Podcasts about muck rack

AI tools are already answering questions about your brand—to your buyers, your board, and the journalists who cover you—and they're confidently wrong often enough that one Minnesota company is suing Google for as much as $210 million over a lawsuit its AI invented. To make matters worse, Muck Rack research shows that in 29% of organizations, nobody owns this at all. In this episode, Gini Dietrich shares the four-move discipline for governing what AI says about your brand—baseline the narrative, fix your source of truth, correct the record with infrastructure, and give the work an owner—and make the case that this is reputation management, which means it belongs to communicators. Read the full article: https://spinsucks.com/communication/ai-reputation-management/  Take the free PESO Model® Diagnostic: https://spinsucks.com/self-peso-diagnostic/Explore the PESO Model® Certification: https://spinsucks.com/peso-model-certification/

The CEO of Cracker Barrel lost her job this week, and the tell was sitting in an interview she gave months earlier. A year after the logo backlash — the one that generated a wall of press, then a second spike now, bookending the whole affair in Muck Rack's data — Julie Fels Masino is out. She did not need to be. Almost everything she decided was right.That is what makes this one worth your time. This is not a story about a dumb company doing a dumb thing. Cracker Barrel was right about the numbers, right about the strategy, right that something had to change. The industry buckets them next to Denny's. Their average check is $15 against an industry closer to $27. Fifty people work the back of house to put that much food on a table. The business case was real. They walked off a cliff anyway, because they missed the one thing a spreadsheet cannot show you.Two interviews tell the story. Eight months ago, Julie sat down with Glenn Beck — beside the senior vice president of store operations, in a bone-colored blouse, eating on camera, while Beck got up for coffee mid-answer. It was there that she did her best work: running her hand around the smooth corner of a remodeled table and explaining that customers told them the hard corners hurt. A regular who brings a stadium cushion to dinner because the chairs are uncomfortable. A Bible study group that meets in the booths. That is a customer describing their own pain, unprompted, on camera, for free.Then Good Morning America, where Michael Strahan lobbed her a softball and she reached for a memorized line instead. The $700 million rebrand had gone after the logo — the thing that was not broken — and the interview never once went near the chairs.Chapters:0:00 — The Most Expensive Words in Crisis Communication0:18 — The Backlash, One Year On1:53 — "There Is a Lot to Be Optimistic About"2:19 — Right About Almost Everything4:02 — The CEO Is a Comms Major (and Was Probably Overruled)7:32 — The Glenn Beck Interview: The Hard Nos9:01 — Never Let Your CEO Eat on Camera10:14 — "Velcro Balls Against the Wall to See What Would Stick"10:59 — Denny's, the $15 Check, and Fifty People in the Back13:10 — The Booth Demo That Actually Worked13:20 — The Customer Who Brings His Own Stadium Cushion14:22 — The Corner of the Table14:52 — A $700 Million Rebrand of the Thing That Was Not Broken15:57 — GMA: The Archetype of the Softball Interview16:39 — "The Feedback's Been Overwhelmingly Positive"17:54 — "I'll Give You Another Sound Bite"18:58 — The Statement Cracker Barrel Never Made20:02 — The Remodel Question, and Why It Is a Bad Data Point20:43 — The Values Blind Spot21:57 — Taking the Bait22:23 — Where Molly Lands on Julie23:07 — It Was Never About the Logo

Taylor Farms got the apology it wanted. The FDA told the company that one iceberg lettuce product from Central Mexico had a “confirmed positive” cyclospora test, then said the next day it had made a mistake and the result was a false positive. As of the FDA's own account, no positive product test for cyclospora has been identified. Taylor Farms then built an entire statement around that apology, led with it, and left the people who got sick in the last paragraph under "our thoughts remain."That is where this crisis got away from them. A false positive on one test does not mean the outbreak isn't yours — and as I say on the live, it is still unclear exactly where this outbreak is coming from. The FDA's traceback pointed at Central Mexico. And while Taylor Farms spent its statement arguing with a federal agency, the story became a Taco Bell story. Muck Rack ran the numbers for the live and you can watch it happen: Taco Bell's article volume runs past everyone else's, Taco Bell turns up inside the Taylor Farms word cloud, then inside the Walmart word cloud. Taco Bell started promoting menu items without lettuce. Taylor Farms took its statement down entirely.In this breakdown I read the statement line by line, ask who was in the room while it was written, and show you what the media data did before and after the correction. You always have to speak to the pain. You don't have to describe the symptoms, but you do have to see the person who ate that salad at a party, on vacation, at a rehearsal dinner.Second half: Amy Griffin, her memoir The Tell, and a lawsuit from a former classmate who says the book's most harrowing anecdotes came from her life. Griffin's answer was to file her own suit and pull the New York Times into it. Same week, same playbook as Taylor Farms. Attack the institution, skip the harm. The biggest tell that your story doesn't hold up is when you attack the press.Chapters:0:00 The Friday hit list and this week's PR fires1:12 Where the Taylor Farms PR goes off course1:58 The full Taylor Farms statement, read line by line3:15 The headline is a request to be vindicated4:12 Company versus agency is never the play5:12 "Our thoughts remain" and who was in the room6:43 The fatal flaw, it forgets the pain8:00 The statement gets pulled, and the audience word cloud9:37 Taco Bell takes the hit, the Muck Rack numbers10:57 Word clouds for FDA, Taco Bell, Taylor Farms and Walmart12:26 What a false positive actually means, and the sentiment swing14:42 A question about FDA quality control15:30 Amy Griffin, The Tell, and why I stopped reading16:46 Who actually sells books now18:43 Bell Burden, Martha's Vineyard, and hidden wealth20:07 The classmate's lawsuit21:22 What bad PR looks like in the New York Times23:23 Maureen Callahan and the media industrial complex24:23 Attacking the press is the tell25:00 The legal-threat play26:29 Same playbook, both stories27:46 Mitch McConnell watch28:37 September category trainings

Episode Summary Muck Rack's State of PR 2026 report surveyed 971 PR professionals. Only 18% were solos. The rest were mostly from agencies and in-house teams — which means that when the report says 66% of PR pros rate their stress above five out of ten, or that 55% worked more than 40 hours last week, those numbers were never really measuring a department of one. Karen and Michelle decided to build the solo column themselves. This episode takes three of the report's most significant findings and translates them through the solo lens: first, why the stress and workload data almost certainly understates what solos are experiencing; second, why the industry's move toward volume pitching at the exact moment journalists are demanding relevance is actually good news for solo practitioners who were never going to out-blast a team of account coordinators; and third, why the GEO ownership vacuum — 29% of organizations say no one owns it — is one of the clearest competitive opportunities solos have right now. Karen and Michelle also draw on Muck Rack's companion State of Journalism 2026 report throughout, giving the journalist perspective that makes the pitching data land harder. This is a data-driven, translation episode built for the practitioner the industry keeps forgetting to count. Episode Highlights [00:03] The Opening Question That Frames Everything: Karen opens without a greeting: 'Quick question before we even say hello. Did you read Muck Rack's new State of PR report and feel like it was describing someone else's job?' Michelle's answer: she pored through it, noticed only 18% of respondents were solos, and across every chart — stress, hours, pitching, GEO — there was no solo column. The episode's mission: build that column themselves. [02:17] The Report Was Not Built for You — and the Data Understates Your Load: Karen walks through the report's sample: 971 usable responses, 56% agencies, 18% solo. When the report says 66% rate their stress above five out of ten, or that 77% worked after hours at least once last week — those numbers come largely from people with a team absorbing some of the load: an account coordinator to pick up an email thread, an intern to build the coverage report, a colleague to cover a sick day. There is no chart in this report for running all of those roles simultaneously. [03:43] What Freelance and Creative Industry Research Fills In: Because Muck Rack didn't ask solos specifically, Karen and Michelle pull parallel research from broader freelance and creative industry studies. The finding: the majority of freelancers report burnout symptoms, and a notable share describe energy depletion even when logging fewer hours than a traditional employee. The theory is that when you're responsible for delivery, sales, admin, and income security simultaneously, the load doesn't show up as more hours — it shows up as more weight per hour. Michelle: 'Boy, isn't that the truth.' [05:53] Segment 2: Precision Over Volume — Why Solos Are Already Winning the Pitch Game: 49% of PR pros say they pitch more than 20 journalists per campaign. 24% pitch more than 50. Meanwhile, personalization is moving in the wrong direction: only 66% say they always or usually personalize pitches, down from 70% last year, and 73% of those who do personalize are only changing a few sentences. The trend line: pitch more people, customize less per person. And then the number that should stop everyone doing this cold. [06:56] 88% of Journalists Immediately Delete Irrelevant Pitches: Karen and Michelle pulled Muck Rack's companion State of Journalism 2026 report directly. 88% of journalists say they immediately delete a pitch that is irrelevant to their coverage — the single biggest reason pitches get trashed, ahead of being overly promotional at 71% and looking like a mass email at 50%. And 70% say the number one thing a pitch should demonstrate is clear relevance to their beat — ahead of interview access, data, and everything else. 43% say relevant pitches are seldom or never what they actually receive. A journalist quoted in the open-ended responses: 'Don't pitch widely, pitch selectively and then widen as needed.' [09:42] The Solo Reframe: Your Constraint Is Actually Your Strategy: Karen's line: you were never going to out-blast a team with a subscription database and three account coordinators. You cannot pitch 50 people with real personalization by yourself. But the data shows that is exactly the wrong strategy anyway. The industry is trading relevance for reach at the moment journalists are punishing that trade. What solos assumed was a disadvantage turns out to be pointing them at the right approach by default. It's not that you need a bigger list — you need a sharper one. 15 real relationships outperform 50 cold contacts. [11:53] The GEO Ownership Vacuum Is a Solo Opportunity: 73% of PR pros say GEO is at least somewhat important to their strategy. But 29% — the single largest group — say no one owns it at their organization. Another 13% are not sure who does. PR and comms claim it only 24% of the time. SEO or content teams claim it 15% of the time. The rest is scattered across marketing leadership and dedicated AI teams. For solos: there is no committee, no turf war, no meeting to schedule to decide whose job it is. That decision was already made. [16:34] The GEO Tactics Already in Reach: The tactics the report lists for building AI visibility are all single-person tasks: 55% are securing coverage in high-authority publications, half are creating authoritative or data-driven content, half are optimizing for search, and 44% are structuring content with clear answers and FAQ formats so AI tools can extract it easily. None of these require cross-functional sign-off. Michelle's observation: if you start now informally, you may not be behind at all — you may be ahead of larger organizations still arguing about who owns this. [18:33] Three Takeaways for Solo Practitioners: First: trust your own stress and workload data more than what this report says — it was never measuring a department of one. Second: shrink your pitch list and go deeper, letting this data give you permission to stop trying to out-volume agencies with ten times your headcount. Third: claim GEO now, informally, before anyone tells you it's yours to claim — pick one tactic and start. Resources & Additional Information Muck Rack — State of PR 2026 Report: muckrack.com/state-of-pr Muck Rack — State of Journalism 2026 Report: muckrack.com/state-of-journalism Solo PR Pro membership community: soloprpro.com That Solo Life podcast website: thatsololife.com Note on sourcing: all statistics referenced in this episode are drawn from Muck Rack's State of PR 2026 and State of Journalism 2026 reports. Links to both reports are above. Freelance burnout data is from broader creative industry research cited in the episode — verify against primary sources before external publication. Host & Show Info That Solo Life is a podcast created for public relations, communication, and marketing professionals who work as independent or small-agency practitioners. Hosted by Karen Swim, APR, President of Solo PR Pro, and Michelle Kane, Principal of Voice Matters, the show delivers expert insights, encouragement, and practical advice for solo PR pros navigating today's dynamic professional landscape. Listen to all episodes and catch up on previous conversations at thatsololife.com. Did this episode inspire you? If you found value in this conversation, please take a moment to leave us a review. Your feedback helps us reach more solo pros just like you! Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Justin Baldoni hadn't said a public word in almost two years. Then last week he propped up a phone, sat down next to his wife Emily, and posted a video to his own Instagram — no publicist, no People magazine. I told NBC News the most strategic thing about the video is how unstrategic it looked, and in this episode I show you the receipts.I walk through every move the way I teach my own clients: the owned-channel play (stop fighting Meta's algorithm — bring the crisis to your channel), the optics of the couch and the army-green T-shirt, the family deployment (why Emily delivered the hardest lines, and why Blake Lively's version of that move — deploying Taylor Swift — backfired), the one-word message of gratitude, and the timing window that opened the moment the Taylor Swift wedding coverage cooled. Then my partner Muck Rack and I ran the numbers: 623 articles in four days, 60.7% positive sentiment, only 7.2% negative, and a word cloud that finally puts Justin Baldoni's name in the center of the story instead of Blake Lively's.You'll also hear the other side of the NBC 'Heartfelt or Creepy' headline — the crisis consultant (a onetime Harvey Weinstein rep) who called the video creepy and pointless — and why I disagree: Baldoni is in reputation repair, he needs to be hireable again, and in this game you need to have the last word.Chapters:0:00 No publicist, no People magazine — the whole move2:40 Two years of Baldoni v. Lively4:42 Where the case stands: 10 of 13 claims dropped, $8M in fees6:02 The optics: a couch, a T-shirt, a propped-up phone8:22 The owned-channel doctrine: stop fighting Meta10:05 'Heartfelt or Creepy' — the headline that split PR experts12:04 Reputation repair needs the last word13:29 Watching the video: the zings and the gratitude message18:34 The family deployment: Emily vs. Taylor Swift20:22 Injustice — the word in every client call25:22 The Muck Rack numbers: 623 articles, 60.7% positive28:05 The timing window after the Taylor Swift wedding31:11 My changed playbook: don't fight the algorithm33:15 When it's your name in the group chat36:21 Offer it upJoin me for my weekly Lives on Substack, and find me everywhere at Molly McPherson.

