Tariff tensions: Insights from corporate leaders
Insights
Global Gateway Advisors
April 11, 2025
We first covered President Trump’s tariff plans in early February, when he announced 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico and 10% on China, linking them to border security and concerns about fentanyl trafficking.
Fast forward two months: On April 2, dubbed Liberation Day, Trump announced sweeping tariffs on 185 countries and territories. The S&P 500 dropped nearly 5% on April 3, its worst day since June 2020. As The Economist editor-in-chief Zanny Minton Beddoes described it, we’re now witnessing “an all-consuming – and terrifying – reality TV spectacle: the Trump Tariff Show.”
The outcome: In a nod to the fluid nature of the situation, Trump announced – while this newsletter was being written – a 90-day pause on implementing the reciprocal tariffs just hours after they went into effect, citing renewed trade talks with foreign nations (and, people getting “yippy”). The outlier is China, where tariffs spiked to 145% over a “lack of respect.” The 10% base tariff remains in effect globally, along with 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum, autos, and auto parts.
Go deeper: Today’s newsletter includes a roundup of corporate leaders’ reactions, covering their responses before and after the broad pause. We also share highlights from our latest salon dinner, where we discussed healthcare and employee engagement with leaders from various industries.
What corporate leaders are saying
Global Gateway Advisors compiled a comprehensive resource for executives, communications professionals, policymakers, and researchers on companies’ reactions to proposed and implemented U.S. tariffs.
Industry leaders are increasingly outspoken, shifting between alarm and strategic critique, while some emphasized resilience. Lamborghini, for example, formed a task force led by the CEO, meeting daily to evaluate Trump’s tariffs and plan the company’s response.
Here is a sample:
Bill Ackman, CEO, Pershing Square Capital Management
Pre-pause: “The president has an opportunity to call a 90-day time out, negotiate and resolve unfair asymmetric tariff deals, and induce trillions of dollars of new investment in our country,” Ackman said in a post on X. “If, on the other hand, on April 9th we launch economic nuclear war on every country in the world, business investment will grind to a halt, consumers will close their wallets and pocket books, and we will severely damage our reputation with the rest of the world that will take years and potentially decades to rehabilitate.”
Post-pause: “This was brilliantly executed by @realDonaldTrump. Textbook, Art of the Deal. The benefit of @realDonaldTrump’s approach is that we now understand who are our preferred trading partners, and who the problems are. China has shown themselves to be a bad actor.”
Larry Fink, CEO, BlackRock
Pre-pause: “Most CEOs I talk to would say we are probably in a recession right now,” Fink told the Economic Club of New York on April 7. “The reality is 62% of Americans now invest in equities – the market impact is impacting Main Street,” he said. The turmoil “is going to freeze more and more consumption, I think we’re going to start seeing that really quickly.”
Greg Ahearn, CEO, The Toy Association
Pre-pause: “This is untenable for our industry.”
Ken Griffin, CEO, Citadel
Pre-pause: “It isn’t right to tell a middle-class or economically challenged family making $50,000 a year “it’s going to cost you 20%, 30%, 40% more for your groceries, for your toaster, for a new vacuum cleaner, for a new car,” Griffin said. “Even if the dream of jobs coming back to America plays out, that’s a 20-year dream. It’s not 20 weeks. It’s not two years. It’s decades.” “We have led the world for 70 to 80 years,” he said. “I am really afraid of us abdicating our role of leadership for the free world. That’s the path we’re on.”
Jamie Dimon, CEO, JPMorgan Chase
Pre-pause: “The economy is facing considerable turbulence,” Dimon wrote. “We are likely to see inflationary outcomes … Whether or not the menu of tariffs causes a recession remains in question, but it will slow down growth. The quicker this issue is resolved, the better because some of the negative effects increase cumulatively over time and would be hard to reverse.”
Stephan Winkelmann, President, Lamborghini
Pre-pause: “We are working constantly on getting updates of the situation,” Winkelmann said of the company’s new tariff task force. “We have daily meetings, with me personally being involved, and we have people who are constantly analyzing the situation.”
Ryan Cohen, CEO, Gamestop
Pre-pause: “I can’t wait for my $10,000 made in the USA iPhone,” Cohen posted on X.
Sean Connolly, CEO, ConAgra Brands
Pre-pause: “I will look at everything from getting more out of our productivity programs, to [seeing] if there’s an alternative source of supply that is lower cost,” Connolly said. “But we’ll also look at targeted pricing because, at the end of the day, we have to protect our margin structure.”
David Ricks, CEO, Eli Lilly
Pre-pause: “I think it’s a pivot in US policy and it feels like it’ll be hard to come back from here,” Ricks said. “We can’t breach those agreements so we have to eat the cost of the tariffs and make trade offs within our own companies. Typically that will be in reduction of staff or research and development (R&D) and I predict R&D will come first. That’s a disappointing outcome.”
Joe Brusuelas, Chief Economist, RSM US
Post-pause: “My sense here is that the [US] economy is still likely to fall into recession, given the level of simultaneous shocks that it’s absorbed,” Brusuelas said. “All this does is postpone temporarily what will likely be a series of punitive import taxes put on US trade allies.”
Diane Swonk, Chief Economist, KPMG US
Post-pause: The effective tariff rate is actually HIGHER with the pause than it was as announced on April 2, due to the tariffs on China,” Swonk wrote. “There will be some diversion through connector countries. However, the effective tariff rate now peaks at 30.5% during the pause. That is worse than our worst case scenarios.”
Spencer Hakimian, Founder, Tolou Capital Management
Post-pause: “Even if you support all of the past week. From the escalation to the walk back, although that’s inherently contradictory to support both,” Hakimian said. “Everyone admits that the rollout & rollback of all of this has been needlessly sloppy and unclear, correct? Or is that also some voodoo 8D chess strategy too?”
Brad Gerstner, CEO, Altimeter Capital
Post-pause: “Remember, it was a week ago that we announced these tariffs…so yes there has been maximum uncertainty, yes he was hearing from a lot of CEOs that this uncertainty was causing demand destruction,” Gerstner said. I’m not saying that all this change happens painlessly. But I’ve talked to five CEOs in the last hour, including some of the largest CEOs in technology and they’ve all told me this was exactly the prescription they needed so that when they get on their quarterly calls now they can actually give guidance as to what the path ahead looks like. What wasn’t working was them not having a flight path, not knowing whether or not we are going to have 50% tariffs, 70% tariffs. But knowing we are going to have 10% tariffs, that we’re going to negotiate down from there with these other countries that now gives a framework against which I think people can operate.”
What’s next: Ready your organization for swift changes in policy. Adaptability is key in this regulatory environment, and stay alert for new potential disruptions in the market.
- Track tariff changes in real time and assess their potential effects on supply chains and operations, preparing contingency plans for key scenarios.
- Analyze trade policy risks and identify resilient areas such as diversified markets and ranking high-risk regions to prioritize tailored responses.
- Diversify suppliers by exploring domestic options and leveraging free trade agreements (FTAs) to reduce import reliance and tariff costs.
Communications: Now is not the time to hunker down. Transparency and consistency with stakeholders is key to mitigating reputational challenges. Experts also suggest that showing regional markets you’re against tariffs might ease the impact.
- “It’s good to go out and talk about the impact that these tariffs will have on your particular business,” said Lauren Tomlinson, principal at Cornerstone Government Affairs. “For example, if you have to raise the cost of your product because it’s more expensive to make, that is something that you should go out and talk about to kind of distance yourself from the tariff policy of the United States at the moment.”
- Consider appointing a trade leader to serve as a spokesperson across business units and regions, offering a clear vision to manage disruptions while understanding local cultures to tailor messaging.
- Equip executives with talking points on tariffs and your organization’s strategic responses. Ensure consistent messaging across all public appearances and communications.
