- Forbes Communications Council
- Posts
- Smarter Messaging, Stronger Connections
Smarter Messaging, Stronger Connections
Discover how communication audits, RCS marketing, and smarter attribution strategies can elevate your 2026 plans.
🎉 Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence in Leadership and Community 🎉
In today’s Marketing Pulse, gain insight into how:
Auditing your internal communications can uncover stronger channels, fresh content strategies, and ways to better reach overlooked employee segments.
Rich Communication Services (RCS) is revolutionizing mobile marketing with branded, interactive messaging that drives deeper customer engagement.
Rethinking attribution models can turn an imperfect system into a practical tool for smarter, curiosity-driven marketing decisions.
These articles are penned by members of Forbes Communications Council, key marketing and communications leaders shaping the future of these fields.
Let’s dive in!
Audit Essentials: Fine-Tuning Internal Communications Before 2026
As you gear up to plan and budget for 2026, it’s the perfect time to take a closer look at your internal communications. An audit can reveal what’s working, what’s not, and where untapped opportunities lie. It’s not just about channels, it’s about engagement strategies, creative formats, and reaching overlooked employee segments.
Below are some key findings you might uncover:
📬 Is the Channel Broken—Or the Approach? Emails too long or irrelevant? Try a weekly, digest-style format with concise summaries and graphics. Underperforming intranet? It might be a UX overhaul, not the platform itself, that’s needed.
🎨 Invest in Fresh, Engaging Formats: Ditch walls of text; think infographics, snackable content, or animated videos. Leverage leadership videos or podcasts for messages requiring depth and context.
📡 Reaching the Unreached Workforce: Address barriers like access, lack of translations, or platform awareness. Prioritize strategies for hard-to-reach non-desk or region-specific employees.

Still Interested in Forbes Communications Council?
As a member, you'll receive:
- Publishing Opportunities: to share your expert insights on Forbes.com through Expert Panels and bylined articles.
- Executive Profile: a professional, SEO-friendly profile on Forbes.com.
- Networking Benefits: access to a member portal to connect with other world-class marketing and communications leaders.
- And Much More: from premium travel and lifestyle benefits to exclusive virtual knowledge-sharing events, members join to learn and grow with their peers.
Click the button below to continue your application today.

Mobile Marketing 2.0: Why RCS Is a Game-Changer
Marketers, take note: Rich Communication Services is redefining how brands engage audiences on their smartphones. Think of RCS as the next evolution of SMS—offering rich media, interactive elements, and branded experiences that leave basic text messages in the dust.
Here’s what you need to know about this exciting opportunity:
📱 RCS vs. SMS: A New Standard: Transform plain texts into branded, visual-rich messages with logos, GIFs, and videos. Add interactive features like carousels, reply buttons, and seamless in-app actions. Lastly, gain real-time analytics—track read receipts and boost campaign measurement.
🛒 RCS In Action: Messaging —> Revenue: Send order updates with product images, real-time tracking, and support buttons. Streamline shopping with in-app product galleries and seamless checkout flows. Run eye-catching promotions with GIFs, dynamic CTAs, and shareable offers.
🔮 What’s Next? Expect hyper-personalization, AR integrations, and secure in-app payments as RCS matures. SMS remains vital for critical alerts, but RCS sets the bar for engagement-driven campaigns.
Attribution: Moving Past the Chase for Perfection
In marketing, attribution often feels like the elusive "holy grail"—a promise of clarity that turns into a source of frustration. The truth? No model tells the entire story. But rethinking how we use attribution can turn it into a practical, insightful tool.
Here’s all you need to know:
🔀 Choosing the Right Model for the Moment
Last Click: Simple but ignores earlier touchpoints that nudge conversion.
Multitouch: Fairer but hampered by gaps in privacy-safe data.
MMM: Big-picture insights but slow and pricey—ideal for long-term planning.
Platform Reports: Convenient but biased; take with caution.
âť“ The Questions That Truly Matter
Are you evaluating efficiency or long-term growth?
Is this about fast next steps or deeper past insights?
Are you reporting to leaders or allocating budgets?
Wrapping Up
If these articles sparked your interest, we have a network that you will absolutely love: Forbes Communications Council.
This exclusive, vetted community brings together the brightest minds in marketing and communications — founders, CEOs, CCOs, CMOs, and other senior leaders of marketing and communications teams.
Put yourself at the forefront of innovation with access to publishing opportunities on Forbes.com, a personalized, SEO-friendly Executive Profile, and the chance to network with other respected leaders in the field.
Join Forbes Communications Council today, and become part of a group driving transformation in marketing.