PR 360

JJ Nelson, Director of Communications at Bergmeyer, joins us to discuss the power of joy in branding, the importance of authenticity, and how Bergmeyer stands out in the design world. He also shares insights on navigating economic shifts, adapting during COVID-19, and his work with SpeakOUT Boston in amplifying LGBTQ+ voices.Key Takeaways:- The importance of joy- Authenticity in branding- How Speak Out Boston empowers LGBTQ+ voicesEpisode Timeline:1:00 The important role that joy plays in JJ's life3:30 How JJ refills his joy bucket5:10 JJ's previous career in casting7:00 Self-awareness is the key to acting9:30 Brands need to be self-aware10:00 How does Bergmeyer set itself apart in the design space?12:30 The importance of culture at Bergmeyer13:30 How is Bergmeyer navigating the current economy?15:30 How did Bergmeyer make it through COVID-19?20:30 The weird way COVID unleased creativity21:30 The current state of the LGBTQ movementThis episode’s guest:• JJ Nelson on LinkedIn• JJ on Instagram• Bergmeyer'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!

Kristine Frech is Vice President of Corporate Communications at Amplify, a leading New York City-based curriculum company. Before joining the Amplify team, Frech was the Vice President of National and Strategic Communications at Teach For America (TFA) and served as advisor to then Governor Gina Raimondo as the Governor pursued a universal pre-K program. Here, she shares how to communicate with the education world and reminisces about her work with Governor Raimondo in Rhode Island. Key Takeaways:- Post-pandemic education challenges- Tips for PR in education- Kristine's work with Governor Raimondo of Rhode IslandEpisode Timeline:1:45 Where does Kristine get her passion for education?2:55 How widespread is inequality in education?4:20 Amplify’s mission6:10 Kristine's favorite Amplify curriculum7:45 Amplify's post-pandemic challenges9:45 Amplify's literacy data11:00 Who's Kristine's target audience14:45 Three lessons for someone new to education16:30 Jargon in education18:30 Kristine's favorite memories working with Governor RaimondoThis episode’s guest:• Kristine Frech• Amplify on Instagram • Science of Reading podcast• Beyond My Years podcastSubscribe 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!

Anne Green is the CEO and principal at G&S Integrated Marketing Communications Group. She is passionate about providing counsel to clients in sectors such as healthcare, professional services, and financial services and is an accomplished media trainer and speaking coach. Here, she takes a deep dive into the world of media training and shares the skills that make people great communicators.  Key Takeaways:- Media training 101- How COVID drove the need for media training- The mystery of charismaEpisode Timeline:2:00 The most common problems Anne corrects during media training4:00 The importance of creating understanding4:45 Can you teach authenticity?7:15 The importance of self-awareness9:30 How Anne's lifelong love of singing affects her media training12:00 Why do people trail off when speaking?15:15 The mystery of charisma18:20 People who can manage the energy of the room22:00 Has Zoom driven more people to media training26:00 The importance of being heardThis episode’s guest:• Anne Green on LinkedIn• G&S Integrated Marketing Communications GroupSubscribe 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!

April White is the CEO of Trust Relations, which she founded after working for legacy PR firms, including Weber Shandwick, Edelman, and Rubenstein PR. She is also the host of the "PR Wine Down" podcast and an official TEDx speaker. Here, she discusses how she developed the skills to be an authentic leader and why it's essential for agencies to "do what you say before you say what you do." Key Takeaways:- April's approach to leadership- Why leaders should exemplify their brands- Managing assertive and introverted employeesEpisode Timeline:2:00 What April's menagerie of animals taught about leadership5:30 How leaders deal with assertive employees and introverts8:45 How April developed her leadership style10:15 Developing an authenticity in leadership12:30 Tod's aversion to managing people14:00 Do what you say before you say what you do 18:00 Why brands need to engage in two-way conversations20:00 Are brands changing how they respond to negative social media feedback23:45 Why leaders need to exemplify their brands26:00 Lessons April has learned from doing the "PR Wine Down" podcastThis episode’s guest:• Email: April@TrustRealtions.Agency• TrustRelations.Agency• Trust Relations on Instagram

