Gartner Expert

Phil Olson

Sr Director Analyst

Phil is a Sr. Director Analyst, Communications Analytics and Technology with more than 20 years of experience driving transformation at the intersection of data, creative, media, and technology. He specializes in helping Communications teams build organizational capacity for understanding sentiment, anticipating emerging issues, and designing data-driven strategic communications. Phil brings hands-on expertise in measurement frameworks for internal and external communications, media monitoring platforms, and audience insights developed through primary, syndicated, and desk research. His rare ability to bridge marketing and communications analytics delivers an integrated view of how martech and commstech align to support shared objectives. Phil is an active practitioner in applying AI and agentic workflows to communications analytics, and his work has been recognized with awards from AMEC and the DMA.

Previous experience

Previously, Phil held senior analytics and insights leadership roles at Porter Novelli and WE Communications, where he advised Fortune 500 clients across corporate reputation, public affairs, brand purpose, and integrated communications. In both roles, he embedded data-driven decision-making into communications strategy and executive advisory work, led audience intelligence and societal trend analysis, and accelerated adoption of AI and advanced analytics to strengthen reputation management and anticipate emerging risks.

Professional background

Porter Novelli, SVP, Global Insights and Analytics, 5 years

Accenture, Sr Manager, 1 years

WE Communications, VP, Insights and Analytics, 3 years

Wunderman, Director, Strategy and Insights, 8 years

Microsoft, Marketing Manager, 8 years

Areas of coverage
  • External Communications

  • Embed Data and Analytics in the Workflows and Culture of Communications

  • Build and Activate the Case to Invest in Stronger Communications Data Capabilities

  • Audit Existing Communications Data Capabilities and Gaps

  • Measure and Demonstrate the Impact of Change Communications

Education

MBA - University of Wisconsin - Madison

BA - University of Wisconsin - Madison

Read More Read Less

Top Issues That I Help Clients Address

01

Communications program measurement. Identify the correct measurement methodologies, tools and metrics to improve decision making. Applicable for internal and external communications.

02

Comms data strategy. Identify data sources needed to implement an effective measurement and audience insights strategy. Applicable for internal and external communications.

03

Measurement frameworks: Align data sources, metrics and business objectives to create a holistic view of program impact. Applicable for internal and external communications.

04

Audience insights. Provide guidance for integrating disparate data (i.e. primary research, syndicated research, platform data) to create target audience insight around needs, attitudes and behavior.

05

Media monitoring best practices. Provide guidance for optimizing media monitoring including recommendations for implementing top media lists, Boolean search help, media quality score and sentiment