News
Torrenzano professionals are often called on by media to comment on important issues. Following are select observations:
Latest News

Could the Next Campaign Scandal Be Completely Fake?
By Richard Torrenzano | Tuesday, 10 June 2025 04:28 PM EDT We May Be Seeing the Advent of Politics in an Age of Deepfakes When federal investigators started probing an impersonator targeting White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, it wasn’t just a Washington D.C. oddity — it actually was a warning shot. The impersonator […]

Command the Conversation – New eBook – Emerges as Definitive Leaders Guide to Engagement and Influence in an AI Driven Global Digital Era
New York, NY, June 10, 2025 — Command the Conversation: Next Level Communications Techniques, a powerful new resource for contemporary leaders launched today. The eBook transforms how executives engage, inspire and influence in an AI driven global digital era. Packed with high-impact ideas and strategies, this playbook provides the ultimate competitive edge for today’s decision makers […]

The Founding Fathers Used Their Real Names, But Deepfakes Use Yours
AI driven attacks are escalating at relentless peed. They don’t need to be perfect — just convincing plausible long enough to mislead, provoke, disrupt and destabilize trust. Is your leadership ready? What is the most lethal artificial intelligence attack an adversary could execute against your company’s reputation, and has that scenario been stress-tested at the board […]

Trump’s Global Reset Invokes McKinley and Will Bring Rewards
Trade turmoil didn’t shake markets — this week, it shattered them. Business leaders can take steps to survive extreme volatility. Remember, capital markets punish silence, adrift and weak leadership. So, what should business leaders do? China’s Ploys Won’t Wreck U.S. Investor Confidence, or Trump’s McKinley-Style Strategies China’s Ploys Won’t Wreck U.S. Investor Confidence, or Trump’s […]

AI Risks Are Multiplying. Last Year’s Rulebook Might as Well Be a Rotary Phone
Side-channel attacks and reputation attacks through AI enabled manipulation are not plot points in the latest dystopian thriller—they’re boardroom-level threats, happening now in real-time. AI isn’t just transforming business; it’s ballooning risk and exposing organizations to new, complex vulnerabilities that demand fresh approaches to crisis management. Deepfakes, phishing attacks, algorithmic bias, backdoors, trojans, data poisoning, supply chain vulnerabilities, side-channel attacks, and reputation […]

Strengthening Trust and Reputation in a World Impacted by Social Media
Social media has transcended marketing. It’s now a high-stakes battleground where corporate reputations, data ownership and legal risks collide. Now AI-driven platforms monetize user content, turning every post into potential profit, liability or security threats. Are companies are equipped to protect executives, safeguard proprietary information and stay ahead of relentless political and regulatory shifts. When […]

Media’s Great Wake-Up Calls… From Outrage to Common Sense
The fight for free press isn’t just about journalism—it’s about protecting democracy and upholding the foundation of an informed society. Explore how prioritizing truth over partisanship strengthens strategic decision-making, safeguards reputations and empowers citizens. Last week, Jeff Bezos just did something rare in today’s media landscape: he embraced common sense. Under his ownership, The Washington Post, in a bold […]

Nothing Subtle About China’s Ambitions: All Are Bad News
Is CCP hiding ambitions behind diplomacy and trade? It’s actions say it all. Today, China’s leadership is assertive, tightly controlled and increasingly at odds with the world that once welcomed its rise. OPINION Bad News Always Comes with a ‘Made in China’ Label, And — a No Return Policy For more than a week, the Australian Navy […]

Economic Strategy: Reasserting U.S. Power
President Trump’s Economic Strategy: Tariffs, Trade Wars, Reasserting U.S. Power This past Saturday, President Trump imposed tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, a bold reaffirmation of his America First economic strategy. By targeting key industries — steel, aluminum, and automobiles — he signals that weak trade deals and unchecked foreign competition are over. He acknowledged short-term strain […]

Spending $10 million on a Super Bowl ad…is like buying a giant billboard that faces the wrong way
The Super Bowl rematch between the Chiefs and Eagles will not lack drama—or advertisers wasting marketing budgets. The decision-making behind these Super Bowl ads sometimes feels like it happens during a two-minute warning, with executives hurling terms like “cultural footprint” while silently hoping nobody asks, “What’s our ROI again?” By late fall, Fox sold out advertising spots […]

