The Crux of the Story

Gary Sheffer and Mike Fernandez
  • 4.4 (12)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
The Crux of the Story

Two PR veterans who get to the heart of big stories in media and communications. Featuring guests such as the editor of the Wall Street Journal, and Oscar-winning producers.

  1. The Carolina Agency – Students Successfully Competing with Ad and PR Professionals

    6 DAYS AGO

    The Carolina Agency – Students Successfully Competing with Ad and PR Professionals

    In our 133rd episode, we speak with students who are already using their digital and communications know-how to create professional work for advertising and public relations clients. Awani Bildikar and Lindsey Pritchard work for The Carolina Agency, a student-run firm in its 20th year and part of an innovative curriculum experience at the University of South Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Awani is the agency’s director, and Lindsey is its director of public relations.

    53 min
  2. Post-Election How Should We Navigate ESG Issues? – Avoq’s Eric Sedler Shares His Thoughts

    NOV 8

    Post-Election How Should We Navigate ESG Issues? – Avoq’s Eric Sedler Shares His Thoughts

    Managing public issues inside large organizations has become a minefield as activists and critics, liberals and conservatives, tug at companies from multiple directions. Avoq’s managing director Eric Sedler provides a bit of a map for how we might best navigate these stormy waters. Sedler also discusses the 2023 merger of Kivvit and Subject Matter, the two firms that created Avoq. Kivvit was the successor to ASGK Public Strategies, a firm Eric Sedler started with David Axelrod and others.

    42 min
  3. Business Without Borders – Emigdio Rojas on firms aiding companies in Latin American & U.S. markets

    NOV 4

    Business Without Borders – Emigdio Rojas on firms aiding companies in Latin American & U.S. markets

    Simplicity’s managing partner in the U.S. and Latin America has helped execute global and regional marketing and communications campaigns for some of the world’s top brands. He provides insights to how some top communications and marketing firms, including his own, represent U.S. companies in Latin America, represent Latin American companies in the U.S. and compete for the growing Latino market in the U.S.

    30 min
  4. The A.I. Index – Professors Sultanescu and Bowen discuss the latest attitudinal research on A.I.

    OCT 28

    The A.I. Index – Professors Sultanescu and Bowen discuss the latest attitudinal research on A.I.

    The A.I. Index provides insights on attitudes about A.I., its power users and A.I.’s impact on newsrooms, social media consumption and communications tasks. The U.S. study was conducted by the University of South Carolina’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

    49 min
  5. Risky Business and Hurricanes- Dr. Robert Hartwig of The University of South Carolina

    OCT 21

    Risky Business and Hurricanes- Dr. Robert Hartwig of The University of South Carolina

    Dr. Robert Hartwig of the University of South Carolina’s Risk and Uncertainty Management Center at the Darla Moore School of Business shares insights about Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the risks associated with hurricanes, how to communicate about such risks, the assessment of corporate economic risks of all kinds and how we should think about the risks associated with climate change.

    46 min
  6. What’s a fractional executive? Jane Randel and Charlene Wheeless tell us.

    OCT 14

    What’s a fractional executive? Jane Randel and Charlene Wheeless tell us.

    Two former chief communicators – Jane Randel (formerly of Liz Clairborne) and Charlene Wheeless (formerly of Bechtel) – tell us about a new way in which companies are hiring experienced execs to lead major projects and guide teams for an interim amount of time. We also speak with Jane Randel about her company, Karp Randel, focused on social change campaigns and an effort she’s been involved with to curb domestic violence and sexual assault. And we discuss Charlene Wheless’s book You Are Enough and her next career as leadership and professional development coach.

    48 min
  7. Latinos Make Their Mark in Advocacy and Communications -Estuardo Rodriguez and Sonia Diaz

    OCT 7

    Latinos Make Their Mark in Advocacy and Communications -Estuardo Rodriguez and Sonia Diaz

    As U.S. Latino purchasing power approaches $3.5 trillion, Latino public affairs and communications professionals are making a difference in diverse and mass markets, and in their community.  Estuardo Rodriguez, in addition to his work at the DC public affairs firm The Raben Group, serves as CEO of Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino.  Sonia Diaz is president of Miami-based Zaid Communications and the Hispanic Public Relations Association.

    52 min
  8. Documentary Filmmakers Tom Acton & Chris Krieger Seek to Close The Divide on Climate Change Dialogue

    SEP 30

    Documentary Filmmakers Tom Acton & Chris Krieger Seek to Close The Divide on Climate Change Dialogue

    The producers of a highly-acclaimed documentary, Close The Divide, are hoping to get all of us to listen to one another on the subject of climate change and forge a better environment to actually address the associated issues and opportunities before us – even in the face of political polarization.

    43 min
See All (132)

Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Two PR veterans who get to the heart of big stories in media and communications. Featuring guests such as the editor of the Wall Street Journal, and Oscar-winning producers.

Information

  • Creator
    Gary Sheffer and Mike Fernandez
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2024
  • Episodes
    132
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The Crux of the Story

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