Ben Trounson

I help Fortune 500 organizations build unshakeable stakeholder trust through strategic communications that turn complexity into clarity. As a VP of Global Corporate Communications with 20+ years of experience, I specialize in guiding companies through the reputation opportunities and challenges that come with transformation, crisis, and growth.

My career spans leadership roles at technology, energy, and pharmaceutical giants including Tata Consultancy Services, National Grid, Verizon, and Bristol Myers Squibb. At TCS, I helped transform the company's reputation from a lesser-known IT services provider into a globally recognized digital transformation partner for Fortune 500 clients, contributing to brand value growth from $5B to $14B over my seven-year tenure. This transformation required rebuilding narratives, executive
positioning, and stakeholder relationships across multiple markets.

I've built and led global communications teams ranging from 20 to 50+ members across North America, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM regions. My approach focuses on three core elements: authentic narrative development that aligns with business strategy, internal capability building that empowers teams to execute consistently, and external relationship management that builds lasting credibility with key stakeholders including media, investors, regulators, and employees.

Whether navigating CEO transitions, major acquisitions, regulatory scrutiny, or market repositioning, I ensure corporate communications delivers measurable impact on reputation and business outcomes.

Vice President of Communications, Verizon Business

I’m soon heading west for my next career move. But first, I had to celebrate the first-ever Long Island #commsjobs event.

Great to meet a rich mix of local comms pros, talk shop, offer support, and share some fun stories. Thank you, Chrissy Jones, for hosting, and for those in attendance, such as Sian Suthers (welcome to the East Coast), Steve Lavner, and Lisa Feldman Josephy.

Agree, we'll find a sweet spot for the next event, showcasing the beauty of LI in the summer, right Daniel Méndez Aróstica, MBA?

But don't get the locals started on whether we say living "IN" or living "ON" Long Island. The hot debate continues... 🙂

VP, Global Corporate Communications | Reputation & Stakeholder Trust Builder | 20+ Years Transforming Fortune 500 Narratives | Former Verizon, National Grid, TCS | $5B-$14B Brand Value Growth

I’m enjoying the sun and sights of Phoenix today. 

Love the relaxed, yet vibrant city feel during a five-mile walk. 

And I’m thinking of my friends and family facing the big storm in the Northeast. Getting their workouts in with their shovels!

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Polish isn’t the tell with AI slop. Lack of substance is

Charlie Guo has a great piece on spotting AI-generated content and its impact on writers' confidence.  

The giveaway is surface-level polish with nothing underneath.

The answer isn’t trying to “out-write” AI patterns or second-guess yourself. 

It’s writing from real experience, with specific knowledge or having an actual POV or counterpoint. That’s still the hardest thing to fake.

Charlie's Substack is at Artificial Ignorance.

Open article: The Field Guide to AI Slop by ignorance.ai

Search traffic is no longer a given.

Publishers now expect referrals from search engines to almost halve by 2028/29, according to Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism Media & Tech Trends report.

A few signals worth paying attention to:
- AI search and summaries are reducing clicks, often before content is even seen.
- Distribution is driving discovery, while owned channels are becoming trust engines.
- Journalists (and communicators) are being asked to think like creators.
- Credibility, originality (among the AI slop) and "human" connection are becoming the real differentiators.

What’s interesting is how this reinforces the importance of earned and owned media, which many of you opined on in 2025.   

You can see this shift playing out on platforms. YouTube hosting the Oscars. Netflix signing The Rest Is Football podcast (one of my favorites) for the 2026 World Cup.

I would love to hear from other comms and brand leaders. How are you adjusting to this earned attention reset? 

#branddiscovery #communications #earnedattention

When you’re a communications leader, everyone comes to you for counsel. But who’s got your back? I've sat in your chair at companies like Albertsons and US Foods. Now I partner with senior communications leaders, providing strategic counsel and leading high-stakes projects when you need extra bandwidth. My only agenda is your success.

I’ve navigated IPOs, billion-dollar mergers, crises, and transformations. I’ve advised four different CEOs and rebuilt teams from the ground up. I know what it's like to be stretched impossibly thin, stuck in execution mode when you should be leading strategically.

Here's what changes when we work together:
You finally have time to think strategically instead of drowning in execution. You walk into C-suite meetings confident, knowing your most complex work is handled. You have a trusted peer you can be honest with – no politics, no agenda. You show your CEO what communications can do when you're not buried in the weeds.

What that looks like in practice:
Sometimes you hand off complex projects to me – transformation plans, sensitive announcements, leading team development workshops. Sometimes I’m your sounding board when you need to think something through with someone who gets it.

How I work:
• I’m your partner behind the scenes, here to make you look good. No ego. No agenda. When you succeed, I’ve done my job.

• Complete solutions, not frameworks. You don't get another recommendation deck. I lead projects from start to finish and deliver work that’s ready to use.

• Real-world expertise. I've sat in your chair. I understand the stakes. I know the weight of the decisions you’re making. I provide strategic counsel and deliver practical solutions that work in your complex reality.

What others say:
“Debra understands what it's like to be a CCO, and she translates that experience into practical, actionable insights. Her strategic perspective and her thoughtful, collaborative approach make her the kind of trusted partner every senior leader needs.” – VP, Communications, Fortune 500 B2B company

I work with senior communications leaders at Fortune 500 companies, typically in retail, food & beverage, healthcare, industrial, and B2B. You value partnership, believe communications drives real business value, and are committed to doing excellent work in a demanding role.

If you need someone who's been there, who gets it, and whose only agenda is making you successful – let's talk. debra@wildwoodcommunications.com

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The Battle

Ben Trounson

Debra Ceffalio

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Ben Trounson's LinkedIn Performance

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