"Colleen Growe changed my life, the way I think, the way I lead and I’m very thankful.
We have been working together for nearly 10 years and, because of her enrichment, I am
a better leader, manager and communicator. Colleen has a unique gift of understanding
the power of narrative to help people make sense of complicated situations, influence
groups and bring the best out in teams and leaders. From investors to creatives, Colleen
has taught me the tools on how to motivate teams and bring powerful business results
through the gift of strategic narrative communications."
Chris McCarthy, co-CEO, Paramount Global
President & CEO, SHOWTIME & MTV Entertainment Studios
"Colleen is an incredible advisor in strategic messaging and positioning, whether coaching a
C-suite executive or leading a group session on media interactions. She does her homework on
the business and the external environment and translates that into highly effective sessions
with executives that drive successful outcomes. She thinks audience-first and uses storytelling
to help make the message memorable. I’ve appreciated that she can deliver tough questions with
a style that is supportive and positive. I love the energy and enthusiasm she brings – it's
clear she loves the work she does! She has had a huge impact at BMS."
Laura Hortas, Vice President, Corporate and Employee Communication
Bristol Myers Squibb
"I consider Colleen to be the best-of-the-best when it comes to helping me and our
executive team transform complex industry and financial data points into effective
messages and find credible ways to navigate difficult issues. Through her counsel on
message development, we have moved from using lengthy scripts at speaking events to
concise "Road Maps" that allow us to tell a compelling story. What differentiates
Colleen is her ability to work with various executives to facilitate the development
of a strong, unified message to authentically communicate EnLink's strategic vision.
Before working with Colleen, I didn't enjoy interviews or public speaking opportunities.
Working with Colleen, I've learned to create a communication Road Map, speak more
effectively, and have fun with the opportunities. Colleen is high-energy and has worked
well with many different styles of speakers from our executive team. She is a tremendous
resource to EnLink Midstream."
Barry Davis, CEO
EnLink Midstream Partners
"Colleen's strategic coaching sessions have become indispensable for many of our senior
executives. Colleen is insightful, engaging, collaborative, and a pleasure to work with.
The unique solutions, actionable advice, distinctive approach, and deep knowledge of our
business that Colleen brings to these sessions have skillfully prepared me, my team, and
my colleagues for numerous high level presentations, events, and speaking engagements.
CMG has been an invaluable resource to me and my team for several years. Over the course
of our partnership, my experiences with Colleen have all been nothing short of exemplary
and I highly recommend CMG to any company or executive looking to elevate their skills to
the next level."
Jeff Lucas, Head of Sales
Viacom Media Networks
"What truly differentiates Colleen is her focus on the broader art of communication. Her
ability to become fluent in our science built credibility with our management team, some of
whom have a skepticism about their need for training. By immersing herself in our story,
Colleen was highly effective in facilitating the development of our key messages. She knew
where our story was vulnerable which led to challenging - and productive - Q&A training.
In the realm of speaker training, Colleen is the best person with whom we have worked. Time
and again, Colleen has improved our spokespersons' effectiveness. Colleen gives each speaker
direct, actionable feedback on both the verbal and non-verbal elements of their presentation.
I would note that this kind of training can be difficult. Colleen strikes the delicate balance
of pushing those receiving the training to their limits, but not beyond. This balance has made
her effective and popular with our management team."
William Baird, III, Chief Financial Officer
PTC Therapeutics
"When I first became a CFO, I knew it would be critical to develop my communications skills with
investors, the media and with teams across the company. I worked with Colleen to strengthen the
delivery of key messages, to handle difficult Q&A sessions, and to improve my overall style and
approach to presenting effectively. She gave the direct and honest feedback that I needed to
hear to truly improve. And she pushed me to better. Looking back many years later, it is one
of the most important things that I dedicated time to early in my career. Colleen absolutely
made a significant impact in my development and I can say I would not have been as successful
early on without her coaching."
