Introducing The Blue Owl Group
Hello, world. We are The Blue Owl Group.
We want to introduce ourselves and, more importantly, explain why we believe a decentralized global advisory firm like ours is both timely and necessary. Find out more about our services here.
We are policy experts, advocates and convenors, content and data leaders, campaign professionals, and communications strategists. We operate on the frontlines of a political and technological landscape that has irrevocably changed, and continues to evolve. We believe this confusing and fractured period in history is not merely an aberration or an isolated moment in time—it is the new normal.
And it’s creating fertile ground for systemic change.
The context
Polarization is on the rise. Climate breakdown has arrived. Institutional health and democratic values are sliding. Global inequality is widening and the forces that resist it are getting louder. The public has lost faith in the promise of the stories we tell ourselves: about free and fair elections, the importance of the press, the centrality of science and rationality, and the belief that governments can be responsive to the needs of their citizens. It often seems like the new political consensus is that there is no consensus at all.
Then there's the inexorable and extraordinary pace of technological change.
Start-ups, public companies, investors, NGOs, philanthropies, and legacy industries are trying to chart a path through the complexity. It can seem overwhelming. We get it, we’ve been there. But underneath the fracture and fragmentation, there is extraordinary potential for those who can see the trendlines and have the confidence and boldness to lead. That’s where we come in.
Here are the seven big trends that compelled us to start the Blue Owl Group:
The Internet needs a new chapter
There are emerging signals in the noise
Climate change is becoming a consensus issue
Old-school advisory services are dead
Internal culture = external brand
Content isn’t king; authenticity is
Transparency is non-negotiable
1. The Internet needs a new chapter
We get the Internet we create. And today's Internet feels broken. It needs a revival and willing explorers to take a risk and reestablish its promise. At its best, the Internet serves as an extraordinary medium for communication and collaboration, perhaps surpassing all previous innovations in its ability to act as a vehicle for human creativity, coordination, and expression. At its worst, the immense power of the Internet has been weaponized to amplify divisions, increase polarization, propagate disinformation, and cause real-world harm. We need to reclaim its potential and redefine its story. And we’re looking for thinkers, doers, and creative collaborators with whom we can partner.
The Blue Owl Group has the bona fides to help organizations formulate a new vision for the Internet and their role in it. We have been at the epicenter of the Internet’s original formation, the passage of the most consequential global legislation, and the major policy debates that define our online culture. We can distill our thinking into simple and clear strategies, and we use our collective talents and insights to align clients goals with the shared values of the Internet—both its vast and evolving commercial potential, but also for how it can enrich the human experience. The Internet still has the potential to be a uniquely transformational public good. Let’s make it better.
2. There are emerging signals in the noise
From climate change to the rise of artificial intelligence, we are going through what equates to a series of compounding industrial revolutions—all at the same time. It can feel disorientating. But if you look closely enough, there are clear signals in the noise: People are demanding the necessary reforms to society's outdated, creaking foundations, and calling for the birth of something new, open, and meaningful.
The movement to restore the open architecture and decentralized origins of the Internet is gaining more traction. The push to break up financial and technological monopolies, too, is driving builders into new spaces of innovation, with self-custody at their core. Often powered by technology and new forms of communal participation, these systemic forces may seem distinct or at odds with each other, but they’re deeply interconnected and mutually reinforcing.
We have the analytical skills, the experience, the policy and product acumen, and the political depth to understand these complex points of intersection. We can advise you on how best to harness them and bring your mission into sharper relief. When the tides of change are rising, you can duck and cover, or you can embrace them and dive in. We’ll help you take the plunge.
3. Climate change is becoming a consensus issue
Over the next three–five years, climate change will have top billing for almost every government on earth. The geopolitics of climate will bring all sorts of disruption to how organizations operate—from supply chains and marketing, to content moderation, fundraising, and how profits are invested. We also believe that a rare political and public consensus is rapidly emerging, particularly as more and more people feel the force of Mother Nature right outside their door. From showcasing decarbonization efforts, to LEED building standards, and banning single-use products, not to mention the rise of regulatory mandates and customer pressure, climate change may be one of the few issues that no organization—regardless of its mission or product offering—can ignore.
