Global Gateway Advisors' Summer Edit

Insights

AI

By Global Gateway Advisors

July 15, 2025

We asked our team and friends of the firm to tell us what’s capturing their attention this summer — and because the news cycle is relentless, we also sought out TV and movie recommendations for those in need of a good distraction.

Also, our thoughts are with the families and communities affected by the devastating floods in Central Texas. The New York Times compiled a list of ways to help.

ICYMI: The previous edition of COMPASS explored why LinkedIn is more essential than ever and how to lean into the latest trends to reach your most important audiences. Read it here.

What to read, watch and listen to this summer

NEWSLETTERS

“I love Culture Study from Anne Helen Petersen. No one else can dissect the cultural zeitgeist the way she can. It’s so important for us as communicators to approach the latest culture trends with a deeper understanding of the full context of what matters and why, and her ability to dig deeper in an extremely accessible way makes us all smarter.” – Carrie Engel, head of U.S. external communications, Indeed

“The Ed’s Up, the immensely insightful science writer and author Ed Yong’s newsletter, who also has made me want to take up birding!” – Kathleen Siedlecki, principal, KAS Strategies

“I look forward to Fortune’s Broadsheet every day. Emma Hinchliffe’s coverage of female founders, funders and the forces shaping the business world is sharp, thoughtful and always relevant. It’s a smart pulse check on where power and capital are flowing — and where they could be flowing if more women were at the center of the story.” – Laura Lowery, advisor, Global Gateway Advisors

What else?

See our full list here.

PODCASTS

“Bloomberg’s Odd Lots is fantastic for digging deep into economics and markets. I’m a football fan too, so I like listening to The Athletic Football Show and The Mina Kimes Show when I’m out for a run.” – Daniel Zhao, director of economic research, Glassdoor

“I’m loyal to NPR’s Up First and The Skimm. For pop culture news, I’ve been loving Peyton Dix and Hunter Harris’s Lemme Say This podcast.” – Morgan Smith, freelance journalist

“Hard Fork from the New York Times provides an excellent look at what’s happening in tech and AI. I always look forward to Friday listening.” – MaryJo Fitzgerald, head of West Coast, partner, Global Gateway Advisors

What else?

See our full list here.

BOOKS

“Immunity to Change: How to Overcome It and Unlock the Potential in Yourself and Your Organization by Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey. It’s a great book that challenges leaders to think about the work they need to do to evolve and then work with their teams. It’s a book I revisit to evaluate my personal and company growth.” – Carol Harrison, president, Global Gateway Advisors

“Moral Ambition by Rutger Bregman. I am teaching Global Social Enterprise in the fall and it is the basis of my course. Needed now more than ever.” – Julie Meyer, founder, Eat Well Global

“For the heart: Ina Garten’s Be Ready When the Luck Happens. For the beach: Casey McQuiston’s Red White and Royal Blue. For the brain: Simon Sinek’s Leaders Eat Last. – Théa Iacovelli, managing director, strategic growth, Global Gateway Advisors

What else?

  • Abundance by Ezra Klein: An exploration of how technological advancements could reshape society, economy and human potential in a future of radical abundance.
  • Adventures in the Louvre: How to Fall in Love with the World’s Greatest Museum by Elaine Sciolini: A guide to experiencing the Louvre’s art and history through personal stories and insider tips, inviting readers to connect deeply with the museum.
  • The Art Thief by Michael Finkel: A true story of Stéphane Breitwieser, a prolific art thief who stole over 300 artworks from European museums, driven by obsession rather than profit.
  • The Beauty of the End by Lauren Stienstra: In a dystopian future facing extinction, two sisters navigate ethics, ambition and survival in a government-run reproduction program.
  • Black Friend by Ziwe: A humorous collection of essays from comedian Ziwe, reflecting on race, identity and pop culture through her incisive and irreverent lens.
  • Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams: A revealing memoir exposing Facebook’s culture of power, greed, and ethical decline through the author’s insider experience in the company’s public policy team. 

See our full list here.

MOVIES + TV

“Adolescence. Wow. Amazing. It was gripping, terrifying of course, and carried an important message. It was also acting, writing, directing and producing at its very best.” – David Neibart, principal, The Neibart Group “Paradise is a series that teaches that utopia is not perfect. Orchestrated life based on the opinion of a few does not prevent curiosity.” – Vanessa N. Quijano, senior public affairs and communications advisor, NeighborWorks America

“Handmaid’s Tale and America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. In their own, unique ways, both series illustrate the strength, grit and complex inner thoughts and motivations of women. I would recommend watching both series in tandem, alternating between shows based on your mood.” – Sareena Roy, account executive, Global Gateway Advisors

What else?

  • Anora: A young Brooklyn sex worker’s whirlwind romance and impulsive marriage to the son of a Russian oligarch is threatened when his parents attempt to annul the union, leading to a chaotic journey through New York.
  • Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything: A documentary exploring the groundbreaking career and personal life of the legendary journalist.
  • Call Her Alex: A two-part documentary series about Alex Cooper, the host of the massively successful podcast “Call Her Daddy,” exploring her rise from a self-conscious teenager to a media mogul.
  • Dept Q: A brash but brilliant cop becomes head of a new police department, where he leads an unlikely team of misfits in solving Edinburgh’s cold cases.

See our full list here.

We’d love to know — what are you reading, watching, or listening to this summer? Share your favorites with us here.

AFS Youth Assembly: Empowering global citizens

Hundreds of delegates aged 18-35 representing over 100 countries will gather in New York City August 8-10 for the AFS Youth Assembly, a global platform dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders through cross-cultural exchange, education and action.

What to watch: For the first time, the Youth Assembly will feature a focused track on youth mental health in a turbulent world, focused on understanding the challenge and driving solutions.

Global Gateway Advisors is proud to support this important initiative and we hope you’ll stay tuned for important announcements coming out of this year’s Assembly.

Click here to receive our biweekly youth mental health insights newsletter.

Upcoming events

  • Semafor’s Solving the Youth Wellbeing Challenge (Washington D.C. / virtual, July 16) Semafor journalists will host a discussion exploring the youth mental health crisis, highlighting opportunities to rebuild social ties, foster resilience and develop lasting strategies to combat rising depression, anxiety and loneliness among young people. Speakers include Sen. John Fetterman; Laura Horne, chief program officer, Active Minds; and Sara DeWitt, senior vice president and general manager, PBS KIDS. RSVP here.
  • Reuters Momentum AI San Jose (San Jose, CA, July 15-16) This two-day conference hosted by Reuters brings together industry leaders to explore how AI can improve the way large companies operate and deliver products and services. Speakers include Prashant Mehrotra, chief AI officer, U.S. Bank; Hilary Packer, CTO, American Express; and Yao Morin, CTO, JLL. More here.
  • American Hospital Association Leadership Summit (Nashville, Tenn., July 20-22) Senior health care executives, clinicians and industry experts convene to explore strategies for delivering higher-value care, ensuring financial sustainability, tackling workforce challenges and enhancing the consumer experience. More here.
  • Fortune Brainstorm AI Singapore (Singapore, July 22-23) This year’s event focuses on the rise of AI agents, the shift from AI planning to implementation and the urgent need for sustainable, responsible scaling. Featured speakers include Tan Su Shan, CEO, DBS Bank; Oliver Jay, managing director, international, OpenAI; and Madhu Kurup, vice president of engineering, Indeed. More here.

