameters before building anything. Set your RFM or equivalent value model, assign thresholds for New, Onboarding, Engaged, At-Risk, Lapsed, and Reactivated, and document trigger guardrails such as minimum days since last order, frequency bands, and AOV ranges. Identify primary KPIs for each stage such as second-order rate, time to second order, frequency uplift, average order value, and churn rate.

**2\. Audit and unify the data**  
Confirm that you can capture and join the signals you need across POS, app, e-commerce, delivery, and CRM. Validate field definitions, event timestamps, identity resolution, and consent flags so journey logic can run reliably.

**3\. Map every stage of the lifecycle**  
Design clear paths for acquisition, activation, engagement, and reactivation. For each stage, define the entry conditions, the primary objective, the exit criteria, and the failover logic if the customer does not respond.

**4\. Leverage behavioral signals**  
Trigger communications from real actions such as app logins, order frequency, basket size, category preferences, and time since last purchase. Pair each trigger with intent and value tier so high-value customers receive different cadence and offers than low-value customers.

**5\. Incorporate real-time data**  
Sync loyalty, CRM, and POS so new interactions update profiles instantly and influence the next message, offer, and channel. Confirm latency targets for key events like order completion, refund, and reward redemption.

**6\. Automate intelligently**  
Use platforms like Salesforce Journey Builder Use platforms like Salesforce Journey Builder to deliver personalized messages at scale. Encode channel preferences and throttling rules. Build variants by value tier and lifecycle stage.

**7\. Test and optimize**  
Stand up a test plan with control cells, offer and cadence tests, and channel sequencing tests. Monitor leading indicators such as click-through and add-to-cart rates along with outcome metrics such as repeat rate, time between orders, and incremental revenue.

**8\. Review and evolve**  
Run recurring diagnostics to recalibrate tier thresholds, refresh lifecycle definitions, and retire underperforming triggers. Feed results back into your segmentation and creative to keep the system aligned with current customer behavior.

Dynamic journey mapping does not replace human strategy. It amplifies it. When automation reacts to intent instead of rules, brands stop managing campaigns and start orchestrating relationships.

**The Role of Emotion in Automation**

The most effective journeys do more than automate—they communicate empathy. When a guest is recognized, rewarded, and re-engaged with relevance, it feels human.

A study from [PwC’s](https://www.pwc.com/us/en/advisory-services/publications/consumer-intelligence-series/pwc-consumer-intelligence-series-customer-experience.pdf?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) Future of Customer Experience Report found that 82 percent of consumers want more personal interaction from brands, even in digital environments. Automation does not eliminate the human element; it amplifies it.

**Conclusion**

Journey Mapping is where loyalty strategy becomes reality. It connects insights to experiences and behaviors to emotions. When marketers design adaptive, customer-centered journeys, they transform one-time purchases into ongoing relationships.

Want to dive deeper? Download our [free Loyalty Playbook](https://www.responselabs.com/crm-loyalty-playbook/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) to see how your CRM becomes a true growth engine.

If you are ready to transform your loyalty program into a true growth program, we are here to help. [Contact us](https://www.responselabs.com/contact/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) to talk about how to get started.

*This article was originally published by Response Labs and is reprinted here with permission. Read the original article* [*here*](https://www.responselabs.com/2025/11/designing-dynamic-customer-journeys/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### “The Fred Show” coming to D.C. and Baltimore on April 30
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-fred-show-coming-to-dc-and-baltimore/
Last updated: 2026-04-26T19:48:19.000Z
**“The Fred Show” will debut April 30 on “Hot 99.5” WIHT in D.C., and “Z104.3” WZFT in Baltimore,** airing live weekdays from 6-10am and streaming on demand, reports[ InsideRadio.](https://www.insideradio.com/free/the-fred-show-expands-reach-to-dc-and-baltimore/article%5F7adaec66-cec4-48d3-8e40-6b93b939ba41.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

The show has been building a national footprint since its 2011 launch. states InsideRadio, and “Its expansion into Washington and Baltimore marks another step in its growth strategy, placing it in two highly competitive Top 20 markets where morning drive remains a key battleground for audience share.

“Hosted by Fred (Christopher Frederick) and supported by a core cast that includes Kaelin, Keke, Paulina, Showbiz Shelly and Jason Brown, the program leans heavily on personality-driven content, a fast-paced format and a mix of humor and lifestyle conversation.”

“We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of mornings in D.C. and Baltimore,” Fred said. “These cities and stations are home to a legacy of remarkable voices, and we’re honored for the chance to earn our place among them.”
### Karla Ray turned an ‘unprompted job loss’ into a media coaching powerhouse
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/karla-ray-turned-an-unprompted-job-loss-into-a-media-coaching-powerhouse/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:31:48.000Z
**Originally published by Newsmatics, Inc. Reprinted with permission.**

**By Issac Morgan, Staff Writer,** [**Newsmatics, Inc.**](https://www.newsmatics.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**Some people learn to speak on camera. Karla Ray lived it.**

Long before she ventured into the [communications](https://einpresswire.substack.com/p/ein-presswires-new-white-paper-unlocking?utm%5Fsource=publication-search) side of the business, she was in newsrooms across the United States, chasing stories and anchoring newscasts. At just 19, she got her start in local news, hauling her own gear across dozens of counties as a one‑woman‑band reporter in South Dakota.

Her firm, [Unprompted Strategies](https://unpromptedstrategies.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), which she doesn’t label as strictly public relations, gives clients an edge by focusing on a part of communications many overlook: telling stories both on‑camera and off.

“I don’t really view myself as a practitioner of public relations, but I am a master communicator,” Ray told [EIN Presswire](https://www.einpresswire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). “I’ve been a writer and storyteller for as long as I can remember.”

Unprompted Strategies was born, as she says, “after leaving news unexpectedly in 2024 to help others amplify stories on camera, online or on their behalf.”

The standout service she’s known for is one not every traditional PR shop can pull off: media coaching.

Her areas of expertise are media coaching and media placement, shaped by her extensive newsroom experience and a keen instinct for what reporters look for.

And she’s the ideal person to school you on being interviewed by the media — just look at her background, spending more than a decade investigating, anchoring, and earning Emmy nominations in Florida.

When she was let go from her news role in 2024 — an “unprompted job loss” — [everything shifted](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/karlaraytv%5Funpromptedstrategies-unprompted-careerchange-activity-7364281084429160450-yMzq?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). What came next wasn’t a backup plan but rather the foundation of the company she continues to build today.

Ray launched Unprompted Strategies to help people and brands show up with clarity, command a camera, and own the room. She ditched the teleprompter to teach others how to think like journalists, pitch with purpose, and deliver when the red light turns on.

In this “Heard on the Streets” feature, Ray shares how she turned a career pivot into a platform, why former journalists are PR’s secret weapon, and what brands get wrong when they wait too long to ask for help.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/b8e23d43-d206-492a-8418-e685be5c0424_2400x1494.jpeg)

**Q: Tell us a little more about your journey and how you got started.**

A: I think I wrote my first ‘book’ at age 4- something ridiculous that’s no doubt in a box somewhere in my parents’ basement. I started on the print journalism track in college but quickly realized that I was better suited for the pace and style of broadcast. I spent 17 years working as a television investigative reporter and anchor, mostly in Florida.

**Q: Describe your firm and the industries and clients you serve.**

A: I want to teach people how to fish. My goal is to help people learn how to tell their own brand story so well that they don’t need to pay a retainer fee to a PR firm each month. Unprompted Strategies is run on authenticity and audacity, and the authentic and audacious are the clients I hope to serve. I have a full-time 8-5 as a Community Relations Manager at a law firm, so I am only taking on a few clients at a time under Unprompted. This allows me to really focus on their needs and deliver results.

**Q: What specific areas of PR do you specialize in?**

A: Media coaching and media placement are my calling cards, due to my extensive work history in TV news. I can write a press release, but my placements have come from knowing how to pitch a good story and preparing my clients for their on-camera or quotable moment.

**Q: Could you share some insights into the strategies or best practices that have been key to your clients’ success?**

A: It’s all about learning to think like a journalist. Once you know how to identify a good story, feel empowered to tell it, and build relationships with the reporters who can amplify your voice, the pitching part is easy. Too often, brands and businesses focus only on the chance to be featured without doing any of the prep work to make sure they nail it when the spotlight is on.

**Q: What is one of the biggest mistakes you see brands, companies, or organizations make in the field of PR?**

A: Waiting too long to ask for help. Imagine spending all this time creating your brand or business, only for it to flop because you don’t have the right team helping to get your story out! I also find that PR is often the first budget to get cut when times are tough; this is a mistake because without public interest, even the best ideas can die on the vine.

**Q: Anything else you’d like to share about the industry you work in or helpful tips?**

A: Don’t overlook former journalists. We know what makes a good story, a strong pitch, we understand production, we are deadline-driven and are incredible multi-taskers! Even if we don’t have an APR behind our names, we know how to play the game.

**:** 
***This article was originally published by Newsmatics, Inc and is reprinted here with permission.***

***Read the original here: https://open.substack.com/pub/einpresswire/p/karla-ray-turned-an-unprompted-job?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=android&r=58g5u7***
### Matt Cuddy, CNBC’s Washington bureau chief, retires after 30-plus-year career
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/matt-cuddy-cnbcs-washington-bureau-chief-retires-after-30-plus-year-career/
Last updated: 2026-04-21T19:32:18.000Z
**Matt Cuddy, who led CNBC’s Washington bureau for nearly three decades,** retired after a 30-plus-year career with the business news network. His departure marks the end of a long tenure overseeing CNBC’s political and policy coverage from the nation’s capital, where he has been bureau chief since 1997, reports [citybiz](https://www.citybiz.co/article/834643/cnbc-washington-bureau-chief-matt-cuddy-retires-after-more-than-three-decades/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Cuddy joined CNBC in 1993 as a producer and later moved into newsroom leadership roles, continues citybiz, “helping shape the network’s Washington reporting as federal policy and economic decision-making became increasingly central to business news coverage. Over time, his responsibilities expanded to managing editorial direction for the bureau and coordinating coverage of Congress, the White House, regulatory agencies, and major policy developments affecting markets.”

“You could not ask for a harder working, more generous colleague and boss,” CNBC senior Washington correspondent **Eamon Javers** said on social media. “This place just will not be the same without his unbelievable energy and enthusiasm.”

Before joining CNBC, Cuddy worked at Conus Communications from 1990 to 1993 as an editor and producer. Earlier in his career, he served as a video journalist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, giving him experience in both government communications and broadcast production prior to entering business news.

He is a graduate of the University of Maryland.
### Sign of the Times: Meta cuts workforce 10%
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/meta-to-cut-10-of-its-workforce/
Last updated: 2026-04-26T15:32:55.000Z
**Meta plans to cut 10% of its global workforce** due to increased investment in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies toward the end of May, according to a recent report by [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/meta-targets-may-20-first-wave-layoffs-additional-cuts-later-2026-2026-04-17/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

On May 20, states a post on [MediaPost](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/414453/meta-to-reportedly-cut-8000-jobs-in-may.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), “Meta will lay off approximately 8,000 employees in the first wave of what may be an ongoing series of job cuts scheduled throughout the remainder of 2026, although “executives may adjust their plans” based on ongoing developments in AI functionality, the report adds.

“Reuters first hinted at the potential of a 20% workforce reduction — about 16,000 jobs — [in mid-March](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/413522/meta-reportedly-planning-major-layoffs-could-impa.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), marking what could be the company’s largest round of layoffs since 2022 and 2023, when a combined total of 21,000 staffers lost their jobs, per CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s proclaimed “year of efficiency.””

Notably, continues the post, “Meta is directing more of its money into its AI ambitions, which involves investing heavily in [AI chips,](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/413045/meta-to-spend-billions-more-on-amd-ai-chips.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) top talent, data centers and [strategic acquisitions](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/411678/meta-acquires-ai-startup-for-social-business-inte.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), including the recent [purchase of AI agent and social-media platform Moltbook](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/413425/meta-moltbook-acquisition-teases-fully-automated-f.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).”
### USAA Educational Foundation Extends Crosby Contract for Two Years
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/usaa-educational-foundation-extends-crosby-contract-for-two-years/
Last updated: 2026-04-21T16:52:54.000Z
**The USAA Educational Foundation (USAAEF) has enlisted Crosby Marketing Communications for an additional two years** to provide integrated marketing support, continuing work that began in 2022.

 According to.a release, “USAAEF provides free, easy-to-use financial education resources to help service members, veterans, and their families improve their financial freedom and security. These include learning guides, videos, calculators and worksheets, which are created by Certified Financial Professionals (CFP®).

 “Crosby supports USAAEF’s outreach and advocacy efforts through an integrated mix of branding, digital marketing, social media, web development, and analytics solutions.”

“Supporting USAAEF’s mission to improve the financial well-being of America’s military community is deeply rewarding work,” says Crosby CEO **Raymond Crosby**. “We’re proud to continue our partnership for another two years.”

 Crosby creates national awareness and activation campaigns for leading nonprofit, healthcare, government, and military and veteran organizations, including Shriners Children’s, Kaiser Permanente, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), the Peace Corps, USDA, and Social Security Administration.

 Crosby provides integrated advertising, public relations, social media, and digital marketing services through specialized practices in Healthcare, Government, Nonprofits & Causes, and Military & Veterans. The firm ranks #31 on O’Dwyer’s list of national communications firms, #1 for Nonprofits, and #11 for Healthcare, as well as #10 on GrowthLab’s list of Top 100 firms serving the federal government. Crosby has also been named as a Top Workplace by The Washington Post for nine consecutive years.

To learn more, visit [crosbymarketing.com](https://www.crosbymarketing.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).
### Online opinion personalities and comedians now primary source of news
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/online-opinion-personalities-and-comedians-now-primary-source-of-news/
Last updated: 2026-04-21T00:51:04.000Z
**Americans no longer turn to TV and newspapers as their primary source of news,** instead turning to online opinion personalities and comedians, particularly those on the right, gaining steam among people who voted in the last presidential election, reports [The Hollywood Reporter.](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/online-personalities-comedians-overtake-tv-news-source-1236567562/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

That is the finding of a [new poll](https://newslab.org/school/jordan-center/poll/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) conducted by Ipsos for the Jordan Center for Journalism Innovation and Advocacy at the University of Mississippi.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the poll, which was conducted in March, “actually found the conservative politicians and cabinet members, including **President Trump**, were the top news influencers. When politicos were excluded, **Joe Rogan,** pictured above, led the list, followed by Fox News personalities **Greg Gutfeld** and **Sean Hannity**, and then **Tucker Carlson** and **Ben Shapiro**. The only three influencers to crack 10 percent were Trump, Rogan, and **JD Vance.**

“Among people who voted for **Kamala Harris**, the top news personalities were late night hosts, led by ABC’s **Jimmy Kimmel**, followed by CBS Late Show host **Stephen Colbert**, and Daily Show host **Jon Stewart**.

“Just under 70 percent of respondents said they get their news online in a given week, compared to 55 percent for TV, and 25 percent for newspapers.”
### NOTUS to become The Star to fill void it says was left by cuts at Washington Post
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/notus-to-become-the-star-to-fill-void-it-says-was-left-by-cuts-at-the-washington-post/
Last updated: 2026-04-21T21:06:39.000Z
**“The Star” is born,** reports [The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/16/business/media/notus-news-to-become-the-star.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

According to The Times, NOTUS, a Washington political news website with “ambitious plans to fill a void it says was left by deep cuts at The Washington Post, will be renamed The Star and relaunch in the first week of June, the editor in chief, **Tim Grieve,** said.”

NOTUS started in 2023, states The Times, as a publication “tied to the Allbritton Journalism Institute, a nonprofit that trains young political journalists. Its name stands for News of the United States, a play on the nickname for the President of the United States. It was created with a $20 million grant from Robert Allbritton, the billionaire co-founder of Politico.

“In February, The Post [abruptly laid off](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/business/media/washington-post-layoffs.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) more than 300 of its 800 journalists, sharply reduced its metro section and shut down its local sports coverage. After those moves, the leaders of NOTUS decided to accelerate their expansion plans in Washington.

“The publication will soon cover local news and local sports, Mr. Grieve said. The publication will also increase its coverage of Congress and the White House. The newsroom, which had about 45 people at the beginning of the year, will probably more than double to 95 journalists by the end of the year..”
### Banner parent organization acquires Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/banner-parent-organization-acquires-pittsburgh-post-gazette/
Last updated: 2026-04-18T14:44:41.000Z
The Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism and Block Communications, Inc., announced that they have reached an agreement for Venetoulis to acquire the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, one of the nation’s oldest regional newspapers.

The transaction, approved by the boards of both organizations, is expected to take effect on May 4\. According to the announcement, the agreement reflects a shared commitment to sustaining local journalism in Pittsburgh.

“For nearly a century, the Block family has been dedicated to public service in Pittsburgh,” said **Stewart Bainum Jr.,** founder of the Venetoulis Institute. “We are honored that they trust us to continue this work.”

Block Communications has operated the publication since 1927\. The Venetoulis Institute launched The Baltimore Banner in June 2022.

“The Block family has worked to find the best possible source for responsible local journalism for the Pittsburgh region and we believe we have succeeded,” said **Karen Johnese**, chairperson of Block Communications, Inc. “We are excited to hand our treasured paper over to such a committed and creative organization. We trust in their integrity and care for our community.”

Under the agreement, the Post-Gazette will remain a publication serving Western Pennsylvania, with the newsroom and local business leadership based in Pittsburgh. Other functions, including technology and business operations will be combined with Venetoulis Institute teams to support long-term sustainability across both organizations. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“Local journalism is essential to a strong community, but across the country the business model has been under severe strain,” Bainum said. “We believe there is a path forward — one that combines great journalism with a diversified business model built on scale and exceptional talent.”

Following the acquisition, **David Shribman**, the former executive editor of the Post-Gazette from 2003 to 2019, will join the Venetoulis board of directors. Shribman, a distinguished journalist who previously served as assistant managing editor of the Boston Globe and politics correspondent at The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, brings strong ties to the Pittsburgh community and deep connections to Post-Gazette newsroom.

Founded in 1786, the Post-Gazette has earned national recognition for its reporting, including a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting. Block Communications will work closely with the Venetoulis Institute to support a smooth transition while it continues operating its other media properties, including The Blade, its daily newspaper based in Toledo, Ohio.
### AAF DC Celebrates District 2 ADDY Award Winners
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/aaf-dc-celebrates-district-2-addy-award-winners/
Last updated: 2026-05-08T11:40:25.000Z
**The American Advertising Federation DC announced that several entries from the DC creative community** have been recognized at the prestigious District 2 American Advertising Awards, advancing from the local level to earn top regional honors.

These wins reflect the strength, innovation, and creative excellence coming out of the DC advertising market—spanning branded content, integrated campaigns, cinematography, and motion design.

**District 2 Award Winners from AAF DC:**

- **Gold ADDY & Special Judges Award**  
**Avoq** for **PBS**  
[*“Viewers Like Me”*](https://youtu.be/jXimh3Oba7M?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)  
Branded Content & Entertainment for Online/Interactive
- **Silver ADDY**  
**Cade Martin Photography** for **The Man That Rescues Dogs Foundation**  
[*“Wheelchair Mafia”*](https://www.cademartin.com/exploration-wheelchair-mafia?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)  
Webisode
- **Mosaic ADDY Award**  
**ICF Next** for **PSEG**  
[*“We’re Jersey Ready”*](https://youtu.be/BRiKumt7cuI?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)  
Integrated Branded Content Campaign
- **Gold ADDY**  
**Mwendo** for **Advancing Native Missions**  
[*“To The Ends”*](https://www.totheends.film/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)  
Branded Content & Entertainment – Non-Broadcast
- **Silver ADDY**  
**This January** for **Mars**  
[*“Small”*](https://youtu.be/YTGzI9zN2-0?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)  
Cinematography—Single
- **Silver ADDY**  
**This January** for **Gumi Yum Surprise**  
[*“Welcome to Gumiland”*](https://youtu.be/YGFdMgjjla4?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)  
Animation, Special Effects or Motion Graphics

“These honors are a testament to the incredible talent and storytelling coming out of our region,” said **Gretchen Carswell**, AAF DC Awards Chair. “To see our local winners continue to succeed at the district level speaks volumes about the creativity, craft, and strategic thinking that define our community.”

The American Advertising Awards is the industry’s largest and most representative competition, recognizing excellence across all forms of advertising. District 2 includes entrants from DC, Maryland, Virginia, and surrounding regions, making this recognition especially competitive.
### Moving Beyond Demographics to Predictive and Behavioral Segmentation
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/moving-beyond-demographics-to-predictive-and-behavioral-segmentation/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:30.000Z
**Originally published by Response Labs. Reprinted with permission.**

### **Demographics No Longer Define the Customer**

**In the** [**previous chapter**](https://capitolcommunicator.com/engineering-the-foundation-why-unified-data-is-the-heart-of-modern-loyalty/)**, we explored why unifying customer data is the foundation of loyalty.** Once that foundation is built, the next question becomes clear: how do you use that data to actually drive smarter marketing? The answer lies in Audience Science—the practice of moving beyond static demographics to build predictive and behavioral segments that anticipate what customers will do next.

Traditional segmentation sorts audiences by age, gender or income**.** These categories once served as useful shortcuts, but in today’s fast-moving, multi-channel world, they barely scratch the surface. Two customers may look identical demographically yet behave completely differently—one orders every Friday through an app, while another visits once a month with family in-store.

According to [Gartner](https://www.gartner.com/en/insights/digital-marketing-strategy?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), brands that rely primarily on demographic segmentation experience up to 40% lower engagement rates than those using behavioral data. Static traits cannot predict dynamic actions.

### **From Description to Prediction**

Modern segmentation uses behavior as the starting point and prediction as the differentiator. It groups customers by what they do, how often they do it, and what they are likely to do next. A predictive model might highlight guests at risk of churn or identify those primed for upsell based on past engagement.

[Accenture](https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/2018/widening-gap-between-consumer-expectations-and-reality-in-personalization-signals-warning-for-brands-accenture-interactive-research-finds?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) found that 91% of consumers are more likely to shop with brands that recognize and remember them, proving that behavioral understanding drives not only loyalty but emotional connection.

“Segmentation is no longer about slicing your audience thinner. It’s about understanding them deeper,” says **Katie Scott**, Art Director and creative lead at Response Labs. “Every communication gains purpose towards what we can learn and understand about the customer.”

### **Putting Audience Science into Practice**

Audience Science combines analytics, creativity, and technology. To build it into your loyalty strategy:

1. Aggregate first-party and loyalty data from CRM, app, and POS systems.
2. Identify behavioral triggers such as purchase frequency, favorite menu items, or engagement recency.
3. Use predictive analytics to forecast future behaviors like churn or next purchase.
4. Design personalized messages or offers that align with those predicted outcomes.

[Campaign Monitor](https://www.campaignmonitor.com/resources/guides/email-marketing-new-rules/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) explains, marketers report a 760% increase in email revenue from adopting personalized and segmented campaigns.

### **The Human Side of Predictive Segmentation**

The most successful brands balance data science with empathy. While algorithms can identify what customers might do, only humans can decide how to make that experience meaningful. Behavioral segmentation provides the insight; emotional intelligence turns it into loyalty.

[McKinsey](https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/growth-marketing-and-sales/our-insights/the-value-of-getting-personalization-right-or-wrong-is-multiplying?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) notes that 76% of consumers get frustrated when a brand doesn’t deliver a personalized experience.

### **Conclusion**

Unified data sets the stage, but Audience Science brings it to life. When marketers use predictive and behavioral segmentation to understand not just who customers are but what motivates them, loyalty becomes proactive instead of reactive. The result is smarter messaging, higher engagement, and a customer relationship that evolves in step with every interaction.

If you’re ready to transform your loyalty program into a true growth program, we’re here to help.[ Contact us today to talk about how to get started.](https://www.responselabs.com/contact/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

*This article was originally published by Response Labs and is reprinted here with permission. Read the original article here: https://www.responselabs.com/2025/11/predictive-behavioral-segmentation-loyalty/*
### District Cannabis launches a ridiculously serious campaign to make 4/20 a national holiday
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/district-cannabis-launches-campaign-to-make-4-20-a-holiday/
Last updated: 2026-05-08T11:42:29.000Z
#### 

#### Brilliant & Absurd Creative, Serves As High-Profile Branding Platform

[District Cannabis](https://districtcannabis.us/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), an irreverently innovative cannabis company operating in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, is launching a bold, tongue-in-cheek campaign complete with a[ petition](https://www.change.org/p/make-420-a-national-holiday?recruiter=1409708798&recruited%5Fby%5Fid=49d1fa00-35d5-11f1-91fb-cbb894b43d27&utm%5Fsource=share%5Fpetition&utm%5Fcampaign=starter%5Fonboarding%5Fshare%5Fsocial&utm%5Fmedium=copylink&share%5Fid=nQ245WW7LH) on [Change.org](http://change.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) calling on the White House to finally recognize what millions of Americans already know: 4/20 deserves federal holiday status.

While the campaign begins in the nation’s capital, founder Andras Kirschner sees the mission as much bigger than the DMV. “Weeding the people goes beyond our zip code. We want to make cannabis more accessible, more accepted, and more celebrated nationwide,” said Andras.

Partnering with [Nick Cade](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickcade/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)’s Ugly Agency, the feisty, independent creative shop, the campaign is built out from the petition, turning this outrageously funny effort into a literal smokescreen for the brand’s rallying cry: “Weed The People,” transforming a local tagline into a cultural platform designed to travel coast to coast.

The campaign, “Make 420 A National Holiday,” launches April 16 with a :30 spot, print ads, posters, stunts, social media, in-store activations and radio. The core campaign element, the online petition, is a gorgeously realized piece of satire that begins: “Millions of Americans already celebrate 4/20 like a national holiday. We’re simply asking the government to catch up. This country was built on pipe dreams—and that pipe was chock-full of Mary Jane.”

The hero :30, a mixed-media film in the style of Terry Gilliam’s work for “Monty Python,” plays like a government PSA viewed after eating one too many edibles and blends revisionist History 101 with the political chaos of South Park, reimagining iconic American moments through a cannabis lens. Static images from the video, like a huge pipe being hoisted up to George Washington’s lips on Mount Rushmore, will be featured across the media executions.

“4/20 is the Super Bowl of cannabis culture,” Kirschner said. “The one time of year when consumers, media, lawmakers and brands are all talking about cannabis at the same time. People all over the country celebrate the holiday, yet cannabis still isn’t federally legal. Legalization has moved faster in culture than it has in Washington, but now that the government is finally reconsidering cannabis classification, the timing felt right to ask them to reconsider their holiday calendar too.”

The hero print image, featured at the top of the online petition, is a submarine-sized, hand-rolled joint that sits on the steps of the Capitol building. District Cannabis has promised that, once enough signatures are collected, they will deliver a hard copy of the petition to Congress—rolled into a giant spliff and placed on the steps. The strategy was to mix humor, populist enthusiasm, public participation and a giant joint of bureaucratic proportions that elevates 4/20 into the kind of cultural spectacle the media cannot ignore and the internet was born to spread.

District Cannabis is a family-owned, vertically integrated cannabis company operating in Washington, D.C., and Maryland that is focused on providing high-quality flower and concentrate products at accessible prices. Famous for strains like Gelato Cake and Cherry Chem, they use advanced, AI-controlled, and eco-friendly cultivation technology. Founded in 2015, District Cannabis has a flagship dispensary in the Union Market neighborhood of D.C. and in Hagerstown, MD. The company emphasizes advanced AI-powered cultivation to enhance efficiency and maintain low, competitive pricing. The campaign establishes the brand as an advocate for legalizing marijuana at the federal level and making it accessible to all.

“We decided to meet absurdity with absurdity,” said Nick Cade of Ugly Agency. “If millions of Americans already celebrate 4/20 like a national holiday, why not make it official? We wrapped that effort in satire, civic theater, and stoner logic.” With a straight face, the online petition solicits the input of the White House, winking at the outdated, Prohibition-modeled federal position on cannabis use.

Because the media buy will be aimed at the Washington, D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia markets, the creative had to navigate strict local advertising and compliance rules that prevented depicting consumption, promoting intoxication, or showing close-up product visuals. The agency worked around those rules by selling an idea instead of a product. Rather than talk strains, show close-ups, or pretend no one knows what weed does, they promoted a petition and a cause. The creative adopted a low-fi, handmade aesthetic. The work avoids problematic words like “marijuana” and “high” and speaks in code, using phrases like “that good good,” “munchies,” and other wink-and-nod shorthand. Every touchpoint treats the campaign with the gravity of a presidential election and the logic of a stoner brainstorm.

The :30-second spot will appear on WMAR Baltimore; a streaming version will appear in regional buys on A&E, ABC, BBC, Barstool Sports, CBS, Comedy Central, CNN, ESPN, FX, MSNBC and YouTube and Vimeo. Online print and OOH will appear on FanDuel Sports Zone, the Outdoor Channel, PBS, Pluto, Vice, Viceland, Yahoo Finance, and in Leafly and High Times magazines.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/4-20_Holiday_Rushmore.jpg)
### What a Graduating Marketer Sees That Most Practitioners Miss
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/what-a-graduating-marketer-sees-that-most-practitioners-miss/
Last updated: 2026-04-16T22:44:55.000Z
By [Geoff Livingston](https://substack.com/@livingwf8?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**I recently caught up with Jonathan Harris, president of AMA-GMU at George Mason University** and about-to-be marketing grad, at a DC marketing tech talk on AI and the customer journey. What followed was a candid conversation worth sharing.

Jonathan transferred from film school to business school, which gives him an unusual lens. He sees AI not as a threat but as a production equalizer — the gap between a well-resourced team and a solo creator is narrowing fast, especially in short-form video.

On copywriting, he’s measured: AI handles the mechanical work well, and he uses Claude himself for script feedback and campaign ideation. But he doesn’t think it replaces the authentic human voice that great advertising has always required.

His advice to peers entering the market is the most useful thing in the conversation: don’t hide your entrepreneurial activity because it isn’t profitable yet. It shows ambition. It shows you work without deadlines. That’s exactly what employers are looking for.

Check out our full conversation [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-Vl-jltBlQ&ref=capitolcommunicator.com).
### Sign of the times: Onetime king of at-home shopping seeks bankruptcy protection
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/sign-of-the-times-onetime-king-of-at-home-shopping-seeks-bankruptcy-protection/
Last updated: 2026-04-18T19:24:12.000Z
[**QVC**](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t/qvc-2/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **Group, the parent company the home shopping TV brands** [**HSN**](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t/hsn/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **and QVC, will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection**, reports [The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/qvc-hsn-file-chapter-11-bankruptcy-tiktok-1236566529/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The specifics around the bankruptcy remain to be determined, states The Hollywood Reporter, “though Chapter 11 allows a company to continue operating while it is restructured.

A year ago, the company laid off 900 staffers as it [consolidated its operations](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/qvc-group-hsn-layoffs-pivot-livestream-shopping-1236175284/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and plotted a shift to live shopping on social platforms like TikTok, which have emerged as the next-generation home for that type of content.”

“Linear TV is a highly engaging, highly profitable platform and it remains our cornerstone. However, as traditional TV declines and a mix of video platforms takes a greater share of customer attention, we must hurry our expansion beyond TV to find growth,” the company said at the time.

“Platforms like TikTok Shop and shopping creators on YouTube and Instagram have stolen much of the thunder, continues The Hollywood Reporter, “helped along by cheap products that can be shipped from Asia and other markets.

“The company also pursued other content deals for programming that could complement its shopping offerings, like a [deal to carry pickleball matches](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/qvc-live-pickleball-matches-shopping-1236023492/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).”

One online post stated the QVC Group was the “onetime king of at-home shopping.”

PHOTO: QVC
### State of Wikipedia report for April 2026
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/state-of-wikipedia-report-for-april-2026/
Last updated: 2026-04-16T10:45:40.000Z
**In April 2026, the Wikipedia Chaos Index rose to 93, marking another month at critical levels.** The platform remains highly volatile, so our advice remains unchanged: this isn’t the time to publish new drafts, update controversial content, or engage in debates with editors.

Wikipedia’s Arbitration Committee is busier reviewing disputes but slower making decisions. Engagement on case requests reached its highest point in 2026 this month while motion activity hit the year’s low, including a 3-week period of zero activity. This suggests the committee (Wikipedia’s final dispute resolution authority) is grappling with complex or contentious cases, or facing a backlog as disputes pile up faster than they can be addressed.

Arbitration backlogs like this can signal stricter enforcement may be around the corner.

As we move into the second quarter of 2026, the friction between human-governed knowledge and generative AI has reached a new boiling point. While we’ve spent the last few months discussing “hallucination rates” and source verification, Wikipedia has finally made its stance official: strict restrictions on using AI to generate or substantially rewrite article content.

Following a lopsided community vote of 44-2, the platform has restricted large language model (LLM) usage to two very narrow exceptions: full-article translations and minor copyediting of an editor’s own work.

For PR and marketing professionals, this isn’t just a change in rules, it’s a clear signal that the community is aggressively insulating itself from the “AI slop” that has begun to overwhelm administrative noticeboards.This move is a direct response to a fundamental conflict: AI systems, by nature, often subtly alter meanings in ways that the original cited sources no longer support, a direct violation of Wikipedia’s core verifiability policies.

For those of us in communications, the stakes have shifted. It is no longer enough to have “accurate” content; your digital footprint on Wikipedia must now be demonstrably human-governed. Relying on automated drafting tools for drafts or talk page responses is no longer just a shortcut, it’s likely to draw immediate scrutiny from editors.

*NOTE: The Chaos Index is a proprietary metric for measuring turbulence throughout Wikipedia and tracking the community’s current sentiment towards corporate-related pages. The index measures community actions such as editing frequency, content deletion, message board posts, and many other activities that contribute to unstable corporate page environments.*
### Sign of the Times: Snap laying off 1,000 employees because of AI
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/sign-of-the-times-snap-laying-off-1000-employees-because-of-ai/
Last updated: 2026-04-15T20:25:11.000Z
[**Snap**](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t/snap/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **inc. is laying off 16 percent of its employees, about 1,000 people,** as it tries to find a path toward sustained profitability, reports [The Hollywood Reporter.](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/snapchat-layoffs-100-jobs-ai-deployment-1236565059/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

Snap Inc., based in Santa Monica, California, developed and maintains technological products and services, namely Snapchat, Spectacles, Bitmoji, and SnapBoost, states Wikipedia.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Snap CEO **Evan Spiegel** announced the significant cuts in a memo to employees, adding that the staff reductions “will reduce the company’s annualized cost base by more than $500 million by the end of this year, while incurring $95 million-$130 million in restructuring costs.

“The CEO added that he believes adoption of artificial intelligence tools will allow the company to move faster and ship more products, with a new “jobs to be done” structure that aggressively leverages AI agents.”

“While these changes are necessary to realize Snap’s long-term potential, we believe that rapid advancements in artificial intelligence enable our teams to reduce repetitive work, increase velocity, and better support our community, partners, and advertisers,” Spiegel writes. “We have already witnessed small squads leveraging AI tools to drive meaningful progress across several important initiatives, including Snapchat+, enhanced ad platform performance, and efficiency improvements in our Snap Lite infrastructure.”

The company states that 65 percent of new code has been generated by AI.
### Pum Lefebure, co-founder and chief creative officer of Design Army, tells podcast that design “is not about being the loudest or funniest” and sometimes you can shout “quietly”
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/pum-lefebure-co-founder-and-chief-creative-officer-of-design-army-tells-podcast-that-design-is-not-about-being-the-loudest-or-funniest-and-sometimes-you-can-shout-quietly/
Last updated: 2026-04-15T20:29:01.000Z
**Pum Lefebure, co-founder and chief creative officer of D.C.-based** [**Design Army,**](https://designarmy.com/agency?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)an internationally acclaimed design studio, was interviewed for The TED Audio Collective’s [Design Matters with Debbie Millman](https://designmattersmedia.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). During the podcast, Lefebure reflectsed on her journey “from a shy, art-obsessed child in Bangkok to a global creative leader, and to explore what the rise of AI means for the future of human creativity, vision and value.”

The interview was published in [PRINT](https://www.printmag.com/podcasts/2026/design-matters-pum-lefebure/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and is below.

---

Debbie Millman:

Pum Lefebure is the co-founder and chief creative officer of Design Army, an internationally recognized design studio known for its distinctive fusion of art, commerce, and cultural storytelling. Born in Bangkok and now based in Washington, DC, Lefebure has built a body of work that spans global campaigns for clients, including Netflix, PepsiCo, and the Smithsonian Institution, work that is as visually arresting as it is strategically precise. Her approach resists easy categorization. She has described design not simply as a discipline, but as a language, one that must be both deeply felt and rigorously constructed.

Under her leadership, Design Army has become known for a process that privileges individual vision over consensus, craft over convenience, and long-term cultural impact over short-term trend. At the center of her practice is a set of ongoing questions, how design creates meaning, how it moves between art and business, and what it takes to make something that doesn’t just capture attention, but stays with you.

Pum Lefebure, welcome to Design Matters.

Pum Lefebure:

Nice to see you again, Debbie.

Debbie Millman:

Nice to see you too. It’s been 15 years since our last interview. We have a lot of catching up to do.

Pum Lefebure:

Exactly.

Debbie Millman:

One thing that I didn’t know when I interviewed you in 2011 was this. So it’s a question. Is it true that you read 30 magazines every month for inspiration?

Pum Lefebure:

I used to, but not anymore. Now, consume magazine more of through social media and really want to see what’s going on in the culture because the world is moving so fast and it’s part of the job as chief creative officer to make sure that we know what’s going on. Because with brands, whatever we create today might not be relevant two months from now. So it’s quite important to force myself to watch those TikTok or any platform I’m just interested in.

But I love print as well. That will always be my love. Look at prints and books and I would just go to magazine store in New York and stand there for an hour and just consuming visual.

Debbie Millman:

You grew up in Bangkok in a family of scientists. After an elementary school teacher noticed your talent and mentioned it to your parents, they were determined to provide you with access to numerous creative activities, which included painting and music and dance. As scientists, what do you think your parents understood about creativity that allowed them to support it so vigorously in you?

Pum Lefebure:

I think they just realized that I’m not good at anything else. I was the oldest child of the four. My sibling, all my sister and brother, they are genius. They are Fulbright Scholarship students. And I’m just anything but science. I don’t like science. I didn’t like math. I’m good at math, but that’s not my passion. I love art, dance, creativity. From drawing, painting, dancing, choreograph, you name it, I was really good at it as a kid. And my parents just pretty much give up because I was just not interested in any of the academic stuff.

Debbie Millman:

You said that your favorite toy as a child was a giant box of colored pencils, several hundred of them, that they felt like a kind of magic wand. What did that wand allow you to create?

Pum Lefebure:

The wand allowed me to be the fairy godmother in Cinderella. I remember I grew up, because we grew up, my two sister and my little brother, we watched Disney movie a lot growing up because English was not the first language. It’s the movie and it’s the animation that help us learn the language, that’s why our parents let us watch. And it’s easy to understand.

I remember my sisters love to be Cinderella. They want to play all those princess that come to the ball. And I was quite interested in the fairy godmothers. I want to be her when I grew up because she turned pumpkin into carriage and turned a dress to be something wonderful. So the idea of this magic, to be able to transform or imagine something in my head and creating a magic for clients or friends or families or culture, I think that is very honorable thing as a human being. And pretty much I knew that if I don’t create, I die.

Debbie Millman:

You have described yourself as a very introverted, shy child, but that art gave you a voice. What kind of voice was it? Was it expressive? Was it a way of being understood? Talk about the tambour of that voice.

Pum Lefebure:

I think when you are introvert as a kid, everyone’s very good at being in front of the class or be in front of the stage. They express themself in front of many people, but the way I express themselves is through painting and drawing and imagine what’s in my head and get it out through my drawing and painting. And it’s quite shocking when people see it because it’s strange color. It’s like I drawing something that kind of strange and weird, especially in Thai culture because Thai culture, the way they teach us is about almost like traditional ways. So you go to the museum, Thai museum, and you just draw exactly what you see, which is very traditional way of learn how to draw.

But the way I draw, I feel like I mastered that early on. I can see, I can draw exactly what I see. I was getting bored. So I start messing things up as a kid, so it looks quite messy. And going over, out of the lines, which is like a big no-no in Thailand when you learn as a kid, you have to stay in the line, stay in the line and like shade within the line. And I just kind of go overboard.

So I think when people saw it, it was like strange or like new way of drawings. And that’s how my art teacher noticed me and I grew up, become this girl who any Bangkok competitions, they would send me to the art competition, which is quite tough in Asia. They would give you, you go in and then they would give you a piece of paper and you read one page of the assignment and they start timing you. Within three hours, you have to draw the concept, create a concept, painting, and deliver within three hours. When the bell ring, pencil down. It’s a lot of pressure, which means you have to be extremely fast at thinking and executing at the same time.

Debbie Millman:

Now, I believe you also attended Catholic school.

Pum Lefebure:

Yes.

Debbie Millman:

Did you grow up very religious? Were you around a lot of religious students?

Pum Lefebure:

No. The Catholic school in Thailand that I went was the same one that the Queen of Thailand went. It’s a very well-known school. And majority of people are not Catholic necessary, but it’s a good private school that you will learn a lot of Western culture as well that’s integrated to the curriculum. And that’s why my parents want us to attend. But I did grow up, have to pray three times a day at school in the morning, before lunch, and right before we leave for school. So it’s in me. It’s in me.

Debbie Millman:

You have described seeing an ad, a Benetton ad that the late great Tibor Kalman designed featuring a then infamous photo of a priest and a nun kissing. And it was something that you said both scandalized and intrigued you. And I thought that was such an interesting combination, especially for a shy, introverted young girl in a Catholic school. Why both reactions? And then how was it a turning point for you?

Pum Lefebure:

Well, I always knew that I was going to grow up become an artist and not until my high school year I saw those campaign by Benetton, which is quite shocking. When you, all your life, you attend Catholic school and you saw an image of a priest kissing a nun, it’s just shocking, especially for a 15 years old girl, your hormone is like changing. At that time, it’s like, “Whoa, what is this?”

And I remember feeling butterfly in my stomach. It just, I could not get that image out of my mind because at that time you kind of wanted to be kissed by someone, but this is like the nun and the priest. It’s like, “Whoa, what is this?”

And then I saw another campaign with Benetton and it has picture of three raw hearts and these type say black, white, and yellow. Wow. What a profound way of talk about humanity that all of us are the same in the inside. So that to me was a turning point. I did ask myself, do I continue to want to pursue or become an artist or is there something else that kind of more badass career in a way? And at that time I thought design and advertising was maybe a very cool career path for me. And I told my mom, “I don’t know I want to do it, become an artist anymore.”

Debbie Millman:

What do you think that image showed you about what design could do?

Pum Lefebure:

It has ability to stop your breathing. It take your breath away. It’s an image, it’s beautiful photography. It has no words. It just little green tabs say, “United Colors of Benetton,” and you say two people united in a way that they’re not supposed to be united. To me, design is not about being the loudest or funniest, sometime you can be shouting really quietly.

Debbie Millman:

It’s interesting. I was also very influenced by the work of Tibor Kalman, the Benetton work, the Florent work, the Talking Heads work. And it’s interesting, I’m a bit older than you, but I can envision you in Bangkok seeing that, me in Albany or New York City seeing that. And it’s interesting how it could have such a similar impact on people that are in the midst of living their lives in very different ways, but also hope for very similar ways.

Pum Lefebure:

And that’s why design is so powerful because at that time I did not really speak English. But as human, when we see the picture, we see the design, we feel it. There’s some subconscious thing for us to understand what that messaging means through photography and design.

Debbie Millman:

You came to the United States for your senior year in high school. You came on a foreign exchange program and you just mentioned that you didn’t speak English fluently. You’ve said that you couldn’t even order food at McDonald’s.

Pum Lefebure:

Mm-mm.

Debbie Millman:

So what did that kind of disorientation do to your sense of self? Did it make you more quiet? Did it make you more determined? Talk about how you felt when you got here as somebody that was highly communicative visually, but also unable to communicate in the ways that you had learned.

Pum Lefebure:

It was one year I came to a high school in Virginia Beach and I could not communicate with everyone. It was a huge high school, 2,000 student. They don’t care who you are. They make fun of you. You are from another country. You don’t speak English. I eat lunch by myself. And it can get lonely, be a foreigner. But I think art is something that always carries me through.

Debbie Millman:

Did the students in the school begin to recognize how talented you were and how much you could make with your hands?

Pum Lefebure:

Yeah. I think because in algebra class, when I’m in English class, Hamlet, what the hell? I don’t understand. US government, I don’t understand. Literally, it took me almost an hour to read a page of US government because I don’t understand every English word on that page. So I know that I have to work three times harder to get there. And that’s always, as an immigrant, that’s the rule. Right?

But when it’s come to art, I’m the shining star because everyone, like there’s 30 student in there, I can draw anything. And again, that’s why the art is the thing that carried me through all my life.

And we entered to the Virginia Beach or Tidewater competition in the area and I won first place like right away, in two months after I came to United States and that’s how I get scout. The college saw my work. And that’s why art is my language, design is my language.

Debbie Millman:

Yeah. You were translating everything word for word with a Thai dictionary.

Pum Lefebure:

Yes.

Debbie Millman:

What did that level of effort teach you?

Pum Lefebure:

It’s discipline. I remember two o’clock, I’m out of school. I came back and I studied from two o’clock to six o’clock, had dinner with my host family, spend time with them, and I study again, like 6:00 or 7:00, dinner, seven o’clock to 2:00 AM in the morning, I studied all the way through because I don’t want to be … As a foreign exchange student from Thailand, I do not want to embarrass my country because to me, I representing Thailand and I don’t want to get an F. \[inaudible 00:17:10\] I want to do well. And it’s changed me completely as a person, I’ve just become extremely diligent person.

Debbie Millman:

You stayed in the United States. You attended Radford University on a scholarship and majored in graphic design rather than fine art. What were you envisioning doing professionally at that point? Were you hoping to go to a graphic design studio or an advertising agency? What were your ambitions? And did you want to stay in the US when you finished school?

Pum Lefebure:

I dream of stay in United States. I came to this country and the freedom of expression, it’s unbelievable. In Thailand, there’s certain thing you cannot draw. There’s limitation. You can’t say certain thing with the king or royal family or like if you say … People get offended quite easily in Thailand. Whereas here, if you have a voice, whatever you can dream, you can draw it and create it. And I knew that I knew for sure that I would never go back to Thailand again. I would do whatever it takes to stay here on my own.

Debbie Millman:

You were learning English and design simultaneously.

Pum Lefebure:

Mm-hmm.

Debbie Millman:

How did that shape the way that you think, both about language and about design?

Pum Lefebure:

I think in order for other people to understand me, I speak with hand gesture a lot. It helps. I draw things or communicate things to my friends or my teacher. Or when I was in second year in college, I work at university department. And I’m such a sketcher, so I communicate everything through drawings. And by the time my sophomore year in college, I already designed a viewbook for the university. And that was like 60-page viewbook, I did the whole thing with the art director. I went to a press check. So I start quite young. And the summer before that, I also interned at Ogilvy in Bangkok too. So I see that side of the advertising and design. And I love advertising, but I decide that I much better at a design department, do the branding. So that’s why I kind of pivot to design at agency.

Debbie Millman:

While you were still in college, you got an internship at Supon Design Group, which was a very hot agency in the 1990s. That led to a full-time job. And you’ve described those early rooms as full of people flexing.

Pum Lefebure:

Oh, yeah.

Debbie Millman:

Talk about what that was like and how you managed through that flex.

Pum Lefebure:

I think as a designer, you can flex all day long with your mouth.

Debbie Millman:

Yes, you can.

Pum Lefebure:

But what it’s coming down to, I don’t need to say a lot. Let my work speaks for itself. You cannot say a lot, but then the work is just incredibly smart logo design. It’s undeniable, it just pick itself. It’s a strong, clear winner. I was like win every award, I was like print magazine and regional design award. And they used to have different region, right?

Debbie Millman:

Yeah. Regional annuals. Yeah.

Pum Lefebure:

So you look at Washington DC, it’s like half of Washington DC and the East Coast is what it’s called. It’s like my logos and design. So you don’t have to say much. But I did learn as a young designer, if I want to progress to be an art director one day, you have to get pretty good at presenting the work. So I learn on the job or like try to kind of break through my fear of speaking through practicing at work.

Debbie Millman:

In all the research in prep for the show today, I read quite a lot about how you were constantly facing loud people in large rooms flexing and pontificating. I never got the sense, in reading the various accounts that you’ve shared about that experience, that you were ever intimidated, that it ever made you less secure about your work. And I’m wondering if that’s an accurate assessment and if you can share what that sort of \[inaudible 00:22:03\] was to keep you sitting there and feeling worthy of contribution.

Pum Lefebure:

Great question. I think for young designer or young creative, I was intimidated, absolutely, because every art director, every creative director, everyone above me, they have their opinion, “Oh, I don’t like this. This color is not good,” or the typography. The design is so personal and everyone can have different opinions, right? It’s not math. It’s not one plus one equal two, so it just depends on who is judging the work.

But I always knew that while I was intimidated, my goal is quite clear that I wanted to become an art director one day and I’m not going to win by contributing negativity. Let the design speak volume and show them what is joy and positivity.

And when you work with good creative director, they will turn the table to you and let you speak and explain. And they will maybe even protect you from other noises that say, “Oh, it’s not good,” or whatever, and they’ll give you a chance to shine. And then once that work won Communication Art, PRINT Magazine, D&AD, then okay, you guys are not judging anymore. This is at we’re global stage. Someone have seen the work and it’s global work level.

Debbie Millman:

You met your now husband, Jake Lefebure at Supon Design. He was a designer when you first arrived. When did that partnership shift from work to something more?

Pum Lefebure:

Well, when you start working, back then you work long hour because Photoshop volume four or something, it’s so slow, takes forever to rendering something. So you design and then you wait for it to render. You go out, get a drink, and then come back \[inaudible 00:24:12\] rendering.

Debbie Millman:

Right.

Pum Lefebure:

Right?

Debbie Millman:

Yeah. Yeah.

Pum Lefebure:

Yeah, it’s just probably one year out we start dating, but it was secret for two years. No one knows. I did not want that to be the gossip or anything of the company, just keep it quite quiet.

Debbie Millman:

Were you fairly certain early on that this was a partnership that was going to be lifelong?

Pum Lefebure:

Not at all.

Debbie Millman:

No?

Pum Lefebure:

No.

Debbie Millman:

What changed? What gave you that sense, ultimately?

Pum Lefebure:

He’s a country boy, I’m a city girl. Right?

Debbie Millman:

\[inaudible 00:24:48\].

Pum Lefebure:

He’s from a very small town Pennsylvania. I’m from Bangkok, Thailand. It cannot be any more difference. But it’s like a puzzle, we’re like a puzzle that he’s good at something that I’m not good at and I’m good at something that he’s not good at. But we were both designers, he actually got promoted before me because Jake is really good at managing team. I was a stronger designer, but he was a very good manager.

Debbie Millman:

Though you started as an intern at Supon, you worked your way up to senior art director. And despite what you might be saying about your lack of management skills, you were managing a 50 plus creative team in just a few short years. But in 2003, after observing layoffs and instability at Supon, you and Jake chose to start your own firm. 2003 was a very sort of dubious time to start an agency. Did you both quit your jobs and start Design Army together or did you do it in stages?

Pum Lefebure:

Stages. Jake start Design Army first. I actually went to another firm as creative director and I thought, “Okay, it’s probably going to take two years for Jake to settle and get the clients. And I’ll just do the freelance on the side on the weekend.” After two months, Jake said, “You have to quit that job because I’m busy.” And right away, I joined him. After two to three months, I joined Design Army full time.

Debbie Millman:

Now, is it true that you found your first client through a yard sale flyer?

Pum Lefebure:

Yes.

Debbie Millman:

Tell us about that. Young designers are going to be going and looking at yard sale flyers now in droves.

Pum Lefebure:

Luck has a lot to do with it, but you have to create your own luck, right? That’s the famous quote. So we moved to a new house and we need to get rid of some of the junk that we don’t want that anymore. So I decided to, let’s just create this cool Martha Stewart, like turn our garage to retail experience. That is really fun because I love retail.

So we do visual merchandising, poster, clothes, purse, whatever I don’t want. And then I was like, “I’m going to design this thing like a fashion brand.” So we designed three, I designed like three different posters with different colorways and posting all around DC. And one Saturday, so it was good. We were able to sell a lot of stuff. We didn’t want it anymore. One guy at four o’clock came in and have our poster, the yard sale flyer poster. And he’s like, “Is this a yard sale?” We was like, “Yes, but we are about to close.” And he said, “Who designed this yard sale?” And I was like, “I did.”

Debbie Millman:

I love that you designed a yard sale.

Pum Lefebure:

And he’s like, “I love this. I’m starting a new company with my partner and we are looking for a graphic designer.” And he turned out to be the right-hand person of President Clinton.

Debbie Millman:

Oh, yes.

Pum Lefebure:

Yes. Him and his partner. Yeah. It’s Scott Gendura. And they are starting the new political consulting firm in DC. And then we took them and then we create the coolest branding for them. They hand out the business cards to all their contract client, including the Washington Ballet. And that’s how I met Septime Webre. And Human Right Campaigns, Washington Ballet, so all their client also become our clients because they need graphic designer.

Debbie Millman:

And many of those clients, I believe, are still your clients all these years later, 23 years later.

Pum Lefebure:

Yep.

Debbie Millman:

What made you decide to name the firm Design Army?

Pum Lefebure:

Because Lefebure Mekaroonreung is such a bad design firm name.

Debbie Millman:

That’s your maiden name.

Pum Lefebure:

Yeah, maiden name. It was Lefebure and my last name was Mekaroonreung, which is difficult. Terrible name.

Debbie Millman:

Well, I think it’s actually quite a beautiful name, but I can understand that it might be hard for people to pronounce when seeing it in letter forms because I was actually wanting to ask you about it, but I was afraid that I’d mispronounce and I don’t want to do that.

Pum Lefebure:

But I thought we were brainstorming the design, the name, and I just want the dot com. I was just like, I don’t want dot net, whatever. I want anything that available that had dot com on and we had hundreds of name. And I also told Jake, “I want the word design in it.” Design Army. I was like, “Oh, okay, that’s cool. There’s army of two. Great.” And then we literally take the name because it’s so easy to remember. And we have a vision that we will have international clients too, so the language has to be quite easy. And then we went With Design Army. It was available.

Debbie Millman:

Three months after starting Design Army, you found out you were pregnant.

Pum Lefebure:

Yeah.

Debbie Millman:

What did that moment do to your sense of control about the business and your life?

Pum Lefebure:

I’m such a control freak. And when that happened, that you thought you’re going to start Design Army and make it so cool and then five years we will have kids. And you find out three months, it’s like, “Shit, Jake.” I blame it on Jake.

Debbie Millman:

I love how you’re blaming Jake for this.

Pum Lefebure:

You’re young, you in your 20s, I’m not ready to be a mom yet. Why don’t you get it together? So I was mad at him, but excited at the same time. And my mom’s like, “Oh, let’s take a look. We’re going to go to the fortune-teller and let’s see.” And he’s like, “It’s going to be a boy. Absolutely. This is a year that if you have, it’s going to be a boy.” And of course it turned out to be a girl. We have no control. As much as I want to control everything in my life, certain thing is just kind of like, you can’t control it.

Debbie Millman:

One of the things that I loved most about reading about your history was how you shifted the question from why can’t I have both? To how can I have both? What allowed you to do that? And what shifted in you to bring that realization to life?

Pum Lefebure:

I think the why and the how, it’s a mindset. A why, you pick … The why put you in a position of victim in a way, like why this happening to me now? Why it has to be this way? So the more you ask yourself that question, you going to get more depressed. Whereas the how is like because I am now pregnant, how do I make Design Army the best design firm in the country? And how do I make sure that I’m a good mom?

It’s a completely mindset and that’s like power of human. You can really train your brain to think positively and find a way to get what you want. I am a firm believer that you either satisfy with dissatisfaction or do something about it. And the only person that can make that change is you. No one else.

Debbie Millman:

Tell me, and I’d love for our listeners to hear about what you called Sophie Sundays.

Pum Lefebure:

Sophie Sundays. I worked all the time. As a young designer in my 20s, you have to do whatever it takes. So you’re not only looking at the design, create design, go see the client, you have to be in charge of the financial as well. I look at Excel file quite closely every weekend.

Sophie Sunday is a day that I do nothing, do nothing except Sophie. That’s her day. Unfortunately, she only have one day because majority of other day, Pum is usually at photo shoot. I’m on the road a lot. So Sophie spent a lot of time with Jake growing up, because he’s in charge on the business side, whereas I’m always constantly on the shoot and be with clients and spread the word of Design Army out there. So I’m on the road quite a bit. But then Sunday, it’s no one else day except her and I. We sit in the \[inaudible 00:34:07\] together. We play, we go shopping, get ice cream, just basic stuff.

Debbie Millman:

I love this about you. Sophie, your daughter was featured. She’s now in her early 20s and she was featured in an article in New York Magazine, in The Cut about what it was like to grow up with a highly ambitious, highly entrepreneurial mom. And one of the things that she said was, “If you don’t like being bossed around, then you probably wouldn’t like working for her.”

Pum Lefebure:

She’s so funny because she’s eight years old at that time or something quite young, maybe probably 10, eight to 10, I can’t remember. But she’s being honest. That’s her perspective of how she see things. At that time, we still have our own building, the Design Army, probably 25, 30 people, three different floor. First floor was social media department, second floor and third floor is design department and it’s constant. I had two assistant at that time. It was really, really busy time that I work constantly nonstop.

Debbie Millman:

Is the business as big as it was then?

Pum Lefebure:

We charged less because we were young. I charge more now because I’m older and we have so much more experience and we take less project now actually. But at that time, when you in you’re 30 and you’re so hungry and you want to take company in Washington DC to become nationally recognized or even internationally recognized, the drive took me there.

And I know time is something that we all don’t have, but I knew if I work all the time, I have to be quite disciplined and be quite clear with my team. I don’t like long meetings at all. Everything is increment of 15 minutes, half an hour is max. When people come to the office, they have to be prepared because I don’t like spend a lot of time wasting, at all, which maybe appear quite bossy or too direct, but I’m proud to do that because I feel like I don’t want to take away their valuable time at work and I don’t believe working weekends.

Debbie Millman:

One of the things that I read after you left Supon was that you learned that what you didn’t want was your own company to be big and unwieldy. And you’ve always wanted Design Army to be a boutique, which is why I was really surprised when you talked about the sort of size earlier on.

But you also said that there’s no kumbaya at Design Army. You do not sit down and have brainstorming sessions. You prioritize working alone first. Why is that?

Pum Lefebure:

My philosophy about kumbaya is that sometimes when you have a group meeting, you have a group thinking and nothing’s really come out of it purely. It is better that I give assignments to a design team and everyone go their own separate way to dream. When you dream, you dream alone. You don’t dream as a group. And that’s when I get the most purest human emotionally work from each one of the designer, go dream alone and bring their dream into the table.

And then we have a meeting and listen to each and everyone of their dreams separately. And sometimes this person can have this dream quite similar to this person, then they come together. But I just think the process when you think individually is much better because there’s like no one, like no creative director can overshadow an intern. I want to hear the interns as much as the creative director, because sometimes their idea is fresher. Maybe it’s crazy, but it’s fresh.

Debbie Millman:

You recently created a campaign for an eyewear company, and the concept revolved around high fashion Mars explorers who had to wear glasses to protect their eyes from the harsh, dry air and UV light. And you’ve been very upfront about using artificial intelligence in the creation of the campaign. And you were really one of the first high-powered, well-known designers to talk about using AI.

The campaign that you did got quite a lot of press because I don’t think anyone could have possibly considered the idea that you were using artificial intelligence in the creation of this campaign for a few reasons. One, because it was just extraordinarily well art directed and also it felt very much in the Pum Lefebure Design Army milieu.

I’d really love to hear your thoughts on using artificial intelligence, how you learned how to do it, how you talked to your clients about doing it, how you have been able to integrate it into both the campaign that you did for the eyewear company, as well as what you might be doing currently.

Pum Lefebure:

I was really curious about this AI four years ago. Like even-

Debbie Millman:

Yeah, you were the first.

Pum Lefebure:

Yes, like this is-

Debbie Millman:

Honestly, Pum, there was no one that was doing this but you and in any kind of real, genuine artistic manner. It blew my mind when I saw it.

Pum Lefebure:

Thank you. I remember during COVID, I heard this thing called Midjourney and I was just super curious because I was trying to renovate my room, my house, and I always want to be an architect and design a room. So I was like, “Okay, since I don’t know CAD, let’s just design a room.” So I was like, “Imagine creating a prom and upload some photo,” and then it start showing me what kind of interior I can create.

So more and more I was obsessed with Midjourney and I was like, “Hmm, how do I test this with a client?” And then at that time we have a client called Georgetown Optician and they have like five different retail store in mid-Atlantic regions and they sell eyewear as well, like a very well-known eyewear brand like Cartier and Chrome Heart and so forth. And it was during COVID, no client wants to spend money.

So usually, we do like really elaborate movie with huge cast for this client. But at that time the client’s like, “Okay, I’m not spending.” So I thought, “Okay, what can I do?” Because I’m like itching and dying slowly from not creating. So I pitched to the client an idea, “Hey, I know you have library of eyeglasses on your e-com site, which is just glasses on the white background. Can I have those JPEG files and I want to do something with this thing called AI, Midjourney.”

So I was working with the concept of how to take the glasses, creating the AI character and the AI world. And then I finally figured out how to do it and pitch the client this campaign called Adventure in A-EYE, E-Y-E, and use it as an artist experiment and do a social media campaign for them. And they were mind blowing because it looks like a very expensive photo shoot, but we created in a way that it doesn’t look so real. It looks kind of like a 1950 poster. So it has like, we not try to make AI look real. I don’t like that. I think it should look like AI intentionally. So it looks like a 1950 era, but there’s something is rooted in the future, so is it 1950 or 2050? You can’t tell, right? But then everyone’s wear pink and recreating the story with it. And that was the first time a design agency figured out how to use this thing. And that’s why Fast Company and Advik and \[inaudible 00:43:14\], everyone was like, “How did you do it?”

Debbie Millman:

Well, it doesn’t even seem possible that that level of creativity can be rendered within artificial intelligence. I read that you spent months understanding how to write prompts. You said it took many long, frustrating sessions, spewing out people with seven fingers and three eyeballs, but that your knowledge of art and photography helped a great deal. Can you talk about how you were able to iterate your prompts to be able to get the high level of expertise that is embedded in what looks like highly styled on-location photography?

Pum Lefebure:

I think because I have been in so many photoshoot in my life, I have the vocabulary to train my AI to give me exactly what I want in my head. And it takes a while to get there. For example, I was extremely specific with AI that the lighting has to come from the top left and it’s we want the temperature to feel like 74 degree in the foggy morning with the sunlight coming through the left using Kodak films. Like it’s quite specific knowledge, and the reason I can do that, because I did it in real life before. Right? So like without that knowledge of being a creative director on set and really observing how photographer adjust the lighting and what lens they use, you would not have that vocabulary to train AI.

So it’s funny because I was the one that started this AI experimental because at that time, my designers are too busy and I didn’t want for them to have to do this extra work doing after office hour because we busy during the day. So I spent a lot of time learning it first myself before I can pitch to my design teams and say, “Hey, you guys, take a look at this. I think this is going to be the next move and we should jump on it quite quickly with this project with the client and use it as a test and we will be far advanced than other competitor.”

There’s a famous quote that say AI won’t replace you, but someone that know AI will. And we didn’t want to be left behind. We want to experiment, even though it can be a huge waste of time, but you have to be bilingual in AI languages. It’s a new language that we all must learn.

Debbie Millman:

You spent months training systems to be able to give you the output. At what point, if at all, did the systems begin to understand you and what you were asking for?

Pum Lefebure:

I think after probably two months, but that was like every single night to 3:00, four o’clock in the morning because I was trying to create this character, Eyelien, like alien, but Eyelien, and it just looked so bad for five weeks. It just looks ridiculous. And then somehow you’re giving a feedback to like, “It looks too cartoony. It needs to be more of this, this, this.” And it start training itself and it’s get better, but you have to be a good creative director to your AI and giving specific feedback for them to get better.

Debbie Millman:

I have been experimenting with AI now for probably the last year and a half, two years, and I find it really helpful in gathering information. Quite a lot of people feel that it somehow will eliminate jobs or diminish jobs. One of the things that I am worried about, that I’ve been witnessing is how people are using AI that don’t have that knowledge that you’ve already gained through your work as an art director and your knowledge of art and photography. How are you feeling in general about how and when people should or could, or what would your recommendation be for using AI as a practitioner? Talk about when you feel AI is most useful for the human spirit.

Pum Lefebure:

I think that AI can either make you better or make you become more stupid.

Debbie Millman:

Yeah.

Pum Lefebure:

I have seen, because I test with my team too, right? So some people who use AI correctly, they will use AI almost as a back of the house, as a process of creating, but they bring their own knowledge and their own idea into it. And you can tell that it’s not just like, “Give me a picture of Annie Leibovitz.” That’s not, because AI going to go scrape the internet and it’s going to project out whatever was out there. And you can tell if someone was not thoughtful at their prompt and then it just feel like AI is losing soul.

You have to be very thoughtful when you use AI because if you’re not thoughtful and you just write down random prompt, their job is just to spit picture or information. But it’s up to us, the human, to reject the stupidity. That’s why the feedback to the AI is so important.

But back to the, do I fear of how people use AI? I do. I have seen our work for Washington Ballet was a reference for someone and someone used AI. It looks kind of like that. So it’s a wild west and some regulation would be good because not every kids know. They don’t understand copyright infringement. So it’s just like, “Okay, let’s prompt AI. It’s fast and easy. It’s done.” But then the next thing you look at it’s like, “Hey, this look exactly like this campaign from the ’80s.” So then that’s when it’s become embarrassing, when you rely too much on AI to spit whatever they come up with and just say, “Done,” without having knowledge of really make sure that it doesn’t look like something that’s already exist.

Which is come back to like you have to have a knowledge and be a good curator to say, “Yes, acceptable. No, it’s not acceptable. No, this is too close. This look and smell like something, so no, I’m not showing to the client.” So the human has to be in the lead, not just in the loop.

For me now, looking toward year 2030, I’m asking myself, “When AI can do more and more of your work, what will people still coming to you for?”

Debbie Millman:

What are your thoughts on that right now?

Pum Lefebure:

I don’t know. I think that’s a question for me to ask to everyone in this audience, because it is here and AI will be able to do more and more of your work. What will people still coming to you for? What is your value? I think that’s all of us to answer.

Debbie Millman:

Well, do people want the AI version of Pum Lefebure’s mind at Design Army or do they want Pum Lefebure’s mind at Design Army that is directing the AI? I think there’s a very different output. I think that if somebody else is using your prompts, they’re still not going to necessarily make the same work. Or do you disagree with that?

Pum Lefebure:

No, it’s not the same work because the feedback is different.

Debbie Millman:

Right.

Pum Lefebure:

I just feel like, I’m just trying to think 10 years from now and I really believe that AI can do a lot of entry level design work. But I still think the client still going to be hiring Design Army and many of great firm that we know because of the founder and the people and the creative director in that agency because we are bringing in the human knowledge means, okay, AI can creating this, looks great, but do you feel anything? Look at it. Now it’s so many AI images, I’m just kind of like, “Meh.”

Debbie Millman:

I’m assuming you can always tell.

Pum Lefebure:

It’s getting harder to tell.

Debbie Millman:

Is it?

Pum Lefebure:

Yeah, like Prada just did an ad campaign with AI, have this kind of big eagle AI character, but mixed with fashion model and they interact with each other. So I thought it was cool, it’s memorable and catchy right away. For me, that’s really smart way to use AI.

I did a huge installation in downtown Washington DC called CityScape, and we create this beautiful Renaissance painting. So we create each flower, like tulips and cherry blossom, even have panda hanging, create this huge mural using AI, but then we still kind of composite and collage them together. So there’s so many way to use AI. I don’t think we all figured out how to use that completely yet. It’s more to come.

Debbie Millman:

I’m old enough now to have lived through three big technological moments in design. The first with the transition from the drafting table to the computer and then the second from in real life to online, and both times with the birth of the internet, with the birth of the computer as a tool, we heard over and over and over again how this was going to destroy the design business, destroy design jobs. In fact, it volumetrically increased design jobs and there are hundreds of thousands of designers now in all walks of discipline, whether it be product design, industrial design, interactive design, graphic design. Does this feel different to you than those other transformational shifts? Are you more worried about AI than you were about the other two transitions?

Pum Lefebure:

No, I’m welcome new technology, but I’m more worried that people will become more stupid. I think it’s like when we start rely too much on what the AI can spit and say it’s good enough, then it’s almost like how good does design have to be in the future? I hope it has to be really good because there’s going to be so many mediocre, normal AI can do all this, this, this and this, but there has to be like someone that can do very human level that touch you just like united color Benetton touch me when I was 15\. And I don’t know if AI going to get us there, I think human going to get us there.

Debbie Millman:

One of the things that I’ve been thinking quite a lot about was the moment I started using computers back in the ’80s and in many ways I got lucky because I was one of the last generations that was trained on the drafting table and then moved into using the computer in my 20s. I suspect that we are now, in this particular moment in time in 2026, probably one of the last generations that will have learned how to create without AI as a tool.

Pum Lefebure:

Interesting.

Debbie Millman:

And I’m wondering if there will be a vacuum in not having that experience of using AI as a creative tool, just using our own sort of abilities to provide the work that we create. One of the great things about AI is that it does let you do more than you know how to do. But it also requires a great deal of knowledge, I think, to do something really interesting with it.

Pum Lefebure:

Yeah. That’s why at Design Army, believe it or not, I’m still tell my team to like sketch to death. It’s funny because we present a work to a really big brand last week, big global brand, and the client was like, “Wow, I have not seen the logo that this much thinking and thoughtful for a very, very long time. I thought it was a dying art.” And the reason is that we didn’t show the client sketch, but the thinking came from a deep, deep place of human. It was not go right in computer.

And that’s why we still sketching. Whether it’s logo or a ad campaign or key visual, anything, it’s still hand sketching. Then you know when you close your eyes and you draw it and you know what it’s going to be, then it’s easy to tell AI when, “Yes, good enough,” or, “No, this is crap,” because you know where it has to land. So without really understand where you need to end up and you start like splitting and experimenting with AI, then there’s no goal. Then you’re just like, “Okay, that’s good.” Wherever the wind blow, I’m blowing with it versus having a very clear goal of where AI have to hit to hit your vision.

Debbie Millman:

We talked earlier in our conversation about being in a room where you were witnessing a lot of people flexing. You were the more introverted, shy participant. You are now the co-founder and chief creative director of your firm. You’re also the chair of the board at The One Club for Creativity where you are leading the organization into bold new times with quite a lot of innovation and leadership. So talk about how you approach leadership in your life now.

Pum Lefebure:

I am currently the chairman of the board of The One Club for Creativity, and I have been on the board for 13 years. Let me tell you a little secret. When I first started, I was one of three women on the board. The rest are all male. And it was intimidating time. It’s ad agency, big guys from big network.

Debbie Millman:

Lots of flex.

Pum Lefebure:

Lots of flex, plenty of flex. Ms. Pum does not talk for two years. I observe everything. And on top of that, you have to understand you are one of the three females. You are the only designer. There’s one other male designer. So back then, designer is just like, okay, they just do pretty stuff. And I’m Asian. So it was a lot to get through.

But you learn to observe and you learn to not say silly things in the meeting. And then after year, I was advocate of having more female on the board because it’s so lopsided. And guys and girls, we all go. We’re all friends, but we don’t think the same. Female has much more empathy and understanding. And I was just like, “We must have more female on the board.”

And then come diversity. I don’t want to be the only diverse person. So we have more diversity and inclusion. And we are proud. Today we are very diverse on The One Club board as well as ADC, which you are part of the board too, lead by Brian Collins and TDC too. So the organization I think is very well represented and it’s really important because our industry, creative design, technology, we need a lot of voices.

Debbie Millman:

Absolutely. My last question for you. When you think about that child with the colored pencils as wands, what still feels the same in the way that you approach creativity? And what has changed and evolved for you?

Pum Lefebure:

The same is I feel like the wand is still here. As long as I live, I will always look out the window or staring at the ceiling and think about ideas. I love ideas. And the wand now is like I’m not sitting down and design. Every day I have design team now, so I work with them and they make that magic even more beautiful and more sparkle, even better than me. I’m very fortunate with my team. So like the same is just like, because as long as I live, I want to create. If I don’t create, I die. So that’s always going to be the same.

The difference is I think the media landscape’s changed a lot. So the graphic design, like literally I remember in the ’90s it’s like annual report. You have KN and Associate and you have … No one does annual report now. And everything is moving to much more video, social media. And now it’s not even social media, it’s much more about interest media of whatever you’re interested in, it will come to you. Like if I’m looking at hotel and beautiful vacation in Thailand, and then that’s what I want to see on my feed.

So the difference is like as a creative person, you always have to put yourself in an uncomfortable situation and a newness all the time, because the world is moving really fast. And I don’t ever want to be a creative director that say, “Oh, kids this day, they don’t do this, this, and this.” No, I want to be like Gen Z. I want to be Gen Z, I want to think like them. I want to work like a startup. I don’t think that Design Army is a well established company. I want this army to think like a startup every single day coming to work. And that’s how it’s keep us grounded and keep us relevant to very fast changing world.

Debbie Millman:

Pum Lefebure, thank you for making so much work that matters and thank you for joining me today on Design Matters.

Pum Lefebure:

Thank you, Debbie.

Debbie Millman:

You can read more about Pum Lefebure and see the work by Design Army on their website, designarmy.com. This is the 21st year we’ve been podcasting Design Matters, and I’d like to thank you for listening. And remember, we can talk about making a difference, we can make a difference, or we can do both. I’m Debbie Millman, and I look forward to talking with you again soon.
### What Tax Day Reveals About Trust, Clarity and the Role of Communicators
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/what-tax-day-reveals-about-trust-clarity-and-the-role-of-communicators/
Last updated: 2026-04-15T00:53:23.000Z
**Originally published by CommPRO. Reprinted with permission**

**Tax Day is everywhere right now.**

Turn on any morning show, scroll through headlines or check local news, and the same themes keep surfacing. Deadlines. Last-minute checklists. Filing tips. Warnings about penalties. Alerts about scams.

The volume is hard to miss.

Behind that volume is something more telling. The coverage is not focused on one message. It spans federal requirements, state-by-state differences, extensions, penalties and last-minute support. Major broadcast networks, including segments across CBS affiliates, are leaning heavily into practical guidance such as how to gather documents, file electronically and use direct deposit.

In other words, people are not just being reminded. They are being guided.

Data from [Truescope](https://www.truescope.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) reflects just how sustained this moment has become, with coverage building since January and accelerating sharply in the final weeks leading up to April 15\. What stands out is not just the intensity, but the range of topics audiences are expected to process at once.

State-level reporting adds to that complexity. Michigan, Wisconsin and North Carolina have each generated their own wave of coverage tied to local requirements and advisories. At the same time, exceptions continue to reshape the landscape in real time. Tennessee has received attention for IRS-granted extensions tied to storm damage, while South Carolina’s deadline shift tied to legislative delays has introduced another layer of nuance.

The pressure is reinforced through consistent coverage of penalties and compliance. Missing the deadline can result in charges of up to 5 percent per month on unpaid balances. At the same time, warnings about tax-related scams and phishing attempts increase as the deadline approaches. People are not just trying to file. They are trying to avoid getting it wrong.

Even lighter coverage, including Tax Day promotions and restaurant deals, shows how visible this moment has become. Tax Day is no longer just a compliance deadline. It is part of the broader cultural conversation.

Taken together, this is more than seasonal coverage. It is a real-time example of how people process complex information under pressure.

Tax Day is not just a financial deadline. It is one of the clearest moments each year to see how people engage with institutions, information and trust.

Every April, the same patterns show up. People feel overwhelmed. They are looking for answers. They are trying to make the right decisions, often under pressure and without full confidence that they understand what is in front of them. The media reflects that.

For communicators, that is the signal.

The gap between complexity and understanding is wide. That gap is where trust either breaks down or gets built.

Brands that show up well in this moment are not the ones with the most content. They are the ones that make things easier. They translate complexity into something people can actually use and act on.

As **Bill Davies**, Chief Executive Officer, Racepoint Global, explains, “Brands, especially in financial services, need to move beyond ‘what you need to know’ content and focus more on reducing friction within the actual moment or experience. That means translating complexity into clear, actionable guidance and ensuring it shows up where and when people actually need it. In high-stakes moments like Tax Day, the most effective approach is pairing that clarity with credible expertise — whether that’s human support or responsibly designed AI — so people can act quickly and feel confident in their decisions. H&R Block is a great example of this in practice, embedding real-time, personalized guidance directly into the tax filing experience through a combination of AI tools and expert support.”

This is where the shift is happening. Utility matters more than visibility. There is no shortage of Tax Day content. What stands out is what actually helps someone file, decide or understand what to do next.

As **Mark Nardone**, Chief Marketing Officer, PAN, puts it, “In these moments, brands often rush to join the conversation, which can cause confusion. The real opportunity is to simplify it. Instead of reacting to headlines or amplifying anxiety, brands should focus on delivering clear, practical guidance based on their lived experiences. The companies that build trust are the ones that help people understand what matters, what doesn’t and what to do next.”

At the same time, the broader environment is making everything feel more complicated.

**Stephen Sumner**, Vice President, Reputation at MikeWorldWide, describes it this way:

“Tax Day is always stressful, but right now it’s hitting differently. The broader media and political environment is pretty noisy and often negative, and that’s adding to people’s anxiety—especially as policies shift and things feel more complicated. It starts to chip away at trust and makes something like taxes feel even more overwhelming than it already is.

Where communicators fall short is making it harder, not easier. There’s too much jargon and not enough clarity. People don’t need more complexity—they need someone to just explain it clearly.”

That kind of clarity does not happen overnight. It builds over time.

**Ryan Barr,** Managing Partner, Global Financial Services Practice Lead at FINN Partners, makes that point clearly:

“In moments when people feel overwhelmed or unsure, brands need to show up as trusted partners, not just seasonal vendors pushing services. That starts with an always-on approach that delivers year-round clarity, guidance, and empathetic support so customers feel supported long before the pressure hits. When brands invest consistently in broader education and build trust over time, they become the first place people turn when uncertainty spikes.”

Taken together, this is where the role of communications is heading.

Communicators are not just shaping messages. They are helping people understand what to do. They are connecting complexity to action. They are making information usable.

We are in a moment where information is everywhere, but confidence is not. Tax Day makes that clear. People are not just asking what to do. They are asking who to trust.

That is the opportunity. Not to say more, but to be more useful. To reduce friction. To build confidence when it matters most.

Tax Day happens once a year. The conditions behind it are now constant.

***This article was originally published by CommPRO and is reprinted here with permission.*** 
***Read the original article*** [***here***](https://www.commpro.biz/news/what-tax-day-reveals-about-trust-clarity-and-the-role-of-communicators?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)***.***
### Navigating Sustainability Messages from Corporate Updates to Crisis Statements
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/navigating-sustainability-messages-from-corporate-updates-to-crisis-statements/
Last updated: 2026-04-14T17:08:34.000Z
**By** [**Yes&**](https://yesandagency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**In an era of floods, wildfires and greenwashing scandals, how organizations talk about the environment increasingly matters** as much as what they do.

Each year, Earth Day reminds us to pause and evaluate our relationship with the planet. But for communications professionals, reckoning can’t be limited to a single day or a clever social media campaign. Climate change has fundamentally reshaped the landscape of crisis communications: raising the stakes, shortening the timelines, and demanding a new kind of institutional honesty.

This post explores three urgent frontiers: how to communicate about the climate in a politically dividing landscape, how to present sustainability commitments without losing credibility, and how to lead organizations through the critical hours after an environmental disaster.

**Speaking Climate Truth in a Polarized World** 

Climate change sits in an uncomfortable space for communicators: it is simultaneously settled in science and, in some political climates, a flashpoint for backlash. The temptation to hedge, soften, or avoid the subject altogether is real, but this carries its own risk.

Today’s sustainability messages require balancing environmental priorities with economic and social considerations, ensuring that communications resonate across diverse audiences. Messages should emphasize practical, outcome-oriented solutions, such as cost savings, efficiency improvements, or innovation, rather than relying solely on abstract environmental ideals, which can be divisive.

Highlighting measurable benefits, aligning sustainability initiatives with widely accepted values like community well-being and resilience, and using neutral, inclusive language can help reduce partisan pushback. Additionally, connecting sustainability efforts to broader business or policy goals, such as energy security, workforce development, or supply chain resilience, positions these initiatives as pragmatic and forward-looking, making them more compelling to stakeholders across the political spectrum.

**The Credibility Gap in Sustainability Messaging** 

Greenwashing isn’t a new phenomenon, but it has never been more professionally dangerous. Audiences, especially younger ones like Gen Z, are predisposed to view sustainability messaging with skepticism. A beautifully produced video about carbon neutrality means almost nothing without the data to back it up.

The organizations getting sustainability communications right share a counterintuitive trait: they talk openly about what they haven’t achieved yet. Admitting that you missed a 2025 emissions reduction target, then clearly explaining why and what changes have been made, is far more credible than only broadcasting milestones. Progress narratives need setbacks to be believable.

Structural transparency matters, too. Sustainability commitments should be tied to measurable timelines, third-party verification, and regular public reporting, not just annual Earth Day announcements. If your sustainability communications are cyclical rather than continuous, audiences will treat them as seasonal, not substantive.

**Crafting Your Message** 

The most effective approach is to anchor communication in specificity. Vague references to “environmental challenges” signal evasion. Instead, lead with concrete impacts: the flooding that closed the highway last summer, the wildfire smoke that kept schools shut for a week, etc. Specificity creates emotional proximity; it transforms an abstract global phenomenon into something your audience has already lived through.

Equally important is matching your message to messenger. The organizations getting sustainability communications right share a counterintuitive trait: they talk openly about what they haven’t achieved yet. Using an individual doesn’t dilute your message; it amplifies it. Climate communication is at its most powerful when it feels like a neighbor talking, not a press release landing.

**When Disaster Strikes** 

Environmental disasters like oil spills (we’re all thinking of the same one, right?), chemical leaks, and wildfire evacuations, compress every communications challenge into a critical window of time. What you say in the first 24 hours shapes public perception long after the crisis has passed.

The most consistent mistake organizations make is holding back until they have “all the facts.” In a vacuum, speculation fills. Silence from an institution is read as guilt or incompetence. The alternative is not to speculate, but to communicate what you do know: that the incident has occurred, that you are responding, that the safety of affected communities is the priority, and that you will provide updates at specified intervals—and then honor that commitment.

Designate a single, visible spokesperson who combines authority with approachability, and prepares them for adversarial questioning before the cameras turn on. Internal alignment is equally critical: nothing erodes credibility faster than contradictory statements from different parts of an organization. One voice externally requires genuine coordination internally.

**When the Crisis Calms** 

Finally, close the loop. Once the immediate crisis has passed, organizations often go quiet, exhausted, and relieved. Resist this. The follow-up communication: what happened, what has changed, what guarantees exist, is where long-term trust is rebuilt. Just as important is creating space for internal reflection. Convening a post‑crisis debrief of what worked, what didn’t, and what signals may have been missed, helps organizations prepare for what comes next. The strongest crisis communications strategies treat every incident as rehearsal for the future, translating hard lessons into clearer protocols, sharper messaging, and faster response next time. Environmental crises have long tails, and so should your communications plan.

***Executive coaching, media training, crisis counsel and message development*** 
***is at the core of how*** [***Yes&***](https://yesandagency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) ***helps organizations navigate sustainability*** 
***as both an operational priority and a reputational risk.***
### Strong quotes and clear email subject line help reporters evaluate press releases
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/42370-2/
Last updated: 2026-04-14T17:16:32.000Z
**By Issac Morgan,** [**Newsmatics, Inc**](https://www.newsmatics.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**.**  

***This is part of a*** [***Substack series,***](https://einpresswire.substack.com/p/what-journalists-really-look-for) ***Inside the Newsroom:*** 
***What Journalists Really Look for in Press Releases,*** 
***based on interviews with journalists — including veteran reporters and editors —*** 
***about how they evaluate press releases.***  

**Politics is one of the busiest areas of coverage for many reporters,** and [press releases](https://einpresswire.substack.com/p/press-release-distribution-terms) often help them track developments, spot trends, or build out larger stories.

That’s especially true when a news release touches on hot‑button topics within politics, said [Mitch Perry](https://floridaphoenix.com/author/mitch-perry/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), a veteran reporter covering politics who has worked in both TV and print, including [Bay News 9](https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

“I’m a political reporter, so I like pitches that relate to public policy issues and stories about politics and/or elections,” said Perry, a senior reporter for the [Florida Phoenix](https://floridaphoenix.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

He noted that he also covers gun policy, the environment and other statewide issues, so releases tied to those subjects are far more likely to get his attention than something outside his beat.

Perry, who has covered politics and government in Florida for more than two decades, said the topic is the first thing he looks for — a press release should connect “with something I’m familiar with.”

He added that strong quotes and a clear email subject line help a reporter quickly assess whether a pitch is worth opening. “Sometimes a reporter can be so busy that it’s great to have some quotes available right then and there,” he said.

Perry also appreciates when PR teams show they’ve done their homework. “I do get pitches by PR agents who have noticed that I have written on a particular subject, and reference that as a way to raise my interest,” Perry said.

What he doesn’t appreciate are mass‑forwarded emails blasted to every reporter in a newsroom. “I swear there are a certain number of folks who just blanket send messages to every reporter they know — regardless of what the reporter actually covers,” he said.

Still, Perry emphasized that press releases remain useful tools for political journalists. “Press releases have helped me write stories I wasn’t even thinking of, or can enhance a project I’m already working on,” Perry said. “So they are not a waste of time by any measure.”
### Chuck Todd, former Meet the Press moderator, now “life insurance spokesperson”
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/chuck-todd-former-meet-the-press-moderator-now-life-insurance-spokesperson/
Last updated: 2026-04-15T22:29:34.000Z
**Former *Meet the Press* moderator Chuck Todd has returned to TV “as a life insurance spokesperson,”** states [Mediaite.](https://www.mediaite.com/media/former-nbc-meet-the-press-moderator-chuck-todd-is-now-hawking-life-insurance/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

In yet another sign that the media industry might not be in the best shape, continues Mediaite, “Todd has been seen pitching Ethos life insurance on cable news” in a 15-second commercial

“I was 16 when my father passed away. My dad had one life insurance policy, it’s why I was able to go to college,” Todd says in the ad. “Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos, you can get same-day coverage without ever leaving your home.”

According to Mediaite, the George Washington University alum “anchored NBC’s long-running Sunday morning talk show from 2014 to 2023\. He was a fixture of NBC’s political coverage for nearly two decades, after joining the network in 2007, and was routinely featured on the channel formerly known as MSNBC as well. Todd left NBC in early 2025 and launched a weekly interview show on Noosphere, a $14.99 per month news app; he also has his [*Chuck ToddCast* political podcast.”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=640gLTkhRYE&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

Todd talked to Mediaite last year about the shift in mainstream news since he first entered the business. He said it had “stopped being informational” and turned into a “whole bunch of people trying to game an algorithm.”

“Before 1994, news divisions were just told not to lose money. Then CNN made a boatload of money covering one trial, and everyone said, ‘We want in on this,’” Todd said. He called CNN’s **O.J. Simpson** coverage “the beginning of the end of civilization.”
### D.C. radio update: What’s new at WMMJ and WTOP
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/russ-parr-returns-to-majic-102-3-wmmj-in-d-c-as-pm-drive-host/
Last updated: 2026-04-13T10:58:26.000Z
**Russ Parr’s near-35-year on-air career is about to get longer,** with the announcement of his return to Urban One urban AC “Majic 102.3” WMMJ Washington, DC as PM drive host starting April 27, reports [Inside Radio](https://www.insideradio.com/free/after-three-years-away-from-radio-russ-parr-returns-to-dc-s-wmmj/article%5F8f409c7f-5e2e-413e-84f6-1d789351b193.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

From 1996 to 2023, Parr, above, hosted the “Russ Parr Morning Show,” which, states Inside Radio, was “nationally syndicated by Urban One’s Reach Media from 2006 until Parr [ended the program](https://www.insideradio.com/free/reach-media-s-russ-parr-morning-show-wraps-up-after-nearly-30-years-on-air/article%5F1675c0cc-a5b5-11ee-9ebc-aba67e60c542.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) in 2023\. After stints at KDAY Los Angeles and KJMZ Dallas, Parr moved to DC, where he first hosted mornings at Urban One’s urban contemporary WKYS (93.9) until moving to “Majic” in 2015.

