Explore every episode of the podcast On Top of PR with Jason Mudd
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
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| The future of PR in the age of AI with Agility PR | 18 Nov 2025 | 00:39:41 | |
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: Additional Resources: How generative AI uses earned media coverage (fueling PR’s resurgence) Do news releases influence AI visibility? Google’s AI Mode and the rise of reputation-driven visibility
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| Common mistakes publicly traded companies make when working with the news media – Mark Basch | 04 Nov 2025 | 01:04:24 | |
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: 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, resourceful, rapid, and respect Examples to prepare your company for a crisis 10 steps to prepare your company for crisis Recorded: June 25, 2025
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| The evolution of remote work with HireMyMom’s Lesley Pyle | 25 Jun 2025 | 00:26:22 | |
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: Additional Resources: How Much Money Can You Save by Working from Home? Products for Your Company’s PR Pro Who’s Working from Home Variety Is the Spice of Business
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| The WOW Factor Workplace with Deb Boelkes, Founder at Business World Rising | 10 Aug 2021 | 00:24:19 | |
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:
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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:
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| How your brand can benefit from being immersed in the esports and gaming space with John Higgins | 03 Aug 2021 | 00:26:43 | |
Learn how your brand can start marketing within the gaming and esports community with our guest John Higgins. John currently heads up OS Studios - a live production and creative agency that specializes in video gaming and esports. Before working in video gaming, John was an award-winning creative director recognized globally for his work in television commercials and live broadcasts. Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
Guest’s contact info and resources:
Sponsored by:
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.
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| The impact of leadership communication on mental wellbeing and organizational performance with Vance Meyer | 20 Jul 2021 | 00:33:34 | |
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:
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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:
Sponsored by:
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| Tips on how to develop a PR presence without a degree with Kate Yandoh Harris | 13 Jul 2021 | 00:31:21 | |
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:
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If you enjoyed this episode, would you please share it with others and leave us a review? Guest’s contact info and resources:
Sponsored by:
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.
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| How to build, launch, and monetize your own podcast with Jason Mudd | 06 Jul 2021 | 00:23:08 | |
Learn the ins and outs of starting your own podcast with our host, Jason Mudd. Jason is the managing partner of Axia Public Relations.
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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:
Additional Resources:
Sponsored by:
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| Why only 3% of people are able to think and operate their brands differently with keynote speaker, Stan Phelps | 29 Jun 2021 | 00:30:49 | |
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:
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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:
Sponsored by:
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| The power of following up to get more media coverage for your brand with APR consultant, Marjorie Comer | 22 Jun 2021 | 00:30:32 | |
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.
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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:
Sponsored by:
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.
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| Courageous conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion with Tru Pettigrew | 15 Jun 2021 | 00:33:01 | |
Our episode guest is Tru Pettigrew. He connects brands with consumers and builds bridges across generations. Tru has also established a strong reputation for helping organizations build bridges across racial, cultural, social, and relational lines. Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
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About Tru Pettigrew Tru is a celebrated author, an engaging speaker, a committed community leader, and an award-winning marketing executive with close to 20 years of experience at the nation’s top advertising & marketing agencies. Tru founded Tru Access to serve as an inspiration and empowerment consultancy to help individuals and organizations bridge gaps across areas that cause division, dysfunction and separation. Considered one of the country’s top Millennial Empowerment experts and cross-generational thought leaders. His first book, “Millennials Revealed” serves as a guide for countless individuals and organizations across the country to help them build meaningful connections across diverse generations. Tru has shared his marketing talents and expertise to help contribute to the success of brands such as Nike, State Farm, Heineken, Hennessy, Unilever and Ford just to name a few. Tru’s contact info and resources:
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| How to connect with your audience through social & web media with Adam O’Daniel of Movement Mortgage | 08 Jun 2021 | 00:26:18 | |
Our episode guest is Adam O’Daniel, director of marketing and communications at Movement Mortgage. He leads marketing, communications, public relations and corporate events. Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
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If you enjoyed this episode, would you please share it with others and leave us a review? About Adam O’Daniel Adam leads marketing, communications, public relations and corporate events at Movement Mortgage, a top 10 retail mortgage lender and six-time member of the Inc. 5000 list. His background includes 15 years of experience in marketing, communications, public relations, content strategy, financial journalism, writing, and editing. Adam’s contact info and resources: Additional Resources: Sponsored by:
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.
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| Mistakes companies make when working with influencers with Jason Mudd, APR | 01 Jun 2021 | 00:18:28 | |
Learn how to effectively work with influencers with our host, Jason Mudd. Jason is the managing partner of Axia Public Relations.
