Connect Vegas Episode 6 - Andy Abramson

In this episode of the Connect.Vegas podcast, host Ben Laifsky interviews Andy Abramson, CEO of Communicano, a value creation communications agency based in Las Vegas. The discussion covers Abramson's extensive experience in guiding companies to successful exits, emphasizing his expertise in branding, storytelling, and strategic communication.

Key takeaways from the conversation include:

1. Value Creation through Storytelling: Abramson highlights the importance of creating a clear, credible, and contagious story for a brand, which can differentiate a company in the market and drive successful exits. He stresses that a good CEO should be a "selling CEO," constantly engaging with the market and conveying the company’s vision effectively.
2. The Architecture of Identity: Abramson outlines his process for building a brand’s identity, starting with a deep discovery phase, followed by the development of brand vision, mission, and positioning. He emphasizes the significance of understanding both how a company sees itself internally and how it is perceived externally.
3. The Importance of Timing and Precision: Drawing parallels with his background in professional sports, Abramson underscores the necessity of discipline, time management, and strategic timing in business. He shares insights on how his agency helps clients navigate the complexities of branding and market entry, often advising them on the best timing for launching products or announcements.
4. Leadership and Team Dynamics: Abramson discusses the need for commitment from leadership teams during the branding process, ensuring that all key players are fully engaged from start to finish. He also talks about the challenges of managing passionate, creative teams and the importance of clear communication and setting expectations.
5. Andy’s Personal Journey and Insights: Abramson shares stories from his early career in professional sports, his transition into marketing and PR, and the founding of Communicano. He also offers personal recommendations on books, business practices, and his favorite spots in Las Vegas.

Here are some of Andy's key quotes:

1. On Storytelling and Branding:
   • "Good ideas doing something different, being able to articulate the story that we develop for them in such a way that it becomes clear, credible, compelling, but most of all, contagious that other people tell it as if they told it themselves."
   • "No one buys interesting, they buy cool. The whole process is getting that information out so competitors, possible partners, but most of all, customers or investors realize that there's something special about you."
2. On Leadership and Team Dynamics:
   • "A good CEO is a selling CEO. They’re not just running the business, but they’re selling constantly and finding ways to bring in new business opportunities."
   • "The people involved in the beginning have to be involved all the way through. There's no walking out for the famous 'I have to take a call.' You have to be committed to this process."
3. On Timing and Precision:
   • "The schedule is the schedule is the schedule. There’s nothing worse than when somebody five minutes before a call says, ‘Oh, do you mind if we reschedule?’ Time management is critical in business, just as it is in sports."
   • "Timing is important—what you’re going to say, the way you’re going to say it, and to whom you’re going to say it to."
4. On Personal Philosophy:
   • "Bet on yourself."
   • "You control your destiny. You make your odds. Bet on yourself."
5. On the Branding Process:
   • "Your brand identity is that logo. Your brand image is what people would say about you or what you write about yourself or how you convey yourself. Everything plays into your brand image."