A strong client relationship starts long before the first deliverable. In this blog post, we break down how a thoughtful client kickoff process sets the foundation for long-term success, turning a new engagement into a lasting, trusted partnership.
Effective messaging isn't luck, it's process. Discover why strong public affairs and organizational messaging demands rigorous research, continuous testing, and disciplined refinement, not just a catchy headline. Learn how a proven methodology, from audience research to AI-assisted testing to ongoing feedback loops, turns good messaging into great, campaign-winning communication.
Founders talk endlessly about staying sane over drinks and dinners, but almost never in print. Staying sharp, healthy, and balanced can feel like a seemingly unachievable goal, one that wears on even the most high-functioning among us. Let's break the silence and discuss the real, unpolished habits keeping burnout at bay: better sleep, less booze, more iron, deeper breaths. No hacks, no gurus, just what actually works when the pressure never lets up.
When I started this journey, scaling the business seemed like the most daunting task. I had a core group of amazing, established clients and a decade-plus track record of winning business, delivering the work, and running the company. The one thing missing from this operational model was the ability to scale the volume of work and the staff needed to support it.
At the California Transit Association’s 61st Annual Fall Conference and Expo, communicators from LA Metro, BART, VTA, and SF Bay Ferry shared how public transit agencies can build lasting public trust through storytelling. This recap highlights four key takeaways from the “Telling the Public Transit Story” panel: elevate staff as brand ambassadors, spotlight the communities you serve, tell great stories with simple tools, and embrace risk so teams have room to try bold, creative ideas.
Being an effective media spokesperson doesn’t require perfection. Even experienced executives face unexpected questions, unfamiliar formats, and reporters whose priorities differ from their own. Successful media engagement means understanding those differences and navigating between them, and tailored media training is the best place to start. Whether it’s a quick refresher or a comprehensive program with message development, mock interviews, and candid feedback, preparation turns strategy into confidence. Our top tips: prioritize clear messaging, know the reporter’s audience, learn to pivot back to your core messages, and never answer questions outside your expertise. The strongest spokespeople never stop refining their craft.
Prompt writing is fast becoming a core public affairs skill. AI does not replace strategic thinking, however, it rewards those who give it real context, clear objectives, and defined constraints rather than vague requests. The professionals who stand out won't just use AI, they'll know how to brief it, question it, and apply the judgment no model can replace.
For so many, the last weeks of August conjure hot, lazy days, backyard barbecues, and maybe a vacation before the kids head back to school. But in the Sacramento world that revolves around the State Legislature, it's either a ring of Hell, the Gates of Heaven, or the Purgatory of "We'll Tackle this Next Session."
