Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019

9–11 a.m.

Capturing your executive’s brand through compelling visual communications

In this interactive workshop, renowned photographer George Lange will teach you how to capture your executive’s authentic personality through emotionally compelling photographs and videos. You will learn how to use visual communications as a powerful brand-building tool for organization leaders.

Discover how to:

  • Use photos and videos to create a narrative that connects executives with audiences
  • Uncover and share the unique traits that set your organization’s leaders apart
  • Create high-quality and emotionally powerful visuals
  • Capture moments that clearly articulate what your brand is all about
George Lange
Photographer and video director
George Lange Studios
Read bio
11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Building your LinkedIn thought leadership strategy

LinkedIn is the world's largest online professional network, with more than 630 million members and executives from every Fortune 500 company. It's also increasingly a hub for the most influential content shared by corporate leaders. LinkedIn Senior Editor Devin Banerjee will lead a workshop sharing the platform's latest tools, best practices, and creative ideas to establish a strong executive brand and drive thought leadership success.

Learn how to:

  • Increase the reach of executives’ posts and videos to engage new audiences
  • Establish leaders as trustworthy and knowledgeable industry experts
  • Create content that reinforces brand values and gains audience loyalty
  • Ensure your executives’ profiles match their professional goals and values
Devin Banerjee
Senior editor, financial services
LinkedIn
Read bio
1–2:30 p.m.

Lunch

(provided on-site)

2:30–4:30 p.m.

Preparing executives for Washington, D.C.

Are your senior leaders ready for addressing congressional hearings, talking to regulators or engaging with the policy media? Learn how to prepare them for a potentially critical situation in Washington and plan for a successful visit in D.C.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Train executives to deliver key messages to reporters in an authentic way
  • Stay ahead of political developments that could affect your organization
  • Prepare for potential crises and protect your organization’s reputation
  • Gain the trust of D.C. stakeholders in today’s heated political environment
Bill Pendergast
Partner
Brunswick Group
Read bio
George Little
Partner, office head, Washington, D.C.
Brunswick Group
Read bio
4:30 p.m.

Cocktail Reception

Join your peers on the rooftop terrace of Brunswick’s D.C. offices. You’ll enjoy food and refreshments as you get to know your fellow conference attendees.

Friday, Sept. 27, 2019

8:30–9:20 a.m.
Opening keynote

Envisioning the CEO of the future

In the past, communicators and PR professionals were tasked with being the public face of organizations. Today, leaders are more visible to stakeholders than ever before—and by tomorrow, they must become skilled internal and external communicators. With massive change on the horizon for all organizations, executive communicators must prepare leaders to earn and keep the trust of audiences during times of upheaval.

During this keynote, you’ll learn:

  • How to become a trusted coach and mentor to executives learning to be communicators
  • Why vulnerability can be an asset and a powerful way to connect leaders and audiences
  • Strategies to reach diverse, multigenerational audiences in an authentic manner
  • The latest research and data on the changing role of business leaders
Abby Guthkelch
Global communications solutions lead
Workplace by Facebook
Read bio
Ben Gould
Global strategic partnerships
Facebook
Read bio
9:25–10:05 a.m.

How executive communicators can use brand events to propel organizations forward in times of transition

When Intel launched a new generation of products and a new strategy for the business, they marked the occasion with an event aimed at inspiring employee pride and showing the world where the company was headed. Executive communications has helped design moments that accelerate the company’s transformation and bring together multiple teams. During this presentation, you’ll discover how executive communications plays a crucial role in promoting and extending the reach of internal and external events.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Tie your executive communications to the strategic goal of the event
  • Deliver executive messages to a wider audience by working with industry influencers (inside and outside your organization)
  • Use brand events to establish executives as industry thought leaders move your organization’s goals forward
  • Drive consistent messaging by working across integrated teams – events, PR, keynotes, and social media
Erica Pereira
Director, executive communications
Intel
Read bio
10:15–10:55 a.m.
Panel

Executive communications at the intersection of corporations and nonprofits

Although their organizations’ goals may differ, executive communicators at corporations and nonprofits can learn a lot from each other—and even create mutually beneficial relationships. Discover how these experts are working across sectors to heighten their leaders’ influence.

