Communication is a systems problem.
Before deciding whether an organization needs a campaign, a website, or a speech, I want to understand the people involved, the behavior we're changing, and what outcome actually matters. The channel comes last.
I'm Ben Wilson, a senior communications leader with a background in journalism, government, and private sector comms. This site is organized around two ideas:
Case studies show what my approach looks like when it is applied to complex, real-world problems.
Field notes are the thinking that powers that approach.
Whether you're collaborating, just wandering through, or looking to hire; welcome, and start wherever your curiosity points you.
Case Studies
Communication problems that I've solved.
These case studies examine the strategic approaches that I've created to address complex challenges, ranging from organizational alignment to stakeholder engagement to behavioral change, digital transformation, and emerging technology.
Case Study
Workwrights - building a job search tool that job seekers own
I built a career intelligence system into a Claude skill; it keeps you accountable, and it doesn’...
CommunityCommunicationsAI
Case Study
Resurrecting a Legacy: a brand launch study
How do you revive a historic brand while respecting its emotional value? I built an omni-channel ...
CommunityBrandingProduct
Case Study
The Oregon Outback Dark Sky Sanctuary
Building the largest international dark sky sanctuary in the world took a lot of hands-on, interd...
EquityTheoryComms
Case Study
Who grades the graders?
It all started with a dungeons and dragons game, and ended with an innovative approach to solving...
AIContentComms
Case Study
Built for the state you're in
TheoryCommunicationsEmpathy
Field Notes
How I think about communication.
In field notes, I explore theories, systems, technologies, cultural phenomena and assumptions that shape how we communicate, make meaning, and act.
Field Note
How to write a press release
The small but mighty press release; a way to get your information through the newsroom and into t...
communicationstheoryempathy
Field Note
Write for your audience
Tl;dr: If you want to make any impact, write for the other side of the conversation. I write abou...
communicationstheoryempathy
Field Note
The Sims and the Epistemic Spark
When I’m presented with a new idea, I experience a rush similar to caffeine. There’s a sudden sur...
communicationstheoryrhetoric
Field Note
Demographics and media profiles
Who is your audience and where do they listen?
communicationsdemographicspractice
Field Note
Simplicity
Quality is a strange concept. As a data-minded person, I believe that quality is a categorical th...
communicationsphilosophypracticeSubscribe to Updates
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