- Host internal town hall meetings to keep employees informed about tariff impacts and company strategies, fostering a sense of unity and resilience.
As headlines continue to impact the market and global trade, contact us to discuss how we can support your communications strategies.
Highlights from our workplace salon dinner
Following up on our salon dinner in Seattle, we hosted a second gathering in New York this month. We brought together strategic comms leaders to discuss how their organizations are navigating communications challenges, shifting priorities, and evolving expectations – all while fostering inclusive workplaces.
Here are our five key takeaways:
- Combatting uncertainty and misinformation: Companies are grappling with how to manage a volatile media landscape and misinformation without overreacting to every alert. Strategies include using advanced tools like Vinesight, which tracks and mitigates online misinformation, and monitoring and diversifying media channels to effectively reach target audiences.
- Reimagining DEI and inclusion: The term “DEI” (diversity, equity, and inclusion) has lost traction, prompting a shift to language that better reflects inclusive goals. Organizations should focus on continuing impactful work; for example, move away from “pride washing” and redirect that budget to donations, rather than abandoning the mission due to potential backlash.
- Strengthening internal culture and leadership: It’s critical to build a solid internal culture and foster a sense of belonging, with an emphasis on honest communication, acknowledging that morale is low and anxiety high.
- Adapting to AI: AI adoption is still uneven, with younger comms professionals not widely embracing it. We must demonstrate AI’s importance to bottom performers and increase their knowledge and capacity to bridge the gap.
- Prioritizing mental wellness: There’s a push to normalize wellness again, as the platform for this topic has waned since the pandemic peak. Leaders are encouraged to model self-care, like taking time off… and actually staying offline.
If you would like to join our next salon dinner in San Francisco, please reach out to info@gga.nyc.
Upcoming events to monitor
U.S. Chamber of Commerce 2025 Global Summit (April 22-23, Washington, D.C.) Government officials, business executives, and policy leaders from around the world will explore the changing economic and global landscape, the intersection of diplomacy and commerce, and the industries shaping the solutions for tomorrow. Invitations by request.
To stay up to date on what’s ahead, visit Global Gateway Advisors’ event tracker.
Media news + moves
What we’re reading and watching:
- Quartz layoffs: The publication let go of nearly all editorial staff after being acquired by Canadian software firm Redbrick, the fourth ownership change since 2018. Only the editor-in-chief and executive editor remain.
- TikTok ticks on. Kind of: A plan to “save” the platform – new investors would own 50% of a new American entity, while its Chinese owners would hold less than 20% – has been paused by the Chinese government in response to Trump’s tariffs. In response, the president extended the deadline to reach a deal to mid-June.
- CNBC ratings soar: Last Thursday, the first major selloff day after Trump’s tariff rollout, CNBC recorded its highest viewership since January 2022, while CNBC Digital tallied its most page views since the same month.
- Reuters debuts AI tools: Customers will have access to AI technology including video transcription and translation.
- Davos founder steps down: Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, will be stepping down as chair of its board of trustees. This follows a board investigation of Schwab’s behavior amid allegations of discrimination.
- “Mind The Gap:” The USC Center for Public Relations released its annual Global Communication Report, which explores the profound disruption in the PR industry driven by artificial intelligence, hybrid work, a shifting media landscape, and political polarization. It analyzes how PR professionals across four generations – Gen Z to Baby Boomers – view these changes and their impact on the field.
Media moves:
- Priscilla Ellington was hired by Business Insider as VP of BI Live, its new events operation.
- Axios hired Katherine Davis as its biotechnology deals reporter.
- Colin Campbell was hired by Axios to cover supply chain deals and the freight industry.
- Sabrina Ortiz was promoted to Senior Editor, AI, at ZDNET.
- Antone Gonsalves joined Industry Dive as a supply chain reporter.
- Lee Meyer was hired by Newsday to cover the business of health care and cannabis.
- Jake Swearingen was promoted to executive editor, enterprise at Business Insider.
- Fortune senior reporter Michael del Castillo is departing the publication to launch his own consulting and research firm.
- Jeremy Olshan, personal finance bureau chief at The Wall Street Journal, is leaving the organization.
- Sarah Ebner was promoted to director of editorial growth and engagement at the Financial Times.
- Liza Laws, former editor at the recently closed BioPharma Reporter and Outsourcing Pharma, is launching a new publication called Discover Pharma, expected in the coming weeks.
Featured Insights
What’s on comms leaders’ minds?
Insights
Global Gateway Advisors
February 28, 2025
In today’s edition, we share insights from our salon dinner, “Navigating Communications Strategy + Reputation in the 2025 Environment,” with corporate tech, nonprofit, and global policy communications leaders, along with a roundup of media news and moves.
Coming soon: A deep dive into today’s media landscape
Amid plummeting trust in traditional media, a decline in readers and viewers, and the meteoric rise of AI and newsfluencers, Global Gateway Advisors will soon release our 2025 report on the media landscape. It includes our latest insights and recommendations for communicators. Keep an eye out next week.
Comms leaders discuss challenges in a noisy environment
Communications leaders are struggling to sort through priorities and determine whether, when, and how they should say anything (and to whom) with the flood of issues coming out of Washington, D.C.
This week in Seattle, Global Gateway Advisors brought together a select group of corporate affairs and communications strategists to talk through these challenges under Chatham House Rules.
Several common themes emerged during our conversation:
- There is an avalanche of news and activity impacting every sector, and every organization is grappling with how to respond to each new event. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the most prevalent topic on communications leaders’ minds is diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Organizations are navigating the topic knowing that some language they use comes with inherent risk. Many felt that changing words does not change their values.
- Some leaders said their CEOs are relieved to step back from the spotlight on DEI – not because they disagree with the principles, but due to general discomfort with discussing these issues when they are not connected to business goals.
- Still, we heard a shared acknowledgment that employees expect their organizations to uphold company principles and values. Diverse voices are essential for organizations to innovate and thrive.
Here are our key takeaways to guide communications strategy and reputation management in the months ahead.
- Lead with your values: There is no one-size-fits-all playbook, but every organization should ensure messaging tracks closely with their values. One attendee suggested that communicators look to the future: “You don’t want to make a statement today that four years from now will show you weren’t true to your values.”
- Learn from your peers: Engage your network to discuss which approaches are working, which tactics are ineffective, and how others are handling this environment. Don’t feel pressured to respond to everything. It’s acceptable to wait and see how issues develop before taking a position.
- Internal communication is critical: Employees know whether messaging is hollow. Many organizations are focused on internal communications to reassure and provide clarity for employees, rather than making external statements.
What’s next: Reach out if you’re interested in joining our upcoming salon dinners in New York City or San Francisco.
Media news + moves
- Jeff Bezos announces major changes to WaPo opinion pages:“We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets,” Bezos wrote to the paper’s staff. “We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.” Opinion editor David Shipley is leaving the organization in response to the change.
- Meta begins signups for Community Notes: Following the platform’s decision to end its third-party fact-checking program and switch to a Community Notes model, users can now sign up to be the first contributors to the program.
- Axios launches premium media product: Axios introduced the Media Trends Executive Membership ($495/year), providing in-depth insights, actionable data, exclusive events, and networking opportunities with industry leaders, curated by media correspondent Sara Fischer and reporter Kerry Flynn.
- BuzzFeed rolls out BF Island: A new social media platform from BuzzFeed was built “specifically to spread joy and enable playful creative expression,” allowing users to leverage AI to create and share content. BuzzFeed founder and CEO Jonah Peretti wants to counterbalance the SNARF (stakes, novelty, anger, retention, and fear – his term) that has dominated social content.
- Substack doubles down on video creators: The company announced last week that it will allow creators to monetize their videos on the platform and publish video posts directly from the Substack app.
