Thaler Pekar & Partners: Company Profile
Background
Overview
Thaler Pekar & Partners is a consultancy specializing in organizational communication, narrative development, and leadership storytelling. Founded in 2005 by Thaler Pekar, the firm is headquartered in Hoboken, New Jersey, and has a global reach, having worked in 35 countries across five continents.
Mission and Vision
The firm's mission is to guide leaders in building and sustaining cultures of excellent communication, focusing on speaking, listening, narrative, and story. Their vision is to empower leaders to be heard, understood, and influential, thereby enhancing team productivity, audience receptivity, and organizational visibility.
Primary Area of Focus
Thaler Pekar & Partners specializes in institutional storytelling, persuasive communication, and narrative analysis. They offer services such as executive coaching, oral history collection, multiplatform visual storytelling, and the development of proprietary communication methodologies.
Industry Significance
Recognized by both the BBC and the Smithsonian Institution as leading experts in applied narrative, the firm has significantly influenced the field of organizational communication. Their work has been featured in seven books, and they have delivered keynote speeches on five continents to thousands of people.
Key Strategic Focus
Core Objectives
- Enhance leaders' communication skills to foster alignment and trust within organizations.
- Develop and implement effective storytelling strategies to engage diverse audiences.
- Strengthen organizational narratives to support strategic initiatives and cultural transformation.
Specific Areas of Specialization
- Executive coaching for improved communication and leadership presence.
- Oral history and story collection to preserve organizational heritage and inform strategic planning.
- Multiplatform visual storytelling to amplify messages across various media channels.
Key Technologies Utilized
- Proprietary communication frameworks:
- Heart, Head & Hand®: A methodology focusing on persuasive communication.
- Engagement Equation®: A tool designed to enhance audience engagement.
- Invitational Incline®: A strategy to invite audience participation and feedback.
Primary Markets Targeted
- Corporate sectors seeking to improve internal and external communication.
- Nonprofit organizations aiming to strengthen their storytelling capabilities.
- Philanthropic entities desiring to communicate their impact effectively.
Financials and Funding
Funding History
Specific details regarding Thaler Pekar & Partners' funding history, total funds raised, recent funding rounds, and notable investors are not publicly disclosed. The firm operates as a privately held entity, focusing on providing specialized communication services without external investment.
Intended Utilization of Capital
While detailed financial allocations are not publicly available, the firm's strategic initiatives likely include:
- Expanding their global reach through enhanced digital platforms.
- Developing new proprietary communication methodologies.
- Investing in research and development to stay at the forefront of narrative and communication practices.
Pipeline Development
As a consultancy specializing in communication and narrative services, Thaler Pekar & Partners does not have a traditional product pipeline or clinical trials. Instead, they focus on:
- Developing and refining their proprietary communication methodologies.
- Expanding their portfolio of oral history and story collection projects.
- Enhancing their multiplatform visual storytelling capabilities.
Technological Platform and Innovation
Proprietary Technologies
- Heart, Head & Hand®: A framework designed to enhance persuasive communication by aligning emotional appeal, logical reasoning, and actionable steps.
- Engagement Equation®: A tool aimed at increasing audience engagement through strategic communication techniques.
- Invitational Incline®: A strategy that encourages audience participation and feedback to foster a more inclusive communication environment.
Significant Scientific Methods
- Oral History Collection: Utilizing qualitative research methods to gather and analyze personal narratives, preserving organizational heritage and informing strategic decisions.
- Narrative Analysis: Employing storytelling techniques to craft compelling organizational narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.
AI-Driven Capabilities
While specific AI-driven capabilities are not detailed, the firm's emphasis on multiplatform visual storytelling suggests the potential integration of AI tools for content creation and distribution.
Leadership Team
Thaler Pekar: Founder and CEO
- Professional Background: An award-winning expert in institutional storytelling, Thaler has guided leaders across sectors, including Johnson & Johnson, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Food Banks Canada.
- Key Contributions: Developed proprietary communication methodologies and authored influential works on the ethics of storytelling and participatory narrative.
Kitty Overton: Executive Producer
- Professional Background: Formerly led the strategic content practice at Fenton, overseeing the development of multi-platform digital and broadcast content for foundations, nonprofits, and select brands.
- Key Contributions: Managed creative development and production of purpose-driven strategic content.
Danielle Penabad Fulfree: Engagement Manager
- Professional Background: Directed community outreach for a U.S. Senator and managed member services for New York City's nonprofit umbrella organization.
- Key Contributions: Oversees operations and logistics, ensuring effective communication and engagement strategies.
Jay Rhoderick: Coach and Facilitator
- Professional Background: Coaches executives in high-level pitching, presenting, and negotiating skills; founding member of one of New York's first "long-form" improvisation troupes.
- Key Contributions: Leads creativity efforts and facilitates workshops on developing and delivering TED-style talks.
Tom Bergin: Technical Director
- Professional Background: Worked on documentary features such as "An Inconvenient Truth" and "My Architect," traveling globally to record various projects.
- Key Contributions: Oversees technical services, ensuring consistency and quality in multiplatform visual storytelling.
Rachel Rapaport: Brand and Business Development Leader
- Professional Background: Led strategy and client service for top-tier agencies in NYC and SF, driving impactful results for clients like Microsoft, American Express, and Eli Lilly.
- Key Contributions: Pioneered partnerships and programs, including Ogilvy's long-standing partnership with PS123 through PENCIL.
River Lisius: Digital Content Manager
- Professional Background: Manages digital content, including social media, email newsletters, and website production; works on the communications team at the United Nations Foundation.
- Key Contributions: Oversees the firm's digital presence, ensuring consistent and engaging content across platforms.
Leadership Changes
No recent significant changes or appointments within the company's leadership have been publicly disclosed.
Competitor Profile
Market Insights and Dynamics
The market for organizational communication and narrative consulting is growing, with increasing recognition of the importance of effective storytelling in leadership and organizational success. Companies are investing in communication strategies to enhance internal alignment, external engagement, and brand visibility.
Competitor Analysis
Thaler Pekar & Partners operates in a niche segment, facing competition from firms specializing in corporate communications, public relations, and organizational development. Key competitors may include:
- Fenton: A social change communications agency focusing on purpose-driven content.
- Edelman: A global public relations firm offering a range of communication services.
- McKinsey & Company: Provides organizational development and communication consulting.
Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships
Thaler Pekar & Partners has collaborated with various organizations to enhance their communication strategies, including:
- Novartis: Worked with senior leaders to develop stories of compliance and integrity.
- The Grass Foundation: Gathered oral histories to inform strategic planning.
- L'Oréal International Educators: Developed a communication and story skills academy.
Operational Insights
Thaler Pekar & Partners differentiates itself through its proprietary communication methodologies and a strong emphasis on narrative and storytelling to create compelling organizational messages.