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Collin Canright

Canright Calendar

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Christina Canright

The Canright Calendar is a weekly email of networking events in Chicago. View all of our events here. Sign up for the list here. If you have any other suggestions you’d like us to consider, send them to Alexandra at alexandra@canrightcommunications.com.

WEEK OF 09-12-2025

This season brings opportunities to explore leadership, innovation, and the future of business across Chicago. From a fireside conversation with Valerie Jarrett on legacy and impact, to a hands-on Meta AI workshop for small businesses, to the Federal Reserve Bank’s 25th Annual Payments Forum, these programs bring together voices shaping progress across industries. Don’t miss your chance to gain insights and strategies that inspire action and drive growth.

Groundbreakers: Valerie Jarrett on Making Change, Legacy, and Leading from Chicago
Executives’ Club of Chicago
Sept. 18, 2025
University Club of Chicago
76 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL
Join the Executives’ Club of Chicago for an intimate, members-only fireside conversation between two visionary leaders as they reflect on what it means to lead from a place of purpose, community, and bold ambition. With the Obama Presidential Center set to open in 2026 on Chicago’s South Side, this moment offers more than celebration — it’s a call to action.

Together, we’ll explore how the Center will serve as a new civic anchor, a platform for global leadership development, and a catalyst for community-rooted economic opportunity — all through the lens of values-driven leadership.

Expect to walk away with:

– A deeper understanding of the Obama Foundation’s vision — and what it means for Chicago
– Insight into how institutions can drive inclusive growth and next-gen leadership-
– Inspiration for how legacy and impact can be shaped at both the neighborhood and global level
– This is more than a conversation about a building — it’s about what we choose to build together.
Register

Harnessing AI for Business
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
Sept. 29, 2025
Wrigley Building
410 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 900, Chicago, IL
Join the Chicagoland Chamber and Meta on Monday, September 29 for a free, in person hand on workshop designed for small business owners and teams with beginner to intermediate AI experience. Discover how to harness Meta AI to scale your business efficiency across marketing, operations, sales, and more.

In this interactive workshop, you’ll:
– Learn expert tips to craft better AI prompts and get faster, higher-quality results
– Experience live demos using Meta AI to create on-brand content
– Build a personalized 1-page brand voice guide tailored to your business
– Explore practical AI workflows and scaling strategies to streamline your daily tasks
– Collaborate and learn from peers to uncover new AI use cases for growth and scaling
– Live Q&A with digital marketing experts

Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your business with AI-powered efficiency and creativity! Doors open for networking and light refreshments at 11:30 AM with programming beginning promptly at 12:00 PM.
Register

25th Annual Chicago Payments Forum
Oct. 8 – 9, 2025
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
230 S. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s annual payments forum includes panels on Global Payments, Embedded Payment Innovation, Instant Payments, and Blockchain and Retail Payments. Keynote speeches will also showcase Federal Reserve leaders and industry experts with insights on innovation and our digital future, plus the geopolitical, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence risk landscape.
Register

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month — a time to honor the strength of children and families impacted by cancer, raise awareness of the challenges they face, and spotlight the urgent need for research and support. Every year, nearly 15,000 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer, and while survival rates have improved, it remains the leading cause of death by disease among children. This month, we are reminded of the importance of advocacy, research, and community support in bringing hope and better outcomes to young patients and their families.

Arts Corner
Canright account manager Alexandra Sulack is an opera singer and voice teacher. She curates arts recommendations for you.

Mr. Wolf
Sept. 11 – Nov. 2, 2025
Steppenwolf Theatre Company
12 years ago, Theresa was stolen from her parents. Now a precocious 15-year-old, she has been rescued and returned to a family that had nearly forsaken hope—a family she neither recognizes nor understands. In ensemble member Rajiv Joseph’s unflinching play, a miraculous reunion sets the stage for provocative conversations: what makes a house a home? What nightmares are we willing to face for the sake of our children? And ultimately, what part do we play in the grand saga of human existence?

Tickets & More Info

If you have any other suggestions you’d like us to consider, send them to Alexandra at alexandra@canrightcommunications.com.

Balance AI with Original Thought Leadership: Why Your Voice Still Matters

AI is changing the way we create content. From idea generation to drafting copy, tools like ChatGPT and Claude are making it faster—and in some ways easier—to produce articles, white papers, and social media posts.

But here’s the catch: AI can’t replace your voice.

At Canright Communications, we embrace generative AI as a smart, strategic tool—but never as a substitute for original thought, deep expertise, or authentic storytelling. And in a world where AI-generated content is everywhere, the best way to stand out is to say something only you can say.

Why Original Thought Leadership Still Wins

While AI is helpful for scaling routine content or repackaging existing ideas, real thought leadership goes deeper. It brings forward:

– Unique perspectives from real experience

– Expert analysis of trends and challenges

– Stories only your organization can tell

– Practical insights your audience can’t find anywhere else

Original content builds trust. It positions your business as a leader in your field—not just another voice echoing what’s already out there.