"If you were saying, I'm adding AI to the product or we're now agentic, we now have an agentic AI component, it's not really news."Katie Zeppieri said the quiet part out loud.We invited the Founder and CEO of The MicDrop Agency onto Bricks & Bytes to demystify PR for construction tech. Her agency worked with Document Crunch from its early days through to the Trimble acquisition, so she has seen exactly what earns coverage and what gets deleted from a journalist's inbox.A few things that stuck with us:Events are still the number one marketing channel in construction, but only if you do the work before you land at the venue.Muck Rack's research found that the overwhelming majority of AI citations come from earned media. If journalists are not writing about you, ChatGPT is not talking about you either.If you have ever sent out a "we now integrate with X" press release, this episode is for you. Full conversation on YouTube and Spotify now.#bricksandbytes #bricksbytes #constructiontech #construction #aec #aiChapters00:00 Intro01:17 How PR Works in Construction Technology03:50 PR Strategy Explained: The Communications Triangle06:44 What Makes a Story Newsworthy?09:34 Common PR Mistakes Startups Make10:22 Sponsors13:23 Why Most PR Announcements Get Ignored15:44 How to Build Relationships With Journalists18:38 How Startups Get Featured in Major Publications21:28 How Speaking at Industry Events Builds Your Brand24:29 In-Person vs Virtual Events: Which Works Best?27:36 How Media Relations Builds Long-Term Credibility28:55 Construction Tech PR Case Study: Document Crunch30:59 How to Announce a Startup Acquisition36:11 PR Strategy for Seed-Stage Startups40:26 Founder-Led Marketing and Personal Branding45:23 Public Speaking Tips for Startup Founders48:00 The Future of PR and Marketing54:16 What PR Will Look Like in 2028Our Sponsors:BreadCrumb- 50,000+ projects globally. All running safer, faster, with Breadcrumb. - breadcrumb.coAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coArchdesk -  “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.com

This one was ripped straight from Molly's morning. A client in the middle of a professional crisis that went viral and personal - social media vigilantes mobilizing online, a position lost - and the conversation kept landing on a single question: when someone types your name into a search engine in June 2026, what actually comes up? Google? Social media? A Reddit thread? Or an AI-written answer you never saw coming?Linda Zebian, VP of Communications at Muck Rack and a ten-year veteran of New York Times corporate comms, has the data to answer it. Muck Rack's "What Is AI Reading?" study analyzed 25 million AI citations - "the biggest study of its kind" - and found that 99% of what AI engines cite comes from non-paid owned and earned media. All of social combined - Reddit, LinkedIn, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube - accounts for just 2.9%. The press release your team wrote off years ago? It out-cites Reddit.Which means the reputation game has moved. SEO was a ranking on a list; GEO - generative engine optimization - is about being in the answer. If your crisis plan still lives and dies in the Facebook comment section, you're defending territory ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude stopped reading a long time ago.Chapters:00:00 - Linda Zebian and Search Engines01:20 - Navigating Today's Fragmented Media Landscape03:18 - How PR Is Evolving Beyond Traditional Journalism05:57 - SEO vs. GEO: The Future of AI Search Optimization07:50 - What AI Actually Uses as Trusted Sources10:40 - How to Write AI-Optimized Press Releases14:57 - Why Owned Media Matters More Than Social Media16:23 - FAQs vs. Blog Posts for GEO and AI Visibility17:33 - Best Crisis Communication Strategies in the AI Era20:16 - How to Measure AI Visibility and Brand Authority22:29 - The Future of GEO, AI, and Reputation Management

