Message Received: One CEO Bite, One Big Lesson

Published: March 12, 2026

Message Received: One CEO Bite, One Big Lesson (plus free media training!)

Losing an hour of sleep on International Women’s Day feels like the most on-brand thing the universe could have done. At Bryson Gillette, where nearly 80% of our team are women, we noticed. We’re not surprised, but we noticed.

Let’s get into it.

Toolbox: The LinkedIn Post You Keep Not Writing

Every executive has the same problem: they’ve got smart things to say and no time (or desire) to write LinkedIn posts about them. The result is either radio silence or something that reads like it was ghostwritten by a press release (or worse — AI slop!). Neither builds the kind of credibility that actually moves people.

We built a Content Brainstormer to fix that. It’s an AI-powered tool that works like a 10-minute interview with a ghostwriter who already knows how you sound, what you care about, and what you’d never post.

How it works:

  • One-time voice setup. A guided wizard captures your tone, content pillars, audience, guardrails, and writing samples. If you’d never use the word “synergy,” it knows.

  • Weekly content session. A rotating set of questions pulls out the ideas you’ve been saying in meetings but haven’t written down. What advice did you give this week that felt worth repeating? What trend are you tired of explaining?

  • Voice-first option. Every field has a mic button, so you can talk instead of type while you’re pouring your 4th cup of coffee.The whole session takes just minutes.

  • Ready-to-post output. The tool generates 4–6 LinkedIn drafts in your actual voice, each tagged to a content pillar with a specific visual recommendation — not “add an image,” but “photo of you at the podium” or “pull quote on a simple background.” Not every suggestion will land, but you pick the ones that do.

  • It gets smarter. Approved posts feed back into the system, so future drafts sound more like you over time.

If your leaders have things worth saying on LinkedIn but keep not saying them, it’s usually a workflow problem, not a willpower one. If you want to try it, let us know.

What a Viral CEO Video Reveals About Executive Social Media

By now, you’ve probably seen the viral video of the CEO of McDonald’s taking a very careful bite of the new Big Arch burger. Careful enough that the internet noticed.

The goal was simple: spotlight a new menu item and connect with audiences.

Instead, the clip quickly became meme material, with viewers zeroing in on the “bite” and the unmistakably corporate tone. What began as a routine product plug became a reminder that when executives post online, they step into an unpredictable, fast-moving conversation.

What we’re seeing

  • Executives are increasingly stepping into roles once reserved for influencers and brand ambassadors.

  • Casual behind-the-scenes content is replacing highly scripted messaging.

  • Online audiences expect authenticity and quickly call out anything that feels staged.

Why it matters

  • Prepare executives for social video. Traditional media training doesn’t always translate to short-form content.

  • Review executive clips through an audience lens. Watch for awkward product interactions, stiff delivery, or moments that could be clipped.

  • Assume clips will travel beyond your channels. Decide in advance whether your team will engage with viral reactions or ignore them.

  • Use CEOs strategically. Executive appearances work best when they add perspective, not just promote a product.

SXSW Made a Little Easier

We know many of you are heading to SXSW this weekend and next week, and keeping track of all the panels, parties, and showcases can be a full-time job. If you want a little help, check out RSVPATX.com, an unofficial guide that lists off-the-radar events around Austin.

It even has an automatic RSVP feature to help you claim spots at multiple unofficial events without juggling a dozen tabs. A handy shortcut for anyone who wants to make the most of SXSW without losing sleep, or your sanity.

On the Air in PA-03 for Dr. Ala Stanford

Bryson Gillette is proud to partner with 314 Action Fund in support of Dr. Ala Stanford’s campaign in Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District.

A pioneering pediatric surgeon, founder of the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, and former HHS regional director, Dr. Stanford represents exactly the kind of leader 314 Action was built to champion. We were honored to produce the TV and radio creative for this $1.5 million independent expenditure effort.

Watch the spot here.

What We’ve Been Working On

A few places we’ve been showing up lately — from high-stakes philanthropy to tech controversies making headlines:

INC: “C-Suite Leaders Reveal Their Burnout Proof Rituals-From Having Kids to No Email Fridays”

Inside Philanthropy: “The Power of Pairing Money With Mentorship”

Santa Monica Daily Press: “Homeless Services Leader to Complete 50th Marathon in 90 Days at LA Marathon”

Wall Street Journal: “Gemini Said They Could Only Be Together if He Killed Himself. Soon, He Was Dead.”

Wall Street Journal: “Cryptic Emails and No Strings Attached. How MacKenzie Scott Gives Away Billions.”

Enjoying Message Received?

Forward this newsletter to five colleagues who care about smart communications. Send us a screenshot, and you’ll be entered into our monthly drawing for a complimentary media training session or LinkedIn coaching session with the Bryson Gillette team.

Until Next Time

Here’s to the questions, the surprises, and the ideas that make us pause. We’re glad you’re along for the ride. We’ll see you next time, but if you need us, you know where to find us.

—Bryson Gillette