My guest today is Brandy Whalen, the co-founder of Kitcaster, a podcast booking agency, where she is also the resident story craft guru. Here, she shares how she helps her clients craft their stories to share on podcasts and how to build authority and credibility through the medium. Key Takeaways: - How to craft your story - The importance of prep work - How to get booked on podcasts Episode Timeline: 1:05 Is that a corgi in the Kitcaster logo? 3:00 How Kitcaster gets people booked onto...

Amanda Arrigotti-White is the Founder and CEO of Curate & Co., one of the country's most sought-after boutique PR firms for food, beverage, and hospitality. After getting her start in PR at SOREL and Columbia Sportswear, she fell hard and fast for hospitality while in-house at Saint Michelle Wine Estates. Here, she shares the importance of crafting stories around wine and food and how Curate & Co. has successfully paired products and influencers. Key Takeaways: - How to target wine...

Peter Freedman is the founder and Director of Thinking of Think Inc, a creative UK-based PR and guerrilla marketing agency, that works for startups and scaleups in the US and UK. He's also the author of a new book for Calm, the meditation, sleep and mental health app called "How Calm Whipped Up a Storm: How one small app won a ton of PR and buzz that helped it grow big – and how YOU can too.” Here, he discusses how his quirky work for Calm helped the app stand out in a sea of competition....

Dominique Turner is a Strategic Communications and Public Relations professional working for Bloomreach, an AI-powered e-commerce platform. She also serves as the Marketing Director for Ballet & Books, a non-profit organization striving to reduce the literacy gap through the hybrid storytelling of dance and reading. Here, she discusses how she got into PR after graduating from Cornell in 2020 and the big impact AI will have on retail.  Key Takeaways: - How to break into PR - The benefits...

Nicole Pence Becker has over 15 years of experience in journalism, communications, media production, social media, and public relations. In 2017, she founded Pence Media Group, an all-female, full-service public relations, media, and marketing consultancy that works with start-ups to Fortune 500s. Here, she discusses how she built her own agency out of necessity and some of her noteworthy clients. Key Takeaways: - How Nicole built a female-centered PR consultancy - Lessons learned working in...

Amanda Proscia is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Lightspeed Public Relations/Marketing. Here, we discuss her new book, “PR Confidential: Unlocking the Secrets to Creating a Powerful Public Image.” The book provides an insider perspective on getting the most out of an investment in a public relations agency. It also provides great insights on how PR works, when it fails, and how to course-correct as the story changes.  Key Takeaways: - Answers to common questions about PR - The...

Juan Alanis is the CEO and founder of Big Oak Tree Media, an award-winning agency with over 30 years of combined history in marketing and communications. He's also the host of the "In the Business" podcast with his wife, Anjelica Cazares, and the executive producer of the "Latina Leadership" podcast. Here, he discusses how to speak authentically to diverse communities, how to make effective social media posts, and what it’s like being the middle child of 7. Key Takeaways: - How to market to...

Megan Prock McGrath is the Managing Director at MacDougall, where she provides clients with corporate communications counsel to help them elevate their voices in the industry. She is passionate about healthcare solutions for today's pressing problems, particularly those designed to lower costs, improve care, and serve vulnerable populations. Here, Megan discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry, shares insights on effective messaging for clinical trials, and addresses the...

Gini Dietrich is the founder of the influential Spin Sucks blog and author of "Spin Sucks: Communication and Reputation Management in the Digital Age." For the past 18 years, she has run and grown the Arment Dietrich agency, and currently hosts 3 podcasts, "Spin Sucks," "Inside PR," and "The Agency Leadership Podcast." Here, Gini shares how Spin Sucks went from a blog to a movement and explains why thought leaders must stand for something. Key Takeaways: - The Spin Sucks story - Why thought...

Dawn Jordan Jones is the Brand & Communications Manager for the Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF), an organization that works for barrier-free opportunities for Black technology leaders. She’s also the CEO of 29Eleven Media, which helps businesses and ministries market their truth. Here, Dawn discusses the importance of inclusivity in tech and how faith-based organizations are adopting modern marketing and social media solutions.     Key Takeaways: ·        How...

Louis K. Gump is a business builder, transformational leader, and pragmatic optimist. He is the president of Cambian Solutions, which focuses on excellence in innovation, business growth, and team performance. Earlier in his career, he presided over award-winning mobile businesses at The Weather Channel and CNN served as CEO of two digital media firms and led Cox Media. Here, he discusses his recently released book, “The Inside Innovator: A Practical Guide to Intrapreneurship,” and how to...

Paul Cohen runs Milk & Honey PR’s North American business and brings three decades of experience shaping vital conversations in ways that matter. A trusted communications advisor to executives and teams across three continents, Paul has represented multinational corporations, start-ups, industry associations, sovereign governments, and non-profit organizations. Here, he talks about Milk and Honey’s viral vase story, working in important halls of government, and the importance of...

