Why Business Acumen Is the Missing Skill in Communications with Katie James

Why AI Adoption Dies Inside Most Companies feat. Dan Nestle

Hear more from Dan Nestle [http://linkedin.com/in/nestle] by listening to his full episode of Earning Your Seat here [https://youtu.be/f-yszabSqmc?si=Jy4-QW7q9q7k4cA3]! In this bitesize episode of Earning Your Seat, Dino Delic revisits his conversation with Dan Nestle, a veteran communications strategist, the Founder and Chief Curiosity Officer of Inquisitive Communications [https://be-inquisitive.com/], host of the podcast The Trending Communicator [https://www.trendingcommunicator.com/], and a leading voice in the discourse around AI. While AI can be a powerful tool for individual use, Dan highlights the significant gaps in AI literacy and the cultural barriers that organizations face when trying to implement AI at scale. Dan has also co-founded Lilypath, a company that’s pioneering AI-powered solutions to help interpret and evaluate professional authority, creating new standards for how authority is understood in the digital age.  Dan shares insights on how AI adoption isn’t just about the tools or training, but about creating a culture that fosters experimentation and collaboration. He explains that true AI integration requires overcoming policy limitations, addressing governance friction, and embracing a mindset where learning and failure are part of the journey. This episode is a must-listen for team leaders, communicators, and anyone looking to understand the organizational hurdles of adopting AI and how to overcome them. Earning Your Seat is a Meltwater podcast. Episode Highlights: (00:00) Welcome to Earning Your Seat (00:16) Dino’s daily use of AI and the personal workflow challenge (00:34) Scaling AI from personal use to team-wide adoption (00:53) Dan Nestle on moving AI from individual habit to organizational capability (01:00) The gap between individual AI upskilling and organizational readiness (01:20) Addressing AI literacy gaps across teams (01:43) The friction caused by governance and policies in AI adoption (02:12) Cultural barriers hindering AI scaling in organizations (02:30) AI adoption is more than just training; it’s about culture (02:43) Getting the whole team comfortable with AI (03:00) The importance of leadership in creating an AI-friendly environment (03:37) Scaling AI is about culture, not just tools (03:49) Leaders experimenting publicly with AI to reduce barriers for teams Follow Earning Your Seat: * Connect with Dan Nestle: http://linkedin.com/in/nestle [http://linkedin.com/in/nestle] * Dino Delic, Head of the Data-Driven Comms Research Lab on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinodelic/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinodelic/] * Genevieve Brammall on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevieve-brammall/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevieve-brammall/] * Stephanie Lerdall on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniesheppard/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniesheppard/] * Sign up for the weekly “Now What” newsletter: https://ddc-research-lab.beehiiv.com/subscribe [https://ddc-research-lab.beehiiv.com/subscribe] Resources: * Take the Data-Driven Communications Free Assessment Ready to see where you stand with Data-Driven Communications? Take the DDC Assessment and get your personalized report to explore the framework at https://bit.ly/meltwater-ddc-assessment [https://bit.ly/meltwater-ddc-assessment] * Join the Data-Driven Communications Community: https://community.meltwater.com/p/ddc [https://community.meltwater.com/p/ddc] Get in Touch With Us If you have any questions about this interview, email us at earningyourseat@meltwater.co [earningyourseat@meltwater.com]