Chris LaFond, CFO
Intralinks
"CMG has been a valuable long-term partner to us, starting in the early days of the business to
help us shape a solid media strategy and guiding the messages for our IPO in 2000. In the decade
since, CMG has helped us refine our messaging, positioning and communications, and launch new
products. Time after time we have been impressed with CMG's insights and results, and wholeheartedly
recommend them to anyone looking for a trusted and accountable communications partner."
Doug Lebda, CEO and Company Founder
LendingTree
"Colleen has impressive insights and a very unique way of simplifying key messages. She gives
effective and actionable advice and, as a result, I feel more confident and better prepared after
working with her."
Steve Macri, Chief Financial Officer
Warner Music Group
"CMG Productions added great value in helping RR Donnelley and our two spin companies shape the
message to the stakeholders of all three of the companies. Colleen's style is efficient, inclusive
and she created a thought provoking fun atmosphere. We were very pleased with the product Colleen
and CMG Productions created for us."
Tom Quinlan, CEO
RR Donnelley
"Every public facing executive should have the opportunity to work with Colleen in order to best
represent his or her company. I've had the pleasure of working with Colleen for nearly ten years
for a variety of clients. Colleen's preparation for each session is utterly thorough and exemplary.
She is thoughtful, engaging, idea provoking and always brings something fresh and useful to the table."
Deborah Roth, Vice President, Corporate Communications
Pandora
"In an incredibly short period of time, Colleen quickly grasped the key issues, developed a program
that met our meeting objectives, and offered expert communication advice to keep us focused and on
track. By every measure, Colleen is an absolute professional and I would highly recommend CMG to
any organization or business looking to advance their communication objectives."
Rabiah Ahmed, Media & Communications Director
MPAC
"During our workshop intended to align the strategic vision and its communication, particularly for
investors, Colleen nurtured, in a very collaborative way, a constructive discussion and alignment
among the management team. Then, prior to our R&D Day in New York, we participated in a training
session where Colleen coached our team into a much more effective communication style, both in the
form and in the content. We were very satisfied with our collaboration and look forward to future
projects."
Christian Homsy, CEO
Celyad
"Colleen has an incredible command of complex issues and subject matter. She immerses herself effortlessly
into your business issues and provides invaluable guidance and skills to handle and prepare for a variety
of outcomes. I've had the pleasure of partnering with CMG on a variety of business issues, including FDA
Advisory Committee meetings, top-tier media interviews and overall product issues management. CMG's broad
knowledge and experience has been instrumental in helping to prepare spokespeople, presenters and external
experts to deliver credible, compelling and accurate information. On more than one occasion, Colleen's
ability to translate messaging and intent ensured a better outcome than someone could have achieved on
her or his own. CMG is a tremendous asset to have in your corner."
Julissa Viana, Director, Communications / Marketing
Sepracor Inc.
"We repeatedly turn to Colleen for our messaging, positioning and media training. Her ability to translate
very complex scientific information into an engaging and intelligible story makes her a tremendous asset
to our communications team. In addition, our executives trust and enjoy working with her because of her
professionalism and comprehension of our issues."
Alyssa Zeff, Director, Worldwide Public Relations
BD
"CMG has a proven track record of high-level engagement with our senior executives, CEOs and other C-Suite
members. We have seen tremendous results coming from her work with us. Built on trust, expertise and a
broad network, Colleen brings strategic vision and deep understanding of the playing field resulting in
meaningful global market positioning. We want to be number one in our strategic positioning and Colleen
Growe of CMG Productions has for many years supported this ambition."
Caroline Wouters, SVP, Chief Brand and Communication Officer
Wolters Kluwer
"Colleen is so much more than a cookie cutter media trainer; she is a media strategy partner. From her preparedness
beforehand to her personalized attention during the session to her detailed follow up, no one out there covers
all the bases like CMG does."
