Modern Comms

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.

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 trustHow to make important topics interesting (without dressing them up in buzzwords)The manager gap: why frontline comms lives or dies with managersA simple writing filter: keep it clear, keep it human, keep it actionableWhat, So What, Now What: a structure teams can use immediatelyWhy “more channels” can create more sludge if the content doesn’t changeHow 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 CommsModern 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.Chapters00:00 Intro00:45 Steve and Cindy’s work at Crescenzo Communications04:00 What marketing taught Cindy about internal comms08:25 The biggest issue comms teams need to take seriously13:45 Why it’s time to drop corporate speak24:00 What, So What, Now What40:20 Formats that work (and why most don’t)50:10 AI, clarity, and the risk of “confident nonsense.”

SummaryIn 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.TakeawaysInternal 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.

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-TakeawaysDigital 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💡 Book a personalized demo: https://www.cofenster.com/demo#InternalComms #CommsStrategy #ModernComms #RevenueCritical #EmployeeExperience #Leadership #CommsPodcast #AIinComms

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 outcomesHow to connect comms work to strategic goalsSmart ways to modernize roles, channels, and contentWhy personalization, storytelling, and video are rising fastThe mindset shift needed to move from output to impactPlus, 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.comKeywordsinternal communications, revenue critical, strategic communications, employee engagement, communication strategy, business priorities, measurement, storytelling, digital employee experience, AI in communicationsSummaryIn 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.TakeawaysInternal 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."Chapters00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage12:50 Positioning Internal Communications as Revenue Critical16:15 Understanding the Role of Internal Communications24:00 Measuring Impact and Value in Communications30:01 Modernizing Internal Communications Strategies33:42 Leveraging Digital Channels for Communication36:18 Innovative Content Formats in Internal Communications39:06 AI and the Future of Communication41:44 Building Trust in AI Adoption45:24 Positioning Internal Comms as Revenue Critical50:22 The Comms Roleplay Q&A01:01:14 Future Trends in Internal Communications

In this episode, Jenni Field discusses the evolving landscape of internal communication, focusing on the impact of AI, the importance of strategic planning, and the need for effective engagement and alignment within organizations. We discuss the PACEC framework, emphasizing the significance of understanding employee personas, and advocates for modernizing communication approaches to enhance trust and connection among teams. The conversation highlights the necessity of audits and the integration of technology to create a cohesive communication ecosystem.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Overview01:04 The Impact of AI on Content Creation04:18 Strategic Planning for 202609:25 Understanding the PACEC Framework14:37 Modernizing Internal Communication19:31 Leveraging Technology for Effective Communication24:03 Embracing AI in Communication24:39 The Importance of In-Person Communication26:11 Building Trust Through Effective Communication27:16 Evolving Internal Communication Formats30:37 The Need for Employee Personas35:45 Planning for 2026: The Importance of Audits38:18 OutroSubscribe today.

Escaping the Internal Comms Content Trap | Modern Comms Podcast with Jonas Bladt Hansen & cofenster CEO Tom Vollmer.In this in-person episode of the Modern Comms Podcast, we’re joined by Jonas Bladt Hansen – internal comms strategist, founder of OnMute and Next Level IC.We unpack one of the biggest challenges facing internal communicators today: the content trap and how producing more and more content without ever really moving the needle.Jonas shares:- Why engagement is often a meaningless metric- How internal comms can actually drive business outcomes (like sales)- The mindset shift needed to stay relevant in the age of AI If you’ve ever felt like you’re creating endless content that isn't connecting, this episode is for you.Less noise. More impact. This is internal comms, redefined.Subscribe for more episodes of the Modern Comms Podcast Learn more at https://www.cofenster.com Book a free interactive demo of cofenster's AI Video Assistants: https://www.cofenster.com/live-demo

In this episode of Modern Comms, we sit down with Patty Rivas, Transformation & Communications Leader and Founder of Futurist Communications, to explore how comms professionals can lead their organisations through high-stakes change.From mergers and restructures to leadership transitions, Patty shares practical strategies to build trust, align leadership, and support employees during uncertain times. We also discuss the evolving role of managers, how to prep for the unpredictable, and why now is the time to revisit your employee personas.Plus, we unpack how AI and video are opening up new opportunities for faster, more impactful change communication.Modern Comms is brought to you by cofenster — creators of AI Video Assistants built specifically for comms professionals.Whether it’s scaling leadership visibility, preparing change announcements, or simplifying complex updates, our tools make it easy for any team to create high-impact, on-brand video.Learn more or book your free interactive demo at cofenster.com.