Smart Talk Series

Digital strategy can influence minds and drive behaviors towards making a change. So, what happens when marketers use those tools to bring awareness to social issues? This week, Melissa is joined by Cedric F. Brown to dive deeper into diversity, equity, and inclusion. Follow Cedric on Twitter: @abrothanamedCed Connect with Cedric on LinkedIn: /in/cedricfbrown Visit Cedric’s website Topics covered:...

It takes a village to support a great cause and make a difference. From matching donations to getting over 200,000 people vaccinated, WellMed is an expert in utilizing their community to make a positive impact. This week, we hear from Brittany Pratt, the Vice President of Social Responsibility at WellMed Medical Management, on mobilizing and investing in your community. About Brittany: Brittany Pr...

Corporate social responsibility has many definitions, but no matter how you define it, most take into account: ethics, trust, responsibility, service, and societal impact. After learning how to navigate through turbulent times in Season One, let's learn how to responsibly build a better future. In the first episode of Season Two, Melissa introduces this season's focus: Practicing Social Responsibi...

Season finale! In the final episode of Season 1, Melissa shares the value of real talk conversations and offers tips on how to facilitate those often awkward, or difficult discussions. She also shares lessons learned from this season’s guests as they explored how to communicate during turbulent times. Topics covered: - How to assess your mindset - The value of real talk - Unity during a crisis - T...

Internal communications is about people. If done well, it can drive your organization to achieve top results, even during a pandemic. In this week's episode, Melissa talks to Amanda Todd, the Executive Communications Officer at Cisco, about the importance of internal communications. About Amanda: Amanda Todd is an Executive Communications Officer to Liz Centoni, Cisco's Chief Strategy Officer and...

Communication comes after actions. In a crisis, communicators are often preoccupied by the messaging of actions taken, but how often do we think about the actions themselves? This week, Melissa is joined by Michael Morlan, President of Two Rivers Emergency Management, to discuss how to close the gap between communications and actions in a crisis. About Michael: Mr. Morlan is an emergency managemen...

When COVID-19 hit San Antonio, Meals on Wheels San Antonio (MOWSA) jumped into crisis response mode. New needs and disruptions strained the nonprofit which was already strapped for resources. This week's guests Chief Development Officer Forrest Myane and Communications and Marketing Director Ariana Barbour share the challenges they faced to stay in operation and meet the increased demand for help....

This week, Melissa is joined by seasoned PR professional and leader of Talley Communication Strategies, Chris Talley. His PR experience comes from working at USAA, Lockheed Martin, AT&T, and FleishmanHillard, one of the world’s most prestigious public relations agencies. Today he volunteers in the community and devotes time to speaking at colleges across the country. Topics covered: - The diff...

After a year as turbulent as 2020, there is one word Melissa has in mind: Restoration. In the inaugural Smart Talk Series episode, Melissa reflects on the lessons learned in 2020 and how communicating during tough times challenges professionals. Topics covered: - Silver linings from 2020 - How to communicate with your audience - Adaptable crisis management - Evaluating your processes to create mea...

Welcome to the Smart Talk Series, hosted by Melissa Vela-Williamson -- an accredited public relations expert, entrepreneur and national columnist. Each week, Melissa will dive into communication strategies, tips, and principles using her 360-degree approach.