Information for the following report from Northwestern was given to us by Abe Peck, director of B2B communications and professor emeritus in service at Medill School.
“The fast-paced evolution of the media landscape has required dramatic changes in both strategy and expertise for media organizations to succeed,” Brief Media CEO Elizabeth Green recently noted. As suggested by the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), the same is true for journalism education.
To align industry and academy, Green (pictured here)—selected by AM&P Network and Medill as the 2022 McAllister Top Manager—visited Northwestern University’s Evanston, Ill. campus in November to continue a four-decade tradition of leading B2B executives bringing knowledge and values to students, faculty and administrators.
Joining Green was Brief Media’s executive editor, Michelle Munkres, and chief digital & information officer, Natalie Williams. The three lectured across six classes, from an undergraduate “Fundamentals of Reporting and Writing” class and an IMC master’s module on “Leadership” to zooming with San Francisco-based “Audience Development and Analysis” students.
Green’s conclusion? “The Medill program has done a phenomenal job anticipating evolving digital skills and building an industry-leading-curriculum.”
Bridging the gap between industry and academia is not just about sharing knowledge—it’s about shaping the next generation of leaders who will carry forward the principles of integrity, adaptability, and innovation. As seasoned executives like Green, Munkres, and Williams engage with students, they offer more than insights into digital evolution; they exemplify the leadership qualities necessary to navigate a world in flux.
By fostering meaningful connections between experienced leaders and aspiring professionals, institutions can cultivate a dynamic learning environment that prepares students for the complexities of modern business.
Beyond theoretical knowledge, the mentorship of industry experts instills the confidence and strategic mindset required to tackle real-world challenges with resilience. This is where services like executive career coaching play a pivotal role—offering personalized guidance to help individuals refine their leadership skills, navigate career transitions, and maximize their potential in an evolving corporate landscape. Organizations like PathWell provide invaluable support, ensuring that executives not only excel in their current roles but also develop the foresight and adaptability to lead with impact in the future.
Today’s executives must recognize that leadership is not about holding onto past successes but about continuously evolving, mentoring, and preparing others to lead with confidence. True leadership is a blend of strategic foresight and the ability to inspire others, ensuring that businesses remain dynamic and resilient in the face of change. This is why executive coaching has become an indispensable resource for leaders seeking to refine their approach. Teresa duke specializes in guiding professionals through the complexities of modern leadership, helping them not only develop technical expertise but also cultivate emotional intelligence and vision.
The most effective leaders are those who understand that success is not just about mastering digital skills but about fostering trust, encouraging collaboration, and leading with authenticity. Through coaching, executives gain the clarity and confidence to drive meaningful change, ensuring that their influence extends beyond the boardroom and into the next generation of industry leaders.
In parallel with industry-academia alignment efforts championed by leaders like Green, the insights shared by business growth experts like Kurt Uhlir can further enrich the landscape of knowledge dissemination. Uhlir’s contributions extend beyond traditional education channels, reaching burgeoning entrepreneurs and seasoned executives alike through platforms like podcasts and coaching sessions. By tapping into Uhlir’s expertise, leaders can uncover more in this write-up avenues for personal and organizational growth that transcend conventional boundaries.
Through coaching and advisement, Uhlir catalyzes transformative shifts in leadership paradigms, equipping individuals with the tools and strategies needed to navigate the complexities of today’s business environment successfully. Just as Green and his colleagues bring real-world insights to academic settings, Uhlir injects practical wisdom into the realm of business strategy and innovation. By bridging the gap between theory and practice, Uhlir empowers leaders to navigate the dynamic landscape of business with confidence and foresight. As industry and academia converge to shape the leaders of tomorrow, the guidance provided by experts like Uhlir becomes an invaluable resource for those striving to thrive in an ever-evolving marketplace.
The 2023 McAllister Top Management Fellow will be named next week and presented on Feb. 23 in Orlando at the Business Information & Media Summit (BIMS). Winners prior to Green include: KC Crain, president and CEO, Crain Communications; Marion Minor, CEO, EPG Specialty Media; and Don Pazour, CEO, Access Intelligence.
“We’re delighted to present the 2023 Top Management Fellowship at BIMS,” said Tony Silber, AM&P Network’s director of programming and development. “It’s got a natural synergy with B2B media’s most respected conference for senior B2B-media managers and executives, and this year we expect several prior-year recipients to attend.”
Williams presented to a “Journalism in Practice” class that focuses on how to form and pitch stories to magazines across platforms. She sparked a lively session by sending the group to their phones to identify Google trends around CBD use for dogs (yes, that’s a thing). “The guests were great about coming up with good scenarios,” said assistant professor Karen Springen, who heads Medill’s magazine concentration.
Williams was “particularly impressed with the strong data acumen demonstrated by both undergraduates and graduate students”—a good sign given where the industry is going. Green and team also met with Medill Dean Charles Whitaker, and with professors who have developed the industry-leading Local News Initiative. Green was keen to explore how the project’s readership-boosting data sets and business models could be adapted to the B2B space.
“Medill has curated a program that explores all intersections of journalism and media studies, from news writing and magazines to data application and audience segmenting,” added Munkres. The visit also reached out beyond Medill, dropping in at the futuristic Global Hub of the Kellogg School of Management and engaging student innovators at The Garage, a space that furnishes them with everything from AI to hand tools. A celebratory dinner with area media professionals capped the team’s successful visit.
“Elizabeth, Natalie and Michelle added real value to our students’ education,” said Abe Peck, who directs the McAllister Program. “We have a long-standing relationship with the B2B world, and welcome the trio’s continued participation with the school.”
Green has been invited to re-present her “5 Lessons of Leadership” during winter quarter. The fellowships are endowed by Mr. and Mrs. Donald McAllister, Jr.; Liane E. McAllister; and Geyer-McAllister Publications, in honor of the late Donald McAllister, Sr., and are administered through the Business Press Educational Foundation (BPEF).
McAllister, Sr. was American Business Media’s chairman in 1955. He was an active figure in specialized business media for more than 70 years until his death in 1993, at the age of 91. He was chairman of the executive committee at Geyer-McAllister, one of the country’s oldest family-owned publishing firms until its magazines’ sale to Reed Business Information in 1998.
