Porter Novelli’s Conroy Boxhill on finding anchors for your life and career

Ad Age is marking Black History Month 2024 with our fourth-annual Honoring Creative Excellence package. (Read the introduction here.) Today, guest editor Asmirh Davis turns the spotlight to Conroy Boxhill, U.S. president at Porter Novelli, who writes about “curiosity, community and competence ... working in harmony to ensure that I always choose to change and reject mediocrity.” I remember the day like it was yesterday. I’m 18 years old and walking across the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City with my grandfather on a cool Sunday afternoon. It’s my first time seeing him since immigrating to the U.S. from Jamaica two years prior. My grandfather wasn’t a talkative man, so his words were always measured and mighty. At one point, he gently touched my arm and said, “Son, many people come to this country and get lost. Find a way to anchor yourself.” Boom. Mic drop. The direction was clear, but there wasn’t a roadmap to follow. His advice didn’t immediately resonate or make sense to me as a teenager. However, as time progressed and my life and career evolved, I found those anchors: curiosity, community and competence. Three C’s all working in harmony to ensure I always choose to change and reject mediocrity. I’ve always been a curious person—keen to explore, understand and appreciate diverse perspectives—but things really kicked into high gear as I worked to build a career in the public relations industry. Curiosity was no longer a luxury but fuel for continuous learning, high performance and career progression. I learned to ask questions that were introspective, to listen for what was unsaid and to counsel through questions instead of directives. Read more essays celebrating Black creative excellence here This spirit of curiosity has unlocked important personal and career opportunities: working and living abroad, exposure to global leaders and perspectives at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland—and helping an NBA team navigate a potentially devastating crisis. In my current role, I have the honor and responsibility of curating and cultivating a spirit of curiosity among hundreds of employees. They are all keen to help our clients decode change so they can communicate at the speed of culture. But curiosity alone is not enough. It must be coupled with a deep sense of community—a strong belief that we are all connected and responsible for one another’s success. Nurturing a sense of community within my professional circles has not only enriched my network but has provided a foundation of support during challenging times. In the days following the murder of George Floyd, I felt numb. As a senior counselor to several of the agency’s most important clients, it was my job to provide sage advice on how and what to communicate. As a Black man, father and communications executive, I was eager to figure out how to make a difference more broadly. My work community did not disappoint. We combined our expertise to launch the agency’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) advisory services focused on helping companies remove systems of injustice, replacing them with systems of fairness and equity. The work we are doing is making a significant impact in communities across the world, an endeavor I could never achieve on my own. In Jamaica, we have a saying, “Wi likkle but wi tallawah,” which translates to “We are small but mighty.” This mindset epitomizes a belief that excellence knows no bounds regardless of the scale of what you are doing. In an industry where precision, expertise and adaptability are paramount, competence is the bedrock of credibility. For communicators, this means we must stay ahead of industry trends, master the art of storytelling and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact. Challenging yourself to continuously bolster your competence is the best way to reject mediocrity. In July 2022, I was promoted to U.S. president of global communications powerhouse Porter Novelli. I am the first person of color to hold this position in the company’s 50-year history. As I soaked up the congratulations and well wishes from my community, I couldn’t help but say a quiet prayer of thanks to my grandfather for the anchors. I encourage you to find yours. Sign up for Ad Age newsletters From influencer marketing to agencies, get the latest news and analysis delivered to your inbox Click here

Porter Novelli’s Conroy Boxhill on finding anchors for your life and career

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