- STAT launches newsletter on AI in medicine: STAT debuted AI Prognosis, a weekly newsletter authored by Brittany Trang, exploring the role of artificial intelligence in science, medicine, and health.
Media moves
- The Verge hired Marina Galperina as senior technology editor.
- Bloomberg promoted Mark Gurman to managing editor for global consumer tech.
- Bloomberg hired Madison Darbyshire, formerly at the Financial Times, as a senior writer for Bloomberg Weekend.
- Business Insider senior reporter Geoff Weiss is rejoining the media desk, with a focus on companies like YouTube and Netflix.
- Ece Yildirim joined Quartz as a staff reporter focusing on tech and innovation.
- James Fontanella-Khan was named U.S. finance editor at the Financial Times.
- Kat Tenbarge, formerly a tech and culture reporter at NBC News, left the organization to launch a newsletter, Spitfire News.
- Oliver Darcy’s Status media newsletter (featured this week in The Wall Street Journal) hired Jonathan Passantino, a CNN deputy managing editor, as executive editor.
- Departures…
Featured Insights
Adapting to policy shifts: Trade and DEI updates
Insights
Global Gateway Advisors
February 7, 2025
Sweeping changes are coming out of D.C. at an unprecedented pace, signaling four years of seismic shifts ahead that will require organizations to stay agile.
In this edition, we explore the potential impact of tariffs on your organization and best practices to communicate with clarity about trade policy. We’re also providing an update on the latest in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Craft clear messaging for tariff policy changes
President Trump’s trade policies are off to an uneven start. The 10% tariff on Chinese goods went into effect on Tuesday, prompting Beijing to declare several retaliatory tariffs. However, the proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods are each on hold for 30 days as Trump extracts concessions from the two countries related to border security and efforts to curb fentanyl trafficking.
The big picture: Tariff reverberations will be felt across the board, beyond only those working directly within the targeted import/export sectors.
- If tariffs go into effect as initially proposed, the Tax Foundation estimates they would effectively tax U.S. households an additional $830 this year, while experts predict the average household would lose more than $1,000 in purchasing power.
- On an organizational level, tariffs could increase costs, disrupt supply chains, and strain stakeholder relationships, requiring strategic adjustments to mitigate the effects.
Go deeper: A recent survey found 82% of executives said the new tariffs are prompting strategic adjustments, while 72% acknowledge the need to adjust supply chain pricing strategies to navigate the volatility.
Balancing diverse audiences: Communications must reach a range of audiences – including policymakers, members, and consumers – with differing attitudes toward the efficacy of tariffs, the rationale of their imposition, and the ability to withstand their impacts.
- Trade and industry bodies are motivated to maintain a positive working relationship with the Trump administration, despite the reported potential negative impacts of tariffs.
- Members of trade associations and industry bodies have rationale to oppose tariffs, which threaten to increase costs and curtail exports.
- Consumers are inundated with mixed messages on tariffs, leading to confusion, apprehension, and sometimes panic.
What leaders are saying:
- “Manufacturers understand the need to deal with any sort of crisis that involves illicit drugs crossing our border, and we hope the three countries can come together quickly to confront this challenge. At the same time, protecting manufacturing gains that have come from our strong North American partnership is vital.” – Jay Timmons, President & CEO, National Association of Manufacturers
- “The plastics industry recognizes the importance of securing our borders and combating illegal drug trafficking to protect American communities. A strong and secure nation is fundamental to economic growth and industrial stability. PLASTICS is concerned about the new tariffs and their impact on U.S. plastics manufacturing and jobs. While we understand President Trump’s rationale, a blanket tariff policy could have significant economic consequences, disrupting the movement of essential machines, products, and materials that keep American manufacturers running.” – Matt Seaholm, President & CEO, Plastics Industry Association
- “America can compete by safeguarding access to low-cost, essential imported inputs and securing fair, competitive access to key customer markets around the world. ACC wants to work constructively with the Administration to advance a trade agenda that addresses genuine challenges to our supply chain resiliency. Together, we can help stop circumvention of tariff protections and advantage U.S. based production and exports by expanding science-based regulatory approaches that will continue to grow our competitiveness while also ensuring advantage to trading with trusted partners.” – American Chemistry Council
The ever-changing landscape for diversity, equity, and inclusion
Leading up to the election, we covered the divisiveness around diversity, equity, and inclusion. A few weeks into Trump’s second term, the efforts to dismantle these initiatives have accelerated significantly.
Catch up: Trump’s executive order terminated diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the federal workforce, placed staff on leave, and banned “special observances” like Black History Month, a move seemingly at odds with his proclamation announcing “February 2025 as National Black History Month.”
The new executive order also aims to curtail diversity, equity, and inclusion in the private sector, stating that federal agencies will identify “up to nine potential civil compliance investigations” of publicly traded corporations, nonprofits, and universities, among others.
How the investigations will be chosen remains unclear. “Until those nine are announced, it’s going to cause others to be risk-averse,” Kenji Yoshino, a constitutional lawyer at NYU and advisor to Fortune 500 companies, told the New York Times.
- Meta, Aldi, Google, McDonald’s, Target and other companies have scaled back or adjusted diversity efforts. Target, for instance, ended its program for minority-owned products. NPR today reported that GM, Pepsi, and Disney removed specific references from their investor reports.
- Meanwhile, Costco, Apple, Netflix, e.l.f. Beauty, Pinterest, Microsoft, and JPMorgan have reaffirmed their diversity commitments.
- Some organizations are taking a middle ground by “reframing” diversity initiatives, often replacing “diversity” with terms like “inclusivity” and “belonging.”
What’s next: Organizations can take steps now to address the shifting environment.
- Assess and adapt: Review programs, align with regulations, and adjust focus or language to reflect evolving priorities while preserving the organization’s core values.
- Stakeholder engagement: Prioritize audience needs and maintain open channels of communication with employees, shareholders, and communities to understand their perspectives and concerns.
- Monitoring and flexibility: Stay informed about ongoing policy changes and be prepared to pivot strategies as needed.
Upcoming events on our radar
- Axios What’s Next Summit (March 25) will explore how government, business, and technology operate and succeed in a shifting landscape shaped by a new administration and rapid advances in AI.
- Semafor’s 2025 World Economy Summit (April 23-25) bills itself as the largest gathering of Fortune 500 leaders in the U.S. Co-hosted by David Rubenstein, Ken Griffin, Penny Pritzker, and Henry Kravis, the event will explore solutions to expand the global economy while highlighting actionable insights on key challenges.
Media updates
Media news:
- LinkedIn’s video push: The platform has been actively engaging video creators, and it’s paying off. Short-form video is the fastest growing content type, as more brands see LinkedIn as a valuable space for marketing investment. Meanwhile, the platform recently improved its advertising attribution models.
- News for CEOs: The Wall Street Journal launched its CEO brief, a daily newsletter led by Alan Murray that hit inboxes for the first time this week. Likewise, Semafor launched The CEO Signal, an invitation-only weekly newsletter for leaders of companies with revenue of $500 million+.
- Reuters’ Middle East expansion: The news organization is launching an Arabic website aimed at readers in the Gulf. It is also expanding its global leadership summit, Reuters NEXT, to Abu Dhabi in October.
- White House welcomes “new media”: In her first briefing as press secretary, Karoline Leavitt invited nontraditional media to apply for coveted White House press credentials. “We welcome independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers, and content creators to apply for credentials to cover this White House,” she said. As we wrote last month, 2025 is the year of the newsfluencer.
- Trump floats TikTok solution: Trump signed an executive order this week to establish a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, suggesting it could eventually purchase the embattled platform.
- And, another newsletter: Veteran NYC journalists Lachlan Cartwright and Ravi Somaiya are launching Breaker, a weekly newsletter and podcast spotlighting power and culture in downtown Manhattan through a media lens.
Media moves:
- CNN Business hired Lisa Eadicicco as its technology editor.