That Solo Life Episode 345: The New Rules of Trust but Verify Episode Summary Every solo PR pro has heard the same directive for the past year: show up in AI search. Get cited by ChatGPT, Gemini, and the rest. But Karen and Michelle pose a different question: when AI mentions your client, does anyone actually believe what it says? New research says visibility and believability are two distinct jobs, and most practitioners have only been working on one. Karen walks through Burson's new Credibility Paradox report (with Profound), which analyzed roughly 55,000 believability forecasts across 85 companies and seven AI platforms. The headline finding: executive and leadership messaging is the least believable claim type across every industry studied, while third-party proof — product results, workplace recognition, and independent coverage — ranks highest. Karen and Michelle unpack why this is genuinely good news for solo practitioners, why it doesn't mean ditching executive thought leadership, and what to actually do about it starting Monday morning.   Episode Highlights [01:54] The Credibility Paradox: Visibility Is Necessary But Not Sufficient: Burson's new report, produced with Profound, ran roughly 55,000 believability forecasts across 85 companies on seven major AI platforms. The headline finding: simply being mentioned by an AI tool is not the win. The real work now is building enough evidence around a brand that the AI's answer is actually believable to the people who matter. [03:01] The Finding That Stops Practitioners in Their Tracks: Leadership Messaging Ranks Least Believable: Across every industry studied, executive and leadership claims scored as the least believable claim type. The highest-scoring claims were product results, innovation, workplace recognition, and other third-party signals, proof that comes from somewhere other than the brand's own mouth. Karen is careful to note the nuance: this does not mean executive thought leadership is worthless. It means leadership messaging is the lowest-leverage lever for believability when it isn't anchored to proof. [05:40] What This Looks Like on a Real Account: Karen walks through a practical example: a SaaS founder wants to be known as the most innovative platform in their category. An AI tool can repeat that claim, but a skeptical buyer will read it as marketing and discount it. Compare that to an independent review site ranking the same company, a trade outlet covering a customer's actual results, or a workplace award genuinely earned. Same underlying message, completely different believability. The shift isn't to stop telling the story. It's to get credible third parties to tell it alongside you. [07:37] The Good News: Earned Media Is Quantifiably the Most Believable Lever: A 2026 Stacker study found that distributed earned media drove a 239% lift in AI citations compared to owned content alone. Separately, Muck Rack's analysis of over 25 million links found earned media accounts for roughly 82–84% of all AI citations. For solo practitioners, this reframes years of fuzzy ROI conversations into one of the most quantified arguments for earned media ever, and it's a number a budget-holding client can understand immediately. [10:36] Why Solos Specifically Win Here: You Don't Need a Paid Media Budget: The believability lever that matters most - earned coverage and third-party proof - is exactly the lever solo practitioners are already built to pull without a paid media budget. Karen's framing is that you can't always outspend a big agency, but you can outearn them. AI didn't make solo practitioners obsolete. It handed them the receipts. [11:34] The Foolproofing: Buyers Still Verify Before They Trust: A third report, G2's Answer Economy study, surveyed over 1,000 B2B software buyers and found only 2% will buy from an AI-recommended brand without verifying it first, and 69% of those who verified ended up choosing a different vendor than originally planned. The conclusion: the AI conversation doesn't replace human trust, it feeds into it. The proof a practitioner builds is exactly what's waiting when a buyer goes to verify. [13:11] Judgment Is the Scarce Resource, Not Content: AI can draft a press release in nine seconds. It cannot tell a practitioner whether that's the right tactic for the right client at the right moment. Karen and Michelle make the case that experienced judgment, knowing which proof point actually moves believability for a specific client, in a specific industry, with a specific buyer, is the solo PR pro's defining advantage in the AI era. It is not something a tool can be prompted into replicating. [18:10] The Monday Morning Action: Ask AI What It Says About Your Client: Karen's first practical step is to ask an AI tool what it currently says about your client, then read the answer the way a skeptical buyer would. Is it leaning on the brand's own claims, or on verifiable third-party proof? The second step is take an hour that would normally go toward polishing executive voice and redirect it toward harvesting one piece of third-party proof,  a review, a pitch, or an award worth pursuing. Resources & Additional Information Burson: The Credibility Paradox (with Profound) Stacker:  2026 AI Citation Study Muck Rack: Earned Media & AI Citation Analysis G2:  Answer Economy Study Solo PR Pro membership community: soloprpro.com That Solo Life podcast website: thatsololife.com Host & Show Info That Solo Life is a podcast created for public relations, communication, and marketing professionals who work as independent and small practitioners. Hosted by Karen Swim, APR, President of Solo PR Pro, and Michelle Kane, Principal of Voice Matters, the show delivers expert insights, encouragement, and practical advice for solo PR pros navigating today's dynamic professional landscape. Listen to all episodes and catch up on previous conversations at thatsololife.com. Did this episode inspire you? If you found value in this conversation, please take a moment to leave us a review. Your feedback helps us reach more solo pros just like you! Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Bill is joined by Dr. Lori Turnbull to discuss trending news in Canada today, like strange media coverage of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's non-shocking resignation, how Prime Minister Mark Carney is probably not a Trump whisperer, and Pierre Poilievre's latest unprovoked rant against “woke indulgence” holidays… Let's talk about it!Check out Dr. Lori Turnbull's Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/lori-turnbullTune into Episode 469 of The Bill Kelly Podcast for daily news updates.This global news update and analysis was recorded on June 23, 2026.WATCH THIS EPISODE and subscribe to our channel: https://youtu.be/NdADOIL5gmkJoin Bill's LIVESTREAM every Thursday at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT! Watch last week's Livecast here: https://youtube.com/live/2XL2ug58cVg?feature=shareWATCH A RELATED EPISODE: Kier Starmer RESIGNS Over Brexit Backlash, and Danielle Smith Better Pay Attention... | News Todayhttps://youtu.be/dRe_yKpL68o?si=j-D3G4AV1dFrJdAAMark Carney Masterfully PLAYS Trump After CUSMA-USMCA Trade Deal Tantrum | US-Canada Trade Newshttps://youtu.be/souYmC9Ofk8?si=3bQjRLM_R7bRhLgbIran Gets Everything They Want and MORE in Trump's Latest ‘Deal', Leaks Showhttps://youtu.be/UO_YMJmZg1Y?si=_Az2QHCw_UakwEdJFURTHER READINGIs Mark Carney a model for a new centrist politics, or will he be the end of the line?https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-mark-carney-centrist-politics-g7/Starmer quits as Labour leader and paves way for contest for new prime ministerhttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxd00lg599o This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit billkelly.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Iskren Lilov, Global Marketing Manager at Muck Rack, discusses how the company is evolving from a traditional PR tool into an AI-powered communications platform that combines media monitoring and measurement, journalist intelligence, press release distribution, and generative engine optimization (GEO) capabilities. The conversation explores why PR and communications teams are uniquely positioned to lead GEO initiatives, drawing on Muck Rack research showing that most AI-generated citations come from non-paid sources, with earned media playing a dominant role. Iskren introduces Generative Pulse, Muck Rack's GEO monitoring solution, and explains the importance of measuring AI visibility through consistent, prompt-based tracking. He also offers practical advice on communications measurement, including the need to establish frameworks before launching campaigns, focus on business outcomes rather than vanity metrics, and balance AI-powered efficiency with the human relationships that remain at the heart of successful media outreach.   About Muck Rack Muck Rack is the AI communications platform where trusted data, human expertise, and embedded intelligence come together to drive clarity, speed and impact. Thousands of companies turn to Muck Rack to make sense of the media conversation around them and understand how their brand shows up in the news and in AI-generated answers. Muck Rack combines global media monitoring, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) insights, social listening, trusted media data, AI automation, and analyst advisory to help organizations manage reputation, act quickly, and prove their impact across the PR workflow. Thousands of journalists also use Muck Rack's free tools to showcase their work and analyze the news. Learn more at muckrack.com.   About Iskren Lilov Iskren Lilov is the Global Marketing Manager of Muck Rack – the AI communications platform where trusted data, human expertise, and embedded intelligence come together to drive clarity, speed and impact. He is responsible for overseeing marketing activities across global markets, fostering strategic partnerships and communicating the value of media intelligence. Iskren is the author of the Circular Marketing Model™ that offers a paradigm shift for marketers in the age of AI, replacing the classic understanding of the funnel with a sustainable circular model. As one of the leading young voices in the industry, Iskren is also an author, GEO consultant for major brands, and university-level lecturer in strategic marketing and comms. He leads the AMEC Comms Taskforce and maintains an active role in collaborative initiatives throughout the media intelligence and communication industries. Prior to his current role, Iskren has experience in marketing, PR, and event management in the NGO and cybersecurity sectors. Time Stamps 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:38 What Muck Rack Does 03:23 Global Reach Beyond US 04:19 PR Role in GEO Era 06:38 Getting PR to Lead GEO 08:45 Generative Pulse and GEO Metrics 11:00 Proving PR Value Without Vanity 13:37 Better Measurement Playbook 17:45 Finding Journalists With AI 19:35 Will AI Replace PR People 21:49 Rapid Fire and Wrap Up   Quotes “”Impressions are not the number of people you've impressed." Very relevant to GEO visibility as well because impressions in isolation tell you nothing.” Iskren Liliv, Global Marketing Manager at Muck Rack.   Follow Eric: Eric Frankel on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/iskren-lilov Muck Rack website: https://muckrack.com/ Muck Rack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/muckrack/   Follow Mike: Mike Maynard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemaynard/ Napier website: https://www.napierb2b.com/ Napier LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/napier-partnership-limited/   If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to our podcast for more discussions about the latest in Marketing B2B Tech and connect with us on social media to stay updated on upcoming episodes. We'd also appreciate it if you could leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform. Want more? Check out Napier's other podcast - The Marketing Automation Moment: https://podcasts.apple.com/ua/podcast/the-marketing-automation-moment-podcast/id1659211547

Many people know that the journalism industry is struggling financially, especially at the local level. But the disastrous depths of that crisis, and its impact on communities and American democracy, are not as well understood. We visit a news desert in southeastern North Carolina. By John Biewen with co-host Chenjerai Kumanyika. Interviews: Penny Muse Abernathy, Mark DeLap, Angelica Das, and others. Story editor: Diane Hodson. Assistant Producer, Arlene Arevalo. Fact-checking by Anna Pujol Mazzini. Music by Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band, Michelle Osis, Lili Haydn, Alex Weston, James Nathan Jones, Goodnight Lucas, and Jason Hill. Music consulting by Joe Augustine of Narrative Music.  The Local Journalism Index map discussed in the episode, from Muck Rack and Rebuild Local News.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Send us Fan MailShe wanted to be home with her kids, but she also wanted an income and a career. That tension is where freelance writer Stephanie Mickelson built her business, starting with small Upwork jobs and steadily growing into bylines at major outlets like Real Simple and Popular Mechanics.We talk through the exact moments that made freelancing feel “real,” including the first $1,000 month that proved the work could move the needle financially. Stephanie shares how she chose niches like home improvement, construction, real estate and lifestyle by following genuine interests and leaning on hands-on experience. We also get practical about the work itself: a quiet 4:15 a.m. writing routine, balancing admin with deep work and how she keeps a flexible rhythm that still ships drafts on deadline.If you pitch writers for a living or you are trying to land editors yourself, the middle of this conversation is packed with field-tested advice. Stephanie explains what makes an editor say yes, why timing matters, how a smart follow-up can help and how PR reps can tailor ideas by looking at recent bylines on Muck Rack and pitching adjacent angles. She also breaks down how product reviews and gift guide picks happen through testing, research and relationships, plus where she finds community and opportunities on LinkedIn and tools like Pitchcraft, Qwoted and Press Hook. We wrap with her Substack, The Simple Freelancer, and a glimpse of rural life that includes 14 chickens and more fresh eggs than one family can handle.Subscribe for more conversations with working journalists and writers, and if this one helps you, please share it and leave a rating and review. What part of freelancing do you want us to unpack next?Connect with Stephanie on: LinkedIN Simple freelancer substack: https://thesimplefreelancer.substack.com