How We Blend AI and Human Insight

At Canright, we use AI to support and speed up parts of the writing process. It can help us brainstorm angles, generate outlines, or draft initial versions of basic content. But the final product? That’s always shaped, edited, and fine-tuned by a real writer—someone who understands your brand, your industry, and your voice.

Our process includes:

Original Executive Bylines
We ghostwrite articles that reflect the vision, experience, and expertise of your leadership team. These are not generic thought pieces—they’re strategic narratives aligned with your brand and your goals.

Client Case Studies
Real success stories resonate more than any AI-generated paragraph ever could. We interview your clients, dig into the problem-solving, and craft compelling stories that show the value of your work in action.

Expert Q&As and White Papers
We take subject matter expert insights and turn them into professional, digestible content that educates and inspires your target audience.

    AI can help you move quickly—but original content makes you memorable.

    Stand Out in a Sea of Sameness

    In an AI-powered content landscape, your edge is simple: be human. Bring forward your ideas, your expertise, and your stories—and let us help you turn them into thought leadership that gets attention.

    Whether you’re looking to strengthen your voice, grow your influence, or support a bigger marketing strategy, Canright Communications delivers clear, compelling content that strikes the right balance between efficiency and originality.

    Ready to improve your brand with thought leadership that only you can deliver? Let’s start a conversation!

    To learn more about our services, contact us at collin@canrightcommunications.com.

    How Claude AI Reworked My LinkedIn Post

    🚀 The Future of Digital Assets: Seeking Insights & Opportunities

    Hey crypto enthusiasts and financial innovators! 👋 As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of digital assets in 2025, I’m reaching out to tap into the collective wisdom of my network.

    🔮 Question 1: What’s Your Take on Digital Assets’
    Present & Future?

    The crypto market is buzzing with potential:

    • Total market cap projected to exceed $4 trillion by Q2 2025 📈
    • Bitcoin entering its “Acceleration Phase” – are we on the cusp of new ATHs? 🌠
    • Stablecoins gaining mainstream adoption (PayPal’s recent move, anyone?) 💳

    What trends are you watching? How do you see digital assets reshaping finance?

    I’m compiling insights for an upcoming newsletter report. Your expert opinion could be featured! 🌟

    ✍️ Question 2: Need Help with Crypto Content?

    In this rapidly evolving space, clear, authoritative content is more crucial than ever. Whether it’s:

    • Demystifying DeFi for newcomers 🧠
    • Analyzing regulatory impacts on the market 📊
    • Creating educational materials on blockchain tech 🔗

    I’m here to help craft thought-provoking, SEO-optimized content that cuts through the noise.

    Why partner with me?

    1. Deep understanding of crypto markets and technology
    2. Proven track record in financial writing (check out my recent piece for Morningstar Wealth: Crypto Asset Clarity)
    3. SEO expertise to ensure your content reaches the right audience

    Know someone who could benefit from expert crypto content? Tag them below or DM me!

    🔗 Let’s Connect!

    • 💬 Share your thoughts on digital assets’ future
    • 🤝 Suggest potential content collaboration opportunities
    • 📩 DM me for a free content strategy consultation

    Together, let’s shape the narrative of the digital asset revolution! 🌐💼

    #DigitalAssets #CryptoContent #BlockchainInnovation #FinTech2025 #CryptoWriting

    What I Wrote

    Here’s the LinkedIn note I asked the Claude AI Agent to rewrite as an SEO optimized post:

    I hardly need to mention that the outlook and business of digital asset and cryptocurrency has changed dramatically, but that is why I’m writing to you. I have two questions I’m asking of my LinkedIn connections with an interest in crypto:

    1. What’s your take on the present and future of digital assets? I plan to compile opinions for a report in my newsletter.
    2. Do you know anyone who could use my help writing articles, reports, or educational materials? It’s a good time for thought-provoking communications.

    As an example, here’s a link to a piece I wrote for Morningstar Wealth on why advisors need to know about clients’ crypto portfolios: https://canright.co/CryptoassetClarity

    What It Takes to Write Thought Leadership Content

    We get asked about our process for producing thought leadership, including articles, digital publications, and white papers. To show what goes into writing and producing pieces that reflect a company’s point of view and value proposition while educating potential clients on industry topics, we’ve deconstructed the process of projects with different scopes and intents. 