Becoming a Trusted Advisor in Communications by Challenging Assumptions

Hear more from Johna Burke [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gojohnab/] by listening to her full episode of Earning Your Seat here [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPME8DkftSfga2iGZmHk2la4Ww7tqc73R]! Most communications leaders think credibility with leadership comes from better data, stronger dashboards, and more polished reports. But what if the opposite is true? In this bitesize episode of “Earning Your Seat,” Dino Delic is joined by Johna Burke [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gojohnab/], CEO of AMEC [https://amecorg.com/], to challenge one of the most common assumptions in communications. Johna argues that credibility isn’t built on the certainty of your data, it’s built on your willingness to question it. Johna shares practical ways communicators can move from simply reporting numbers to becoming trusted advisors. From auditing past reports and challenging flawed methodologies to inviting contrarian perspectives, she explains how intellectual honesty and scrutiny can strengthen both your data and your influence. We also hear a real-world example of how small inconsistencies in measurement can lead to misleading results, and how applying the right discipline can transform the way teams evaluate success, especially in areas like social media and influencer engagement. This episode is a must-listen for communications leaders and practitioners who want to build credibility, challenge assumptions, and earn greater trust at the leadership table. Earning Your Seat is a Meltwater podcast. Episode Highlights: (00:00) Welcome to Earning Your Seat (00:16) The credibility question every comms leader faces (00:31) Why more data doesn’t build leadership trust (00:41) Credibility comes from challenging your data (01:03) Shift from reporting data to advising leaders (01:19) Stop being overly attached to your data (01:30) Audit your last five reports for credibility gaps (01:50) Why “perfect” data isn’t realistic (02:12) Connect data to real business outcomes (02:28) Use contrarians to pressure-test your data (03:40) Example: flawed campaign measurement (04:30) Fix inconsistent methods and briefings (05:27) Why reach fails for social and micro-influencers (06:24) Move from reporting numbers to owning the truth  Connect with Johna Burke: * Follow Johna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gojohnab/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johna-burke/] * Discover AMEC: https://amecorg.com/ [https://amecorg.com/] Follow the Hosts of “Earning Your Seat” on LinkedIn: * Dino Delic, Head of the Research Lab at Meltwater: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinodelic/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinodelic/] * Genevieve Brammall, Head of Consumer PR & Talent Relations at News Corp Australia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevieve-brammall/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevieve-brammall/] * Stephanie Lerdall, Head of Corporate Communications at Morningstar, Inc.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniesheppard/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniesheppard/] Resources: * Take the Data-Driven Communications free Maturity Assessment: https://bit.ly/meltwater-ddc-assessment [https://bit.ly/meltwater-ddc-assessment] * Join the Data-Driven Communications Meltwater Community: https://community.meltwater.com/p/ddc [https://community.meltwater.com/p/ddc] * Sign up for the weekly “Now What” newsletter: https://ddc-research-lab.beehiiv.com/subscribe [https://ddc-research-lab.beehiiv.com/subscribe] * Get in touch with us: If you have any questions about this interview, email us at earningyourseat@meltwater.com [earningyourseat@meltwater.com]

