Who controls the narrative now - Corporate Affairs in focus with Jeannie Houchins

Who really controls the narrative now? And what does that mean for corporate affairs leaders? In this episode of ClarityMatters, host Louise Everett catches up with Jeannie Houchins, Head of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at Bonduelle Group Americas. Together, they explore how the role of corporate affairs is evolving in a world where organisations no longer have sole control over their story. Together, Louise and Jeannie unpack the forces reshaping corporate affairs, from rising stakeholder expectations to the impact of AI, and what leaders can do to respond with clarity, confidence and purpose. They discuss: How narrative control has shifted to a broader ecosystem of employees, customers, regulators and platforms Why corporate affairs is moving from managing messaging to shaping meaning across the organisation The impact of speed, scrutiny and AI on how organisations communicate and respond Why culture and internal voices now play a defining role in reputation The capabilities leaders need to build trust, credibility and influence in an increasingly complex environment Whether you work in corporate affairs, communications or leadership, this conversation offers a clear perspective on navigating a landscape where influence is shared, expectations are rising, and clarity has become a critical advantage. Jump straight to your favorite parts: [00:03:08] - From managing messages to managing meaning: how corporate affairs has fundamentally changed [00:04:30] - The three forces reshaping corporate communications: speed, stakeholder expectations and AI [00:07:02] - Who really controls the narrative now (and it's not the press office) [00:08:20] - Why culture is reputation and what that means for organisations today [00:10:20] - The case for aligning internal and external comms before a crisis hits [00:11:53] - The three capabilities that will define corporate affairs leaders in the years ahead [00:13:10] - What AI can and cannot replace in strategic communications [00:14:56] - Why continuous AI education is no longer optional for comms professionals [00:16:51] - Career advice for communicators: get comfortable with the uncomfortable [00:19:03] - Why clarity is a sign of respect and the one idea worth putting in a 20-year time capsule View the full transcript here: https://claritascomms.com/wp-content/... ---------------------------------------- Claritas Managing Director Louise Everett is the host of ClarityMatters, a limited-edition podcast series bringing together carefully selected industry leaders for short, focused conversations on the issues shaping B2B communications today. Claritas is a corporate communications agency that helps organisations communicate with clarity, confidence and impact. From a strategic approach, we craft, design and deliver B2B communications that are rooted in clarity, designed for impact and focused on outcomes. Whether it’s employee engagement, change, external communications, reputation, or the ambition to build and evolve a brand, we help organisations say the right thing — clearly, consistently and credibly. Get in touch: info@claritascomms.com https://claritascomms.com