Nicholas Bruneau
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nicholasbruneau.com
Nicholas Bruneau
@nicholasbruneau.com
Strategic Communications Consultant, Keynote Speaker, Board Director and Author of "Engage with Impact". nicholasbruneau.com
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Great to be on Bluesky! Here's a short intro about me: I'm a communications consultant living in Portugal, where I work remotely for international organizations like the UN 🇺🇳 and World Bank 🌐 to amplify their impact through strategic digital communications.
I look forward to being in touch!
Working remotely takes a toll on you, so I decided to start a social impact communications group in Lisbon.

We had a great first meetup yesterday, where we shared challenges & experiences. The pictures are blurry, but hopefully you can see the positive atmosphere!

#EngagewithImpact
November 6, 2025 at 1:06 PM
How do you go beyond vanity metrics and get results on #socialmedia?

I'm delighted to be part of a panel on Thursday, 20 November, at 3 pm GMT, to explore public sector case studies and tactics for using social media to build credibility in critical moments.

Register today! buff.ly/r68Wecb
November 6, 2025 at 10:56 AM
"What communications challenge have you faced recently and how are you dealing with it?"

That's the question we will answer at the first #EngageWithImpact Lisbon Meetup this Wednesday, 5 November.

Stay tuned for the answers and contact me if you want to join us!
November 4, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Good event organisers are like synchronized swimmers: calm while constantly adjusting. While working on the comms of a global hybrid event, here are the lessons I learned: Define your objectives, create a central microsite for the event, and use AI for summaries. More info in the comments. 👇
November 3, 2025 at 8:11 AM
With AI and social media algorithms changing by the day, the Nonprofit Social Media
Summit promises to be a helpful insight into the latest trends. www.nonprofitsocialmediasummit.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Calling all #socialimpact communications leaders!

Are you coming to Lisbon for the #WebSummit around November 10-13?

If so, drop me a message because I am organising a meetup of the #EngagewithImpact Lisbon community and would love to invite you!
October 21, 2025 at 7:56 AM
I realised I live in a bubble.

A global research leader told me, “I don’t even know what my comms team does.”

He didn’t see how storytelling, PR, and targeted content attract partners, donors, investors, and talent.

That’s why we must always show our value and impact. 📈

#StrategicComms
October 15, 2025 at 10:09 AM
I posted every day for a month about #StrategicComms. What did I learn?

1️⃣ The no. 1 post showed why comms shouldn't work in silos.

2️⃣ The algorithm really does reward regularity.

3️⃣ Being consistent attracts like-minded connections.

4️⃣ I learned a great deal for the SCMP, so it was a win-win!
October 3, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Segmentation is about using data to tailor communication to the individual level.

An example of personalisation is Spotify’s annual Wrapped campaign.

With today's tools, using a mix of data analytics and AI, we can truly create personalised campaigns at scale.

#StrategicComms
September 30, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Audience segmentation is about understanding what truly matters to each group and tailoring communication that meets them where they are.

For example, Dove's #RealBeauty resonated across generations and sectors by designing distinct communication strategies for each audience.

#StrategicComms
September 29, 2025 at 6:56 AM
When used strategically, a press release can influence narratives.

For example, @gpforeducation.bsky.social worked w/ @apnews.com to create a suite of photo & video assets. This way, their press release was part of a campaign that engaged, persuaded, and inspired action.

📷 GPE/AP
#StrategicComms
September 28, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Corporate comms shouldn't work in silos.

This year, Unilever merged its corporate affairs, sustainability, and communications functions. By bringing these functions under one umbrella, Unilever positions communication as a primary driver of corporate reputation and brand purpose.

#StrategicComms
September 27, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Change communication is about guiding people through uncertainty with clarity and purpose.

Yet when Twitter rebranded to “X” in 2023, the transition was abrupt and poorly explained. The comms should have anticipated challenges and shaped narratives to help define the new branding.

#StrategicComms
September 26, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Communication succeeds when it is aligned with other functions.

The Climate KIC website redesign project was a comprehensive effort requiring internal and external collaboration. It was successful only because everyone was part of the project, right from the start.

#StrategicComms
September 25, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Our job as communicators is to make complex ideas resonate at a human level.

At @undp-gpcg.bsky.social, we’re exploring ways to tell our story differently.

By focusing on real-world examples, we can show why governance is essential to building a fairer, more sustainable world. 🌍

#StrategicComms
September 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Employees are often the most trusted voice of an organization.

The pet food brand Chewy recognized this and encouraged employees to share their own stories about the company: buff.ly/Q00lM66

#EmployeeAdvocacy is hard work, but when done well, it can really elevate your brand!

#StrategicComms
September 23, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Making mistakes is human. Owning up to them is courageous.

When KFC ran out of chicken in 2018, the company ran a simple, humble ad rearranging its logo to spell “FCK.”

The lesson is that, in a crisis, humour and honesty can make all the difference in your communications!

#StrategicComms
September 22, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Storytelling is most potent when transforming a brand message into a broader narrative.

LEGO’s "Rebuild the World" campaign is a great example: buff.ly/cTPMPoX

By linking play to problem-solving, LEGO strengthened its brand ethos and showed that its purpose goes beyond toys.

#StrategicComms
September 21, 2025 at 9:56 AM
What happens when a brand takes a stand?

Nike’s 2018 campaign with Colin Kaepernick embraced the politically charged issue of racial injustice.

It was risky, but sales rose, loyalty deepened, and the brand showed that values-based communications can make a real difference.

#StrategicComms
September 20, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Trust is like a bank account: you build it up over time, and in a crisis, you make withdrawals.

Jacinda Ardern’s leadership during the pandemic worked because she had already established reserves of trust: buff.ly/lkpRNtY

The time to build trust is before it is tested.

#StrategicComms
September 19, 2025 at 9:56 AM
The best crisis response is often prevention.

Toyota’s decision to issue proactive recalls showed how early intervention can protect trust.

Communicators play a role by monitoring sentiment, escalating risks, and advising leadership to act before a problem becomes a crisis.

#StrategicComms
September 18, 2025 at 9:56 AM
How can you anticipate the next crisis?

Effective communicators invest in horizon scanning: monitoring signals across media, policy, and public sentiment to anticipate risks.

This way, you'll be will be able to respond faster and smarter when challenges emerge: buff.ly/OBcJouO

#StrategicComms
September 17, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Audience segmentation is the foundation of #StrategicComms

Science communications is a perfect example: with the general public, you start with the “so what?”, yet when communicating with scientists, methodology, evidence, and data come first.

Same research, different strategies.

📷 @aaas.org
September 16, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Data should be the basis for every communications strategy.

During the COVID-19 infodemic in the Middle East and North Africa, @unicef.org used data analytics to fight #disinformation.

When we focus on the numbers that matter, we can make a real difference.

#StrategicComms
September 15, 2025 at 6:56 AM
How do you prove that internal communication is worth sustained investment?

The key is to translate communication outcomes into business language.

According to Staffbase, communicators who win over the C-suite do five things consistently: buff.ly/xbky6kd

#StrategicComms
September 14, 2025 at 9:56 AM