Rodolfo Belcastro Interview
Rodolfo Belcastro is a strategic communication expert and public affairs leader with a background in journalism. Known for his ability to shape compelling national and corporate narratives, he specializes in aligning communication with strategic goals across government, business, and civil society. With a focus on Italy’s global positioning, sustainability, and innovation, Belcastro bridges traditional values with future-oriented messaging. His approach combines empathy, digital fluency, and policy insight—making him a key voice in reshaping Italy’s public discourse and international image.
Communication in Strategy
We started the interview by asking, “
You’ve often said strategic communication isn’t just tactical but central to decision-making. How does that belief shape your approach?
Rodolfo Belcastro replied, “I believe communication is not a just a support function but a driver of strategic direction. It defines how an organization positions itself, how it builds trust, and how it ultimately achieves its objectives. For me, communication begins at the inception of any project—shaping the narrative, aligning stakeholders, and ensuring that purpose and impact are not only clear but compelling. Especially when dealing with complex challenges, storytelling becomes essential to bridge ambition with real-world understanding and engagement.”
Reframing Italy’s National Narrative
The UK Times: In your Il Riformista interview, you touched on Italy’s reliance on stereotypes. How can public affairs help Italy build a stronger, more coherent national narrative?
Rodolfo Belcastro replied, “Italy often leans on stereotypes like la dolce vita or artissima, which fragment its image. Public affairs can counter this by forging strategic coalitions across institutions, corporations, and creative sectors to craft a unified narrative. The goal is to move from regional clichés to a distinctive, future-oriented Italy. By proactively communicating policy initiatives, sustainability efforts, and innovation stories, we can present a narrative grounded in Italy’s real strengths and ambitions.”
Leaders as Translators Between Worlds
The UK Times: You describe leaders as “translators between worlds.” How does that skill play into shaping Italy’s global image?
Rodolfo Belcastro replied, “Being a translator means bridging business, government, media, and civil society. For Italy, it’s translating complex policy or innovation into compelling stories for global audiences. It requires strategic clarity, cultural sensitivity, tech fluency, and empathy for different stakeholder priorities. Such translation helps create unified communications that amplify Italy’s global voice, whether attracting investment or shaping sustainable tourism, by aligning messaging across these worlds.”
Digital for Stakeholder Engagement
The UK Times: Digital is more than a tool; it’s the environment. How do you use digital to enhance Italy’s narratives and stakeholder engagement?
Rodolfo Belcastro replied, “For me, digital is an ecosystem where data, platforms, and storytelling merge. We deploy ESG-tracking tools, analytics, and digital campaigns to craft and iterate narratives. In Italy’s case, we use digital listening to spot stereotypes and cultural misalignments early, then deploy targeted campaigns like social media, thought leadership, and virtual events to adjust narratives in real time. It’s about maintaining consistency while being responsive, using data to refine messaging continuously.”
Communicating Sustainability and Innovation
The UK Times: What unique challenges and opportunities come with communicating Italy’s sustainability and innovation agenda?
Rodolfo Belcastro replied, “The challenge is overcoming inertia, as Italy is often seen as traditional, fragmented, and slow to innovate. The opportunity is powerful: a rich heritage, strong manufacturing roots, and genuine cultural creativity. My role is to highlight Italy’s emerging climate-tech and circular economy initiatives, such as Una Terra’s investments, and link them to national pride, global relevance, and economic competitiveness. It’s about communicating that sustainability isn’t a niche but a strategic pillar for Italy’s future.”
Next Generation of Communicators
The UK Times: You emphasize leading with empathy, resilience, and strategic clarity. How should that shape future communicators in Italy?
Rodolfo Belcastro replied, “Emerging communicators must be curious, interdisciplinary, and authentic. They need storytelling skills, but also grounding in economics, tech, and sociology. Empathy helps them understand diverse Italian audiences, from small-town entrepreneurs to global investors. Resilience prepares them for crisis and rapid change, and strategic clarity equips them to align communications with long-term goals. Above all, integrity matters. Trust is built word by word and lost in a moment.”
Impact of Journalism on Public Affairs
lastly we asked, “Given your experience starting in journalism, how do those roots inform your public affairs work today?”
“Journalism taught me to ask “why,” to listen before speaking, and to value narrative truth over spin. That background underpins my commitment to transparency and story-driven communication. Whether working with governments, corporates, or funds, I draw on these journalistic instincts to surface insights, hold narrative rigor, and ensure authenticity. These are qualities Italy’s communication needs more of in shaping its global identity.” Rodolfo Belcastro concluded
Connect with Rodolfo Belcastro on LinkedIn
Also, check his website
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