Julia Drake is the co-founder of Wildbound PR, a boutique literary PR and marketing firm that has led successful campaigns for high-profile and indie authors alike, partnering with major publishers, indie presses, and literary organizations. In this episode, Julia explores the distinct aspects of publishing PR versus traditional PR, how to foster cultural conversations around books, and the impact of social media, particularly TikTok, on book promotion.

Key Takeaways:

- How to prep authors for interviews

- How to promote books through TikTok

- How to connect books to current events

Episode Timeline:

0:00Introduction to Wild Bound PR and Julia Drake

1:30The journey from film to literary PR

4:00Successful Wildbound campaigns

6:00 The myth of inspiration

7:25Differences between traditional PR and publishing PR

8:50Creating conversations around books

10:30Preparing first-time authors for PR

13:35The success rates for book publishing

15:00The impact of social media on Book promotion

16:25The ins and outs of BookTok

19:45Client expectations vs. reality in publishing PR

22:05What sets Wildbound apart

24:30Julia's thought leadership philosophy

This episode’s guest:

• Julia Drake on LinkedIn

• WildboundPR's website

• Wildbound PR on Instagram

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Jennifer Adler is the founder and CEO of Adler Public Relations. With more than 20 years of experience, she has represented high-profile clients across industries ranging from real estate and hospitality to healthcare, finance, and nonprofits. In this episode, she shares how luxury brands are adapting to shifting consumer expectations, the importance of crisis preparedness, and what it’s like working with Medieval Times.

Key Takeaways:

- The state of luxury brands in 2025

- How Jennifer started her own agency

- The basics of crisis management

Episode Timeline:

1:45Introduction to Jennifer Adler and Adler PR

2:45How to choose a luxury influencer

4:45How are luxury brands positioning themselves in today's economy

7:25Has the idea of luxury changed over the past 20 years?

9:10How does Jennifer keep her finger on the pulse

10:00Preparing clients for a crisis

12:00The Coldplay debacle crisis

15:15The importance of a cool head in a crisis

17:00The quote that inspired Jennifer to start her own agency

20:20Lessons Jennifer learned hosting the "Earn It" podcast

22:00Working with Medieval Times

25:22Jennifer's thought leadership philosophy

This episode’s guest:

• Jennifer Adler in LinkedIn

• Adler Public Relations

• Adler Public Relations on Instagram

• "Earn It" podcast

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Lexie Smith, founder and CEO of Growth Mode, discusses misconceptions about the industry and the increasing demands from clients. Lexie emphasizes the importance of education in managing client expectations and the need for a strategic approach to building personal brands. She shares insights from her podcast, "Pitchin' and Sippin,'" and her work with the nonprofit Everyday Action, which addresses food waste and hunger in Los Angeles.

Key Takeaways:

- How PR people can do more with less

- Clearing up PR misconceptions

- How to build a personal brand

Episode Timeline:

0:00 Introduction to Lexi Smith and Growth Mode

2:03 Why PR agencies are being asked to do more with less

4:10 PR is having a hard time defining itself in the new era

5:10 People need to be educated about PR

8:00 Mistakes people make in personal branding

11:00 The "why" of your personal brand

13:15 Taylor Swift's marketing brilliance

14:30 Lessons Lexie has learned from the "Pitchin' and Sippin'" podcast

17:15 Tod's pitch preferences

19:30 Lexie's work with Everyday Action

23:25 Lexie's thought leadership philosophy

This episode’s guest:

• Lexie Smith on LinkedIn

• Growth Mode's website

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Alexandra Zendrian, a former reporter and founder of A to Z Communications, brings a unique perspective to public relations thanks to her journalism background. On this episode, she reflects on her time reporting on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic and her transition into PR, where she believes in delivering exceptional PR services at a competitive price. Alexandra also shares her approach to educating clients about common PR misconceptions, the importance of strong media training, and the valuable lessons she’s gained through her podcasting journey.