AI Is Getting an Undeserved Bad Rap
Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept, it’s transforming industries and rewriting the rules of competition.From precision healthcare to dynamic pricing, AI is accelerating decisions and unlocking new global markets. Why the Hype, Fear, and Future All Matter Artificial Intelligence (AI) has a reputation problem. Depending on whom you ask, it’s either humanity’s best […]

Atkins as SEC Chair Could Bring Needed Regulatory Clarity
2025 is shaping up to be a watershed year for the SEC and Paul Atkins nomination signals a significant shift for the agency. The big question is whether Atkins can strike that balance effectively and reorient the SEC to address pivotal concerns without stifling innovation. Financial Markets Watch Closely as Paul Atkins Steps Toward SEC […]

ESG and United Nations: Legacy of Unfulfilled Promises and Disconnect
There has been a swift change in the momentum of ESG in the US … with businesses shifting to an era of accountability, emphasizing measurable outcomes and operational excellence. This is a strategic pivot toward meaningful, value-driven practices that prioritize real impact over image. Momentum against Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) in the U.S. is intensifying, as […]

Trump’s Trade Policies a Wake Up Call for Global CEOs to Act
Donald J. Trump’s imminent return to the White House brings a powerful shift in trade policies, urging top executives to reimagine their global strategies and capitalize on emerging opportunities. OPINION From China with Tariffs As President-elect Donald Trump begins his second term on Jan. 20, the new administration is sharpening focus on fair and balanced […]


In 2025, every crisis is instant and public—and trust evaporates in just 2 hours
In today’s AI-driven era, crises unfold at ludicrous speed and magnitude, leaving leaders with just two hours to act before reputation and damage spirals out of control. Delete last year’s crisis strategies. They are already outdated. Unprecedented developments make it feel as if 2025 is hurtling toward us at ludicrous velocity, requiring leaders to seize […]

Shifts Disrupt Stability, Ignite U.S. Business Success
The global economy is at a crossroads. G-7 nations are mired in political missteps and economic uncertainty, while Trump’s return to power reshapes the U.S. and reignites global tensions. Despite the chaos, this moment presents a rare opportunity for U.S. businesses to lead decisively. Sweeping Shifts Disrupt Stability, Ignite U.S. Business Success New Era of […]

The AI Consumer Class Action Threat Is Not A Hallucination
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries … but for CEOs and General Counsels, the next big disruption may come in courtrooms. Regulators are laser-focused on consumer fraud, ethical failures and compliance gaps, creating a legal minefield for companies betting big on AI. This isn’t just a warning. Leaders must move beyond reactive compliance; transparency and […]

High-Stakes Horizon: 6 Corporate Counsel Challenges that Define Business’s Future
AI is rewriting the rules of corporate leadership, forcing companies to tackle emerging regulations, ethical dilemmas and viral reputational risks head-on. Read our bold roadmap for navigating AI’s challenges, from cybersecurity to compliance, with actionable strategies for aligning innovation with governance while staying competitive. The next two to three years will radically redefine “high stakes” […]

Trump’s Back: Prepare for New Regulatory, Tariff Twists
The Trump administration’s agenda is expected reduce regulations and federal oversight … reshaping industries globally. In an era of regulatory transformation and heightened demands for transparency, leaders who rise above the noise will reshape the future. Less Gov’t Oversight Doesn’t Always Translate to Lessened Burdens on Business Donald J. Trump’s return to the White House in […]

Warren Buffett Was Right: 5 Minutes Can Wreak Havoc
Stakeholder engagement is undergoing a massive transformation. The rapid integration of AI and increasing activist pressure have made the business landscape more dynamic. Corporate leaders, stakeholders and strategists now face higher risk and stakes in navigating this evolving or becoming a cautionary tale in this digital era. “It takes 20 years to build a reputation […]

Round-the-Clock Trading: Will Wall Street Silence Opening and Closing Bells?
Wall Street is on the verge of a major transformation, as the NYSE surveys financial firms and considers 24-hour trading. The iconic opening and closing bells may soon be relics of the past, replaced by a nonstop global market driven by technology and institutional demand. As this seismic shift looms, board, management, law and other […]