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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. 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 national businesses. Jason’s contact info and resources:
Additional Resources:
Sponsored by:
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| Media intelligence and PR measurement with Meltwater’s Chris Hackney | 09 Jun 2025 | 00:32:59 | |
In this episode, Chris Hackney joins On Top of PR host Jason Mudd to learn how to track, interpret, and leverage media coverage. Tune in to learn more! Our Guest: Our episode guest is Chris Hackney, chief product officer at Meltwater. He brings more than 25 years of experience in B2B SaaS, specializing in media intelligence, PR technology, and communications strategy. At Meltwater, he leads product innovation to help brands navigate complex media landscapes and act on real-time insights. Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. What media intelligence is and how it strengthens PR strategy 2. How to turn media monitoring into measurable business insights 3. Why PR professionals must embrace data-driven storytelling 4. Which metrics matter most when evaluating earned media coverage 5. How Meltwater is evolving its tools to meet the needs of modern communicators Quotables “Media intelligence helps you move from reporting what happened to influencing what happens next.” — @ChrisHackney “PR needs to speak the language of the boardroom. That means data, context, and outcomes.” — @ChrisHackney “The goal isn’t more coverage — it’s the right coverage that moves the needle.” — @ChrisHackney “You can’t manage what you don’t measure. And that includes reputation.” — @JasonMudd9 “Media monitoring tools have evolved. It’s time PR pros evolved with them.” — @JasonMudd9 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 Chris Hackney Our episode guest is Meltwater’s Chris Hackney, vice president of enterprise sales. Chris brings nearly two decades of experience in digital media, SaaS technology, and public relations. At Meltwater, he works closely with communications leaders and enterprise organizations to help them gather, analyze, and act on media insights that drive strategic decisions. Chris has a deep understanding of the evolving PR landscape and the growing need for measurement and accountability in earned media. He frequently works with clients to strengthen their media intelligence capabilities and align communications with business outcomes. His insights help brands better understand their reputations, competitive positioning, and media performance in a fast-moving digital environment. Guest’s contact info and resources: 10 steps to prepare your company for crisis Additional Resources: Understanding the differences of PR monitoring, measurement, and evaluation 5 metrics you should measure in PR From crisis to AI, PR may require a pivot but ALWAYS requires a plan How to ethically use AI in public
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| Elevating a brand’s damaged reputation with Mark Sherwood | 24 May 2021 | 00:21:52 | |
Learn how to build a team that will improve a brand’s damaged reputation with our guest Mark Sherwood, Deputy Executive Director of Marketing at Detroit Public Schools Community. He develops and manages annual marketing and communication strategies, staff, budgets, research, competitive analysis and surveys.
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If you enjoyed this episode, would you please share it with others and leave us a review? About Mark Sherwood Mark Sherwood is a Senior Marketing Executive who brings over twenty years to the table, performed and served both B2B and B2C industries, and has been tasked with establishing in-house agency services in each role throughout his career. Mark believes every decision boils down to creating, establishing, growing, and protecting the brand. When not deep in a "how can I make it better" mindset, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife, enjoying his daughter's artwork as she pursues her degree at NYU, golfing whenever he can, and is still a closet gamer nerd. Guest’s contact info and resources: Sponsored by:
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.
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| Be a trusted advisor to your executive team with John Herbkersman, communications executive | 18 May 2021 | 00:29:01 | |
Learn how communicators can be a trusted advisor to their company’s executive team with our guest John Herbkersman. John is a semi-retired senior communications executive who has served as a senior counselor for numerous Fortune 500 executives/companies. Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
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If you enjoyed this episode, would you please share it with others and leave us a review? About John Herbkersman John is a strategic communications and marketing leader with demonstrated, results-driven experience in all facets of corporate communications and strategic planning - including public relations, media relations, reputation management, crisis communications, social media, investor relations, marketing communications, event planning, public affairs, government affairs, community affairs, and more. Guest’s contact info and resources:
Additional Resources:
Sponsored by:
On Top of PR hostJason Mudd is a trusted adviser and dynamic strategist for some of America’s most admired brands and fastest-growing companies. He founded Axia Public Relations in July 2002. Forbes named Axia as one of America’s Best PR Agencies.
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| How to know if a PR agency is the right fit for your company with Shannyn Lee | 11 May 2021 | 00:31:44 | |
Learn how you can build and maintain a relationship with a PR agency with our guest Shannyn Lee, director of coaching at Win Without Pitching. Shannyn spent a decade in senior marketing and communication roles in Fortune 500 companies before moving to a business development leadership role.
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If you enjoyed this episode, would you please share it with others and leave us a review? About Shannyn Lee Shannyn spent a decade in senior marketing and communication roles in Fortune 500 companies before moving to a business development leadership role at a well-regarded Seattle design firm. She also spent four years at Catapult New Business where she worked with agencies of various disciplines and size, building and leading their business development programs. Her time on the front lines of agency business development coupled with many informative years on the client side, has given Shannyn a unique perspective into what marketers are looking for in agencies and what agencies must be doing in order to compete and win. Guest’s contact info and resources: Sponsored by:
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| Leveraging podcasts and video to break through the PR clutter with Kate Warnock of Forcura | 04 May 2021 | 00:27:02 | |
Our episode guest is Kate Warnock, Director of Communications and Brand Strategy at Forcura. She manages all communications and brand efforts for Forcura, a leading SaaS technology company in the post-acute health industry. Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
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If you enjoyed this episode, would you please share it with others and leave us a review? About Kate Warnock Kate is a health industry nerd having spent her entire career in this sector, first with a large health insurance company, and now in a healthcare technology firm. She is currently the director of communications and brand strategy at Forcura. Guest’s contact info and resources: Sponsored by:
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.
