The Business Communicators

Geoff Morrell’s Communications Journey from the Pentagon War Room to the BP Executive Suite

Episode Summary

Former ABC News White House Correspondent and Pentagon spokesperson Geoff Morrell joins The Business Communicators to discuss his unique career path that landed him in London as the Group Head of Communications and External Affairs at BP, overseeing the strategic communications efforts for a company with operations in 70 countries. Morrell shares insights into crisis communications, rebuilding a corporate reputation, working with former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates under George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and why the ability to write is the most crucial tool for any communicator.

Episode Notes

Former ABC News White House Correspondent and Pentagon spokesperson Geoff Morrell joins The Business Communicators to discuss his unique career path that landed him in London as the Group Head of Communications and External Affairs at BP, overseeing the strategic communications efforts for a company with operations in 70 countries. Morrell shares insights into crisis communications, rebuilding a corporate reputation, working with former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates under George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and why the ability to write is the most crucial tool for any communicator.

Morrell also recalls strategies from his experience in the external communications field, using personal examples of demonstrated success in reaching, and re-engaging, diverse stakeholders. Subscribers will learn:

• What resulted from an advertising campaign launched with the goal of regaining public and media attention following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill when Morrell joined BP in 2011.
• How an organization restructure changed the landscape and success factor for BP’s internal and external communications function.
• Why campaign and messaging efforts are best executed by individual regions to match culturally-preferred communication styles and methods.

BONUS: Morrell also took some time to share his personal advice on advancing in your communications career – you won’t want to miss his guidance on how to:

• Plan for success while remaining flexible for the unexpected.
• Tapping into your emotional quotient (EQ) in developing communications plans to better relate to and demonstrate alignment with audience goals.
• and more!

Connect with The Business Communicators on Twitter and Instagram, and find out more about our chapter at IABCHouston.com. And, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave us a five-star review. Questions or comments? Send us an email at podcast@iabchouston.com.