20YEARS Communications: 20 Leaders, 20 Questions, 100's of Lessons

20 years, 20 panelists, 20 questions—that’s the basis for this book.
Between 1990 and 2010, communications experienced a radical amount of change. In that period, technological innovation inspired a shift in culture that revolutionized the way that we communicate. As technology, software and services entered the market with greater frequency, consumers adopted new habits and abandoned old ones.
Opportunities were numerous but so too were challenges and uncertainties. Communication was at the same time converging on a mobile platform and splintering into countless new channels and communities, each preferred to different degrees by different audiences.
And this trend continues today.
Our panelists represent experts across the full scope of communications—from photographers to professors to partners—and not only did they witness the evolution of communications, they were in the field and in the boardroom, brainstorming ways to leverage new developments and overcome new obstacles.
These leaders’ knowledge and their experience are invaluable, and they provide a diverse frontline perspective that is missing in most books written about communications. By assembling them into one conversation, you can see how professionals with various specialties think about communications and learn how they perceive the various facets of the industry, making this book a great companion to a college class or a tool for facilitating team-building discussion within an agency or department.
As you read through this book, answer our questions yourself and see how your answers compare to the answers of our panelists.
Use the discussion questions at the end of each chapter to probe themes and topics more deeply. Talk to your colleagues and peers about what you have read and learn from their perspective, just as we have, while at the same time challenging each other to see things from a different perspective. Contribute your thoughts and join our ongoing conversations with other readers in our archive at ideahaus [dot] com [forward-slash] 20YEARS.
By looking back at the last 20 years, by engaging with our panelists, you can prepare yourself, your company, and your communications for the next 20 years.