2026 Show Notes Addendum:    To round out our second (and final) visit to the realm of backwards VGM (and very closely related non-VGM) on Nerd Noise Radio, let's replay the 2020 original series, which was also a two-parter, but instead of being two "equal billing" parts, it was a one part "episode proper" and then a supplemental Ch F "F-isode" bonus. In addition to being one of my all-time favorite projects to work on in show history, the series also marked an important turning point in show history as the first installment was our last ever NNR broadcast on the main feed to be produced in GarageBand on MacOS (except for the deliberate call-back that was C1E75 in 2023), and the F-isode was my first ever production in Audacity and Ardour in Linux (then Ubuntu Studio (KDE), now, Fedora (GNOME)). Original Show Notes below are largely faithful to the original with one MASSIVE exception: the tracklist is now populated with all the relevant track info, where it was originally withheld to keep the mystery and mystique alive.   ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Original Show Notes (modified to show track names on 04/20/2026):   ------------------------------------------------------------------------   You are tuned to Nerd Noise Radio – Channel F. Today's “F-isode” is significant not only for being only the second F-isode we've had in over a year, when they used to be quite a bit more common, but is also significant for being the first ever production of Nerd Noise Radio of any type to be produced entirely on Linux. Historically, the show has been produced on Mac. With a small backlog of previously-produced, but not-yet-released music blocks that were, of course, produced on the Mac still in reserve for future episodes, it will be some time yet before the Mac presence fades from the show completely. But it is my hope to do the lion's share of future all-new production on Linux moving forward. So, the shift will be a glide, rather than a snap. But that shift starts...here.    Longtime listeners of the show will know full well what a Channel F F-isode is, but a pair of really beautiful things happened early this month which will have brought new attention to the show, from faces as near and dear as my fellow Des Moinesers (and surrounding communities), to as far-flung as Linux fans all the world over. For an explanation of what Channel F is, and how it relates to Nerd Noise Radio as a whole for the newcomers, as well as the details of who and what the new faces are, and how all that came about, see below. Also, for a descripton of how this F-isode relates to our April Fool's episode, “Backtracks”, see the blog....or just sit, back, relax, and enjoy, as you listen to.....”The OTHER 50”!     Timestamps provided, but track details withheld for now in case anyone wanted to play the guessing game on the tracks. A follow-up blog post on April 30th will provide the entire track list information for both Backtracks and for today's outing. So, be on the lookout for that.    In the meantime, enjoy!    Tracklist (ALL TRACKS ARE PLAYED IN REVERSE - except Intro)! Track# - Track - Game - System(s) - Composer(s) - Timestamp   A1) Intro – 00:00:00    01) Options - Daffy Duck in Hollywood - Genesis - Matt Furniss – 00:12:13    02) September 2015 - N/A (system menu music - eShop) - 3DS / WiiU - Kazumi Totaka – 00:16:33    03) The Mall - Skate or Die 2 - NES - Rob Hubbard – 00:19:44    04) Evil Dante - Cratermaze - TG16 - Jun Chikuma, Keita Hoshi, Toshiaki Takimoto, Masaru Takahashi, and/or Takayuki Iwabuchi – 00:21:21    05) Character Select - Cosmic Carnage - 32X - Hikoshi Hashimoto – 00:23:01    06) Ethnic Cave and Flame - X-Men - Arcade - Konami Kukeiha Club – 00:25:06    07) Jazz 3 - Sim Copter - PC - Jerry Martin – 00:27:36    08) Reckless Running - Sega Rally Championship - Saturn - Naofumi Hataya – 00:32:38    09) Collision Chaos Zone (Present) - Sonic CD (NA) - Sega CD / Windows 95 - Spencer Nilsen, David Young, Mark Crew, and/or Pastiche – 00:36:45    10) Main Menu - Sonic Mania - Multiplatform - Tee Lopes – 00:40:02    11) Opening 1 - Hisou Kihei X-Serd - PC Engine - Koji Hayama – 00:41:10    12) Brinstar Red Soil - Super Metroid - SNES - Kenji Yamamoto and/or Minako Hamano – 00:42:56    13) Stage 3-3 - Ai Chou Aniki - PC Engine - Iwasaki Taku – 00:46:40    14) Options - Bram Stoker's Dracula - Genesis - Matt Furniss – 00:50:00    15) The Vile Peaks - Final Fantasy XIII - PS3 / XB360 - Masashi Hamauzu – 00:51:26    16) Twilight Palace (Outside) - LoZ: Twilight Princess - GameCube / Wii / WiiU - Toru Minegishi and/or Asuka Ohta – 00:54:49    17) Outside Ref, The Pyramid of Ice - Dungeon Explorer 2 - PC Engine - Masaaki Inoue and/or Akihiro Honma – 00:58:00    18) After the Battle - LoZ: Twilight Princess - GameCube / Wii / WiiU - Toru Minegishi and/or Asuka Ohta – 01:00:05    19) The Vertical - Ghost in the Shell - PS1 - Joey Beltram – 01:02:23    20) Spin on the Bridge - Streets of Rage 2 - Genesis - Yuzo Koshiro and/or Motohiro Kawashima – 01:08:44    21) Cycle 1 - Streets of Rage 3 - Genesis - Motohiro Kawashima and/or Yuzo Koshiro – 01:13:03    22) Track 11 - Illusion Blaze - PC (AdLib) - D.A.C.  – 01:16:12    23) Naruto (Light Armor) - Cosmic Carnage - 32X - Hikoshi Hashimoto – 01:18:45    24) Bases 1 & 2 - Contra - NES - c: Kazuki Muaoka / a: Hidenori Maezawa and/or Kiyohiro Sada – 01:20:31    25) Imperial Death March - Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back - NES - c: John Williams / a: Paul Webb – 01:22:05    26) Fly Like a Butterfly - Jet Set Radio Future - XBox - Hideki Naganuma – 01:22:43    27) At Doom's Gate - DOOM - PC (Midi) - Bobby Prince – 01:25:59    28) Alone in Love - Jewel Master - Genesis - Motoaki Takenouchi – 01:29:13    29) Naja - Cosmic Carnage - 32X - Hikoshi Hashimoto – 01:31:26    30) Swamp - Samurai Ghost - TG16 - Gappy, Miyoshi Okuyama, and/or Hiroyon – 01:33:36    31) Segadore Genesid 64 - N/A (non-VGM - original chiptune) - N/A (Genesis sound hardware - attempting to replicate C64 sound hardware) - Mr. Sonic699 – 01:34:43    32) Stage Theme 4 - Shinobi - Arcade - Yasuhiro Kawakami – 01:36:48    33) Title Theme - Double Dragon - NES - Kazunaka Yamane – 01:38:24    34) Field 3 - JJ & Jeff - TG16 - Takeaki Kunimoto – 01:40:05    35) Zena Lan (Light Armor) - Cosmic Carnage - 32X - Hikoshi Hashimoto – 01:42:07    36) Bearhattan Transfur - Fist of Awesome - Multiplatform - Brendan Ratliff – 01:44:22    37) Map - Wolfchild - Genesis - Matt Furniss – 01:47:47    38) Tyr (Heavily Armored) - Cosmic Carnage - 32X - Hikoshi Hashimoto – 01:49:03    39) Level 1 - Chip Chan Kick - PCFX - Yoshio Furakawa, Masahara Iwata and/or Hitoshi Sakamoto – 01:50:46    40) Stage Theme 1 - Spider-Man vs. The Sinister Six - NES - David Whittaker – 01:55:13    41) S.O.R. Super Mix (Stage Vers.) - Streets of Rage 2 - Genesis - Yuzo Koshiro and/or Motohiro Kawashima – 01:58:37    42) Stickerbush Symphony - Donkey Kong Country 2 - SNES - David Wise – 02:04:06    43) Level 3 - Tetris - CD-i - Jim Andron – 02:06:22    44) Unknown City - Doxa - PS4 (Unreleased) - Daniel Capo – 02:08:51    45) Main - N/A (Non-VGM - non-VGM computer program music) - PC (Microsoft Interactive Sampler) - Unknown – 02:10:06    46) Althena's Shrine - Lunar: The Silver Star - Sega CD - Noriyuki Iwadare, Hiroshi Fujioka, and/or Isao Mizoguchi – 02:11:09    47) Zora's Domain (Day) - LoZ: Breath of the Wild - WiiU / Switch / Switch 2 - c: Kōji Kondō / a: Yasuaki Iwata – 02:12:12    48) Martinis for Two - The Sims - PC - Jerry Martin and/or Marc Russo – 02:15:24    49) Ending - Super Castlevania IV - SNES - Masanori Adachi and/or Taro Kudo – 02:21:46    50) Ending - N/A (Non-VGM) - N/A (fan-made covers of Metroid OST played on a battery of analog synths) - c: Hirokazu "Hip" Tanaka / a: Luminist  – 02:25:58    [There is no Outro]   Total Episode Runtime: 02:28:13    About the new faces: Jeff Pitts of Des Moines Cityview Magazine did a mini-vignette on four local podcasters, and reached out to me to be one of them. The mini-article appears in the April Issue of the magazine which can be viewed online (Link below). In addition to that, Jason Evangelho, a tech-writer for Forbes Magazine who focuses on Linux very generously boosted my tweets about my first production in Linux, which went on to become the most liked and retweeted tweet in my history on the platform. I make it a point to look at “the numbers” as little as possible, so I don't know how many (if any) of the new faces stuck around. But certainly a number of them at least had a peek. If you are a new face, either brought to the show through the Cityview article, or through Jason's buff of my tweet, get a hold of me to let me know you're here!     Presuming we did have at least a few stick around, I should give an explanation of what Channel F is, relative to Channel 1, and Archive Super Bonuses, so you know how this show works. I will do so at length on the blogspot version of this episode, where the blog format is more accommodating of lengthiness. But I will give you a brief overview here:     Channel 1: This is “the show proper”. These are “the actual episodes”. On average, 10 fresh episodes a year (with reruns to fill in the blanks). Other than extraordinary circumstances, they follow a standard “enhanced mixtape” format: a short, semi-standard intro, and standard housekeeping outro bookending a winding, twisting journey through sound. We have had quite the spate of non-standard “Channel 1” Episodes of late though, so for the newcomers, I wanted to stress what “normal” looks like. We don't anticipate having anything else non-standard for several months moving forward.    Channel F: This is my side-outlet for bonuses, betas, extras. It can be virtually anything. And additional mixtape music block (like today), but has been all sorts of things. We even had one that was an exposition on a certain episode's outro. Anything that doesn't fit in Channel 1, but that I still want to have full attention (podcast feed, blog, social media, Archive.org, etc) becomes a Channel F “F-isode”.    Super Bonuses: These are for the times where I have something that I felt was worth producing, and felt was worth putting out there, but did not want to clog up the podcast feed, or the blog, or social media with. Generally, it takes the form of remixes and twists on existing content. Since they only come out on Archive, and not anywhere else, and since they're not really advertised, this creates a nice “underground” quality to them. I usually drop hints inside Episodes and F-isodes if there are any Super Bonuses planned. But beyond that, a person just needs to know to be on the lookout. They will release even less consistently than F-isodes, but will also tend to be in bursts around certain episodes that are rich for alternate twists on their content.    See the blogspot version of this episode if you'd like to know more about these. Link below. Meanwhile, our next all-new episode is planned for August, though I do have some really great reruns lined up for the months between. Even those will still constitute much more of a “return to normalcy” for the show than what our past several months of fresh content offers, so a great chance to “get to know us” I hope you will enjoy! We also have a secondary podcast feed which is dedicated entirely to reruns, which will feature reruns different than the ones on the main feed, if you wish to explore even more Nerd Noise Radio history. It can be found on your podcatcher of choice by the name “Nerd Noise Radio Reruns”.    Cheers!    Link to the Cityview Article:    http://dmcityview.com/CityviewApril2020/html5/index.html?page=1&noflash (page 50)    You can find previous articles by Jeff by searching www.dmcityview.com or as compiled on Muck Rack:    https://muckrack.com/jeff-pitts/articles    Link to Jason Evangelho's Forbes articles  (@killyourfm on Twitter)    https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonevangelho/#18ee68a0d36f    Link to Blogspot version of today's “F-isode” (for the long version the Channels descriptions, etc.)    https://nerdnoiseradio.blogspot.com/2020/04/channel-f-backtracks-other-50.html 