“Parr’s new afternoon show will include several members of his earlier morning team, including co-host and executive producer Tanisha Nichole along with DJ Sixth Sense’s weekday mix, Georgia Alfredas’ “Daily Horrorscope” and recurring show characters such as “Sweet Peter Jeter” and “The Cliché King.”

““It’s an honor to have another opportunity to serve the people of the DMV by coming back to Majic,” Parr says. “I’m looking forward to re-engaging my 37 listeners.”

“Over the years, Parr’s career has gone beyond just radio, having also worked as a stand-up comedian, actor, filmmaker, recording artist and currently as host of the “Russ ParrCast” podcast.”

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/Woodfolk-copy-2-1.jpg)

**WTOP Washington, DC (103.5) is promoting Rob Woodfork, above, to Senior Sports Analyst,** a move that signals a broader shift in how the all-news outlet approaches sports coverage as it leans into analysis, storytelling and digital-first content, reports [Inside Radio.](https://www.insideradio.com/free/dc-s-wtop-sports-coverage-pushes-beyond-the-scores/article%5F44802abb-3574-48dd-9c9c-e8c1ef54cf34.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

The promotion, states Inside Radio, “is tied to a three-year strategy focused on going “beyond the scores,” with an emphasis on delivering context-rich reporting across audio, video, and written platforms. The station says the goal is to better align with evolving audience expectations, particularly among Gen X and Millennial consumers seeking more insight-driven coverage.”

“We are excited to announce Rob’s promotion,” Director of News and Programming **Julia Ziegler** said, calling the move a key component of WTOP’s long-term transformation. “We’re committed to delivering content that goes beyond highlights and final scores—focusing instead on context, analysis, and storytelling that resonates with today’s audience.”
### News from Imre, Maryland Public Television and McCormick
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/news-from-imre-maryland-public-television-and-mccormick/
Last updated: 2026-04-12T23:41:37.000Z
**Imre announced the appointment of Paulina De la Riva (in main photo) as Chief Strategy Officer**, joining the agency with more than 18 years of experience spanning consumer and healthcare marketing at agencies including TBWA, McCann, and Ogilvy Health. “Paulina is a rarity in our industry. She understands how insight, creativity, experience, data, and performance work together—and how to integrate teams so they can thrive. That integration allows us to operate in agile pods, move faster, and deliver more effective solutions to market for our clients,” said Imre CEO **Nadine Lafond.**

**Edward H. Kaplan**, **a resident of Potomac and one of Maryland Public Television’s biggest benefactors and advocates, died recently** at the age of 87\. Kaplan served on the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission, MPT’s 11-member governing body, for nearly 30 years. He was first appointed to the commission by Maryland Governor Parris N. Glendening in 1996\. Kaplan was later named the chair in 2007 and served in this leadership capacity for 18 years until his retirement in June 2025\. That September, commissioners voted unanimously to designate Kaplan “chair emeritus.”

“The MPT family mourns the passing of this wonderful man and great friend to our organization. His nearly three decades of service and philanthropy won’t soon be equaled,” said **Steven J. Schupak**, MPT president and CEO. “We extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends. We’ll truly miss this visionary, remarkable leader.”

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/McCormick-and-Unilever.jpg)

**Teneo and FTI handled PR for McCormick’s announcement** that they have entered into an agreement to combine Unilever’s Foods business with the Hunt Valley, Md. based spice maker. The news was reported by PR Week.

According to a release, the combination will create a global flavor powerhouse with leading, iconic brands including McCormick, Knorr and Hellmann’s, and high growth potential brands including Cholula, Maille and Frank’s. Global revenues are $20 billion.

*Image via McCormick and Unilever*
### The National Press Club seeks director of communications and marketing
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/national-press-club-seeking-new-hire-director-of-communications-and-marketing/
Last updated: 2026-04-13T12:35:19.000Z
> **Job Title:** Director of Communications and Marketing  
>  
> **Department:** Communications  
>  
> **Reports to:** Deputy Executive Director, Membership & Programs  
>  
> **SUMMARY**  
>  
> The Director of Communications and Marketing provides strategic leadership for the National Press Club’s marketing, communications, and brand initiatives. This role oversees the development and execution of integrated communications strategies, the creation and management of Club publications, the performance and evolution of digital platforms (including the Club’s website), and the direction of media relations and crisis communications for the National Press Club and its affiliated entities.  
>  
> This is a highly hands-on role operating within a lean team structure, responsible for both strategic leadership and direct execution of day-to-day communications, including content development, writing, and production across all channels.  
>  
> **SUPERVISES**  
>  
> Provides direct supervision of two staff positions, including social media and website functions.  
>  
> **RESPONSIBILITIES** 
>  
> **Strategic Leadership & Planning**Develop and execute a comprehensive, integrated marketing and communications strategy that advances the Club’s mission, brand, and revenue objectives.Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on messaging, positioning, and reputational considerations.Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) and deliver regular reporting on the effectiveness of communications and marketing initiatives.  
>  
> **Team Leadership & Management**Lead and manage a small communications team, balancing strategic oversight with direct execution of core communications functions.Establish clear expectations, priorities, and performance standards across the team.Implement consistent team communication structures, including regular meetings, project check-ins, and post-campaign evaluations.Provide ongoing coaching and feedback to strengthen team performance, execution, and professional growth.Hold team members accountable for deliverables, timelines, and quality standards.  
>  
> **Communications & Brand Management**Oversee all internal and external communications to ensure consistency, accuracy, and alignment with the Club’s brand and voice.Lead and directly execute marketing campaigns, including drafting messaging, reviewing assets, and ensuring timely delivery.Maintain and evolve brand standards, messaging frameworks, and visual identity across all channels.  
>  
> **Publications & Content Strategy**Direct the editorial strategy, production, and distribution of Club publications and content.Write, edit, and produce high-quality content across channels, including email communications, web content, press materials, statements, and promotional copy.Ensure content reflects the Club’s mission, maintains high editorial standards, and resonates with key audiences.Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop timely, strategic, and audience-focused content.  
>  
> **Digital Strategy & Platform Oversight**Oversee the strategy, performance, and continuous improvement of the Club’s website and digital communications platforms.Ensure digital content is accurate, current, and aligned with organizational priorities.Leverage analytics and user data to inform decision-making, optimize engagement, and drive growth.  
>  
> **Media Relations & Crisis Communications**Lead media relations strategy, including proactive outreach, press engagement, and relationship management.Serve as the primary point of contact for media inquiries, including drafting and approving statements, responses, and press materials.Develop and execute crisis communications strategies, including rapid response protocols, issues management, and reputational risk mitigation.Advise senior leadership on sensitive communications, high-profile issues, and external positioning.  
>  
> **Operational Excellence & Execution**Ensure all communications and marketing deliverables are executed with a high degree of accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail.Maintain direct ownership of key communications deliverables, ensuring timely execution within a lean team environment.Establish and enforce processes that ensure alignment with event details, timelines, and organizational priorities.Implement quality control measures to ensure all outputs meet established standards.  
>  
> **Documentation & Process Management**Establish and maintain clear documentation standards for communications activities, workflows, and team performance.Ensure appropriate documentation of key decisions, incidents, and personnel-related matters in alignment with organizational policies.Continuously assess and refine processes to improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability.  
>  
> **Cross-Department Collaboration**Partner with internal departments, including Events, Membership, Broadcast, and Leadership, to ensure alignment and support organizational objectives.Serve as a central liaison to ensure clear communication, coordination, and successful execution of cross-functional initiatives.  
>  
> **REQUIRED EXPERIENCE**  
>  
> Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or a related field. Minimum of seven years of progressive experience in communications and marketing, including at least two years working with journalism organizations, media outlets, and/or not-for-profit professional associations. Demonstrated success leading media relations and brand management efforts, including issues management, executive communications, and reputational risk mitigation. Strong writing and content development skills are essential.  
>  
> **WORK ENVIRONMENT & SCHEDULE**  
>  
> This position is based in Washington, D.C. and requires consistent in-office presence to support team leadership and cross-department collaboration. Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required to support Club events and programming.  
>  
> **COMPENSATION & BENEFITS**  
>  
> Salary is commensurate with experience. The National Press Club offers a competitive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.  
>  
> **PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS**  
>  
> This role requires the ability to sit, stand, and work at a computer for extended periods, as well as attend and support Club events as needed.  
>  
> **ADDITIONAL INFORMATION**  
>  
> This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Duties may be adjusted as needed to meet organizational priorities.  
>  
> **EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER**  
>  
> The National Press Club is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.  
>  
> [Create a Job Match for Similar Jobs](https://jobs.press.org/login/?returnURL=jobs.press.org%2Fjobs%2Falerts%3Fkeywords%3DDirector%2520or%2520of%2520or%2520Communications%2520or%2520Marketing%26jobAlertTitle%3DJobs%2520Similar%2520To%2520Director%2520of%2520Communications%2520and%2520Marketing%26cmd%3Dalert&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)  
>  
> About National Press Club  
>  
> The National Press Club is the World’s Leading Professional Organization for Journalists™. It serves its members through professional development activities that bolster their skills, through services that meet the changing needs of the global communications profession and through social activities that build a vital media community in Washington and around the world. Membership at the National Press Club is made up of professionals who work, study, or participate in activities that involve creating, producing, or distributing news or other content as part of the newsgathering process. The Club is where news happens in the nation’s capital and is a vigorous advocate of press freedom worldwide. The National Press Club is an equal opportunity employer.  
>  
> [Connections working at National Press Club](https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?company=National%20Press%20Club&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### Engineering the Foundation: Why unified data Is the heart of modern loyalty
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/engineering-the-foundation-why-unified-data-is-the-heart-of-modern-loyalty/
Last updated: 2026-04-09T17:24:21.000Z
“Your loyalty strategy is only as strong as the data that connects it,” says Andy Locke, Director of Strategy & Data at Response Labs. “Once you unify systems, you do not just see customers, you understand them.”

When every system speaks the same language, marketers can identify high-value guests, personalize offers in real time, and measure true lifetime value.

### **How to Build the Foundation**

Creating an integrated data layer requires both architecture and discipline.In the first four chapters of this series, we explored how loyalty has evolved from punch cards to predictive engagement, from simple transactions to emotional connection. But without a unified data foundation, even the smartest strategy falls apart.

Most multi-unit retailers still manage customer data across a patchwork of systems: POS, e-commerce, apps, paid media, and CRM. Each captures a slice of the customer journey, but none tell the full story. The result is duplication, inefficiency, and blind spots that limit personalization and waste marketing spend.

### **Fragmented Data = Fragmented Loyalty**

[McKinsey](https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/growth-marketing-and-sales/our-insights/the-value-of-getting-personalization-right-or-wrong-is-multiplying?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) reports companies that are slower at personalization generate 40% less revenue from those activities than their faster-growing counterparts. 

When data lives in silos, it cannot fuel automation or personalization. A guest who orders online may not be recognized in-store. Another may receive irrelevant offers because app and POS systems do not connect. Fragmentation erodes trust and diminishes the power of every campaign.

### **The Case for a Single Customer View**

A single customer view (SCV) brings everything together. It merges transactions, preferences, and engagement signals into one cohesive profile that fuels marketing, CRM, and loyalty.

The [Aberdeen Group](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/06/15/2463295/0/en/Omnichannel-Selling-Increases-Revenue-9-5.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) found that companies with a strong omnichannel strategy see a **9.5% increase in annual revenue**.

1. **Connect your systems**. Integrate POS, app, e-commerce, CRM, and loyalty data into a shared platform.
2. **Clean the data**. Deduplicate records and standardize formats for accuracy.
3. **Establish governance**. Define how data is collected, updated, and secured.
4. **Adopt scalable technology**. Platforms like [Salesforce Data Cloud](https://www.salesforce.com/data-cloud/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) enable unified profiles at enterprise scale.

### **Why Unified Data Drives Long-Term Value**

When data is inconsistent, lifetime value (LTV) calculations and retention forecasts become unreliable. According to key research published in the Harvard Business Review, loyalty metrics are often deceptive and can dramatically misrepresent a customer’s true profitability without the support of accurate, granular financial data.

Unified data creates clarity. It allows marketing to prioritize investments around the customers most likely to stay, spend, and advocate.

### **The Foundation of the Future**

The future of loyalty will rely on advanced segmentation, predictive modeling, and AI-driven personalization, but none of it works without a clean, unified foundation. Unify your data. Build the infrastructure. Then watch every other part of loyalty accelerate.

Want to dive deeper? [Download our free Loyalty Playbook](https://www.responselabs.com/crm-loyalty-playbook/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) to see how your CRM becomes a true growth engine.

If you’re ready to transform your loyalty program into a true growth program, we’re here to help.[ Contact us today to talk about how to get started.](https://www.responselabs.com/contact/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

***This post is one of a series of Smart Marketing Insights from*** [***Response Labs***](https://www.responselabs.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)***.*** 
***For more in this series, click*** [***here.***](https://www.responselabs.com/insights/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### BIA revises 2026 Local Ad Forecast: Total spend to reach $184.5 billion
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/bia-revises-2026-local-ad-forecast-total-spend-to-reach-184-5-billion/
Last updated: 2026-04-09T16:25:37.000Z
[**BIA Advisory Services**](http://bia.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) has revised its 2026 U.S. Local Advertising Forecast (released in Q4 2025), projecting total local ad revenue to reach **$184.5 billion**, reflecting approximately **8.1% year-over-year growth** compared with 2025\. The increase over the prior estimate of $181.7 billion is driven by stronger-than-expected performance in mobile (particularly social), video, and streaming, political ad spend, and advertising technology.

Excluding political advertising, the 2026 forecast is now **$176.1 billion**, up from the previous $172.7 billion.

“Our updated forecast reflects continued momentum in social and connected and over the top television, which are capturing a growing share of local advertising budgets,” said **Senan Mele, VP of Forecasting and Data Analysis, BIA Advisory Services**. “At the same time, traditional media such as broadcast television, cable and radio remain essential, providing the scale, credibility, and local connection that advertisers rely on to drive awareness and demand.”

Political advertising will drive key spending this year. BIA projects approximately $8.4 billion in local political spending**,** creating substantial revenue opportunities across broadcast television, linear cable, CTV/OTT, radio, and direct mail. 

BIA’s forecast also points to two growth factors driving the local advertising economy: near-term revenue from political spending and long-term growth fueled by key verticals, including real estate, restaurants, travel, retail, and financial services. Total local advertising is projected to exceed $222 billion by 2030, according to BIA’s forecast.

“The local advertising marketplace continues to reflect a K-shaped consumer economy,” said **Rick Ducey, Managing Director, BIA Advisory Services**. “Stronger spending from higher-income households is supporting discretionary categories like travel, leisure, and automotive, while value-oriented spending is shaping demand in retail, restaurants, and essential services.”

The forecast update also underscores the ongoing transformation of the media mix. Growth is being driven by digital channels – particularly mobile, social, and connected TV – while traditional media continues to play a critical role in delivering reach and brand impact.

As part of this forecast update, BIA has enhanced its methodology to better reflect changes in the marketplace, including adding Digital Out of Home (DOOH) as a distinct media category within the forecast, rather than grouping it with traditional Out of Home (OOH). This change highlights the increasing importance of digital, programmatic, and location-based media in local campaigns.

While some legacy formats, including print, continue to face long-term declines, others are evolving. Across the market, advertisers are increasingly adopting full-funnel strategies, combining high-reach media such as cable, broadcast, and OOH with data-driven digital channels to drive both awareness and measurable outcomes. Radio also remains a stable local medium, with additional opportunities emerging through digital audio, including streaming and podcasts. 

“Overall, the local advertising market is not contracting; it is transforming. The most successful media companies will be those that can combine local audience scale with targeting, optimization, and measurement to capture both cyclical political spending and ongoing demand from growth-oriented verticals,” added Mele.

**Where to Access the U.S. Local Advertising Forecast**

Clients can [**log in to BIA ADVantage™**](https://advantage.bia.com/login?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) to access the updated forecast, extended through 2030 and now including DOOH across national and local markets. ADVantage provides expanded forecast data now across 18 media channels and 96 verticals for all local TV and radio markets. The data along with insights and visualizations deliver in-depth analysis of local spending trends. Learn more about [**ADVantage here**](https://www.bia.com/products/bia-advantage/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) or contact [**advantage@bia.com**](mailto:advantage@bia.com) to get a demonstration of our advertising forecast.

In addition to the ADVantage platform, a presentation version of the nationwide forecast is also available for purchase in [BIA’s shop here](https://shop.biakelsey.com/product/uslocaladvertisingforecast?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).
### Agency Updates: BGR, Measured Results and RP3
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/agency-updates-3/
Last updated: 2026-04-12T23:35:51.000Z
**Frank Ahrens, Principal,** [**BGR**](https://bgrdc.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **restarted his** [**Forbes**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/forbes-magazine/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **contributor column**. He reports that he will be writing about “the convergence of [**#AI**](https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23ai&origin=HASH%5FTAG%5FFROM%5FFEED&ref=capitolcommunicator.com), data analytics and geopolitical risk analysis to help equip business and government leaders with the intelligence they need for the most important decisions they make.” The agency also reports it added **Charlie Chapman** as a Vice President in its Health and Life Sciences Practice. According to a release, he brings strong experience in health care coverage and payment policy from roles at the Department of Health and Human Services and on Capitol Hill, including serving as a Policy Advisor to the HHS Secretary and on the House Budget Committee.

**Measured Results Marketing now is** [**Measured Results**](https://measuredresults.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**.** According to the agency, “We’ve shortened our name to embrace our bigger mission to scale with the evolving technology landscape. Our roots have been in marketing and will remain there. But in the beginning, we focused on marketing tools, technology, and infrastructure – the nuts and bolts of turning client marketing automation platforms into truly effective (and genuinely automated) marketing machines. Within this mandate, we drove more efficient campaigns, we personalized customer account activity, and we increased conversion rates. Short of managing content and creative, we did everything possible to prove the value of the marketing team to the entire organization. But…. we know that to fulfill our purpose – to measure results across the entire technology stack – we need to look beyond the marketing bucket to view the entire business funnel.”

[**RP3 Agency**](https://www.google.com/search?q=RP3+Agency&sca%5Fesv=26efe42c3f425b34&biw=1512&bih=862&sxsrf=ANbL-n5I2m3g%5FDXcQ835ODDLadP7vaD-fQ%3A1775660189743&ei=nWzWadWDLd2m0PEPrOfKgAk&ved=2ahUKEwiL%5F7-Fwt6TAxWWOTQIHeANHKUQgK4QegQIARAB&uact=5&oq=Una+News+Business+Insider+RP3+PetPolicy&gs%5Flp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiJ1VuYSBOZXdzIEJ1c2luZXNzIEluc2lkZXIgUlAzIFBldFBvbGljeTIHECEYoAEYCjIHECEYoAEYCjIHECEYoAEYCjIHECEYoAEYCjIHECEYoAEYCjIFECEYqwJIplVQnwdY7D9wAXgAkAEAmAF0oAHHC6oBAzguN7gBA8gBAPgBAZgCD6ACrQvCAgoQABiwAxjWBBhHwgIOEAAYsAMY5AIY1gTYAQHCAhcQLhiwAxi4BhjYAhjIAxjaBhjcBtgBAcICBRAhGKABmAMAiAYBkAYPugYGCAEQARgJkgcDNy44oAezTLIHAzYuOLgHqQvCBwYwLjE0LjHIBxyACAA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp&mstk=AUtExfBeS7af5wHsU0aHHhqNhEsGpf7xSWfrLL7SQlaQIU8F1Pid7NefI4aYf9wEocyAqKLMrqutJ8O48I70eBR73R3728hPJ5x3nfLlmmZVkineRhYtqQoW8-MmDbHHETd4SWHXNVgfcUVrhhfe-LPCtsLKBQZvE-17mML8yUGeO8FSJfojkcD5JMxXKRzGltcqkHL2WuxbrdzniSsU6XQdN6OHGg&csui=3&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **recently announced a new, “wildly original” pet policy** featured in UnaNews Business Insider, highlighting their focus on workplace culture and employee experience. The policy aims to support a flexible work environment, often incorporating pets into the office setting.

**Key Details of the RP3 Agency Pet Policy:**

- **Pet-Friendly Culture:** The agency embraces pets in the workplace as part of their company culture.
- **Focus on Experience:** The policy is designed to enhance employee experience.
- **Context:** It aligns with trends of bringing pets or emotional support animals into workspaces to boost morale.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/Rp3_Pet_policy_750X938.jpg)

**April Fools!**
### Sam Michelson on how AI Is quietly rewriting reputation
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/sam-michelson-on-how-ai-is-quietly-rewriting-reputation/
Last updated: 2026-04-09T16:26:54.000Z
There is a quiet shift happening in communications that is easy to miss because it does not show up in dashboards, coverage reports, or even traditional search results. More and more, the first impression of a company or executive is being shaped by AI systems that synthesize information instantly, often from sources that were never intended to define a narrative. I recently sat down with Sam Michelson, who leads Five Blocks, a firm focused on digital reputation and narrative strategy, to talk about what this means in practice, how AI is actually forming those narratives, and what communications leaders need to understand right now. His work sits at the intersection of search, content, and reputation, and increasingly, how those forces are being reshaped by AI platforms.

***Q: If AI systems are becoming the first place people go to understand a company or leader, who is actually controlling the narrative today?***

“Honestly? In most cases, no one is – and that’s exactly the problem I spend most of my time explaining to clients. The gap that exists where a deliberate communications strategy should be is being filled by AI platforms drawing from sources organizations never curated for that purpose. AI synthesizes a reputation from dozens of third-party sources – earned media, Wikipedia, owned content, old bios, review sites – none of which were written with AI in mind. In our client audits, we routinely find AI quoting 10-year-old bios, Reddit threads, and niche publications over the organization’s own carefully crafted messaging. The organizations winning this are the ones who’ve started treating AI-visible content as a deliberate, managed asset rather than an afterthought to their communications strategy. Our AIQ platform tracks narrative across ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Grok, Copilot, Claude, AI Overview, and AI Mode – because that’s the only way to actually see who is telling your story right now.”

***Q: Why do you believe the shift from traditional search to AI-generated answers represents a fundamental change in how reputations are formed?***

“The simplest way I can put it: Google gave you ingredients and made you bake your own cake. AI bakes it for you – and you don’t get to review the recipe. Google gave users ten links and let them form their own view. With AI, they get one synthesized answer and move on. There is no page two. What AI produces is what I call a synthesized narrative – one answer, instantly delivered, shaped by sources the brand may never have prioritized or even noticed. The data backs this up: forty percent of Gen Z rely on ChatGPT for major decisions, including buying and investing. That’s where reputation is being formed for the next generation of customers, employees, and investors. And conversion rates from AI-referred visits are five times higher than traditional search – the people who reach your website after an AI interaction have already been pre-qualified, or disqualified. This isn’t a future trend. Every high-stakes stakeholder search happening in ChatGPT or Perplexity right now is producing a narrative your team has almost certainly never reviewed.”

***Q: Why should PR and communications leaders be paying attention to this shift right now rather than treating it as a future issue?***

“Because it’s already happening. Every person who searched your client or CEO in ChatGPT last week received an AI-generated narrative – one your team likely never saw. Google itself is now an AI platform. AI Overviews appear at the top of most branded queries, which means staying ‘Google-focused’ already means operating in an AI world. The model training cadence runs roughly twice a year, so incorrect or missing information baked into today’s models will persist for months before it can be corrected. We’ve seen clients described as having red flags in AI prompts – flagged by their own advisors – before any human conversation took place. Journalists, investors, board recruiters, and institutional buyers are all using AI for due diligence. The window to get ahead of this is narrow. In 12 to 18 months, AI-first search will be the default, and the organizations that act now define what AI says about them. The rest inherit whatever AI decides. Waiting for a visible crisis is the wrong trigger, because AI reputational damage is invisible in your existing analytics – it’s happening in searches you’ll never see unless you go looking.”

***Q: What is the biggest misconception communications leaders have about how AI platforms form opinions about a brand or executive?***

“The biggest one I run into is an inverted assumption about where AI actually gets its information. Communications teams are trained to think in terms of earned media – press coverage, analyst mentions, social signals. So they assume AI is doing something similar, weighting the media landscape the way a journalist or investor might. It’s not. AI draws very heavily from your own website, your blog content, your leadership bios, your Wikipedia page, your profiles on third-party platforms like CrunchBase or Bloomberg. The owned and structured layer is far more central to what AI says about you than most communications professionals expect. The earned media they’ve worked hardest on often plays a supporting role rather than driving the narrative. The implication is significant: if your own digital infrastructure is thin, poorly structured, slow to load, or hasn’t been updated in years, AI is working with bad source material – and it’s your source material. The fix isn’t more press releases. It’s making sure the information you actually control is comprehensive, accurate, structured in a way AI can read, and consistent across every platform where it appears.”

***Q: If a CEO asked you tomorrow, “What does AI say about me?” what would most communications teams discover that would surprise them?***

“The most common reaction I see from senior executives isn’t outrage at something wrong – it’s a kind of quiet surprise at how little is actually there. The most striking finding in most of our audits isn’t misinformation. It’s a vacuum. Information the executive assumes AI knows – their current role, their key accomplishments, the strategy they’ve been executing for three years – simply isn’t being quoted, because it exists on too few sources, or it’s buried in content AI can’t easily parse, or it was never structured in a way that gives AI something to work with. What AI does find are the remnants – a Wikipedia page last edited in 2019, a speaker bio from a conference five years ago that still describes a previous title, an advisory board affiliation they moved on from quietly. Those artifacts become the narrative because they’re the most accessible structured information available. It’s not that AI is lying about the executive. It’s that the information ecosystem around them is thin enough that AI fills the gaps with whatever it can find – and what it finds tends to be old, sparse, and shaped by moments that no longer represent who they are.”

***Q: Why are AI systems increasingly becoming the place where investors, journalists, employees, and customers first form impressions about a company or executive?***

“The answer is frictionlessness. AI delivers a pre-formed, authoritative-sounding narrative in seconds – and most people don’t need to look further. No clicking, no comparing results, no reading multiple articles. The answer arrives instantly and carries the weight of apparent objectivity. Due diligence has been transformed. We’ve heard directly from senior advisors: ‘We put the name in, add the words red flags, and hand it to AI.’ That is now a standard first screen for many firms. Employees use AI to evaluate employers before accepting offers. Candidates ask about culture, leadership, compensation, and values – and what AI says shapes whether they apply at all. Journalists use AI as background research before reaching out, and the narrative framing AI provides often sets the lens through which they approach the story. All of this happens before any human interaction with your brand. And unlike Google, where users know they’re curating their own search, AI users have no reason to cross-reference. It answered, and they moved on.”

***Q: Why do independent sources such as journalism, analyst commentary, and third-party publications carry so much influence in how AI models construct answers?***

“Because AI is fundamentally designed to corroborate. It’s looking for convergence across independent voices – not just what you say about yourself. When multiple independent sources agree, AI treats it as high-confidence fact. A single polished press release doesn’t carry that weight. The architecture of AI training favors diversity of sourcing. Models are trained on the broader web, and third-party publications, analyst reports, and wire services are heavily weighted as independent validators. Reuters, Bloomberg, and AP dramatically outperform in ChatGPT relative to their influence in traditional search – partly due to access agreements that give ChatGPT full text of articles others can only partially see. Wikipedia is the single most universally accessed source across all major AI models. Every LLM has full access, which makes a well-maintained Wikipedia page the most cost-effective AI reputation asset most organizations can have. Owned content matters in AI – more than in Google – but it requires structure, speed, and crawlability. A slow or thin corporate site will be deprioritized or skipped entirely in real-time AI retrieval.”

***Q: Why does earned media matter even more in an AI-driven information environment?***

“Earned media has always mattered. In an AI world, it becomes one of the strongest signals AI has for gauging whether something about a brand or executive is likely to be accurate. That said, AI doesn’t verify the way a fact-checker does – it’s better understood as pattern-matching across sources. When multiple credible, independent sources describe something similarly, AI treats that convergence as a reliable signal. Earned media – especially from high-authority outlets – contributes to that pattern in a way owned content simply can’t replicate on its own. There’s also a compounding problem on the other side. The majority of content being published online today is AI-assisted, which means inaccurate or incomplete information about your brand is replicating itself across the web constantly. Original, well-sourced earned media is increasingly the antidote to that noise. The other dimension most teams haven’t thought through is that not all earned media performs equally across AI platforms. The outlets that carry the most weight in ChatGPT are not necessarily the same ones that dominate Gemini or Perplexity – access agreements, crawlability, and domain authority all vary by model. Where you earn placements now has a strategic dimension it didn’t have two years ago.”

***Q: Why do you think many organizations are underestimating the impact AI systems will have on brand and executive reputation?***

“They’re measuring the wrong things. Most organizations are still running the Google playbook – page one rankings, domain authority, share of voice in search – and none of that tells you anything about what AI is saying about you. AI outputs are invisible unless you go looking. Unlike a bad Google result sitting on page one, an AI narrative that misrepresents your brand won’t surface in any existing analytics dashboard. You won’t find it in your monthly reporting. Leadership teams also tend to think about AI as a productivity tool rather than an information environment. They’re thinking about Copilot in Word – not Perplexity doing investor due diligence on their CEO. The pace of change is being underestimated. We are not five years from this shift. It is happening in real searches, with real decision-makers, today. That’s precisely why tools like our AIQ platform exist – to actually measure what AI is saying about a brand or executive across the major LLMs, track how that narrative shifts over time, and surface the gaps before they become a problem. The organizations that treat AI reputation as measurable and manageable now are the ones who won’t be reacting to a crisis later.”

***Q: Why is simply publishing more content on a company website not enough to shape how AI systems describe a brand?***

“Volume alone won’t move it – but that doesn’t mean owned content doesn’t matter. It does, significantly. The real answer is that you need both, working together. Where corroboration exists – where multiple credible sources independently describe the same thing – AI treats that as a strong signal and leads with it. So earned coverage and third-party validation absolutely help establish the core narrative. But owned content does something different and equally important: it covers ground that third-party sources never will. The specific details of your products, the nuances of your leadership team’s background, the answers to the questions your customers and investors are actually asking – that information lives on your site, in your FAQs, in your structured topic pages. If it’s detailed, accessible, and answering real questions, AI will use it. A well-written FAQ that directly addresses what stakeholders are asking can surface prominently in an AI answer even if it exists in only one place. So the strategy isn’t corroboration or owned content – it’s both. Use earned media to establish credibility and anchor the narrative. Use owned content to extend the coverage and make sure no question worth asking goes unanswered in your ecosystem.”

What this conversation makes clear is that the fundamentals of communications have not changed, but the environment in which those fundamentals operate has shifted in a meaningful and immediate way. Reputation is no longer shaped only through media coverage, messaging, and direct engagement, but is increasingly constructed in real time by AI systems that synthesize whatever information is available, whether it is current, accurate, or aligned with how an organization sees itself. The organizations that recognize this shift and begin to treat AI as a reputation layer that can be measured, managed, and shaped will be far better positioned than those that continue to rely on frameworks built for a pre-AI world.
### RP3 names Laila Lynch Head of Account Leadership
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/rp3-names-laila-lynch-head-of-account-leadership/
Last updated: 2026-04-07T17:15:28.000Z
RP3, the independent full-service creative and performance agency committed to creating Wildly Original ideas, today announced the appointment of Laila Lynch as Head of Account Leadership, bringing aboard an integrated marketing leader with 15 years of experience shaping award‑winning brand experiences across CPG, telecommunications, retail, healthcare and technology.

‍  
In her new role, Lynch will oversee the agency’s account leadership discipline, championing a culture where teams are empowered to create their strongest and most successful work. She will focus on streamlining operations, deepening immersion in clients’ businesses and proactively delivering new thinking and strategic opportunities before clients even have to ask for them.

‍  
“Laila has that rare ability to see both the big picture and the unseen opportunities within it,” said Beth Johnson, CEO, RP3\. “She elevates teams, strengthens partnerships and brings a spark that pushes everyone around her to think bigger. Laila is exactly the kind of leader who helps an agency grow in all the right ways and we are so fortunate to have her on board.”

‍  
Lynch joins RP3 from AMP Agency, where she served as Group Account Director leading major accounts including BFGoodrich, Meta, Zillow and PFU America. Prior to AMP, she held senior roles at AKQA and Mullen Lowe, partnering with some of the world’s most influential brands such as Optum, Verizon, Nike, Unilever and Google.

‍  
With a strong background in technology and transformation, Lynch has built a reputation for guiding clients through complex challenges while inspiring teams to push creative and strategic boundaries. “Stepping into this role feels like the perfect convergence of everything I love about this industry: big ideas, brave clients and teams who aren’t afraid to push past the expected,” said Lynch. “I’ve always believed that the best client partnerships are built on curiosity and momentum. This team has both in spades and I am eager to help drive some incredible results for brands.”
### WIFV’s Women of Vision Awards set for April 23
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/wifvs-women-of-vision-awards-set-for-april-23/
Last updated: 2026-04-07T16:49:37.000Z
**Women in Film & Video (WIFV) announced the recipients of the 2026 Women of Vision Awards (WOV)** which will be held at The National Museum of Women in the Arts, April 23 at 6:00 p.m.

The 2026 Women of Vision honorees are: **Phylicia Rashad**, Actor/Director/Producer/Educator; **Kate Beyda**, Executive Vice President of Physical Production at New Line Cinema; and **Cheryl Ottenritter**, Senior Mixer/Founder at Ott House Audio.

According to a release, the event recognizes “exemplary women whose creative and technical achievements shape the entertainment landscape and impact the face of television, film, and multimedia platforms. The event underscores WIFV’s mission to provide educational and networking opportunities for screen-based media makers in the Mid-Atlantic region.”

“Ms. Rashad, Ms. Beyda and Ms. Ottenritter have broken barriers and shattered glass ceilings throughout their careers,” said WIFV President **Jacquie Greff.** “They are role models and an inspiration for aspiring and mature filmmakers alike. We are honored to celebrate and learn from their experiences.”

President of No Weapon Productions/WIFV Immediate Past President **Connie St. John** will serve as program moderator.

Founded in 1979 as a non-profit community benefit organization, WIFV is the premier professional resource for people who want successful media careers in the DC-metro region. All genres, genders and experience levels are welcome. WIFV is an affiliate of Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI), a global network.
### Mike Gardner named COO of LRA PR
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/mike-gardner-named-coo-of-lra-pr/
Last updated: 2026-04-22T00:51:15.000Z
[**Linda E. Roth, Founder and CEO of LRA PR**](https://www.lindarothpr.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, announces the appointment of** [**Mike Gardner**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikegardner/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **as Chief Operating Officer**. Mike brings more than 30 years of executive leadership experience across marketing, communications, operations, talent, and organizational growth.

Mike joins LRA with a distinguished track record of leading high-impact initiatives for nationally recognized brands, including Discovery Channel, AOL, and Verizon. He has overseen product marketing, brand strategy, retention marketing, and customer relationship management, building a reputation for combining strategic vision with strong operational execution. 

Later in his career, as Chief People Officer at Millennial Media, Mike led the company’s intensive talent growth after its IPO, strengthening his expertise in scaling talent development, leading teams through transitions, and aligning people and culture to support rapid business growth — assets that will benefit LRA’s future.

“Mike brings a rare combination of strategic leadership, operational discipline, and people-first management,” said Linda Roth. “His depth of experience and proven ability to build, lead, and grow organizations make him a valuable addition to the LRA leadership team.”

In his role as COO, Mike will help lead LRA’s operations, support strategic growth, strengthen internal systems, and further the agency’s commitment to delivering exceptional service and results for clients. Mike’s appointment reflects LRA’s ongoing investment in leadership that supports both innovation and long-term growth.
### What Easter candy tells us about consumer behavior right now
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/what-easter-candy-tells-us-about-consumer-behavior-right-now/
Last updated: 2026-04-06T18:12:38.000Z
As many celebrate Easter, I’ve been looking at new data from [Truescope](https://www.truescope.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and it’s a reminder that even something as simple as candy can tell us a lot about how people are actually making decisions right now.

On the surface, the story is straightforward.

Americans are expected to spend $3.5 billion on Easter candy this year, up from $3.3 billion in 2025\. About 92% of consumers are participating, and the average spend is around $28.

But prices have jumped 67% since 2020\. So people are paying more and getting less, and they’re still showing up.

That’s where it gets interesting. Because when you look beyond the topline numbers and into the Truescope data, you start to see a gap between what people say they’re interested in and what they actually choose.

Search tells one story. According to search interest, Peeps still dominate. They generate about 50% more interest than chocolate bunnies. After that, you see the usual mix: chocolate bunnies, Jelly Belly jelly beans, Swedish Fish and Reese’s Eggs.

But purchase behavior tells a different story. When people actually buy, it’s Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs and Reese’s Pieces Easter Candy Gift Bags leading the way, with Reese’s products dominating in most states year after year.

So what people talk about or search for isn’t always what ends up in the cart.

That disconnect is something communicators should be paying attention to.

The regional patterns are just as telling.

Peeps are still strong across a stretch of the country tied closely to where they’re made. At the same time, Jordan almonds show up as favorites in places like California, Texas and Florida, not because they’re trending, but because they’re tied to tradition.

Jelly beans split by brand depending on where you are. Some regions lean toward Starburst jelly beans, others toward Jelly Belly jelly beans.

And then there are the unexpected pockets. Kinder Joy Eggs in Mississippi. Lindt Gold Bunny in New Mexico. Haribo Sour Easter Grass in places like Delaware and Hawaii.

Even the color of Peeps matters, with yellow leading nationally, followed by blue and lavender. None of this is random. It’s a reminder that culture and geography still matter, maybe more than we think. There are also some clear shifts happening.

Truescope is picking up on growing interest in things like freeze-dried candy, oversized “smash eggs,” and more premium chocolate options. At the same time, there’s movement toward simpler ingredients and “better-for-you” choices.

And beyond the candy itself, people are leaning into the experience. DIY Easter activity is up, from baskets to chalk to food coloring.

This isn’t just about buying candy. It’s about creating a moment. So what do we take from this?

*First,* you can’t rely on one signal. Search data is useful, but it’s incomplete. You need to understand what people actually do.

*Second,* national narratives only go so far. If you’re not paying attention to regional and cultural nuance, you’re missing part of the picture.

*Third,* tradition is still doing a lot of the work. Even with everything changing around us, those patterns hold.

*Fourth,* higher prices haven’t stopped participation. They’ve just made people more intentional.

*And finally,* the experience is becoming the product. That’s where a lot of the emotional value is now.

Easter candy might seem like a small thing, but it’s actually a pretty clear window into how people are navigating choice right now.

And for communicators, that’s really the point.
### AI, trust, and the media event
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/ai-trust-and-the-media-event/
Last updated: 2026-04-06T17:03:39.000Z
On Monday, April 13 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., members of the media and communications professionals will convene at The New School in New York City for a discussion that feels especially relevant right now. Our sister company [**CommPRO**](https://www.commpro.biz/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) is producing this event supported by [**Media.com**](https://media.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

In partnership with **The New York Times** and the **Foreign Press Association**, this program will explore how AI is reshaping journalism, the risks around manipulated content, and what it will take to build and maintain trust moving forward.

We have a strong group of voices leading the conversation:  
• [**Santiago Lyon**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/santiagolyon/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) ([**Content Authenticity Initiative**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/content-authenticity-initiative/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)/ [**Adobe**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/adobe/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com))  
• [**Simon Erskine Locke**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-locke/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) ([**Tauth Labs**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/tauth/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), FPA)  
• Duy K. Nguyen ([**The New York Times**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-new-york-times/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com))  
• [**Claire Leibowicz**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-leibowicz-17156a65/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) (Partnership on AI)  
There will be time for Q&A and an opportunity to connect with colleagues over coffee and tea following the discussion.  
There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.  
👉 Register here: [**https://lnkd.in/eb8x8gQs**](https://www.linkedin.com/safety/go/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnkd%2Ein%2Feb8x8gQs&urlhash=oLJ3&mt=iLWL3KHOBYTaw5AQmHoWLPc4hQ1uyOJAR1HuOGBVKb4vl6peMYv7rRlfzz9ng0ovxGjjkUIJPF89b9YmAa0SahjdXFe46T34Z6iIlFsm%5FAXXU%5FB3wq011UU&isSdui=true&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### Yes& CEO Zihla Salinas Arbit named a Top Woman in Marketing
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/yes-ceo-zihla-salinas-arbit-named-a-top-woman-in-marketing/
Last updated: 2026-04-07T16:33:26.000Z
[**Chief Marketer**](https://www.chiefmarketer.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) announced its 2026 Top Women in Marketing honorees—an accomplished group of leaders driving innovation, growth and transformation across the marketing industry. Alexandria VA-based agency Yes&’s CEO [**Zihla Salinas Arbit**](https://yesandagency.com/zihla-salinas-elevated-to-ceo/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) was named a Top Woman in Marketing.

“This year’s Top Women in Marketing honorees represent the kind of leadership that is shaping not just brands, but the future of our industry,” said Danielle Sikes, VP of Marketing, Chief Marketer Network. “With the Top Women Network, we’re creating a space where that impact continues—bringing these leaders together to connect, share perspectives and elevate one another. This is about more than recognition; it’s about building a community that supports and advances women at every stage of their careers.”

As part of this recognition, honorees are welcomed into the Top Women Network, a growing, cross-industry community designed to foster connection, visibility and ongoing engagement among women leaders across media, marketing and technology.

The 2026 Top Women in Marketing honorees will be celebrated at the upcoming Top Women Awards Gala, where industry leaders will gather for an afternoon of recognition, connection and community. The event serves as a signature moment for the Top Women Network, bringing together the women shaping the future of marketing, PR and communications.

[View the 2026 list of top women in marketing](https://www.chiefmarketer.com/event/2025-top-women-in-marketing/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).
### Capitol Communicators: Profile of Ben Finzel, President, RENEWPR, Washington, DC
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-ben-finzel-president-renewpr-washington-dc/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:31.000Z
***Capitol Communicators is a profile series spotlighting the people shaping the present*** 
***and future of advertising, digital, marketing and public relations in the Mid-Atlantic.*** 
***This profile features Ben Finzel.***

**Collaboration is an essential part of Ben Finzel’s story.** As he says, “PR is a team sport.” Finzel is president and founder of [RENEW**PR,**](https://www.renewpr.com/about?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) a DC-based communications agency launched in 2015 that weaves together the expertise of a team of independent PR professionals in key markets across the country. He also co-founded the first national network of multi-cultural and LGBTQ PR firms, The Change Agencies. He’s been honored as one of [50 Legacy Leaders Over 50](https://businessequalitymagazine.com/50%5Fabove%5F50/ben-finzel/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) by BEQ Pride Magazine and a [Business of Pride honoree](https://www.renewpr.com/single-post/the-business-of-pride-and-the-power-of-recognition?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) by the Washington Business Journal. In 2021, he was inducted into the [PRSA National Capital Chapter Hall of Fame](https://prsancc.org/2021-hall-of-fame/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). In 2025, RENEW**PR** received an Honorable Mention as LGBTQIA2+ Owned Agency of the Year in the [PR News Platinum Awards](https://www.chiefmarketer.com/event/2025-platinum-pr-awards/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). When he’s not supporting his clients, he’s likely to be found enjoy the theater – another space where creativity and collaboration make the difference. 

**Ben, please tell us about yourself.**

My entire professional career has been in DC: I started out as a congressional staffer, was a presidential appointee in the Clinton Administration and worked in five PR firms before starting RENEW**PR** in 2015\. I’ve developed and managed a variety of national campaigns and worked on a number of different types of PR programs, but I’m a public affairs guy at heart. RENEW**PR** is focused on energy, environment and equity and that’s where I spend most of my time. 

**What are the things you are most proud of?**

On a professional level, I’d have to say I’m most proud of my service as a congressional staffer and a presidential appointee and my initiative to start my own firm. I didn’t necessarily know what I was doing or have a grand plan when I started, but as I’ve built my career, I have figured it out. From working on the Hill and in the Clinton Administration, I learned about how policy is made and who influences it – and how. That led to building and managing and growing RENEW**PR**. I help clients identify and achieve their communications goals. I can’t imagine doing anything else and I feel very fortunate to have created this opportunity for myself. On a personal level, I’m most proud of my marriage of more than a dozen years. My husband Mark is the best and I’m so grateful to him for his support, encouragement, advice and love. I’m a lucky man. 

**What professional advice do you have for others?**

If you want to have a successful career in public relations, you have to be inquisitive, you have to be flexible and you have to be collaborative. PR is about engaging with others and understanding the world around you so that you can help to influence how a person, group or thing is viewed – you can’t do that without being interested. That means you have to ask questions and listen to the answers. And it means you have to want to learn more and dig deeper. Doing that requires flexibility and a willingness to pivot when needed. And the only way you’ll be successful is to be collaborative. PR is a team sport, and you need to know how to work with others for maximum effect. I’ve also found that collaboration is a lot more fun than going it alone. Team work really does make the dream work. 

**Are you involved in any professional organizations and do you find them to be valuable?**

Yes, and yes. As a public relations professional, I’d say the most valuable membership I have is my membership in the Public Relations Society of America. I’ve been a member of the Counselors Academy section (for independent agency owners and leaders) for nearly ten years and am serving as the Chair-Elect for the section this year. Counselors Academy has taught me how to be a better, more effective leader and it has given me the tools and insights I need to grow my business. I’ve made lifelong friends in my various volunteer positions in the section and it’s how the idea of The Change Agencies came to be. The Change Agencies is the nation’s inclusive communications agency network that I co-founded with **LaTricia Woods** of Mahogany Xan Communications in Phoenix. Together, we are changing the ways businesses and organizations communicate across cultures. That would not have happened if I hadn’t been involved in Counselors and met LaTricia at a spring conference. 

**Many of us recently celebrated new inductees to the PRSA NCC Hall of Fame. You’re now a veteran! What did that recognition mean for you?**

What an inspiring night that was in December 2025 witnessing the induction of my friend **Shonali Burke** and the amazing **Dr. Sheila Brooks.** I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to be there for that well-earned recognition of those two inspiring professionals. As for myself, I’ll add that any positive recognition is meaningful, but being inducted into a Hall of Fame that includes many of the most significant public relations professionals in our industry was incredible. To be honored by your peers as someone worthy of lifetime recognition is not something that I ever imagined happening for me. Shonali nominated me and several members of my Team and Network supported the nomination. That kind of affirmation meant the world to me then and it still does. Awards and honors are a sign that you’re doing something right and that other people think so too. Being a member of the PRSA National Capital Chapter Hall of Fame is one of my proudest achievements. 

**How do you make a collaboration of experts from around the country work?**

With a lot of communication and trust and cooperation! There are several different models for the kind of expert network that I and other agency leaders have developed. In my case, the collaboration works because of the people. My team of independent public relations professionals is comprised only of people I have worked with before, and in some cases, people I have known for decades. So, the trust is already there. The knowledge and insight of each other’s capabilities and work style is already there. And the interest and respect in and for each other is already there. The RENEW**PR** Team is one of the main reasons we are so successful: our firm is not just me, but a group of nearly ten other professionals with their own insights, experiences and skills. I so enjoy working with and learning from each one of them and I know how fortunate I am to call them colleagues and friends. 

**You once worked on Capitol Hill. Would you do it again? Would you recommend it to a young person now?**

My service on Capitol Hill was so long ago – a generation, really. And so much has changed in the intervening years. For me, working on Capitol Hill was a life-changing experience that set me on the path that I’m on now. I wouldn’t change it for anything. I learned so much, met so many great people and accomplished so much too. I would do it again then, but not now. Working on the Hill requires a great deal of energy, an endless supply of patience and a willingness to sacrifice. It’s not always as glamorous as it may seem and it’s not easy. I would recommend it to a young person now if that person was open and willing to go in eyes wide open about the sacrifices required to have the awesome experience you get from working on the Hill. It’s not for everyone, but it’s an important job and one that contributes so much to our society. 

**What do you like to do in your spare time?** 

If you’ve ever been on a Zoom call with me when I’m in my home office, you already know this: I’m a huge theater fan. My home office has 29 framed Broadway “window card” posters from shows my husband Mark and I have seen over the years. Because most of them are on the wall behind me, they show up as a wall of theater on every Zoom call, and they always invite conversation and questions. We love theater and it’s fun to help share our support for the arts in this way. 

**Capitol Communicators** [**profiles**](https://capitolcommunicator.com/tag/profiles/) **allow you to meet** 
**some of the most interesting and insightful pros in our region, and** 
**learn how they stay ahead during a time of constant change.**
### Washington Nationals expand TV coverage across Mid-Atlantic
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/washington-nationals-expand-tv-coverage-across-mid-atlantic/
Last updated: 2026-04-05T15:38:40.000Z
**Through partnerships with WTTG Fox 5 and Gray Media, 10 regular-season games will be simulcast live on free,** over-the-air television in D.C. and additional markets, reaching millions of households in the DMV and beyond that are full of Nationals fans, reports [TVNewsCheck.](https://tvnewscheck.com/programming/article/washington-nationals-expand-coverage-across-mid-atlantic-with-wttg-and-gray-media-partnerships/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

TVNewsCheck states: “The Nationals’ exclusive local over-the-air partner, WTTG will produce expanded local pregame shows with host **Chad Ricardo** for each simulcast leading in to Nationals.TV game broadcasts called by play-by-play announcer **Dan Kolko**, analyst **Kevin Frandsen** and host and reporter **Alexa Datt**.”

“We are proud to partner with the Washington Nationals to televise select games this season. Between game day forecasts, pregame programming, and live games, Fox 5 remains committed to delivering expanded coverage that reflects the passion and pride of Nats fans to bring them closer to their hometown team,” added **Sue Diviney**, senior vice president and general manager of WTTG and WDCA.

Gray Media will simulcast the same 10 games across several of its stations inside the Nationals home television territory, providing over-the-air access to more than 3.2 million television households across the Mid-Atlantic region. Game coverage on Gray Media stations will begin at the same time as Nationals.TV broadcasts.

“Our Virginia and North Carolina markets are full of Nationals fans who will love watching their team free, over-the-air,” said **Sandy Breland**, Gray’s chief operating officer. “We appreciate the opportunity to work with the team and Nationals.TV to broaden the reach of America’s pastime from our nation’s capital.”

PHOTO: MLB
### Former WBAL talk show hosts launch “Free Range Politics” podcast
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/former-wbal-talk-show-hosts-launch-free-range-politics-podcast/
Last updated: 2026-04-05T15:45:41.000Z
Veteran Baltimore broadcasters **Yuripzy Morgan** and **Torrey Snow** announced that the political commentators have launched a weekly podcast, [“Free Range Politics.”](https://freerangepolitics.podbean.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) According to an announcement, the podcast includes political commentary and healthy discussion regarding the most vital issues facing our country, as well as current events impacting local communities across Maryland.

“I look forward to connecting and engaging with new and longtime listeners alike as we engage in important conversations regarding the most timely and vital state, local, and national issues,” said Morgan, right in photo. “I am also excited about the freedom that this new platform provides.”

“I’ve always been passionate about educating our community on the issues impacting their lives. I love laying out the facts and pushing for accountability from those entrusted with public resources,” Snow said. “Free Range Politics lets us do exactly that, and Yuripzy and I look forward to honest discussions that challenge the status quo and allow our listeners to come to their own conclusions about the facts.”

As an attorney and political analyst, Morgan is the former host of “The Yuripzy Morgan Show” on WBAL NewsRadio and currently serves as a legal analyst for WBFF TV, WBAL and other regional news outlets. Her commentaries have also appeared in The Washington Post and The Baltimore Sun. In 2022, she served as the GOP nominee for Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District.

Snow is the former host of WBAL NewsRadio’s afternoon drive program, “The Torrey Snow Program,” which ran from 2020 to 2025\. In 2025, he joined The Baltimore Sun as an editorial board contributor and weekly political columnist. In 2020, Governor Larry Hogan appointed Snow to the Maryland Commission for African American History and Culture.

“Free Range Politics” is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and all major podcast platforms.
### PLAY BALL!!!
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/play-ball/
Last updated: 2026-04-04T17:15:17.000Z
**Two veteran D.C. communicators got together to celebrate the beginning of the baseball season.** (Left to right), **Cary Hatch**, who, for years, ran D.C.-based MDB Communications; and **Charlie Brotman** who was the stadium announcer for the Washington Senators baseball team and also involved in a number of agencies, including Brotman|Winter|Fried, which specialized in sports promotions. In addition, Brotman was behind the microphone for every inaugural parade from Eisenhower’s second inauguration in 1957 to Barack Obama’s second inauguration in 2013.

Brotman, 98, has been inducted into many Halls of Fame during his more than 50 years in public relations and announcing, including the Washington Hall of Fame, the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, Jock’s Hall of Fame, the Public Relations Society of America Hall of Fame, the Advertising Club of Washington Hall of Fame, the Greater Washington Fastpitch Softball Hall of Fame and the Washington Tennis and Education Foundation Hall of Fame.

PHOTO: Phil Rabin
### Customer Lifetime Value (CLTV): Why We Value Retention Ahead of Acquisition in 2026
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/customer-lifetime-value-cltv-why-we-value-retention-ahead-of-acquisition-in-2026/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:32.000Z
**The rising cost of customer acquisition** is one of the most pressing challenges facing multi-unit retailers today. Paid media prices are increasing, competition is fierce, and consumer attention is fragmented across dozens of digital touchpoints. The result: it’s harder and more expensive to acquire new customers than ever before.

Yet, while acquisition gets the attention, **retention delivers the return**.

**The Economics of Retention**

The Customer Lifetime Value (CLTV) focus reframes growth from a sprint to a cycle, or one that compounds over time through **loyalty**, **advocacy**, and **engagement**. It’s a simple truth with profound implications: every dollar spent retaining a customer is worth more than two to five dollars spent acquiring a new one.

Repeat customers don’t just come back, they become advocates. They engage across more channels, try new products, refer friends, and become the emotional anchors of a brand community. The math is simple. Acquisition campaigns might bring in first-time guests, but without loyalty, many never return. By contrast, retention programs increase frequency, grow average order value, and extend customer lifespan. According to McKinsey, companies with faster growth rates derive **40% more of their revenue from personalization** than their slower-growing counterparts**.** ([McKinsey](https://capitolcommunicator.com/mid-atlantic-marcom-summit-set-for-october-14-2026-in-washington-d-c/)).

Acquisition campaigns may fill the funnel, but **loyalty programs hit the bottom line.**

**From Acquisition to Acceleration**

Now, with the right data infrastructure and behavioral insights in place, brands can finally move from **acquisition-focused marketing** to **relationship-focused growth**:

- **Identify high-value segments:** CRM and loyalty data reveal who your most profitable customers are and what keeps them coming back.
- **Predict and prevent churn:** Behavioral signals help spot declining engagement before it becomes lost revenue.
- **Automate retention journeys:** Platforms like [Salesforce Marketing Cloud](http://responselabs.com/sfmc-managed-services?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) enable real-time reactivation based on lifecycle stage or purchase gap.
- **Amplify advocacy:** Reward referrals, reviews, and social engagement to turn retention into organic acquisition.

 **The Retention Advantage**

Retention isn’t just about keeping customers — it’s about **building predictability and profitability**. A strong CLTV model reduces dependence on volatile ad costs, stabilizes revenue forecasting, and maximizes every marketing dollar through smarter targeting.

At **Response Labs**, we’ve seen this shift firsthand. When loyalty and CRM are aligned, brands can focus on their most valuable customers, track behaviors that predict churn, and design interventions that keep members active. A data-driven retention strategy optimizes marketing spend, builds predictability into revenue, and reduces dependency on costly acquisition channels.

“Customer acquisition is important, but retention is where the growth happens. In 2026, every dollar invested in retention doesn’t just save costs — it multiplies future value,” says **Kate Fulks**, Director of Client Service at Response Labs.

**The New Growth Math**

In 2026, the most successful brands will measure success not by how many new customers they acquire — but by how effectively they retain, engage, and activate the ones they already have.

By connecting behavioral data, CRM intelligence, and loyalty activation, brands unlock a cycle of continuous growth — where every engagement builds equity, every message builds trust, and every customer becomes a long-term advocate.

**Retention works like a flywheel.** Each customer you keep increases in value over time, and loyal advocates naturally attract new guests. This fuels acquisition with higher-quality, lower-cost customers. It is the perfect loop where your dollars and your data start working together.

Want to dive deeper? [Download our free Loyalty Playbook](https://www.responselabs.com/crm-loyalty-playbook/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) to see how your CRM becomes a true growth engine.

If you’re ready to transform your loyalty program into a true growth program, we’re here to help. [Contact us today to talk about how to get started.](https://www.responselabs.com/contact/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

***This post is one of a series of Smart Marketing Insights from*** [***Response Labs***](https://www.responselabs.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)***.*** 
***For more in this series, click*** [***here.***](https://www.responselabs.com/insights/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### Fox News Media says it reached record-setting YouTube video views in first quarter of 2026
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/fox-news-media-says-it-reached-record-setting-youtube-video-views-in-first-quarter-of-2026/
Last updated: 2026-04-03T18:50:40.000Z
**Fox News Media says it reached a record-setting 1.5 billion YouTube video views in the first quarter of 2026,** marking its sixth consecutive quarter as the top news brand on the platform.

According to data from Emplifi, states a post on [TVNewscheck](https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/fox-news-media-reaches-1-5-billion-youtube-views-in-q1/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), “Fox News views grew 21% compared to the prior year and 51% over the previous quarter. The network led its closest competitor, MS NOW (974 million views), by nearly 500 million views. It also more than doubled CNN’s 707 million views and surpassed the combined totals of ABC News (440 million), NBC News (364 million) and CBS News (194 million).

“In March, coverage of the war in Iran propelled the network to its highest-rated month ever on YouTube with 621 million views. This represented a 46% increase year-over-year and a 68% jump from February.”

Fox Business also saw growth, continues TVNewscheck, “accruing 193 million YouTube video views for the quarter, a 25% increase over the previous quarter. According to Comscore Social, the business brand remained a provider of business news for the 52nd consecutive month.

“Across all Fox News Media brands, the company totaled nearly 2 billion YouTube video views for the quarter.

“The network also reported 426 million social media interactions across Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok in the first quarter. This included 219 million Facebook interactions — up 52% from 2025 — and 115.9 million TikTok interactions, a 35% increase over the previous year according to Comscore Social.”
### Gerry Sandusky, WBAL-TV 11 Sports Director and Voice of Baltimore Ravens, retires after 42-year broadcasting career
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/gerry-sandusky-wbal-tv-11-sports-director-and-voice-of-the-baltimore-ravens-announces-his-retirement/
Last updated: 2026-04-02T22:38:40.000Z
**Gerry Sandusky, longtime sports director at WBAL-TV 11 and Voice of the Baltimore Ravens, announced his retirement after a distinguished broadcasting career spanning nearly 42 years,** [**reports WBAL-TV**](https://www.wbaltv.com/article/gerry-sandusky-retires-wbal-tv-sports-director-voice-of-the-ravens/70907285?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**.**

His final 11 p.m. newscast is set for Friday, April 17

“This isn’t a decision I made lightly. I have loved sharing the stories that shape Baltimore sports with viewers, and I have loved every minute of sharing Ravens games with listeners. But the time has come for me to pass those batons and pour more of my attention on my family,” Sandusky said in a statement. “I want to thank every viewer and every listener who shared this journey with me. It’s been an honor. And yes, for my broadcasting career, ‘The hay is in the barn.’ And it feels right.”

A Towson University graduate, Sandusky, states the WBAL post, developed an early grounding in sports through his father, an assistant coach with the Baltimore Colts and later the Miami Dolphins under Hall of Fame coach **Don Shula**.

He began his broadcasting career in Florida, earning his first opportunity in 1984 at WSVN-TV in Miami. In 1988, he returned to Baltimore to join WBAL-TV 11 as a sports anchor under the legendary Vince Bagli.

Sandusky was named WBAL-TV 11’s Sports Director in 1993 and, in 2006, added radio play-by-play voice of the Baltimore Ravens to his responsibilities. Over the decades, he became one of the most recognizable voices in Baltimore sports, covering many of the region’s most defining moments — including the arrival of the Baltimore Ravens, the opening of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Cal Ripken Jr.’s historic streak, and the rise of hometown Olympian Michael Phelps, as well as two Ravens Super Bowl championships.

As the Ravens’ play-by-play announcer, he was known for his smooth delivery, vivid storytelling, and signature phrase, “The hay is in the barn,” capturing defining moments for generations of fans.

PHOTO: Wikipedia
### Wikipedia bans most AI-Generated content; move may create immediate hurdles for advertisers and marketers
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/wikipedia-bans-most-ai-generated-content-move-may-create-immediate-hurdles-for-advertisers-and-marketers/
Last updated: 2026-04-01T17:08:06.000Z
**Wikipedia has remained one of the main sources of information in AI and traditional search queries,** but updates to its editing policy for the English version make it clear all site moderators cannot use large language models (LLMs) to generate content for the site, reports [TVNewsCheck](https://tvnewscheck.com/ai/article/wikipedia-bans-most-ai-generated-content-advertisers-may-benefit/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Although this may create immediate hurdles for advertisers and marketers relying on automated tools to increase online traffic to websites and foot traffic to stores, TVNewsCheck states that “it could have a long-term positive impact on marketers prioritizing quality.

“SEO marketers focused on Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) could find this ban beneficial, because it prevents what Wikipedia [calls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Large%5Flanguage%5Fmodels?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) “model collapse,” where AI engines train on AI-generated Wikipedia content, ensuring that the “knowledge graphs” powering Google’s AI Overviews and other chatbots remain grounded in human-verified facts.”

According to Wikipedia’s [updated](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Writing%5Farticles%5Fwith%5Flarge%5Flanguage%5Fmodels?ref=404media.co) editing policy, the only reasons someone can use AI-generated copy are to generate translated text for the English version of the site and in basic copyedits. All other uses are prohibited.

The Wikipedia Foundation released a statement in October 2025 on an approximate 8% decline of human pageviews on Wikipedia, compared with the same period in 2024\. The company attributed the decline to the impact of generative AI and social media, and how people seek information, especially with search engines providing answers directly to searchers, often based on Wikipedia content.
### Allegra Marketing Print Mail Baltimore acquires Image360 Baltimore Downtown
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/allegra-marketing-print-mail-baltimore-acquires-image360-baltimore-downtown/
Last updated: 2026-04-06T17:34:26.000Z
**Allegra Marketing Print Mail in Baltimore acquired Image360 Baltimore Downtown, a visual communications provider**. The acquisition integrates custom signage and visual communications with print and marketing solutions, giving customers access to a suite of marketing, print, mail, signage and design services. All business operations for Image360 Baltimore Downtown will now be based out of Allegra Baltimore’s facility at 314 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD.

According to [ASI,](https://members.asicentral.com/news/industry-news/march-2026/allegra-marketing-print-mail-baltimore-acquires-image360-baltimore-downtown/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) both firms are locally owned and operated franchises of the Alliance Franchise Brands network, a distributor of marketing, graphics and visual communications with locations in the U.S. and Canada. Allegra Marketing Print Mail Baltimore is one of 200 Allegra Marketing Print Mail (asi/372000) members, while Image360 Baltimore Downtown is one of 138 Image360 locations.

“By combining our marketing, print and mail expertise with expanded signage and graphics capabilities, we can now provide a more complete, streamlined experience under one roof,” said Ketan Bhalani, owner of Allegra and Image360 in Baltimore.. “I remain committed to investing in our people, taking care of our clients and continuing to raise the standard for what a true marketing and visual communications partner should be.”
### Reputation, trust and the women doing the work behind the scenes
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/reputation-trust-and-the-women-doing-the-work-behind-the-scenes/
Last updated: 2026-03-31T19:37:24.000Z
**By** [**Fay Shapiro**](https://www.commpro.biz/news?author=63af182d3cab14148cd85b91&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**As part of a recent CommPRO and CommunicationsMatch™ virtual town hall**, communications professionals came together for a candid, working discussion on reputation management.

No presentations. No panels. Just real perspectives.

What became clear quickly is that reputation is not owned by one person, one team or one moment. It is shaped continuously, often by people who are not always in the room when decisions are made, but are responsible for helping organizations navigate what happens next.

The conversation started with a simple question: Who actually owns reputation when something goes wrong?

There was agreement that, ultimately, it sits at the top.

“Ultimately, I think the CEO owns reputation management, along with the board. Communicators play an absolutely crucial role in managing reputations day-to-day,” said **Simon Locke,** Founder and CEO of CommunicationsMatch™.

That day-to-day role came up again and again. Communicators are the ones advising, interpreting and helping leadership see clearly, especially when things feel personal.

And right now, things are moving faster than ever.

“The speed at which a crisis can unfold is faster than ever before,” said **Tiffany Guarnaccia**, CEO and Founder of Kite Hill.

AI is not just changing how content is created. It is changing how reputation is shaped, discovered and challenged.

That makes the foundation even more important.

“The strongest brands invest in relationships long before they ever need them. That is what makes recovery possible,” said **Stacey Ross Cohen**, CEO of Co-Communications.

Reputation is built before the moment you need it. It is also shaped from the inside out.

“What happens on the inside is reflected outside,” said **Orla Clancy**, Founder and Managing Director of Strategic.

That internal lens was reinforced by **Cat Colella-Graham**, Internal Communications Consultant at CCG, who emphasized that communications, especially internally, is never owned by one function alone.

“All communications is a team sport,” she said, pointing to the role of legal, risk and leadership working alongside communicators.

At the same time, communicators are often expected to carry responsibility without full authority.

“We’re responsible for protecting the brand, but we’re not always in the room when the key decisions are made,” said Cohen.

That tension continues to define the role. From crisis plans to what-if scenarios, the group returned to the importance of preparation, even if it is not always prioritized until something goes wrong.

But the environment itself is changing.

“I think the pace, the issues, and where they come from… it’s all kind of imploded a little bit. Everything feels like it’s on the table and not really necessarily clarified,” said **Aman Singh** of Kenvue.

She also pointed to a shift in how communicators think about channels.

“The question sometimes is: how could we reach our audience if earned media is not the primary channel of choice. There’s many other ways of keeping your audience close and engaged,” she said.

At the same time, trust itself is becoming more fragile.

**Renée S. Edelman**, Senior Vice President, Edelman, said the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer found that 70 percent of people now are hesitant or unwilling to trust someone who has different values, information sources, approaches to societal problems or backgrounds than them.

Edelman has proposed a solution, backed by its research, called Trust Brokering – or facilitating trust across differences. The employer is best positioned to be an effective Trust Broker.

That fragmentation is showing up everywhere, including in the pressure on leaders to take positions.

“Everything you say and do needs to be relevant to why you’re in business and the value you provide,” said **Stacey Clark Ohara,** former Vice President of Employee Engagement at Salesforce.

**Gina Caputo**, Consultant at StratEdge Consulting, reinforced that reputation is built in everyday interactions, across relationships, delivery and follow-through, not just in moments of crisis.

And across the conversation, authenticity kept coming up.

“Authenticity is key, especially now when so much content is produced by AI,” said Guarnaccia.

That connected to a broader reflection on how many women lead in communications roles.

“I think women are powerful storytellers. Being authentic, being real, being human, that is what connects,” said Cohen.

There was also a recognition that listening matters as much as messaging.

“My sense is that ego is, in a way, the enemy of understanding and engagement,” said Locke.

The broader context is impossible to ignore.

“This must come up all the time… how do you engage, how can you stay neutral, can you take a position,” said **Paul Duning**, Publisher of Capitol Communicator. “It really takes extremely talented communications professionals to be able to filter what is coming in… what do you trust,” he added.

At the same time, new dynamics are emerging.

**Kaitlyn Kotlowski,** SVP at M Booth, noted that reporters are increasingly using AI tools to identify sources, changing how thought leadership is surfaced and who gets seen. In response, the need for a more structured approach is becoming clear.

“We need multi-layered solutions for what are essentially multi-dimensional problems,” said Simon Locke. Because what communicators are managing now is not one issue at a time. It is everything, all at once.

And through it all, one thing remains consistent. Reputation is not a function. It is a shared responsibility.

But more often than not, it is communicators, many of them women, who are carrying the work, connecting the dots, and helping organizations navigate moments that define trust.

This conversation is a reminder that much of that work happens behind the scenes, but its impact is anything but small.
### Washington Post’s average daily print circulation drops 21.2%, states new report
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/washington-posts-average-daily-print-circulation-drops-21-2-states-new-report/
Last updated: 2026-04-01T18:56:33.000Z
![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/WaPoCirculation.png)

**The combined average daily print circulation at 25 of the largest audited newspapers in the US** fell by 12.5% in the six months to the end of September 2025, according to new data from Alliance for Audited Media (AAM).

Figures supplied to [Press Gazette](https://pressgazette.co.uk/north-america/us-newspaper-circulations-2025-washington-post-print-declines-21-in-a-year/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) show that only one title among the top 25 by combined print and digital circulations saw a rise in print circulation year on year.

The largest year-on-year decline was at The Washington Post, which saw its average daily print circulation down by 21.2% to 87,576 in the six months to 30 September 2025, [from 111,171 a year earlier](https://pressgazette.co.uk/north-america/top-25-us-newspaper-circulations-2024/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

During this period, the paper [saw “significant subscription cancellations”, alongside the Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-10-28/non-endorsement-post-la-times-cancellations?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), after its owners decided not to endorse a candidate in the presidential race.

The Los Angeles Times saw the second-biggest drop in average print circulation, down 19.8% to 63,492.

However, AAM has flagged that its circulation data does not include all digital newspaper subscriptions, and the non-profit organisation rolled out new digital reporting rules in February 2026.

The Los Angeles Times saw the second-biggest drop in average print circulation, down 19.8% to 63,492.

The period also saw The Washington Post cut around 4% of its workforce – fewer than 100 people – in early 2025 across its business division, as well as offering voluntary buyouts to an unknown number of staff in May.

This was followed by [mass layoffs announced at the beginning of this year](https://pressgazette.co.uk/north-america/washington-post-cuts-one-third-of-all-staff-newsroom-sports-books-foreign/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), with [more than 300 out of about 800 journalists](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/business/media/washington-post-layoffs.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) axed, according to The New York Times).

The Florida-based Villages Daily Sun was the only title to see a circulation increase, up 4.2% from 46,750 to 48,716.

Of note, [Awful Announcing](https://awfulannouncing.com/newspapers/washington-post-nationals-reporter-danielle-allentuck-shuttering-sports-section.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawQ5HcZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFiZ1hPZUgwRlRRYk5TTWNuc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHnVqNSZjr8JI3SeoD25SlKXNLCk358ITmN8j3ZjkEbB34ZPKEoKMPJQoR8y6%5Faem%5FRshnc-8ehe0X-JAxUKnhPQ&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) reports The Washington Post “appears to be back in the business of sports coverage.

“Less than two months ago, [the hallowed newspaper axed its entire sports section](https://awfulannouncing.com/newspapers/washington-post-announces-layoffs-including-entire-sports-section.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) in a sweeping round of layoffs that also touched the metro, books, and foreign desks. Just about the entire media industry ripped the *Post* and owner Jeff Bezos, who claimed he wanted the publication to continue growing amid the cuts.

“Yet with the MLB season opening this week, the paper quietly brought on a reporter to cover the Washington Nationals. More interestingly, the paper’s hire came from the rival Baltimore Banner, which made moves to hire D.C.-area sports in the aftermath of the *WaPo* cuts.

“The reporter is Danielle Allentuck, who announced her new home on Opening Day.”

CHART: Table: Press Gazette, Source: Alliance for Audited Media
### Washington Post launching video content partnerships with independent creators
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/washington-post-launching-video-content-partnerships-with-independent-creators/
Last updated: 2026-03-30T18:00:20.000Z
**The Washington Post is launching “the first of many video content partnerships with independent creators** to reach new audiences with the same high-quality, trusted information you’re used to from The Washington Post,” wrote **Sara Goo**, president ot The Washington Post, on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/introducing-wp-creator-sara-kehaulani-goo-uvuze/?trackingId=0APGLXUNjTG2zRILhU9NJA%3D%3D&ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

According to Goo, WP Creator will operate separately from our newsroom and Opinion section, “partnering with creators who have subject-matter expertise. We can help both consumers and brands find trusted messengers in today’s often chaotic media ecosystem with greater precision and scale.

“We’re jumping in because it’s time that the news media industry takes creators seriously. In fact, it’s long overdue.

“Our first show, “[Let’s Talk Numbers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-fqPPh8i5o&ref=capitolcommunicator.com),” just launched with creator J**C Rodriguez**, who helps his Gen Z audience learn to build wealth through man-on-the-street interviews about people’s everyday financial decisions. “Let’s Talk Numbers” will be published each week on JC’s social channels, our [new WP Creator channels](https://www.instagram.com/wpcreator/?hl=en&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and will appear on the Washington Post’s Watch Tab.

“Over the next several weeks and months, we’ll be publishing new series with different lifestyle creators across topics such as personal finance, health and wellness, travel, entertainment and technology. With the help of our strategic partner, [ATTN](https://www.linkedin.com/company/attn/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), our trusted creator partnerships and brand relationships enable us to provide the much-needed infrastructure to the creator economy.”
### Agency Updates: Sage Growth Partners, Stratacomm and Vanguard Communications
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/agency-updates-sage-growth-partners-stratacomm-and-vanguard-communications/
Last updated: 2026-03-30T15:55:20.000Z
[**Sage Growth Partners**](http://email.prnewswire.com/ls/click?upn=u001.8CiUkFrLGqa7ynIpBWoM0v7EmeVPMGXDVN-2B7-2BRaQiLq7kUvVaLkXbTmmxlqtrncT1vUrjLCoghofdrfUWuawsuFQ1uAbvr82i5IdLkfABqA-2BM5MehmlwaHvQHSZBGHjv5OcGtKI3w-2FrXuv8PmlUa4vCuoWDk2HIJoZlZb-2F8mKX7EARvu-2BaoIFCUn23S72Ce677sv%5Fd26Eb7EIAowZIc2fLDWWgyuKsMrWvPyHMJuM-2FMjXPMP8j4d-2BCmqs-2BtgnwZZAEgFjKzPWVRQaeWA7jnN322AwaWJWrElfhQr3lWq81W9p0wneO4YUomo7l8EISJVmN093BUs-2FJL0fAaJJznK5JaZe8E8024IoIZt6BWhMiGSoxF2hF-2Bt6O0Tn9LWrv-2BhmW-2BpeDyqNn4d0wl8NkoRmnbLUhRbmlKqpR9PrC2LZNQZQT47fZBNl7nAmxf-2BtEe97HUez3Prk0pKL5KppEcTQz9qnJcciY4Doqie-2FOU-2B3lCEw8m37dhffUIDLLK6weIS-2B-2FAHvQxzdzCe0nXVzmDEUbhCLLMWATdpxcIgfSJBQC8X3iYOS-2FQG3L37ZxNbKaHOatZQC&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **a Baltimore-based healthcare growth strategy and marketing firm,** announced the appointment of senior healthcare executive [**Jason Baim**](http://email.prnewswire.com/ls/click?upn=u001.8CiUkFrLGqa7ynIpBWoM0v7EmeVPMGXDVN-2B7-2BRaQiLq7kUvVaLkXbTmmxlqtrncT1vUrjLCoghofdrfUWuawsktG0krm6llQWTHO7YgFMJlMaL8PyjzTiK6OP3StWzHM0Whqi2w-2FcMRBok3S47yQ-2BMho3dnchcjuCzrzwjt2Cw7UD9aM3XtObaLnI7nPDsim6kID%5Fd26Eb7EIAowZIc2fLDWWgyuKsMrWvPyHMJuM-2FMjXPMP8j4d-2BCmqs-2BtgnwZZAEgFjKzPWVRQaeWA7jnN322AwaWJWrElfhQr3lWq81W9p0wneO4YUomo7l8EISJVmN093BUs-2FJL0fAaJJznK5JaZe8E8024IoIZt6BWhMiGSoxF2hF-2Bt6O0Tn9LWrv-2BhmW-2BpeDyqNn4d0wl8NkoRmnbLUhRbmlKqpR9PrC2LZNQZQT444iVyHghoeXZX-2FlyKd2JSsDHS-2FjXzEIEM6DeDwURlCvfANjLNuY6ngFb5QsDb4uX5PbvRKRDHk1SOfrJbBReb43WhNYFr1UZFfHRt8UUQHO-2FUAeFHvx3AECG49uOaxBiyyLd-2BY0BsbAsAhajyuvH4y&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) as head of the company’s strategy practice. In this role, Baim, shown above, will lead the firm’s growth strategy and advisory services, guiding clients through an increasingly complex healthcare landscape with data-driven insights and actionable growth strategies. “As Healthcare technology companies and provider organizations are under increasing pressure to differentiate their offerings and increase revenue, the importance of innovative and dynamic growth strategies cannot be overlooked,” said **Dan D’Orazio**, CEO, Sage Growth Partners. “Jason brings deep experience across strategy, innovation and commercialization —and a reputation for turning insight into action, and action into growth.” Prior to joining Sage, Baim served as president of the care & outcomes business at Radicle Health, a provider of healthcare and human services software. Before that, he was chief strategy & corporate development officer at Net Health.

[**Stratacomm**](https://stratacomm.net/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **adds Glen Fellman as creative director.** A release states that prior to joining Stratacomm, Fellman, who is based in North Carolina, “held senior creative roles at several agencies, where he led multidisciplinary teams and delivered award-winning branding and advertising work for clients across automotive, health and wellness, financial services, tourism and CPG/beverage. His background spans concept development, copywriting and creative direction.”

[**Vanguard Communications**](https://vancomm.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced that it has earned** **B Corporation** **™ certification from B Lab**, the nonprofit network that certifies companies meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability and transparency. “Vanguard’s history is rooted in advancing social good through ethical, responsible and community-centered work — principles that closely align with B Corp values,” said Maria Rodriguez, president and CEO of Vanguard Communications. “B Corp certification does not mark a change in direction for us — it represents a renewed commitment to the values we have upheld since our founding.” According to a release, B Corp certification “is a third-party validation that confirms Vanguard’s commitment to benefit people and the planet through their work. It connects the firm to a formal network of more than 10,000 like-minded companies across 100 countries that are committed to continuous learning, responsible leadership and ethical business practices.”
### Pixels That Speak: Understanding digital design language
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/pixels-that-speak-understanding-digital-design-language/
Last updated: 2026-04-01T19:46:20.000Z
**We interact with the digital world almost entirely through design and language.**

The front end of websites? Design and language.

Mobile apps? Design and language.

Even the way software and technology are built relies on design and language.

Digital design language is the synthesis of visuals, structure, and interaction that shapes every digital experience. It’s the vocabulary and grammar used by brands when communicating online.

When it comes to [CRM and loyalty](https://www.responselabs.com/2025/07/crm-explained-what-it-is-how-it-works-and-why-it-matters/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), design language becomes even more powerful. Every email template, push notification, and loyalty dashboard speaks the brand’s voice visually and verbally. A consistent system not only makes the experience seamless but also reinforces trust, drives engagement, and keeps customers coming back.

#### **Elements of Digital Design Language**

We all know language is about more than just words. It’s a system of communication that people can instantly understand and act on. The same holds true for digital design. Just like any spoken language with grammar and vocabulary, a strong [design language](https://www.uxpin.com/studio/blog/design-language/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) has its own rules and building blocks. When those pieces come together, they create clarity, consistency, and connection across every digital touchpoint.

- **Color Palette:** Defines primary, secondary, and accent colors.
- **Typography:** Font families, sizes, and usage rules.
- **Iconography:** Style and consistency of icons.
- **Layout & Grid Systems:** How elements are arranged on screens.
- **Motion & Animation Rules:** How transitions, hover states, or micro-interactions behave.
- **Tone of Voice & Content Style:** Consistency in how the brand communicates.
- **Accessibility Standards:** Contrast, font legibility, keyboard navigation, etc.

#### **What Digital Design Language Communicates about a Brand**

A brand’s digital design language communicates its identity, values, and personality by shaping how audiences see and feel about it. From color palettes and typography to motion and interaction, these design choices signal whether a brand is playful, premium, bold, or trustworthy. In essence, design language is a [brand’s visual voice,](https://versions.com/design/design-language-system/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) showing who it is and who it’s for.

1. **Personality & Voice**
- Minimalist vs. bold, playful vs. serious.👉 It shows how a brand wants to be perceived emotionally.👉 The design language is a signal of cultural alignment.
  - **Example:** Apple → calm, elegant, premium.
  - **Example:** Vice → gritty, raw, rebellious.
  1. **Credibility & Professionalism**
  - A polished, consistent design language signals **trustworthiness** and **maturity**.
  - A messy or inconsistent one risks making the brand feel unreliable.
    - **Example:** Google → structured, orderly, reliable.
  1. **Clarity = Ease of Use**
  - In Loyalty marketing, clarity drives action—if a customer can’t instantly understand where to click or what to do, you’ve lost them.
  - Good design language communicates hierarchy and intent, making interactions effortless.
  1. **Target Audience**
  - The design reveals who the brand is *for*.
    - Neon gradients, experimental typography → youth / creative audiences.
    - Neutral palettes, accessibility-first → corporate, professional, or mass audiences.
  - Good design language communicates hierarchy and intent, making interactions effortless.
  1. **Differentiation = Competitive Edge**
  - It visually sets a brand apart in a crowded market.
  - A strong design language cuts through by making your brand instantly recognizable.
    - **Example:** Spotify’s duotones and vibrant motion make it stand out from Apple Music’s minimalism.
  1. **Emotion = Connection**
  - Accessibility, inclusivity, innovation, or luxury all show up in digital design.
  - Customers don’t stay loyal to brands because of discounts alone—they connect emotionally.
  - Color, typography, and imagery work together to express the brand’s personality, mood, and values.
    - **Example:** Airbnb’s design language → approachable, community-focused, human-centered.
    - **Example:** Burberry digital → sleek, aspirational, luxury-driven.
  1. **Consistency = Trust**

A cohesive design system signals that the brand is **organized**, **dependable**, and **intentional**.

- A unified design language builds recognition across emails, apps, websites, and ads. This is critical in CRM & Loyalty, where brands need customers to feel “at home” every time they engage.
- Inconsistent design creates confusion and undermines credibility. Consistent visual rules reduce friction. It tells your audience: “This is us, and we’re reliable.”
1. **Flexibility = Longevity**
- A design language should be adaptable across platforms and formats—CRM, Loyalty, paid media, web, mobile—without losing integrity.
- The pieces work together but allow for creativity and evolution as the brand grows.

#### **Why It Matters: Blaze Pizza Case Study**

When [Blaze Pizza](https://www.responselabs.com/case-study-blaze-pizza/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) partnered with Response Labs to refresh their **Welcome Journey**, the goal was simple: **increase redemptions and drive customer engagement early in the lifecycle.**

The original journey leaned heavily on static layouts and transactional messaging. We revamped the entire experience by introducing:

- **Clearer hierarchy & messaging** → customers instantly understood their next step.
- **Fresh brand creative** → more energy, consistency, and personality that aligned with Blaze’s voice.

**Stronger visual system** → color, typography, and motion rules that made every touchpoint instantly recognizable.

**The Results**

A welcome journey that didn’t just “inform” new loyalty members, but felt like Blaze from the very first click.

- **+20% increase** in Day 0 check-in rate
- **+18% increase** in Day 7 check-in rate
- **+52% increase** in Day 0 redemption rate
- **+36% increase** in Day 7 redemption rate
- **+18% lift** in sign-up-to-first transaction within 7 days

This is digital design language in action—not just making things look better, but **making them perform better** by turning communications into [brand experiences](https://www.responselabs.com/2024/03/cultural-moment-2/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

#### **Digital Design Language in CRM**

At Response Labs, our Creative team knows that in CRM & Loyalty, a digital design language is more than aesthetics—it’s a strategic driver of trust, clarity, and emotional connection. By uniting color, typography, motion, tone, and accessibility into a consistent system, we help brands communicate who they are, who they serve, and why they’re different. When done well, design language makes every interaction—whether an email, app, or loyalty dashboard—feel seamless and recognizable, thereby strengthening customer confidence and deepening long-term loyalty. Ultimately, we **Make Every Message Matter™**.

***This post is one of a series of Smart Marketing Insights from*** [***Response Labs***](https://www.responselabs.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)***.*** 
***For more in this series, click*** [***here.***](https://www.responselabs.com/insights/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### WWPR’s Emerging Leaders Awards nominations now open
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/wwprs-emerging-leaders-awards-nominations-now-open/
Last updated: 2026-03-28T12:17:23.000Z
[**WWPR**](https://wwpr.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **reports its call for nominations for the 2026 Washington Women in PR Emerging Leaders Awards.** The nominations are open in seven categories: Boutique, midsize, and large/global agencies, non-profit, and government, corporate and trade associations.

According to WWPR: “The ELAs recognize outstanding young women in public relations who are making a significant impact early in their careers. This year, we are celebrating young women in the DC area who leverage innovation to push through key messages in the rapidly changing PR and communications landscape we are a part of. Finalists will be honored and winners named at our signature evening celebration in June during a special ceremony in Washington, DC.

“We hope you’ll consider nominating DC’s top young talent for this prestigious award.”

More details can be found [here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfAooMgTbYZa2yFgB-8aaWQ92jfpMCkhVGjxJhc6nyBMuYf8g/viewform?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). Nominations are due April 24\. 2026.
### Kristin Cavallo rejoins Richmond’s MARTIN* agency as CEO
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/kristin-cavallo-rejoins-richmonds-martin-agency-as-ceo/
Last updated: 2026-03-27T20:08:54.000Z
**Richmond’s advertising powerhouse MARTIN\*, formerly known as the Martin Agency, has a new CEO,** but it’s a familiar face, reports [The Richmonder](https://www.richmonder.org/branch-director-kristin-cavallo-will-return-to-her-role-as-ceo-of-martin/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

[**Kristin Cavallo**](https://www.martinagency.com/news/kristen-cavallo-returns-as-ceo?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) had been CEO of MARTIN\* from 2017 until 2022 before moving to MullenLowe. In 2024 she announced she was stepping down to get involved with various political and societal causes.

Most recently she was Executive Director of Richmond’s [The Branch Museum of Design](https://branchmuseum.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com),

Cavello had been CEO of MARTIN\* from 2017 until 2022 before moving to MullenLowe. In 2024 she announced she was stepping down to get involved with various political and societal causes. MullenLowe and MARTIN\* were both previously owned by Interpublic before the holding company was acquired by Omnicom last November.

**Danny Robinson**, who succeeded her at MARTIN\*, is retiring to accept a residency as an artist in France.

“This opportunity is the fulfillment of his lifelong dream, and I am happy for him,” Cavallo said in an email.

“MARTIN\* asked me to step back in during this pivotal moment. There was really only one answer, as I spent 20 of my 30 years in advertising there across two chapters of my career. This will be my third.”

Cavallo, states The Richmonder. led the Branch rebranding “and the museum gained renown recently for its exhibition of Christian Siriano dresses, which Cavallo said was the most successful exhibition in the museum’s history.”

Cavallo said she will remain with the museum with the title of Artistic Director. **Katie Foster**, the museum’s deputy director, will become the acting executive direct

PHOTO: The Branch Museum of Design
### Crosby named #1 ad agency and #1 PR firm by Baltimore Business Journal
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/crosby-named-1-ad-agency-and-1-pr-firm-by-baltimore-business-journal/
Last updated: 2026-03-26T15:58:33.000Z
[**Crosby Marketing Communications**](https://www.crosbymarketing.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **has been ranked the region’s #1 largest advertising agency and #1 largest public relations firm by the Baltimore Business Journal.** 

With offices in Annapolis, MD and Washington, D.C., the firm’s client roster includes leading organizations such as the Peace Corps, Shriners Children’s, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), Kaiser Permanente, USAA Educational Foundation, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, U.S. Department of Defense, and U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Achieving the #1 rankings on both lists reflects the dedication, expertise, and passion our team brings to their work every day,” said Crosby CEO **Raymond Crosby**. “We’re driven by our mission to Inspire Actions That Matter™ helping create meaningful marketplace and social impact for purpose-driven organizations.”

Crosby provides integrated advertising, public relations, social media, and digital marketing services through specialized practices in Healthcare, Government, Nonprofits & Causes, and Military & Veterans. The firm ranks #23 on O’Dwyer’s list of national communications firms, #1 for nonprofits, and #11 for healthcare, and is #10 on GrowthLab’s list of Top 100 firms serving the federal government. Crosby has also been named a Top Workplace by The Washington Post for nine consecutive years.
### RP3 expands leadership team with appointment of Laura Thomas as Chief Strategy Officer and promotion of Maja Husar to Chief Marketing Officer
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/rp3-expands-leadership-team-with-appointment-of-laura-thomas-as-chief-strategy-officer-and-promotion-of-maja-husar-to-chief-marketing-officer/
Last updated: 2026-03-25T18:11:13.000Z
***Creative agency bolsters its team following a company rebrand*** 
***and commitment to “Wildly Original” ideas***

[**RP3,**](http://www.rp3agency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **the independent full-service creative and performance agency committed to creating “Wildly Original” ideas,** announced that it has appointed **Laura Thomas** as its Chief Strategy Officer, and promoted **Maja Husar** to Chief Marketing officer. Thomas and Husar join the agency’s c-suite alongside **Beth Johnson**, Founder and CEO, and **Tuesday Poliak**, Chief Creative Officer. This expansion comes following a strong rebrand of the agency, putting an emphasis on “Wildly Original” ideas that garner outsized business results that demand earned media attention.

