Jonathan Grella is founder and president of JAG Public Affairs. His career has taken him from politics and public affairs to professional sports, trade associations, and corporate communications, including leadership roles on Capitol Hill, at Edelman, the NFL, and the U.S. Travel Association. He now helps organizations navigate communications, advocacy, crises, reputation, and AI-driven communications strategy.
Topics
Appearances (1)
2026-08-14
The Science of Persuasion: Scaling Influence with AI and RangeIn the latest episode of the Public Affairs Trends podcast, host Neil Hughes interviews Jonathan Grella, founder of JAG Public Affairs. Grella discusses the evolution of public affairs, emphasizing the importance of persuasion in communications, the impact of artificial intelligence on the industry, and effective strategies for crisis communications. He highlights the need for clarity and urgency in responding to reputational challenges while also advocating for restraint in messaging to avoid overwhelming audiences.
Notable quotes
“I think the book Range is a must-read.”
“We're in the business of persuasion, just like trial lawyers would be, just like salespeople would be.”
“You have to be urgent in correcting the record. You have to be clear and you have to be dogged about fighting for your reputation.”
“Sometimes less is more, and that there needs to be restraint.”
“If you're not doing something with like a lot of numbers, then like I wouldn't worry about hallucinations as much.”
“You really have to make these professional relationships work. You kind of have to do more than just deliver a crisp press release or soundbite.”