If you believe that technology is going to underpin climate resiliency and the unprecedented global coordination the world needs, we are the right partners. We can build the lasting coalitions. We can help execute the internal and external strategies that will enable you to navigate this immense challenge with the foresight and leadership required. We also believe we have the network and the relationships to bring product and policy solutions to the arena, too. There is—quite literally—no time to waste.
4. Old-school advisory services are dead
The traditional model of advisory services, based on the distribution of directives and advice from a hierarchical and centralized hub, is not in tune with the realities of decentralization. Our value proposition is different. The evolving political and information landscape demands a more comprehensive approach to problem-solving, drawing on rich insights and data, as well as a thorough understanding of the relationships at the core of global decision-making. Leveraging the combined expertise of battle-hardened professionals from the public and private sectors–along with grassroots connectivity—is crucial to make a meaningful impact.
We offer immediate mission-alignment, deep localized market knowledge from on-the-ground experts, and a global advisory collective with turnkey influence on the issues and markets you care about. We can flex between engaging political leaders and media, while working directly with the community and civil society leaders who drive lasting change. We are fully remote, fully decentralized, and we operate at the lightning speed of the present information environment. Out with the old, in with the new.
5. Internal culture = external brand
In the era of polarization, a perceived value-action gap can be fatal. From the rise of the empowered retail investor, to the dramatic increase in social movements of all kinds, and an information ecosystem that feels increasingly polluted, companies are plugged into culture more than ever. Defining your mission, establishing values, sharpening your message, and being ready to adapt or stand strong when seismic shifts occur are all fundamental to success. Internal culture and your external brand are one in the same.
Employees, customers, and investors are getting more opinionated, influential, and empowered. The legacy industries that dig in and ignore this shift—or worse, try to stifle it—may drive continued success for a handful of years, but after that they will be on borrowed time. From the speed and evolution of the modern crisis, to employees representing your brand every day online, to a work environment forever changed by the pandemic and AI, adaptability is the new constant. Culture—even for those who position themselves in opposition to the dominant narratives of the day—has never been more relevant. We can help you define yours, sharpen it, stress test it, embody it, and bring the people you care about with you—both inside and outside your organization.
6. Content isn’t king; authenticity is
We are all drowning in content. From the hunt (or avoidance) of a viral moment, to a rapidly expanding podcast universe, and the explosion in new social formats, streaming platforms and gaming services, we are being exposed to messages at a rate and velocity never before seen in human history. A campaign, a brand, a movement–all can be badly wounded at the speed of a social post. Despite the scale of the noise, policymakers, the media, and the public have never been as attuned to spin and platitudes—particularly when it comes to how you present your mission to the world. There’s a difference between being an influencer and being influential.
We can help you tell your story, define the channels to invest in, and most importantly, deliver impact. These dynamics require organizations to have an owned content and earned media operation that’s surgical, strategic, and drives deep brand and audience resonance. It also requires a crisis preparedness that meets the historic speed of our current communications environment. In a world of oversaturated purpose statements and overblown marketing sheen, people are craving authenticity. We have the creativity and the channel expertise to help you define your story—and how to tell it.
7. Transparency is non-negotiable
Think you can lead and succeed as a closed book? Think again. From the rise of data privacy advocacy, to platform accountability and content moderation at scale, the demand for transparency has never been more consistent and sharp-edged. Whether it’s mandated through regulation or your reputation requires it, in order to be successful in the age of endless content creation, organizations need to do more and more of their work in the open.
If you’re working with algorithms and bringing new products to market, or directing philanthropic programs at scale, this can be a frightening prospect—particularly for organizations that are used to operating behind the curtain. One thing is clear: a thoughtful and strategic approach builds trust and longevity. When it comes to creating durable communications strategies, or creating programs and platforms that meet the policy debate where it is, we’ve got the blueprint.
So that’s us: The Blue Owl Group. If you want to collaborate with a global advisory firm that can immediately help you navigate the complexity and extraordinary potential of our present moment, get in touch. Out of the chaos, comes clarity. It’s fraught with peril, but it’s also a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver meaningful impact and lead. We’ve been through choppy waters before so wade into them with us. Let's talk: info@blueowlgrp.com