In her new role, Thomas is responsible for elevating the agency’s strategic product. She will work across new business, as well as all of RP3’s brands, to scan for advantage and develop wildly original strategic solutions to solve business problems.

“The most powerful strategies aren’t built by staring at slides in a conference room, they’re uncovered by getting out into the world and understanding what truly moves people,” said Thomas.

“RP3’s commitment to ‘Wildly Original’ ideas is exactly the kind of thinking our industry needs right now. Working alongside this team means pushing brands beyond the expected and turning bold, human insights into strategies that drive real impact.”

According to a release: “Thomas comes to RP3 with more than 25 years of experience driving transformative brand strategy. She has built growth engines for billion-dollar icons, fearless challengers, and mission-driven organizations alike. Most recently serving as Head of Strategy at Curiosity and Petermayer, she helped architect breakthrough trajectories for brands including Quantum Fiber,Brooks Running Shoes, Fresh Direct, Crayola, Nerf, Hancock Whitney Bank, Stoli Vodka, Pringles, Native, Tampax, Frank’s RedHot, Kennedy Space Center, Holland America Line and more. At Curiosity, her leadership helped power a 100% new business win rate and earned an Ad Age Small Agency of the Year recognition.

“Husar has been with RP3 for eight years, having most recently served as Chief Strategy Officer and Director of Strategic Planning, where she was responsible for building and managing the strategic team, leading the planning, design, and execution of research-driven marketing and communications campaigns that delivered strategic business insights and supported brand growth. Prior to joining RP3, Husar held several research roles at PwC and BBDO, leading consumer insights and usability testing. In her new role, Husar is responsible for building marketing strategies that elevates RP3’s presence and growth.”

“Laura is the perfect addition to our senior leadership team and Maja remains a critical leader at RP3\. They both bring immense knowledge in each of their respective areas that are invaluable to ourselves and our clients, ” said Johnson.

“Laura tirelessly chases insight and refuses to settle for surface-level thinking. She has run 10Ks alongside consumers to understand what drives runners for a shoe brand. Meanwhile, Maja understands the industry and business strategy better than anyone I know and helps our clients solve complex problems through impeccable marketing. We are incredibly lucky to have both of these powerhouse women on our leadership team and look forward to continued success with them both helping to lead the charge.

**About RP3**

RP3, a Capitol Communicator sponsor, is a full service creative and performance agency that turns “wildly original ideas into outsized results. Brands are facing a tsunami of sameness. We help them break through it. We are built on human instinct and accelerated by AI, covering creative, strategy, media, design, production and digital.

“Founded in 2009 by Beth Johnson, we are a certified, woman-owned small business based in Bethesda, MD. Our versatile and forward-thinking team helps clients succeed in a rapidly changing environment. We are a collaborative and results-oriented company that serves as the perfect blend of creative powerhouse and performance marketing machine, which ultimately allows us to deliver thoughtful, insight-driven creative that drivescengagement and growth. To learn more about RP3, please visit [www.rp3agency.com](http://www.rp3agency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).”

PHOTO:

Top Left: Beth Johnson (Founder & CEO); Top Right: Tuesday Poliak (Chief Creative Officer); Bottom Left: Maja Husar (Chief Marketing Officer); and Bottom Right: Laura Thomas (Chief Strategy Officer).
### Submissions open for PRSA-NY’s 2026 Big Apple Awards
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/submissions-open-for-prsa-nys-2026-big-apple-awards/
Last updated: 2026-03-24T12:56:07.000Z
**The Public Relations Society of America’s New York Chapter (PRSA-NY) announced that entries are now open for the 39th Annual Big Apple Awards,** the premier program recognizing excellence in public relations and integrated communications across the New York metro area.

According to a release: “This year’s theme, Where Stories Move Hearts, Minds and Markets, reflects the power of modern communications in the Big Apple. Today’s narratives do more than shape perception or drive revenue. They inspire action, build trust, advance causes, and influence decisions across communities, industries and institutions.

“Communications teams serving the New York metro region are encouraged to submit work that demonstrates measurable results and creative excellence. PR professionals,agencies and in-house teams can submit their best campaigns now.”

A 15% early bird discount (code: EARLYBIRD26) is available through Friday, April 24\. Final entries will be accepted until Sunday, May 17, at 11:59 PM EDT at zealous.co/prsany/opportunity/2026-big-apple-awards.

“This year’s program was designed to bring the focus back to the unique role public relations plays in New York City,” said **Stephanie Jo Peksen**, Co-Chair of the 2026 PRSA-NY Big Apple Awards. “New York is where the world’s most influential stories are told, and we wanted this year’s Big Apple Awards to reflect what it truly means to practice PR here. Along with celebrating the wide range of work happening across our industry, we expanded this year’s categories to recognize excellence in areas like financial communications, fintech, AI innovation, sustainability, and purpose- driven campaigns. We are also proud to relaunch the Ally Award, which honors communications that advance equity, inclusion, and meaningful change.”

Campaigns are eligible if any portion of the work was executed by New York metro-based practitioners, regardless of whether the work was regional, national, or global in scope.

More here: [https://www.commpro.biz/bigappleawards2026](https://www.commpro.biz/bigappleawards2026?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### Capitol Communicators: Profile of Melissa Morales, General Manager and Partner at GMMB
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-melissa-morales-general-manager-and-partner-at-gmmb/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:33.000Z
**Capitol Communicators is a profile series spotlighting the people shaping the present** 
**and future of advertising, digital, marketing and public relations in the Mid-Atlantic.** 
**This profile features Melissa Morales.**

**Melissa Morales really lives the** [**GMMB**](https://www.gmmb.com/who-we-are/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **brand.** She started as an intern nearly two decades ago, taking on increasingly larger roles, becoming a Partner early in 2025, and was named General Manager last October. Along the way, she learned from some of the top names in political advocacy. The firm counts **Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Joe Biden** among its clients; it’s also known for progressive issue and advocacy campaigns, including the health care work that is so important to Morales. She’s been on the front lines of health care reform at the national and state levels, and counts meeting the people who benefited from her work as one of the most rewarding aspects of it. She named the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, the Missouri Foundation for Health, and advising states on health policies through State Health and Value Strategies as part of her portfolio.

She also met her future husband while they were both working at GMMB!

Now, as GM, she’s overseeing the firm’s business strategy and operations, while still focusing on client experience, as well as innovation and growth. Of course, technology plays a big part in this work, though Morales says she loves using pen and paper to encourage her own creativity and listening skills. Her large network of connections led to what she describes as one of the coolest things she’s ever done: White House holiday decorating! Always making connections; a skill that will serve her well in managing teams in offices in DC, Seattle and San Francisco in a chaotic time for the political and communications community.

**Melissa, please tell us about yourself.**

So much of my story is tied into GMMB’s story. I’m a proud Terp who happened upon a university job center listing for GMMB nearly two. decades ago. Now I help Marylanders get connected to health coverage. I’m a first-generation Latina who collaborates with our clients and creative and media teams to make sure our messages resonate with and reach diverse communities.I’m a parent who is lucky to have access to free pre-K and dual-language public schools, at the same time that I help families push for more access across our country.

I got my start as a GMMB intern and am now the firm’s general manager – with plenty of time, effort and mistakes in between!. I had a chance to grow, learn, and take on bigger challenges because people invested in me. Now, I want to do for others what was done for me. And I want to help GMMB grow too. By continuing to be a partner that clients know they can trust with their biggest challenges.

**What are the things you are most proud of?**

I’m most proud of the opportunities I’ve had to actually connect policy to people. I often think of the cancer patient I was able to connect to free transportation for appointments…or the grandmother who lost a loved one to drunk driving and joined us at a governor’s no-texting-while-driving bill signing… or the parents and babies we’ve brought to DC to meet their members of Congress to talk about the importance of paid family leave and childcare. These moments were tied to bigger campaigns, but they stick with me because they are personal. Seeing how much our work matters in people’s lives keeps me going.

**Tell us about your new role.**

As GMMB’s new general manager, part of my job is thinking about where the firm is headed and how we can keep evolving to best meet our client needs. That keeping pace with things like AI, understand what’s happening in politics and policy, and staying close to the issues our clients care about: health, environment, science, education and more.

But the part I’m most excited about is getting to work more closely with the people across the firm. Our creatives, media relations experts, digital strategists, media buyers and producers. Our accounting and talent and culture teams who literally keep us running. And spending more time with our teams in Seattle and San Francisco.

The tools and technology available to us are changing fast. In the hands of our talented people – when we are thoughtful and intentional about how we use them – we can do better work for our clients and have a bigger impact. That’s what I want to build toward.

**What are the skills that are necessary to be successful today?**

Curiosity. Doing the work as assigned might get you through your to-do list, but it’s rarely enough to actually break through. The real work is asking questions, challenging assumptions and looking left when everyone else is looking right.

**What tools should we be using to be successful?**

Pen and paper. I use plenty of digital tools to organize notes and manage my lists – from OneNote to Notes to Keep. But nothing beats pen and paper. It forces me to listen first. I jot down only the most important points and action items. And it gives me a canvas to give ideas more breadth because few things are linear and easily typed.

**What advice helped you most in your career and is that advice still relevant today?**

A few years into my time at GMMB, I was managing the internship program. I organized a lunch-and-learn with a senior partner who shared a story from his own early years at the company. When he turned in a document, his boss immediately asked: “Is this your best work?” He paused. Took it back. Reworked it. Then it was ready to share. I hope our interns took that lesson to heart. I definitely did. I still ask myself that question. Work doesn’t have to be perfect to move forward or hand it off to someone else. But that extra push? That’s often the difference between a good start and a great one.

**What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done?**

I spent a week at the White House decorating for Christmas. It felt like the DC version of “Night at the Museum.” I made wreaths and tied ribbons, decorated the gold star tree, fluffed fake snow in what used to be the East Colonnade, and stood atop a ladder on the North Portico to build up a festive planter – all while tourists were snapping away. The coolest part was meeting volunteers from all over the country while we worked our way through the beautiful, historic building. It was surreal.

**How’d you manage to do that?**

Traditionally, volunteer decorators come in from across the country. But in 2021, the Biden family’s first Christmas in the White House, COVID restrictions required them to stick to local volunteers. They put a call out through staff’s networks and I applied! Although my interior decorating experience was scant, I had been featured in a popular home design website – so perhaps that did the trick.

**Capitol Communicators** [**profiles**](https://capitolcommunicator.com/tag/profiles/) **allow you to meet** 
**some of the most interesting and insightful pros in our region,** 
**learn how they stay ahead during a time of constant change.**

**Photo Credit: Butch Ramsey, GMMB**
### NOTUS, “building the next great Washington newsroom,” to rebrand and double staff
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/notus-building-the-next-great-washington-newsroom-to-rebrand-and-double-its-staff/
Last updated: 2026-03-24T20:57:12.000Z
**Another billionaire-backed news organization has announced ambitions to expand** into the void created by The Washington Post’s layoffs, reports [Nieman Lab](https://www.niemanlab.org/2026/03/notus-plans-to-rebrand-and-build-the-next-great-washington-newsroom/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

According to the Nieman Lab post, “[NOTUS](https://www.notus.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), a nonprofit newsroom backed by Politico founder **Robert Allbritton** that covers “government and politics with the fresh eyes of newcomers and the expertise of veterans,” is rebranding and doubling its staff, as [first reported](https://www.semafor.com/article/03/06/2026/politico-notus-founder-robert-allbritton-plans-washington-post-competitor?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) by Semafor’s **Max Tani.** In 2024, editor-in-chief **Tim Grieve** described NOTUS [to then-Post reporter Jeremy Barr](https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/2024/05/30/robert-allbritton-notus-journalism/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) as “essentially like a teaching hospital for journalism” because it acts as a training ground for fellows at the [Allbritton Journalism Institute](https://aji.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), which Allbritton [founded in 2023](https://www.niemanlab.org/2023/05/a-new-fellowship-backed-by-robert-allbritton-aims-to-shake-up-the-capitol-hill-reporting-pipeline/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). (He is also NOTUS’ publisher.)”

“The world of Washington journalism is in a moment of generational change,” Allbritton, Grieve, and CEO **Arielle Elliott** wrote in the memo. “We’re going to seize it by building the next great Washington newsroom — a team of reporters and editors who will cover government, politics, policy, local news and D.C. sports with the power of The Washington Post in the 1970s, the punch of Politico in the 2010s and the audience focus required to build a sustainable news organization in 2026.”
### Women who carry trust: The real work of reputation management
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/women-who-carry-trust-the-real-work-of-reputation-management/
Last updated: 2026-03-25T11:35:31.000Z
**Join the CommPRO + CommunicationsMatch™ virtual town hall, Thursday, March 26, 11:00 AM – Noon,** for a candid conversation with communications professionals across public relations, corporate and financial communications.

This is not a webinar. There are no prepared remarks or formal panels. Hosted by CommPRO Publisher **Fay Shapiro,** It is an interactive discussion designed to surface real perspectives and create space for thoughtful, peer-driven exchange.

In recognition of Women’s History Month, this town hall will examine how reputation is actually managed inside organizations and what leadership requires when trust is tested.

We will explore how women often carry responsibility for managing trust across internal, external, and public-facing communications; what that work looks like in practice; and how authority, accountability, and visibility intersect. The discussion will also consider how responsibility for reputation can be more effectively shared across leadership in an increasingly complex communications environment.

As always, the conversation will be shaped as much by attendees as by invited voices.

**Why attend**

With limited spots for active participation, this town hall offers a rare opportunity to:

• Share perspective in a live, peer-driven discussion  
• Exchange ideas on leadership, trust, and reputation  
• Learn from real-world experience, not case-study slides

Whether you work in PR, corporate communications, financial communications, or adjacent leadership roles, you will leave with practical insight you can apply immediately.

More here: https://www.commpro.biz/events/womens-leadership-communications-and-reputation-management.
### AI, authenticity and attention: What consumers want now and what it means for communicators
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/ai-authenticity-and-attention-what-consumers-want-now-and-what-it-means-for-communicators/
Last updated: 2026-03-19T16:33:05.000Z
**By Fay Shapiro,** [**CommPRO**](https://www.commpro.biz/memberships?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**Consumers today are navigating one of the most complex information environments in modern history.** AI-generated content is accelerating production at scale. Misinformation continues to blur the lines between fact and fiction. And an always-on digital ecosystem is making it harder than ever for brands to break through and build trust.

In response, audiences are evolving.

They are becoming more selective about where they spend their attention, more skeptical about what they consume, and more intentional about the experiences they seek out. For communicators, this shift represents both a challenge and an opportunity.

New insights from [HUNTER’s 2026 Annual Consumer Trends](https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN%5F-yVrgyL8Q2SqBRm3yHcjjg?ref=capitolcommunicator.com#/registration) report point to a clear direction. Consumers are searching for authenticity. They are moving beyond surface-level engagement and looking for content, brands and experiences that feel real, credible and meaningful.

At the same time, many are stepping away from the constant scroll in favor of deeper, more substantive interactions. The quick dopamine hit of social media is no longer enough. There is growing demand for knowledge, perspective and connection.

Another emerging signal is the rise of “Fourth Spaces,” hybrid environments that blend digital and in-person experiences. These spaces are redefining how communities form and how brands engage with audiences in ways that feel both immersive and human.

Alongside this, consumers are embracing moments of surprise and play in everyday life while also pushing wellness and self-optimization to new levels. Taken together, these trends reflect a broader shift toward intentionality, balance and authenticity in how people live, consume and connect.

For communications and marketing leaders, the implications are significant.

Earning attention is no longer just about reach or frequency. It is about relevance. Building trust is no longer about messaging alone. It is about credibility, consistency and human connection. And storytelling must evolve to reflect a more discerning, experience-driven audience.

To explore what these shifts mean in practice, CommPRO and HUNTER: INTELLIGENCE are bringing together leading strategists for a virtual Midday Intelligence Briefing on March 24 at noon.

The session will unpack the most important consumer trends shaping behavior today and offer practical insights into how brands can show up in ways that resonate in this new environment.

The conversation will feature:

- **Heddy DeMaria,** Chief Insights and Strategy Officer, who leads HUNTER’s data-driven approach to building culturally relevant and results-oriented communications strategies
- **Jennifer Upshaw**, EVP Strategic Planning, who connects brand purpose with evolving consumer expectations
- **Archana Iyer**, EVP Strategic Planning, known for blending data and storytelling to create strategies that move culture forward
- **Maddie Lena**, Director of Strategic Planning, who helps executives build authentic, high-impact thought leadership platforms
- **Lila Hutcherson**, Creative Strategist, who brings audience insights to life through innovative storytelling and creative direction

Together, they will explore how communicators can navigate AI disruption, cut through digital noise and build trust in a rapidly changing landscape.

For anyone working in communications, marketing, investor relations or brand strategy, this conversation offers a timely look at what audiences expect now and how to meet them in ways that feel credible, relevant and human.

[***Register now***](https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN%5F-yVrgyL8Q2SqBRm3yHcjjg?ref=capitolcommunicator.com#/registration) ***to join the Midday Intelligence Briefing, March 24, at noon and gain the insights needed to navigate the next wave of consumer behavior.***
### CMOs “all in” with AI, say PR and agencies matter more than ever
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/cmos-all-in-with-ai-say-pr-and-agencies-matter-more-than-ever/
Last updated: 2026-03-19T17:06:11.000Z
*EDITOR’S NOTE: Capitol Communicator’s Jeff Davis is in Austin, covering South by Southwest. Watch for his updates this week.*

**As artificial intelligence reshapes marketing,** two top brand leaders made clear at South By Southwest that the future won’t be built by machines alone. Even as they invest heavily in AI, Lyft CMO **Brian Irving** and Samsung Electronics America’s **Allison Stransky** said that as large language models scan the internet for signals, the brands that win will be those backed by strong agency thinking, human creativity and high-quality earned media that teaches AI what to trust.

During the session “How CMOs are Rewriting the Rules of Connection,” both executives offered a detailed look at how AI is already embedded in their organizations, not as a side experiment, but as an operational layer touching everything from campaign development to customer experience.

**Inside the AI Playbook: Agents, Experimentation and New Workflows**  
At Samsung, Stransky (center in main image) described a coordinated, enterprise-wide “all-in” approach to AI, beginning at the CEO level. The company has stood up a cross-functional AI task force — pulling in marketing, legal, HR, customer service and other teams — to evaluate AI use cases, vet tools and prioritize where AI can drive the most impact.

“We have an AI transformation team… and every function has what we call an AI crew,” she said, describing a structure designed to break down silos and accelerate adoption across the business.

That work is complemented by a test-and-learn mindset. Rather than committing to a single platform, Samsung is piloting tools, running controlled experiments and building internal capabilities while also partnering with external platforms.

At Lyft, Irving (right in main image) described a similarly hands-on approach, anchored in experimentation and internal tool development. One early step was creating a “safe space” for teams to explore AI without immediate performance pressure, including internal challenges that encouraged employees to test tools in real campaign scenarios.

For every dollar we spend on new AI tools, we need two to three dollars to invest in training, he said.

More recently, Lyft has begun embedding AI directly into its marketing workflows. Using tools like Google’s Gemini, Irving said teams are building agents that can synthesize inputs from meetings, documents and campaign materials to generate go-to-market strategies at speed.

“It can take all of those conversations… and develop go-to-market strategies,” he said, noting that human marketers still shape and refine the output. “There’s massive human intervention, but it’s not on the administrative aggregation.”

The result is a significant expansion of capacity. Tasks that once required manual coordination can now be completed in a fraction of the time, allowing teams to focus on higher-value decisions. “We’re all hoping that time saved in one place will be applied in another place,” Stransky said.

Other applications range from AI-assisted CRM optimization, including tools that generate and evaluate hundreds of email subject lines in minutes, to more advanced experimentation, such as AI-enabled brand asset creation and hyper-personalized content libraries.

But even as both CMOs described increasingly sophisticated use cases, neither suggested AI is replacing the core functions of marketing.

**Agencies Aren’t Going Away — They’re Becoming More Critical**  
If anything, the complexity of the AI ecosystem is reinforcing the need for strong external partners.

“Our agency partners are still indispensable partners,” Stransky said, emphasizing that agencies are expected to evolve alongside brands by integrating AI into their own processes.

Irving pushed back more bluntly on the idea that AI could reduce reliance on agencies.

“I have peers who are like, ‘I’m getting rid of my agency because of AI.’ I think that that’s wrong,” he said. “You want external perspective on innovation and creativity.”

**Creativity and Judgment Still Define the Work**  
“I don’t think AI is going be more creative than humans,” Stransky said late in the session, underscoring what both CMOs see as the enduring advantage of human-led marketing.

Irving added that beyond creativity, AI also lacks judgment — the ability to determine what is right for a brand, a moment or a specific audience.

“It’s not human versus machine,” he said. “It is human and machine.”

AI can generate options, accelerate production and expand reach. But it cannot decide what should ultimately represent a brand. That responsibility remains with the humans: marketers and, critically, with the agency partners helping shape the work.

**PR and Earned Media “More Important Than Ever”**  
For PR professionals, the most important shift may be happening in how brands are discovered.

As search evolves and generative engines become a new layer of visibility, Stransky said the workload has effectively doubled.

“SEO is not over,” she said. “But here comes GEO.” And PR is a large part of how LLMs are trained through credible, high-quality content.

“PR is more important than ever,” Stransky said. “We need real, credible information all over the internet. High-quality journalism is needed more than ever.”

The reason is increasingly technical as news coverage, brand storytelling and third-party validation all contribute to how a company is represented in AI-generated answers.

“The ability to generate … content at scale is going to accelerate so fast,” Irving said, pointing to a coming wave of easy-to-manufacture low-quality AI material. To compete, brands must be “incredibly prolific with quality branded content” — PR content that not only reaches audiences, but helps define how AI systems understand a brand.

*Main photo by Capitol Communicator: left to right, session moderator Marty Swant, Fast Company reporter; Allison Stransky, Samsung Electronics America CMO; Brian Irving, Lyft CMO*
### Community editors want press releases that add something to the local outlet
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/42063-2/
Last updated: 2026-03-17T21:38:37.000Z
**By Issac Morgan, Staff Writer,** [**EIN Presswire**](https://www.einpresswire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**Community editors, whose small team of reporters often focus on what’s happening in the communities they serve,** look for press release content that genuinely adds something to the local outlet, especially when it ties directly to local readers.

[Cheri Martin](https://www.chronicleonline.com/weeklies/wakulla%5Fnews/opinion/columns/you-are-the-wakulla-news/article%5F643322bd-83fa-51dc-ba49-b767fc9731f6.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), a former community newspaper editor at *The Wakulla News* and the *Gadsden County Times* in Florida with decades of journalism experience, said she always scanned for “press release content that truly enhanced the paper with an eye toward local connections first.”

She pointed to the difference between pushing something that feels like self promotion or advertorial content and offering real news or feature value, saying the latter is what her newspaper preferred.

Her newsroom relied on a mix of outside content, including news releases, to fill gaps in coverage, from gardening tips to home organizing advice to features on regional attractions.

“All these basically saved me from paying for extra syndicated content,” she said, adding that one popular feature that “readers appreciated” was the Ringling Museum in Sarasota.

Martin said many of the features she used started as press releases about new books, including several she remembered coming through press release distribution platform [EIN Presswire](https://www.einpresswire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Most “regional press release content” that made it into her paper came from government agencies or was connected to festivals, cultural events or business announcements with clear relevance.

But she was blunt about the limits. “It’s harder at the weekly community newspaper level unless it’s pertaining to a local event,” she said. “Resources are scarce. Even legitimate community newspaper stories were sometimes relegated to photos and information submitted by community contributors.”

As for general advice for sending news, Martin said “tight writing” helps, and follow up matters. A quick phone call can surface the missing angle that gets a release published.

She recalled a PR rep who wanted coverage of a church’s disaster response efforts. “I said we needed a drop dead local connection and he found it for me and resubmitted.”

One more practical tip: many legitimate releases never reach editors at all. “A lot of legit press releases automatically ended in my spam filter,” she said.

That’s another reason to follow up. And once an editor uses your content, Martin said it’s worth asking them to add your organization as a trusted sender.
### EIN Presswire expands distribution with USA TODAY Network
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/ein-presswire-expands-distribution-with-usa-today-network/
Last updated: 2026-03-21T15:57:16.000Z
[**EIN Presswire**](https://www.einpresswire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **has expanded its distribution network to include one of the most widely recognized media platforms** in the United States: the USA TODAY Network.

This new distribution pathway, states a release, gives a press release t”he potential to appear on USA TODAY Network–affiliated sites — tapping into the company’s powerful national and local footprint.

“That means your press release can reach more than 190 million monthly active users, depending on the distribution channels you select. The USA Today Network spans 200+ publications across 43 states and 220 local markets, from hyperlocal outlets to major national brands.

“News content published on the USA Today Network sites is indexed by Google, Google News and major AI‑powered systems.”

More [here](https://www.einpresswire.com/pricing?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).
### DC Photographer Eli Meir Kaplan Shoots Citi Bike Brand Campaign Across NYC
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/dc-photographer-eli-meir-kaplan-shoots-citi-bike-brand-campaign-across-nyc/
Last updated: 2026-03-18T11:03:36.000Z
#### 

#### ***Six neighborhoods. Two boroughs. Two days behind the camera*** 
***for one of the most recognizable bike-share brands in the country.***

**Washington, DC-based photographer, director and camera operator** [**Eli Meir Kaplan**](https://elimeirkaplan.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) was tapped by Citi Bike and Lyft, through production company [StudioNow](https://studionow.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), to create brand photography and instructional video content showcasing the new Cosmo ebike and updated Citi Bike identity.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/citi_bike_05-copy.jpg)

The shoot moved from Grand Central Station and the Farley Building in Manhattan to DUMBO, Park Slope and Sunset Park in Brooklyn. A polished, well-prepared cast stepped into their roles immediately, embodying the diverse, intergenerational ridership that defines the Citi BikeThe setups ranged from riders pedaling down tree-lined Brooklyn residential streets to friends docking bikes at busy stations, quiet moments in parks and navigating real city traffic.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/citi_bike_08-copy.jpg)

Every location brought its own texture.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/citi_bike_04-copy.jpg)

“You’re making real-time decisions constantly,” Kaplan said.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/citi_bike_07-copy.jpg)

“In a city with this many visuals, the client might see something in the moment and you adjust on the fly. The whole shoot crackled with spontaneous energy,” he added.

The hero image came near St. Ann’s Warehouse in DUMBO: a rider on a Citi Bike caught in a pensive moment, the Brooklyn Bridge rising behind them. In a shoot full of motion and city noise, it was the quiet frame that landed hardest.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/citi_bike_06.jpg)

The resulting work is now in rotation across Citi Bike’s marketing channels.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/citi_bike_03-copy.jpg)
### Human-driven journalism key to the future of news
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/human-driven-journalism-key-to-the-future-of-news/
Last updated: 2026-03-17T16:51:30.000Z
*EDITOR’S NOTE: Capitol Communicator’s Jeff Davis is in Austin, covering South by Southwest. Watch for his updates this week.*

If there was a unifying message from the South By Southwest panel “The Future of News,” it was this: journalism is not just adapting to disruption — it is being reshaped on multiple fronts at once.

Editors and media executives from Newsweek, The Guardian and The New York Times outlined an industry navigating artificial intelligence, shifting audience behaviors and an increasingly fragile business model, all while trying to preserve trust in a volatile information environment.

**Chasing Gen Z — and Meeting Them Where They Are**  
Despite persistent narratives about declining news consumption, panelists pushed back on the idea that younger audiences are disengaged.

“Young people are very engaged with the news. They care a lot,” said[ **Betsy Reed**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsy-reed-3020a3111/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), U.S. editor at The Guardian.

The answer is a different entry point. News organizations are increasingly focused on meeting Gen Z audiences on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, using social content as an entry point before building deeper relationships through newsletters, subscriptions and direct engagement.

[**Rebecca Grossman-Cohen**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rgrossmancohen/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), head of strategic partnerships at The New York Times, noted that while the Times still attracts younger readers directly, social platforms play a critical role in discovery. “Social is the first step in building a relationship,” she said.

**Beyond Headlines: Games, Video and Habit-Building Content**  
To stay relevant and financially viable, publishers are expanding beyond traditional news formats.

At The New York Times, products like Wordle, Connections, cooking content and sports coverage are designed to create daily habits and broaden audience engagement.

“These products are meant to help people engage with their passions,” Grossman-Cohen said, noting that they also create new opportunities for advertisers and experimentation.

Similarly, panelists described a shift toward more diverse content offerings — from podcasts to video — that balance hard news with formats that are more accessible and, at times, more interactive. The goal is not to dilute journalism, but to make it more integrated into people’s daily routines.

Reed pointed to The Guardian’s turnaround as evidence that a different kind of media model can work. About a decade ago, she said, the organization was losing money and facing real questions about its future. Instead of putting up a paywall, it doubled down on a digital reader revenue model built on voluntary monetary contributions, with a focus on reaching the widest possible audience and producing journalism people value enough to support. That approach now accounts for roughly 70 percent of revenue in the U.S., where Reed said the outlet expects to generate about $58 million this year, with even larger totals globally.

**The Stakes for Local News**  
For all the innovation, one area remains deeply concerning by panelists: the continued erosion of local journalism.

“The real loser in all of this is the reader,” said Newsweek Editor-in-Chief [**Jennifer H. Cunningham**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-h-cunningham-5451534/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) (in main photo), pointing to the steady decline of regional and local outlets. “They’re the ones losing what’s happening in their communities.”

The collapse of local news ecosystems, panelists suggested, has implications far beyond media economics — affecting civic awareness, public trust and democratic engagement.

There was some cautious optimism that AI could eventually support local reporting by lowering costs and increasing efficiency. But no one on stage suggested technology alone would solve the problem.

**AI in the Newsroom — Tool, Threat and Tension**  
Artificial intelligence is already embedded in the news-gathering process, but how it is used varies by organization.

Cunningham described a pragmatic approach, positioning AI as a productivity tool rather than a replacement for journalism.

“We really see it as almost a bicycle for the mind,” she said, noting that AI is being used to streamline workflows and free reporters to focus on reporting. “We want them out talking to sources, not stuck in the content management system.”

Others struck a more cautious tone. Reed warned of an incoming flood of AI-generated misinformation and emphasized the growing value of verified reporting.

“It’s going to be incredibly valuable to have trusted journalistic brands,” she said, pointing to the risk of audiences consuming content that “they believe is real that is not real.”

Grossman-Cohen said AI is being used to improve efficiency, particularly in areas like data analysis, but stressed that human oversight remains non-negotiable. At the same time, she made clear the company’s stance on intellectual property, noting that platforms using news content must compensate publishers.

**An Industry Still Defining Its Future**  
Taken together, the discussion made clear that there is no single path forward. Revenue diversification, platform strategy, AI integration and audience development are all evolving simultaneously, often without a clear roadmap.

As Reed put it, in a world increasingly shaped by automation and misinformation, the need for trusted, human-driven journalism will only grow.

*Main image of Newsweek Editor-in-Chief Jennifer H. Cunningham by Diego Donamaria via South By Southwest*
### 60,000 customers cancel Washington Post subscriptions after recent Post job cuts
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/60000-customers-cancel-washington-post-digital-subscriptions-after-recent-post-job-cuts/
Last updated: 2026-03-17T15:19:17.000Z
**More than 60,000 customers canceled their digital subscriptions to *The Washington Post*** after it implemented sweeping job cuts last month, according to a report in *The New York Times,* states [Mediaite](https://www.mediaite.com/media/more-than-60000-washington-post-customers-canceled-subscriptions-after-jeff-bezos-axed-44-of-reporters/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

[The story](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/14/business/media/washington-post-jeff-bezos-layoffs.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) — titled “How Jeff Bezos Upended the Washington Post” — looked at how the Amazon founder has played a larger role at his paper in recent years.

According to Mediaite, “WaPo ended up laying off roughly 350 reporters out of 800 in February — accounting for 44% of its journalists. “The sports and books departments were folded, and the metro section was gutted,” *The Times* reported. “Most international correspondents and editors were laid off.”

“In response, more than 60,000 digital subscribers ditched the paper in the week following the job cuts, according to the *NYT* report.

*“WaPo* offers a $40 per year digital-only subscription on the low end of its subscription offerings currently, meaning those canceled subscriptions would account for $2.40 million in annual revenue if you used a conservative estimate.

“Bezos had put the plan in motion to cut jobs in late 2025, as the paper was grappling with an annual loss of $100 million.”

While Bezos “has not shown up in the newsroom since 2023,” the report stated, “he has dipped in more forcefully in the past two years, resulting in a series of jarring upheavals in strategy and leadership at one of the country’s most decorated news organizations.”
### Podcast listening reaches “new highs” as format evolves beyond audio
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/podcast-listening-reaches-new-highs-as-format-evolves-beyond-audio-only-roots/
Last updated: 2026-03-16T19:34:19.000Z
**Podcast listening in the U.S. reached new highs over the past year**, as the medium continues to expand its audience and frequency of use, reports [Inside Radio](https://www.insideradio.com/free/podcast-listening-hits-record-high-as-video-helps-expand-the-audience/article%5F231ed8d9-4f52-4368-b0b2-9ee956fa1503.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

According to Inside Radio, the 2026 edition of Edison Research’s Infinite Dial reports that “58% of Americans age 12 and older listened to a podcast during the past month, equal to roughly 167 million people. That is the highest monthly podcast reach recorded in the study’s history.

“Weekly listening is also climbing. Edison says 45% of Americans — about 130 million people — listened to a podcast in the past week, continuing a steady upward trend that has brought weekly listening closer to majority adoption.

“Overall awareness of podcasting remains near universal. The report finds 86% of Americans are familiar with the term “podcast,” while 80% have listened to a podcast at some point, equal to an estimated 230 million people who have tried the medium.

“The medium’s reach remains strongest among younger and middle-aged listeners. Monthly listening among Americans age 35-54 has climbed to 68%, while 64% of those age 12-34 say they listened to a podcast during the past month. Yet adoption is also continuing to grow among older listeners, with 44% of those age 55 and older now reporting monthly podcast listening.”

Of note, states Inside Radio, “video is increasingly reshaping how Americans consume podcasts, with the data showing audiences are engaging with the medium across both audio and visual formats. Edison reports 57% of Americans say they have both listened to and watched a podcast, underscoring how the format is evolving beyond its audio-only roots.”
### State of Wikipedia report for March 2026
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/state-of-wikipedia-report-for-march-2026/
Last updated: 2026-03-16T18:09:14.000Z
**In March 2026, the Wikipedia Chaos Index sits at 92** which is considered critical levels of chaos. This means that we recommend extreme caution and waiting until activity drops again for publishing new drafts, controversial information or engaging directly with editors.

Deletion nominations and successful deletions saw an increase in March; more presciently, the percentage of pages nominated and subsequently deleted rose from 72% in January to nearly 88% in February, as editors become more restrictive with Wikipedia editing policies.

As a result of increased activity across the platform, both contributor and editorial, there has been a noticeable increase in sockpuppet and conflict of interest investigations. As artificial intelligence continues to proliferate across all industries, this has caused a natural rise of interest in the topic, and a lot of related content coming to Wikipedia. The Wikipedia volunteer community is definitely taking notice; as more and more content about artificial intelligence has made its way to the platform, experienced editors and administrators are taking hard lines on content related to AI technology, especially on company pages.

This has led to large deletions and reversions of content related to AI products; among this, is a noticeable trend where editors are cracking down on citations, especially tech journals and websites that are not included on [Wikipedia’s Perennial Sources](https://themathergroupllc.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cce5036f6d4489228908d14c2&id=31e9c8f143&e=53d545074b&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) list. Strong citations are always a bedrock to building a Wikipedia page that will experience long-term success; with editors becoming even more restrictive and adhering to the very letter of its policies, ensuring quality coverage from trusted third-party publications is more important than ever.

*Note: The Chaos Index is our proprietary metric for measuring turbulence throughout Wikipedia and tracking the community’s current sentiment towards corporate-related pages. The index measures community actions such as editing frequency, content deletion, message board posts, and many other activities that contribute to unstable corporate page environment*
### The internet after search: Cloudflare’s Matthew Prince on AI, local media and the “Messy Middle”
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-internet-after-search-cloudflares-matthew-prince-on-ai-local-media-and-the-messy-middle/
Last updated: 2026-03-17T15:02:59.000Z
*EDITOR’S NOTE: Capitol Communicator’s Jeff Davis is in Austin covering South by Southwest. Watch for his updates this week.*

**Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince,** right in main photo, came to [South by Southwest](https://sxsw.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) with big questions about the future of work, media and the internet itself: What happens inside companies when some employees fully embrace AI while others resist it? What replaces a local journalism business model that no longer works? And how should brands adapt when the “customer” navigating their websites may increasingly be an AI agent rather than a human? Those themes shaped Prince’s on-stage conversation with **Stephanie Mehta** (left in main photo), CEO and chief content officer of Mansueto Ventures, parent company of Inc. and Fast Company, during their SXSW session, “The Internet After Search.”

**The Messy Middle**  
Prince spoke about a workforce problem he doesn’t yet have a clean answer to. Inside organizations everywhere, including his own, a divergence is emerging. A portion of employees have embraced AI tools and are using them to dramatically multiply their output. Another group hasn’t. They’re proud of their craft and while less efficient, they do a decent job and produce solid work. And right now, both groups are largely paid the same.

He called this gap the “Messy Middle” — the cohort of experienced and capable workers who have not integrated AI into their workflows, even as colleagues using the tools are operating at two or three times their previous capacity. On one end are the early adopters. On the other are younger workers entering the workforce already fluent in AI.

The challenge for organizations, Prince suggested, is figuring out what happens next — when productivity expectations, performance and compensation begin to diverge.

“That’s what keeps me up at night,” Prince said. It’s not a technology problem. It’s a management, culture and compensation problem — and most organizations haven’t begun to reckon with it seriously, Prince said. Not all CEOs are admitting this publicly, he said, but they’re looking for ways to address it.

“The game has changed,” he said.

**Buying the Local Paper**  
Prince and his wife Tatiana made headlines in 2023 when they acquired The Park Record in Park City, Utah. On stage, he used that decision as a window into something he believes deeply: the traditional media business model isn’t just struggling, it’s structurally broken and won’t be fixed by incremental change. He said the answer is not paywalls, subscriptions and ads.

“The future model will change radically,” he said, noting licensing content to AI will be a large part of the solution, as local news is a valuable part of what AI offers in search results.

**When Your Customer Becomes a Bot**  
Web traffic, the [Cloudfare](https://www.cloudflare.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) CEO argued, is shifting, faster than most brands realize, from human visitors to AI agents acting on behalf of humans. By 2027, bot traffic will exceed human traffic in search, he said.

The implications are significant. Prince said a human consumer might visit five websites before making a purchase decision. An AI agent might visit thousands, in seconds, with no emotional response to your homepage design, your brand story or your banner ad. He said agents don’t notice branding. They don’t click on ads. They evaluate and move on before presenting the best deals to the end-user human who trusts the AI output.

For marketing and PR professionals, this is an active restructuring of how trust and visibility get built online. The brands that figure out how to be legible to agents, not just appealing to humans, may have a significant early advantage.

Prince didn’t offer a playbook. Instead, the former ski instructor turned billionaire tech CEO focused on mapping the terrain ahead. Where AI, media and marketing are all changing faster than anyone fully understands.

*Image: Jason Bollenbacher via SXSW*
### Yes& expands Atlanta creative presence with acquisition of Metaleap Creative
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/yes-expands-atlanta-creative-presence-with-acquisition-of-metaleap-creative/
Last updated: 2026-03-16T15:19:28.000Z
[**Yes&**](http://www.yesandagency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **has acquired Atlanta-based brand and design studio** [**Metaleap Creative**](https://www.metaleapcreative.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**.** The acquisition, states a release, continues a “multi-year push by Yes& to strengthen its creative core and deepen its design-led capabilities.

“Yes& earlier acquired Atlanta agency Hothouse. The latest move signals a deliberate investment in building a stronger creative presence in the Southeast. With the addition of Metaleap, Yes& further positions Atlanta as a growing hub for its design and brand leadership.”

Founded more than two decades ago, Metaleap Creative, states the release, has earned a reputation for building thoughtful, enduring brand systems for organizations including The Salvation Army, Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Food & Wine, Southern Living, National Geographic, and Team Rubicon. The studio is known for combining cultural fluency with disciplined craft, developing brands designed to endure.

Metaleap will operate as Yes&, with Executive Creative Director **José Reyes** continuing to lead creatively, ensuring continuity for clients and preserving the studio’s distinct approach.

“We’ve always believed great creative work grows out of trust, shared purpose and long-term relationships,” said Reyes. “Joining Yes& allows us to honor everything Metaleap has been while expanding what we can offer clients through deeper strategy, broader capabilities, and a truly collaborative future.”

For Yes&, adds the release, the acquisition reflects a broader industry shift toward design-driven brand leadership at a time when organizations across industries face mounting pressure to clarify their identity and show up consistently across increasingly fragmented channels.

“What we’re building at Yes& is a culture of creative leadership,” said **Josh Golden**, President & CCO. “With Hothouse and now Metaleap, we’re intentionally bringing together teams known for their taste and their discipline. Metaleap’s talent and craft immediately stood out to us. Adding that level of design raises our creative standard and makes the work stronger across the board.”

“Metaleap strengthens both our creative ambition and our presence in a market that continues to shape national brand conversations,” said **Zihla Salinas**, CEO of Yes&. “This is about building a more connected, design-led Yes& — one that helps clients move forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose.”

The release states that [Yes&](https://yesandagency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) is an independent, fully-integrated creative agency serving clients across the commercial, education, non-profit, B2B, B2G, and government sectors. Yes& delivers “positivity + possibility” through an expanding suite of capabilities including strategy & research, creative & content, media, digital, social media, events, and communications. The agency serves clients nationwide from its headquarters in Washington, D.C., with additional hubs in Atlanta and Chicago. Yes& is one of the world’s fastest-growing agencies according to Adweek, and The Washington Business Journal recently named Yes& the #2 largest privately-held ad agency in the greater DC area. They have also been recognized among the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing privately held companies in the U.S. for the seventh time.
### Executive women in government & public affairs panel
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/executive-women-in-government-public-affairs-panel/
Last updated: 2026-03-13T14:27:54.000Z
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

American Psychological Association | 750 First St. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

## A panel discussion featuring accomplished women executives in government and public affairs. Hear from influential leaders as they share insights on navigating executive roles, driving policy impact, and breaking barriers in the public sector. This dynamic conversation will explore the unique challenges and opportunities women face in government relations and advocacy, while providing actionable strategies for building influence, advancing your career, and creating meaningful change. Whether you’re an aspiring leader or seasoned professional, this event offers valuable perspectives and networking opportunities with peers who are shaping the future of public policy.

**Panelists:**

[Virginia Bring](https://www.census.gov/newsroom/bios/virginia-hyer.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Deputy Assistant Director for Communications, U.S. Census Bureau

[Katarina Ellison](https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarina-e-0901a762/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Director of Communications, Sallie Mae

[Marissa Padilla](https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-padilla-14558913/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Executive Vice President, Public Affairs, Global Strategy Group

[Kacey Schneider](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kacey-schneider/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Senior Manager, Public Affairs, Intuit

**Register here:** [https://wwpr.org/events/calendar/#!event/2026/3/18/executive-women-in-government-public-affairs-panel](https://wwpr.org/events/calendar/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com#!event/2026/3/18/executive-women-in-government-public-affairs-panel)
### Baltimore agencies and creators take the spotlight at 2026 American Advertising Awards
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/baltimore-agencies-and-creators-take-the-spotlight-at-2026-american-advertising-awards/
Last updated: 2026-03-16T18:15:21.000Z
The American Advertising Federation of Baltimore (AAFB) marked their 51st Annual American Advertising Awards, “ABRACA-ADDYS,” presented by iHeart Media amongst a historic crowd of more than 250 attendees on Thursday, March 12, at the historic Engineers Club where they awarded 53 ADDY awards; 24 gold and 29 silver awards, as well as 2 Judges’ Choice and 1 Best of Show awards.

The American Advertising Awards is the industry’s largest and most representative competition, celebrating the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising. This year’s competition was judged by Alexander C. Sprungle of Secret Creative Org., Sarah Foley of Amazon Private Brands, and Blain Loyd of HLK.

“This year’s winners reflect the remarkable depth of creative talent in Baltimore” said **Kathe Flynn**, AAFB Board president and creative director at idfive. “From breakthrough campaigns to beautifully crafted storytelling, the award-winning work shows how our region continues to produce ideas that compete on a national stage. Tonight’s winners demonstrate the collective power of impactful creativity to move audiences and elevate brands.”

Planit received one Gold ADDY for publication design and four Silver awards for campaign and digital work, the most of any organization. The awards recognized work spanning integrated campaigns, digital advertising, and print design for clients including Lebanon Seaboard Corporation, Westlake Royal Building Products and Parklane Group.

“These awards reflect the balance of strategic and creative excellence that is the guiding effort of our work,” said **Ed Callahan**, creative strategy and co-founder of Planit. “We’re incredibly proud of the partnership with our clients, the range of work recognized, and the results these awards represent. This year’s wins speak to the level of passion and collaboration our team brings to every client and each project.”

Among the evening’s notable recognitions was the Judges’ Choice Award for Mission’s video spot “It Takes Patients,” created as part of the Care Flows Both Ways campaign for the Mid-Atlantic Patient Safety Center. The work also received a Gold ADDY in the video category.

“These awards reflect the strategy and creativity our team brings to every project,” said **Todd Harvey**, creative director and co-founder at Mission. “From helping reimagine iconic Baltimore institutions to telling powerful stories in healthcare, we’re proud of the work we’ve created with our clients and collaborators. Recognition from the ADDYs is especially meaningful because it comes from peers within the creative community.”

Top honors included:

- Swan Lake Performance by bully! Entertainment for out-of-home as 2025 Best in Show
- Charm City Run x New Balance by Storia Studio for Online Film, Video and Sound Single Spot – Any Length as a 2026 Judges Choice
- It Takes Patients by Mission for Film, Video and Sound PUblic Service Online Film, Video and Sound as a 2026 Judges Choice

The American Advertising Awards competition attracts more than 35,000 entries every year in local competitions. Gold winners at the local level move on to the district competition, competing with agencies from Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Virginia and Washington, D.C. A win at the district level earns a spot in the National American Advertising Awards Competition.

National winners will be announced at the AAF’s conference, ADMERICA, May 28-31, 2026, in Austin, Texas.

The complete list of winners includes:

**Gold Awards**

> Alexander & Tom, “2025 Lab Week”  
>  
> bully! entertainment, “Analyst Day | AI Event Co-Host”  
>  
> bully! entertainment, “Swan Lake Performance” (x2)  
>  
> Early Light Media, “Add Your Voice”  
>  
> Early Light Media, “Eastern Shore Land Conservancy”  
>  
> Lisa Sirbaugh Creative, “10 Years of Branding & Design”  
>  
> LMD Agency, “United States Coast Guard: Race Day”  
>  
> Mission, “Ignite the Zine”  
>  
> Mission, “It Takes Patients”  
>  
> Mission, “Maryland Science Center”  
>  
> Mission, “Nike Field Hockey”  
>  
> Morton.works, “Morton.works 2025 Demo Reel”  
>  
> Notorious111, “Asses Are Necessary – Industrial”  
>  
> Notorious111, “Asses Are Necessary”  
>  
> Planit, “Parklane Look Book”  
>  
> Stanley Black & Decker, “Concrete Total Solutions”  
>  
> Storia Studio, “Charm City Run x New Balance”  
>  
> Sympatico, Media, LLC, “Pacvue”  
>  
> TBC, “Don’t Think About Propane”  
>  
> Tribe, “Purerista Packaging”  
>  
> Unrivaled, “Tecovas – ‘Built for Her’”  
>  
> Viscul Creative, “Giant Food – Pediatric Cancer”  
>  
> Wide Angle Youth Media, “Baltimore Beat Uprising”

**Silver Awards**

> ADG Creative, “Quevera”  
>  
> Alexander & Tom, “Shenandoah Awards”  
>  
> ANTIHERO, “Katie’s Story”  
>  
> bully! entertainment, “Data Streaming Revolution  
>  
> Comcast Advertising, “Pizza Boli’s – ‘UnBOLIevable’”  
>  
> Coven, “Vino in Vogue”  
>  
> Early Light Media, “Pati’s Mexican Table S14”  
>  
> GKV, “Monopoly Scratch-Off TV”  
>  
> idfive, “Rosedale Bank Brand Redesign”  
>  
> Lisa Sirbaugh Creative, “10 Years of Branding & Design Book”  
>  
> Morton.works, “2025 Grand Theft ADDY Awards”  
>  
> Morton.works, “Morton.Works 2025 Demo Reel”  
>  
> Morton.works, “U.S. Bank – Peloton Jess Sims”  
>  
> Notorious111, “Big Ass Fans”  
>  
> Notorious111, “Notorious111 Brand Launch”  
>  
> Percepto Studios, “Drawing Under the Influence Trailer”  
>  
> Planit, “Preventing Weeds Beats Fighting Them: Cowgirl”  
>  
> Planit, “Preventing Weeds Beats Fighting Them: Golfer”  
>  
> Planit, “Preventing Weeds Beats Fighting Them”  
>  
> Planit, “Speakeasy Party Invitation”  
>  
> Producers, “Timeless – Camry”  
>  
> Rinck Advertising, “The Safety Dance”  
>  
> Sympatico Media, LLC, “Short Codes”  
>  
> Sympatico Media, LLC, “Warp ‘Sever Your Code’”  
>  
> Sympatico Media, LLC, “Williams ‘Clean Energy’”  
>  
> TBC, “The First Judgement”  
>  
> Three Seas Inc., “Fallout 76: Gone Fission”  
>  
> Tribe, “True Standard Distilling Brandmark”  
>  
> Unrivaled, “Superior Plus Propane”

*Main image by Erica Blake via Planit*
### Crosby recognized as Google Premier Partner
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/crosby-recognized-as-google-premier-partner/
Last updated: 2026-03-13T18:23:23.000Z
***Designation Awarded to Top 3% of Firms***

**Crosby Marketing Communications has been named a 2026 Google Premier Partner** in recognition of its outstanding digital advertising performance for clients. This marks the firm’s tenth straight year earning the distinction, which is reserved for the top 3% of companies in the Google Partners program.

The designation recognizes Crosby’s ability to maximize campaign performance, drive client growth, and demonstrate deep expertise and certifications across the Google Ads ecosystem, including Search, Display, Video, and Apps.

“This recognition by Google reflects our team’s expertise in delivering high-performing digital solutions for our clients,” said Crosby CEO **Raymond Crosby**. “As everything becomes more AI- and data-driven, our ongoing collaboration with Google ensures we’re using the most advanced tools and insights to elevate performance across the evolving digital landscape.”

Crosby manages national digital campaigns for leading healthcare, government, and nonprofit organizations, including the Peace Corps, Shriners Children’s, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), USAA Educational Foundation, Social Security Administration, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Google Partners program is designed for advertising agencies and third parties that manage Google Ads accounts on behalf of brands or businesses. Its mission is to empower companies by providing innovative tools, resources, and support to help their clients succeed and grow online.

Crosby provides integrated advertising, public relations, social media, and digital marketing services through specialized practices in Healthcare, Government, Nonprofits & Causes, and Military & Veterans. The firm ranks #23 on O’Dwyer’s list of national communications firms, #1 for Nonprofits, and #11 for Healthcare, as well as #10 on GrowthLab’s list of Top 100 firms serving the federal government. Crosby has also been named as a Top Workplace by The Washington Post for nine consecutive years.

To learn more, visit [crosbymarketing.com](https://www.crosbymarketing.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

PHOTO: Members of Crosby’s Digital Team.
### What editors and reporters look for in a news release
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/41981-2/
Last updated: 2026-03-12T17:50:56.000Z
**By Issac Morgan**, Staff Writer at EIN Presswire,

**In today’s information age, news is everywhere,** f**rom social media to websites**, giving journalists countless story ideas and sources to draw from. They can quickly find breaking developments, trends, or quotes to include in their stories.

Still, one tool that has stood the test of time and that many news organizations continue to rely on is the press release.

These news releases often arrive as email pitches sent directly to editors, reporters and producers, or through specialized tools such as press release distribution platforms used by businesses, PR and marketing agencies, entrepreneurs and other organizations. Common tools include [EIN Presswire](https://www.einpresswire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), [Cision](https://www.cision.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), [GlobeNewswire](https://www.globenewswire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and more.

But in what has become a crowded digital media funnel, editors, reporters and other newsroom associates can receive dozens, sometimes hundreds, of press releases daily in their inboxes.

Because of strict deadlines and a constant flow of news, many journalists skim releases to quickly assess what is timely, relevant and credible before deciding whether to read further, follow up or move on.

For PR professionals, businesses, and brands, that reality raises an important question: What actually makes a press release stand out to the individuals in the media who decide what gets covered or cited?

**Earned media and AI visibility**

A press release serves many purposes. It formally announces news and gives journalists, AI systems and stakeholders something concrete to reference.

Which brings us to the elephant in the room: When a press release is sent, another major goal is earned media.

That earned coverage can take many forms — a reporter incorporating information from the release into a larger story, requesting an interview, or quoting a source. It might also include a podcast appearance, a broadcast segment, or print placement in a newspaper or magazine.

Still, the good news is that even if a press release does not generate earned media, using PR distribution services can provide other lasting benefits.

For one, news releases are often published online on multiple news platforms through distribution services that have wide-ranging media networks, such as EIN Presswire, Cision and others. These published clips significantly [help increase visibility](https://einpresswire.substack.com/p/press-release-distribution-terms) for a company, organization or a brand.

And now, as AI-powered search tools become increasingly common, news releases can be picked up by systems such as Google’s AI Overviews and [referenced in AI-generated](https://einpresswire.substack.com/p/more-than-announcements-press-releases) summaries or answers, including those produced by ChatGPT.

**What editors and reporters look for in a news release**

Meanwhile, a quick Google search on how to grab the media’s attention results in plenty of general advice. But perspectives tend to be more useful when they come directly from people who have worked in newsrooms and made those decisions firsthand.

So to find out, we asked veteran editors and reporters who have covered different beats for various media outlets to share the specific elements they look for when reviewing press releases and deciding what to cover or reference.

Their perspectives, many of whom shared that press releases remain sources they rely on, help bridge the gap between the media and communicators.

Several themes emerged in their responses: Begin with a strong lead, keep the story relevant, include compelling quotes or data, and do research on journalists (and outlets) to whom your pitches or releases are sent.
### “Upstarts” move to fill void created by Washington Post layoffs
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/local-news-upstarts-move-to-fill-void-created-by-washington-post-layoffs/
Last updated: 2026-03-12T22:06:24.000Z
**When leadership at The Washington Post laid off** [**more than 300 journalists**](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/business/media/washington-post-layoffs.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)[**last month**](https://www.niemanlab.org/2026/02/washington-post-layoffs-disproportionately-affected-union-members-of-color-preliminary-guild-data-shows/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**,** [Post Local](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) was among the hardest-hit sections, reports [Nieman Lab](https://www.niemanlab.org/2026/03/with-washington-post-local-diminished-other-news-sites-step-up-their-d-c-coverage/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Successive rounds of cuts, continued Nieman Lab, “had already shrunk the section down to around 40 reporters and editors. (In the early 2000s, the metro department had around 200 journalists.) But the latest layoffs left the section with around a dozen journalists, a severe blow to an institution that had remained home to some of D.C.’s most impactful local reporting. Cuts to other sections, like arts and sports, also diminished local coverage. Executive editor Matt Murray told remaining staffers, “We’re not a paper of record; there’s no such thing anymore in today’s world,” The Wall Street Journal reported.

“Almost immediately, local news upstarts in D.C. and just beyond announced expansions that will attempt to fill parts of the new coverage void, including The 51st, City Cast, Axios, and The Baltimore Banner. The journalists at these organizations also have some of the clearest perspective about the magnitude of reporting power the city has lost.

“D.C. is no news desert; these expanding outlets are just a few of the orgs that have carved out local news niches in the metro area of six million and city of 700,000\. The city’s Black newspaper, The Washington Informer, has published for more than 60 years; El Tiempo Latino has provided local Spanish-language news since 1991\. More recent entries include Ethiopique, founded in 2022, which provides Amharic-language reporting for the DMV area’s large Ethiopian community. The alt-weekly Washington City Paper reportedly offered to buy the Post’s local and sports sections before the layoffs. Scott Brodbeck owns and operates for-profit local news websites in three Northern Virginia suburbs.”
### Carpenter’s Shelter, in collaboration with Yes&, produce campaign to support people experiencing homelessness
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/carpenters-shelter-in-collaboration-with-yes-produce-campaign-to-support-people-experiencing-homelessness/
Last updated: 2026-03-11T19:15:47.000Z
**Most direct mail gets tossed without a second glance.** Nonprofit [Carpenter’s Shelter](https://carpentersshelter.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), in collaboration with [Yes&](https://yesandagency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), proves mailers can achieve distinction with its most-recent campaign, states [CityBiz](https://www.citybiz.co/article/817232/carpenters-shelter-and-yes-launch-a-mail-campaign-worth-opening/?abkw=citybizwashington&ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Throughout nearly two decades, Yes& provided pro-bono and in-kind services to Carpenter’s Shelter, covering the full spectrum from brand identity and event management to video production and digital marketing.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/Mailer-copy.jpg)

According to the CityBiz post, the most-recent campaign, themed “Give the Gift of Being Known,” transforms the mailer itself “into a visual metaphor. The outer envelope resembles a wrapped gift, but the “wrapping paper” is covered in handwritten affirmations— “we left the light on,” “you’re safe here,” “let’s figure it out together”—the kinds of words that make someone feel seen in a time of real need. Warm illustrations depict a parent and child walking through a snowy city night toward an open door glowing with golden light, capturing the emotional journey from isolation to welcome.

“Inside, the campaign centers on a powerful insight: for people experiencing homelessness, simply being recognized, whether that results in someone being called by name or simply treated as someone whose story matters, can be transformative. The mailer includes a real client story and multiple pathways to give, whether it be through donations, volunteering, or in-kind contributions like coats and Metro cards.”

“Working with Carpenter’s Shelter keeps us grounded in what creativity is really for: helping people feel safe, valued, and remembered,” said [Josh Golden](https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-golden-a2018940/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Yes& President and Chief Creative Officer. “Most mail feels transactional. This one shouldn’t. So we pushed ourselves to turn the mission into a tactile experience. The envelope opens like a gift, because it’s a true gift to know you’re not invisible.”

The partnership extends beyond agency work: Yes& staff members donate personal hours to help advance the shelter’s mission, embodying the agency’s philosophy of giving back to Alexandria, VA’s most vulnerable residents.
### Before you trade your PR strategy for an AI content engine, read this
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/before-you-trade-your-pr-strategy-for-an-ai-content-engine-read-this/
Last updated: 2026-03-11T18:14:56.000Z
By [Emily Porro](https://www.commpro.biz/news?author=69b0ad32c748722149c170c9&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**I was pitching a prospective client recently when they stopped me with a question** that’s been sitting with me for days. They had built an internal system to generate and distribute content across social, web, and product from a single narrative engine. Their plan, as they described it, was to use their “own AI stack as the operating system for distribution” and to “deliberately seed what AI systems see and cite.” They saw PR as a slow lane. Why pitch journalists when you can build infrastructure?

It’s a genuinely interesting idea and one I think a lot of future-forward companies are considering. But the research points in a different direction, and ignoring the role of PR and earned media is a choice with real consequences. Here are five things worth knowing before you cut earned media out of your strategy.

#### **1\. AI Models Look for Outside Voices, Not Inside Ones**

When someone asks an LLM like ChatGPT or Perplexity about your company, the answer isn’t pulled from your website. It’s drawn from journalists, analysts, and industry publications that have written about you independently.

[Muck Rack analyzed over a million links cited in AI responses](https://muckrack.com/blog/2025/09/04/earned-media-for-geo/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and found that more than 95% came from non-paid coverage. The models are built to look for external validation. They want multiple independent sources agreeing on who you are before they’ll describe you with any confidence.

Think of it like a reference check. You can write your own resume, but the employer is going to call the people who’ve worked with you.

#### **2\. You Can’t Buy a Spot in an AI Answer**

Paid media and sponsored content have almost no influence on what these models surface. That’s a big change from how search visibility used to work.

[Edelman found](https://www.edelman.com/newsroom/richard-edelmans-6am-blog/the-golden-age-of-earned?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) that up to 90% of citations driving brand visibility in AI responses come from earned media. There’s no ad buy for an AI answer. The model is looking for credibility signals, and paid placement doesn’t register as one.

For companies willing to do the work, that’s actually good news. The playing field is more level than it was in the pay-to-play search era.

#### **3\. Mass-Produced Content Has a Short Shelf Life**

Here’s something that gets missed in the excitement around AI-generated content: models are getting better at detecting it, and readers already distrust it. Google’s quality raters actively flag thin, repetitive, or machine-generated content. Publishers are tightening standards. The phrase “AI slop” exists for a reason.

More importantly, volume is not what AI models reward. [PAN Communications found](https://searchengineland.com/paid-earned-shared-owned-media-generative-search-visibility-465603?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) that overall media mentions dropped 41% year over year while brand reach increased 10%, because these systems prioritize context and credibility over quantity. A hundred pieces of generic content won’t outperform a handful of well-sourced, well-placed stories in outlets that matter. Flooding the zone with machine output may actually work against you as models continue to improve their filters.

#### **4\. Old Coverage Still Works for You**

A story from two years ago in a credible trade publication can still shape what a model says about your company today. AI systems reward consistency. Repeated signals from multiple sources over time carry more weight than a surge of new content from one place.

[Muck Rack’s research on AI brand visibility](https://muckrack.com/blog/earned-media-ai-brand-visibility?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) shows that most AI visibility for a brand comes from roughly 20 outlets, and that coverage patterns matter more than single placements. Companies that kept up a consistent PR program over the last few years have a structural advantage right now, and that gap takes longer to close than most people realize.

#### **5\. Your Owned Content Performs Better When Earned Content Backs It Up**

A well-organized FAQ, a clearly written case study, a founder’s perspective with enough specificity to be quotable: these are worth producing. Models do ingest owned content, and structure and clarity improve the odds your material gets cited correctly.

The catch is that owned content performs better when third-party coverage backs it up. [Fast Company captures it well:](https://www.fastcompany.com/91401350/in-the-ai-era-earned-media-is-king-and-content-its-queen?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) earned media is king, owned content is queen. A media placement links back to your site, signals to AI systems that your content is worth referencing, and gives the model the triangulation it’s looking for. The two work together, and the strategy breaks down when you pull one out.

A concrete example: a fintech company that earns a quoted mention in a Forbes piece on embedded finance, then publishes a follow-up post on their own site with more depth on the same topic, is more likely to show up in a relevant AI answer than either piece would be on its own.

#### **The Starting Point**

Before rebuilding your content strategy around what AI systems value, it helps to know how they currently describe you. Which outlets are they pulling from when someone asks about your category? Who in your peer group is showing up, and why? What narrative is already attached to your company name?

Most companies are surprised by what they find when they actually look. That’s where doing a proper audit comes in.

#### **So What Should You Actually Do?**

The practice of optimizing for how AI systems find and cite you has a few names floating around right now. GEO (generative engine optimization) is the one gaining the most traction. Whatever you call it, the playbook is more familiar than it sounds. Here are five things worth doing now.

**1\. Get a baseline.** Before you can improve how AI describes your company, you need to know what it’s currently saying. Run prompts about your company, your category, and your competitors across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s AI overviews. Note what sources show up, what narrative gets repeated, and where you’re missing or misrepresented.

**2\. Map the outlets that matter for your category.** AI models don’t pull from everywhere equally. [Muck Rack’s research](https://muckrack.com/blog/earned-media-ai-brand-visibility?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) shows that most AI visibility for a brand comes from roughly 20 outlets. For your industry, there are probably 10 to 15 publications that carry real weight with these systems. Know which ones they are and build your media strategy around them.

**3\. Prioritize quotes and direct mentions over general coverage.** A passing mention in a roundup is less useful than a direct quote attributed to your CEO in an industry analysis piece. [Fast Company notes](https://www.fastcompany.com/91401350/in-the-ai-era-earned-media-is-king-and-content-its-queen?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) that AI models prioritize diverse, multi-source citations, and a concise, quotable statement from an expert in a reputable publication carries significant weight. Pitch with that in mind.

**4\. Structure your owned content so AI can actually use it.** Clear headings, plain language, specific data points, and a consistent company description across your site, press room, and executive bios all help. LLMs extract passages, so every section of your website should be able to stand on its own as an answer to a question someone might ask. This is also where AI-generated content creates problems. Thin, generic, or repetitive material gets filtered out, and as models get better at detecting it, the shelf life of low-effort content keeps getting shorter.

**5\. Keep it consistent over time.** A burst of coverage followed by months of silence is less useful than a steady drumbeat of well-placed stories. AI systems reward patterns. A company that shows up repeatedly across credible sources on the same topics builds a durable signal that’s hard for competitors to displace quickly. That’s the compounding value of a consistent PR program, and it’s more relevant now than it’s ever been.
### Jamie Stockwell, deputy managing editor at The Washington Post, joins USA TODAY
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/jamie-stockwell-deputy-managing-editor-at-the-washington-post-joins-usa-today/
Last updated: 2026-03-10T20:47:26.000Z
[**USA TODAY**](https://www.usatoday.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **hired Jamie Stockwell as vice president of news,** effective March 30, as the national outlet modernizes and tightens ties with the[ USA TODAY Network’s more than 200 local news organizations.](https://www.usatodayco.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

Stockwell, [states USA TODAY](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2026/03/10/usa-today-taps-jamie-stockwell-as-vice-president-of-news/89076333007/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), brings deep experience leading high-stakes coverage across large, complex newsrooms. Most recently, she served as deputy managing editor of news at The Washington Post

“Jamie’s career has been defined by ambitious journalism, digital innovation and a deep commitment to the evolving needs and preferences of modern audiences,” USA TODAY Senior Vice President **Monica Richardson** said in the announcement.

“Her experience building high-performing teams at a local and national level, driving transformation and producing high-impact storytelling with her candid leadership style will be instrumental as we accelerate USA TODAY’s evolution and solidify our role as America’s essential, facts-forward news source,” Richardson said.

Stockwell began her journalism career at The Post as an intern and later as a metro reporter covering criminal justice for nearly eight years.

Stockwell went on to hold [senior editing roles at The New York Times,](https://www.nytco.com/press/jamie-stockwell-named-deputy-editor-for-national/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) where she was [deputy national editor](https://www.nytco.com/press/nationals-growing-footprint-in-texas/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), and at the San Antonio Express‑News in Texas, where she served as managing editor.
### The Data Advantage: How your CRM becomes a growth engine
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-data-advantage-how-your-crm-becomes-a-growth-engine/
Last updated: 2026-03-11T13:08:13.000Z
For years, CRMs were treated like digital filing cabinets — a static repository for customer names, emails, and purchase history. But as loyalty has evolved from transactional to behavioral, the role of the CRM has fundamentally changed. In 2026, it’s not a database — it’s a **growth engine.** A well-structured modern CRM isn’t passive recordkeeping; it’s your loyalty strategy capturing every dot between who your customers are, how they behave, and what motivates them to return to turn raw data into actionable intelligence.

This evolution builds directly on the first two phases of loyalty maturity.

- [**Part 1**](https://www.responselabs.com/2025/09/beyond-the-card-loyalty-most-valuable-asset/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) established loyalty as the connective tissue across every touchpoint — the system powering engagement.
- [**Part 2**](https://www.responselabs.com/2025/10/behavioral-vs-transactional-loyalty/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) introduced the shift from transactional to behavioral loyalty — rewarding intent, advocacy, and emotional connection, not just spend.

Now, **Part 3** reveals how the CRM brings those ideas to life. It’s where **data becomes action**.

**Unifying Data, Unleashing Value**

The biggest barrier for most brands isn’t the lack of data — it’s the lack of integration. Customer data lives in silos: POS systems, mobile apps, online orders, third-party platforms, and beyond. When these systems operate independently, brands are left with fragmented insights and missed opportunities. By unifying these signals into a **single customer view**, a modern CRM gives brands a 360° lens into the customer journey. Instead of only knowing what was purchased, brands can now understand **why it was purchased**, **how the decision was influenced**, **and which channels the customer prefers**. As [McKinsey](https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-explainers/what-is-personalization?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) reports, brands that leverage data for personalization can **lift revenue up to 15%**, and **increase marketing ROI up to 30%**.

At Response Labs, we’ve seen this first-hand: when loyalty and CRM data work together, every engagement becomes more relevant and every dollar spent works harder.

The modern CRM isn’t a static dashboard; it’s an **activation platform.** Once loyalty insights and behavioral data are layered in, the CRM begins to power dynamic customer experiences that respond in real-time:

- Personalized content based on digital engagement
- Cross-channel remarketing audiences that sync automatically to paid mediaTailored offers triggered by intent signals

It’s the difference between **sending messages** and **driving moments of impact.**

And when executed through platforms like [**Salesforce Marketing Cloud**](http://responselabs.com/sfmc-managed-services?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), these insights turn into automated journeys that adapt to customer behavior — not the other way around.

**Behavioral Data is the New Differentiator**

The true differentiator lies in behavioral data. Demographics tell you who a customer is. Behavior reveals how they engage. Two guests may look different on paper but behave the same in practice — buying the same menu item every week or favoriting the same digital feature. By focusing on behavioral data — **frequency, advocacy, engagement** — brands can anticipate needs before customers express them. Organizations that leverage customer behavioral insights outperform peers by 85 percent in sales growth and more than 25% in gross margin. ([McKinsey](https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/quantumblack/our-insights/capturing-value-from-your-customer-data?ref=capitolcommunicator.com))

Once enriched with loyalty insights, the CRM becomes the foundation for personalization at scale. It can trigger predictive replenishment campaigns, serve dynamic offers based on app activity, or feed tailored audiences into paid media. Every touchpoint becomes more relevant and effective. At Response Labs, we’ve seen CRMs evolve from cost centers into ROI machines that power measurable gains in retention and customer lifetime value.

“We love the idea of data as a growth engine. Not only does it elevate the value of the data you collect, but it also reinforces its purpose for your business. Don’t collect data just to have it, and don’t use your CRM platforms as a storage closet. It is no good for you if it is locked away gathering dust.” Andy Locke, Director of Strategy and Data at Response Labs

Want to dive deeper? [Download our free Loyalty Playbook](https://www.responselabs.com/crm-loyalty-playbook/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) to see how your CRM becomes a true growth engine.

At Response Labs, we help brands unify these layers — turning data into decisions, decisions into action, and action into lasting loyalty. If you’re ready to transform your loyalty program into a true growth program, we’re here to help.[ Contact us today to talk about how to get started.](https://www.responselabs.com/contact/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### Six Washington Post journalists join ESPN
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/espn-adds-six-washington-post-journalists/
Last updated: 2026-03-10T11:33:41.000Z
**ESPN adds six journalists who had been working at The Washington Post,** which eliminated more than 300 jobs in early February, including a significant portion of its sports and international coverage, reports [Variety](https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/espn-hires-six-washington-post-sports-journalists-1236682057/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The reporters, states ESPN, include enterprise reporter **Kent Babb;** basketball writer **Kareen Copeland**; investigative reporter **Robert Klemko**; sports writer **Chuck Culpepper**; Washington Commanders reporter T**om Schad**; and sports business reporter **Ben Strauss**. Some of the group had been cut from the paper during a recent round of layoffs. Klemko was working on the outlet’s national desk, covering criminal justice.

“Adding these six outstanding journalists and the reputation of ‘The Washington Post’ will enhance an ESPN team that is already the best in the business,” said **Jimmy Pitaro**, chairman of ESPN, in a statement. “We are proud to advance our robust commitment to journalism, which is core to our mission of serving sports fans. Today’s news strengthens our position as the place to turn for the latest and most in-depth sports news, reporting and feature stories across every platform.”

ESPN is among several journalism outlets that have sought to beef up at their staffs following the Post’s decision to cut costs. The Baltimore Banner, a digital journalism outlet that covers Maryland’s biggest city, has also expressed interest in moving into coverage of sports in D.C., states ESPN.
### Capitol Communicators: Profile of Aliza Bran, Director of Media Relations, International Spy Museum
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-aliza-bran-director-of-media-relations-international-spy-museum/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:34.000Z
**Capitol Communicators is a profile series spotlighting the people shaping the present** 
**and future of advertising, digital, marketing and public relations in the Mid-Atlantic.** 
**This profile features Aliza Bran.**

**Aliza Bran has a cool job as Director of Media Relations at the** [**International Spy Museum**](https://www.spymuseum.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **(SPY) in Washington, DC**. It’s a place where you can test your wits with spy quizzes, learn about the history of espionage, and be fooled by fake exits. She’s busy now promoting its new exhibit on the history of [camouflage](https://www.spymuseum.org/camouflage/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). As with most downtown DC attractions, getting people to come to town and into the doors is a challenge. A veteran of the PR agency side before becoming an ‘operative’ at SPY, Bran is charged with keeping audiences coming and engaged during challenging times for downtown DC. She’s an idea person, a collaborator, and was recently elected to the Board of Governors at the National Press Club, a storied institution dedicated to building a vital media/communications community and supporting press freedom here and around the world

**Aliza, tell us about yourself.**

I’m the director of media relations at the International Spy Museum, a nonprofit institution in the heart of Washington, DC, sharing with the public the history of espionage and intelligence. I’ve been at SPY for over nine years, during which I led the PR campaign unveiling the new, reimagined Museum at L’Enfant Plaza (2019), opened the Museum’s first special exhibit about perhaps the most famous fictional spy, James Bond (2024), and announced our new collections Vault (2025).

Prior to my time at the Museum, I worked on the agency side for clients in the museum, health, government, and nonprofit sectors. And I’m a proud Washington University in St. Louis alumna.

**What are the things you are most proud of?**

I’m most proud of the work I did opening the Museum’s brand new 140,000 sq. ft. facility at L’Enfant Plaza. It was SPY’s biggest announcement since the original opening in 2002, requiring intensive research and strategy, full-scale PR plan development, individual press walkthroughs, media preview events, and innumerable hours. As a result, the earned media was a massive success, resulting in over 7 billion UMV online and 8 million print viewers, and including major placements like The New York Times, CBS This Morning, The Washington Post, the Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, and AFP.

I’m an on-site PR team of one so for every reporter or journalist who came to the Museum, I had to be there with them to host their experience. It was intensely exhausting but immensely satisfying to accomplish a project of that size.

**What are the most significant changes or trends you see happening/coming in the communications industry in 2026? How are you dealing with it?**

The expanding use of generative AI will lead to an increase in GEO (generative engine optimization). In other words, comms teams will need to focus on optimizing their content for AI search engines. Where the audience goes to find information, communicators need to locate their messages and their brands. From a PR perspective, that means identifying the sources (media outlets, etc.) that are most likely to be pulled into GEO and pitching those sources and journalists as part of one’s strategy.

Other significant trends I foresee include a continued blurring of lines between positions that do earned, owned, and paid media, as well as journalists becoming more stretched-thin in an increasingly difficult media landscape. I expect to see more journalists with strong name recognition go out on their own via Substack (or the equivalent) where audiences will follow them and pay them directly for their work. We’ll also see more newsfluencers enter the game and a thinner line between opinion and news.

I could keep going, but that’s probably enough future stress for anyone to take in.

**You’ve just taken on a new role as a member of the Board of Governors of the National Press Club. Tell us why you decided to take this on, why it’s important and what you hope to see for the Club in this chaotic time in journalism.**

At a time in Washington when reality is debatable, journalism is going through another massive tectonic shift, and trust is at an all-time low, the National Press Club serves an immensely important job – as the beacon of community, free press, and professional development and opportunity that folks in journalism and communications need right now. It was important to me to be a part of the work the Club is doing and provide my support.

I’ve served as the Co-Lead of the National Press Club’s Communicators Team for the last two years, crafting professional development offerings and specialized programming, including an inspiring quarterly Women’s Salon Night program that brings together journalists and communications folks alike for some really fantastic conversations.

Getting elected to the Board of Governors in December was an honor and a privilege. I am ready to expand the work I’m doing with the organization, and I look forward to working with the team to identify the most critical needs for our communications professionals and journalists and fill those gaps.

**What other professional organizations do you engage with, and do you find them to be valuable?**

I am also a member of PRSA, which has some wonderful programming for communications professionals. Professional associations are an amazing way to build networks and community, to learn and develop further professionally, and to give back to others in your field.

**What keeps you up at night? And what brings you joy during the day?**

I work at the International Spy Museum, so the list of things that keeps me up at night is fairly robust. Anything from dis/misinformation and local infrastructure attacks to the trust crisis and dwindling of local media.

What brings me joy during the day is the passion of the people around me, the strong community I’ve built, and the vibrant culture of the city in which I live. DC has such a rich music and museum scene, with so many venues for live performances and ways to satisfy one’s intellectual curiosity.

And when I have the opportunity to help out with some of the Museum’s Access programming (e.g. Spy With Me for individuals living with dementia, our adult and youth/family events for neurodivergent individuals, or our robot Patrice, which allows pediatric patients to visit the museum), I am reminded of how hard our team works to make this place as accessible and welcoming as we can. It’s inspiring.

**Is there anything about you that most people do not know?**

Absolutely – as it should be! But I’m happy to let you in on a variety of fun/odd ones:  
· I almost made it on a music game show two years ago.  
· Last year, several slices of pizza rained onto my apartment balcony from the building roof.  
· I went to the first night of the Eras Tour.  
· I absolutely adore the Oxford comma.  
· Merriam-Webster has long been one of my favorite brands on social media.

**Capitol Communicators** [**profiles**](https://capitolcommunicator.com/tag/profiles/) **allow you to meet** 
**some of the most interesting and insightful pros in our region,** 
**learn how they stay ahead during a time of constant change.**
### Animated Washington Capitals NHL game to air on April 5
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/animated-washington-capitals-nhl-game-to-air-on-april-5/
Last updated: 2026-03-10T13:10:19.000Z
**ESPN will air an animated version of a live NHL game** on Sunday, April 5, with animated NHL players and characters from Pixar’s “Inside Out” show depicting a live game between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers players, reports [TV Tech.](https://www.tvtechnology.com/production/sports-production/espn-to-air-animated-version-of-capitals-vs-rangers-nhl-game?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

According to TV Tech: “ESPN+, Disney+, Disney Channel, and Disney XD will present the real-time, animated telecast, while the traditional telecast will be available on ESPN. In 2023, the “NHL Big City Greens Classic” featured the Capitals vs. Rangers and was the first-of-its-kind real-time volumetric animation presentation in sports.

“”Inside Out Classic” will feature virtually created real-time animation of the action between the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers modeled after characters on Pixar’s award-winning franchise Inside Out.

“The animated telecast will leverage tracking technology to present the action on the ice in real-time while featuring “Inside Out” characters skating alongside animated versions of the NHL players.”
### AAF DC celebrates creative excellence at the 2026 American Advertising Awards
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/aaf-dc-celebrates-creative-excellence-at-the-2026-american-advertising-awards/
Last updated: 2026-03-09T13:48:28.000Z
### **Avoq Takes Home Best of Show for “Viewers Like Me” Campaign for PBS**

[American Advertising Awards – James Minichello Photography](https://jamesminichello.smugmug.com/Professional-Development-Events/American-Advertising-Awards?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

jamesminichello.smugmug.com

The American Advertising Federation DC (AAF DC) celebrated the region’s most outstanding creative work at the **2026 AAF DC** **American Advertising Awards**, held at **The Hamilton Live** in downtown Washington, DC. The annual event—part of the industry’s most representative creative competition—brought together agencies, brands, creators, students, and marketing leaders from across the DMV to recognize the work shaping today’s advertising landscape.

With a **1970s-inspired theme**, the evening mixed bold creative energy with a celebration of the region’s vibrant advertising community. Hosted once again by **Sonya Gavankar, Director of Digital Strategy at Axiom**, the event honored Creative workspanning film, digital, design, experiential, and integrated marketing.

The top honor of the night, **Best of Show**, went to **Avoq** for the **“Viewers Like Me” campaign for PBS**, recognized for its powerful storytelling and standout creative execution.

“This year’s work reflects an industry evolving at incredible speed while still holding onto what matters most—great ideas,” said **Gretchen Carswell, AAF DC American Advertising Awards Chair**. “We’re seeing smarter integrations, braver storytelling, and brands willing to take meaningful stands. It’s inspiring to see the creativity coming out of the DC market.”

AAF DC President **Lindsay Matthews** highlighted the significance of the competition’s role in elevating the region’s creative economy.

“The American Advertising Awards celebrate everyone who brings ideas to life—designers, strategists, storytellers, producers, clients, students, and agency leaders,” Matthews said. “Winning here means representing not just your work, but the strength of the entire DC creative community.”

Winning entries from the local competition now advance to the **AAF District 2 competition**, with the opportunity to move on to the **national American Advertising Awards**, the advertising industry’s largest creative competition with more than **25,000 entries annually**.

**“Best of” Awards**

AAF DC presented the following **Best of** honors for 2026:

- **Best of Show** — Avoq — *Viewers Like Me Campaign* (PBS) [Link to video](https://youtu.be/jXimh3Oba7M?si=5bSu5OT00XLPLOt%5F&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
- **Best of Online/Interactive** — Avoq — *Viewers Like Me Campaign* (PBS) [Link to video](https://youtu.be/jXimh3Oba7M?si=5bSu5OT00XLPLOt%5F&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
- **Best of Cross Platform** — ICF Next — *We’re Jersey Ready* (PSEG) [Link to video](https://youtu.be/BRiKumt7cuI?si=XCGKq4ZQiWkb2N2P&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
- **Best of Film, Video & Sound** — Mwendo — *To The Ends* (Advancing Native Missions) [Link to Video](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tag7qDgyrVyJpXo0AMLXJw34Xp0NneUL/view?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
- **Best of Elements of Advertising** — This January — *Welcome to Gumiland* (Gumi Yum Surprise) [Link to video](https://youtu.be/YGFdMgjjla4?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
- **Best of Public Service** — Interface Media Group — *SAMHSA – 988* (SAMHSA) [Link to video](https://youtu.be/sPM9-Vr1rhs?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
- **Best of Advertising/Media Industry Self-Promotion** — Salta With Us — *The Most Transparent Campaign* (AAF DC) [Link to video](https://youtube.com/shorts/ZH4QXZjIFfY?si=WfuBCjl-DO4jGreK&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**Special Judges’ Awards**

The judges also recognized standout work with **Special Judges’ Awards**, honoring creative pieces that sparked exceptional discussion during judging.

Recipients included:

- **Cade Martin Photography** — *Fragmented*
- **Yes&** — *CALIE: From Tool to Transformation* (California Association for Leading Innovation in Education)
- **RP3 Agency** — *Appalachian Trail Conservancy Video* (Appalachian Trail Conservancy)

**Celebrating a Creative Community**

The American Advertising Awards recognize excellence across more than 100 categories covering **sales and marketing, digital experiences, film and video, cross-platform campaigns, public service work, and design craftsmanship**.

The event also paid tribute to the creative community that fuels the industry in the region and remembered longtime AAF DC leader and creative mentor **Jeff “Cap” Capporizzo**, who passed in November 2025.

AAF DC thanked its sponsors for supporting the celebration and the broader creative ecosystem, including **Avoq, HART, Perion, GtP Media, Outside GC, and StackAdapt**.

[**Link to Photos:**](https://jamesminichello.smugmug.com/Professional-Development-Events/American-Advertising-Awards?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### Owner of two D.C.-area radio stations files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/owner-of-two-d-c-area-radio-stations-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy/
Last updated: 2026-03-06T20:13:34.000Z
[**Cumulus Media**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumulus%5FMedia?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **reached a restructuring agreement with a group of lenders** that will eliminate substantially all of the company’s remaining debt, reducing its obligations by about $600 million and positioning the broadcaster for a stronger financial future as a privately owned company, reports [Inside Radio](https://www.insideradio.com/free/cumulus-media-files-prepackaged-chapter-11-plan/article%5F87bb09b3-5e39-4210-a400-cd405bfbede3.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Cumulus Media operates two stations in the D.C. market: WMAL-FM (105.9 FM) and sports station WSBN-AM (ESPN 630 DC). Based in D.C., these stations serve the metro area, with WSBN also acting as the Washington-area radio home for Baltimore Orioles baseball.

An online item states the company’s primary footprint in the region “is focused on the D.C. market rather than owning stations directly within the Baltimore city limits, though it connects to Baltimore sports via its D.C. radio properties.

Inside Radio reports that the Atlanta-based company “said it has entered into a restructuring support agreement with debtholders that will be implemented through a prepackaged Chapter 11 process designed to move quickly and avoid disruption to daily operations

“Under the plan, Cumulus and certain subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions on March 5 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. The company simultaneously submitted a proposed reorganization plan reflecting the terms of the agreement.

“The restructuring plan calls for the cancellation of all existing funded debt in exchange for ownership of the reorganized company, taking the publicly traded company private. Lenders would receive 100% of the new equity along with $50 million in new convertible notes. The agreement also includes amendments to the company’s asset-based revolving credit facility intended to provide continued liquidity after the restructuring.”

This is the second time the company entered Chapter 11, having previously filed in [November 2017.](https://www.insideradio.com/cumulus-strikes-restructuring-deal-using-chapter-11-process/article%5F4185431e-d5af-11e7-96d9-8bffb6d9a6b0.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### Precision Strategies LLC announced acquisition of Firehouse Strategies LLC
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/precision-strategies-llc-announced-the-acquisition-of-firehouse-strategies-llc/
Last updated: 2026-03-06T01:26:09.000Z
[**Precision Strategies LLC**](https://www.precisionstrategies.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), an integrated strategy and marketing agency based in D.C. and New York, announced the acquisition of [**Firehouse Strategies LLC**](https://firehousestrategies.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), a public affairs firm based in D.C. Together, the combined firm will field 125 professionals and a 50-state network of grasstops operatives.

According to a release, “the deal brings together two industry-leading public affairs agencies founded by presidential campaign veterans that have sat on opposite sides of the same campaigns and built their reputations by winning critical battles where losing wasn’t an option. The new combined firm will continue to serve a wide range of Fortune 50 companies, international non-profit organizations, and high profile advocacy efforts with expanded services, capabilities and strategists.”

“Alex and his team built something rare – a firm that actually delivers. Firehouse doesn’t just run campaigns; they move people, change minds and win the big fights. I’ve watched what they’ve built for a decade and am thrilled to bring our teams together to give clients the firepower, creativity and reach they need to compete. We’re not tweaking what public affairs looks like — we’re rewriting it,” said **Stephanie** **Cutter,** Managing Partner at Precision.

“Two firms from opposing trenches in presidential politics – and now we’re combining forces. In today’s environment, clients can’t afford an agency that only works one side of the aisle or doesn’t have a diverse arsenal of strategists and capabilities to help them win. They need bipartisan savvy and strategic depth. That’s what this is.” said **Alex Conant**, Co-Founder of Firehouse. “When we founded Firehouse a decade ago, Stephanie was one of the first people that I called for advice because I was so impressed with what she and Teddy were building.”

The release states that “Precision was founded in 2013 by senior leaders of President Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns. Firehouse was built by senior leaders of Marco Rubio’s 2016 presidential run, together with leading Democratic strategist **Ray Glendening**. The combined firm brings together the full spectrum of modern public affairs: AI-powered data and insights, digital platform management and engagement, comprehensive paid media services, full suite creative, crisis communications, and Firehouse’s signature 50-state influencer mobilization – under one roof, with one unified strategy.”

Precision’s leadership structure remains unchanged. Cutter continues as Acting CEO and Managing Partner and **Teddy Goff** as Chief Growth Officer. Conant will join as Senior Partner and Glendening will join as Partner.

“Our clients don’t come to us with easy problems. They come to us because the stakes are too high to get it wrong – in the court of public opinion, in statehouses, in the press, and online,” said Goff. “Adding Firehouse’s 50-state reach and sophistication to everything we’ve built means we can go bigger, move faster and deliver outcomes our clients need.”

