PRGN Presents: PR News & Views from the Public Relations Global Network

On May 13, 2026, the Public Relations Global Network will present the key findings of the PRGN Influence Insights 2026 , the second edition of its global survey on brand influence. The 2026 PRGN Influence Insights Survey offers a closer look at how brands are managing trust, reputation, AI, audience behavior and the growing complexity of influence across channels, audiences and markets worldwide....

Jaime Gardner joins Abbie Fink to talk about the biggest business development challenges agency leaders face: winning the right clients, moving prospects through a long business development cycle, and growing existing accounts. Jaime makes the case for proactive relationship-building over reactive crisis-driven engagement, arguing that agencies are better positioned when they help clients get ahea...

Megan Yocum & Johnny Reynolds talk about PR for small businesses and how public relations can be a valuable asset regardless of the size of the company. They explain how PR can effectively tell a company's story and discuss issues such as strategic planning, realistic goal setting, and budget considerations. They emphasize the importance of building brand visibility, establishing consumer trus...

Shawn Jiang discusses the intricacies of doing business in China and the evolving dynamics of public relations in the region. He shares valuable insights into the current landscape of the Chinese market, highlighting recent shifts, government strategies, and the role of communication firms in navigating these changes. Shawn emphasizes a noticeable shift from rapid growth to a more moderated pace d...

Tina Kozak is the CEO of Detroit-based Franco . She's the first woman and only the third person to hold the CEO position in firm's 62 year history. Her career highlights span a variety of areas from client service and industry innovation to organizational culture and empowering women. As Franco’s CEO, she leads the company in its values, culture and strategic vision. One of metro Detroit’s most re...

Nick Leighton returns to the podcast to talk about how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing public relations. He explains his concept of the "Narritect," a person who designs and engineers brand messages, similar to how an architect develops blueprints. As AI accelerates content creation, brands risk drowning in content and starving for clarity. The Narritect's task is to construct coherent...

Robert Bauer joins us to unpack the intriguing topic of predictions within the PR industry — how they are formulated, their inherent risks, and their potential impact on reputation management. He emphasizes the need for balance between cautious foresight and bold, sometimes controversial declarations about the future and shares his insights into the process of crafting meaningful predictions that...

Terrie Ard returns to discuss the findings of the 2026 M.Cast™ Trends Report . She explains the importance of adopting a "futurist mindset" and looking for signals and patterns of change to anticipate what is coming next, rather than simply reacting to the present. Terrie explains the concept of the "Invisible AI Revolution," predicting that artificial intelligence will soon move from a novelty to...

Abbie Fink talks with newly appointed PRGN President Frédéric François about his vision for the Public Relations Global Network throughout his term. Frédéric shares three key initiatives: combating misinformation and disinformation, advancing digital-first strategies among PRGN member agencies, and responsibly integrating AI into our work. By aligning agency efforts towards these goals, PRGN aims...

Gábor Jelinek, Executive Director of the Public Relations Global Network, joins us to discuss emerging trends and PRGN members' predictions for the public relations industry in 2026. Starting with a look back at last year's predictions, Gábor points out the continuities and new developments in global communications. He specifically notes the impact of AI in PR, its role in reshaping how agencies w...

"Influence is the currency of today, but also of the future." Gilbert Manirakiza, CEO of Newmark Group, discusses his experience as host of the recent PRGN conference in Nairobi, Kenya. He shares insights into the strategic planning and execution of the conference, emphasizing the importance of fostering global collaboration among public relations leaders. Gilbert and his team included voices from...

In our final episode on PRGN's 2025 Influence Insights research, Rogério Artoni discusses the significance of cultural and social values in public relations, especially in the Latin American context, with a sharp focus on Brazil. Download PRGN's whitepaper on insights from the 2025 global survey on Brand Influence. Rogério highlights that understanding these values is crucial for effective communi...