    FinTech: The New Core of Financial Services
    The copy for this digital publication originated in posts we wrote for our FinTech Rising newsletter.  What we did for Yodlee is select topics, edit the copy for the posts, and pull in some additional research for the charts. This is analogous to taking existing product pieces and repurposing them as thought leadership.

    https://canright.co/FinTech-TheNewCore

    Personalization at Scale White Paper
    This white paper started with a marketing deck and transcripts of two internal interviews. We did another interview with the main subject-matter expert, outlined the paper, and wrote a draft after comments on the outline. It went through three revisions.

    https://canright.co/MorningstarPersonalization

    Getting Started with the Developer API
    This technology introduction is part sales piece and part software procedure. Its purpose was to introduce FinTech firms to a data-aggregation API and show how easy it is to use. This required calls with the marketing manager and the subject-matter expert, who did a demo and provided screen shots. The piece went through three revisions.

    https://canright.co/YodleeAPI

    Articles for Community Banks
    We wrote a series of basic articles on topics for HTLF Bank’s community banks to spark ideas in their business clients. We generally did one call with the communications manager and a subject-matter expert, then did our own research. The pieces were basic and explanatory. They tended to have two revisions.

    https://canright.co/NewMexicoBank

    https://canright.co/WisconsinBank

    Architectural Photo Guide for Hospitals
    We had dozens of photographs shot for case study emails we do for the North Central Terrazzo Association. To gain additional exposure, we group case studies by industry, then select the best photos from several jobs along with copy that provides an industry viewpoint. We do reviews of the jobs and photos with the client, as well as the copy. Once we do a layout, projects like this generally go through two additional drafts before final production.

    https://canright.co/HealthcareTerrazzo

    Crafting thought leadership content is not just about writing; it’s an art form that blends expertise, insight, and foresight in a way that resonates deeply with its audience. From the innovative realms of FinTech to the essential strategies for personalizing customer experiences at scale, each piece we create aims to not only inform but also inspire and provoke thought. Whether it’s simplifying complex technologies for easier adoption or providing actionable insights for community banks, our content is designed to elevate understanding and spark dialogue.

    As we wrap up this exploration into the nuts and bolts of producing thought leadership, remember that each link, each revision, and every expert consultation contributes to building compelling narratives that capture not just the mind but also the spirit of innovation in your industry. So, we invite you to delve deeper into our projects, see our process in action, and discover how we transform ordinary information into extraordinary insights. Are you ready to lead the conversation in your field? Let’s create something impactful together.for efficiency, the human element isn’t lost.

    To learn more about our services, contact us at collin@canrightcommunications.com.

    You’re Under Surveillance

    The New York Times last week ran an article headlined “Automakers are sharing consumers’ driving behavior with insurance companies.” I didn’t think much of it. Until I finished my weekly dose of the Times’s Hard Fork Podcast, which featured “Your Car is Snitching,” an interview with Kashmir Hill, the Times reporter who wrote the story.

    Hard Fork hosts Kevin Roose, a Times tech reporter, and Casey Newton, who writes the Platformer newsletter, promised that “the more of this story you read, the higher your blood pressure goes.” They are correct.

    Even as someone who has complained that the tech giants are making tons of money on my personal data, this story got me. I had no idea that automakers would collect and sell data on my driving behaviors.

    It’s more than cars, too. Suffice it to say that data collection and sales without consumer permission or knowledge are ubiquitous in today’s connected economy.

    My first reaction was, I’m glad I own a VW because they weren’t on the list, though that doesn’t mean VW isn’t selling my data. It would be difficult to tell because the disclosures are vague at best.

    That’s one of the problems, and not just with cars. Kevin, Casey, and Kash broadened the story to all things connected to the internet. The surveillance capitalism model pioneered by Google, Yahoo, Meta, Amazon, and others who give you free tech in exchange for the ability to monetize your data, is spreading to all internet-connected companies.

    Kevin noted that he bought a smart TV and, while shopping around, realized that the smart TVs, in some cases, cost less than nonconnected TVs. Smart TVs sell data, even though you wouldn’t know it, though you might figure it out if you read the legal fine print and made a few leaps of logic.

    I expect Amazon to collect my data and present me with offers. It’s called personalization, and I like it. I expect it from Netflix, as annoying as it can be to see tons of stuff presented faster than I can stop it. I expect it from marketers of all types. I don’t expect it from my car or my new TV, which does, it turns out, collect my data.

    I found out by following a path starting with the Set Up gear on the TV’s Home dashboard.

    General to System to Additional Settings. That seemed promising.

    Additional Settings to—there it is—Advertisement.

    TV Data Collection Settings Location

    On Advertisement, you see that the default is to give you the benefit of advertisements tuned to your viewing preferences, aka, data collection. It’s already granted permission to collect, too.

    TV Data Collection Settings Opt-Out Controls

    I selected both options: Reset AD ID so that any tracking would take place under new ID, then clicked the Limit AD Tracking switch to turn it on (green).

    To be fair, I have followed an opt-out email marketing model. It’s expected. People know how to opt-out. It’s easy. There are regulations for that sort of thing.

    There are no explicit disclosure and permission regulations for cars and TVs and refrigerators and who knows what else, at least not in the U.S. If you’re online (or walking down the street with your mobile turned on for that matter), you’re under surveillance.