In a world of increasing complexity, building trust across cultures has never been more challenging — or essential.

In an episode that originally appeared on the Page Society’s podcast — The New CCO — Shahar Silbershatz and Axel Löber share insights on how global CCOs can navigate cultural nuances, leverage AI and data, and foster authentic stakeholder connections.

Listen to the conversation to hear how human connection remains at the heart of effective communication, to help build trust with stakeholders, in an AI-driven era.

Read Shahar's Page Society blog post:

https://page.org/blog/smart-tech-smarter-leaders-the-human-edge-in-ai-driven-stakeholder-intelligence/

To stay current with corporate reputation trends and track perceptions of global companies and industries, visit groupcaliber.com.

In the Season 2 finale, Leslie Cafferty, Chief Communications Officer at Booking Holdings, shares how her team leads communications across brands like Booking.com, OpenTable, and KAYAK in a world that’s always on — and always shifting.

From experimenting with AI tools to navigating public backlash during the pandemic, Leslie explains why today’s communications landscape requires constant iteration, cross-functional collaboration, and — above all — listening. She reflects on building internal trust, staying ahead of risk, and offering clear-eyed counsel to the CEO when the pressure is on.

For Leslie, communication isn’t just about sending messages — it’s a two-way street that demands curiosity, clarity, and the courage to adjust course.

Time stamps

00:00 Communication as a Two-Way Street

00:21 Meet Leslie Cafferty

01:48 Leslie's Career Journey

03:52 The Evolution of Communications

05:20 AI and Technology in Communications

11:24 Experimentation and Data-Driven Strategies

20:34 Reflecting on Achievements and Challenges

21:05 Navigating the Fast-Paced Communication Landscape

23:41 Crisis Preparation and Response

26:39 Learning from Public Backlash

28:48 Fostering Open Internal Communication

33:02 Collaborating with the C-Suite

34:25 Deciding When to Speak Out

39:09 Personal Insights and Switching Off

40:27 Conclusion and Farewell

To stay current with corporate reputation trends and track perceptions of global companies and industries, visit groupcaliber.com.

Shahar sits down with Becca Chambers—aka “Becca from LinkedIn”—a communications powerhouse with over 80 million views on the platform and CMO at Scale Venture Partners.

Becca shares how she rose from a spontaneous start in comms—via a rogue wave—to becoming a leading voice in data-driven communications. With deep experience across cybersecurity, VC, and brand strategy, Becca explains why comms pros need to shed the “shapes and colors” stereotype and start proving their business impact with smart, contextualized data.

Becca dives into how communicators can earn a seat at the leadership table by being strategic, saying no when needed, and translating qualitative and quantitative signals into compelling business stories. She challenges comms leaders to get scrappy with data—tapping into tools like Google Analytics or Salesforce—and emphasizes that it’s not about the metrics per se but how they connect to real business outcomes.

She also discusses the burnout risks of an “always on” mindset, especially in high-stakes industries like cybersecurity, and the importance of boundaries to preserve creativity and stamina.

Finally, Becca makes a compelling case for why all communicators must build their personal brands. In a world moving toward hyper-authenticity and digital-first impressions, Becca argues that showing up online consistently (even imperfectly) will be a key differentiator. From leadership visibility to message consistency and analyst sentiment tracking, she shares practical ways to “see around corners” and ensure comms is not just reactive but proactive in shaping reputation and driving business strategy.

Time stamps

00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks

00:27 Guest Introduction: Becca Chambers

01:03 Becca's Career Journey

04:21 Evolution of Communications

08:19 Data-Driven Communications

13:46 The Importance of Consistency and Sentiment

18:05 Data-Driven Storytelling

19:31 The Always-On Dilemma

22:50 Measuring Success in Communications

27:02 Leadership Visibility and Influence

33:09 Building Personal Brands

35:47 Quickfire Questions and Final Thoughts

To stay current with corporate reputation trends and track perceptions of global companies and industries, visit groupcaliber.com.

