Comms Confidential: The Podcast

Joseph Gallo
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  • MARKETING
  • MONTHLY

Comms Confidential: The Podcast is the definitive podcast to hear from communicators across the industry and hear about their experiences, unique insights from their career, what they most look forward to in the future of PR and more. Guests range from corporate to technology to policy to reputation management and more. Opinions expressed are my own and do not represent the views of PayPal.

Episodes

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    The Relationship Is Still the Resume: Brooke Kruger of KC Partners on the Comms Hiring Market

    Brooke Kruger founded KC Partners in 2009 out of the financial crisis, built the business by treating candidate relationships the same way she ran media relations on the agency side, and has spent 16 years placing senior communications professionals at high-growth tech companies, VC firms, agencies, and corporations. This episode is a practitioner briefing on the current state of comms hiring: what AI fluency actually means in an interview room, why references now need to be ready within an hour, how companies are ghosting candidates and what that costs their brand, and what a clean hiring process actually looks like from both sides of the table. Connect with Brooke at https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookechilenkruger/ and KC Partners at https://kc-partners.com/

    38 min

  2. 21 APR

    Joy as a Comms Strategy: Non-Verbal Communications with The Dancing Umpire Vincent Chapman

    What does it take to build a crowd of thousands—not with a product or a pitch, but with pure joy? Vincent Chapman has the answer. From Little League fields in Northeast Texas to sold-out Savannah Bananas stadium tours watched by millions, Vincent built a career and a personal brand by treating joy as a deliberate, repeatable strategy rather than a mood. His viral 2015 video caught the Bananas' attention. Six years later, they came calling. Now he dances in front of 100,000 people and speaks to corporations about what they get wrong about connection. In this episode, we discuss the two rules of Vincent's Joy Movement, what corporate America misses by measuring people as numbers, how 95% of what he does on the field is completely improvised, why trust unlocks performance better than control, how to build a personal brand that outlasts any single platform, and much more. Learn more about Vincent at https://www.thedancingumpire.com/

    24 min

  3. 7 APR

    Fans are Our Brand: Sam Bauman on How to Keep The Audience at the Center of Everything

    What does it take to build PR for a brand that doesn't believe in red tape? Sam Bauman has the answer. From local TV news anchor in Michigan to media relations lead at one of the most creative sports entertainment brands in the world, Sam spent ten years reporting the news before the Savannah Bananas called him to help make it. He built their media relations function from the ground up — navigating live game chaos, a zero-red-tape philosophy, and Jesse Cole's core belief that attention beats marketing every time. In this episode, we discuss knowing your brand goes deeper than a logo or colors, the bar-with-no-sound test for live content, building brand identity across six teams in the Banana Ball Championship League, scenario planning for live sports sideline storytelling, what a mic'd-up home run interview taught Sam about preparation meeting improvisation and much more. Takeaways Transition from News to PREmbracing Creativity and FreedomPutting Fans First Expanding the fan base through diverse entertainmentIntentional brand building for different teams Chapters 00:00 Origin Story and Transition06:15 Embracing Creativity and Freedom19:07 Brand and Fan-Centric Approach25:13 Expanding the Fan Base32:27 Intentional Brand Building

    44 min

  4. 24 MAR

    Embrace the Uncertainty: Aaron Berger on B2B PR, GEO Skepticism, and the Founder Mindset

    What does it take to build a B2B brand that journalists actually want to cover and does that change when the journalists no longer need a masthead? Aaron Berger, Principal and Co-Founder of A/M Partners, has the answer. From a Washington DC cab to Ketchum, Mastercard, IBM and now his own firm, Aaron has seen the industry evolve rapidly. In this episode, we discuss why prestige media validates rather than drives B2B sales, the need for a hybrid top-down and bottom-up media strategy, why independent journalists now matter as much as major mastheads, getting comfortable with uncertainty and with clients leaving and much more. Connect with Aaron Berger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-berger-0934101a/ Check out A/M Partners at https://am.partners/ Chapters 00:00 The Origin Story06:06 The Rise of Independent Journalism11:36 Measurement in B2B PR19:30 The Shift to Fractional Work25:18 The Evolution of Fractional Work31:06 Learning from Business Operations

