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Macrocast: The ripple effects of rising consumer confidence Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

This week on the Macrocast, Ylan Mui, Brendan Walsh, John Fagan, and Robert Dewey are joined by John Dick, CEO and founder of Civic Science, to dive into the latest economic sentiment index (ESI). The group offers their insights on the subtle shifts in the labor market, the dilemma of return-to-office mandates, and the decline in job changes since the peak of the "Great Resignation." And after an active summer for labor, our experts grapple with the potential economic ripple effects of the United Auto Workers strike. You won't want to miss it!

Read the latest ESI analysis here.

From crypto winter to courtroom victory with Jennifer Rosenthal of Grayscale Sep 13, 2023

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Imagine stepping into the world of crypto investments, grappling with the complexities of a new technology and pioneering the charge towards a revolutionary financial product. Our guest, Jennifer Rosenthal, head of communications at Grayscale Investments, has done just that. On today's episode of What's at Stake, Jennifer gives us a captivating recount of her journey, including how she built Grayscale's communications team and led the company to an impressive victory in the D.C. Court of Appeals.
From the nuances of message crafting to the intricacies of litigation preparedness, Jennifer shares insights on how Grayscale navigated communications challenges while converting their flagship product into an Exchange-Traded Fund. Bryan and Jennifer also discuss how Grayscale is educating people about the importance of a Bitcoin ETF, and why their recent court win is so notable. Join us for this fascinating conversation, offering an inside look into the world of crypto and communications.

Macrocast: The power of the Congressional spouses Sep 08, 2023

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What happens when the government hits pause and the financial markets hold their breath? On the latest episode of the Macrocast, Ed Mills, Washington Policy Analyst at Raymond James, joins Ylan Mui and Brendan Walsh to discuss the potential effects of a government shutdown on markets. The group explores the possible twist of a temporary funding extension and the seismic shift this could cause in consumer sentiment.

Later, our experts turn to the 2024 elections and the heavyweights that could influence voters' decisions—including economic and social issues, healthcare woes, and legal battles. The episode also examines the U.S.-China relationship, particularly in light of Secretary Raimondo's recent trip to China. You won't want to miss it!

The future is here: How AI is reshaping business Sep 07, 2023

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On this week's episode of What's at Stake, Bryan DeAngelis, Head of Penta's D.C. office, is joined by Alberto Lopez Valenzuela and Andrea Christianson, co-leads of Penta's AI Task Force. Ahead of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's AI Insight Forum with tech leaders next week, the group takes a look at key considerations around AI governance, including the impact industry can have on responsible adoption and regulation.

As leaders in the field, Valenzuela and Christianson share insights on the practical applications of AI in providing strategic guidance to businesses. Tune in for a glimpse behind the scenes of how Penta is integrating AI into our products and strategic recommendations.

Macrocast: Pour one out for the essential workers Sep 01, 2023

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Join Ylan, John, and Brendan for this #JobsDay #Macrocast! The group discussed the current state of the labor force, including how caretakers, including women, are handling the high cost and short supply of daycare. The group also talked about how the employer and employee dynamic might shift as the labor market cools—will employees still be able to use their leverage to get benefits and flexibility? In the next couple weeks, there will be some potential economic headwinds, including changes to childcare funding, the reinstatement of student loan repayments, and potential government shutdown, and Ylan, John, and Brendan, also discussed the likely resulting actions out of the Federal Reserve.

Read more about Penta and Civic Science's ESI reading.

The evolving business of news Aug 31, 2023

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Can AI revive the local news industry? How will legacy media outlets compete with the increasingly crowded entertainment landscape? How should media executives be assessing the impact of their work?

In this episode of What's At Stake, Ylan Mui of Penta sits down with two media industry innovators, Sara Goo, Editor-in-Chief of Axios, and Paul Cheung, CEO of the Center for Public Integrity, to answer these questions and many more. With new developments in technology and as political tensions reach a fever pitch, journalists and media executives alike must think about the future of the industry. This episode is full of industry insights and thought-provoking discussions, including the potential role for AI in reviving local news and the importance of diversity in journalism.

Macrocast: A premature celebration? Aug 25, 2023

Show notes

Today on the Macrocast, Ylan, John, and Brendan are joined by David Wessel, Director of the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy at the Brookings Institution. The group unpacks Fed Chairman Jerome Powell's Jackson Hole speech, including Powell's takeaway that the economy’s growth could require additional Fed hikes to fight inflation.

The group also discusses the implications of the U.S.'s federal debt, including former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's comments on the subject at this week's debate ,and triages the prospects for Congressional economic deals more broadly in the coming months.

Read more about David Wessel and his work at the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy at the Brookings Institution.

Deconstructing the world of influencer marketing: Lessons for public affairs campaigns Aug 24, 2023

Show notes

As policy professionals and corporate communicators aim to tap into new markets and expand their reach, they're increasingly looking to tap into the influencer landscape. But this brings with it a host of questions: How should brands and issue advocacy campaigns leverage influencers? What are the risks? Can audiences trust the authenticity of influences? And, what's next for influencer culture?

Join us for this week's episode of What's at Stake, as Penta Partner Andrea Christianson chats with fellow Penta Partner Lauren Wolfson and D.C.-based influencer Sarah Phillips of 52 Thursdays, a popular style and fitness channel. Lauren offers insights on how brands can harness the power of influencer culture, and Sarah shares anecdotes from her decade-long experience in the influencer space. From understanding how to vet influencers, to exploring the phenomenon of "de-influencing," you won't want to miss this episode.

Macrocast: To hike or not to hike, that is the question Aug 18, 2023

Show notes

On today's Macrocast, Ylan, John Fagan, and Brendan are joined by John Dick of Civic Science. The group chats about the latest consumer data from the ESI, which indicates that consumers might be "coming back to reality" as some are trading down for purchase categories like going out to eat. Despite the decrease in the overall consumer sentiment in the ESI reading, the group notes that some retailers had very positive second quarter earnings calls.

Later in the episode, they also discuss the minutes from the latest FOMC meeting, the biggest challenges currently impacting China's economy, and Secretary Yellen's recent trip to China. You won't want to miss this one!

Check out more information about the ESI and this week's update here.

The case for reading business books Aug 16, 2023

Show notes

In this week's episode of What’s at Stake, we are re-releasing one of our favorite conversations from earlier this year: The case for reading business books. In the episode, Penta President Matt McDonald joins partner Andrea Christianson to share reading recommendations for those interested in business, including young professionals, aspiring leaders, and experienced executives.

The two discuss their favorite books and explain why business professionals and leaders should take the time to engage with business literature at various stages of their careers.

You can find the full list of Matt’s reading recommendations here.

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