PR 360

In this episode of PR360, Tod interviews Drew Holmgreen, the President and CEO of PPAI, the largest trade association for the $27B promotional products industry. Drew shares insights on the industry's massive economic impact, the emotional connections created through branded merchandise, and how companies can integrate physical products into digital campaigns. He also addresses challenges faced by the industry, including trade disruptions, and explains how PPAI is navigating the choppy waters. Key Takeaways:- Memorable promotional products can create lasting impressions and connections- How trade disruptions have impacted the promotional products industry- The importance of positive leadershipEpisode Timeline:0:00 Introduction to PPAI and Drew Holmgreen2:00 The scope and impact of the promotional products industry4:20 Understanding branded merchandise6:54 The emotional connection of promotional products9:45 Integrating merch with digital campaigns11:45 The revenue potential of merchandising13:00 Howard Stern's aversion to promotional products13:52 Memorable promotional products and their impact18:00 Common mistakes in merchandising20:25 The creative side of the promotional products industry22:00 Navigating trade disruptions 27:40 Thought leadership philosophy and positive leadershipThis episode's guest:• Drew Holmgreen on LinkedIn• PPAI.orgSubscribe and leave a 5-star review: https://pod.link/1496390646Contact Us!• Join the conversation by leaving a comment!• Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn!Thanks for listening!

Paul Cohen is the founder of Attention Comms, an agency that helps mission-driven organizations fight for the attention they deserve and make a meaningful impact. As a trusted communications advisor, he has guided executives and teams across three continents, representing multinational corporations, startups, industry associations, sovereign governments, and nonprofits. In this episode of PR360, Paul explores the power of purpose-driven communication and what it looks like in the current cultural moment. He also discusses the important distinction between attracting attention versus media coverage.- How purpose-driven organizations can stand out in today's climate- Why organizations should focus on genuine causes rather than trends- How AI companies pull their dataEpisode Timeline:0:00 Introduction to Paul Cohen and Attention Comms2:00 Transitioning to Attention Comms3:40 The Importance of purpose-driven communication5:40 Authenticity in social justice messaging7:50 Attracting attention vs. media coverage11:35 The role of authenticity in leadership15:50 The role of AI at Attention Comms?17:10 How AI companies pull their data19:10 Paul's pitching secretsThis episode’s guest:• Paul Cohen on LinkedIn• AttentionComms.comSubscribe and leave a 5-star review: https://pod.link/1496390646Contact Us!• Join the conversation by leaving a comment!• Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn!Thanks for listening!

Julie Wright is the Founder and CEO of (W)right On Communications, an award-winning strategic communications agency based in San Diego. Since launching the firm in 1998, she has grown it into one of Newsweek’s Best PR Agencies in America. In this episode, Julie shares insights on the difference between organic and AI search, how to optimize brands for AI-driven discovery, and the profound ways AI is reshaping journalism.- Unique advantage that PR has in AI search- The difference between AI and organic search- The current state of US tourismEpisode Timeline:1:30 Julie reflects on 30 years in PR2:35 Staying informed on top of the rise of AI search3:50 A searchable podcast database4:45 The decline in organic search traffic6:00 How does AI search change the world of journalism?8:00 Optimizing your brand for AI search10:50 How thought leaders can adapt to AI13:35 Which sites are favored by AI search16:00 How is (W)right On implementing AI?19:00 Julie's recent acknowledgements21:30 Changes in US tourism22:30 Julie's thought leadership philosophyThis episode’s guest:• Julie Wright on LinkedIn• WrightOnComm.comSubscribe and leave a 5-star review: https://pod.link/1496390646Contact Us!• Join the conversation by leaving a comment!• Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn!Thanks for listening!

Bridget Mercuri is the PR and Earned Media Director at AMPLIFY, a revolutionary boutique legal marketing and PR agency. She specializes in getting lawyers and law firms into the conversations and spaces that matter most—positioning them as thought leaders in an increasingly crowded legal landscape. On this episode, she shares the significance of earned media in the legal field, the importance of humanizing lawyers, and how to prepare clients for media appearances. Key Takeaways:- Amplify specializes in positioning lawyers as thought leaders- The benefits of non-traditional media outlets- The ins and outs of cruise lawEpisode Timeline:0:00 Introduction to Bridget Mercuri and Amplify3:30 The importance of earned media in law6:10 Building relationships with reporters for effective PR9:20 Humanizing lawyers and their stories12:00 Preparing clients for media appearances14:30 How can good PR solve current problems in the legal industry15:50 Exploring non-traditional media outlets18:00 The ins and outs of cruise law21:30 Bridget's thought leadership philosophyThis episode’s guest:• Amplifyforlawyers.com• Email: Bridget@Amplifyforlawyers.com• Email for lawyers: LFG@Amplifyforlawyers.com• Amplify for Lawyers on Instagram

