Navigating comms and PR | Lulu Cheng Meservey (Substack, Activision Blizzard)
Navigating comms and PR | Lulu Cheng Meservey (Substack, Activision Blizzard)
Navigating comms and PR | Lulu Cheng Meservey (Substack, Activision Blizzard)
In this insightful conversation, Lulu Cheng Meservey, a seasoned communications leader with experience at Substack and Activision Blizzard, unpacks the art and strategy behind effective public relations and corporate messaging. She shares powerful frameworks that go beyond traditional PR tactics, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, precision, and emotional resonance in cutting through today’s noisy digital landscape.
Lulu emphasizes that impactful communication starts with understanding cultural 'erogenous zones'—deeply held values that drive engagement. She advocates for taking bold risks in messaging, using simple, contagious language that sticks, like Mitt Romney’s infamous 'binders full of women.' The concentric circles framework highlights the need to prioritize core audiences—starting with employees and power users—to fuel organic growth. A physics-based model (pressure = force/area) illustrates how narrowing your audience increases message impact. Founders should focus on one direct channel where they can speak authentically, avoiding diluted efforts across platforms. Success comes not from chasing virality but from consistent, values-aligned content. Examples from Substack, Balaji Srinivasan’s *The Network State*, and NYX show how targeted messaging and founder-led communication build trust and traction. Ultimately, clarity, specificity, and a human voice are more valuable than broad appeal.
04:36
04:36
Turn ideas into stories or analogies to make them more shareable
06:17
06:17
'Binders full of women' is an example of a framework that backfired publicly.
07:22
07:22
A good company phrase should be so simple a second-grader can understand it.
08:38
08:38
An esoteric tweet metaphor accidentally caught fire and spread widely
11:12
11:12
Mistakes of commission allow learning; mistakes of omission let the status quo win.
12:53
12:53
The stand for free speech thread was a successful risk despite potential embarrassment.
14:44
14:44
It's easier to fit a message into people's existing worldview than to change it.
16:14
16:14
Teachings can help underdog companies stand out against incumbents
17:37
17:37
Shape your story to fit the audience's cultural erogenous zones
24:23
24:23
An early employee who feels misled can become a credible and damaging critic within the same professional circles.
25:44
25:44
Identify cultural erogenous zones and intellectual residences for each audience segment
27:06
27:06
Appeals to free expression resonate more than corporate defense
28:19
28:19
People's intellectual erogenous zones reveal what truly engages them.
31:46
31:46
Decreasing the target audience surface area increases communication pressure and impact
35:56
35:56
Startups should focus on creating a 'tiny monopoly' by targeting a narrow, passionate audience online.
40:12
40:12
Going too wide is the most common reason a product fails to get noticed.
41:13
41:13
People trust individuals more than institutions in business communication
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42:40
Going direct means senior leaders being authentic and vulnerable in their communication.
46:58
46:58
Mission-driven founders should use Twitter to connect with allies and defend their vision.
48:02
48:02
LinkedIn is better for career-related content because it's less controversial and underutilized
49:23
49:23
Makeup and consumer companies lead in authentic social media engagement by speaking with a human voice and reacting quickly to trends.
53:11
53:11
Founders can best convey their unique and innovative ideas.
55:00
55:00
Consistency is more effective than sporadic viral attempts in growing an audience.
56:14
56:14
Trying to go viral with no real message gains followers who don't align with your purpose.
59:31
59:31
Giving your product away to the right people for free can generate powerful attention.
