Episode 39: Path to CCO+ with Anthony Farina

About this episode

Tara McDonagh interviews Anthony Farina about the journey to senior leadership in communications and the essential skills required for success.

Welcome to the Communications Business Advisor™ podcast with host Tara McDonagh. In this episode, Tara sits down with Anthony Farina , a seasoned global communications leader whose career spans journalism, government, and corporate communications at the highest levels. Anthony currently leads Corporate Communications for Fujifilm in the Americas and previously served as Chief Communications Officer at CSL, where he built a global communications function from the ground up. Together, Tara and Anthony explore what it really takes to grow into senior leadership in communications — not just in title, but in influence. From building strategy-first teams and earning executive trust, to navigating career trade-offs, mentoring the next generation, and giving back to the field, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and lived experience. In this episode, Tara and Anthony cover: Why Communications should be treated as a vocation Why great CCOs focus on three things: strategy and governance, removing obstacles, and being the team's chief cheerleader Building a global communications team from zero to 65 people How to prove the value of communications through strategy Challenging…

People in this episode

Host: Tara McDonagh

Guest: Anthony Farina

Topics covered

• senior leadership in communications
• building strategy-first teams
• mentoring the next generation
• navigating career trade-offs
• diverse backgrounds in hiring
• value of communications
• listening as a leadership skill

Keywords

• communications leadership
• CCO
• global communications
• career growth
• team building
• executive trust
• professional development

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Fujifilm, CSL

More episodes of Communications Business Advisor

• Episode 45: The Strategy That's Still in Your Head · April 20, 2026 · 20 min
• Episode 44: Long-Term Planning Is Dead (No, It Isn't) · April 6, 2026 · 18 min
• Episode 43: Thinking Alone Has a Leadership Ceiling · March 23, 2026 · 20 min
• Episode 42: When Helpfulness Becomes a Career Ceiling · March 9, 2026 · 18 min
• Episode 41: When Everything Feels Heavy, You Might Need More · February 23, 2026 · 18 min
• Episode 40: Path to CCO+ with Laura Duda · February 9, 2026 · 45 min