In episode four, host Shahar Silbershatz sits down with Pia Stoklund, the Global Head of Corporate Marketing and Communication at logistics powerhouse DSV.

Fresh off DSV’s massive acquisition of Schenker — doubling its workforce to 160,000 — Pia reflects on her 25-year journey through corporate communications and marketing, and how data has become a strategic cornerstone of her work.

From her early days in finance to her current role at a global logistics giant, Pia shares how data-driven insights don’t just support better decisions — they create the headspace needed for creativity, strategic clarity, and trust-building across stakeholders.

🔑 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What “creating headspace” means in the context of leadership, creativity, and communication strategy — and why it's critical in an “always on” world.
• How corporate communication has evolved — and why visibility, vulnerability, and frequent dialogue matter more than ever.
• How Pia builds comms at scale — enabling thousands of employees to align around a consistent message and brand narrative.
• Why data is essential to decision-making in modern communications

Timestamps

00:00 Teaser Clip About Headspace

00:29 Welcome to Always On Podcast

00:41 Meet Pia Stockland

01:04 Pia's Career Journey

02:26 Transition from Finance to Communications

03:09 Benefits of Diverse Industry Experience

05:22 Evolution of the Communication Landscape

07:04 Always On: The Need for Real-Time Data

07:56 Tools and Structures for Always On Communication

15:40 Balancing Data and Creativity

17:33 Leadership Visibility in an Always-On World

23:05 Effective Internal Communication

30:28 Future Trends in Communication

33:10 The Role of the CCO and CMO

36:09 Common Myths About Communications

37:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

To stay current with corporate reputation trends and track perceptions of global companies and industries, visit groupcaliber.com.

In this inspiring episode of Always On, host Shahar Silbershatz sits down with Belén Frau, Chief Communication Officer of Ingka Group — the largest IKEA franchisee — to explore how one of the world’s most beloved brands uses purpose, insights, and data to stay deeply connected with customers, coworkers, and society.

Belén shares her journey from finance and retail operations to leading global communications, and explains how IKEA’s obsession with understanding life at home — through data, dialogue, and trust — shapes everything from product design to brand activism.

With refreshing candor and clarity, she opens up about the structure behind IKEA’s unique brand ecosystem, how communication leaders can gain influence in the C-suite, and why being “always on” is essential in today’s complex, fast-moving world.

🔑 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How IKEA connects purpose with action — and why affordability, sustainability, and accessibility are central to its brand promise
• Why “Life at Home” is more than a slogan — and how insights from 55,000+ homes drive innovation, campaigns, and connection
• How IKEA built an econometric model to link brand trust directly to visitation and sales
• What it takes to lead comms across 30+ markets — balancing global consistency with local creativity
• Why communication is now a business lever — not a support function — and how to prove its value through performance and data
• How IKEA responds to crises, social issues, and misinformation while staying anchored in humility and values

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Life at Home

00:30 Welcome to the Podcast

00:54 Meet Belén Frau: Career Journey

01:41 Transition from Retail to Communications

04:05 The Power of Purpose-Driven Brands

05:47 Understanding IKEA's Complex Structure

12:40 Life at Home: Insights and Innovations

21:41 Positive Outlook on Global Branding

22:16 Balancing Global Consistency with Local Freedom

23:40 Support Over Control in Global Operations

24:35 Leveraging Local Innovations Globally

25:31 Data-Driven Communication Strategies

26:29 The Role of Data in Communication

27:34 Weekly Data Review and Feedback Loop

28:10 Importance of Happy Customers and Employees

28:39 Brand Metrics and Business Growth

28:58 Building Brand Trust Through Data

33:04 Always On: The Need for Constant Engagement

34:33 Crisis Communication in a Fast-Paced World

36:22 Navigating Social and Political Issues

39:17 The Future of the CCO Role

41:32 Switching Off: Personal Time and Relaxation

42:20 Conclusion and Farewell

To stay current with corporate reputation trends and track perceptions of global companies and industries, visit groupcaliber.com.

