Looking for a job in comms? Well it's your lucky day. This week, the Katies welcome Brooke Kruger, founder of KC Partners, to discuss the current hiring landscape in the communications field through the eyes of one of the industry's best comms recruiters. The conversation covers a broad range of job hunting, hiring, and interview tips including the importance of skills and education, career advice for newcomers in communications, preparing for interviews, and the impact of AI on hiring. They also explore common mistakes made by companies during the hiring process, the dynamics of returning to the office, and advice for international candidates looking to work in the U.S.

Key Topics

• An overview of the 'go direct' approach in communications and its impact on roles.
• How AI is increasingly used in the hiring process.
• How to build a network that can help you break into the industry.
• How to prepare specific examples of their work for interviews.
• Company hiring best practices that can fix a broke recruitment process.
• The return to office trend and where employers should consider flexibility in order to attract top talent.
• Tips for international candidates to get jobs that take them overseas.

You can get in touch with KC Partners via their website here: https://kc-partners.com/

Time Stamps:
05:07 - Current Hiring Landscape in Communications
08:29 - The Importance of Education in PR
10:29 - Skills and Trends in Junior to Mid-Level Roles
12:53 - Transferable Skills Across Industries
14:27 - The Interview Process and AI's Role
17:16 - Advice for Newcomers in Communications
19:02 - Preparing for Interviews
20:46 - Navigating the Hiring Process
24:11 - The Ghosting Dilemma in Recruitment
27:54 - Return to Office: Balancing Flexibility and Structure
30:21 - International Candidates: Pathways to the U.S.

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In episode 19 of the Smart Public Podcast, the Katies discuss Meta's announcement led by Mark Zuckerberg and the implications of his messages on the company's reputation. They also debate on Meghan Markle's new show on Netflix and the challenges she faces in rebuilding her brand. The conversation highlights the complexities of communication strategies in today's media landscape and the impact of social media on public figures.

Episode Timestamps
00:44 - Meta's Announcement: The Zuck and His Gold Chain
06:40 - The Impact of Meta's Changes on Society
12:39 - The Masculine Energy Debate: Zuck on Joe Rogan
20:54 - The Impact of Corporate Changes on Employee Retention
22:15 - Megan's New Show: A Blend of Cooking and Interviews
23:14 - The Public Perception of Meghan Markle
24:39 - Navigating Identity and Brand in the Public Eye
26:25 - Challenges of Authenticity in a Media-Driven World
28:42 - Comparing Brands: Meghan Markle vs. Martha Stewart
31:12 - The Role of Guests in Meghan's New Show
34:29 - The Complexity of Meghan's Transition from Royalty
35:35 - The Future of Meghan's Brand and Public Image
38:15 - The Fascination with Royal Family Communications

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In episode ​18, the Katies welcome special guest Jane Hynes, VP of Global Communications ​f​or Google Cloud for a masterclass in how to effectively build and lead highly functioning communication teams. If you're currently building a team or managing people managers for the first time, this episode is for you. 

Jane also shares candid insights about:

• Developing quotable, impactful messaging that resonates in today's fast-paced media landscape
• Building and nurturing high-performing teams in rapid-growth environments
• The critical importance of succession planning and talent development
• How AI is reshaping the future of corporate communications

Whether you're a seasoned communications professional or aspiring to leadership in tech PR, Jane's perspective on maintaining engagement and pride in high-stakes environments while fostering continuous learning is invaluable. Her emphasis on hiring for raw intelligence and proactive thinking provides a fresh perspective on talent acquisition in today's competitive landscape.

Available now on your favorite podcast platform.

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In this holiday special episode of the Smart in Public podcast, the Katies discuss their top PR campaigns in 2024, like Mastercard's wheelchair ball kid initiative, Dove's Face of Ten campaign, and the rise of women's sports. The conversation also touches on the US election campaigns and notable PR disasters, all while sharing personal anecdotes and insights about the importance of networking and self-awareness in the industry. 

00:00 - Holiday Cheer and Podcast Introduction
02:45 - Reflecting on 2024: Top Moments in PR
05:52 - Innovative PR Campaigns: Dad Shift and Wicked
09:01 - MasterCard's Wheelchair Ball Kid Initiative
14:55 - Dove's Face of Ten Campaign: Addressing Tween Skincare
17:56 - Celebrating Women's Sports: A Growing Movement
21:00 - Jaguar's Controversial Ad and Its Impact
23:59 - Jojo Siwa's Rebranding Journey
32:18 - Lessons from CEO Interviews: What Went Wrong?
40:42 - Reflections on Personal Growth and Professional Networks

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This week the Katies welcome Tarla Lambert-Patel, co-founder of Agenda Media, parent company to Women’s Agenda, Women’s Health News, The Crux podcast, and The Keynotes app. In this episode, they discuss the challenges of independent publishing and the importance of addressing women's issues in media. Tarla also shares tips for PR professionals who are looking to pitch and build campaigns around women's issues, curating event content with a publisher that delivers impact, and why International Women's Day shouldn't be the only time your company speaks out to support women.