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| When to use a commercial newswire for your news release with Jason Mudd, APR | 28 Apr 2021 | 00:14:55 | |
Learn the benefits of using commercial newswires and the mistakes companies make when posting their news releases with our host, Jason Mudd. Jason is the managing partner of Axia Public Relations. Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
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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. At Axia, Jason 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. Guest’s contact info and resources:
Additional Resources: Sponsored by:
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| 10 areas websites struggle with and how to improve them with Clarissa Schearer, APR | 21 Apr 2021 | 00:27:28 | |
Learn 10 tips on how you can spring clean your website to get ready for summer with our guest Clarissa Schearer, PR Strategist at Axia Public Relations. Clarissa builds and maintains client relationships, shares client messages across news media, and builds brands through web media. Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
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If you enjoyed this episode, would you please share it with others and leave us a review? About Clarissa Schearer Clarissa is a PR strategist. She builds and maintains client relationships, shares client messages across news media, and builds brands through web media. Clients love her work ethic and results. Clarissa’s contact info and resources: Additional Resources:
Sponsored by:
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.
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| How to take your social media to the next level with Emily Barrett, APR | 13 Apr 2021 | 00:22:44 | |
Learn how your company can improve its social media presence with our guest Emily Barrett of Axia Public Relations. Her role is to monitor social media channels and develop unique, innovative, and engaging content. Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
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If you enjoyed this episode, would you please share it with others and leave us a review? About Emily Barrett Emily is a social media specialist at Axia Public Relations. Her role is to monitor social media channels and develop unique, innovative, and engaging content. Emily earned social media marketing certification from HubSpot while studying communications and environmental science at the University of North Florida. Born and raised in West Palm Beach, she has always had a passion for writing and the environment. Emily’s contact info and resources: Additional Resources:
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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.
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| Why corporate communicators need the help of a PR agency with Hy-Vee’s Dawn Buzynski | 06 Apr 2021 | 00:29:25 | |
Learn why corporate communicators should collaborate with a PR agency to better share brand messages with Dawn Buzynski, Director of Strategic Communications at Hy-Vee. She oversees the communications initiatives designed to promote and elevate the brand.
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If you enjoyed this episode, would you please share it with others and leave us a review? About Dawn Buzynski Dawn is an accredited public relations practitioner (APR) with more than 20 years of experience in communications and marketing. Her expertise encompasses public affairs, media relations, social media, and digital communications. She has experience in both B2B and B2C communications in various sectors, such as government affairs, education, nonprofits, real estate, and industrial manufacturing. Guest’s contact info and resources: Sponsored by:
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.
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| The future of the PR industry with PRWeek’s Gideon Fidelzeid | 30 Mar 2021 | 00:32:09 | |
Our episode guest is Gideon Fidelzeid, managing editor at PRWeek. Gideon’s covered the PR industry for two decades, and his insights into the industry have been informed through his leadership on projects like the annual PRWeek Awards, Best Place to Work, and Salary Survey. Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
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If you enjoyed this episode, would you please share it with others and leave us a review About Gideon Fidelzeid Gideon Fidelzeid is the managing editor of PRWeek and a senior producer at the Haymarket Studio, PRWeek’s custom content arm. Having covered the PR industry for two decades, Gideon’s insights into the industry have been informed through his leadership on projects like the annual Agency Business Report, Best Places to Work, Salary Survey, Diversity Distinction in PR Awards, and the Comms Report in partnership with Cision. Gideon’s contact info and resources:
Additional Resources: Sponsored by:
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. ReviewMaxerOn Top of PR is brought to you by ReviewMaxer Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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| The difference between online reviews and online reputation with Jason Mudd, APR | 23 Mar 2021 | 00:28:47 | |
Learn how to improve your company’s online reputation with our host, Jason Mudd. Jason is the managing partner of Axia Public Relations.