    36 min

  5. 10 MAR

    The Keepers of Culture: Adrianna Bevilaqua on Why PR Owns the Cultural Moment

    Adrianna G. Bevilaqua started college as a pre-med student. She ended up as Chief Creative Officer of M Booth and the path in between tells you everything about how great creative instincts actually develop. In this episode of Comms Confidential, Adrianna unpacks the frameworks behind her creative process: her small data vs. big data approach, the Culture Mark tool M Booth built to map brand archetypes in culture, and why diverse media consumption is non-negotiable for anyone trying to forecast what's next. They also cover the cultural trends reshaping communications in 2026: cognitive revivals, the monoculture era, the rise of GEO, and what AI's growing influence means for the future of PR. An added bonus: how Adrianna convinced a client to put a chronic insomniac comedian to sleep in a Macy's window, and why that campaign is still a masterclass in organic storytelling. Takeaways Evolution of creativity in PRImpact of cultural trends and shifts in 2026 PR's role in culture and the need for retrainingThe significance of cultural insights and diverse media consumption Chapters 00:00 Journey to Chief Creative Officer08:51 Pushing Boundaries and Abandoning Safe Ideas13:50 Trends and Cultural Shifts in 202621:08 The Monoculture Era and Chronically Offline Trend26:22 The Future of PR and Culture36:08 Cultural Insights and Predictive Analysis43:06 The Role of PR in Culture and Media Consumption

    45 min

  6. 24 FEB

    Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Through Storytelling: Ashley Jacobson of PubMatic

    Ashley Jacobson shares her unconventional journey to PR, highlighting the transferable skills acquired from a background in theater and corporate sponsorship. She discusses the challenges of transitioning from theater to PR, overcoming imposter syndrome, and balancing creativity with reality. Additionally, she provides insights into working with celebrity talent and the transition to ad tech. The conversation covers Ashley Jacobson's transition to the ad tech industry, her role in corporate marketing, and the adoption of AI and automation in marketing. It provides insights into the ad tech ecosystem and the strategic role of corporate marketing in building the company's brand. Additionally, it explores the differentiation between AI and automation and their impact on marketing initiatives. Takeaways Unconventional Path to PRTransferable Skills Transition to Ad TechUnderstanding Ad Tech Ecosystem Chapters 00:00 Journey to PR09:43 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome16:29 Working with Celebrity Talent30:42 Corporate Marketing and Initiatives

    41 min

  7. 10 FEB

    Trusting the Whisper: Sarah Kissko Hersh on Knowing When to Pivot Careers

    This conversation explores the recognition of the need for change and the decision to take a leap into something different. Sarah Kissko Hersh, founder of Type A Consultancy, discusses the internal whisper that signals the need for change and the courage to pursue a new path. Learn more about Type A Consultancy at https://www.typeaeveryday.com/ Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahkisskohersh/ Takeaways Recognizing the need for changeTaking a leap into something different

    29 min

  8. 7 JAN

    From Campaigns to Credibility: The Real Work of Trade PR with Sofie Diskin of The Martin Agency

    What does it really take to turn creative campaigns into lasting credibility? In this episode of Comms Confidential, host Joe Gallo sits down with Sofie Diskin, who leads trade PR at The Martin Agency, one of the most influential creative agencies in the world. Sofie shares what it’s like to run communications inside an ad agency—where PR, creativity, and business growth constantly collide—and why agencies must think and operate like brands in their own right. Together, they unpack the tension between PR and advertising, how trade PR extends far beyond campaign launches, and the role earned media plays in building reputation, momentum, and trust. Sofie takes listeners behind the scenes of viral campaigns, narrative backlash, and Cannes main-stage moments, offering a candid look at how credibility is built—and rebuilt—over time. If you’ve ever wondered: How PR actually drives business growth inside creative agenciesWhat effective thought leadership really looks likeHow to align comms goals with growth, talent, and reputationOr when patience is the smartest PR strategy This episode pulls back the curtain.

    24 min

  9. 7 JAN

    From Terrorism to Tokenization: Amanda Russo's Path Into Crypto Policy

    Amanda Russo shares her journey from a terrorism analyst to the Director of Communications for the Crypto Council for Innovation (CCI). She discusses the challenges and opportunities in her transition, the role of CCI as a trade organization, and the communication strategy at CCI. Amanda also provides insights into preparing for congressional testimony, measurement and merchandising of work, and advice for PR practitioners. Takeaways Transitioning from one career to another requires adaptability and a willingness to learn.Active participation in meetings and saying 'yes' to new opportunities are key to professional growth. Chapters 00:00 Journey from Terrorism Analyst to Comms Director05:59 Transition to Crypto Council for Innovation20:05 Preparing for Congressional Testimony27:59 Measurement and Merchandising of Work

    35 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

Comms Confidential: The Podcast is the definitive podcast to hear from communicators across the industry and hear about their experiences, unique insights from their career, what they most look forward to in the future of PR and more. Guests range from corporate to technology to policy to reputation management and more. Opinions expressed are my own and do not represent the views of PayPal.

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