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Muck Rack CEO Greg Galant joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how embedded AI is transforming PR and communications workflows.Tune in to learn more!Meet Our Guest:Our episode guest is Greg Galant, CEO and cofounder at Muck Rack. A returning guest on On Top of PR, he is a leading voice at the crossroads of PR, technology, and media. Greg is also recognized as an early champion of generative engine optimization, shaping the emerging frontier of brand visibility in an AI-driven world.Five things you'll learn from this episode:Why embedded AI is more effective than standalone assistants in PR workflowsHow AI preserves messaging consistency and insight accuracy across teamsWays to make PR teams more adaptable in real time using AIHow AI-powered media intelligence predicts trends and shifts in reputationStrategies to integrate AI into every stage of PR: discovery, outreach, monitoring, and reporting Quotables“Being able to take advantage of AI is knowing what everyone's doing right now and figuring out which stages of our workflow can benefit from AI and having the right tooling to do that.” — @Greg Galant“The PR profession's been doing generative engine optimization even before generative AI came to be because when these AI systems were built, they were all trained on news data.” — @Greg Galant“The work we did a year ago or two years ago is even more valuable today than it was then.” — @Greg Galant“There's two big buckets. One is: How does AI influence PR, and how does PR influence AI?” — @Greg Galant“We have to look at this from a macro and a micro level and keep testing and tweaking what we're doing and improving upon it.” — @Jason MuddIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.Guest's contact info and resources:@gregory on X@gregory on InstagramGregory Galant on LinkedInMuck Rack websiteMuck Rack DailyGenerative Pulse by Muck RackThe State of Journalism and PR 2022 reports with Greg GalantIf you like this episode, you're going to love this:95% of AI citations come from PR contentHow generative AI uses earned media coverage (fueling PR's resurgence)Getting more media coverage by making journalists' lives easierThe PR playbook for getting recommended by AI with UnusuaSupport the showOn Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America's Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

In this episode of the Small Business PR Podcast, Gloria Chou breaks down a critical shift most founders are missing: AI visibility is now the new storefront.While many small business owners are still focused on social media, blogs, or SEO, Gloria explains how AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity actually decide which brands to recommend—and why most businesses are invisible to buyers as a result.What You'll Learn✔️ Where AI actually pulls its information from ✔️ Why earned media (PR, editorials, podcasts) dominates AI citations ✔️ The real data behind AI visibility (based on Muck Rack analysis) ✔️ Why ads, social media, and blogs are losing impactHow Each Channel Ranks for AI Visibility

When was the last time a news headline about AI actually told you something true?George K. and George A. recorded this one from opposite sides of the planet — George K. fresh off RSA in San Francisco, George A. embedded at a global trust and safety conference in London. The distance didn't slow them down.This month's System Check has a theme: we're living inside a story that powerful institutions are writing for us, and most of us aren't stopping to ask who's holding the pen.Meta and YouTube just lost a landmark lawsuit — not over what they published, but over how they designed their products to keep you hooked. The legal strategy that finally worked was the one used against Big Tobacco. Meanwhile, 82% of journalists now use some form of AI tool in their work. The people covering AI are increasingly shaped by it. The snake is eating its tail.The arms race math doesn't add up either. Forty billion dollar bridge loans. Circular investments. Credit-based bets assuming a revenue base that doesn't yet exist. And somewhere in rural Mississippi, kids are developing breathing problems because gas turbines got trucked in to power a datacenter the community never voted for.The question running underneath all of it: are we making decisions based on outcomes, or based on vibes? And if it's vibes — whose vibes are they, and how did they get there?Mentioned: Meta and YouTube verdict news coverage Center for Humane Technology's podcast “Your Undivided Attention” episode on the Meta and YouTube lawsuit verdicts Ed Zitron's recent monologue Research into how media covers AI UK Study on AI media coverage Muck Rack's 2026 State of Journalism Report WSJ: CFOs expect to reduce headcount because of AI Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark on not being able to idle AI systems Iran War affects world helium supply, creating semiconductor bottleneck Environmental effects of Elon Musk using gas turbines to power data centers in rural communities

Dr. Christy Perez is a public theologian, historian, and award-winning journalist living and working in Atlanta. She is the founder of the Dreaming Justice Project, where she focuses on narrative change, political education, and challenging carceral systems through history, theology, and lived experience. Her work has been featured nationally, and she is known for making complex ideas accessible while staying rooted in real life and real consequences. Www.UnCagedCritique.com (http://www.uncagedcritique.com/) Www.snap4freedom.org (http://www.snap4freedom.org/) mailto:Christy@snap4freedom.org The Dreaming Justice Project mailto:Dreamingjusticecollective@gmail.com X: @UnCagedCritique IG: @UnCagedChristy IG: @the.djpc Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/c-dreams This episode is brought to you by Olipop, a new healthy brand of soda. Go to https://drinkolipop.com/ and use code Marcela15 at checkout to get 15% off your first order. This episode is brought to you by Shopify. Shopify can help you take your business to the next level. Click HERE to set up your Shopify shop today and watch your business soar! This episode is brought to you by BranditScan, the best defese you have against social media fraud. Click HERE to get started with BranditScan today and get your first month for free. There is no better service to protect your social media accounts and your name and likeness. . This episode is brought to you by Skillshare. Click HERE to start exploring all the courses Skillshare has to offer, from drawing and music, to graphic design and marketing, start expanding your knowledge today. This episode is brought to you by Fiverr. Click HERE to start hiring professionals to help you in various areas and take your business to the next level. This episode is brought to you by PodMatch. Click HERE to bring your podcasting journey to the next level by getting set up's Only Fans  VIP Membership HERE Free Membership HERE  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host/Producer: Amy Browne Belfast resident Lawrence Reichard joins us to talk about his efforts to help surviving family members of a Colombian man who was killed in one of the US strikes on small boats in recent days. Support Family of Colombian Fisher Killed in U.S. Air Strike – GoFundMe page Lawrence Reichard’s work on Muck Rack on Counterpunch About the host: Amy Browne started out at WERU as a volunteer news & public affairs producer in 2000, co-hosting/co-producing RadioActive with Meredith DeFrancesco. She joined the team of Voices producers a few years later, and has been WERU's News & Public Affairs Manager since January, 2006. In addition to RadioActive, Voices, Maine Currents and Maine: The Way Life Could Be, Amy also produced and hosted the WERU News Report for several years. She has produced segments for national programs including Free Speech Radio News, This Way Out, Making Contact, Workers Independent News, Pacifica PeaceWatch, and Live Wire News, and has contributed to Democracy Now and the WBAI News Report. She is the recipient of the 2014 Excellence in Environmental Journalism Award from the Sierra Club of Maine, and Maine Association of Broadcasters awards for her work in 2017 and 2021. Theme music: BreakBeat Chemists I, 2015 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International License The post Around Town 12/8/25: Local News, Culture and Events first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

This week's episode dives into a crowded lineup of public figures who all managed to confuse PR maneuvering with actual accountability: President Trump's “quiet piggy” moment on Air Force One and the broader pattern behind his attacks on women in the press, Larry Summers' fog-filled non-apology after his Epstein emails resurfaced, Pope Leo XIV's straightforward call for human dignity contrasted with a White House response that dodged the moral point entirely, Kevin Spacey's nightclub comeback performance and his ongoing attempt to swap personal suffering for responsibility, and Meghan Markle's Harper's Bazaar profile, complete with an Upper East Side house manager announcing “Meghan, Duchess of Sussex” to an empty room. It's a week full of case studies in what happens when leaders and celebrities choose optics over truth, and why audiences, voters, and stakeholders are paying closer attention to who names their missteps and who tries to PR their way out of them.Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://mollymc...

This episode starts with a line that should make anyone in communications sit up a little straighter. Michael Wolff, a bestselling Trump biographer and longtime access journalist, emailed Jeffrey Epstein with strategic advice about how Epstein could handle questions about Donald Trump. Not expose him. Not confront him. Advise him.And now, those emails are a crisis in themselves.Today's episode focuses on the messaging behind Wolff's interactions with Epstein. Not the salacious details, not the conspiracy theories, not the internet rabbit holes. We're talking about messaging, influence, framing, and the ethical gray zones revealed in more than 20,000 Epstein-related documents released by the House Oversight Committee.To break this down, we look closely at a long on-air conversation from The Daily Beast's emergency podcast episode featuring Wolff and host Joanna Coles. She pressed him hard. He tried to explain, defend, and reframe. And what he said on that podcast is, frankly, a crisis-communication case study in real time.In this episode:• How Wolff's emails show him acting less like a journalist and more like a strategist• The moment Wolff tells Epstein how to "let Trump hang himself"• Why Wolff's "I was the lone truth-teller" explanation is classic crisis reframing• The ethical tension between ingratiation and complicity• Why these emails matter for media credibility at a moment when Pew Research shows public trust is scraping the floor• How Wolff's relationship with Epstein may have shaped four Trump books• The danger of access journalism becoming influence management• Why everyone else in Epstein's orbit is silent, and Wolff is the only one talking• The deeper question: what happens when the people tasked with revealing power start acting like they're part of it?This episode is about messaging and the moral tradeoffs behind it.It's about the ugly truth of proximity to power.And it's about what happens when a journalist crosses the line from observing a crisis...into participating in one.Links Mentioned:• The Daily Beast interview with Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles• Pew Research Center: "Americans' Views of the News Media" (2023)Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://mollymc...

You saw “GEO” in the title and almost tuned out, didn't you? Hold that thought. If you work in communications, PR, media, or journalism, this episode might just change how you think about your job.GEO, or Generative Engine Optimization, is not another passing buzzword. It is the next major shift in how information is found, shared, and trusted. It shapes how AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini decide which stories and brands get surfaced.In this episode, Muck Rack's CEO and Co-Founder, Greg Gallant, joins me to explain how GEO is reshaping public relations. He walks through how Muck Rack evolved from the early social media boom to the frontlines of AI-driven communications. We dig into how data and generative tools can help communicators strengthen media relationships, measure real impact, and stay relevant in an industry that is changing fast.We talk about:How PR missed the SEO wave and what GEO means for catching upWhy journalists and AI platforms are now gatekeepers of reputationWhat Muck Rack's new Generative Pulse feature reveals about how AI “reads” the newsIf you work in PR, communications, or reputation management, this is not a someday conversation. It is happening right now.Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://mollymc...

