70. Talking Corporate Communications and the Importance of Story with Communications Expert Chris Arnold

On today's episode we have an incredible conversation with Corporate Communications Expert Chris Arnold. Chris help shape the stories and communications strategies that build, grow and protect beloved brands in a complex world. Over his career, Chris has led communications in-house for notable and high-profile consumer brands such as Chipotle Mexican Grill, one of the most outspoken and transformative restaurant companies in a generation, and REI Co-op, the nation's largest member-owned retail co-op.

As a trusted and unflappable counselor to senior leaders and a valued source to journalists, Chris helps companies successfully navigate everything from brand evolution to significant milestones and existential crises. During his time at notable public relations agencies and communications consulting firms, he advised clients across a variety of sectors. Currently, Chris heads communications at Darigold, an iconic Seattle-based cooperative of nearly 300 farmers who provide milk and other dairy products to customers in about 30 countries worldwide.

In this episode, Chris highlights important topics around corporate communications including the opportunities and challenges of social media for businesses, emphasizing proactive work, identifying allies, and being prepared for crises. We talk about the food safety crisis at Chipotle from several years ago and what the brand did to respond to the challenge of the 24-hour news cycle and how they weathered that storm.

We also discussed growth, people development, and overcoming challenges in a growing brand and how social media and the 24-hour news cycle has changed the game. One of the powerful insights Chris shared, which aligns with us so closely on The Cutting Onions Podcast, is this quote he heard and paraphrased about the power of story.

"Story is more important in human development than opposable thumbs. Opposable thumbs as people let us hang on. Story tells us what to hang on to."

Enjoy this amazing conversation with Chris Arnold and we would so appreciate it if you would share it with your network, along with your thoughts on the topics we talked about in this episode.