Ben Trounson

Mixing Board

Invite-only community of communications and marketing leaders, elevating the business impact of the functions, sharing expertise, and providing mentorship.

Member

Daikin U.S. Corporation

VP, Head of Corporate Communications

Verizon

VP, Head of Global Communications, Verizon Business

Bristol Myers Squibb

VP, Head of International Corporate Affairs

Tata Consultancy Services

Head of Global Markets Corporate Communications

Head of North American Corporate Communications

Finn Partners

Partner, Technology Practice

Hill & Knowlton

SVP, Director of NYC Marketing Communications Practice

Ketchum

VP, Client Service Director

Taylor Global

Account Director

Kodora Communications

Media Manager

VP, Global Corporate Communications with 20+ years of experience leading corporate affairs across internal, external, executive, and crisis communications strategies. Deploying diverse global brand plans, thought leadership campaigns, employee culture and change initiatives, product GTMs, and partner programs for Verizon, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Tata Consultancy Services, among others. A team builder and mentor, and C-suite advisor, creating data-led strategies to transform business impact and drive enterprise collaboration, engagement, advocacy, reputation, and revenue.

Vice President of Communications, Verizon Business

Time with family is so important. I spent last week in England visiting my father on the coast of Cornwall near Land's End.  

We all work hard, but need to prioritize some time to make more memories. I enjoyed the basics. Walks across the beach cliffsides, board games, ancient pubs, Cornish pasties (yum), and lots of rain... 

But more than anything, just time talking with my father. I heard stories about his childhood and family history that I had never heard before... after all these years. You don't get these moments until you slow down and disconnect, even for a day or two. 

With Thanksgiving this week, I'm wishing all U.S. friends and colleagues a wonderful time with their families. Try finding some quality 1-1 time with your parents or grandparents and ask about their childhood. You might hear a few amazing stories for the first time, and be able to pass them on!

#family #history #storytelling

VP & Global Head of Corporate Communications | Reputation & Issues Management Expert | Former Verizon, National Grid, TCS | C-Suite Advisor | Driving Trusted Brands & Teams

I had a blast at the Axios Communicators Live NYC event last night. 

A few quick highlights from the main stage sessions:

1. Anthropic's Sasha de Marigny was refreshingly transparent: they’re not entirely “Claudifying” comms; they’re hiring an AI ops role to support strategic humans.

2. Ray Day, APR of Allison Worldwide noted two-thirds of comms leaders work with CEOs on major decisions. As a profession, we need to consistently add value and demonstrate business acumen and impact to increase these numbers! 

3. Meridith Webster of Estée Lauder stated that corporate narrative builds trust, and brand activations make them human. Strong comms blends both.

Cheers to Eleanor Hawkins and Hope King for hosting.  
 
Thanks to Amanda Coffee and Joanie Sanders for such a fun and packed comms happy hour before the Axios event.

And it was lovely to see so many friends and former colleagues: Daniel Méndez Aróstica, MBA, Daniel Nestle, Todd Grossman, Shauna Elkin, Abenaa (Abby) Hayes (she/her/hers), Brooke Kruger, Selena Strandberg, Ben Rose, Leah Katz, Ethan McCarty, Maril Gagen MacDonald.

December kicks off a week of communications events in NYC.

I enjoyed a fun session last night, meeting fellow comms pros and sharing POVs on a host of topics. Thank you Amanda Coffee, APCO NY and Ragan Communications and PR Daily for hosting.

This Wednesday, Edelman has the global launch of its latest Trust Barometer Flash Poll at 11 am EST (AI at an inflection point). 

And on Thursday, Axios is hosting its 4th annual Communicators Live event in NYC. A great line-up of speakers, comms leaders emerging as vital trusted advisors as companies face:
- Siloed audiences
- Political polarization
- Cultural complexities
- Workplace transformation
- And, yes, AI disruption

Looking forward to seeing many former colleagues and friends on Dec 4.

The Chief Communications Officer has become a strategic sense-maker, tasked with navigating a polycrisis of fused geopolitical, societal, and technological risk. 

This was one of several key points that jumped out in the Ipsos Reputation Council Report 2025. It's worth the read. Few other findings of note.

- With non-stop social fragmentation and issue cycles, business leaders are embracing strategic silence more often — not as avoidance, but as a deliberate act of prioritization and navigation of a pragmatic ESG era. 

- Today's communications leaders have been pushed far beyond functional expertise, helping organizations interpret fast-moving risks, look around corners, align internally, and act with clarity in moments that matter.

#communicationsleadership #strategiccommunications #crisiscommunications

The “17, 70, 0” rule just reframed my view of the jobs vs AI debate.

In the latest Trending Communicator episode, Daniel Nestle’s guest, Chris Gee, reminded us that our economy still runs on people (their work, income and participation). 

Chris cited the 17, 70, 0 rule:
17 → $17T in U.S. consumer spend
70 → 70% of U.S. GDP depends on it
0 → what AI will spend 

What does this mean? The US economy depends upon people having jobs and incomes to buy things. AI and agents won't be these "consumers" of goods.  

My take? We need significant coordination across industries, governments, academia, and NGOs to reskill and upskill at scale. 

Every major tech shift has displaced jobs and created new ones — but the speed and scale of displacement this time really raises the stakes and legit concerns.

And for those just entering the workforce, I feel for them. We owe the next generation more pathways to secure roles, learn and grow. 

Check out the episode (details in comments).

#strategiccommunications #AIincomms #futureofwork #AIjobs

Comms leaders are now the shock absorbers of the enterprise. 

I joined hundreds of Mixing Board, powered by Axios members who participated in the new Communicators Report by Axios and Gravity Research. The findings are telling. 

