On Top of PR with Jason Mudd – Details, episodes & analysis

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Pragya Dubey, Agility PR’s VP of Global Services & Analytics, joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how AI is reshaping PR, media intelligence, and measurement for smarter, data-driven strategies.

Tune in to learn more!

Meet Our Guest:

Our episode guest is Pragya Dubey, Agility PR Solutions’ VP of Global Services & Analytics. With more than 20 years of experience across three continents, she helps organizations transform media data into meaningful insights that demonstrate ROI and elevate the impact of communications.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. How AI is changing the media intelligence landscape and how we can measure it

2. Ways PR professionals can use AI to make smarter, data-driven decisions

3. What the emerging AI landscape means for PR professionals

4. How to use AI to enhance productivity and creativity in PR

5. How press releases are regaining power as vital tools for AI-driven search visibility

Quotables

“AI is really reshaping the way we are accessing information and our need for information.” — Pragya Dubey

“PR teams can be empowered with more data-driven decisions as opposed to basing their decisions on anecdotes, or an impression, or simply instincts – that’s the biggest shift.” — Pragya Dubey

“AI is the assistant that PR never had that can help public relations professionals work smarter.” — Pragya Dubey

"The question to ask is how AI is getting its information. AI is getting that information from the web, from Google, Yahoo, all those aggregator websites and media. So if you're not putting yourself out there more and more, you're missing out on that opportunity to be read and analyzed by AI.” — Pragya Dubey

“The press release that we all thought was on life support and losing credibility year after year is suddenly the new sexy PR tool that everybody's talking about again and getting excited about.” — Jason Mudd

If 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.

More About Pragya Dubey

Pragya Dubey is Vice President of Global Services and Media Analytics at Agility PR Solutions, where she leads strategy and client success for media monitoring, measurement, and insights. With over 20 years of experience across Canada, the U.S., and India, she specializes in turning complex media data into actionable narratives that demonstrate ROI and drive smarter decision-making.

Since joining Agility in 2006, she has helped clients — including Fortune 500s, governments, and nonprofits — align media analysis with strategic goals. Pragya is a passionate advocate for using meaningful metrics to elevate the role of communications.

Guest’s contact info and resources:

Pragya Dubey on LinkedIn

Agility PR Solutions website

Additional 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.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Mark Basch joins host Jason Mudd to discuss the common media mistakes publicly traded companies make.

Tune in to learn more!

Meet our guest:

Our episode guest is Mark Basch, a seasoned business journalist with decades of experience covering publicly traded companies. He provides insights on economics, business trends, manufacturing, real estate, and unemployment, drawing from data releases and press statements.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. Consequences of companies mishandling bad news

2. Best practices for publicly traded companies to work effectively with journalists

3. Why preparation and anticipation are key to effective media interactions

4. Why understanding media evolution is critical for PR

5. The difference between embargoes and advance news, and how to use them strategically

Quotables

“When something is happening, it's a good idea to preemptively get together with the key people and have a response ready because one of the things that could happen in today's world is the story is going to be posted online and nobody is ready to respond.” — Mark Basch

“Clever is great, but it better be accurate.” — Mark Basch

“The headline … is designed to get you to read the story but also should tell you what the story is.” — Mark Basch

“If you want to make this newsworthy, if you want to get media coverage about your company, its success and its growth, we've got to have credible indicators of how quickly you are growing.” — Jason Mudd

“Always prepare, always assume the worst, and have proper preparations.” — Jason Mudd

“Have a plan, but have a plan in case the plan fails of what you're going to do secondarily.” — Jason Mudd

If 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.

More about Mark Basch

Mark Basch is a seasoned business journalist who’s covered publicly traded companies for decades. His reporting focuses on economics, business trends, manufacturing, real estate, and unemployment, drawing regularly from data releases and press statements.

Guest’s contact info and resources:

Mark Basch on LinkedIn

Additional resources:

The best and worst media relations efforts from public relations professionals

How to speak with clarity and authority during a crisis

11 crisis management tactics to avoid or prepare for a PR disaster

The 4 R’s of media relations: Responsive, re

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.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, HireMyMom’s Lesley Pyle joins On Top of PR host Jason Mudd to discuss how remote work is transforming the modern workforce

Tune in to learn more!