- The New York Times’ Jess Testa is transitioning to the business desk to cover media.
- Alex Konrad is leaving his position as senior editor at Forbes to “build something new.”
- CNN anchor Jim Acosta left the news network after nearly 20 years following its decision to move his time slot from 10 a.m. to midnight. Acosta has since launched a Substack, The Jim Acosta Show, which has already garnered more than 120,000 subscribers.
- Bloomberg hired Alex Chapman as an Asia-Pacific digital editor.
- MarketWatch tech editor and San Francisco bureau chief, Jeremy Owens, is leaving the news organization in search of a new opportunity.
- Bloomberg News reporter Jessica Nix is joining the publication’s health team.
- The Wall Street Journal Leadership Institute hired Gwendolyn Bounds as senior vice president and head of content.
- Newsday named Leema Thomas deputy assistant managing editor for business coverage.
Featured Insights
Maximizing Event Strategy: Insights for 2025
Insights
Global Gateway Advisors
March 28, 2025
Five years after COVID-19, C-suite events and communities are back in full force — and are undeniably different from pre-2020. The way we engage, network, and experience conferences has been reshaped by new technologies, changing executive expectations, and a growing demand for hybrid formats.
In today’s newsletter, we’ll dive into the principles defining the 2025 events and memberships landscape.
ICYMI: Global Gateway Advisors released the 2025 Copernicus Media Landscape Report, delivering key insights to help communications leaders navigate the evolving landscape.
Optimizing the value of C-Suite Events
For years, industry conferences and events have been essential for organizations looking to drive thought leadership, establish credibility with key stakeholders, and strengthen connections within their industry and beyond.
By the numbers: 71% of attendees believe in-person B2B conferences offer the most effective way to learn about new products or services.
The event industry as we know it is changing. Here are key trends to inform your events strategy.
Paid sponsorships are proving to be a game-changer
While securing earned speaking opportunities for executives has always been a primary focus, the landscape has changed. Paid sponsorships — though a considerable investment — now offer increased value, providing editorial engagement and coverage, customer prospecting, digital and social content, and brand visibility among key stakeholders.
Next steps: Align marketing and corporate communications strategies to maximize impact and leverage paid opportunities effectively.
The full C-suite bench is getting involved
The entire C-suite (CEO, CFO, COO, CIO, CCO, etc.) is becoming more active event participants — many through dedicated media-led communities. Leaders are utilizing stage time, media interactions, and networking to enhance their organization and personal visibility. They’re also using these groups to learn and engage with their peers on the biggest challenges they face.
Embrace the power of small gatherings
Hosting your own event may seem daunting, but small, intimate gatherings are thriving this year. These events allow for meaningful connections and deeper engagement without the need for extensive resources. Smaller gatherings also reflect shifting attendee preferences for more personalized, impactful opportunities as people become more selective about where they allocate their time.
Next steps: Consider leveraging your network and/or partnering with a media outlet to host a small-scale event that aligns with your strategic goals and resources.
In-person vs. virtual: The conference debate
In-person meetings remain the preferred choice for professionals, even in an AI-driven world, but virtual conferences are proving to be effective for fostering formal interactions and collaborations.
The big picture: 60% of conference organizers expect in-person attendance to increase in 2025, according to Convene.
- Virtual conferences offer unique advantages, such as convenience and broader reach, which are increasingly being recognized by professionals.
What’s next: As the landscape continues to evolve, organizations should strategically leverage both formats to maximize engagement and collaboration opportunities.
Mastering media engagement at events
Engaging with media on-site at events requires strategic planning. Identify key journalists in advance, prepare clear messaging, and designate spokespeople. Offer exclusive insights, facilitate interviews, and provide media-friendly materials to maximize coverage.
Next steps: Follow up post-event and leverage social media to highlight coverage.
Which event is right for you?
A great event may meet a single set of criteria — like getting in front of high-value clients. Or, it can serve multiple purposes, from engaging media about your strategic vision to rolling out a new product. Even if an event only helps a brand do one thing really well — it’s worth considering.
Each event should also be considered in the context of the overarching strategic plan. What does a business and leader want to accomplish over the next year? Or, the next three years? If the event is likely to get a team closer to goal, that’s a positive sign.
Particularly within exclusive, C-suite events there is an increasing return over time as executives (and the top-tier journalists that follow these leaders and their companies) are in the same places, engaging in conversations on the issues they collectively care about.
This element can be harder to measure initially, but over time can often equate to increased inbound speaking opportunities — deepened relationships with organizers, increased media opportunities, brand recognition and affinity and so much more.
Next steps: Do the research to know where peers, clients, and customers are engaging. Consider if more touch points in those places is important, or if there are other opportunities to break out and distinguish a leader or company. Work across Marketing, Events, Communications, and other teams to recognize the true value that a successful event can bring. Create measurable goals and track progress over the long-term.
We regularly partner with clients to navigate where to make investments, how to best engage with organizers, and the steps needed to ensure a great event. If you would like to learn more about how Global Gateway Advisors can navigate the 2025-2026 events season, please reach out to info@gga.nyc.
Anchor events for 2025 executive participation
Top-tier Media Events
- Semafor World Economy Summit (April 23-25, Washington, DC) Against the backdrop of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund Meetings, Semafor brings together preeminent figures and power brokers across the global economy, including co-chairs David Rubenstein, Ken Griffin, Penny Pritzker, and Henry Kravis to discuss the state of the global economic landscape.
- Milken Institute Global Conference (May 4-7, Los Angeles)
The 28th annual Global Conference gathers the world’s brightest minds to address urgent challenges and unlock opportunities in health, finance, business, technology, philanthropy, and society, aiming to find solutions for a sustainable, equitable, and resilient future. - Fortune Brainstorm AI London (May 6-7, London) Fortune Brainstorm AI gathers technologists, entrepreneurs, Fortune Global 500 executives, investors, policymakers, and leading experts to explore the most pressing questions about AI. The event focuses on the business community’s shift from planning for AI to actively implementing it.
- Financial Times Pharma and Biotech Summit (May 15, New York City)
Organized by FT Live and Endpoints News, the event brings together top executives, investors, and experts to discuss the future of life sciences, AI-driven innovation, and workforce transformation. - Fortune’s Workplace Innovation Summit (May 19-20, Dana Point, CA) HR and executive leaders from Fortune 500 companies, startups, investment firms, government, academia, and culture-making sectors will convene to discuss the future of work. Highlighted topics include AI and HR tech, company culture, upskilling and reskilling in an AI-driven world, and diversity and inclusion. Indeed is the founding partner.
- WSJ Future of Everything (May 28-29, New York City) The Wall Street Journal’s largest live event unites major newsmakers from across the Journal’s key areas — business, tech, economics, sports, streaming, and style — to explore the future through their unique perspectives and address today’s most pressing questions.
- Axios AI+ Summit: NY (June 4, New York City) Examine the forces driving the global race to dominate AI, the current landscape of enterprise AI, and how industries such as finance, healthcare, and media are grappling with rapid changes as a result.
- Bloomberg Tech (June 4-5, San Francisco) Senior Executive Editor Tom Giles and Bloomberg Originals Host and Executive Producer Emily Chang bring together CEOs, tech visionaries, and industry icons to discuss AI, advanced robotics, quantum computing, and the increase in state-sponsored cyber attacks.
- Fortune’s COO Summit (June 9-10, Scottsdale) Highlighting operational excellence in an age of AI, this summit will cover topics such as optimizing talent, C-suite relationship management, and industry deep dives. The event promises high-level networking, engaging hands-on workshops, and expert-driven thought leadership.
- WSJ CEO Council Summit (June 10-11, London) Amid rising nationalism, geopolitical threats, and growing tariffs and protectionism, the Wall Street Journal CEO Council will convene to discuss ‘The New Era of Globalization.’
- Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity (June 16-20, Cannes) The advertising and communications industry comes together to showcase top work from around the world, creating a space for insights from influential thought leaders, ideas from innovative companies, inspiration from all corners of the creative marketing community, and global networking.
- Aspen Ideas Festival (June 25-July 1, Aspen) Explore critical issues and uncover awe-inspiring ideas through panels, interviews, lectures, and interactive sessions that address topics shaping the AI revolution, business and the economy, the role of art in our lives, geopolitics, sports, leadership, and more.
- Fortune Brainstorm Tech (Sept. 8-10, Park City) Leading thinkers gather to discuss the role of technology in society and tackle the most pressing problems at the intersections of Silicon Valley, Wall Street, Washington, and Hollywood. This year’s topics include the next chapter for cryptocurrency and the resurrection of fintech; rising privacy and cybersecurity risks; AI and hyper automation in the workplace; and collaborations in aerospace and defense tech, among others. Qualtrics is an event sponsor.
- Fast Company Innovation Festival (Sept. 15-18, New York City) Thousands of makers and innovators from across the globe — exceptional leaders and doers shaping the future — will gather for four days of inspired conversation, purposeful networking, and meaningful takeaways.
- The Atlantic Festival (Sept. 18-20, New York City) Expect discussions with leading thinkers and cultural icons, exclusive book readings, film screenings, and performances.
Global Gatherings
- World Bank Group/International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings (April 21-26, Washington, D.C.) Global central bankers, finance ministers, private sector leaders, and other stakeholders convene to discuss global economic policy issues.
- World Health Assembly (WHA) (May 19-27, Geneva, Switzerland) Delegates from WHO member states gather to review global health polices, agendas, and budgets for the upcoming year.
- 2025 G7 Summit (June 15-17, Alberta, Canada) Meeting of heads of state and government of G7 member countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States, and the European Union.
- 2025 NATO Summit (June 24-26, The Hague, Netherlands) Heads of state and government, and ministers of defense from NATO member states gather to discuss threats facing the bloc and defense preparedness. Alongside the NATO Summit, the NATO Public Forum will bring together 500 politicians, experts, journalists, and young people for discussions and events over two days.
- BRICS Summit (July 6-7, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) Leaders from BRICS member states gather to discuss global south cooperation.
- UN General Assembly (UNGA 80) (Sept. 9-23, New York City) High-level gathering of all UN member states to debate topics of international importance and deliver addresses to delegates.
- APEC CEO Summit (Oct. 28-31, Gyeongju, South Korea) Annual summit of business, finance, and government leaders from Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation member economies.
- Future Investment Initiative 9th Edition (Oct. 27-30, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) Annual gathering of global policymakers, heads of business, and finance leaders organized by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
- United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30) (Nov. 10-21, Belém, Brazil) Annual summit of parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to assess progress on and establish new benchmarks for combatting climate change.
- Financial Times Global Pharma and Biotech Summit (Nov. 11-12, London)
This annual event delves into the latest trends in life sciences, featuring industry leaders discussing advancements in drug discovery, clinical trials, market access, and patient engagement, all within a rapidly changing landscape shaped by technological breakthroughs and regulatory challenges. - 2025 G20 Summit (Nov. 22-23, Johannesburg, South Africa) Leaders of the world’s 20 largest economies convene to address global economic and policy challenges.
Media updates
What we’re reading and watching:
- The Signal saga. Cabinet officials and senior White House staff members added Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic to a Signal chat where they discussed details about an upcoming attack in Yemen. The Wall Street Journal reported that downloads of the encrypted messaging app “are double what they were last week.”
- CNBC adds new international shows, including “U.S. Markets Edition,” which will highlight key insights from the network’s U.S. programming to a global audience, along with Asia-focused “The China Connection” and “Inside India.”
- Alex Konrad launches new media brand. The former Forbes senior editor debuted Upstart Media earlier this week, which focuses on in-depth coverage of the startup ecosystem, and the opportunities and challenges they face. For now, expect a twice-weekly newsletter on Substack, with video interviews, a podcast, and events to come.
- Yahoo sells TechCrunch to investment firm. The 20-year-old tech journalism site was sold by Yahoo to Regent, a media investment firm that recently acquired Foundry, the parent company of several online tech publications.
- Megyn Kelly introduces podcast network. MK Media will launch in April, with journalist Mark Halperin, columnist Maureen Callahan, and influencer and political commentator Link Lauren as some of the first hosts.
- Ziff Davis acquires TheSkimm. The newsletter, notable for its highly engaged millennial female audience, has been acquired by Ziff Davis. It will be part of Everyday Health Group, Ziff Davis’ health content arm.
Media moves:
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- Former Axios business reporter Hope King launched Macro Talk, a LinkedIn and YouTube-based media brand focused on content for workers worried about their jobs and industries. See her first few episodes here.
- Melia Russell is launching a new beat at Business Insider, exploring how AI is transforming legal and professional services
- The Wall Street Journal announced a slew of new editors: Kate Linebaugh as corporate editor, Vanessa Fuhrmans as life & work bureau chief, Wilson Rothman as deputy tech & media editor, Colin Barr as breaking-news editor for BFE, and Lauren Pollock as energy editor.
- Ben Fritz, formerly The Wall Street Journal’s artificial intelligence editor, is now covering the entertainment industry for the publication.
- Frederic Lardinois, senior enterprise editor at TechCrunch, leaves to join The New Stack as senior editor for artificial intelligence.
- MarketWatch hires Laila Maidan as tech and investing reporter.
- Business Insider senior features reporter Anna Silman is leaving to freelance.
- Tim Baysinger, who has been covering media deals at Axios, is leaving.
- Emma Goldberg pivots to the New York Times Styles Desk after reporting on workplace culture. She will focus on illuminating how people live, work, create and consume culture.
- The Information hired Evan Robinson-Johnson to cover Tesla, SpaceX, and other businesses run by Elon Musk.
- CNN hired Andrew Kirell as a senior media editor.
- The Wall Street Journal reporter Aaron Tilley is returning to The Information to cover Apple.
- Sarah Owermohle joined CNN to cover health policy and politics.
Featured Insights
2025 Copernicus Report
The Copernicus Report challenges outdated media engagement strategies, much like the astronomer who challenged how we see the universe. Media still shapes the landscape, informs the public, and sparks dialogue that gains momentum on social media, where a huge and growing portion of the population turns for news and information. But for communications leaders, the rules are shifting. This report equips communications leaders with the latest insights to inform strategic media engagement in the year ahead.
Featured Insights
From D.C. to Davos: Business leaders react to Trump’s first days
Insights
Global Gateway Advisors
January 24, 2025
Amid a surge of executive action since President Trump took office, organizations are focused on staying agile, getting ahead of reputational risks to their business, and developing communications strategies that meet the moment. In this edition, we’ll cover how to navigate executive orders, what’s driving the conversation at Davos, and key media and tech industry shifts impacting our work.
Have a specific question or topic you’d like us to cover? A comment on something we’ve written? We welcome the conversation. Email us at insights@gga.nyc.
Trump administration spotlight: Bracing for impact
On Monday, President Trump declared “the golden age of America begins right now” and signed a flurry of executive orders aligned with his promises on the campaign trail:
- Ending DEI programs within the federal government
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- Directing federal agencies to investigate private-sector DEI initiatives
- A federal hiring freeze
- Ending birthright citizenship
- U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization
- U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement
- 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian exports
Preparedness is key: Working together, we can align your internal stakeholders to address important questions raised by these actions:
- How do these developments impact our business, from employees to supply chains? How do we communicate guidance to employees when the implications of many actions are unclear?
- Will we maintain or change our approach to DEI, from how we talk about it, to which initiatives we champion, to the advocacy groups we support? Will our threshold for engagement in current events change compared to previous years?