Learn how to:

  • Align your executive communications with your organization’s CSR or sustainability goals
  • Build productive partnerships with foundations and nonprofits that have causes important to your leaders
  • Borrow tactics from nonprofit organizations to successfully engage audiences on social and political issues
Dee Mostofi
Assistant Vice President, University Media Relations and Communication Operations
Stanford University
Read bio
Shana Davis
Senior Program Director
Black Women's Health Imperative
Read bio
Kate Sachs
Internal communications specialist
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Read bio
11—11:40 a.m.

Bring your brand to life through compelling executive communications

Gaining the trust of online audiences requires authentic communication from real people, not bland emails from a faceless organization. Your leaders are perfectly positioned to be the voice and face of your brand—with the right training and strategies in place. Discover how Goldman Sachs brings corporate messaging to life through dynamic executive communications on digital channels.

Learn how to:

  • Use executive LinkedIn and Twitter profiles to amplify messages that support business objectives
  • Choose the right type of content, for the right executives, on the right channels
  • Take a strategic approach to creating videos, podcasts and infographics
  • Bring an executive to life through visual communications on Instagram
  • Show the effectiveness of your work on improving executive and brand reputation
Kaydee Bridges
Vice president, digital and social media strategy
Goldman Sachs
Read bio
11:40 a.m.- 12:40 p.m.

Lunch

(provided on site)

12:40 -1:20 p.m.

Put senior leaders at the center of your culture—and turn your culture into a business asset

Organization leaders do more than just hand down orders to your workforce. They’re tasked with keeping morale high and inspiring employees to innovate, and today they must also be champions of your culture. During this session, you’ll discover how to involve senior leaders in culture-building initiatives that make both internal and external stakeholders take notice, ultimately driving business goals.

Learn how to:

  • Help leaders better connect with a dispersed, deskless workforce
  • Craft executive messages that reflect the unique culture of your organization
  • Gain external buzz by extending the reach of your culture initiatives outside your organization
  • Showcase the role of your executives in creating a one-of-a-kind workplace
Heather Hummelsheim
Director, Americas executive communications
Marriott International
Read bio
1:25-2:05 p.m.

Keeping leadership connected to key audiences

How can today’s executives succeed at the intersection of technology and leadership? In a world where teams, customers and communities are more connected than ever, how are the most successful leaders building connection at scale? In this session, you will learn actionable strategies to elevate your executives’ digital leadership, grounded in research on audience expectations and global best practices.

Craig Mullaney
Partner
Brunswick Group
Read bio
2:15-2:45 p.m.

Using technology to deliver modern executive communications

Leaders today recognize the need to reach and align their workforce and keep employees engaged like never before. Discover how digital tools make it easy to build two-way dialogue with the workforce, communicate at scale and plan compelling executive communications for leaders at every level. Learn more about solutions from Microsoft that are right at your fingertips and will help transform your organization’s culture.

This session will explore:

  • Modern leadership engagement
  • Planning communications at scale
  • Connecting with a global workforce through townhalls, video, and live events
  • Running successful comms campaigns
  • Coaching leaders for two-way communication
Michael Holste
Senior Product Marketing Manager, Employee Engagement, Microsoft 365
Microsoft
Read bio
2:45-2:55 p.m.
Lightning Talk

Protect your brand, organization and executives

Fake financial news, AI-generated articles and misinformation can easily trick your stakeholders into believing almost anything. Join Raphaël Labbé for a 10-minute lightning talk to discover how you can control your corporate message.

You’ll learn:

  • How hackers and activists use PR to tarnish your brand
  • Why blockchain could help your brand
  • How to assess the tools and software available to protect your brand, organization and executives
Raphaël Labbé
CEO
Wiztopic
Read bio
3-3:20 p.m.

Networking break

3:20–4 p.m.

Cyber & The C-Suite: How executives need to be prepared to navigate a cyber crisis and its effect on the company

Cyberattacks have grown increasingly common in the past few years, yet many organizations still don’t have a plan for responding to one. Executives must be prepared to maintain the trust of internal and external audiences in the event of a cybercrisis.