Free speech faces death by 1,000 cuts as tech, media, and politics clash
Free speech is being dismantled—but not with a sledgehammer in a single dramatic action. When we lose open dialogue, we lose more than just words—we lose the ability to challenge unfair practices and push for change. In George Orwell’s classic 1984, published in 1949, warnings about the dangers of Big Brother and state-controlled media echo the chilling realities of censorship we see […]

Public confidence in U.S. institutions has never been lower. It’s time to make America trust again
Globally, erosion of trust weakens international alliances, disrupts global economic stability, and damages America’s credibility. Explore how distrust undermines the effectiveness of the democratic process, fuels polarization and risks instability. “Trust is like the air we breathe—when it’s present, nobody really notices; when it’s absent, everybody notices,” Warren Buffett once famously said. Today, much like air being […]

The Disney Slack Hack Attack: Actions to Guard Your Kingdom
NullBulge’s leak of sensitive data from Disney’s internal Slack accounts, including strategic ad campaign discussions and studio technology, not only exposed the company to unwarranted scrutiny but also revealed critical details about its website, software and future projects. Technology alone is not the answer. In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, key cyber strategies, coupled with […]

Tackling Reputational Risks with AI
AI significantly amplifies business risks from negative customer experiences, ethical lapses, emerging deepfake technology, product recalls, leaks, data breaches and social media backlash. These threats severely damage reputation, impacting financial performance and equity value. Conversely, organizations implementing robust AI-driven risk controls can expand insurance coverage and protect against revenue loss caused by reputational damage and […]

Gen Z workers are rediscovering interpersonal skills in the post-pandemic AI era—and the stakes couldn’t be higher
We are operating in a new era, dominated by artificial intelligence (AI) and excessive digital communication, with virtual interactions that reign supreme. This shift raises significant concerns, including the perils of an over-reliance on or addiction to technology, diminished face-to-face engagement, decreased physical activity, and potential mental health repercussions. As technology advances at warp speed, […]

24/7 trading is already in full swing. Now Wall Street is considering ditching the opening and closing bells altogether
Global trading today follows the sun. Outside U.S. market hours, major listed stocks continue to trade through dual listings in Tokyo to London, or as unregistered securities in many foreign financial markets in between. So why is the NYSE now gauging market players opinions on the possibility of trading its listed stocks “Round the Clock?” […]

The Looming Danger of Deepfakes
Combating deepfakes requires more than just a technological solution. Many corporate cultures, business leaders and advisors are simply not prepared to respond at digital warp speed when AI deepfake attacks occur. Understanding what is happening, why it is happening, how it can escalate — as well as what leaders need to do — and not […]

AI is reshaping financial forecasts and disclosure–and making language more important than ever
Gone are the days of relying entirely on traditional financial metrics as AI transforms how forecasters rate and dissect financial health of companies. Do CEOs understand how AI captures their words…or is it lost in translation? Learn how market analysis at AI warp speed is monitoring and evaluating news, financial forums and social media, and […]

Annual general meetings have been getting increasingly raucous. Expect them to be chaotic in 2024
Annual general meetings (AGMs) have been getting more raucous. Expect them to be chaotic in 2024 as a surge in activist engagement, amplified by 24/7 news and social media modifies and magnifies stakeholder perceptions. Despite preparation and rehearsal, advocacy groups will attack AGMs and virtual shareholder meetings (VSMs) at warp speed … and unfortunately, their […]

Get Your Virtual Meeting Game in Shape
You would think all would have mastered virtual meeting protocols by now … that assumption is debatable. Here are five brief, cautionary and humorous observations about virtual calls that may be helpful insights. As we kick off 2024 and reflect on previous years, one undeniable truth surfaces – we’ve all been drowning in virtual meetings […]

Simplicity Poses a Greater Task then Complexity Timeless Wisdom for Today’s CEO
Did Warren Buffett possess foresight that others missed? In an unfiltered CEO or company voice, news releases emerge as robust tools to reinforce messages, articulate vision, explain or signal shifts in strategy and define significance of new products for users and stakeholders as well serve as enduring records in instantly searchable databases. Richard Torrenzano highlights […]