In this bonus episode, Shahar Silbershatz is joined by executive search veteran Michael Patino, founder of Patino Associates, to unpack their latest Global CCO Turnover Study. From turnover trends to succession planning gaps, Mike offers a candid, data-backed view of the evolving corporate communications landscape — and what companies (and aspiring leaders) must do to keep pace.

Drawing on over 25 years in executive search and talent advisory, Mike shares eye-opening stats, regional comparisons, and practical guidance for navigating a fast-changing communications environment shaped by AI and shifting CEO expectations.

🔑 What you’ll learn in this episode

• Why CCO turnover surged post-COVID — and why it’s stabilizing now
• Why 60% of CCO hires are external — and what that says about succession planning
• Why communications leads the way in gender balance at the C-level
• How tenure and turnover differ across the US, UK, Germany, and France — and what cultural and structural factors play a role
• Why AI isn’t replacing CCOs — but those who can use it wisely will stand out
• 📉 Why the “CCO+” trend is overstated — and the real shift is toward strategic advisory, not empire-building

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to AI in Strategic Operations

00:37 Welcome to the Podcast

00:49 Meet Michael Patino

01:16 Mike's Career Journey

01:50 About Patino Associates

03:57 The Global CCO Turnover Report

05:15 Key Trends in CCO Hiring

06:53 Gender Balance in Communications

09:39 External vs. Internal CCO Hires

14:46 Challenges in Succession Planning

24:39 Regional Differences in CCO Turnover

30:36 Impact of AI on the CCO Role

35:49 Future of the CCO Role

38:48 Advice for Aspiring Communicators

41:03 Surprising Findings from the Study

42:26 Conclusion and Farewell

Visit https://patinoassociates.com/ for more.

Music

Alex Guz from Pixabay

To stay current with corporate reputation trends and track perceptions of global companies and industries, visit groupcaliber.com.

In episode two of the new season, Shahar Silbershatz speaks with Jill Meiburg, Head of Group Communications and Brand at GEA Group, one of the world’s leading technology suppliers for the food, beverage, and pharma industries.

Based in Düsseldorf but global in scope, Jill shares what it means to lead with purpose, navigate complexity, and prove the impact of communications in a data-driven, always-on world.

From building a custom impact score across 20+ KPIs to storytelling about cows that outperform all other content, Jill blends strategic clarity with grounded insights into what it takes to communicate effectively — and creatively — in today's fast-moving environment.

Jill also opens up about the role of sustainability, the importance of stakeholder alignment, and why communicators must learn to speak both the language of business and authenticity.

🔑 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• 🧭 Why having a clear purpose is the best defense against an unstable, noisy world
• 📊 How GEA built its own “impact score” — measuring internal and external comms equally
• 🐄 Why cow content crushes it on engagement (yes, really)
• ⚖️ How to balance speed with strategic focus when reacting to external developments
• 🧠 Why every communicator today needs a data scientist — and a deep understanding of sustainability
• 🗣️ What makes CEO visibility effective — and why “weighing in” isn’t always the right move
• 🎯 How to claim a seat at the table with the right data, format, and persistence

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:02 Meet Jill Meiburg: Personal and Professional Background

02:21 Life in Germany as an American

03:42 Journey into Communications

06:24 Evolution of Corporate Communications

08:18 Strategic Communication in a Complex World

10:23 Data-Driven Communication Strategies

14:23 Impact Measurement and Tools

18:35 The Secret to Successful Internal Dashboards

19:32 The Importance of Internal Data Scientists

19:48 Reputational Risks in the Industry

21:49 Leveraging Data to Anticipate Risks

23:16 Defining and Engaging Stakeholders

24:20 Communicating Complex Engineering Solutions

25:57 Structuring the Communication Team

27:37 The Role of Creativity and AI in Communications

30:11 CEO Visibility and Communication Strategy

32:51 The Evolving Role of the CCO

34:52 Achieving a Seat at the Executive Table

37:00 Balancing Work and Personal Life

Music

Alex Guz from Pixabay

To stay current with corporate reputation trends and track perceptions of global companies and industries, visit groupcaliber.com.

