Episode 116 – How to build a remarkable career without a plan

The Internal Comms Podcast

Fred Cook’s career proves success doesn’t require a straight line. Now Chairman Emeritus of global PR agency Golin, Fred has spent 35+ years advising world-famous brands – Amazon, McDonald’s, Disney – and visionary CEOs like Jeff Bezos and Steve Jobs. But his journey began far from the boardroom. Fred’s early resumé includes being a pool hustler, cabin boy and chauffeur for drunks. He describes his life as a “series of experiments” and in this episode, he shares what they taught him. Fred explains how to stand out in a crowded job market, the evolving role of internal communication, and why the best comms pros are brilliant relationship builders. He also shares insights from his role as Director of the USC Center for Public Relations and his book Improvise: Unconventional Career Advice from an Unlikely CEO. This is a conversation about courage, curiosity and embracing the unexpected. Share your thoughts on this or any other episode of The Internal Comms Podcast using the hashtag #TheICPodcast. Thank you for listening.