Inside Influence: The Evolution of Corporate Affairs

Steve Elmendorf tells us how a chance encounter in a bar in a New Jersey strip mall helped launch his successful Washington career.
He tells us how public affairs has changed since then, which is why his firm has gone on several iterations from Elmendorf Strategies to Avoq.
Lessons from the presidential campaign trail – such as understanding the broader feeling among Americans – were critical to his success in lobbying and public affairs, because it taught him to help clients understand the broader landscape. 
Effective public affairs depends on understanding the uniqueness of each policymaker: How they consume information, what tactics will actually reach them, and how those messages should be tailored.
At the core of the work, he said, is building relationships and trust over time. That means showing up in person, staying engaged in the office, and continuing to expand your network so your influence grows beyond a single conversation or campaign.
One of Elmendorf’s lessons: “You have to show up and be there in person.”
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdMwfzLrQeM

“Today’s podcast is yesterday’s OP-ED.”
Erik Smith, founder and CEO of Seven Letter, outlined the firm’s origins and the strategic rationale for building a senior, bipartisan team equipped to guide clients through complex communications environments.
He emphasized the continued evolution in how organizations engage policymakers, noting that success increasingly depends on anticipating shifts in a fast-moving media landscape. In addition to traditional outlets, he pointed to the rising influence of ideological platforms and digital opinion leaders in shaping public sentiment.
Smith also highlighted the distinctive strengths of former Capitol Hill professionals—their strategic acumen, operational discipline, and deep understanding of government processes—and underscored the long-term value of investing in strong mentorship networks. On a lighter note, reflecting on rising prospect Roman Anthony and his potential impact on the Boston Red Sox outfield as the season begins.

On this week’s edition of Inside Influence, David Castagnetti and I speak with Kevin Mayeux, the president of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.
Kevin is a huge supporter of the University of Florida and runs one of the largest grassroots organizations in the country.
He has operations in all 50 states – and in 435 congressional districts. That means when his industry needs something, he usually has a member with a personal relationship with someone who can help.
“Life is short – you have to have fun along the way,” Kevin tells us. “You can’t take it with you.”

New on Inside Influence: A deep dive into People. Power. And Politics – with Anna Palmer, Co-founder and CEO of Punchbowl News.
Anna talks with us about how she rose from the farms of North Dakota to being the modern-day Katharine Graham of Capitol Hill publishing at Punchbowl News.
Punchbowl has become essential reading inside Washington, spotlighting the personalities and power dynamics shaping Capitol Hill. In our conversation, Anna shares who’s reading Punchbowl, how to make the most of their insider events, and what it really takes to build a successful media startup in a changing landscape.
She also drops some candid insights on the future of journalism — and yes, she’s always open to great restaurant recommendations.

On this week’s edition of Inside Influence, we are joined by Jonathan Adashek, the Senior Vice President of Communications and Marketing at IBM.
Jonathan takes us inside one of the world’s most iconic technology companies—now 113 years strong—to explore how his team unified marketing and communications around a single, powerful IBM brand.
We discuss what it takes to prepare a CEO versus an elected official for high-stakes moments, how corporate priorities are set and teams evolve globally, and how models and decision-making frameworks are shaped at scale.
Plus, Jonathan shares IBM’s unique connection to sports and technology—and why the company delivers a customized internal newsletter to nearly 280,000 employees every week.

Marc Cadin, the President and CEO of Finseca, discusses the importance of size and scale for Washington trade associations (1+1+1=7); why it's important to remember everyone’s favorite radio station (“WIFM: What’s In It For Me); and how best way to deal with growing populism is to stick with your core principles (while massaging the message).
Marc also reveals whether he’s happier with a Pope from his alma mater of Villanova University – or having three Wildcats playing for the New York Knicks.

On this edition of Inside Influence, David Castagnetti and Brody Mullins welcome Jonathan Spalter, the CEO of USTelecom.
We dig into how the association is evolving to keep pace with rapid shifts in technology, what it really means to “connect the connectors,” and how his team stays quick, nimble, and focused on helping people stay connected.
We also talk about what it takes to operate effectively in a constantly changing legislative and policy landscape—and what that means for the future of connectivity.

On this week’s edition of Inside Influence, David Castagnetti and Brody Mullins talk with Victoria “Torie” Clarke — a powerhouse communications strategist with an impressive career spanning both the public and private sectors.  
Torie tells us about what she learned working inside the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001 – and how those lessons apply to corporate strategy.
She also talks about the importance of building a clear strategy, making sure every team member understands their role, and maintaining transparency when delivering tough messages.
And she tells us how Sean Penn taught her that life is just a blip.

Brody Mullins and David Castagnetti speak with Faryar Shirzad, the Chief Policy Officer at Coinbase.
Faryar talks about his journey from working for his parents' small Iranian sandwich shop to working for the Senate Finance Committee, Goldman Sachs and now Coinbase.
He also discusses why crypto companies became one of the first industries to form their own super PAC – and how the industry supplements its super PAC with something just as valuable: a grassroots army of 1.3 million Americans.

In this episode of Inside Influence, we talk with Linda Moore, the President and CEO of TechNet, the national bipartisan network of technology CEOs and senior executives.
Linda shares how she went from working in Democratic politics to leading what Wired magazine calls "tech's most powerful advocacy group," sitting right at the intersection of business, policy and politics.
We dig into how she helps ensure the U.S. continues to lead in the next era of innovation—and what it really takes to win on tech policy today.