- Will our threshold for engagement in current events change compared to previous years?
What they’re saying: Global Gateway Advisors is tracking public responses by companies, organizations, and their leaders to inform your planning.
Go deeper: Before the U.S. presidential election, DEI programs were becoming increasingly politicized and controversial, and the scrutiny is expected to intensify under the Trump administration. We recently outlined why DEI policies matter and how we see them evolving.
Davos 2025 Dispatch: AI and the world under Trump 2.0
Across the Atlantic, global CEOs and C-suite leaders gathered in Davos for the annual World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. While there were some notable high-profile absences this year, including President Trump himself, who appeared virtually, the event maintained its reputation as one of the world’s leading gathering spots for corporate and executive thought leadership and customer engagement.
What they’re saying: Conversations centered around the strength of the U.S. economy and significant optimism for AI-powered innovation and agents to drive business and ROI. World leaders, policymakers, and CEOs spoke about progress in manufacturing, decarbonization, climate action, and health.
On their radar:
- Trump policy impacts: The potential of Trump’s proposed policies on immigration, tariffs, and other areas to create uncertainty in a fragile U.S. economy and labor market, which serves as the bedrock of the global outlook.
- Geopolitical tensions: Conflicts in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine have critical implications for global energy and food security.
On the ground: Global Gateway Advisors provided onsite support for the Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. delegation, including subsidiaries Indeed and Glassdoor, in engaging leading companies and top-tier media with its unparalleled data and perspective on the key drivers redefining work in the Age of AI.
- Future of jobs: On Bloomberg TV, Recruit CEO Hisayuki “Deko” Idekoba sat down with Haslinda Amin to discuss the future of work, AI, and more. Asked about the process of securing a job, Deko shared, “People need more of a career advisor type experience – so with the improvement of technology, it’s not a hypothetical conversation. It’s becoming a real thing, especially in 2025.
- AI: In a Bloomberg House morning panel, Indeed CEO Chris Hyams and Stanford Digital Economy Lab Director Erik Brynjolfsson discussed key trends impacting employees and employers in 2025 and beyond. “Every job is going to change and evolve over the course of the next probably 3 to 5 years,” Hyams said. “And it is going to be an extraordinary time to see how that unfolds and how rapidly things change.”
- DEI: On CNBC’s “Squawk Box”, Glassdoor CEO Christian Sutherland-Wong and Chief Worklife Expert and author Adam Grant emphasized that the best-performing companies are those that engage with their employees. “You are going to have to figure out ways to engage a broader talent pool. It’s getting more and more intense for talent.”
What’s next: AI, AI, AI. Businesses will continue to talk about how they’re adapting to the rapidly changing tech landscape to remain competitive and the steps they’re taking to reskill employees and integrate AI throughout their operations. On Tuesday, President Trump announced a private sector investment of up to $500 billion for AI infrastructure, involving a joint venture called Stargate by OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle.
Media news + moves
- TikTok whiplash: Last Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a law banning the app in the U.S. unless its China-based parent company, ByteDance, sold the platform by Sunday. Since then, the app shut down in the U.S., but came back online less than 24 hours later. On Monday, President Trump then signed an executive order to delay enforcement of the TikTok ban for 75 days, telling reporters that the U.S. should get half of TikTok.
- Meta under a microscope: Meta is set to cut 5% of its workforce based on performance ratings in a new round of layoffs. Those who are cut will be replaced by new hires.
- Washington Post opens the aperture: Amid a severe drop in subscribers and mass exodus of top editorial leaders, the Post debuted a new mission statement: “Riveting Storytelling for All of America.” Hundreds of Post employees have urged Jeff Bezos for a meeting to address concerns about recent editorial decisions that they claim have impacted the outlet’s integrity and transparency.
- CNN’s digital pivot: The news network announced plans to lay off around 200 employees as part of a restructuring, shifting the organization’s focus toward a more digitally driven future.
- Maddow returns: MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow will be back on air five nights a week for the first 100 days of Trump’s term, as the news organization seeks to mitigate audience declines since the election.
Featured Insights
What the rise of “newsfluencers” means for strategic comms in 2025
Insights
Global Gateway Advisors
January 10, 2025
We’re 10 days into 2025, a year in which uncertainty reigns as we await the second Trump administration, rapid developments in AI and business, new global health challenges, extreme weather events, and more.
COMPASS, a newsletter from Global Gateway Advisors designed for leaders and strategic communicators, will help navigate the complexities of the evolving landscape.
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This is a resource for insights and analysis on the latest trends shaping outreach and engagement with key stakeholders.
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We’ll provide guidance to help communications professionals make informed decisions and steer internal and external communications.
Have a specific question or topic you’d like us to cover? A comment on something we’ve written? We welcome the conversation. Email us at insights@gga.nyc.
Our hearts are with all those impacted by the fires across Los Angeles this week. The Los Angeles Times compiled a list of ways to help affected residents.
Five trends that could shape the dialogue in 2025
Emerging economic, workplace, and geopolitical trends (The Gulf of America? A fight over Greenland and the Panama Canal?) are already influencing the global landscape in 2025. Here are five topics that could require a refresh of communications plans or programs.
1. The new media landscape:
With legacy media struggling, and trust in the media at a historic low, independent “newsfluencers” are filling the void.
Podcast power continues to grow (e.g., President-elect Trump on Joe Rogan), alongside the meteoric rise of Substack newsletters. Jessica Reed Kraus’ House Inhabit, the top culture Substack, shared insider access to Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the campaign trail, amassing over 1 million Instagram followers.
Meanwhile, niche business newsletters like Emily Sundberg’s Feed Me often break trends ahead of mainstream publications. Traditional journalists have also gone independent, such as Mosheh Oinounou, who offers both free and paid nonpartisan news to his followers.
Why it matters: One in five Americans say they regularly get news from influencers on social media, according to Pew Research.
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In some cases, newsfluencers can help organizations and their thought leaders reach core targets faster and more impactfully than traditional media.
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It’s an increasingly important strategy to explore as part of your overall earned, paid, and owned content program.
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To that end, it’s also time to reassess media results reporting to account for the role of newsfluencers.
2. The prism effect:
In our highly polarized and fragmented society, every message delivered into the public dialogue will be perceived differently by key audiences. This environment requires a tailored strategy to connect with diverse perspectives and to plan ahead for disparate or opposing reactions.
Why it matters: To achieve clarity and resonance, communicators must be mindful of how a message is “refracted through the lens of audience and outlet,” Microsoft’s Frank Shaw writes.
3. CEOs as chief communicators
Organizations increasingly recognize the importance of positioning their CEO and C-suite executives to connect directly with other leaders to drive new business opportunities.
The shift from broad-spectrum communication to niche targeting is focused on strengthening relationships, building coalitions, and advancing innovative ideas at the highest levels.
Yes, but: A CEO’s time is limited, so it’s critical to prioritize key events and maximize their time on site to network, drive thought leadership and engage current and potential prospects.
4. Doubling down on mental wellness
The World Health Organization reports that depression and anxiety lead to the loss of 12 billion working days annually, costing the global economy $1 trillion each year due to reduced productivity.
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To address this, companies and organizations should continue to evaluate and enhance mental health programs, including offering advanced training for managers, broader assistance, and cultivating both in-person and virtual communities to combat the loneliness epidemic.
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Outgoing U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy highlighted this issue in his final message reflecting on his two terms in office.
Go deeper: Global Gateway Advisors is introducing a youth mental health coalition in partnership with the AFS Youth Assembly. If you’d like to be included in our weekly roundup of key coverage, insights, and resources, subscribe here.
5. Building a risk-aware culture
To protect corporate reputation, companies cannot afford to simply react to issues as they arise. Doing so will overwhelm them when the next one emerges. Vulnerability assessments, mitigation plans, and crisis communications training are critical to build a risk-aware culture.
