Doug Simon is the CEO and founder of DS Simon Media, an award-winning PR agency that serves top brands in healthcare, technology, travel, financial services, consumer goods, entertainment, retail, non-profits, and more. In this interview, he shares his insights on the importance of authenticity in media appearances, the evolving role of AI in public relations, and the lessons he’s learned from stand-up comedy.

Key Takeaways:

- PR lessons from stand-up comedy

- The enduring power of local media

- Why AI loves earned media

Episode Timeline:

1:45 How has stand-up comedy helped Doug's PR career?

2:50 Finding your voice in comedy

5:00 How Doug's TV background helps him prepare his clients for media appearances

7:45 PR's influence over newsrooms

10:35 How to be authentic in media appearances

13:00 Mistakes people make when appearing on TV from home

16:15 How does AI increase revenue from earned media

18:45 Why does local media show up prominently in AI search?

23:00 What has Doug learned from hosting “PR’s Top Pro’s Talk…”

25:45 Doug's thought leadership philosophy

This episode’s guest:

• Doug Simon on LinkedIn

• Email: DougS@DSSimonMedia.com

• “PR’s Top Pros Talk…” podcast

• DSSimon's website

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Mitch Askenas, Executive Director and Head of Commercial for the Americas at Comcast Technology Solutions, shares how the company's "Ingest once, deliver everywhere" strategy is reshaping the way streaming content reaches audiences. You'll also learn how Comcast is streamlining media delivery across TV, mobile, and streaming platforms, and what it means for the future of media and technology.

Key Takeaways:

- The future of streaming

- The future of content modernization

- Challengers in providing streaming content

Episode Timeline:

1:30 Tod remembers ON TV

2:30 What does "Ingest once, deliver everywhere" mean?

4:25 What content companies really want

6:10 The differences between traditional broadcasting and streaming

8:30 What separates Comcast from other companies

9:30 What does the future of streaming look like?

12:30 How does Mitch stay on top of new technology?

14:20 What are Comcast's advantages for content creators?

15:30 New ways of monetizing content

19:00 Past technologies that have failed

22:30 HD radio

This episode’s guest:

• Mitch Askenas on LinkedIn

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On this special edition of PR 360, we’re revisiting a standout episode that perfectly captures what we aim to do with the show. It’s a March 2024 interview with Gini Dietrich, founder of the influential Spin Sucks blog and author of Spin Sucks: Communication and Reputation Management in the Digital Age. This episode checks all the boxes—it’s fun, insightful, and packed with valuable takeaways on thought leadership, the evolution of Spin Sucks from a blog into a movement, and even Gini’s take on why Taylor Swift is a brilliant marketer.

Key Takeaways:

- The Spin Sucks story

- Why thought leaders should be bold

- Why Gini loves AI

Episode Timeline:

2:40 How to come up with podcast ideas

4:00 Why is Taylor Swift a great marketer?

5:40 How Spin Sucks grew from a blog to a movement

7:40 Why ethics is the backbone of Spin Sucks

9:50 How to define results with a client

11:00 The PESO model

13:50 The importance of creating authority and trust

14:40 Gini on thought leadership

17:40 Gini's thoughts on AI

This episode’s guest:

· Gini Dietrich on LinkedIn

· The Spin Sucks website

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Jackson Wightman is the founder of the consumer tech PR firm Proper Propaganda and author of the bestselling book, "The Tech PR Playbook." Here, he shares the unique benefits of performance-based billing, the importance of adapting to AI in search engine optimization, the value of staying open-minded when targeting media outlets, and why thought leadership is essential for clarifying ideas and strategies.

Key Takeaways:

- PR strategies for AI search

- Performance-based billing in PR

- The importance for PR people to be open-minded

Episode Timeline:

1:30 What's it like working from Aruba?

4:15 Tod's time in Cuba

5:30 The Montreal/Long Beach connection

7:30 What separates Proper Propaganda from other PR firms

8:30 The benefits of paying on performance

11:00 AI search optimization for PR

13:00 Optimizing for bots

18:00 It's time to reconsider some legacy media sites

19:30 Non-traditional sites are popping up in AI search

20:30 The importance of being open-minded

25:00 Jackson's thought leadership philosophy

This episode’s guest:

• Jackson Wightman on LinkedIn

• Proper Propaganda's website

• Email Jackson@Properpropaganda.net

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Karen Sorensen is an award-winning account director at Global Results Communications with a strong track record of securing top-tier media placements in outlets such as USA Today, The New York Times, Forbes, and more. Here, she discusses her upbringing in a large family, the importance of teamwork in both personal and professional life, and the evolving landscape of cybersecurity and AI.

