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In this episode, Matt Dzugan joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how PR pros can use data, AI, and smarter tools to improve media outreach.

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Our Guest:

Our episode guest is Matt Dzugan, senior director of data at Muck Rack. As a software engineer, he contributes to building tools that help journalists and PR professionals collaborate more effectively. With a strong background in full-stack development, he focuses on creating scalable, user-friendly solutions in the media tech space.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. How to use PR software to streamline journalist research and pitching

2. Why understanding journalist preferences improves outreach effectiveness

3. What data points matter most when evaluating earned media success

4. How Muck Rack supports PR teams through integrations and automation

5. Trends in AI, media relations, and PR measurement that pros should watch

Quotables

“We’re building tools that PR pros actually use and value every day.” — @mattdzugan

“Better media outreach starts with better journalist insights.” — @JasonMudd9

“PR is evolving fast. You need the right tools to keep up.” — @mattdzugan

“Good PR tech doesn’t replace relationships — it enhances them.” — @mattdzugan

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a professional colleague or friend. You may also share your experience with others, buy me a coffee, or leaving us a quick podcast review.

About Matt Dzugan

Matt Dzugan is a senior software engineer at Muck Rack, where he helps develop tools that empower journalists and PR professionals to collaborate more effectively. With a background in full-stack development, he brings a thoughtful, systems-oriented approach to building reliable, scalable software that meets the media industry’s evolving needs. His work spans from backend architecture to user-facing features, all designed to enhance the transparency, speed, and efficiency of media workflows.

Beyond writing clean, maintainable code, Matt is known for his collaborative mindset and dedication to continuous improvement. He actively engages with cross-functional teams to ensure that engineering decisions align with product goals, and he’s always looking for ways to optimize performance and user experience. At Muck Rack, Matt plays a key role in helping the company scale its platform to support a growing user base while staying true to its mission of supporting a free and sustainable press.

Guest’s contact info and resources:

Matt Dzugan on X (@mattdzugan)

Matt Dzugan on LinkedIn

Muck Rack’s website

What is AI Reading?

Generative Pulse

Additional Resources:

Support the show

• On Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.
• On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

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Daniel Mendez of Collective Measures shares how the importance of early and active networking.

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Our Guest:

Our episode guest is Collective Measures’ Daniel Mendez, vice president of earned and owned media. He helps B2B companies integrate PR into their broader marketing strategies to support brand awareness, lead generation, and buyer engagement.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. How PR can influence and support the B2B sales cycle

2. Why aligning PR, marketing, and sales messaging improves buyer engagement

3. How earned media helps generate leads

4. The role of PR in positioning executives as trusted industry thought leaders

5. Why measurement matters — and how to report PR impact in a B2B environment

Quotables

“The B2B buyer journey is long, complex, and very content-heavy.” — @DanielMendez

“PR creates third-party validation that sales teams can use to move buyers forward.” — @DanielMendez

“When PR, marketing, and sales aren’t aligned, the buyer feels the disconnect.” — @DanielMendez

“If you want measurable results from PR, it has to support business goals, not just brand awareness.” — @DanielMendez

“There’s no reason PR should be a silo anymore. It belongs in the B2B revenue conversation.” — @DanielMendez

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 Daniel Mendez

Daniel Mendez is vice president of earned and owned media at Collective Measures, a Minneapolis-based performance marketing agency. With more than 15 years of experience across public relations, content marketing, and media strategy, Daniel helps B2B companies connect PR with business outcomes.

At Collective Measures, Daniel works closely with marketing and sales teams to align messaging, support each stage of the buyer journey, and use earned media to drive awareness and credibility in niche markets. His approach bridges strategy and execution, making PR a measurable, impactful part of the demand generation engine.

Guest’s contact info and resources:

Daniel Mendez’s website

Daniel Mendez on LinkedIn

Additional Resources:

Navigating PR and communications hiring with Brooke Kruger

How public relations impacts company reputation, revenue, and recruiting

Corporate comms, PR, and marketing employee turnover and staffing is hurting brands

Recorded: May 10, 2025

Our On Top of PR sponsors:

Production sp

Support the show

• On Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.
• On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

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In this episode, M.J. Clark joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how PR pros can manage stress and thrive under pressure by adopting better leadership practices.

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Our Guest:

Our episode guest is M.J. Clark, vice president at Integrated Leadership Systems. With more than 15 years of experience as an executive coach and leadership consultant, she specializes in helping professionals in high-stress industries like PR thrive under pressure. M.J. supports executives in strengthening communication, setting boundaries, and building emotional intelligence. She’s the author of Leading Through Listening and other books on assertive leadership and workplace wellness.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. Why PR is among the most stressful careers and what you can do about it

2. The five ways people typically respond to stress and how to identify your style

3. Ways to manage stress before it leads to burnout

4. How tools like journaling, affirmations, and body language influence emotional control

5. How assertiveness and boundary-setting help PR pros manage clients

Quotables

"You don’t realize how much stress you’re taking on when you’re not sharing your thoughts and feelings." — @MJ Clark

"PR is high-pressure by nature, but burnout isn’t inevitable." — @MJ Clark

"Being a trusted adviser means showing up clearly, confidently, and consistently." — @JasonMudd9

"When we reframe our thoughts, we reshape how we lead and respond under pressure." — @MJ Clark

"Assertiveness isn’t confrontation. It’s clarity with compassion." — @MJ Clark

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 M.J. Clark

M.J. Clark is the vice president at Integrated Leadership Systems, where she serves as an executive coach, leadership consultant, and trainer. With over 15 years of experience, she helps professionals and organizations manage stress, improve communication, and develop stronger leadership skills. M.J. specializes in guiding executives through high-pressure situations, teaching them how to set boundaries, build emotional intelligence, and communicate with clarity and confidence.

She holds a master’s degree in organizational communication from The Ohio State University and authored three books, including “Leading Through Listening.” Her work blends research-based strategies with real-world applications, making her a sought-after speaker and coach across industries. M.J.’s mission is to help leaders thrive under pressure while fostering healthier workplace cultures through assertiveness, trust, and self-awareness.

Guest’s contact info and resources:

M.J. Clark on LinkedIn

Integrated Leadership System website

Support the show

• On Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.
• On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.