Read more: Check out our column in O’Dwyers about the range of scenarios – from AI accountability and cybersecurity, to labor issues, and social activism – that could generate heightened scrutiny in 2025.
Upcoming events to monitor
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The JPM Healthcare conference (Jan. 13-16) brings together leaders from the global healthcare industry. This year’s forum will cover digital health, AI, gene editing and bioengineering, mental health, and more.
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Davos kicks off on Jan. 20 with the 55th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. Global leaders will gather to discuss topics centered around the theme “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age,” including rebuilding trust, reimagining growth, investing in people, safeguarding the planet, and industries in the intelligent age.
Global Gateway Advisors will be on the ground supporting our clients in Davos. Contact us if you’d like to meet up.
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President-elect Trump’s Inauguration is less than two weeks away. His inaugural fund has swelled to a record of more than $170 million (for context, Biden’s 2021 inaugural fund raised just over $60 million), with high-profile media, finance, and tech leaders making large contributions. Trump has also broken with tradition by reportedly inviting foreign leaders, including President Xi Jinping of China and President Javier Milei of Argentina.
Notable media news + moves
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TikTok went before the Supreme Court today, with a potential U.S. ban looming. If upheld, the ban would require parent company ByteDance to divest TikTok or shut down operations in the U.S. by Jan. 19.
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Meta plans to end its third-party fact-checking program and move toward a Community Notes model, similar to that used by X. “It’s time to get back to our roots around free expression on Facebook and Instagram,” CEO Mark Zuckerberg said, adding that censorship has become too prevalent. Zuckerberg also said the 2024 election felt like a “cultural tipping point toward once again prioritizing free speech.”
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The Washington Post is laying off 4% of its workforce, impacting the advertising sales, marketing, and print products divisions.
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Puck, the newsletter-based publisher covering “power, money, and ego,” hired political journalist Leigh Ann Caldwell from the Washington Post as its chief Washington correspondent.
Featured Insights
Election Day is tomorrow. Here’s our guide for strategic communicators.
Insights
Global Gateway Advisors
November 4, 2024
Conversations have been underway for companies to align on their approach to election communications. When do we need to say something? What should we say and to whom?
As Kara Swisher put it last week at the PRovoke Global 2024 Summit, “we have a lot of information but not a lot of facts.”
What’s next: We’ve prepared a practical checklist to review with communications teams and leadership to ensure there is a process in place to monitor and address potential scenarios.
1. Prepare for a period of uncertainty.
On Election Day:
- Most news organizations and analysts do not expect the presidential election result to be clear for several days – or even weeks.
- This year, 43 states will allow county officials to pre-process mail-in ballots, which could speed up the vote count on Election Day. However, in some key swing states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, mail-in ballots cannot be tallied before polls close.
After Election Day:
- High tension tied to vote counts, potential litigation and possible dual declarations of victory could lead to protests or political violence.
- Prioritize internal communications to reassure employees, and provide resources and time off (or flexibility to work from home) to help them navigate unfolding events, as appropriate.
- Evaluate any events or activities that might need to be postponed, such as leadership conferences, media interviews, social media and marketing campaigns. If they don’t need to happen this week, consider pressing pause.
- Prepare your executives for inevitable questions about the election outcome during media interviews, events and internal forums.
Once a winner is declared:
When it becomes clear which candidate will take office, bring internal stakeholders back together to discuss policy implications.
- Business: How will the election impact your business operations? Do you operate in a highly regulated industry? If so, what are the near-term policy shifts to monitor?
- Community: What is the potential impact on the communities where you operate? How will your organization prepare for the new administration’s policies?
2. Refer to this checklist for communications tactics + considerations.
Activate your election plan:
- Monitoring: Kick off monitoring and update leadership on how the communications team will report on election-related events.
- Core response team: Gather key decision makers on whether and how to respond to emerging situations. Use pre-scheduled team check-ins to address key issues, public dialogue and if/when to take action.
- Internal first: Prioritize updates to employees, people leaders and/or employee resource group (ERG) leads. Focus on a communications cascade to reach the entire organization, as appropriate. A tailored approach should be taken to engage global workforces.
- Media and advertising: Pause proactive media/advertising on Election Day and immediately after, as determined by the core response team.
- Outbound communications: Evaluate outbound newsletters and digital/social content to ensure messages are strategically sound and sensitive to the external environment.
- External engagement: Stay close to upcoming events or speaking engagements involving your key executives through November.
- Misinformation response: Be prepared to respond to misinformation and disinformation if it has a clear impact on your business or employees.
3. Leverage a message bank for rapid response.
Each organization will respond differently to election-related scenarios, but there are a few common threads. Stay focused on your most important key messages:
- Reassure your stakeholders – especially employees – that you’re looking out for them. Provide opportunities for them to feel heard.
- Emphasize respect for all views across the political spectrum, and connect to the organization’s values.
- Whichever candidate takes office, advocate for common sense policies that support your mission.
- Be empathetic and acknowledge that the situation is uncomfortable and unsettling for many.
4. “Do” before you say.
In the run-up to the election, few companies have commented publicly. Post-election, most will focus on internal communications – but significant events involving their workforce, business operations and/or shareholders may compel them to make public statements.
Considering all the tactics covered above, remember:
- Take care of your people first.
- Evaluate the external environment before engaging publicly.
- Determine the benefits and weigh the risks.
Refer to your current events rubric or other standard criteria to determine who needs to hear from you and whether/when/where to communicate.
- Is the evolving situation relevant to your mission?
- Does it align with or run counter to your core values?
- Would your POV lead to meaningful change?
- Will speaking out externally support your key stakeholders, especially your employees?
Global Gateway Advisors prepares and supports clients navigating current events and emerging business issues.
To discuss your organization’s post-election communications strategy, connect with us on LinkedIn or via our website.
Featured Insights
DEI is divisive and dynamic. Here is what's next.
Insights
Global Gateway Advisors
October 28, 2024
1. After almost a year of anti-DEI rhetoric and backlash, where do we stand?
With many news headlines highlighting DEI cutbacks and the “anti-woke” narrative, it can be challenging to discern between clickbait and constructive criticism.
In this newsletter, we discuss the current state of the dialogue, considerations for ongoing employee engagement, and how strategic communicators can prepare their organizations for the future.
What’s happening:
- Several Fortune 500 companies, including Ford, John Deere, and Lowe’s scaled back their DEI commitments in response to anti-DEI activists like Robby Starbuck.
- Other companies, including Jack Daniels’ parent company Brown-Forman, scrapped them entirely following “anti-woke” boycotts (which, following an ad featuring a transgender influencer, cost Budweiser’s parent company 13% of U.S. revenue).
- On the flip side, CEOs of companies like JPMorgan Chase, Cytokinetics and e.l.f. Beauty have asserted that DEI is a business driver, and advocates including NAACP, National Organization of Women, Human Rights Campaign and others have issued statements in defense of DEI.
Why it matters: Research consistently demonstrates that diverse and inclusive teams are more innovative and achieve higher profitability. At a time when stakeholders are increasingly divided, companies will need to define an approach that best supports their business goals.
What’s next: We are seeing more nuanced, less publicized approaches to DEI emerging. Strategic communication is crucial to engage key stakeholders, maintain trust in an organization’s commitments, and safeguard reputation.
2. Take stock: What are stakeholders saying?
The big picture: In a hyper-politicized environment, with just 11 days until the presidential election, many employers, civil rights advocates, and employees are standing firm: DEI is good for business.
What employers are saying:
- In September, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said: “It’s good for business; it’s morally right; we’re quite good at it; we’re successful,” speaking about the company’s outreach to minority groups. (Dimon also clarified that he’s not “‘woke.”)
