The Brandinc PR Podcast

When is the right time to start public relations for your startup? And what if you’re trying to break into the U.S. market from abroad? In this episode, host Brandi Sims sits down with Scott Rosenblum , President and Founder of LEVEL PR , to unpack one of the most misunderstood elements of startup success: PR timing . With over 20 years in tech PR and a niche focus on B2B and fintech startups, Sco...

In this episode, Brandi Sims sits down with award-winning psychologist, TEDx speaker, and full-blown branding powerhouse,  Dr. Charmain Jackman , to talk all things visibility, voice, and values. From pivoting out of a career as a school psychologist to launching her company InnoPsych during the pandemic, Dr. Jackman breaks down how she turned her brand into a movement—one rooted in mental health...

What does it take to keep major consumer brands like Monster Energy and Boxed Water in the spotlight? In this episode of  The Brandinc PR Podcast , host Brandi Sims sits down with  Matt Kovacs , President of BLAZE PR, to explore the strategy behind standout campaigns in CPG, wellness, and hospitality. With over 20 years in the game and a trophy case of awards to match, Matt shares real stories fro...

In this episode of the Brandinc PR Podcast, Brandi Sims sits down with Penn State professor and author Bill Zimmerman to explore the intersection of digital media, education, and the booming creator economy. From his new textbook, Understanding the Creator Economy , to launching content creator summer camps and certificate programs, Bill shares how he's preparing students—both aspiring influencers...

What does it really take to cut through the digital noise and  own your voice  in today’s content-saturated world? In this episode, Brandi Sims sits down with  Joe Massa , CEO of  Podtopia Network , longtime media pro, and host of the  Podcast Accelerator , to break down the power of storytelling, podcasting as PR, and how brands can use their voice to scale  real influence . We’re talking: The fu...

What happens when a top-tier UK journalist-turned-media-trainer drops 30+ years of press wisdom on the mic? You press record—and take notes. This week on  The Brandinc PR Podcast , Brandi Sims chats with Guy Clapperton, host of one of the top 15 futurist podcasts worldwide (yes,  number nine ), PR industry legend, and a voice of reason for anyone who's ever blanked during a media interview. With r...

Who really makes the magic happen on tour? Spoiler alert: it’s not just the people on stage. In this episode of the Brandinc PR Podcast, host Brandi Sims chats with the creator of  This Is DeLaCruz , the media platform and YouTube channel giving long-overdue flowers to the touring crew—the front-of-house engineers, techs, and tour managers powering the world’s biggest shows. We dive into how they...

What does it take to turn a simple idea—like drinking out of a baseball bat—into a multi-million dollar brand? This week on  The Brandinc PR Podcast , host  Brandi Sims  sits down with  Kris Dehnert , the powerhouse CEO and co-founder of  Dugout Mugs , to talk strategy, sales, and staying grounded while scaling big. With  over $50 million in sales , partnerships with  Major League Baseball , and a...

How do you lead when you’re the  first  — and often the only one — in the room? In this powerful episode of the Brandinc PR Podcast, Brandi Sims sits down with the incomparable  Monique A.J. Smith , a pioneering force in athletics administration and leadership coaching. With over 30 years in the game, Monique has built a dynamic brand across podcasting, publishing, education, and executive trainin...

This episode of the  Brandinc PR Podcast  features a conversation with  Aquila Mendez-Valdez , Founder and CEO of  Haute in Texas , the award-winning PR and marketing agency behind collaborations with brands like Vogue, Prada, Neiman Marcus, and Orangetheory. Brandi and Aquila dive into the real, raw, and rewarding sides of entrepreneurship—how Aquila scaled her business to six figures, built a fr...

What do presidential campaigns, power ballads, and wedding speeches have in common?  Brian Franklin. In this episode, Brandi chats with the multi-hyphenate co-founder of  Vows & Speeches —a wildly creative, award-winning biz that helps people say the right words when it matters most. From advising politicians to helping couples express their vows without sounding like AI, Brian brings the rece...

The red carpet was hot, the performances were 🔥—but the real story? How the American Music Awards are changing the PR game. In this episode, Brandi breaks down how award shows like the AMAs are no longer just entertainment—they're  strategic visibility goldmines . 🎯 From CBS + Paramount+ streaming strategy to red carpet brand collabs and viral TikTok moments, this is your playbook for turning ev...

Is AI the new PR assistant we never knew we needed… or the reason journalists are ghosting your pitches?  In this bold mini-episode, Brandi Sims breaks down the  real  impact of AI on public relations—from smarter strategy to overdone spam. We’re talking robot-written press releases, fake thought leaders, and what you  actually  need to know to stay ahead without losing your human touch. 🔥 Whethe...

