The A-Team: Why Comms Leaders Must Act Now on AI, Data & Social

No, this isn’t a reboot of the 1980s action series (sorry, no Mr. T, no van, no explosions). But it is a mission-critical discussion for communication professionals who want to stay ahead in an AI-driven world.

Technology is evolving quickly, and comms leaders can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines. AI, data analytics, and social media are reshaping the way we communicate, engage audiences, and prove impact. If we don’t act now, we risk being left behind.

Enter The A-Team—three powerhouse leaders (yes, all with A-names—pure coincidence, we swear!)—ready to cut through the hype and get real about what comms professionals need to do now to stay relevant.

Meet the A-Team

Asha Oberoi – Managing Director, FTI Consulting | Social Media Expert
Adrian Cropley OAM – Co-Founder, Centre for Strategic Communication Excellence | AI Strategist
Alex Manchester – Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer, Traffyk.ai

What we’ll cover

AI, data, and social media are evolving faster than most comms teams can keep up with. The future of our profession depends on our ability to adapt, leverage technology, and drive measurable results. This is your call to action.

🔹 Why the urgency? – What’s changed, and why comms leaders can’t afford to wait
🔹 AI & Comms – The opportunities, the risks, and the skills we must develop
🔹 Making data work – How to measure and prove the impact of comms
🔹 The future of social – Navigating algorithms, automation, and audience engagement
🔹 What to do next – Practical steps to upskill teams and get leadership on board

This isn’t a dry tech talk—it’s about the future of our profession. Expect straight-talking insights, real-world examples, and actionable takeaways to future-proof your team. No fluff, just the facts (and maybe a little fun).

About your speakers

Asha Oberoi leads the Digital and Insights practice at FTI Consulting, working with data to uncover rich stakeholder insights and to apply an evidence-based approach to Strategic Communications, which is key to success in the digital age. Asha provides best practice advice to senior leaders and specialises in media & social media intelligence, measurement and digital channel and audience strategy. With a particular passion for social media and effective content development, Asha has worked with clients to audit, shape and develop strategy across owned, paid and earned channels which help to establish, enhance and protect digital reputations.

Adrian Cropley OAM - Co-Founder Centre for Strategic Communication Excellence

Adrian Cropley is the founding director of the Centre for Strategic Communication Excellence and CEO of Cropley Communication. He is a certified strategic communication management professional with over 35 years of experience. He has advised Fortune 500 companies on change communication, internal communication strategies, professional development and executive coaching. Cropley is a former IABC chair and was instrumental in launching the IABC Career Road Map, the Global Standard for the Communication Profession and moving from accreditation to global ISO certification. He has worked in AI in communication for the last five years and is now an executive advisor for responsible AI within organizations.

Alex Manchester - Co-Founder and CPO Traffyk.ai

Alex is a seasoned digital workplace strategist and product leader. He’s the Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Traffyk AI, an AI-enabled communications and productivity performance platform. With two decades of experience, Alex has established himself as an expert in employee communications, digital engagement and workplace technology solutions. At Traffyk, Alex specialises in leveraging AI and data analytics to help organisations measure and optimise their workforce communications. His unique blend of expertise, combined with innovative technology, enables organisations to unlock new levels of workplace productivity and performance.