Kellyn Smith Kenny (AT&T) | Reinventing and Redefining Trust in Telecom

Episode notes

Few brands define connection quite like AT&T—not just through technology, but through trust. And trust is not a word historically associated with telecom companies. Jim’s guest this week is at the center of AT&T’s transformation: Kellyn Smith Kenny, the company’s first-ever Chief Marketing & Growth Officer. Since 2020, Kellyn has helped usher in what she calls the “Accountability Era,” part of an ambitious, multi-year reinvention backed by more than $145 billion invested in reliability, transparency, and customer trust. With revenues topping $120 billion and a customer base of more than 100 million consumers, AT&T is a brand that touches nearly every American life. Under Kellyn’s leadership, the company has become known for both its marketing excellence and its humanity—from launching the AT&T Guarantee, to pioneering a pragmatic approach to AI, to building meaningful partnerships with the likes of Formula 1 and Hello Sunshine. Tune in as Jim explores Kellyn’s unique leadership journey—from Division I athlete to C-suite change agent—and how she’s redefining what it means to lead a modern brand.