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 cultureDave 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 TOURFind Dave on LinkedIn: Dave CorderoAbout Modern CommsModern 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.Chapters00:00 Intro00:47 Meet Dave Cordero03:35 Building Internal Comms from scratch05:45 Reducing email overload + creating newsletter cadence10:50 Measuring comms impact (open rates, read time, clicks)12:40 Rolling out new platforms and driving behaviour change15:20 The People Leader Report: aligning managers21:00 Making town halls worth attending33:40 Internal podcast idea + humanising leaders39:15 Digital signage best practices52:30 From invisible to visible: what to do first56:55 Comms Roleplay Q&A01:02:30 Recognition program: “swing cards” + executive coffeeSubscribe for more conversations on clarity, confidence, and impact in Internal Comms.