Could the Next Campaign Scandal Be Completely Fake?
By Richard Torrenzano | Tuesday, 10 June 2025 04:28 PM EDT We May Be Seeing the Advent of Politics in an Age of Deepfakes When federal investigators started probing an impersonator targeting White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, it wasn’t just a Washington D.C. oddity — it actually was a warning shot. The impersonator […]

Command the Conversation – New eBook – Emerges as Definitive Leaders Guide to Engagement and Influence in an AI Driven Global Digital Era
New York, NY, June 10, 2025 — Command the Conversation: Next Level Communications Techniques, a powerful new resource for contemporary leaders launched today. The eBook transforms how executives engage, inspire and influence in an AI driven global digital era. Packed with high-impact ideas and strategies, this playbook provides the ultimate competitive edge for today’s decision makers […]

The Founding Fathers Used Their Real Names, But Deepfakes Use Yours
AI driven attacks are escalating at relentless peed. They don’t need to be perfect — just convincing plausible long enough to mislead, provoke, disrupt and destabilize trust. Is your leadership ready? What is the most lethal artificial intelligence attack an adversary could execute against your company’s reputation, and has that scenario been stress-tested at the board […]

Trump’s Global Reset Invokes McKinley and Will Bring Rewards
Trade turmoil didn’t shake markets — this week, it shattered them. Business leaders can take steps to survive extreme volatility. Remember, capital markets punish silence, adrift and weak leadership. So, what should business leaders do? China’s Ploys Won’t Wreck U.S. Investor Confidence, or Trump’s McKinley-Style Strategies China’s Ploys Won’t Wreck U.S. Investor Confidence, or Trump’s […]

AI Risks Are Multiplying. Last Year’s Rulebook Might as Well Be a Rotary Phone
Side-channel attacks and reputation attacks through AI enabled manipulation are not plot points in the latest dystopian thriller—they’re boardroom-level threats, happening now in real-time. AI isn’t just transforming business; it’s ballooning risk and exposing organizations to new, complex vulnerabilities that demand fresh approaches to crisis management. Deepfakes, phishing attacks, algorithmic bias, backdoors, trojans, data poisoning, supply chain vulnerabilities, side-channel attacks, and reputation […]

Strengthening Trust and Reputation in a World Impacted by Social Media
Social media has transcended marketing. It’s now a high-stakes battleground where corporate reputations, data ownership and legal risks collide. Now AI-driven platforms monetize user content, turning every post into potential profit, liability or security threats. Are companies are equipped to protect executives, safeguard proprietary information and stay ahead of relentless political and regulatory shifts. When […]

Media’s Great Wake-Up Calls… From Outrage to Common Sense
The fight for free press isn’t just about journalism—it’s about protecting democracy and upholding the foundation of an informed society. Explore how prioritizing truth over partisanship strengthens strategic decision-making, safeguards reputations and empowers citizens. Last week, Jeff Bezos just did something rare in today’s media landscape: he embraced common sense. Under his ownership, The Washington Post, in a bold […]

Nothing Subtle About China’s Ambitions: All Are Bad News
Is CCP hiding ambitions behind diplomacy and trade? It’s actions say it all. Today, China’s leadership is assertive, tightly controlled and increasingly at odds with the world that once welcomed its rise. OPINION Bad News Always Comes with a ‘Made in China’ Label, And — a No Return Policy For more than a week, the Australian Navy […]

Economic Strategy: Reasserting U.S. Power
President Trump’s Economic Strategy: Tariffs, Trade Wars, Reasserting U.S. Power This past Saturday, President Trump imposed tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, a bold reaffirmation of his America First economic strategy. By targeting key industries — steel, aluminum, and automobiles — he signals that weak trade deals and unchecked foreign competition are over. He acknowledged short-term strain […]

Spending $10 million on a Super Bowl ad…is like buying a giant billboard that faces the wrong way
The Super Bowl rematch between the Chiefs and Eagles will not lack drama—or advertisers wasting marketing budgets. The decision-making behind these Super Bowl ads sometimes feels like it happens during a two-minute warning, with executives hurling terms like “cultural footprint” while silently hoping nobody asks, “What’s our ROI again?” By late fall, Fox sold out advertising spots […]

