Member Spotlight - Grant Thomas Cruise
Posted by admin on Nov. 10, 2023 / Subscribe 0
Grant Thomas Cruise joined Oncor in 2017 as a communications manager in the Corporate Communications group. His main focus is brand management as well as community partnerships and special programs. On the brand side, he oversees OncorBrandStandards.com, reviews apparel requests and provides approvals and manages vendors for both internal and external marketing. He oversees the touring Oncor Super Safe Kids road show that, since 2018, has held over 200 school events and introduced electric safety to more than 119,000 Texas students.
Grant also manages Oncor Weather Current and has overseen partnerships and support agreements with the Dallas Mavericks, University Interscholastic League, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and John Bunker Sands Wetland Center.
A graduate of UNC Greensboro with bachelor’s degrees in English and media studies, Grant started his career in local news, beginning as an assignment editor and later working as a producer, executive producer and assistant news director. He worked for stations in North Carolina, Virginia, Nevada, California and Ohio.
Inspiration and Impact through Storytelling and Communication
“When I worked in TV news, I won an AP award for investigative journalism,” shared Grant. “Being looked to as an expert on how to tell stories never gets old. One week I might be crafting a script for the CEO in downtown Dallas or maybe working with a professional composer on the latest mix for a television commercial. Next week, I could be interviewing a meter tech in Big Spring, TX. The work is always changing.”
Grant is a great example of a communicator and someone who can talk about their ideas in a way that other people understand, knowing it’s one of the most valuable skills a person can have. “One of my biggest inspirations is my daughter,” said Grant. “She’s two-years-old, and as a professional communicator, it is endlessly fascinating to watch someone learn communication from the ground up.”
Learning to Do More with Less
PRSA Dallas kicked off 2023 by inviting our members to discover their superpower. When I asked Grant about his, he was eager to share that it is his resourcefulness. This is what keeps him going in his exciting career. He shared that regulated utilities have an obligation to their rate payers to stretch every dollar as far as it will go. So, in the corporate communications space of that industry, you learn to do more with less.
Seeking partnerships where costs can be shared by two or more groups, creating relationships with nonprofits and opting for freelance talent over agencies with huge overheads are some of the ways he has helped his organization extend its reach without spending the dollars of a larger corporation.
Grant simply loves what he does, the people he works with and the organizations that appreciate his help and creativity. It’s been a great run, and he has enjoyed every minute.
Advice for New PR and Communications Professionals
“Don’t assume because that the right degree is enough to get your dream job. Plan to pay your dues and work long hours for not much money. Show your managers and colleagues that you’re eager to help and excited to learn, but if you do all that and still feel like it isn’t enough, don’t be afraid to move on. Warren Buffet said he’d rather pay a good price for a great company than a great price for a good company. I’d rather work for some company that thinks I have great value than a great company that thinks I have some value.”
How PRSA Inspires Professional Development
“Professional development is a priority for our team at Oncor. PRSA was a great resource to learn about challenges other communications teams face in their respective industries. Oncor has a group membership with PRSA and the Dallas Chapter, and I’m pleased with the benefits of training on the latest tactics and strategies through online and in-person events. Keep your team up to date with the latest news on developments in PR and trends in industry communications.
“Once you join PRSA, you are instantly connected with like-minded professionals on the local and national level. Putting PRSA membership on your resume instantly communicates that you are interested in staying connected and are committed to the field.”
Value Gained from a PRSA Membership
“(The) programming and panel discussions (have been valuable). We’ve also taken advantage of PRSA’s network by posting a couple of jobs on its job boards.
“DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) has become a huge part of corporate strategy. It is key for both recruiting and retention of talent. But some companies might only be checking a box. To know if the company takes it seriously, you need to look deeper. Is the company providing actual (DEI) programming? Have they brought leaders with actual experience in the field to craft their strategy? And are they tracking and surveying employee sentiment to see if (their DEI initiatives are) making an impact?”
Grant is a valued, long-standing member and volunteer of PRSA. Again and again, he says yes and follows through. He is a kind, trusted source, and our chapter is lucky to have him and the Oncor team as members.
Message from PRSA Dallas
On behalf of the chapter’s membership committee, I would like to extend a special thanks to Grant and all current and past members and volunteers of PRSA Dallas and to influential professionals in various PR sectors. We are making a difference together as movers and makers.
Are you interested in joining the Dallas chapter or need to renew PRSA membership? Please visit PRSA Dallas to learn more, to become a member or to get involved. www.prsadallas.org
Article: By John B. Ponzio - Co-chair of the Membership Committee for the Dallas PRSA chapter
John is a creative, engaging PR professional with a career spanning hospitality, health care, luxury goods, and association management. His greatest passions are serving others and fostering cultural excellence. Working in marketing and public relations for the Ritz Carlton early in his career, he gained a strong foundation in innovating, being a change leader, and being a positive disruptor while providing legendary customer service. This foundation shaped the executive he is today and how he approaches everything, including brand-building, brand launches, relationship-building, risk mitigation, and results-tracking.
Extensive experience working for high-profile brands, including The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Bombardier Learjet, Henry Ford Health System, and the American Heart Association, as well as extensive experience driving quantifiable results.
He offers public relations, marketing, and communications consulting services as a PR practitioner helping brands define what they stand for, engage, connect with audiences, and create credible narratives and stories that drive industry-leading outcomes. Working as the co-chair of the Membership Committee for the Dallas PRSA chapter has been his pleasure by having the opportunity to work with so many talented members.
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