Success doesn’t teach you much; failure does. On the latest episode of The Business Communicators, Austin, Hattie, and Thomas are joined by Daniel Méndez Aróstica as he shares his insights on how comms pros can navigate a shifting job market through strategic networking, personal branding, and community support.

Understanding your audience, crafting a compelling narrative, and building relationship are the core tools everyone needs to be successful in public relations. However, since artificial intelligence (AI) has entered the chat, how do we evolve the field and adapt our careers?

Eleanor Hawkins, a communication strategist and writer at Axios, joins The Business Communicators to discuss the changing landscape of media and communication, including the impact of AI and digital strategies on the industry.

Before we fully embrace the new year, The Business Communicators takes a look back at their “bold” comms predictions for 2023 while breaking down their hits and near misses. From AI and ChatGPT to fact-checking and propaganda, do Thomas and Austin have a future in forecasting models?

Rutgers grad student Anna Tamke penned an op-ed in PR Week sharing her thoughts on why college has not prepared her for a career in public relations – a plea for higher education to teach real world skills in the classroom. Austin and Thomas are joined by Calgary-based comms pro Matthew John to weigh on the opinion piece, share their personal experience breaking into corporate communications, what schools of higher learning can do to properly equip students to succeed, and why it’s important for students and professionals to look after their own professional development.

Meek John Havard, the creator of the kids-focused YouTube channel, Cowboy Jack. Launched during the pandemic, Havard created The Cowboy Jack Show as an educational and fun channel for kids that takes them on adventures to explore this amazing world. Havard describes the channel as a “therapeutic hobby” that has now blown up with more than 8 million views per month. On this episode of The Business Communicators, Havard shares insights into the creation of the show, how he utilizes online resources and his network to grow and evolve the channel, and tips for those looking to monetize, grow, or leverage their passion.

What impact will college athletic realignment have on the future of academic institutions? Are schools of higher learning left chasing the highest dollar from TV networks like Fox Sports, ESPN, and streaming services like Apple TV? On the latest episode of The Business Communicators, data analyst Sam Bradshaw discusses the financial implications of college athletics and what it means from a communications angle. Simply put: Don’t think it’s about the money, know it’s about the money.

The summer blockbuster season is in full swing amidst Hollywood's striking actors and writers. Now, studios are turning to influencers to hype up releases like Barbie, Mission Impossible, and Oppenheimer. Can content creators seize this opportunity and how will it shake up advertising for brands? To close the episode, Austin and Thomas discuss their influential mentors and share career-changing advice they wish they had known before diving into the corporate world.

With nearly 100 million users signed on just days after launch, Meta’s Threads has quickly skyrocketed to the top-ranked app in Apple’s App Store directly placing Twitter on life support. However, is the growth sustainable or will Threads become the next Clubhouse or Google Plus?

Matt Lanza is a Houston-based forecast meteorologist in the energy sector and part of the team behind the wildly successful Space City Weather and The Eyewell – both dedicated to hype-free weather forecasts that see readers through the storm by providing timely and accurate information. Lanza, who previously worked as a broadcast meteorologist in Upstate New York, joins The Business Communicators to discuss how communications and cross-agency collaboration is crucial during severe weather disasters, the simplification of complex weather information and its potential impact on people and assets, preparedness during a weather crisis, forecasting El Niño, and more.

On the latest episode of The Business Communicators, Austin and Thomas evaluate Apple's Apple Vision Pro and its impact on businesses embracing augmented reality. We discuss the implications for communications professionals in a VR and AR-driven world. Then, the duo analyzes Reddit's rebellion as subreddits go dark as moderators hold the platform hostage over API access changes. The show wraps with a discussion on lessons for corporate communications and marketing professionals following a “reverse boycott” during a recent Oakland A’s game.

It was a busy week in the business communications world: Former NBCUniversal advertising exec Linda Yaccarino was named the new CEO at Twitter, CNN faced backlash after hosting a town hall with Donald Trump, and YouTube sensation Mr. Beast could face potential legal claims for an Instagram giveaway. Austin, Thomas, and Kim break it all down – plus share insights on Tucker Carlson’s move to Twitter, and the NFL’s digital media strategy heading into the 2023 football season.

What is the cost of virality? Is it worth sacrificing one’s morals or ethics? TikTok crime sleuth Ken Waks finds himself in hot water as Texas Monthly opines that “what began as a baseless theory has turned into a social media frenzy—one with the power to frighten the public and hamper police investigations.” Waks has also been accused of leveraging his viral content to promote his FinTech start-up company, Foresyte, which he currently serves as co-founder and chief marketing officer.

Taylor Swift fans made their way to Houston in droves over the weekend but neither Austin nor Thomas attended the sold-out shows. The duo did, however, breakdown Swift’s marketing and business acumen – and how artificial intelligence is impacting the music industry. Then, the podcast focuses on the $787.5 million Fox Corp. settlement with Dominion, media ethics, and why it’s paramount for communicators to stay informed through a variety of news outlets. The show closes by discussing Bud Light marketing VP, Alissa Heinerscheid, who took a leave of absence on Friday, and MillerKnoll CEO Andi Owen who faced backlash for telling employees to “leave pity city” when asked whether they’d lose their annual bonuses.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew's recent testimony before a bipartisan committee has ignited a global conversation about the app's alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Is TikTok a threat to data privacy? Will Congress be satisfied with Project Texas? Join Austin Staton, Thomas Baen, and Kim Davis as they unpack this controversy and explore the larger implications for other social media platforms.

Axios reported last week that “Starbucks committed ‘egregious and widespread misconduct’ while trying to stop labor union campaigns.” How did one of the most-admired corporations in the world get to this point? Austin and Thomas dive into the ramifications of what this means for employee communications, and how Starbucks can learn lessons from Walmart and Texas BBQ joints. The show closes with a conversation on the sudden rise of ChatGPT and AI – and why communications professionals should embrace the new technology rather than fearing automation.

Business leaders have historically played a significant role in using their platform and influence to speak out on pressing issues such as social justice, equality, and sustainability. However, in recent months, companies and organizations that had previously pledged to “create more inclusive cultures” have recently provided a "no comment” when asked to speak on hot-button issues. Why are leaders communicating less during heightened moments of crisis? The podcast breaks down why “authenticity” is paramount when corporate executives engage in civil discourse. The show wraps as the panel provide their communications-focused predictions for 2023 – propaganda, tech companies going bankrupt, the metaverse, and why TikTok will ultimately be banned in the U.S. according to Austin: “If you don’t think China is using ByteDance to spy on you, you’re completely misguided.”

Communication provides a myriad of opportunities to connect with our audience. However, without the ability to cut through the noise with transparency and clarity, much of the messaging continues to be a struggle. And if you were to ask Kim Davis, President and Chief Strategist of The KD Company, we have a communication problem, and it stems from a lack of trust.

Depending on who we ask or what we consume in the media, the psychology of wealth for many individuals can be viewed as a more subjective term. As a culture that mostly views ‘chasing paper’ to accumulate visible assets, are we doing all that we can to ensure that our abundance is creating a legacy for our families, and impacting in our communities?

Diane Primo is on a mission to help businesses find their purpose and live it out every day. As the CEO of Chicago-based Purpose Brand Agency, she joins The Business Communicators to share her thoughts on why brands must be relevant, purpose-driven, and committed to consumers to be successful – and why representation matters. To close the show, Thomas and Austin discuss the upstart LIV Golf Tour, which is financed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, and has poached several high-profile golfers away from the PGA Tour. Is this a money grab, a reputation campaign, or bad PR?