Together, states the release, “the firms are combining a blue-chip client roster spanning health care, technology, finance, crypto, retail, sports, nonprofits and associations – with a track record of taking on the highest-stakes, most complex public affairs campaigns in the country. Over the coming months, Precision will fully integrate Firehouse into the company. Precision will also maintain the Firehouse brand as a conflict subsidiary, alongside its existing subsidiary, Renegade.”

Abry Partners, a minority investor in Precision, served as financial advisors to Precision.

BrightTower, a New York City headquartered investment banking and M&A advisory services firm, served as exclusive financial advisor to Firehouse Strategies in this transaction.
### IAB Public Policy and Legal Summit to be held in D.C. on March 31
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/iab-public-policy-and-legal-summit-to-be-held-in-washington-d-c/
Last updated: 2026-03-06T12:27:49.000Z
**Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), the leading trade association for the digital advertising industry,** will host the [2026 IAB Public Policy and Legal Summit](https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4631327-1&h=2301541460&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.iab.com%2Fevents%2F2026-iab-public-policy-legal-summit%2F&a=2026+IAB+Public+Policy+and+Legal+Summit&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) on March 31 in Washington, D.C. The one-day event brings together leaders from advertising, media, technology, and government for in-depth discussions on the legal, regulatory, and policy developments reshaping the digital advertising ecosystem.

This year’s program is designed to deliver practical, implementation-focused insight across a rapidly evolving landscape. Sessions will examine AI governance and compliance, state privacy legislation, federal policy outlooks, children’s privacy, and emerging litigation trends, including class actions tied to tracking technologies and real-time bidding. Discussions grounded in regulatory guidance, Attorneys General commentary, and enforcement priorities will offer attendees clear perspectives on compliance expectations and operational considerations across digital advertising, data use, and privacy programs.

“The rules governing digital advertising are being rewritten in real time as AI continues to accelerate the advertising industry,” said **Molly Crawford**, EVP & Head of Public Policy, IAB. “From AI governance and state legislation and enforcement to kids’ privacy laws, the stakes for our industry have never been higher. This Summit is about moving beyond theory to implementation. If we want innovation to thrive, we have to operationalize compliance, align around clear standards, and engage directly with policymakers. The future of digital advertising will be shaped by those who show up, lean in, and help write the rules.”

**WHO:**

Senior executives, legal and policy leaders, privacy professionals, and compliance teams from across marketing, ad tech, media, and technology will benefit from the Summit, including speakers such as:

- Andy Dale, General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer, OpenAP
- David Cohen, Chief Executive Officer, IAB
- Molly Crawford, EVP & Head of Public Policy, IAB
- Dante Cutrona, Chief of Staff, Congressman John Joyce
- Laura Dyer, Deputy Director, Government Relations, Kroger
- Joseph Fortson, Senior Vice President, Nielsen
- Daniel Goldberg, Chair, Partner, Data Strategy, Privacy & Security Group, Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz
- Richy Glassberg, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, SafeGuard Privacy
- Nicholas Godlove, Global Privacy Counsel, Yum! Brands
- Michael Hahn, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, IAB and IAB Tech Lab
- Neil Johnson, Privacy Counsel, United Airlines
- Tom Kemp, Executive Director, CPPA
- Andrew Kingman, President, Mariner Strategies LLC
- Jessica Lee, Partner and Chair, Privacy, Security and Data Innovations, Loeb & Loeb
- Julie Rubash, General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer, Sourcepoint
- Brad Silver, Vice President, Global Head of Public Policy, AI & IP
- Chris Tarbell, Chief Privacy Officer, Assistant General Counsel, Versant Media
- Mark Webber, U.S. Managing Partner, Fieldfisher

**WHEN & WHERE:**

**March 31, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET**

Convene Hamilton Square  
600 14th Street NW  
Washington, D.C. 20005

Click [here](https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4631327-1&h=1971376161&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.iab.com%2Fevents%2F2026-iab-public-policy-legal-summit%2F&a=here&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) to register.
### Insight: Religion now most-programmed radio format
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/insight-religion-now-most-programmed-radio-format/
Last updated: 2026-03-05T21:24:41.000Z
**For more than two decades,** states [Inside Radio](https://www.insideradio.com/free/for-the-first-time-religion-is-america-s-most-programmed-format/article%5F10eaa57f-6d3b-4a9c-998d-9f350f1da376.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), “country, news/talk and religion have been the top-three formats based on total stations, with religion a distant third, not hitting the 1,000-station mark until May 2004\. From July 2008 to December 2014, news/talk replaced country at the top, before country reclaimed the throne in 2015.

“Since October 2019, when religion hit 2,000 stations, it has gone back and forth with news/talk, ranking second or third, until June 2023, when religion permanently took over the runner-up spot, where it stood until January 2026.

“Religion’s station total has climbed steadily since December, adding 23 new stations, while country has declined steadily over the same period, shedding 16\. As a result, religion has pulled ahead with a 22-station edge over country.

“Over the past 12 months, religion has added 83 stations, more than any other format. Only two other formats listed, fourth- and fifth-ranked contemporary Christian and Spanish, have significantly increased their totals in the past year, bringing in 37 and 20 new outlets respectively — this while country shed 31 stations.”

According to one online item, while Christian radio is heavily present on AM radio, it is not exclusively limited to low-rated, niche stations, as it spans the spectrum from local AM to high-powered FM and online platforms.

K-LOVE is the largest Christian radio network in the United States, featuring contemporary Christian music with over 1,000 signals across all 50 states and over 20 million weekly listeners. Owned by the Educational Media Foundation (EMF), which also operates the Air1 network, it is the second-largest radio network overall in the U.S.
### Broderick named to Baltimore Development Corporation leadership team; MGH announces new clients
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/broderick-named-to-baltimore-development-corporation-leadership-team-mgh-announces-new-clients/
Last updated: 2026-03-08T14:47:26.000Z
**The Baltimore Development Corporation named** [**Roy Broderick Jr**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/roybroderickjr/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**.** as Senior Vice President, Chief Business Development Officer and Executive Director of Made In Baltimore — a role that places the seasoned marketing and brand strategy executive at the center of the city’s economic growth efforts.

Broderick, in main photo, brings more than 15 years of experience working with global brands and institutions. He founded and scaled the Atlanta-based Black and LGBTQ-led Authentique Agency into an award-winning firm, served as chief growth officer at WHTWRKS, and runs Culture & Clarity, a boutique consultancy focused on purpose-driven growth for brands, nonprofits and institutions.

At BDC, he’ll oversee integrated business development, citywide brand positioning and external partnerships.

**MGH in Hunt Valley announced three new clients**: Underberg bitters, Tower Federal Credit Union and Nana’s Green Tea.
### PCDC marks 20 years of collaboration, progressive impact
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/pcdc-marks-20-years-of-collaboration-progressive-impact/
Last updated: 2026-03-07T00:47:41.000Z
[**Progressive Communicators of DC**](http://pcdcnetwork.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **(**PCDC) cheers in 20 years as an influential collaborative hub for progressive communication professionals in and around the nation’s capital. What began as a modest Yahoo Group has grown into a vibrant, all-volunteer network that today includes almost 2,000 members.. On Tuesday, March 3, a vibrant crowd gathered at [GMMB](http://gmmb.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)’s headquarters to celebrate. 

Founder [**Susan Roth**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rothpr/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) describes PCDC’s mission as “to make the world a better place by helping communications professionals do their jobs better.” On the PCDC list serve, members exchange strategies, media contacts, job leads, campaign ideas, and resources. “We’re not here to debate each other,” Roth said. “We’re here to help each other.”

Roth credits PCDC’s longevity to its early co-founders such as **Margot Friedman, Brenda Foster, Brandi Horton, Patricia Brooks, Peter Kelley, Alan Rosenblatt** and **Suzanne Turner.** “They said yes before there was a roadmap. They created the roadmap.” 

PCDC is free and relies on communicators’ cooperation and respect for its guidelines, which encourage sharing and prohibit soliciting. Members include agency staff, advocacy organization in-house teams, consultancies, and independent practices. Unlike other PR organizations, PCDC was formed exclusively to serve ‘progressive’ communicators, people working in issues such as social justice, civil rights, health, education and positive social change. 

At the anniversary celebration, current steering committee member [**Lauren Lawson Zilai**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenlawson/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) highlighted the significance of PCDC’s anniversary, marking “two decades of purpose, passion and powerful storytelling,” its expansion during COVID when people were craving connections, and the constant change in the communications field. 

“PCDC has adapted, led, and continued to equip our community with the tools and insights needed to navigate complexity,” she said. “We built partnerships and relationships and supported each other during some of the most challenging times of our lives and careers…and we definitely need this community now.” 

As for the future, Roth predicted the group will continue to expand, and play a role in “bringing back democracy.” 

 “Our profession is getting the word out,” she said. “I hope we continue to welcome new members and help each other—especially this year. It is so important.”

PHOTO Credit [James Minichello Photography](https://www.jamesminichellophotography.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

PCDC original and current steering committee members at the 20th anniversary celebration: L to R: Brenda Foster, Ashley Dobson, Seth Jacobs, Michelle Cragle, Elaine De Leon, Margot Friedman, Peter Kelley, Susan Roth, Lauren Lawson-Zilai, Suzanne Turner, Dr. Alan Rosenblatt. Not shown from the original founders: Brandi Horton and Patricia Brooks.
### Agencies and people in the news: Stratacomm, Better Together Agency and Spotted MP
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/agencies-and-people-in-the-news-stratacomm-better-together-agency-and-spotted-mp/
Last updated: 2026-03-04T20:23:08.000Z
[**Stratacomm**](https://stratacomm.net/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced a new executive leadership structure** designed to further enhance the agency’s strategic focus and strengthen how teams deliver integrated marketing communications solutions for clients. The changes reflect the agency’s commitment to delivering smart strategy and measurable impact on every client engagement.

The transition formalizes new seats for managing partners **Bill Buff**, **Kristi Tyll**, **John Fitzpatrick** and **Travis Austin**, each moving from shared responsibility for daily operations into more defined leadership roles.

**Bill Buff** **(pictured)** now serves as chief executive officer and senior partner, guiding Stratacomm’s strategic direction, strengthening its culture of collaboration, and driving innovations that continuously elevate the agency’s value for clients.

**Kristi Tyll** is now chief client officer and senior partner, leading client leadership across the agency and setting the standards of excellence that drive consistent, high-quality outcomes across all client engagements.

**John Fitzpatrick** moves into the role of chief growth officer and senior partner, overseeing business development, marketing and partnerships, while continuing to offer client counsel in key areas.

**Travis Austin** becomes chief strategy officer and senior partner, leading agency-wide strategic planning and actionable insights that strengthen agency solutions across all practice areas.

To bring fresh perspective and broaden the agency’s expertise, Stratacomm also announced **Darren Scher** is joining the agency as chief operating and integration officer. Scher brings more than 20 years of experience leading creative teams, serving as a chief operating officer and ultimately chief executive officer at his former agency. He will lead the agency’s integrated service teams and enhance overall operations.

Stratacomm is establishing focused practice groups to champion our core agency offerings. Four current partners are assuming elevated roles to better tap their respective skillsets and deep subject‑matter expertise on behalf of our clients:

**Jennifer Flanery**, enterprise account lead and partner  
**Karah Davenport**, corporate communications practice group lead and partner  
**Jacqueline Wilson**, marketing practice group lead and partner  
**Charlotte Seigler**, public affairs practice group lead and partner

[**Better Together Agency**](https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=KD-%5Fc-uiTirfZJRSoL4kC-kKWwlMRM0lQEAM33ai8-qa4nnFtG2dwYWZBRdzA5nJsTCeGcRz8p%5FPmF0Fm8R4FarlG3fua6l1YulBgFqAQVoE05mEN9dXBkdc2wQxiy0P&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, a Black woman-founded, AI-forward communications agency,** announced the launch of [TogetherAI](https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=%5FCccXcY3cn8AmpEZEQ3gjWQTA36QK1oFikAeq6HITGNf3uR0g33WvVD07EUZWkhZLDWUHblQRtCmtBPA6spkw-TP7QY-NetM6uGV3G2TBHepwqC5EdP18Y1-mIUYYD7B&ref=capitolcommunicator.com), a private communications and marketing AI platform built for small teams, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, and enterprise communications departments that are being asked to do more with less.

Unlike general-purpose AI tools, TogetherAI is trained exclusively on each client organization’s own documents, brand voice and institutional knowledge. Every output is automatically checked for bias before delivery. No prompting is required.

“Communications teams are being asked to do more with less every year,” said **Catharine Montgomery**, Founder and CEO, Better Together Agency. “TogetherAI is not a chatbot. It is a private AI that knows your organization, speaks in your voice and flags bias before your team ever sees the output. It is the infrastructure small teams have needed for years.”

[Press Release here:](https://www.globenewswire.com//news-release/2026/03/03/3248478/0/en/better-together-agency-launches-togetherai-private-marketing-and-public-relations-ai-that-knows-your-organization-and-checks-every-output-for-bias.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**Maurisa Potts, the founder and CEO of the Old Town-based** [**Spotted MP**](https://maurisapotts.com/client-portfolio/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **marketing firm** was recently featured in a profile article in ALX Now. Launched in October 2019, ALXnow.com is the place for the latest news, views and things to do around Alexandria, Virginia. Check out the story [here](https://www.alxnow.com/2026/03/03/acclaimed-old-town-based-marketing-ceo-maurisa-potts-is-focused-on-expansion/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).
### Ad industry facing crisis “hiding in plain sight,” states post on Mediapost
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/ad-industry-facing-crisis-hiding-in-plain-sight-states-a-post-on-mediapost/
Last updated: 2026-03-06T20:47:40.000Z
**The advertising industry is facing an existential crisis hiding in plain sight**, states a post on [Mediapost](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/413193/billable-hours-are-dead-ai-killed-them-heres-ho.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Across the globe, continues the post, “agencies are producing more work, faster, and with better tools than ever before—yet our margins are shrinking. In the “golden age” of advertising, agency profit margins hovered around 30%; today, the worldwide average is a mere 10%.”Furthermore, the average creative is churning out nearly five times the output for the same (or less) compensation than they did a decade ago.

“Why are we working harder to earn less? The answer lies in a fundamental, structural misalignment: we are defining and monetizing our value through time and effort rather than business impact.

“When you sell your agency’s time by the hour, you are selling a commodity. And in an era where generative AI is accelerating production and compressing timelines, agencies that cling to effort-based pricing models are essentially penalizing themselves for their own efficiency.”As AI lowers the cost of delivery, it rapidly erodes the perceived value of the work.

“A new report from VoxComm, authored by Brian Kessman of Lodestar Agency Consulting, calls for a radical but necessary transformation: it is time to redesign the agency value model. We need to stop selling services and start selling solutions.”
### DC offers funding opportunities for marketing, design and communications firms
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/dc-offers-funding-opportunities-for-marketing-design-and-communications-firms/
Last updated: 2026-03-05T18:23:54.000Z
**Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) announced the launch of applications for the Fiscal Year 2026 Vitality Fund and Growth Fund.** These targeted incentive programs are designed to attract, retain, and expand businesses in high-growth industries, specifically encouraging marketing and communications firms, professional services, and technology companies to grow their presence within the District.

As part of Mayor Bowser’s Growth Agenda, these funds aim to diversify the District’s economy, drive downtown revitalization, and fill commercial office space.

**Funding Opportunities for Marketing and Communications Firms**  
The District is actively encouraging firms in the marketing, communications, and design sectors to expand.

- **The Vitality Fund** supports larger, established companies looking to expand or relocate to the District. It focuses on long-term occupancy of commercial space and job creation.
- **The Growth Fund** targets entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses looking to scale.

Both funds are available for companies that commit to creating jobs and occupying commercial space in the District.

**Application Details and Timeline**

- **Status:** Open
- **Deadline for Growth Fund:** March 23, 2026
- **Deadline for Vitality Fund:** July 15, 2026

Interested businesses can find more information, review the Request for Applications (RFA), and apply by visiting [**ObviouslyDC.com**](https://www.obviouslydc.com/fy26-growth-agenda?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

“These programs are more than just incentives – they are catalysts that empower businesses to fill office space and create high-quality jobs for District residents,” said Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Nina Albert.
### Axel Springer acquires B2B media and events company Bisnow and establishes Brew Media Group
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/axel-springer-acquires-b2b-media-and-events-company-bisnow-and-establishes-brew-media-group/
Last updated: 2026-03-03T16:09:07.000Z
Axel Springer has acquired Bisnow, a leading commercial real estate media and events business.

Since 2005, Bisnow has built a deeply engaged, global commercial real estate audience through a unified platform of news, live events, and targeted B2B solutions. The company hosts more than 400 live events each year in 47 local markets across the U.S., Canada, the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands, connecting decision-makers across the commercial real estate ecosystem. At a time when AI is reshaping how information is created and distributed, Bisnow’s strength in live experiences and award-winning journalism provides a trusted platform for industry insight while fostering meaningful professional connections.

Robert Dippell will lead the newly formed Brew Media Group in addition to his current role as CEO of Morning Brew Inc. Bisnow and Morning Brew Inc. will operate as separate, independently run companies as a part of Brew Media Group, which will actively pursue further targets in the U.S. to accelerate growth, scale its offerings, and enable cross-brand innovation across events, newsletters, and digital products.

Dippell brings a deep understanding of Bisnow from his earlier work with the company, where he served as Chief Revenue Officer and Executive Advisor. Bisnow’s proven executive team, including CEO Gregg Mayer, will remain in place as Axel Springer supports the company’s next phase of growth.

Claudius Senst, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Board member of Axel Springer: “Bisnow expands Axel Springer’s U.S. footprint by adding B2B capabilities, event infrastructure, and commercial relationships. Gregg Mayer and his team have built a true leader in commercial real estate media and live events. Robert Dippell’s track record at Morning Brew and earlier role at Bisnow make him the ideal choice as the CEO of Brew Media Group. We are looking forward to supporting the team as they continue to build on this strong foundation.”

Robert Dippell, CEO of Morning Brew Inc. and Brew Media Group: “The launch of Brew Media Group enables us to pursue future growth opportunities both organically and through acquisitions that fit our criteria for how we think media and events businesses should operate. We couldn’t ask for a better first addition than Bisnow. I’ve known Gregg Mayer and his leadership team at Bisnow for eight years. They are a clear content leader in commercial real estate, with a strong performance culture and a proven ability to build trusted industry relationships.”

Gregg Mayer, CEO of Bisnow: “This moment is a testament to the extraordinary work of our team and the strength of the Bisnow brand around the world. Axel Springer recognizes not only our performance and leadership in commercial real estate, but also the culture, entrepreneurial drive, and industry relationships that set us apart. This doesn’t change who we are; it expands what we can achieve. Now, we have the opportunity to grow, invest in our people and brands, and build on the momentum we’ve created to supercharge our mission – to push the CRE industry to do more business.”

This acquisition further strengthens Axel Springer’s presence in the U.S. and complements its portfolio of leading digital media brands, including Business Insider, POLITICO, EMARKETER and Morning Brew Inc. Bisnow brings deep expertise in live events and industry-specific journalism, reinforcing Axel Springer’s capabilities in professional B2B media and community-driven formats.

Bisnow was previously owned by The Wicks Group, a New York City-based private equity firm. The transaction closed on March 2.
### How, who, and why: NPR flips its famous letters to defend the right to be curious
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/how-who-and-why-npr-flips-its-famous-letters-to-defend-the-right-to-be-curious/
Last updated: 2026-03-02T23:15:28.000Z
Photo By: rafael@mischiefusa.com

NPR is standing up for the public’s right to ask hard questions in a national campaign dubbed “For your right to be curious.” At NPR’s headquarters, on billboards in New York City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., and across social media, NPR’s three iconic letters transform into “how,” “who,” and “why” — a bold declaration of its commitment to fight for Americans’ right to ask questions both big and small.

The campaign brings forward questions — many from listeners – and connects directly to the NPR programs that answer them. The questions are real and urgent to the moment we’re in, from “How does AI affect my electric bill?” to “Why are groceries still so expensive?” to “How is my farm going to survive?”

“Curiosity is the fuel of a functioning democracy,” said Mishka Pitter-Armand, chief marketing officer at NPR. “NPR is essential civic infrastructure built to protect the right to inquiry. As a cornerstone of American life for over 50 years, this work is our pledge to the public: we will continue to provide the trusted context you need to explore the world, encouraging every American to keep listening and asking the hard questions.”

The campaign follows a year of sustained political attacks against NPR, including Congress’ rescission of $1 billion in funding for public media. The questions serve as a rallying cry to solidify the permanence of NPR’s mission of providing trustworthy, reliable journalism that helps us understand our world — and show that curiosity can’t be silenced.

Created in partnership with creative advertising agency Mischief @ No Fixed Address, the multi-platform campaign includes video, social media activations, a print placement in the *New York Times*, and limited-edition merchandise available on the [NPR Shop](https://shopnpr.org/?gad%5Fsource=1&gad%5Fcampaignid=23286202012&gbraid=0AAAABCDc-MllzwoCv82oP%5FfeuZV3hizxd&gclid=CjwKCAiAncvMBhBEEiwA9GU%5Ffl2UBWoL7zBxhk8Qr8FxRzJ2TFMtS0uGL7Q5M1WotYNzTa0-ogtygRoCoh4QAvD%5FBwE&ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

“NPR feeds a basic, but strong human need — curiosity,” said Greg Hahn, co-founder and chief creative officer with Mischief. “NPR’s power lies in the questions that come from our curiosity and the interesting, unexpected ways journalists help answer them. With a simple reframe, we sought to link the iconic NPR brand with the words so often at the initial spark of curiosity.”

The structures surrounding NPR may shift, but the need for it does not. More than 240 NPR Member stations foster curiosity in communities in every corner of America. Backed by a 46 million weekly audience, the NPR Network is committed to rigorous, independent journalism and to creating a more informed public.
### AI won’t replace communicators. It will clarify our value
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/ai-wont-replace-communicators-it-will-clarify-our-value/
Last updated: 2026-03-04T15:38:18.000Z
Written By [Andrew Koneschusky](https://www.commpro.biz/news?author=699f9d8f34bc06134660256a&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

It seems like layoffs are everywhere these days. Amazon just shed 16,000 jobs. UPS plans to cut 30,000 positions this year. In the PR industry, the recent Omnicom IPG merger immediately eliminated 4,000 roles. Agency executives, who relentlessly focus on cost efficiencies as any holding company veteran can tell you, are no doubt watching AI’s rapid advance and seeing an irresistible opportunity to cut deeper.

Then there is NYU Professor Scott Galloway, who recently told listeners of the Pivot podcast something that cuts against the prevailing anxiety. “People ask me what job is safe from AI. I personally think if I were to bet on one job that’s only going to increase in importance, it’s things around communication, strategic communications, investor relations, PR.”

Those are mixed signals. Is strategic communications an industry about to be hollowed out by algorithms, or one of the few professions that becomes more valuable because of them?

The answer depends entirely on what you think this industry actually does and where its value is centered.

There is an irony at the heart of the profession. We are an industry of storytellers, people who give language and narrative to organizations and the world around them, and yet we have long struggled to articulate what it is we actually do. PR is a shorthand that never quite captures it. Communications is somehow even vaguer. Beneath those labels sits a body of work far more expansive than most people appreciate, spanning crisis management, public affairs, brand storytelling, media relations, digital engagement, internal communications, and more. After more than twenty years in this business, it is rare to hear two people describe the work the same way.

This identity confusion has pushed parts of the industry to define their value around the wrong things. Deliverables. Impression counts. Engagement metrics. Media mentions. Vanity metrics that sometimes matter and often do not. The business models of many large agencies have been built around execution, around the sheer volume of output generated by layers of largely junior staff. The pyramid structure is not just an organizational chart. It is a revenue model. And it has trained clients and agencies alike to measure value in activity rather than impact.

That was always a misalignment, because the real value of communications was never in the deliverables. It was in the outcomes.

At its best, communications work builds reputations over years and protects them when things go sideways. It launches products that reshape markets, navigates crises that could sink companies, helps win policy fights that shape entire industries, and counsels C suite leaders in ways that define their legacies. It helps organizations make sense of an increasingly complex world. All of that requires judgment honed through experience.

Long before anyone heard of ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini, there was a basic truth about high stakes professions. Academic training and book knowledge are the price of entry. A law degree does not make someone a trial lawyer. A political science degree does not prepare someone to run a national campaign. Medical school graduates spend years in residencies before they are trusted with life or death decisions. In every field where the consequences are real, mastery lives in doing, in accumulated judgment built over time.

That is what Galloway is getting at. Large language models are, at their core, the most comprehensive distillation of written knowledge ever assembled. They are trained on the page, not in the field. They can access every communications case study ever published, but they have never been in the war rooms, boardrooms, conference rooms, or trenches. That is simply the reality of what the technology is trained on and what it can do. If one day we find a way to upload human experience directly into models, the calculus may change.

None of this is an argument against AI. It is already useful for media monitoring, social listening, drafting content, research, and list building. It makes execution faster and cheaper, and it will continue to improve. Yes, that means some junior roles will shrink or disappear over time. That is a real consequence and one that deserves serious thought about how the next generation of talent is developed.

But execution was never where the real value lived. McKinsey does not sell PowerPoints. It sells judgment and a reputation for strategic counsel. The output is incidental to the value. The strongest communications firms have always worked the same way, even if the industry as a whole has not organized itself around that truth. Too many firms still sell deliverables when what clients actually need and value is thinking.

AI is forcing a reckoning with that misalignment. The short term temptation is obvious: cut costs, pocket the savings, and do more with less. The real opportunity, however, is to reorient the profession’s value proposition around what has always mattered most: counsel, judgment, experience, and relationships. The firms that thrive will not be leaner versions of what they were. They will be closer to what they should have been all along, organizations where senior counsel is the product and everything else supports it.

There is a final irony here. Communications professionals often guide organizations through moments of transformation. Now the industry faces its own. The technology will keep getting better. That much is certain. What will shape the future of this profession is how its leaders choose to respond. Those will be human decisions, made with human judgment, about where the real value of this work lives. That, in the end, is the point.
### 68% of TV News Producers Prefer AI-Optimized Story Pitches as Newsrooms Embrace the “AI Answer Economy”, New Report Reveals
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/68-of-tv-news-producers-prefer-ai-optimized-story-pitches-as-newsrooms-embrace-the-ai-answer-economy-new-report-reveals/
Last updated: 2026-03-02T18:47:38.000Z
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and AI are reshaping how TV news producers select, air and share stories, according to a comprehensive new industry report released today by D S Simon Media.

The *D S Simon Media 2026 TV News Producers Report: AI and the Newsroom* surveyed producers and reporters at local TV news stations nationwide and uncovered a surprising result: 68% of producers are more interested in airing a story when they know it has been optimized for AI search compared to a similar story that isn’t optimized. That shift reflects the growing influence of GEO, the strategy of aligning earned media with AI search so brands are surfaced and cited in generative answers, not just traditional search results.

“AI optimization is no longer optional,” says Doug Simon, CEO at D S Simon Media. “Newsrooms are embracing the Answer Economy, recognizing that their audiences are finding news through direct answers from AI platforms rather than links. It’s a huge change for marketers, brands, and public relations practitioners, which is why we created **AI-Powered Broadcast Media Tours™** to transform satellite media tours into GEO engines.

**Key Findings Reveal Industry-Wide Transformation**

According to the report, newsrooms are rapidly integrating AI tools into their daily operations:

- 37% of producers are already actively using AI tools to identify potential stories to cover
- 60% of TV stations are now optimizing their online content to be discovered through AI search results
- Producers are leveraging AI to streamline research, transcription, graphics creation, and convert broadcast content for digital platforms
- Multi platform content strategy is the norm. 94% of producers are posting their station content to their website and social media channels

**The Shift from SEO to GEO**

For communications professionals, PR teams, and organizations seeking media coverage, this shift creates opportunities, according to Simon. “The reality is clear: producers are stretched thin, and a growing number are turning to AI for efficiency,” continues Simon. “Content that demonstrates AI optimization stands out in an increasingly competitive landscape.”

Download a copy of the report: [https://www.dssimon.com/2026-tv-news-producers-report-ai-and-the-newsroom/](https://www.dssimon.com/2026-tv-news-producers-report-ai-and-the-newsroom/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### “Slew” of former Washington Post sports reporters hired by The Athletic: their stories will appear in The New York Times
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/slew-of-former-washington-post-sports-reporters-will-have-their-stories-appear-in-new-york-times/
Last updated: 2026-03-02T19:58:54.000Z
[**The Athletic**](https://www.axios.com/2025/05/20/nyt-athletic-profitable?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **is adding a slew of sports reporters from the Washington Post** to expand its coverage of D.C. teams, reports [Axios](https://www.axios.com/2026/02/26/athletic-washington-post-dc-sports-writers?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). The New York Times, continues the Axios post, “is seizing an opportunity to grow as the [Post shrinks](https://www.axios.com/2026/02/05/washington-post-layoffs-bezos?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), deepening its sports bench and reaching fans in a key local market.”

In July 2023, The New York Times disbanded its internal sports department, making The Athletic its sole sports content provider.

“For many decades, the Washington Post was the go-to place for sports for Washingtonians,” says **Steven Ginsberg**, who spent nearly three decades at the Post before joining The Athletic as executive editor in 2023.

“That’s not an option now, and we want to make sure that people understand that The Athletic can be one,” Ginsberg tells Axios.

The Athletic, continues Axios, is adding six Post journalists. They are:

- **Barry Svrluga** joins as a Commanders reporter. He started at the Post in 2003, covering college basketball and football, the Washington Nationals and the Washington Commanders before becoming a columnist in 2016.
- **Spencer Nusbaum** joins as a Nationals reporter, which he’s covered since 2024\. The Athletic said his job will include engaging with fans before, during and after games.
- **Candace Buckner** joins as a national columnist. Before launching her award-winning column in 2021, she covered the Washington Wizards and the NBA.
- **Ava Wallace** joins the tennis team and will contribute to women’s sports coverage. She previously covered college athletics, the WNBA and the Wizards.
- **Adam Kilgore** joins as a senior writer for The Athletic’s newly formed rapid response investigative unit. At the Post, he covered big events and contributed to award-winning enterprise stories and investigations.
- **Jason Murray** joins as deputy editorial director. He had been at the Post since 2020 and was named sports editor in 2023.

The new hires join The Athletic’s existing D.C. reporters, including **Nicki Jhabvala** on the Commanders, **Josh Robbins** on the Wizards and **David Aldridge** across topics.
### Capitol Communicator Editor Phil Rabin on expectations facing communicators today
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicator-editor-phil-rabin-on-ai-tests-measuring-pr-results-and-new-expectations-facing-communicators/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:35.000Z
**By Issac Morgan,** [**EIN Presswire**](https://www.einpresswire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**Could artificial intelligence proficiency tests be part of the future of comms jobs?** Love it or hate it, AI is becoming ingrained in nearly every major industry, including public relations — and it’s not just a fad.

And while technology accelerates, so do expectations that communications professionals showcase measurable results from their PR work, said **Phil Rabin**, a veteran PR practitioner, journalist and editor of [Capitol Communicator](https://capitolcommunicator.com/).

In an exclusive interview with [EIN Presswire](https://www.einpresswire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Rabin expounded on how the industry has transformed with AI and major mergers among PR firms. He also addressed a taboo subject for many communicators: showing measurable results from public relations campaigns.

For Rabin, whose career spans print, broadcast and communications, the transformation is here to stay. He has also been involved for almost two decades with Capitol Communicator, an online resource for communicators in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

As for AI, Rabin believes it is quickly becoming a necessity for communicators. In fact, about 75% of PR professionals use AI tools in their work, and 80% of communications leaders consider AI essential to the future of the industry, according to a 2025 [report](https://www.axios.com/2025/01/16/ai-communications-workflow-pr-professionals?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Rabin pointed to a Capitol Communicator post, stating “employers will increasingly ask candidates who want to join the organization’s communications staff “to take AI tests … and may hire the proficient AI users.”

In addition, the post reads, as time progresses, “employers will demand continued (AI) testing as part of ongoing employment.”

Rabin said: “I don’t know of any other profession where employers will continue to test employees to see if they are current with what’s happening in their field…(and) wouldn’t it be embarrassing if your CEO’s children know more about AI and social media than members of the communications staff.”

But technology is only part of the equation, he argues. The larger challenge is credibility, particularly when communications teams fail to align their work with core business priorities.

In our interview focusing on his industry takeaways, Rabin talks about the moment it became clear how much the business world is beginning to expect ROI from PR, his early work in media relations for America’s space missions at Cape Kennedy, and the guidance he now shares with rising PR professionals.

*(ROI, short for return on investment, tells a business whether it made or lost money compared to what was invested.)*

**Q: How did you get your start?**

A: When I was in my senior year at New York University, I also had an entry-level job at NBC/WNBC-TV News in Rockefeller Center in Manhattan — I went to NYU in the morning and early afternoon; and then went to NBC, where I worked until 11:00 or 11:30 p.m. At NBC/WNBC, I did everything from answering phone calls, to getting sports scores on the 11 p.m. WNBC newscast, distributing wire service stories to reporters, and assisting in NBC’s coverage of America’s manned spaceflight endeavors. At the time, the U.S. was involved in the Vietnam war and there was a good chance that after graduating from NYU I could be drafted into the Army and sent to Vietnam.

A correspondent who I worked with on NBC’s space coverage suggested that, because of my knowledge of the space program, I could be an asset to the Air Force if I was sent to Cape Kennedy/Cape Canaveral. (Cape Canaveral/Cape Kennedy refers to essentially the same area but, when I was there, the military portion was called Cape Kennedy Air Force Station.) It turned out that most manned spaceflight activities from the Cape had a military component. So, I joined the Air Force, was sent to Officer Training School in Texas, and then to Patrick Air Force Base, which is close to the Cape in Florida. At Cape Kennedy, among other things, I worked with the national news media covering launches, produced audio reports on Air Force activities, wrote for the base newspaper, and was the countdown “voice” for Air Force unmanned launches.

**Q: What did you do after you left the Air Force?**

A: I joined the Air Force Reserve at Andrews AFB where, among other things, I worked with the national and local news media covering VIP arrivals and departures, and was the narrator for the annual “open house” that attracted hundreds of thousands of people yearly. I retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.

While in the Reserve, a part-time job, I had a number of full/part-time and freelance jobs including producing film and news media material for a national trade association, working for two communications agencies, holding senior-level communications positions at two non-profit organizations, being co-author of a weekly newspaper column for 17 years on developments in communications, writing for PR Week, being co-owner of a four-color magazine and website on trends in communications, being a news anchor on all-news WTOP radio, running meet-the-media seminars nationwide for communicators who wanted to stay current with developments in PR and the media, and had a one-time walk-on role in a local theater production of “Hello Dolly.”

**Q: What changes have you seen during the decades you have been in communications?**

A: The changes have been — and will continue to be — profound. But, perhaps, the biggest change has not been the tools we use, but the fact that our success — and perhaps continued employment — will be measured based on ROI, the return on investment that an organization wants from its communications program.

Also, one of the fundamental changes facing the PR community is how to reach the audiences we need to reach. For those who have not followed the recent fate of newspapers, The Washington Post, recently announced it was cutting 30 percent of its workforce, including 300 reporters. And, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which stopped print editions and went all-digital at the end of 2025, announced it was cutting roughly 15% of its staff. And, change is also impacting broadcasting.

In addition, agency consolidation will result in significant job shifts. In fact, the recent merger of two large agencies — Omnicom and IPG — may have resulted in the loss of 10,000 jobs. Then, Omnicom merged Golin and Ketchum, and is folding Porter Novelli into FleishmanHillard. It did not announce how many people would be impacted by these changes.

**Q: How important is it for PR professionals to focus on ROI?**

A: A few years ago I attended a conference where one of the speakers was a former CEO and he talked about how members of his senior staff understood the importance of measuring ROI — everyone but his communications team. He described, with some disdain, how his communications staff was talking to him about an exhibit they created for a conference. And, the CEO said he wondered if his communications team had an understanding of the goals of his business – not how attractive the display was. In fact, he asked, did you ever wonder why so few communicators became CEOs? His answer was that communicators don’t talk ROI, the language of business.

As another example: I was at a social event with a man who was the head of a trade association based in D.C. We were there because we knew his wife. At one point, he asked me what I did for a living and I told him I was in communications and he responded with “I have no need for people like you.” Based on these experiences, communications professionals will not be taken seriously in the C-suite until they show measurable value to those they serve.

**Q: What advice do you have for those entering the PR field or those who want to stay in it?**

A: Here are two points: You have to stay nimble. Business, in general, will continue to be focused on the bottom line and if you can not show your worth to your organization’s leadership, which will change from time to time, you might find yourself searching for another job or career. The second is to hang around people brighter than you. I met a number of them when I was in the Air Force. One of them was a Colonel who led Air Force operations at the Cape. He had three college degrees and was so bright that he was sent to the Naval Academy in Annapolis to teach engineering to Navy cadets. And independently, I got to spend 10 hours on a Navy ballistic missile submarine undergoing sea trials. I saw the caliber of the officers — former Naval Academy cadets now officers — and they were the brightest group of people I have ever been around. It was eye opening to me. So, hang around bright people. They force you to think and produce to your highest potential.
### Washington Post lost about $300 million in three years
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/washington-post-lost-about-300-million-in-three-years/
Last updated: 2026-02-26T19:50:44.000Z
[**The Washington Post**](https://www.washingtonpost.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **lost more than $100 million in 2025,** according to people familiar with the matter, underscoring the mounting financial pressures facing the 148-year-old newspaper owned by Amazon founder **Jeff Bezos,** reports[ **Citybiz**](https://www.citybiz.co/article/811313/washington-posts-losses-top-100-million-in-2025-amid-deep-cuts/?abkw=citybizwashington&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**.**

The latest shortfall, continues Citybiz, follows losses of roughly $100 million in 2024 and $77 million in 2023, “continuing a multiyear stretch in which expenses outpaced revenue. The deteriorating balance sheet prompted the company to eliminate about one-third of its workforce, shutter its sports section and scale back numerous foreign bureaus.

“At a staff meeting Wednesday, acting publisher and chief executive Jeff D’Onofrio and Executive Editor Matt Murray outlined the paper’s financial challenges and the need to raise productivity.

“D’Onofrio said operating costs exceeded revenue each year from 2022 through 2025, a period during which the Post expanded headcount by hiring hundreds of employees. Since 2020, the number of stories published has fallen 42%, he said, while newsroom expenses in 2025 were 16% higher than five years earlier.

“Murray told staff the newsroom would adopt a more selective editorial approach.”

“We don’t want or need to do every story or jump on everything that happens,” he said. “We’re not a paper of record; there’s no such thing anymore in today’s world.”
### The Loyalty Shift: from transactional to behavioral loyalty
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-loyalty-shift-from-transactional-to-behavioral-loyalty/
Last updated: 2026-02-26T16:22:40.000Z
The loyalty landscape isn’t just evolving—it’s undergoing a structural transformation. Today’s consumers are empowered, informed, and driven by experience as much as by value. They expect brands to not only *recognize* their purchases but also *understand* their preferences, anticipate their needs, and reward them for the full spectrum of their engagement.

Discounts and points-based systems still matter, but they’re only one piece of a larger loyalty equation. The new competitive advantage lies in **behavioral loyalty.** True value now comes from convenience, personalization, and meaningful connection. It’s the model that turns every customer action into a meaningful data point and every interaction into an opportunity to strengthen the relationship.

**The Limitations of Transactional Loyalty**

For years, traditional loyalty programs followed a familiar script: *buy more, earn more*. It was an effective model for driving repeat purchases in a world where brand choices were limited and customer data was scarce. But in today’s hyper-connected environment where switching costs are minimal and customer expectations are sky-high, transactional models look backward. They reward what’s already happened: a purchase, a click, a redemption. But customers’ loyalty isn’t formed in hindsight; it’s built through **consistent, forward-looking engagement.**

As McKinsey’s research on customer loyalty notes, companies that fail to evolve their loyalty strategies risk leaving significant customer lifetime value on the table. The opportunity lies not in counting points but in **understanding people.**

**Defining Behavioral Loyalty**

Behavioral loyalty recognizes that a customer’s relationship with your brand extends beyond the checkout line. Every digital and physical interaction from app opens, web sessions, reviews, referrals, to even passive browsing tells a story about intent, advocacy, and emotional connection.

These actions are the signals that power next-generation loyalty programs. As Forrester highlights, loyalty programs that recognize and reward this broader set of behaviors create stronger, more resilient customer relationships. Customers become emotionally invested, not just economically incentivized.

**The Data Engine Behind Behavioral Loyalty**

The foundation of behavioral loyalty is **data intelligence**. It’s the ability to unify behavioral, transactional, and emotional signals across channels to paint a complete picture of the customer. By capturing signals across digital and physical touchpoints, brands can identify not only who their best customers are, but also how they interact and what motivates them. 

With [Salesforce Marketing Cloud](https://www.responselabs.com/sfmc-managed-services/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and connected [paid media](https://www.responselabs.com/paid-media?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) ecosystems, brands can activate that intelligence in real time:

- **Integrate** [**CRM and loyalty**](https://www.responselabs.com/crm-loyalty/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **data** to reveal the “why” behind the “what.”
- **Leverage** [**AI**](https://www.responselabs.com/rlaiq/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **and predictive modeling** to anticipate customer needs and recommend next-best actions.
- **Connect paid media to CRM signals** to re-engage high-value audiences with personalized offers, extending loyalty beyond the inbox.
- **Reward cross-channel engagement,** not just spend—turning interactions into measurable growth.

As [Bain and Company](https://www.bain.com/contentassets/29f74ec417fa4e36a1d7d7e7479badc5/loyalty%5Frules%5Fchapter%5Fone.pdf?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) reports, increasing customer retention rates by **5% increases profits by 25% to 95%**.

At Response Labs, we partner with brands to design loyalty strategies that integrate these behavioral insights into CRM and marketing automation platforms. Our approach ensures loyalty isn’t siloed within a platform, it’s embedded across every customer touchpoint.

**From Rewards to Relationships**

Behavioral loyalty requires a mindset shift. It’s not about adding a new rewards tier or tweaking a points structure; it’s about redefining what loyalty *means* for your brand.

“The brands that win in the next decade will be those that stop treating loyalty as a punch card and start treating it as a relationship,” says Andy Locke, Director of Strategy and Data at Response Labs. “Loyalty is no longer about rewarding the past—it’s about shaping the future of customer engagement.”

Evolving from transactional to behavioral loyalty isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s the new baseline for sustainable growth. By leveraging data, rewarding engagement, and building emotional connections, brands can move beyond discounts to create loyalty programs that drive advocacy and long-term growth.

Want to dive deeper? [Download our free Loyalty Playbook](https://www.responselabs.com/crm-loyalty-playbook/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) to see how your CRM becomes a true growth engine.

If you’re ready to transform your loyalty program into a true growth program, we’re here to help.[ Contact us today to talk about how to get started.](https://www.responselabs.com/contact/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### Baltimore Beat rolls out pay-what-you-can ads
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/baltimore-beat-rolls-out-pay-what-you-can-ads/
Last updated: 2026-02-26T01:36:48.000Z
**The newspaper and nonprofit news site Baltimore Beat is rolling out pay-what-you-can ads, reports** [**NiemanLab**](https://www.niemanlab.org/2026/02/the-baltimore-beat-experiments-with-pay-what-you-can-ads/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**.**

“We hope this is a way that small businesses can feature themselves in the paper, keeping their services at the front of readers’ minds,” the Beat [wrote](https://baltimorebeat.com/paywhatyoucan/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) in an announcement.

According to the NiemanLab post, Baltimore Beat “[launched after the city’s alt-weekly closed in 2017](https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/community/baltimore-beat-staff-says-it-will-not-be-city-paper-2-0/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and [relaunched as a Black-led outlet in 2022](https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/community/baltimore-beat-alt-newspaper-returning-this-summer/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), does not have a paywall, [unlike](https://www.niemanlab.org/2024/01/after-a-bleak-turn-for-the-baltimore-sun-independent-outlets-see-a-surge-in-subscribers-and-attention/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) cross-city competitors like The Baltimore Banner and Baltimore Sun. The nonprofit distributes [20,000 free print copies](https://baltimorebeat.com/our-print-locations/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) twice a month and relies on donations [large](https://baltimorebeat.com/our-donors/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and small, as well as advertising and other revenue.

“Sites like Craigslist [took a big bite out of the classified ad market](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2013/08/14/sorry-craig-study-finds-craigslist-cost-newspapers-5-billion/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) two decades ago, and today big tech companies like Google and Facebook tend to [dominate](https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/fact-sheet/local-newspapers/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) local ad budgets. But the Beat believes that with [evidence](https://www.npr.org/2024/06/13/1197965227/google-search-quality-algorithm-documents-leak?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and [anecdata](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/infinite-scroll/the-age-of-enshittification?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) that Google Search is getting worse and user dissatisfaction with algorithms on the rise, local small businesses might be ready to try something different. Especially if it doesn’t cost them an arm and a leg.”
### Yes& deepens commitment to local theater through ongoing partnership with Signature Theatre
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/yes-deepens-commitment-to-local-theater-through-ongoing-partnership-with-signature-theatre/
Last updated: 2026-02-25T14:01:14.000Z
**Local theater has long been a defining part of the Washington-area creative landscape,** and few institutions embody that spirit more than [Signature Theatre](https://signaturetheatre.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). For more than three decades, the Tony Award–winning theater in Arlington, VA, has earned a national reputation for its bold musical productions and intimate audience experience—while remaining deeply rooted in the region it serves.

Behind the scenes, Signature’s continued evolution has been supported by long-term partners who believe in the role of theater as a cultural connector. Among them is creative marketing agency [Yes&](https://yesandagency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), whose relationship with Signature Theatre has grown into an enduring collaboration grounded in advocacy for the arts.

As Signature emerged from the pandemic and entered a new chapter under Artistic Director **Matthew Gardiner** and Managing Director **Maggie Boland**, the organization partnered with Yes& on a comprehensive brand refresh designed to reassert its voice in the competitive DC-area theater scene. The effort included the most extensive audience research initiative in Signature’s history and focused on articulating what makes Signature distinct: its unmatched intimacy, accessibility and the sense of community created when audiences and performers share the same space—never more than ten rows apart.

Marketing “is the key to long-term success and building a relationship with our audience,” said **Jennifer Buzzell**, Director of Marketing at Signature Theatre. According to Buzzell, it’s creating “a total audience experience that’s simple and easy.”

Rather than focusing solely on marketing individual productions, the collaboration with Yes& helped Signature sharpen its broader story and reaffirm its place as a cultural institution where artistry and audience connection go hand in hand.

“Yes& took the time to really understand who we are—not just as a theater, but as a community,” Buzzell stated. “They listened to our audiences, our artists, and our staff, and helped us articulate what makes Signature special in a way that feels true to our values and our future.” And, as a result of this collaboration, Signature’s subscriber base has grown.

Gardiner, who has directed and/or choreographed more than 40 productions at Signature Theatre, reflected on the changing and challenging environment facing theaters today, as potential attendees have a range of options, including just staying home. Yet, in the face of these challenges, Signature’s 2025 holiday show, Fiddler on the Roof, photo above, was a sold-out success.

Gardiner said that December is considered to be a “nostalgia month”, where attending a show is a special bonding experience because “people want to be together.” Fiddler on the Roof, first produced on Broadway in 1964, had, as noted, a sold-out run at Signature. Gardiner, described the play as “surprisingly contemporary”.

“This beloved musical has become reinvigorated for our time” at Signature, stated Broadway World, which added that it focused on the “universal truths of tolerance, faith, forgiveness, and love.”

The partnership between Yes& and Signature extends well beyond brand strategy and design. Most recently, Yes& supported Signature as a sponsor, backing the theater’s production of *Fiddler on the Roof*. The sponsorship reflects a shared belief in the power of live theater to bring people together through timeless stories and shared experience.

“Performance is at the heart of Yes&,” said **Josh Golden**, President & Chief Creative Officer at Yes&. “We’re named for an improvisational theatre principle—*yes, and*—which is all about listening, building together, and being a great scene partner. That’s exactly what Signature is. Supporting their work, including productions like *Fiddler on the Roof*, is a natural extension of who we are and how we show up for our creative community.”

As a Washington-area headquartered agency, Yes& sees its involvement with Signature as part of a broader responsibility to invest in the local creative ecosystem. The relationship illustrates how agencies and arts organizations can collaborate to help sustain the cultural life of the region.

Together, Yes& and Signature Theatre demonstrate how long-term partnership—rooted in shared values, performance and community—can help ensure that local theater continues to thrive in the DC area.

**Experience a show at Signature for yourself!** Upcoming productions include a time-traveling indie rock musical adventure (SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED, March 3 – April 12) and a musical masterpiece of ambition, lust and glory from WICKED composer **Stephen Schwartz** (PIPPIN May 12 – July 26); plus plays, cabaret concerts and a gala performance honoring the legendary **Vanessa Williams** with the Stephen Sondheim Award (March 16 at The Anthem).
### Epstein files force a new reckoning for reputation management
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/epstein-files-force-a-new-reckoning-for-reputation-management/
Last updated: 2026-02-24T22:04:47.000Z
A renewed surge in investigative reporting is forcing a fresh reckoning with how Jeffrey Epstein sustained power, access, and credibility long after serious allegations were widely known. What has emerged over recent months is not simply a reexamination of Epstein’s crimes, but a deeper interrogation of the communications, legal, and influence infrastructure that helped insulate him from sustained scrutiny. Media intelligence shows a sharp rise in enterprise, legal, media, and political coverage tied directly to the Justice Department’s unprecedented release of more than three million pages of Epstein-related investigative records, signaling that the story has entered a new phase focused less on scandal and more on systemic accountability.

That shift matters. As the document releases unfolded between December 2025 and January 2026, media intelligence indicates that coverage accelerated rather than peaking and fading. Each new tranche of files fueled fresh reporting, with particular momentum around transparency, redactions, and institutional responsibility. The scale of the disclosure itself became part of the story, reframing Epstein not as an isolated criminal case, but as a long-running failure of oversight enabled by elite networks and carefully managed reputations.

Much of the renewed scrutiny has returned to the role of high-powered media and public relations professionals who helped shape Epstein’s public-facing world. Reporting has again highlighted the work of entertainment publicist Peggy Siegal, whose carefully curated social events placed Epstein in proximity to celebrities, cultural tastemakers, and elite institutions. Those appearances offered social legitimacy and continued access, reinforcing how reputation can be constructed through association rather than transparency. Media intelligence shows that stories connecting social access, image management, and ethical responsibility are generating sustained engagement, particularly within communications and media trade coverage.

For crisis management professionals, the renewed attention underscores long-standing tensions between disclosure, ethics, and timing. Crisis management professor and counselor Helio Fred Garcia points to a foundational principle that the Epstein case continues to violate even years later: get the bad news out quickly and completely. “In a crisis you want to compress the bad news into as few news cycles as possible,” Garcia said. “If someone needs to be fired, fire them now. If someone needs to quit, quit now. It’s a measure twice, cut once approach. Dribbling out bad news almost always makes things worse.”

Garcia notes that recent high-profile cases illustrate how partial or carefully hedged admissions can backfire. “We saw with the former Prince Andrew and with Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick a tepid admission of benign behavior that later proved to be incomplete or false,” he said. In the Epstein case, years of selective disclosure and narrative containment allowed scrutiny to stretch across institutions and decades, ensuring that the reckoning, when it arrived, would be broader and more damaging.

That failure of timing and transparency intersects with a deeper ethical question about client selection. Mike Paul, CEO of Reputation Doctor LLC, argues that the Epstein case represents a clear moral boundary that should never have been crossed. “Bottom line is, when you learn your client is actively committing crimes, including alleged rape of many under age girls, you obviously have an ethical and moral decision to walk away from the client,” Paul said.

Paul emphasizes that reputation and crisis management are not simply about message discipline or legal positioning. “This is a clear boundary issue, ironically the type of boundaries excellent crisis PR firms are required to counsel and educate their clients about often,” he said. In his view, some advisers involved were not even hired for crisis expertise, yet still agreed to work with Epstein despite years of public controversy. “Sadly, some of these firms decided to turn a blind eye to clear crimes for the money. Money breeds corruption consistently, for some, including in our own industry.”

Investigative reporting has revisited the involvement of crisis communications advisers with greater context provided by newly released documents. Merrie Spaeth, retained in 2008 through Epstein’s legal team to provide media guidance, ultimately disengaged from the assignment, yet renewed coverage underscores how even limited advisory roles can carry long-term reputational consequences once records surface. Dan Klores, working alongside Howard Rubenstein after Epstein’s 2006 arrest, helped signal Epstein’s intent to shape his narrative, reflecting how aggressively the media environment was managed even as serious allegations loomed.

Media intelligence shows that the current wave of reporting now extends well beyond public relations, expanding into Epstein’s legal, academic, political, and financial networks. Newly surfaced internal emails and correspondence have renewed attention on the institutional figures who reinforced Epstein’s standing, while his funding of scientific research and academic initiatives is increasingly framed as influence building rather than philanthropy. Coverage tied to document releases consistently outperforms retrospective profiles, suggesting the media’s focus has moved decisively toward systems rather than personalities.

As the scope of scrutiny widens, the conversation is increasingly shifting beyond what advisers should have done in the moment to what accountability actually looks like after exposure. Carmella Glover, President and CEO of Diversity Action Alliance, studies crisis patterns through the lens of race, equity, and power. She sees a familiar sequence emerging in the wake of the Epstein disclosures: exposure, followed by regret, apology, and resignation.

In today’s environment, Glover argues, that sequence is no longer sufficient. In 2026, leaders cannot credibly assume private exchanges will remain private, particularly when operating in close proximity to concentrated power. Many of the individuals now facing scrutiny, she notes, knew the risks well before the documents became public. The failure was not ignorance, but a decision not to pre-empt what was increasingly inevitable.

For those weighing their futures after these disclosures, Glover is clear that apology and stepping down are only the baseline. Many of the individuals named possess extraordinary wealth and influence and would not struggle materially if they never worked again. Reputation repair after an association this egregious depends on what follows: transparent accountability and sustained, measurable action that demonstrates genuine remorse.

From an advisory standpoint, Glover points toward reparative action rather than performative contrition. A credible path forward, she suggests, would require converting the benefits gained, particularly financial ones, into meaningful reparational work for victims and others harmed by abuses of power. In a media environment where records are permanent and widely searchable, authentic follow-through now matters more than outlasting a news cycle.

Together, the perspectives of Garcia, Paul, and Glover point to a shared conclusion for communicators. Speed without ethics fails. Ethics without accountability rings hollow. Reputation management divorced from moral judgment does not reduce risk. It magnifies it.

As more records become public and investigative attention deepens, the Epstein saga remains a sobering case study for the communications profession. Reputation built on access, proximity, and illusion may hold in the short term, but it is inherently fragile. In the end, documents outlast narratives, and the choices made behind the scenes can define careers long after the headlines fade.
### REQ expands to Phoenix as the Southwest emerges as a national hub for AI, chip manufacturing, and critical infrastructure
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/req-expands-its-public-relations-team-into-the-phoenix/
Last updated: 2026-02-26T01:53:53.000Z
**As Phoenix and the broader Southwest rapidly become one of the nation’s most important hubs** for data centers, semiconductor manufacturing, AI-driven innovation, and advanced infrastructure, award-winning agency [REQ](https://req.co/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) announced the expansion of its public relations team into the Phoenix market, marking a major milestone in the firm’s five-year trajectory of growth and transformation.

REQ’s expansion into Phoenix reflects both the region’s rising influence in the technology and public sector ecosystem and the agency’s increasing role in helping organizations navigate complex, high-stakes communications at the intersection of innovation, policy, and growth. The Phoenix-based team joins REQ as part of a realignment within their joint parent company, Agital, bringing deep local expertise at a moment when Arizona is attracting unprecedented investment across microelectronics, energy, AI, and next-generation development.

“This expansion is part of our strategic growth plan to support clients in key U.S. innovation hubs such as Phoenix,” said **Katie** **Hanusik**, EVP and PR practice lead at REQ. “Bringing this talented and experienced PR and social media team into REQ deepens our strengths in B2B and B2G technology and expands our opportunities to support healthcare, nonprofit, and business-to-consumer clientele with smart, modern communications.”

Over the last five years, REQ’s PR team has evolved alongside the markets it serves, launching new service offerings, expanding sector expertise, integrating generative AI into communications workflows, and guiding clients through rapid change. The agency now supports organizations operating in fast-moving, critical economic markets, helping them build visibility, credibility, and trust as technology reshapes industries and communities nationwide.

Complementing REQ’s award-winning expertise in B2B and B2G communications across vertical markets, including technology, cyber, financial services, investment, and infrastructure, the Phoenix team adds on-the-ground expertise in utilities, healthcare, real estate development, nonprofit initiatives, and community-based experiential PR, sectors increasingly intertwined with the region’s overall growth.

“This is a really exciting step for our team,” said **Brian O’Malley**, Phoenix-based vice president of public relations at REQ. “We’ve built strong relationships with clients and media across Phoenix and the Southwest, and that foundation allows us to deliver thoughtful, high-touch PR services across a wide range of industries—especially work that’s experiential, community-driven, and grounded in building affinity on a local and regional level.”

As the economic opportunities in Phoenix continue to attract global investment and attention, REQ’s presence in the region reinforces its commitment to helping organizations shape narratives that matter, locally, nationally, globally, and at the intersection of technology and public impact.

For more information on REQ, visit [www.req.co](http://www.req.co/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).
### Loss of dedicated “live theatre” coverage by Washington Post “is not simply a media issue; it is a civic and cultural loss for our entire region,” states statement by theatres in D.C. region
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/loss-of-dedicated-theatre-coverage-by-washington-post-is-not-simply-a-media-issue-it-is-a-civic-and-cultural-loss-for-our-entire-region-states-statement-by-theatres-in-d-c-region/
Last updated: 2026-02-26T01:57:14.000Z
**Live theatres across the D.C. region have expressed “deep concern and disappointment’ over *The Washington Post*’s cuts to its arts and culture staff and coverage**.

According to **Jason Loewith**, Artistic Director at Olney Theatre Center, “[THE WASHINGTON POST fired their entire arts and culture journalism team](https://theatrewashington.org/updates/statement-washington-dc-region-theatre-community-washington-posts-arts-culture-staff-cuts?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) just before we opened (Little Miss Perfect, which means) it’s likely Little Miss Perfect will be the first show at Olney in six decades that hasn’t gotten a review from our hometown daily.”

The[ statement](https://theatrewashington.org/updates/statement-washington-dc-region-theatre-community-washington-posts-arts-culture-staff-cuts?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) from the theatre community states that, for decades: “The *Post* has served as a critical “local national” voice for our region’s arts ecosystem, providing rigorous criticism, thoughtful features, and sustained coverage that helped connect artists to residents and visitors, elevate regional work to national attention, and document the cultural life of the Washington, DC region. The loss of this dedicated coverage is not simply a media issue; it is a civic and cultural loss for our entire region.

“The impact of arts coverage extends beyond the stage. Beyond its prolific artistic output, the region’s theatre industry represents a powerful economic engine. According to Theatre Washington’s Impact Report released last year, collectively, these 89 non-profit theatre organizations create more than 4,000 jobs and engage thousands of volunteers, pay more than $80 million annually to artists and staff, and are responsible for stewarding over $1 billion in combined assets. This makes theatre not only a cultural cornerstone but also a major contributor to the region’s economic health and vitality.

“Strong arts journalism matters. Reviews, profiles, and features continue to drive ticket sales, visibility, philanthropy, and public engagement for theatres of all sizes. Equally important, they help audiences discover work, deepen understanding, and feel connected to the stories being told on our stages. While the many other local outlets do vital work, no single outlet can fully replace the reach, influence, and regional perspective that *The Washington Post* has historically provided.”
### Capitol Communicators: Profile of Shonali Burke, PRSA NCC Hall of Fame Inductee
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-shonali-burke-managing-director-of-peoples-light-and-prsa-ncc-hall-of-fame-inductee/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:37.000Z
**Capitol Communicators is a profile series spotlighting the people shaping the present** 
**and future of advertising, digital, marketing and public relations in the Mid-Atlantic.** 
**This profile features Shonali Burke.**

**Shonali Burke is a rare left- *and* right-brained PR pro.** She was an economics major, who then studied drama, which led her to pioneering work in social media, business analytics and measurement. Burke was inducted into the PRSA NCC Hall of Fame, capping a career of global PR leadership. As communications head for the ASPCA, her work during the **Michael Vick** dogfighting crisis led to changed public views of the dogs as crime victims, not just crime instruments.

As an entrepreneur, she created *The Social PR Virtuoso*, a globally recognized online professional development course. After studying business analytics at Harvard, she became known as “the measurement maven,” for her work using data analytics in PR. She returned to her drama roots as CMO (later Deputy Executive Director) of D.C.-based Arena Stage, helping to guide the theatre’s post-pandemic rebound. She later became Managing Director of People’s Light, a historic theater and live-arts hub in Pennsylvania. 

Burke teaches at Johns Hopkins, has spoken at TEDx, and held leadership roles in PRSA NCC, WWPR, IABC-DC and IABC International, ColorComm, and Women in PR USA. She will soon release her first book, *The Non-Obvious Guide to Public Relations and Communications.* And, on the fun side, she tells us that her pets rule her life, especially Pickles the Corgi, who “sprinkles sunshine and wiggles wherever she goes.”

 **Shonali, tell us about yourself.**

I’m a servant leader and strategic leader for mission-driven organizations who want to bring big dreams to life. I’ve worked with a range of national and international nonprofit and cause-based organizations over the course of my career, ethically harnessing the power of data-driven storytelling to build bridges, grow community and increase impact.

**What are the things you are most proud of?**

I’m proud to have been adjunct faculty in Johns Hopkins University’s M.A. in Communications program since 2009; coming from a family of educators, that role is truly a dream come true. I’m also proud that my passion for demystifying data has helped students, colleagues and business leaders see that numbers aren’t the enemy of storytelling—they can enhance it and lead to better outcomes. Most of all, I’m proud that my friendships and relationships have stood the test of time, that my community has grown stronger over the decades, and that I’m part of a global ecosystem of PR and communication professionals, who are among the hardest‑working people I know.

**If I am not mistaken, 2025 was the first year that PRSA National Capital Chapter ’s two Hall of Fame inductees were both women of color – you and Dr. Sheila Brooks. What do you see as the significance of this moment, for you, Dr. Brooks and for our field?**

I mean, for me it’s huge, because it’s not something I ever set out to achieve. You remember: when you called to tell me I’d been inducted, I couldn’t stop squealing! I’m still pinching myself, and I think I probably always will. It’s incredibly humbling to know that the PR community acknowledges that I’ve contributed to the field in a way that is more than fleeting. That itself is unreal to me, because whatever I did—whether it was creating and leading #measurePR, or the work with the Blue Key Campaign, or the incredible teams I’ve had the privilege to lead and be a part of—was not for personal gain, but to be helpful in some way. To receive such rich acknowledgement is mind blowing, and to be in the company of Dr. Brooks, who’s such a trailblazer, is even more so.

I wish I could say that the fact we’re both women of color shouldn’t matter, but it does. It matters because it tells a bigger story about where we are as a field and as a society. In 2025, to see two women of color inducted into the PRSA National Capital Chapter ’s Hall of Fame at a time when diversity and inclusion are sometimes treated as passing trends rather than shared commitments—it’s meaningful. It says that excellence isn’t confined to one background or perspective, and that our contributions continue to expand what leadership in this field looks like. My hope is that for the next generation—especially those who might not yet see themselves reflected in roles like this—this moment serves as proof that they belong. That they can look at us and think, *maybe that could be me one day.* Because it absolutely can.

**What are the most significant changes or trends you see happening/coming in the communications industry in 2026? How are you dealing with them?**

The media landscape has been disrupted for years, and it’s disheartening to see how far public trust in traditional outlets has eroded. We’re all living in self‑selected bubbles of information, misinformation and noise, which will likely intensify in 2026.

At the same time, I’m cautiously encouraged to see the rise of micro and independent outlets—often led by former journalists and subject‑matter experts—building highly community‑centric, trustworthy reporting.

For communications and PR, that means doubling down on relationship-building and ethical, fact‑based, storytelling, and using data to understand what truly resonates rather than simply chasing reach. More than ever before, it’s critical to be transparent about sources, pressure‑test messages against facts, and track engagement quality and impact, not just volume and reach.

**Your story is a great quilt of experiences. Is there a thread that connects your work in PR, digital strategy, data analytics and theater?**

First, thank you! When I look back at my journey, what keeps popping up are stories, people and connection. I was an accidental theater kid—in a way, you could say I didn’t find theater; it found me. And in that finding, I realized I wasn’t just a good actress and storyteller—I loved being in, and helping to create, spaces where people could come together to share a story or an experience, setting their differences aside for a moment. And when they walked out, maybe they were thinking a little differently about the world, maybe even being a little kinder to their neighbor.

To me, that’s what’s so fascinating about data—and what I’ve always loved about PR and digital strategy. If we make friends with data, we start to see the stories it holds, what drives people, what excites them, what they’re curious to learn more about. All that insight helps us understand how we can best serve them. Good PR and thoughtful digital strategy use those lessons to tell better stories—to connect people, bridge understanding, and in our own way, make the world a bit better.

**What are the skills that are necessary to be successful today?** 

Data literacy isn’t optional anymore. That doesn’t just mean having a decent understanding of digital and social analytics; practitioners need to think about how data is identified, harnessed and used. That includes being conversant with statistical models and proficient at understanding and ethically using AI assistants and models. You don’t have to become a data scientist, but you do have to understand how to think like one, so that your strategies and decision‑making are genuinely data‑informed.

Just as important are storytelling and relationships. The ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling narratives is what makes data meaningful to real people, whether they’re board members, journalists or community partners. Strong relationship skills—listening, empathy, responsiveness—are what sustain trust in an environment where audiences are skeptical, and attention is fragmented.

So, the practitioners who are most successful today are the ones who can sit at the intersection of these skills: they’re comfortable with data, fluent in narrative, and intentional about building and maintaining authentic relationships.

**What professional advice do you have for others?**

Find and maintain mentor relationships at every stage of your career; you are never too old, or too seasoned, to benefit from someone else’s experience and perspective. It’s not just okay to ask questions—it’s imperative—but you also have to be ready to hear the answers. Soak up as much as you can from others, while remembering that your “secret sauce” is **you**, and what you uniquely bring to the table. It’s absolutely okay to adjust how you show up for, and in, community; in fact, it’s often necessary for the greater good. But that is very different from being told, or made to feel, that you’re less than or that your differences aren’t welcome. Pay attention to your intuition; it is the greatest muscle you have.

**Are you involved in any professional organizations and do you find them to be valuable?**

I’ve been involved in professional organizations for as long as I can remember. Earlier in my career, I served with the now‑defunct San Francisco Bay Area Publicity Club and over the past couple of decades I’ve been active with IABC/DC Metro and IABC International, PRSA NCC, WWPR and ColorComm. I can’t overstate how valuable these communities are: from professional development and learning forums, to service and leadership opportunities, to peer support and long‑lasting friendships, they haven’t just helped me do my job better—they’ve made my life better.

**What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done?**

I walked a cheetah in Zambia. While I had no idea I’d be doing this five minutes before it happened, it was a great exercise in deep breathing and, looking back, pretty cool!

**Capitol Communicators** [**profiles**](https://capitolcommunicator.com/tag/profiles/) **allow you to meet** 
**some of the most interesting and insightful pros in our region,** 
**learn how they stay ahead of the curve and gain practical wisdom** 
**during a time of constant change.**
### Agency Updates: WHITE64 adds Michael Wilson as Executive Creative Director; SmithGifford adds Lindsey Dibble as Art Director
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/agency-updates-white64-adds-michael-wilson-as-executive-creative-director-smithgifford-adds-lindsey-dibble-as-art-director/
Last updated: 2026-02-24T23:44:08.000Z
**WHITE64 announced that Michael Wilson (photo right), in phjo has joined the agency as Executive Creative Director.** In his new role, Wilson brings more than 15 years of experience spanning world-class creative agencies and high-growth in-house teams. His background includes senior creative roles at Crispin Porter + Bogusky, 72andSunny, TBWA\\Chiat\\Day, and David &amp; Goliath, as well as leadership positions on the brand side, most recently as Executive Creative Director at Rate.com, the second-largest retail mortgage lender in the country.

**SmithGifford has added Lindsey Dibble (photo right) as Art Director** joining the Falls Church City, VA-based agency from Chicago. Dibble is an Advertising Lab Instructor at Indiana University and was formerly art director with BBDO, Chicago. To get to know her better, the agency asked her what she uniquely brings to the team… that has nothing to do with advertising:  
– An excessively large sneaker collection  
– A long list of go-to dessert recipes  
– A commitment to hitting her step goal every single day
### “Grim time in the regional sports network business,” as layoffs hit Monumental Sports Network
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/grim-time-in-the-regional-sports-network-business-as-layoffs-hit-monumental-sports-network/
Last updated: 2026-02-20T17:10:33.000Z
**At least four Monumental Sports Network employees have been let go by the Ted Leonsis-owned operation**. The cuts seem to have targeted Monumental’s digital content operation the most, reports [Awful Announcing.](https://awfulannouncing.com/local-networks/monumental-sports-network-undergoing-layoffs.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) The four are:

- **Brian McNally,** a senior director for digital coverage at Monumental who had worked at the network and its predecessor, NBC Sports Washington, for eight years,
- **Tyler Byrum**, a digital content specialist and on-air contributor whose time at Monumental and NBC Sports Washington dates back to 2016,
- **Ethan Cadeaux**, another digital content specialist who focused on Washington Capitals coverage and joined NBC Sports Washington in 2018,
- **Bijan Todd**, a Wizards reporter and digital content producer for Monumental

It goes without saying, continues Awful Announcing,”but it is a grim time in the regional sports network business. Main Street Sports Group, owner of the FanDuel Sports Networks, is preparing to shutter its entire portfolio of channels when the current NBA and NHL seasons conclude. The company has already [sent WARN notices](https://awfulannouncing.com/local-networks/main-street-sports-warn-notice-minneapolis-st-louis-fanduel-sports.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) to employees. (The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification – WARN Act helps ensure advance notice in cases of qualified plant closings and mass layoffs.)

The Monumental layoffs are another blow to sports coverage in Washington, D.C., states Awful Announcing, coming just weeks after [The *Washington Post* shuttered its sports desk](https://awfulannouncing.com/newspapers/washington-post-announces-layoffs-including-entire-sports-section.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) entirely.

According to its website, since its founding in May of 2006, Awful Announcing has been “an invaluable source of news and commentary related to the sports media industry, along with sports in pop culture.”

The site was founded by Brian Powell, a graduate of James Madison University and a Maryland native. in 2006\. Powell launched AA as a hobby and it quickly took off in the early sports blogosphere. At its start, Awful Announcing’s focus was the on- and off-air lowlights of the sports media world, both skewering and poking fun at broadcasters across the country.

In 2010, Awful Announcing was acquired by the Bloguin Network, led by Ben Koo. Over the coming months, the focus of AA began to include more news, analysis, commentary, and features, in addition to criticism of broadcasters and spotlighting of gaffes.
### Beyond the Card: Why loyalty is your most valuable asset
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/beyond-the-card-why-loyalty-is-your-most-valuable-asset/
Last updated: 2026-02-26T15:05:25.000Z
**Not long ago, loyalty programs were little more than a punch card or a barcode on a keychain** tied to a transactional discount. It was a straightforward, one-dimensional tactic designed to incentivize a purchase. But that era has ended.

In today’s hyper-connected retail environment, loyalty has evolved from a marketing lever into the central nervous system of the customer relationship. Every interaction, from an in-store purchase to app engagement to digital ad exposure, now contributes to a constantly learning ecosystem. This system doesn’t just react to transactions, it predicts intent, fuels personalization and shapes every customer experience.

**From Program to Platform**

Loyalty is no longer an “add-on.” It’s an operating model and the brands that treat loyalty as such risk falling behind. Consumers now expect programs that anticipate their needs, reward them beyond discounts, and connect them emotionally to the brand. This shift reflects the reality that loyalty isn’t about points, it’s about building affinity and advocacy. The most forward-thinking brands in 2026 treat loyalty as the foundation that unites CRM, data, and mediacactivation turning fragmented touchpoints into one seamless customer journey.

Traditional loyalty programs focused on earning and burning points. Modern loyalty platforms focus on earning trust. The difference lies in how brands use data to recognize and reward customers for behaviors that reflect true brand affinity — not just spend.

“The smartest brands in 2026 understand that loyalty isn’t a program. It’s a system,” says Dan Dawes, Co-Founder and CEO at Response Labs. “It powers every engagement, every campaign, and every decision about how to treat customers.”

At Response Labs, we help brands evolve from transactional loyalty to behavioral loyalty, where every action such as a social share, a review, or a referral becomes a signal of value. When integrated across [Salesforce Marketing Cloud](https://www.responselabs.com/sfmc-managed-services/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) (SFMC) and [paid media](https://www.responselabs.com/paid-media/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), loyalty becomes the connective tissue linking insights to activation.

**Why It Matters Now?**

The stakes have never been higher:  
● Customer acquisition costs are at an all-time high, increasing by 222% over the past decade.  
● Yet retained customers spend 67% more than new ones.  
● 71% of consumers expect companies to deliver personalized interactions ([McKinsey](https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/growth-marketing-and-sales/our-insights/the-value-of-getting-personalization-right-or-wrong-is-multiplying?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)).

Winning brands are moving from points-based programs to ecosystem-driven strategies that integrate seamlessly across channels. They are:  
● Unifying customer data across systems to understand lifetime value, not just last purchase.  
● Activating loyalty insights through SFMC, personalizing journeys in real time based on behaviors and preferences.● Using paid media as a loyalty accelerator, targeting high-value segments with offers that extend their relationship rather than just their basket size.  
● Leveraging AI to predict churn, recommend next-best actions, and optimize campaigns for long-term engagement rather than short-term conversions.

This new era of loyalty is measurable, scalable, and deeply human. It allows brands to deliver the kind of recognition and relevance that customers crave: beyond discounts, beyond points, and beyond the card.

**Want to dive deeper?** [Download our free Loyalty](https://www.responselabs.com/crm-loyalty-playbook/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)[ Playbook](https://www.responselabs.com/crm-loyalty-playbook/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) to see how your CRM becomes a true growth engine.

At Response Labs, we believe loyalty isn’t just a marketing function, it’s a business growth engine. If you’re ready totransform your loyalty program into a true growth program, we’re here to help.

[**Contact us today to talk about how to get started**](https://www.responselabs.com/contact/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**.**
### Agency Items: BBDO, Commonal and Adams Outdoor Advertising
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/agency-items-bbdo-commonal-and-adams-outdoor-advertising/
Last updated: 2026-02-18T21:23:45.000Z
**BBDO was the creative agency behind the most ads in Super Bowl 60,** reports ADWEEK, which adds that behind “six total spots from brands including Pepsi Zero Sugar, Instacart, Pringles, Budweiser, Oikos, and Wells Fargo, the Omnicom network produced more Super Bowl commercials in this year’s Big Game than any other creative agency. BBDO was able to snag the top spot following [Omnicom’s $13.5 billion acquisition of Interpublic Group](https://www.adweek.com/agencies/omnicom-closes-13b-ipg-deal-uniting-rivals-in-industry-shaping-merger/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) late last year, which led it to absorb agency network FCB, adding Super Bowl mainstay brands like Budweiser to its creative docket, adds ADWEEK.

**Katherine Ann Sutton is joining** [**Commonal.**](https://commonal.co/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) where she will develop brand and marketing strategies as a Fractional CMO and lead the implementation with Commonal’s network of practitioners and partners. Sutton began her career as employee #3 at REQ and grew to become SVP of Client Service & Operations over 16 years. She led some of the agency’s largest and most complex client engagements, developing award-winning, fully integrated marketing strategies grounded in data, analytics, and performance measurement. At Commonal, she will develop brand and marketing strategies.

[**Adams Outdoor Advertising**](https://commonal.co/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **adds two billboard locations** in the Charlotte, North Carolina, and Virginia markets. Both transactions reinforce the company’s continued focus on disciplined, high-impact growth. In Virginia, Adams acquired a two-faced location from McWhorter Media Group that will be added to the company’s Norfolk market portfolio. Located at the signalized intersection of Temple Avenue and Puddleduck Road near Petersburg, the site includes one static billboard and one digital billboard. Positioned in a busy commercial corridor near Southpark Mall and key interstate connections serving Fort Lee, the location delivers strong read time and high commuter visibility. Notably, this acquisition marks Adams Outdoor’s first location within the Richmond–Petersburg DMA (ranked 56th nationally), expanding the company’s reach beyond its traditional Norfolk market footprint. Adams Outdoor Advertising is the nation’s fourth-largest out-of-home advertising company,
### “AI replacement dysfunction” on the rise
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/ai-replacement-dysfunction-on-the-rise/
Last updated: 2026-02-23T18:00:27.000Z
**There isn’t a ton of evidence to suggest that the introduction of AI has led to significant job losses,** yet, states [Gizmodo](https://gizmodo.com/theres-a-new-term-for-workers-freaking-out-over-being-replaced-by-ai-2000723019?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), it has led to “a significant amount of *talk* about job losses, and that appears to be taking a real toll on people. According to [research published in the journal Cureus](https://www.cureus.com/articles/407877-artificial-intelligence-replacement-dysfunction-aird-a-call-to-action-for-mental-health-professionals-in-an-era-of-workforce-displacement?ref=capitolcommunicator.com#!/) and [spotted by Futurism](https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/ai-effects-workers-psychological?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), workers are increasingly suffering from distress caused by the constant fear of being replaced, and it’s gotten so bad that it needs its own term.”

According to Gizmodo, “researchers propose calling this new, modern anxiety “AI replacement dysfunction” or AIRD. The authors define it as a “new, proposed clinical construct describing the psychological and existential distress that could be experienced by individuals facing the threat or reality of job displacement due to artificial intelligence (AI).” The condition carries with it several common symptoms including anxiety, insomnia, depression, and identity confusion “that may reflect deeper fears about relevance, purpose, and future employability.” It can also lead to sufferers dealing with additional challenges like psychiatric disorders and substance abuse.

“The anxiety over AI is definitely real. A [recent Reuters/Ipsos poll](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/americans-fear-ai-permanently-displacing-workers-reutersipsos-poll-finds-2025-08-19/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) found that 71% of respondents said they were concerned that AI will put “too many people out of work permanently.” [Pew Research found](https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2025/02/25/u-s-workers-are-more-worried-than-hopeful-about-future-ai-use-in-the-workplace/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) that more than half of Americans are worried about how AI in the workplace will impact their jobs, and most lower- and middle-class people believe AI will worsen their job prospects in the future.”
### CRM & Loyalty Symposium: The Future of Customer Relationships, March 18, 5:30-8:00 pm
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/crm-loyalty-symposium-the-future-of-customer-relationships-march-18-530-800-pm/
Last updated: 2026-02-18T19:05:48.000Z
**Response Labs, along with AMA Baltimore, will present a forward-looking discussion** on how brands are evolving their approach to acquiring, engaging and retaining customers.

The event, March 18, 5:30 – 8:00 pm, will bring together marketing leaders, CRM practitioners and data-driven strategists to explore how customer relationships are being reshaped by first-party data, identity shifts and changing media dynamics.

**Panel Discussion | Moderated by Response Labs**

The event features a candid conversation on how brands are operationalizing customer relationships beyond owned channels. Panelists will explore how CRM and loyalty principles shape broader marketing decisions across data, media and lifecycle strategy.

**Guest Presentation: Loyalty at Enterprise Scale**

**Ryan Draude** | Head of Loyalty, Giant Food

Gain a first-hand perspective on how one of the region’s most recognizable brands approaches loyalty in a complex, competitive grocery environment.

The event will be held at Response Labs, 3600 O’Donnell Street, Suite 500, Baltimore, MD.

**For more information and to register, visit:** [**https://www.responselabs.com/crm-loyalty-symposium/**](https://www.responselabs.com/crm-loyalty-symposium/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### 2026 Proxy Season Preview, a Virtual Roundtable, Tuesday, March 10, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/2026-proxy-season-preview-a-virtual-roundtable-tuesday-march-10-200-300-pm/
Last updated: 2026-02-18T00:04:51.000Z
**Join Keith E. Gottfried, Founder and CEO of Gottfried Shareholder Advisory LLC, as he leads an expert panel of thought leaders and advisers representing the perspectives of both issuers and investors.**

**This** [**Virtual Roundtable**](https://www.commpro.biz/events/2026-proxy-season-preview?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, Tuesday, March 10, 2:00 – 3:00 PM (ET),** will share timely insights into what’s shaping the 2026 proxy season, including evolving shareholder activism preparedness and response strategies, the impact of the SEC’s new approach to shareholder proposals, and how shareholder engagement dynamics continue to shift in response to the 2025 changes in SEC guidance limiting engagement by passive investor.

**The Virtual Roundtable will explore:**

- The outlook for shareholder activism in 2026
- How the activist playbook is evolving compared to prior years
- How companies are adapting their preparedness and response strategies as activism becomes more sophisticated
- How the SEC’s 2025 guidance limiting engagement by passive investors has impacted shareholder engagement and investor communications
- Which shareholder proposal issues are expected to dominate this year
- How the change in the SEC’s approach to shareholder proposals is impacting the shareholder proposals that are submitted and expected to come to a vote
- The impact of changes in proxy advisory firm voting policies
- How institutional investors are approaching ESG -related proposals in a more complex regulatory and political environment**Moderator:Keith E. Gottfried, *Founder &* *CEO, Gottfried Shareholder Advisory, LLC***Gottfried is the CEO of Gottfried Shareholder Advisory LLC, a strategic advisory firm focused on advising public companies, the C-suite, and boards of directors on shareholder activism preparedness and defense. He is a highly experienced shareholder activism advisor. Throughout a career that spans over 30 years, working at some of the country’s most prominent firms, Gottfried advised numerous public companies in connection with high-profile shareholder activism campaigns. Before founding his firm in 2021, he led the shareholder activism defense practice at a large global law firm.Gottfried’s work as a shareholder activism defense advisor has been recognized on numerous occasions. In both 2018 and 2019, Keith was named by the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) to its list of Directorship 100 honorees, which recognizes the most influential people in the boardroom community, including directors, corporate governance experts, regulators, and advisors. He publishes and presents regularly and has been frequently quoted by the national business and news media, on shareholder activism trends and developments. Gottfried has also been a frequent contributor to the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance on shareholder activism developments. He holds an M.B.A., with high honors, from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, a J.D., cum laude, from Boston University’s School of Law, where he was an Edward F. Hennessey Distinguished Scholar of Law, and a G. Joseph Tauro Scholar of Law, and a B.S from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.**Panelists:Aneliya Crawford, *Chief Partnerships Officer & Shareholder Advisory Global Practice Lead, Sodali & Co***Crawford joined Sodali & Co in January 2026 as Chief Partnerships Officer & Shareholder Advisory Global Practice Lead. She is an accomplished executive with almost 20 years of experience as an M&A and governance advisor in the public and private markets. Aneliya is a recognized leader in shareholder activism, M&A, and corporate governance, with a distinctive blend of legal and banking expertise across premier global institutions.Most recently, she served as the Head of Corporate Shareholder Advisory, Americas at UBS. Prior to that, she was Global Head of Activism and Defense at UBS, where she built out the investment bank’s activism defense practice around the globe and advised some of the world’s largest corporations. She led a senior team of Managing Directors and Executive Directors, advising clients on complex M&A, activism, ESG, and capital markets transactions and driving strategic client engagements across borders.Prior to UBS, Crawford was an equity partner in the M&A group of Schulte, Roth & Zabel (now MCDermott Will and Schulte), co-leading one of the premier shareholder activism groups in private law, and previously a partner at Olshan Frome Wolosky, representing clients in hundreds of activist proxy contests and hostile takeovers for some of the world’s most prominent investors. Her career is marked by hands-on leadership, commercial acumen, and a collaborative approach.Crawford earned dual degrees in business and political science in Bulgaria, completed her law degree in New York, and a post-graduate business degree in Cambridge, MA. She brings a proven track record of building and scaling advisory businesses, leading high-performing teams, and delivering integrated solutions to blue-chip clients globally.**Liz M.Graffeo, *Partner, Reed Smith***Graffeo focuses her practice on capital markets transactions, corporate governance, and mergers and acquisitions. She advises public companies and underwriters on a broad range of transactions, including initial public offerings, follow-on equity and debt offerings, private placements, spin-offs, and convertible note transactions. Graffeo regularly counsels listed companies on SEC reporting and disclosure obligations, corporate governance and compliance matters, and annual meeting and proxy-related issues, including shareholder proposals and executive compensation disclosures. She also represents companies and boards of directors in connection with mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, and strategic investments.**Garrett Muzikowski, *Managing Director, M&A, Activism & Governance practice, FTI Consulting***Muzikowski is a Managing Director for the M&A, Activism & Governance practice in FTI Consulting’s Strategic Communications segment. Muzikowski supports companies in the development of strategies to secure shareholder support in both contested and uncontested situations.Muzikowski advises clients preparing for shareholder activism and when navigating live activism situations, ranging from private engagements to proxy fights and contested M&A. He has advised companies when engaging with Elliott Management, Starboard Value, Jana Partners, Engaged Capital, Legion Partners, Ananym Capital and Land & Buildings, among other activist funds.Muzikowski also counsels companies on corporate governance matters. With a distinct understanding of how to appeal to investors’ internal voting policies, he partners with clients to draft compelling proxy statements and develop effective shareholder engagement strategies. During his career, he has helped clients secure favorable outcomes on hundreds of proposals, including director elections, Say on Pay proposals, equity plans and environmental or social shareholder proposalsPrior to joining FTI Consulting, Muzikowski worked at the world’s leading proxy advisor, Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”), on the Custom Research Team. While at ISS, he helped some of the world’s largest institutional investors — such as State Street, BlackRock, Vanguard and Fidelity — develop and implement their proxy voting guidelines. In this role, he gained a keen understanding of how investors update their policies and when investors may “override” their voting policies based upon engagement with a company and the company’s proxy disclosures.Muzikowski received his B.S. in Mathematics and Economics from American University in Washington, D.C. He is a member of the Society for Corporate Governance and is a CFA Charterholder and CAIA Charterholder.**Amy I. Pandit, *Partner, Jones Day***Pandit represents publicly traded corporations and counsels clients on corporate governance, executive compensation, and in federal securities laws, stock exchange, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and Dodd-Frank Act compliance matters. She recommends courses of action for companies navigating the increasingly complex regulatory environment, designs and develops executive compensation and other incentive programs for publicly traded companies, and advises on the legal implications and potential public implications of those programs as well as on shareholder engagement and proposal matters. Amy has been recognized by BTI as an “all-star” for superior client service and as an Acritas “Star Lawyer.”Pandit also works closely with companies’ boards of directors and executive management teams, engaging them on critical legal and compliance matters and advising on corporate governance issues and disclosure matters most relevant to their business, shareholders, and other stakeholders.Pandit is a board member of The Three Rivers Chapter of the National Association for Corporate Directors. She frequently writes and presents on Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), executive compensation, corporate governance, and shareholder proposal topics.**Ron Schneider, *Director, Corporate Governance Service, Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN)***Schneider is responsible for providing thought leadership on emerging corporate governance, proxy, sustainability and other disclosure issues. Over the past four decades, He has advised and assisted senior management, the C-suite and boards of public companies of all sizes, industries and stages of growth to establish effective investor engagement programs, facing investor activism, and with challenging proxy solicitations involving corporate governance, compensation and control issuesDuring his career, he has managed more than 1,600 proxy solicitations, 200 tender or exchange offers and 30 proxy contests, with his proxy fight clients succeeding in over 70% of such situations.Schneider’s prior experience includes three years at investor relations agency The Financial Relations Board (FRB), three years at AST Phoenix Advisors and nine years at BNY Mellon, providing thought leadership on regulatory changes and emerging best practices.Earlier in his career, he held increasingly senior positions at major proxy solicitation firms Morrow & Company, D.F. King and Georgeson & Company, where he served on its first Board of Directors. Schneider earned a B.A. in Economics from Princeton University.**More** [**here.**](https://www.commpro.biz/events/2026-proxy-season-preview?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### Navigating the new M&A landscape, a virtual roundtable, March 4, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/navigating-the-new-ma-landscape-a-virtual-roundtable-march-4-200-300-pm/
Last updated: 2026-02-18T01:27:58.000Z
**Dealmaking is back on the agenda, but the rules have changed.**

**Join Dan Scorpio, Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting, as he leads a panel of thought leaders and advisers on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 2:00 - 3:00 PM (ET) for a** [**virtual roundtable** ](https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN%5FGvYc10DJR9C%5FWqn9p%5FO1gw?ref=capitolcommunicator.com#/registration)to unpack what’s driving today’s deals and how companies are navigating rising complexity, regulatory pressure and execution risk.