Our Guest:

Our episode guest is HireMyMom’s Lesley Pyle, founder and CEO of the platform. She has been connecting small businesses with skilled remote professionals since 2007 and brings over two decades of experience in public relations and entrepreneurship.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. How remote work has evolved from a niche option to a mainstream employment model

2. What today’s professionals are looking for in flexible or freelance roles

3. Why small businesses are embracing remote hiring and the benefits it brings

4. How digital platforms and collaboration tools have removed barriers to remote work

5. Tips for staying relevant, confident, and competitive in a digital-first workforce

Quotables

“Flexibility is the number-one thing people are looking for. That freedom is like gold.” — @LesleyPyle

“Technology has made it easier than ever for businesses to connect with top-tier talent virtually.” — @LesleyPyle

“We’ve gone from asking ‘Can this be done remotely?’ to ‘Why wouldn’t it be?’” — @LesleyPyle

“Staying engaged in your field, even just a few hours a week, keeps you current and competitive.” — @LesleyPyle

“The evolution of remote work isn’t just about where we work — it’s about how we define work altogether.” — @LesleyPyle

If 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.

About Lesley Pyle

Lesley Pyle is the founder and CEO of HireMyMom.com, an online platform that connects small businesses with experienced remote professionals. She launched her first online community for home-based working moms in 1996 and has been a leading voice in the evolution of flexible freelance work ever since.

With a master’s degree in public relations and over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, Lesley understands the shifting priorities of today’s workforce. Through HireMyMom, she empowers professionals to find legitimate remote roles and helps businesses discover top-tier talent outside of traditional hiring models.

Guest’s contact info and resources:

Lesley Pyle on X

Lesley Pyle on LinkedIn

Lesley Pyle on Facebook

Lesley Pyle on Instagram

HireMyMom website

Additional Resources:

How Much Money Can You Save by Working from Home?

Products for Your Company’s PR Pro Wh

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.

Send us Fan Mail

Our episode guest is Deb Boelkes, Founder at Business World Rising. Deb is on a tear, transforming the business world into one you'll love and never want to leave.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. The value of creating the best workplace, striving to have a WOW brand that customers love, and wouldn't ever want to buy from somebody else.
2. Building a workplace culture where you enjoy getting up every day, where work is not work, and you're thrilled to be there every minute.
3. Take your mindset to the next level, love what you do, and inspire everybody else around you to be the best they can be.
4. How you can spread your WOW factor, energy, and enthusiasm around you and make it extremely CONTAGIOUS to the point where people around you pick up the positive vibes you're bringing.
5. The possibility of creating a workplace where the best and most talented people line up to get in. A workplace where every time top talent comes into your company, they say WOW!

Quotables

• “The satisfaction of your employees directly correlates with the satisfaction of your customers." — @Deb_Boelkes
• "Aim to have a wow brand that customers love and wouldn't ever want to buy from somebody else." — @Deb_Boelkes
• "When you love what you're doing, you're a great person to be around. You are enjoyable to be around." — @Deb_Boelkes
• "When you've got folks who are not happy with their job, believe me, how they're feeling is going to be pervasive and will affect how they interact with customers." — @Deb_Boelkes

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with others and leave us a review.

About Deb Boelkes

Deb Boelkes is the award-winning author of "The WOW Factor Workplace: How to Create a Best Place to Work Culture" and "Heartfelt Leadership: How to Capture the Top Spot and Keep on Soaring." Deb is not just a role model heartfelt leader; she’s the ultimate authority on creating the best places to work, with 25+ years in Fortune 150 technology firms, leading superstar sales, marketing, and professional services teams. As an entrepreneur, she has accelerated advancement for women to senior leadership. As an author and keynote speaker, Deb has delighted and inspired over 1,000 audiences across North America and beyond. 