During this session you’ll learn:

  • New potential threats that organization leaders should be aware of
  • How to craft tactful and transparent messaging during a crisis
  • Why you should make cybersecurity a priority in your executive messaging
  • How to restore trust and rebuild your reputation after the dust settles
Amy Mushahwar
Partner
Alston & Bird
Read bio
Eben Kaplan
Manager, strategic advisory services
Crowdstrike
Read bio
Siobhan Gorman
Partner, D.C. Office
Brunswick Group
Read bio
4:10-5 p.m.
CLOSING KEYNOTE

Leading by example: Harnessing your executive’s digital presence to engage and inspire

At Walmart, CEO Doug McMillon believes in keeping his door open to associates and customers alike. Even with transparency in mind, though, having a global audience creates unique challenges when it comes to presenting a consistent and compelling executive voice. Discover how communicators and execs at the top retailer are creating a winning formula to build trust and change the narrative surrounding one of America’s most entrenched brands.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Understand the needs of different stakeholders and tailor executive messages accordingly
  • Break into new social media channels and reach new audiences without sacrificing authenticity
  • Earn more coverage for executives in top digital publications
  • Get buy-in from executives to start using new tools, such as podcasting
  • Create emotional connections with audiences that result in lasting brand loyalty
Blake Jackson
Senior director, brand content
Walmart
Read bio

Friday, Sept. 27, 2019

8:30–9:20 a.m. Eastern time
Opening keynote

Envisioning the CEO of the future

In the past, communicators and PR professionals were tasked with being the public face of organizations. Today, leaders are more visible to stakeholders than ever before—and by tomorrow, they must become skilled internal and external communicators. With massive change on the horizon for all organizations, executive communicators must prepare leaders to earn and keep the trust of audiences during times of upheaval.

During this keynote, you’ll learn:

  • How to become a trusted coach and mentor to executives learning to be communicators
  • Why vulnerability can be an asset and a powerful way to connect leaders and audiences
  • Strategies to reach diverse, multigenerational audiences in an authentic manner
  • The latest research and data on the changing role of business leaders
Abby Guthkelch
Global communications solutions lead
Workplace by Facebook
Read bio
Ben Gould
Global strategic partnerships
Facebook
Read bio
9:25–10:05 a.m. Eastern time

How executive communicators can use brand events to propel organizations forward in times of transition

When Intel launched a new generation of products and a new strategy for the business, they marked the occasion with an event aimed at inspiring employee pride and showing the world where the company was headed. Executive communications has helped design moments that accelerate the company’s transformation and bring together multiple teams. During this presentation, you’ll discover how executive communications plays a crucial role in promoting and extending the reach of internal and external events.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Tie your executive communications to the strategic goal of the event
  • Deliver executive messages to a wider audience by working with industry influencers (inside and outside your organization)
  • Use brand events to establish executives as industry thought leaders move your organization’s goals forward
  • Drive consistent messaging by working across integrated teams – events, PR, keynotes, and social media
Erica Pereira
Director, executive communications
Intel
Read bio
10:15–10:55 a.m. Eastern time
Panel

Executive communications at the intersection of corporations and nonprofits

Although their organizations’ goals may differ, executive communicators at corporations and nonprofits can learn a lot from each other—and even create mutually beneficial relationships. Discover how these experts are working across sectors to heighten their leaders’ influence.

Learn how to:

  • Align your executive communications with your organization’s CSR or sustainability goals
  • Build productive partnerships with foundations and nonprofits that have causes important to your leaders
  • Borrow tactics from nonprofit organizations to successfully engage audiences on social and political issues
Dee Mostofi
Assistant Vice President, University Media Relations and Communication Operations
Stanford University
Read bio
Shana Davis
Senior Program Director
Black Women's Health Imperative
Read bio
Kate Sachs
Internal communications specialist
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Read bio
11—11:40 a.m. Eastern time

Bring your brand to life through compelling executive communications

Gaining the trust of online audiences requires authentic communication from real people, not bland emails from a faceless organization. Your leaders are perfectly positioned to be the voice and face of your brand—with the right training and strategies in place. Discover how Goldman Sachs brings corporate messaging to life through dynamic executive communications on digital channels.