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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. 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. Jason’s contact info and resources:
Additional Resources: GoFullPage - Full Page Screen Capture Sponsored by:
This solocast episode is brought to you by media monitoring company Burrelles. ReviewMaxer On Top of PR is brought to you by ReviewMaxer Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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| AI storytelling and PR strategy with Egnyte’s Jessica Pantages | 28 May 2025 | 00:32:57 | |
In this episode, Jessica Pantages joins host Jason Mudd to explore how AI is reshaping storytelling and public relations Tune in to learn more! Our Guest: Our episode guest is Jessica Pantages, Egnyte’s chief communications officer. With more than 20 years of experience in aerospace, construction, consumer tech, and agriculture, Jessica leads the global corporate marketing team at Egnyte, a B2B software company focused on collaboration, governance, and AI-enhanced solutions. She brings deep insight into how marketing and PR professionals can responsibly and strategically integrate AI into their communications work. Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. How AI is enhancing PR storytelling and content workflows 2. Why marketers must understand prompt crafting and data literacy 3. Ways PR pros can use AI to develop personalized media pitches and optimize translation at scale 4. The importance of AI governance, including style guides, usage policies, and compliance tracking 5. How communications professionals can evolve into “story systems architects”
Quotables “Humans will set the narrative arc and the ethics. Machines will handle the infinite micro stories.” — @JessicaPantages “If you try to avoid AI now, you're just going to find yourself in a heap of trouble in the future.” — @JessicaPantages “Treat AI like any other vendor. You need a usage log, disclosure rules, and a style guide.” — @JessicaPantages “We're just at the beginning of figuring out the prompts that give us usable drafts.” — @JessicaPantages “AI is a great beginning, but a terrible ending. It still needs human oversight.” — @JasonMudd9 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 Jessica Pantages Jessica Pantages is the chief communications officer at Egnyte, where she leads the company’s global corporate marketing and communications strategy. With over two decades of experience across aerospace, construction, consumer tech, and B2B software, Jessica brings a deep understanding of how to connect complex technology with real-world audiences. At Egnyte, she helps teams leverage AI to streamline workflows, enhance storytelling, and maintain brand integrity at scale. Her leadership has been instrumental in navigating major company milestones, including a recent acquisition, and in guiding her team through the evolving landscape of content creation, governance, and digital engagement. Jessica is passionate about blending human creativity with machine insight to shape the future of PR and marketing. Guest’s contact info and resources: 7 Responsible Principles to Guide the Use of AI in Public Relations Additional Resources: On Top of PR podcast episodes How AI is Transforming Strategic Communications AI for Strategy, Measurement, and Monitoring
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| How to use HARO and ProfNet with Cision’s Allison Richard | 16 Mar 2021 | 00:34:13 | |
Learn HARO and ProfNet best practices and how to give your query the best chance at a response with our guest Allison Richard, opportunities manager of members and content at Cision. Allison has been in the industry since 2003 and started as the media research supervisor for Cision.
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If you enjoyed this episode, would you please share it with others and leave us a review? About Allison Richard Allison Richard is the opportunities manager of members and content at Cision. She helps oversee the company’s HARO and ProfNet platforms, providing product knowledge and promoting each platform’s value to clients. She loves hearing success stories from clients who’ve found or served as experts in content due to these services. Guest’s contact info and resources: Additional Resources:
Sponsored by:
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. Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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| Understanding human motivation can increase sales with Darryl Salerno | 09 Mar 2021 | 00:34:12 | |
Our episode guest is Darryl Salerno, president and CEO of Second Quadrant Solutions. He works with professional service companies to boost their market efficiency, competitiveness, processes, and management training programs. Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
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If you enjoyed this episode, would you please share it with others and leave us a review? About Darryl Salerno Darryl Salerno has held the title of CEO, COO, CFO, and CAO at four top 10 public relations agencies. Currently, he is the president and CEO of Second Quadrant Solutions, an organization that specializes in working with professional service firms to improve their business performance, profitability, and systems. He is also a member of Mensa and a stand-up comedian. Darryl’s contact info and resources:
Additional Resources:
Sponsored by:
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. ReviewMaxerOn Top of PR is brought to you by ReviewMaxer Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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| Fourteen tips to increase news release engagement that every PR person should know with Business Wire’s Serena Ehrlich | 02 Mar 2021 | 00:31:22 | |
Learn what you can be doing to increase your news release engagement and how you can use commercial newswires to your benefit with Serena Ehrlich, director of product marketing at Business Wire. She is responsible for Business Wire’s go-to-market marketing strategy, including initiating consumer discovery, supervising product releases, developing market-oriented content, and creating thought leadership initiatives.
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About Serena Ehrlich Serena Ehrlich is the current director of product marketing at Business Wire. She has worked over the last 20 years to provide guidance on trends in investor relations, public relations, and general consumer behavior relations. When she began her advertising career, she gained a branding understanding from a large-scale perspective. Ehrlich designed and implemented successful local, national, and international social, mobile, and traditional marketing campaigns for brands like Kraft, Kohls, Avon, Mattel, and more prior to joining Business Wire in 2013. Serena’s contact info and resources:
Additional Resources: Sponsored by:
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 in 2002.
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| Why “storytellers” may not be the best word to describe PR pros with Carnival Cruise Line’s Chris Chiames | 23 Feb 2021 | 00:32:57 | |
Learn why the word “storytellers” can have a negative connotation for PR pros with our guest Chris Chiames of Carnival Cruise Line.
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If you enjoyed the episode, would you please leave us a review? About Chris Chiames Chris Chiames is the chief communications officer for Carnival Cruise Line, the most popular cruise operator in the world. After starting his career in politics, he has spent most of the past 25 years in travel, including executive roles at American Airlines, U.S. Airways, Orbitz, Sabre, and leading the travel and tourism practice at Burson-Marsteller. Contact info and resources:
Additional Resources: Axia Public Relations: https://www.axiapr.com/ 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.
