Comms worthy of the cause

Practical strategies to build trust and get results

mark gnadt strategic communications mountains frame

The challenges facing the world today are large, complex and immediate. In many cases, we know what would work, but not enough people are doing it.

These are communications problems I can help your organization solve. 

With crops withering and sea levels rising, people losing their homes and civil discussion unraveling, there is no time to lose.

There is also no money to waste. The problems are getting bigger while the budgets at the organizations working to address them are getting smaller. Even talented teams struggle to find the most effective ways to put limited communications resources to the best use. 

For over twenty years, I have helped government officials, NGOs and international organizations develop communications that get results. In my strategies, every penny has a purpose, every message a mission, and every tactic a direct connection to reaching objectives.

Services

  • Core communications strategies 

    Problem: “We just cannot seem to cut through the noise to reach our key audiences.”

    Solutions: I work with leadership, technical and communications teams to create bespoke communications strategies that build trust and reach organizational objectives.

    • Comprehensive communications audits

    • Strategic planning workshops

    • Audience, message and channel mapping and refinement

    • Tactical advice for new, digital and traditional media

    • Adaptive, goal-oriented strategies with practical implementation roadmaps

    Strategies for advocacy and influencing policy

    Problem: “We have the insights our audiences need, but how can we get them to act on it?”

    Solutions: I work with leadership, policy and communications teams to identify concrete policy wins and effective strategies to turn information into influence.

    • Policy opportunity mapping and prioritization

    • Audience mapping and channel identification

    • Messages and tactics to move audiences from awareness, to interest, to action

    • Integration with organizational and communications strategies

    • Internal alignment support to enhance collaboration between technical, policy and comms teams

  • Get the most from your tech investments

    Problem: “We set aside money for new tech, but the project is stalled and risks getting off track.”

    Solution: With my experience from managing numerous long-term framework agreements and six figure tech investments, I will work with your teams to ensure you get the product or service you need, from a provider you can trust for the best possible price.  

    • Needs analysis and alignment with strategy to identify the right product

    • RfP development and bid review support to get the right provider

    • Kick-off prep to avoid common delays at the start

    • Clear processes to help project managers keep the contractor and project on focus, on time and on budget

    Streamlining internal processes

    Problem: “The process seems full of surprises, leading to delays and stress between comms and other teams.”

    Solution: I work with your teams to create tailor-made communications policies, guidelines and templates to help teams avoid unforced errors, navigate common tricky situations and smooth out internal processes.

    • Media relations, social media, website and related policies and guidelines 

    • Templates to help comms teams get the information they need to identify the best channels, products and processes to maximize impact

  • Thought leadership support

    Problem: “How can I help my organization stay relevant in the fast-changing marketplace of ideas?”

    Solution: I work with leadership, experts and core staff to leverage their unique insights to reach audiences in ways institutional communications cannot. 

    • Executive workshops to identify a niche, effective angles and desired outcomes

    • Thought leadership strategies to secure an influential place in the conversation

    • Internal coordination roadmaps to aid integration and delivery

    • Editing support for initial thought pieces, social media

    • Public speaking and media interview preparation

    Crisis communications planning

    Problem: “If that happened to us, I’m not sure how we would respond.”

    Solution: I work with leadership and communications teams to develop clear processes, roles and responsibilities so if a crisis comes, your teams are prepared to assess, decide and act with confidence. 

    • Crisis communications plans and rapid response protocols

    • Reputation management strategies

    • Post-crisis evaluation and adjustment

  • Digital engagement support

    • Email marketing strategy

    • Social and new media strategy and content calendars

    • Website optimization and user experience audits

    Box of comms for start-ups

    • Comms and marketing needs assessments

    • Phased strategies for pre-launch, first year and long-term

    • Policies and guidelines to avoid unforced errors and provide guidance for common tricky situations so staff can stay focused on organizational priorities

    • Procurement, staffing and recruitment planning support for each strategic phase

    Writing, editing and visuals

    • Case studies, executive summaries, forewords and op-eds 

    • Annual reports, grant proposals and donor communications

    • Data visualization - developing concepts and managing designers to deliver visuals that get attention and tell your story

Mark Gnadt strategic communications consultant

About me

For over twenty years, I’ve helped mission-driven leaders and organizations cut through the noise and maximize the impact of limited communications resources. From my first political campaign to my time in executive management, I have been a trusted advisor to top leadership and a student of some of the best mentors in their fields. 

My work has helped blue officials get elected in a red state, establish organizations and their leaders as trusted authorities, and shape conversations that led to concrete policy changes in government, organizations and international agreements. 

Early in my career, I worked as a team of one in fast-paced political and advocacy environments, delivering everything from strategies to minute-by-minute execution across a range of channels. I was fortunate to work directly with top leadership at each step. The work was hands-on and the feedback came in real time. This experience proved invaluable as I grew to manage teams and budgets small and large, across multiple time zones, cultures and languages for international organizations rich in science, data and good ideas. 

Organizations are tackling huge issues with limited resources, and those without clear communications strategies integrated with their objectives tend to spread themselves too thin, diluting or undermining their impact.  

I’ve had success overcoming these challenges by developing bold and achievable strategies, laser-focused on reaching objectives. I’ve also developed acute allergies to fluff and waste. I’ve learned how to play to an organization’s unique strengths and make the most of its capacity to move audiences from awareness to action. Now, I want to help others do the same. I’m based in Geneva, Switzerland and happy to grab a coffee here or meet you online wherever you are.

And for those of you who are interested, when I’m not helping people connect with their audiences, you can find me in the mountains, sharing the awe and accomplishment only nature can provide with family, friends and others.