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

Subscribe and leave a 5-star review:

https://pod.link/1496390646

Contact Us!

•Join the conversation by leaving a comment!

•Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn!

Thanks for listening!

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

Jeff Montegut is the director of Extra Life, a peer-to-peer fundraising program that empowers gamers to support Children's Miracle Network hospitals. Jeff shares Extra Life's inspiring origin story, its impact on children's healthcare, and how the gaming community has rallied to raise over $132 million since its inception. The conversation also delves into the mechanics of peer-to-peer fundraising, the significance of Game Day, and Jeff's personal journey in the nonprofit sector.

Key Takeaways:

- The ins and outs of peer-to-peer giving

- The importance of Game Day

- The transformative power of gaming

Episode Timeline:

2:20 The origins of Extra Life

5:30 The power of kindness

6:00 How does peer-to-peer giving work

8:15 Touching grass for money

9:45 Jeff's love of content creation

11:30 Streamers that have gone out of their way for Extra Life

14:45 The power of online communities

17:30 Game Day, Extra Life's big giving event

19:40 Jeff's passion for non-profits

23:00 When Tod stopped playing video games

This episode’s guest:

• Jeff Montegut on LinkedIn

• Extra Life's website

Subscribe and leave a 5-star review:

https://pod.link/1496390646

Contact Us!

•Join the conversation by leaving a comment!

•Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn!

Thanks for listening!

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

Mark Westlake is the founder and CEO of GearBrain, a tech company focused on simplifying the Internet of Things (IoT). With over 25 years of experience in digital media and technology, his career includes executive roles at prominent companies such as About.com, HowStuffWorks, and Purch. A former member of the 1980s NYC band The Modulators, Westlake shares his journey from music to innovation, offering insights on smart home tech, AI integration, consumer education, and how GearBrain bridges the gap between people and technology.

Key Takeaways:

- How Mark transitioned from a music career to the tech industry

- The benefits of IoT

- The future of smart homes

Episode Timeline:

3:00Mark's early years in The Modulators

6:00Transitioning to the Internet and Digital Media

9:00Why some companies can't adapt

11:30The Birth of GearBrain and Its Mission

12:30Innovations in IoT and AI integration

15:05Challenges in the smart home market

18:01The future of smart homes and AI

21:30Consumer education and smart device benefits

24:15The next decade in IoT technology

This episode’s guest:

• Mark Westlake

• GearBrain's website

• Email Mark at Info@GearBrain.com

Subscribe and leave a 5-star review:

https://pod.link/1496390646

Contact Us!

•Join the conversation by leaving a comment!

•Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn!

Thanks for listening!

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

Brad Myers is the Charles M. Geschke Director of the Human-Computer Interaction Institute and Professor in the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, with an affiliated faculty appointment in the Software and Societal Systems Department. He’s also the author of a new book, "Pick, Click, Flick! The Story of Interaction Techniques." In this episode, he discusses the importance of usability in design, notable failures in user interface design, and the future of Human-Computer Interaction.

Key Takeaways:

- Historic HCI failures

- What is HCI?

- How AI will affect HCI?

Episode Timeline:

1:45What is the Human-Computer Interaction field?

3:30The evolution of interaction techniques

6:30Designing for usability and intuition

09:40Historic failures in user interface design

10:30Why Clippy didn't work

14:30The history of copy and paste

18:00Mac or PC?

21:30The future of HCI and AI integration

This episode’s guest:

• Buy Brad's Book "Pick, Click, Flick! The Story of Interaction Techniques."

Subscribe and leave a 5-star review:

https://pod.link/1496390646

Contact Us!

•Join the conversation by leaving a comment!

•Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn!

Thanks for listening!

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

Scott McKenzie, managing director of Industrial Talk Media, a leading industrial education and entertainment platform, shares how he is making "volcanic shifts" in industrial marketing through podcasting. He emphasizes the importance of human connection in industry communication and identifies gaps in how companies market themselves. Scott also discusses successful strategies used by companies to attract talent and the necessity of understanding customer pain points in marketing efforts.

