Media Experts: Insights & Commentary

When Philanthropy Loses Trust, Design Becomes Civic Infrastructure

Jessie McGuire, managing partner at Thought Matter, examines philanthropy’s growing crisis of public trust, arguing that transparency alone is no longer enough. McGuire argues that philanthropy must rethink design as a form of civic infrastructure, one that makes power visible, redistributes authorship and restores legitimacy in an era of deep skepticism.

Why California’s Future as a Creative Capital Depends on Commercial Production

Darren Foldes, Emmy-winning producer and partner at the commercial production company Sibling Rivalry, examines why California’s decision to expand tax credits for film and television while excluding commercial production represents a critical gap in the state’s creative strategy. Foldes argues that commercial advertising is a fast-moving economic engine that employs thousands of Californians, and that without targeted incentives, the state risks losing a foundational part of its creative ecosystem to competing markets.

Earned Media Is Becoming the New Currency of A.I.-Driven Discovery

Alana Gold, group vice president at The Bliss Group, examines how generative A.I.—from Google’s A.I. Overviews to ChatGPT—is redefining brand discovery and elevating earned media as the cornerstone of visibility. Gold argues that the future of PR lies in GEO: a question-and-answer approach that prioritizes consistent, credible narratives across trusted publications.