Yael Grushka-Cockayne Isn’t Reinventing UVA Darden. She’s Betting the World Needs What It Does Best.
As UVA Darden’s 10th dean, Yael Grushka-Cockayne discusses AI, human judgment, the case method and why the School’s next chapter should build confidently on what Darden does best.
What Did Kevin Warsh’s Fed Debut Reveal? The ‘FOMC Oracle’ Weighs In.
To help interpret the “Fed speak,” Darden Report checked in with Mickey Fortune (MBA ’26), creator of the FOMC Oracle, an AI-powered tool trained on decades of Federal Reserve transcripts, speeches and public remarks. The tool simulates how current and former Fed leaders might respond to today’s economic questions.
What the Indy 500 Reveals About the Future of Live Sports
Darden professor Anthony Palomba discusses he economics behind the Indy 500’s resurgence, what broadcasters are learning about Gen Z audiences and why live sports remain one of television’s most valuable assets.
Mel Phillips Aims to Make the Crowd Laugh and His Mom Cry at Graduation
Mel Phillips (Class of 2026) hopes his graduation speech accomplishes two things: getting a laugh from the crowd and making his mom cry a little. Before he walks the Lawn next week, the Darden Report caught up with Phillips to reflect on the moments that defined his time in Charlottesville.
Eurovision Isn’t Just a Song Contest. It’s a Lesson in Branding.
It’s May — time to grab your remote and get ready to stream the wildly popular and often wacky Eurovision Song Contest. The world’s largest live song competition, now in its 70th year, draws some 160 million viewers worldwide. This year, it will take place in Vienna, after the Austrian singer JJ won the 2025 contest with his operatic pop-techno ballad “Wasted Love.”
What a KitKat Heist Can Teach Brands About Getting It Right
Nearly half a million KitKat bars. One stolen truck. Zero injuries. And somehow, a public relations win. The Darden Report caught up with lecturer and communications expert Steve Soltis, to unpack why it worked and where other brands should be careful not to follow too closely. Soltis previously led executive communications at The Coca-Cola Company and is co-founder of Arvo Advisory and the Darden Leadership Communication Council (DLCC) at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.