Ben Trounson

I help Fortune 500 organizations build unshakeable stakeholder trust through strategic communications that turn complexity into clarity. As a VP of Global Corporate Communications with 20+ years of experience, I specialize in guiding companies through the reputation opportunities and challenges that come with transformation, crisis, and growth.

My career spans leadership roles at technology, energy, and pharmaceutical giants including Tata Consultancy Services, National Grid, Verizon, and Bristol Myers Squibb. At TCS, I helped transform the company's reputation from a lesser-known IT services provider into a globally recognized digital transformation partner for Fortune 500 clients, contributing to brand value growth from $5B to $14B over my seven-year tenure. This transformation required rebuilding narratives, executive
positioning, and stakeholder relationships across multiple markets.

I've built and led global communications teams ranging from 20 to 50+ members across North America, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM regions. My approach focuses on three core elements: authentic narrative development that aligns with business strategy, internal capability building that empowers teams to execute consistently, and external relationship management that builds lasting credibility with key stakeholders including media, investors, regulators, and employees.

Whether navigating CEO transitions, major acquisitions, regulatory scrutiny, or market repositioning, I ensure corporate communications delivers measurable impact on reputation and business outcomes.

Vice President of Communications, Verizon Business

Over a month into my new role at Arizona Public Service - APS, and I'm embracing life as an Arizonan.

A few early impressions:
- A welcoming and thriving culture across the company.
- The CX & Communications team: incredible passion for serving customers across AZ .
- Climbing Piestewa Peak; what a view of Phoenix and the valley!
- Seeing firsthand the growth in AZ and the key enabling role of APS.

And I clearly need to work on my local look! Perhaps slowly work my way in with some cowboy boots. 😀

VP, Global Corporate Communications | Reputation & Stakeholder Trust Builder | 20+ Years Transforming Fortune 500 Narratives | Former Verizon, National Grid, TCS | $5B-$14B Brand Value Growth

Extremely well-connected Communications & PR Leader with 15+ years of experience in storytelling and executive thought leadership. At Coffee Communications, I specialize in enhancing the relevance and reputation capital of AI-first startups through innovative storytelling.

Based in New York, I host regular events to connect reporters and editors with stakeholders in the tech industry.

Previous experience includes communications leadership roles at Under Armour, PayPal and eBay engaging, negotiating with, and developing corporate narratives alongside media moguls in Business, Technology, and Finance. Outstanding ability to drive C-level communication platforms reaching across digital media, new media, and social media, in addition to coaching all levels of employees and leadership on public speaking and positioning. Recognized excellence in developing strategies to get the right message across to the right audience by the right person at the right time.

Amanda Coffee

I was so impressed by the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) at California State University, Fullerton team who put on PR Next - the PRSSA Western Conference.

There’s so much to learn about PR and communications that isn’t in a textbook. I love talking to Gen Z - they’re so entrepreneurial, fearless and focused.

I can’t wait for them shake up the industry in the best way possible and make it their own ✨

Special thanks to Grace Min! You can’t beat a conference in SoCal (I’m currently typing from the pool) ☀️

Communications Leader | AI PR | PRWeek 40 under 40 2024 Bury the Lede newsletter

No alternative text description for this image

I’m looking forward to speaking about the future of modern comms at PR Next tomorrow ✨

Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) at California State University, Fullerton

My latest Inc. Magazine: ‘20 C‑Suite Leaders Reveal Their Burnout‑Proof Rituals—From Having Kids to No‑Email Fridays

From Trail Runs to Mahjong Nights: How High‑Growth Leaders Stay Sane’ went live today including:

Tom First, Culture Pop Soda 
Libby Leffler, First® 
Penny Pennington, Edward Jones 
Dani Calogera, What If Co. 
Alan Curtis, The Invention Network 
Jenny Lee, Hera 
Sarah Boyd, The Digital Dept. 
Peter Hewitt, FreshCut Paper 
Ginger Wilcox, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate 
Ashley Edwards, MindRight Health 
Brooke Kruger, KC Partners 
Tom Bachant, Unthread 
Regina McCann Hess, CFP®, CDFA® , Forge Wealth Management 
Sara Becnel, SANDESTIN INVESTMENTS, L.L.C. 
Shira Fine, Bryson Gillette 
Justine Converse, Brigade Events 
Carolyne Doyon, Club Med 
Khozema Shipchandler, Twilio 
Thomas Sullivan, Cayton Children's Museum 
Robert A. Wilson, Employ  

Read the full text here: https://lnkd.in/ePfrNn5Y

🚨Tomorrow I’ll be joining Hotwire and an incredible group of leaders to discuss AI for comms leaders. Speakers include:

- Grant Toups, Global CEO of Hotwire

- Till Grusche, co-CEO of House of Beautiful Business

- Sylvia Ortegon, SVP Marketing at Hotwire 

- Samantha Zupan, VP of Corporate Communications at Indeed  

It’s a dynamic session with new research presented at Davos on how AI is reshaping decision‑making, team workflows, and brand communications, and to explore practical ways leaders can leverage AI, including real-world case studies.

📅 Tuesday, March 10, 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM EDT / 5:00 PM CET
👉 Reserve your spot (free to join)

https://lnkd.in/eyQ8nKzN

🌮s for attention

I’ve been in SF a lot recently- loving the sun, Mexican food & fresh energy around AI/tech

Join me & Margot Edelman March 10 in SF for the Women in Media event 

RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/eGFv2FKc
Panelists 
- Anna Tong, Forbes  
- Krystal Hu, Reuters  
- Martine Paris, BBC, Forbes  
- Rya Jetha, The San Francisco Standard  
- Rosalie Chan, Business Insider

Comms pros...

On Substack, I posted an event and content roundup including SF, Austin/SXSW, NYC and virtual events.

Plus, 'The 2026 Brand Expectations Index: The New Rules of Trust' by Tyler Perry, Mission North https://lnkd.in/ep76J4_8

Want subscriber only content including access to exclusive events? 

Subscribe on beehiiv https://lnkd.in/eKfTYeqi

Today's subscriber post includes an invitation to join intimate events including:

- Our Third Place International Women's Day Celebration at a private townhouse in the West Village. More details to come…

- Plus, a call out for an upcoming Forbes lunch with Meredith Klein tailored to finance comms pros.

🚨 The Media Copilot & Coffee Communications have an announcement going live tomorrow AM. Stay tuned! 

Pete Pachal

taplio

The Battle

Ben Trounson

Amanda Coffee

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreBen Trounson's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreAmanda Coffee's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Ben Trounson

Amanda Coffee

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Ben Trounson's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreAmanda Coffee's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreBen Trounson's LinkedIn Performance