AI Is Getting an Undeserved Bad Rap
Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept, it’s transforming industries and rewriting the rules of competition.From precision healthcare to dynamic pricing, AI is accelerating decisions and unlocking new global markets. Why the Hype, Fear, and Future All Matter Artificial Intelligence (AI) has a reputation problem. Depending on whom you ask, it’s either humanity’s best […]

Atkins as SEC Chair Could Bring Needed Regulatory Clarity
2025 is shaping up to be a watershed year for the SEC and Paul Atkins nomination signals a significant shift for the agency. The big question is whether Atkins can strike that balance effectively and reorient the SEC to address pivotal concerns without stifling innovation. Financial Markets Watch Closely as Paul Atkins Steps Toward SEC […]

ESG and United Nations: Legacy of Unfulfilled Promises and Disconnect
There has been a swift change in the momentum of ESG in the US … with businesses shifting to an era of accountability, emphasizing measurable outcomes and operational excellence. This is a strategic pivot toward meaningful, value-driven practices that prioritize real impact over image. Momentum against Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) in the U.S. is intensifying, as […]

Trump’s Trade Policies a Wake Up Call for Global CEOs to Act
Donald J. Trump’s imminent return to the White House brings a powerful shift in trade policies, urging top executives to reimagine their global strategies and capitalize on emerging opportunities. OPINION From China with Tariffs As President-elect Donald Trump begins his second term on Jan. 20, the new administration is sharpening focus on fair and balanced […]


In 2025, every crisis is instant and public—and trust evaporates in just 2 hours
In today’s AI-driven era, crises unfold at ludicrous speed and magnitude, leaving leaders with just two hours to act before reputation and damage spirals out of control. Delete last year’s crisis strategies. They are already outdated. Unprecedented developments make it feel as if 2025 is hurtling toward us at ludicrous velocity, requiring leaders to seize […]

Shifts Disrupt Stability, Ignite U.S. Business Success
The global economy is at a crossroads. G-7 nations are mired in political missteps and economic uncertainty, while Trump’s return to power reshapes the U.S. and reignites global tensions. Despite the chaos, this moment presents a rare opportunity for U.S. businesses to lead decisively. Sweeping Shifts Disrupt Stability, Ignite U.S. Business Success New Era of […]

The AI Consumer Class Action Threat Is Not A Hallucination
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries … but for CEOs and General Counsels, the next big disruption may come in courtrooms. Regulators are laser-focused on consumer fraud, ethical failures and compliance gaps, creating a legal minefield for companies betting big on AI. This isn’t just a warning. Leaders must move beyond reactive compliance; transparency and […]

High-Stakes Horizon: 6 Corporate Counsel Challenges that Define Business’s Future
AI is rewriting the rules of corporate leadership, forcing companies to tackle emerging regulations, ethical dilemmas and viral reputational risks head-on. Read our bold roadmap for navigating AI’s challenges, from cybersecurity to compliance, with actionable strategies for aligning innovation with governance while staying competitive. The next two to three years will radically redefine “high stakes” […]

Trump’s Back: Prepare for New Regulatory, Tariff Twists
The Trump administration’s agenda is expected reduce regulations and federal oversight … reshaping industries globally. In an era of regulatory transformation and heightened demands for transparency, leaders who rise above the noise will reshape the future. Less Gov’t Oversight Doesn’t Always Translate to Lessened Burdens on Business Donald J. Trump’s return to the White House in […]

Warren Buffett Was Right: 5 Minutes Can Wreak Havoc
Stakeholder engagement is undergoing a massive transformation. The rapid integration of AI and increasing activist pressure have made the business landscape more dynamic. Corporate leaders, stakeholders and strategists now face higher risk and stakes in navigating this evolving or becoming a cautionary tale in this digital era. “It takes 20 years to build a reputation […]

Round-the-Clock Trading: Will Wall Street Silence Opening and Closing Bells?
Wall Street is on the verge of a major transformation, as the NYSE surveys financial firms and considers 24-hour trading. The iconic opening and closing bells may soon be relics of the past, replaced by a nonstop global market driven by technology and institutional demand. As this seismic shift looms, board, management, law and other […]