Why Business Acumen Is the Missing Skill in Communications with Katie James

In communications, many teams are highly skilled at creating content and managing channels. But what does it really take to move from being a tactical executor to a trusted strategic advisor? In this episode of Earning Your Seat, Katie James [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-james-35abb723/] joins us to discuss the capability gaps holding communications teams back and the skills that help leaders earn real influence inside their organizations.  Katie is the Commercial Director at Kademy [https://www.linkedin.com/company/kademygroup/], where she helps upskill communications teams through training, assessments, and advisory support. Bringing insights from surveying thousands of communicators, she explains the capability gaps holding teams back and what it takes to become a more strategic, trusted advisor inside the business. Katie talks about what separates high-performing teams from reactive ones, why communicators often fall into the trap of jumping straight to outputs, and how asking better questions can change the role communications plays across the business.  We also dive into how AI is reshaping the profession, where human judgment still matters most, and why building stronger internal relationships may be one of the most practical ways to earn a seat at the table. This episode is a must-listen for communications leaders and ambitious practitioners who want to become more strategic, more proactive, and more valuable to the business. Earning Your Seat is a Meltwater podcast. Episode Highlights: (00:00) Welcome to Earning Your Seat (02:07) The critical skills holding communicators back from strategy (06:52) Why leaders aren't coming to you and how to fix it (11:13) The default role that keeps comms teams stuck (14:22) Why asking the right question is a superpower in comms (19:33) Why slowing down first pays off later (23:53) The stat that changed how Dino thinks about AI adoption (27:20) How a comms leader used AI agents to reclaim her time (29:36) Why one big announcement beats six small ones every time (34:35) How Kademy built a custom AI readiness survey with a client (38:36) The surprising truth about comms teams and AI confidence (45:23) The one competitive advantage AI can't replicate (49:43) One thing you can start doing today to earn a seat at the table (50:44) Map your stakeholder stack not just your tech stack Connect with Katie: * Katie James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-james-35abb723/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-james-35abb723/] * Discover Kademy: https://kademygroup.com/ [https://kademygroup.com/] Take the Data-Driven Communications Free Assessment Ready to see where you stand with Data-Driven Communications? Take the DDC Assessment and get your personalized report to explore the framework at https://bit.ly/meltwater-ddc-assessment [https://bit.ly/meltwater-ddc-assessment] Follow Earning Your Seat: * Dino Delic, Head of the Data-Driven Comms Research Lab on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinodelic/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinodelic/] * Genevieve Brammall on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevieve-brammall/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevieve-brammall/] * Stephanie Lerdall on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniesheppard/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniesheppard/] * Sign up for the weekly “Now What” newsletter: https://ddc-research-lab.beehiiv.com/subscribe [https://ddc-research-lab.beehiiv.com/subscribe] Join the Data-Driven Communications Community: https://community.meltwater.com/p/ddc [https://community.meltwater.com/p/ddc] See DDC LIVE at Meltwater Summit in NYC on May 5-6, 2026: https://bit.ly/ddc-summit-26 [https://bit.ly/ddc-summit-26] (Save $100 using code: MSDDCRC) Get in Touch With Us If you have any questions about this interview, email us at earningyourseat@meltwater.com [earningyourseat@meltwater.com]

Using Data to Drive Strategic Communications Decisions with Philippe Barillon

In communications, we often focus on data, but how can we use it to make better decisions and drive real impact? In this episode of Earning Your Seat, Philippe Barillon [https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippebarillon/], Executive Director, Predictive Platforms and AI Enablement at Novartis [https://www.novartis.com/], breaks down how to use data more effectively. He walks us through a simple, four-step process that takes us from looking at past results to giving actionable recommendations for the future. Philippe also dives into the role AI is playing in communications, how to manage relationships with key stakeholders, and why it’s important to build trust, especially in times of crisis. He shares valuable lessons from his own experience, like why learning the language of business is essential for communicators who want to be seen as trusted advisors. If you’re looking for practical ways to use data, build your influence, and drive better communication strategies, this episode is for you. Earning Your Seat is a Meltwater podcast. Episode Highlights: (00:00) Welcome to Earning Your Seat (01:00) Philippe’s Background and Career in Communications (04:00) AI and the Future of Communication Roles: A Bold Statement by Stephanie (05:00) The Role of Critical Thinking in AI-Driven Decision Making (08:00) Descriptive vs. Diagnostic Analytics: Understanding the "Why" (13:00) Moving from Predictive to Prescriptive Analytics: A 4-Step Methodology (17:00) The Importance of Audience Understanding in Communications (20:00) Building Reputation: Why Trust and Consistency Matter (23:00) How Data Can Link Communication Efforts to Business Outcomes (28:00) The Super Bowl Ad: A Case Study in Effective Communication Strategy (34:00) The Value of Stakeholder Management and Building Trust (37:00) Learning the Language of Business to Earn a Seat at the Table Connect with Philippe:  * Philippe Barillon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippebarillon/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippebarillon/] * Discover Novartis: https://www.novartis.com/ [https://www.novartis.com/] Take the Data-Driven Communications Free Assessment Ready to see where you stand with Data-Driven Communications? Take the Maturity Assessment and get your personalized report to explore the framework at https://bit.ly/meltwater-ddc-assessment [https://bit.ly/meltwater-ddc-assessment] Follow Earning Your Seat: * Dino Delic, Head of the Data-Driven Comms Research Lab on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinodelic/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinodelic/] * Genevieve Brammall on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevieve-brammall/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevieve-brammall/] * Stephanie Lerdall on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniesheppard/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniesheppard/] * Sign up for the weekly “Now What” newsletter: https://ddc-research-lab.beehiiv.com/subscribe [https://ddc-research-lab.beehiiv.com/subscribe] Join the Data-Driven Communications Community: https://community.meltwater.com/p/ddc [https://community.meltwater.com/p/ddc] See DDC LIVE at Meltwater Summit in NYC on May 5-6, 2026: https://bit.ly/ddc-summit-26 [https://bit.ly/ddc-summit-26] (Save $100 using code: MSDDCRC) Get in Touch With Us If you have any questions about this interview, email us at earningyourseat@meltwater.com [earningyourseat@meltwater.com]

