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

Reporters are often inundated with automated, irrelevant email pitches. But how far is too far when using automation to secure media coverage? In this episode, we discuss a recent, troubling scandal where a PR agency used AI-generated personas of non-existent PR reps, complete with fake names and headshots, to pitch stories on behalf of their clients. One journalist, Maggie Harrison Dupré, uncover...

It's easy to assume that writing a mission statement, hanging a manifesto in the breakroom, or hosting a casual Friday is enough to establish a strong company culture. However, true culture is much harder to define—it's both an identity and a set of shared practices built on daily actions, stories, and genuine interactions. In this episode, Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre discuss what culture a...

Abbie Fink and Adrian McIntyre chat with Mandy Holmes, founder of Sponsor My Athlete , about how parents can turn their children's passion for sports into a lucrative opportunity through local business sponsorships. Mandy shares insights on building brand partnerships, legal and financial considerations, and how these strategies can extend to arts and other activities. Whether you're a parent, a s...

Ilana Lowery is Director of School Partnerships & Policies at Common Sense Media, a non-profit organization that puts kids' safety and well-being first in the digital era. Ilana joins us to talk about the new Youth AI Safety Institute , an independent effort to research AI's impact, set safety standards, evaluate products, and share the findings with parents, educators and policymakers alike....

In this episode, Adrian McIntyre and Abbie Fink reflect on leadership, recognition, and the responsibilities that come with both. Prompted by Abbie’s recent induction into the Scottsdale Hall of Fame, the conversation moves beyond awards themselves to focus on what meaningful leadership actually requires: shared purpose, trust, connection, and the ability to bring others along. Abbie argues that t...

On May 13, 2026, the Public Relations Global Network will present the key findings of 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. Join...

Generative AI can be fast, fluent, and incredibly useful. It can also produce false statements with great confidence. In this episode, Abbie and Adrian discuss why communicators cannot confuse polished output with trustworthy information. They explore fact-checking, source verification, media literacy, and what it means to create content that remains credible in an AI-centric communication environ...

Follow the podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Copper State of Mind in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other podcast app. We publish new episodes every other Friday. Just pick your preferred podcast player from this link, open the app, and click the button to “Follow” the show: https://copperstateofmind.show/listen Need to hire a PR firm? We demystify the process and give you some h...

Follow the podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Copper State of Mind in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other podcast app. We publish new episodes every other Friday. Just pick your preferred podcast player from this link, open the app, and click the button to “Follow” the show: https://copperstateofmind.show/listen Need to hire a PR firm? We demystify the process and give you some h...

Abbie Fink and Adrian McIntyre discuss the intricacies of communicating with journalists and the public in the midst of the criminal investigation in Tucson, Arizona into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of journalist and television host Savannah Guthrie. They explore the responsibilities and pressures faced by local public information officers and other official spokespe...

Follow the podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Copper State of Mind in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other podcast app. We publish new episodes every other Friday. Just pick your preferred podcast player from this link, open the app, and click the button to “Follow” the show: https://copperstateofmind.show/listen Need to hire a PR firm? We demystify the process and give you some h...

Abbie Fink and Adrian McIntyre discuss the evolving role of communications and public relations professionals within organizational hierarchies. The conversation kicks off with Adrian highlighting the longstanding advocacy for including communications leaders at the strategic table. He suggests that this inclusion is no longer just a desire for prestige; it is now critical for organizational survi...

Journalism's role as a trustworthy source of verified information is under siege. With unprecedented speed, modern crises now spur a phenomenal amount of real-time media content that challenges conventional journalistic practices. How does the rapid influx of information — and misinformation — impact communication professionals, journalists, and the public? Abbie and Adrian explore the dynamic int...

Abbie Fink and Adrian McIntyre look back at their Top 10 most popular podcast episodes of 2025 to identify the key themes, trends, and industry shifts that will impact public relations in 2026. They talk about how PR and media are undergoing rapid transformation due to technological advancements and societal changes. Issues such as authenticity, trust, and influence are recurring themes in the dis...

The Copper State of Mind podcast has won a prestigious Copper Anvil Award, one of the highest honors in the PR industry. 🎉 Abbie and Adrian discuss the significance of such awards before moving on to the main topic of the episode: the evolving role of PR professionals amidst changes in media. As traditional media platforms continue to evolve, Abbie highlights the increasing importance of cultivat...

Read the transcript and notes for this episode on our website. Follow the podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Copper State of Mind in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other podcast app. We publish new episodes every other Friday. Just pick your preferred podcast player from this link, open the app, and click the button to “Follow” the show: https://copperstateofmind.show/listen Need...

Abbie Fink and Adrian McIntyre reflect on their recent visit to Nairobi, Kenya, for the Public Relations Global Network (PRGN) conference, a gathering that brought together PR and communications professionals from across the globe. They share stories of connection and discovery, from the warmth and hospitality of the Kenyan people to the vibrant cultural pride that infused every interaction. What...

Dishonesty and deceit have become the defining features of much communication today, in politics and business alike. What are public relations professionals to do? Samantha Villegas joins Abbie Fink and Adrian McIntyre to talk about PR ethics in a post-truth era. She talks about the importance of ethical standards, the impact of misinformation, and strategies for discerning truth. And perhaps most...

The core principle of journalism is to "seek the truth and report it," a mission that is constantly challenged by those who don't want the truth to be told. The First Amendment protects journalism in the United States, yet there is a growing concern about governmental restrictions on press freedoms. Journalists are facing unprecedented attempts to silence them through lawsuits and intimidation, ra...

The typical RFP process for hiring PR and communications firms produces sub-optimal outcomes for all parties. (That's the polite way of saying it's really bad.) We believe it can be done better, but it will take increased transparency and trust between organizations and agencies. In this episode, Abbie and Adrian discuss how the traditional RFP has become a barrier that stifles creativity. They pr...

Abbie and Adrian take a break from the very serious topics we've discussed on recent episodes to share our hot and Coldplay takes on a few of the stories that have been dominating the news lately. From the kiss cam to Cracker Barrel—with rambling detours and digressions on Marilyn Monroe and Taylor Swift—there's something in this episode to interest or annoy almost anyone. (We also say a few smart...

Sandra Fink is a physical education teacher in Glendale, California, where she has taught for 36 years. For the past 10 years she has been the coordinator of a leadership program called WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) at Wilson Middle School. The WEB leadership program is designed to help sixth graders transition to middle school with support from eighth graders. Sandra explains that leadership isn't...

Dean Battinto Batts and Professor Julia Wallace from Arizona State University join us to talk about the recent launch of the Knight Center for the Future of News at ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. The Knight Center for the Future of News focuses on creating sustainable models and innovative practices for the journalism industry through three core initiatives: the...

Abbie Fink and Adrian McIntyre talk about the crucial role that public relations professionals have a within a well-integrated communications team. They discuss how PR has evolved in response to technological advances in AI and automation, highlighting its importance as a strategic component in modern business. Abbie shares her journey from journalism to PR and reflects on the historical focus on...

Nikki Little of Franco, a Detroit-based PR agency, joins us to talk about the importance of internal communications during times of crisis or rapid change—in other words, times like these . Join Franco’s 5-Day Challenge and learn how to navigate uncertainty with strategic communication that builds trust, engagement and resilience. Nikki shares tactical insights on building a culture where listenin...