PR 360

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-mindedEpisode Timeline:1:30 What's it like working from Aruba?4:15 Tod's time in Cuba5:30 The Montreal/Long Beach connection7:30 What separates Proper Propaganda from other PR firms8:30 The benefits of paying on performance11:00 AI search optimization for PR13:00 Optimizing for bots18:00 It's time to reconsider some legacy media sites19:30 Non-traditional sites are popping up in AI search20:30 The importance of being open-minded25:00 Jackson's thought leadership philosophyThis episode’s guest:• Jackson Wightman on LinkedIn• Proper Propaganda's website• Email Jackson@Properpropaganda.net

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 cybersecurityEpisode Timeline:2:00 Lessons Karen learned from growing up in a large family4:30 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 teamwork8:15 New and exciting things happening at GRC9:00 Current trends in cybersecurity and AI11:00 The evolution of cybersecurity threats14:00 How remote work created new security threats17:30 How do you stay current on tech developments?20:00 The importance of continuous learning21:30 Karen's approach to thought leadershipThis episode’s guest:• Karen Sorenson on LinkedIn• Global Results Communications on LinkedIn• Global Results Communications 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!

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 raceEpisode Timeline:1:50 Captjur Sports' involvement in Olympic flag football4:15 Legal challenges with NIL6:30 Pressure is on the NCAA9:15 Flag football's expansion12:00 Recent developments in the gig economy15:15 The importance of diverse AI ecosystems20:30 CPU vs. GPU computing21:50 The AI arms race with China24:00 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.omSubscribe 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 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 opportunitiesEpisode Timeline:1:45 Jennifer's time on Kate Millet's farm6:30 Kate's friendship with John Lennon and Yoko Ono7:30 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 policy11:30 The value proposition of environmentalism 12:30 The ramifications of recent political changes14:30 Talking about eco-friendly products with consumers17:00 Regulations can create new opportunities19:00 Void packaging22:30 Jennifer's thought leadership philosophy25:00 Jennifer's new eBookThis episode’s guest:• Jennifer Avril on LinkedIn• Liberation Stories eBook • Warner Communications

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 pitchEpisode Timeline:2:20 What are the biggest stories in cybersecurity?3:30 AI's threats to cybersecurity5:20 Crisis communication in cybersecurity7:45 How does Mike stay informed on such a fast-moving industry?9:45 Breaking into mainstream media11:45 The art of newsjacking 12:45 AI in the workforce14:40 Building relationships with reporters16:30 Crafting the perfect pitch20:20 Mike's thought leadership philosophyThis episode’s guest:• Mike Atkinson on LinkedIn• Sage's Website• Mike's email: MAtkinson@AboutSage.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!

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 gamingEpisode Timeline:2:20 The origins of Extra Life5:30 The power of kindness6:00 How does peer-to-peer giving work8:15 Touching grass for money9:45 Jeff's love of content creation11:30 Streamers that have gone out of their way for Extra Life14:45 The power of online communities17:30 Game Day, Extra Life's big giving event19:40 Jeff's passion for non-profits23:00 When Tod stopped playing video gamesThis episode’s guest:• Jeff Montegut on LinkedIn• Extra Life's website Subscribe 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!

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 homesEpisode Timeline:3:00 Mark's early years in The Modulators6:00 Transitioning to the Internet and Digital Media9:00 Why some companies can't adapt11:30 The Birth of GearBrain and Its Mission12:30 Innovations in IoT and AI integration15:05 Challenges in the smart home market18:01 The future of smart homes and AI21:30 Consumer education and smart device benefits24:15 The next decade in IoT technologyThis episode’s guest:• Mark Westlake• GearBrain's website • Email Mark at Info@GearBrain.com Subscribe 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!

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:1:45 What is the Human-Computer Interaction field?3:30 The evolution of interaction techniques6:30 Designing for usability and intuition09:40 Historic failures in user interface design10:30 Why Clippy didn't work14:30 The history of copy and paste18:00 Mac or PC?21:30 The future of HCI and AI integrationThis 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/1496390646Contact Us!• Join the conversation by leaving a comment!• Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn!Thanks for listening!

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 poolEpisode Timeline:1:45 Scott's 1982 Super Bowl performance5:00 Introduction to Industrial Talk Media8:00 Scott's background in industry 10:00 The networking benefits of podcasts13:15 The industry blind spot with podcasting14:45 Exposing the human side of industry15:50 Communication skills in the trades19:00 The importance of authenticity in podcasting20:00 Holes in industrial marketing strategies 23:00 Selling benefits, not specs25:00 Successful strategies for attracting talentThis episode’s guest:• Scott MacKenzie on LinkedIn• Industrial Talk'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!