As M&A activity accelerates amid a dynamic global operating environment,executive teams and boards are operating under unprecedented levels of scrutiny, complexity and reputational risk. Transactions unfold in real-time across markets and jurisdictions, with stakeholder perceptions shaped quickly among media, employees, regulators and investors, leaving little margin for error.

This executive-level webinar explores how leaders can successfully navigate mergers, acquisitions, regulatory reviews and strategic transformations while protecting enterprise value, credibility and stakeholder trust. Moderated by **Dan Scorpio**, the conversation brings together legal, financial, governance and communications perspectives to unpack what is changing in today’s deal environment and how organizations should prepare.

The discussion will focus on practical strategies for managing communications, investor expectations, regulatory hurdles, and activist challenges before, during, and after high-stakes transactions.

Scorpio, who is moderator for the session, is a Senior Managing Director in FTI Consulting’s M&A practice within the Strategic Communications segment. Based in Chicago, Scorpio specializes in providing strategic communications and stakeholder engagement counsel for complex transactions and reputational matters. He advises boards of directors and executive teams across industries on effectively navigating mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, IPOs and activism defense.

Informed by more than a decade of experience leading high-profile M&A and capital markets engagements for Fortune 500 companies, private equity firms and family businesses, Mr. Scorpio advises clients on M&A transactions, public offerings, shareholder activism defense and financial communications issues. He has extensive experience guiding clients through high-stakes corporate events with a focus on protecting reputation, building trust and supporting long-term shareholder value creation.

Before joining FTI Consulting, Scorpio was a Managing Director and Head of the M&A and Activism practice at H/Advisors Abernathy. His transaction advisory experience includes high-profile engagements for T-Mobile, Keurig Dr Pepper, IFF, Medtronic, TPG and Pritzker Private Capital, among others, as well as Medline on its 2025 IPO, the largest globally since 2021\. He has advised on hundreds of acquisitions, divestitures, take-private and joint venture transactions in his career, and provided counsel during public and private engagements with an array of established and emerging activist investors.

Scorpio is a frequent speaker at industry forums, including the Garrett Institute, Corporate Counsel Institute, National Investor Relations Institute (“NIRI”), National Association for Corporate Directors (“NACD”) and the Society for Corporate Governance, among others.

**The panelists are:**

**Aaron Cutler, *Partner, Washington DC, Hogan Lovells***

As a former senior House leadership staffer, Cutler contributes high-level knowledge of policy and regulatory matters to his practice at Hogan Lovells. Now a partner and leader of our Government Relations and Public Affairs (GRPA) practice, he lobbies Congress in insurance and financial services; energy; sports and entertainment; and technology, media, and telecom sectors.

He has a depth of experience regarding congressional oversight and investigations. He is the group’s lead contact on such matters and regularly provides strategic advice to clients so they may navigate complex investigations. He has represented clients before Congress and the Executive Branch on a variety of issues such as Covid-19 related oversight, baby food standards, organ procurement policies, and cryptocurrency policy. Aaron has also helped navigate over a dozen clients successfully through congressional investigations and recently assisted a client win approval of a significant financial transaction.

Before joining Hogan Lovells, Cutler served as senior advisor for Policy and Outreach for House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA). He was the Leader’s direct liaison to the House Committees on Financial Services, Natural Resources, and Energy and Commerce, and helped shepherd more than 100 bills on the floor. Aaron coordinated legislative strategy with Chairmen, members and their staff, and other Leadership and Committee offices, and led outreach efforts to the business and finance community. In 2018, he presented congressional testimony before the Subcommittee of Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit of the House Committee of Financial Services related to FinTech.

Cutler’s Hill career began as a lawyer on the Energy and Commerce Committee staff under Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), where he focused on energy and environment policy. He advanced to deputy policy director and counsel under Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) with a broad policy portfolio.

**William Dooley, *Managing Director, M&A and Activism, Sodali & Co***

With more than nine years of experience providing strategic counsel to corporate issuers and boards in matters of shareholder activism defense, corporate governance and mergers & acquisitions, Dooley has spent his entire career at the firm and works closely with clients throughout the year on engagement programs with shareholders and advisory firms as well as activism preparedness. His clients are located across the globe and represent all market caps. Understanding a company’s shareholder profile from a voting control perspective and a company’s vulnerabilities is vital in determining potential outcomes in a contested situation. Recently he provided counsel on transformative M&A transactions including Time Warner/AT&T, Occidental Petroleum/Anadarko and Bristol Myers/Celgene and a number of contested situations including Newell Brands/Starboard, Olympus Corporation/ValueAct, First United Corporation/Driver Management, Synalloy Corporation/Privet Fund and Luby’s Inc./Bandera Partners.

**Andrew Goodman, *Partner, Mergers and Acquisitions and Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defense practices, Paul Hastings LLP***

Goodman is a partner in the Mergers and Acquisitions and Shareholder Activism & Takeover Defense practices and is based in the firm’s Boston and New York offices. His practice focuses on friendly and hostile public company M&A, corporate governance, shareholder activism defense, and contested situations. He works with clients in a variety of industries, with substantial experience in life sciences and healthcare, technology, and REITs.

Goodman has significant experience in cross-border and domestic public company M&A, including mergers-of-equals and LBOs. He advises public companies and their boards of directors and committees on issues of fiduciary duties and corporate governance, particularly in the contexts of change in control transactions and shareholder activism. In addition, he frequently counsels public company boards of directors and committees on shareholder activism campaigns and director election contests, opposition to M&A transactions, and other contests for corporate control.

**Val Mack, *Managing Director, Strategic Communications, FTI Consulting***

Mack advises companies on how to prepare for and approach shareholder activists and navigate M&A. Additionally, she advises private capital on how to build their brands through profile raising and transaction communications. She advises with a keen eye for creating opportunities and managing risk.

Before joining FTI Consulting, Mack worked for Elliott Management on communications and public affairs as the hedge fund grew assets under management (“AUM”) from approximately $35 billion to approximately $50 billion and built the firm’s private equity arm. Her role encompassed communications on regulatory issues, investment-specific efforts, media prep for executives, reputation management and quarterly investor communications.

Mack spent a decade in U.S. politics as a communications advisor and opposition researcher working on elections in more than 30 states and worked on two presidential primary campaigns. She also worked in the U.S. Senate and in the Massachusetts State House. She holds a B.A. in communication studies, cum laude, from Northeastern University.

**More** [**here**](https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN%5FGvYc10DJR9C%5FWqn9p%5FO1gw?ref=capitolcommunicator.com#/registration)**.**
### The Agile Brand Guide® releases 2026 edition of Customer Journey Management & Orchestration book
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-agile-brand-guide-releases-2026-edition-of-customer-journey-management-orchestration-book/
Last updated: 2026-02-18T21:32:06.000Z
***Curated by Greg Kihlström of The Agile Brand, with contributions from leading voices*** 
***across marketing, CX, and customer decisioning***

**The Agile Brand announced the release of the 2026 edition of The Agile Brand Guide® to Customer Journey Management & Orchestration,** curated by **Greg Kihlström** of The Agile Brand, and with a foreword by **Mark Smith**, Co-Founder and CEO of the Institute for Journey Management (I4JM).

This curated edition brings together practical guidance and perspectives from multiple thought leaders to help enterprise marketing and CX teams modernize how they manage customer experiences—moving from heavily scripted approaches to Next Best Action (NBA) decisioning that adapts in real time.

Customer expectations keep accelerating while most enterprise systems—and operating models—continue to lag. The result is familiar: disconnected experiences, duplicated efforts across teams, and automation that quickly and consistently scales the wrong decisions (a talent most organizations didn’t know they had). The 2026 Edition focuses on building an enterprise-grade foundation for Customer Journey Management and Orchestration, including how to align data, governance, measurement, and cross-channel execution into a working system.

The book covers topics such as:  
● The difference between Customer Journey Management and Customer Journey Orchestration, and why the distinction matters now  
● How Next Best Action changes operating models—from campaigns and flows to decision strategies and action libraries  
● Core platform capabilities including mapping and design, triggers, event modeling, integrations, governance, decisioning, analytics, and learning loops  
● Practical guidance on change management, adoption, and measuring value and momentum over time

“The goal isn’t to automate more messages—it’s to make better decisions, more consistently, in the moments that matter,” said Kihlström, curator of the 2026 Edition. “If your ‘personalization’ strategy still requires a weekly meeting to decide what a customer should see next, NBA is going to feel… refreshing.”

Featured contributors to the book include:  
● **Tara DeZao,** Sr. Director of Product Marketing, Pega  
● **Raymond Gerber,** Co-Founder, Institute for Journey Management  
● **Eytan Hattem**, CEO &amp; Co-Founder, Cemantica  
● **Trent Rossini,** CEO and Co-Founder, inQuba  
● **Mark Smith**, Co-Founder and CEO, Institute for Journey Management

The Agile Brand Guide® to Customer Journey Management & Orchestration (2026 Edition) is published by The Agile Brand and is available through Agile Brand channels, including [agilebrandguide.com](http://agilebrandguide.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), with additional availability through select booksellers.

**About The Agile Brand Guide®**  
The international best-selling book series providing marketing leaders and aspiring leaders an overview of key marketing concepts, platforms, and trends in three hours or less.

The current marketing technology landscape has thousands of platforms, with a continually growing set of feature sets, functionality, and potential. It is becoming increasingly difficult to determine how to approach marketing technology growth in the best and most relevant way.  
Agile Brand Guides are created to help marketers evaluate, buy, and implement critical pieces of marketing technology infrastructure most effectively, and to understand the principles and concepts that support a successful digital strategy.

Previous [Agile Brand Guides ](https://www.agilebrandguide.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)explore Digital Experience Platforms (DXPs), Customer Data Platforms (CDPs), Generative AI, Conversational Marketing, and more.
### Rev. Jesse Jackson’s legacy and three lessons for business communication leaders
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/rev-jesse-jacksons-legacy-and-three-lessons-for-business-communication-leaders/
Last updated: 2026-02-18T17:51:20.000Z
**By** [**Neil Foote**](https://www.commpro.biz/news?author=63c5f4c7bec7660627cceadb&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**Rev. Jesse L. Jackson spent his life fighting for fairness**. For those of us in business, marketing and communications, his story offers three clear lessons we can put to work right now.

Back in 1984, I had just arrived at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Atlanta. Friends were buzzing because Jackson had given an electrifying lunchtime speech during his first run for president. He ran again in 1988\. He did not win the nomination, but he showed the country a serious, national campaign led by a Black candidate and inspired others to step up.

He also did the day‑to‑day work. Through Operation PUSH in Chicago, he created legendary Saturday morning meetings that became weekly rallies, inspiring, educating and empowering residents from all segments of the community. Those gatherings drew national politicians, including white presidential candidates, who came because they knew that room represented a large, engaged influential audience.

Later, through Rainbow/PUSH and the Wall Street Project, he turned his attention to corporate America. He brought CEOs and senior executives together every year and pressed them to treat Black consumers and Black businesses fairly, from who they hired and promoted to which firms they chose as suppliers. He reminded them that Black buying power and Black talent were central to the nation’s economy, not an afterthought.

**So what does this mean for business communication pros? Three takeaways:** 

**1\. Use your platform with purpose.** Jackson used campaigns, speeches and weekly meetings to move people, not perform. Treat your conferences, town halls and content the same way: they should lead to action, not just talk.

**2\. Keep fairness at the center of the story.** He pushed companies to treat Black consumers and Black workers fairly in opportunity and access. When you talk about your brand’s values, tie them directly to how people are hired, promoted, paid and served.

**3\. Connect values to business decisions.** He did not separate moral arguments from bottom-line outcomes. When you talk about opportunity and fairness, tie those words to hiring, promotions, supplier choices and where your company spends its money.

That is a way to honor his legacy in our field: speak up, stay rooted in fairness and make sure your words lead to something real.
### State of Wikipedia report for February 2026
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/state-of-wikipedia-report-for-february-2026/
Last updated: 2026-02-18T18:59:16.000Z
**In February 2026, the Wikipedia Chaos Index sits at 95 which is considered critical levels of chaos.** This means that we recommend extreme caution and waiting until activity drops again for publishing new drafts, controversial information or engaging directly with editors.

Administrative activity, from Articles for Deletion nominations to ArbCom cases and conflict of interest investigations, all saw an increase in the first month of 2026\. This can be attributed to a combination of a surge in new page submissions, and a general increase in editorial discussions across the platform, which is typical for January.

There has been an increase in both pages being submitted and pages being declined in the Articles for Creation process, as editors continue to be stringent with accepting new Wikipedia pages.

In addition, Wiki Education – a non-profit organization that works with students and academics to improve public knowledge and improve Wikipedia – has been closely following the intersection of Wikipedia and artificial intelligence, and recently published an article based on their findings, reviewing the text of 178 English Wikipedia articles that had been flagged by a detector tool as being AI-generated. What they found was interesting; though only 7% of those articles contained fake sources – the most obvious byproduct of ‘AI hallucination’ – over 2/3rds of the articles failed verification, meaning the cited sources existed, but did not support the claims they were attached to in the article. Although Wiki Education continues to develop tools and training for editors to use artificial intelligence to help identify gaps in resources and knowledge across the project, their study is a strong reminder that AI remains an incredibly imperfect (and potentially harmful) knowledge tool – and on Wikipedia, remains something the platform prefers to insulate itself from, rather than fully embrace.

*NOTE: The Chaos Index is our proprietary metric for measuring turbulence throughout Wikipedia and tracking the community’s current sentiment towards corporate-related pages. The index measures community actions such as editing frequency, content deletion, message board posts, and many other activities that contribute to unstable corporate page environments.*
### Leading with credibility in a fractured media world, a Feb. 24 Zoom conversation with Congressman Jim Clyburn
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/leading-with-credibility-in-a-fractured-media-world-a-feb-24-conversation-with-congressman-jim-clyburn/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:38.000Z
***A Fireside Conversation with Congressman Jim Clyburn*** 
***and Podcast Host Michael Zeldin***

**As public trust declines and leaders navigate constant scrutiny and media noise,** credible leadership rooted in clarity and values matters more than ever. [In a fireside conversation on Zoom](https://www.commpro.biz/events/leading-with-credibility-in-a-fractured-media-world?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), February 24, 10:30 – 11:30 AM, **Congressman Jim Clyburn** and podcast host **Michael Zeldin** will discuss how the expectations and pressures of leadership have evolved across decades, and why earning trust today is fundamentally more difficult than in the past.

Guided by Congressman Clyburn’s recently released book, [*The First Eight*](https://www.google.com/books/edition/%5F/QQc6EQAAQBAJ?hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjYq%5FXfocCSAxU1EFkFHcvmE3gQ7%5FIDegQIJxAC&ref=capitolcommunicator.com), the conversation will cover how progress can pause when trust erodes, how leadership must evolve to meet new realities, and what Congressman Clyburn’s decades of service, including his 17th term, reveal about sustaining credibility over time.

The focus of this Zoom session is on leadership lessons and credibility challenges facing today’s communicators, not partisan politics.

*The First Eight: A Personal History of the Pioneering Black Congressmen Who Shaped a Nation* is a 2025 book by Representative Clyburn that chronicles the first eight Black South Carolinians elected to Congress during the Reconstruction Era. It blends history with memoir to honor these trailblazers and highlight their connection to modern political challenges. Attendees will leave the discussion with practical takeaways for building and maintaining trust.

**Register** [**here**](https://www.commpro.biz/events/leading-with-credibility-in-a-fractured-media-world?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Hosted by [Diversity Action Alliance](http://www.diversityactionalliance.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), [CommPRO](https://www.commpro.biz/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and [Capitol Communicator. ](https://capitolcommunicator.com/)
### Kristin Diaz joins WTOP as morning drive co-anchor
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/kristin-diaz-joins-wtop-as-morning-drive-co-anchor/
Last updated: 2026-02-13T15:52:10.000Z
**Kristin Diaz joins WTOP as its new morning drive anchor alongside co-anchor John Aaron.** Diaz joins WTOP, the highest-rated radio station in the D.C. market, from NewsRadio 1080 KRLD newsroom in Dallas, Texas, where she has served as PM Drive co-anchor since 2020.

According to WTOP, “Diaz was awarded the 2021 National Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast. She was a regional winner in 2023\. She was also the recipient of the 2023 Texas Association of Broadcasters award for Best Newscast.

“Prior to her work in Dallas, Diaz worked in Corpus Christi for 8 years as a morning news anchor, multimedia reporter and weather anchor at KIII-TV.”

In, addition, states WTOP, over the past two decades, Diaz “has made service to her community a cornerstone of her career. She is an active public speaker, event emcee, mentor and member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.”

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining the WTOP team and to begin this next chapter in Washington, D.C.,” said Diaz. “It’s an honor to step into a newsroom that is so deeply rooted in its community and committed to impactful storytelling. I look forward to bringing my experience, authenticity and passion for connecting with people to a city that represents such a powerful intersection of voices, cultures and perspectives.”

Diaz joins WTOP in April.
### Capitol Communicators: Profile of Greg Kihlström, creator of The Agile Brand Guide & Podcast
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-greg-kihlstrom-creator-of-the-agile-brand-guide-podcast/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:39.000Z
**Capitol Communicators is a profile series spotlighting the people shaping the present** 
**and future of advertising, digital, marketing and public relations in the Mid-Atlantic.** 
**This profile features Greg Kihlström, creator of The Agile Brand Guide & Podcast** 

**Greg Kihlström is clearly tireless**. And prolific. If there was a TV commercial about him (think Dos Equis’ most interesting man series), perhaps the last line would be “Stay agile, my friends.” Greg developed the concept of The Agile Brand, and from that came a long line of marketing books (more than 20!) and the award-winning podcast [*The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström®*](https://www.theagilebrand.show/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)*,* which discusses marketing technology and its role in the customer experience with some of the world’s leading experts and leaders. His best-selling [*The Agile Brand Guide®*](https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/agile-brand-guides?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) series dives into marketing technology platforms and practices. He is also a sought-after speaker, serial entrepreneur, and consultant to major national companies.

He holds an MBA, is working on a doctorate in Business Intelligence, and teaches as a member of the School of Marketing Faculty at the Association of National Advertisers. He was named by Thinkers 360 as #1 on its list of the Top Global Marketing Thought Leaders, one of ICMI’s Top 25 CX Thought Leaders two years in a row, and a DC Inno 50 on Fire. For Greg, “agile” is both a brand and a way of life.

**Greg, tell us about yourself.**

My first job out of college was as a *Webmaster* at an *Internet startup*. These are two things that didn’t exist when I started high school. I went to school for architecture and then photography (the darkroom, chemicals, etc. kind of photography not digital photography which was at about 2 Megapixels at most when I was in school). About halfway through I heard about this thing called HTML and taught myself to write it.

Fast forward a few years, I am a recovering agency owner, having started a company called Carousel30 back in 2003 which sold to what is now Yes& in 2017\. Since that acquisition, I co-founded a few startups, and work as a consultant and advisor to Fortune 1000 companies and have had the privilege to work with some of the world’s largest brands like Adidas, Fedex, GM, HP, Marriott, Nationwide Insurance, Victoria’s Secret, and more.

I also host a podcast called [*The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström®*](https://www.theagilebrand.show/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)*,* which is seven years and 750+ episodes in, and one of the highest-ranked enterprise marketing podcasts in the world. This, combined with writing for some industry publications like CMSWire and MarTech, and having written several books on marketing and CX, keeps me busy.

**What are the things you are most proud of?**

I’m proud that I’ve been part of some amazing teams that have done everything from R&D for a Fortune 50 related to journey orchestration, to creating some forward-thinking AI-based software tools to solve some of the biggest challenges that brands face. I’ve played many roles on those teams, but the common thread is that feeling when things just work well and you’ve got a group of individuals who can work in a 1+1=3 way. That feeling is the best and it’s the human partnership of those times that are what stick with me the most.

**What are the most significant changes or trends you see happening/ coming in the communications industry in 2026?**

I think that we are at (or will be soon) peak AI hype. Thus, by the end of 2026, I think we’re going to stop appending “AI” to everything, and soon “AI-driven marketing” will just be “marketing” again. Like it was for many years before! That said, the ubiquity of AI in marketing also means that the successful brands and companies will be those that utilize it in seamless ways and drive real value and gains rather than just creating more.

**What are the skills that are necessary to be successful today?** 

I talk a lot about agility on my podcast, in books, and in my other work. I believe that the ability to adapt and apply skills and learnings across disciplines becomes more necessary the more change that our professions face. I encourage everyone to look beyond their “vertical” skills like social media marketing, copywriting, or web design, and to start looking at their “horizontal” skills like adaptability, management, critical thinking, and others.

**What tools should we be using to be successful?** 

I’m going to give an “AI” recommendation here, but I won’t be specific. Instead, it’s more a mindset recommendation. Any time you perform a task more than once in the same way, and that you will likely have to perform again soon, take a minute to figure out how to automate at least one part of it so you don’t have to do the same thing end-to-end again. The tools you use for that will completely vary, but the mindset shift will save you days of your life in the long run.

**What advice helped you most in your career, and is that advice still relevant today?** 

The best advice I ever got as a leader was this: leaders don’t need to have all the answers, but instead the best thing they can do is surround themselves with smart people that can contribute to great ideas.

**What professional advice do you have for others?**

I think it comes back to agility, but also to the fundamentals of strategy. First, understand that the job you are doing now will so different between 2-4 years from now that it may not either exist, or it will occupy a different place in the org structure and importance. Learn not to dread this, but instead try to understand what you like to focus on and move your career in that direction over time.

Second, having been in the industry for nearly 30 years at this point, I’ve seen a few things change, but there are a few things that remain. Solid marketing strategy and approaches continue to be important to understand, regardless of the technologies, channels, customer preferences, and cultural norms that come and go. How they are applied may look and feel very different, but we are still in the business of acquiring and retaining customers, three decades on, and I can’t imagine things will be too different a few decades from now either.

**Are you involved in any professional organizations and do you find them to be valuable?** 

While my involvement in professional organizations has fluctuated, I can honestly say that one of the best things I ever did in my career was to get involved with what was then called the DC Ad Club (now AAF DC). Before joining, I barely knew anyone in the industry, and several years in, I had the honor of serving as President, gaining access to both local and national contacts, and it opened my world well beyond the four walls that contained my agency at the time.

I think that professional organizations evolve quite a bit over time, and COVID had a big impact on our relationship to in-person events, but I recommend that anyone should find a group of people that can form a larger network that you can contribute to and participate in dialogues with. This is very different than work friends, or coworkers, because these are people that likely have different perspectives, client or marketing experiences, and that diversity of ideas and thought are incredibly valuable down the road.  

**What brings you joy, professionally?**

The thing that brings me joy is doing something new—and *valuable*—for the first time. Plus, working with new teams, solving new challenges, and thinking of things in new ways. The common thread here is “new.”

**What are the social media tools and platforms that you find most valuable now and expect to use in 2026?**

I’m most active on LinkedIn, and despite some changes from time to time that make it either slightly better or slightly not better, I continue to find it valuable.

**Is there anything about you that most people do not know?**

I took nearly 12 years of classical piano lessons, though I do not recommend listening to me play at this point. Playing piano is not like riding a bike, unfortunately.

**What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done?** 

I’ll keep this in the realm of my professional life (because marrying my wife Lindsey was pretty darn cool as well) and just say that I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to work independently with some of the brands I love, and to travel the world meeting and talking with some of the leaders in my industry. So, the coolest thing would be to have carved out a way of working that gives me the flexibility to continue to learn, see and hear new things, and share some of the things I learn along the way. Between consulting, the podcast, and the writing, I feel continually energized and continually challenged to do more, and that’s exactly the place I want to be.

**Is there anything else you would like to add?**

Stay agile, and stay curious. Everything else is liable to change, but curiosity and a thirst for knowledge help you manage all manner of things.

**Capitol Communicators** [**profiles**](https://capitolcommunicator.com/tag/profiles/) **allow you to meet** 
**some of the most interesting and insightful pros in our region,** 
**learn how they stay ahead of the curve and gain practical wisdom** 
**during a time of constant change.**
### The Banner to cover Washington sports
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-banner-to-cover-washington-sports/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:39.000Z
**In an internal email to employees, The Banner’s editor-in-chief, Audrey Cooper,** in main photo, announced the Baltimore-based news outlet will be hiring journalists to cover Washington, D.C., sports, including the Nationals, Commanders, Capitals, Wizards and Terps. The new sports department is already preparing to cover the Nationals’ spring training in Florida.

The move comes a week after The Washington Post [disbanded its sports department](https://capitolcommunicator.com/washington-post-laying-off-about-30-percent-of-its-employees-including-more-than-300-journalists/), and it follows The Banner’s recent announcement that it will expand coverage this spring into Prince George’s County. The Banner’s coverage of Montgomery County began in September 2025 with a team of dedicated journalists based in Rockville.

> I have exciting news to share: We are growing The Banner’s sports department to cover teams in the Washington, D.C., region.  
>  
> This decision is part of our unwavering commitment to serve Maryland with honest, independent journalism. It builds on last week’s announcement that we are expanding our news coverage into Prince George’s County and represents another step in strengthening our statewide reach.  
>  
> At a time when so much pulls communities apart, sports bring us together. The Washington Post’s decision to eliminate its sports section creates an opportunity for us to serve more Marylanders with The Banner’s distinctive mix of fearless accountability reporting, engaging storytelling and sharp analysis.  
>  
> To support this expansion, we will add journalists to the ambitious team led by **Chris Korman**. They will deliver regular beat coverage of the Nationals and Commanders, as well as enterprise reporting on the Capitals, Wizards and Terps. Our coverage begins soon, with stories from the Nationals’ spring training in Florida.  
>  
> Our research and internal data show strong interest in coverage of these teams, and we know that excellent sports journalism drives reader engagement and subscriber retention. Widening our scope of coverage benefits our current readers as well as future ones: The Washington-area teams have large fan bases in the Baltimore area, and vice versa.  
>  
> Thank you for your continued commitment to building something exceptional.  
>  
> Sincerely,  
>  
> Audrey
### Veteran journalist crafts “Dr. Einsteinorous Becomes a Dentist”, a book to inspire young readers to embrace curiosity, courage and clean teeth
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/veteran-journalist-crafts-dr-einsteinorous-becomes-a-dentist-a-book-to-inspire-young-readers-to-embrace-curiosity-courage-and-clean-teeth/
Last updated: 2026-02-13T20:24:37.000Z
**A new children’s book, *Dr. Einsteinorous Becomes a Dentist*, is making its debut**, bringing a burst of imagination, humor and heart to the world of pediatric dental health.

Written by veteran journalist **Joe Cantlupe** and illustrated by **Jennifer Lenderking**, the book, states a release, “follows the lovable and wildly curious Dr. Einsteinorous as he embarks on an unexpected journey into the world of prehistoric dentistry. Through vibrant illustrations and playful prose, the story transforms a potentially scary topic—visiting the dentist—into a prehistoric adventure.

“The story introduces readers to Dr. Einsteinorous and his parade of prehistoric patients. Despite their massive size and strength, many of these giants are nervous about their checkups. Dr. Einsteinorous gently guides his patients—some of whom boast hundreds of teeth—through the importance of dental hygiene and the impact of choosing healthy snacks over junk food.”

“The goal was to blend smarts and kindness with a little bit of whimsy,” says Cantlupe. “We wanted to show children that even a T-Rex can be brave at the dentist, and that curiosity is the best tool for overcoming fear.”

*Dr. Einsteinorous Becomes a Dentist* is specifically crafted for children ages 3 to 8, making it an ideal addition to home libraries, classrooms and pediatric waiting rooms.

You can buy the book at virtually any retailer and some independent bookstores.

**About The Author**: **Joe Cantlupe** is a Maryland-based journalist, healthcare writer and father of two. A former reporter for the Washington Bureau of *The San Diego Union-Tribune* and *Copley News Service*, he was a member of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team.<

**About The Illustrator:** **Jennifer Lenderking** is a Maryland-based business owner, muralist and mother. She operates LenderQueen Studio, a home-based creative hub, producing everything from vibrant paintings to intricate stained glass and jewelry.
### Strategic Concept Proposal is a Hack
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/strategic-concept-proposal-is-a-hack/
Last updated: 2026-02-11T21:17:10.000Z
Dear Capitol Communicator readers, I unfortunately was hacked. You may have received an email from me today about a Strategic Concept Proposal,. I hope you recognized that it was a hack. I am in the process of taking measure to remedy the problem. My apologies for the inconvenience.

Paul Duning, Publisher
### City Cast to expand in DC to help fill void The Post is leaving
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/city-cast-to-expand-in-dc-to-help-fill-void-the-post-is-leaving/
Last updated: 2026-02-10T22:04:57.000Z
**Graham Holdings, the company that previously owned The Washington Post,** is stepping up its coverage of the DC metro area following the firing of a third of the newspaper’s staff by billionaire Jeff Bezos. Only this time, Graham will do it via podcasting. [City Cast,](https://dc.citycast.fm/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) the network of daily local news podcasts and newsletters, has announced it will size up and expand its efforts in the Washington area to fill the gap left by the Post layoffs, reports [Inside Radio.](https://www.insideradio.com/free/city-cast-moves-to-plug-dc-news-gaps-left-by-washington-post-cuts/article%5F1da77e64-aa15-4f6a-994c-63b845bd6705.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

“City Cast is going to immediately and significantly expand our local DC newsroom, to help fill the void the Post is leaving,” says **David Plotz,** the CEO and founder of City Cast. “City Cast’s parent company, the Graham Holdings Company, knows from its own longtime stewardship of The Washington Post how important local media is to a city’s well-being. Graham Holdings is continuing its commitment to the region by supporting City Cast’s expansion.” Graham sold the Washington Post to Bezos in 2013.

In a post on social media, Plotz says that City Cast plans to initially hire four journalists to start immediately, writing that “[City Cast DC](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-city-cast-dc-98564334/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)” has already attracted tens of thousands of listeners and readers in the Washington area.

City Cast states that it is “a network of daily local podcasts and newsletters that make you feel more connected to the city you love. Currently in Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake, DC, Philly, Portland, Madison, Austin, Nashville, Seattle and Twin Cities.”

The company was co-founded by Plotz (former CEO of Atlas Obscura and editor of *Slate*) and Chief Creative Officer Andi McDaniel (former Chief Content Officer at WAMU). the parent company is Graham Holdings Company, a diversified conglomerate that formerly owned *The Washington Post* and currently owns *Slate*.
### Agency Updates: Crosby Marketing, WHITE64 and Wireside Communications
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/agency-updates-crosby-marketing-white64-and-wireside-communications/
Last updated: 2026-02-20T19:24:44.000Z
[**Crosby Marketing Communications**](https://www.crosbymarketing.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **promoted two to key positions**: **Kelsi Fink,** left in photo, was promoted to Associate Vice President, Public Relations. She leads innovative, national media relations programs, spokesperson trainings, and reputation management initiatives for Crosby clients, including DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She has more than 11 years of experience leading public affairs and media relations campaigns. **Laura Flury,** right in photo, was named Associate Vice President, Digital Marketing. With more than 13 years of experience in the digital marketing space, she leads integrated digital and AI-powered programs for high-impact, conversion-driven marketing programs. She serves clients including the Social Security Administration and DAV (Disabled American Veterans).

[**WHITE64**](https://white64.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced a new leadership team following the retirement of longtime CEO Matt White,** The team includes [Mick Sutter,](https://www.linkedin.com/in/micksutter/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) Chief Creative Officer;[ Jack Dayan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-dayan-67804221/?originalSubdomain=ca&ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Chief Strategy Officer; [Caroline Moncure](https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-moncure-8031a818/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Chief Client Officer; and [Nick Teare](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickteare/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), VP, Managing Director, Travel & Leisure Practice Lead. In addition to these new hires, WHITE64 promoted Kelly Weismiller to Chief Marketing Officer.

**Wireside Communications has been named to** [Ragan’s 2026 Top Places to Work in Communications](https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ragan.com%2Fragans-2025-top-places-to-work-in-communications-honorees-announced%2F&esheet=54419463&newsitemid=20260206091463&lan=en-US&anchor=Ragan%26%238217%3Bs+2026+Top+Places+to+Work+in+Communications&index=2&md5=4703963395309327cd56d4b3ff3bf654&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) list. The list, states a release, recognizes agencies that set the standard for workplace culture, leadership and professional excellence across the communications industry. Ragan’s Top Places to Work in Communications highlights organizations that prioritize employee engagement, professional development and inclusive workplace environments—values Wireside has intentionally focused on as it continues to grow. “These accolades are a testament to the talent and dedication of our team,” said **Joya Subudhi,** founder and co-CEO of Richmond-based Wireside Communications. “We’re energized by the recognition, but even more so by the opportunity to continue building one of the best tech PR agencies in the nation by working with clients who are reshaping industries and driving meaningful impact.”
### Omnicom merges Golin and Ketchum, and folds Porter Novelli into FleishmanHillard
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/omnicom-merges-golin-and-ketchum/
Last updated: 2026-02-11T21:18:06.000Z
**Omnicom is merging Golin and Ketchum,** a major consolidation inside Omnicom Public Relations Group as the holding company begins reshaping its communications portfolio in the wake of its acquisition of Interpublic, reports [PRovoke Media.](https://www.provokemedia.com/latest/article/omnicom-to-merge-golin-and-ketchum-fold-porter-novelli-into-fleishmanhillard?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

According to an internal memo, the combined agency will be led by Golin chief executive **Matt Neale** as CEO, with Ketchum’s T**amara Norman** serving as global president. Norman, named Ketchum’s US CEO in 2024, has been leading the region since the departure of then-CEO **Mike Doyle** in July.

The agencies will retain their individual brands during the integration. Ketchum has a D.C, office

In a separate move, states PRovoke Media, “Omnicom is folding Porter Novelli into FleishmanHillard, with Porter Novelli becoming a dedicated brand within FleishmanHillard rather than operating as a standalone agency. In the memo, OPRG CEO Chris Foster, in photo, said the two agencies are closely aligned in corporate affairs, reputation, and purpose and social impact, and that the new structure is designed to connect teams and offerings in a way that makes delivery more consistent across markets. (Porter Novelli and FleishmanHillard both have D.C. offices.)

“J.J. Carter will continue to lead FleishmanHillard as CEO. Porter Novelli CEO Jillian Janaczek will serve as Americas CEO.

“Foster framed the moves as part of a broader effort to define what a modern PR and communications organization should look like following the IPG acquisition, with the goal of making it easier for clients to access the right expertise quickly across corporate reputation, public affairs, marketing, and growth priorities.”

**PHOTO: Chris Foster at Davos**
### Designing for the future: How Response Labs balances human connection with digital precision
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/designing-for-the-future-how-response-labs-balances-human-connection-with-digital-precision/
Last updated: 2026-03-30T14:37:48.000Z
**By Response Labs**

**In today’s fast-paced marketing landscape, digital design is evolving faster than ever.** The most effective brands aren’t just chasing trends.

They’re mastering the art of balance.

Modern design language blends data-driven clarity with a distinctly human touch, ensuring that brands feel both trustworthy and approachable.

Minimalist grids meet organic shapes. Bold, accessible typography lives alongside conversational language. Clean interfaces are paired with vibrant accent colors that express personality. This is the sweet spot where a brand can be both intelligent and relatable. It’s precisely the approach we took when reimagining the Response Labs website.

#### Why Balance Matters in Digital Design

Digital design isn’t just about looking good, it is, by its nature, functional. Digital design is about making every interaction intuitive, relevant, memorable, and ultimately actionable. The brands that succeed in this space communicate two key things:

**Authority:** They know their stuff and can be trusted to deliver results.

**Humanity:** They understand people, not just numbers.

Leaning too far into technical minimalism risks feeling cold and inaccessible. Swing too heavily into casual, human-centric design and you risk losing credibility. That’s why, when looking to refresh the Response Labs website our rebrand started with a single guiding principle: **blend the human and the digital into one cohesive identity**.

#### The Response Labs Website: A Case Study in Balanced Design

When we set out to rebrand, we weren’t just refreshing a logo or updating colors; in fact, the logo hasn’t changed. We were reframing how our brand communicates in a digital-first world.

**Human at the Core**

Our creative elements of hand-drawn arrows, brush strokes, and loose shapes anchor our brand in humanity. They remind visitors that behind every AI-powered insight is a team of curious problem solvers. These organic touches are strategically placed to break up the rigidity of digital layouts, making complex ideas more approachable.

**Precision in the Details**

Our grid system, modern sans-serif typography, and streamlined navigation are all about clarity and speed. They make it easy for users to find what they need while reinforcing the credibility of a data-first agency.

**A Color Palette with Purpose**

We evolved our palette to signal innovation while keeping our foundation of trust. Deep Blue and Midnight communicate expertise, while Electric Blue and Mint inject energy. Light Gray brings visual balance, and Dark Green nods to our legacy of reliability. This combination doesn’t just look sharp—it reflects our growth from tactical execution to strategic business transformation.

**Consistency Without Stagnation**

Back to our logo—we strategically chose to keep it intact. As a recognizable mark, it represents the intersection of human connection and measurable growth. By keeping it consistent, we anchor our identity while allowing other brand elements to evolve.

**Bringing that Mission to Life**

This rebrand isn’t just a design facelift—it’s a statement about how we see the future of marketing. We believe that brands should feel as intelligent as they are relatable, as data-driven as they are human. Our new website embodies that philosophy, showing prospects and clients that we can architect complex CRM & Loyalty strategies while never losing sight of the people they serve.

At Response Labs, we **Make Every Message Matter™**—and now, our design language makes that promise visible in every click, scroll, and interaction.

#### Finding Your Digital Design Language

Your brand’s design language is more than colors, fonts, and layouts. It’s the visual and experiential shorthand that tells customers who you are, what you stand for, and why they should trust you. In today’s competitive digital landscape, consistency isn’t just nice to have, it’s the difference between blending in and breaking through.

Our approach goes beyond surface-level aesthetics, making your website both beautiful and functionally aligned to attract, nurture, retain, and grow customers. Integrating data-driven insights, AI-powered tools, and human-led creativity to craft a design language that doesn’t just look good—it works hard. Every visual decision is rooted in audience behavior, brand strategy, and your specific growth goals, ensuring your design system is a living, adaptable asset that can scale with your business.

If you’re ready to define or refine your digital identity and make every interaction with your customers more consistent, compelling, and conversion-focused, we can help you **Make Every Message Matter™**.

**Response Labs Article URL:** [https://www.responselabs.com/2025/09/human-centered-design-language/](https://www.responselabs.com/2025/09/human-centered-design-language/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### Super Bowl LX: “Wildly Original” Awards
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/super-bowl-lx-wildly-original-awards/
Last updated: 2026-02-11T18:24:45.000Z
**By: Tuesday Poliak, Chief Creative Officer,** [**RP3 Agency**](https://rp3agency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**After 60 years of Super Bowl advertising, delivering something wildly original is a tall order.** This year’s most memorable spots weren’t the loudest or the most expensive, they were the ones that surprised us with insight or craft, saying or doing something we never expected to see on the Super Bowl stage.

### **The Bigger Super Bowl LX Takeaway: Wildly Original, Re-Defined**

This year’s Super Bowl ads signaled a shift:

- Insight can replace budget
- Strategy is critical to mesh with the zeitgeist
- Emotion works best when it’s earned, not overly engineered
- AI, while a good tool, can creatively compete with the message

### **“The ads that won weren’t the loudest, the most expensive,** 
**or the most star-studded ideas….they were simply wildly original,”** 
**says Tuesday Poliak, RP3’s Chief Creative Officer**

#### **Category One: “Wait…They Bought a Super Bowl Ad?”** 
**Manscaped – Hair Ballad**

#### **Video Link:** [**MANSCAPED® Presents “Hair Ballad”**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI9V70EAXiI&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

This ​​gross-but-funny ad by Manscaped featured a talking clump of shower hair, a combo designed to make viewers laugh and squirm. It’s also a milestone moment as this is the first Super Bowl appearance by this brand, asking the consumer to “Mancare Your Everywhere.”

####   
**Category Two: “Did They Just Talk About ‘That’?”** 
**Novartis – Relax Your Tight End** 
**Video Link:** [**Relax your tight end.**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMTcZb48aVU&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

Novartis deserves credit for tackling prostate screening with humor that didn’t undermine the message. By using football language and real NFL Tight Ends to address an uncomfortable topic, the ad was disarming, memorable, and culturally smart, making awareness feel accessible and urgent.

#### **Category Three: “Did They Just Launch a Product?”**

#### **Ring – Search Party**

#### **Video Link:** [**Search Party from Ring | Be A Hero In Your Neighborhood**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OheUzrXsKrY&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

Ring quietly pulled off one of the smartest product launches of the night. *Search Party* reframed neighborhood watch culture by showing how lost dogs are more likely to be found when neighbors pitch in using Ring. And who doesn’t want to find lost neighborhood dogs! It was emotionally grounded, highly relatable, and deeply human. This ad showed proof that usefulness can be just as powerful as spectacle.

#### **Category Four: “No Celebrity Crutch”**

#### **Liquid I.V. – Take A Look**

#### **Video Link:** [**Take A Look | Liquid I.V. Game Day 2026 Commercial**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eBbrn7I%5FdY&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

Liquid I.V. won with one brutally honest insight: *the color of your pee*. Slightly taboo, instantly relatable, and refreshingly direct. No sprawling narrative, no forced humor, just a sharp idea that clearly communicated value. A reminder that a great insight can outperform celebrity overload (and yes, an impressive number of toilets in one short ad).

#### **Category Five: “The Return of a Legend”**

#### **Levi’s – Backstory**

#### **Video Link:** [**Backstory | Levi’s® Behind Every Original**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j70p29KipEE&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

Levi’s hasn’t had a superbowl spot for 20 years. The iconic brand reappeared with a fresh “don’t take your eyes off that back pocket” film and we didn’t. Celebrating diversity in the most literal way possible: butts. With the backdrop of James Brown’s “Get Up Offa That Thing,” the brand confidently acknowledged its history of making butts look great in a way that felt joyful, modern, and timeless.

#### **Category Six: “When Celebrity *Is* the Idea”** 
**Pepsi – Polar Bear**

#### **Video Link:** [**The Choice | Pepsi | Super Bowl**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPHI2zNf%5Fww&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

Pepsi’s Polar Bear may have been one of the smartest “celebrity” uses of the night. The Coca-Cola icon wasn’t new, but the positioning was. After choosing Pepsi in a blind taste test, the bear spirals, seeking therapy, yearning to be free. It tapped into collective burnout and identity fatigue with surprising tenderness. The ending, echoing the infamous Coldplay concert mishap, grounded the spot in pop culture self-awareness. Funny, emotional, and remarkably human for a CGI bear.

#### **TurboTax – The Expert**

#### **Video Link:** [**The Expert feat. Adrien Brody (Ext. Cut): TurboTax 2026 Super Bowl Commercial (Official TV Ad 2:00)**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL7sMbeD-UE&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

Playing a humorous version of himself as a TurboTax expert, Adrien Brody brings his dramatic acting persona to the spot while reinforcing the idea that TurboTax makes tax season stress-free.

#### **Category Seven: “Emotional Storytelling That Earned It”**

#### **Lay’s – Last Harvest**

**Video Link:** [**LAY’S® | Last Harvest | Super Bowl LX Commercial | Extended Cut**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4EkP55njL4&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

### 

Emotion showed up this year – but quietly. Lay’s delivered one of the strongest tugs with a farmer-led story rooted in heritage and simplicity. Without saying “real food,” it communicated respect for the local growers, the land, the process, and farming’s future, letting authenticity do the work instead of manufactured sentiment.
### Press Release Distribution Terms Explained: A Beginner’s Guide to PR, SEO and GEO
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/press-release-distribution-terms-explained-a-beginners-guide-to-pr-seo-and-geo/
Last updated: 2026-02-09T19:14:05.000Z
**By Issac Morgan, Staff Writer, Newsmatics, Inc.**

**Let’s face it. When you start looking for ways to get your news in front of the media (and now AI tools),** it can feel overwhelming because there are so many channels of communications to consider. It’s not always clear which ones are worth your time or money.

One effective tool that has been around for more than a century is sending press releases through distribution platforms. These specialized services offer a way to share company news, updates and announcements about your brand or business with a wide network of media outlets without having to track down countless journalist emails or phone numbers.

However, people new to PR can sometimes find the terminology on these distribution websites confusing. Don’t panic. These terms become much easier to understand once you grasp the basics.

Terms like syndication, GEO, and distribution reports can sound like a foreign language. For those who find themselves navigating uncharted territory, we’ve broken down some of the common jargon you’ll see on [EIN Presswire](http://einpresswire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and other press release distribution platforms.

#### **What is a press release?**

First, let’s start off with what a press release is (and what it isn’t). Sometimes also referred to as “media alerts,” a press release is a 500-700 word formal announcement from a company or brand to inform the public, the media, and shareholders about new developments or upcoming events.

Press releases **are**:

- Written from a neutral, third-person perspective. Instead of “We are proud to announce…” a press release would say, “Company Name is proud to announce…”
- Making a clear, timely, newsworthy announcement. Common angles include: promotions or staff appointments, quarterly financial updates, company statements on current events, achievements, awards, and milestones, business expansions, and the introduction of new products or services.
- Written by following a specific press release format. Typically, this includes a headline, a dateline, an intro paragraph, body content, a boiler plate, and contact information.
- Great tools for marketing, boosting brand awareness, and improving SEO/GEO.

Press releases **are** **not**:

- Advertisements. If the content is primarily aimed at selling a product or service, without any newsworthy or informative elements, then it is an advertisement and not a press release. Hyperbolic claims, overly promotional language, and superlatives should be avoided.
- Opinion pieces, otherwise known as “op-eds.” If the primary purpose of the content is to persuade the public to your stance on an issue or relies on personal opinions and interpretations of facts, then it is an opinion piece and not a press release. Exposés and open letters often also fall into this category.
- Potentially libelous, harmful, or malicious.

*Why is this important?*

Press releases are one of the most commonly-used tools for brand strategy, and it’s been that way for over a century! Press releases have been around since 1906, and they’ve endured as a staple of the marketing and PR industry because of their effectiveness and universal accessibility. All of the biggest brands in the world utilize press releases to get their message to consumers, shareholders, and the media. So, whether they’re a new brand just beginning their journey, a well-established company looking to boost their online presence, or a PR agent tasked with enhancing the digital marketing strategy of their clients, press releases are a critical piece of today’s online news landscape.

*Further reading:* [How to Write a GREAT Press Release](https://www.einpresswire.com/press-release-distribution-guide/how-to-write-a-great-press-release?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

#### **What is a boilerplate?**

A boilerplate is the part of a press release where you tell your audience about your business or brand. It’s a concise, compelling paragraph that explains what you do, why, and how. It may also cite things like ownership, growth data, and the organization’s website to inform (and impress) the audience.

Shortening your brand’s mission statement and purpose into 3-5 sentences may seem like a tall order. However, it’s more simple than you might think. *Here’s an example of an EIN Presswire boilerplate to consider*:

About EIN Presswire

EIN Presswire, Everyone’s Internet News Presswire, founded by industry experts, delivers breaking news to a global audience through innovative, cost-effective distribution channels, making it a leading hub for professionals seeking to share or discover news efficiently and effectively. EIN Presswire is an operating division of Newsmatics Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based news tech company. Learn more by visiting [www.einpresswire.com](http://www.einpresswire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

*Why is it essential?*

Boilerplates cover the main features of a brand in a way that is easily understood by readers, journalists, search engines, and AI tools. They help you control your brand’s narrative and spread awareness by condensing a company’s information into a citable, indexable, and memorable format. It’s a key feature of [writing an effective, professional press release](https://www.einpresswire.com/ai/press-release-generator?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)!

*Further reading:* [Master the Press Release: Key Elements That Build Credibility and Reach](https://einpresswire.substack.com/p/master-the-press-release-key-elements)

#### **What is a newsroom?**

Think of a newsroom as an online hub where all of a company’s press releases and recent news is gathered in one place. You can browse their recent headlines and catch up on their latest updates. Usually newsrooms also display the company’s logo and press contact information.

*Why is this important?*

Newsrooms are frequently used by journalists, industry professionals, and stakeholders to stay informed about a brand or organization. They offer a credible information source for artificial intelligence tools and search engines to pull answers from.

*Further reading:* [Newsroom Setup & Use Guide](https://www.einpresswire.com/guide-pdf/EIN-Presswire-My-Newsroom-Set-Up-And-Use-Guide.pdf?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

#### **What is a newswire?**

Though the term may sound ancient to some, newswires (or “wire services”) are used every day by journalists and news consumers alike to receive critical news updates, and by brands and companies to get those updates to the public. Newswires are a time-tested and strategic way to get news to the masses.

In today’s digital world, a newswire is a service or online platform that sends news and announcements to journalists, editorial departments, news outlets, and media databases for publication. Basically, it gets your news where it needs to go.

Newswires act as a bridge between organizations and the media outlets they want to reach, making sure important updates reach the right platforms quickly in a format reporters are ready to use.

EIN Presswire is considered a newswire because we distribute to a wide range of online platforms, media databases, and news outlets. These sources are then used by search engines and LLMs (Large Language Models) to provide answers to questions the public is searching for.

*Why is this useful?*

Most individuals and businesses don’t have direct publishing relationships with news platforms, media databases, and journalists. That’s where newswires come in. Wire services are especially useful for small and mid-sized businesses, self-promoters, and startup brands that don’t always have dedicated PR teams, or for adhoc announcements that need to go out fast. Researching media outlets, building distribution lists, and finding journalist and editor emails is time-consuming and tedious, but a newswire does that heavy-lifting for you.

*Further reading:* [More Than Announcements: Press Releases In The AI Era Focus On Scalable, Search-Friendly Content](https://einpresswire.substack.com/p/more-than-announcements-press-releases)

#### **What is syndication?**

If you’ve worked in the PR world, you’ve probably heard this term before, but you may not be familiar with what it actually means.

In the context of media and content, syndication is the mass transfer of content, usually between a publisher and news outlets or media databases. This is typically an automated process done through a variety of methods – from APIs, to RSS feeds, to content management systems.

*Why is this important?*

Syndication is a part of the magic sauce that makes press release distribution platforms like EIN Presswire such a valuable tool in content strategy. The platform builds the syndication tools and media relationships so you can focus on putting out great content about your brand.

*Further reading:* [Why Press Release Distribution is More Than Just a ‘Send’ Button](https://einpresswire.substack.com/p/why-press-release-distribution-is)

#### **What is a distribution report?**

#### After a press release is published by a distribution platform like EIN Presswire, clients receive a distribution report for that release.

Think of it as a “report card” showing how and where your news was distributed.

A distribution report is a document provided after publication that tracks where the press release was delivered. For EIN Presswire, your report will give you links to where your release was syndicated across our distribution network, including placement on major news sites and partner platforms such as Google News, AP News, the National Law Review, and the USA TODAY Network, as well as how your release is visible in search engines like Google.

EIN Presswire’s distribution reports also include AI-related visibility information, reflecting how press releases may appear or be referenced in ChatGPT. This new addition shows the growing role of AI in how people discover and consume news.

Check out a [sample distribution report](https://www.einpresswire.com/press-releases/representative-report?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) from EIN Presswire.

*Why is this useful?*

Distribution reports give you a clearer picture of how your news is being distributed and discovered. The way people search for and consume information continues to evolve, with AI tools becoming increasingly common. These insights help you better understand your reach across online platforms.

*Further reading:* [Get Your Brand Discovered by AI](https://www.einpresswire.com/knowledge-base/how-to-get-into-ai-platforms?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

#### **What is a media list?**

Media lists are lists or databases of press contacts (journalists, editorial teams, bloggers, newspapers, radio stations, etc.) that usually contains contact information and notes about what topics are covered by each contact. These lists are used by public relations pros to get in direct contact with a journalist or organization about a subject they may be interested in running a piece about. They’re also used by press release distribution platforms to share news with the media about a specific topic or location.

EIN Presswire makes its media lists public via our [World Media Directory](https://www.einpresswire.com/world-media-directory/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). Take a look at our [United States national media list](https://www.einpresswire.com/world-media-directory/3/united-states?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) to see an example of what media lists look like.

*Why is it important?*

Most media professionals will tell you that networking is a key part of the public relations business. The same can also be said for press release distribution! That’s why so many people turn to distribution companies like EIN Presswire – media lists are ready-made, and we take care of sending the release to relevant contacts for you, so you can get exposure with top editorial rooms at the click of a button.

*Further reading:* [How EIN Presswire Took the Pain Out of Cold Emails](https://einpresswire.substack.com/p/how-ein-presswire-took-the-pain-out)

#### **What is SEO?**

When someone searches for a brand or topic online, content should be easy to locate.

The goal is simple. Make content easier to discover when people search for relevant topics or keywords on platforms such as Google. Ranking on the first page of search results is often the target.

In a nutshell, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of improving how well content appears in search engine results. Effective SEO helps content rank higher so people do not have to search extensively to find it.

*Why is this important?*

Higher visibility in search results means the likelihood that content will be seen, read, and shared. For businesses and brands, strong SEO helps ensure their news and information reach the right audience in an increasingly digital search environment.

*Further reading:* [How Press Releases Improve SEO and AI Reach](https://www.einpresswire.com/guide-pdf/EIN-Presswire-How-Press-Releases-Improve-SEO-And-AI-Reach.pdf?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

#### **What is GEO?**

The way people look for information about topics, companies and brands is continuously evolving.

Instead of relying only on traditional search engines, more people are asking questions directly to AI chatbots and tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Grok and Gemini. The cool thing is people are receiving conversational answers.

GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) focuses on helping content appear in responses generated by AI-powered tools. Rather than showing a list of links, these systems generate direct answers by drawing from the content they have learned and summarized.

*Why is this essential?*

As AI tools become a more common way people discover information, visibility within AI-generated responses matters. GEO helps ensure that accurate, relevant brand content is more likely to be reflected in those answers, alongside traditional search visibility.

*Further reading:* [Toolkit for AI-Driven Communications](https://www.einpresswire.com/guide-pdf/EIN-Presswire-Toolkit-for-AI-Driven-Communications.pdf?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

#### **So, what’s next?**

Now that you’ve learned some of the basic PR jargon, you’re better equipped to understand how press release distribution works. Did we miss anything?

[*Michaela Jackson*](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjackson-writingediting/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)*, part of the risk assessment team at* [*EIN Presswire*](https://www.einpresswire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)*, contributed to this article.*
### The Banner expanding to Prince George’s County
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-banner-expanding-to-prince-georges-county/
Last updated: 2026-02-08T17:01:53.000Z
The Banner announced it will begin news coverage in Prince George’s County this spring, continuing its ambition to serve readers across Maryland.

Banner CEO **Bob Cohn** shared the news in an internal email to staff on February 5:

> I am happy to announce we are accelerating our plans to expand The Banner’s coverage into Prince George’s County. Starting this spring, we’ll be putting reporters on the ground in this vital part of the state, focusing on local news in and around key towns including Bowie, Laurel, Greenbelt and College Park.  
>  
> As you’ll recall, we said last year that we saw our move into Montgomery County as a test case for expansion beyond the Baltimore region and, if Montgomery panned out, we’d go into Prince George’s.  
>  
> The evidence shows we are filling a real need in Montgomery, with 8,000 paid subscribers and more than 550 stories published since launch last September. Montgomery now accounts for more than 10 percent of our total subscribers, about the same as Howard and Anne Arundel counties. Our team there, led by **Zuri Berry**, is covering a range of stories from government and business to education and food, and is committed to the kind of accountability journalism we are known for in Baltimore.  
>  
> Over the next few weeks, we’ll be hiring a small corps of reporters and editors, and they’ll work closely with the Montgomery team as we explore the best way to serve communities in the Washington region.
### Will Lewis, Washington Post Publisher and Chief Executive, resigns days after mass layoffs
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/will-lewis-the-washington-post-publisher-and-chief-executive-resigns-days-after-mass-layoffs/
Last updated: 2026-02-09T11:15:08.000Z
[**Will Lewis**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-lewis-57974116/?originalSubdomain=uk&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, *The Washington Post* Publisher and Chief Executive, announced he would depart** after two years at the paper, a tenure marked by controversy and crisis, reports [NPR](https://www.npr.org/2026/02/07/nx-s1-5705413/washington-post-ceo-resigns-will-lewis?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Lewis, states NPR, called his time “two years of transformation” in his resignation note, but it was defined by turbulence rather than a clear path, and it ended with brutal job cuts. The paper’s chief financial officer, **Jeff D’Onofrio**, will serve as acting CEO.

NPR reports that more than a third of the newsroom was laid after Lewis’ promises of radical innovations failed to staunch several years of annual losses in the tens of millions of dollars. At one point, losses hit $100 million, Lewis told staffers in June 2024 during a rocky newsroom all-staff. The session occurred just five months into his time at the *Post*. Yet it proved to be his final all-staff meeting.

He was effectively AWOL states NPR, as the paper’s scope, ambitions and journalism were radically redefined and constricted. Lewis played no visible role in announcing the layoffs in a mandatory Zoom call for the newsroom on Wednesday. Nor did he publicly address the paper’s readers to allay their concerns.
### USA TODAY launches 38th annual Ad Meter competition which reflects public sentiment about Super Bowl commercials
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/usa-today-launches-38th-annual-ad-meter-competition-which-reflects-public-sentiment-about-super-bowl-commercials/
Last updated: 2026-02-07T12:49:24.000Z
**USA TODAY launched the 38th annual** [**Ad Meter**](https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fadmeter.usatoday.com%2F&esheet=54412920&newsitemid=20260204636862&lan=en-US&anchor=Ad+Meter&index=3&md5=bf574237af8bd32e3178b9cb3f6af71a&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **competition** which, states a release, is “the industry’s leading opinion tool for gauging public sentiment about Super Bowl commercials. Since its debut in 1989, USA TODAY Ad Meter has remained a leading authority on Super Bowl advertising, addressing how the brands and spots drive sentiment and conversations related to sports, pop culture and the world of entertainment. Presented by [State Farm](https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.statefarm.com%2F&esheet=54412920&newsitemid=20260204636862&lan=en-US&anchor=State+Farm&index=4&md5=7264647f9886e8cb04533ad2beba82f6&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)®, the 2026 Ad Meter program delivers interactive rating tools, exclusive video content, and deep-dive analysis on the Super Bowl’s most talked‑about commercials.”

Through February 9 at 12 midnight EST, registered Ad Meter participants can log in, watch and rate this year’s Super Bowl commercials to determine fan favorites and the official Ad Meter winner. For a submission to be counted, each participant must rate *all* eligible Super Bowl advertisements on a scale of 1 to 5\. The 2026 Super Bowl Ad Meter winner will be announced live on “NBC’s TODAY” and at [admeter.usatoday.com](https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fadmeter.usatoday.com%2F&esheet=54412920&newsitemid=20260204636862&lan=en-US&anchor=admeter.usatoday.com&index=6&md5=18f85ce5d3b407cf14b7487519d58484&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) the morning after the game.

“USA TODAY’s Ad Meter has been the go-to barometer for Super Bowl ads for 38 years, serving as a gauge for the most groundbreaking and captivating commercials,” said USA TODAY Senior Vice President **Monica Richardson**. “Each year, Ad Meter reflects not only which ads resonate with viewers, but also how brands push creative boundaries on one of the world’s biggest advertising stages. This year, we’re thrilled to welcome State Farm as our presenting sponsor.”

“The Big Game is one of the few moments where the commercials are just as anticipated as the game itself,” said **Kristyn Cook**, Chief Agency, Sales & Officer at State Farm. “It’s a massive fan experience and USA TODAY Ad Meter is a unique opportunity to facilitate the national debate on what resonates the most. In addition to this sponsorship being a chance for us to celebrate marketing excellence, it also allows us to deepen our relationship with millions of viewers and keep fans thinking about State Farm long after the game.”

To register as an Ad Meter panelist and receive updates on commercials, rate the ads and more, visit [admeter.usatoday.com](https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fadmeter.usatoday.com%2F2026&esheet=54412920&newsitemid=20260204636862&lan=en-US&anchor=admeter.usatoday.com&index=33&md5=545cafb24fa142b901d687078951c918&ref=capitolcommunicator.com).
### YouTube revenue in 2025 reported at more than $60 billion
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/youtube-revenue-reported-at-more-than-60-billion-in-2025/
Last updated: 2026-02-06T18:04:21.000Z
[**YouTube**](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t/youtube/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **reported more than $60 billion in revenue for 2025.**

According to [The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/youtube-made-more-than-60-billion-in-revenue-last-year-1236495310/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com): “The new disclosure covers revenue across advertising as well as subscriptions for services such as YouTube Premium TV, and gives somewhat of a window into how massive the userbase for the service is. In total, the company reported 325 million paid subscriptions in its fourth quarter across consumer services, which includes YouTube Premium, as well as the paid cloud storage service Google One, up from 300 million in the prior quarter.

“YouTube’s advertising business hit $11.4 billion for Q4 2025, up from $10.5 billion the prior year. Last quarter, YouTube reported $10.3 billion for its advertising business.

“Overall, Alphabet, the owner of Google, reported revenues of $113.8 billion, up 18 percent year over year, as the company cited “strong momentum across the business and acceleration in growth in both Google Services and Google Cloud.” Annual revenue exceeded $400 billion for the first time.

“Net income reached $34.4 billion, up 30 percent from the prior year.”
### SKDK acquires Wavelength Strategy
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/skdk-acquires-wavelength-strategy/
Last updated: 2026-02-06T01:23:27.000Z
[**SKDK,**](https://skdknick.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **a D.C.-based public affairs and political consulting firm, and NY-based** [**Wavelength Strategy,**](https://wavelengthstrategy.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **a digital advertising firm,** are combining forces. The deal, states a release, “will accelerate both firms’ ability to deliver best-in-class creative across all screens – from linear TV to OTT streaming services to social media, and emerging new online platforms.”

“As more consumers and voters continue to flip back and forth between streaming platforms and linear TV, it’s critical our clients have one, winning integrated advertising and content strategy,” said **Doug Thornell,** CEO of SKDK. “Wavelength is one of the most sought-after digital firms in the nation, hands down. By joining forces and operating as a team, we’ll be able to offer our clients the most creative, most effective multi-medium ad campaigns anywhere in public affairs and politics. We’re excited to welcome Wavelength to the network and to integrate their cutting-edge digital expertise into our broader communications platform.”

The partnership, states the release, will differentiate itself through three key advantages:

- **Integrated Multi-Platform Creative Excellence:** Clients will benefit from seamless creative development that adapts sophisticated messaging across all mediums. This approach ensures consistent brand identity while optimizing creative for each platform’s unique characteristics, whether it’s the emotional storytelling power of television, the precision targeting of programmatic digital, or the engagement opportunities of social media.
- **Unified Media Planning and Buying:** The deal creates unparalleled efficiency in media planning and purchasing, with integrated teams that can optimize across traditional broadcast, cable, streaming services, social platforms, and emerging digital channels.
- **Enhanced Creative Capacity and Content Innovation:** The combination significantly expands both firms’ creative and production firepower, enabling the development of more sophisticated, multi-format content campaigns—from long-form documentary-style pieces to rapid-response digital content that can be adapted for television placement or owned social channels.

“We’re excited to join with SKDK because it reflects the future of how advertising will work – where we reach people on all screens with one coherent strategy and creative that cuts through the noise,” said **Emmy Bengtson** and **Dan McNally,** co-founders of Wavelength Strategy.

“This is about the future and creating the type of dynamic, integrated persuasion strategies that political campaigns and issue organizations need to win.” “The advertising landscape is changing rapidly and in order for campaigns and causes to stay ahead, their advisors and consultants need to evolve too,” said **Pia Carusone** and **Oren Shur,** SKDK partners. “The truth is that we see our clients struggle to define where linear TV, OTT, CTV, programmatic and direct advertising strategies should start and end – it’s all video ads across screens. They know that they need it all, but with competing firms giving them conflicting advice, budget decisions don’t often reflect a winning strategy. It just makes better sense to have it all under one roof and part of the same advertising plan.”
### Changing of the guards: A new era in commercial printing
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/changing-of-the-guards-a-new-era-in-commercial-printing/
Last updated: 2026-02-05T22:45:27.000Z
By [MOSAIC](https://mosaic.buzz/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

***How MOSAIC is carrying the torch*** 
***of industry wisdom forward***

**There’s a moment in every industry’s evolution when experience meets innovation**, when the trusted hands of the past pass the torch to the hungry minds of tomorrow. In commercial printing — an industry steeped in tradition yet constantly reshaped by technology — that moment is here. We’re witnessing a generational “changing of the guards,” a shift that honors decades of craftsmanship while welcoming fresh vision and digital agility.

At the heart of this transformation stands MOSAIC, a second-generation commercial printing company led by Brendan Connors and Joe Fontana. With more than 75 years of history and deep roots just outside Washington, D.C., in Cheverly, Maryland, MOSAIC represents the rare combination of longevity and reinvention. Built on a foundation of trust, quality, and craftsmanship, the company continues to evolve while staying true to the values that shaped its legacy.

As seasoned veterans ease into mentorship roles and new talent enters with fresh perspectives, MOSAIC is proving that wisdom and innovation don’t just coexist — they accelerate success.

Commercial printing has always been more than ink on paper; it’s a blend of precision, creativity, and reliability. Veterans of the trade carry invaluable insights — understanding how paper behaves, how presses breathe, how client relationships flourish over time. But as markets evolve and customer expectations shift, so too must the approach.

MOSAIC recognizes that legacy is not a static relic but a living foundation. Rather than resist change, the organization has cultivated a culture where long-standing expertise informs bold experimentation. Industry veterans have stepped into roles as advisors, trainers, and storytellers — guiding the next generation not just on how to print, but why the craft matters.

The next generation of printing professionals arrives with different strengths: fluency in emerging technologies, comfort with data analytics and automation, and a vision that sees printing as part of a broader digital ecosystem. MOSAIC hasn’t treated these traits as a threat — it has elevated them.

One key initiative has been a structured mentorship program, where experienced print masters partner with younger team members. These pairings are not incidental but intentional, designed to transfer tacit knowledge that no manual can teach. At the same time, the company invests in continuous education — from color management to technology workshops — ensuring every team member is equipped for today’s hybrid print-digital world.

In an era of rapid digitization, the ability to adapt is crucial. MOSAIC has embraced state-of-the-art technologies — from automated workflow systems that streamline production to advanced finishing equipment that expands creative possibilities. Yet the company’s identity remains rooted in quality: every project undergoes rigorous standards, and every team member takes pride in craftsmanship.

This balance between innovation and tradition sets MOSAIC apart. Clients don’t just see a printing provider — they see a partner that understands their challenges, anticipates trends, and delivers excellence every time.

Perhaps one of the most striking outcomes of this generational shift is how it has reinforced MOSAIC’s internal culture. By empowering younger team members to contribute ideas and by valuing the voices of seasoned professionals, the company has fostered a collaborative environment that drives continuous improvement.

This culture isn’t just internal; it permeates client relationships. Customers appreciate working with a team that listens, adapts, and blends strategic insight with operational expertise. In an industry where trust is currency, MOSAIC’s approach is paying dividends.

**A Tribute to Greg Hansan: A True Torchbearer**

Few people embody this philosophy more fully than **Greg Hansan**, in photo, who retired on January 30, 2026, As he concluded 42 years in the graphic arts industry, 35 of those at MOSAIC, we celebrate a career defined by craftsmanship, collaboration and an unwavering commitment to excellence that have shaped our community in meaningful and lasting ways. Hansan has been a trusted colleague to many, a generous educator and a steadfast partner to all.

Hansan has always believed that great work is created through shared knowledge and mutual respect. His passion for the craft — and his unwavering drive to continually elevate the quality of the work — has contributed to many of the company’s award-winning graphic arts projects. His influence is evident in some of the most notable and inspiring work MOSAIC has produced, setting a standard that continues to guide teams across the organization.

Beyond the projects themselves, Hansan’s true legacy lies in the people he has mentored and the culture he has helped build. He represents the heart of the “changing of the guards”: honoring tradition while encouraging innovation, leading by example, and ensuring that excellence remains non-negotiable.

As MOSAIC looks to the future, it does so with confidence, grounded in the wisdom of its past and energized by the promise of what lies ahead. The torch is being carried forward — not away from tradition but illuminated by it.
### 2026 will see shift from simply adopting AI to orchestrating its full potential, states Weber Shandwick report
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/2026-will-see-shift-from-simply-adopting-ai-to-orchestrating-its-full-potential-states-weber-shandwick-report/
Last updated: 2026-02-06T00:03:24.000Z
**As the marketing and communications landscape evolves in 2026, an in-depth report from** [**The Weber Shandwick Collective**](https://webershandwick.com/news/introducing-the-weber-shandwick-collective-the-strategic-communications-consulting-network?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **states we are seeing a pivotal shift** from simply adopting AI to orchestrating its full potential. The report states that the competitive advantage will depend on how well organizations integrate humans, data and machines to drive meaningful outcomes.

Two of the experts featured in the report are **Joe Kingsbury**, President, AI Transformation Services; and. **Michael Connery,** Global Head of AI Acceleration.

**According to Kingsbury, the edge in 2026 won’t be having AI, it will be optimizing the workflow** **by orchestrating humans and machines.**

Kingsbury states that “AI isn’t a shiny new tool anymore; it’s the infrastructure for marketing and communications work. Since everyone is using the same base models, there’s no tech advantage from simply adopting the tools — tomorrow’s competitive edge will come from how you integrate AI into your workflow and teach it to think like both your brand and target audience, shaping it with proprietary data and insights.” Kingsbury predicts we’ll soon see “a major shift in what “human-in-the-loop” actually means.

Effective leaders will differentiate by designing intentional checkpoints where human judgement matters most — brand nuance, creative instinct, ethical execution — and let machines handle precision and scale. The goal isn’t to minimize human involvement or relegate it to compliance; it’s to free our people from mundane tasks and position them at the opportunities to create differentiation. In short, 2026 will be the year we move from adoption to orchestration, where the real advantage comes from how people, data and tech collaborate with a system “that continuously learns and improves.”

**Connery states** **that with so much change and innovation happening,** **what is the marcomms industry’s biggest opportunity in 2026?**

According to Connery, “the 2026 opportunity is in reinvention, not replication. Every major tech shift begins the same way: We use new tools to mimic the old. The first websites were basically brochures converted to HTML. Mobile was just the web rendered small. Generative AI is no different. The current drive toward efficiency — the same content, but more and faster — follows the standard pathways of all major tech shifts. “There is nothing wrong with efficiency, but the true impact of generative AI will emerge when we stop asking how to do the old things faster and start exploring what’s newly possible.” Connery asks:

- What if audience research wasn’t a quarterly event, but a constant feedback loop? Synthetic personas and lightweight message testing can turn audience insights into a daily creative input.
- What if crisis planning were a standing capability? AI can help pressure-test decisions in real time, across reputation, policy and business outcomes.
- What if LLMs weren’t just tools, but audiences? They’re already telling stories about your brand. If your narrative isn’t part of their answer, you’re not in the conversation.
- What if cultural intelligence became embedded in every brief and brainstorm? Generative tools can make trend signals instantly accessible.

The bottom line, he says, is take what used to be expensive, occasional and centralized and make it continuous, accessible and essential. Replication is improving the process. Reinvention will change the game.

**The full report is available** [**here**](https://webershandwick.com/news/2026-unveiled-our-experts-predict-future-communications-culture-creativity?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**.**
### Washington Post laying off about 30 percent of its employees, including more than 300 journalists
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/washington-post-laying-off-about-30-percent-of-its-employees-including-more-than-300-journalists/
Last updated: 2026-02-06T20:35:48.000Z
**The Washington Post is beginning a widespread round of layoffs** that are expected to decimate the organization’s sports, local news and international coverage, reports [The New York Times.](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/business/media/washington-post-layoffs.html?campaign%5Fid=60&emc=edit%5Fna%5F20260204&instance%5Fid=170580&nl=breaking-news®i%5Fid=90363810&segment%5Fid=214771&user%5Fid=19403967f3e6eef55083d203bd177ae2&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

The company, states The Times, “is laying off about 30 percent of all its employees, according to two people with knowledge of the decision. That includes people on the business side and more than 300 of the roughly 800 journalists in the newsroom, the people said.

“The cuts are a sign that Jeff Bezos, who became one of the world’s richest people by selling things on the internet, has not yet figured out how to build and maintain a profitable publication on the internet. The paper expanded during the first several years of his ownership, but the company has sputtered more recently.”

**Matt Murray,** The Post’s executive editor, said on a call with newsroom employees that, states The Times, “the company had lost too much money for too long and had not been meeting readers’ needs. He said that all sections would be affected in some way, and that the result would be a publication focused even more on national news and politics, as well as business and health, and far less on other areas.”

**Marty Baron**, The Post’s former executive editor, said in a statement that the cuts rank “among the darkest days in the history of one of the world’s greatest news organizations.”

“The Washington Post’s ambitions will be sharply diminished, its talented and brave staff will be further depleted and the public will be denied the ground-level, fact-based reporting in our communities and around the world that is needed more than ever,” Baron wrote.

A former Post reporter told Capitol Communicator: “Overall, it’s tragic what’s been happening to The Post since the first buyouts in the early 2000s.

“There may not be room in the current mass-media landscape for more than one credible, mass-circulation, general-interest publication such as the Times.

“As someone whose Post career ran through the Sports section, it is remarkable to me that a town with four pro sports teams won’t have a daily paper covering them. But sports, too, has changed. I fear there is no longer a sizeable enough audience that wants and indeed relishes top-shelf sports writing. Or, more to the point, that wants sports covered with the same sort of objective, journalistic rigor that is applied to politics, social issues, local news and so on.

“Sports fans are partisan by nature. When their teams are winning, they want their media to pump them up. When their teams are losing, they want their media to call for the firing of the coach.

“Today, teams themselves create a steady stream of content and there is no end of sources, such as Barstool, that satisfy fans’ demand for red-meat sports content. I think the final blow came from the explosion of online sports betting. So many fans today care only about their teams’ ability to make or lose them money. Top-tier sports sections cover sports gambling as news, but sports gamblers want their sports content to provide tips and insider information to help them win their bets.”
### Super Bowl evolves into “one of the biggest cultural and advertising moments” of the year
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/super-bowl-evolves-into-one-of-the-biggest-cultural-and-advertising-moments-of-the-year/
Last updated: 2026-02-04T17:13:54.000Z
**The Super Bowl, February 8, has evolved from a football game into one of the biggest cultural and advertising moments of the year.** It’s no longer just about the players on the field, but who or what appears on viewers’ screens during timeouts, states a[ Virginia Tech post.](https://news.vt.edu/articles/2026/02/super-bowl-commercials-marketing-branding-audience-visibility-expert.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

“At $8 million for 30 seconds,” said Virginia Tech marketing expert [Donna Wertalik](https://marketing.pamplin.vt.edu/people/faculty/wertalik-donna.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), “the Super Bowl is no longer just an advertising buy, it is a high‑stakes investment in cultural relevance, where storytelling, inclusivity, and timing matter as much as reach.”

For big companies, continues the post, that price tag is worth it.

“In an increasingly fragmented media landscape, the Super Bowl continues to be one of the premier mass audience events,” Wertalik said. “The game draws in more than 100 million live viewers and generates conversations that extend well beyond game day.”

(According to one online item, while a 30-second commercial during Super Bowl LX in 2026 costs an average of $8 million, some premium slots reach a record high of $10 million. These rates, which have risen from $7 million in 2024, represent the highest prices in Super Bowl history.)

The Virginia Tech post states that she points to “cultural headlines shaping this year’s event, including Bad Bunny becoming the first solo Latino and Spanish-speaking halftime headliner, which she said “signals that multicultural consumers are no longer niche segments — they are the mainstream.” For the first time, official NFL merchandise also features Spanish translations of Super Bowl branding, underscoring a broader shift in audience recognition and inclusion.

“Wertalik characterized 2026 as a “unicorn year” for visibility. The Super Bowl is happening alongside the World Cup and the Winter Olympic Games. “Participation is more competitive — and more critical — as attention becomes harder to capture across overlapping global stages,” she explained.

“In such a competitive advertising market, Wertalik said brands must balance creativity, cultural awareness, and strategic integration across platforms.”
### Maurisa Turner Potts, CEO of Spotted MP, honored by Virginia Business Magazine for her “contributions, leadership, and impact”
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/maurisa-turner-potts-ceo-of-spotted-mp-honored-by-virginia-business-magazine-for-her-contributions-leadership-and-impact/
Last updated: 2026-02-04T13:19:17.000Z
[**Virginia Business Magazine**](https://virginiabusiness.com/issue/february-2026/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced its 2026 Virginia Black Business Leaders,** recognizing 29 leaders across the Commonwealth for their “contributions, leadership, and impact”. Included in the list is **Maurisa Turner Potts,** CEO of Alexandria-based [Spotted MP. ](https://maurisapotts.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)Potts described Spotted MP as an “innovative boutique marketing firm.”

On LinkedIn, she wrote:

Being recognized during Black History Month—and in its 100th anniversary year—is something I don’t take lightly. This recognition highlights my outstanding contributions and leadership in the business community, and I’m allowing myself a moment to truly absorb that.

If you would have told me years ago that I’d be counted among a group of Black business leaders shaping Virginia’s modern economy—driving growth, innovation, and opportunity across industries—I would have paused and hoped it was true. From rebuilding communities to leading Fortune 500 companies, public institutions, and small-but-mighty businesses today, Black leaders have always been central to Virginia’s story. To be part of that continuum is deeply meaningful.

When the editor first emailed me, I genuinely thought it was a mistake. I reread it. Then reread it again. And then came the follow-up: No, it’s you. For your contributions. For your work behind the scenes and out front across so many key entities that help make Virginia what it is. That part stopped me in my tracks.

Virginia is my home state. It raised me, challenged me, and shaped my backbone. To be seen and recognized here feels personal. And while I’m taking a moment to thank me—for the long nights, the risk-taking, the resilience, the grit and the refusal to dim my light—this would not be possible without my clients who trust me as a true partner, collaborator, and steward of their stories and strategies.

This isn’t about applause. This is about legacy, impact, and doing the work with integrity and fire. Grateful. Grounded. And I am certainly not done leaving marks.
### Washington Post plans layoffs to stem losses of hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/washington-post-plans-layoffs-to-stem-losses-of-hundreds-of-millions-of-dollars-in-recent-years/
Last updated: 2026-02-01T13:57:51.000Z
**The Washington Post is expected to announce significant layoffs** in the newsroom and the business sides of the paper in the coming days, as part of an effort to end years of financial losses, according to three people with direct knowledge of the changes. But the cuts also appear to be aimed at something else: reorienting The Post’s coverage, states [The New York Times.](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/business/media/washington-post-newsroom.html?unlocked%5Farticle%5Fcode=1.IVA.wk4h.eKsI0z%5FSQ4La&ref=capitolcommunicator.com#038;smid=nytcore-ios-share)

The sports, local and international sections, states The Times, are preparing to take “a disproportionate share of the pain. At the same time, the paper’s video journalists, as well as reporters and editors focused on politics and national security — two of the paper’s signature coverage areas — are expected to become even more central to the company’s future.

The changes could sharply narrow the scope of The Post. Over the past century, the outlet evolved from a scrappy metro newspaper into a general interest national news powerhouse that cracked Watergate and covered far-flung countries as well as sports, fashion, dining and travel.

“The cuts are intended to direct The Post’s resources to topics that executives believe better align with the newsroom’s areas of expertise and reader interests, and in formats that people increasingly turn to for information, one of the people said. Executives devised their approach after studying the digital traffic to the organization’s coverage.

“The hope, the person said, is that the moves will help make the paper self-sustaining — a goal set long ago by its owner, Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder. The company has lost hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years.

“The newsroom, including many editors, remains largely in the dark on the specifics of the staff reductions and the long-term plan for the organization. Last year, The Post completed a round of buyouts that trimmed the newsroom by dozens of journalists. In the months since, many of the journalists who remain have grown increasingly frustrated about the lack of clarity from Mr. Bezos and the paper’s publisher, Will Lewis.”
### The blueprint for hyper-personalization
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-blueprint-for-hyper-personalization/
Last updated: 2026-03-30T14:41:44.000Z
**By** [**Response Labs**](https://www.responselabs.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**The digital media landscape is not just evolving—it’s undergoing a tectonic shift**. As third-party cookies crumble and walled gardens grow taller, marketers are desperately chasing the next shiny object, attempting to predict an uncertain future. They are looking everywhere *but* where the real power lies: **within their own four walls.**

The era of relying on borrowed data is over. The only sustainable competitive advantage left in paid media is the asset you already own and control: your **first-party audience data**. This is not a “nice-to-have”; it is the **strategy blueprint** that will separate market leaders from legacy players.

Imagine owning an exclusive, high-value asset, unavailable to any competitor, that holds the keys to predictable, high-ROI campaigns. That asset is your **Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system**. It’s time to stop treating your CRM as an operational ledger and start seeing it as the engine for personalized, performant media strategy.

We must move beyond basic retargeting and treat our first-party data as a launchpad for **hyper-personalized acquisition**. This isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about **relevance** at scale, creating a data-driven personalization that competitors simply cannot replicate.

## **The Eight Principles of Data-Driven Audience Ownership**

Transitioning from third-party reliance to first-party dominance requires a systematic, eight-step operational and philosophical commitment.

### **Principle 1: The New Extraction Model**

The first step is a strategic one, not a technical one. Stop pulling reports based on existing media segments. Instead, define your desired marketing outcome first (e.g., “identify customers most likely to purchase a luxury tier product within 90 days”) and then engineer your CRM query to deliver **only the variables necessary** to achieve that goal. This ensures the output is *actionable*, not just *available*.

### **Principle 2: Strategic Segmentation is Non-Negotiable**

Generic audience buckets like “all past purchasers” are a relic of the past. The true power lies in **micro-segmentation** based on highly specific behavioral, loyalty, and psychographic data.

For example, a **Quick Service Restaurant (QSR)** shouldn’t just target “health-conscious customers.” They should segment for the **“Proactive Nutritionist”** (who prioritizes no carb or low sugar) and the **“Performance Eater”** (who seeks high protein and fast fuel). This granular segmentation is the foundation for genuine message-to-market fit.

### **Principle 3: Creating Proprietary Audience Personas**

Here is where the blueprint truly forms. Use your segmented first-party data to craft **proprietary audience pools** on media platforms. These pools—built on the unique, observable truth of *your* best customers—are inaccessible to your competition. Forget standard demographics; focus on behavioral champions:

- **The Value Seeker:** Defined not just by past discounts, but by historical purchase patterns that trigger action *only* with a specific incentive structure.
- **The First-Mover/FOMO Buyer:** Characterized by immediate purchase cycles on new products, regardless of loyalty status. This group demands messaging centered on exclusivity and urgency.
- **The Loyalty Ambassador:** Identified by high lifetime value and a strong alignment with the brand’s mission. They require emotional messaging that reinforces their sense of community and responsibility.

### **Principle 4: The Omnichannel Media Mandate**

Audience creation must precede platform selection. The goal is to deliver a seamless, relevant narrative, not just hit a required number of impressions.

- **Search & Intent:** Use first-party behavioral data to uncover **latent search demand**—the high-value, niche terms your proprietary audience uses *before* they are ready to purchase.
- **Social & Behavior:** Align your creative strategy with the *intent* of the platform. For the “First-Mover” on TikTok, this means empowering user-generated content (UGC) or short-form, authentic video—not glossy, polished ads.
- **Programmatic & Context:** Leverage Display and CTV to create **brand equity** for new audiences, using your personalized data to ensure you’re reaching the right persona in the right context, effectively manufacturing intent where none previously existed.

### **Principle 5: Creative is the Ultimate Personalization Engine**

This is the moment of truth. Segmentation is useless if the creative doesn’t pay it off. Your “FOMO Buyer” persona should not see a generic ad; they should see a message that leverages exclusivity and urgency (“Only 100 Left,” “Be the First to Taste”). The goal is to move beyond simple ad versioning to **emotional alignment**, speaking directly to the subconscious triggers that drove them to your data set in the first place.

### **Principle 6: Leveraging Customized Lookalikes and Predictive Modeling**

Designing your media strategy by blindly launching platform-generated lookalikes has no competitive edge in the market. **Start with your proprietary audience sets.** Build lookalike models **off of your clean, hyper-segmented first-party pools.** This allows efficient scale and optimization against the highest-value data you possess, creating exponentially larger, higher-quality acquisition audiences that are based on *your* competitive advantage.

### **Principle 7: Intentional Execution**

Strategy execution must be measured through the lens of performance. Focus on the interplay of **reach, frequency, and impact across platforms.** The aim is not maximum saturation; it’s **optimal engagement**. You want to feel personalized, not pervasive.

### **Principle 8: The Continuous Evolution of the Blueprint**

Measurement must extend beyond transactional KPIs like CTR and CPA. The long-term success metric is **Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) and Customer Lifetime Value (CLV)**, measured against a continually refined **RFM (Recency, Frequency, Monetary)** model. The loop must close: are the new audiences acquired through personalized media upholding the high CLV standards of the first-party data sets we started with?

## **Owning the customer relationship**

The future of media effectiveness is not about chasing platform updates; it’s about **owning the customer relationship**. Your CRM is not just a list—it is your most valuable strategic asset, the only source of truth that no competitor can access. By adopting these eight principles, you move from merely running campaigns to building a **data-driven legacy** that places your brand in the driver’s seat of the entire customer journey.

**The question is no longer “Can we personalize?” It is “How fast can we operationalize our competitive data advantage?”**

At Response Labs, we help brands own their data by turning data into decisions, decisions into action, and action into lasting loyalty. If you’re ready to use your first-party data as your competitive edge, we’re here to help. [Contact us today](https://www.responselabs.com/contact/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) to talk about how to get started.

**Ready to sharpen your strategy and stay inspired?**
### Newsmatics launches PRSSA student-firm influencer campaign highlighting the role of press releases in modern PR
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/newsmatics-launches-prssa-student-firm-influencer-campaign-highlighting-the-role-of-press-releases-in-modern-pr/
Last updated: 2026-01-30T22:14:47.000Z
[**Newsmatics**](https://www.newsmatics.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, the parent company of** [**EIN Presswire**](https://www.einpresswire.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, is launching its 2026 influencer campaign,** giving young public relations professionals the chance to apply their influencer marketing skills to boost awareness of the world’s leading press release distribution platform.

This campaign builds on Newsmatics’ ongoing partnerships with universities worldwide, from [Georgetown Hoyalytics](https://www.newsmatics.com/press/878959346-newsmatics-internship-finale-georgetown-hoyalytics-students-unveil-data-insights?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) to the [Masaryk University](https://www.newsmatics.com/press/688032160-newsmatics-partners-with-masaryk-university-s-faculty-of-informatics-to-enhance-data-science-capabilities?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). It now expands to the [Public Relations Student Society of America](https://www.prsa.org/prssa/about-prssa?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)’s (PRSSA) student-led PR firms across the United States, showcasing the continued power and relevance of the press release.

The campaign will feature original content from selected student firms that will demonstrate how they use press releases to drive results and build visibility through earned media and AI platforms for their clients. Participating students will receive compensation, access to EIN Presswire’s distribution tools, and professional amplification of each participant’s work.

“We’re excited to work with the next generation of communicators,” said Marketing Intern **Lilibet Kirwan**, who is leading the campaign at Newsmatics. “These students are redefining how brands share news. By partnering with them, we’re reinforcing the press release as both a foundational and forward-looking tool.”

Newsmatics executives view this campaign as part of a larger effort to connect academic experience with real-world media practice. “Today’s press releases are not just for journalists. They shape how brands are found and understood across search, media, and AI platforms,” said **Jeremy Fields**, VP Corporate Development, at Newsmatics. “This campaign gives students real-world experience using press releases as a strategic asset, while allowing us to learn from a generation that’s redefining how stories travel and gain influence.”

By equipping students with industry tools and a national platform, the company aims to support their careers while learning from their approach to storytelling and audience engagement. PRSSA chapters and student-led agencies interested in participating can learn more or apply by contacting [Studentoutreach@newsmatics.com](mailto:Studentoutreach@newsmatics.com).
### Business-to-Government Marketing Professional Certificate (B2G-MP™) program runs from February 11 – April 1
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/business-to-government-marketing-professional-certificate-b2g-mp-program-runs-from-february-11-april-1/
Last updated: 2026-01-30T22:08:40.000Z
**Launching in Spring 2026,** [**James Madison University**](https://www.jmu.edu/index.shtml?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **and** [**Geiger Consulting Group**](https://www.geigerconsultinggroup.com/who-we-are?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)present an 8-week professional certificate that prepares postgraduate and early-career marketers to build, launch or elevate careers in the U.S. Public Sector ecosystem.

According to online information, participants “explore the unique dynamics of selling and marketing to government agencies, learn to navigate the procurement environment, and develop the skills needed to design mission-aligned, compliant and high-impact marketing strategies. Through targeted instruction and hands-on application, students gain the specialized toolkit required to stand out in a rapidly evolving B2G landscape.”

