PR's Top Pros Talk

Why should communications firms invest in research? Laura Macdonald, Co-President, Hotwire , emphasizes the need for agencies to ditch the cookie cutter approach with the world changing so rapidly. She shares insights from the agency’s mindset shift from B2B and B2C to “Business-to-Human.” Laura also highlights the importance of having diversity of experience to understand and deliver insights mos...

How has entertainment PR changed with the rise of streaming platforms? Erik Bright, Owner of Prodigy Public Relations , shares insights on how his firm generates buzz for independent films. He also discusses the role of the film festivals, and their transition into a hybrid environment. To share your feedback, contact: Doug Simon: dougs@dssimonmedia.com  or news@dssimonmedia.com - 212.736.272...

How can brands effectively communicate to Gen Z audiences? Courtney Miller, Executive Vice President of U.S. Strategy and Brand, Edelman U.S. , shares insights from the agency’s study on the issues that Gen Z audiences care about the most and the implications for communicators. Courtney also shares how brands can attract Gen Z talent by prioritizing basic safety and security needs. Download The Po...

What are the most important things to keep in mind when pitching to a podcast? Christina Nicholson, Owner of Media Maven and Founder of Podcast Clout , shares insights on how to make your pitch stand out and what mistakes to avoid. She also offers tips on how to identify relevant podcasts on national and local levels. To share your feedback, contact: Doug Simon: dougs@dssimonmedia.com  or new...

How did healthcare workers help shape internal and external communications during COVID? Josh Wilson, Director of Strategic Communications at Children’s National Hospital , offers insights on how those on the front lines became spokespeople and embraced the duty of educating the public on what they were seeing within the hospital. Josh also shares how the hospital’s new DEI initiative invested in...

Barbara Wagner, President of Barbara Wagner Communications, shares her journey of starting an agency amid the pandemic. She shares insights on working with clients in the arts and real estate space. Barbara also shares best practice for building a story and pitching to the media. To share your feedback, contact: Doug Simon: dougs@dssimonmedia.com  or news@dssimonmedia.com - 212.736.2727 For m...

How can a brand leverage the power of its legacy when pivoting its business model? Joy Corso, Chief Marketing Officer at Vonage , shares insights on effectively communicating the company’s transition from a B2C to a B2B brand. She also discusses how to assess your competition in the new space and identify opportunities. To share your feedback, contact: Doug Simon: dougs@dssimonmedia.com  or n...

A strong digital footprint has become a key factor for a successful launch. Nicole Rodrigues, CEO and Founder of NRPR Group , highlights the importance of getting PR right by being patient. She also shares how in-house communicators can gain the trust of an agency by giving strategic advice. To share your feedback, contact: Doug Simon: dougs@dssimonmedia.com  or news@dssimonmedia.com - 212.73...

What areas does the Recording Academy focus on when they are not preparing for The GRAMMY Awards?® Andie Cox, Vice President of Communications at the Recording Academy, discusses how the organization creates awareness for a range of initiatives such as advocacy for artists and pandemic relief. Andie also offers insights into the balance between entertainment publicity and a corporate brand story....

Michael Kempner, Founder & CEO of MikeWorldWide , believes that caring is the antidote to cancel culture. He offers insights into how brands can maintain a positive reputation in the current environment. Michael also emphasizes the importance of prioritizing crisis communications as an ongoing strategy rather than a reactive tool or an afterthought. To share your feedback, contact: Doug Simon:...

How can communicators redefine success throughout their careers? Cath Anderson, Head of Communications at Cityblock Health , reflects on the moment she realized that success can be defined by her own terms instead of what society or the industry expects. Cath also talks about what PR professionals need to know in order to build their skills. To share your feedback, contact Doug Simon: dougs@dssimo...

Can public affairs be approached from a bipartisan perspective? Lindsay Singleton, Managing Director & Head of the Social Impact Practice at ROKK Solutions , shares how to navigate the current political environment as a brand and find common ground. She goes into the company’s research on the bipartisan power of ESG. Download Across the Aisle: Unlocking the Bipartisan Power of ESG here . To sh...

What are the advantages of working with a boutique PR agency? David Ball, President & CEO of Ball Consulting Group, LLC and President of PR Boutiques International emphasizes how the ability to be nimble and quickly adapt to client needs has enabled his firm’s continued growth. He also discusses how larger agencies can bring a boutique feel into their practice. To share your feedback, contact:...

How can communicators retain their seat at the decision-making table in 2022? Gini Dietrich, Founder and CEO of Spin Sucks and Arment Dietrich, stresses the importance of communicating company values and keeping employees engaged in the wake of the Great Resignation. Gini also shares her passion for PR measurement and using attribution models to quantify communication effectiveness. To share your...

What is social marketing? Jennifer Wayman, President & CEO at Hager Sharp , breaks down misconceptions around the term. She discusses how to sell behavior change as a product. Jennifer also emphasizes the importance of public and private partnerships in social marketing. To share your feedback, contact: Doug Simon: dougs@dssimonmedia.com  or news@dssimonmedia.com - 212.736.2727 For more i...

How can earned media be converted into measurable results? Mark LoCastro, Director of Public Relations, SmartAsset , offers insights into utilizing a backlink strategy to generate traffic. Mark also emphasizes the importance of leveraging an internal spokesperson and shares his experience of transitioning from being a PR Manager into a national company spokesperson. To share your feedback, contact...

Why are companies shifting focus from CSR to ESG? Gloria Janata, President and CEO of TogoRun , discusses how the move impacts the role of the communications function. Gloria also dives into TogoRun’s efforts on reducing disparities in healthcare. To share your feedback, contact: Doug Simon: dougs@dssimonmedia.com  or news@dssimonmedia.com - 212.736.2727 For more info go to: https://www.dssim...

What does it mean to be a patient-focused organization? Krysta Pellegrino, Chief Client Officer at Health+Commerce , shares insights on how to put actions behind words and effectively communicate the patient focus. She also offers advice on how to be creative within a regulated industry? To share your feedback, contact: Doug Simon: dougs@dssimonmedia.com  or news@dssimonmedia.com - 212.736.27...

How has the context of leadership changed? Mike Doyle, President and CEO at Ketchum , discusses the shift into more genuine and human communications. He offers advice on increasing and maintaining employee engagement. Mike also shares some ways of developing empathy in the workplace. Learn about careers at Ketchum here . Check out how this interview came to be here .  Doug Simon: dougs@dssimo...

How has the role of communications become more important to the C-suite over the course of the pandemic? Jim O’Leary, Edelman’s U.S. Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Affairs Practice Chair, shares key data from the 2021 Future of Corporate Communications study. Jim also discusses insights on how senior communications leaders are helping CEOs navigate social issues, ESG, activism and employee...

Workplaces have forever changed and the role of HR is now more important than ever as a result of the pandemic. Tina Beaty is the Vice President of Marketing, SHRM , an association that creates better workplaces where employers and employees thrive together. She shares her PR and marketing strategies to change the national dialogue on DEI and workplace culture.  Cause the effect you want to s...

How is communications different from marketing? Amy Bonitatibus shares how she navigates a dual role as the CCO of Chase and CMO of Chase Home Lending . She discusses how creating synergies between both teams amplifies the impact of the message. Amy also emphasizes the increased importance of bringing the earned media voice into paid content. To share your feedback, contact: Doug Simon: dougs@dssi...

As the Founder and Partner at V2 Communications , Maura FitzGerald values frequent communication and feedback from employees when it comes to return-to-work planning. She emphasizes the increased need for CEOs to be more active in internal and external communications. Maura also underscores the importance of being socially conscious in a fast-paced industry. To share your feedback, contact: Doug S...

How is holiday shopping going to be different in 2021? Kathryn Hayman, Vice President of Brand Integration, Bollare Communications , anticipates an early start as a result of supply chain issues and consumers craving an in-person shopping experience. Kathryn also discusses how influencers can bring engaging in-person shopping experiences through social media. Doug Simon: dougs@dssimonmedia.com&nbs...

Fostering meaningful connections with creators is a priority at Pinterest, and what differentiates it from other social media platforms. LeMia Jenkins Thompson, Global Head of Communications at Pinterest , discusses the communications strategy behind the company’s big launch. She also shares how agencies can partner with Pinterest and effectively utilize the platform to engage with their audiences...