Podcasts about muck rack

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 ...

Muck Rack and Rebuild Local News released a new report analyzing the number of local journalists in every U.S. county.

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      

Welcome to the Health Marketing Collective, where strong leadership meets marketing excellence. On today's episode, host Sara Payne is joined by Linda Zebian, Vice President of Communications at Muck Rack, for a timely and insightful conversation about the evolving—and increasingly vital—role of earned media in health marketing. With trust in the media waning, AI blurring the boundaries between fact and fabrication, and journalists facing unprecedented pressures, the landscape for marketers has never been more complex—or more full of opportunity. Drawing from her leadership at Muck Rack and her decade shaping communications at The New York Times, Linda brings a unique perspective on how earned media not only raises visibility, but delivers true business impact. Together, Sara and Linda explore what health brands must do to build credibility, foster authentic relationships with journalists, and adapt their strategies to meet new realities in 2025 and beyond. Thank you for being part of the Health Marketing Collective, where strong leadership meets marketing excellence. The future of healthcare depends on it. Key Takeaways: 1. Earned Media Is at a Pivotal Moment—Full of Challenges and Opportunity While media skepticism and AI-driven misinformation represent real threats, Linda Zebian highlights a rebirth underway: New technology, especially generative AI, is increasingly surfacing information from credible news organizations. For brands, this means investing in earned visibility and supporting traditional journalism is more valuable than ever. Genuine collaboration between PR, marketers, and journalists is the key to long-term influence. 2. Journalist Burnout Is Real—And Brands Must Respond Thoughtfully Muck Rack's annual surveys reveal significant stress and burnout among journalists: half considered quitting in the last year, with 42% having previously left jobs for mental health reasons. Despite this, most plan to stay in the field—a testament to journalism's critical role. For brands, this translates into a responsibility: be concise, targeted, and respectful when pitching. Avoid the “spray and pray” approach; respect journalists' time and workload. 3. The Anatomy of a Great Pitch: Less Is More (and Relationships Matter Most) Successful pitching is not about volume, but about relevance, brevity, and personalization. Key elements of a strong pitch include: Keep it under 200 words and send early in the week and day. Make it about the journalist's audience—not your milestone or product. One follow-up is plenty; building authentic relationships outside of pitching cycles is the real differentiator. Engage with trade and niche publications, not just national outlets, to drive meaningful impact. 4. Reputation and Authenticity Reign Supreme in a Distrustful Age Today's consumers—especially millennials and Gen Z—care deeply about brand values and authenticity. Brands must consistently stand for something meaningful, communicating it fearlessly and transparently across all channels. Reputation is shaped by every touchpoint, from earned media to social engagement to internal communications. Failing to show up in these conversations carries real risks. 5. GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) Is the Next Frontier for Earned Visibility With AI-powered content discovery on the rise, brands must look beyond traditional SEO to GEO, ensuring they are present in the reputable sources surfaced by AI tools and large language models. Earned media coverage in high-quality outlets now directly influences brand discoverability in the new information economy—as does having spokespeople who provide credible, unique, and data-backed expert insights. Thank you for joining us on the Health Marketing Collective, where strong leadership meets marketing...

AI has moved from experiment to infrastructure in the world of PR—reshaping workflows, enhancing research, generating content, and becoming an essential part of the professional toolkit. But with adoption accelerating, many teams are moving faster than their policies, slower than their tools, and without a shared understanding of what this shift means for the future of the craft.Part one in our special series on AI, this episode of Building Brand Gravity has hosts Steve Halsey and Anne Green kick things off with a conversation about how communicators can embrace AI to become better strategists, counselors, and learners in an era of constant change. Then, Steve sits down with Greg Galant, CEO and co-founder of Muck Rack, to unpack findings from The State of AI in PR report—exploring adoption trends, emerging professional skills, and growing gaps in training, policy, and trust.Join us as we discuss:• How generative AI is transforming PR workflows across the industry• The risks of widespread use without clear guidance or alignment• What AI adoption reveals about trust, transparency, and client expectationsStay tuned for part two, where Anne sits down with Loren King of MorganMyers to explore how AI is quietly transforming daily workflows in digital marketing and communications.