Guest’s contact info and resources:

• @Deb_Boelkes on Twitter: https://twitter.com/deb_boelkes
• Deb Boelkes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debboelkes/
• Company website: https://www.businessworldrising.com/about
• Deb’s books:
  • The WOW Factor Workplace: How to Create a Best Place to Work Culture 
  • Heartfelt Leadership: How to Capture the Top Spot and Keep on Soaring 

Sponsored by:

• On Top of PR is produced by

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.

Send us Fan Mail

1. How your brand can benefit from being immersed in the esports and gaming space
2. What the difference is between gaming and esports
3. How to get started and connect with the gaming and esports communities
4. How to collaborate with esports and gaming content creators to reach a larger audience
5. The most creative ways brands have marketed in the gaming community 

• “Gaming is a sleeping giant.” -@JOHNJJHIGGINS
• “A lot of the biggest earners in gaming aren’t necessarily the best players. It’s the content creators, the people that are on Twitch.” -@JOHNJJHIGGINS
• “When you look at gaming you should really look at the content creation aspects and how all these games have become more social.” -@JOHNJJHIGGINS
• “Around 70% of all revenue in esports is sponsorship.” -@JOHNJJHIGGINS

• John Higgins on LinkedIn
• John Higgins on Twitter: @JOHNJJHIGGINS
• OS Studios

• KFCConsole
• BudLight BL6 Gaming Console

• 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.
• Burrelles has a special offer for On Top of PR fans. Check it out at burrelles.com/ontopofpr.

On Top of PR host, Jason Mudd, is a trusted adviser and dynamic strategist for some of America’s most admired brands and fastest-growing companies. Since 1994, he’s worked with American Airlines, Budweiser, Dave & Buster’s, H&R Block, Hilton, HP, Miller Lite, New York Life, Pizza Hut, Southern Comfort, and Verizon. He founded Axia Public Relations in July 2002. Forbes named Axia as one of America’s Best PR Agencies.

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.

Send us Fan Mail

Vance Meyer used to be a corporate communication executive. He is now promoting and advocating for mental wellness and acquiring skills to be of service to others in the future.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. What marketing communication leaders need to think about in terms of guiding their team on how to communicate, externally and internally
2. The strategy and tactics that corporate marketing professionals can begin to take, whether that’s communication tactics or as a trusted advisor to leaders
3. The importance of self-care and self-acceptance not just for the sake of your health, but for your effectiveness as a communicator
4. How coming out of COVID can help individuals be more considerate of others and make an impact, not only today but for future generations
5. Crisis management from someone with extensive experience in employee communication, media relations, executive communication, social media, crisis management, and corporate branding 

Quotables

• “All the strategic work that we do to prepare for a crisis, unfortunately, goes out of the window during the crisis.” – @middle1dweller
•  “Sometimes, leaders get so ambitious about focusing on growth and expansion to the point of sacrificing their integrity.” – @jasonmudd9
•  “I didn’t realize that I wasn’t capable of handling the stress that comes along with PR jobs without treating myself better and having more self-care.” – @middle1dweller
• “Take care of yourself. Take time to revive yourself because it’s not just important for your health, but for your effectiveness as a communicator.” – @middle1dweller
• “Sometimes, people find themselves working for a company that’s in a bad spot and they end up inheriting the problem.” – @jasonmudd9
• “Everybody has mental wellness needs.” – @middle1dweller

About Vance Meyer

Vance Meyer was a former corporate communication executive who is now promoting and advocating for mental wellness and acquiring skills to be of service to others in the future.

These efforts are inspired by 30 years of personal and family experience with chronic depression and anxiety, as well as recent significant progress in managing his symptoms through lifestyle change. Vance has extensive experience in employee communication, media relations, executive communication, social media, crisis management, and corporate branding.

If you enjoyed this episode, would you please share it with others and leave us a review?

Vance Meyer’s contact info and resources:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/middle1dweller
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vancemeyer/
• Website: https://namijax.org/board-of-directors/

Sponsored by:

• 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

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.