- Robert Blum, president and CEO of Cytokinetics, earlier this month said, “We cannot ensure the health of our population by taking a one-size-fits-all approach. We are a diverse nation with different health needs, and our health care system must reflect that.”
- “Today, more than ever, diversity is essential for strong corporate governance,” said Tarang Amin, chairman and CEO of e.l.f. Beauty, surrounding the launch of the Not-So-White Paper, which underscores the business case for diverse boardrooms.
What civil rights leaders are saying:
- The NAACP, the National Organization for Women, the League of United Latin American Citizens, Asian Americans Advancing Justice and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation issued an open letter to leaders of Fortune 1000 companies. The letter cautioned that “abandoning DEI will have long-term consequences on business success.”
- The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation called for continued action through its Corporate Accountability Report on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
What employees are saying:
- 61% of adults think DEI programs in the workplace are “a good thing,” according to a 2023 Washington Post-Ipsos poll.
- 72% of LGBTQ+ workers reported that a rollback of their employer’s DEI efforts would make them feel less included or accepted.
4. To sustain employee engagement, lean into proven approaches that foster inclusion.
Companies with diverse and inclusive workplaces are 8 times more likely to achieve better business outcomes. DEI fuels creativity and helps meet the demands of a market where demographics are changing rapidly.
As organizations refine their DEI strategies, experts emphasize the importance of inclusive workplaces where employees are seen and heard.
- Mentorship: Employees with formal mentors are 75% more likely to believe their organization offers a clear career development plan.
- Employee affinity groups: Companies have started to compensate leaders of employee affinity groups with pay, time, and stock – recognizing their critical role in fostering belonging.
- Mental health: Deloitte’s 2024 Women at Work survey highlights the growing concern around mental health in the workplace. Communicating openly about mental health and reducing stigma can build trust.
- Allyship: Allyship involves actively supporting, amplifying, and advocating for others. Successful allyship programs bridge education and action, giving companies a competitive advantage.
What’s next: Some companies have partnered with organizations like Seramount to measure inclusion and belonging through employee sentiment surveys, and then use the data to tailor their approaches.
5. Here’s what strategic communicators should know.
Even companies that double down on their DEI initiatives should acknowledge that long-term success will require continuous learning and adaptation.
At Global Gateway Advisors, we partner with clients to understand the landscape and determine when and how they can show up for stakeholders in a meaningful way.
Go deeper:
- Prioritize your audiences’ needs: Collect data that will shed light on employee, consumer, and stakeholder sentiment.
- Evaluate language: Explore whether alternative language approaches are needed to advance your business/organizational goals.
- Mitigate risk: Shape an issues management strategy that helps your organization prepare for potential legal or external pressure.
- Focus on inclusion: Develop communications and programs that ensure employees feel they belong and that all viewpoints are heard, respected, and valued.
- Demonstrate commitment: Transparently share progress updates on DEI to build trust and bring more people along.
- Stay informed: The DEI landscape changes daily. Establish monitoring and insights processes to help your organization think ahead.
Want to know more? Connect with Global Gateway Advisors on LinkedIn.
Featured Insights
The state of mental health equity at work
Insights
Global Gateway Advisors
May 30, 2024
The escalating mental health crisis impacts all of us in different ways.
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Mental health is the chief health concern among U.S. adults, surpassing cancer, stress, obesity, and drug abuse.
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But the U.S. is not alone. It is part of a global trend. Across 31 countries recently polled, an average of 44% said that mental health was their country’s top health concern.
Why it matters: Work amplifies broader societal issues that negatively affect mental health, especially among diverse communities, including discrimination and inequality. Yet, stigma and shame remain around discussing or disclosing mental health in work settings. Prioritizing mental health equity for employees is a critical forward-looking talent strategy.
Go deeper: During Mental Health Month, Global Gateway Advisors and CommPro convened a group of business, government and advocacy leaders to exchange ideas about how to address mental health equity in the workplace. The event featured special guest and workplace mental health advocate, Natasha Bowman, JD, SPHR.
Here are our key takeaways.
1. Mental health is essential to thriving workplaces.
By the numbers:
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One in five employees globally manage a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year.
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One in three U.S. workers said their jobs had a somewhat negative or extremely negative impact on their mental health.
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Poor mental health at work can contribute to a decline in productivity, toxic workplace culture, higher rates of attrition and economic loss.
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Mental health issues cost the US economy $47.6 billion annually in lost productivity (up to 12 unplanned absences a year).
What they’re saying:
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“If your employees are mentally happy, they will stay longer, they will work better. We must think about mental health as an investment in our organizations.” – Jackson Budinger, Senior Director of Communications, Trevor Project
2. There is no one size fits all solution.
Every employee has unique experiences and identities that shape their perspective and affect how they approach mental health.
Employees experience significantly better mental health and engagement outcomes when their unique social identities are acknowledged and supported.
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34% of employees aged 18-29 and 28% of employees 30-49 reported that they considered quitting work due to the impact on mental health. Only 21% of employees aged 50-64 said the same.
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Neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+ and Hispanic employees want more preventative support when it comes to their mental health.
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Only one in three Black adults in the United States who need mental health care actually receive it.
What they’re saying:
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“We are all on different mental health journeys. Creative and flexible accommodations empower employees to manage their mental health and wellbeing – and show up effectively at work.” – Natasha Bowman
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“Carefully look at the composition of your team. For generation Alpha, it is easier to talk about mental health than Boomers. If you have a team with more Hispanic men, it will be tougher to talk about mental health, because it is not a part of their cultural ethos. It’s important to have a bespoke approach because people have different generational and cultural challenges.” – Event participant
3. Lack of communication and stigma stand in the way.
By the numbers:
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74% of full-time employees in the US say it is appropriate to discuss mental health concerns at work, yet only 58% say they feel comfortable.
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79% say that their work experience would be better if their leaders communicated they care about mental wellbeing.
What they’re saying:
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“As I started to share my experience navigating bipolar disorder, one of the common themes I heard from people is that they thought I was brave and courageous to share my story. Many said they wanted to, but were afraid of what their employer would say. The stigma surrounding mental health at work prevents people from talking about it at all.” – Natasha Bowman
4. Strategic communications can improve mental health and foster thriving workplaces.
Measure mental health. In the same way employers measure employee engagement, they can also measure employees’ mental health at work. Data can reveal how mental health impacts employees differently depending on where they’re based, their socio-cultural background and other demographics.
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Using data and insights, employers can define what resources are needed – and how communications can help point employees to the right support.
Engage leadership to break down stigma through storytelling. When a senior leader opens up about their experiences with mental health, it can make employees with shared experiences feel seen and heard.
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As Carmella Glover, Vice President, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Page Society, said: “It takes one brave person and their story to move people and create a safe space. There is power in storytelling, so people know they are not alone.”
Provide clear, actionable messaging around mental health. “We need a ‘stop, drop, and roll’ for the steps to take when someone in your life needs you. This is one of the important communications challenges in mental health equity,” said Erika Soto Lamb, Vice President, Social Impact Strategy at Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios at Paramount Global. “That’s why we partnered with Active Minds to launch a.s.k, or acknowledge, support, keep-in-touch.”
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Through creative messaging and employee engagement strategies, we can make resources more accessible to employees and provide actionable guidance for what to do when support is needed.
Ensure that conversations around mental health are inclusive of all backgrounds, cultures, abilities and perspectives.
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“A person may need mental health Tuesday instead of Friday,” said Natasha Bowman. “Off-the-shelf policies do not work because they’re inflexible and not inclusive.”
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The same goes for communications. As we shape communications to advance mental health equity at work, it is important to bring diverse stakeholders to the table, amplify stories that demonstrate the wide array of experiences a person can have with their mental health, and showcase how resources and solutions can be tailored to support employees’ unique needs.
Want to continue the conversation? Connect with Global Gateway Advisors on LinkedIn or get in touch via our website.