There’s a specific moment I watch for with every executive I work with.

It’s not the polished delivery. It’s not the perfect slide. It’s the moment a leader stops performing with confidence and starts having it.

Every client I’ve ever worked with has initially asked for more content. More posts, more bylines, more pitches.

Almost none of them needed it.

I wrote a few months back that your product is the least interesting thing about you. I meant it, and I constantly have to remind myself of it.

Every founder thinks they need a full crisis plan. Some do. A binder. A flowchart. A war room.

Most need one sentence.

Earlier today, I had an interesting discussion about leadership and corporate culture. We were discussing something that almost everyone faces at some point in their career. The desire to be seen, praised and lifted up by senior leadership. I’ve been on both sides.

“Why are you asking about my hobbies?”

I’ve heard this countless times while working with executives on communications strategy. Usually, it’s followed by, “We need to talk about our product.”

The speeds and feeds are important, but they aren't the story. They aren't your story.

Excited to announce that SVPR has been selected by nubrain to lead its public relations and communications strategy.

Based in San Francisco and a recent participant in the Betaworks "Camp" program, nubrain develops technology that uses EEG signals to translate brain activity into speech, text and images. nubrain focuses on non-invasive ways for people to interact with digital devices using thought.

SVPR was born one year ago today. It was always in motion, I just needed the push, the courage. 25+ years in an agency career is safe. And that’s ok for most, it wasn’t my destiny. So, how about 12 things I’ve learned the past 12-months?

When I launched Spoken Voice PR back in April, I didn’t have a flashy manifesto or a twenty-page growth strategy. I just had a simple desire to build something that didn't feel like a grind of anxiety.

Launching a business is terrifying. It's a relentless series of decisions, and often, you feel like you're building the plane while flying it.

I've been fortunate enough to have some incredible mentors. Individuals who saw my potential. Those who weren't afraid to tell me when an idea was good. And, more importantly, when it was nonsense.

Here we are, half a year into the Spoken Voice PR journey. It’s been an incredible ride so far. It’s been full of unexpected twists, exhilarating highs and of course, challenging moments. But looking back, there’s one feeling that dominates: gratitude.

I recently had a great, honest conversation with Patrick Van de Wille on The Pitch Perfect Podcast, and I want to share it with you.

I've spent a lot of time in this industry, including a previous run as an EVP of North America at LEWIS PR. If you know me, you know I approach my work, my clients and my career with a focus on getting shit done.

For 15 years, I was on a plane nearly every week. It was a grind, and honestly, the recent pause from constant travel has been a welcome change. It's given me a new appreciation for just how effective we can be virtually. The tools are better than ever, and we've proven we can get incredible work done without stepping on a plane. 

For years, the public relations industry has been dominated by a handful of massive holding companies. They were the titans, the industry standard-bearers whose scale and global reach seemed unassailable. But recent news from one of the biggest, WPP, suggests that the foundation of this model is beginning to crack.

We’ve officially partnered with Novo Insurance, a subsidiary of Telenav, to manage its PR and communications program.

We've added another great company to our client roster: GlobeScribe, the AI-powered book translation service.

Many professionals I encounter are comfortable with written communication, yet the prospect of public speaking brings a unique set of challenges. This isn't just about personal discomfort of speaking in front of people, it can impact their ability to drive their mission forward.

It’s easy to get caught up in the allure of a headline in a major publication like Forbes or The New York Times. We’ve all done it. While these "top-tier" mentions might boost your ego (and offer great bragging rights), they don't always translate into tangible results for your business.

For 25 years, my professional life felt like a different story. It was often spent at the mercy of others' schedules. Tied to a desk, grinding through the motions and putting in the hours, even when I was supposed to be on vacation.