Key Takeaways:

- Why teamwork is essential for success

- The importance of continuous learning

- The convergence of AI and cybersecurity

Episode Timeline:

2:00 Lessons Karen learned from growing up in a large family

4:30 What does dinner look like in a family with 11 kids?

5:50 How does growing up in a large family help in your professional life?

7:25 The importance of teamwork

8:15 New and exciting things happening at GRC

9:00 Current trends in cybersecurity and AI

11:00 The evolution of cybersecurity threats

14:00 How remote work created new security threats

17:30 How do you stay current on tech developments?

20:00 The importance of continuous learning

21:30 Karen's approach to thought leadership

This episode’s guest:

• Karen Sorenson on LinkedIn

• Global Results Communications on LinkedIn

• Global Results Communications on Instagram

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Bob Bilbruck, founder of Captjur, is an accomplished and visionary CEO with nearly 30 years of experience in emerging markets and technology. In his third appearance on PR 360, he discusses his role in bringing flag football to the 2028 Olympics, the importance of diverse AI ecosystems, and the need for the U.S. to stay competitive in the global AI arms race.

Key Takeaways:

- The growing world of flag football

- The future of the gig economy

- The AI arms race

Episode Timeline:

1:50 Captjur Sports' involvement in Olympic flag football

4:15 Legal challenges with NIL

6:30 Pressure is on the NCAA

9:15 Flag football's expansion

12:00 Recent developments in the gig economy

15:15 The importance of diverse AI ecosystems

20:30 CPU vs. GPU computing

21:50 The AI arms race with China

24:00 What's the moonshot in the AI arms race?

27:00 Do consumer AI products give a false representation of its capabilities?

This episode’s guest:

• Bob Bilbruck on LinkedIn

• Captjur's website

• Email at: info@Captjur.om

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Jennifer Avril, a communications professional specializing in strategic and effective change for both corporations and nonprofits, is a Senior Account Manager at Warner Communications. In this interview, she discusses the importance of effective communication in addressing climate change, how regulations can create opportunities, and the role of thought leadership in PR. She also shares stories from the summer she spent working on feminist activist Kate Millett’s farm, as well as her contributions to a new e-book on movement communications and advocacy.

Key Takeaways:

- Lessons learned on Kate Millet's farm

- How to effectively discuss climate change

- Regulatory changes can create opportunities

Episode Timeline:

1:45 Jennifer's time on Kate Millet's farm

6:30 Kate's friendship with John Lennon and Yoko Ono

7:30 What's happening at Warner Communications these days?

9:25 How should people be talking about climate change in 2025?

10:40 The current state of regulation policy

11:30 The value proposition of environmentalism

12:30 The ramifications of recent political changes

14:30 Talking about eco-friendly products with consumers

17:00 Regulations can create new opportunities

19:00 Void packaging

22:30 Jennifer's thought leadership philosophy

25:00 Jennifer's new eBook

This episode’s guest:

• Jennifer Avril on LinkedIn

• Liberation Stories eBook

• Warner Communications

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Mike Atkinson, an account director at Sage Communications, discusses the evolving landscape of cybersecurity and the role of public relations in managing crises and media coverage. He highlights current trends, including the impact of AI on cybersecurity threats, the importance of crisis communication plans, and strategies for breaking into mainstream media. Mike also shares insights on effective pitching and the significance of building relationships with reporters to enhance thought leadership in the tech industry.

Key Takeaways:

- AI's role in cybersecurity

- Building relationships with reporters

- Crafting the perfect pitch

Episode Timeline:

2:20What are the biggest stories in cybersecurity?

3:30 AI's threats to cybersecurity

5:20Crisis communication in cybersecurity

7:45How does Mike stay informed on such a fast-moving industry?

9:45Breaking into mainstream media

11:45The art of newsjacking

12:45AI in the workforce

14:40 Building relationships with reporters

16:30Crafting the perfect pitch

20:20Mike's thought leadership philosophy

This episode’s guest:

• Mike Atkinson on LinkedIn

• Sage's Website

• Mike's email: MAtkinson@AboutSage.com

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