What Is Ragan Big Brother
Ragan Big Brother is a mentorship and professional development program created by Ragan Communications, designed to accelerate the careers of corporate communications professionals. It pairs experienced communications leaders—Bigs—with emerging practitioners—Littles—for a structured period of guidance, skill building, and networking. The program emphasizes practical, on-the-job advice, real-world communications strategies, and long-term relationship building. Since its launch, it has become a recognized pathway for professionals seeking targeted coaching, expanded influence, and stronger industry connections within the field of corporate communications.
Program Origins and Purpose
Ragan Big Brother was launched to address a common gap many communications professionals face: limited access to seasoned mentors who provide candid, actionable guidance. The program reflects Ragan Communications’ long history of serving the corporate communications industry through training, research, and events. Its purpose is threefold: to improve individual competence, strengthen team capabilities across organizations, and grow a more cohesive, skilled profession. By pairing participants in a structured mentor relationship, the program distills years of practitioner experience into a focused, time-bound learning journey.
How the Program Works
Organizations nominate both Bigs and Littles, who are matched based on goals, skills, and development needs. The program typically runs for a defined period, often several months, with structured touchpoints, guided exercises, and measurable objectives. Participants work through focused topics such as executive presence, media relations, internal communications, and crisis readiness. Facilitated by Ragan, the program provides templates, discussion guides, and best practices so pairs can concentrate on applying lessons directly to their daily work.
Benefits for Mentors and Mentees
Participants on both sides gain distinct advantages. Mentors refine coaching skills, test leadership approaches, and expand their influence across departments. Mentees receive targeted feedback, exposure to strategic thinking, and a trusted advisor who helps navigate complex organizational dynamics. The format encourages consistent practice, honest feedback, and real projects rather than hypothetical scenarios. Over time, these interactions build confidence, sharpen technical skills, and broaden professional networks.
Skill Focus Areas
- Executive communication and presence
- Internal and external messaging
- Crisis and issue management
- Media and analyst relations
- Storytelling and narrative building
- Influence and stakeholder management
Structure and Timeline
Each Ragan Big Brother cohort follows a clear timeline that includes onboarding, matching, goal setting, scheduled sessions, midprogram reviews, and a formal conclusion with evaluations. Milestones are defined in advance, enabling both parties to track progress and adjust focus as needed. This disciplined approach helps ensure that the relationship remains productive and that tangible outcomes emerge beyond the formal program end date.
Typical Program Timeline
| Phase | Key Activities | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Onboarding | Introductions, goal setting, expectations | Shared plan and milestones |
| Matching | Aligning goals, experience, and availability | Formal mentor–mentee pair |
| Guided Sessions | Workshops, exercises, real projects | Applied skills and feedback |
| Midprogram Review | Progress check, plan adjustment | Refined objectives |
| Final Evaluation | Assess outcomes, lessons learned | Measured professional growth |
Impact on Careers and Organizations
Participation in Ragan Big Brother often translates into clearer positioning within an organization, stronger business influence, and more confident decision making. For organizations, the program cultivates a bench of internally developed leaders who understand both strategy and execution. Mentees frequently report improved visibility, stronger relationships with peers and executives, and a sharper ability to communicate in high-stakes situations. Mentors, in turn, gain fresh perspectives from emerging talent and a structured way to contribute to talent development.
Measurable Outcomes
While individual results vary, common measures of success include advancement into broader roles, increased ownership of strategic initiatives, improved employee engagement scores, and more effective cross-functional collaboration. Organizations often track retention, promotion velocity, and readiness for larger communications challenges as indirect indicators of program value. Over multiple cohorts, patterns emerge that reinforce the long-term career and cultural benefits of consistent mentorship in communications.
How to Participate or Start a Program
To get involved with Ragan Big Brother, communications leaders can express interest through Ragan’s website or program announcements, and organizations can initiate cohort sponsorship to align the experience with internal talent goals. Each cohort typically includes structured sessions, templates, and access to the Ragan learning platform, plus guidance from Ragan facilitators. For those seeking high-impact mentorship with a clear focus on corporate communications, Ragan Big Brother offers a proven framework for turning guidance into measurable professional advancement.