Meg D'Incecco, Executive Director of Public Relations
Golf Digest Properties, Condé Nast
"We have found that CMG sessions are transformative and, when Colleen is done, our message is clearer, our
thinking sharper, and our communication more compelling. While there are many highly competent trainers
available to us, we turn to Colleen Growe to work with us when the stakes are high and we need to be at
the very top of our game as communicators. If you want to improve your Company's, your non-profit
organization's, your department's , or your own personal ability to communicate in any situation, in my
view there is simply no one in this business better than Colleen Growe and CMG Productions."
Georgia Pollak, Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs
Yeshiva University
"Your session "Answering The Press' Tough Questions" was rated as an outstanding success. This was due
in great part to your flawless performance. Thank you very much for bringing to the session a vibrant
sense of life, dynamic clarity and extreme usefulness to the people who had come to learn."
Mike Yocum
The Council of State Governments
"I always know I can depend on Colleen and her team to give no-nonsense, strategic coaching, and
broadcast services that produce results. I've turned to CMG many times over the years and they will
continue to be a key partner in my Rolodex."
Amy Bohutinsky, Vice President, Communications
Zillow.com
"Colleen is, quite simply, the best - whether she's working one on one with a Fortune 50 top executive,
with the entire staff of a non-profit organization, or in small groups with senior scientists who,
though brilliant in a lab, may need some fine-tuning to meet the media. I have repeatedly found her to
be an amazingly quick study. She "goes deep" into your substantive issue in short order. She does her
homework, so she can construct realistic role-playing scenarios and then prepare you to manage them.
Frankly, I find Colleen's communication skills extraordinary. She is a born teacher and coach - the
right blend of critique and support. Her complete understanding of how the media really works is put to
your full advantage. I've worked with Colleen in many different kinds of situations over the years. Her
techniques are solid and proven to work. Her experience is vast. And her enthusiasm for her work just
never seems to wane."
Margaret Maruschak, Vice President
Fortune 50 Company
"You did your usual splendid job of media training one of the most challenging breeds - a physician.
Not only did he learn a great deal, I know he truly enjoyed the session. (The entire rest of the trip,
he kept saying how wonderful you were!) In fact, every physician we've ever worked with has had the
highest praise for you and your media training."
Patricia A. Morrow
GSK
"You have raised media training to an art form in my mind, and I look forward to working with you
again in the future."
David Koretz, President and CEO
BlueTie, Inc.
"Thank you so much for the incredible and enthusiastic sessions yesterday. We have received overflowing
gushing reviews. Everyone was equally impressed by your knowledge of our products and remarkable talent.
In fact, some of the editors are interested in doing follow-up sessions. I sincerely appreciate your hard
work in preparation and execution."
Amy Peck
Ziff Davis Media
"We could have never been this confident without all the work we did with you. Our CEO had a couple of
tough questions from CNN/fn and he sailed through them thanks to our prep with you. Thanks so much!!!"
Carol Wallace, Vice President, Public Relations
Gartner, Inc.
"I was impressed by the professionalism with which you conducted the process: simultaneously tough, kind and
persistent. I was impressed, too, by the thoroughness of your homework and extent of your comprehension
of our story."
John Fitchen, CEO
Epitope Medical Products
"I wanted to let you know our launch in Pittsburgh was an unqualified success. Media coverage was
extensive and your snapshots, road maps and messaging points came in handy, especially with all the
media attention. I noticed that our CEO was constantly referring to your material in preparation for
his media interviews and others on the team found the materials useful both as a refresher and as a
guidepost to the company's position on different items."
Jim Smith
Mobility Technologies
"A personal note to thank you for your considerable efforts in putting together "The Competitive Edge"
video. I am particularly pleased with the final product. I greatly appreciate your assistance in
coaching me through the studio ordeal and for your professionalism in weaving the strands into a perfectly
edited master tape. My team also told me of your forbearance in working with us through our many last
minute changes."
Robert Falkner, Executive Vice President NA
British Airways
"Just a quick note for all your help in making the Satellite Media Tour for the launch of Disney's Big Time a
success. I couldn't have done it without your thorough media training and coaching."
Phyllis Ehrlich, Editor-in-Chief
Disney Adventures