The program is designed to explore and develop your sales and marketing strategies to help tou stand out in the business-to-government landscape.

By the end of the program, which runs from February 11 – April 1, students, states the online information, “leave with the confidence, knowledge and tools to navigate government markets with clarity and precision. They gain a B2G-MP™ credential that signals mastery of public sector marketing fundamentals, an understanding of procurement and compliance and the ability to design strategies that drive both mission impact and business outcomes. This credential distinguishes them in one of the fastest-growing, most specialized segments of the marketing profession.”

More [here.](https://aceware.jmu.edu/wconnect/CourseStatus.awp?course=26PDBGM2602&%5Fgl=1%2A1poivhp%2A%5Fgcl%5Fau%2AMTU3MzIwODk5Ni4xNzY5NzIxNDk2%2A%5Fga%2AMTgxOTgwMjMyNy4xNzY5NzIxNDk2%2A%5Fga%5FVDJD052M5K%2AczE3Njk4MDkyNzUkbzMkZzEkdDE3Njk4MDk1NDUkajQwJGwwJGgw&%5Fga=2.56273128.2129892104.1769721497-1819802327.1769721496&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### Capitol Communicators: Profile of Dominic K. Hawkins II, Vice President of Communications, NAACP, Washington, D.C.
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-dominic-k-hawkins-ii-vice-president-of-communications-naacp-washington-d-c/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:40.000Z
**Capitol Communicators is a profile series spotlighting the people shaping the present** **and future of advertising, digital, marketing and public relations in the Mid-Atlantic.** **This profile features Dominic K. Hawkins II, Vice President of Communications, NAACP, Washington, D.C.**

[**Dominic Hawkins**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominichawkins/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **is having quite the year.** He was named the 2025 Public Relations Professional of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). He’s also just been recognized by the Washington Business Journal’s “40 under 40” – its annual list of rising local leaders.

PRSA recognized Hawkins for his work as NAACP’s Vice President of Communications, where he leads communications strategy for the 116-year-old legacy organization. The national organization works to end racial injustice, never a small challenge but even more pressing in the current political climate.

Hawkins draws on a wealth of experience that includes positions at SKDK, TIAA and Deloitte. He’s received the 2023 IMPACT Award, the GW Black Alumni Association’s highest recognition for professional endeavors and community service, and PR News called him a “Rising Star” in 2019.

Hawkins is a GWU grad, a certified marketing professional through the Association of National Advertisers, has a certificate in Dynamic Marketing from the Financial Marketing Institute, and has guest- lectured at George Washington University, Georgetown Law, Loyola Marymount University and Johns Hopkins University. In his free time, he loves spending time with his wife, family and friends; and enjoys traveling, learning new cuisines, yoga and reading sci-fi/fantasy novels.

**Dominic, tell us about your work at NAACP in a challenging political climate.**

I joined NAACP a little over a year ago. It’s been one of the most rewarding and defining chapters of my career. I’ve had the honor of shaping the voice of the largest and most influential social justice groups in America, telling our story in ways that move hearts, shift culture, and drive measurable impact. From leading the #KeepAdvancing media campaign, which reached more than 74 million people, to spearheading communications for the 2024 $20 million GOTV program across all 50 states, I’ve focused on connecting our mission to moments that matter. At our 116th National Convention this past July, my team generated $57 million in ad value and broadened our national spokesperson bench from two spokespersons to 18\. Through it all, my goal has been simple: to make sure the NAACP’s voice remains bold, relevant, and unstoppable in the fight for justice. I’m most excited about empowering voters in the upcoming elections and continuing to fight to protect democracy.

**What are the most significant changes or trends you see happening or coming in the communications industry in 2026? How are you dealing with it?**

One of the most significant trends I’m seeing is that communicators continue to drive or inspire strategy across the organization. It’s our faculty for audience-consciousness that has broken down comms team silos and entrenched us deeper within organizations — not just as messengers — but as trusted advisers. My team hears me say this often: all roads lead to comms. From being pulled into cross-functional strategy sessions to product development, comms is at the center of many organizations. I embrace this dynamic as an opportunity to form stronger connectivity between teams and tell a richer, more holistic story.

**What are the skills that are necessary to be successful today?**

Curiosity is one of the most underrated skills to be successful today. Asking questions – chief among them ‘why?’ — challenges systems, explores new ways of thinking, and helps uncover new opportunities to innovate and improve. In an era where facts and fiction are fickle, and social media has diffused news consumption, innovation demands disruption. Asking ‘why’ helps us do that.

**Given the political atmosphere, a lot of us are doing more crisis communications. What advice do you have for dealing with a crisis?**

In my career, I’ve been involved in crises involving financial institutions, health insurance giants, dietary supplement manufacturers, instances of police misconduct and more. While I can’t talk about those projects in depth, I can say that crisis comms is about more than just putting fires out. It’s about grounding decisions in an organization’s values, not moving from a place of panic. During a crisis, leaders need to address the issue, the real human stakes, and take responsibility while being crystal clear in their messaging. Think less about spinning someone and more about focusing on truth, impact and accountability. In this world, where trust is a commodity, it needs to be earned and protected. Crisis comms is really where that trust is at its most vulnerable.

**What professional advice do you have for others?**

Remember to take care of yourself. This industry demands exacting perfection, the highest attention to detail, and the ability to synthesize new information quickly. Plus, we often deal with challenging personalities. It can be emotionally draining. Therefore, we have to develop emotional resilience. But we’re not robots. We have our own thoughts and feelings. To those new to this industry and seasoned professionals, we have to give ourselves grace; time to rest and recharge. Otherwise, we can burn out, lose focus, or sacrifice our own health.

**What brings you joy at work?**

Working in advocacy communications is extremely fulfilling. When you see how a story you worked on benefited a community or how a social media post went viral, bringing attention to an important issue, it’s those moments that remind us of why we need to keep moving forward. It’s proof of the power of storytelling to shape hearts and minds and promote progress for all Americans. That brings me joy at work.

**Capitol Communicators** [**profiles**](https://capitolcommunicator.com/tag/profiles/) **allow you to meet** 
**some of the most interesting and insightful pros in our region,** 
**learn how they stay ahead of the curve and gain practical wisdom** 
**during a time of constant change.**

[← Previous Article](https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-dominic-k-hawkins-ii-vice-president-of-communications-naacp-washington-d-c/)
### Tauth Labs certified as issuer of C2PA Content Authentication Credentials supported by the world’s leading technology & media platforms
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/tauth-labs-certified-as-issuer-of-c2pa-content-authentication-credentials-supported-by-the-worlds-leading-technology-media-platforms/
Last updated: 2026-01-29T19:45:21.000Z
[**Tauth Labs Inc**](https://tauth.io/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**. has been certified by the** [**Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity**](http://c2pa.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **(C2PA)** as a Certificate Authority (CA) for the issuance of content authentication credentials. Supported by the world’s largest technology and media companies, states a release, “the C2PA content authentication standard embeds provenance into digital content so its authenticity, and changes that may have been made to it, can be verified in the AI Era.

“Focused on providing content authentication solutions for clients in the communications, financial services and local government sectors, Tauth Labs’ authentication solution, TauthID, builds trust into content through user verification, watermarks and content credentials, and the option of creating a log on blockchain.

“Tauth Labs joins the C2PA trust list of companies able to issue credentials for its clients that are recognized and supported by platforms including Adobe, Google, OpenAI and LinkedIn. To receive its certification, Tauth Labs completed C2PA’s rigorous technology conformance process.”

“Content authentication is a foundational technology to address the growing issue of AI-generated fake and shadow content, and the erosion of trust in the digital landscape,” said **Simon Erskine Locke,** co-founder & CEO of Tauth Labs. “As a leader in both the underlying technology and its implementation, we protect clients and their audiences from reputational damage and fraud; make content more valuable and searchable; and strengthen the trust infrastructure critical to the functioning of the digital economy.”

According to a release, “Tauth Labs’ tools can be integrated into CMS systems and customized based on use cases and client priorities. In addition to offering branded authentication credentials through an embedded trust shield, Tauth Labs offers browser plugins, customized content verification applications, content management and fake detection tools.”
### Limy raises $10M to empower brands to activate the AI storefront of the future
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/limy-raises-10m-to-empower-brands-to-activate-the-ai-storefront-of-the-future/
Last updated: 2026-01-29T19:21:07.000Z
[**Limy**](https://www.limy.ai/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, the infrastructure platform for optimizing brand performance in the Agentic Web,** emerged from stealth, states a release, announcing a $10M funding round led by Flybridge with participation from a16z speedrun. Other investors include Axiom, Clarim, Communitas, JRV & AnD. As the web shifts to AI agents, Limy’s platform provides brands control over visibility, influence and conversions to drive revenue in the Agentic Web.

Limy, states the release, is currently working with Fortune 100 companies, with some customers already attributing 10% of their revenues to the platform.

“We’re at the beginning of a seismic shift in how information is organized on the Web, and brands have to adapt to the AI-powered future,” said **Jeff Bussgang,** General Partner and Co-Founder at Flybridge, Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School. “Limy is leading the way, turning the black box of AI into a channel for brand discoverability, engagement, and direct revenue. Agentic commerce is the future, and Limy is leading brands there.”

“We’ve been highly impressed with Limy’s distinct approach to AI discoverability, leveraging its proprietary data based on agentic behavior rather than user activity,” said **Troy Kirwin**, Investment Partner at a16z speedrun. “We’re excited to be backing Limy, who are at the forefront of AI optimization and advertising in our emerging Agentic Web era. We have the utmost confidence in the founding team’s technical prowess and leadership.”

According to the release, “Limy’s technology is uniquely positioned at the intersection of a brand’s web domain and the internet, where data and traffic converge. The platform identifies and decodes every agent and bot interaction that takes place within a site, detecting what information is being fetched and what action is or isn’t being taken. This creates a direct, measurable link between prompts, agent behavior, and business impact. Limy produces its own proprietary data based on these agent interactions, generating specific insights for brands to win AI visibility as the LLM answer. Moreover, by operating directly at the infrastructure web layer, Limy has developed an attribution model based on its distinct ability to track and value the entire customer journey via AI and assign prompts to revenue. Limy is the first platform to connect AI agents to real user outcomes, revealing why, how and what value was generated from AI traffic.”

“Other players in this space are focused on what users are entering into LLMs, i.e. user data, but in the Agentic Web, agents’ actions are much more important,” says CEO and co-founder **Aviv Shamny.** “The shift from user data to agent data is underway—and that’s exactly where we’re focused, giving us a clear advantage. We’re delighted that a16z speedrun, Flybridge and our other tier one investors have recognized how critical this is to the future of AI discovery.”

Brands across Ecommerce, retail, media, travel, finance, and B2B SaaS win in the agentic web—marketers can start via Limy’s self-serve dashboard, while enterprises and agencies can gain access to custom deployments with deeper integrations and more powerful features and performance, adds the release.
### Hollywood “stars” may be enlisted to pressure owner Jeff Bezos not to cut Washington Post staff
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/hollywood-stars-may-be-enlisted-to-pressure-owner-jeff-bezos-not-to-cut-washington-post-staff/
Last updated: 2026-01-29T02:15:25.000Z
**Journalists at The Washington Post** are considering enlisting two of Hollywood’s “biggest stars in a coordinated effort to persuade the paper’s billionaire owner not to slash jobs” at The Post, reports a [Daily Beast post on Yahoo News.](https://uk.news.yahoo.com/washington-post-staff-plot-enlisting-115125117.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

According to the post: “Amazon founder Jeff Bezos bought the newspaper in 2013 from the storied Graham family, promising to uphold the journalistic values that helped the Post break the Watergate scandal and win dozens of Pulitzer Prizes.

“But now, reports indicate that roughly 300 staff members could lose their jobs, including many overseas employees and potentially the entire sports desk, representing some of the deepest cuts the paper has ever faced.

“As Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez, mingled with Hollywood’s elite at Paris Fashion Week—attending shows for Schiaparelli and Dior—Post staffers were quietly plotting ways to reach their seemingly distracted owner.”

The post states that messages [obtained by Status](https://www.status.news/p/jeff-bezos-washington-post-lauren-sanchez-layoffs-staffers?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) reveal “discussions ranging from direct appeals to enlisting celebrity allies, including Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep—who famously portrayed Post leaders Ben Bradlee and Katharine Graham in the 2017 film *The Post*. Hanks has also previously promoted the newspaper in a Super Bowl advertisement.

“It is unclear whether Hanks or Streep were contacted directly,”
### People and Agency Updates
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/people-and-agency-updates/
Last updated: 2026-01-28T22:20:50.000Z
[Rebekah Pepper](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekahpepper/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) (pictured left) joins the [National Pharmaceutical Council](https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-pharmaceutical-council/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) as Vice President, Communications. She’ll work closely with CCO [Michael Pratt](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-j-pratt/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) to communicate NPC’s research and evidence with impact. Pepper joins from Adfero, where she was senior VP & head of its healthcare practice in a nearly five-year run. She also spent eight years at Subject Matter. According to O’Dwyer’s, “Pratt, NPC’s chief communications officer, has long admired Pepper’s work, and often thought that he’d love to work with her more often.”

[**Harley Brown** ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/harley-brown-b39726217/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)(pictured right) joins BGR Group, as Client Services Liaison and Associate Events Coordinator, where she will work in tandem to oversee client scheduling and communications while also supporting the management and execution of BGR’s special events. Prior to joining BGR Group, Brown worked with Florida Health Care Association and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in the Division of Marketing and Development, where she supported organizational operations, event management and coordination, and various industry publications.
### Davos 2026 shows why communicators matter more than ever
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/davos-2026-shows-why-communicators-matter-more-than-ever/
Last updated: 2026-01-27T17:03:34.000Z
**Every January, Davos offers a real-time pulse check on what’s driving global leadership.** This year’s meeting sent a clear signal for anyone in communications. PR, marketing and reputation leaders are no longer operating in the background. They are increasingly part of the conversation shaping growth, technology, public trust and geopolitical positioning.

While the World Economic Forum does not break out attendance by profession, the advertising and marketing sector had a visible presence. MediaPost reported that Dentsu Group, Omnicom Group, Publicis Groupe and WPP were official partners of the Annual Meeting, showing strong industry engagement.

Media intelligence analysis from [Truescope](https://www.truescope.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) also showed sustained media visibility tied to Davos participation across communications, marketing and technology sectors during the week of the forum, reinforcing how the event continues to function as a major narrative and reputation platform, not just a policy gathering.

The scale of the meeting itself reinforces why communications continues to rise in importance. According to the World Economic Forum, nearly 850 CEOs and chairs attended alongside almost 100 unicorn founders and technology pioneers. Total official attendance approached 3,000 leaders from business, policy and advocacy, with thousands more participating in the surrounding ecosystem of private and public events across the region.

The 2026 theme, “A Spirit of Dialogue,” focused on cooperation in a contested world, unlocking growth, investing in people, responsible innovation and building prosperity within planetary boundaries, based on the Forum’s program overview. For communicators, those themes translate into practical daily realities. How do organizations explain AI responsibly? How do leaders rebuild trust when economic anxiety is rising? How do brands demonstrate authenticity rather than simply talk about it? And how do privacy expectations evolve as first-party data strategies mature?

AI stayed front and center, but the tone felt more grounded than in recent years. Conversations shifted away from experimentation and toward governance, accountability and real-world impact. That puts communications teams squarely in the middle of explaining not just what companies are building, but why they are building it, how risks are managed and how human concerns are addressed clearly and credibly.

Trust surfaced repeatedly across formal sessions and side conversations. [Edelman](https://www.edelman.com/trust/trust-barometer?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) released its 2026 Trust Barometer during the meeting, based on a global survey of nearly 34,000 people across 28 countries. The research found trade and recession fears at record highs, with optimism declining most sharply in developed markets. For communicators, the data mirrors what many already experience. Audiences are more skeptical, less tolerant of corporate spin and increasingly focused on whether leadership actions align with stated values.

The investment companies make to maintain a presence at Davos also speaks volumes. MediaPost reported that some organizations spend five- and six-figure sums annually to participate, while Microsoft and McKinsey each invested up to $1 million sponsoring venues used by U.S. government officials. Access, credibility and relationship-building remain powerful currencies, and communications leaders are often the architects behind how those relationships are built and protected.

Davos also highlighted how countries are thinking about communications more strategically. Nigeria launched its first official National House on the Davos Promenade to showcase economic reforms and attract investment, treating visibility and storytelling as part of national growth strategy. Knowledge Networks participated in high-level discussions on AI policy and announced new ethics initiatives tied to responsible AI and journalism. Both examples reinforce how communications has become a tool of economic diplomacy, not just brand building.

For communicators watching Davos from afar or participating directly, several takeaways stand out. Communications is increasingly embedded in enterprise strategy and leadership decision-making. Responsible innovation demands clear, disciplined storytelling, not just technical frameworks. Trust rebuilding is becoming a long-term leadership responsibility rather than a campaign objective. And global forums like Davos increasingly serve as testing grounds for credibility, transparency and influence in a fragmented world.

As 2026 unfolds, the signals coming out of Davos offer a helpful lens for communicators across PR, marketing, advertising and corporate affairs. The expectations on the profession continue to rise, not simply to communicate change, but to help shape it thoughtfully and responsibly
### AI results in thousands more jobs cut at Amazon
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/ai-efficiencies-result-in-thousands-more-jobs-cut-by-amazon/
Last updated: 2026-01-27T12:08:19.000Z
**Amazon is planning a second round of job cuts as part of its broader goal of trimming some 30,000 corporate workers**, according to two people familiar with the matter.

According to a [Yahoo Finance post,](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/amazon-planning-thousands-job-cuts-001406792.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) the company in October cut some [14,000 white-collar jobs](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/amazon-cut-30-000-corporate-210003874.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), about half of the 30,000 target first reported by Reuters. The total this time is expected to be roughly the same as last year.

The Yahoo Finance post states that jobs in the company’s Amazon Web Services, retail, Prime Video and human resources, known as People Experience and Technology, units “are slated to be affected, the people said, though the full scope was unclear. The people cautioned that the details of Amazon’s plans could change.

“The Seattle online retailer tied the October round of job cuts to the rise of artificial intelligence software, saying in an internal letter that “this generation of AI is the most transformative technology we’ve seen since the Internet, and it’s enabling companies to innovate much faster than ever before.”

“However, CEO Andy Jassy later told analysts during the company’s third-quarter earnings call that the reduction was “not really financially driven and it’s not even really AI-driven.” Rather, he said, “it’s culture,” meaning the company has too much bureaucracy.

““You end up with a lot more people than what you had before, and you end up with a lot more layers,” he said.

“Jassy had said earlier in 2025 that he expected Amazon’s corporate [workforce to shrink](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/amazon-ceo-andy-jassy-admits-190627109.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) over time as a result of efficiencies gained from the use of AI.”
### Susan Page, Washington Bureau chief of USA TODAY and bestselling author, to receive Lifetime Achievement Award from Washington Press Club Foundation
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/susan-page-washington-bureau-chief-of-usa-today-and-bestselling-author-to-receive-lifetime-achievement-award-from-washington-press-club-foundation/
Last updated: 2026-01-27T11:08:44.000Z
[ **Washington Press Club Foundation**](https://wpcf.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced that**[ **Susan Page**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/pagesusan/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Washington Bureau chief of USA TODAY and a New York Times bestselling author, will be honored with its Lifetime Achievement Award at its 80th Annual Congressional Dinner!

On LinkedIn, Page states: “In 1919, six pushy broads who weren’t allowed to join the National Press Club formed their own, and since then it has been supporting and celebrating women in journalism. I am thrilled to be receiving the Washington Press Club’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the foundation’s 80th annual dinner on Feb. 4\. When I arrived in Washington as a junior reporter for Newsday in 1979, not a single news bureau of more than one person had a woman as bureau chief. Now women lead the Washington coverage of the Associated Press, Reuters, Bloomberg News, NPR, the Boston Globe, the Christian Science Monitor and more — not to mention my three top bosses at USA TODAY.

“The Washington Press Club has been part of that evolution.

“Thank you, WPCF!”
### Rao out as Daily Record editor after one month; Jameson leaves WJZ-FM for Detroit
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/rao-out-as-daily-record-editor-jameson-leaves-wjz-fm-for-detroit/
Last updated: 2026-01-25T16:03:32.000Z
**Sameer Rao, named editor of The Daily Record in December**, announced on LinkedIn that he has left the legal, business and government news daily after a month in the role.

“I’ve already told many of you about this, but for those who don’t yet know, a major professional update: I’m back on the job hunt!” Rao posted on LinkedIn. “There’s no crazy or controversial or juicy story behind why I left The Daily Record after roughly a month in its top editorial role — some jobs just aren’t the right fit. And especially this year, journalism is way too important for any publication to have the wrong person steering the ship. I hope this inspires anybody reading to know that it’s fine to leave something that isn’t right, to know that it isn’t a mistake or a problem but simply an action to which (I sincerely hope!) we needn’t attach stigma.”

Rao, in main image, had replaced longtime editor **Thomas Baden Jr.**, who retired in June. Rao’s background includes Technical.ly and roles as a legal industry reporter for Law360, arts and entertainment reporter for the Baltimore Sun, culture reporter for Colorlines and neighborhood editor for Philadelphia City Paper.

**After a year at WJZ-FM in Baltimore, Scott Jameson, program director of Audacy Sports-Talk WJZ-FM (105.7 The Fan),** has left the station for Detroit. According to industry news outlet RAMP, he is returning to Detroit to support his wife’s career – she had been promoted at her medical practice – heading off a difficult commute between the two cities. More in [RAMP](https://ramp247.com/programming/family-first-for-scott-jameson/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).
### The Data Maturity Checklist: Five Gaps Killing Your Paid Audience Scale
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-data-maturity-checklist-five-gaps-killing-your-paid-audience-scale/
Last updated: 2026-03-30T14:40:00.000Z
**By** [**Response Labs**](https://www.responselabs.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**You’ve optimized creative. You’ve tightened your bid strategy. Yet, your Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) remains capped. What now?**

For senior paid media professionals at growing brands, the ceiling on campaign performance is rarely media buying expertise—it’s **data immaturity**. When your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Loyalty data are siloed, or the connection to your paid platforms (Meta, Google, TikTok) is brittle, you are forced to target broadly and bid defensively.

The data your paid team activates is only as good as the system delivering it. Your true obstacle to scale isn’t budget; **it’s the operational gaps between your MarTech stack and your media platforms.**

Here is the **five-point data maturity checklist** we use to audit enterprise client systems, revealing the gaps that are actively suppressing your campaign performance and preventing audience scale.

### **Gap 1: Sync Latency and Fragmentation**

### **The Problem:**

Your valuable first-party data is fresh, but your paid activation platforms are running on yesterday’s audiences. A 24-hour sync lag on recent purchasers means you’re still wasting budget targeting customers who converted overnight. This problem is compounded when data flows through multiple, disconnected systems (e.g., POS Data Warehouse → SFMC → Paid Platform). Longer than 24-hour refreshes? Even more waste…

### Why it Kills Scale:

**Inaccurate Suppression.** You waste up to **5-10%** of budget targeting recent converters or active support cases that should be suppressed or moved to a cross-sell list. It also hampers real-time bid adjustments based on rapidly changing inventory or promotional events.

### The Response Labs Fix:

We engineer **near real-time audience activation pipes**. By leveraging tools like Marketing Cloud Connector (MCC) integrations and custom API flows we develop in-house, we ensure high-value segments (e.g., cart abandoners, recent converters, or promo-engaged customers) are available for paid targeting/suppression within the hour, maximizing efficiency.

### **Gap 2: Incomplete Customer Graph**

### The Problem:

The majority of your customers interact with your brand across multiple touchpoints: in-store POS, website (anonymous or logged in/known), loyalty app (known), and email (known). If these identifiers are not **stitched together** into a single, unified customer ID in your data layer, you treat the same person as 3-4 different potential targets.

### Why it Kills Scale:

**Flawed Lookalikes.** Your paid platforms are building lookalike models based on fragmented, duplicated, or inaccurate seed audiences, leading to diminishing returns and overlap. You cannot accurately measure LTV or frequency caps when you don’t know who the customer actually is.

### The Response Labs Fix:

We focus on **identity resolution** as the first principle of any integration. Whether utilizing a Customer Data Platform (CDP) like Salesforce Data Cloud or optimizing your existing data model, we consolidate loyalty IDs, email addresses, and media IDs into a single, comprehensive view, drastically improving lookalike audience quality.

### **Gap 3: Missing Behavioral Segmentation**

### The Problem:

You can build audiences based on basic demographics or purchase history, but you are unable to segment based on **non-purchase behavioral data**—the high-intent signals (e.g., viewed 5 product pages in a category, clicked three times in an email nurture, or interacted with a loyalty points balance).

### Why it Kills Scale:

**Ineffective Nurture.** The best top-of-funnel campaigns require mid-funnel signals to scale effectively. Missing behavioral data means your budget is misspent on audiences that are not currently engaged or showing active intent, slowing down movement toward conversion.

### The Response Labs Fix:

We specialize in mapping and extracting these non-purchase signals from systems like SFMC, Braze, or TapMango. We then translate this behavioral intelligence into custom audiences for paid activation, allowing you to run micro-segment campaigns that target **active intent signals**, which are typically 3x more responsive than standard retargeting lists.

### **Gap 4: Under-Leveraged Predictive Intelligence**

### The Problem:

Your Data Team and/or MarTech stack likely calculates predictive metrics like **Customer Lifetime Value (LTV) or Churn Probability.** However, these high-leverage scores are rarely exported or mapped cleanly to your paid platforms for real-time application.

### Why it Kills Scale:

**Blind Bidding.** You are bidding equally for high-value and low-value prospects. Without LTV scores available in your media platforms, you can’t implement custom bid modifiers to aggressively acquire customers with high predicted LTV while efficiently managing spend on lower-value segments.

### The Response Labs Fix:

Our Date + Strategy Team works with Andy (Director of Strategy + Data) to establish the ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes necessary to transform complex data scores into simple, actionable audiences (e.g., “High LTV Segment”). We deliver these ready-to-use audiences to your ad accounts, enabling a **predictive bidding strategy** that justifies higher CPAs for better long-term return.

### **Gap 5: Disconnected Offline/Online Attribution**

### The Problem:

If you operate a multi-unit, multi-brand, or franchised model (QSR, retail, home services), a significant portion of your customer conversions happens **offline** (in-store, over the phone). You are running paid campaigns designed to drive this activity, but the loop is broken.

### Why it Kills Scale:

**Misallocation of Budget.** Without clear attribution tying a specific paid campaign effort back to an in-store loyalty transaction or POS conversion, your marketing spend is being misallocated. You cannot prove the ROI of your highest-performing campaigns to the CFO/CMO.

### The Response Labs Fix:

We build the secure, custom data bridges required to unify your offline/in-store data with your online activation data. This enables the reporting required to achieve **full-funnel attribution**, turning your budget justification from an estimate into an auditable, hard-number business case.

### Next Step: Evaluate Your Data Readiness

These five gaps represent the difference between running routine media campaigns and leveraging a fully integrated MarTech stack to drive predictable, efficient growth.

If any of these issues resonate with your current limitations, it’s time for an outside, expert assessment.

Our team, which sits at the intersection of CRM, Loyalty, and Paid Media strategy, offers a Data Readiness Audit that benchmarks your current system against these five maturity standards. It’s the fastest way to identify the architectural flaw that is costing you scale today.

**Want to dive deeper?** 
**Schedule a 15-30 minute call** [**HERE**](https://calendly.com/andy-locke-response-labs/15-minute-meeting?month=2026-01&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **with our Director of Strategy and Data,** 
**Andy Locke, to discuss your Readiness Audit.**
### Agency Updates: BGR Group, Seven Letter and Meraki Communications Group
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/agency-updates-bgr-group-seven-letter-and-meraki-communications-group/
Last updated: 2026-01-24T20:05:10.000Z
[**BGR Group**](https://bgrdc.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, based in D.C., announced the promotions of four to Principal:** [Raghav Aggarwal](https://www.linkedin.com/in/raghav-aggarwal-aa63aa2a/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), will serve as a Principal for the Health and Life Sciences Practice, [P. Keaghan Ames](https://www.linkedin.com/in/p-keaghan-ames-34b91b67/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) will serve as a Principal for the Financial Services and Tax Practice, [Scott Eisner](https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-eisner1/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), will serve as a Principal for the International and Trade Practice, and [Syd Terry ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/syd-terry-7706485/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)will serve as a Principal for the Commerce and Infrastructure Practice.

[**Brendan Buck**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanbuck/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, a partner at Seven Letter, left the agency to become chief communications officer at PCMA.** Buck also was an on-air political analyst for NBC News and MSNOW and a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times. Buck’s background includes more than a decade on Capitol Hill. He was counselor to House Speaker **Paul Ryan**, communications director at the House Ways and Means Committee, and press secretary to House Speaker **John Boehner.** Buck earlier was vice president for communications at America’s Health Insurance Plans. He was on the 2012 Romney-Ryan presidential campaign. And he was a Resident Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics. POLITICO named him to its inaugural Power 30 list in 2017, and in 2020, PR Week named him to their annual ’40 Under 40’. He was also named a ‘40 Under 40’ alumnus by the University of Georgia.

[**Meraki Communications Group**](https://merakicommsgroup.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **joined** [**The Change Agencies**](https://www.thechangeagencies.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). “From day one, Meraki has focused on lifting up the stories, voices, and lived experiences that too often go overlooked in traditional communications spaces,” said **Morgan Dye,** Co-Founder of Meraki Communications Group. “Joining The Change Agencies is both an affirmation of our values and an opportunity to collaborate with leaders who share our commitment to culturally grounded, community-centered communications. We’re thrilled to be part of a network that not only reflects who we are, but also expands what’s possible for our clients and for the future of inclusive storytelling.”

According to a release, The Change Agencies, the nation’s inclusive communications agency network. represent 16 diverse communities nationwide while serving clients who want the best public relations, public affairs, communications, and marketing advice, counsel, and support. Each agency member is an expert in engaging populations around issues and opportunities that drive culture, and each member specializes in one or more public relations and communications disciplines, ensuring that The Change Agencies can serve a wide variety of client needs. Every agency owner is Black, Asian American, Hispanic, Indigenous and/or LGBTQ, and 11 of the 16 member agencies are owned and led by women.
### Edelman Trust Barometer finds reshaping of trust and leadership
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/edelman-trust-barometer-finds-reshaping-of-trust-and-leadership/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:31:47.000Z
**If it feels harder than ever to break through,** build common ground, or even agree on basic facts, the [2026 Edelman Trust Barometer](https://www.edelman.com/trust/2026/trust-barometer?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) puts real data behind that instinct. Seven in 10 people globally now say they are unwilling or hesitant to trust someone who holds different values, perspectives or sources of information. In developed markets, that number climbs even higher, including Japan at 90 percent, Germany at 81 percent, the UK at 76 percent, Canada at 73 percent, and the U.S. at 70 percent. Insularity is no longer a fringe behavior. It has become a defining feature of how people process information, form opinions, and decide who deserves their trust

**Richard Edelman** frames this shift as a retreat from openness and shared progress. “We are choosing a closed ecosystem of trust that mandates a limited worldview, a narrowing of opinion, intellectual stasis, and cultural rigidity,” he writes. “We are withdrawing from dialogue and compromise. We opt for the safety of the familiar over the perceived risk of innovation. We prefer nationalism to global connection. We choose individual benefit over common advancement, the Me over the We.”

For communicators, this explains why even well-intended messaging can feel like it is hitting a wall. Audiences are narrowing who they listen to. Trust is concentrating closer to home in one’s employer, CEO, coworkers, neighbors, and personal networks, while skepticism toward institutions, media, and distant leadership continues to grow. Nearly seven in 10 respondents now fear institutional leaders are deliberately misleading the public. That is a tough environment for anyone responsible for reputation, credibility, and long-term brand trust.

What is fueling this pull inward? The Barometer points to a mix of economic anxiety, declining optimism, eroding institutional confidence, and an ongoing information crisis. Two-thirds of employees worry that trade policies and tariffs will hurt their employer. Many workers, especially in lower and middle income groups, fear generative AI will leave them behind rather than lift them up. Only 32 percent of people believe the next generation will be better off. At the same time, misinformation concerns remain high and fewer people regularly consume viewpoints that differ from their own.

Those pressures are already showing up in the business landscape. Trust increasingly favors domestic companies over foreign competitors. More than one-third of respondents would accept higher prices and fewer choices to limit foreign companies in their home markets. Inside organizations, values alignment is becoming a real workforce issue, with 42 percent of employees saying they would rather change departments than report to a manager with very different beliefs.

The Trust Barometer also highlights a widening mass class trust divide that has more than doubled since 2012\. The U.S. now shows the largest income-based trust gap at 29 points. For communicators, that matters because economic anxiety shapes how messages about innovation, automation, sustainability, and growth are received. Tone, empathy, and clarity are no longer soft skills. They are credibility drivers.

There is, however, a clear opportunity buried inside the data. Edelman argues that organizations can counter insularity through what he calls Trust Brokering. “The primary Trust Broker must be My Employer, proximate and reliable,” he writes. Employees trust their employer more than any other institution and see it as the only one consistently doing a credible job of bridging divides and creating space for constructive dialogue. CEOs are expected to lead that effort by listening across differences, engaging critics productively, and showing how values translate into real decisions.

For communications leaders, this puts internal communications, leadership visibility, employee listening, and culture storytelling at the center of the trust equation. The workplace has become one of the few environments where people still feel comfortable having difficult conversations when expectations and behavioral norms are clear. That creates both responsibility and opportunity for comms teams to shape how leaders show up, how feedback flows, and how trust is reinforced day to day.

The data also reinforces the growing influence of trusted third-party voices. Many people say they would reconsider a company they currently distrust if it were vouched for by someone they already trust, particularly creators and subject-matter voices. That raises the bar for authenticity, alignment, and long-term relationship building in influencer and earned media strategies.

The big takeaway for communicators is simple but demanding. Trust today is built less through scale and more through proximity, consistency, and leadership behavior. In a world where audiences are pulling inward and filtering harder, communicators are being asked to help organizations earn credibility one conversation, one decision, and one relationship at a time.
### James Elias named CEO of Hager Sharp
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/james-elias-named-ceo-of-hager-sharp/
Last updated: 2026-01-23T11:36:46.000Z
[**James D. Elias**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-elias-29553449/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **has been named chief executive officer of D.C.- based** [**Hager Sharp**](https://hagersharp.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**.** He has also been elected to the company’s board of directors.

“The Board of Directors was unanimous in our choice of James to lead this outstanding strategic communications agency and its talented team as the company’s next chief executive officer,” said **Marie C. Johns,** chairman of Hager Sharp’s Board of Directors. “James is an exceptional public relations leader with a strong command of the business fundamentals needed to guide a professional services firm through its next stage of growth. He brings a disciplined approach to operations, client service, and talent development, along with a clear understanding of how media relations and strategic communications drive value for clients.”

“It is truly an honor to be entrusted with the responsibility of guiding this special company that has occupied such an important place in the history of public relations and business in Washington, D.C. since **Susan Hager** founded the firm in 1973,” Elias said. “It’s also an honor to work each day with an incredibly talented and dedicated team. As CEO, my focus is on sharpening the firm’s strategic direction, continued development of our core strengths, and creating greater value for clients by communicating with clarity, purpose, and impact. We are building on the engine that has propelled this company for the last 50 years, and I will work tirelessly to ensure the company’s brightest days are ahead of us.”

Since joining the company in 2010, Elias has served in senior roles advising multiple agency accounts in the private, public and independent sectors on media relations, public affairs, crisis communications and issues management. During his tenure, Elias’ strategic communications work has focused on areas related to early childhood, K-12, and higher education; social justice at the intersection of policy and advocacy; workforce development; and public health and healthcare. C-suite clients have sought his counsel to shape their brand narratives, strengthen trust with their audiences, and to scale their impact. Elias first joined Hager Sharp’s management team in 2015.

“James is the right leader for the next chapter in the history of this esteemed company—building on the firm’s strengths, scaling the business thoughtfully, and creating lasting value for clients, employee-owners, and partners,” said Hager Sharp Board Member **Jerry Olszewski.** “His leadership has been instrumental in strengthening the firm’s portfolio, enhancing core capabilities, and positioning Hager Sharp for sustainable, long-term growth.”

According to a release, Elias has led award-winning work for a number of Hager Sharp’s clients, including The Nation’s Report Card, Arizona State University, Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, The Leadership Conference, ACT and the Educational Testing Service.
### Impact XM and Jack Morton merge to create “one of the industry’s most comprehensive global experiential partners”
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/impact-xm-and-jack-morton-merge-to-create-one-of-the-industrys-most-comprehensive-global-experiential-partners/
Last updated: 2026-01-22T00:08:01.000Z
[**Impact XM**](https://www.impact-xm.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **and** [**Jack Morton** ](http://www.jackmorton.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**are merging to create, states a release, one of the industry’s most comprehensive global experiential partners.**

According to the release, the combined agency will operate under the Jack Morton name, “a brand with strong global recognition and reach that enables the unified organization to go to market with a clear, powerful identity. This represents both the value of that global brand and the expanded capability, scale, and talent that Impact XM brings into this next chapter.

“Together, the agencies bring complementary strengths across creative, strategy, digital innovation, production, fabrication, and impact measurement, forming a fully integrated experiential offering designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s leading brands.

“With expanded global scale across 20 offices spanning North America, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific, deeper category expertise, and a connected, end-to-end delivery model, the combined agency is built to help brands create real, human experiences that drive business impact. Experiential services include large scale conferences, digital engagement, sponsorship, brand activations, trade shows, corporate events, B2B experiences, and healthcare congresses, among other live event services. The combined agency serves some of the world’s most recognizable brands, including many Fortune 100 companies.”

The agencies, states the release, “bring more than 1,000 specialists across strategy, creative, client service, production, fabrication, and innovation. Their combined strengths position the unified agency to lead at a moment when marketers increasingly seek integrated, insightdriven, globally scalable experiences that cut through clutter and build authentic human connection.

“Clients choose the unified agency for seamless end-to-end delivery, expanded global reach with local expertise, deep industry knowledge across sectors such as technology, healthcare, and automotive, strong executional excellence, and a collaborative approach that ensures quality and impact.”

The merger is subject to customary approvals and is expected to close in Q1 2026, with leadership teams from both organizations working closely to ensure a seamless transition for employees and clients. Pollacco will serve as CEO of the unified agency and Millon will serve as Global President. Josh McCall, the CEO of Jack Morton from 2003 until his retirement in 2022, will serve as Executive Chairman of the board of directors. Grant Gregory of Gregory & Hoenemeyer Inc. acted as financial advisor to Impact XM and The Riverside Company on the transaction.

Jack Morton’s transition to private ownership follows its sale by Omnicom, creating the opportunity for the unified agency to operate independently under a shared vision for growth. The agency will be supported by The Riverside Company, a global investment firm.

According to an online item, Omnicom didn’t buy Jack Morton; rather, Omnicom *acquired* Interpublic Group (IPG) in late 2025, which included Jack Morton, and then quickly sold Jack Morton to private equity-backed Impact XM in January 2026, creating a larger independent experiential agency under the Jack Morton name to compete in the evolving AI-driven marketing landscape</span. This move streamlined Omnicom’s portfolio, offloading a non-core asset, while allowing Jack Morton and Impact XM to combine global scale with a unified, independent vision.
### In the news: Changes at NAB, Financial Services Forum and ID Dataweb
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/in-the-news-changes-at-nab-and-financial-services-forum/
Last updated: 2026-01-21T18:50:17.000Z
[**Alex Siciliano**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-siciliano-7a6194b9/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **is leaving the D.C.-based** [**National Association of Broadcasters.**](https://www.nab.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)According to *TV Tech: “* As NAB’s senior vice president of communications since early 2023, he has been one of its public faces in explaining policy and has been the main point of contact for media who cover NAB activities.” Siciliano, in photo, emailed journalists that he will leave NAB to pursue another opportunity. Siciliano joined NAB in 2022 as senior communications strategist and was promoted the next year, succeeding **Ann Marie Cumming**. Prior to NAB he was VP of communications at The Petrizzo Group.

TV Tech adds that **Grace Whaley** recently was promoted to NAB’s director of communications and social media. **Judianne Meredith** joined NAB last summer as a communications coordinator. Another source said the duo will handle communications for the organization going forward.

**The** [**Financial Services Forum**](https://fsforum.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced that** [**Sarah Knakmuhs**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahknakmuhs/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **has been appointed Chief Communications and Strategy Officer,** effective March 2\. Knakmuhs, states a release, will join the Forum from M&T Bank, where she serves as the company’s first Chief Communications Officer, leading enterprise-wide efforts to enhance and protect the company’s reputation, drive business results, and engage employees through clear, consistent, and strategic communications. Her prior experience includes opening and leading the D.C. office of a major strategic communications firm, and she has also held senior government affairs, policy, and investor relations roles at a Fortune 200 company.

The Forum also announced that **Barbara Hagenbaugh** will be leaving the organization after eight successful years leading communications.

[**ID Dataweb**](https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4592414-1&h=3322952626&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.iddataweb.com%2Fabout-us%2F&a=ID+Dataweb&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, Centreville, VA, announced the appointment of** [**Dr. Torsten George**](https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4592414-1&h=3294978126&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Ftorstengeorge&a=Dr.+Torsten+George&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **as the company’s first Chief Marketing Officer.** According to a release, he brings more than 30 years of experience scaling marketing and product functions at fast-growing cybersecurity and identity companies, leading several of them to successful exits. Before joining ID Dataweb, he held senior leadership roles at organizations including ConnectWise, Absolute Software (acquired by Crosspoint Capital), Centrify (acquired by Thoma Bravo; now Delinea), RiskSense (acquired by Ivanti), and ActivIdentity (acquired by HID Global), where he successfully led go-to-market initiatives, repositioned brands, and drove product innovation in highly competitive markets. He is also a frequent author and sought-after speaker on topics ranging from digital identity to data protection and compliance.
### Yes& acquires Chicago-based Symmetri Marketing Group
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/yes-acquires-chicago-based-symmetri-marketing-group/
Last updated: 2026-01-21T18:32:56.000Z
***Acquisition bolsters independent agency’s B2B, tech and digital footprint***

[**Yes&** ](https://yesandagency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**acquired** [**Symmetri Marketing Group**](https://symmetrimarketing.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, the Chicago-based B2B branding, marketing and digital agency.** Symmetri will operate under the Yes& brand name.

The move, states a release, marks the latest milestone in Alexandria, VA-based Yes&’s strategic expansion and national growth strategy. The addition of Symmetri bolsters the ongoing efforts of Yes& to enhance its creative offerings for world-class brands, expand its footprint into new markets and diversify its expertise in key sectors. The award-winning Symmetri team brings 20+ years of experience serving B2B clients in technology, healthcare technology and manufacturing in the U.S. and Europe and delivers Yes& a powerful new set of capabilities across the B2B and technology sectors.”

“Symmetri needed to expand its capabilities to help clients build their brands and businesses in new, more innovative ways,” said Yes& chairman **Jeb Brown**. “They saw their best opportunity to grow was to join forces with an established agency brand. Together, we make a major advance in both our integrated marketing and branding and B2B offerings.”

Symmetri, continues the release, “brings balance, precision and boldness to their healthcare technology, manufacturing, technology and digital data/security clients. Key clients include Dentsply Sirona, one of the largest dental-product manufacturers in the world; Kollmorgen, which delivers world-class motors, drives, AGV control solutions and automation platforms to manufacturers, distributors and engineers; and Humanetics, the leading provider of precision safety systems, simulation models, ergonomic software and advanced sensor technologies. And the maker of virtually every crash test dummy in the world.”

“Becoming a part of Yes& gives us the scale to grow faster and smarter, without losing the culture and values that got us here,” said Symmetri’s President **Carl Triemstra.** “Being part of a larger agency opens new opportunities for our people and delivers even more value to our clients.”

“Adding Symmetri allows us to provide our combined roster of clients with a far broader menu of marketing solutions and add an entirely new level of technological innovation to our portfolio,” added Yes& CEO **Zihla Salinas**. “Along with success in new business and organic growth, the acquisition strategy has made Yes& one of the fastest-growing independent agencies.”
### Study states Levi Strauss tops brand loyalty rankings
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/customer-loyalty-plays-major-role-in-profitability-and-cost-efficiency-states-study/
Last updated: 2026-01-20T19:51:36.000Z
**Retail brands that meet rising consumer expectations are earning stronger loyalty,** while those that fail to adapt are losing ground, according to a new national study, states [Inside Radio.](https://www.insideradio.com/free/levi-strauss-tops-brand-loyalty-rankings-as-consumer-expectations-surge/article%5Fba4aac12-aad3-4dc3-9bf1-b38485a32a37.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

Levi Strauss, continues Inside Radio, “ranked as the top apparel company in the 18th annual Brand Key Loyalty Leaders List, released as part of the 2026 Customer Loyalty Engagement Index (CLEI). Other top-ranked retail category leaders included Skechers in athletic shoes, T.J. Maxx in department stores, Walmart in discount retail and Dollar Tree in dollar discount stores. View the complete list [HERE](https://brandkeys.com/loyalty-leaders-list/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

“The Brand Keys report identifies the top 100 brands based on their ability to create and sustain customer loyalty. This year’s findings show a sharp shift in the retail landscape, driven by a significant rise in consumer expectations.”

According to the study states Inside Radio “, consumer expectations increased 32% year over year — the largest single-year jump since the survey began in 1998\. As a result, 40% of product and service categories saw new brands emerge as leaders, replacing companies previously associated with stability and consistency.”

“Elevated consumer expectations are shifting the rules of loyalty engagement, and brands that fail to adapt risk being overtaken,” said **Robert Passikoff**, founder and President of Brand Keys.

The report, states Inside Radio, also found that loyalty continues to play a major role in profitability and cost efficiency. Retention costs remain 17 to 25 times lower than customer acquisition costs, representing a 26% increase in the cost gap since 1997.

“These dynamics are why loyalty’s correlation with market share remains so strong — 0.87,” Passikoff said. “Loyal customers are six times more likely to engage, repurchase, and amplify brand messaging. The bottom line: loyalty moves markets.”

Brand Keys reported that a 5% increase in customer loyalty can generate up to 88% higher lifetime profits per customer. A 2% rise in loyalty can reduce marketing and operational costs by as much as 29%.

In addition to Levi Strauss, Skechers, T.J. Maxx, Walmart and Dollar Tree, other category leaders included The Home Depot in home repair, Whole Foods Market in natural markets, Amazon in online retail, CVS in pharmacy, Costco Wholesale in price clubs and UPS in shipping.
### John Wordock joins WTOP as business reporter
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/john-wordock-joins-wtop-as-business-reporter/
Last updated: 2026-01-20T20:45:07.000Z
[**John Wordock**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnwordock/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **joins** [**WTOP**](https://wtop.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **as its business reporter.** According to a release, he brings “decades of experience in business journalism, audio storytelling, and multi-platform media strategy to the award-winning newsroom.

“Wordock is already a familiar voice to WTOP listeners. In the 2000s, he anchored market updates for the station while serving as Managing Editor of MarketWatch Radio. During his tenure at MarketWatch, Wordock also delivered business reports for leading news stations across the country, including WBZ, WINS, WBBM, KRLD and KCBS.

“Beyond business reporting, Wordock brings extensive experience in podcasting and digital media leadership. Most recently, Wordock worked as a media consultant, encouraging organizations to embrace a multimedia approach to storytelling—an approach that aligns closely with WTOP’s evolving business coverage strategy.”

“WTOP is setting the pace for the radio industry in our digital world,” Wordock said. “It’s a leader both in Washington and in the country. I look forward to joining its award-winning newsroom and evolving business reporting in the age of social video, YouTube, podcasts, and whatever comes next.”

As part of this evolution, states the release, WTOP will expand the scope of its business reporting under Wordock’s leadership. In addition to delivering business reports at :10 and :40 past each hour, Wordock will produce original video content and written articles for WTOP.com and the station’s social media channels. He will also focus on enterprise and exclusive reporting aimed at strengthening WTOP’s leadership on the local business beat.

“Evolution is more important than ever in the news industry. We need to meet our consumers where they are and bring them the stories they need in the formats they want,” said **Julia Ziegler,** Director of News and Programming at WTOP News. “John brings a wealth of multi-platform experience and business expertise to WTOP, and we can’t wait for news consumers in the DMV to be reintroduced to him.”
### OpenAI to start testing ads on ChatGPT
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/openai-to-start-testing-ads-on-chatgpt/
Last updated: 2026-01-18T22:34:21.000Z
**ChatGPT may soon serve up ads** for products it thinks you’d like to buy.

According to [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/16/tech/chatgpt-ads-openai?ref=capitolcommunicator.com#:~:text=As%20part%20of%20the%20test,driven%20by%20what's%20objectively%20useful.%E2%80%9D), OpenAI [announced](https://openai.com/index/our-approach-to-advertising-and-expanding-access/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) that it will be testing ads in its free version for logged-in, adult US users. It’s also rolling out an $8-per-month “Go” subscription tier that includes some upgraded capabilities, such as longer memory and more image creation opportunities, a lower price than its “Plus” ($20/month) and Pro ($200/month) subscriptions. “Go” subscribers will also get ads, while Plus, Pro and OpenAI’s business customers won’t.

OpenAI CEO **Sam Altman** has previously expressed reservations about introducing ads to ChatGPT. But, reports CNN, “the move comes as OpenAI is [urgently trying to figure out](https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/07/tech/openai-chatgpt-ai-infrastructure-explainer?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) how to bring in more revenue from its 800 million monthly users to help it afford the $1.4 trillion it has committed to spending on AI infrastructure over the next eight years. Altman said in November that the company expected to end 2025 with around $20 billion in annual revenue.

“Last year, the company [launched](https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/14/tech/walmart-openai-chatgpt-shopping-partnership?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) a tool called “Instant Checkout” that lets users buy items from retailers such as Walmart and Etsy directly through ChatGPT.”
### Capitol Communicators: Profile of Raymond Crosby, CEO, Crosby Marketing, Annapolis, MD
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-raymond-crosby-ceo-crosby-marketing-annapolis-md/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:40.000Z
**Capitol Communicators is a profile series spotlighting the people shaping the present** 
**and future of advertising, digital, marketing and public relations in the Mid-Atlantic.** 
**This profile features** **Raymond Crosby, CEO,** [**Crosby Marketing**](https://www.crosbymarketing.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, Annapolis, MD**

[**Raymond Crosby**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/raymondcrosby/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **knows a lot about change and re-invention.** Crosby Marketing has been constantly evolving over its 50+-year history. His father, Ralph, started it in 1973, buying a tourist publication company called Rambling Through, which became PR Associates, and later Crosby Marketing. Raymond, who was the firm’s third employee, now leads a team of over 100, and an agency that is constantly cited as a local and national leader, ranking in the top 25 of O’Dwyer’s independent PR firms list, with over $30 million annually in fee income. He credits the agency’s success with its continuing evolution, changing just as communication does, and says he learns something new every day.

Crosby Marketing has consistently been named a local Top Workplace, and Raymond recognized as a Top CEO. It’s been said that “culture eats strategy for breakfast,” and Crosby has been able to foster both a winning culture and effective business strategy. One secret may be what he calls the “no jerks policy,” another may be the focus on giving back to the community, with annual volunteer days and a scholarship program at Anne Arundel Community College. The firm’s clients include Peace Corps, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), Shriners Children’s Hospitals and the Social Security Administration.

**Raymond, please tell us about yourself.**

I’m the CEO of Crosby Marketing, leading our team to fulfill our mission on Inspiring Actions That Matter. We work with leading nonprofits and causes, health care organizations and federal agencies, focusing on purpose-driven work that builds our client’s mission and business impact, while improving people’s lives. It’s really rewarding work.

**What are the things you are most proud of?**

On the work side, growing Crosby from a small local firm into a nationally recognized agency with a great team of passionate people. We’ve been named a Best Workplace by the Washington Post for 9 straight years, and our client tenure is triple the industry average. On the personal side, I’m super proud of my family and extended family. We’re a tight bunch and there’s lots of love and support to go around.

**What are the most significant changes or trends you see happening in the communications industry in 2026?? How are you dealing with it?**

The constantly evolving media landscape, the challenge of building brand trust in today’s climate, and the opportunities to leverage AI are all driving rapid change. We have a Crosby 5.0 strategic plan that is guiding our investments in talent and technologies to continually evolve the firm, help clients connect the dots, and optimize marketing performance.

**Would you share a “lesson in leadership”?** **As the leader of the agency, how did you develop the strategic plan? And how do you engage your team in bringing it to life?**

As a leader, you have to constantly be thinking about what’s next down the road. I lean heavily on our Executive Committee and key thought leaders on staff to help inform and shape our plans for Crosby. I’m a big proponent of the adage: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

**What are the skills that are necessary to be successful today?**

Being curious, up to date with culture, and constantly learning the craft of marketing. I’d also say having the grit to fight through adversity will serve you well.

**What tools should we be using to be successful?**

More than anything, our ears. Listening more carefully to understand our client’s challenges, the marketplace, and our audiences. Technology is a great enabler, but we’re still in the business of understanding human behavior and touching people’s hearts.

**Who do you most admire and why?**

My father, Ralph. He’s a self-made man with great integrity, a lifelong entrepreneur, an author of four books, a philanthropist, and an extraordinary father and grandfather. From very humble beginnings, he’s created an amazing life and legacy (and my mom Carlotta had a lot to do with that, too!).

**What advice helped you most in your career, and is that advice still relevant today?**

My college lacrosse locker room had a memorable sign that read, “Nobody ever drowned in sweat.” I’m a big believer in plain old hard work. If you want to learn, grow, and succeed, it’s on you to make it happen. There aren’t any shortcuts.

**What keeps you up at night? And what brings you joy during the day?**

The state of our country worries me most. We have become way too polarized and need focus on our stronger common purpose. Lots of things bring me joy during the day: simple stuff like a great cup of coffee or binging a new show with my wife.

**Any streaming recommendations for us?**

We’re right in the thick of watching Landman and highly recommend it.

**What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done?**

Probably hiking along an active volcano in Iceland or traversing a glacier in Norway.

**Capitol Communicators** [**profiles**](https://capitolcommunicator.com/tag/profiles/) **allow you to meet some of the most interesting** 
**and insightful prosin our region, learn how they stay ahead of the curve** 
**and gain practical wisdom during a time of constant change.**
### Agency Updates: The Agile Agency, FTI Consulting and Drumfire Public Affairs
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/agency-updates-the-agile-agency-fti-consulting-and-drumfire-public-affairs/
Last updated: 2026-01-18T13:27:40.000Z
[**Sharon Nevins** ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonnevins/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**will be leaving her role as Chief Revenue Officer at The Baltimore Banner** to launch her own strategic consulting firm, **The Agile Agency**. At [The Baltimore Banner](https://www.linkedin.com/company/82195550/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Nevins, in photo, served as Chief Revenue Officer, where, states an online item, she built the news organization’s advertising and events operation from the ground up “resulting in millions of dollars in revenue helping the startup get on path to solid footing. Her leadership in developing go-to-market strategy, audience growth and strategic partnerships played a critical role in the news startup’s business success. The Agile Agency is a C-suite-led consulting and strategic services firm designed to help organizations get to market faster, advise on key strategic decisions and accelerate growth without the complexity and delay that often plague organizations. By combining deep strategic insight with fast, disciplined execution, The Agile Agency works directly with leaders to transform brands, optimize revenue engines, advise on media strategy and event solutions.”

[**FTI Consulting**](https://www.fticonsulting.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced the appointment of** [**Joshua Baca**](https://www.fticonsulting.com/experts/joshua-baca?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **as a Senior Managing Director.** Baca, who is based in D.C., joins FTI Consulting’s Strategic Communications segment, states a release, with more than 20 years of experience “at the intersection of government, business and reputation. In his role at FTI Consulting, he will advise on stakeholder engagement and advocacy campaigns to help client organizations manage change, mitigate risk and advance business opportunities.” Prior to joining FTI Consulting, Baca founded and served as CEO of Resilient Partners, an advocacy, strategic communications and reputation management firm in D.C. that primarily served leading companies and industry groups in the chemicals, materials, consumer and retail industries. Prior to founding Resilient Partners, he served as head of the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President, Public Affairs at the American Beverage Association.

[**Drumfire Public Affairs**](http://drumfirepa.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **adds** [**Maureen Vogel**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenvogel/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **as Senior Director of Digital Media.** Vogel joined Drumfire after previously working with the firm as a contractor and has led the firm’s digital, social, and web campaigns and initiatives.
### Beyond ROAS: Calculating the true LTV lift from MarTech Integration
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/beyond-roas-calculating-the-true-ltv-lift-from-martech-integration/
Last updated: 2026-03-30T14:36:27.000Z
[By Response Labs](https://www.responselabs.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**Every marketing leader has been there:** The campaign report looks strong, ROAS is healthy, and the media team is celebrating. Yet the CFO isn’t impressed. “That’s great,” they say, “but did we actually acquire better customers, or just more of the same?”

That tension captures a core truth: **Return on Ad Spend (ROAS)** measures how efficiently you buy transactions, [not how effectively you buy customer value](https://www.admetrics.io/en/post/roas-vs-proftability?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). For CMOs focused on long-term growth, the real question isn’t how much revenue did we generate? But what kind of customers did we bring in—and how valuable are they over time?

The answer lies in **Customer Lifetime Value (LTV) uplift**, the measurable increase in long-term customer value that results from integrating your MarTech stack (CRM, loyalty, CDP, POS, and media platforms).

#### The ROAS Trap: When Short-Term Metrics Hold Back Long-Term Growth

ROAS is an important benchmark. [But it’s also a narrow one](https://www.sarasanalytics.com/blog/roas-cac-ltv-ecommerce-kpi?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). It typically measures revenue within a 7- to 14-day attribution window, which is useful for optimizing bids, but blind to what happens next.

**ROAS = Revenue Generated ÷ Ad Spend**

When this becomes your north star, three problems emerge:

1. **You undervalue high-potential customers.** Some audiences look expensive up front but deliver 3× the value over 12 months. ROAS optimization will ignore them.
2. **You can’t justify infrastructure investments.** Tools like Salesforce Marketing Cloud or a CDP are hard to link directly to short-term revenue, even when they enable smarter targeting.
3. **You bid without context.** Without knowing which users have a $50 LTV versus a $500 LTV, your media platform treats them as equal, leading to underinvestment in your best customers.

To escape this trap, the metric must evolve from *cost per transaction to value per customer*. The strategic focus becomes improving the **CAC-to-LTV ratio** over time, not just cutting Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC).

#### The LTV Uplift Framework: Proving the Financial Impact of Integration

Integrating your MarTech stack should deliver one clear, measurable benefit: **the customers you acquire become more valuable**. The LTV Uplift Framework provides the proof.

**Step 1: Establish Your Baseline LTV (Control Group)**

First, measure the average 12-month value of customers acquired through standard paid media—your “business as usual” audience.

**Formula: LTV₍Baseline₎ = Average Customer Value from Standard Paid Channels (12-month window)**

This is your control group: customers reached without advanced audience integration or CRM-driven targeting.

**Step 2: Measure Post-Integration LTV (Test Group)**

Next, measure customers acquired through audiences built from unified CRM, loyalty, or predictive data. These represent the lift generated by your connected ecosystem.

**Formula: LTV₍Integrated₎ = Average Customer Value from Unified CRM/Loyalty Audiences (12-month window)**

Example test audiences enabled by MarTech integration:

- **Churn-Risk Lookalikes:** People who resemble your most valuable, recently re-engaged customers.
- **Loyalty Tier Lookalikes:** Profiles similar to your top-tier loyalty members.
- **Product Affinity Segments:** Prospects identified through email or site engagement who mirror known high-value buyers.

**Step 3: Quantify the Uplift**

Finally, calculate the financial delta between your integrated and baseline groups.

**Formula: LTV Uplift = LTV₍Integrated₎ − LTV₍Baseline₎**

**Example:**

- If your integrated audience delivers an LTV of $450 versus a baseline of $350, that’s a **$100 LTV uplift per customer.** Multiply that by 10,000 new customers per year, and you’ve added **$1 million in long-term value** directly attributable to your MarTech integration ([which is key](https://martech360.com/martech-insights/staff-writers/the-cmos-playbook-driving-revenue-through-martech-integration/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) for all of this [to be successful](https://martechrecord.com/analysis-and-opinion/6-strategies-to-maximize-customer-lifetime-value/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)).

This is the kind of metric that earns budget approval, not just applause.

#### How Response Labs Enables LTV Lift

Executing this framework requires operational maturity. You need the systems, data synchronization, and modeling precision to make high-value audiences actionable at speed. That’s where Response Labs comes in.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/LTV_Lift_750X400.jpg)

When you partner with Response Labs, you’re not adding another agency seat—you’re building the **data bridge** between your MarTech foundation and your media performance layer.

#### The Bottom Line

If your leadership team is focused on **long-term customer value**, then ROAS alone will never be enough. By connecting your data systems, activating predictive insights, and aligning CRM with paid media, you can **quantify the true financial impact** of every technology investment.

**At** [**Response Labs**](https://www.responselabs.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, we help brands Make Every Message Matter, and every customer more valuable.** Read next: [The Data Maturity Checklist: 5 Gaps Killing Your Paid Audience Scale](https://www.responselabs.com/2025/10/data-maturity-checklist-paid-media-audience-scale/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### Hon. Martin O’Malley joins Liberty Partners Group as Senior Policy Advisor
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/hon-martin-omalley-joins-liberty-partners-group-as-senior-policy-advisor/
Last updated: 2026-01-17T13:11:15.000Z
[**Liberty Partners Group**](https://www.libertypartnersgroup.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced that Martin O’Malley, former Baltimore Mayor, Governor of Maryland, and Social Security Administrator,** joined the D.C.-based firm as Senior Policy Advisor.

For over a quarter century, states a release, “O’Malley has been a devoted public servant and respected chief executive at the local, state, and federal levels of government. Recognized at home and abroad for devising and implementing innovations that make government work better for the people it serves, he has consistently delivered innovative solutions, transparent governance, data-based decision-making, and measurable outcomes for individuals and communities alike.

“As a mayor, governor, and federal agency leader, he has earned an unequaled reputation for transforming far-reaching but underperforming organizations through a combination of collaborative leadership and change communication, all while prioritizing a culture of accountability and continuous performance improvement. As President Barack Obama observed, “Instead of passing the buck on accountability and efficiency, governors like Martin O’Malley … have revolutionized performance management systems, showing the American people precisely how their governments are working for them.””

O’Malley said he has long believed “the future is what we make of it and that we can only be stopped by placing limits on our imagination. That is why I am so pleased to be joining Liberty Partners Group, which shares my conviction and views every challenge as an opportunity for creativity, collaboration, and success.”
### FOX News Media promotes six on its editorial leadership teams
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/fox-news-media-promotes-six-on-its-editorial-leadership-teams/
Last updated: 2026-01-15T20:06:15.000Z
**FOX News Media promoted six executives on its D.C., and NYC editorial leadership teams.** 

**Douglas Rohrbeck** was elevated to Executive Vice President, Washington News & Politics; and **Jessica Loker** was named Senior Vice President, Politics. **Tommy Firth** will take on the role of Executive Vice President of FOX News Digital’s editorial team; while **Beth Saunders** was promoted to Senior Vice President, Digital News. **Stefanie Wheeler** was elevated to Senior Vice President, Digital Editorial and Video; and **Brett Zoeller** was promoted to Vice President, Primetime Programming.

In making the announcement, FOX News Media President and Executive Editor **Jay Wallace,** in photo, said, “FOX News Media’s news content is consumed by the largest and most politically diverse audience in the country. I am confident Doug and Tommy will continue to innovate and successfully evolve our robust linear and digital platforms as we continue to inform our audience of millions however and wherever they are watching.”

Rohrbeck will report to Wallace leading all editorial and strategic oversight of Washington-based news and political coverage and managing FOX News Channel’s (FNC) news programming emanating from the nation’s capital, including *Special Report with Bret Baier, Fox News Sunday with Shannon Bream,* and *FOX News @ Night with Trace Gallagher.* His oversight of *Special Report* has rivaled broadcast networks, besting CBS, NBC, and ABC in key markets throughout the country. Most recently, states a release, *Special Report* has dominated the news landscape with more than two dozen interviews with foreign leaders and dignitaries including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Rohrbeck has also managed editorial throughout FNM’s presidential election cycles, with 2024’s election night coverage delivering more than 13 million viewers. Since joining the network in 1998 as a production assistant, Rohrbeck has played a pivotal role in the network’s political coverage, producing election nights and major special events, including presidential debates and rose throughout the ranks to Senior Vice President before being named to his current role.”

In his new role, Firth will oversee day-to-day editorial operations for FOX News Digital, also reporting to Wallace and Porter Berry, President of FOX News Digital and New Media. According to the release, he will oversee “the totality of the homepage and lead high-impact breaking news and enterprise reporting, driving the creation of compelling content. Additionally, he will spearhead initiatives to expand audience reach and engagement across the platform, reinforcing FOX News Digital’s stance as the definitive leader in the digital news landscape with more than 150 million multiplatform unique visitors. Firth most recently served as the senior vice president of primetime programming where he oversaw weekday and weekend opinion shows, and prior to that was a Vice President in the same capacity. In late 2025, Firth notably oversaw the first live exclusive interviews with Turning Point CEO Erika Kirk on multiple FNC programs. Throughout his tenure, he was also tasked with launching new programming including *The Story with Martha MacCallum* and *The Ingraham Angle*, both of which debuted in 2017\. He joined the network in 2008 and held senior roles on many top-rated programs including *The Five* and *Hannity*, and notably led *The Ingraham Angle*.

FOX News Media operates the FOX News Channel (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Digital, FOX News Audio, FOX News Books, the direct-to-consumer streaming services FOX Nation and FOX News International and the ad-supported television service FOX Weather.
### Patch field editor named Capital Gazette editor; leadership transition at Baltimore magazine
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/patch-field-editor-named-capital-gazette-editor-leadership-transition-announced-at-baltimore-magazine/
Last updated: 2026-01-15T19:09:08.000Z
![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/Michael-Teitelbaum.jpg)

Michael Teitelbaum

**Baltimore magazine has appointed Debbie Darmofal chief operating officer**, where she will oversee strategy across its print, digital, events, and custom publishing operations.

The transition coincides with President **Michael Teitelbaum**’s decision to spend more time with his six grandchildren, half of whom live in Austin and the other half in Miami. Professionally, he will be devoting his attention to building the Executive Advisory Council, a peer advisory organization he founded in early 2025 to support business leaders across the region.

“Leading Baltimore magazine has been an incredible honor,” said Teitelbaum, who has served as president since 2017\. “The magazine is a Baltimore institution, and the people behind it matter deeply to me. I have tremendous confidence in Debbie, the team, and the direction of the company.”

“Debbie brings deep institutional knowledge, operational expertise, and a steady, thoughtful leadership style,” said **Steve Geppi**, publisher and CEO. “She understands this organization inside and out, and I have complete confidence in her ability to lead the company forward.”

Geppi, who has owned Baltimore magazine for more than three decades, will take on a more active role as Publisher and CEO, partnering closely with Darmofal and the leadership team.

**Jacob Baumgart, a former Patch field editor who has spent more than five years covering Maryland**, has been named editor of the Capital Gazette in Annapolis.

Baumgart joined Patch in June 2020, reporting across Anne Arundel, Baltimore, and Prince George’s counties with a focus on feature storytelling and business news. His coverage has included veterans’ mental health, human interest stories, and major regional events such as the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

A Maryland native, Baumgart has earned nine first-place awards and three second-place honors from the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association for excellence in journalism.

A 2020 graduate of the University of Delaware, he previously interned at FOX Sports, The News Journal, and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

*Main photo of Jacob Baumgart via Patch*
### Davos 2026: Where dialogue meets the real test of leadership
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/davos-2026-where-dialogue-meets-the-real-test-of-leadership/
Last updated: 2026-01-15T17:41:40.000Z
**When global leaders gather in Davos January 19–23 for the** [**World Economic Forum’s 2026 Annual Meeting**](https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2026/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), they will do so under a theme that feels both timely and demanding: *A Spirit of Dialogue.*

On the surface, the theme signals openness, cooperation and constructive exchange across government, business, civil society and academia. But for communications professionals watching Davos closely, the message runs deeper. In a year shaped by geopolitical strain, economic uncertainty and accelerating technological change, dialogue is no longer a soft ideal. It is becoming a core leadership and communications competency.

Media intelligence analysis from [Truescope](https://www.truescope.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) suggests Davos 2026 is already shaping up as less about polished consensus and more about visible tension, competing worldviews and real-time reputation tests. Early coverage patterns indicate that audiences are rewarding leaders who demonstrate balance, credibility and a genuine ability to engage across divides, while overly scripted messaging is breaking through less often. That shift carries important implications for how organizations show up, what they say and how they listen.

That reality is not lost on veteran Davos observers.

“Leaders must move beyond polished talking points and engage authentically on how innovation can drive practical solutions for society,” said **Larry Weber,** founder and chairman of Racepoint Global, noting that Davos is strongest when business, government, education and technology intersect around real-world problem solving. He added that when communications leaders focus on clarity, credibility and purpose, the impact of Davos can extend well beyond the mountain.

**Rochelle Ford,** Ph.D., APR, CEO of Page, sees the same pressure building and believes leaders must arrive prepared to translate dialogue into demonstrable impact and shared accountability.

Ford emphasizes that organizations must focus on economic impact not only for investors, but also for the communities where they operate globally. She also stresses the importance of proving impact before explaining it. Leaders must demonstrate results, show the evidence and then clearly articulate what that impact means, whether the issue is economic performance, AI innovation or employee well-being.

“Davos may be about dialogue, but leaders must prove their impact first and then explain it clearly,” Ford said. “Reputation is a shared responsibility across the enterprise, and trust is built by showing what we are doing today to responsibly shape tomorrow.”

The importance of credibility is reinforced by how Davos narratives evolve in the media. A separate Truescope review of recent global coverage shows that leaders who demonstrate consistency between words and actions tend to generate more sustained trust and relevance, particularly when navigating complex or controversial issues.

“Leaders who align words with actions and stay grounded in their values earn trust that lasts well beyond Davos,” said **Tory Grow,** SVP and deputy global lead of executive positioning at Edelman.

At the same time, the narrative environment heading into Davos remains polarized. Alongside calls for cooperation, skepticism around global governance, institutional legitimacy and geopolitical power dynamics continues to surface. For communicators, this creates both risk and opportunity. Audiences are paying closer attention not just to what leaders say, but how directly and honestly they engage with friction, uncertainty and disagreement.

**Simon Erskine** **Locke,** CommPRO columnist, entrepreneur and Foreign Press Association board member, argues that dialogue must be anchored in moral clarity, not simply civility.

“Dialogue needs purpose. True leaders are willing to stand up and be counted when democratic values and human rights are at stake,” Erskine Locke said, cautioning that dialogue alone is not sufficient when democratic norms are under pressure and urging leaders across business, government and communications to act with conviction rather than silence.

Taken together, industry voices and evolving media signals point to a new mandate for communicators at Davos and beyond. Executives are being evaluated not simply on visibility, but on authenticity, preparedness, responsiveness and their ability to navigate complex stakeholder expectations in real time. Content strategies increasingly reflect listening as much as messaging, capturing evolving conversations rather than pushing static narratives. Measurement continues to shift toward engagement quality, sustained narrative influence and credibility over volume alone.

Davos has become a real-time stress test for leadership communication. What communications leaders get right on the mountain, and how they engage when the spotlight is brightest, will increasingly shape trust, reputation and influence long after the snow melts.
### Celebrating the life and legacy of Bill Nielsen
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/celebrating-the-life-and-legacy-of-bill-nielsen/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:31:48.000Z
**It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Willard D. “Bill” Nielsen**, a true legend in the communications industry and one of the most principled voices our profession has ever known. Bill was always there, ready with wise counsel, unforgettable stories, and an unwavering commitment to advancing the ethics and integrity of public relations. He didn’t just talk about doing the right thing. He lived it, mentored it, and expected it of all of us.

One moment that will forever stay with me was during a CommPRO town hall in 2025, when Bill stepped in without hesitation to share his wisdom with our community even though it had only been days since he had lost his beloved wife Doris. Bill offered clarity, perspective and encouragement about the future of our industry. It was a quiet but powerful reminder of who Bill was: generous with his time, steady in his values, and deeply committed to helping others grow, even in moments of personal grief.

Bill Nielsen’s professional legacy is extraordinary. He retired as corporate vice president of Johnson & Johnson in December 2004 after 17 years as the company’s chief public relations and corporate communications officer. Before joining J&J in 1988, Bill spent 18 years as a public relations agency consultant with Carl Byoir & Associates and Hill & Knowlton, specializing in corporate communications and crisis management across industries ranging from consumer finance and insurance to defense, biotech, and airlines. He later served as a trusted consultant to both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, shaping leadership thinking across the field.

His service to the profession was unmatched. Bill served two terms as president of the Arthur W. Page Society, was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2003, and chaired its Honors Committee. He served on the Page board of trustees for 17 years. He chaired the boards of The Seminar and the Institute for Public Relations and continued as an emeritus director. He was Chairman of the Board of Advisors to the Arthur W. Page Center for Integrity in Public Communications at Penn State University, a member of The Wisemen and the Public Relations Society of America, and a trustee of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. He also served on the Board of the Museum of Public Relations, reflecting his deep commitment to preserving and elevating the history and standards of the profession.

*In this oral history recorded for the PR Museum, Bill reflects on a remarkable career spanning government service, agency leadership, and corporate communications, and speaks movingly about his belief that public relations is a calling rooted in purpose, values, and truth.* [***We invite you to watch the oral history here.***](https://vimeo.com/1154413183?blm%5Faid=2350083&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

Bill was inducted into the PRWeek Hall of Fame in 2014 and honored by The Plank Center with its Milestones in Mentoring Legacy Award in 2017\. A lifelong educator, he was a frequent guest lecturer in public relations and corporate communications graduate programs at universities across the country, shaping generations of communicators.

Following his graduation from Oregon State University, Bill served in the U.S. Air Force as a public information officer in Washington, D.C., and Japan, setting the foundation for a career defined by service, credibility, and leadership.

But beyond the titles and honors, Bill will be remembered for his humanity, his generosity of spirit, and his fierce belief that ethics must remain the backbone of our profession. He made people better simply by showing up and caring.

We invite our community to share your memories, stories, and reflections about Bill. We will continue adding them to this tribute as a way to honor the remarkable legacy he leaves behind.

**Rochelle L. Ford,* Ph.D., APR, CEO of the Arthur W. Page Society, shared:*

*“Our Page community is mourning the loss of Bill. He was such a legendary leader in our industry and a giver of his time, resources and attention to others and causes he cared about like elevating our profession and building community through Page. In 1991, during his tenure as Johnson and Johnson’s CCO, he became a Page, then served two terms as president and was inducted into Page’s Hall of Fame in September 2003\. He served on its board of trustees for 17 years and chaired the Society’s Honors Committee for 12 years. I was fortunate to have worked with him over the course of my career, particularly advocating for greater diversity and inclusion within our industry. We are forever grateful for his legendary leadership and modeling of the Page Principles.”*

**Patrick Ford,* Professional-in-Residence, College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida, shared:*

“*Bill Nielsen was easy to love, and I am proud to be one of the legions of professionals around the world who loved so many things about him: his kindness and integrity; his emotional intelligence and wisdom; his impeccable judgment; his unwavering commitment to the highest ethical standards; and his boundless generosity. Most striking of all was his humility—especially in light of his extraordinary professional skill and global reputation. Bill was the ultimate role model for our profession.* *He set a standard for leadership that will continue to guide our profession for generations.”*
### Layoffs and buyouts hit Politico as a result of “new structures and new mandates”
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/layoffs-and-buyouts-hit-politico-as-a-result-of-new-structures-and-new-mandates/
Last updated: 2026-01-14T19:16:07.000Z
**Politico, based in Arlington, VA, is laying off 3% of its staff, a source familiar with the matter told** [**TheWrap**](https://ca.news.yahoo.com/politico-lays-off-3-staff-222203404.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**.**

The layoffs are expected to only affect 10 people in its newsroom, but more journalists may still exit the publication, states TheWrap, as the company plans to offer employees in several newsroom divisions a voluntary separation package.

The newsroom divisions include energy and E&E teams, Politico Magazine, the central editing desk, visuals, data and graphics and the interactive teams.

“Let us all acknowledge forthrightly that in some cases change is uncomfortable,” global editor-in-chief **John Harris** wrote the staff. “People should also recognize that in many ways these moves also represent continuity”<

The buyouts, he said, were not cost-cutting moves but an effort to let the staffers decide whether they want to remain on teams with “new structures and new mandates.”
### Exelon hires Michelle Hook as VP of Communications and Marketing for Mid-Atlantic South Region
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/exelon-hires-michelle-hook-as-vp-of-communications-and-marketing-for-mid-atlantic-south-region/
Last updated: 2026-01-14T19:18:14.000Z
[**Exelon**](https://www.exeloncorp.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **named** [**Michelle Hook**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellesmithhook/details/experience/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **vice president of communications and marketing** for its Mid-Atlantic South Region, based in the Baltimore–Washington area.

“I’m excited to share that I’ve started a new role as Vice President of Communications and Marketing for Exelon’s Mid-Atlantic South Region, based in the Baltimore–Washington region,” Hook wrote on LinkedIn. “It’s incredibly meaningful to return home to join such a great company that works every day to power our communities.”

In her new role, Hook will lead the communications team supporting Baltimore Gas and Electric, Delmarva Power in Maryland, and Pepco. She brings more than 20 years of experience in communications and public affairs.

“The work we do providing safe and reliable energy to over 10 million customers is possible because of the talented people on our team,” said **Cynthia McCabe**, senior vice president and chief communications officer at Exelon, in a LinkedIn post. “I look forward to seeing Michelle’s leadership advance that work, proudly telling Exelon’s story every day.”

Prior to joining Exelon, Hook held senior roles at Power Communications (PowerCom), served as head of public affairs at New Yorkers for Affordable Energy, and was vice president of public affairs at Danskammer Energy, LLC.
### Kelli Parsons named CEO of Avoq
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/kelli-parsons-named-ceo-of-avoq/
Last updated: 2026-01-13T12:23:36.000Z
[**Avoq**](https://teamavoq.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **appointed** [**Kelli Parsons**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/keparsons/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **as Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board, effective February 1.**

Parsons, states a release, will bring to D.C.-based Avoq “a powerful combination of proven enterprise leadership and deep practitioner expertise, shaped by her tenure as global CEO of Hill & Knowlton, Fortune 50 C-suite leader and her role as a trusted advisor to CEOs, executive management teams, and boards of directors. A highly sought-after corporate affairs and marketing leader, she has driven growth, innovation and operational excellence across global organizations. Widely respected for creating value in defining moments, Parsons guides organizations through material risk to achieve positive outcomes when reputations are on the line and decisions matter most.”

As global CEO of Hill & Knowlton, the release states: “Parsons successfully led the firm’s growth and innovation strategy, including the development of its global advisory business and its intelligence system to measure and manage reputational capital. Previously, Parsons served as Chief Communications and Marketing Officer for Fortune 50 companies, where she created multi-stakeholder strategies to achieve strategic and commercial objectives, manage risk and strengthen brand equity during large-scale business and cultural transformations.

“Parsons is deeply invested in advancing the impact and influence of the communications profession and the development of its future leaders. She is the immediate past chair of Page, the premier global professional association for senior communication executives and serves as a trustee of the Institute for Public Relations, an organization dedicated to industry-leading research.”
### Why small caps are attractive to activist investors
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/why-small-caps-are-attractive-to-activist-investors/
Last updated: 2026-01-12T22:53:53.000Z
[*Why Small Caps Are Attractive to Activist Investors*](https://www.commpro.biz/events/why-small-caps-are-attractive-to-activist-investors?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) is a complimentary CommPRO (a Capitol Communicator partner) virtual roundtable examining why small-cap companies account for a majority of activist campaigns. Bringing together experienced shareholder activism advisors from both the company and investor perspectives, the discussion explores what makes small caps especially vulnerable, the key themes driving activist activity, and how preparedness and defense differ from larger-cap situations. Designed for senior communications, investor relations, legal, and governance leaders, the session offers practical insight into how small-cap companies can better anticipate activism and strengthen outcomes when targeted.

For more information and to register visit: [https://www.commpro.biz/events/why-small-caps-are-attractive-to-activist-investors](https://www.commpro.biz/events/why-small-caps-are-attractive-to-activist-investors?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### More than 600,000 podcasts were active in 2025: “The most ever,” states report
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/more-than-600000-podcasts-were-active-in-2025-the-most-ever-states-report/
Last updated: 2026-01-15T13:27:19.000Z
**The number of new podcasts launched ticked slightly higher in 2025** compared to a year earlier, but the biggest headline was the record number of active shows, reports InsideRadio.

Listen Notes, states InsideRadio, “says 602,892 podcasts were active in 2025 — the most ever, as nearly one of every five shows ever released published an episode in the past year. The podcast database and search engine’s tally shows the increase was not only more than double the nearly 227,000 active podcasts in 2024, but the total also surpassed the heights recorded during the flood of new shows during the pandemic when roughly 590,000 active shows were logged.

“On the flipside, Listen Notes says there were also fewer “dead” shows in 2025\. Last year, it says that 27,459 series were dark. That was the fewest in a decade. Listen Notes considers a show to have died when the RSS feed is deleted, or its iTunes “Completed” tag is marked “yes” by the publisher.

“Even as more shows were considered active last year, 2025 brought a smaller number of episodes published overall. Listen Notes counts 26.3 million episodes published worldwide. That was down from 27.6 million a year earlier. The high point remains 2020, when a flood of new shows resulted in 31.1 million published episodes.”
### David Mitchell, a GMMB founding partner, dies at 75
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/david-mitchell-a-gmmb-founding-partner-dies-at-75/
Last updated: 2026-01-12T21:36:17.000Z
**David Mitchell, a founding partner of D.C.-based** [**GMMB**](https://www.gmmb.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, died at age 75, after a long battle with multiple myeloma. GMMB’s other founding partners, Frank Greer, Jim Margolis, and Annie Burns**, issued a release reflecting on the impact of Mitchell’s work at GMMB and beyond. The GMMB release states:

David’s career in communications began in June 1978, when he joined the staff of the United Auto Workers union as assistant to the director of public relations and publications—beginning a life-long career as an advocate for working people and families.

In 1982, David took up the mantle of chief Union Spokesperson. He was a patient boss but a demanding client. Jim Margolis, partner, came to understand this when the UAW contracted his firm.

“Right away, it was clear to us that he was smart, strategic, a great communicator, and just a terrific guy,” said **Jim Margolis**. “We decided that the best way to handle David’s constant phone calls, marathon meetings, and obsessive budget reviews, was to bring him aboard as a partner. We quickly grasped that David had a unique ability: to look beyond immediate circumstances to other individuals and groups also affected by an issue and to bring them into the story.”

“His special gift was to be able to see around corners and anticipate the next move. He made us all better,” GMMB partner **Annie Burns** said.

During his 30 years at GMMB, David expanded the firm’s impact by specializing in public health issues, including disease prevention, tobacco control, traffic safety, childhood injury prevention and nutrition.

- In 1987, on behalf of Johnson & Johnson and Children’s National Medical Center, David led the development of the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. The goal was to reduce unintentional child injuries. In the decade that we led the campaign, childhood injuries and deaths in the United States declined by 27 percentage points. The impact of this campaign is evident today: as bike helmets and child safety seats remain the cultural norm in the United States.
- In 1997, when air bags were killing children at the rate of two per month, David led our work with Air Bag & Seat Belt Safety Campaign on behalf of industry, government and safety advocates. Through public education, advocacy, and mobilizing law enforcement, the campaign helped move kids to the back seat and resulted in a 95 percent reduction in fatalities from air bags in the United States. By 2006, fatalities among children 12 and under riding in the front seat declined to 62 percent. Again, today it is the cultural norm for children to ride buckled up in the back seat.
- In the late 1990s, we shifted the Air Bag & Seat Belt Safety Campaign’s focus from air bags to the biggest preventable cause of injury and deaths in vehicles – seat belts. GMMB worked to support the enactment of primary belt laws in states across the country. We organized more than 13,000 law enforcement agencies to participate in twice-yearly seat belt “crackdowns” that eventually took the name Click It or Ticket. During our time working on the issue from 1996 to 2007, 16 states enacted primary laws, Click It or Ticket became a household brand. Most importantly, seat belt usage increased from 65 percent to over 90 percent, saving thousands of lives and countless injuries across American roadways.
- For several decades, David helped shape advocacy communications and advertising to support the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids in their efforts to fight Big Tobacco to protect kids. His efforts, alongside his client, helped to increase tobacco taxes across the country in record numbers and to pass smokefree air laws, ultimately protecting millions of Americans.

“David fundamentally shaped who GMMB became. He broadened our work beyond politics and proved that strategic communications, done with rigor and integrity, could drive positive, lasting change to improve people’s lives and build stronger communities,” said **Frank Greer**.

In 2016, after his own cancer diagnosis exposed him to an unjust pricing system that put lifesaving medicines out of reach for millions, David retired from GMMB to launch Patients For Affordable Drugs, a nonprofit organization. His goal was simple and audacious: hold drug companies accountable for extreme, nonnegotiable prices that ignored patients’ ability to pay. Under his leadership, Patients For Affordable Drugs became a trusted bipartisan force for reform, centering patient voices in a debate long dominated by corporate interests, and in turn helping change the trajectory of drug pricing in this country.

The effort was credited with helping shift a policy considered politically untouchable. In 2022, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which authorized Medicare to negotiate prices for a limited number of high-cost drugs, a change projected to reduce out-of-pocket costs for millions of seniors. This provision marked the first major federal legislative defeat for the pharmaceutical industry on pricing policy in decades. Representative Lloyd Doggett of Texas, in remembering Mr. Mitchell said, he was “a tireless advocate for reining in Big Pharma monopoly prices.”

David’s work reshaped how patient voices are incorporated into national policy debates and helped alter the balance of power in one of Washington’s most entrenched policy arenas. The effects of his advocacy will be felt for years by Americans who rely on affordable access to prescription drugs.
### Cable news ratings in 2025: Who’s up and who’s down
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/cable-news-ratings-in-2025-whos-up-and-whos-down/
Last updated: 2026-01-08T21:08:24.000Z
**The non-election year didn’t help CNN and MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), as the two networks experienced double-digit year-to-year declines in total viewers** and the Adults 25-54 demo during primetime and total day, reports [TVNewser](https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/cable-news-ratings-report-for-2025/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

On the other hand, continues TVNewser, Fox News posted a stronger 2025 performance with total viewer gains during primetime and total day compared to the previous year. Fox News also experienced declines in the advertiser-prized demo; however, those declines were in the single digits.

“Among the biggest stories, President **Donald Trump**, in the first year of his second term, generated the most news throughout the calendar year.”

TVNewser stated the following: “According to Nielsen big data + panel for 2025, FNC averaged 2.652 million total viewers and 278,000 A25-54 viewers during primetime. The network was up +11% in total viewers but regressed by -5% in the A25-54 demo relative to the year prior (2024\*).

“”Fox News averaged 1.691 million total viewers and 180,000 A25-54 viewers in total day viewing. Based on its average in those measurements [versus the prior year](https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/cable-news-ratings-report-2024/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), it was up +16% in total viewers but down -3% in the demo.

“Among all basic cable networks, Fox News finished in first place in total primetime viewers and third place in the demo. In total day, it remained the leader in total viewers and finished No. 2 in the total day demo for 2025.”
### Capitol Communicators: Profile of Beth Johnson, Founder & CEO, RP3 Agency, Bethesda, MD
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicators-profile-of-beth-johnson-founder-ceo-rp3-agency-bethesda-md/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:41.000Z
**Capitol Communicators is a profile series spotlighting the people shaping the present** 
**and future of advertising, digital, marketing and public relations in the Mid-Atlantic.** 
**This profile features Beth Johnson, Founder & CEO,** [**RP3 Agency**](https://rp3agency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, Bethesda, MD** 

**Beth Johnson knows what’s it’s like to rise from the ashes,** creating the RP3 Agency in 2009 from the remnants of an agency that closed abruptly. She made the bold choice to take on the business, rallied the laid-off staff and laid out her vision for a new creative agency. Being a woman leader in the male-dominated advertising field also required grit and determination.

RP3 is now a nationally known creative force, and its work was featured recently on Jimmy Kimmel Live – a campaign with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to make the dictionary definition of “take a hike” a positive one, featuring SNL alum **Kevin Nealon**.

Johnson is active in many community organizations, including Junior Achievement, Leadership Greater Washington, the Greater Washington Board of Trade, and the Washington Area Women’s Foundation, for which she created a pro bono campaign, “Be That Woman,” to inspire giving. RP3 also created a campaign for the Girl Scouts’ highest honor, the Gold Award, called “Girls the World Needs.” She didn’t mention it in our interview, but I want to – because, for me, it captured the essence of why organizations that inspire future generations matter.