Send us Fan Mail

Kate Yandoh Harris is a born storyteller who helps businesses realize results by creating compelling content. She an optimist, island lover, and “word person”.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. How to get started in PR and marketing without a PR or marketing degree
2. Why hospitality might be a great starting point for marketing and PR professionals
3. How you can learn the most from less desired positions 
4. How to educate your audience instead of just selling them your product or service
5. How to pivot and be creative in your PR efforts 

Quotables

• “In order to connect with your audience, you have to quickly jump in and live in their world for a little bit.” -Kate Yandoh Harris
• “The experiences that I’ve had that helped me get better have been the jobs that nobody really wants.” -Kate Yandoh Harris

If you enjoyed this episode, would you please share it with others and leave us a review?

Guest’s contact info and resources:

• Kate Yandoh Harris on LinkedIn
• Stan’s website: https://stanphelps.com/

Sponsored by:

• 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.
• Burrelles has a special offer for On Top of PR fans. Check it out at burrelles.com/ontopofpr.

About your host, Jason Mudd

On Top of PR host, Jason Mudd, is a trusted adviser and dynamic strategist for some of America’s most admired brands and fastest-growing companies. Since 1994, he’s worked with American Airlines, Budweiser, Dave & Buster’s, H&R Block, Hilton, HP, Miller Lite, New York Life, Pizza Hut, Southern Comfort, and Verizon. He founded Axia Public Relations in July 2002. Forbes named Axia as one of America’s Best PR Agencies.

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.

Send us Fan Mail

Learn the ins and outs of starting your own podcast with our host, Jason Mudd. Jason is the managing partner of Axia Public Relations.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. The four questions to ask yourself before you start your own podcast
2. The steps to building your own podcast
3. The three steps to launching your podcast
4. How to monetize your podcast
5. 10 podcast pro tips to those just starting out

Quotables

• “Podcasting builds awareness, understanding, trust, and decision.” -@jasonmudd9
• “To monetize your podcast, there are three steps. The first one is promotions and conversions. The second one is guest relations, and the third is sponsorships.” -@jasonmudd9
• “Consciously or subconsciously, people know that if a podcast has not produced 10 episodes, it might not make it, or it might already be dead upon arrival.” -@jasonmudd9

If you enjoyed this episode, would you please share it with others and leave us a review?

About Jason Mudd

Jason Mudd, APR, is a trusted adviser and dynamic strategist for some of America’s most admired brands. Since 1994, he’s worked with American Airlines, Budweiser, Dave & Buster’s, H&R Block, Hilton, HP, Miller Lite, New York Life, Pizza Hut, Southern Comfort, and Verizon. He founded Axia in July 2002.

Clients love Jason’s passion, innovation, candor, commitment, and award-winning team. In an increasingly tech-forward world, Jason’s grasp of technological demands on companies provides his clients in multiple sectors a unique advantage toward reaching their top audiences. After teaching himself HTML in 1994, Jason helped pioneer internet marketing strategies as an early adopter of e-commerce, SEO, and social media, inspiring tech giants like Yahoo.

At Axia, Jason attracts, develops, retains, innovates, and leads top PR talent and clients. He oversees strategic communications for the firm’s national clients and provides high-level consultations to client leadership teams at billion-dollar global brands, both business-to-business and business-to-consumer, including spokesperson training, crisis communications management, analytics, social media, online reputation management, and more. He also speaks frequently to corporations and industry groups and writes about public relations trends and best practices for American City Business Journals and other national businesses.

Contact info and resources:

• Twitter: @jasonmudd9
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonmudd/
• Website: https://www.axiapr.com/
• Have a question for Jason?  Email: podcast@ontopofpr.com

Additional Resources:

• PodcastValet
• Three steps when starting your podcast: Build, launch, and monetize

Sponsored by:

• We are thrilled to have Burrelles sponsor our solocast episodes. Thanks to Burrelles for its support. Burrelles has a special offer exclusively for On Top of PR fans. Check it out at burrelles.com/ontopofpr
• 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 fo

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.

