Category: Blog Post

  • Corporate Communications in an Era of “Global Economic Chaos”

    Words matter, and in today’s challenging, dynamic world, strong and clear communications are key to the success of a campaign, brand, or company.

    Effective communications skills continue to be in high demand, even in an age of AI, according to data compiled by LinkedIn and reported by Axios. According to their data, 9 out of 10 global executives agree that these “soft skills” are more valuable to their organizations than ever before.

    “Human skills, like communication, leadership and teamwork are particularly critical in this moment,” says LinkedIn Learning global head of content strategy, Dan Brodnitz. “With a rise in remote and hybrid work, and now AI, the need for human connection and people skills have become even more important as companies are looking for talent that can step up and create innovative, agile, collaborative teams.”

    Chuck Robbins, chair and CEO of Cisco, and new chair of the Business Roundtable, recently sat down with Axios, with the overarching message that CEOs now believe global economic chaos is the new normal, and that all these situations must be dealt with head-on:

    “There’s a generation of CEOs, with everything going on, that probably would have said, ‘We’re just going to pause everything until things get back to normal,’” Robbins said. But “we think this is normal.”

    At Cisco, Robbins is already planning for the company’s agenda after the presidential election, regardless of who is occupying the White House. Robbins is also keenly aware of the fact that companies are more trusted than government and is looking to leverage that strength for good, adding that most Americans “realize strong companies in the United States do great things for this country.”

    At BSG, our team of communicators spent years honing their skills on top political campaigns, the halls of Congress, and corporate board rooms so they can deliver high-stakes media engagements on behalf of our clients today. We work to develop and execute strategical and tactical communications plans, look for angles to shape the public debate, and turn persuasive messages into winning results.

    Learn more about BSG’s communications practice here.

  • BSG Media Intelligence: User Experience Update

    We’re excited to roll out our updated and refreshed user experience across BSG’s Media Intelligence product suite.

    The new design is engineered to enhance your reading experience! It merges a sleek, user-friendly layout with the comprehensive, timely data you’ve come to expect from BSG, ensuring you get the most out of every report.

    Our new design makes complex information more digestible, translating into quicker insights and better decision-making. Whether it’s the latest breaking news, commentary or analysis, our reports provide the clarity you need to stay informed and ahead of the curve.

    Thank you for choosing us as your trusted partner in Media Intelligence. We look forward to continuing to serve you with ever-greater clarity and precision.

    Interested in learning more? Get in touch at MediaIntel@bullpenstrategygroup.com.

  • Financial Disclosures Beyond Tax Day

    Taxes and financial information are currently on the minds of many Americans, as April 15 typically marks the day that individual income tax returns need to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). While individual tax records are usually private, there are numerous financial and tax-related filings that are publicly available.

    Property Tax Records, normally publicly available on local county websites, provide a glimpse into the value assessments and tax contributions associated with an individual’s or company’s real estate ownership. Often, these records also provide information about tax payment history, including late (or non) payments, fines, and other fees.

    Form 990s – the IRS tax returns filed annually by 501(c) nonprofits – provide critical information for those interested in the financial workings of these organizations. These documents, which are required to be publicly disclosed upon request, offer a limited view into a nonprofit’s funding streams, board composition, independent contractor payments, assets, and investments held, among other key data.

    Personal Financial Disclosures highlight the assets, liabilities, and income sources for many appointed and elected officials at the federal and state levels. While some political figures occasionally choose to preemptively disclose their tax returns, federally there are asset disclosure requirements that show investments held by these officials and a general value range of the asset. Additionally, officials are required to file reports whenever assets are bought and sold, providing insights into trading habits and in some cases, drawing accusations of insider trading.

    Field Research is also a useful practice employed by Kyber Research, a subsidiary of BSG, to obtain financial documents that are publicly available, but not searchable online. With a network of analysts across the country, Kyber can deploy resources to local courthouses and other government facilities to obtain additional property records, deeds, and titles.

