PR's Top Pros Talk

Krishana Davis, Director of Digital at Precision Strategies , gives her take in how communicators can effectively navigate their environment and the peoples within them. She touches on political and sociocultural issues such as sentiments on the election, and how communicators must shift and adapt as culture does the same.

Kari Watson, Cofounder and Managing Partner at MacDougall Advisors , discusses the ways to optimize a healthcare startup’s launch. She emphasizes the need for well-thought-out communications strategies, and the importance of the preparation stage pre-launch. She further touches on mistakes to avoid and common pitfalls new firms fall into.

Rick Gould, Managing Partner at Gould+Partners , encourages business owners to run their company as if they’re going to sell it. He shares tips on selling a firm, and how both parties can capture the most value from the transaction. Rick also reveals the factors that buyers are most cognizant of such as the owners market salary, an owner’s ‘understudy’ and more.

Katya Hantel, Senior Director of Sustainability at Conagra Brands , discusses how brands can communicate environmental and social initiatives effectively as ESG becomes a business imperative. She sheds light on how businesses like Conagra can serve as sustainability translators to key stakeholders – such as investors, consumers, and employees – to champion greater development and adoption of susta...

Amy Rosenberg, Founder & President of Veracity Marketing , emphasizes the importance for brands to adapt with today’s innovations in public relations. She talks about how industry strides in SEO, email marketing and brand messaging affect business communication with their respective audiences. Amy breaks down these concepts further in her book, “A Modern Guide to Public Relations.”

Avra Lorrimer, Executive Vice President at H+K Strategies , shares her thoughts on brand behavior as we emerge from the pandemic. She talks about how brands can navigate humor and the responsibility to support those who have suffered and fallen behind over the past year.

Megan Driscoll, CEO & Founder of EvolveMKD, discusses how brands can truthfully and empathetically serve their audiences, specifically their female consumers. She discusses 5 main styles of communicators, based on the current scientific literature, and how brands can leverage on them to communicate with, not over clients. She then goes on to suggest ways that EvolveMKD has utilized authentic c...

Tim Johnson, President of Upraise Marketing + Public Relations, provides insights on how startups can adeptly begin their brand narrative in PR. He discusses the various channels and mediums for these firms to plan for and capitalize on to ensure the receive positive consumer sentiment. He also explains the role of agencies in working with the startups and the need for ‘nimble feet’ as the new bra...

Sabrina Macias, Vice President of Global Communications at DraftKings , addresses how communicators can reach their audiences in authentic and nuanced ways. She goes in depth on how brands can control the narrative of their portrayal in their respective markets and business environments. She emphasizes the importance of preparation for one’s public relations moves based on other contingent factors...

Vanessa Wakeman, Founder & CEO, of The Wakeman Agency , a social change firm providing strategic communications support to nonprofits and socially responsible companies, discusses how brands can start integrating social justice into their messaging in an authentic way. She dives into the agency’s Louder than Words initiative, which was developed to help correct pervasive funding inequities in...

Cathy Decker, Co-Founder & Principal, The Decker/Royal Agency , discusses how to create a welcoming environment and navigate the challenges of hospitality while staying safe. She sheds light on an agency’s role in working with hospitality brands, and how one can integrate with management to create the most customer value.

Valarie De La Garza, CEO, Fenton , shares insights on how to create positive social change through strategic communications. She discusses the shift from just talk to action for demonstrating greater inclusivity. Valarie also goes into navigating the definition of what social good is from multiple perspectives.

Christina Stejskal, VP, Global Communications, Fender , emphasizes the importance of crafting inclusive marketing campaigns and strategic overarching messaging. She shares examples of how the brand manages to keep existing customers engaged and involved while offering insights into securing quality media over quantity.

Jennifer Curley, President & CEO, Curley Company , discusses how associations had to navigate the challenges of hosting events as a result of the pandemic. She emphasizes the importance for associations to provide member value. Jennifer also goes into how the agency helped their clients to be nimble in the current dynamic environment.

Cathy Fink, President, Makovsky , offers insights into the challenges of taking on a leadership role at a legacy PR agency. She shares lessons learned and practices from her experiences at a larger public traded company that can have a positive impact in a smaller organization. Cathy also discusses the evolving role of communications and the increased need for transparency.

Laura Duda, SVP & CCO, Goodyear , shares insights on positioning a brand outside of its traditional vertical. She shares the challenges of integrated messaging following an acquisition and a joint venture with a competitor. Laura also provides her perspective on how polarization and politics can challenge a company’s external communications approach.

Ken Jacobs, PCC, CPC, Principal, Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching , discusses the key role leadership plays in an organization’s success. He stresses the importance of building trust and fostering influence with your constituents as a leader. Ken also emphasizes the increased need to have an opportunity mindset.

Sophie Merven, Head of Communications, IHG Hotels & Resorts , shares her outlook for travel post-COVID from a global perspective. She also discusses how the organization was forced to rethink themselves and make significant changes as a result of the pandemic. Sophie also emphasizes the increased role of PR and earned media in the current environment.

Gina Judge, Senior Director of Communications, PepsiCo , discusses navigating communications for the company’s foodservice business, which encompasses “away from home” channels that were greatly impacted by the pandemic. She sheds light on how PepsiCo worked with employees, customers and consumers to make a positive impact in struggling communities and tackle social injustice. Gina also shares key...

Julissa Marenco, CMO & Assistant Secretary for Communications and External Affairs, The Smithsonian , discusses the challenges of aligned messaging for different museums under the Institution’s umbrella brand. She emphasizes the importance of soft skills and soft influence in building effective relationships within the decentralized enviornment of the Institution. Julissa also dives into the o...

Linda Rutherford, SVP & CCO, Southwest Airlines , shares her predictions for the comeback of travel. She emphasizes the increased importance of integrating communications with marketing. Linda also discusses lessons learned from the pandemic that will continue to be relevant moving forward.

Chris Foster, President, North America, BCW Group , shares insights on how the expectations on how to communicate have changed for organization leaders. He discusses the increased importance of DE&I and his own journey of becoming a Black agency leader. Chris also dives into the rising trend of CEOs being more engaged in the communications strategy.

Christine Barney, CEO, RBB Communications , emphasizes that what you stand for as a business is more important than ever. She shares insights on the future of the workplace, and how her team was prepared for the remote environment. Christine also dives into the agency’s initiatives in the ESG space.

Why are satellite media tours growing in importance as a must use public relations tool? What are best practices? Host Doug Simon interviewed Doug Simon, Founder & CEO, D S Simon Media . They discussed the significant rise in demand for satellite media tours and the increased importance for organizations to communicate with their stakeholders through the media. He offers insights from Nielsen...

Kristen Vigrass, President, The Brandman Agency , shares insights on the challenges of travel communications during COVID and transitioning into a post-pandemic environment. She breaks down how to navigate messaging for different organizations in the industry. Kristen also dives into the Brandman Agency Partner Program that her team developed to provide opportunities for experienced PR professiona...