Anna Palmer, Founder and CEO of Punchbowl News, Named Chief Influencer

The Communications Board names Anna Palmer, founder and CEO of Punchbowl News, a Chief Influencer.

What does it take to build a trusted news brand in an era defined by information overload and AI disruption? In this episode of Chief Influencer, Anna Palmer shares how she co-founded Punchbowl News during the height of the pandemic. She explains how this platform turned it into one of Washington’s most influential media platforms by focusing on people, power, and politics.

With a reporter’s instinct and an entrepreneur’s mindset, Anna walks us through how treating subscribers as community members fueled the company’s growth through newsletters, premium content, podcasts, and live events.

Anna’s approach to influence is rooted in authenticity, trust, and clarity. She explains why human-centered reporting remains essential in the age of AI, and how multimedia storytelling and consistent delivery have helped Punchbowl News rise above the noise. From Capitol Hill corridors to social media feeds, Anna reflects on how today’s journalists must be agile, unscripted, and deeply connected to their audiences.

Host: Anthony Shop
Guest: Anna Palmer
Producer: The Communications Board
Sponsor: The George Washington University College of Professional Studies

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