Clear Skies Strategic Communications

09/19/2024

Last spring, the Montana Chamber of Commerce inaugural Blazing Trails: Women in Business Summit brought together more than 200 women entrepreneurs, executives, and business owners from across Montana. It was both exhilarating and eye-opening to be surrounded by such talented women across all industries--from non-profit directors to venture capitalists--all driving innovation, overcoming challenges and creating new opportunities throughout our state.

Registration for the 2025 Summit is now open! “Let’s Ride!" 🐎

Register👉https://bit.ly/3SbXkAm

09/19/2024

In the world of public relations, every company believes it has a unique story to share—and they all do. Some stories are just easier to tell than others. When a client's journey begins with a battle against cancer and a single candle, grows into a multi-million-dollar enterprise, involves glass-blowing artisans, brings creative manufacturing jobs to a small Montana town, and is built on a foundation of philanthropy and giving back, telling that story becomes not just easier, but inspiring.

Check out Scott McMillion's article on glassybaby in the latest issue of The Montana Quarterly, now on shelves. If you're not already a subscriber, you should be—this publication consistently delivers fascinating stories about the people and places that make Montana truly unique.

https://www.themontanaquarterly.com

05/07/2024

🌲Sometimes client work also represents my personal opinions. In the case of the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, this much is true: the answer to Montana's tourist "problem" is dispersion. A state economically dependent on tourism must work to push people to under-visited areas, outside of the busy summer season. ⛰️ Keeps the tourists coming, contributes much-needed income to rural areas, protects the state's natural resources, and helps stop the overcrowding Montanans love to hate.

MOGA Executive Director Will Israel on how dispersing tourists across the state and through all four seasons can be a win-win for Montana's economy, natural resources, visitors and residents.

“As we chart a course for the future of Montana's tourism industry, fostering dispersion across the state and through all four seasons emerges as a crucial strategy for achieving sustainable growth. By striking a balance between economic prosperity and environmental conservation, we can ensure that Montana remains a premier destination for travelers while safeguarding the public lands and natural wonders that make it so special.”

https://helenair.com/opinion/column/will-israel-dispersing-tourists-is-a-win-win-for-tax-coffers-overcrowded-public-lands-and/article_6c630dd4-0648-11ef-9386-b3f25c331bbe.html

01/18/2024

Opened my new 2024 weekly planner and stacked the old one atop the others. It doesn’t look like much, but the pile represents every single day of the eight years since taking the leap to venture out on my own. Eight years of client meetings and calls, work travel schedules, hundreds of hours of Zooms and Teams, and countless time spent discussing new business proposals that never came to fruition. Every page is covered with scribbles of notes, ideas, and a never-ending list of to-dos that are (mostly) all crossed out.

For anyone who is self-employed or owns their own business, you understand the challenges and stress that come with never knowing what the future holds. As I start year nine, I’m ever grateful for the clients I’ve had the privilege to work for and the exceptionally brilliant group of people I’ve been fortunate to partner with along the way.

01/18/2024

Another year being part of the Eradicate Hate Summit communications team. Always inspiring to see representatives from law enforcement, tech, government, academia and mental health professionals coming together with NGOs, former K*K and skinheads, families of victims and holocaust survivors—all working towards a common goal, fighting hate of all forms. ❤️

Be kind out there, people.

10/06/2022

Companies under increasing pressure to speak up. But should they?

Does the issue align with company strategy?
Can you meaningfully influence the issue?
Will your constituents agree with speaking out?

Companies are increasingly under pressure to take a stand on high-profile political and social issues. Sometimes there is a clear moral issue at hand and the consequences will be most severe if you don’t say anything. At other times, it may not be so clear. But ultimately if your words don’t mat...

09/23/2022

Honored to once again play a role on the small-but-mightly communications team pulled together to cover the timely, inspiring, sad, hopeful and needed Eradicate Hate Summit. Where experts, law enforcement, community leaders, former haters, elected officials, military, victims and others all come together--all committed to fighting hate.

06/22/2022

We've certainly seen a shift in public affairs work the past few years. From K street to Main Street.

"State leaders have become as influential as they’ve ever been and are now shaping the national conversation on issues as diverse as energy policy and abortion rights. And those seeking a say in what happens in state capitals have been adapting by building out robust and sophisticated lobbying operations that stretch far beyond Washington."

Lobbying firms increasingly shift money and staff to where they see their influence have greater impact — in state capitals.

04/15/2022

“As we all wrestle with disinformation and news bias, the best we can do is make a note of our own experiential baggage.”

Many of my friends and students ask me if I process the news differently from how they do because I make my living in crisis management and constantly battle disinformation.

04/11/2022

"During a crisis, people look to their leaders for two things: numbers and hope. Whether you are a CEO, a government official, a teacher or a parent, when disaster strikes you need to be able to give people who depend on you basic data to guide their response and an empathetic acknowledgment that things are perilous but will get better."

When disaster strikes, people need two things from CEOs and government officials: data and empathy.