Bookmark Global Gateway Advisors’ event tracker, updated weekly.

Media news + moves

The latest in AI:

  • “The Hidden Layer.” A new twice-weekly newsletter from Puck offers insights into the latest dealmaking and breakthroughs in AI, and how the intersecting worlds of finance, entertainment, media and politics are being transformed in its wake. Subscribe here.
  • Law360 requires use of AI tool. All stories are required to be screened by an AI-powered “bias” detection tool prior to publication, leading to a petition from the Law360 Union. “As journalists, we should be trusted to select our own tools of the trade to do our information-gathering, reporting and editing — not pressured to use unproven technology against our will,” it states. Read more.
  • Axios adjusts editorial policies to be more AI-friendly. Per a recent note to staff: “The new language replaces our original framing, which was centered on how everything we do ‘will be written or produced by a real person with a real identity. There will be NO AI-written stories.’ That was written years ago and was unnecessarily limiting as we’ve learned more about what AI tools can and can’t do.”
  • Fortune leans into AI-produced content. A new section on the outlet’s website, Fortune Intelligence, features stories drafted by generative AI — but edited by humans. Read more.
  • The fight against AI scraping. Publishers are increasingly moving to cordon off their content with the help of companies like Cloudflare to prevent it from being scraped by unlicensed AI chatbots — a move AI companies reject, arguing it’s within bounds and setting up a clash with far-reaching implications for both the media industry and the internet. Read more.

Media moves:

  • Michal Lev-Ram joined CNBC as a tech contributor.
  • Henry Chandonnet joined Business Insider as a trending news fellow.
  • Jeff Bercovici is joining the Wall Street Journal’sSan Francisco team as deputy tech and media editor later this month.
  • Business Insider health correspondent Rachel Hosie is departing to pursue freelance work.
  • Riley Beggin joined the Washington Post to cover Congressional economic policy.
  • The Financial Times hired Abigail Hauslohner to cover a new beat about the United States’ evolving relationships, policies and actions in the Middle East.
  • Rob Lang was named Reuters’ first-ever newsroom AI editor.
  • Brad Smith trades Yahoo Finance for the anchor desk at CNN Headlines.
  • Politicohired David Harrison as economic policy editor.
  • Christina Vallice joined Vox as head of video.
  • Semafor appointed Matthew Martin as its Saudi Arabia bureau chief and global head of sovereign wealth fund coverage.
  • Yahoo Finance hired Jake Conley as a breaking news business reporter.
  • The Financial Times hired Laith Al-Khalaf as a banking and fintech reporter.
  • Idrees Kahloon, Washington bureau chief at The Economist, is leaving for a role at The Atlantic.
  • Gizmodo hired Gayoung Lee as a reporter.
  • Miranda Nazzaro left The Hill for a new opportunity.
  • Wall Street Journal reporters Sabela Ojea and Preetika Rana have left the organization.

by Global Gateway Advisors

Global Gateway Advisors' Summer Edit: Newsletters + Podcasts

Insights

AI

By Global Gateway Advisors

July 15, 2025

We asked our team and friends of the firm to tell us what’s capturing their attention this summer — and because the news cycle is relentless, we also sought out TV and movie recommendations for those in need of a good distraction.

Also, our thoughts are with the families and communities affected by the devastating floods in Central Texas. The New York Times compiled a list of ways to help.

ICYMI: The previous edition of COMPASS explored why LinkedIn is more essential than ever and how to lean into the latest trends to reach your most important audiences. Read it here.

NEWSLETTERS

“I love Culture Study from Anne Helen Petersen. No one else can dissect the cultural zeitgeist the way she can. It’s so important for us as communicators to approach the latest culture trends with a deeper understanding of the full context of what matters and why, and her ability to dig deeper in an extremely accessible way makes us all smarter.” – Carrie Engel, head of U.S. external communications, Indeed

“The Ed’s Up, the immensely insightful science writer and author Ed Yong’s newsletter, who also has made me want to take up birding!” – Kathleen Siedlecki, principal, KAS Strategies

“I look forward to Fortune’s Broadsheet every day. Emma Hinchliffe’s coverage of female founders, funders and the forces shaping the business world is sharp, thoughtful and always relevant. It’s a smart pulse check on where power and capital are flowing — and where they could be flowing if more women were at the center of the story.” – Laura Lowery, advisor, Global Gateway Advisors

What else?

PODCASTS

“Bloomberg’s Odd Lots is fantastic for digging deep into economics and markets. I’m a football fan too, so I like listening to The Athletic Football Show and The Mina Kimes Show when I’m out for a run.” – Daniel Zhao, director of economic research, Glassdoor

“I’m loyal to NPR’s Up First and The Skimm. For pop culture news, I’ve been loving Peyton Dix and Hunter Harris’s Lemme Say This podcast.” – Morgan Smith, freelance journalist

“Hard Fork from the New York Times provides an excellent look at what’s happening in tech and AI. I always look forward to Friday listening.” – MaryJo Fitzgerald, head of West Coast, partner, Global Gateway Advisors

What else?

by Global Gateway Advisors

Global Gateway Advisors' Summer Edit: Books, Movies + TV

Insights

AI

By Global Gateway Advisors

July 15, 2025

We asked our team and friends of the firm to tell us what’s capturing their attention this summer — and because the news cycle is relentless, we also sought out TV and movie recommendations for those in need of a good distraction.

Also, our thoughts are with the families and communities affected by the devastating floods in Central Texas. The New York Times compiled a list of ways to help.

ICYMI: The previous edition of COMPASS explored why LinkedIn is more essential than ever and how to lean into the latest trends to reach your most important audiences. Read it here.

BOOKS

“Immunity to Change: How to Overcome It and Unlock the Potential in Yourself and Your Organization by Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey. It’s a great book that challenges leaders to reflect on the work they need to do to evolve and then collaborate with their teams. It’s a book I revisit to evaluate my personal and company growth.” – Carol Harrison, president, Global Gateway Advisors

“Moral Ambition by Rutger Bregman. I am teaching Global Social Enterprise in the fall and it is the basis of my course. Needed now more than ever.” – Julie Meyer, founder, Eat Well Global

“For the heart: Ina Garten’s Be Ready When the Luck Happens. For the beach: Casey McQuiston’s Red White and Royal Blue. For the brain: Simon Sinek’s Leaders Eat Last. – Théa Iacovelli, managing director, strategic growth, Global Gateway Advisors

What else?