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 eventsEpisode Timeline:0:00 Introduction to Wild Bound PR and Julia Drake1:30 The journey from film to literary PR4:00 Successful Wildbound campaigns6:00 The myth of inspiration7:25 Differences between traditional PR and publishing PR8:50 Creating conversations around books10:30 Preparing first-time authors for PR13:35 The success rates for book publishing15:00 The impact of social media on Book promotion16:25 The ins and outs of BookTok19:45 Client expectations vs. reality in publishing PR22:05 What sets Wildbound apart24:30 Julia's thought leadership philosophyThis episode’s guest:• Julia Drake on LinkedIn • WildboundPR's website• Wildbound PR on InstagramSubscribe and leave a 5-star review: https://pod.link/1496390646Contact Us!• Join the conversation by leaving a comment!• Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn!Thanks for listening!

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 managementEpisode Timeline:1:45 Introduction to Jennifer Adler and Adler PR2:45 How to choose a luxury influencer 4:45 How are luxury brands positioning themselves in today's economy7:25 Has the idea of luxury changed over the past 20 years?9:10 How does Jennifer keep her finger on the pulse10:00 Preparing clients for a crisis12:00 The Coldplay debacle crisis15:15 The importance of a cool head in a crisis17:00 The quote that inspired Jennifer to start her own agency20:20 Lessons Jennifer learned hosting the "Earn It" podcast22:00 Working with Medieval Times25:22 Jennifer's thought leadership philosophy This episode’s guest:• Jennifer Adler in LinkedIn• Adler Public Relations• Adler Public Relations on Instagram• "Earn It" podcast

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 brandEpisode Timeline:0:00    Introduction to Lexi Smith and Growth Mode2:03    Why PR agencies are being asked to do more with less4:10    PR is having a hard time defining itself in the new era5:10    People need to be educated about PR8:00    Mistakes people make in personal branding 11:00  The "why" of your personal brand13:15 Taylor Swift's marketing brilliance14:30  Lessons Lexie has learned from the "Pitchin' and Sippin'" podcast17:15 Tod's pitch preferences19:30 Lexie's work with Everyday Action23:25 Lexie's thought leadership philosophyThis episode’s guest:• Lexie Smith on LinkedIn• Growth Mode's websiteSubscribe and leave a 5-star review: https://pod.link/1496390646Contact Us!•            Join the conversation by leaving a comment!•            Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn!Thanks for listening!

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 leaderEpisode Timeline:2:40 Alexandra's front-line COVID reporting 5:15 Alexandra on "Good Morning America"7:25 Delivering good PR at a great price9:40 How people overpay for PR11:55 How Alexandra's experience as a reporter helps her in PR13:30 The power of a great soundbite15:00 Educating new PR clients16:15 Media training dos and don'ts18:40 Verbal crutches21:20 Being authentic in media appearances22:40 Lessons Alexandra has learned from hosting her podcast25:25 Alexandra's thought leadership philosophyThis episode’s guest:• A to Z Communications' website• Alexandra Zendrian on LinkedInSubscribe and leave a 5-star review: https://pod.link/1496390646Contact Us!• Join the conversation by leaving a comment!• Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn!Thanks for listening!

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 PR3:30 AI uncertainty5:30 The PR turnaround6:45 Ways in which AI isn't cutting it8:00 The volatility in the current economy11:28 Brian explains AuthorPrime14:45 The AuthorPrime process18:00 Who is creating books from their content?20:00 What is a false sense of credibility?22:00 Brian's upcoming book26:20 The biggest lesson Brian has learned from his podcastThis episode’s guest:• Brian Hart on LinkedIn• @BrianHartPR on X• Flackable / Author PrimeSubscribe and leave a 5-star review: https://pod.link/1496390646Contact Us!•            Join the conversation by leaving a comment!•            Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn!Thanks for listening!