Free speech faces death by 1,000 cuts as tech, media, and politics clash
Free speech is being dismantled—but not with a sledgehammer in a single dramatic action. When we lose open dialogue, we lose more than just words—we lose the ability to challenge unfair practices and push for change. In George Orwell’s classic 1984, published in 1949, warnings about the dangers of Big Brother and state-controlled media echo the chilling realities of censorship we see […]

Public confidence in U.S. institutions has never been lower. It’s time to make America trust again
Globally, erosion of trust weakens international alliances, disrupts global economic stability, and damages America’s credibility. Explore how distrust undermines the effectiveness of the democratic process, fuels polarization and risks instability. “Trust is like the air we breathe—when it’s present, nobody really notices; when it’s absent, everybody notices,” Warren Buffett once famously said. Today, much like air being […]

The Disney Slack Hack Attack: Actions to Guard Your Kingdom
NullBulge’s leak of sensitive data from Disney’s internal Slack accounts, including strategic ad campaign discussions and studio technology, not only exposed the company to unwarranted scrutiny but also revealed critical details about its website, software and future projects. Technology alone is not the answer. In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, key cyber strategies, coupled with […]

Tackling Reputational Risks with AI
AI significantly amplifies business risks from negative customer experiences, ethical lapses, emerging deepfake technology, product recalls, leaks, data breaches and social media backlash. These threats severely damage reputation, impacting financial performance and equity value. Conversely, organizations implementing robust AI-driven risk controls can expand insurance coverage and protect against revenue loss caused by reputational damage and […]

Gen Z workers are rediscovering interpersonal skills in the post-pandemic AI era—and the stakes couldn’t be higher
We are operating in a new era, dominated by artificial intelligence (AI) and excessive digital communication, with virtual interactions that reign supreme. This shift raises significant concerns, including the perils of an over-reliance on or addiction to technology, diminished face-to-face engagement, decreased physical activity, and potential mental health repercussions. As technology advances at warp speed, […]

24/7 trading is already in full swing. Now Wall Street is considering ditching the opening and closing bells altogether
Global trading today follows the sun. Outside U.S. market hours, major listed stocks continue to trade through dual listings in Tokyo to London, or as unregistered securities in many foreign financial markets in between. So why is the NYSE now gauging market players opinions on the possibility of trading its listed stocks “Round the Clock?” […]

The Looming Danger of Deepfakes
Combating deepfakes requires more than just a technological solution. Many corporate cultures, business leaders and advisors are simply not prepared to respond at digital warp speed when AI deepfake attacks occur. Understanding what is happening, why it is happening, how it can escalate — as well as what leaders need to do — and not […]

AI is reshaping financial forecasts and disclosure–and making language more important than ever
Gone are the days of relying entirely on traditional financial metrics as AI transforms how forecasters rate and dissect financial health of companies. Do CEOs understand how AI captures their words…or is it lost in translation? Learn how market analysis at AI warp speed is monitoring and evaluating news, financial forums and social media, and […]

Annual general meetings have been getting increasingly raucous. Expect them to be chaotic in 2024
Annual general meetings (AGMs) have been getting more raucous. Expect them to be chaotic in 2024 as a surge in activist engagement, amplified by 24/7 news and social media modifies and magnifies stakeholder perceptions. Despite preparation and rehearsal, advocacy groups will attack AGMs and virtual shareholder meetings (VSMs) at warp speed … and unfortunately, their […]

Get Your Virtual Meeting Game in Shape
You would think all would have mastered virtual meeting protocols by now … that assumption is debatable. Here are five brief, cautionary and humorous observations about virtual calls that may be helpful insights. As we kick off 2024 and reflect on previous years, one undeniable truth surfaces – we’ve all been drowning in virtual meetings […]

Simplicity Poses a Greater Task then Complexity Timeless Wisdom for Today’s CEO
Did Warren Buffett possess foresight that others missed? In an unfiltered CEO or company voice, news releases emerge as robust tools to reinforce messages, articulate vision, explain or signal shifts in strategy and define significance of new products for users and stakeholders as well serve as enduring records in instantly searchable databases. Richard Torrenzano highlights […]