PR's Top Pros Talk

Nicole Dunn, Founder & CEO of Dunn Pellier Media , joins Doug Simon to discuss what journalists really want from PR professionals. From crafting personalized pitches to targeting the right verticals, Nicole shares practical advice for navigating today’s evolving media landscape. She also explains how building relationships with journalists can lead to stronger connections and more effective me...

As D S Simon Media celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, we're taking a trip down memory lane by reconnecting with former employees who helped make this milestone possible. Aimee Adler Cooke, PR Lead at Conceptual Communications , talks to Doug Simon to reflect on her time at the company, where she led event partnerships and video production. She shares lessons from her career in media re...

As D S Simon Media celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, we're taking a trip down memory lane by reconnecting with former employees who helped make this milestone possible. Jamie Claudio, Executive Vice President of Global Destination Strategy for Tiki , talks to Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, about her time with the company. Jamie shares how her experience at D S Simon Media sparked...

As D S Simon Media celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, we're taking a trip down memory lane by reconnecting with former employees who helped make this milestone possible. Brian Devenny, Senior Account Supervisor at  Zeno Group , talks to Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, about his experience at the company. Brian also shares his perspective on how the media relations industry has evol...

Matt Marcial, CEO of the  Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) , joins Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media , to share what’s coming up at  ICON 2026 . Matt explains how PRSA has turned member feedback into insightful sessions for attendees. Matt and Doug offer practical advice on making the most of the conference. Matt also discusses PRSA’s new ethical standards for AI. If you want to registe...

Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media , and Saramaya Penacho, Executive Vice President of Health at  Edelman , discuss key findings from the  2026 Edelman Trust Barometer Special Report: Trust and Health . They discuss why 70% of respondents believe in at least one divisive health claim. She shares how healthcare communicators can foster empathetic, two-way conversations that build trust. She also hi...

Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media , talks to Loren Pomerantz, President of Combined Forces Public Relations , about how to recognize what makes a story newsworthy. Loren shares why honest conversations with clients and strong relationships with journalists are essential to successful media relations. She also offers practical advice for streamlining the PR process. D S Simon Media is a recognized...

How can small agencies stay competitive in the age of AI? Megan Shroy, Founder and President of  Approach Marketing , shares how her agency has built more than 80 custom AI agents for clients. Doug and Megan explore thoughtful approaches to AI adoption, including safety, compliance, and change management. Megan also explains why she built an agency designed to support working moms. D S Simon Media...

Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, talks to Gerard LaFond, Managing Director of North America at  The Hoffman Agency , about what it takes for tech brands to get noticed by large language models. They discuss why earned media is becoming increasingly important for building brand visibility. Gerard also shares how to turn technical capabilities into stories that connect with audiences. D S Simon M...

Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media , and Bob Geller, President of  Fusion PR , discuss how tech PR is evolving. Bob shares how communications teams can build credibility through thought leadership and strategic storytelling. He discusses how to uncover newsworthy angles that break through a crowded media landscape. He also emphasizes using AI strategically while keeping human creativity at the cen...

Doug Simon, CEO of  D S Simon Media , and Chris Foster, CEO of  Omnicom Public Relations Group , discuss how strong leadership drives successful organizational transformation. Chris explains how leaders can recognize when it’s time to change their operating model. The conversation also explores the importance of earned media, reputation management, and the future of the industry. D S Simon Media i...

Doug Simon talks to Claire Bolger, Senior Director of Marketing and Growth at  Health2047 , to explore what it takes to scale successful startups. Claire shares why compelling storytelling is essential for founders looking to stand out to investors. She also shares valuable insights on how leaders can keep employees engaged through periods of rapid growth. D S Simon Media is a recognized innovator...

What's next for PR? Here is the third episode in our anniversary series featuring PR's Top Pros.-Chris Foster, CEO, Omnicom Public Relations Group- Allyson Park, Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, Walmart- Bradley Akubuiro, Partner & Corporate Communications Lead, Bully Pulpit International- Dale Bornstein, CEO, M Booth- Michael O'Donnell, Senior Producer/Direc...

What’s changed in PR? Here is the second episode in our anniversary series featuring PR’s Top Pros. Chris Foster, CEO,  ⁠Omnicom⁠  Public Relations Group Allyson Park, Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer,  ⁠Walmart⁠ Bradley Akubuiro, Partner & Corporate Communications Lead,  ⁠Bully Pulpit International⁠ Dale Bornstein, CEO,  ⁠M Booth⁠ Mike Bako, Executive Vice President,  ⁠D...

What's stayed the same in PR? Here is the first installment of our anniversary series featuring PR's Top Pros.-Chris Foster, CEO, Omnicom Public Relations Group- Allyson Park, Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, Walmart - Bradley Akubuiro, Partner & Corporate Communications Lead, Bully Pulpit International - Dale Bornstein, CEO, M Booth - Mike Bako, Executive Vice P...

Megan Kessler, Founder of Dark Horse Strategies, 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 is a recognized innovator in broadc...

Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, talks to Bradley Akubuiro, Partner & Corporate Communications Lead at  Bully Pulpit International , about key insights from his book  Faster. Messier. Tougher.: Crisis Communication Strategies in an Era of Populism, AI, and Distrust . Bradley explains how leaders can identify key vulnerabilities and decide when to respond to emerging crises. The conversation...

Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, and Anne Green, Principal and Chief Executive Officer of  G&S Integrated Marketing Communications Group , discuss how leaders can navigate rapid change. The conversation explores how PR professionals can foster innovation while maintaining strong relationships and clear communication. Anne also shares why adaptability and transparency are essential leadershi...

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...