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.

That Solo Life, Episode 293: Why It's Time to Advance AI Discussions in PR In This Episode  Join Karen Swim, APR and Michelle Kane  as they discuss how PR professionals can leverage AI to enhance productivity while maintaining ethical practices. From practical applications for tasks like research and content creation to addressing AI's challenges, this episode offers valuable insights into how professionals can integrate AI tools to work more efficiently.  What We Cover in This Episode:  MuckRack's "State of AI in PR" report and key takeaways  Why PR pros need to move beyond basic AI usage (like content and journalist research)  Practical examples of how to use AI to save time, like creating campaign templates, summarizing research, or simplifying technical content  The importance of staying ahead with AI to offer strategic counsel to clients  How to address misconceptions about AI and demonstrate your own value as a professional in a tech-driven world  Ethical considerations and creating responsible AI use policies  Why You Should Listen:  AI is here to stay, and PR professionals must not only adapt but also lead the conversation in how this technology influences communication. Whether you're already using AI in advanced ways or you're hesitant to try, this episode addresses the need to learn to integrate AI into your workflows effectively and responsibly.  Episode Highlights:  “What we're saying is to use AI to simplify repetitive tasks and preserve your expertise for what truly matters.”  “AI isn't a vending machine. It's not magic. It's only as good as what you input, but it's a powerful assistant when used well.”  “Helping clients craft AI use policies not only protects them but also establishes you as a forward-thinking, trusted advisor.”  Key Points: In this episode, Karen and Michelle  discuss the use of AI in public relations and communication practices. The key points are: The PR industry has been slow to adopt AI, focusing on limited use cases like content creation and journalist research, rather than exploring more efficient and strategic applications. AI can be a valuable tool for PR professionals, helping with repetitive tasks, research analysis, content writing, and developing campaign templates - freeing up time to focus on high-value, human-centric activities. There are ethical considerations around AI usage that PR professionals should be aware of and address, such as developing AI use policies and monitoring for potential misuse or negative impacts. PR professionals should make an effort to understand AI capabilities and how to leverage the technology responsibly, as it is an increasingly important part of the communication landscape. Links and Resources Mentioned:  5 Key Takeaways from Muck Rack's State of AI in PR Report - PR News Solo PR Pro  Connect with Us:  Visit our website: Solo PR Pro  Share your thoughts and feedback: info@soloprpro.com  Follow us on Instagram Listen Now: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Solo PR Enjoyed the episode?  Please leave a review here - even a sentence helps. Share and tag us (@SoloPRPro, @KarenSwim) on social media so that we can thank you personally!

Building public trust is critical for nonprofits, especially in health and science communication. In this episode, Matt Lam from The American Association of Immunologists shares how his organization is embracing new communications strategies—like leveraging partnerships and taking calculated risks—to expand their impact and combat misinformation around immunology topics. Whether you're navigating trust-building with your audience or pitching new ideas internally, this episode offers actionable insights for nonprofit communicators. About the guest Matt has worked in communications since 2013 after transitioning away from the lab bench following completion of his Ph.D. in the field of cancer cell biology. Since then, he has worked primarily in the non-profit sector in the UK helping organizations tell inspiring stories and research and the impact it has on society. Matt has also spent time working for a government regulator in Scotland to deliver public and government facing communications. In 2024, Matt moved to the US with his partner, and currently works at the American Association of Immunologists as their Communications Director. At AAI, Matt leads a team of two to deliver communications for AAI's membership, the public and the wider community connected to the organization.  Resources Asana: https://asana.com/Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/ Contact Matt Website: https://www.aai.org/Email: mlam@aai.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-lam-phd-52998b70/