Andy See discusses PRGN's 2025 Influence Insights survey results from an APAC perspective, highlighting the distinct challenges and opportunities for brands in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Andy, Bill, and Adrian talk about how cultural, regulatory, and market dynamics impact brand strategy and communication approaches in APAC and beyond. Their discussion underscores the importance of adapting s...

In this episode we continue to unpack the findings of the PRGN Influence Insights research study , which surveyed 550 business, marketing, and communications leaders in over 40 countries to uncover their priorities in public relations and communications. Bill Southard and Joaquín Fernández discuss on the survey results and their implications in the European context. They explore the differences be...

Bill Southard and Natalie Ghidotti join Abbie Fink to dissect the findings of PRGN's groundbreaking global survey on brand influence. This survey of marketing and business leaders across 40 countries was commissioned by the Public Relations Global Network and conducted by Researchscape International with the involvement of PRGN’s 50+ member agencies globally. The PRGN Influence Insights survey hig...

Natacha Clarac shares her insights about how artificial intelligence is reshaping the landscape of public affairs and lobbying, highlighting both its potential benefits and the ethical responsibilities that come with its use. She emphasizes that while AI can streamline processes and enhance data analysis, a human touch remains crucial for crafting authentic and impactful messages. Natacha encourag...

"It takes 20 years to build a reputation and one tweet to destroy it." Aaron Blank joins us to discuss the crucial importance of crisis communications and the proactive measures businesses should take to prepare for potential crises. Aaron explains how companies can effectively manage their reputations when unexpected situations arise, emphasizing that having a solid crisis plan is not just a good...

Bradly Howland, CEO of Alkemi Collective, joins us to talk about accountability and transparency in the PR industry. He discusses the challenges of ownership within agencies and client relationships, emphasizing the impact of generational shifts on workplace culture. Bradly highlights efforts to professionalize PR in South Africa, addressing both agency and client accountability through industry s...

Tammy Zollner, Senior Director of Corporate Communications at RPM International, shares her journey of transforming internal communications and fostering a culture of engagement and understanding among a diverse workforce, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. She outlines the process of centralizing RPM's communications, transitioning from a company where many weren't even aware of the parent...

The Internet today is flooded with low-quality content, so it's critical to produce targeted, impactful writing that can cut through the noise. In this episode, Ann Smith talks about the evolution of thought leadership content and the importance of crafting genuine, strategic narratives. She explains that simply churning out words isn't enough. The focus should be on impactful, well-researched pie...

Experiential marketing has gained significant recognition over the past decade, becoming essential for brand engagement. Real-life experiences create emotional connections and community, which are often more impactful than traditional advertising methods. Bryan Duffy explores the evolution of experiential marketing from a "below-the-line" activity to a crucial component in marketing strategies. He...

Nick Leighton, CEO of NettResults Middle East, shares insights on the evolving landscape of public relations in the region, emphasizing the significance of long-term strategic planning driven by regional visions like UAE Vision 2021 and Saudi Vision 2030. He highlights how these frameworks focus on sustainability and technological advancement, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence,...

Abbie Fink and Terrie Ard discuss the 2025 M.Cast™ Trends Report and the importance of forward-looking thinking and data-driven insights for business leaders and communications professionals alike. Terrie shares how the M.Cast™ Trends Report was initiated as a guide to help leaders think like futurists, equipping them with the insights to foresee and adapt to inevitable industry transformations. T...

Members of the Public Relations Global Network have once again shared their predictions for the public relations industry as we look ahead to 2025. Gábor Jelinek reflects on the accuracy of last year's forecasts and discusses the evolving landscape of public relations, emphasizing the growing importance of integrated services, data-driven storytelling, and the impact of AI on communication strateg...

Read the English and Spanish transcripts of this episode on the podcast website. In today’s media landscape, especially in Latin America, the way companies communicate has evolved. Traditional approaches, where a company’s brand takes center stage, are being joined by a new strategy: unbranded communication. This method enables organizations to share important messages and drive public opinion wit...