Chris Drake is the Senior Vice President at iconectiv, where he is responsible for internal and external technology initiatives, including emerging opportunities in mobile content, cybersecurity, and virtualization. Here, Chris explains how scammers are adapting to AI, recent regulations on robocalls, and the rise in text fraud. Key Takeaways:- Scammers are increasingly using text messages instead of robocalls- Understanding the new wave of scam tactics- How scams are affecting businessesEpisode Timeline:1:45  The rise of text scams4:00    How do scammers break into iPhones?6:45    How to protect your smartphones from scammers8:15    How to protect your cryptocurrency10:15 Current government actions against robocalls14:00  Will there be fewer robocalls in 2025?17:00 AI is making it more affordable for scammers to target their victims18:30 Data breaches are helping scammers20:30 Scammers are entering the real world22:00 The Liam Neeson scamThis episode’s guest:• Chris Drake on LinkedIn• iconectiv'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!

Thought leadership was a significant theme on "PR 360 " throughout 2024. So, to close out the year, we gathered insights on the subject from a diverse group of guests from every facet of the PR industry. Recognizing that we can all use some help expressing our ideas, we've compiled 10 of our favorite tips and tactics to help inspire even better thought leadership throughout the PR and beyond in 2025.Key Takeaways:- What thought leadership means to 10 "PR 360" guests- How to be a better thought leader- Things thought leaders get wrongEpisode Timeline:2:10    April White, CEO and founder of Trust Relations3:20     Louis K. Gump. president of Cambian Solutions5:20    Gini Dietrich, founder of the influential Spin Sucks blog8:40    Amanda Proscia, COO and Co-Founder of Lightspeed Public Relations/Marketing10:00  Grace Keith Rodriguez, CEO of Caliber Corporate Advisers12:10 Dominick Miserandino, founder of TheCelebrityCafe.com14:00 Dana Maruffo, Senior Manager of Global PR and Communications for BigCommerce17:00 Jacqueline Long, President of Evins PR18:45 Amy Jackson, founder of TaleSplash21:10 Ekaette Kern, CEO and Head of Brand Consulting at TENET ConsultancySubscribe 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!

Jonathan Baker is the head of M and A at Punctuation, a small advisory practice that helps firms with positioning, lead generation, benchmarking, valuation, and succession planning. Here, he shares the inside scoop on how to sell an agency and determine its worth. We also discuss two topics near and dear to Jonathan's heart: Australian shepherds and craft beer. Key Takeaways:- Common mistakes in creative firms- When to sell an agency- How to evaluate your agencyEpisode Timeline:1:15 The perils of living with an Australian shepherd2:30 How Punctuation helps media companies with positioning and benchmarking4:00 Considering the owner's lifestyle during the M and A process5:00 Selling a business to the right person6:45 Is there a common positioning pivot agencies are making these days?7:15 The importance of finding your niche8:30 How expertise affects pricing 9:10 The biggest mistakes creative firms are making these days10:15 How an owner's role evolves over time 12:35 When is it time to sell?15:15 The emotional toll of the M and A process17:45 The importance that EBITA plays in the evaluation 19:30 Jonathan's favorite craft brewThis episode’s guest:• Jonathan Baker• Get free resources at Punctuation.com/PR360Subscribe 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!

Wing Lam is the eldest of the three founding brothers of Wahoo’s Fish Taco, with over 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry. Beyond business, Wing is actively engaged in philanthropy, serving on the boards of organizations like Share Our Strength and the Surfrider Foundation. On his fourth “PR 360” appearance, he discusses what it means to live the Wahoo's Way, shares the secret of Mr. Lee's sauce, and discusses current restaurant business trends. Key Takeaways:- The latest from the Cali Love Drop- What it means to live the "Wahoo's Way"- The rise in popularity of Asian foodEpisode Timeline:1:50 The mystery of Wahoo's amazing Mr. Lee's sauce3:50 What does it mean to live the Wahoo's Way?7:50 Has Kelly Lam's mindfulness rubbed off on Wing?9:15 How food affects your sense of being10:00 Accepting the challenges of life12:00 Current trends in the restaurant business14:15 Filipino food is becoming more popular16:20 A new food offering at Wahoo's17:15 The state of the Beach Boys' collaboration18:40 The latest news with the Cali Love Drop20:10 Did 2024 turn out as expected?24:45 Tod's old job with Frosty, Heidi and FrankThis episode’s guest:• Wing Lam on LinkedIn• @WahoosWing• Email: Wing.Lam@Wahoos.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!