WASHINGTON, February 26 | Breakwater Strategy, a leading strategic insights and communications consultancy, announced today that Jessica Schneider has joined the firm as a Vice President. Jessica brings more than two decades of experience as a broadcast journalist, attorney, and Washington legal and political reporter, significantly deepening the firm’s capabilities in media strategy, crisis communications, […]
In his third installment of a series on the Cold War with The Dispatch, Breakwater’s Steven Weber applies strategic lessons from the 1980s to the intensifying U.S.-China competition over artificial intelligence. Steven explores whether AI represents a winner-take-all contest or a more dynamic race. The piece proposes a comprehensive strategy spanning export controls, talent policy, […]
In his second of a monthly series on the Cold War with The Dispatch Breakwater Partner Steven Weber examines how the strategic approach that defeated the Soviet Union in the 1980s Cold War can inform America’s current competition with China. Steven argues that Reagan-era statecraft intuitively grasped key competitive dynamics about how seemingly inferior rivals […]
In the first of a monthly series with The Dispatch, Breakwater Partner Steven Weber argues that the U.S. is now engaged in a modern Cold War with China, yet lacks a clear strategy to win it. Drawing lessons from the 1980s, he calls for a bold, principled approach to guide American policy. The piece lays […]
Breakwater partner Steven Weber was featured prominently throughout this episode of Marketplace, which examines export controls on algorithms. Read or listen here.
In this op-ed for PR Week, Breakwater Partner Joe Carberry explores how brands are increasingly using unconventional tactics—like humor, celebrity messengers, and surprising formats—to effectively communicate serious topics in today’s fragmented media landscape. He cites examples from Vattenfall and Astronomer, showing how aligning messaging with modern platforms can boost engagement and credibility. Carberry emphasizes that […]
In this op-ed for the Dispatch, Breakwater Partner Steven Weber argues that military strategists too often rely on mental frameworks, which can blind them to critical real-world signals. Drawing parallels to Israel’s 1973 intelligence breakdown, Steven highlights how overconfidence in a guiding concept can lead to strategic disaster. He suggests that adopting a mindset rooted […]
In times of radical uncertainty, traditional risk models fall short, leaving leaders paralyzed or prone to bad decisions. In this op-ed for MIT Sloan Management Review, Breakwater Partner Steven Weber argues that scenario planning — not prediction — is the most strategic response to today’s volatile political and economic climate. Read the full article here […]
As AI reshapes the communications landscape, the most successful leaders won’t just adapt — they’ll lead with business acumen. Breakwater Partner Joe Carberry and Orrick’s Managing Director of Strategic Communication David Chamberlin argue that communications professionals must evolve from wordsmiths to strategic business advisors in this op-ed penned for Ragan. Read the full piece here […]
Breakwater Partner Steven Weber argues in this op-ed for Barron’s that United Airlines’ unusual move to issue dual profit guidance reflects a smart embrace of “radical uncertainty”—a reality where predicting economic outcomes is nearly impossible due to volatile factors like President Trump’s tariff decisions. Instead of forcing false precision, United is signaling a more resilient, […]