Crisis, Comms, and Cults—Oh My! with Chris Willis, CMO of Axios HQ

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✨ The Real Power of Strategic Comms: Chris Willis on "Under Embargo"

The latest episode of Under Embargo was packed with gold. Chris Willis, CMO of Axios HQ, joined hosts Perry and Becca to talk about how strategic communications isn’t just a "nice-to-have"—it’s a business driver. Forget the corporate fluff. They dive into the real, actionable ways comms can push business objectives forward and make a measurable impact.

🎉 Busting Comms Myths

Chris didn’t hold back. He took on the outdated notion that corporate communications is just a support function—the team that pretties up messages and "chops off pinkies" (his words!) when execs get a little too rogue. Instead, he laid out why comms is a critical function for guiding corporate strategy and navigating complexity.

💬 Beyond Newsletters and Press Releases

Chris has a fascinating career trajectory—starting in marketing, then seeing firsthand how powerful strategic communications is for aligning business objectives. His take? Comms is way more than broadcasting messages. It’s about shaping internal alignment, driving productivity, and influencing external market perception. It’s not a background function—it’s a business engine.

🚨 Crisis Comms: A Make-or-Break Moment

The conversation also delves into the role of crisis comms. Axios HQ’s data shows that how a company handles a crisis doesn’t just affect that moment—it reshapes brand trust and long-term strategy. A strong comms team doesn’t just put out fires; they use crises as a catalyst for transformation.

🌟 Communicating Value: Internally and Externally

Chris breaks down how effective comms can move the needle on everything from employee retention to project execution. And yes, they even get into AI—Chris is a firm believer that AI should enhance human creativity, not replace it.

🔍 The Takeaway: Comms Is a Business Imperative

If this episode reinforces anything, it’s that communications isn’t "just" comms. It’s strategy. It’s influence. It’s business impact. Chris makes it clear—companies that treat comms as a business function (not a PR afterthought) will always have a competitive edge.

Don’t miss this episode of Under Embargo with Becca and Perry. And if your comms team isn’t in the boardroom yet, it’s time to fix that.