  • Abundance by Ezra Klein: An exploration of how technological advancements could reshape society, economy and human potential in a future of radical abundance.
  • Adventures in the Louvre: How to Fall in Love with the World’s Greatest Museum by Elaine Sciolini: A guide to experiencing the Louvre’s art and history through personal stories and insider tips, inviting readers to connect deeply with the museum.
  • The Art Thief by Michael Finkel: A true story of Stéphane Breitwieser, a prolific art thief who stole over 300 artworks from European museums, driven by obsession rather than profit.
  • The Beauty of the End by Lauren Stienstra: In a dystopian future facing extinction, two sisters navigate ethics, ambition and survival in a government-run reproduction program.
  • Black Friend by Ziwe: A humorous collection of essays from comedian Ziwe, reflecting on race, identity and pop culture through her incisive and irreverent lens.
  • Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams: A revealing memoir exposing Facebook’s culture of power, greed, and ethical decline through the author’s insider experience in the company’s public policy team. 
  • Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid: An oral history of a 1970s rock band, chronicling their rise to fame, interpersonal dramas and eventual dissolution.
  • Daughters of the Flower Fragrant Garden by Zhuqing Li: A memoir of two sisters separated by the Chinese Civil War, tracing their divergent paths and resilience amid political upheaval.
  • Death Is Our Business: Russian Mercenaries and the New Era of Private Warfare by John Lechner: An investigative account of Russia’s Wagner Group and the rise of private military companies reshaping modern warfare.
  • Empire of AI by Karen Hao: A deep dive into the global race for artificial intelligence dominance, examining its technological, ethical and geopolitical implications.
  • Everyday Life in the Spectacular City: Making Home in Dubai by Rana AlMutawa: An ethnographic study of Dubai’s residents, revealing how they navigate identity, community and belonging in a rapidly transforming urban landscape.
  • Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet by Taylor Lorenz: A look at the rise of internet influencers and the cultural, economic and social forces shaping digital fame.
  • Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano: A family saga about four sisters, inspired by Little Women, exploring love, loyalty and the bonds that endure through tragedy.
  • How to Be Perfect by Michael Schur: An accessible guide to moral philosophy, blending humor and practical advice to navigate ethical dilemmas in everyday life.
  • How to Break Up with Your Phone by Catherine Price: A practical, science-backed guide to reducing smartphone addiction and reclaiming time, attention and mental well-being.
  • In a Free State by V.S. Naipaul: A collection of interconnected stories exploring displacement, identity and the complexities of freedom in a postcolonial world.
  • James by Percival Everett: A reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from Jim’s perspective, blending humor and tragedy to explore race and humanity.
  • Nazi Billionaires by David de Jong: An investigative exposé of dynastic families who amassed wealth under the Third Reich and their lingering influence in modern Germany.
  • Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI by Yuval Noah Harari: A history of how information networks, from ancient writing to AI, have shaped human civilization and power dynamics.
  • Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri: A collection of short stories set in Rome, exploring themes of migration, identity and belonging through the lives of diverse characters.
  • The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins: A motivational guide encouraging readers to release control over others’ actions and focus on personal growth and empowerment.
  • The Man Who Would Be King: Mohammed bin Salman and the Transformation of Saudi Arabia by Karen Elliot House: A detailed portrait of Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and his ambitious, controversial efforts to modernize the kingdom.
  • Say It Well by Terry Szuplata: A practical guide to effective public speaking, drawing on the author’s experience as a speechwriter to inspire confidence and clarity.
  • The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett: A fantasy mystery set in a decaying empire, where a brilliant investigator and her assistant unravel a conspiracy tied to a magical plague.
  • We Are Legion (We Are Bob) by Dennis E. Taylor: A sci-fi adventure following Bob, a former engineer whose consciousness is uploaded into a spacecraft, exploring the galaxy while replicating himself.
  • What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds by Jennifer Ackerman: An exploration of owl biology, behavior and cultural significance, grounded in cutting-edge scientific research.
  • When McKinsey Comes to Town by Michael Forsythe and Walt Bogdanich: An investigation of McKinsey’s controversial role in shaping global business and government.
  • Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service edited by Michael Lewis: A collection of essays highlighting the unsung heroes of public service and their critical roles in shaping effective governance.

MOVIES AND TV

“Adolescence. Wow. Amazing. It was gripping, terrifying of course, and carried an important message. It was also acting, writing, directing and producing at its very best.” – David Neibart, principal, The Neibart Group

“Paradise is a series that teaches that utopia is not perfect. Orchestrated life based on the opinion of a few does not prevent curiosity.” – Vanessa N. Quijano, senior public affairs and communications advisor, NeighborWorks America

“Handmaid’s Tale and America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. In their own, unique ways, both series illustrate the strength, grit and complex inner thoughts and motivations of women. I would recommend watching both series in tandem, alternating between shows based on your mood.” – Sareena Roy, account executive, Global Gateway Advisors

What else?

  • Anora: A young Brooklyn sex worker’s whirlwind romance and impulsive marriage to the son of a Russian oligarch is threatened when his parents attempt to annul the union, leading to a chaotic journey through New York. 
  • Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything: A documentary exploring the groundbreaking career and personal life of the legendary journalist.
  • Call Her Alex: A two-part documentary series about Alex Cooper, the host of the massively successful podcast “Call Her Daddy,” exploring her rise from a self-conscious teenager to a media mogul.
  • Dept. Q: A brash but brilliant cop becomes head of a new police department, where he leads an unlikely team of misfits in solving Edinburgh’s cold cases.
  • Formula 1: Drive to Survive: A docuseries giving viewers exclusive, intimate access to the people in one of the world’s greatest racing competitions.
  • Gold & Greed: The Hunt for Fenn’s Treasure: A docuseries following the everyday people who risked their lives chasing Fenn’s fortune.
  • My Mom Jayne: In her feature film directorial debut, Mariska Hargitay grapples with the public and private legacy of her mother, Jayne Mansfield.
  • My Octopus Teacher: In a South African kelp forest, a filmmaker forms a remarkable bond with an octopus as she reveals the wonders of her underwater world.
  • Nothing Compares: A documentary covering Sinéad O’Connor’s rise to fame and how her iconoclastic personality led to her exile from the pop mainstream.
  • The Four Seasons: Starring Tina Fey and Steve Carell, this comedy-drama follows three longtime couples whose decades-old friendship is shaken when one pair divorces, upending their cherished tradition of quarterly weekend getaways.
  • Shrinking: A grieving therapist starts breaking the rules, with comedic and heartfelt consequences.
  • Sirens: Taking place over a single weekend at a lavish beach estate, the series delves into issues of gender, power and social class.
  • Special Ops: Lioness: A covert CIA program uses female operatives to infiltrate terror networks in this thriller.
  • The Bear: A series about food, family and the insanity of the restaurant industry grind.
  • The Better Sister: A thriller about two estranged sisters, Chloe and Nicky, who are forced to reunite after Chloe’s husband, Adam, is murdered.
  • The Rehearsal: Nathan Fielder stages elaborate simulations to help people prepare for life’s toughest moments.
  • The Studio: Seth Rogen stars as the newly appointed head of a movie studio. 

We’d love to know — what are you reading, watching, or listening to this summer? Share your favorites with us here. 

by Global Gateway Advisors

Leaning into LinkedIn

Insights

AI

By Global Gateway Advisors

June 25, 2025

“The content that creates a memory is the content that drives action.”

That’s the message from LinkedIn’s head of customer insights, Nicole Moreo. We sat down with her this week to learn more. With over 1 billion users, including 8.2 million C-level executives, LinkedIn continues to evolve as a powerful and cost-effective tool for building brand visibility, trust and influence, and shaping industry dialogue.

Executives are creating consistent, expert, human content that resonates long after the scroll. In today’s newsletter, we explore why LinkedIn is more essential than ever and how to lean into the latest trends to reach your most important audiences.