In PR 360's 300th episode, Tod Perry sits down with Linda Zebian, Muck Rack's Vice President of Communications, and Matt Dzugan, the company's Senior Director of Data, to discuss the evolving relationship between PR and AI. Together, they explore Muck Rack's new AI-powered tool, Generative Pulse, along with its latest report on AI search. The conversation also delves into how AI is reshaping PR strategies and why earned media remains crucial for visibility in the age of artificial intelligence.Key Takeaways:- Why earned media is crucial for AI visibility and brand reputation- Niche outlets are becoming more important in PR strategies- The future of journalism in the AI eraEpisode Timeline:2:00Muck Rack's new tool: Generative Pulse4:35 What does Generative Pulse look like for a client?6:45Generative Pulse helps in a crisis7:30How has AI changed the PR world and beyond in the past 18 months?8:30People are using AI for retail purchases10:22Muck Rack's AI search study insights12:30Why does AI love learned media?14:15ChatGPT's initial shortcomings15:50Strategies for increasing AI visibility21:00Crisis management with AI Tools22:40Introduction to AI agents25:30Building the ultimate agent28:40The future of journalism and AIThis episode's guests:• Linda Zebian on LinkedIn• Matt Dzugan on LinkedIn• Muck Rack's free report at GenerativePulse.AI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode goes behind the polished words of Buckingham Palace to unpack the public relations machinery that managed the downfall of Prince Andrew.In October 2025, King Charles III formally removed all of Andrew's titles and evicted him from his Windsor residence.On the surface, it looked like accountability.But beneath the royal phrasing lay a carefully timed communications plan.We'll walk through the anatomy of that plan: how one resurfaced email reignited the scandal, how two precisely timed statements reframed it, and how the Palace's language turned a personal disgrace into an institutional act of duty.Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://mollymc...

When your marriage becomes a media strategy, what do you say—and what do you not say?In this episode, Molly McPherson breaks down Cheryl Hines' carefully crafted response to rumors surrounding her husband, RFK Jr., and journalist Olivia Nuzzi. Fresh off her appearance on the Katie Miller Podcast, Hines offered a masterclass in polished PR talk, leaning on trust, communication, and a dash of Kennedy-style deflection.But was it authenticity or choreography?Molly dissects:The Kennedy family's long history of narrative controlHow Hines framed her marriage as a story of trust and composureWhat her phrasing reveals about modern political spouse PRThe difference between personal grace and public messagingWhy sometimes the smartest media move is saying less (with confidence)Tune in for an unfiltered look at how Hollywood charm meets political spin—and what it teaches us about image, loyalty, and the art of public denial.Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://mollymc...

Mario Toneguzzi joins CanadianPodcast.ca to share what four decades in Canadian journalism have taught him about storytelling, truth, and how media really works. Based in Calgary, Mario spent 35 years at the Calgary Herald before moving into freelance writing, media consulting, and corporate communications.He is Co-Editor in Chief at Retail Insider and was named one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World on Muck Rack.In this episode of the CanadianPodcast.ca with ZAK, you will hear from. Mario Toneguzzi on how Canadian media has changed, what local news still means to communities, and how the digital shift has impacted public trust.Mario talks about working in newsrooms, covering business and retail stories, and what he has learned about people, leadership, and communication. He also shares practical advice for executives, entrepreneurs, and creators on how to handle interviews, frame a clear message, and use storytelling to connect with audiences.Mario's work has appeared in The Globe and Mail, National Post, Financial Post, Yahoo Finance Canada, MSN, and LinkedIn.He continues to train business leaders and organizations on media strategy and brand communication.You can learn more about Mario Toneguzzi by visitingLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariotoneguzzi/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mariotoneguzzi/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@mariotoneguzzi1455

When Politico dropped nearly 3,000 pages of leaked Telegram messages from the Young Republican National Federation, it revealed a disturbing culture behind closed doors. In this episode, Molly McPherson unpacks why private chats are never really private, how weak apologies deepen a crisis, and what this scandal teaches every leader about accountability, ethics, and reputation in the digital age.Key Discussion Points:The leaked Telegram chat that destroyed the Young Republican National Federation's credibilityWhy “kids will be kids” is not a defense when adults hold positions of powerThe myth of online privacy and how “anonymous” messages are always traceableHow a values gap—what an organization says publicly vs. what it allows privately—leads to crisisDissecting the failed apologies that followed the leakMolly's five “PR truths” for digital-age leadership:The difference between genuine accountability and PR spinWant More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://mollymc...

When the internet comes for you, your instinct is to fight back or disappear. Neither helps. In this episode, Molly breaks down her simple, proven 90-second rule for handling online hate without losing your cool or your credibility.You'll learn:Why outrage online is a revolving door (and why it's never really about you).How to recognize when your brain has flipped into fight-or-flight mode—and what to do about it.The golden rule of when not to apologize (and where to respond instead).How to move from panic to power in less time than it takes to make a cup of coffee.If you've ever dealt with critics, trolls, or just plain mean people online, this one's for you.Bonus: Want to learn how to respond to any crisis with confidence?Join Molly's free live training: The First Hour: How to Respond to Any Crisis Before It SpiralsYou'll discover:The 3 critical steps every communicator must take in the first hour of a crisis.The biggest mistakes that tank trust (and how to avoid them).How to draft a holding statement in minutes instead of hours.Spots are limited—grab yours now HERE. Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://mollymc...

In this episode, Molly sits down with Jim Rocco and Thom Weidlich, co-authors of Sports Crisis Communications: Cases and Controversies, to explore how the worlds of sports and crisis PR collide. From Tiger Woods' redemption arc to Aaron Rodgers' vaccine controversy and Brett Favre's legal troubles, this candid conversation dissects how athletes, teams, and brands handle scandal when the spotlight turns harsh.The trio also dives into how social media, fan loyalty, and corporate interests shape the playbook for managing reputation in modern sports. Whether it's Tom Brady's conflict of interest, the NFL's uneasy dance with gambling, or the Dodgers' Pride Night flip-flop, this episode pulls back the curtain on how power, money, and morality intersect on and off the field.In this episode:Tiger Woods' image makeover: from scandal to super-dadHow Aaron Rodgers' “immunized” comment tested State Farm's crisis strategyBrett Favre, welfare funds, and the price of silence in litigation PRThe NFL's resilience (and denial) through scandal after scandalWhen betting meets ball: why gambling is the next big PR minefieldThe Dodgers' Pride Night controversy and the danger of corporate flip-floppingWhat brands can learn from Dick's Sporting Goods' values-based standWhy vulnerability (and a good apology) can save an athlete's reputationTom Brady's latest “conflict of interest” and the ethics of sports mediaAdvice for rising athletes and a few words of wisdom for Bill BelichickKey takeaway: Reputation is built long before the crisis hits. Whether you're a star athlete or a CEO, your credibility bank determines how hard you fall, and how fast you recover.The media tool I use to track stories, monitor coverage, and help clients get their message in the right hands. Click here to learn more. Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://mollymc...

This episode of The PR Breakdown examines a viral crime case out of Albany, New York, that drew national attention when a suspect confessed on camera to killing and burying his parents. Guest Greg Floyd, veteran journalist and anchor, recounts how the investigation evolved from a financial-crimes lead into a homicide revelation, and reflects on the ethics, accountability, and human weight behind the interview.In this episode:How the case surfaced and escalated from a backyard dig to a double homicideThe email that led to an on-camera interview and an unexpected confessionTechniques for guiding high-stakes interviews without sensationalismWatch/Read:Interviews and coverage on CBS 6 Albany's YouTube and websiteFull video: Man confesses to killing his parents during news interview, arrested in front of stationFull video: Lorenz Kraus speaks from jail after confession to parents' murderLive & Archive:Substack Live: Friday, Oct 3 at 12:45pm ET — Greg Floyd joins for an extended Q&A.Substack members will have access to the archived live conversation after the event.Content note: This episode discusses homicide and may be distressing for some listeners.The media tool I use to track stories, monitor coverage, and help clients get their message in the right hands. Click here to learn more. Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://mollymc...

When three statements drop within the same hour, it's not just news, it's a case study.Disney walks back Jimmy Kimmel's suspension with a vague, deflective release.Donald Trump grabs headlines in the Roosevelt Room, suggesting Tylenol in pregnancy raises autism risk — without evidence.Tylenol fires back fast with a direct, science-based denial.In this episode, dissecting how each statement was crafted, what it reveals about the motives behind it, and why credibility — not spin — decides who wins the narrative.Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter Subscribe to Molly's Live Events Calendar. Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://mollymc...

AI is rewriting the map of attention, and it isn't reading your ads. To show up in answers, brands need earned authority that both people and machines trust.In this episode, Steve Halsey is joined by Muck Rack's Head of Data, Matt Dzugan, and Loren King of MorganMyers to unpack what AI is actually citing and why it matters. They break down fresh findings from a large-scale look at ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, the recency dynamics shaping visibility, and the sector-by-sector patterns hiding in plain sight. Together they translate it into practical GEO moves (generative engine optimization) that make your stories easier for models to parse and publishers to amplify.In this episode… What AI is reading now and why high-authority journalism and credible third parties carry outsized weightHow recency, model behavior, and industry context influence discoverability and the cadence your comms need to stay visibleA GEO checklist with answer-first structure, plain-language definitions, technical hygiene, and an always-on earned rhythm across PR, content, and search

Outrage isn't random anymore, it's a playbook. In the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination, what started as shock turned into a communication crisis that exposed how words can either shape narratives or ignite division.Here's the problem: in 2025, speech doesn't live in a vacuum. Every comment, post, and soundbite ricochets through algorithms, institutions, and public opinion. And when words turn into weapons, the fallout is swift—firings, censures, and reputational scars.This episode explores:Nancy Mace's explosive remarks and how her pivot from tragedy to blame became a masterclass in political narrative-building.The response from institutions like NASDAQ, Ole Miss, and the Washington Post as they enforced “zero tolerance” speech policies.The Pentagon's crackdown on service members' posts—and the chilling gray area between personal opinion and professional consequence.Why communicators must recognize that every word carries weight, every platform is a stage, and every policy has teeth.The fine line between accountability and overreach—and what fairness actually looks like in a polarized digital age.The September takeaway? Speech has consequences. Some create clarity. Others create chaos. The difference lies in whether words are used to connect or to divide.Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.mediaClick here to subscribe to Molly's live events. Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson ...