    These are just a few of the many sources and datastreams our research team leverages to provide strategic intelligence and insights to our clients.

    To learn more about all our research offerings, including our BSG Research Stack, with an expert team of 15 analysts across two continents, our utilization of 200+ unique databases, and proprietary datasets and solutions, email us at contact@bullpenstrategygroup.com.

  • You Can’t Afford to Wait

    In today’s modern media landscape where information moves quickly, you can’t afford delays in finding out about breaking news that impacts your brand or bottom line. Having the latest information in hand in real-time is vital to respond, correct the record, and shape the coverage as it happens.

    Recently, one of BSG’s clients prepared for a federal agency to release a new rule that would have a significant impact on its business. On the day of the release, by way of our advanced tech stack, we were able to alert our client to the announcement almost instantaneously. Had the company relied on the federal agency’s email alert service, they would have waited 40 minutes from when the news actually broke. In those 40 minutes, nearly a dozen publications published stories on the rule, and two different government entities posted press releases in response.

    Bullpen Strategy Group has the team and resources to alert our clients to breaking news when it happens.

    Get in touch at contact@bullpenstrategygroup.com to learn more about our range of Media Intelligence service offerings.

  • After The Bell: How BSG Media Intelligence Helps Manage Earnings Day

    If you work for or with publicly traded companies, you know that four times a year, earnings reporting means absolutely everything happens all at once. With the Fourth Quarter 2023 earnings season now nearly over, it’s a good time to reflect on the vital importance of how these announcements are managed.

    From communications teams handling incoming media requests and correcting the record, to Investor Relations teams shaping the narrative, to C-Suite media engagements – what the media says, and how they say it in those crucial moments after the bell have great impact on your bottom line.

    The last thing anyone wants to worry about as they confront these challenges is the mundane task of capturing, analyzing, and distributing this coverage to those that need it. Combine that with the exponential increase in overall volume of media content, and you have the makings of a real problem.

    That’s where Bullpen Strategy Group’s (BSG) Media Intelligence operation can help. With our comprehensive technology stack and team of expert analysts, you can be confident that on earnings day, you’ll know exactly where your company stands in the press.

    Take a look at the case study below to get an idea of how BSG can help your team navigate earnings day:

    With our client’s Q4 earnings set to be released on Tuesday, BSG’s Media Intelligence team began planning the previous week. Our client had flagged a particular interest in their coverage on CNBC immediately following market close.

    As soon as the closing bell rang, we provided a rolling live transcript of CNBC’s on-air broadcast. Additionally, we sent packaged alerts of relevant discussion segments based on guidance from our client.

    BSG also alerted our client to the most important stories in real-time as they published. Out of over 7,000 stories published on the client’s earnings that afternoon, we identified and sent 98. This filtering allowed our client to focus on what was important, to ignore what wasn’t, and make decisions quickly.

    BSG also alerted updates to stories, allowing the client to keep track of their outreach in real-time – ensuring that promised corrections were published promptly, and that official statements were rendered accurately.

    At the end of the night, BSG delivered a comprehensive report of the evening’s coverage, organized in a C-suite-ready, easy-to-digest format.

    Trusting BSG to be your eyes and ears on earnings day lets you and your team focus on the job at hand.

    Interested in learning more? Get in touch at MediaIntel@bullpenstrategygroup.com.

  • Bloomberg Spotlights Challenge of Open Source Intelligence

    Today’s Internet produces such an incredible volume of data that even U.S. intelligence agencies are “struggling to find secrets” amid the vast troves of ever-expanding publicly available information, reports Bloomberg this week. The impact of this data deluge on open source intelligence, known as OSINT, has become such an issue that an expert in the field has called for the creation of a standalone federal agency to address it.

    But OSINT gathering and analysis need not, indeed should not, be the sole province of government. Businesses can and should be looking for an edge by closely tracking their key corporate priorities, competitors, and stakeholders to assess and manage the many risks they face each and every day.

