Podcast Summary: Coffee N° 5 with Lara Schmoisman Episode: Communicate Like a Brand That Means It with Jeanne Meyer
Release Date: June 3, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Coffee N° 5, host Lara Schmoisman sits down with communication expert Jeanne Meyer to delve deep into the nuances of effective brand communication. The conversation traverses Meyer’s professional journey, the fundamentals of verbal and nonverbal communication, maintaining a cohesive brand voice, crisis communication, the evolving role of AI in communication, and the intricacies of modern video conferencing.

Jeanne Meyer's Journey into Communication

Jeanne Meyer shares her path into the world of communication, highlighting the pivotal moments that shaped her expertise.

• Educational Foundations:
  “I was one of those people that took full advantage of the university experience both in the classroom and outside of it... I really found my superpower, which is I really, really love to coach people and help brands make that connection with impact.” ([02:14])

• Career Beginnings:
  Meyer initially ventured into broadcast journalism before transitioning into political consulting and corporate communications. Her diverse experiences across industries like environmental affairs at Unilever and corporate communications at EMI Music have honed her ability to unify brand messaging across various platforms.

Understanding Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

Lara and Jeanne discuss the critical distinction between verbal and nonverbal communication, emphasizing its importance in brand messaging.

• Nonverbal Cues in Communication:
  Lara remarks, “We are communicating so many ways on so many platforms... how you can transition your personality or your brand personality, it's something essential.” ([03:53])

• Historical Insight:
  Jeanne references the first televised presidential debate between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy, illustrating how nonverbal communication can influence public perception.
  “Nixon dominated the debate in the ears of people on the radio, while Kennedy won the favor of television viewers with his charisma.” ([04:41])

Maintaining a Cohesive Brand Voice Across Diverse Platforms

A significant portion of the episode explores the challenges and strategies for maintaining a consistent brand voice across various niches and media platforms.

• Adapting to Niche Audiences:
  Jeanne explains the complexity of ensuring consistent messaging while catering to specific audience niches.
  “There are so many very tiny slices... ensuring they're speaking out in a way that's consistent but also connects to that particular niche is tricky.” ([11:55])

• Establishing a Brand House:
  Jeanne emphasizes the importance of a solidified brand house with unchanging pillars that guide all communication efforts.
  “These are things that need to live with them for 20 years. Right... the pillars don't change, but the messages might evolve.” ([12:40])

• Internal Tools for Consistency:
  She introduces the concept of a "hymn sheet" or "messaging Bible" used internally to ensure all stakeholders communicate uniformly.
  “The hymn sheet is something that you use internally to talk to all stakeholders, your employees.” ([14:20])

Crisis Communication and Reputation Management

Jeanne delves into the strategies for effective crisis communication and the importance of building a "reputation bank."

• Proactive Communication:
  “Always having an on-stream communication... putting positive deposits in a reputation bank... it's compound interest.” ([19:28])

• Crisis Communication in the Entertainment Industry:
  Sharing her experience at EMI Music, Jeanne discusses the challenges of maintaining a positive narrative amidst industry upheavals.
  “Protecting intellectual property was hard, but vital during the digital transition.” ([21:03])

The Role of AI in Modern Communication

The conversation shifts to the impact of Artificial Intelligence on communication, highlighting both opportunities and limitations.

• AI as a Collaborative Tool:
  Jeanne expresses skepticism about AI fully replacing human communicators, advocating for human-AI collaboration.
  “AI can produce very average content... it doesn't have the taste and qualities that only humans can do.” ([24:40])

• Evolving SEO Strategies:
  Both speakers agree that SEO must adapt to prioritize authoritative and earned media content, moving beyond traditional keyword strategies.
  “Press releases can memorialize something new... structuring data for AI recognition is crucial.” ([25:44])

• Intentional Communication Design:
  Lara emphasizes the need for intentionality in communication, especially in written formats like email marketing.
  “If you're not communicating with intention or designing with intention, your message might get lost.” ([26:40])

Modern Communication Challenges: Video Conferencing and Digital Etiquette

Jeanne and Lara share personal insights and pet peeves related to contemporary communication methods, particularly video conferencing.

• Maintaining Personal Connection:
  Lara insists on the importance of having cameras on during virtual meetings to foster relationships and convey emotions accurately.
  “You need to look at the person... you can create a lot more relationship seen to each other.” ([27:38])

• Uptalk and Voice Modulation:
  Jeanne critiques the trend of uptalk, where statements end with a rising intonation, undermining the speaker’s credibility.
  “Uptalk undermines intelligence and credibility.” ([28:24])

• Nonverbal Communication in Digital Interactions:
  The speakers discuss how nonverbal cues, such as facial expressions and gestures, are often lost or misinterpreted in digital communication.
  “Read out loud the message... how you communicate is just as important as what you communicate.” ([29:23])

The Future of Communication

Wrapping up, Jeanne and Lara ponder the future landscape of communication, recognizing its rapid evolution and the ongoing balance between technology and human interaction.

• Evolving Media Landscape:
  Jeanne highlights the continual transformation of communication mediums and the necessity for brands to stay adaptable.
  “I don’t know what communication will look like in five years... it's constantly evolving.” ([32:22])

• Philosophical Insights on Connection:
  They conclude with the importance of making others feel valued and the essence of genuine human connection, transcending mere transactional communication.
  “It's how you make people feel that they remember.” ([33:05])

Concluding Thoughts

The episode underscores that effective communication is a blend of strategic consistency and authentic human connection. Jeanne Meyer’s insights provide valuable guidance for brands aiming to navigate the complex, multifaceted communication landscape of today’s digital age.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeanne Meyer:
  “Pillars are important... quality and craftsmanship that goes into luxury.” ([13:03])
  “Good communicators are world-class listeners.” ([18:04])

• Lara Schmoisman:
  “Read out loud the message... how you communicate is just as important as what you communicate.” ([29:23])
  “The best conversations are about big ideas and how you make people feel.” ([33:05])

Resources Mentioned:

• Lara Schmoisman's Website: laraschmoisman.com
• Coffee N° 5 Podcast: Subscribe to stay updated with actionable business strategies and insights from industry leaders.

Thank you for tuning into this detailed summary of Coffee N° 5 Episode "Communicate Like a Brand That Means It" with Jeanne Meyer. For more in-depth discussions and expert insights, be sure to listen to the full episode.