You can listen to the Women's Agenda podcast here: https://womensagenda.com.au/podcasts

Skippers Paradise:
01:39 - Tarla Lambert-Patel's Journey and Women's Agenda
05:27 - Identifying the Gap: Women's Agenda's Mission
07:43 - The Freedom of Independent Publishing
10:02 - Challenges of Independent Publishing in Australia
12:37 - Impactful Stories and Interviews
15:28 - Navigating Sensitive Topics and Building Trust
17:45 - Working with PR: Building Meaningful Stories
20:22 - The Saturation of International Women's Day
22:27 - Building Brand Partnerships Effectively
27:25 - The Impact of Remote Work on Parents
34:31 - Addressing Women's Health Issues in the Workplace

About Tarla Lambert-Patel
Tarla is the co-founder of Agenda Media - parent company to Women’s Agenda, Women’s Health News, The Crux podcast, and The Keynotes app alongside her business partner, Angela Priestley. Across their mastheads, they engage more than a million Australian women every month and have achieved this as a wholly independent, women-owned and run entity. Tarla is also the editor-in-chief of Women's Agenda, Australia's leading online news site championing women in their lives and careers and she co-leads a team of exceptional journalists and producers. Women's Agenda has been in-market for 11 years, and was launched by Private Media in 2012 as a key career resource for women. Since then, it’s been established as a genuine staple in the Australian media landscape, covering everything from business, tech, and politics through to lifestyle, finance and leadership. It is the go-to news source for thousands.

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It's a predictions episode, people! In episode 15, the Katies discuss industry trends, predictions for the year ahead, and best practices for 2025 communications program planning. 

Episode Timestamps

• 00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast and Recap of Previous Episode
• 04:43 - Reflections on Industry Layoffs and Support
• 13:47 - Best practices for your 2025 communications program planning 
• 32:20 - 2025 Communications Trends and Predictions
• 35:52 - The Impact of AI on Communications
• 43:55 - Dumb in private

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In episode 14 of the Smart in Public podcast, the Katies explore the evolving role of the Chief Communications Officer (CCO) and the importance of succession planning in communications. They discuss the rise of CCOs in the C-suite, the new 'CCO plus' role that encompasses a broader range of responsibilities, and the skills needed to prepare for a CCO position. The conversation also delves into the recent Jaguar rebrand and the controversial ad campaign that sparked discussions about brand strategy and audience engagement.

Episode links:

• Axios Communicator Article
• Sign up for the Axios Communicators Newsletter  

Timestamps

• 02:43 - The Evolving Role of the Chief Communications Officer (CCO)
• 10:14 - Succession Planning in Communications
• 19:22 - The Future of Communications Teams and CCO Responsibilities
• 26:53 - The Importance of CEO-Communications Partnership
• 29:19 - Analyzing Jaguar's Controversial Ad Campaign
• 33:59 - Shifting Brand Identity and Audience Perception
• 36:49 - Speculation on Jaguar's Future Strategy

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If you're looking for an episode that feels like you're eavesdropping on some random gals chatting next to you, this hodgepodge of an episode is the one for you. The Katies have had some manic work schedules lately, so we thought we'd use this time to share some items that are top of mind. Do we talk about PR? Sure. Will you laugh more than you learn in this episode? Likely. We're just happy to be here, honestly. So grab a sandwich and a glass of wine and enjoy our happy ramblings. We'll be more productive next week, we promise!

Episode Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction and Life Updates
05:57 - Adapting to a New Industry
12:00 - Work Travel Experiences, Tips, & Self Care
28:00 - The power of the PR community and ideas to bring Smart in Public listeners together
32:13 - Looking Ahead: Upcoming Guests and Future Plans

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In this week's episode, the Katies welcome Matt Fairhurst, co-founder and CEO of Skedulo, to the pod to discuss the partnership between a founder and a comms team. Fun fact: this episode isn't just for Comms people. It's also a great one to listen to if you're a founder wanting to explore how and when to bring comms support into your business, and identify the best strategies to improve your communications style as a leader.

Topics include:

• How internal communications is critical for founders to maintain alignment and culture.
• Technology shifts that create opportunities for new businesses and communication strategies.
• How effective communication requires trust and transparency between leaders and teams.
• Company culture is a reflection of the founder's personality and values.
• All hands calls and their ability to provide a platform for transparency and team engagement.
• How storytelling enhances the memorability and impact of communication.
• How different cultures have varying expectations for communication styles and performance.
• Building relationships with external consultants can provide valuable perspectives.
• Communication is a skill that can be developed over time through practice.
• Leaders must adapt their communication style as their company grows and evolves.

Episode time stamps:
02:44 - The Impact of Technology on Business
05:39 - The Importance of Internal Communications
08:21 - Navigating External Communications
10:56 - The Role of Transparency in Leadership
13:33 - Building Company Culture Through Communication
16:11 - The Value of All Hands Meetings
19:01 - Storytelling as a Communication Tool
21:54 - The Role of External Consultants in Communication
24:40 - The Value of External vs. Internal Collaboration
26:42 - Building Trust and Access in Consulting
28:49 - Cultural Differences in Communication
31:20 - Adapting Communication Styles Across Borders
36:01 - Personal Anecdotes and Lessons Learned

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Our thoughts and prayers go out to the PR team at Intuit as we dive into this all too familiar case study focused on executive training, expectation setting, and article amendments. We'll dive into the various fallouts that can stem from a CEO interview, the importance of context when navigating article amendments, new ways of thinking around executive and journalist preparation, and what we would have done differently in the situation. It's a tough but critical topic for any PR person who manages the C-suite.

Episode time stamps:

1:14 - Case Study: Intuit and The Verge Interview
4:35 - Analysis of Intuit's PR Response
9:43 - The Importance of Executive Preparation
14:40 - Navigating Media Relationships and Expectations
20:57 - Preparing for Executive Interviews
24:12 - Handling Unexpected Questions
26:54 - Understanding the Journalist's Perspective
28:17 - The Role of PR in Interview Outcomes

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