Outrage isn't new, but the way it plays out in 2025 feels like a full-time industry. This week, it's Phillies fans brawling over a foul ball, a CEO swiping a signed hat at the US Open, Bruce Willis' family facing judgment in a Diane Sawyer interview, and American Eagle cashing in on controversy with its headline-grabbing campaign.Here's the problem: every headline slaps the same word on these stories—backlash. But backlash and blowback aren't the same thing. If you don't know the difference, you're missing the real story.In this episode, I break down:The Phillies “Ball Snatch” dad who turned a viral mess into a lesson in staying calm.The US Open “Hat Grab” CEO who folded fast—and why it saved his business.Bruce Willis' family's media strategy, turning online judgment into strategic storytelling.American Eagle's outrage marketing proves that some brands script backlash into their budget.Why the age of the public apology is over—and what leaders are doing instead.The September takeaway? Backlash reveals character. Blowback reveals strategy. And knowing which one you're seeing could be the difference between chaos and control.Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.mediaClick here to subscribe to Molly's live events. Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson ...

A shooting inside a Minneapolis church during a back-to-school Mass left two children dead and several others injured. The Annunciation Catholic School community was shattered. The country watched. And almost immediately, public officials and school leaders stood in front of microphones, tasked with speaking into heartbreak.In this episode, examining what was said—and how it was said—during the press conferences that followed.Joining the conversation with Molly is Greg Floyd, evening anchor and investigative reporter at WRGB-TV in Albany. A six-time Emmy winner with multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards, Greg brings deep experience in live coverage, newsroom leadership, and the complexity of reporting local stories with national weight.Together, we break down the structure, tone, and delivery of each speaker—from elected officials to faith leaders—and explore what communicators can learn from how these moments were handled.What We Cover:The context behind the headlines: children, a church, and the first week of schoolMayor Jacob Frey's restrained approach, and why one line (“These children were praying”) shaped the narrativePolice Chief Brian O'Hara's directness, structure, and use of the repeated-question techniquePrincipal Matt DeBoer's calm, clarity, and emotional authority—including a powerful reflection on older students protecting younger onesThe possible public misstep by Archbishop Bernard Hebda, and the risk of correcting others in a crisis momentHow local media elevated the story's tone, and why Twin Cities press markets matter in national perceptionThe visual language of crisis: from rolled-up sleeves to school-branded t-shirtsWhy the absence of scripts—and the presence of emotion—can carry more weight than any prepared statementWant More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.mediaClick here to subscribe to Molly's live events. Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson ...

The Breakdown:The first move most people make in a crisis is often the one that causes the most damage. It happens when emotion outruns strategy, and the brain mistakes public pressure for personal danger. The result is impulsive action, usually in the form of a rushed post, a scrambled statement, or a desperate attempt to make the backlash go away. But the real problem isn't public. It's neurological.This episode explains why the body's threat response takes over during high-stakes moments, and how that hijack shuts down the very part of the brain responsible for leadership, regulation, and long-term thinking. It's not about judgment. It's about biology.This episode walks through what this looks like in real-time, how to recognize the signs, and what to do before speaking on the record, hitting publish, or involving legal.Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.mediaClick here to subscribe to Molly's live events. Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson ...

Taylor Swift didn't just pop onto her boyfriend's New Heights podcast for fun. She executed a masterclass in brand strategy. With over 16 million views and endless headlines, her first-ever appearance alongside Travis and Jason Kelce wasn't casual. It was calculated.In this episode of The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson, a look at the strategy behind the appearance. Why it mattered, what Swift accomplished, and how it ties into her broader narrative of album rollouts, relationship optics, and reputation management. What You'll Hear About in This EpisodeThe Optics: Why Swift's on-camera presence, couple dynamics, and emotional stories humanized her brand at just the right time.Message Control: How choosing New Heights over legacy media gave her total control of the conversation.Redirection Strategy: How this appearance quietly shifted headlines away from Blake Lively's legal mess and back onto Swift's album.Cross-Brand Boost: Why this was just as beneficial for the Kelsey brand as it was for Swift.The Long Game: How this single appearance sets up Taylor's reputation, her relationship, and her album narrative for the months ahead.Why This Episode Matters Swift's appearance is a case study in modern communication—blending personal storytelling, platform control, reputation management, and viral timing. It's the kind of move every communicator, marketer, and leader should pay attention to.The media tool I use to track stories, monitor coverage, and help clients get their message in the right hands. Click here to learn more. Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.mediaClick here to subscribe to Molly's live events. Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson ...

Send us a textIn this episode, Matt Dzugan joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how PR pros can use data, AI, and smarter tools to improve media outreach.Tune in to learn more!Our Guest:Our episode guest is Matt Dzugan, senior director of data at Muck Rack. As a software engineer, he contributes to building tools that help journalists and PR professionals collaborate more effectively. With a strong background in full-stack development, he focuses on creating scalable, user-friendly solutions in the media tech space.Five things you'll learn from this episode:1. How to use PR software to streamline journalist research and pitching2. Why understanding journalist preferences improves outreach effectiveness3. What data points matter most when evaluating earned media success4. How Muck Rack supports PR teams through integrations and automation5. Trends in AI, media relations, and PR measurement that pros should watch Quotables“We're building tools that PR pros actually use and value every day.” — @mattdzugan“Better media outreach starts with better journalist insights.” — @JasonMudd9“PR is evolving fast. You need the right tools to keep up.” — @mattdzugan“Good PR tech doesn't replace relationships — it enhances them.” — @mattdzuganIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a professional colleague or friend. You may also share your experience with others, buy me a coffee, or leaving us a quick podcast review.About Matt DzuganMatt Dzugan is a senior software engineer at Muck Rack, where he helps develop tools that empower journalists and PR professionals to collaborate more effectively. With a background in full-stack development, he brings a thoughtful, systems-oriented approach to building reliable, scalable software that meets the media industry's evolving needs. His work spans from backend architecture to user-facing features, all designed to enhance the transparency, speed, and efficiency of media workflows.Beyond writing clean, maintainable code, Matt is known for his collaborative mindset and dedication to continuous improvement. He actively engages with cross-functional teams to ensure that engineering decisions align with product goals, and he's always looking for ways to optimize performance and user experience. At Muck Rack, Matt plays a key role in helping the company scale its platform to support a growing user base while staying true to its mission of supporting a free and sustainable press.Guest's contact info and resources:Matt Dzugan on X (@mattdzugan)Matt Dzugan on LinkedInMuck Rack's websiteWhat is AI Reading?Generative PulseAdditional Resources:Support the show On Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America's Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands. On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

This week's PR Breakdown isn't about a corporate crisis or a press release gone wrong. It's about satire — and the way it forces a reaction.In the latest season of South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker have turned their aim on the Trump administration, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and the culture of punditry. It's not subtle. It's not sanitized. And it's definitely not for the thin-skinned.The second episode, “Got a Nut,” skewers both sides of the aisle while delivering a masterclass in what happens when satire hits a nerve. The White House called the show “irrelevant” — a statement that instantly proved the opposite. Noem leaned into the joke publicly, then undercut herself in interviews. And Charlie Kirk tried to be in on the humor while still nursing the sting.Here's what I cover in this episode:Why this season of South Park is landing harder than most political commentaryThe specific targets in Episode 2, and the satirical tactics behind themHow public figures misplay their responses to being parodiedWhy defensiveness is the loudest admission of relevanceThe crisis takeaway: When satire calls you out, your response matters more than the jokeSatire works because it holds up a mirror. In PR, what you do next decides whether people see the reflection as truth or just a caricature.Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.mediaClick here to subscribe to Molly's live events. Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson ...

Justin Timberlake ended his tour and dropped a bombshell on Instagram—he's been battling Lyme disease. The post was emotional, reflective, and full of gratitude. But was it also a PR move?In this episode of The PR Breakdown, examining the timing, language, and strategy behind Timberlake's statement and why it dropped when it did. This isn't about questioning the diagnosis. It's about asking the right questions, like why fans were left disappointed for months and only got an explanation after the final show.In this episode:The fan backlash that built up across EuropeWhy the statement reads polished but not personalWhat it omits and why that mattersThe PR blueprint behind celebrity health revealsHow Justin Bieber ran the same play in 2020Timberlake's pattern of silence and reinventionYou can believe the pain and still question the play. Especially when the timing is perfect and the message lands just right.Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.mediaClick here to subscribe to Molly's live events. Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson ...

In episode 11 of Platform Builders, Christine Spang and Isaac Nassimi chat with Greg Galant. Greg recounts his early entrance into podcasting, social media, and eventually PR tech. He shares war stories from the early 2000s, including launching a podcast before “podcasting” was popular, creating the viral Shorty Awards, and bootstrapping Muck Rack into a multi-million dollar SaaS company. The conversation offers a unique lens on innovation, timing, media evolution, and how AI is reshaping earned media.

After NPR called me to weigh in on the Coldplay concert scandal and Astronomer's new viral ad starring Gwyneth Paltrow, a listener to the time to email to call me a “fussbucket.”You know what? I'll take it.Because here's the thing: clever marketing isn't a substitute for accountability. In this epsiode ofThe PR Breakdown, I explain why Astronomer's ad (produced by Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort and fronted by Gwyneth Paltrow) is a classic case of PR deflection wrapped in celebrity glitter.This episode unpacks:Why the real problem was never the kiss—it was the CEO-HR power dynamicThe danger of turning ethical breaches into punchlinesHow Maximum Effort's fastvertising campaign misread the assignmentWhat leadership accountability actually sounds like (hint: not “we've become a household name”)Want to learn what separates a temporary distraction from a lasting reputation hit? This episode is for you.Mentioned in the episode: - "5 PR Lessons from the Coldplay Concert That Took Down a CEO" - Molly McPherson, Substack (July, 23, 2025)- "The Coldplay Concert Scandal That Took Down a CEO" - PR Breakdown podcast (July 23, 2025)Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson ...

Seventy thousand five hundred twenty-one. That's how many news stories included Andy Byron's name after one juicy Jumbotron moment at a Coldplay concert. In this episode of The PR Breakdown, dissecting how a viral moment spiraled into a corporate PR disaster that exposed a CEO, an HR chief, and a total breakdown in communication control.What made this story explode? Not just the video, but the silence that followed a hoax. Molly breaks down the viral ingredients:A real-life HR entanglement caught on cameraFake apologies and fake wife statementsA tech company scrambling to fact-check a fake statementAnd a resignation that came too late to stop the damageIt's a live case study in digital PR failure, and a warning for anyone who thinks “it will pass" is a good crisis response strategy in 2025.Mentioned in the episode: "Astronomer finally releases a statement." - @MollyBMcPherson, TikTok, July 17, 2025"When national television outlets ask for comment before the Novocaine wears off." - @MollyBMcPherson, TikTok, July 16, 2025"TikTok-famous PR strategist accurately predicts outcome of Coldplay CEO fiasco." - @MollyBMcPherson, TikTok, July 16, 2025TikTok-famous PR strategist accurately predicts outcome of Coldplay CEO fiasco - Fox News, July 19, 2025"Tell-tale signs for spotting a fake press or media statement. PR lessons from the fake "Andy Byron" and "Megyn Byron" statements." - @MollyBMcPherson, TikTok, July 22, 2025Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson ...

