How do you measure communications success?

It’s one of the biggest challenges for communicators: How do you measure success and speak the language of the C-suite?

As communicators everywhere launch their 2026 plans, panelists Elizabeth Rasberry of Smurfit Westrock and Suzanne Walsh of Remesh -- led by moderator Leah Gladu of KWI Communications -- shared powerful insights on this very topic at our recent IABC Atlanta event.

💡 Getting started: Build methods to align communications with business outcomes. Use both quantitative and qualitative data to show how your work drives revenue, retention, or efficiencies.

💡 Use what you have: As Suzanne reminded us, measurement doesn’t have to be complex (or expensive). Look at what’s already available: town hall feedback, Q&A comments, participation rates, and signs of behavioral change all tell a story.

💡 Use your communications superpowers: My favorite takeaway from Elizabeth? Communicators are storytellers. We have the power to translate data into human impact: changed behaviors, new ideas, better ways of working. Sometimes these are stories that only the comms team can tell.

👏 Huge thanks to our speakers and moderator for such a smart, practical, and inspiring dialogue!