ICYMI: The previous edition of COMPASS explored why organizations should embrace generative engine optimization (GEO), as traditional search engine optimization (SEO) declines amid the rise of AI chatbots and Google’s AI-generated results. Read it here.

Why CEOs and leaders should all be active on LinkedIn

The platform offers thought leaders a powerful hub with multiple ways to advance business goals — delivering strong returns on time invested. And as one’s personal profile gains visibility, so does their company’s brand and impact.

1. Establish presence, authenticity and credibility

People prefer hearing directly from executives rather than brands. CEOs active on LinkedIn humanize their companies, building trust, enhancing authenticity and expanding their influence. Executive posts also tend to generate higher engagement and shares than brand posts.

  • Executives are building trust with direct-to-audience video. According to Moreo: “We’ve seen video make a huge difference in true business return.” Short, informal walk-and-talk videos are more authentic and memorable.
  • Video also creates what LinkedIn calls dwell time — the most important metric for platform performance and eventual conversion.

Measure it: A rise in profile views indicates your content is resonating, and dwell time is the new impression. LinkedIn’s latest data show that how long someone engages with your content (not how many people see it) is a leading predictor of conversion.

Who is doing it well? Jon Gray, COO at Blackstone, is known for sharing business and personal insightsin a casual tone — he’s often on a run! — which makes him feel relatable while strengthening his professional brand.

2. Gain unparalleled access to decision makers

LinkedIn’s user base has nearly doubled since 2019, significantly growing its network of C-suite leaders, influencers and key decision-makers who use the network to seek expert insights, collaboration opportunities and fresh ideas. And 91% of executives consider LinkedIn their top source for professionally relevant content.

Why it matters:

  • Directly engage senior stakeholders in conversations, skipping intermediaries and delays.
  • Connect with decision-makers in target industries and sectors.
  • Access to relevant groups and forums where industry leaders drive key conversations and influence trends.

3. Attract top talent

According to LinkedIn data, 75% of job seekers evaluate an employer’s brand before applying. Gen Z engagement on LinkedIn is growing fast, and “Gen Z is more likely to follow people than brands,” Moreo said.

Why it matters: Organizations with a strong executive presence that highlights company culture and values attract higher-quality candidates.

  • Candidates are drawn to workplaces that align with their values and offer a supportive culture — priorities that matter even more to Gen Z, who will make up 30% of the workforce by 2030.

4. Lead generation

The unique combination of professional data, advanced search filters and content-driven engagement positions LinkedIn as a top platform for generating high-quality leads.

Marketing and communications teams must think beyond the funnel, says Moreo. At any given time, only 5% of your audience is actively in-market –- the other 95% isn’t ready to buy, but is ready to remember you. That’s why brand-building content on LinkedIn matters. “You have to create a memory when they don’t even realize they need you,” said Moreo.

  • By the numbers: LinkedIn accounts for 80% of all B2B leads generated through social media.

5. Supplement traditional comms channels

Thought leaders increasingly use LinkedIn to sidestep conventional avenues like press releases or media interviews, allowing them to speak directly to their audiences — faster, more authentically and with greater control.

In action: Tinder CEO Faye Iosotaluno recently announced her plans to step down via LinkedIn. Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff responded, thanking her and noting that he will be stepping in to lead Tinder. Media reporting the news then linked directly to Iosotaluno’s post.

The bottom line: LinkedIn has evolved to become a public mainstage for executive thought leadership. The most effective voices are the most consistent, human and memorable.  Whether you’re sharing insights, announcing a bold move, or just showing up, every post is an opportunity to shape reputation and build trust.

Global Gateway Advisors helps leaders communicate with clarity through smart, resonant content strategies tailored to your goals and your audience. Get in touch to elevate your executive presence.

AFS Youth Assembly: Empowering global citizens

Hundreds of delegates aged 18–35 representing over 100 countries will gather in New York City Aug. 8-10 for the AFS Youth Assembly, a global platform dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders through cross-cultural exchange, education and action. If you would like to send someone from your organization, apply by Aug. 1.

What to watch: In response to the global youth mental health crisis, the Assembly is launching a dedicated program track on mental health for the first time. Global Gateway Advisors is proud to support this important initiative by fostering strategic dialogue and amplifying youth-led solutions to break down mental health stigma globally.

Click here to receive our weekly newsletter for youth mental health insights and solutions.

Upcoming events

  • Aspen Ideas Festival (Aspen, Colo., June 25-July 1) Leaders and thinkers gather at this annual event to explore critical issues and ignite new ideas around themes like prosperity reimagined; the global contract; breakthroughs and innovations; and what it means to live a good life. Speakers include Susan Rice, former U.S. domestic policy adviser; Fred Krupp, president, Environmental Defense Fund; Brené Brown, research professor and author; and Laurence Fink, chairman and CEO, BlackRock. More here.
  • American Hospital Association Leadership Summit (Nashville, Tenn., July 20-22) Senior health care executives, clinicians, and industry experts convene to explore strategies for delivering higher-value care, ensuring financial sustainability, tackling workforce challenges and enhancing the consumer experience. More here.
  • Fortune Brainstorm AI Singapore (Singapore, July 22-23) This year’s event focuses on the rise of AI agents, the shift from AI planning to implementation and the urgent need for sustainable, responsible scaling. Featured speakers include Tan Su Shan, CEO, DBS Bank; Oliver Jay, managing director, international, OpenAI; and Madhu Kurup, vice president of engineering, Indeed. More here.

Bookmark Global Gateway Advisors’ event tracker, updated weekly.

Media news + moves

What we’re reading and watching:

  • News sites feel the impact of AI search results: As more people rely on chatbot responses for information, news sites are seeing a significant drop in organic search traffic. When Business Insider laid off 21% of its staff last month, CEO Barbara Peng cited "extreme traffic drops;” data show a 55% decline between April 2022 and April 2025. Read more.
  • Bloomberg Television announces expansion this month: The new launches include Bloomberg Tech: Asia and Bloomberg Tech: Europe. Read more.
  • Social media surpasses TV for the first time in the U.S.: According to a new digital report from Oxford’s Reuters Institute, the proportion of Americans accessing news via social media and video networks (54%) is “sharply up,” outpacing both TV news (50%) and news websites/apps (48%) for the first time. Read more.
  • The Atlantic goes on a hiring spree: With many in the industry heading to Substack — where dozens of writers now earn over $1 million a year — The Atlantic is offering salaries of up to $300,000, with several hires coming from the Washington Post. Read more.
  • Introducing Fortune AIQ: A new series exploring how businesses are adopting AI with a thoughtful, strategic approach — hence the “IQ.” Read more.
  • A new podcast from NBC News: “Here’s the Scoop,” hosted by Morgan Chesky, Brian Cheung and Yasmin Vossoughian will mix deep dives with quick news rundowns every day at 5 p.m. ET. Read more.
  • TechCrunch isn’t leaving Europe after all: According to Michael Reinstein, chairman and founder of private equity firm Regent, which recently bought TechCrunch, the plan is not to retreat, as widely reported, but to “double down.” Read more.
  • Subscriptions surge at The Economist: The outlet said it reached its "highest-ever number of subscriptions" in 2025. Read more.
  • The BBC considers charging Americans: Executives are considering charging U.S. consumers for access to help shore up finances, seeing the country’s media polarization as an opportunity to attract audiences with impartial coverage. Read more.