Tired of feeling like your brand’s playing hide and seek with success? This week, we’re chopping it up with THE Gresham “Gresh” Harkless Jr.—the genius behind CBNation and Blue 16 Media. He’s not just preaching visibility, he’s handing out the whole strategy playbook for CEOs, entrepreneurs, and creatives who are ready to shine loud and proud . From building your biz like a media company (yes, you...

Think you need to be famous, have an event, or already have media buzz to land press? Think again. In this episode, I’m breaking down the 3 biggest myths about getting PR — and showing you exactly what works instead. You’ll learn how to pitch yourself confidently (even if you’re just getting started), how to build media credibility from scratch, and why the “celebrity factor” is overrated. This is...

What do Forrest Gump, corporate boardrooms, and global beer brands have in common? Honestly… more than you’d think. In this episode of  The Brandinc PR Podcast , I’m sitting down with Dayna Adelman — 15-year PR powerhouse, former HEINEKEN comms exec, and freshly minted author of  The Youngest One in the Room . We’re diving into her career full of unplanned (but wildly meaningful) escapades, what i...

What do Wiz Khalifa, a golf ball-sized brain tumor, and social media concert wizardry have in common?  Benjamin Shrader. In this electric episode of  The Brandinc PR Podcast , Brandi sits down with the Texas-based CEO of Shrader Promotions, who went from student side hustles to  packing out venues  with chart-topping artists—all while navigating severe dyslexia, ADHD, and a life-altering haealth s...

Grab your sunscreen and your media statements—because we’re diving  deep  into the drama-filled waters of  The White Lotus  Season 3 In this solo episode, I’m unpacking the scandal, the storytelling, and the not-so-subtle PR disasters that unfold at the most luxurious (and chaotic) resort on TV. What can brands learn from it all? More than you'd think. ✨ Crisis comms when everything goes sideways...

She’s the powerhouse behind PR campaigns for Coke, Staples, Carrabba’s, and Cracker Barrel — and that’s just the appetizer. Tracy Tilson, President & Founder of Tilson PR, dishes on her journey from big-name brands to bold, boutique brilliance. Plus, hear how her entrepreneurial spark led to creating  National Use Your Gift Card Day  — a national movement that’s making waves every January. Get...

What does it  really  take to be an entrepreneur? Spoiler alert: It’s not just passion — it’s grit, heart, and a whole lot of uncomfortable moments. In this episode, we sit down with serial entrepreneur and author Kelvin Abrams, who’s turning failures into fuel and teaching others to do the same. Fresh off the release of his book  Get Uncomfortable or Change Course , Kelvin shares his raw, no-BS t...

If your brand is caught in a media storm, do you A) hide under a rock, B) tweet something you’ll regret, or C) call Ryan McCormick? (Hint: It’s  always  C!) On this episode of  The Brandinc PR Podcast , we’re sitting down with PR powerhouse Ryan McCormick—Co-Founder & Media Relations Specialist at Goldman McCormick—who knows a thing or two (or a thousand) about keeping brands cool under pressu...

What do Blue Cross Blue Shield, Rust-Oleum, Orbitz, and AT&T have in common? Besides being household names, they’ve all had the Midas touch of marketing maven Alesha Henley! 🎯 On this episode of  The Brandinc PR Podcast , we’re sitting down with Alesha—marketing executive extraordinaire and the mastermind behind  A Dose of Insight , a fractional marketing and consulting firm that helps small...

Ever wonder how E! Entertainment became the powerhouse of pop culture? We’re sitting down with the legend himself—Larry Namer, co-founder of E! and the mastermind behind global media ventures in China, Russia, and beyond. In this episode, we dive into his wild journey from cable TV’s early days to building billion-dollar brands worldwide. Larry spills on what it  really  takes to launch a media em...

What do A-list nightclubs, platinum-selling artists, and venture-backed startups have in common? A killer brand strategy—and Connor Treacy knows exactly how to make it happen. As the mastermind behind OffSunset’s $4M+ success, a former A&R exec at Universal Music Group, and a branding powerhouse in venture capital, Connor has cracked the code on PR, influence, and high-impact business moves. I...

In this episode of  The Brandinc PR Podcast , we’re diving into the powerful intersection of PR and SEO with Stephany Kaufman, founder of UPBEAT, a creative & digital agency helping small business owners, startup founders, and solopreneurs scale with intention. We break down how earned media and backlinks can supercharge your search rankings, the role of storytelling in SEO, and why aligning P...