Key Takeaways:

- Why PR should be affordable

- Alexandra's front-line COVID reporting

- How to be a bold thought leader

Episode Timeline:

2:40 Alexandra's front-line COVID reporting

5:15 Alexandra on "Good Morning America"

7:25 Delivering good PR at a great price

9:40 How people overpay for PR

11:55 How Alexandra's experience as a reporter helps her in PR

13:30 The power of a great soundbite

15:00 Educating new PR clients

16:15 Media training dos and don'ts

18:40 Verbal crutches

21:20 Being authentic in media appearances

22:40 Lessons Alexandra has learned from hosting her podcast

25:25 Alexandra's thought leadership philosophy

This episode’s guest:

• A to Z Communications' website

• Alexandra Zendrian on LinkedIn

Subscribe and leave a 5-star review:

https://pod.link/1496390646

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Brian Hart is the founder of Flackable, a PR firm known for delivering “unstoppable impact,” and AuthorPrime, its newly launched sister company that helps industry experts become published authors. In this conversation, he shares how his agency has navigated a volatile economy, the pros and cons of today’s climate, and how content creators can transform their work into credibility-boosting books through AuthorPrime.

Key Takeaways:

- Why credibility is crucial

- How AuthorPrime helps creators turn their work into books

- Brian's upcoming book "Credibility Marketing"

Episode Timeline:

1:45 The uncertainty of the current state of PR

3:30 AI uncertainty

5:30 The PR turnaround

6:45 Ways in which AI isn't cutting it

8:00 The volatility in the current economy

11:28 Brian explains AuthorPrime

14:45 The AuthorPrime process

18:00 Who is creating books from their content?

20:00 What is a false sense of credibility?

22:00 Brian's upcoming book

26:20 The biggest lesson Brian has learned from his podcast

This episode’s guest:

• Brian Hart on LinkedIn

• @BrianHartPR on X

• Flackable / Author Prime

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Lindsey Unterberger, VP of Marketing at SureCo, leads marketing and education initiatives aimed at making healthcare more accessible. Here, she and host Tod Perry discuss SureCo’s Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA), which gives employees greater control over their healthcare. Lindsay also discusses the importance of clear communication in healthcare marketing, the role of AI, and the future of innovation.

Key Takeaways:

- Lindsey's transition from beauty editing to healthcare marketing

- An introduction to ICHRA

- Consumer-focused marketing strategies

Episode Timeline:

1:00 Lindsey's former career as a beauty editor

4:00 Transitioning from beauty to healthcare marketing

8:00 Understanding ICHRA and SureCo

9:20 The role of AI in marketing

10:45 Troubles with AI

12:30 Navigating healthcare terminology

15:30 Common mistakes in healthcare marketing

17:45 Positive things to look for in healthcare

20:45 ICRA gives consumers more choices

23:20 Lindsey's spice thought leadership philosophy

This episode’s guest:

· Lindsey Unterberger on LinkedIn

· Lindsey Unterberger on Instagram

· SureCo's newsletter (talk ICRA to me)

· SucreCo ICHRA 101

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Kat Jones is the founder of Motiv, a California-based global communications company that has represented major names in entertainment and gaming, including Critical Role, Felicia Day, E3 and the ESA, Blind Squirrel Games, and more. In this conversation, she shares her journey in PR, from launching Motiv to shaping it into a trusted partner for some of the industry’s most influential creators and brands. She highlights how the principles of improv—adaptability, listening, and authenticity—translate directly into building meaningful connections with fans and communities.

Key Takeaways:

- Authenticity is crucial in engaging with fandoms

- How improv classes can help with PR

- The evolution of Motiv

Episode Timeline:

1:30 Kat's improv experience

3:45 How can improv experience help in PR?

6:15 Improv helps you understand perspectives

7:00 The importance of being strategic with pitches

9:00 The Motiv story

11:00 Motiv's name change

13:30 Kat's relationship to nerd culture

17:00 Actors who are disingenuous about their fandom

17:45 You have to be transparent with fandoms

18:45 What do other agencies get wrong when working with fan culture

23:20 How to match influencers and brands

26:10 Kat's thought leadership philosophy

This episode’s guest:

• Kat Jones on LinkedIn

• Motiv's wesbite

• MotivPR on Instagram

Subscribe and leave a 5-star review:

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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

Subscribe and leave a 5-star review:

https://pod.link/1496390646

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.