The Substack takeover continues:

  • Derek Thompson, longtime staff writer at The Atlantic, joined the platform: The move comes on the heels of his new book. “...I felt like maybe the best way for me to say all the things that I have to say about this one thing in my life, the fallout of and potential of ‘Abundance,’ the best way to do that was to do so as an independent journalist and not as a sort of de facto semi-political actor working for a non-political institution,” Thompson said. Read more.
  • Former ABC anchor Terry Moran made the jump, too: The longtime anchor and correspondent was dropped by the network after calling Trump a “world-class hater.” He subsequently launched a Substack, making the announcement in a video titled “Independence Day.” Read more.
  • News anchors embrace the side hustle: Recent Indeed data revealed that 52% of professionals said they have to take on secondary jobs to make ends meet. Among them are TV news anchors, as networks grow more flexible with staff experimenting with content distribution on Substack. “They’re opening the door because talent who’s left had such immediate impact on Substack,” said Catherine Valentine, Substack’s head of news and politics, of the shift. Read more.

Media moves:

  • Axios hired Madison Mills as a senior markets reporter and author of the daily Axios Markets newsletter.
  • Fortune promoted Emma Hinchliffe to its Most Powerful Women Editor.
  • Business Insider hired Kim Last as editorial director of its news events business, of BI Live.
  • Steven Tweedie was named deputy executive editor at Business Insider.
  • TechCrunch reporter Rebecca Bellan is now covering artificial intelligence.
  • Bloomberg News hired Patrick Howell O’Neill as a cybersecurity reporter.
  • Business Insider hired Julia Herbst as senior leadership and workplace editor.
  • Reporter Brian Delk joined Business Insider’seconomy team.
  • The Los Angeles Times hired Eric Bellman as deputy business editor,
  • Adam O’Neal was hired as opinion editor at The Washington Post.
  • Maxine Joselow joined the climate desk at The New York Times.
  • Emma Haidar joined the Bloomberg News Work + Management team as a summer intern.

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by Global Gateway Advisors

Are you GEO ready?

Insights

AI

By Global Gateway Advisors

June 6, 2025

In today’s newsletter:

  • Generative engine optimization (GEO) takes center stage
  • San Francisco-based communications leaders tackle AI’s impact on our work
  • Events on our radar
  • Media moves + news, including a list of those impacted by Business Insider layoffs

ICYMI: The previous edition of COMPASS explored the future of healthcare through the lens of a MAHA-driven agenda, AI, and the growing focus on mental wellbeing. Read it here.

How to win in GEO

Google’s AI Overview feature, combined with other Large Language Models (LLMs) — now used by more than half (52%) of adults — has the potential to fundamentally change how we search the web, with many users finding what they need without accessing traditional results.

Last month, Google announced the rollout of AI Mode that features enhanced reasoning, support for multiple formats, the capacity to dive deeper through follow-up questions and even a shopping “partner” that auto purchases that item you’ve been eyeing when it goes on sale.

Why it matters: Remember when SEO was a game changer? By 2026, search engine optimization is expected to drop by 25% as more people turn to AI chatbots and Google’s AI-generated responses, according to Gartner.

Brands must adapt quickly to stay visible and relevant, which means shifting to GEO— generative engine optimization — or, as it’s also called, “conversational search.”

  • Go deeper: A recent analysis from Ahrefs of 75,000 brands found that brand web mentions show the strongest correlation with AI Overview brand visibility beating out other factors like backlinks, branded ad traffic and cost. Brands with the highest number of web mentions receive up to 10 times more mentions in AI Overviews than those in the next closest quartile. Explore all the findings here.

What’s next: A possible silver lining for the struggling media industry? One of the best ways for brands to have content reach GenAI users is by talking to journalists. Top-tier, reputable outlets — from mainstream publications to industry trades —  have much stronger influence on GenAI query results about a company than social media campaigns or Reddit threads.

  • To date, publications ranging from The Atlantic to The Associated Press to The Washington Post have entered into agreements with OpenAI for their content to be sourced.
  • Last week, The New York Times, which previously sued OpenAI for copyright infringement, signed its first AI licensing deal with Amazon, allowing its editorial content to appear across Amazon platforms, including Alexa. Experts say this represents a “new wave” of deals to come.

What content wins? LLMs favor content that is concise, conversational and question-driven — as well as supported by subheads, bullet points, charts, graphics and video — according to Aaron Kwittken, founder and CEO of PRophet, in a recent Page Society briefing for industry leaders.

Next week’s events

  • Fortune COO Summit (Scottsdale, AZ, June 9-10) Fortune’s second-annual COO Summit brings together global chief operating officers, top speakers and editors to explore today’s biggest business challenges — from AI integration and financial pressure to talent strategy and leadership transitions. More here.
  • WSJ CEO Council Summit – London (London, June 10-11) This year’s theme explores the new era of globalization and how companies are navigating a transformed global landscape. With rising nationalism, geopolitical instability and protectionist policies reshaping trade and collaboration, business leaders will examine what globalization looks like now — and where it’s headed. More here.
  • Semafor The World of Work (Washington, D.C., June 12) New tech, shifting expectations, and post-pandemic disruptions are reshaping the workplace. In partnership with Gallup, Semafor will share key insights from the 2025 State of the Global Workplace report and explore how leaders can navigate what’s next — boosting productivity, resilience and wellbeing. More here (and let us know if you’ll also be there!).

Bookmark Global Gateway Advisors’ event tracker, updated weekly.

Media news + moves

 

What we’re reading and watching:

A tough week for media:

  • Business Insider lays off 21% of staff: “We’re at the start of a major shift in how people find and consume information, which is driving ongoing volatility in traffic and distribution for all publishers,” said CEO Barbara Peng in a message to staff. See a complete list of those affected and read about the ensuing employee backlash.
  • TechCrunch bids Europe adieu: The continent’s startup ecosystem is scrambling after the outlet that gave many its first coverage shut down. This follows Yahoo’s March sale of TechCrunch to private equity firm Regent; many longtime writers and editors have since departed. Read more.
  • Inc. and Fast Company, too: A recent round of cuts by parent company Mansueto Ventures impacted 7% of its workforce, including Fast Company senior editor Aimee Rawlins and tech reporter Jessica Bursztynsky. See the full list here.
  • And several magazines shutter completely: In Touch, Life & Style, Closer, and First for Women will cease operations by the end of the month, with a spokesperson from parent company McClatchy citing their inability to develop a profitable business model. Read the full story.

Platforms catching steam:

  • Fun fact: More than 50 people are making over $1 million per year on Substack, according to CEO Chris Verge.
  • YouTube takeover: The platform already dominates when it comes to podcasts, outpacing traditional audio apps like Spotify and Apple. Now it’s coming for television: According to the company, people in the U.S. spend more time watching YouTube on a TV rather than a phone or computer. “As much as Hollywood has worried about labor strife, artificial intelligence and the demise of moviegoing, the rise of YouTube is a much more immediate and real threat,” Bloomberg reporter Lucas Shaw writes. Read more.
  • Is Bluesky catching on? Kind of. Many left-leaning influencers have made it home, and users have tripled since the November elections. Still, most Bluesky users still post on X, which remains far more popular. Read more.
  • Grammarly to expand AI offerings: The company raised $1 billion from General Catalyst with the goal of becoming an all-in-one productivity platform. Read the full story.