Key Takeaways:

- Shifting industry marketing focus

- Authentic communication in industrial marketing

- Expanding the industrial talent pool

Episode Timeline:

1:45Scott's 1982 Super Bowl performance

5:00Introduction to Industrial Talk Media

8:00Scott's background in industry

10:00The networking benefits of podcasts

13:15The industry blind spot with podcasting

14:45Exposing the human side of industry

15:50Communication skills in the trades

19:00The importance of authenticity in podcasting

20:00Holes in industrial marketing strategies

23:00Selling benefits, not specs

25:00 Successful strategies for attracting talent

This episode’s guest:

• Scott MacKenzie on LinkedIn

• Industrial Talk's website

Subscribe and leave a 5-star review:

https://pod.link/1496390646

Contact Us!

•Join the conversation by leaving a comment!

•Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn!

Thanks for listening!

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

Craig Cook is a visionary entrepreneur who shares his journey from founding Rhythm.net to becoming a business mentor who uses Qigong to help people find balance and success. Here, he discusses the principles of qigong, introduces his Five Elements of Success framework, and talks about the importance of balance in his personal and professional lives.

Key Takeaways:

- How qigong can help business professionals

- Craig's transition from CEO to mentor

- The Five Elements of Success

Episode Timeline:

1:00Introduction

3:00 Craig's transition to business mentorship

6:00The intersection of Qigong and business

8:20What is Qigong

11:00Personal benefits of qigong

13:00The Five Elements of Success

21:30Qigong for business professionals

24:40The importance of balance

This episode’s guest:

• Craig Cooke on LinkedIn

• CSquaredPro.io

• C2EnergyMedicine.com

Subscribe and leave a 5-star review:

https://pod.link/1496390646

Contact Us!

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

Tiffany Aguinaldo is an Account Director at Forge—a creative studio recently ranked the #4 fastest-growing private company in Orange County. Tiffany leads business development and PR at Forge and brings 15 years of experience with major brands like Hoag, Toyota, and The Irvine Company. She’s also the 2024 President of the Orange County PRSA. In this episode, she discusses the value of mentorship, Forge’s rapid rise, and her involvement with Disney Forward.

Key Takeaways:

- Mentorship is crucial for young professionals in PR

- Understanding your audience is essential in PR today

- Forge offers a unique experience for clients through personalized service

Episode Timeline:

0:30Introduction to Tiffany Aguinaldo

2:15Mentorship in public relations

4:20What are young people in PR most concerned about?

7:00 Tod's advice for young people in communications

8:45Forge's incredible growth

11:00What separates Forge from other agencies?

13:15Forge's success stories

15:30The Disney Forward event

18:25Tiffany's reflections on her early career at GRC

22:00Tiffany's thought leadership philosophy

This episode’s guest:

• Tiffany Aguinaldo on LinkedIn

• Forge's website

Subscribe and leave a 5-star review:

https://pod.link/1496390646

Contact Us!

•Join the conversation by leaving a comment!

•Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn!

Thanks for listening!

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

Lana McGilvray is co-founder and CEO of Purpose Worldwide, a brand, communications, PR, and growth consultancy that specializes in helping clients drive their purpose and growth. In 2020, PR News recognized Lana as one of the Top Women in PR. Here, she discusses the importance of purpose in brand growth, the impact of AI on business, and the current state of DEI in PR.

Key Takeaways:

- Purpose is essential for brand growth and authenticity

- Brands often struggle to define their purpose

- The state of DEI in PR

Episode Timeline:

1:30 Why Lana was named "One of the Top Women in PR"

2:30 Not all brands have a purpose

3:45 How to help brands find their authentic purpose

5:15 The problem with purpose-washing

6:15 Matching purpose to growth

9:10 How AI fuels growth

11:45 The importance of human intuition

13:50 The current state of DEI in PR

16:15 Rebranding DEI

20:00 The importance of having a career with purpose

This episode’s guest:

• Lana McGilvray on LinkedIn

• Purpose North America

• Council for Brand Purpose

Subscribe and leave a 5-star review:

https://pod.link/1496390646

Contact Us!

• Join the conversation by leaving a comment!

• Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn!

Thanks for listening!

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