We're back! Season 2 kicks off with one of the most respected voices in global communications: Frank X. Shaw, CCO at Microsoft. In this wide-ranging conversation, Frank discusses how a company as vast and complex as Microsoft manages trust, innovation, and influence in an increasingly fragmented and volatile world. He explains why doing nothing is sometimes the smartest move, how Microsoft navigates “permacrisis” with speed and precision, and why alignment between internal perception and external reputation is key to resilience.

From the evolution of influence to the rise of AI, from comms-marketing collaboration to internal consensus-building, Frank offers an unvarnished look at what it takes to lead communications at a company where everyone’s watching—and why staying grounded in purpose matters more than ever.

🔑 What you’ll learn in this episode

• 🧭 Why trust and innovation are the twin pillars of Microsoft’s brand identity—and the risks that threaten each
• 🧠 How to detect weak signals and decide when to stay silent in the face of emerging crises
• 🧰 The systems and structures Microsoft uses to stay “always on”—from 24/7 global issues management to predictive dashboards
• 🏗️ Why comms needs as much internal relationship-building as external influence
• 🧬 How Frank's team uses AI for measurement, insight, and experimentation—without losing the human judgment that matters most
• 🛠️ What it really means to “own” communications in a decentralized, highly matrixed enterprise
• 🎯 How to stay aligned on brand without being rigid—especially when your stakeholders span governments, gamers, and global developers
• 🌍 What it takes to navigate stakeholder expectations around societal issues without getting performative

Timestamps

00:00 Frank Shaw on the Core Values of a Tech Brand

00:35 Welcome to Season Two of Always On

00:48 Meet Frank Shaw: Chief Communications Officer at Microsoft

02:46 Frank's Journey: From Journalism to Microsoft

05:05 The Evolution of Influence in Communications

08:44 Navigating the Complex World of Modern Communication

14:33 Microsoft's Approach to Risk and Reputation Management

23:31 Handling Crisis Communication

24:21 The Role of Company Values in Public Statements

26:49 The Importance of Company Culture

27:47 Understanding Microsoft's Stakeholder Universe

31:24 Organizing the Communications Team

34:24 The Impact of AI on Communications

36:12 Marketing and Communications Collaboration

40:44 The Evolving Role of the CCO

43:41 Balancing Work and Personal Life

44:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Music by Alex Guz from Pixabay. 

To stay current with corporate reputation trends and track perceptions of global companies and industries, visit groupcaliber.com.

Our final guest of the season is Roberta Thomson, Chief Communications Officer at Hasbro, the leading toy and games company.

In a wide-ranging and entertaining finale, Roberta and Shahar discuss:

• why she switched career from accounting to financial PR ... and how her training made her a better communicator
• the most important lessons she learned working at Facebook
• why she views her role as being “behind the scenes” to help others “show up as their best selves”
• the evolving role of the CCO
• her strategies for managing the "always on" aspects of the role
• her advice for aspiring CCOs

To stay current with corporate reputation trends and track perceptions of global companies and industries, visit groupcaliber.com.

Torod Neptune is Medtronic’s Senior Vice President for Corporate Marketing and Chief Brand and Communications Officer. He and Shahar discuss:

• how Medtronic built a "best in class" team for identifying reputation risks
• the crucial role of diversity in competing — and winning — in the marketplace
• why communicators need to go beyond simply securing a "seat at the table" and cement it for the next 25 years
• the importance of establishing clear boundaries and prioritizing mental health in a demanding profession

To stay current with corporate reputation trends and track perceptions of global companies and industries, visit groupcaliber.com.