Where Jared Has Spoken: Highlights from Past Events
2019 NCMPR District 2
Fall Conference
In October 2019, Jared Meade served as a featured speaker at the NCMPR District 2 Fall Conference held in Asheville, North Carolina. Alongside Owens Community College President Dr. Steve Robinson, Meade co-presented a keynote session titled “#EndCCStigma Campaign.” During the presentation, they detailed the origins, strategy, and impact of their innovative social media campaign aimed at challenging and dismantling common stereotypes about community colleges.
Jared provided an in-depth look at how the campaign leveraged viral Twitter content and grassroots engagement to gain significant national media coverage and public attention. He explained the collaborative efforts behind creating open-source social media toolkits designed to empower other community colleges across the country to join the movement and spread the #EndCCStigma message
The NCMPR District 2 Fall Conference brings together marketing and public relations professionals from community and technical colleges across the Southeast for a dynamic exchange of ideas, strategies, and success stories.
2023 NWO PRSA PR Consultants Panel
Starting a public relations firm takes more than expertise; it takes vision, resilience, and a commitment to leading with purpose. At this insightful panel discussion, attendees heard from seasoned pros who successfully transitioned from communication practitioners to business owners.
Communications professionals who started their own firms shared important lessons from their entrepreneurial journeys. Jared Meade, Founder and Principal of Rayne Strategy Group, reflected on building a values-driven consultancy focused on crisis communication and reputation strategy.
Moderated by Sabrina D'Onofrio of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce and Small Business Development Center, the panel also featured BJ Fischer of Strategy by Fischer and Emily Zarecki of Clarion Communications.
2024 Davos Communication Summit
At the 2024 Davos Communication Summit, Jared Meade, Senior Public Relations Strategist and Founder of Rayne Strategy Group, joined an international panel of industry leaders to explore AI-Driven PR Strategies and Best Practices.
The panel, moderated by Mykolas Katkus of Lithuania’s Fabula Rud Pedersen Group, addressed the real-world integration of AI in public relations—from campaign design and execution to ethical implications and platform advancements. Meade contributed practical insights on balancing AI capabilities with human judgment, highlighting how emerging technologies can enhance—not replace—relationship-driven strategy.
Panelists also included Bart Verhulst (Netherlands), Tim Bailey (UK), and Claire Simpson (UK), with the group sharing case studies, lessons learned, and the opportunities and challenges that AI presents for communicators navigating a rapidly evolving landscape.
2025 Osavul: Navigating the Information Storm for Companies and Brands
In April 2025, Jared Meade participated as a speaker in the LinkedIn-hosted webinar, Navigating the Information Storm for Companies and Brands, organized by Osavul. This high-impact online event addressed the increasing challenges brands face in managing reputational risks in today’s digital-first economy.
Meade, alongside communications expert Beatrice I. Bourdel-Grant, shared insights on how organizations can anticipate, monitor, and respond to the volatility of the modern information landscape. They discussed real-time practices and frameworks used to manage narratives across multiple digital channels, emphasizing the importance of preparation in safeguarding brand reputation.
The session highlighted the real costs of customer backlash, including the potential for public sentiment to turn quickly, leading to boycotts or social media firestorms. Through recent, real-world examples—both failures and successes—the speakers provided valuable lessons on what to do (and what to avoid) when facing a reputational crisis.
2025 IABC
World Conference
At the 2025 IABC World Conference, Jared Meade, Founder and Principal of Rayne Strategy Group, led a timely and thought-provoking session titled "Connecting with Purpose: Driving Better Ethical Alignment in Communication."
Drawing on his experience in crisis communication and values-based strategy, Meade explored how consistently practiced ethical principles can strengthen team dynamics, guide leadership decisions, and foster trust in high-stakes environments. His session emphasized the importance of proactive ethical frameworks, especially in times of uncertainty, and provided attendees with tools to identify ethical misalignment and create transparent, purpose-driven communication cultures.
The session also featured interactive scenarios and case studies, giving communication professionals practical ways to apply ethics to their daily work and long-term strategy.