When the flood came, the warnings didn't. In this episode, a deadly cascade of communication breakdowns and the consequences of delay. At least 129 people are dead, with dozens still missing, after historic flash flooding swept through central Texas. The timeline reveals a gap between federal alerts and local action. Lives were lost in those hours.We examine what went wrong, why the local warning system never materialized despite years of requests, and how messaging from state and national leaders continues to fail the public in real-time. From delayed sirens to political deflections, this is a story about infrastructure, accountability, and the high cost of silence.Plus: the Camp Mystic aftermath, FEMA's delayed deployment, the governor's football analogy, and the backlash to a viral video that reframed the tragedy through race and privilege.The floodwaters receded. The questions haven't.Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Click here to try Muck Rack for yourself. Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson ...

July appears quiet. It isn't.This episode outlines why summer is a high-risk period for reputation management. With newsroom staffing reduced and audience attention low, deeper stories start brewing. Reporters have more time. Leadership is often distracted. That's when reputational cracks start to widen.The timing is rarely accidental. Many of the biggest PR crises in recent years—from Lizzo's lawsuit to Drew Barrymore's strike backlash—began simmering in July and erupted by September.What's covered:How reduced oversight and lower engagement create space for reputational damageThe patterns behind summer stories that spiralCase examples including Diddy, Cuomo, Barrymore, Lizzo, Fallon, Baldoni, and LivelyThe role of social media in sustaining backlashWhy July is a critical window for transparency, not silenceAlso featured: a breakdown of how MuckRack supports proactive monitoring and sentiment tracking.Referenced Stories:Sean Combs trialAndrew Cuomo's primary upsetLizzo legal falloutWriters strike flashpointsCelebrity missteps and media strategyKey takeaway: July is not the time to disappear. For anyone managing a sensitive narrative, this is the moment to speak before being spoken about.Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Learn more at https://muckrack.com Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson ...

In this live edition of The PR Breakdown, Molly McPherson is joined by Warren Weeks and John Perenak, the hosts of the Reputation Town podcast, to explore the widening gap between journalism and public trust. The conversation centers on CNN's Jake Tapper and his new book with Alex Thompson, Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again. Is this book a mea culpa? A career pivot? Or a strategic move to rebuild credibility?The reputation strategy behind Tapper's timingWhether journalists should profit from stories they once protectedHow media control is shifting from legacy outlets to podcasters and independent creatorsWhy access journalism is losing public trustThe pressure journalists face when reporting truth conflicts with institutional loyaltyThis episode is not just about one book or one anchor. It's about the changing role of journalism, the rise of independent media, and the challenge of earning trust in today's media environment.If you work in communications, follow the news closely, or just want to understand what's really happening behind the headlines, this conversation is for you.Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider's hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. This podcast is supported by Muck Rack, the PR management platform I use to monitor media coverage, track journalist activity, and inform high-stakes strategy with real-time data. Learn more at https://muckrack.com Follow & Connect with Molly: https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson ...

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Barrie Cohen, founder of BC Public Relations, about her journey of building a successful Denver-based PR firm. Since its inception in 2017 as a solo venture, the firm has grown into a dynamic team of five women. Initially focused on traditional media, BC Public Relations has diversified into digital platforms such as podcasts and YouTube. Cohen shares insights on the power of storytelling in marketing, navigating the challenges of team management, and fostering strong client relationships. She also discusses self-funding her business, leveraging AI in PR, and the transformative value of mentorship and professional development. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Barrie said the hardest thing is that we often focus too much on what we're not doing well and forget to celebrate the wins. She stressed it's easy to feel like we're constantly screwing up instead of recognizing the many little victories that come with growing a business. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Barrie's favorite is “The Business of Persuasion” by Harold Burson, a pioneer in public relations. It's somewhat niche to her industry (PR), but she finds it offers great lessons on how the field started and evolved. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? She recommends The PR Podcast (specific to PR), and also listens to Mel Robbins for personal growth. Beyond that, she values reading widely and networking to learn from peers. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Barrie recommended media databases (like Cision, Muck Rack, Meltwater). While these are mainly for PR, she highlighted how powerful the right tools can be to connect with audiences and tell your story effectively. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Her advice for day one in business is to keep pushing forward. Embrace the tough moments, allow yourself to feel them—maybe even shed a tear — but always rise again the next day. As a business owner, others rely on you, and the journey is a continuous one. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Keep moving forward – cry it out if you must, but get up the next day and keep going — Barrie Cohen Focus less on what you're not doing well, and take time to celebrate the small wins — Barrie Cohen You're running a business, not a charity; hire for skill, not just likability — Barrie Cohen      

Jerry Tousley, Head of Marketing at Business Wire, discussed the evolving role of PR in marketing and the landscape of PR tech. He emphasized the importance of a tech stack that includes media monitoring, relationship building with journalists, and targeted news distribution. Tousley highlighted tools like Meltwater, Muck Rack, and Business Wire for enhancing PR efforts. He also touched on the future impact of AI on PR, particularly in generative content and analytics. Measuring PR's effectiveness involves tracking engagement, media monitoring, and the "buzz factor." Tousley stressed the need for patience and consistent effort, noting that PR's impact can be seen over time, contributing to lead velocity and revenue. Show NotesConnect With: Jerry Touslee: Website // LinkedInThe MarTech Podcast: Email // LinkedIn // TwitterBenjamin Shapiro: Website // LinkedIn // TwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jerry Tousley, Head of Marketing at Business Wire, discussed the evolving role of PR in marketing and the landscape of PR tech. He emphasized the importance of a tech stack that includes media monitoring, relationship building with journalists, and targeted news distribution. Tousley highlighted tools like Meltwater, Muck Rack, and Business Wire for enhancing PR efforts. He also touched on the future impact of AI on PR, particularly in generative content and analytics. Measuring PR's effectiveness involves tracking engagement, media monitoring, and the "buzz factor." Tousley stressed the need for patience and consistent effort, noting that PR's impact can be seen over time, contributing to lead velocity and revenue. Show NotesConnect With: Jerry Touslee: Website // LinkedInThe MarTech Podcast: Email // LinkedIn // TwitterBenjamin Shapiro: Website // LinkedIn // TwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What's really holding your learners back from absorbing the information they need? We've all been through training at some point that's either confusing or too broad, or perhaps the kind that puts you to sleep. The truth is that training and learning design are complicated. It's a balancing act between the learners themselves (how they learn, their interests and attention span), the designers (their desire to create engaging content), subject matter experts (who have the knowledge but aren't always the best teachers), and then the organization, which has its own goals to achieve.So where does learning design typically fall short? In this episode, we welcome Sara Sorenson, Product Enablement Manager at Muck Rack, and Tim Slade, Founder of The eLearning Designer's Academy, to explore the top mistakes they see in learning design, how we can get better at creating training, plus some things learners could do to help that information stick.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 - 02:45 Introduction to Sara and Tim 02:45 - 05:50 The biggest thing organizations are getting wrong about learning05:50 - 11:01 How should organizations use subject matter experts?11:01 - 14:29 Why sometimes organizations need processes, not training14:29 - 20:37 What are learners getting wrong20:37 - 25:20 Why learning at work is different to the learning experience in school or college 25:20 - 30:07 How can learning designers help learners feel okay about mistakes30:07 - 37:17 What else can we do to help learners achieve the ideal outcome37:17 - 38:13 OutroImportant links and mentions:Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarasorensonid/Connect with Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sladetim/Visit The eLearning Designer's Academy: https://elearningacademy.io/Subscribe to The eLearning Designer's Academy by Tim Slade: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2CE3YBPX53oeKVsiTbhX2w?sub_confirmation=1

Send us a textIn this episode, Linda Zebian joins host Jason Mudd to discuss the challenges journalists face in maintaining work-life balance and how PR professionals can better support them. She shares industry insights from Muck Rack, explores newsroom pressures, and offers strategies for improving media relations.Tune in to learn more!Our Guest:Linda Zebian is the senior director of communications at Muck Rack. She leads internal and external communications strategies across the enterprise. Her work spans across messaging, issues management, media relations, social media, and employee communications. As Muck Rack's first-ever communications hire, Linda brought extensive experience from The New York Times, where she spent 10 years in various communications roles. She was named a “Woman to Watch” by PRWeek in 2024 and recognized for her leadership in Ragan Communications' 2023 Top Women in PR list.Five things you'll learn from this episode:1. The current state of work-life balance in journalism2. Key stressors impacting media professionals today3. How PR professionals can improve relationships with journalists4. The evolving landscape of newsroom workflows5. Strategies to support journalists' well-being and efficiencyQuotables"The media industry has changed dramatically, and work-life balance is a bigger challenge than ever." — @LindaZebian"Journalists are under immense pressure. PR pros can help by being mindful of their time and needs." — @LindaZebian"The relationship between PR and journalists should be built on trust, efficiency, and respect." — @JasonMudd9"Empathy in media relations goes a long way. Understanding journalists' workload can improve PR success." — @LindaZebian"Being strategic and concise in your pitches will make journalists more receptive to your stories." — @JasonMudd9If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend, buy us a coffee, or leave us a quick podcast review.About Linda ZebianLinda Zebian is the senior director of communications at Muck Rack, where she leads internal and external communications strategy, including messaging, issues management, media relations, social media, and employee communications. She joined Muck Rack in January 2022 as its first-ever director of communications, bringing a wealth of experience in media and corporate communications.Before working at Muck Rack, Linda spent a decade at The New York Times, where she held various communications roles supporting growth, product, and technology teams. She played a key role in reinforcing the company's innovation and financial success, driving subscription growth, and strengthening brand affinity. Prior to that, she worked at Consumers Union, managing media relations for Consumer Reports. She began her career as a reporter at Folio before transitioning into conference programming for Red 7 Media.Linda was named a “Woman to Watch” by PRWeek in 2024 and a “Top Woman in PR for Leadership” by Ragan Communications in 2023. She frequently givSupport the show On Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America's Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands. On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.