Modern Comms

The Visibility Playbook for Internal Comms w/ Dave Cordero

In this episode of Modern Comms, Chris Brennan sits down with Dave Cordero, Senior Director of Internal Communications at the PGA TOUR, to unpack what it really takes to go from invisible to visible as an Internal Comms function. Dave shares how he built internal communications from the ground up, what he learned by starting with a listening tour, and how simple systems like editorial control, leader activation, and channel strategy can dramatically improve clarity, culture, and trust. What we cover: - Building Internal Comms from zero (and what to prioritise first) - Reducing email noise without losing important updates - Making comms measurable with the right tools and metrics - How to launch new platforms without losing employees to change fatigue - Activating managers with a “People Leader” newsletter (need to know, share, do) - Turning town halls into real culture moments, not slide marathons - Digital signage that works (big, bold, skimmable) - Why “candid” beats “transparent” in leadership communication - A simple, high-impact employee recognition program that boosts visibility and culture Dave also joins Chris for a quick Comms Roleplay Q&A, answering tough executive questions about comms budget, channels, and ROI. Guest: Dave Cordero, Senior Director of Internal Communications, PGA TOUR Find Dave on LinkedIn: Dave Cordero About Modern Comms Modern Comms is brought to you by cofenster, creators of AI video agents built for comms professionals, helping teams create high-impact, on-brand video without needing video experience. Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:47 Meet Dave Cordero 03:35 Building Internal Comms from scratch 05:45 Reducing email overload + creating newsletter cadence 10:50 Measuring comms impact (open rates, read time, clicks) 12:40 Rolling out new platforms and driving behaviour change 15:20 The People Leader Report: aligning managers 21:00 Making town halls worth attending 33:40 Internal podcast idea + humanising leaders 39:15 Digital signage best practices 52:30 From invisible to visible: what to do first 56:55 Comms Roleplay Q&A 01:02:30 Recognition program: “swing cards” + executive coffee Subscribe for more conversations on clarity, confidence, and impact in Internal Comms.

Clearer Comms, Better Outcomes: Why It’s Time to Drop the Corporate Speak w/ Steve, Cindy Crescenzo

Clearer comms drive better outcomes. But too many organisations are still stuck in corporate speak, and employees can feel it immediately. In this episode of Modern Comms, Chris Brennan sits down with Steve and Cindy Crescenzo (Crescenzo Communications) to unpack why jargon creates confusion and mistrust, how it sneaks into internal messaging, and what great communicators do instead. They get practical on what “plain spoken” really means, how to coach leaders and managers to communicate like humans, and why new channels (video, Teams, internal podcasts) don’t fix anything if the message is still full of fluff. In this conversation, we cover: Why corporate speak isn’t “business language” and how it damages trust How to make important topics interesting (without dressing them up in buzzwords) The manager gap: why frontline comms lives or dies with managers A simple writing filter: keep it clear, keep it human, keep it actionable What, So What, Now What: a structure teams can use immediately Why “more channels” can create more sludge if the content doesn’t change How AI can help (and how it can make corporate speak worse if you don’t train it) Memorable line from the episode: “Do you want to speak, or do you want to be heard?” About Modern Comms Modern Comms is brought to you by cofenster, creators of AI video agents built for comms professionals, helping teams turn key updates into high-impact, on-brand video without needing video experience. Subscribe for more conversations with comms leaders on clarity, confidence, and impact. Chapters 00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nJjgwrx7b0] Intro 00:45 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nJjgwrx7b0&t=45s] Steve and Cindy’s work at Crescenzo Communications 04:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nJjgwrx7b0&t=240s] What marketing taught Cindy about internal comms 08:25 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nJjgwrx7b0&t=505s] The biggest issue comms teams need to take seriously 13:45 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nJjgwrx7b0&t=825s] Why it’s time to drop corporate speak 24:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nJjgwrx7b0&t=1440s] What, So What, Now What 40:20 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nJjgwrx7b0&t=2420s] Formats that work (and why most don’t) 50:10 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nJjgwrx7b0&t=3010s] AI, clarity, and the risk of “confident nonsense.”

Enterprise Internal Comms Trends: What Leading Teams Are Doing Differently in 2026

Summary In this episode, Chris Brennan and Dana Feldhacker discuss the evolving landscape of internal communications, focusing on the challenges and strategies that enterprise organizations face in 2026. They explore the importance of personalized communication, the role of technology and AI, and the need for strategic approaches to engage employees effectively. Dana shares insights on common pitfalls in communication rollouts, the significance of video content, and the metrics that matter for measuring success. The conversation also touches on the democratization of content creation and the importance of being bold in communication strategies. Takeaways Internal communications are evolving to meet modern employee expectations. Personalization and consumer-grade communication are becoming essential. Video content significantly enhances comprehension and engagement. AI is transforming how organizations create and manage content. Change management is critical for successful tech rollouts in communications. Engagement metrics should focus on understanding and action, not just views. Democratizing content creation empowers employees and enhances communication. Strategic communication is necessary for effective internal messaging. Rethinking channel mix is vital for reaching diverse employee groups. Being bold in communication can accelerate organizational strategies.

