David Meadvin, CEO of One Strategy Group, joined Amazon communications leaders for a dynamic Q&A session that touched on themes of leadership, trust-building, and corporate responses to social issues. Hosted at Amazon’s headquarters, the event drew employees across functions, eager to learn from Meadvin’s extensive experience spanning government, corporate, and consultancy roles.
Meadvin began by reflecting on his early career as a speechwriter on Capitol Hill and later in the Obama Administration, a role that afforded him unique early exposure to high-stakes decision-making. “Early in my career, I got that seat at the table,” he recalled, emphasizing the importance of building on access to develop strategic relationships. “If you stick around long enough, over time, you also get to be the one offering your strategic view. For the clients or leaders I work with, it’s about trust more than anything else.”
One Strategy Group, launched less than two years ago, was built in part to address a gap Meadvin and his colleagues observed in the market. He noted a trend of younger leaders in their 30s and 40s who, following the disruptive years of the pandemic, are increasingly looking for big-picture thinking alongside execution. “They felt lost in a world where everything had changed,” he explained, describing how his firm provides a blend of management consulting and CEO advisory, allowing clients to navigate complex challenges with strategic guidance.
The conversation shifted to companies’ responsibilities regarding social issues, where Meadvin spoke about the importance of nuance. “There’s this black-and-white debate: some argue leaders need to be out there actively on social issues; others think they should stick to business,” he said. “But these old assumptions miss the mark. We live in a world where certain issues are unavoidable. The question is not whether to engage but how to do so thoughtfully when it becomes necessary.”
The event’s audience included Amazon’s communications leaders from various international offices. One attendee from Brazil asked about effective strategies for building corporate reputation in a new market, especially when conventional public relations strategies feel slow. Meadvin stressed the importance of relationship-building over the traditional pitch-driven media approach. “Spend 80% of your time building relationships when you don’t need or expect anything,” he advised. “That way, you’ve built the trust that when something happens, you’re going to get the call from a reporter, and you’re going to get the benefit of the doubt to tell your side of the story.”
