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

I’m soon heading west for my next career move. But first, I had to celebrate the first-ever Long Island #commsjobs event.

Great to meet a rich mix of local comms pros, talk shop, offer support, and share some fun stories. Thank you, Chrissy Jones, for hosting, and for those in attendance, such as Sian Suthers (welcome to the East Coast), Steve Lavner, and Lisa Feldman Josephy.

Agree, we'll find a sweet spot for the next event, showcasing the beauty of LI in the summer, right Daniel Méndez Aróstica, MBA?

But don't get the locals started on whether we say living "IN" or living "ON" Long Island. The hot debate continues... 🙂

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

I’m enjoying the sun and sights of Phoenix today. 

Love the relaxed, yet vibrant city feel during a five-mile walk. 

And I’m thinking of my friends and family facing the big storm in the Northeast. Getting their workouts in with their shovels!

No alternative text description for this image

Polish isn’t the tell with AI slop. Lack of substance is

Charlie Guo has a great piece on spotting AI-generated content and its impact on writers' confidence.  

The giveaway is surface-level polish with nothing underneath.

The answer isn’t trying to “out-write” AI patterns or second-guess yourself. 

It’s writing from real experience, with specific knowledge or having an actual POV or counterpoint. That’s still the hardest thing to fake.

Charlie's Substack is at Artificial Ignorance.

Open article: The Field Guide to AI Slop by ignorance.ai

Search traffic is no longer a given.

Publishers now expect referrals from search engines to almost halve by 2028/29, according to Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism Media & Tech Trends report.

A few signals worth paying attention to:
- AI search and summaries are reducing clicks, often before content is even seen.
- Distribution is driving discovery, while owned channels are becoming trust engines.
- Journalists (and communicators) are being asked to think like creators.
- Credibility, originality (among the AI slop) and "human" connection are becoming the real differentiators.

What’s interesting is how this reinforces the importance of earned and owned media, which many of you opined on in 2025.   

You can see this shift playing out on platforms. YouTube hosting the Oscars. Netflix signing The Rest Is Football podcast (one of my favorites) for the 2026 World Cup.

I would love to hear from other comms and brand leaders. How are you adjusting to this earned attention reset? 

#branddiscovery #communications #earnedattention

I have built my reputation in healthcare through my success as a values-based leader, strategist, trusted partner to the business, brand storyteller, and c-suite advisor.  I have seen the power of successful communications to enable leading healthcare companies to pivot and thrive within rapidly changing global markets. 

Mission-driven and strategic, I have 20+ years of success across corporate and brand reputation, media & thought leadership, employee engagement, and executive communications. C-level leaders and global executives count on me to facilitate business transformation by articulating complex value propositions into brand stories that engage, influence, and drive action. Some of my recent wins included achievement of top-tier media stories highlighting key therapeutic area achievements at BMS and a successful thought leadership platform for the Commercial organization. 

Throughout my career, I have built trust with business partners and team members through delivering business-focused results: global campaigns that educate, raise awareness, and create market preference. I’m also a people-focused leader who has successfully coached individuals and teams, executed best-in-class employee engagement strategies, and developed inclusive workplace environments that maximize performance.

Laura Hortas

At Catalent, we are championing the missions that matter and excited to announce our collaboration with SmartCella Holding AB, supporting the important work they are advancing in regenerative medicines.

Global Corporate Affairs Leader | Change & Transformation | Strategic Communications | Corporate Reputation | Media & Thought Leadership

Catalent's collaboration with SmartCella Holding AB reflects what it means to champion the missions that matter - working with innovative partners to help advance iPSC-based therapies and accelerate their path to patients, with an initial focus on cardiac disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Read the press release: https://ow.ly/cvY650XVz6R

#ChampioningTheMissionsThatMatter #RegenerativeMedicine #iPSC #AdvancedTherapies #CDMO

taplio

The Battle

Ben Trounson

Laura Hortas

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreBen Trounson's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreLaura Hortas's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Ben Trounson

Laura Hortas

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 ScoreLaura Hortas's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreBen Trounson's LinkedIn Performance