Communicators are now managing the collision of five defining forces:
 → Misinformation and disinformation (71%, cited as the top reputational risk)
 → Hyper-charged geopolitical and regulatory scrutiny
 → Rapid AI disruption
 → A splintered media landscape
 → Workforce anxiety

The role is shifting from chief storyteller to chief stability officer — keeping organizations aligned, focused and credible as external pressure intensifies.

At the same time, employee communications is becoming the backbone of trust, not a secondary channel. 

AI is no longer experimental in comms — it’s operational. And how transparently and responsibly it’s used now directly impacts credibility, inside and out.

Not surprisingly, Fortune 100 CEOs are also taking a more pragmatic stance on societal and political issues.

Thanks Eleanor Hawkins for compiling and sharing your thoughts via Mixing Board.

#CommunicationsLeadership #AIinComms #Reputation #CorporateCommunications

I most recently served as Chief of Staff to our Chairman and CEO and the AVP of Strategic Communications globally.

I led a high performing team that span all areas of the Chief of Staff function and Strategic Executive Communications. This includes all areas of communications (external, executive, internal, financial), responsible business (CSR), Board Relations, Executive Leadership Governance, Quarterly Earnings cycles, and external strategic partnerships.

AVP, Strategic Communications and Chief of Staff, Office of the Chairman and CEO

As a global executive communications leader and senior communications advisor to Verizon's Chairman and CEO and C-Suite, I led Verizon’s high-impact executive communications team and provide strategic communications counsel. In this role, I was tasked with and skilled in positioning my internal clients as thought- leaders, industry influencers, and progressive innovators.

I built Verizon’s executive communications function from the ground up, recruiting and leading a world class team and 10xd executive visibility and thought leadership for the company.  I worked to establish key partnerships and critical external network for the company with organizations like the World Economic Forum, the United States Federal, Local and State Government, the McCain Institute, the United Nations Foundation, CTA and GSMA.

I was also responsible for our executive social media strategy, strategic communications planning and providing speech-coaching and on-site support for executives as needed to ensure effective message delivery.

Global Executive and Strategic Communications Director

Brought into newly elevated and highly visible role to enhance communication between leaders and employees, promote social responsibility programs internally and externally, and increase awareness of all major initiatives across an employee base of over 176,000 as the industry and business is rapidly transforming. Worked to establish critical relationships with all executives and their staff, communication leads, department heads, and legal partners. Identify, propose, write, and edit execute communications for internal and external audiences globally.

Corporate Communications Lead

WarnerMedia

Promoted and given responsibility to establish effective communication strategies for the corporation’s top executives and departments including corporate responsibility, shared services, and governance entities as the organization was transforming rapidly. Created and distributed time-sensitive internal corporate/enterprise communications to over 30,000 employees worldwide. Managed efforts of interns in executing internal communications strategies, campaigns, and initiatives.

Associate, Strategic Communications

Recruited by former manager and company’s VP of Integrated Communications for new role to strengthen communication between new Chairman / CEO, leadership teams, and employees as the business and organizational culture was drastically changing.

Internal and Executive Communications

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia

Chosen to assist in defining communications strategies across Publishing, Television & Production, Merchandising, and Corporate entities to increase shareholder and employee confidence as organization was expanding and recovering from negative reputational impacts within the industry.

Corporate Communications

The McGraw Hill Companies

- Collaborated with internal public relations team in producing content for corporate earnings announcements.  Edited documents for quarterly release to investors and the press.

 - Produced the Daily News Brief for distribution to senior executives. Analyzed, selected, synthesized, and organized critical industry, competitive, and business data for enhanced decision-making.

As a strategic global Chief Communications Officer, I deliver enterprise-wide communications strategies that drive business transformation, strengthen market position, and deliver shareholder value. My track record spans Fortune 50 companies where I've shaped corporate narrative through market-defining moments including acquisitions, leadership transitions, and industry disruption.

In an unprecedented dual leadership role at Verizon Communications, I served as Chief of Staff and AVP of Strategic Communications, directly advising the Chairman and CEO while leading enterprise strategy across corporate affairs, financial communications, and strategic partnerships. Key achievements include:

Strategic Leadership:
• Orchestrated comprehensive stakeholder strategy through $1B+ corporate restructuring
• Transformed global reputation management approach, significantly improving analyst sentiment and media share of voice
• Designed and executed multi-year ESG/CSR communications framework, elevating corporate governance ratings
• Led communications strategy for full C-suite succession, maintaining market confidence through leadership transition

During my tenure at Time Warner, I architected communications strategy for multiple corporate divestitures exceeding $10B in total value, while directing comprehensive stakeholder engagement across the enterprise portfolio.

Board & Global Leadership:
• World Economic Forum Young Global Leader
• Co-founder, EDISON Alliance with the World Economic Forum 
• Board Director: McCain Institute, International Arts & Artists
• Strategic Advisor: National Executive Communication Council, Penn State

My approach integrates deep expertise in:
• Corporate Strategy & Business Transformation
• Global Reputation & Issues Management
• Board & Shareholder Communications
• M&A and Financial Communications
• Digital Innovation & ESG Strategy
• C-Suite Advisory & Executive Positioning

I’m known for my ability to:
• Drive enterprise value through strategic stakeholder engagement
• Navigate complex regulatory and political environments
• Build high-performing global communications teams
• Advance digital transformation through innovative platforms
• Strengthen corporate governance and ESG positioning

As a strategic thought partner to boards and C-suites, I consistently deliver measurable impact on corporate reputation, stakeholder trust, and business outcomes. My expertise in navigating complex global markets and emerging technologies positions me to drive communications strategy at the highest levels of enterprise leadership.​

taplio

The Battle

Ben Trounson

Lauren Tilstra

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreBen Trounson's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Ben Trounson

Lauren Tilstra

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

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreBen Trounson's LinkedIn Performance