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| How newsrooms post content on their websites with Axia Public Relations’ Jason Mudd, APR | 16 Feb 2021 | 00:16:00 | |
Learn how newsrooms post stories and content on their websites and what to expect when your story goes live with our host, Jason Mudd, managing partner of Axia Public Relations.
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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. Jason’s contact info and resources:
Presented by: ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.
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| Tips on telling your company’s story with Rayonier’s Alejandro Barbero | 09 Feb 2021 | 00:38:08 | |
Learn how to tell your company’s story by involving employees with our guest Alejandro Barbero, director of strategic development and communications at Rayonier. He makes the complex simple and is constantly taking on new challenges. During his 25 years of global experience, he has taken businesses and teams to places they’ve never been.
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About Alejandro Barbero Passion, curiosity, tenacity, vision, and fun describe Alejandro Barbero. First a family-man, Alejandro is also a big-idea guy that can strategize, be bold, and get things done. He makes the complex simple and is constantly taking on new challenges. During his 25 years of global experience, he has taken businesses and teams to places they’ve never been. He believes there is always a way, and you just need to open your eyes to see it. Alejandro’s contact info and resources:
Additional Resources: Axia Public Relations: https://www.axiapr.com/ Presented by: ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews. 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.
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| Understanding photography copyright law with Hashtag Legal’s Jamie Lieberman | 02 Feb 2021 | 00:26:10 | |
Learn how to avoid copyright infringement when using stock photography with our guest Jamie Lieberman, owner and founder of Hashtag Legal. Jamie has been a practicing lawyer for 15 years. Today, she partners with clients across verticals including influencer marketing, creative services, and e-commerce.
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About Jamie Lieberman Jamie Lieberman, owner and founder of Hashtag Legal, has been a practicing lawyer for 15 years. As an experienced entrepreneur, Jamie understands the unique needs of business owners at different stages in their organization’s growth. Today, she partners with clients across verticals including influencer marketing, creative services, and e-commerce. She has a deep commitment to making legal photography accessible and regularly speaks about legal matters, the art of negotiation, and entrepreneurial topics at leading industry events like Alt Summit, Podcast Movement, and FinCon and as an expert source for media like Digiday and Forbes. You can also catch her as a co-host on The FearLess Business Podcast.
Additional Resources:
Presented by: ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews. 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. ReviewMaxerOn Top of PR is brought to you by ReviewMaxer Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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| The power of PR measurement with Katie Delahaye Paine | 26 Jan 2021 | 00:34:06 | |
Our episode guest is Katie Delahaye Paine, aka The Measurement Queen, a pioneer in the measurement field for three decades. Her latest company, Paine Publishing, is the first educational publishing firm entirely dedicated to making more Measurement Mavens.
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About Katie Delahaye Paine Katie Delahaye Paine, aka The Measurement Queen, has been a pioneer in the measurement field for three decades. She founded two measurement companies, KDPaine & Partners Inc. and The Delahaye Group. Her books, Measure What Matters (Wiley, March 2011) and Measuring Public Relationships (KDPaine & Partners, 2007), are considered must-reads for anyone tasked with measuring public relations and social media. Her latest book written with Beth Kanter, Measuring the Networked Nonprofit: Using Data to Change the World, is the 2013 winner of the Terry McAdam Book Award. Her latest company, Paine Publishing, is the first educational publishing firm entirely dedicated to making more Measurement Mavens. Its newsletter, “The Measurement Advisor,” is the industry’s most comprehensive source of information about best practices in communications measurement. In her consulting practices, she designs measurement dashboards for some of today’s most admired companies. Katie has also been a leading promoter of standards in the PR and social media measurement fields. Contact info and resources:
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. ReviewMaxerOn Top of PR is brought to you by ReviewMaxer Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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| Why marketing is the heart of any enterprise with Jeffrey J. Fox | 19 Jan 2021 | 00:29:10 | |
Our episode guest is Jeffrey J. Fox, founder of Fox & Company Marketing Consultants and author of 11 bestselling books. For more than 25 years, Jeffrey has been helping clients grow revenues and increase gross margins.
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About Jeffrey J. Fox For over 25 years, Jeffrey J. Fox has been helping clients grow revenues and increase gross margins. Jeffrey is the founder of Fox & Company, a management consulting firm that shows clients how to dollarize their value proposition to overcome the price objection and to shorten the sales cycle. Jeffery has written 11 bestselling business books that have been translated into more than 30 languages. Jeffrey is the author of “How to Become CEO,” which was on the New York Times, Business Week, Wall Street Journal, Knight-Ridder, and Amazon.com bestseller lists. His books have been bestsellers in France, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Russia. His book “How to Become a Rainmaker” was selected as one of the 100 best business books ever written. His book “Dollarization Discipline” was selected as one of the top 30 business books of 2005. He is a popular speaker, appearing regularly before senior management groups and sales forces. Jeffrey is a graduate of Harvard Business School. Fox & Company is located in Chester, CT. Contact info and resources:
Additional Resources: Axia Public Relations: https://www.axiapr.com/ 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.
