Person. Woman. Man. Camera... Robot? We're all for embracing the benefits of generative AI, after all, the former president could use the help. But for leaders with big ideas and complicated stories to tell, we recommend sticking with human experts.
About us
Fenway is a speechwriting and strategic communications firm founded by Jon Favreau and Tommy Vietor in 2013. We provide our clients with some of the highest-caliber writing talent, help them find their voice, and use it to change the world.
- Website
-
http://www.fenwaystrategies.com
External link for Fenway
- Industry
- Writing and Editing
- Company size
- 2-10 employees
- Headquarters
- Washington, DC
- Type
- Partnership
- Founded
- 2013
- Specialties
- Speechwriting, Message development, Media strategy, Media training, and Strategic development
Locations
-
Primary
Washington, DC 20002, US
-
New York, NY 10004, US
-
Los Angeles, CA 90048, US
Employees at Fenway
Updates
-
With commencement season coming to a close, our team shares three pieces of advice for delivering a graduation speech that not only meets the moment — but sticks with audiences for years to come. (Spoiler: It all begins with a great story.)
What Makes for a Memorable Commencement Speech?
Fenway on LinkedIn
-
Is generative AI up to the task of drafting impactful op-eds or telling stories that change hearts and minds? Not quite, but it can help. Our CEO, Ben Krauss, spoke with Quiller about how communicators can best leverage the benefits of this new technology:
In today's fast-paced media landscape, crafting an op-ed that resonates with readers is no easy feat. But according to the experts at Fenway, there's a proven approach to maximize your chances of success. In a new Q&A, Fenway CEO Ben Krauss shares the key elements that set top-notch op-eds apart, from grabbing readers with a timely story to crafting a call-to-action that feels real and tangible. He also offers a fascinating insider's perspective on Fenway's recent discussions with Quiller to leverage generative AI in the op-ed writing process. Check out the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gGjFMBmN
-
-
There are lots of reasons to give — and not give — a commencement speech. As our CEO Ben Krauss told The New York Times, trying to please everyone usually does just the opposite. Read his advice for leaders taking the podium in these divisive times:
Who’d Want to Give a Commencement Speech Anymore?
https://www.nytimes.com
-
From sorting mail as an intern to holding the pen for Senator Ted Kennedy, and later, President Obama, Fenway's Cody Keenan shares his advice for building a career with purpose and passion:
Obama speechwriter (2009-17) | Author of SAY IT WELL: Find Your Voice, Speak Your Mind, Inspire Any Audience (HarperCollins 2024) | Adjunct Professor of Speechwriting at American University | Global Voices Communications
How do you go from mailroom intern to chief speechwriter for the president of the United States...by the age of 32?! Cody Keenan shared the lessons of his remarkable journey with our class at American University... --Relax. “I meet a lot of young people who are worried they’ll make a mistake when choosing their first job,” Cody said. “But your first job [his was a mailroom intern for Sen. Ted Kennedy] doesn’t dictate your entire career.” --“Say yes to everything.” After the mailroom, Cody said yes to answering phones and yes to typing memos. In return, the office said yes to giving Cody more responsibility—promoting him to legislative aide with his own portfolio. --Take a chance…on yourself. One day, a fellow staffer asked Cody, “have you ever written a speech?” He hadn’t. But he took a swing. Soon, he was writing speeches that Sen. Kennedy was delivering on the Senate floor. --Listen. One student asked Cody how he brings so much empathy to his speeches. His answer: “I start by listening.” At the White House, he sought out fellow staffers who were Black, LGBQT or military veterans and let their experiences and perspectives shape the speech. --“Don’t be a jerk.” (Nothing to add here. It's just good advice—maybe the best advice—whatever field you’re in!) --Focus on your purpose, not your title. Cody shared President Obama’s wise advice: “Worry less about what you want to be, and think more about what you want to do.” To which Cody added: “You may want to be a chief of staff in an organization. You may or may not get there. But focus on what you want to do—for example, helping children—and you’ll always have an impact.” --Everybody struggles. With our class—and in his book Grace—Cody spoke honestly about his own self-doubts. Even though he’d reached the pinnacle of his profession as a White House speechwriter, he still doubted whether he was up to the job. He overworked himself and ended up in the hospital with hypertension, he wrote, “desperate to prove I was worthy of the post.” How did he get through it? --"Surround yourself with good people." One of the best people Cody surrounded himself with was Kristen Bartoloni (AU Class of 2008!)—a White House fact-checker who he later married. “Stop being so hard on yourself,” she told him once. “The only person who thinks you’ll fail is you. I’m proud of you.” Pretty good advice—for work and life! Here's hoping you surround yourself with good people who are proud of you too. Cody’s inspiring book Grace is available here: https://lnkd.in/eGjvZ4Bs Thank you, Cody, from Griffin Batt, Victoria B., Montague Chevallier, Katherine Chittenden, Siena Cooney, Aidan D., Ria Dutta, Chandler Eby, Ella Gianino, Jack Guidi, Samantha Hessel, Andrew LaBerge, Zach Lovejoy, Brandon M., Lindy Murphy, Michael Picchi, Cecelia Rhodes, Lillian Ross, Marco Sánchez, Maximilian Sandefer, Tommy Schupp, Ethan Terezakis, Alyssa Toppi, Riley Valashinas, Payton Ziegler
-
-
1. Be passionate. 2. Learn to communicate persuasively. 3. Surround yourself with talent. Many of us at Fenway have been fortunate enough to work with Josh Earnest, and his advice for political staffers couldn't ring more true. (We agree with everything he says about Cody Keenan too.)
Today’s guest is Josh Earnest, one of the few staffers to go the distance from early on the Obama campaign through both terms in the White House. Josh worked in politics and government from Florida to Iowa to New York City to Washington – and has applied lessons learned there to his job as White House Press Secretary and today, as EVP of Communications and Advertising for United Airlines. Learn all about his extraordinary pathway, his take on what makes a great staffer, and more.
STAFFER Podcast
staffershow.com
-
Speechwriting at its best is "a reflection of the speaker," and speech delivery can seem like a "ballet with several movements." Ahead of tonight's State of the Union, former White House aide Dan Cluchey spoke with The Associated Press about our craft and what it takes to nail President Biden's voice:
How speechwriters delve into a president's mind: Lots of listening, studying and becoming a mirror
apnews.com
-
Fenway reposted this
Fenway's Dan Cluchey, former Senior Speechwriter for President Joe Biden, previews the State of the Union: "Your job is to ensure that when the speech is done, that it has a reflection of the speaker." Read more here, from the AP:
How speechwriters delve into a president's mind: Lots of listening, studying and becoming a mirror
apnews.com
-
Fenway's Dan Cluchey, former Senior Speechwriter for President Joe Biden, previews the State of the Union: "Your job is to ensure that when the speech is done, that it has a reflection of the speaker." Read more here, from the AP:
How speechwriters delve into a president's mind: Lots of listening, studying and becoming a mirror
apnews.com
-
To mark 100 years since the first presidential radio broadcast, the BBC asked our very own Cody Keenan to host a Very Special Episode of Archive on 4, leading a discussion on presidential rhetoric with a panel including our friend Sarada Peri and professors Allison M. Prasch and Cara Finnegan. Give it a listen!
Archive on 4 - Speaking to the People - BBC Sounds
bbc.co.uk