Send us Fan Mail

Learn how your brand can achieve competitive separation with our guest, Stan Phelps, founder of PurpleGoldfish.com. He is a Forbes Contributor, IBM Futurist, and a keynote speaker.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. Why only 3% of people and brands are able to think and operate their business differently
2. The two main ways you can stand out and achieve competitive separation  
3. Why you need to be very clear with who your company is for
4. Why being middle of the road could be the downfall of your company
5. What benchmarking is and why it’s a hindrance to thinking different  

Quotables

• “Every weakness has a corresponding strength.” — @StanPhelpsPG
• “Be very clear who you're for and the customer that you serve and don't be afraid to push off the ones that you're not for.” — @StanPhelpsPG

If you enjoyed this episode, would you please share it with others and leave us a review?

About Stan Phelps

Stan Phelps is the founder of PurpleGoldfish.com. He is a Forbes Contributor, IBM Futurist, and a keynote speaker.  His award-winning books focus on the little ways to drive differentiation, increase loyalty, and promote positive word of mouth. He has spoken at over 200 events in 11 countries.

Guest’s contact info and resources:

• Stan Phelps on Twitter
• Stan Phelps on LinkedIn
• Stan’s website: https://stanphelps.com/
• Books:
  • Purple Goldfish 2.0 – 10 Ways to Attract Raving Fans
  • Green Goldfish 2.0 - 15 Keys to Driving Employee Engagement
  • Golden Goldfish – The Vital Few
  • Blue Goldfish - Using Technology, Data, and Analytics to Drive Both Profits & Prophets
  • Purple Goldfish Service Edition - The 12 Ways Hotels, Restaurants & Airlines Win the Right Customers
  • Red Goldfish - Motivating Sales and Loyalty Through Shared Passion & Purpose
  • Pink Goldfish - Defy Normal, Exploit Imperfection And Captivate Your Customers

Sponsored by:

• 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

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.

Send us Fan Mail

Learn why following up is your most powerful tool when pitching news reporters with our guest, Marjorie Comer, news consultant for Axia Public Relations. Marjorie is an award-winning public relations professional. Clients love Marjorie’s work ethic, speed, and diligence.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. The power of following up to get more media coverage for your brand
2. How to use follow-ups to get in front of media, clients, and contacts
3. How to stand out when pitching the news media
4. How to build a media list for your company
5. How to build relationships with reporters

Quotables

• “Without following up, media pitches tend to just die or get buried.” -@Marjorie_Comer
• “One thing I’ve done is ask my clients for three times they may be available or ask the reporter to give me three times they would be available to speak to my client because company executives aren't always on-call when a reporter may be.” -@Marjorie_Comer
• “Put things in your calendar because that's how you're going to remember to follow up with them.” -@Marjorie_Comer
• “From industry research, we’ve seen that 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. on Thursday is the best time to follow up with somebody for an end of the week deadline.” -@jasnmudd9

If you enjoyed this episode, would you please share it with others and leave us a review?

About Marjorie Comer

Marjorie Comer is an award-winning public relations professional. Clients love Marjorie’s work ethic, speed, and diligence. She has worked at Axia Public Relations since October 2011.

At Axia, Marjorie serves as a public relations consultant for the PR firm’s national clients. She’s a skilled writer and works hard to ensure the firm’s clients receive the white-glove experience. She also blogs about public relations trends and best practices.

Marjorie’s contact info and resources:

• Marjorie Comer on Twitter: @Marjorie_Comer
• Marjorie Comer on LinkedIn 

Sponsored by:

• 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.
• Burrelles has a special offer for On Top of PR fans. Check it out at burrelles.com/ontopofpr.

About your host, Jason Mudd

On Top of PR host, Jason Mudd, is a trusted adviser and dynamic strategist for some of America’s most admired brands and fastest-growing companies. Since 1994, he’s worked with American Airlines, Budweiser, Dave & Buster’s, H&R Block, Hilton, HP, Miller Lite, New York Life, Pizza Hut, Southern Comfort, and Verizon. He founded Axia Public Relations in July 2002. Forbes named Axia as one of America’s Best PR Agencies.

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.