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| 10 elements of news and newsworthiness with Axia Public Relations’ Jason Mudd, APR | 12 Jan 2021 | 00:22:05 | |
Learn what makes a story newsworthy with our host, Jason Mudd. Jason is the managing partner of Axia Public Relations.
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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:
Presented by: ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.
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| Making your media pitches stand out with Qwoted | 13 May 2025 | 00:48:45 | |
In this episode, Vannyda Thach joins host Jason Mudd to discuss expert strategies for media pitching and journalist relationships Tune in to learn more!
Vannyda Thach is the Head of Media Success at Qwoted. With a background in media relations and digital communications, Vannyda helps journalists find trusted sources and build meaningful relationships through the Qwoted platform. Her experience spans PR campaign management, social media strategy, and work with major entertainment events, including Disney’s “Big Hero 6” premiere. Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. Why building relationships (and not just landing placements) is the foundation of good media pitching 2. The difference between cold pitches and media query responses — and how to craft both effectively 3. Best practices for using Qwoted to match sources with journalists quickly and accurately 4. How personalization, clarity, and relevance impact whether journalists notice or ignore a pitch 5. The role of urgency and profile optimization in earning top-tier media coverage
Quotables “You want to be unique. You want to have your own take on the topic.” — @VannydaThach “Remember to call the journalist by their name. If your pitch isn’t personalized, they’ll see right through it.” — @VannydaThach “Pitching media is about being helpful, not selling. Focus on building the relationship.” — @JasonMudd9 “Don’t ghost reporters. Communicate early if something changes. It’s all about respect.” — @JasonMudd9 “Journalists are busy and under pressure. The more complete your profile, the more credibility you have.” — @VannydaThach If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us though Buy Me a Coffee or by leavinging us a quick podcast review. About Vannyda Thach Vannyda Thach is the Head of Media Success at Qwoted, a platform dedicated to connecting journalists with expert sources. Based in Los Angeles, she leads a team committed to supporting media professionals — including journalists, freelancers, podcasters, and producers by facilitating connections with the right experts for their stories, even under tight deadlines. With a journalism and public relations background, Vannyda earned her bachelor's degree in journalism with an emphasis in public relations from California State University, Long Beach. Her career began with roles such as a communications intern at AARP and public relations manager for DisneyExaminer. She later joined Citizen Relations, progressing from a junior account executive to senior account executive, managing PR campaigns and fostering media relationships. At Qwoted, Vannyda leverages her PR experience to assist journalists in finding trusted sources and building meaningful relationships through the platform. She emphasizes the importance of being helpful over selling in media pitching and building genuine connections with reporters. Guest’s contact info and resources: Additional Resources: The Best Media Pitch is a Story That's Already Done
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| Four leadership tips to guide you through uncertain times with Ken Jacobs | 05 Jan 2021 | 00:36:21 | |
Our episode guest is Ken Jacobs PCC, CPC, owner and principal of Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching. Ken is an experienced certified coach who helps corporate (and agency) leaders, senior executives, and managers in public relations, marketing, advertising, and/or related communications functions. He focuses on helping others achieve and surpass their organizational, career, and personal goals.
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About Ken Jacobs Ken is an experienced certified coach who helps corporate (and agency) leaders, senior executives, and managers in public relations, marketing, advertising, and/or related communications functions. His focus is assisting others achieve and surpass their organizational, career, and personal goals by helping them become more inspired and effective leaders. Contact info and resources:
Additional Resources: Axia Public Relations: https://www.axiapr.com/ Presented by: ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews. 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.
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| Breaking into the PR industry as a recent graduate with Colin Wylie | 29 Dec 2020 | 00:25:43 | |
Our episode guest is Colin Wylie, assistant director for marketing and assessment at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Reeve Union. Colin also serves on the board of directors for PRSA Northeast Wisconsin.
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About Colin Wylie Colin currently works as the assistant director for marketing and assessment at Reeve Union at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. He also serves on the board of directors for PRSA Northeast Wisconsin. Colin graduated from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Contact info and resources:
Additional Resources: Axia Public Relations: www.axiapr.com/ Presented by: ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews. 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.
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| A sale is a love affair with Jack Vincent, strategic poet | 22 Dec 2020 | 00:32:52 | |
Our episode guest is Jack Vincent, Strategic Poet. Jack helps companies sell more effectively, from tactical questioning to killer stories.
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Contact info and resources:
Additional Resources:
Presented by: ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving and promoting online customer reviews. On Top of PR host, Jason Mudd, is the CEO and managing partner of Axia Public Relations. He 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 2002.
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| Building a successful content strategy with Wounded Warrior Project’s Sherry Sanderford | 15 Dec 2020 | 00:34:20 | |
Learn the role of content strategy and why a solid content strategy is important to your marketing and PR efforts with our guest Sherry Sanderford, public relations manager at the Wounded Warrior Project. Sherry is a strategic communications leader with extensive experience in corporate, health care, and health technology communications.