C-suite offerings:

  • Harvard Business Review Executive: In line with industry trends, HBR is targeting the C-suite with a new toolkit to help senior leaders make high-impact business decisions, including a weekly newsletter from editor Adi Ignatius. Subscribe to HBR Executive here.

Media moves:

  • Jason Dean was hired by The Washington Post to lead its AI and Tech vertical.
  • The Information hired Valida Pau to cover tech deals and finance in New York
  • Business Insider hired Sarah Needleman as a leadership and workplace correspondent.
  • The Verge hired CNBC’s Hayden Field as senior AI reporter.
  • Jeff Horwitz joined Reuters as its tech investigations reporter.
  • Brenda Stolyar joined Wirecutter where she will be covering smartphones, tablets and wearables.
  • Kristina Peterson was hired by Bloomberg as a big food reporter.
  • Consumer goods reporter Saabira Chaudhuri has left The Wall Street Journal.
  • Wall Street Journal reporter Jacob Gershman left the news organization for another opportunity.
  • New York Post reporter Josh Kosman was suspended after accusing the editor-in-chief of killing a story for political reasons.
  • Despite rumors speculating otherwise, Gayle King is staying on at CBS, at least through next summer.
  • Lester Holt officially ended his 10-year stint as anchor of “Nightly News” handing over the reins to Tom Llamas.

 

by Global Gateway Advisors

AI, wellness and mental health are shaping healthcare’s future

Insights

AI

By Global Gateway Advisors

May 27, 2025

May is Mental Health Awareness Month — a time to recognize the growing conversation around mental health, especially in the workplace. While awareness is increasing, there’s still significant progress to be made in reducing stigma and improving support.

Meanwhile, the healthcare landscape is at a crossroads. Rapid advancements in AI, combined with a “Make America Healthy Again”-driven political agenda, are unfolding against a backdrop of rising misinformation and declining trust in institutions worldwide.

In this week’s newsletter, we explore what these shifts mean for strategic communicators navigating this complex and evolving environment.

How strategic communication supports workplace mental health

By 2030, Gen Z will comprise 30% of the workforce — a generation that approaches mental health conversations differently than their predecessors. As workplaces adapt, strategic communication becomes essential for creating truly supportive environments.

To explore this shift, Global Gateway Advisors convened a salon, Thriving Workplaces: Fostering Mental Health Equity, that brought together leading voices in mental health to better understand the barriers and learn from each other about solutions we can implement to foster a healthier work environment for all. 

Key takeaways: 

  • Measure what matters: Use employee sentiment data to inform targeted mental health communications that reflect real needs.
  • Normalize the conversation: Encourage leaders to share personal stories to normalize mental health conversations and build employee trust.
  • Empower the front line: Equip managers with clear messaging tools to confidently support team members’ mental well-being.
  • Communicate with cultural intelligence: Craft culturally aware and inclusive messages that resonate across diverse audiences.

Yes, but: Each year, depression and anxiety lead to the loss of an estimated 12 billion workdays globally, costing the world economy around US$1 trillion in lost productivity. And it’s not just a financial issue: new World Health Organization data show that anxiety and depression linked to COVID-19 cut global healthy life expectancy by six weeks.

Why it matters: Gen Z has different workplace expectations, with 61% saying they would leave a job for better mental health benefits — making it a key factor in retention.

  • Support must be visible, fast, and flexible: To meet Gen Z expectations, organizations should offer accessible resources, train managers, and model mental health behaviors from the top. 
  • Just 56% of Gen Z workers feel comfortable talking to their managers about mental health challenges.

The big picture: Gen Z, the first fully digital generation, reports higher rates of anxiety and depression than older generations — likely due to constant online exposure and the social isolation of COVID-19 lockdowns during key formative years. 

By the numbers: Roughly 46% of Gen Z workers say they feel stressed, while 35% experience depression, well above the 20% average of the general population. Worldwide, about one in seven adolescents aged 10-19 years lives with a mental health condition, and suicide is the third leading cause of death among those aged 15-29 years.

  • Go deeper: Despite increased awareness, social factors like stigma stop many from seeking the help they need.

What’s next: Global Gateway Advisors is taking the global youth mental health crisis head on. In the coming weeks, in partnership with leading mental health organizations, we’ll unveil a coalition aimed at breaking the stigma and driving lasting change for young adults. Stay tuned.

AI’s transformative role reshapes healthcare

Artificial intelligence is reshaping healthcare, revolutionizing how we diagnose, treat, and engage patients. It could also help fast track much-needed access to new drugs, with the FDA announcing last week that it would begin using AI to speed up its drug review process. Some experts go as far as to compare the rise of large language models (LLMs) in healthcare to decoding the human genome, in terms of its potential impact.

Why it matters: AI is accelerating a shift to data-driven, patient-centric care. Communicators are key to making complex tech understandable and turning it into trusted, human-centered stories.

What AI is doing now

  • Smarter diagnostics: AI tools can detect diseases like cancer with up to 94% accuracy — often earlier than traditional methods.
  • Proactive prevention: Algorithms spot patterns in health records, imaging and genetics to predict risks before symptoms appear.
  • Personalized care: AI tailors treatments to the individual, optimizing drug therapies and minimizing side effects.
    Patient engagement: On-demand support with chatbots and virtual assistants offers 24/7 help, and is changing the doctor-patient relationship. 

Communicators: Eyes wide open

  • Bias + bad info: Many AI models are trained on biased data, which can perpetuate societal inequalities and stereotypes, leading to disparities in patient care and outcomes. Plus, AI can hallucinate, generating false information with confidence.
  • Low public trust: A general decline in trust in science and medicine, fueled in large part by a flood of misinformation accelerated by COVID, makes clear, accurate communication essential to rebuild trust and ensure AI advances are understood and responsibly adopted.

The big picture: What this means for health communicators

  • Lead with patient impact: Craft messages that emphasize AI’s role in empowering patients — through faster diagnoses, tailored treatments, and accessible care — while addressing concerns about dehumanization. Use relatable stories to build trust.
  • Navigate ethical concerns: Expect increased scrutiny of AI’s data use and potential bias. Communicators should be transparent about how systems are built, tested, and monitored.

Tailor messaging to diverse audiences: From clinicians to patients to policymakers, different stakeholders need different levels of explanation. Effective communicators will adapt their strategies to meet each group where they are — balancing technical accuracy with accessibility.

A potential new direction for public health

MAHA — Make America Healthy Again — is the driving force reshaping the healthcare conversation, propelling Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the role of Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Casey Means’ nomination as Surgeon General.

Why it matters: While fringe views on vaccines and fluoride often dominate headlines, a growing number across the political spectrum support a broader MAHA-aligned shift — from treating illness to promoting holistic health. In the U.S., 60% of adults have at least one chronic condition, such as diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure, and 42% have more than one. Nearly 40% of children are also affected.