Maintaining the Human Center in a Digitized IC World | Modern Comms Podcast w/ Sharon O'Dea

In this conversation, Sharon O'Dea, co-founder of Lithos Partners, discusses the challenges of digital communication in today's noisy environment. She emphasizes the importance of understanding audience needs, the concept of 'infobesity', and the necessity of designing communication that resonates with human emotions. The discussion also covers the role of AI in personalizing communication, the significance of video in humanizing messages, and strategies for navigating digital overwhelm. Sharon shares insights from her upcoming book, 'Digital Communications at Work', and engages in a roleplay Q&A to address common concerns about maintaining a human-centered approach in communication. Key-Takeaways Digital communication is often overwhelmed by noise and excess. Understanding the audience is crucial for effective communication. Infobesity refers to the overload of information that can hinder understanding. Communication should be designed to fit the reality of people's work lives. Video can enhance human connection and trust in communication. AI can help personalize communication at scale. Experimentation with formats can lead to better engagement. People need agency in choosing how they receive information. Communication should aim to remove friction from the workday. The future of communication will reflect broader societal changes. 📌 Subscribe for more episodes of the Modern Comms Podcast 🧠 Powered by Cofenster – The AI Video Assistant for Internal Comms Teams 🎥 Watch more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@cofenster [https://www.youtube.com/@cofenster] 💡 Book a personalized demo: https://www.cofenster.com/demo [https://www.cofenster.com/demo] #InternalComms #CommsStrategy #ModernComms #RevenueCritical #EmployeeExperience #Leadership #CommsPodcast #AIinComms

Can Internal Comms Be Revenue-Critical? | Modern Comms Podcast w/ Preston Lewis

Can internal comms really impact the bottom line? In this episode of the Modern Comms Podcast, Chris Brennan sits down with Preston Lewis, VP at Segal Benz, to explore how internal comms teams can position themselves as business-critical — not just a support function. We cover: * What it really means to be “revenue-critical” * Clear examples of comms driving measurable business outcomes * How to connect comms work to strategic goals * Smart ways to modernize roles, channels, and content * Why personalization, storytelling, and video are rising fast * The mindset shift needed to move from output to impact Plus, Preston takes on the Comms Roleplay Q&A and answers real-world questions from a skeptical CEO’s point of view — like “What breaks if we cut your budget?” and “Why should we invest in comms when sales shows ROI faster?” This one’s packed with ideas, strategies, and plain-speaking advice for anyone trying to elevate their comms game in 2026. Learn more about cofenster and book a free interactive demo of our AI Video Agents today: www.cofenster.com [www.cofenster.com] Keywords internal communications, revenue critical, strategic communications, employee engagement, communication strategy, business priorities, measurement, storytelling, digital employee experience, AI in communications Summary In this conversation, Preston Lewis discusses the importance of positioning internal communications as a revenue-critical function within organizations. He emphasizes the need for strategic alignment between communication efforts and business goals, highlighting the role of measurement and storytelling in achieving this alignment. The discussion also covers the challenges of information overload and the necessity for personalization in communication strategies. Additionally, the conversation features a roleplay segment where Preston addresses common concerns from a skeptical CEO regarding the value of communications. Takeaways Internal communications should be viewed as a strategic partner in business. Aligning communication efforts with business goals is crucial for success. Measuring engagement and effectiveness is essential for internal comms. Storytelling should be targeted and relevant to the audience. Personalization in communications enhances engagement and effectiveness. Addressing information overload is a key challenge for communicators. AI can be leveraged to improve communication strategies and efficiency. Future roles in communications should focus on data analysis and storytelling. Communications is an enablement function that supports organizational success. Effective communication fosters better relationships within organizations. Sound bites "Engagement is about feeling heard." "Communications is an enablement function." "We must address information overload." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage 12:50 Positioning Internal Communications as Revenue Critical 16:15 Understanding the Role of Internal Communications 24:00 Measuring Impact and Value in Communications 30:01 Modernizing Internal Communications Strategies 33:42 Leveraging Digital Channels for Communication 36:18 Innovative Content Formats in Internal Communications 39:06 AI and the Future of Communication 41:44 Building Trust in AI Adoption 45:24 Positioning Internal Comms as Revenue Critical 50:22 The Comms Roleplay Q&A 01:01:14 Future Trends in Internal Communications