Leadership Lessons from Five-Time CCO Becky Edwards

Communications leadership requires trust, initiative, and knowing when to let go of the “doing” to empower others.  In this episode of Earning Your Seat, Becky Edwards [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rledwards/], a five-time Chief Communications Officer (CCO) and a renowned leadership advisor, shares her insights on how to rise to the highest levels of comms leadership. Becky’s career journey, from foreign service to becoming a trusted CCO, has equipped her with a unique perspective on leadership. She talks about the importance of trusting your team, encouraging curiosity, and how good leaders find new problems to solve for the company. Becky also discusses how self-promotion, empathy, and building alliances are key to breaking through barriers, especially for women in leadership roles. This episode will give you the tools to rethink leadership and embrace the trust and creativity necessary for success. This episode is essential for aspiring leaders, communications professionals, and anyone interested in making an impact in the evolving world of corporate communications. Earning Your Seat is a Meltwater podcast. Episode Highlights: (00:00) Welcome to Earning Your Seat (02:34) The Importance of Trust in Leadership (03:09) Self-Promotion: Balancing Humility with Advocacy (08:11) Occupying White Space to Solve Unarticulated Problems (09:51) Leading with Curiosity and Empathy (15:24) How to Build Alliances and Break Through Barriers (18:12) Measurement as a Leadership (22:59) Building a Data Nutrition Plan (27:21) Measurement Cadences: Daily, Monthly, Quarterly (31:59) Dashboards: Shame vs. Strategic Tool (37:23) Becky’s Approach to Effective Communications Leadership (41:11) CCOs Are Business People First Connect with Becky: * Becky on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-edwardshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rledwards/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rledwards/] Take the Data-Driven Communications Free Assessment Ready to see where you stand with Data-Driven Communications? Take the DDC Assessment and get your personalized report to explore the framework at https://bit.ly/meltwater-ddc-assessment [https://bit.ly/meltwater-ddc-assessment] Follow Earning Your Seat: * Dino Delic, Head of the Data-Driven Comms Research Lab on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinodelic/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinodelic/] * Genevieve Brammall on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevieve-brammall/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevieve-brammall/] * Stephanie Lerdall on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniesheppard/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniesheppard/] * Sign up for the weekly “Now What” newsletter: https://ddc-research-lab.beehiiv.com/subscribe [https://ddc-research-lab.beehiiv.com/subscribe] Ready to see where you stand with Data-Driven Communications? Take the free maturity assessment and get your personalized report: https://bit.ly/meltwater-ddc-assessment [https://bit.ly/meltwater-ddc-assessment] Join the Data-Driven Communications Community: https://community.meltwater.com/p/ddc [https://community.meltwater.com/p/ddc] See DDC LIVE at Meltwater Summit in NYC on May 5-6, 2026: https://bit.ly/ddc-summit-26 [https://bit.ly/ddc-summit-26] (Save $100 using code: MSDDCRC) Get in Touch With Us If you have any questions about this interview, email us at earningyourseat@meltwater.com [earningyourseat@meltwater.com]