    By leveraging an advanced technology stack and a team of expert analysts, Bullpen Strategy Group (BSG) is well positioned to help organizations and companies sift through this “staggering amount of data.” We can help you assess your competitive landscape by conducting in-depth research using OSINT sources, from public records requests to court filings, to social media posts and news reporting.

    To learn more about BSG’s offerings, visit our website or get in touch at contact@bullpenstrategygroup.com.  

  • BSG Books 2023: A sampling of our favorite books from 2023

    We recently asked the BSG staff for the books they enjoyed most in 2023. We were impressed by the diversity and range of selections they chose – a mix of fiction, history, social science, and pop culture. The list below might help you find something great to pick up as we head into 2024. Happy holidays!

    Churchill: Walking With Destiny – Andrew Roberts

    “Andrew Roberts’ sweeping biography of Winston Churchill details the magnificent life of the 20th Century’s greatest statesman. From his time in South Africa and India to his multiple premierships, the story of Churchill’s life and career demonstrates the need to look deeply into the past to help inform our understanding of the present and plan for the future.” 

    – Andrew Muchnick, Senior Director

    The Language Instinct: How the Mind Creates Language – Steven Pinker

    “Pinker delves into how language shapes human thought and civilization – I use the insights I gleaned from that book every single day.  Pinker also discusses the innate nature of language, which has given me a new perspective with which to watch my baby niece develop both verbal and nonverbal language.  Somehow, this actually enhances the already immeasurable joy she brings to my life.”

    – Beth Hitchcock, Senior Director

    Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington – James Kirchick

    “This novel chronicles both the LGBT community within Washington, DC and the notable gay scandals and events within the government from World War II to the George W. Bush Administration. Highlighting a facet of history often overlooked, Secret City shines a light on a fascinating journey from the ostracization of the past to the equality movements of the present day.”

    – Patrick Wheat, Senior Director

    Dune – Frank Herbert

    “An 800-page epic that follows the adventures of Paul Atreides as he navigates the dangers of the desert world Arrakis. Though science fiction, the book is so timeless that anyone can pick up this book and obsess over the world of Dune.”

    – Carlo Zahl-Batlle, Associate

    Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow – Gabrielle Zevin

    “A Bill-Gates-recommended novel about two friends who find both triumph and disaster over a life in the videogames industry may not sound like an obvious beach read, but Gabrielle Zevin’s tender exploration of the complexities of collaboration and partnership is a must-read for anyone interested in human connections and creative endeavors.” 

    – Pelham Groom, Partner

    Power Players – Chris Cillizza

    “Combining my passions for sports and politics, Cillizza chronicles each American Presidency in the post-WW2 era, their relationship with sports, how they used sports to connect with the American people, how it ignited their competitive spirit, and how it molded each man in life and in their administrations.”

    – Rob Simpson, Vice President

    Junk Film: Why Bad Movies Matter – Katharine Coldiron

    “You’ve likely seen a movie described as ‘so bad it’s good’ — but did you know there’s an entire group of fans that seek out and appreciate bad films? This collection of essays explores cinematic disasters like Plan 9 From Outer Space, Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman, and Staying Alive. If you’re interested in ‘mainstream’ box office duds like The Room, Troll 2, Samurai Cop, or Miami Connection, I’d recommend checking it out for an introduction to the bad movie fanbase.”

    – Evan Gassman, Vice President

    Additional Books

    The Man who Ran Washington: The Life and Times of James A. Baker III – Peter Baker and Susan Glasser

    – Joe Pounder, CEO

    A Man for All Markets: From Las Vegas to Wall Street, How I Beat the Dealer and the Market – Edward O. Thorp

    The Midrange Theory – Seth Partnow

    City of Hustle: A Sioux Falls Anthology – Patrick Hicks and Jon Lauck

    – Joe Gierut, Vice President

  • BSG’s Newsletter Tracking System

    In today’s rapidly changing, “always-on” media landscape, minutes count. That’s why BSG designed a powerful Newsletter Tracking System to bolster our robust Media Intelligence service offering.

