PR's Top Pros Talk

Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media , talks with Portia Young, Director of Corporate Public Relations at  Sargento , about how AI is changing newsrooms. She discusses how organizations can strengthen trust and authenticity by consistently leading with their values. They also explain why storytelling and earned media remain the foundation of public relations.

Mike Bako, Executive Vice President at D S Simon Media, shares key findings from Part 2 of the 2026 TV News Producers Report series, Understanding the Evolving Media Landscape. Download the report: https://www.dssimon.com/understanding-the-evolving-media-landscape-report/

Will Reese, Chief Innovation Officer at  Inizio Evoke , and Theresa Dolge, Chief Media Relations Officer at  Inizio Evoke , join Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, to discuss how GEO is reshaping the earned media landscape. They explore the important role local media plays in building trust and fostering community engagement. Theresa and Will also share strategies for strengthening brand reputati...

Allyson Park, Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer at  Walmart , joins Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, for a conversation on leadership, continuous learning, and building a career with purpose in today’s rapidly evolving environment. Drawing on her experience helping lead communications for one of the world’s largest companies, Allyson shares perspectives on the importance of...

Megan Kessler, Chief of Integrated Marketing and Strategy for  PAN Communications , talks to Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, about why some companies appear in less than 5% of AI-generated answers. Megan explains how earned and owned media work together to improve visibility. They also discuss how communications teams can take a more proactive role in shaping brand perception. D S Simon Media...

Shira Fine, Partner and Head of Strategic Communications at  Bryson Gillette , joins Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, to discuss why it’s important to learn how to build tools with AI. She shares examples of tools her team has built and how they improve efficiency. The conversation also explores what seasoned communicators can learn from younger generations about adapting to new technology. D S...

Darryl Sparey, Managing Director and Co-Founder of  Hard Numbers , talks to Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, about the commitments communicators should embrace to drive meaningful organizational impact. They discuss how PR professionals can bring the most value to clients. They also dive into the importance of earned media and its influence on GEO. D S Simon Media is a recognized innovator in b...

Doug Simon, Founder and CEO of D S Simon Media , shares what communicators need to know about how stories are selected and discovered for TV news. D S Simon Media is a recognized innovator in broadcast public relations and the creator of the industry’s first  AI-Powered Broadcast Media Tour™ . Clients include top brands in healthcare, technology, travel, financial services, food and beverage, cons...

Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media , shares what communicators need to know about how stories are selected and discovered for TV news. D S Simon Media is a recognized innovator in broadcast public relations and the creator of the industry’s first AI-Powered Broadcast Media Tour™. Over the last five years the firm has scheduled and produced more than 5,000 media segments annually, further establish...

In this episode, Jennifer Tramontana, President and Founder of The Fletcher Group , joins Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media , to discuss how agencies can find a niche and evolve alongside it. Jennifer shares how to build a company culture that authentically reflects and supports your team. Doug and Jennifer also explain why earned media is more important than ever in an AI-driven landscape. D S S...

In this episode, Jonny Bentwood, Global President of Data & Analytics at ⁠Golin⁠ , joins Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, to explore how AI is reshaping the PR industry. Jonny shares the pivotal moment he realized generative AI would transform consumer behavior. Jonny shares his “Four F’s” framework, offering actionable strategies to optimize content for AI discovery and visibility. Doug an...

Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, and Campbell O’Connor, Group Director, Media & Engagement at  Real Chemistry , explore how AI is transforming healthcare communications and media relations. They discuss how audiences are increasingly turning to platforms like YouTube, LLMs, and other digital sources for health information. Campbell also shares insights on  HealthGEO , Real Chemistry’s propr...

In this episode of PR's Top Pros Talk, Adeena Fried, Executive Vice President of Health & Wellness at HAVAS Red , joins Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, to unpack key insights from the AI in the Newsroom Report. Adeena shares how her team optimizes content for AI search while keeping storytelling at the center of every campaign. She also highlights the agency’s commitment to learning an...

When a crisis hits, communications teams must move quickly while providing clear, objective guidance to leadership. In this episode, Doug Simon talks to Julianna Sheridan, Vice President of PR at Scratch Marketing + Media , about how B2B tech companies can prepare for and navigate high-pressure situations. Communicators will learn how to build internal relationships, collaborate effectively with l...

In this episode of PR’s Top Pros Talk, Erik Carlson, President and CEO of  Notified , joins Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, to discuss how the answer engine economy is transforming the way content is created and discovered. Erik explains why earned media is becoming critical for AI citations and brand visibility. He also shares insights from Notified’s data-backed  SOAR Content Framework™ , wh...

In this episode of PR’s Top Pros Talk, Doug Simon talks to Greg Swan, Senior Partner at FINN Partners , to explore the rise of vibe-based decision-making and what it means for today’s communications leaders. Greg explains how emotion is increasingly driving how audiences consume information and form opinions. They highlight the need to move beyond viewing audiences as a single monolith and explain...

Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, and Sarah Evans, Partner and Head of PR at  Zen Media , have an insightful conversation about the growing role of AI in brand discovery. They explore how AI is influencing the way people find information and even choose what to buy. Sarah also shares guidance on how PR and communications teams can better align their work with how consumers are interacting with A...

In this episode, Doug Simon talks with Valerie Combs, Senior Vice President and Head of Communications at  IAC , to explore what it truly takes for legacy brands to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving digital world. Valerie explains how companies can modernize without losing the trust and equity they’ve built over decades. She also shares how brands can lead with their values. D S Simon Media  is...

Rina Foster, CEO and Founder of  84 Communications , talks to Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, about how AI is impacting risk management. She shares expert guidance on protecting your reputation, preparing for potential crises, and managing fear with confidence. D S Simon Media is a recognized innovator in broadcast public relations and the creator of the industry’s first AI-Powered Broadcast M...

Monique Kelley, Associate Professor of the Practice at Boston University's College of Communication, shares insights from her new book,  Redefining Networking: How to Lead with Your Unique Value . Monique and Doug explain why giving matters more than getting, how anyone can communicate their value authentically, and how to build professional relationships that truly last. This episode offers f...

Theresa Bertrand, Head of Strategy at  Zeno Group , speaks with Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, about key insights from Zeno Group's  Brand Love + Demand Study . She discusses why brand loyalty is critical to long-term success and explores how different generations connect with brands. She also explains how generative AI can help brands reach a wider audience by increasing visibility and f...

Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, and Melanie Roussell Newman, Chief External Affairs Officer at Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund , have an insightful conversation on brand resilience in a highly polarized media landscape. They discuss communications strategy, building trust, and maintaining credibility. Melanie shares how audience-focused messaging...

Sean Layton, Executive Vice President of Earned Media at Zeno Group , discusses the communications trends shaping the year ahead with Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media. He explains how AI-driven search results are impacting earned media strategy and emerging media's important role in the mix. D S Simon Media is a recognized innovator in broadcast public relations and the creator of the indust...

Doug Simon speaks with John Duffield about the evolving role of AI in healthcare and the patient experience. John explains how a serious heart condition gave him firsthand insight into the healthcare system. He explains how AI helped him understand complex medical information and navigate recovery following open-heart surgeries. The discussion also highlights how AI can support patients between cl...

Mike Bako, Vice President of Media and Content Strategy, joins Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, for a conversation about the AI-Powered Broadcast Media Tour™ . Doug explains how the AI-Powered Broadcast Media Tour™ works, why it matters, and what organizations need to know. D S Simon Media ⁠ is a recognized innovator in broadcast public relations and the creator of the industry’s first AI-Power...