  • Chronic diseases are the primary causes of disability in the U.S. and major contributors to the country’s $3.8 trillion in annual health care spending.
  • Obesity is a major risk factor for several chronic diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and certain cancers.
  • The conversation around weight loss is also shifting — with anti-obesity drugs like GLP-1s expected to become a $100 billion market by 2030 — toward a stronger focus on improved health outcomes with long-term metabolic solutions, holistic lifestyle choices, and personalized care plans, rather than just short-term weight targets.

What’s next: MAHA aims to drive policy reforms focusing on preventive care, nutrition, and environmental health. Efforts include tighter regulation of processed foods and pesticides, support for regenerative agriculture, expanded wellness programs and less corporate influence in healthcare. A MAHA commission report released last week also targets the “overmedicalization” of children, as well as vaccines.

Yes, but: Experts have raised concerns about the MAHA agenda — especially vaccine skepticism, which comes amid an uptick in measles cases, and the downsizing of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The big picture: What this means for health communicators

The MAHA movement is reshaping health discourse around prevention, lifestyle, and personalized care. Communicators are key to turning this shift into clear, credible messages that build trust.

  • Lead with outcomes, not ideals: Focus messages on measurable health gains — less disease, more energy, better sleep — and support claims with clear evidence.
  • Meet skepticism with transparency and trust-building: Address concerns directly, use plain language to clarify what’s known and unknown, and amplify diverse, trusted voices. Prioritize authenticity over polish.
  • Bridge holistic and science: Highlight wellness strategies like nutrition, movement, and healthy sleep as complements to — not substitutes for — evidence-based care from qualified professionals.
  • Counter misinformation strategically and with precision: Don’t just correct myths—anticipate them. Monitor emerging narratives and respond quickly with tailored, shareable facts that resonate with each audience’s values, tone, and preferred platforms.

Recent Health Events Reveal Comms Insights

Three recent industry gatherings reveal where healthcare communication is heading — from AI’s practical impact to wellness as core strategy.  

Financial Times US Pharma & Biotech Summit (May 15, New York City)

AI is delivering measurable returns while policy shifts create new messaging challenges around drug pricing and FDA reforms.

For communicators: Prepare narratives that move beyond AI buzzwords to showcase concrete R&D and clinical trial outcomes. Weight loss treatments are evolving from quick fixes to personalized, long-term wellness stories — frame messaging around sustainable health management rather than rapid results.

Axios Future of Health Summit (May 14, Washington, D.C.)

AI’s “superhuman” diagnostic capabilities are real, but transparency demands are intensifying across health policy discussions.

For communicators: Build trust through clear explanations of AI decision-making processes. Personalized medicine faces adoption hurdles — focus messaging on patient outcomes over technological complexity to bridge the gap between innovation and practical implementation.

The New York Times Well Festival (May 7, New York City)

Social connections outweigh traditional health metrics for longevity, signaling wellness has become a foundational healthcare strategy.

For communicators: Integrate relationship and community elements into health messaging. Wellness isn’t a trend anymore — it’s core healthcare positioning. Emphasize human connection as a measurable health outcome, not just feel-good content.

Upcoming health-related events 

  • The Prognosis for America’s Pain Management (New York City, May 29) Axios will bring together thought leaders and medical experts to discuss challenges in today’s treatment landscape and the current state of pain.
  • BIO 2025 (Boston, June 16-19) BIO brings together global biotech leaders to share breakthroughs, shape policy, build partnerships, and communicate the industry’s impact across healthcare, science, sustainability, and innovation.
  • Aspen Ideas: Health (Aspen, June 22-25) Join industry leaders to discuss themes like decoding the brain, biomedical breakthroughs, pop culture’s influence on healthcare and the future of food.
  • Fierce Biotech Week (Boston, Oct. 7-9) Top biotech and pharma executives share insights on emerging trends and market forces to help companies better allocate R&D budgets, streamline drug development and clinical operations, and navigate fundraising and partnership opportunities.
  • FT Live: Global Pharma and Biotech Summit 2025 (London, Nov. 11-12) Industry leaders, C-suite executives, investors, and experts gather to explore the latest trends and innovations in life sciences and discuss what’s new in areas such as drug discovery, clinical trials, market access and patient engagement.
  • Forbes Healthcare Summit (New York City, December, exact dates TBA) The annual summit convenes leaders from across the $4 billion healthcare industry to explore the advancements that are reshaping care, including new gene therapies, the rise in GLP-1 use and the AI revolution. 

To keep up with what’s ahead, visit Global Gateway Advisors’ event tracker, updated weekly.

Media news + moves

What we’re reading and watching:

  • Google launches AI chatbot: A.I. Mode, which CEO Sundar Pichai calls “a total reimagining of search,” turns Google Search into a conversational tool that handles complex, multi-part questions with detailed, context-aware answers. It also offers more personalized options, like a tool that automatically buys clothing when it goes on sale. 
  • Time Longevity: This new vertical from Time, launching later this year, will spotlight innovations in science, health, business, tech, and policy focused on aging and lifespan extension. It aligns with Time’s broader coverage aimed at business and policy leaders.
  • Head of CBS News forced out: “It’s become clear the company and I do not agree on the path forward,” Wendy McMahon said in a memo to staff, after executives requested she step down. This follows the resignation of “60 Minutes” producer Bill Owens, amid reports that parent company Paramount is in talks to settle a lawsuit with President Trump.
  • Print is back: At least for major corporations, which view it as a way to strengthen their reputation and connect with hard-to-reach audiences. Last week Microsoft launched its first-ever print magazine, Signal, featuring an article by Bill Gates and interviews with CEOs and experts from Microsoft’s various divisions. 
  • Fortune’s Most Powerful Women in Business: General Motors CEO Mary Barra tops the annual list, released earlier this week, followed by Accenture’s Julie Sweet and Citigroup’s Jane Fraser.
  • New podcast data: YouTube last week released rankings of its top podcasts, with some of the results diverging greatly from those of Spotify and Apple. For example, “Kill Tony,” YouTube’s second-highest ranking podcast, comes in at 54 on Spotify, while the popular “Call Her Daddy” (21 on Spotify) didn’t rank on YouTube’s top 100. Spotify recently introduced a feature to display podcast play counts — but after creator pushback, it reversed course. Play counts will now appear only after a show surpasses 50,000 plays.
  • And new podcasts! Bloomberg Businessweek debuted “Everybody’s Business,” hosted by Max Chafkin, senior reporter at Bloomberg Businessweek, and Stacey Vanek Smith, public radio reporter and former “Planet Money” co-host, which promises to “pull back the curtain on conversations happening in offices, Zoom rooms, and group chats at power centers around the world.” At the same time, The Financial Times introduced “Swamp Notes,” a podcast on U.S. politics.
  • A media company for execs: At The Moment Media (ATM) launched earlier this week to provide industry leaders with video coverage of their people, products, and events, intended to complement traditional journalism. “This is another toolkit in a marketer’s tool chest,” said founder and CEO Robert Wheeler. “I’m not a journalist. Brands rely on journalists to tell their stories as well as posting their own content, but they also need a reliable third-party to help spread their message.”
  • MSNBC to launch Washington bureau: As the outlet formally separates from NBC, execs tapped Sudeep Reddy, most recently at Politico, to lead the new bureau, with plans to hire more than 100 reporters to fill gaps that NBC News reporters previously filled.
  • Charter and Cox merge: Two of the largest cable companies in the U.S. have agreed to merge amid increasing competition for viewers.
  • The WSJ adds a new executive membership program: The Chief People Officer Council will bring together chief people officers and other senior HR leaders to collaborate, share insights, and address strategic challenges related to human resources, talent management and organizational culture.