**Beth, tell us about yourself.**

I’m the CEO of RP3, an independent, female-founded marketing agency that helps brands rise above the tsunami of sameness with Wildly Original thinking that gets results. I’m also a wife, a mom, and someone who loves the outdoors and traveling to see the world. In recent years, that’s taken me to places like Istanbul, Mexico, Colombia, Alaska, Greece, and Italy — and my bucket list is still very long!

I also love this community we call home. Giving back and board service have been among the great privileges of my life. I’ve had the chance to serve alongside and learn from some truly incredible leaders in our region. It’s shaped how I show up both personally and professionally.

**What are the things you are most proud of?**

Professionally, I’m proud that RP3 has stayed independent, bold and committed to doing work that feels fresh and meaningful. I’m also proud that we’re one of the few agencies led by women, with a female Chief Creative Officer, because representation really does matter.

On a personal level, I’m most proud of raising my two daughters and watching them grow into strong, grounded, independent women. They’ll always be my greatest accomplishment.

In general, I love girl power – and yes, love the awesome men in my life too.

**What are the most significant changes or trends you see coming in the communications industry in 2026? How are you dealing with it?**

I don’t have a surprising answer here. AI is reshaping everything – how we work, how fast we move, and what clients expect. And at the same time, with big consolidations like the Omnicom/IPG merger, the large holding companies are getting even bigger and, in many ways, slower.

For independents like RP3, that’s actually an opportunity. Clients are looking for agency partners who can move fast, stay close to the work and bring real creativity, not just scale.

So yes, we’re embracing AI where it helps us, but we’re just as focused on the human side – sharp strategy, emotional intelligence, and Wildly Original ideas that stand out. Our agility is our advantage, and my job is to make sure we evolve without losing our soul. 

**What skills are necessary to be successful today**?

Curiosity. Adaptability. Empathy. And being open to learning, always. You don’t need to be an expert in everything, but you do need to stay curious about AI, technology, culture and people. Understanding what matters to people is still at the heart of good work.

**What tools should we be using to be successful?**

AI, data, smart strategy – all of that matters. But honestly, the most important “tool” is still people working together, asking great questions, and pushing each other’s thinking. The tech helps us get there faster, but it doesn’t replace the creative spark. Notice I didn’t mention any software? People still matter in this business, and the best “tool” is the human brain collaborating with other human brains.

**Who do you most admire and why?**

The first person who comes to mind is my mom. I was raised by a single mother who had to fight through a lot to create a better life for herself and her three kids. She’s tough, resilient and resourceful – the kind of strong that can get through anything. She shaped so much of who I am.

And then, in a totally different category, don’t laugh – but **Taylor Swift.** She came to mind because we were doing a branding exercise at work where we had to pick a brand or person we admire and imagine what would happen if they “took over” RP3 for a day. I was in a musical mindset because my Spotify wrap just came out (my listening age is 27 btw). So – Taylor popped into my head immediately. I’m not the Swiftie in the family – my youngest daughter owns that title – but I’ve really come to admire her.

First, she’s an incredible storyteller and a brilliant creative. She’s also a kick-ass businesswoman who understands her audience better than almost anyone. She’s built a community, not just a following or fan base. And the Easter eggs – those fun little surprises she hides everywhere – I love that! It’s playful, engaging, and it rewards people for paying attention.

Honestly, as brand builders, we can learn a lot from her.

**What professional advice do you have for others?**

Be kind. And surround yourself with kind people who can challenge you in ways that make you better.

**What keeps you up at night? And what brings you joy during the day?**

What keeps me up at night is making sure my team feels supported, inspired, and grounded during so much change. I’m a middle child, so I have that built-in “Is everyone okay?” instinct – it never really turns off.

What brings me joy is when our work truly makes a difference. A recent example is the Take a Hike campaign we created for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. The whole idea was to *literally* change the dictionary definition of “take a hike” – turning it into something positive and inviting.

It was a simple idea that took a small budget and turned into a huge impact. It even ended up on Jimmy Kimmel Live, which gave the campaign this huge lift – big reach, tons of engagement, a spike in traffic – all from a beautifully scrappy idea.

Those are the moments that make me smile. When a powerful idea punches way above its weight and moves a mission forward. I love it when I see something we did in the wild and get to say, “We did that!”

**What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done?**

Probably summitting Mt. Kilimanjaro back in 2018 with my family. I slept in a tent for nine nights without a shower!!! It’s surprising because I love a warm bed and a hair dryer. It was cold, the altitude was no joke, but reaching the top with my husband and two daughters was unforgettable. And because we’re huge sports fans, we brought a Washington Capitals Stanley Cup rally towel all the way to the summit and tied it to the sign. It was such an incredible moment at 19,341 feet. I’ll never forget that feeling.

**Is there anything else you’d like to add?**

Even with all the change happening around us, I’m genuinely optimistic. What I’m seeing (and loving) is that originality matters more than ever. And with budgets shrinking while expectations keep rising, brands can’t afford “boring” work that blends in. Especially in a world where AI scrapes and remixes everyone else’s ideas into boatloads of content, standing out really counts.

Brands need original ideas – ideas with pass-along value and earned-media potential – to make smaller budgets feel bigger and to get noticed. When creativity, technology, and purpose come together, the potential is enormous. That’s the future we’re building toward at RP3, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.

**Capitol Communicators** [**profiles**](https://capitolcommunicator.com/tag/profiles/) **will allow you to meet some of the most interesting and insightful pros in our region, learn how they stay ahead of the curve and gain practical wisdom during a time of constant change.**
### Washington Post signals “strategic shift under Jeff Bezos to attract right-leaning readers”
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/washington-post-signals-strategic-shift-under-jeff-bezos-to-attract-right-leaning-readers/
Last updated: 2026-01-07T20:49:17.000Z
**According to an online AI Overview, in late 2025, The Washington Post added conservative opinion writers** [**Kate Andrews**](https://www.google.com/search?q=Kate+Andrews&oq=waswhington+post+new+conservative+columnists%2C+ny+post&gs%5Flcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigATIJCAQQIRgKGKABMgcIBRAhGKsCMgcIBhAhGKsCMgcIBxAhGKsCMgcICBAhGI8CMgcICRAhGI8C0gEJMjU0ODdqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&mstk=AUtExfAbD4Qgc7ePiZYk97v03DHBsDwHy82AOfaEKrQYUK2QofE2FL7Z08aziiJQNr87x5rjlG5X4toZm0YEl5-kb8rm0mkdlXUjHR%5FoScZ9uNYHqky3uybBk8LZkYodIjd9RoE1Ypy%5FgGCMoefjM74%5FKACd0D750rquVfVEUnIOoofSesBQ-pFiqEBRTfOVtp%5FWSfZj6tRwK4je8H0%5FFEtjqJ5pibfx0MedtUL%5FemKDRJljlQ&csui=3&ved=2ahUKEwjyj8-s3veRAxXPkokEHZvFFjUQgK4QegQIARAC&ref=capitolcommunicator.com), [**Dominic Pino**](https://www.google.com/search?q=Dominic+Pino&oq=waswhington+post+new+conservative+columnists%2C+ny+post&gs%5Flcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigATIJCAQQIRgKGKABMgcIBRAhGKsCMgcIBhAhGKsCMgcIBxAhGKsCMgcICBAhGI8CMgcICRAhGI8C0gEJMjU0ODdqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&mstk=AUtExfAbD4Qgc7ePiZYk97v03DHBsDwHy82AOfaEKrQYUK2QofE2FL7Z08aziiJQNr87x5rjlG5X4toZm0YEl5-kb8rm0mkdlXUjHR%5FoScZ9uNYHqky3uybBk8LZkYodIjd9RoE1Ypy%5FgGCMoefjM74%5FKACd0D750rquVfVEUnIOoofSesBQ-pFiqEBRTfOVtp%5FWSfZj6tRwK4je8H0%5FFEtjqJ5pibfx0MedtUL%5FemKDRJljlQ&csui=3&ved=2ahUKEwjyj8-s3veRAxXPkokEHZvFFjUQgK4QegQIARAD&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and [**Carine Hajjar**](https://www.google.com/search?q=Carine+Hajjar&oq=waswhington+post+new+conservative+columnists%2C+ny+post&gs%5Flcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigATIJCAQQIRgKGKABMgcIBRAhGKsCMgcIBhAhGKsCMgcIBxAhGKsCMgcICBAhGI8CMgcICRAhGI8C0gEJMjU0ODdqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&mstk=AUtExfAbD4Qgc7ePiZYk97v03DHBsDwHy82AOfaEKrQYUK2QofE2FL7Z08aziiJQNr87x5rjlG5X4toZm0YEl5-kb8rm0mkdlXUjHR%5FoScZ9uNYHqky3uybBk8LZkYodIjd9RoE1Ypy%5FgGCMoefjM74%5FKACd0D750rquVfVEUnIOoofSesBQ-pFiqEBRTfOVtp%5FWSfZj6tRwK4je8H0%5FFEtjqJ5pibfx0MedtUL%5FemKDRJljlQ&csui=3&ved=2ahUKEwjyj8-s3veRAxXPkokEHZvFFjUQgK4QegQIARAE&ref=capitolcommunicator.com), part of a push by editor [Adam O’Neal](https://www.google.com/search?q=Adam+O%27Neal&oq=waswhington+post+new+conservative+columnists%2C+ny+post&gs%5Flcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigATIJCAQQIRgKGKABMgcIBRAhGKsCMgcIBhAhGKsCMgcIBxAhGKsCMgcICBAhGI8CMgcICRAhGI8C0gEJMjU0ODdqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&mstk=AUtExfAbD4Qgc7ePiZYk97v03DHBsDwHy82AOfaEKrQYUK2QofE2FL7Z08aziiJQNr87x5rjlG5X4toZm0YEl5-kb8rm0mkdlXUjHR%5FoScZ9uNYHqky3uybBk8LZkYodIjd9RoE1Ypy%5FgGCMoefjM74%5FKACd0D750rquVfVEUnIOoofSesBQ-pFiqEBRTfOVtp%5FWSfZj6tRwK4je8H0%5FFEtjqJ5pibfx0MedtUL%5FemKDRJljlQ&csui=3&ved=2ahUKEwjyj8-s3veRAxXPkokEHZvFFjUQgK4QegQIARAF&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) to “diversify viewpoints towards free markets and personal liberty, a move noted by the [*New York Post*](https://www.google.com/search?q=New+York+Post&oq=waswhington+post+new+conservative+columnists%2C+ny+post&gs%5Flcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigATIJCAQQIRgKGKABMgcIBRAhGKsCMgcIBhAhGKsCMgcIBxAhGKsCMgcICBAhGI8CMgcICRAhGI8C0gEJMjU0ODdqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&mstk=AUtExfAbD4Qgc7ePiZYk97v03DHBsDwHy82AOfaEKrQYUK2QofE2FL7Z08aziiJQNr87x5rjlG5X4toZm0YEl5-kb8rm0mkdlXUjHR%5FoScZ9uNYHqky3uybBk8LZkYodIjd9RoE1Ypy%5FgGCMoefjM74%5FKACd0D750rquVfVEUnIOoofSesBQ-pFiqEBRTfOVtp%5FWSfZj6tRwK4je8H0%5FFEtjqJ5pibfx0MedtUL%5FemKDRJljlQ&csui=3&ved=2ahUKEwjyj8-s3veRAxXPkokEHZvFFjUQgK4QegQIARAG&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) and others. These additions, including [*National Review*](https://www.google.com/search?q=National+Review&oq=waswhington+post+new+conservative+columnists%2C+ny+post&gs%5Flcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigATIJCAQQIRgKGKABMgcIBRAhGKsCMgcIBhAhGKsCMgcIBxAhGKsCMgcICBAhGI8CMgcICRAhGI8C0gEJMjU0ODdqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&mstk=AUtExfAbD4Qgc7ePiZYk97v03DHBsDwHy82AOfaEKrQYUK2QofE2FL7Z08aziiJQNr87x5rjlG5X4toZm0YEl5-kb8rm0mkdlXUjHR%5FoScZ9uNYHqky3uybBk8LZkYodIjd9RoE1Ypy%5FgGCMoefjM74%5FKACd0D750rquVfVEUnIOoofSesBQ-pFiqEBRTfOVtp%5FWSfZj6tRwK4je8H0%5FFEtjqJ5pibfx0MedtUL%5FemKDRJljlQ&csui=3&ved=2ahUKEwjyj8-s3veRAxXPkokEHZvFFjUQgK4QegQIARAH&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)‘s Pino and [*Spectator*](https://www.google.com/search?q=Spectator&oq=waswhington+post+new+conservative+columnists%2C+ny+post&gs%5Flcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigATIJCAQQIRgKGKABMgcIBRAhGKsCMgcIBhAhGKsCMgcIBxAhGKsCMgcICBAhGI8CMgcICRAhGI8C0gEJMjU0ODdqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&mstk=AUtExfAbD4Qgc7ePiZYk97v03DHBsDwHy82AOfaEKrQYUK2QofE2FL7Z08aziiJQNr87x5rjlG5X4toZm0YEl5-kb8rm0mkdlXUjHR%5FoScZ9uNYHqky3uybBk8LZkYodIjd9RoE1Ypy%5FgGCMoefjM74%5FKACd0D750rquVfVEUnIOoofSesBQ-pFiqEBRTfOVtp%5FWSfZj6tRwK4je8H0%5FFEtjqJ5pibfx0MedtUL%5FemKDRJljlQ&csui=3&ved=2ahUKEwjyj8-s3veRAxXPkokEHZvFFjUQgK4QegQIARAI&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)‘s Andrews, signal a strategic shift under [Jeff Bezos](https://www.google.com/search?q=Jeff+Bezos&oq=waswhington+post+new+conservative+columnists%2C+ny+post&gs%5Flcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigATIJCAQQIRgKGKABMgcIBRAhGKsCMgcIBhAhGKsCMgcIBxAhGKsCMgcICBAhGI8CMgcICRAhGI8C0gEJMjU0ODdqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&mstk=AUtExfAbD4Qgc7ePiZYk97v03DHBsDwHy82AOfaEKrQYUK2QofE2FL7Z08aziiJQNr87x5rjlG5X4toZm0YEl5-kb8rm0mkdlXUjHR%5FoScZ9uNYHqky3uybBk8LZkYodIjd9RoE1Ypy%5FgGCMoefjM74%5FKACd0D750rquVfVEUnIOoofSesBQ-pFiqEBRTfOVtp%5FWSfZj6tRwK4je8H0%5FFEtjqJ5pibfx0MedtUL%5FemKDRJljlQ&csui=3&ved=2ahUKEwjyj8-s3veRAxXPkokEHZvFFjUQgK4QegQIARAJ&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) (in photo) to attract right-leaning readers, following high-profile liberal departures and aligning with owner mandates for more diverse conservative voices.” 

**According to the online AI Overview:**

**Key New Conservative Hires at The Washington Post (Late 2025)**

- **Kate Andrews:** Formerly U.S. Deputy Editor at *The Spectator* and writer for *The Telegraph*.
- **Dominic Pino:** Economics editor at *National Review*.
- **Carine Hajjar:** From the *Boston Globe* editorial board and a frequent Fox News contributor.

**Context & Strategy**

- **New Opinion Editor:** Adam O’Neal, from the conservative commentary world, leads this expansion, aiming for broader ideological representation.
- **Bezos’ Influence:** Owner Jeff Bezos has pushed for more conservative voices to build trust and reach right-leaning audiences.
- **Shifting Landscape:** These hires follow departures of prominent liberal writers and aim to diversify the paper’s editorial stance.

**How the New York Post Covered It**

- The *New York Post* reported on these hires in October 2025, highlighting Bezos’ goal for a more ideologically diverse readership and O’Neal’s strategy to bring in “MAGA-friendly” talent.
### Alan Weitzman, award-winning agency founder and creative force, dies
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/alan-weitzman-award-winning-agency-founder-and-creative-force-dies/
Last updated: 2026-01-13T13:24:29.000Z
**Alan Weitzman, a legendary advertising executive,** award-winning creative director, and founder of one of the mid-Atlantic’s most influential agencies, died. His death marks the passing of a creative voice whose work helped put Washington-area advertising on the national and international stage. He was approximately 85 years old.

Born in London, England, Weitzman, founded his agency in 1974, launching what would become a decades-long career defined by bold ideas and pursuit of what is now commonly referred to as storytelling. Founded in Bethesda, the firm initially operated as Weitzman, Dym & Associates and later Weitzman Dym Livingston before relocating to Church Circle in Annapolis, where it became known as Weitzman Agency.

An award-winning copywriter, Weitzman was widely respected for creative work that balanced originality with strategic discipline. His honors included two Gold CLIO Awards—among the industry’s most coveted distinctions, including what was widely cited as the first Gold CLIO ever awarded to a Washington, D.C.-area agency.

Beyond advertising, Weitzman’s creative interests were expansive. He was a published songwriter and exhibited photographer, and his work and perspective reached audiences well beyond the agency world. He was quoted in TIME and BusinessWeek and served as a contributing writer to The Profit Makers. He was also a member of the Country Music Association, the Nashville Songwriters Association, and the Naval and Military Club in London.

In 2014, Weitzman received the Silver Medal Award from the DC Ad Club, in collaboration with the American Advertising Federation. The honor recognizes one individual each year who has made outstanding contributions to the advertising industry while advancing creative excellence, professional standards and social responsibility. Recipients are recognized not only for their creative ability, but also for their impact on the industry, their organizations, and the broader community.

Throughout his career, Weitzman was known as both a demanding creative and a generous mentor, shaping the careers of countless writers, art directors, and strategists who passed through his agency’s doors.

Weitzman’s death was first reported by [Eye on Annapolis](https://www.eyeonannapolis.net/2026/01/annapolis-mourns-alan-weitzman-award-winning-advertising-creative-and-agency-founder/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). There is a video that captures his life as an AdMan on Eye on Annapolis. Click on the image below:

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/Alan_Weitzman_Video_750X400.jpg)](https://www.eyeonannapolis.net/2026/01/annapolis-mourns-alan-weitzman-award-winning-advertising-creative-and-agency-founder/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### Public Relations Society of America’s 2026 Chair states PRSA at “crossroads”
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/public-relations-society-of-americas-2026-chair-states-the-organization-is-at-a-crossroads/
Last updated: 2026-01-07T00:16:01.000Z
**In a message to members of the Public Relations Society of America, Heide Harrell, 2026 PRSA Chair,** wrote: “I want to be transparent about the challenges PRSA is facing in the year ahead. Like many associations, we are navigating significant financial challenges and a continued year-over-year decline in membership. These issues did not arise overnight, and they will not be resolved quickly. However, I am more hopeful for PRSA’s future than ever before. Your board and staff are working closely together to reverse these trends, and a plan is in place to guide

“In 2026, our top three priorities are clear: **revenue, retention and recruitment**. PRSA is at a crossroads, and meaningful change must occur for us to thrive for another 79 years and beyond. I am confident that, together, we can build a stronger, more sustainable association that continues to serve and elevate our members and our profession.”

According to an online item: “The PRSA National Capital Chapter (NCC) is the largest PRSA chapter, with membership fluctuating but recently reported around 700+ members (late 2025) and noted as nearly 800 members (early 2025).”

In addition, Capitol Communicator reported that, in October 2025, the Maryland Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and the PRSA Central Chesapeake Chapter were in formal discussions to explore a potential merger.
### Brent Burkhardt, veteran Baltimore PR executive, dies at 63
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/brent-burkhardt-veteran-baltimore-pr-executive-with-tbc-dies-at-63/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:41.000Z
**Brent Burkhardt, a respected Baltimore-based public relations executive and mentor** known for his cool demeanor and expert counsel, died December 29 at age 63 after a year-long battle with grade IV glioblastoma.

He began his career in public information in 1984 at the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts and in December of 1989 joined the in-house public relations department of TBC, where he spent 36 years advising clients both nationally and throughout the Baltimore region.

While at TBC, Burkhardt was a member of the public relations team for client MinuteClinic for nearly 20 years. Other client work included the opening of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Hair Cuttery, Harrah’s Entertainment, the World Series of Poker, Smart Balance, Baltimore Orioles, Maryland Lottery and many other iconic brands.

Burkhardt’s work received many industry awards, including the Public Relations Society of America’s Silver Anvil and he served as chairman of the board for Community Law in Action, a Baltimore nonprofit dedicated to youth leadership. He was a graduate of the Greater Baltimore Committee Leadership Program and the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism at West Virginia University.

In his final months, Burkhardt remained deeply connected to friends and colleagues. From his Eastern Shore home, he continued to host visitors, sharing those visits on his Facebook page and continuing to plan visits into the new year.

Despite a terminal diagnosis, he achieved what he described as his most important goal: meeting his granddaughter in September.

His wife, **Andrea Vernot**, who founded Choptank Communications after they moved to Cambridge in Dorchester County in 2012, [died in 2023 at age 60](https://capitolcommunicator.com/andrea-vernot-arts-tourism-and-economic-development-marketer-dies-at-60/), following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, January 16 at 10:30 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in the Inner Harbor, followed by a reception.
### Why the 2026 IPO pipeline matters to communicators
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/why-the-2026-ipo-pipeline-matters-to-communicators/
Last updated: 2026-01-02T19:09:05.000Z
**The IPO market is warming up again** and 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year. Looking at media and market coverage through[ Truescope](https://www.truescope.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) data, one thing is clear. This is not just about a return to deal flow. It is about the scale, visibility and narrative complexity of the companies preparing to go public.

At the top of the list is SpaceX, which is widely expected to anchor the 2026 IPO calendar. Reports point to a potential valuation anywhere from $800 billion to north of $1 trillion, driven largely by the commercial success of Starlink. If SpaceX moves forward, it would not only be the largest IPO in history, it would instantly become one of the most scrutinized public companies in the world.

For communicators, that level of attention raises familiar questions. How does a company that has thrived on founder-driven storytelling adapt to the expectations of public markets, regulators and a far broader audience? Truescope data shows that SpaceX already generates intense media polarization, with innovation narratives closely followed by governance, safety and leadership scrutiny. An IPO would amplify both.

The same tension is visible around OpenAI, another potential mega-IPO candidate. The company is reportedly exploring a public future after restructuring into a public benefit corporation, with valuations discussed as high as $1 trillion. Yet CEO Sam Altman has been openly ambivalent about going public, a signal that resonates with communicators watching how AI leaders balance mission, scale and accountability.

That ambivalence matters. Truescope analysis shows that AI companies face a uniquely compressed narrative cycle. Innovation stories move quickly into ethical, regulatory and workforce implications. For PR teams, preparing for an IPO in this environment is less about crafting a single launch moment and more about managing sustained, multi-channel scrutiny long before a prospectus appears.

Anthropic sits in a similar position. With private valuations reportedly climbing past $300 billion, the company is already being discussed as IPO-ready. But Truescope data suggests that challenger brands in AI are judged not only on product performance, but on differentiation, governance and perceived responsibility. Going public raises the stakes on all three.

Beyond AI and space, sector-level signals point to a broad reopening of the IPO window. Crypto firms including exchanges, custodians and blockchain infrastructure players are increasingly visible in 2026 IPO conversations. HealthTech and MedTech companies, after several volatile years, are also re-emerging with more mature stories tied to outcomes rather than disruption alone.

For communicators, these sectors share a common challenge. They operate in highly regulated environments where enthusiasm can quickly collide with skepticism. Truescope data shows that media coverage performs best when companies explain not just what they do, but how they fit into existing systems and why they can be trusted at scale.

Investment banks are clearly optimistic. Leaders at Goldman Sachs have described the 2026 equity underwriting outlook as very strong, while Renaissance Capital estimates 200 to 230 IPOs next year, raising as much as $60 billion. That optimism is echoed by analysts tracking pent-up demand from venture-backed companies that have delayed going public for years.

But Truescope data also highlights a note of caution. Media narratives are beginning to question whether markets can absorb the sheer volume of expected issuance. Concerns around liquidity, private credit demands and capital competition are starting to surface. If a company like SpaceX enters the market, it could dominate attention, capital and coverage in ways that crowd out smaller issuers

For PR and communications leaders, the takeaway is straightforward. IPO readiness in 2026 is no longer just a financial milestone. It is a reputational stress test.

Companies preparing to go public need to think earlier and more holistically about narrative discipline, leadership visibility, issue preparedness and trust-building across platforms. Truescope data shows that by the time an S-1 is filed, the story is often already set.

The most successful IPO communications strategies in 2026 will not be those that generate the loudest headlines. They will be the ones that demonstrate clarity, consistency and credibility over time, well before the bell rings on opening day.
### TikTok now top choice for news consumption by Gen-Z social-media users
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/tiktok-now-top-choice-for-news-consumption-by-gen-z-social-media-users/
Last updated: 2026-01-03T01:28:37.000Z
**Consumers between the ages of 18 and 29 in the U.S. are using TikTok more** than any other social-media platform — overtaking competing platforms like YouTube, Facebook and Instagram for the first time, according to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center.

The collected data, reports [MediaPost,](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/411720/report-tiktok-became-most-popular-social-news-sou.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) ‘shows that 43% of these younger social-media users consumed news regularly on TikTok, while 41% found their news on YouTube and Facebook and 40% did so on Instagram. Only 21% turned to X for news, whereas 18% used Reddit for news consumption.

“Compared to Pew’s 2023-24 findings, this is the first year that TikTok has become the top choice for news consumption by Gen-Z social-media users.

“Last year, YouTube and Instagram tied for the leading social news platform among 18- to-29-year-olds in the U.S., while Instagram beat out YouTube and Facebook by one percentage point in 2023.”
### New for 2026: “Capitol Communicators” Profiles
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/new-for-2026-capitol-communicators-profiles/
Last updated: 2026-01-07T00:20:13.000Z
**I’m fascinated by the wealth of talent we have here,** and the people who are shaping public relations, advertising, marketing and digital strategy locally, nationally and internationally, all from our Capitol region. That’s why I’m happy to join with Capitol Communicator to launch a series of profiles spotlighting the leaders who are redefining what it means to connect, persuade, and inspire in a rapidly-evolving landscape. And we all know, ‘rapidly evolving’ is an understatement! In recognition of the longstanding role that Capitol Communicator has played in tracking the highs and lows of the communications community, we are calling the new series “Capitol Communicators.”

Each profile will feature insights and advice from one of our area’s top communicators.

We’ll ask big questions, such as:

- What do they see as the biggest changes in 2026?
- What advice do they have for rising professionals?
- What keeps them up at night — and what brings them joy?

I hope they will also share some personal insights. None of us get to the top without challenges and scars. Real leaders learn from them. We can, too.

So join me over the next few months, and you’ll meet some of the most interesting and insightful pros in our region, learn how they stay ahead of the curve, and pick up practical wisdom for thriving in a time of constant change. I welcome your ideas on WHO we should be talking with, and what you’d like to know.

The first profile will appear in mid-January. You can reach me with suggestions and ideas at [debra.silimeo@capitolcommunicator.com](mailto:debra.silimeo@capitolcommunicator.com).
### Email marketers face potential Gmail “headache” heading into 2026, states MediaPost post
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/email-marketers-face-potential-gmail-headache-heading-into-2026-states-mediapost-post/
Last updated: 2025-12-29T22:55:28.000Z
**Email marketers face a potential headache heading into 2026:** Google is allowing Gmail users to change their email addresses without losing data, states a [MediaPost post](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/411638/no-loss-name-change-gmail-users-can-alter-their-a.html?utm%5Fsource=newsletter&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcontent=readmore&utm%5Fcampaign=141080&hashid=aDNYPzNLRsGYBcUijugZ9A).

According to MediaPost’ “People can now dump embarrassing addresses that they might have created as teenagers or when changing their names.

“Google has long allowed Gmail users to change addresses, but not to retain the messages and data stored with them.

“That’s the big change coming with this rollout. Now, Gmail members can keep the old messages, allowing them to change their addresses without losing anything.

“The option to change is available for email addresses that end in `@gmail.com`. The new addresses need to end the same way.”

The old addresses will automatically be continued as aliases, and will be used as recovery emails.

The challenge for email marketers, states MediaPost, “is to link the new addresses with the old. Incoming messages will go to both accounts, but this risks annoying customers with repetitive messages. Some might complain of spam.”
### Five major predictions for 2026
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/five-major-predictions-for-2026/
Last updated: 2025-12-29T22:59:43.000Z
**By** [**Geoff Livingston**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffliving/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, The Buzz by Geoff Livingston, a reader-supported publication.**

**It’s that time of year, so I’m breaking out the crystal ball with my tech predictions for 2026.** Just a warning, [my mother was a famous astrologer](https://substack.com/redirect/6d364241-029e-4e37-b5dd-88eaf3fc5c82?j=eyJ1IjoiNGdtc2UifQ.-NUc14MKDEfOZg61vMJf6mgiMFIlCZtvMRexByOedvA&ref=capitolcommunicator.com), so I relish this just a little too much. Of course, many of these are AI-centric, but there is one in which AI is subtext, not the dominant theme.

So with no further ado, here are my top five predictions for 2026.

#### 1) AI Skill Testing Arrives

Debate all you want, one thing that’s become clearer is that [people who use AI are faster](https://substack.com/redirect/f479794e-1592-40a8-b718-a679a200d900?j=eyJ1IjoiNGdtc2UifQ.-NUc14MKDEfOZg61vMJf6mgiMFIlCZtvMRexByOedvA&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) than those who do not. Employers are increasingly demanding that job applicants possess AI skills, perhaps their best way to bring their workforce up to speed with new productivity methods. And while many claim to have such skills, some just know how to ask basic questions of ChatGPT.

Moving forward, employers will increasingly ask candidates to take AI tests to ensure skills are present, and may hire the most proficient AI users. This was not just my thinking, but also Gartner, [which made it their top prediction of the year.](https://substack.com/redirect/845686ec-61e3-4632-aa77-9cb7478cc72f?j=eyJ1IjoiNGdtc2UifQ.-NUc14MKDEfOZg61vMJf6mgiMFIlCZtvMRexByOedvA&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

Gartner anticipates 75% of employers will demand candidates take AI tests, but I do think that’s only true of medium and large enterprises that can purchase third-party testing, such as [Codility, for developers](https://substack.com/redirect/e56aa3bb-3083-4ae3-a89d-0bba185a02a5?j=eyJ1IjoiNGdtc2UifQ.-NUc14MKDEfOZg61vMJf6mgiMFIlCZtvMRexByOedvA&ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Further, as time progresses, employers will demand continued testing as part of ongoing employment. After all, AI evolves quickly than any technology we’ve seen in recent memory. Yesterday’s prompt engineer may not adapt well to today’s increasingly nimble and agentic LLMs and AI-infused SaaS platforms. Expect employers to require ongoing skills development, including training and certifications.

#### 2) Agentic AI Catches Up to the Hype

So many LLM-based AI workflows are triggered manually, disaggregated in flow, and require human connectivity. Wasn’t the promise of agents that they would reduce the rote nature of managing cojoining and linear tasks? We’ve seen a lot of hype and many failures. Yet big tech cos keep touting all the agentic work they have already automated (and the people they claim they no longer need).

So what gives?

Time has given developers the ability to work through data integrations via the MCP protocol and refine automations with LLMs to create better and more polished AI agents. The result is the rise of new user-driven, agentic-like flows in Google Workspace, ChatGPT, and Anthropic, new platforms that have taken on the risk of competing with larger platforms, and software-specific AI integrations that automate previously tedious tasks.

While many of these are automations, they nevertheless fall under the current umbrella of AI agents. Here are three examples I have experienced in the past week

- Google Gemini is automatically asking me to add appointments to my calendar and source relevant Google Drive documents
- [The Top ](https://substack.com/redirect/b664e619-c61c-4b89-9c7a-10b0516f9c1b?j=eyJ1IjoiNGdtc2UifQ.-NUc14MKDEfOZg61vMJf6mgiMFIlCZtvMRexByOedvA&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)unifies your workspace, email, and calendar to provide a strategic Chief of Staff perspective of what needs to get done today. While at risk of being simply relegated to irrelevance by platform upgrades from Google and Microsoft, The Top is currently superior.
- MailChimp finally got its domain verification agent straightened out. I experienced a similar easy process with Beautiful.AI. Verifying domains is a painful, tedious task, but now platforms ask you to verify your identity and handle the rest through their agents. Thumbs up!

Expect to see an increasing proliferation of similar handy agents in our digital lives. Now if Apple could finally get agents straight with Siri, we’d be in a much better place!

#### 3) Social Network Engagement Drops

Depending on how you measure it, AI engagement has largely been flat or decreasing per post. That’s because of a larger proliferation of posts in general, and [the increasing arrival of slop (AI-generated content)](https://substack.com/redirect/db023557-bae8-4a2b-a33d-b002229d2f6e?j=eyJ1IjoiNGdtc2UifQ.-NUc14MKDEfOZg61vMJf6mgiMFIlCZtvMRexByOedvA&ref=capitolcommunicator.com). In the end, value matters most to people, but do brands, influencers, and anyone else using slop, tricks, and memes get that? Or are they just slaves to social networking algorithms?

One of the major problems with social networks is fatigue from the content, but also from the algorithmic sourcing of content that generates most time on site. One concern is the lack of veracity and usefulness of such content.

While cheap entertainment, it may not help people find the information they need, which could, in turn, cause people to turn to other sources, such as LLMs and other media forms. Add the increasing toxicity of online political conversation, which rewards tabloid positions that provoke reactions, and you have the recipe for declining engagement rates.

Still, traffic is expected to stay flat or grow slightly. Call it a hunch, but I believe more and more people are simply going to opt out and stop giving Meta, TikTok, and other entertainment-centric social networks as much of their time. Maybe it’s better to read a book or exercise instead.

#### 4) OpenAI Suffers a Major Crisis

I think 2026 is the year OpenAI suffers a major crisis that impacts market share. You could say this already happened with the botched launch of ChatGPT 5 and the rise of Gemini. But you could say the same thing about Anthropic’s rise on the B2B side. This new crisis will be different as it will be a self-inflicted wound.

Those who follow the AI space already know Sam Altman’s proclivity for bombastic statements that don’t come true, questionable ethics, embracing of circular deals, and failure to build a strong mote that would insulate the company from further erosion.

With so much weight on the company’s shoulders and heavy competition at the door, one major crisis could become catastrophic for the company. And the guardrails are gone. Leaders have been fleeing OpenAI for two years now; the nonprofit structure is gone, the company has fostered and created a questionable business without regulation, and has repeatedly violated its users’ rights.

Inevitably, arrogance creates problems. And I expect Sam Altman will have a significant moment to rise up to or fail to meet, whether that is a cybersecurity incident, a major financial collapse, or an ethics-inspired backlash with its user base. OpenAI is heading for dangerous waters in 2026.

#### 5) Anthropic Acquires a Visual AI Algorithm Company

Both Google and OpenAI benefit from multimodal capabilities with superior image and video generation capabilities integrated into Gemini and ChatGPT, respectively. If Anthropic expects to keep Claude competitive, it needs to match those capabilities, as Claude’s visual multimodal capabilities are inferior.

To match Google and OpenAI, Anthropic will need to acquire a visual media generator. Midjourney, Runway, Stable Diffusion, Flux, Leonardo, and many others all have attractive algorithm offerings that would make great additions to Claude.

(This post originally appeared on [The Buzz by Geoff Livingston,](https://buzzbylivingston.substack.com/) a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.)
### Dr. Sheila Brooks and Shonali Burke inducted into National Capital Public Relations Hall of Fame
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/dr-sheila-brooks-and-shonali-burke-inducted-into-national-capital-public-relations-hall-of-fame/
Last updated: 2025-12-29T22:56:21.000Z
![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/16/5016dd29-aeff-4565-a68b-cdbb78bc58e6/content/images/2026/10/HOF-2026-Party-copy-1.jpg)

**The PRSA National Capital Chapter Holiday Party and Hall of Fame Reception brought together 120+ members of the region’s communications community** to celebrate connection, leadership, and professional excellence.

Chapter President **Crystal Borde** opened the evening by reflecting on a challenging year and emphasizing the strength, generosity, and resilience of the PRSA NCC community, highlighted by members donating tickets to ensure colleagues facing hardship could attend.

The program recognized the 2025 and incoming 2026 Boards of Directors, new Accredited in Public Relations (APR) professionals, chapter sponsors, long-standing members, educators, students, and volunteers whose service strengthens the chapter. A series of Chapter Leadership Awards honored individuals and teams for exceptional contributions, from emerging professionals to senior leaders and long-time volunteers.

The December 18 evening event culminated in the induction of two distinguished leaders—**Dr. Sheila Brooks,** right in photo, and **Shonali Burke**, left in photo, —into the National Capital Public Relations Hall of Fame, recognizing careers marked by impact, mentorship, and a commitment to storytelling and service. Both inductees shared reflections on their personal journeys, influences, and gratitude for the mentors, family, and colleagues who shaped their paths.

Dr. Brooks stated: “I was raised by a courageous single mother during the Civil Rights era, and it was through pain that I found my power—my voice to tell stories. That voice carried me from journalism school to newsrooms across the country, and eventually to building a Black-owned communications agency that is still telling impactful stories 35 years later. This journey has always been about service, resilience, and using storytelling to make a difference and leave a legacy.”

Burke stated: “PR felt like home because it brought structure and language to something I’d been doing. It was always that “a-ha” connection between brand and consumer, cause and constituent, dream and realization, that fueled me.To this day, that is what brings me joy. When we are adventurous enough to look beyond the talking points, courageous enough to say the true thing, and welcoming enough to invite our audiences into our stories, we collapse the spaces between us. In doing so, we make magic.”

The Hall of Fame Award was established in 1999\. It is a lifetime achievement award highlighting the most influential and respected communications professionals in the D.C. region.

PHOTOS: James Minichello
### CES 2026 is less about new gadgets and more about how brands explain AI
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/ces-2026-is-less-about-new-gadgets-and-more-about-how-brands-explain-ai/
Last updated: 2025-12-23T20:42:08.000Z
**By** [**CommPRO**](https://www.commpro.biz/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**As** [**CES 2026**](https://www.ces.tech/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **gets closer, it’s becoming clear that the tone of the show is shifting,** and PR and marketing teams should be paying attention. Looking across platform-specific media data, including analysis from[ Truescope](https://www.truescope.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), one pattern stands out. Coverage is moving away from big, splashy product reveals and toward a more practical question that audiences seem to care about more. How does AI actually show up in everyday life?

That shift is already visible in how major brands are being discussed. Samsung is drawing attention not just for what it may unveil, but for how consistently it talks about AI as something woven into the home, devices and services. The conversation is less about spectacle and more about integration. Sony continues to benefit from long-standing trust, especially where its story connects entertainment, displays and mobility. LG Electronics is also gaining traction, particularly around in-vehicle experiences, reinforcing a broader idea that screens are becoming part of environments, not just standalone products.

There is also a noticeable evolution among challenger brands. TCL is increasingly being talked about as a technology leader rather than simply a value option, especially around Mini LED and eye-care innovation. That kind of repositioning reflects years of consistent messaging, not a single CES moment. For communicators, it is a reminder that repetition and clarity still matter.

Behind the scenes, the chipmakers remain central to the CES narrative. Coverage of NVIDIA, AMD, Intel and Qualcomm tends to perform better when stories focus on what these technologies make possible rather than on raw performance alone. Engagement is stronger when the emphasis is on outcomes like efficiency, AI-assisted work and mobility.

Emerging and specialized innovators are also finding space to break through when they keep the story grounded. Interest in edge AI, sensors, wearables and smart environments grows when those ideas are explained in plain language and tied to real use cases. Group showcases like the Swiss Innovation Pavilion are resonating because they help audiences make sense of complex innovation without overwhelming them.

For PR and marketing professionals, the takeaway from CES 2026 is straightforward. AI storytelling has entered a more mature phase. Audiences are looking for clarity, credibility and context, not hype. The brands that stand out are not the ones saying the most, but the ones that explain change in ways that feel useful and believable. CES is still about innovation, but more than ever, it is about who tells the clearest story.
### Peter Finn on building an agency with a heart and a conscience
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/peter-finn-on-building-an-agency-with-a-heart-and-a-conscience/
Last updated: 2025-12-29T22:57:57.000Z
**By** [**Fay Shapiro**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/fayshapiro2010/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**At a moment when the communications industry is grappling with consolidation, layoffs, and real uncertainty, Peter Finn** stands out as a steady voice and a values-led builder. The founder and CEO of FINN Partners recently joined the [PR Masters Podcast](https://www.commpro.biz/news/pr-masters-podcast-series-episode-103-peter-finn?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) to reflect on his career and what it takes to create an agency designed for the long term.

Finn has spent his entire career in public relations. He entered the industry in 1977, joining an agency his father, **David Finn,** had started. Over time, Peter rose through leadership roles, including serving as co-CEO of an iconic PR firm. By 2011, he said he knew it was time to introduce a new kind of communications agency into the world, one shaped by a compelling vision and guiding values.

FINN Partners was born from a belief that purpose could be more than a slogan. Peter has described it as a transformational force in the agency’s development, rooted in the idea that an agency with a heart and a conscience could prove that high performance and social impact align. Today, the firm has grown from approximately 150 people across six offices at launch to around 1,300 employees and roughly 35 offices worldwide.

That independence matters, Peter said, because it allows a founder-led company to think long-term and stay anchored in values. He contrasted that freedom with the pressure facing publicly traded holding company agencies, where leadership is often forced to prioritize stock price above all else. Peter pointed to the disruption created by major industry consolidation and the human toll of large-scale layoffs, describing it as heartbreaking for employees and potentially damaging for clients.

Purpose, he said, was never a trend at FINN Partners. While some companies have stepped back from purpose positioning amid political and economic headwinds, Peter said his firm has remained consistent because its values were part of the foundation from day one. That consistency shows up in how FINN Partners grows. He said the agency’s first conversations around acquisitions focus on values, not numbers, and the firm has walked away from potential deals when alignment just wasn’t there. He said the agency also turns down client work, even significant opportunities, if it believes the assignment would conflict with its core values.

Peter also spoke directly to younger professionals trying to enter the industry, acknowledging how tough the market has become. Competition for junior roles is intense, he said, and the overall industry has been slow for several years. His advice was to stay focused if communications is the goal, but to look carefully at independent agencies, which he described as more stable environments in the near term.

Artificial intelligence is another shift reshaping the business, and Peter said FINN Partners is investing in AI with a clear emphasis on capability, not cuts. His goal is for every employee to be proficient with AI tools and to use them to work smarter and faster, while acknowledging that AI is supposed to assist human judgment, not replace it. Anything produced with AI support, he said, must be double-checked.Outside of agency life, Peter’s commitment to purpose shows up in another long-running project. He has been credited with pioneering work tied to the Catskill Mountain Foundation, an effort that brings together arts, culture, and rural development with the goal of challenging despair and poverty. He described it as meaningful work that has helped strengthen a community over time, reinforcing a belief that business and civic leadership can and should make a positive difference.

When I asked how he wants to be remembered, Peter did not talk about deals or industry stature. He talked about building something that lasts. He said he hopes to be remembered as the founder of a great agency that survives for generations, known for outstanding people, deep expertise, and excellent work, and respected for having a heart and a conscience. He also hopes the community work he and his wife have supported through the arts will continue for years to come.

FINN Partners has earned significant industry recognition in recent years, including being named O’Dwyer’s top purpose agency, appearing on Fast Company’s list of most innovative companies, winning midsize agency honors from Provoke Media, and earning multiple Observer PR Power List recognitions. For Peter, those accolades matter, but they are not the point. The point is building an agency that can do great work for great clients, treat people well, stay true to its values, and help make the world a little better along the way.
### A Look Forward to 2026 (Part 3): Why Humanity Wins in the Age of AI
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/a-look-forward-to-2026-part-3-why-humanity-wins-in-the-age-of-ai/
Last updated: 2026-01-27T01:06:23.000Z
**By Greg Kihlström, *Principal*, The Agile Brand**

*This year, I got some help with my predictions. This is part of a 3-part series that blends my own thoughts about the year ahead with those of leading experts across Marketing, AI, Customer Experience, and more. Let’s take a look at what the experts are saying.*

## ***What if the next great competitive edge for brands has less to do with technology than it does with the role that humans will play?***

As we enter 2026, the omnipresence of artificial intelligence will continue to transform it from a cutting-edge advantage into a mere operational baseline. As every competitor integrates the same autonomous agents, generative tools, and optimization engines, the race for the “fastest algorithm” will become irrelevant. Industry leaders agree: the brands poised to win in this saturated environment will bypass the technology arms race entirely.

They will instead double down on the one irreplaceable commodity: humanity. The battle for market share is shifting to three non-technical fronts: radical authenticity, non-negotiable trust, and measurable

## The Backlash Against “AI Workslop”

The first major shift predicted for 2026 is a consumer rebellion against the generic. As generative AI floods channels with content, Rachel Sterling, CMO at Identity Digital, predicts that “audiences will tire of AI-generated content, and seek authenticity”. The novelty of automated creation will wear off, replaced by a demand for “genuine tone and lived experience”.

This backlash stems from what Elizabeth Maxson, CMO of Contentful, terms “AI workslop,” the “generic, low-value messaging” that “dilutes brand identity and audience trust”.

Companies that rely too heavily on automation for creative output risk drowning in mediocrity. Lora Kratchounova, Principal at Scratch Marketing + Media, warns that companies trying to “save with AI” rather than using it to empower unique voices will “end up putting their feet in their mouths.” Consequently, “authenticity will be the new brand currency.” The winners of 2026 will be the brands that cut through the noise with “authentic insights, sans the BS,” creating a clear distinction between algorithmic filler and human value.

## Trust as a Non-Negotiable Product Feature

As AI agents become “digital co-workers” and customer interfaces morph to look like “ChatGPT interfaces,” the “black box” nature of AI becomes a liability. Stefanie Beach, CEO of The Marketeer Group, asserts that “trust and transparency will become non-negotiable brand differentiators.” It is no longer enough to be efficient; brands must be provably safe.

This shifts privacy from a compliance hurdle to a core value proposition. Regina Ye, CEO of Topsort, notes that the future of monetization lies strictly in the “clean, transparent use of first-party data.” Similarly, Kalpak Shah of R Systems predicts that “Governed AI,” characterized by auditability and explainability, that will define “competitive advantage.” In 2026, a brand’s ability to explain *why* an AI agent made a decision will be just as important as the decision itself.

## Emotional Intelligence: The New KPI

Perhaps the most profound shift is the move from transactional metrics to emotional ones. Ofir Krakowski, CEO of Deepdub, predicts that as voice agents replace text-based chatbots, “emotional intelligence will become a tangible KPI.” In a voice-first world, understanding tone, pacing, and cultural nuance is no longer a “nice-to-have,” it is a hard metric for success.

This demand for personality extends to every touchpoint. Joe Yetter, GM of PAR Engagement, argues that “the biggest loyalty wins won’t come from points or punch cards; they’ll come from personality”. Whether it is a digital interaction or a physical store becoming a “living, breathing brand moment” through sensory design, the goal is to create a psychological connection.

Even global expansion will require a hyper-human touch. Krakowski notes that “hyper-local CX” will be the standard, with customers expecting service that matches their specific “regional accents… and cultural cues”.

## Summary

As you can see, these predictions present a clear and compelling paradox for the modern enterprise: the inexorable march toward automation on the backend must be met with a renewed and passionate commitment to the un-automatable on the frontend. The efficiency gains of the coming years will be defined by the widespread adoption of “autonomous agents” and “self-governing systems,” which will take over routine, complex, and data-intensive operational tasks. This new technological infrastructure will form the backbone of nearly every successful business.

However, the success of these operations hinges entirely on how human the customer and employee experience feels. As the systems behind the scenes become more mechanical, the brand experience, or the face of the company, must feel more human, intuitive, and empathetic than ever before. This is the crucial differentiator in a market saturated with automated efficiency.

The brands that thrive in this environment will be those that fundamentally re-architect their relationship with Artificial Intelligence. They will view AI not as a cost-cutting tool designed to replace human creativity, judgment, and emotional intelligence, but rather as the essential infrastructure, or the scaffolding and the engine, that allows these uniquely human traits to shine. AI will be the great enabler, freeing up human capital from the mundane to focus entirely on innovation, complex problem-solving, and building authentic connections.

As we move decisively toward 2026, the competitive landscape will shift. As critical as it is, technology becomes table stakes, merely the *engine* powering the machine. But it is authenticity, or the genuine, unscripted, and values-driven connection with the consumer, that truly serves as the necessary and precious *fuel*. Brands that neglect this human element, relying solely on automated efficiency, will find themselves operating a highly advanced engine that is, critically, running on empty.

(**This is the third of a three-part series. The first and second parts are posted on Capitol Communicator.)**
### A look forward to 2026 (Part 2): Silos’ last stand, agents rise and governance rules
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/a-look-forward-to-2026-silos-last-stand-agents-rise-and-governance-rules-part-2/
Last updated: 2025-12-24T01:43:15.000Z
**By Greg Kihlström, *Principal*, The Agile Brand**

*This year, I got some help with my predictions. This is the second of a three-part series that blends my own thoughts about the year ahead with those of leading experts across Marketing, AI, Customer Experience and more. Let’s take a look at what the experts are saying.* 

## ***Is the era of unfettered corporate experimentation with AI finally reaching its end?*** 

While consumers demand authenticity and emotion in 2026, the engine room of the enterprise is undergoing a ruthless architectural overhaul. The old Silicon Valley mandate to “move fast and break things” is being replaced by an urgent need for disciplined integration, modular infrastructure and the complete demolition of operational silos.

## The Great Unification: The Death of Silos

For decades, marketing and sales organizations have been fractured by distinct budgets and conflicting goals. By 2026, these barriers will dissolve into unified “growth systems.” Chris Todd, Principal of Marketing Operations at CTM, argues that the industry must finally abandon “bottom-up KPIs” created by silos and specialization. Instead, growth will come from operating as “one orchestrated system that shares insights, takes coordinated actions, and learns together in real-time”.

This unification extends to the most fundamental definitions of marketing. Erika Rollins predicts that brand and demand will merge into a “single, AI-powered growth system,” where brand-building is embedded directly into the conversion journey. Similarly, in the retail sector, David Simon of Mood Media forecasts that trade and retail media will stop competing for budgets and instead build a “shared growth engine”.

## Prediction: The Rise of the T-Shaped Marketer in a Visual-First Landscape

Emma Robinson, Canva’s B2B Marketing Lead, asserts that enterprise creative workflows in 2026 will be fundamentally visual-first and AI-augmented, but human-led. She predicts that successful enterprises will move beyond experimentation to systematized AI integration that actually delivers measurable value.

“Traditional roles won’t disappear,” says Robinson, “but they’ll evolve into T-shaped positions, combining creativity with data fluency, strategic storytelling with AI literacy, and broad marketing knowledge with deep expertise in areas like marketing technology and measurement.” She expects teams to restructure around AI enablement, with new roles focused on AI governance, brand training for AI systems, and orchestrating the blend of human creativity and machine efficiency.

Robinson concludes that the biggest shift will be in how time is allocated: AI will give marketers back significant hours (citing that 85% of companies are seeing 4+ hours per week already), allowing teams to focus on high-value strategic and creative work rather than production busywork. “Companies that don’t make this shift and continue to use AI just for speed rather than to elevate human creativity will struggle to compete,” she warns.

## The New Architecture: Modular, Hybrid, and “AIphemeral”

To support this unification, the technical infrastructure of the enterprise must change. The monolithic, all-in-one platforms of the past are being rejected in favor of “modular, plug-and-play architecture” that allows for greater agility. Rohan Gupta of R Systems notes that multi-cloud and hybrid environments will transition from being a strategic choice to becoming “architectural necessities”.

This infrastructure will power a radically new type of digital experience. Ben Rothman of Rightpoint predicts the rise of the “AIphemeral” web—experiences that are not static websites, but real-time webs “created by AI, unique to every moment, and gone when its purpose is done”. Consequently, Lora Kratchounova suggests that websites will morph to look increasingly like “ChatGPT interfaces” rather than traditional directories.

This shift also changes how data is valued. Deepak Singh of Adeptia emphasizes that AI’s true leverage point isn’t the model itself, but the “First-Mile Data” flowing into it. To access this, enterprises will pause expensive legacy migrations and instead wrap legacy platforms with “APIs and AI-ready connectors” to unlock data without rebuilding the stack.

## The Rise of AEO and the “AI User”

As the web changes, so does the method of discovery. Rob Garf of Cordial declares that “Agent Engine Optimization” (AEO) is the new battleground, replacing traditional SEO. In this environment, the goal is no longer ranking on Google, but ensuring brand content is “surfaced and used by AI answers”.

Furthermore, the “user” interacting with enterprise software is changing. Deepak Singh predicts that AI agents will become the new “enterprise user,” capable of configuring and monitoring automations with “minimal human involvement”. This moves organizations toward a “set it and forget it” model, where CI/CD pipelines become “self-governing systems” that dynamically adjust based on real-time data.

## Governance as the Ultimate Efficiency

With autonomous agents and self-governing systems running the show, the role of human oversight shifts to governance. Unni Kurup of Theorem notes that companies are moving from experimental energy to disciplined growth, where “governance will become just as important as efficiency.”

Trust becomes the glue holding this architecture together. Stefanie Beach warns that “trust and transparency will become non-negotiable brand differentiators”. This is reinforced by Regina Ye, who states that the future of monetization lies strictly in the “clean, transparent use of first-party data”. In 2026, operational reliability will be driven by AI-driven insights that “detect anomalies, predict incidents, and remediate issues” before they ever impact the user.

## What leaders should do

To transition from current legacy structures to the agile, agent-driven operating system of 2026, marketing and technical leaders must execute a deliberate architectural pivot. Based on the expert predictions, here are three critical actions to take immediately.

### **Force the Convergence of Planning and Metrics** 

The era of competing budgets is over. Leaders must forcibly integrate planning processes across trade, retail media, brand, and demand teams. David Simon, EVP of Advertising for Mood Media, advises that “the most effective brands and retailers are connecting their planning processes, measuring performance holistically, and building a shared growth engine instead of competing budgets”.

- **The Move:** Abandon isolated metrics. As Chris Todd, Principal of Marketing Operations at CTM, warns, “the problem today is that silos and specialization have created bottom-up KPIs”. Instead, adoption of a unified strategy is essential, because “growth will come from operating as one orchestrated system that shares insights, takes coordinated actions, and learns together in real-time,” according to Gabe Rogol, CEO of Demandbase.

### **Swap “Bloated” Monoliths for Modular Connectivity** 

Stop buying all-in-one suites that promise to do everything but excel at nothing. The architecture of 2026 is composable. Regina Ye, CEO of Topsort, predicts that retailers will move “away from bloated all-in-one systems toward modular, plug-and-play architecture”.

- **The Move:** Shift focus from *collecting* new data to *connecting* existing data. Unni Kurup, Director of Client Consulting & Strategy at Theorem, notes that the future strategy will be “less on collecting data and more about connecting what they already have”. This is critical because, as Deepak Singh, Chief Innovation Officer of Adeptia, states: “Enterprises will realize that AI’s real leverage point isn’t the model—it’s the First-Mile Data flowing into it”.

### Elevate Governance from Compliance to Competitive Advantage

In an autonomous world, safety is a product feature. Leaders must implement “Governed AI” protocols immediately. Unni Kurup of Theorem emphasizes that in this new landscape, “governance will become just as important as efficiency”.

- **The Move:** Make trust visible to the customer. Stefanie Beach, CEO of The Marketeer Group, asserts that “trust and transparency will become non-negotiable brand differentiators”. Internally, this means investing in platform engineering that can “hide infrastructure complexity while enforcing security, compliance, and cost controls automatically,” as Rohan Gupta, VP at R Systems, recommends.

### Earned Trust Is Infinitely More Valuable Than Paid Reach

Invest in Earned Trust and Community Cultivation. The rise of AI-generated content makes human validation “exponentially more valuable.” 

- **The Move:** Emma Robinson, Canva’s B2B Marketing Lead, says that leaders must design their marketing strategy around earned trust rather than paid reach by investing in community-led experiences and empowering customer advocates. Human validation, peer recommendations, and authentic creator partnerships will be the currency that cuts through the AI noise.

## Summary

The structural theme defining 2026 is unmistakable: integration. This isn’t just about combining elements; it’s about fundamentally re-engineering the enterprise to function as a cohesive, self-correcting whole. Organizations have spent years building specialized, often isolated, systems and teams, creating internal friction and slowing market response. The shift for 2026 demands the dissolution of these silos in favor of unified frameworks that drive efficiency and intelligence. This imperative for integration manifests across several critical domains.

### Merging Brand and Demand

The artificial separation between brand-building and direct-response marketing is collapsing. Successful organizations will treat them not as sequential or separate budgets, but as two sides of the same continuous customer journey coin. Brand experience must inform and enhance immediate demand capture, while demand signals must continuously refine and vitalize the brand narrative. This requires unified data platforms and cross-functional teams that share common KPIs, moving beyond “awareness” and “conversion” as distinct goals and seeing them as an integrated pipeline.

### **Connecting Trade and Retail Media**

The explosion of retail media networks (RMNs) has created a significant opportunity and a potential new silo. Organizations must integrate their traditional trade marketing strategies (focused on in-store and distributor relationships) with the growing power of digital RMNs. This integration ensures that promotional spend is optimized end-to-end, leveraging first-party retailer data to target consumers at the point of purchase, whether physical or digital. This holistic view is essential for maximizing ROI and achieving true omnichannel consistency.

### Wrapping Legacy Data for Modern AI

The promise of AI remains constrained by inaccessible, fragmented legacy data stores. The integration challenge here is not simply migration, but creating robust, intelligent “wrappers” or API layers around existing systems. This allows modern AI and machine learning models to access, interpret, and leverage decades of operational and customer data without the prohibitive cost and risk of wholesale replacement. This layer of abstraction is the key to unlocking true enterprise-scale AI, transforming historical data from a liability into a strategic asset.

The organizations that will thrive are those that abandon the practice of building disparate, unconnected parts. The future belongs to the engineers of the system, those who recognize that competitive advantage lies in the seamless, intelligent, and immediate flow of data and action across the entire enterprise. It is a transition from a collection of specialized machines to a single, highly integrated, self-optimizing organism.

**(This is the second of a three-part series. Check out the first and parts on Capitol Communicator.)**
### Rao named editor at The Daily Record; news from Sage Growth Partners and Abel Communications
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/rao-named-editor-at-the-daily-record-news-from-sage-growth-partners-and-abel-communications/
Last updated: 2025-12-22T17:43:43.000Z
[**Sameer Rao**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sameer-rao-journalist/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **has been named editor of** [**The Daily Record.**](https://thedailyrecord.com/2025/12/09/sameer-rao-new-daily-record-editor/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) He replaces longtime editor **Thomas Baden Jr.**, who retired in June. Rao, in main image, comes to The Daily Record most recently from his position as the editor for the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., market of Technical.ly, a news organization focused on state, county and regional tech and startup ecosystems. His background includes roles as a legal industry reporter for Law360, arts and entertainment reporter for the Baltimore Sun, culture reporter for Colorlines and neighborhood editor for Philadelphia City Paper.

**Sage Growth Partners in Baltimore** has been awarded ‘Healthcare Marketing Campaign of the Year’ in the 2025 Ragan’s PR Daily Awards. Sage was recognized for its work with Gilchrist, a Baltimore-based nonprofit provider of hospice, end-of-life and palliative care services.

**Abel Communications added seven new clients**: the CASH Campaign of Maryland, experiential wellness and employee engagement company Wunsupona, the Maryland Center for History and Culture, Jay’s Catering, Baltimore School for the Arts, Protalent sports agency and The League for People with Disabilities.

*Main image of Sameer Rao via The Daily Record*
### A look forward to 2026 (Part 1): Why authenticity and agents will rule the future
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/a-look-forward-to-2026-why-authenticity-and-agents-will-rule-the-future-part-1/
Last updated: 2025-12-23T01:18:23.000Z
**By Greg Kihlström, *Principal*, The Agile Brand**

*This year, I got some help with my predictions. This is the first part part of a three-part series that blends my own thoughts about the year ahead with those of leading experts across Marketing, AI, Customer Experience and more. Let’s take a look at what the experts are saying.*

## ***Is the age of AI a threat to authenticity, or its greatest proving ground?***

As the initial, breathless hype cycle of artificial intelligence recedes, the landscape of 2026 is rapidly being defined not by the technology itself, but by the profound and often uncomfortable ways it is forcing us to redefine human connection and the modern workforce. For the executive class, the core prediction is this: the “new brand currency” will be nothing less than unvarnished authenticity. This shift mandates a re-evaluation of human capital, where employees must evolve from task executors into sophisticated managers of digital agents, and where emotional intelligence is set to transition from a soft skill to a hard, quantifiable metric for enterprise success and competitive advantage.

## The Authenticity Rebellion

By 2026, the novelty of AI-generated text and imagery will have worn off, triggering a consumer backlash against generic content. Rachel Sterling, CMO at Identity Digital, predicts that audiences will “tire of AI-generated content” and actively seek out “authenticity”. As a result, algorithms are expected to pivot, prioritizing “genuine tone and lived experience” over volume, favoring creativity that is clearly grounded in real human perspective.

This shift is driven by the saturation of what Elizabeth Maxson, CMO of Contentful, terms “AI workslop”—generic, low-value messaging that “dilutes brand identity and audience trust”. Organizations will likely find themselves spending more time cleaning up this low-quality output than they did creating it. Consequently, Lora Kratchounova notes that for challenger brands, “authenticity will be the new brand currency” that ultimately shapes buyer preferences.

An authentic brand in 2026 will be one that shows its work and speaks like a human, not a press release, says Emma Robinson, Canva’s B2B Marketing Lead. Gen Z has fundamentally different expectations—they’re visual-first (90% say they do their best work visually), they value experimentation, and they can spot manufactured authenticity instantly. Authentic brands will embrace visual storytelling that feels real rather than over-produced, they’ll show social impact when possible, and they’ll communicate in ways that match how people actually think and create.

Robinson notes that brands will “balance lo-fi, spontaneous content with thoughtfully designed brand moments—knowing that authenticity doesn’t mean abandoning brand standards, it means being flexible enough to meet audiences where they are.” These brands will also be transparent about how they use AI, maintaining the human oversight that Gen Z values while embracing the technology they’re excited to experiment with. Visual trends will come and go, but the brands that stay authentic to their core identity while adapting their expression will be the ones Gen Z—and Gen Alpha after them—choose.

## The Rise of the “Agent Manager”

While consumers demand more humanity, the internal structure of the workforce will change to accommodate “digital co-workers.” Neeraj Abhyankar of R Systems foresees AI evolving from simple tools into “autonomous agents” that act as colleagues with “defined responsibilities and KPIs”.

This evolution will fundamentally alter the definition of a knowledge worker. Kalpak Shah predicts that employees will become “agent managers,” marking a shift in enterprise user experience from learning complex menus to simply telling the system what needs to happen and supervising the results. This integration will be so profound that Tifenn Dano Kwan of Amplitude predicts “agent count” will become a standard organizational metric, appearing as the “third line in every org chart” alongside human headcount.

## Emotional Intelligence as the New KPI

In this automated landscape, the primary differentiator for brands will be their ability to forge an emotional bond. Ofir Krakowski, CEO of Deepdub, argues that as customer expectations rise, “emotional intelligence will become a tangible KPI” rather than a “nice-to-have”. This will be particularly relevant as text-based chatbots are replaced by AI voice agents, driving a “full shift to voice-first CX”.

This demand for personality extends beyond digital interfaces into physical spaces and loyalty programs. Joe Yetter, GM of PAR Engagement, asserts that the “biggest loyalty wins won’t come from points or punch cards; they’ll come from personality.” Furthermore, the physical store will transform into a “living, breathing brand moment,” where sound, scent, and design converge to create a seamless psychological experience. Even in global markets, the standard will be “hyper-local CX,” where customers expect service that matches their specific regional accents and cultural cues.

## What marketing leaders should do

To thrive in this new landscape, marketing leaders must move beyond passive observation and fundamentally restructure their operations. Based on expert predictions, here are three critical actions leaders should take immediately to align with the reality of 2026.

### Purge the “Workslop” and Reinvest in Creative Governance

Leaders must rigorously audit their content strategies to ensure AI is empowering creators, not replacing them. The cost of generating low-quality content has dropped to zero, but the cost of repairing a brand’s reputation is rising. Elizabeth Maxson, CMO at Contentful, advises leaders to recognize that “generic, low-value messaging—dilutes brand identity and audience trust,” forcing teams to spend valuable time “cleaning up” rather than creating.

- **The Move:** Stop viewing AI as a cost-cutting mechanism for content production. As Lora Kratchounova, Principal at Scratch Marketing + Media, warns: “Companies that try to save with AI as opposed to using AI to extend and empower their teams’ creativity and unique voices will end up putting their feet in their mouths”.

### Dismantle Silos to Build a Unified “Growth System”

The separation between brand building and demand generation is an obsolete artifact. To deliver the seamless, human-centric experiences customers demand, these functions must merge. Chris Todd, Principal of Marketing Operations at CTM, notes that “the problem today is that silos and specialization have created bottom-up KPIs” that fracture the customer view.

- **The Move:** Shift to unified success metrics. Erika Rollins, VP of Marketing and CX at CTM, predicts that the “smartest marketers will design demand campaigns that reinforce brand positioning,” effectively merging brand and demand into a “single, AI-powered growth system”.

### Formalize “Agent Management” as a Core Competency

Organizations need to prepare their human talent to manage their digital counterparts. This involves shifting the organizational mindset from “using software” to managing a workforce. Tifenn Dano Kwan, CMO of Amplitude, states that “a new organizational metric – agent count – will emerge as AI becomes a core part of how marketing (and every function) operates”.

- **The Move:** Redefine the role of knowledge workers. Kalpak Shah, Head of Tech, Internet, & Platforms at R Systems, advises that employees must transition into “agent managers” who “tell the system what needs to happen and supervise it” rather than navigating menus. Crucially, this requires discipline; as Unni Kurup, Director of Client Consulting & Strategy at Theorem, notes, “governance will become just as important as efficiency”.

## Summary

These predictions suggest a profound paradox: as Artificial Intelligence becomes increasingly autonomous, seamlessly integrated into our daily workflows, and undeniably ubiquitous, the intrinsic value and necessity of the human element will not only endure but will dramatically increase. This isn’t a retreat from technology, but a fundamental shift in how we leverage it.

In the realm of creation and communication, this paradox manifests clearly. A savvy marketer, for instance, will actively reject what can be termed “AI workslop”—the generic, algorithmically-generated content that lacks soul, authenticity, and distinction. Instead, the premium will be placed on genuine storytelling, compelling narratives, and emotional resonance that only human creativity and empathy can provide. AI will be the indispensable tool for hyper-segmentation, A/B testing, and distribution optimization, but the *message* itself—the spark that connects—must be authentically human-driven.

Similarly, in operations and customer experience, the role of the human manager will evolve from managing people to orchestrating a symphony of digital intelligence. The successful manager of 2026 will be the conductor of a team of digital agents, specialized AI bots, and sophisticated automation systems. Their value will lie in their ability to design complex processes, define nuanced strategic goals, and maintain the delicate balance between maximum efficiency and human-centric service delivery. This orchestration will allow for truly hyper-personalized service, where individual customer needs are met with precision and speed far exceeding current capabilities, but always under the strategic oversight and ethical guidance of a human leader.

The ultimate takeaway is this: the winners of 2026 will not be the organizations that simply adopt the most AI, but those who are most adept at using technology to fundamentally *amplify*, rather than indiscriminately *replace*, the human touch. This means using AI for scale, speed, and data crunching, thereby freeing up human capital to focus on high-judgment tasks, ethical decision-making, strategic innovation, and the deep, empathetic connections that form the bedrock of lasting customer and employee relationships. The future is not about less humanity, but about elevating the importance and impact of our most human qualities.

**(This is the first of a three-part series. The second and third parts are posted on Capitol Communicator.)**
### Looking ahead: 10 predictions we’re watching (and how to be ready)
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/looking-ahead-10-predictions-were-watching-and-how-to-be-ready/
Last updated: 2025-12-19T18:48:23.000Z
***By Hart editorial staff***

**With 2026 coming at us fast, here are the shifts we’re already seeing in how people consume information,** how trust is built (and lost) and how brands earn attention in a world where almost anything can be faked.

Chasing trends is exhausting and less rewarding than a slot machine. The real opportunity is in building a brand foundation that is strong enough to absorb change. When that foundation is in place, business trends are easier to navigate and far easier to turn into growth.

With that in mind, here are the 10 predictions on our 2026 bingo card. Some are unsettling, a few are funny and all are disarmingly honest. For each, we go beyond forecasting to offer practical, actionable guidance so you know what to prepare for, what to ignore and most importantly, what to lean into.

**1) AI gets harder to detect – and originality becomes the advantage again**

As AI gets smoother, “good enough” will be everywhere, as will content creators with nothing new to say. We’ll miss telltale em dashes and six-fingered models as we strain to weed out what is fake. Brands that find a way to sound unmistakably human with a clear POV will provide the moments that we collectively appreciate.

**\> Hart move:** Use AI for speed, not sameness, by employing *your* voice.

**2) The ego rebrand era cools off – and brand stewardship comes back**

The “new CEO, new logo” impulse is losing its shine. Stakeholders are savvy and audiences have no tolerance for a vanity refresh. The best brand work will be so truthful that it won’t need to explain itself.

**\> Hart move:** Pressure-test whether you need a rebrand; perhaps a refresh or repositioning will suffice. Then only launch if you have buy-in and a stiff upper lip to withstand the firestorm.

**3) Every brand wants to be a lifestyle brand – especially the ones without any style**

Lifestyle marketing has become so niche that every brand feels emboldened to create a lifestyle even if there isn’t an audience to support it. *Seasonal Decor Minimalist Core* or *Stationary Store Romanticism* doesn’t have to exist for a brand to find success.

**\> Hart move:** Define what you stand for (in plain English), then build content and experiences people actually want in their lives.

**4) Originality wins in the boring places – and that’s the point**

Don’t mistake spectacle for substance. Next year, brands will be defined by the everyday stuff: emails, landing pages, onboarding, sales materials, internal comms. Every touch point is an opportunity for personalization, but not every moment has to be an extravagant experience.

**\> Hart move:** Make the whole brand experience unmistakable in its intentionality and usefulness.

**5) Streaming gets more ad-supported – and fast forward “mysteriously” stops working**

More ads in streaming means one thing: your creative has to earn attention immediately. You don’t have 30 seconds. You have 0.2\. And the skip button has no patience.

**\> Hart move:** Build platform-native video that hooks fast, tells the truth and measures what matters (not just views).

**6) Second-screen behavior is welcomed – brands anticipate inevitable Google and AI searches**

Your campaign on the big screen now serves as a pointer to what people find when they search the little screen. The reviews, headlines, your site and your reputation found on handheld devices have to match the promise made on the big screen during live and streaming events.

**\> Hart move:** Align paid + search + site + PR to capitalize on curiosity.

**7) America’s 250th will spark a wave of “heritage” messaging – proceed with care**

Many brands will want to celebrate America’s 250th without accidentally stepping into a political debate they could never win. Value-led brands backed by real community action will beat generic flag waving.

**\> Hart move:** Storytelling that conveys nostalgia and core values pulls at heartstrings and protects trust.

**8) Micro-influencers keep rising – because credibility beats celebrity**

Reach is too easy to rent or fake. Trust is not. Niche creators with loyal audiences will keep outperforming, at least until they fall into the trap of becoming too big to trust.

**\> Hart move:** Build an agile creator program like a real channel: right-fit voices, smart briefs and measurement beyond likes, and adapt it as fast as the audience switches to new creators.

**9) We might see a recession – an attention recession**

Even if budgets hold, attention won’t. Audiences running their own AI detection radars will become fatigued and cynical. Brands that simplify, focus and show up consistently with honesty and a value-add will stand out.

**\> Hart move:** Pick fewer priorities, execute them exceptionally well and provide utility.

**10) PR gets cool again – because AI still needs a source**

As synthetic content grows, credibility regains its rightful place. Earned media, original reporting and real expertise will matter more. Bonus: journalists protect their jobs by leaning into what AI can’t do – local, investigative, breaking stories.

**\> Hart move:** Build thought leadership, then integrate PR with paid and owned so credibility spreads and reputation builds. The overarching theme here is that next year won’t reward brands that try to be everything to everyone. Instead, make your point, then prove it. The formula is that simple, yet also that hard.

**Every day greater.**
### 2026 Prediction: Agentic orchestration and reassertion of the human voice
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/2026-prediction-agentic-orchestration-and-reassertion-of-the-human-voice/
Last updated: 2025-12-20T14:11:35.000Z
**By Josh Greene, CEO, The Mather Group**

**We see two major trends in 2026**. They are Agentic Orchestration and the Reassertion of the Human Voice.

We’ll see a lot of publicity around Specialized Agents that can execute complex, role-specific workflows, shifting the human role from task supervisor to strategic director. However, this same saturation, and concurrent proliferation of AI-generated content (or “slop”) will create a massive opportunity for the human voice.

In an age of algorithm-driven homogeneity, authenticity, nuance, and grounded leadership will be a true competitive advantage. This includes a return to thoughtful, high-quality third-party earned media and the rise of micro-influencers as trusted sources.

To navigate the AI world, doubling down on the one thing a model cannot replicate is essential: human judgment and a real point of view.
### Agency Updates: Beekeeper Group and Glen Echo Group
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/agency-updates-beekeeper-group-and-glen-echo-group/
Last updated: 2025-12-17T22:24:41.000Z
[**Beekeeper Group**](https://beekeepergroup.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **adds** [**Lauren Tyler**](https://beekeepergroup.com/staff/lauren-tyler/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, in photo, as Chief of Staff.** According to the D.C.-based agency, she joins from Adfero, where she most recently served as Chief of Staff “and played a central role in scaling operations, strengthening cross-team strategy, and supporting high-impact public affairs work. At Beekeeper Group, she will lead firmwide coordination, serve as a strategic advisor, and help build the infrastructure behind the firm’s expanding portfolio and support the Hive’s next wave of growth.” According to the agency, she brings more than a decade of experience in public affairs, communications, and agency leadership. She is deeply involved with both the Public Affairs Council and Washington Women in Public Relations, where she was recently named to the 2026 Advisory Council; reflecting her ongoing commitment to supporting and elevating communications professionals across the region.

[**Glen Echo Group**](https://www.glenechogroup.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced the following promotions,** effective January 1, 2026:

- **Amy Schatz** and **Anne (Keeney) Weaver** have been promoted to executive vice presidents. They were previously senior vice presidents.
- **Brad Williamson** has been promoted to senior vice president. He was previously a vice president.
- **Lauren Gaydos** and **Dani Leopold Bogage** have been promoted to vice presidents. They were previously senior directors.
- **Carrie Hutcheson** and **Tommy Kaelin** have been promoted to senior directors. They were previously directors.
- **Bella Kerbers** has been promoted to senior associate. She was previously an associate.
### Capitol Communicator and CommPRO announce strategic union
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/capitol-communicator-and-commpro-announce-strategic-union/
Last updated: 2025-12-22T20:29:39.000Z
December 17, 2025, New York City and Washington, D.C.: Capitol Communicator, LLC**, and** [**CommPRO Digital Media Services, LLC**](https://www.commpro.biz/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **today announced a strategic union that brings together two respected media and events leaders wit**h complementary strengths, shared values and a unified vision for the future. According to the two companies, the purpose of the union will be to “combine capabilities, talent and resources, the organizations will deliver greater innovation, expanded reach and a more comprehensive suite of solutions for communications professionals.”

Capitol Communicator is a Washington, D.C.-based media and events company serving advertising, marketing, public relations, digital, service providers and media communications professionals. Through its digital magazine, newsletters and its Mid-Atlantic MarCom Summit, Capitol Communicator connects and informs the communications community, offering news, trends, education, networking, career insights and platforms for showcasing outstanding work.

CommPRO is a trusted publishing hub for the next generation of PR, IR and communications leaders, shaped by more than a decade of innovation and energy driving the industry forward. The platform delivers expert thought leadership across investor relations, corporate communications, journalism, PR, marketing and digital strategy. CommPRO features in-depth editorials, insights, reports and exclusive programming that helps professionals stay informed and ahead of what’s next. Events span webinars, virtual discussions and in-person town halls that bring the industry together for meaningful dialogue, learning and connection.

“The union will prioritize continuity for our clients while unlocking new opportunities through collaborative innovation. CommPRO’s integrity and passion are perfectly aligned with Capitol Communicator’s,” said Paul Duning, CEO and publisher of Capitol Communicator. “We are excited to share that our combined reach will expand to more than 100,000 AdMarCom professionals worldwide.”

“For more than 15 years, our organizations have focused on connecting communications professionals, keeping them informed and spotlighting creativity,” said Fay Shapiro, founder and publisher of CommPRO. “Our synergies and values have always been in sync, and the mutual respect between our brands runs deep. This union will deliver even greater value to our sponsors, members and subscribers.”

Both Capitol Communicator and CommPRO will continue to operate under their existing brands.

Media Contacts:

Paul Duning

Publisher

Capitol Communicator

[Paul.Duning@capitolcommunicator.com](mailto:Paul.Duning@capitolcommunicator.com)

Fay Shapiro

Publisher

CommPRO

[FayS@commpro.biz](mailto:FayS@commpro.biz)
### The new rules of PR heading into 2026: Why human connection still wins
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-new-rules-of-pr-heading-into-2026-why-human-connection-still-wins/
Last updated: 2025-12-17T17:54:06.000Z
**By Sean O’Leary, SVP, Susan Davis International**

In 2025, a press release can appear on hundreds of news feeds in seconds, and still be misread by an algorithm.

For PR professionals, it’s a new reality: speed is more important than ever, accuracy is hanging on by a thread, and a human connection is more crucial than ever. Media is changing because technology is reshaping how stories move and the PR playbook is being rewritten in real-time.

Heading into 2026, success for communicators will depend on faster reactions, smarter strategies, and a renewed focus on relationships.

**The Massive Impact of AI**

AI isn’t emerging anymore; it’s fully embedded in newsrooms. Algorithms now draft content, test headlines, populate feeds, and even decide which stories appear first.

The upside is reach: your story can appear in hundreds of places instantly. The downside is accuracy: AI can misread press releases, strip away context, or assign the wrong meaning to a quote. One small error can[ spread like wildfire](https://www.susandavis.com/the-unbearable-pain-of-asking-ai-bots-to-fix-incorrect-news-articles/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

For communicators, this changes everything. There may be no reporter to call or no editor to correct a misquote. Monitoring coverage now requires the same urgency as crisis response. Language matters more than ever, especially in headlines and summaries that AI is most likely to pull.

Yet technology has another effect, it makes human relationships more valuable. Knowing the journalists, producers, and hosts behind the platforms can determine whether errors get fixed or ignored. AI may distribute the story, but people still protect it.Trust and familiarity remain a PR professional’s strongest defense.

**Podcasts and the Shift in Influence**

If it feels like the written word is fading, it’s because podcasts are booming. Podcast audiences have grown significantly in recent years, making them a primary source of news, analysis, and commentary. Many journalists now host their own shows, and experts with niche perspectives reach loyal audiences without relying on traditional outlets.

Most importantly, the growth in podcasts has surged noticeably for people ages 35-64, as the [median age for a podcast listener is now 39](https://www.insideradio.com/free/podcasting-grows-up-older-listeners-drive-dramatic-shift-in-audience-age/article%5Fdbe20a6e-d6b9-43d0-b071-235f90712bf3.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), up from 34 just two years ago in 2023.

For PR, podcasts are gold. They allow time for explanation, space for nuance, and room for personality. Executives can speak like real people, not just sound bites or recycled talking points. Conversations continue building credibility long after they air, giving your story a longer life span than social media posts or press mentions.

In 2026, podcasts will not be a secondary tactic, they’re now central to reputation building, thought leadership, and visibility. Any communications plan without a podcast strategy is not just incomplete, it’s a missed opportunity.

**What This Means for PR in 2026**

Shrinking newsrooms remain a critical factor shaping PR today. Reporters cover more beats [with fewer resources](https://www.susandavis.com/as-newsrooms-shrink-heres-how-to-maximize-media-pitching-efforts/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). Stories are dropped not because they lack value, but because time runs out.

PR teams cannot change this reality, but they can respond. The most effective professionals will be clear, responsive, and helpful. They will provide background, visuals, and access before being asked. They will understand journalists’ pressures and work within them.

Audiences are harder to reach and easier to lose. Attention is limited. Trust is fragile. In this environment, clear and honest communication matters more than clever phrasing or sheer volume.

As we look toward 2026, the PR playbook continues to evolve. Plans must be flexible. Monitoring must be constant. Strategies must account for AI, podcasts, social platforms,and understaffed newsrooms all at once.

Still, one principle remains unchanged: relationships set great PR apart. Picking up the phone, being trusted, and understanding the human side of media remain the strongest advantage PR professionals have. Tools will keep changing, platforms will keep shifting, and those who adapt quickly while staying grounded in relationships will shape the stories everyone talks about.
### MPT’s Charles Robinson dies at age 69
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/mpts-charles-robinson-dies-at-age-69/
Last updated: 2025-12-17T14:33:57.000Z
**Charles F. Robinson III,** an award-winning journalist who served as a reporter and host for State Circle on Maryland Public Television’s News & Public Affairs team, died on December 15.

MPT shared the following on Facebook:

> We’re sad to report the news that our colleague and friend Charles Robinson died suddenly on Monday, December 15.  
>  
> Charles served as a political reporter for State Circle starting in 2001 and was also a correspondent for Your Money & Business during the weekly series’ 13-year run. In 2016, Charles was honored with a star on MPT’s Walk of Fame for his on-air contributions to our network.  
>  
> “Charles has been an integral part of MPT’s News & Public Affairs team for more than 24 years, bringing his knowledge and experience to the coverage of important Maryland stories. Our viewers have benefited greatly from Charles’s hard work and reporter’s acumen over these many years. I will miss him as a colleague and a friend and sincerely appreciate all the great work he contributed to our network,” said CEO **Steven Schupak**.

Born in Richmond, Robinson grew up in Baltimore and began his journalism career by delivering the Baltimore Afro-American newspaper while still in junior high school.

During Robinson’s career, he has worked as a reporter at WWBT-TV, Richmond; at WPEC-TV, West Palm Beach, Florida; and at WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, Ohio. He served as national correspondent for Black Entertainment Television.

The cause of death has not been released.
### 2026 Prediction: An AI reset is coming for PR leaders and media strategy
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/2026-prediction-an-ai-reset-is-coming-for-pr-leaders-and-media-strategy/
Last updated: 2025-12-17T17:57:38.000Z
**By Jeffrey Davis, APR,** [**J. Davis Public Relations, LLC**](https://www.jdprsocial.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **and Regional Editor, Capitol Communicator**

1\. AI acceptance to grow  
AI done the right way will become more accepted, much like the way it’s OK to use spell-check and conduct research online vs. the library. Some communicators will continue to dismiss AI after poor results, but that’s because of their weak prompts.

2\. More consumers will trust AI responses  
Acceptance of answers generated by AI searches will continue in 2026\. Sifting through a list of blue links will be seen as old school.

3\. Black-hat fight shifts to visibility in AI responses  
Demand for SEO tricks and shortcuts will continue, especially among companies chasing fast visibility or attempting to suppress content. In 2026, watch for black-hat SEO teams who will shift their manipulation tactics to AI, trying to influence query results.

4\. The self-proclaimed AI gurus will keep trying – and missing  
One week they claim it’s Reddit, next it’s a particular wire service. The latest guesses on the magic solution to what AI systems reference will prove unreliable. The solution is to feed the AI machine with credible earned media content. The signals AI trusts.

5\. Reporter education takes on new weight  
Newsroom cuts will continue to push seasoned journalists into PR and self-published platforms. That leaves early-career reporters and burned-out and overworked veterans to take on the work at traditional outlets. PR pros will work even harder to simplify pitches, offer background information and find the right niche outlets.
### Hart selected by Alexandria Economic Development Partnership for website, messaging and creative engagement
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/hart-selected-by-alexandria-economic-development-partnership-for-major-website-messaging-and-creative-engagement/
Last updated: 2025-12-16T19:13:20.000Z
[**Hart**](https://hartinc.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced that the** [**Alexandria Economic Development Partnership** ](https://alexandriaecon.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**(AEDP) selected the agency** to lead a comprehensive modernization of its website, messaging, video storytelling and marketing collateral. The decision follows a national competitive process with nearly 200 proposals submitted.

“Alexandria has an abundance of world-class assets and is second to none in authentic placemaking. There’s an incredible opportunity to amplify their story—one that connects its historic character with its bold vision for an innovation-driven future. That’s where Hart comes in. We’ll craft a clear, compelling narrative that attracts investment and confidence,” said **Amanda Marko**, managing director of Hart’s D.C. office.

Under the agreement, Hart will deliver a refreshed messaging framework, a full website redesign with improved user experience and accessibility, signature short-form videos and modern collateral that strengthens AEDP’s brand and engagement with site selectors, commercial real estate brokers and corporate leaders nationwide.

According to a release, the new engagement comes on the heels of a strong 2025, despite ongoing uncertainty in the national capital region. AEDP helped attract or retain more than 4,100 jobs and worked with the City of Alexandria to launch a new, community-informed economic development framework, shaped by more than 840 touchpoints.

(Image provided by Alexandria Economic Development Partnership)
### Kim Bolt joins Washington Spirit as Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/kim-bolt-joins-washington-spirit-as-chief-marketing-strategy-officer/
Last updated: 2025-12-15T23:54:17.000Z
**The** [**Washington Spirit**](https://washingtonspirit.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced the appointment of** [**Kim Bolt**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyjunewong/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **as Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer,** a newly created executive role that reflects the club’s continued evolution into a high-performance, growth-oriented organization, states a release.

Bolt transitions into the role after joining the Spirit earlier this season as Fractional Chief Marketing Officer, where, states the release, “she played a key role in strengthening the club’s marketing strategy, analytics foundation and demand-generation efforts during a pivotal stretch of the year. 

“In her expanded role, Bolt will oversee Marketing, Communications, Brand, Strategy and Analytics, with a mandate to build a modern, data-driven commercial engine that accelerates fan growth, deepens engagement, elevates the Spirit’s brand and supports the club’s long-term ambitions on and off the pitch.”

Bolt’s career includes leadership roles at Google, Lyft, Under Armour and Disney, as well as serving as Chief Marketing Officer of the Washington Nationals. Bolt has also advised League One Volleyball and served as Fractional CMO for OnDeck Partners, an Avenue Sports Fund portfolio company focused on minor league baseball.
### 2026 Prediction: The year will present “a unique opportunity” for clients seeking an agency
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/2026-will-be-a-unique-opportunity-for-clients-seeking-an-agency/
Last updated: 2025-12-17T01:14:45.000Z
**By Steve Drake, Principal, RFP Associates, LLC**

**The bloodletting in the multinational PR agency space this year** and last has created a unique opportunity for clients seeking an agency in 2026\. With so many highly-qualified pros either creating their own specialty/boutique firms or migrating to small- and mid-sized agencies, the field has broadened and become more competitive, to clients’ advantage.

The way agencies bill also will likely transition in the coming year, as the PR Council and other organizations advocate for changes in the traditional models of billing, given the influence of AI on the efficiencies of firms large and small.

The challenge for clients in 2026 will be finding these newer firms while also evaluating existing and better-known agencies and understanding how agencies are deploying AI to drive better outcomes and program effectiveness.

It can be confusing and overwhelming, but employing a focused and methodical process will help clients identify, examine and sort through candidate agencies, and hire the right firm for them in 2026.
### In the News: The Wayfinder Group, The Herald Group and IMG
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/in-the-news-the-wayfinder-group-the-herald-group-and-img/
Last updated: 2025-12-14T14:53:01.000Z
[**The Wayfinder Group** ](https://wfgrp.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**announced its official launch with offices in D.C. and Hawaiʻi** “uniquely positioning the firm to operate at the intersection of the public and private sector. From its dual locations, the firm will provide government relations, public affairs, communications, marketing and community outreach services. It aims to help clients navigate the local, state and federal landscape to deliver successful outcomes. Founding partners **Andy Winer, John White** and **Jesse McCollum** bring decades of combined experience working with elected officials and organizations big and small – from Fortune 500 companies to local nonprofits in Hawaiʻi and across the country.”

“Our team is built to connect Hawaiʻi, Washington, D.C., and communities across the country in ways few firms can,” Winer said. “With two senior alumni from Sen. Schatz’s office and decades of experience in the public and private sectors, we understand both the local realities and the federal levers that shape outcomes nationwide.