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If you enjoyed the episode, would you please leave us a review? About Sherry Sanderford Sherry Sanderford is a strategic communications leader with extensive experience in corporate, health care, and health technology communications. She recently joined the Wounded Warrior Project as the public relations manager. Her responsibilities include leading a team of public relations professionals in charge of external communications and reputation. Previously, Sherry ran S2 Communications & Consulting where she provided communications strategy and consulting to businesses and non-profit organizations, primarily in the healthcare space. Before that, Sherry spent 20 years at Aetna/CVS Health leading executive communications, internal communications, and media relations for numerous business areas. She enjoys connecting people to one another around a shared purpose. Sherry Sanderford’s contact info and resources: Additional Resources:
About your host Jason Mudd On Top of PR host, Jason Mudd, is the CEO and managing partner of Axia Public Relations. He 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 2002. Presented by: ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews. ReviewMaxerOn Top of PR is brought to you by ReviewMaxer Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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| Five questions to ask before sending any corporate communications with Axia Public Relations’ Jason Mudd, APR | 08 Dec 2020 | 00:15:36 | |
Learn what five questions you should ask yourself and your team before sending any corporate communications to your audience with our host, Jason Mudd. Jason is the managing partner of Axia Public Relations.
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If you enjoyed the episode, would you please 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:
Additional Resources:
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| Why your company marketing efforts should stay active during a recession with Drew McLellan andSusan Baier | 03 Dec 2020 | 00:36:28 | |
Learn the three ways brands are responding to the current economic climate and why you shouldn’t ditch your marketing efforts during a recession with Susan Baier, president of Audience Audit and Drew McLellan, CEO of Agency Management Institute. Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
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About Susan Baier A marketing strategist and researcher for more than 30 years, Susan is an audience specialist. She crafts custom attitudinal segmentation research for agencies and marketers for B2C, B2B, and higher ed organizations including Gap, AT&T, Jayco, Tufts University, and more. About Drew McLellan For almost 30+ years, Drew McLellan has been in the advertising industry. He started his career at Y&R, worked in boutique-sized agencies, and then started his own agency in 1995, which he still owns and runs. Additionally, McLellan owns and leads Agency Management Institute, which advises hundreds of small to mid-sized agencies on how to grow their agencies profitability through agency owner peer groups, consulting, coaching, workshops, and more. Contact info and resources:
About your host Jason Mudd On Top of PR host, Jason Mudd, is the CEO and managing partner of Axia Public Relations. He 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 2002. ReviewMaxerOn Top of PR is brought to you by ReviewMaxer Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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| Building media and customer relationships with HARO founder Peter Shankman | 01 Dec 2020 | 00:32:15 | |
Learn how you can improve yourself and your relationship with the media and your customers with our guest, Peter Shankman, who is an entrepreneur, author, keynote speaker, and Pelton enthusiast.
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If you enjoyed the episode, would you please leave us a review? About Peter Shankman The New York Times has called Peter Shankman “a rockstar who knows everything about social media and then some.” He is a five-time best selling author, entrepreneur, and corporate in-person and digital keynote speaker, focusing on customer service and the new and emerging customer and neurotypical economy. With three startup launches and exits under his belt, Peter is recognized worldwide for radically new ways of thinking about the customer experience, social media, PR, marketing, advertising, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and the new Neurodiverse Economy. Contact info and resources:
Additional Resources:
About your host Jason Mudd On Top of PR host, Jason Mudd, is the CEO and managing partner of Axia Public Relations. He 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 2002.
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| Job search advice and hiring top PR talent with Nicole Balsam, Capstone Hill Search | 24 Nov 2020 | 00:32:58 | |
Our episode guest is Nicole Balsam, former management consultant at Capstone Hill Search. Balsam has more than six years of experience placing director-level and above candidates in the PR, communications, and marketing space.
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If you enjoyed the episode, would you please leave us a review? About Nicole Balsam Nicole Balsam is a former executive search consultant for Capstone Hill Search with more than six years of experience placing director-level and above candidates in the PR, communications, and marketing space. Contact info and resources:
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Presented by: ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews. About your host Jason Mudd On Top of PR host, Jason Mudd, is the CEO and managing partner of Axia Public Relations. He 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 2002.
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| Which type of PR agency client are you? with Audience Audit’s Susan Baier | 20 Nov 2020 | 00:28:34 | |
Our episode guest is Susan Baier, president of Audience Audit. Susan has been a marketing strategist and researcher for more than 30 years and specializes in analyzing audiences.
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If you enjoyed the episode, would you please leave us a review? A marketing strategist and researcher for more than 30 years, Susan is an audience specialist. She crafts custom attitudinal segmentation research for agencies and marketers for B2C, B2B, and higher ed organizations including Gap, AT&T, Jayco, Tufts University, and more. Contact info and resources:
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Presented by: ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews. On Top of PR host, Jason Mudd, is the CEO and managing partner of Axia Public Relations. He 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 2002. ReviewMaxerOn Top of PR is brought to you by ReviewMaxer Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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| The cost of hiring in-house PR vs. a PR agency with Axia Public Relations’ Jason Mudd, APR | 17 Nov 2020 | 00:18:57 | |
Learn the true cost of employing PR professionals inside of your organization with our host Jason Mudd. Jason is the managing partner of Axia Public Relations.