    Nearly every major US and global publication publishes multiple email newsletters today. For example, Politico and Axios alone produce some 131 individual newsletters spanning a range of topics, industries, and locations. It would be impossible to subscribe, read, and analyze all of them to monitor for mentions of your company, client, or key issue.

    In response, BSG’s Media Intelligence team has developed technology that ingests over 700 email newsletters from nearly 200 publications every day and surfaces key search terms and issues every morning to alert to our clients. Using technology to analyze this large dataset of newsletters ensures a more comprehensive monitoring service for clients.

    Getting a handle on the email newsletter ecosystem is challenging, but we have the tools and expertise to turn this mountain of information into the insights you and your clients need every day.

  • BULLPEN BRIEF: Wikipedia & Digital Reputation Management

    Recently, The Daily Beast reported that Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY) was temporarily banned from Wikipedia for improperly editing content on his own page. Although the edits he made were factual, it’s a valuable lesson on the risks presented by Wikipedia and the challenge of digital reputation management today.

    The report found that Lawler, using his own username, made some 26 edits to his own Wikipedia page in recent years. The problem was not with the content of his edits, but rather the fact that he was self-editing, which Wikipedia considers a conflict of interest and policy violation:

    Lawler continued to edit his page after receiving a warning, resulting in Wikipedia banning his account. Shortly after the publication of the Daily Beast piece, Wikipedia lifted the ban on Lawler’s account.

    Earlier this year, BSG launched a new Digital Reputation Management practice to help clients manage their brands and issues across the Internet, including help with managing their presence on Wikipedia.

    Wikipedia isn’t like other web publishing platforms. Operated by a vibrant community of volunteer editors – collectively known as Wikipedians – Wikipedia has a novel and specific set of policies, guidelines, and standards that all users must follow, or else potentially lose access to their accounts. At BSG, all work done in this area conforms to these Wikipedia guidelines.

    BSG’s team has deep expertise on these platforms and understands how to effectively manage digital reputation for a range of clients – businesses, high-profile individuals, issues, and more. BSG focuses on providing comprehensive, data-driven solutions to a range of challenges facing clients in online positioning. Contact us to learn more about these offerings.

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  • BULLPEN BRIEF: Tracking Private Jet Travel

    This week, Insider reported “the world’s billionaires … are going to great lengths to hide their private flights.” Despite these efforts, there are several tools that Bullpen’s Research Practice uses to identify and access records about private aircraft, their owners, and flight histories, including SEC filings and databases such as FlightAware and ADS-B Exchange.

    These resources have frequently been used by the media and even anonymous Twitter accounts to track the jet travel of business leaders including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Bill Gates, as well as political figures such as Donald Trump, John Kerry, and Bernie Sanders.

    Bullpen’s Research Practice has incorporated all of these flight tracking resources into the Research Stack – our major investment in some 200-plus datasets and subscription-based resources that help provide unparalleled insights for our clients. Every day, these tools are utilized in our due diligence and analysis work.

    The following selection of headlines demonstrates the importance of incorporating these valuable insights into communications and public affairs planning:

    Bloomberg: Elon Musk Is So Busy His Private Jet Is Taking 13-Minute Flights

    CNBC: Bill Gates On Why He’ll Carry On Using Private Jets And Campaigning On Climate Change

    Financial Times: US Corporate Jet Spending Jumps As Executives Keep Pandemic-Era Perks

    The Associated Press: Campaign Crunch Time Forces Progressives To Eye Private Jet

    Monitoring private jet travel is only one small component of Bullpen’s research work, but it is a prime example of our commitment to uncovering every detail and mastering all datasets available to help advance our clients’ objectives.

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