[**The Herald Group**](https://theheraldgroup.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **adds Brad Whitford as chief creative officer.** With 18 years of experience shaping campaigns for Fortune 50 brands, global nonprofits and innovative startups, Whitford brings a deep track record at the intersection of creativity and public affairs. He joins THG from DDC Public Affairs, where he served as senior vice president and creative director. Prior to DDC, Whitford worked as vice president and design director at The Glover Park Group for eight years.

[**IMG**](https://interfacemedia.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **launched a full-service event production service**, “helmed by veteran Executive Event Planner Colin Stewart. With over 30 years of experience producing unforgettable live, virtual, and hybrid experiences, Colin brings a rare mix of creative vision, strategic insight, and operational precision.”
### “Questions of accuracy arise as Washington Post uses AI to create personalized podcasts,” states NPR
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/questions-of-accuracy-arise-as-washington-post-uses-ai-to-create-personalized-podcasts-states-npr/
Last updated: 2025-12-14T14:51:29.000Z
***The Washington Post*‘s new offering, “Your Personal Podcast,” uses artificial intelligence to customize podcasts for its users,** blending the algorithm you might find in a news feed with the convenience of portable audio, reports [NPR](https://www.npr.org/2025/12/13/nx-s1-5641047/washington-posts-ai-podcast?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The podcast, continues NPR, ” is “personalized automatically based on your reading history” of *Post* articles, [the newspaper says](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/articles/44243916498587-Your-Personal-Podcast?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) on its help page. Listeners also have some control: At the click of a button, they can alter their podcast’s topic mix — or even swap its computer-generated “hosts.”

“The AI podcast immediately made headlines — and drew criticisms from people[ questioning its accuracy](https://www.semafor.com/article/12/11/2025/washington-posts-ai-generated-podcasts-rife-with-errors-fictional-quotes?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), and the motives behind it.

“Nicholas Quah, a critic and staff writer for Vulture and *New York* magazinewhowrites a newsletter about podcasts, says the AI podcast is an example of the *Post*‘s wide-ranging digital experiments — but one that didn’t go quite right.”
### A “harsh reality” going into 2026 and beyond
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/a-harsh-reality-going-into-2026-and-beyond/
Last updated: 2025-12-12T17:12:27.000Z
**Days after Omnicom closed its** [**acquisition of Interpublic Group**](https://www.adweek.com/agencies/omnicom-closes-13b-ipg-deal-uniting-rivals-in-industry-shaping-merger/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, reports** [**ADWEEK**](https://www.adweek.com/agencies/exclusive-how-omnicom-stole-christmas-week-and-nixed-other-perks-from-ipgs-benefits-package/?utm%5Fsource=Iterable&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=campaign%5F15968965%5FADWEEK%5FAlert%5F251204&lctg=f16e3826-0f26-4268-97fd-b81e42e1a1e6)**,** “U.S. employees returned from Thanksgiving break to a harsh reality: thousands of layoffs, dissolved agencies, and a new benefits package that workers describe as “the worst \[they’ve\] ever had.”

“Employee handbooks and benefits documents obtained by ADWEEK show the new Omnicom’s policies are a significant downgrade from IPG’s legacy package in the U.S.

“Those coming from IPG will lose a number of paid vacation days while trading in for reduced parental leave and holiday time, new severance limits, health plans that can result in higher costs, and a return-to-office requirement that affects raises and severance eligibility.”

Unfortunately, this “harsh reality” may become a growing reality as more and more companies and agencies are acquired.

Acquisitions, states an online item, can significantly impact employees through uncertainty, stress, culture clashes, and potential job losses in redundant roles (like middle management, marketing), but also bring new opportunities, growth, training, and potential for better benefits or larger company resources, with outcomes heavily depending on communication and integration quality. Employees often face job insecurity, new bosses, different systems, and altered benefits, leading to anxiety, while some might find career advancement in the larger entity.

The online item adds the following about the common challenges following an acquisition:

- [**Cultural Clash**](https://www.google.com/search?q=Cultural+Clash&oq=what+happens+to+c+orporate+culture+afrer+acquisiti0on&gs%5Flcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigATIJCAQQIRgKGKABMgcIBRAhGI8C0gEJMjEyNTdqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&mstk=AUtExfB3tw%5FoPUfc19CB2tZ6YL1FjUTUR-ggrUzLS-LmAm1IwWVgLw5knspzqPnfv1X3dqWBZEobNOo-1%5FQqFkPZFl4W6TiGSkCyWRl5pKEVmqidR2a8b1Ng4taf-%5FG%5FnoQrlutKeh3Gxb5ROEPgtzbGkMcrc0zdBIZXhbOpy48cHrdXNDc&csui=3&ved=2ahUKEwi8qbWFqbaRAxULE1kFHQ8DN4oQgK4QegQIAxAB&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**:** Differences in work styles, decision-making, and core values between the two companies create friction, stress, and confusion.
- [**Loss of Identity**](https://www.google.com/search?q=Loss+of+Identity&oq=what+happens+to+c+orporate+culture+afrer+acquisiti0on&gs%5Flcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigATIJCAQQIRgKGKABMgcIBRAhGI8C0gEJMjEyNTdqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&mstk=AUtExfB3tw%5FoPUfc19CB2tZ6YL1FjUTUR-ggrUzLS-LmAm1IwWVgLw5knspzqPnfv1X3dqWBZEobNOo-1%5FQqFkPZFl4W6TiGSkCyWRl5pKEVmqidR2a8b1Ng4taf-%5FG%5FnoQrlutKeh3Gxb5ROEPgtzbGkMcrc0zdBIZXhbOpy48cHrdXNDc&csui=3&ved=2ahUKEwi8qbWFqbaRAxULE1kFHQ8DN4oQgK4QegQIAxAD&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**:** Employees feel their unique company’s values, traditions, and sense of belonging disappear, leading to low morale.
- [**Uncertainty & Fear**](https://www.google.com/search?q=Uncertainty+%26+Fear&oq=what+happens+to+c+orporate+culture+afrer+acquisiti0on&gs%5Flcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigATIJCAQQIRgKGKABMgcIBRAhGI8C0gEJMjEyNTdqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&mstk=AUtExfB3tw%5FoPUfc19CB2tZ6YL1FjUTUR-ggrUzLS-LmAm1IwWVgLw5knspzqPnfv1X3dqWBZEobNOo-1%5FQqFkPZFl4W6TiGSkCyWRl5pKEVmqidR2a8b1Ng4taf-%5FG%5FnoQrlutKeh3Gxb5ROEPgtzbGkMcrc0zdBIZXhbOpy48cHrdXNDc&csui=3&ved=2ahUKEwi8qbWFqbaRAxULE1kFHQ8DN4oQgK4QegQIAxAF&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**:** Employees worry about job security, changing roles, and what the new company stands for, creating confusion about priorities and standards.
- [**Communication Gaps**](https://www.google.com/search?q=Communication+Gaps&oq=what+happens+to+c+orporate+culture+afrer+acquisiti0on&gs%5Flcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigATIJCAQQIRgKGKABMgcIBRAhGI8C0gEJMjEyNTdqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&mstk=AUtExfB3tw%5FoPUfc19CB2tZ6YL1FjUTUR-ggrUzLS-LmAm1IwWVgLw5knspzqPnfv1X3dqWBZEobNOo-1%5FQqFkPZFl4W6TiGSkCyWRl5pKEVmqidR2a8b1Ng4taf-%5FG%5FnoQrlutKeh3Gxb5ROEPgtzbGkMcrc0zdBIZXhbOpy48cHrdXNDc&csui=3&ved=2ahUKEwi8qbWFqbaRAxULE1kFHQ8DN4oQgK4QegQIAxAH&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**:** Lack of clear, consistent communication from leadership exacerbates anxiety and mistrust.

The reality is that there will be a significant number of acquisitions in coming years, with employees impacted by changes in corporate culture and corporate policies; plus the impact of senior-level changes related to the culture of organizations.

The bottom line is that while the spotlight is on money in business-related changes, the reality is that the employees also will pay the price – financially and emotionally.
### 2026 Prediction: PR and communications industry’s consolidation accelerates “dramatically”
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/2026-prediction-pr-and-communications-industrys-consolidation-accelerates-dramatically/
Last updated: 2025-12-17T17:56:31.000Z
**By Robert Udowitz, Senior Associate, Gould+Partners** 

**In the M&A marketplace, 2026 will be remembered as the year the PR and communications industry’s consolidation accelerated dramatically,** but only for the agencies that were truly ready and appropriately prepared – financially, operationally, and strategically – to justify the highest valuation, enabling them to exit with the most favorable terms.

The agencies that treated 2024–2025 as their “pre-sale sprint”—cleaning books, derisking operations, and sharpening their strategic story—will achieve life-changing exits at peak-of-market valuations. Those that wait until a buyer knocks will discover that, in this cycle, the knock never comes—or comes with terms that feel like a fire sale.

The victors will largely exit to the new wave of consolidators, where AI will be the great equalizer—private-equity-backed “PR platforms,” global marketing services holding companies, and tech-enabled marcom roll-ups—that are sitting on record dry powder specifically earmarked for PR and communications assets. Again, AI will join PE platforms as “innovation engines.”
### WWPR announces 2026 Board of Directors and Advisory Council
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/wwpr-announces-2026-board-of-directors-and-advisory-council/
Last updated: 2025-12-13T16:52:05.000Z
[Washington Women in Public Relations](https://wwpr.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) (WWPR), announced its 2026 Board of Directors. The newly elected Board is as follows:

**President:** Charmaine Riley | American Beverage (in photo)  
**Past President:** Colleen Gallagher | OnWrd & UpWrd  
**Vice President:** Vanessa French | Vanessa French Consulting  
**Secretary:** Tisa Sinclair | AARP  
**Treasurer:** Bridgette Dodge | Edelman  
**Operations Chair:** Julie McDowell | College of American Pathologists  
**Content and Digital Marketing Co-Chair:** Elisa O’Halloran | U.S. Department of Agriculture  
**Content and Digital Marketing Co-Chair:** Kamica Price | Vectorworks, Inc.  
**Content and Digital Marketing Co-Chair:** Kate Keverline | The Carlyle Group  
**Emerging Leaders Awards Co-Chair:** Isabel Aldunate | MatchPoint Strategies  
**Emerging Leaders Awards Co-Chair:** Janae Washington | Information Technology Industry Council  
**Membership Co-Chair:** Kate Urbach | Curley Company  
**Membership Co-Chair:** Tiffanie Rosier | Hotwire & ROI DNA  
**Pro Bono & Social Impact Co-Chair:** Alicia Aebersold | American Psychological Association  
**Pro Bono & Social Impact Co-Chair:** Christina Crawley | Virtuosa  
**Professional Development Co-Chair:** Courtney Bailey | Meta Platforms, Inc.  
**Professional Development Co-Chair:** Kim Kinser | Communications and Strategy Consultant  
**Social Media Chair:** Melanie Vynalek | Adfero  
**Woman of the Year Co-Chair:** Adiya Mobley | Mission to Movement Worldwide  
**Woman of the Year Co-Chair:** Marie Baldassarre | Office of Congressman Ro Khanna

All WWPR members were invited to participate in the online voting process for the 2026 Board in November 2025.

A release states that for more than four decades, WWPR has cultivated and inspired female communicators to reach their full potential in the D.C. market and beyond. The Board of Directors plays a central role in guiding the organization and delivering leadership opportunities, professional development, mentoring, community partnerships, and industry networking.
### Avoq names two practice leaders in D.C.
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/avoq-names-two-practice-leaders-in-d-c/
Last updated: 2025-12-12T16:13:30.000Z
[ **Avoq** ](https://teamavoq.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**adds two new senior hires who, states a release, “will lead key practice areas** created as part of the firm’s strategic reorganization this year.” **Jeff Smokler,** left in photo, joins as Public Affairs Practice Lead and **Yoni Gedan,** right in photo, joins as Audience Intelligence & Performance Practice Lead.

“Jeff and Yoni are exceptional leaders whose depth of experience, innovative thinking combined with a commitment to excellence will advance our offerings and further empower our teams,” said **Molly Scherrman**, Chief Operating Officer. “Our reorganization was designed to elevate new leaders and meet clients’ growing need for coordinated, expert capabilities that move audiences and create outcomes.”

According to the agency:

Smokler most recently served as Chief Brand Officer at Gravie, where he strengthened brand awareness and oversaw marketing across channels and while leading customer insights and member communications. Prior to Gravie, Smokler was partner and president at imre, where he transformed the firm’s healthcare practice into a global Top 100 healthcare marketing leader, generating significant growth and earning multiple industry accolades. He has held senior executive roles at Weber Shandwick and led public affairs and external communications for Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Gedan previously served as SVP at Edelman Intelligence and co-founded a market research technology company that advanced online, digital, and mobile creative testing. Earlier in his career at Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates, he co-founded the Internet Surveys Group.

Smokler and Gedanstep into newly created leadership roles aligned with Avoq’s redefined practice areas of: Audience Intelligence & Performance, Creative & Production, Media Network, Public Affairs, Reputation Management, and Government Relations.
### Imre taps Ogilvy’s Nadine Lafond as CEO
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/imre-taps-ogilvys-nadine-lafond-as-ceo/
Last updated: 2025-12-12T21:27:02.000Z
[**Imre**](https://www.imre.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **has appointed Nadine Lafond as chief executive officer.** According to a release, “her arrival comes at a pivotal moment as AI fundamentally reshapes how consumers access and interpret health information. A key priority under Lafond’s leadership will be expanding the Imre Conversation Converter, the agency’s AI visibility and optimization engine that helps clients ensure their content remains clear, discoverable, and actionable across AI-driven formats.

“The world isn’t waiting, and neither are our clients,” Lafond said in a release. “Our industry hasn’t evolved its business model fast enough. This is Imre’s moment to rethink how agencies create value—with more agility, more consulting rigor, and a deeper focus on innovation and outcomes.”

The release states Lafond has spent more than a decade at Ogilvy Health North America, most recently as Chief Client Officer for North America and President of Ogilvy Health Canada, where she led major U.S. businesses, drove growth across cardiometabolic, neurology, oncology, and rare disease, and helped healthcare consolidation efforts. Earlier in her career, she was part of the health capability at TANK Worldwide at its inception, where she helped shape early momentum and developed the entrepreneurial fiber that continues to define her leadership today.

“From my first conversation with Nadine, her energy, strategic clarity, and leadership were immediately evident,” said **Becky Chidester**, executive chair of the Imre Board. “She brings the forward-looking vision this moment demands—a leader who not only inspires teams, but can mobilize our services to deliver the speed, agility, and responsiveness clients need. Healthcare brands are operating under compressed timelines and rising pressure for immediate outcomes. I’m confident Nadine is the right leader to help Imre deliver on this urgency.”
### Burson adds three key D.C.-based staff to its U.S. Corporate & Public Affairs practice
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/burson-adds-three-key-d-c-based-staff-to-its-u-s-corporate-public-affairs-practice/
Last updated: 2025-12-11T22:38:03.000Z
[**Burson**](https://www.bursonglobal.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced three D.C.-based hires in its U.S. Corporate & Public Affairs practice,** each of whom, states a release, “brings considerable experience in public affairs, crisis and issues management, government service and public advocacy to their new roles.” The trio are **Bruce Haynes, Randy DeCleene** and **Eric Watnik.**

“Business leaders are facing unprecedented and continuous disruption – from geopolitical turbulence to a hyper-fragmented media landscape,” said **Craig Buchholz**, U.S. CEO, Burson. “Bruce, Randy and Eric’s considerable experience at the intersection of policy, regulatory, corporate communications and strategy will be invaluable in helping our growing roster of clients build, promote and protect their reputations through continuous pressures.”

A Burson release states:

**Bruce Haynes joins as U.S. Head of Public Affairs.** Most recently, Haynes was Senior Vice President, Corporate and External Affairs for Charles River Laboratories, leading comprehensive strategies to manage corporate reputation with key stakeholders. Before that he spent four years as Global Co-Chair of Crisis Communications and Issues Management at FGS Global (and before that Sard Verbinnen) providing public affairs and strategic communications counsel on transformative high-stakes situations that affect reputation and value, including M&A (CFIUS, anti-trust and other regulatory matters), crises, government oversight and investigations, issues management, and policy positioning. Haynes also spent nearly 10 years with Purple Strategies, as President and a Founding Partner.

**Randy DeCleene joins as an Executive Vice President**. Before Burson, DeCleene was Chief Communications and Development Officer for The Fund for American Studies, overseeing all aspects of communications, development and fundraising. Prior to that, he spent 12 years with D.C.-based kglobal, ultimately leading all elements of client service, business development, finance and operations. Earlier, he served in the United States Department of Defense as Special Assistant for Strategic Communications (SES) to Pete Geren, Secretary of the Army. He also served as a Senior Advisor to the Commanding General of the Third Infantry Division in northern Iraq from January 2010 until January 2011 and as Vice President Dick Cheney’s Deputy Press Secretary from 2004 to 2005.

**Eric Watnik joins as an Executive Vice President.** Watnik comes to the agency after 26 years at the United States State Department, most recently as Senior Advisor for the Americas, where he drove cross-agency communications strategy for a major White House initiative focused on Latin America; managed high-level stakeholder alignment, media engagement, and narrative development in support of U.S. foreign policy goals; led interagency messaging across Cabinet-level departments to support senior diplomatic travel and policy rollout; and managed high-stakes inquiries and sensitive diplomatic messaging in complex environments.
### 2025 Association Insights CommImpact Awards winners announced
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/2025-association-insights-commimpact-awards-winners-announced/
Last updated: 2025-12-11T01:16:37.000Z
**Awards celebrate exceptional communications leadership** 
**across the association sector**

[**OnWrd & UpWrd Marketing and Communications, Inc**](https://onwrdupwrd.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)., publisher of the Association Insights newsletter and podcast, announced the winners of the [2025 Association Insights CommImpact Awards](https://21654617.hs-sites.com/a100-commimpact-awards?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). These awards honor the achievements of associations across North America whose communications, storytelling and engagement efforts set new standards of excellence.

Winners were recognized during a live virtual ceremony broadcast, above, on O&U’s YouTube channel.

The Association Insights CommImpact Awards celebrate excellence in eight core categories: Advocacy Excellence, Best Media Relations Campaign, Innovative Content Strategy, Thought Leadership & Research, Effective Member Engagement Initiative, Event Promotion, Outstanding Internal Communications and Leadership in Public Awareness Campaign.

“Each of this year’s winners demonstrated extraordinary creativity, strategy and purpose,” said **Colleen Gallagher,** president and CEO of OnWrd & UpWrd. “Their work moves industries forward, strengthens member communities and shows the power of communication to drive meaningful impact. We’re thrilled to honor campaigns that not only achieved impressive results but elevated what’s possible in association communications.”

## **2025 Association Insights CommImpact Award Winners**

### **Advocacy Excellence: American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)**  
For their National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) campaign, which cut through a highly politicized public health environment with trusted, compassionate messaging from family physicians—reaching millions and strengthening vaccine confidence nationwide.

**Best Media Relations Campaign: NTM Info & Research (NTMir)**  
For World NTM Day 2025, a bilingual, global media campaign that spotlighted an underrecognized lung disease through expert storytelling, national broadcast outreach, and strategic partnerships—achieving nearly 200 million impressions across 25 countries.

**Innovative Content Strategy: College of American Pathologists (CAP)**  
For developing a dynamic, multi-channel content ecosystem—including rapid-response advocacy communications, cinematic podcast storytelling, platform-specific campaigns, and optimized digital experiences—that advanced education, engagement, and member value.

**Thought Leadership & Research: Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP)**  
For transforming the release of ICH E6(R3)—a major global regulatory update—into a comprehensive, expertly informed suite of educational resources, tools, webinars, and trainings that reached tens of thousands of clinical research professionals worldwide.

**Effective Member Engagement Initiative: American Bus Association (ABA)**  
For the ABA News Center, a modern digital hub that amplifies member stories, deepens community engagement, and delivers high-value industry content—driving significant increases in visibility, interaction, and cross-channel participation.

**Event Promotion: Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA) with Media Source**  
For their campaign promoting International Plasma Awareness Week (IPAW) 2025, leveraging national survey data, compelling patient storytelling, a virtual media tour, and a multimedia newsroom to drive exceptional visibility and public action.

### **Outstanding Internal Communications: National Society of Compliance Professionals (NSCP)**  
For a thoughtful, people-first succession communications strategy that aligned staff, Board leadership, and stakeholders ahead of the transition to a new Executive Director—ensuring clarity, stability, and trust through every step of the process.

### **Leadership in Public Awareness Campaign: Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB)**  
For the “Care Matters” PSA campaign, a moving, story-driven public awareness effort that highlighted the vital role of state medical boards in safeguarding patient trust—earning more than 44 million views across platforms.

The work of this year’s honorees showcases how strategic, human-centered communication can strengthen industries, elevate public understanding and empower members and communities, states a release.
### Spectrum Science unifies companies under single brand
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/spectrum-science-unifies-portfolio-companies-under-single-brand/
Last updated: 2025-12-10T21:08:29.000Z
[**Spectrum Science**](http://spectrumscience.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced the unification of its suite of brands**—**Aurora, Continuum Clinical, CrowdPharm and Hot Iron Health**—**under the Spectrum Science name.** According to a release from D.C.-based Spectrum Science, “clients, partners, and the market-at-large will experience the same high-caliber expertise, innovation, and collaborative spirit they’ve come to expect, now amplified by the clarity and strength of one unified brand.”

“This evolution is about more than simplifying our name—it’s about reinforcing the power of our independent strategic platform and how we serve clients,” said **Amy Hutnik**, (in photo), President and Chief Commercial Officer of Spectrum Science. “We’ve been operating as one integrated team for years, and now our brand identity reflects that reality. This shift ensures we can deliver even greater impact by seamlessly connecting our capabilities across every stage of the product and company lifecycle.”

“In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, clients are increasingly seeking strategic, independent and integrated solutions that deliver the ability to achieve brand or company objectives with a singular partner operating in an agile model,” said **Tim Goddard**, Chief Growth Officer of Spectrum Science. “Spectrum has been purposefully built to meet clients where they are, and flex in real-time with the ever-evolving needs and industry demand. Our individual agencies have an incredible reputation for driving momentum in each vertical we serve. By unifying our branding, clients and prospects can more easily access the exponential impact delivered by the connected offerings assembled within our strategic platform.”

As part of this transition, Spectrum’s brands will evolve into a unified structure and will now live as Spectrum Science Advertising, Consulting, Clinical, Communications, Media, Medical Communications and Patient Engagement services.
### Higher Logic names former IBM leader Marius Ciortea its Chief Community Officer
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/higher-logic-names-former-ibm-leader-marius-ciortea-its-chief-community-officer/
Last updated: 2025-12-10T20:30:10.000Z
[**Higher Logic**](http://www.higherlogic.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, the Arlington, Va-based community and engagement platform for enterprise companies, announced the appointment of Marius Ciortea as Chief Community Officer (CCO).**

At IBM**,** states a release, Ciortea oversaw the evolution of IBM’s global community ecosystem, working closely with Higher Logic as an enterprise-scale customer and strategic platform partner. A recognized leader in enterprise community strategy and AI-driven engagement, Ciortea joins Higher Logic as the company accelerates its mission to deliver smarter, outcomes-focused community experiences.

“Marius is a visionary leader with a proven track record of transforming large-scale community ecosystems,” said **Rob Wenger**, CEO of Higher Logic. “His background working across global community teams gives him a unique understanding of how enterprise organizations operate and what they need from an engagement platform to be successful today and in the future. We’re excited to welcome him to our executive team.”

In his role as CCO, states the release, “Ciortea and his team will guide Higher Logic’s community strategy and vision, collaborating closely with product, customer success, and innovation teams as the company expands its AI capabilities and elevates customer engagement at scale. Ciortea’s appointment reinforces Higher Logic’s commitment to innovation, customer partnership, and industry leadership. As the engagement landscape evolves, his experience applying AI to community ecosystems brings an unmatched perspective to Higher Logic’s strategic roadmap.”

“Community is entering a new chapter, one where AI and human connection work together to deliver measurable value, deeper relationships, and scalable outcomes,” said Ciortea. “Higher Logic is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation. I’m excited to help shape the next generation of engagement technology and work alongside customers who are redefining what community can achieve.”
### Facebook redesign focuses on Gen Z and making the platform feel more like Instagram
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/facebook-redesign-focuses-on-gen-z-and-making-the-platform-feel-more-like-instagram/
Last updated: 2025-12-10T16:11:38.000Z
[**Meta**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meta%5FPlatforms?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **is in the process of revamping its original social platform**, announcing a Facebook redesign aimed at promoting popular features among younger users, such as Marketplace and Reels, reports [MediaPost.](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/411262/meta-prioritizes-gen-z-in-facebook-redesign.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

MediaPost states: “Although it is the most-used social media platform in the world, touting 3 billion users globally, usage [has remained somewhat flat](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/02/02/5-facts-about-how-americans-use-facebook-two-decades-after-its-launch/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) in key markets like the United States, and American teens’ engagement in the app [has plummeted](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/02/02/5-facts-about-how-americans-use-facebook-two-decades-after-its-launch/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) over the past decade, according to Pew Research Center.

“With Meta’s investment priorities changing — having recently planned to [cut 30% of its metaverse Reality Labs budget](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/411154/meta-reportedly-plans-big-metaverse-cuts.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) — the company is undergoing its largest app revamp in years, attempting to “help cut through the clutter” and make the app easier to use, according to a Meta blog post.”

In addition, “Marketplace — used by one in four young adult daily active Facebook users across North America — will soon be moved from the “More” option and placed “front-and-center” in the tab bar alongside the Reels, Friends, and Profile hubs, making it more accessible upon opening the app.”

One online report stated that “Facebook redesigns and feature updates heavily focus on making the platform feel more like Instagram, emphasizing visual content (Reels, cleaner photo grids), friend interactions (bubbles), simpler navigation, and discovery, borrowing from Instagram’s simpler, visual-first approach to compete with TikTok and re-engage younger users, moving away from the cluttered, text-heavy feed.”

.
### Yes& adds Jean Hitchcock as senior healthcare advisor
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/yes-adds-jean-hitchcock-as-senior-healthcare-advisor/
Last updated: 2025-12-09T23:27:36.000Z
**Veteran Healthcare Strategist Will Amplify Agency’s** 
**Expanding Healthcare Practice**

[**Yes&**](https://yesandagency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **recruited Jean Hitchcock as Senior Healthcare Advisor.** A veteran strategist with 20+ years of experience in the healthcare system and at healthcare marketing communications firms, Hitchcock, states a release, “will lead strategy for the agency’s rapidly expanding healthcare offerings.

“Hitchcock spent seven years on the leadership team at Scripps Health, where she ran marketing communications for five hospitals, 13 clinics, 2,660 physicians and 12,000 employees. She served 4.5 years as marketing communications lead for MedStar Health’s $4.5 Billion Washington D.C.-area operations and held the role of VP, Marketing Communications for Phoenix Children’s Hospital before running her own healthcare marcomms advisory shop.”

“Jean is a visionary marcom leader who combines extensive consulting and corporate experience in healthcare,” said **Bob Sprague**, Founder and Managing Partner, Yes&. “She has strong relationships in—and a deep knowledge of—all aspects of the healthcare industry. Jean managed, survived, and succeeded through mergers, acquisitions, system branding and too many crises to mention.”

“Yes& has earned its reputation through outstanding work and a culture rooted in strategic business partnership,” said Hitchcock. “Their ability to help healthcare organizations build powerful brands and accelerate growth is unmatched. I’m excited to contribute to the next chapter of impact for our clients.” In addition to her work commitments, Hitchcock serves on the board of Doctivity Health and Digital Health Strategies and is a strategic advisor for Altitude Ventures.

Hitchcock, continues the release, “joins Yes& in the midst of an aggressive growth trajectory. In the past 18 months, the agency has added key executive roles; launched a major rebranding and acquired four leading companies across multiple sectors, including a creative hot shop, a long-established full-service agency, a B2B agency and a communications training/crisis communications firm.”

Serving clients nationwide, Yes& maintains hubs in the Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Atlanta areas. The agency delivers “positivity + possibility” through an expanding suite of capabilities, including branding, digital, analytics, media, advertising, customer experience (CX), market research, content development, studio services, event production, crisis communications, media training, and public relations. Clients include FEMA, Mercedes-Benz, IHG Hotels, Pirelli, Disney, the U.S. State Department, the Smithsonian Institution, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Pfizer, Google, the University of Virginia, the U.S. Mint, Akima, FINRA and the Society for Human Resource Management.
### Meta removed millions of scam ads in 2025
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/meta-removes-millions-of-scam-ads-in-2025/
Last updated: 2025-12-09T21:07:01.000Z
**Meta Platforms removed more than 134 million scam advertisements** across its [family of apps in 2025.](https://www.digitalinformationworld.com/2022/10/meta-publishes-its-q3-earnings-report.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) The company also disrupted nearly 12 million accounts linked to organized criminal operations in the first half of the year, reports [Digital Information World](https://www.digitalinformationworld.com/2025/12/meta-removes-134-million-scam-ads-and.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Meta’s actions, continues DIW, “extend across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The social media giant says it has expanded artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology to detect and remove content exploiting celebrity images for scams.

“The company uses the Fraud Intelligence Reciprocal Exchange to share information with more than 70 financial institutions. It also participates in the Global Signal Exchange to track scam tactics with other tech firms and regulators.

“Meta has collaborated with law enforcement, including the FBI and Singaporean authorities, to dismantle illegal operations and remove thousands of accounts tied to cyber scam networks.

“Despite these measures, [Meta earns an estimated $16 billion annually from scam-linked advertising revenue.”](https://www.digitalinformationworld.com/2025/11/15-billion-scam-ads-every-day-how-metas.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### WTOP’s Bob Immler retires after decades covering area traffic
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/wtops-bob-immler-retires-after-over-four-decades-covering-area-traffic/
Last updated: 2025-12-08T12:10:46.000Z
**WTOP traffic reporter** [**Bob Immler**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-immler-42852660/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **has retired** after over four decades in the traffic business, reports WTOP.

WTOP states that “Immler started reporting in 1982 in Baltimore as a mobile unit. This was long before the days of traffic cameras, Google Maps and other digital tools. His work was hands-on, intuitive and deeply rooted in understanding the D.C. region’s roadways

“When he joined WTOP in 2010, the station had just brought its traffic team in-house. Immler worked alongside another Bob in the form of traffic guru **Bob Marbourg**.

“Immler’s opening salvo was during the infamous “Carmageddon Snowstorm” on Jan. 26, 2011, when traffic degenerated into gridlock on a sheet of ice and half a foot of snow. It was a night when countless numbers of commuters slept in their cars.”

WTOP Traffic reporter **Dave Dildine** called Immler “a world of expertise and an encyclopedia of highway history.”

“It’s been a privilege working with someone who, with his vast understanding and reservoir of D.C. and Baltimore highway history, can effortlessly sift through all the noise and misinformation and instinctively arrive at accurate conclusions with ease,” Dildine said. “He’s definitely been my rock here for the 15 years that we’ve been in-house and prior when we worked at other gigs.”

In his second-to-last live traffic report, Immler said, “Things have come a long way. I think it’s time to pass the torch.”
### PRSA NCC names Sheila Brooks, Ph.D., and Shonali Burke its 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/prsa-ncc-names-sheila-brooks-ph-d-and-shonali-burke-as-2025-hall-of-fame-inductees/
Last updated: 2025-12-08T19:56:49.000Z
[**PRSA National Capital Chapter (PRSA NCC)**](https://prsancc.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **announced that Sheila Brooks, Ph.D., and Shonali Burke** have been selected as the 2025 inductees into the National Capital Public Relations Hall of Fame. The induction, states PRSA NCC, “recognizes their extraordinary leadership, innovation and lifelong dedication to excellence — and to advancing the public relations and communications profession.

“Dr. Sheila Brooks and Shonali Burke exemplify the highest standards of leadership, innovation and service in our profession,” said **Crystal Borde**, 2025 PRSA NCC President. “For nearly five decades, Dr. Sheila Brooks has used communications to expand opportunity, elevate underrepresented voices, and mentor hundreds of emerging practitioners. Since the start of her career, Shonali Burke has advanced and reshaped modern public relations through her pioneering integration with social media, ethical, data-driven approach, and her generous commitment to educating, developing and supporting communicators worldwide. Together, their dedication and impact have elevated not only the National Capital communications community, but the global field of public relations.”

According to PRSA NCC: “[Dr. Brooks](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheila-brooks-phd/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) is the Founder, President and CEO of SRB Communications, one of Washington, D.C.’s most respected woman- and minority-owned full-service communications agencies. Her agency leadership has expanded economic and storytelling opportunities for communities often left out of mainstream communications — and she has used her platform to ensure they are seen, heard and represented.

“[Shonali Burke](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shonaliburke/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) is a pioneering leader and change agent in digital and social public relations, widely recognized as one of the architects of modern Social PR. She founded the Social PR Virtuoso® online course — an industry-leading training program — dedicated to ethical, data-driven and results-oriented communications centering collaborative and community-fueled social storytelling for brand and mission impact. Currently, she is Managing Director at Malvern, Pa.-based People’s Light, a cultural and civic center with theatre at its core. Burke is the first Indian American Managing Director of a U.S.-based nonprofit LORT theatre, and an alum of India’s prestigious National School of Drama (NSD).”

The duo will be inducted at the PRSA National Capital Hall of Fame and Holiday Party Reception on December 18 from 6-9 p.m. ET at the Hilton Arlington Rosslyn The Key.

PRSA NCC started the National Capital Public Relations Hall of Fame in 1999 by inducting 50 leaders with significant accomplishments in the public relations field as part of the chapter’s 50th anniversary celebration. The Hall of Fame honorees combined hold more than a thousand awards, distinctions, honorary degrees, advisory positions, charity board seats, and who’s who citations among them.
### News from Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission, AltaVista Strategic Partners, The Banner and Urban One
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/news-from-maryland-public-broadcasting-commission-altavista-strategic-partners-the-banner-and-urban-one/
Last updated: 2025-12-08T16:20:08.000Z
**Maryland Governor Wes Moore has appointed Robert C. Douglas**, Esq., in main photo, to serve on the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission, Maryland Public Television’s 11-member governing body. Douglas was previously appointed to the commission by Governors Schaefer and Glendening before serving on the MPT Foundation, Inc. board of directors for the past 14 years. For the foundation, he provides counsel and support to the private 501(c)(3) nonprofit established to encourage increased funding for MPT and receive donations and grants on MPT’s behalf. In 2018, he was the recipient of the MPT Champion Award, presented to business, government, and community leaders who support MPT and its work in a significant way.

Over a nearly four-decade legal career, 30 years of which were at the Baltimore office of the national law firm DLA Piper LLP, Douglas provided organizations and clients with strategic legal counsel and representation on a wide range of civil and government matters. He currently operates the Office of Bob Douglas LLC to serve corporate and individual clients.

Before his legal career, Douglas worked locally in both broadcast and print media for more than a decade. He held producer and assignment editor roles at WMAR-TV and was managing editor at WBAL-TV. He was also a reporter and editor at the Baltimore News-American newspaper.

**AltaVista Strategic Partners has been named the 7th fastest-growing private company in Greater Baltimore** by the Baltimore Business Journal as part of its annual Fast 50 ranking. AltaVista is a full-service marketing and business development firm based in Baltimore, Maryland. The company specializes in helping contractors and service businesses grow through targeted outreach and multi-channel digital marketing.

**The Banner announced that it received a $500,000 unrestricted gift** from the **Andrew and Julie Klingenstein** Family Fund. For more than 70 years, the Klingenstein family has advanced philanthropy that strengthens communities and improves individual well-being. Their latest contribution supports The Banner’s mission to provide independent, fact-based local information that helps Marylanders make informed decisions, bolsters civic trust, and connects neighbors across the state.

“The Klingenstein family has a remarkable legacy of giving that spans generations, and Julie and Andy have shown, time and again, how much they care about community and connection,” said **Sarah Walton**, Banner Chief Philanthropy Officer. “Their generosity and belief in our impactful work will help us expand our coverage, reach more Marylanders, and continue building a trusted source of local information that reflects and serves our communities.”

**Urban One Baltimore announced that longtime General Manager Howard Mazer** will retire at the end of the year, concluding more than three decades of service with the company and over 40 years in the Baltimore market. Mazer began his radio career in 1981 as General Sales Manager and was elevated to General Manager in 1992\. He joined Urban One in 1994, continuing to lead the company’s Baltimore station group through decades of growth and industry change.

“For more than three decades, Howard has been a steady, visionary leader for our Baltimore cluster,” said **Eddie Harrell**, Co-President of Urban One’s Audio Division. “His commitment to excellence, his instinct for developing talent, and his deep understanding of this market have strengthened our stations and helped shape the culture of our entire audio division.”

With Mazer’s retirement, Urban One has promoted Dave **Willner**, the company’s Director of Sales for Baltimore, to General Manager effective January 1, 2026\. Willner, an Urban One veteran who began his radio career in promotions before moving into traffic and on-air roles, joined the company in 1999 as an Account Executive. He later advanced to National Sales Manager, General Sales Manager, and ultimately Director of Sales.
### WUSA adds Carl Lam, a meteorologist “with one of TV’s wildest resumes”
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/wusa-adds-carl-lam-a-meteorologist-with-one-of-tvs-wildest-resumes/
Last updated: 2025-12-04T16:56:58.000Z
**WUSA adds Carl Lam to replace** [**Jonathan Myers**](https://dcrtv.com/jonathan-myers-is-out-at-wusa/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **on the station’s morning weather team, reports** [**FTVLIVE.**](https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2025/12/3/the-seat-wasnt-even-cold-yet?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)According to [DCRTV,](https://dcrtv.com/wusa-hires-weather-pro-carl-lam-a-meteorologist-with-one-of-tvs-wildest-resumes/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) Lam has “one of TV’s wildest resumes”

DCRTV states that Lam comes to WUSA9 “from **Spectrum News 1** across New York State. He has also worked for major Canadian news radio outlets including **680 NewsRadio** Toronto and **1130 NewsRadio** Vancouver.

“Lam has freelanced at a long list of TV stations including **KUSA** in Denver, **KDKA** in Pittsburgh, **WKYC** in Cleveland, and spent seven years with **WGRZ** in Buffalo. He’s also provided weather hits for several **TEGNA** stations, making him no stranger to the company he’s now joining full-time.

“Lam may also be **WUSA’**s most academically decorated hire ever, holding multiple master’s degrees across business, engineering, higher-ed, HR, and music, with more in progress. Outside the studio, he’s a concert violinist, an orchestra administrator, a university instructor, and an active community volunteer. And in his “spare” time, he travels the country eating at Michelin-star restaurants and documents it all on Instagram at [**@clamchopsandlambakes**](https://www.instagram.com/clamchopsandlambakes/?hl=en&ref=capitolcommunicator.com). No word yet on his exact on-air debut date, but viewers can expect **WUSA**’s mornings to get a serious upgrade from a forecaster who has seen, and done just about everything.”
### TDI adds Vanessa Sussman as CMO
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/tdi-adds-vanessa-sussman-as-cmo/
Last updated: 2025-12-03T19:21:12.000Z
[**TDI,**](https://tdinternational.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **a global strategic advisory and risk intelligence firm, adds** [**Vanessa Sussman**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessasussman/?isSelfProfile=false&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **as Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer.** Sussman will lead TDI’s global brand strategy as the firm expands its advisory, due diligence, investigations, and software solutions into new markets and regions. According to a release, she will “focus on raising TDI’s visibility among key audiences and aligning marketing with commercial priorities.”

“We are delighted to welcome Vanessa as CMO. She brings a strategic mindset and a unique background at the intersection of global affairs, marketing, and communications,” said Jay Truesdale, CEO of TDI. “Her ability to distill complex issues into clear, compelling narratives will be essential as we grow and continue to help clients navigate an increasingly challenging geopolitical and regulatory landscape.”

The release states that Sussman brings more than 25 years of experience leading global marketing and communications strategies across corporations, advisory firms, startups, multilateral organizations, universities, and nonprofits. Most recently, she served as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Eurasia Group and GZERO Media. Prior to that, she led private markets communications at Nuveen, the asset management arm of TIAA, and held senior marketing roles at Morningstar. Earlier in her career, she worked with Group SJR, Council of the Americas, Foreign Policy magazine, and the US Mission to the United Nations.

Sussman serves on the board of City Year New York, supporting public schools in NYC, and is a member of the communications advisory board member for the Museum of American Finance.

TDI is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has offices in Dubai, Zurich, and Houston.
### Weatherman Jonathan Myers gone from WUSA9; third on-air departure in recent months
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/weatherman-jonathan-myers-gone-from-wusa-second-station-departure-in-recent-weeks/
Last updated: 2026-10-08T23:45:42.000Z
**WUSA9 has parted ways** **with another on-air talent**, reports [FTVLive.](https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2025/12/2/another-one-gone-in-dc?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

Almost two years to the day after making his on air debut at WUSA 9, see above, meteorologist **Jonathan Myers,** right in photo, is no longer with the station. Sources told FTVLive that he was told his contract isn’t being renewed because the station is looking to take the morning show in a different direction. Previously, Myers was chief meteorologist at FOX45 in Baltimore.

The departure of Myers follows the recent departure of longtime D.C.-area sportscaster [Chick Hernandez.](https://capitolcommunicator.com/longtime-d-c-area-sportscaster-chick-hernandez-no-longer-an-employee-of-wusa9/) In addition, in September, meteorologist **Makayla Lucero** left the station and is now marketing director of the Theresa Sondra Jacobs Foundation. I

By way of background, [FTVLive](https://www.ftvlive.com/about-us?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) states it is “THE TV News Insider website that has been around since 2000.

“FTVLive spent over the first decade of its existence being a pay site. If wanted to read the site? You had to be a member (or a hacker) to gain access.

“On February 4, 2013 FTVLive came out from behind a paywall and is now offered up free to everyone. The site continues to grow in web traffic each and every week thanks to the support of some great sponsors that are the best in the TV industry.

“FTVLive has become a must-read for anyone that works or wants to work in TV News.”
### Kevin Lawlor joins Zeno Group as Head of Public Affairs, U.S.
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/kevin-lawlor-joins-zeno-group-as-head-of-public-affairs-u-s/
Last updated: 2025-12-03T18:13:18.000Z
[**Zeno Group** ](https://www.zenogroup.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**announced the appointment of** [**Kevin Lawlor**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-lawlor-3234aa2b/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **as Head of Public Affairs, U.S.,** and he will be based in D.C.,

Prior to joining Zeno Group, states a release, Lawlor served as Chief Political Officer and Executive Vice President at DDC Public Affairs, specializing in grassroots outreach, coalition building, earned and paid media. A seasoned public affairs and political operations strategist, Lawlor has advised corporations, trade associations, nonprofits, and government clients on high-stakes policy issues. He has also served in a Chief Communications Advisor role to four members of Congress.

 The release adds that amid “growing volatility, complexity and polarization, Lawlor’s appointment reflects Zeno’s increased focus on managing reputational risk, countering misinformation and navigating regulatory uncertainty. Lawlor will lead a team of public affairs professionals to advise clients on a range of issues including public policy, government relations and regulatory affairs. The appointment deepens Zeno’s strength at the intersection of corporate affairs and brand reputation, continuing the momentum of supporting clients through complex issues with real-time, business-driving solutions.”

“Companies, industries, trade associations, institutions and non-profits are seeking public affairs solutions that not only achieve traditional policy goals, but also integrate seamlessly with their PR, branding and marketing efforts,” said Lawlor. “Public affairs and advocacy can no longer operate in a vacuum. Joining Zeno is exciting because its commitment to impactful storytelling and comprehensive issues management naturally supports this integration.”
### Bob Ray joins Bethesda-based Marketbridge as CEO
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/bob-ray-joins-bethesda-based-marketbridge-as-ceo/
Last updated: 2025-12-03T18:13:52.000Z
[**Marketbridge,**](https://marketbridge.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **based in Bethesda, named** [**Bob Ray**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/boray/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **its Chief Executive Officer.** Ray succeeds **John Shomaker,** who, states a release, “led the company through a period of significant growth and integration and will remain actively involved as an advisor.

“Under Shomaker’s leadership, Marketbridge strengthened its market position by acquiring industry-leading capabilities, unifying multiple companies under a single operating model, and establishing a modernized Marketbridge brand built for enterprise growth leaders. The company now enters its next phase, expanding its role as a new type of go-to-market operating partner, one that integrates strategy, insight, data, orchestration, and activation, with emerging AI-enabled intelligencelayers.

“Ray, a veteran agency CEO, previously led Merkle B2B within the Dentsu Group, helping build one of the most recognized digital and data-driven growth agencies in the world. He has held leadership roles across global marketing firms, serving clients including Cisco, Oracle, AWS, and GE.”

“Brand and growth leaders today don’t need another agency, consultancy, or tech vendor,” said Ray. “They need one partner who unifies strategy, insight, data, activation, and media, who designs, operates, and continuously optimizes the end-to-end go-to-market engine. That’s the category Marketbridge is building.”

The release states: With nearly 400 employees across North America, London, and remote hubs worldwide, Marketbridge continues to invest in AI-powered decision intelligence, connected analytics, and integrated activation capabilities that remove fragmentation between strategy and execution, offering a strategic alternative to traditional holding-company or consultancy models, and a platform for measurable, end-to-end growth.
### Four students from Anne Arundel Community College selected as ‘Crosby Marketing Scholars’
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/four-students-from-anne-arundel-community-college-selected-as-crosby-marketing-scholars/
Last updated: 2025-12-04T23:12:52.000Z
**Crosby Marketing Communications selected four students from Anne Arundel Community College** (AACC) to participate in the Crosby Marketing Scholars Program. Founded in 2022, the $100,000 scholarship program seeks to create greater opportunities for students from all backgrounds to pursue degrees and careers in advertising and public relations.

 The 2025-2026 scholarship recipients are:

**– Amirah Brown**, a Communications student, aspires to be a public speaker and author, empowering women and children.

**– Octavia Carr**, a Studio Arts major, aims to become a creative director and communications strategist, blending creativity with purposeful storytelling.

**– Chenlle Raghunanan**, studying Communications and Nursing, seeks to create meaningful and accessible health education content.

**– Micah Walker,** a Film Studies and Media Production major, aspires to be a director, creating films that explore beauty and hardship through storytelling.

Each year, the Crosby Marketing Scholars Program offers AACC students a two-year scholarship providing financial support to pursue studies related to marketing, public relations, creative writing, graphic design, multimedia/video production, and web design. Students also receive ongoing guidance from AACC professors and are paired with a Crosby staff member who provides mentoring and career advice.

At the end of a student’s two-year participation in the program, they may be considered for internship opportunities at Crosby to gain additional professional experience.

“Supporting these students who are the next generation of talent in the advertising and public relations industry is really rewarding,” said **Raymond Crosby**, President and CEO of Crosby Marketing Communications. “We are excited to guide this new group of scholars in their career development and look forward to the contributions they will make in our field.”

AACC students interested in applying for the Crosby Marketing Scholars Program should visit the [scholarship page](https://bit.ly/3QhsxAu?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) on the AACC website.

Crosby provides integrated advertising, public relations, social media, and digital marketing services through specialized practices in Healthcare, Government, Nonprofits & Causes, and Military & Veterans. The firm ranks #23 on O’Dwyer’s list of national communications firms, #1 for nonprofits and #11 for healthcare, and is #10 on GrowthLab’s list of Top 100 firms serving the federal government. Crosby has also been named as a Top Workplace by the Washington Post for nine consecutive years. To learn more, visit [crosbymarketing.com](https://www.crosbymarketing.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

[Anne Arundel Community College](https://www.aacc.edu/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) is an award-winning, fully accredited public two-year institution serving approximately 40,000 students each year through classes offered throughout Anne Arundel County, Md., and online. AACC offers national and regional studies leading to a degree, certificate, industry credential, transfer to a four-year institution, career enhancement, and lifelong learning. 

IN PHOTO: AACC students (pictured center) **Amirah Brown, Octavia Carr, Chenlle Raghunanan,** and **Micah Walker** are pictured with their mentors from Crosby Marketing Communications, including staff from the agency’s creative, digital and account teams.
### Thousands to be fired following Omnicom-Interpublic Group merger
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/thousands-to-be-fired-following-omnicom-interpublic-group-merger/
Last updated: 2025-12-03T19:24:57.000Z
**Advertising agency giant Omnicom’s** [**$9 billion merger**](https://www.businessinsider.com/omnicom-ipg-merger-completes-transforming-ad-agency-landscape-2025-11?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **with fellow ad firm Interpublic Group is a done deal.** Now, states [Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/omnicom-ipg-advertising-merger-to-result-in-4000-layoffs-2025-12?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), come the “synergies.”

Omnicom CEO **John Wren** said in media interviews that the total number of acquisition-related layoffs is expected to reach 4,000, with the majority of jobs to go by the end of December. A spokesperson confirmed the figure.

The layoff accounts for about 3% of the company’s combined head count of 128,200 as of the end of 2024, based on their regulatory filings.

Business Insider reports that since the deal was first announced late last year, “IPG has already shed 3,200 roles, while Omnicom has had about 3,000 job cuts. Omnicom last year set out a “$750 million cost synergy target” related to the merger.

“The new Omnicom is now the largest advertising agency group in the world, with combined annual revenues exceeding $25 billion. By merging, Omnicom-IPG can reduce operating costs by consolidating systems. The new company can also leverage its collective client ad spending from the world’s biggest brands to negotiate better deals with media owners and tech platforms.”
### By the numbers: The most widely used online platforms
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/by-the-numbers-the-most-widely-used-online-platforms/
Last updated: 2025-12-02T13:17:31.000Z
**YouTube and Facebook are the most widely used online platforms,** according to a study by Pew Research, reports [MediaPost](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/411052/youtube-facebook-are-most-popular-social-sites.html?utm%5Fsource=newsletter&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcontent=readmore&utm%5Fcampaign=140758&hashid=rxoEoksaT%5FqK7DdO4ercPw). Among all social sites, continues Media Post, Instagram comes closest to them.

Here are the numbers of the most widely used online platforms:

- YouTube —84%
- Facebook — 71%
- Instagram — 50%
- TikTok — 37%
- WhatsApp — 32%
- Reddit — 26%
- Snapchat — 25%
- X (Twitter) — 21%
- Threads — 6%
- Bluesky — 4%
- Truth Social — 3%

Several of these numbers represent changes, continues the report. For instance, TikTok is up from 21% in 2021, and Instagram from 40% that year. Meanwhile, WhatsApp has risen from 23% in 2021 and Reddit from 18%.

In addition, gender plays a role — for instance, 55% of women use Instagram, compared to 44% of men. And usage varies by race and ethnicity — 45% of white adults use Instagram, versus 62% of Hispanics, 58% of Asians and 54% of Black consumers.

As for education, 40% of people with a college degree at least use Reddit, compared to 28% of those with some college and 15% with a high school diploma or less.
### Longtime D.C.-area sportscaster Chick Hernandez “no longer an employee of WUSA9″
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/longtime-d-c-area-sportscaster-chick-hernandez-no-longer-an-employee-of-wusa9/
Last updated: 2025-12-02T00:26:05.000Z
**Longtime D.C.-area sportscaster Chick Hernandez is “no longer an employee of WUSA9,” Richard Dyer,** the president and general manager of the CBS affiliate, said in an email to [The Washington Post.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/11/20/chick-hernandez-washington-dc-sportscaster/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

According to The Post: The face of the station’s Commanders coverage, Hernandez traveled to Madrid to cover the team’s November 16 game against the Miami Dolphins. After providing daily reports from practices, news conferences and a youth football clinic hosted by the Commanders throughout the week, Hernandez was not in the press box for the game. The station did not air a report from Hernandez about Washington’s 16-13 overtime loss.

“\[T\]here was a late change to our coverage plans in Madrid” and Hernandez “is no longer an employee of WUSA9,” Dyer wrote in an email. Dyer did not respond to a Post request to comment further about how the announcement of Hernandez’s termination was made or the reasons behind the decision. Hernandez declined to comment.

Hernandez was [hired by WUSA9](https://www.commanders.com/news/washington-commanders-wusa9-announce-exclusive-tv-broadcast-partnership?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) as a sports anchor in August 2023 and had worked at the network formerly known as NBC Sports Washington from 2001 until his contract was not renewed in 2018\. Hernandez got his start in D.C. as a reporter and anchor with WTTG in 1994, when the station’s sports director, **Steve Buckhantz**, hired him to replace **Gus Johnson**.

Carlos “Chick” Hernandez is a graduate of Montgomery Blair High School and was a three-sport athlete his Senior year (football, baseball, and swimming). He started his radio career while at the University of Maryland. After working his way up at TV stations in smaller markets, he returned to the D.C. area to become a fixture on networks such as Fox News, Comcast and NBC.

In addition to his recognition for his broadcasting and reporting, he is a recipient of the Distinguished Terrapin Award presented by the Shirley Povich Center at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism.

According to LinkedIn, Hernandez now is a “Freelancer for hire. TV, Radio, Voice Over.”
### Digital now accounts for more than 80% of U.S. advertising, states Inside Radio post
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/digital-now-accounts-for-more-than-80-of-u-s-advertising-states-inside-radio-post/
Last updated: 2025-12-01T13:34:21.000Z
**The U.S. advertising market is finishing 2025 in a stronger position than it began the year,** driven largely by better-than-expected digital spending and continued gains by the largest technology platforms, according to a new report from [MoffettNathanson.](https://www.moffettnathanson.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

[Inside Radio](https://www.insideradio.com/free/outlook-u-s-ad-spending-to-rise-7-6-as-streaming-ads-surge/article%5Fa73161bf-8831-4f44-a7d0-2c7eaa024a21.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) reports that the firm “raised its U.S. ad growth forecast to 7.6% for 2025, up from a revised 5.8% in March and above the 6.9% estimate issued at the start of the year. Analysts said the improvement stems from outsized performance at Meta, Alphabet, Microsoft and Amazon — and increasingly Walmart — as advanced AI tools enhance ad targeting, creative production and measurement.”

“At first glance, the U.S. advertising industry appears healthy and strong,” the report said, projecting ad spending to reach 1.43% of GDP by 2027, the highest level since 2000\. But the authors warned that “a look under the hood paints a far less uniform picture especially for anyone not named Meta, Alphabet, Microsoft and Amazon.”

Digital now accounts for more than 80% of U.S. advertising, up from roughly 30% in 2015\. But the report shows most of that growth is consolidating around the four largest platforms. Those companies represented about 20% of U.S. ad spending in 2015; today they control about 68%, a share MoffettNathanson expects will climb to nearly 75% of the entire market by 2027.
### AAF DC Holiday Party & Food Drive
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/aaf-dc-holiday-party-food-drive/
Last updated: 2025-11-30T13:05:36.000Z
Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 6-9pm

Augie’s Mussel House & Beer Garden

1106 King St, Alexandria, VA

Cost: Member $15, Non-Member $20, Student $10 (includes appetizers)

**Link:** [https://www.aafdc.org/events#!event/2025/12/9/aaf-dc-holiday-party](https://www.aafdc.org/events?ref=capitolcommunicator.com#!event/2025/12/9/aaf-dc-holiday-party)

‘Tis the Season: A Festive Networking Event for a Cause

Embrace the holiday spirit at our annual joyful event of merriment:

- Give some holiday cheer by contributing to our food drive for ALIVE! See list of their most-needed items below.
- Join in the reindeer games at our crafting stations and create a holiday card for the residents at Carpenter’s Shelter.
- Spread some joy and laughter by donning your best holiday get-up and make your Rudolph the Red-Nosed reindeer entrance unforgettable.

Now, go get your ticket and let’s spread warmth, laughter, and generosity together this season.

Are you interested in sponsoring this festive event that’s all about giving back? Then email us at [info@aafdc.org](mailto:info@aafdc.org).

**Suggested Items for ALIVE! Food Drive**

- Canned proteins (like tuna, chicken, beans)
- Cooking oil
- Cereal and oatmeal
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Rice and pasta
- Shelf-stable milk
- Dried beans and lentils
- Halal foods (no gelatin, please)
- Kid-friendly microwavable food cups (like mac & cheese or Chef Boyardee)
- Diapers and baby wipes
- Full-size unopened personal care items like soap, toothpaste, shampoo, and feminine hygiene products.
### ADDY awards portal open in D.C.
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/addy-portal-is-open-in-dc/
Last updated: 2025-12-01T23:10:31.000Z
**D.C.’s biggest celebration of creativity is underway, states** [**AAF DC.**](http://www.aafdc.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

According to AAF DC, “the call for D.C.’s most imaginative, impactful and well-crafted work starts now. The American Advertising Awards celebrate the thinkers, makers, storytellers and boundary-pushers shaping the creative landscape across the region — now with a retro-futuristic twist.

“From design and copywriting to integrated campaigns, motion, media, strategy, student work and everything in between — this is where D.C.’s creative community comes together to champion the year’s standout ideas and recognize excellence across every corner of the industry.”

More than an awards program, continues AAF DC, “it’s a showcase of the talent, creativity, and relentless craft that make D.C. a powerhouse of innovation.

“Whether you’re submitting work you’re proud of or standing behind the community that brings our city’s ideas to life, now’s the time.”

The portal is open and the deadlines are:  
**– Early-Bird**: Friday, December 12, 2025 (Save $15 per entry)  
**– Regular**: Friday, January 9, 2026  
**– Late**: Wednesday, January 16, 2026 (Add $15 per entry)

[**http://www.aafdc.org/awards**](http://www.aafdc.org/awards?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### AAF announces call for entries for 2025-2026 American Advertising Awards, the largest creative competition in U.S.
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/aaf-announces-call-for-entries-for-2025-2026-american-advertising-awards-the-largest-creative-competition-in-u-s/
Last updated: 2025-11-27T16:55:33.000Z
***The Largest Creative Competition in the U.S.*** 
***Recognizes Excellence at Both Collegiate and Professional Levels***

**The American Advertising Federation (AAF), the “Unifying Voice for Advertising,”** announced that entries are open for the 2025-2026 American Advertising Awards. The awards recognize and reward the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising.

The first tier (local) of the three-tiered competition is now open with 115 markets accepting entries – including competitions in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Winners from these local market competitions then advance to compete on the District Level, with those winners forwarded to the national stage. Last year’s three-tiered competition drew thousands of entries competing for a coveted ADDY Award™, with Best of Show presented to Goodby Silverstein & Partners for its work for Cheetos. Collegians also got to compete in the Student Division. A campaign from BYU AdLab for Crayola was last year’s Best of Show Student winner.

“The mission of the American Advertising Awards is to recognize and reward the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising,” said **Steve Pacheco**, President & CEO, AAF, adding, “Proceeds for entries are used to enhance advertising through programs such as advocacy groups, advertising education and consumer awareness. In other words, win/win: win an ADDY, help the industry.”

The 2025-26 American Advertising Awards winners will be announced at the AAF ADMERICA National Gala in Austin, TX, on Friday, May 29, 2026\. The event will be hosted by television personality and fashion designer **Nina Parker.**

To learn more about how to enter as well as view past winning entries, go to [https://americanadvertisingawards.com](https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4565715-1&h=421737052&u=https%3A%2F%2Famericanadvertisingawards.com%2F&a=https%3A%2F%2Famericanadvertisingawards.com&ref=capitolcommunicator.com).
### Stihl selects Martin Agency as creative agency of record
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/stihl-selects-martin-agency-as-its-creative-agency-of-record/
Last updated: 2025-12-01T00:11:10.000Z
[**Stihl Inc.**](https://www.stihlusa.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, a manufacturer of handheld outdoor power equipment, has named** [**The Martin Agency**](https://www.martinagency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, based in Richmond,** its full-service creative agency of record after a competitive review.

The partnership marks a key moment for Stihl in North America as the brand looks to evolve its image and reach a new generation of makers, builders and do-it-yourself consumers while entering its second century in business.

“For nearly 100 years, Stihl has been about more than tools. It is about pride, craft and doing things the right way,” **Eric Bjorling,** vice president of marketing at Stihl Inc., said in a statement. “The Martin Agency understands where we’ve come from and where we’re going, combining strategic rigor with creative vision to help us get there. When you see the work, you’ll see a powerful call to action and a strong reason for people to choose Stihl.”

The Martin Agency will lead a new creative direction for Stihl in North America, with responsibilities that include brand strategy, creative, visual identity and design, social media, activations and production. The agency will be tasked with expanding Stihl’s relevance across audiences and channels while maintaining its connection to professionals and homeowners who use the brand’s products.

“In an increasingly fragmented world, even the best brands run the risk of becoming invisible,” said **Michael Chapman**, chief client officer at The Martin Agency. “At the center of this collaboration is an idea bigger than advertising. It will guide everything from retail merchandising to how Stihl shows up in culture, with every touchpoint amplifying their heritage and vision for the future.”

The creative platform will also extend to e-commerce, supported by IPG sister agency MRM.

The Martin Agency’s states that its selection by Stihl continues its track record of helping modernize legacy brands through culturally relevant, human-centered storytelling. The Richmond, Virginia-based agency has been recognized by Ad Age, Adweek and Fast Company for its creative effectiveness and innovation.
### Omnicom’s acquisition of IPG creates world’s largest advertising holding company
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/omnicoms-acquisition-of-ipg-to-create-worlds-largest-advertising-holding-company/
Last updated: 2025-11-25T20:19:21.000Z
**A day after the European Union approved the Omnicom-IPG combination,** Omnicom issued a statement confirming the development and indicating that the deal is expected to close by late Wednesday, Nov. 28, reports [MediaPost](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/410931/omnicom-ipg-deal-expected-to-close-by-wednesday.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

Omnicom is in the process of acquiring Interpublic Group (IPG) in a multi-billion-dollar all-stock deal that will create the world’s largest advertising holding company by combining the two companies, which are, currently, the third and fourth-largest globally.

As it did when it announced the pending transaction a year ago, adds MediaPost, it is likely that the company will schedule an analyst’s call to review some of the highlights of the combined company’s integration going forward.

On its quarterly [earnings call](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/410079/omnicom-ipg-expected-to-close-in-november.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) in October, Omnicom CEO **John Wren** said details including leadership roles, organizational structure, strategic priorities and more would be revealed shortly after the closing.

Wren also noted at the time that planning has been ongoing and that the companies expect to “hit the ground running from day one” following the closing.

Omnicom Group Inc., states Wikipedia, is an American global media, marketing, and corporate communications holding company, headquartered in New York City. Omnicom’s branded networks and specialty firms provide services in four disciplines: advertising, customer relationship management (CRM), public relations, and specialty services. The services included in these disciplines are media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, sports and events marketing, field marketing, and brand consultancy. Omnicom Group serves as the parent company of Omnicom Media Group, comprising three agencies, OMD, PHD, and Hearts & Science, as well as three global advertising agency networks: BBDO, DDB, and TBWA. As of 2024, the company employees around 74,900 employees globally.

The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (IPG), states Wikipedias, is an American publicly traded advertising company. The company consists of five major networks: FCB, IPG Mediabrands, McCann Worldgroup, MullenLowe Group and Marketing Specialists, as well as several independent specialty agencies in the areas of public relations, sports marketing, talent representation and healthcare. It is one of the “Big Four” agency companies, alongside WPP, Publicis, and Omnicom.
### YouTube and Facebook dominate US social media landscape, states Pew study
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/youtube-and-facebook-continue-to-dominate-the-social-media-landscape-finds-new-study/
Last updated: 2025-11-25T17:35:48.000Z
**A new Pew Research Center survey finds that YouTube and Facebook continue to dominate the social media landscape i**n the U.S., even as debates persist about the role of online platforms in public life, including concerns about censorship and youth well-being, reports Inside Radio.

The survey of 5,022 U.S. adults, conducted from Feb. 5 to June 18, 2025, shows that 84% of adults say they use YouTube and 71% use Facebook, making them the most widely used platforms. Half of adults report using Instagram, the only other service that reaches at least 50% of Americans.

Smaller portions of the public use TikTok and WhatsApp, at 37% and 32% respectively, while even fewer say they use Reddit, Snapchat or X, formerly known as Twitter. Three newer platforms — Threads, Bluesky and Truth Social — are used by about one-in-ten adults or fewer. The research also finds that YouTube remains the most widely used online platform among U.S. teens, mirroring its popularity among adults.

Pew’s long-term tracking shows continued growth for TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp and Reddit.

More [here](https://www.insideradio.com/free/pew-youtube-and-facebook-still-dominate-u-s-social-media/article%5Fc8b75a8b-c4fc-4676-aa85-54c1d9c2aec3.html?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).
### Maryland awards $2.8M contract to TEACH.org for recruitment campaign
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/maryland-awards-2-8m-contract-to-teach-org-for-recruitment-campaign/
Last updated: 2025-11-25T20:18:22.000Z
**The Maryland Board of Public Works has approved a $2.8 million contract** for a statewide teacher recruitment campaign, selecting TEACH.org to lead a multi-year effort aimed at addressing ongoing educator shortages across the state.

The sole-source contract, awarded on behalf of the Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Educator Effectiveness, runs through June 30, 2029\. The total value is $2,819,765.

Under the agreement, San Francisco–based TEACH.org will carry out a marketing and advertising campaign promoting the teaching profession. The initiative includes statewide messaging, digital outreach, targeted advertising and recruitment tools designed to attract new educators into Maryland classrooms.

According to cost-justification documents submitted to the Board of Public Works, TEACH’s four-year proposal is “materially lower than the estimated cost of assembling these services through multiple separate contracts,” which the agency estimated would total between $8.6 million and $15.8 million over the same period.

TEACH.org partners with states and school districts across the country to generate interest in teaching careers and guide prospective educators through certification and hiring processes.
### Jim Avila, longtime ABC News senior correspondent born James Joseph Simon, dies at 70
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/jim-avila-longtime-abc-news-senior-correspondent-dies-at-70/
Last updated: 2025-11-26T01:09:41.000Z
**Jim Avila, a former longtime ABC News senior correspondent**, whose investigative journalism earned him several of the most prestigious awards in broadcast news, has died. He was 70.

His death after a long illness was announced internally by ABC News President **Almin Karamehmedovic.**

“Jim was a gifted journalist and a generous colleague,” Karamehmedovic said in an email to staff.

Avila had also a been “20/20” correspondent based in Los Angeles before departing from the network in 2021\. He specialized in politics, justice, law and consumer investigations. He had previously covered the White House from 2012 to 2016, during President Barack Obama’s second term.

“He won the prestigious Merriman Award from the White House Correspondents Association for breaking the news that the United States and Cuba had reopened diplomatic relations,” according to his ABC News official biography.

According to [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim%5FAvila?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), Avila was born James Joseph Simon in Los Angeles on July 26, 1955, to James and Eva (née Avila) Simon, and grew up in a Chicago suburb. His father also worked in broadcasting, as a host and executive in talk radio. Avila used his mother’s maiden name during his career to pay tribute to his Mexican ancestry.

“As the Senior Law and Justice Correspondent, he has covered every major trial from Jerry Sandusky and Penn State to Michael Jackson, OJ Simpson and countless others,” the biography said. “He led reports on immigration, making several trips to the southern border to document stories of immigrants, and also covered the death of Freddie Gray and civil unrest in Baltimore.”

He earned numerous awards, including two National Emmy Awards and five Edward R. Murrow Awards, the biography said. His work also won him the prestigious Cine Golden Eagle Award, the Mongerson Prize for Investigative Reporting and five Chicago-area Emmy Awards in the category of Spot News.
### Crosby Montage Partners Awarded GSA Multiple Award Schedule
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/crosby-montage-partners-awarded-gsa-multiple-award-schedule/
Last updated: 2025-11-24T00:48:25.000Z
***Streamlines Access to Innovative Marketing Solutions*** 
***for Federal Agencies***

[Crosby Montage Partners](https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/sba-mentor-protege-program?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, an SBA-approved Mentor-Protégé joint venture between Crosby Marketing Communications and Montage Marketing Group,** has been awarded a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract. This award, states a release, “expands the venture’s ability to deliver integrated communications, outreach, digital transformation, and AI/technology solutions through a simplified procurement mechanism. Crosby Montage Partners is certified as 8(a), Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB), and Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB).

“With the new GSA MAS contract, federal agencies can now access the combined strength of two leading marketing organizations under one streamlined contract vehicle—bringing together the responsiveness of a small business and the full-scale resources of an established national firm. The joint venture brings together the expertise of 140+ professionals with a common purpose: to drive positive actions that improve the health, well-being, and security of the American people and our nation.”

“This GSA award reflects our continued commitment to meeting rapidly evolving needs of federal agencies with the flexibility, expertise, and speed of execution they require,” said **Mercedita Roxas-Murray**, CEO of Montage Marketing Group. “Through this GSA Schedule, we can provide mission-focused agencies with easier access to innovative communications support that delivers measurable impact and change.”

Crosby Montage Partners’ member firms, continues the release, have supported high-profile communications initiatives across federal agencies, such as Department of War, Department of Homeland Security, Social Security Administration, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Agriculture, National Park Service, Peace Corps, Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Institutes of Health.

“We’re thrilled that Crosby Montage Partners has been awarded a GSA MAS contract, especially now as federal contracting is being consolidated under GSA,” said **Raymond Crosby**, President of Crosby Marketing Communications. “With our 8(a) and small business designations, federal clients have multiple ways to tap into our integrated services to help modernize and transform government communications. For more information about Crosby Montage Partners, visit [www.CrosbyMontage.com](http://www.crosbymontage.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

**About Crosby:** Crosby provides integrated advertising, public relations, social media, and digital marketing services through specialized practices in [Healthcare](https://www.crosbymarketing.com/what-we-do/healthcare/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), [Government](https://www.crosbymarketing.com/what-we-do/government/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), [Nonprofits & Causes](https://www.crosbymarketing.com/what-we-do/nonprofits-and-causes/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), and [Military & Veterans](https://www.crosbymarketing.com/what-we-do/military-and-veterans/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com). The firm ranks #23 on O’Dwyer’s list of national communications firms, #1 for nonprofits and #11 for healthcare, and is #10 on GrowthLab’s list of Top 100 firms serving the federal government. Crosby has also been named as a [Top Workplace by the Washington Post](https://www.crosbymarketing.com/about-us/news-and-views/crosby-named-a-washington-post-top-workplace-for-9-straight-years/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) for nine consecutive years.

 **About Montage:** Montage is a certified SBA 8(a), Woman-Owned & Minority-Owned agency based in the DC metro area, offering integrated marketing, experiential design, language services, and data-driven communications. Our award-winning work supports federal agencies, nonprofits, and enterprises—and drives engagement through cultural fluency and strategic storytelling.
### AI can “poison” online surveys, states Dartmouth professor
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/a-researcher-made-an-ai-that-completely-breaks-online-surveys/
Last updated: 2025-11-21T13:58:38.000Z
**Online survey research — a core method of data collection in many fields — is facing a serious threat** from large language models, according to research published in the *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*. [**Sean Westwood**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-westwood-5074001b8/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), an associate professor of government at Dartmouth and director of the [**Polarization Research Lab**](https://polarizationresearchlab.org/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), developed an AI tool he calls an “autonomous synthetic respondent” that can answer survey questions and “demonstrated a near-flawless ability to bypass the full range” of state-of-the-art bot-detection methods.

The AI system evaded detection 99.8% of the time, the paper reports.

“We can no longer trust that survey responses are coming from real people,” Westwood said in a news release. “With survey data tainted by bots, AI can poison the entire knowledge ecosystem.”

According to a release, survey researchers “typically rely on attention-check questions, behavioral flags and response-pattern analysis to identify inattentive participants or automated bots. Westwood said those safeguards are now ineffective after his AI agent bypassed all standard detection techniques, including methods outlined in prominent papers — one of them specifically designed to spot AI-generated responses. The agent also defeated “reverse shibboleth” questions meant to reveal nonhuman behavior by posing tasks that are easy for an AI model to complete but nearly impossible for a human.”

[**Full story here:**](https://www.404media.co/a-researcher-made-an-ai-that-completely-breaks-the-online-surveys-scientists-rely-on/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### 5th Annual HarrisX & Ragan Survey of Communication Leaders reveals insights into how the communications industry is evolving
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-5th-annual-harrisx-ragan-survey-of-communication-leaders-just-released/
Last updated: 2025-11-25T02:06:04.000Z
[**The 5th Annual HarrisX–Ragan Survey of Communications Leaders reveals insights from 400 CEOs and communications leaders**](https://www.harrisx.com/posts/5th-annual-harrisx-ragan-survey-of-communication-leaders?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) on how the field is evolving and responding to new challenges and opportunities driven by AI adoption, shifting corporate voices, and changing dynamics of trust and control between CEOs and their communications teams.

“The communications industry is at an inflection point. Our annual HarrisX-Ragan survey of CEOs and communications leaders reveals that AI is reshaping the profession, with many senior leaders trusting custom-trained agents for some tasks more than their top experts. CEOs are also tightening control over messaging amid growing polarization and online backlash,” said [**HarrisX**](https://www.harrisx.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) **CEO Dritan Nesho.** “Together, these trends mark a fundamental shift in executives’ confidence and their approach to communications—far deeper than efficiency gains and shifting priorities alone.”

“We’re at the precipice of something big,” said **Diane Schwartz, CEO of** [**Ragan Communications**](https://www.ragan.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**.** “Leaders have deep trust in their communications teams, but they’re also intrigued by the promise of AI. This is the moment for communicators to differentiate themselves from AI and emphasize the skills that technology can’t replace: strategy, creativity and empathy. By balancing these skills with an embrace of the efficiency AI can offer, comms leaders can increase their value.”

Highlights of the study include:

**AI Reshaping How Comms Work Is Done and Many CEOs Want Even More**

- 95% of organizations now use AI in communications work, 96% of whom report it has had a positive impact.
- 30% of organizations say more than half of communications work is already done by AI, and 55% expect that to be true by 2030.
- 57% of CEOs say they would choose a custom-trained AI tool to write an important speech over a top communications professional with no AI support.
- While 31% of CEOs believe AI-powered communications platforms will soon add more value than internal comms teams or external agencies, 42% expect AI to add more communications jobs.

**CEOs Expect AI Skills to Define the Future of Communications, but Don’t See It As Essential Yet**

- 49% of CEOs say traditional communications skills will soon take a back seat to AI prompt engineering and data fluency.
- However, CEOs do not yet view AI and tech fluency as a top skill for communications leaders today — only 18% name it among the most valuable skills.
- Instead, CEOs rank strategic thinking (42%), creative problem-solving (40%), and staying calm under pressure (37%) as the most valuable communications leadership traits right now.

**Comms Leaders See AI as Trusted Partner, Not Competitor**

- 70% of comms leaders say AI enhances their ability to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently.
- Only 13% worry that AI will replace their role and just 30% expect AI to have a negative impact on the number of communications jobs at large.
- 68% of comms leaders say AI will increase the value of internal teams by enabling more scalable, strategic services; 64% think AI will also increase the value of external agencies.
- 63% of comms leaders believe AI will level the playing field and democratize great communications across all types of organizations and brands.

**Corporate Voice: CEOs Pulling Back While Communicators Push to Speak Up More**

- 58% of CEOs say their organizations speak up too often on social or political issues.
- 59% of communications leaders believe their companies should speak up more.
- 83% say their organization usually gets it right when deciding whether to comment publicly.
- Hiring announcements, community investments, and environmental initiatives rank among the safest topics for external communications.

**Trust Between CEOs and Comms Leaders Is Strong but Control Remains with the CEO**

- 83% of CEOs say they highly value their communications teams.
- 98% of CEOs say their communications leaders have sufficient access to them, and 92% of comms leaders agree.
- However, only 56% of CEOs say they *always* consult their communications leaders before making major external announcements, and 65% do so for important internal announcements.
- 74% of CEOs say they personally lead communications, yet only 20% of comms leaders say the function is directly overseen by the CEO.
- 74% of CEOs believe the communications department should report directly to them, but just 31% of comms leaders agree.

[**See the full findings here.**](https://www.harrisx.com/posts/5th-annual-harrisx-ragan-survey-of-communication-leaders?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)
### The Echo Awards launch to honor excellence in public sector journalism
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/the-echo-awards-launch-to-honor-excellence-in-public-sector-journalism/
Last updated: 2025-11-21T13:43:46.000Z
**A coalition of leading marketing, communications and industry organizations serving the public sector** announced the launch of [The Echo Awards](https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheechoawards.com%2F&esheet=54358534&newsitemid=20251117876513&lan=en-US&anchor=The+Echo+Awards&index=1&md5=2be9e3263e814f5757d1dd024fcb0124&ref=capitolcommunicator.com), to recogne, states a release, “journalists whose work amplifies understanding of government, policy, and the business of the public sector.

“Created to celebrate those who inform the public and uphold transparency in government, The Echo Awards honor outstanding reporting across federal, state, local, and education markets. From policy and defense to technology and management, the program shines a spotlight on the journalists who bring clarity, accountability, and insight to some of the nation’s most complex stories.”

“Public sector journalism plays a critical role in helping citizens and decision-makers make sense of an increasingly complex world,” said **Evan Weisel**, Principal and Co-Founder of W2 Communications. “The Echo Awards are about honoring the dedication, rigor, and impact of reporters who ensure that government and industry remain transparent, innovative, and responsive.”

The call for [nominations](https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Frmk.wufoo.com%2Fforms%2Fz1pvn54h07ov1v7%2F&esheet=54358534&newsitemid=20251117876513&lan=en-US&anchor=nominations+opens+today&index=2&md5=36320cad1acf922be9cb9450a56bb66d&ref=capitolcommunicator.com) will remain open through February 13, 2026\. Finalists will be determined by public voting throughout March and April, leading up to the inaugural Echo Awards Gala on June 11, 2026, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Award categories will recognize excellence across public sector beats, including:

- Best Government Technology Journalist
- Best Defense Journalist
- Best Policy Journalist
- Best Government Contracting Business Journalist
- Best Investigative Journalist
- Best SLED Journalist
- Best Government Management Journalist
- Best Broadcast/Podcast Host
- Best Up-and-Coming Journalist
- Lifetime Achievement Award

Submissions are welcome from anyone – including fellow journalists, editors, communications professionals and public affairs leaders. Entries must include links to at least three original works published or broadcast in 2025, along with a short paragraph describing the nominee’s impact and contribution.

“Journalists who cover the public sector help all of us better understand how government works and why it matters,” said **Matt Donovan**, Senior Vice President at Merritt Group. “The Echo Awards honor that essential service — bringing clarity, accountability, and context to some of the most important issues of our time.”

The Echo Awards are organized by a host committee representing the broader public sector communications and industry community, including: W2 Communications, Focused Image, RMK Productions, Boscobel Marketing Communications, Birdsong Partners, Sage Communications, Merritt Group, REQ, Yes& Agency and Carahsoft.

For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or to submit a nomination, visit [**https://theechoawards.com/**](https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheechoawards.com%2F&esheet=54358534&newsitemid=20251117876513&lan=en-US&anchor=https%3A%2F%2Ftheechoawards.com%2F&index=3&md5=a4b8462ba392fece605b79f36873621b&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**.**
### Gabriel Marketing Group Introduces GEO Services for B2B Tech in AI Era
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/gabriel-marketing-group-introduces-geo-services-for-b2b-tech-in-ai-era/
Last updated: 2025-11-18T21:25:19.000Z
[**Gabriel Marketing Group**](https://www.gabrielmarketing.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) announced new enhancements to its content development services powered by [**Brandi AI**](https://mybrandi.ai/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), a visibility and generative engine optimization platform. As marketers shift toward GEO — an emerging approach for increasing visibility in AI-driven search — the update positions the agency to help brands ensure their web copy, landing pages, blogs and other assets are recognized, cited and trusted by widely used AI systems.

“GEO is happening faster than anyone expected. As buyers turn to ChatGPT, Gemini and other AI platforms before they ever open Google, brands that don’t adapt risk becoming invisible,” Gabriel Marketing Group President Michiko Morales said. “Brandi AI gives our content team the intelligence to understand how these engines interpret brand content and what audiences are truly asking for. That insight powers the development of content that performs better everywhere.”

The upgraded services integrate Brandi AI’s GEO insights throughout the agency’s storytelling process, combining data-driven analysis with human creativity. The offering focuses on four areas:

**Understanding buyer questions:** Brandi AI identifies the questions, pain points and priorities B2B tech buyers pose to AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and Perplexity. GMG’s content team uses those insights to interpret real-time buyer intent and help brands anticipate emerging trends.

**Developing content that answers buyer needs:** Using that data, GMG produces blogs, contributed articles and website copy crafted to reflect audience concerns, address challenges and strengthen credibility.

**Structuring content for AI extractability:** GMG applies GEO best practices to clarify hierarchy, metadata and semantic context so large language models can more accurately interpret and cite brand content.

**Scaling content while preserving brand voice:** Brandi AI streamlines collaboration, formatting and tagging, enabling writers to maintain consistency and creativity while increasing production speed.

GMG offers its GEO-powered content services in three tiers:

**AI Visibility Starter:** Establishes a baseline presence in AI-generated answers through targeted content audits and monthly visibility reporting.

**Content Revitalization:** Refreshes existing content to improve relevance and extractability.

**New GEO Content Creation:** Produces original, high-authority content aligned with buyer intent and structured for generative responses.

The agency’s integration of Brandi AI builds on more than 100 industry awards for innovation and measurable impact in PR and content. In 2025, GMG received honors from the Communicator Awards and MarCom Awards for long-form writing, executive visibility and high-performing content strategies for B2B technology brands.
### Triton Digital partners with The Washington Post to power digital audio strategy
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/triton-digital-partners-with-the-washington-post-to-power-digital-audio-strategy/
Last updated: 2025-11-17T18:39:21.000Z
***The Washington Post*** has signed a new agreement with [**Triton Digital**](https://tritondigital.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), which will power the newspaper’s digital audio strategy, including podcast distribution, monetization and measurement.

“We look forward to supporting The Washington Post as it expands its digital audio presence,” Triton CEO John Rosso said in the announcement. “This partnership reflects the strength of Triton’s technology and our commitment to helping premium publishers grow and monetize their audio strategies at scale.”

Under the deal, The Post will use Triton’s podcast tools, including the Triton Ad Platform, Triton Audio Marketplace, the Demos+ audience-targeting solution and the Podcast Metrics measurement platform. The company aims to broaden its reach, deliver higher-quality audio experiences and create new revenue opportunities across its news and storytelling lineup.

The Post’s podcasts include its daily news shows “Post Reports” and “The Seven,” along with weekly programs such as “Impromptu” and “Try This.”
### Yes& unveils “Gen Z in [ Focus ]”: How a generation is redefining the college decision
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/yes-unveils-gen-z-in-focus-how-a-generation-is-redefining-the-college-decision/
Last updated: 2025-11-21T19:10:20.000Z
[**Yes&**](https://info.yesandagency.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)**, an integrated marketing agency with a specialty in higher education**, released *Gen Z in \[ Focus \]: How Gen Z Is Redefining the College Decision*, a proprietary national study revealing how today’s students are rethinking success, education and work—and what that shift means for colleges. First presented at the AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education, the research offers practical guidance for institutions seeking to engage Gen Z.

*“Higher education has reached an inflection point—and so has the generation it’s trying to reach,”* said **Alexia Koelling,** Senior Vice President and Higher Education Practice Leader at Yes&. *“Gen Z in \[ Focus \] gives colleges and universities the insight to meet students where they are and help them build futures that make sense.”*

**What’s new in the data:**

- 70% say mental health shapes their future decisions—ranking it higher than money or time.
- 70% prioritize time for family and friends.
- 69% say having enough money to live comfortably is very important.

*“Gen Z is pragmatic—not anti-ambition,”* said **Caitlin Moynihan**, Vice President of Research. *“They’ll work hard for outcomes, but not at the expense of wellbeing.”*

**College, recalculated:**

While many graduates still pursue college, Gen Z weighs multiple routes—four-year degrees, trade programs, online credentials, or direct-to-work—based on cost, outcomes, and readiness. *“The question isn’t whether education matters—it’s how and when it fits,”* said **Heidi Halseth**, Lead Researcher. *“Transparency, flexibility, and relevance are the trust-builders.”*

**Four mindsets to watch:**

Purposeful Learners, Pragmatic Planners, Adaptive Strivers, and Independent Earners—distinct paths united by a desire for autonomy, balance, and real-world relevance. *“This study reflects Yes&’s ongoing investment in proprietary research,”* added Koelling. *“We’re committed to equipping higher-ed leaders with the insight to make smarter, bolder, more human-centered decisions.”*

**Download the report here:** [**https://info.yesandagency.com/gen-z-in-focus**](https://info.yesandagency.com/gen-z-in-focus?ref=capitolcommunicator.com)

**About Yes&:** Yes& is an independent, fully integrated marketing agency with more than 40 years of helping purpose‑driven organizations tell better stories, create meaningful change, and drive measurable results. Serving clients nationwide from hubs in Washington, D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, and Philadelphia, Yes& delivers “positivity + possibility” through branding, digital, analytics, media, CX, research, content, events and public relations. Clients include FEMA, Mercedes‑Benz, Disney, the U.S. State Department, Pfizer, Google, and the University of Virginia.
### Clutch Report: 95% of consumers watch short-form videos regularly, with only a fraction staying fully engaged
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/clutch-report-95-of-consumers-watch-short-form-videos-regularly-with-only-a-fraction-staying-fully-engaged/
Last updated: 2025-11-17T19:56:22.000Z
**A new** [**Clutch report**](https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fclutch.co%2Fresources%2Fattention-economy-2025&esheet=54356987&newsitemid=20251112921539&lan=en-US&anchor=Clutch+report&index=1&md5=c5122fe52f239a7eff844a257254038e&ref=capitolcommunicator.com)finds that nearly all consumers watch short-form videos daily, but only a small fraction give them their full attention. The findings underscore how crucial it is for brands to make an impression in under 30 seconds.

The Rise of the Attention Economy

Attention is now the internet’s most valuable currency, and it is harder to earn than ever. Ninety-five percent of consumers watch short-form videos regularly, and 71% do so daily, yet only 9% say they give their full attention. Most spend under 45 minutes a day scrolling, often during downtime at home.

“Capturing attention online has become a race against the clock,” said Anna Peck, Clutch analyst who manages marketing content. “Brands that deliver value within the first few seconds are the ones that earn lasting engagement.”

What Makes Viewers Stop Scrolling

Humor, authenticity, and intrigue make audiences pause and connect. More than half of consumers (55%) stop scrolling for a funny moment or strong hook, while 80% pay more attention when a video feels personal. Forty-four percent prefer casual, creator-led clips over polished brand spots, reflecting a growing desire for authenticity over production value.

“Viewers connect most with content that feels genuine and relatable,” said Anna Peck, Clutch analyst who manages marketing content. “They are not looking for perfection, but for personality and real connection.”

Turning Views Into Value

Short-form videos attract attention and drive action. Fifty-five percent of consumers say they have interacted with a brand after watching its video, and 42% have made a purchase. Entertaining or humorous content is the top motivator to follow a brand (64%), ahead of tutorials or storytelling.

The brands that thrive in today’s attention economy are those that deliver value quickly, building trust, engagement, and loyalty in 30 seconds or less.

The full report is available on [Clutch](https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fclutch.co%2Fresources%2Fattention-economy-2025&esheet=54356987&newsitemid=20251112921539&lan=en-US&anchor=Clutch&index=2&md5=ca1beb73cea86985ee0058c0d1bd7212&ref=capitolcommunicator.com).
### Spectrum Science launches AI platform to enhance collaboration and efficiency across its teams
URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/spectrum-science-launches-ai-platform-mo-to-enhance-collaboration/
Last updated: 2025-12-28T02:16:23.000Z
[**Spectrum Science**](https://www.spectrumscience.com/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com) launched [***Mo***](https://www.spectrumscience.com/perspectives/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com), short for Momentum, an artificial intelligence–powered platform designed to enhance collaboration and efficiency across its teams.

Each Spectrum team will be paired with its own “digital teammate” — a custom large language model that stores brand knowledge, team norms and client preferences. The company said Mo is built to accelerate workflows, reduce redundancies and maintain alignment with brand standards and client expectations. The system learns from team and individual behaviors to create a personalized and compliant experience for each project.

“Spectrum is committed to harnessing AI in a way that multiplies the impact of human ingenuity,” said **Amy Hutnik**, president and chief commercial officer of Spectrum Science. “Mo is the future of agency collaboration — a trusted digital teammate that empowers our teams and protects our clients by harnessing institutional knowledge while freeing time for strategic thinking.”

Spectrum said Mo is designed to help teams quickly surface insights, improve accuracy and streamline decision-making. By combining automation with human expertise, the company said, the platform aims to strengthen client engagement and enhance delivery speed without compromising quality.

“Our clients expect both speed and accuracy, and Mo delivers on both fronts,” said **Megan Lustig**, group senior vice president and client relationship leader. “It gives our teams the ability to find the right insights instantly so they can focus on strategy and creativity.”

Spectrum described Mo as the latest step in its ongoing investment in technology-driven innovation. The company said its approach to AI implementation is customized to each client’s needs to ensure measurable business results.

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