Learn how to:

  • Use executive LinkedIn and Twitter profiles to amplify messages that support business objectives
  • Choose the right type of content, for the right executives, on the right channels
  • Take a strategic approach to creating videos, podcasts and infographics
  • Bring an executive to life through visual communications on Instagram
  • Show the effectiveness of your work on improving executive and brand reputation
Kaydee Bridges
Vice president, digital and social media strategy
Goldman Sachs
Read bio
12:40 -1:20 p.m. Eastern time

Put senior leaders at the center of your culture—and turn your culture into a business asset

Organization leaders do more than just hand down orders to your workforce. They’re tasked with keeping morale high and inspiring employees to innovate, and today they must also be champions of your culture. During this session, you’ll discover how to involve senior leaders in culture-building initiatives that make both internal and external stakeholders take notice, ultimately driving business goals.

Learn how to:

  • Help leaders better connect with a dispersed, deskless workforce
  • Craft executive messages that reflect the unique culture of your organization
  • Gain external buzz by extending the reach of your culture initiatives outside your organization
  • Showcase the role of your executives in creating a one-of-a-kind workplace
Heather Hummelsheim
Director, Americas executive communications
Marriott International
Read bio
1:25-2:05 p.m. Eastern time

Keeping leadership connected to key audiences

How can today’s executives succeed at the intersection of technology and leadership? In a world where teams, customers and communities are more connected than ever, how are the most successful leaders building connection at scale? In this session, you will learn actionable strategies to elevate your executives’ digital leadership, grounded in research on audience expectations and global best practices.

Craig Mullaney
Partner
Brunswick Group
Read bio
2:15-2:45 p.m. Eastern time

Using technology to deliver modern executive communications

Leaders today recognize the need to reach and align their workforce and keep employees engaged like never before. Discover how digital tools make it easy to build two-way dialogue with the workforce, communicate at scale and plan compelling executive communications for leaders at every level. Learn more about solutions from Microsoft that are right at your fingertips and will help transform your organization’s culture.

This session will explore:

  • Modern leadership engagement
  • Planning communications at scale
  • Connecting with a global workforce through townhalls, video, and live events
  • Running successful comms campaigns
  • Coaching leaders for two-way communication
Michael Holste
Senior Product Marketing Manager, Employee Engagement, Microsoft 365
Microsoft
Read bio
2:45-2:55 p.m. Eastern time
Lightning Talk

Protect your brand, organization and executives

Fake financial news, AI-generated articles and misinformation can easily trick your stakeholders into believing almost anything. Join Raphaël Labbé for a 10-minute lightning talk to discover how you can control your corporate message.

You’ll learn:

  • How hackers and activists use PR to tarnish your brand
  • Why blockchain could help your brand
  • How to assess the tools and software available to protect your brand, organization and executives
Raphaël Labbé
CEO
Wiztopic
Read bio
3:20–4 p.m. Eastern time

Cyber & The C-Suite: How executives need to be prepared to navigate a cyber crisis and its effect on the company

Cyberattacks have grown increasingly common in the past few years, yet many organizations still don’t have a plan for responding to one. Executives must be prepared to maintain the trust of internal and external audiences in the event of a cybercrisis.

During this session you’ll learn:

  • New potential threats that organization leaders should be aware of
  • How to craft tactful and transparent messaging during a crisis
  • Why you should make cybersecurity a priority in your executive messaging
  • How to restore trust and rebuild your reputation after the dust settles
Amy Mushahwar
Partner
Alston & Bird
Read bio
Eben Kaplan
Manager, strategic advisory services
Crowdstrike
Read bio
Siobhan Gorman
Partner, D.C. Office
Brunswick Group
Read bio
4:10-5 p.m. Eastern time
CLOSING KEYNOTE

Leading by example: Harnessing your executive’s digital presence to engage and inspire

At Walmart, CEO Doug McMillon believes in keeping his door open to associates and customers alike. Even with transparency in mind, though, having a global audience creates unique challenges when it comes to presenting a consistent and compelling executive voice. Discover how communicators and execs at the top retailer are creating a winning formula to build trust and change the narrative surrounding one of America’s most entrenched brands.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Understand the needs of different stakeholders and tailor executive messages accordingly
  • Break into new social media channels and reach new audiences without sacrificing authenticity
  • Earn more coverage for executives in top digital publications
  • Get buy-in from executives to start using new tools, such as podcasting
  • Create emotional connections with audiences that result in lasting brand loyalty
Blake Jackson
Senior director, brand content
Walmart
Read bio