Are you winning enough business? And when you do win business, is it regular enough and is it the right kind of business? Have you been ghosted? Are clients not revealing budgets until the last minute? Have you had your pitch ideas stolen? Above all – how do you know how much business to win? All these questions and more are addressed in the new blockbuster PR agency new business report from the PRCA. ‘Pitch Forward' is an astonishingly detailed survey of PR agencies around the UK on the critical issue of new business. The report gets up close and personal with PR agencies on their new business habits and more importantly, those of their clients and prospects. Debbie Little is the PRCA's ambassador for growth, heading up its Matchmaker service which helps clients find the right agency partner and in conjunction with 3 Gem Research & Insights and PR Software company Muck Rack, Pitch Forward covers every aspect of the pitch process and analyses what works, what doesn't and how to make sure that you pitch to the right companies at the right time, regularly. This is a fascinating journey through one of the most secretive aspects of agency leadership.   Show notes Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com 3 Gem: https://www.3gem.com Debbie Little's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbiejackson2017/ PRCA's new web site: https://www.prca.global/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tune in to our must hear moments from Season 4. Explore real-world examples of brand storytelling that drives loyalty and sales, the importance of agile planning in fast-changing markets, and the impact of thought leadership. Dive into the ethical and strategic implications of AI in marketing and PR, including its role in SEO and content creation. Plus, discover why authenticity and character are key to earning media success. It's a highlight reel packed with the strategies and perspectives shaping what's next. In this special 2024 Wrapped episode, we've curated the most impactful moments from this season's conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and storytellers. From leveraging AI to transform marketing workflows to redefining healthcare branding and thought leadership, these highlights capture the insights that mattered most. Hear how organizations are navigating change, embracing new technologies, and driving meaningful connections in a competitive landscape. Whether it's uncovering emerging trends, exploring human-centered strategies, or sparking new ideas, this episode is packed with takeaways to inspire your 2025 plans. Show Notes (00:01:15) John Hallock: Why marketing plans should be simple, flexible, and adaptable to change. (00:04:57) Mark Macias: Meaty earned media comes from compelling characters and authentic storytelling and solid data. (00:08:15) Linda Smith: Driving brand awareness with strategic, and sustained, thought leadership. (00:14:02) Todd O'Neill: How AI is rapidly changing the SEO landscape. (00:19:27) Greg Gallant: Podcasts as a critical component of the modern media landscape. (00:23:17) Femtech Panel: Building brand awareness on limited marketing budgets. (00:26:32) Colin Hung: How even small booths can have a big impact at healthcare conferences. (00:32:30) Carol Flagg: The rise of vodcasting to expand your podcast's reach. (00:35:49) Mitch Duckler: The Future-Ready Brand: how Fortune 500 brands are leveraging AI to enable micro-segmentation and hyper-personalization. (00:41:37) Brian Tanquilut: A prominent financial analyst with prescient predictions about healthcare claim denials, revenue cycle challenges, and the future of pharmacy. Relevant Links/Information: Season 4, Episode 1: The Quantum Health Effect: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Brand Storytelling Season 4, Episode 2: A Diamond in the Rough: How Digging Deep Uncovered a Wall-Street-Journal-Worthy Story about Lab-Grown Diamonds Season 4, Episode 3: How Progeny Health Leveraged Customer Brand Loyalty, Thought Leadership, and Patient Advocacy to Build Brand Awareness and Drive Sales Season 4, Episode 4: The Ethical Use of AI in PR and Marketing: Expert Counsel from a Professor with His Finger on the Pulse Season 4, Episode 5: Future Proofing PR: Insights from Muck Rack's CEO Season 4, Episode 6: Empowering Her Health: Unveiling the Secrets of the FemTech Movement Season 4, Episode 7: Swag, Socks, and Sweet Success: Colin Hung's Conference Formula Season 4, Episode 8: The Future of Digital Media: How Vodcasting is Changing the Game Season 4, Episode 9: The Future-Ready Brand: How to Leverage AI and Emerging Technologies Season 4, Episode 10: Follow The Money: 2025 Healthcare Trends & Headlines

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.