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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:
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Presented by: ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews. ReviewMaxerOn Top of PR is brought to you by ReviewMaxer Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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| What you should know about earning media coverage | 29 Apr 2025 | 00:20:54 | |
In this solocast episode, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd discusses what every company must know about media relations before hiring a public relations firm. Tune in to learn more! Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. Media relations is just one part of strategic public relations 2. What makes a story newsworthy 3. What journalists really care about when evaluating your pitch 4. Why relationships don’t guarantee coverage 5. What PR tools you shouldn’t buy until you’re ready
Quotables "Public relations is not only media relations. Media relations isn’t what most people think it is either." — @JasonMudd9 "Earned media must be earned. If someone guarantees coverage, you’re buying ads, not PR." — @JasonMudd9 "The only audience that matters is the journalist’s audience — not your CEO or marketing team." — @JasonMudd9 "Great [news] stories beat great [media] relationships." — @JasonMudd9 "PR is a long-term business strategy — not a one-time campaign or quick win." — @JasonMudd9 If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us by buying us a coffee or leaving us a quick podcast review. About Jason Mudd, Axia Public Relations Jason Mudd is a trusted adviser and dynamic strategist for some of America’s most admired brands. Since 1994, he’s worked with brands including American Airlines, Budweiser, Dave & Buster’s, H&R Block, Hilton, HP, Miller Lite, New York Life, Pizza Hut, Southern Comfort, and Verizon. Jason founded Axia Public Relations in 2002. Forbes named Axia one of America’s Best PR Agencies. At Axia, Jason oversees strategic communications for national clients and leads top PR talent. Clients love his passion, innovation, candor, commitment, and award-winning team. He consults with leadership teams at billion-dollar global business-to-business and business-to-consumer brands, advising them on spokesperson training, crisis communications, analytics, social media, online reputation management, and more. In an increasingly tech-forward world, Jason’s grasp of the technological demands companies face helps his multiple-sector clients reach their target audiences. After teaching himself HTML in 1994, Jason helped pioneer internet marketing strategies as an early adopter of e-commerce, search engine optimization, and social media, inspiring tech giants like Yahoo. He speaks to corporations and industry groups and writes about PR trends and best practices for American City Business Journals and other national outlets. Guest’s contact info and resources: 1:1 consultations and training with Axia
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| Engaging employees and creating a positive workplace culture with Richard Hadden | 10 Nov 2020 | 00:36:37 | |
Our episode guest is Richard Hadden. Richard is an author, speaker, and workplace expert who helps leaders connect people practices with profit performance.
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About Richard Hadden Richard Hadden is an author, speaker, and workplace expert who helps leaders connect people practices with profit performance. A ninth-generation Floridian, Richard has been speaking since he was 18 months old but professionally for the last 20 years. In that time, he’s spoken for more than 1,000 audiences (mostly in person, but recently online) on five continents. He holds an MBA as well as the Certified Speaking Professional designation from the National Speakers Association. He’s also a member of five airline frequent flier programs, gets free bottled water at three major hotel brands, and holds VIP status with a nationally known pizza delivery chain. Contact info and resources:
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About your host Jason Mudd On Top of PR host, Jason Mudd, is the CEO and managing partner of Axia Public Relations. He 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 2002. ReviewMaxerOn Top of PR is brought to you by ReviewMaxer Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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| Prioritizing PR over advertising with Laura Ries | 03 Nov 2020 | 00:26:41 | |
Our episode guest is Laura Ries, president at Ries & Ries. Laura is a branding guru and the bestselling author of “The Fall of Advertising & the Rise of PR.”
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If you enjoyed the episode, would you please leave us a review? Contact info and resources:
Additional Resources:
About your host Jason Mudd On Top of PR host, Jason Mudd, is the CEO and managing partner of Axia Public Relations. He 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 2002. Presented by: ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.
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| The decay of civility in public discourse with Syracuse University’s Anthony D’Angelo | 27 Oct 2020 | 00:30:34 | |
Learn how the decay of civil public discourse is hurting our democracy with our guest, Anthony D’Angelo. Our episode guest is Anthony D’Angelo, professor of practice at Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications. Anthony has more than 30 years of agency and corporate communications experience and is a co-chair of the Public Relations Society of America’s Commission on Public Relations Education. Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
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About Anthony D’Angelo Following more than 30 years in agency and corporate public relations, Anthony D'Angelo is a professor of practice at Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications. He is a past national chair of the Public Relations Society of America and currently co-chair of the Commission on Public Relations Education. His columns and commentary have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, BusinessWeek, CNBC, Sports Illustrated and a variety of other media outlets. Contact info and resources:
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About your host Jason Mudd On Top of PR host, Jason Mudd, is the CEO and managing partner of Axia Public Relations. He 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 2002.
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