Andrew Staub is a journalist-turned-PR-pro with 15 years in the communications industry. He is the communications manager for Rite Aid Healthy Futures, a nonprofit grantmaking organization affiliated with the Rite Aid retail pharmacy chain. Here, Andrew shares how he worked to rebrand Rite Aid Healthy Futures and why he wouldn’t let a multiple sclerosis diagnosis stop him from pursuing his goals.   Key Takeaways: ·        The frustrations of being a writer ·        Rebranding Rite Aid’s...

Michael Axman and Jake Fleshner are the founders of The Nucleus Network, a group of highly vetted and seasoned professionals across diverse industries. The network includes tech founders, VC legends, real estate moguls, brand experts, e-commerce wizards, agency owners, festival producers, influencers, and more. Here, Michael and Jake talk about how they created the network and discuss the mindset that’s necessary for success.    Key Takeaways: ·        The importance of curiosity in...

Gina Villareal-Arcediano is an accomplished television journalist and investigative producer as well as the founder and CEO of Unleashed Advertising & Advocacy. She has over 25 years of experience in media, business development, and marketing at ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC affiliates. Here, she emphasizes the importance of sending effective pitches, the power of telling authentic stories, and the benefits of aligning brands with nonprofits.   Key Takeaways: How to send an effective pitchWhy...

Howard Waterman has over two decades of experience in strategic communications, public relations, senior executive counsel, and crisis communications in senior leadership roles at top U.S. brands. He is president and founder of The Waterman Group and serves as Chief Executive in Residence – Communications at AI 2030, an initiative aimed at harnessing the transformative power of AI to benefit humanity while minimizing its potential negative impact. On Howard’s second appearance on PR 360, he...

April White is the CEO and founder of Trust Relations. With nearly 20 years of experience representing Fortune 100 companies, including Weber Shandwick, Edelman, Spong, and Rubenstein Public Relations, she is skilled at developing targeted communications programs. Here, April talks about the importance of trust and authenticity in PR and how changing tides in media are affecting ROI.   Key Takeaways: - The rise of affiliate marketing - The new AI crisis - Transparent client...

Eric Morley co-founded Blue C, a dynamic California-based agency specializing in brand strategy and creative marketing. With a relentless passion for shaping brand narratives, Eric has been an influential force in the industry since 1998. Here, he shares how the FOCUS principle guides Blue C’s work and why brands should strive for clarity in 2024. Key Takeaways: - The power of FOCUS - The need for brand clarity - Why everyone is in marketing Episode Timeline: 2:00 Why FOCUS is Eric's guiding...

Lauren Passell is the founder of Tink Media, a podcast growth and ideas company that specializes in podcast PR, creative partnerships, in-app placement, and out-of-the-box strategies to help shows find their perfect audience. She is also the curator of Podcast the Newsletter and Podcast Marketing Magic and writes about podcasts for Lifehacker. Here, she discusses the importance of making podcast friends, why podcasters should focus more on marketing, and why true crime is still king. Key...

Wing Lam, the co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco, is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry. As the face of the iconic brand, Wing is highly sought-after to speak at global events and has made television appearances on “The Secret Millionaire” and the Food Network. Actively engaged in philanthropy having founded the California Love Drop, Wing is also the second member of the exclusive “PR 360 Three Timers Club.” Here, he discusses the importance of...

Bob Bilbruck is an accomplished and visionary CEO with over 25 years of experience in the emerging markets and technology space. He is the founder and CEO of Captjur, a business services firm specializing in channel and partner programs, digital marketing and technology initiatives, sales and business development, and alternative startup funding. Here, Bob talks about how AI is revolutionizing customer service in the fast food and hospitality sectors and how the metaverse is about to become a...

AI had a momentous year in 2023, and it was a big point of discussion on the PR 360 Podcast. This episode pulls together the most important discussions we’ve had on the topic with people in the fields of AI development, public relations, and journalism. You’ll learn about the current state of AI advancement, how AI will affect the workplace, and its current impact on public relations. Key Takeaways: -        What is practical AI? -        How to combine AI and human intelligence -        AI’s...

Michelle Glogovac, aka the “Podcast Matchmaker,” is the CEO of The MLG Collective, a full-service podcast pitching agency, where she collaborates with entrepreneurs, authors, and experts to hone their storytelling abilities, grow their businesses, and elevate themselves as thought leaders. She also hosts the award-winning podcast, “My Simplified Life.” Here, she talks about how people should prepare to appear on podcasts, the art of storytelling, and her new book, “How to Get on Podcasts,”...

Frank Carlisi is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of the ExV Agency, a global PR and personal branding agency, and the Founder of ExV Studios, a creative force in developing unpredictable concepts in unscripted television. He has created an engaging portfolio of content with The William Morris Agency, A&E, Lifetime Network, HGTV, Truly Original, Hearst Media Productions, Wheelhouse Productions, and more. A storyteller at heart, Frank is adept at drilling down to reveal the...