Under Embargo Podcast

Send us a textThis episode is equal parts spicy comms truth and high-functioning marketing chaos (with a little ADHD sparkle on top).We’re joined by Ashley Faus, Atlassian’s Head of Lifecycle Marketing and the author of Human-Centered Marketing: How to Connect with Audiences in the Age of AI.We cover a lot of ground — and none of it is snackable. Modular, yes. Snackable, absolutely not. Human connection vs. AI-generated sameness The power of authenticity (real authenticity, not LinkedIn-polished perfection) Why MQLs need to die Brand vs. demand and why they're frenemies, not enemies And yes, someone loses a pinky (you’ll have to listen)This one is for the marketers who hate the word “marketer,” the comms pros tired of being called “PR,” and anyone trying to build trust while the robots learn to write press releases.

Send us a textThe phrase “fractional comms leader” might sound like consulting fluff—but Roberto Muñoz is here to tell you it’s anything but.In this episode, Becca and Parry get real with Roberto about:— The rise of the fractional Chief Communications Officer — Why comms gets sidelined while marketing gets the glory — The C-suite’s collective misunderstanding of what comms actually does — How comms should never be reporting to marketing (we said what we said) — And what AI means for the future of measurement, media, and the PR pricing modelWe talk measurement that matters (spoiler: it’s not impressions), why real thought leadership can’t be AI-generated, and the emotional gymnastics required to work in comms while being wildly underestimated by your peers.And yes, there’s yelling about “thrilled to announce.”This one’s for the comms pros who are sick of being the hospitality suite in the C-suite. If you've ever had to explain your value while delivering it, you're gonna feel this in your bones.👊 No fluff. No filters. Just the truth about this wild industry we’re in.

Send us a textIn this episode of Under Embargo, we’re joined by Linda Zebian, newly-minted VP of Communications at Muck Rack, for a conversation that’s equal parts insightful and unhinged—in the best way possible.Linda breaks down what it’s like to do PR for a PR tech company (spoiler: it’s very meta), how her time at The New York Times shaped her leadership, and why the work she’s doing now is the most meaningful of her career.We cover:— Building a comms function from scratch inside a fast-growth tech company— Why measurement in PR is broken—and what MuckRack’s doing to fix it— The real impact of AI on the industry (is sentiment the next frontier?)— Why PR still gets left off the thank-you email—and how we fix thatAlso not to be missed: whether you’d take $100M for a very specific and very weird demise.Yes, really.Whether you’re in-house, agency-side, or somewhere in between—this episode is for every comms pro who’s tried (and failed) to explain their job to their mom.

Send us a textWhat happens when you create the only legit LinkedIn influencer ranking platform in the world… and then make the algorithm public?You get bribe offers. Hate mail from millionaires. And a viral loop so strong it powers a 6-person startup with zero outbound sales.In this episode of Under Embargo, we sit down with Jeremy Boissinot, CEO and co-founder of Favikon, the platform quietly transforming the B2B creator economy. We cover:The gamification of influence — and why clout is currencyLinkedIn’s ranking blind spots (and how creators are cashing in anyway)Why Favikon is thriving in a space most VCs wouldn’t touchThe ethical chaos of ranking real people — and what comes nextAlso discussed: algorithm conspiracies, fake engagement pods, and how much Becca had to pay to outrank Parry. (Spoiler: still TBD.)

Send us a textWhat is a Chief Business Officer, anyway?This week on Under Embargo, Parry and I sat down with Robin Daniels—Chief Business & Product Officer at Zensai—for a conversation that honestly left me thinking about everything from go-to-market strategy to workplace happiness to ethical leadership. (No big deal, right?)If you don’t know Robin, he’s held exec roles at LinkedIn, WeWork, Salesforce, Box, Matterport—the man’s got receipts. But what stood out most in this convo wasn’t the resume. It was how deeply he cares about people.✨ On redefining the CBO role Robin’s not just leading marketing—he’s running a whole ecosystem of product, growth, and post-sales. He’s building categories, not just campaigns. Think: less “traditional CMO,” more “growth-obsessed storyteller-meets-operator.”✨ On Zensai and the whole “human success” thing Zensai’s mission is all about helping people thrive at work. It’s not fluffy. It’s grounded in skills, growth, and motivation—and it speaks to that thing we all secretly want: to love how we spend our days. Robin’s all in on that mission, and it shows.✨ On why culture is the strategy From his LinkedIn days to now, Robin’s learned that empathy isn't soft—it’s essential. One of my favorite moments? Him sharing how his team opened up through storytelling exercises. Made me want to do the same with mine. (And I just might.)✨ On ethical leadership (aka: not being a jerk) We talked about that current in tech where leaders forget that actions = brand. Robin’s take? Lead with integrity, or don’t lead at all. Because the ripple effects—on people, on brand perception, on retention—are real.✨ On marketing that actually matters Robin doesn’t have time for soulless campaigns. He breaks down why brand should be rooted in human connection, not product specs. (Preach!) It’s the kind of take that makes you want to rework your entire messaging doc.Bottom line? This episode is a love letter to building real businesses—with people at the center.

Send us a text✨ 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 MythsChris 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 ReleasesChris 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 MomentThe 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 ExternallyChris 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 ImperativeIf 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.

Two industry veterans kick off a thought-provoking journey into the world of communications. They share personal stories that shaped their paths, highlighting resilience and the push for authenticity in the field. The discussion touches on the importance of a 'no assholes' policy for healthier workplaces and the strengths of neurodiversity in teams. AI's role in transforming PR practices is explored, alongside new strategies for streamlined media pitching. The focus is on creating engaging content with authenticity, especially on platforms like LinkedIn.