Media moves:

  • Lynn Cook was named senior breaking news editor for business, finance and economics at The Wall Street Journal.
  • Business Insider appointed Julia Hood as its newsroom AI lead, a new role dedicated to enhancing the newsroom’s AI capabilities to assist journalists.
  • Bloomberg hired Andrea Chang as a global business editor. 
  • Charles Rollet, previously at TechCrunch, joined Business Insider as its San Francisco tech correspondent. 
  • Politico hired Amanda Chu to cover the healthcare industry and its relationship with Washington.
  • Samantha Subin joined CNBC.com as a tech reporter.
  • Bloomberg hired Max Rivera to cover wealth and real estate. 
  • Morning Brew hired Beck Salgado as a reporter for its new Revenue Brew newsletter.
  • Kimberly S. Johnson joined The New York Times Business section as consumer and industries editor.
  • Axios chief financial correspondent Felix Salmon is leaving the organization.

by Global Gateway Advisors

Innovations in drug discovery – and what communicators should know

Insights

AI

By Global Gateway Advisors

September 5, 2023
As AI permeates business functions across nearly every industry, communicators can glean important lessons from the way each sector talks about the technological advancement and disruption in their respective fields. 

With respect to healthcare, researchers have leveraged AI in medicine for years, and we are beginning to see how life-changing treatments can reach the market much faster. 

  • The “patent cliff” – when the world’s 10 biggest drugmakers stand to lose nearly half their revenue by the end of the decade – is fast approaching. 
  • Meanwhile, more than 150 small-molecule drugs are in discovery using an AI-first approach, with more than 15 in clinical trials. The annual growth rate for that pipeline is nearly 40%, according to the Boston Consulting Group.

In this issue, we explore the evolving use of AI in drug discovery, and with it, the rising potential of real-word evidence (RWE). 

Then, we’ll evaluate the essential role that communicators play in shaping public perception and dialogue around the use of AI in drug and medical device development.

1. Moving from concept to market faster. How AI creates efficiencies in drug discovery

The big picture: Estimates vary, but it currently costs about $1 billion and takes roughly 10 years to develop a new drug, with only a fraction of them making it to the market. 

  • Change won’t be immediate. But AI can help scientists discover a drug faster by predicting how different molecules might behave in the body, and discarding dead-end compounds so promising candidates make it to clinical trials quicker.
  • While there is no shortcut in human clinical trials, AI can optimize and diversify patient pools by identifying high-potential candidates. Currently, just 5% of eligible patients participate in clinical research, which limits the ability to study drug efficacy for specific subgroups.

Go deeper: Decentralized clinical trials can facilitate patient engagement by using remote monitoring via wearable devices, which transmit real-world data (RWD) like vital signs and medication adherence to researchers. 

  • Researchers can use AI to analyze RWD for potential adverse events and safety signals, allowing earlier detection of potential drug safety issues.
  • In some cases, AI is helping drug companies bypass the animal testing stage, allowing them to use computer models of humans instead. Machine learning can also accelerate the repurposing of existing drugs, which is patentable.

What else? Rare diseases get a leg up from the Orphan Drug Tax Credit and the FDA’s fast track designation, but their small patient pools present tough challenges that discourage drugmakers from prioritizing research in this space. 

  • As a result, 95% of rare diseases have no approved treatments.
  • AI is getting better at finding subtle links in large swaths of information that even the finest minds could miss, which helps researchers repurpose drugs and develop new ones faster, even without a large sample size.

What they’re saying:

  • Eric Topol, Scripps Research Translational Institute: “There is no shortage of interest [in AI]. Every major pharma company has invested in partnerships with at least one, if not multiple, AI companies.”
  • David Ricks, Eli Lilly: “In a discovery process, you want to funnel wide. In the past, perhaps humans would just think of what they already knew about. The machine doesn’t. It just knows about everything that was there and it comes up with constructs that humans just don’t.” 
  • Tim Guilliams, Healx: “The potential to suddenly create a viable pipeline for many conditions with only a handful of patients, at the very least, gives real hope.”

Yes, but: Jim Weatherall, AstraZeneca’s VP of data science, AI and R&D, said the challenge for the next few years is pull-through, or to actually bring these drugs to market. He is otherwise optimistic: “We’ve been on a journey from ‘what is this?’ to ‘why did we ever do it any other way?’”

2. AI bolsters the pipeline from RWD to RWE

The big picture: Successful AI drug development requires high-quality, real world data, which is challenging to obtain and can be rife with privacy implications. RWD often comprises electronic health records, which present challenges at scale due to a lack of standardization (as they are collected outside the controlled environment of a clinical trial).

  • Some researchers believe the answer to these concerns could lie in synthetic data produced by applying predictive AI algorithms to RWD. In pharma, synthetic data could be used to handle large but sensitive samples, where regulatory restrictions and data privacy are involved, such as in cross-border research.
  • For now, synthetic data is a niche pursuit and hasn’t yet made its way into clinical use, largely due to concerns that it inaccurately represents the target population.


Go deeper: “The complexity and the variability in healthcare and science makes it a really hard problem to solve,” said Jim Swanson, chief information officer of Johnson & Johnson. “You can create synthetic data easily enough, but is it correlated enough to give you a specific and accurate example? That’s the problem you have to solve.”

  • As such, RWD is used increasingly throughout the drug development process, from identifying early targets to post-market safety surveillance. 
  • The ability to convert RWD to RWE using analytics is a crucial measure of success, as regulators recognize the benefits of RWE and fold them into decision-making. 
  • This is where AI comes in. Algorithms can identify patterns and relationships within RWD to produce RWE. It can then be used to predict patient outcomes and compare treatments to help researchers understand which are more effective and safe in the real-world setting.

3. Evaluating implications for communicators

The biopharma industry is on a precipice. A Morgan Stanley report estimates that even a modest improvement in early-stage drug development success rates could bring 50 novel therapies to market over 10 years.

After discovery comes the story. 

  • Communicating new science is tricky and can have a lasting negative impact if not done right. 
  • The challenge is figuring out how to communicate AI’s benefits and ethical considerations in medicine – when the first AI-developed drug eventually hits the market.

Here are five key considerations for communicators.

  1. Understand and be transparent about AI’s capabilities and limitations to build trust. Don’t shy away from the risks. 
  2. Be authentic and clear about the potential and limitations of AI. 
  3. Be true to the work and its impact. Use data and insights to educate. Leverage publications and medical meetings as opportunities. 
  4. Showcase the significant personal and societal impact of healthcare innovation on patients over the last century, with AI as the latest example.
  5. Proactively address concerns about data privacy and AI biases. Clearly communicate how your AI solutions adhere to regulations and best practices. Consider working with medical experts to create a campaign that speaks to the worries and anxieties of the public.

Share your feedback with us at insights@gga.nyc.

by Global Gateway Advisors