Why brands should lead with public relations
Notes de l’épisode
In this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd explains why brands should earn attention before they buy it and how generative AI makes leading with PR more important for marketing leaders.
Tune in to learn more!
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why the order of PR and advertising matters when you launch something new
2. How Starbucks, