Copper State of Mind: public relations, media, and marketing in Arizona

Abbie and Adrian discuss the perspectives of recent college graduates and the unique challenges they face in today's job market. In an era where technology has rendered remote work more accessible, new grads are asking critical questions about workplace culture and the boundaries of work-life balance. Abbie shares her thoughts on the relevance of working "9 to 5" (and sings a little Dolly Parton i...

Abbie and Adrian discuss the importance of showing appreciation through small yet impactful gestures. While many people recognize the importance of these actions, consistently putting them into practice can be a challenge amidst the chaos of everyday life. Abbie shares a personal experience from a recent business trip, emphasizing how simple acts, like delivering handwritten notes to media contact...

Abbie and Adrian talk about bridging the gap between what can be measured and what truly matters in communications and public relations. They discuss how the phrase "what gets measured gets managed"—often wrongly attributed to Peter Drucker—can be misleading since not everything that truly matters can be quantified and counted. Abbie shares her experiences from earlier in her career, reminiscing a...

This episode explores how employees can become powerful brand ambassadors, influencing public perception and enhancing brand communication. Abbie and Adrian discuss findings from a PR Week/Cision study showing that today's audiences increasingly trust employees' voices over paid celebrity endorsements. This change marks a notable shift in consumer behavior and brand strategy, showcasing the critic...

The 2025 Comms Report by Cision and PRWeek highlights the significant impact of AI on the PR industry, touching on both the opportunities and concerns AI presents. Abbie and Adrian discuss how AI is becoming an integral part of their workflows, while also addressing fears about job security and budget impacts. They emphasize the importance of adapting to these changes by equipping oneself with AI...

Abbie and Adrian discuss the backlash against Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) programs amidst changing federal policies and ongoing cultural debates. They explore the tension between maintaining an inclusive workplace and the pushback against such initiatives, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue, factual evidence, and continuous learning. The conversation touches on "mer...

Abbie and Adrian talk about the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer report, which reveals rising global grievances and declining trust in institutions. They explore how businesses, governments, and NGOs can rebuild trust amidst economic and social challenges. The discussion centers on the role of transparent communication, responsible leadership, how generational differences affect perceptions of trust a...

It's National Mentoring Month, and Abbie Fink and Adrian McIntyre talk about the transformative power of mentoring and its impact on their personal lives and professional careers. They discuss the essence of mentorship, emphasizing the importance of both giving and receiving guidance. They reflect on their own experiences with mentors, highlighting how these relationships can profoundly impact one...

A high-profile legal battle has erupted in Hollywood involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, following allegations of sexual harassment during the production of the film It Ends With Us. Abbie Fink and Adrian McIntyre talk about the complexities of reputation management in the public relations field, raising ethical concerns around the tactics used by both celebrities and their representatives....

The recent $15 million settlement between ABC News and President-elect Trump has sparked significant concern about the future of objective reporting and press freedom. Abbie and Adrian discuss the implications of this case, exploring how such legal actions can influence journalistic integrity and the delicate balance between business interests and the truth. They talk about the evolving role of me...

The holiday season presents unique challenges for communications professionals as we navigate a crowded landscape of messaging and marketing. With many shoppers planning their purchases well in advance—some starting as early as Labor Day—it's crucial for brands and organizations to strategize their communications well ahead of time. Abbie emphasizes the importance of starting holiday conversations...

The decline of local media outlets in the United States poses significant threats to democracy and community engagement. Abbie Fink and Adrian McIntyre discuss the phenomenon of "news deserts," areas devoid of reliable local news sources, drawing on a comprehensive study by Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Media and Integrated Marketing Communications that tracks the scale an...

As the United States navigates the turbulent waters of a presidential transition, the ripple effects of the presidential election will be felt across the globe. A growing division in society—fueled by media that profits from polarization—calls for a reevaluation of how businesses and organizations communicate. In this episode, Abbie and Adrian talk about emotional responses to the election results...

Abbie Fink , the new sole owner of HMA Public Relations, shares her journey of transitioning from vice president to president and the challenges she faced during this significant change. Abbie and Adrian discuss the intricacies of business ownership, including the emotional and financial aspects of Abbie buying out her business partner, Scott Hanson, who retired after many successful years togethe...

How do you communicate your best ideas and strategies to your audience? What are the possibilities and potential pitfalls of "thought leadership"? How do you know when you've accomplished the goals of your content strategy or marketing campaigns? In this episode, Abbie Fink and Adrian McIntyre talk about the 83 podcast episodes they've recorded together since 2019 and why Abbie has decided to "pau...

In this episode, Abbie Fink and Adrian McIntyre talk with Jackie Yoder, COO of Wilde Wealth Management. Jackie Yoder joined Wilde Wealth Management in March of 2020. As Chief Operating Officer, she leverages her excellent leadership and teamwork skills in order to ensure that objectives are completed to the highest standard. Jackie brings with her a background in Sales Accounting, and Financial Ad...

In this episode, Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre talk with Melanie Green about law firm marketing and communications. Melanie Green loves working with lawyers and building teams to support them. She currently serves as the chief marketing and business development officer at Fish & Richardson , a premier intellectual property and litigation law firm. With over 20 years of experience in the l...

In this episode, Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre talk with Samantha Gulick, Director of Marketing for Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino. Sam is a proud graduate of Bellevue University where she earned a degree in business. She started her career with Caesars Entertainment in June 2014 as the first Marketing Campaign Associate for Horseshoe Baltimore. She then became the Marketing Campaign Supervisor for...

When the whole world seems to be taking sides and voicing opinions on controversial issues, should your organization stay silent? Topics like abortion, gun legislation, or climate change may not be a "PR issue" for your company, but does that mean silence is an appropriate option? In this episode, Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre talk about when and how to take a stand in a contentious media env...

Does your team trust you to follow through? A Harvard Business Review study found that 58% of employees would trust a stranger more than their boss. In this episode, Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre talk about the difference between accountability and authority and share some thoughts about the importance of trust in the workplace. Additional Resources "Is Authenticity Overlooked?" by Scott Hans...

In this episode, Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre discuss the state of online reviews from the perspective of both customers and business owners – the value of feedback, the information we can glean from the reviews, and more importantly, what the business owner can and should do with that information. Read Abbie Fink's blog post for this episode:  "Is It Worth It To Ask for Online Reviews?...

Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre chat with Laurie Munn, Senior Director of Strategy and Business Development at Mercy Care, a not-for-profit health plan serving AHCCCS members throughout Arizona. Mercy Care provides access to health care services for families, children, seniors, and people with physical and developmental/cognitive disabilities. Learn more at MercyCareAZ.org . Read Abbie Fink's b...

In this episode, Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre discuss the benefits of the Public Relations Global Network , which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Read Abbie Fink's blog post for this episode:  "Collaboration, Best Practices Are Benefits of the PRGN Network" Additional Resources "What is the Difference Between Local and National Public Relations?" by Abbie Fink "Unmatched Reso...

The "new normal" of remote and hybrid workplaces has created many challenges and opportunities. Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre discuss how these changes are affecting both internal and external communicators. Read Abbie Fink's blog post for this episode:  "Communications Remains Front and Center in the Workplace." Additional Resources "Creating An Innovative and Authentic Workplace" by Ab...

What is integrity in public relations? What happens when your client has done wrong -- do you still work with them? What makes a good client, and what reasons are there NOT to take on a client? How do you navigate a crisis situation while maintaining your ethical standards? Read Abbie Fink's blog post for this episode:  "Have We Ever Compromised Our Integrity?" Additional Resources "How to Bu...