I recently had the privilege of joining some of the sharpest minds in our industry at the Mirren Conference in New York — new business leaders, agency search consultants, and brand and communications executives, all gathered to wrestle with the questions defining our field right now.

What We’re Reading is a monthly roundup of current news, commentary, challenges, and trends that impact our industry and clients.

The 2026 PRWeek Crisis Comms Conference captured where crisis communications sits right now: in the middle of an always-on, fast-moving information cycle. Narratives form in real time, often before the facts are complete, and frequently in places organizations don’t control.

From United shifting to more upfront delay messaging and Nike’s backlash in Boston, to Coachella’s livestream-driven “parallel events” and the Unwell founder drama putting internal leadership on display, we explore how reputation is shaped in real time and the quieter trust builders that sustain it.

In an AI‑saturated world, storytelling isn’t a nice‑to‑have; it’s the strategy that helps brands cut through noise, earn trust, and own their narrative.

The food industry is entering a key phase. Operational excellence alone is no longer enough to win. Across food distribution, hospitality, and supply chain, the next era of growth will be shaped by how effectively communications leaders connect workforce realities, operational complexity, and customer expectations into a clear, credible narrative.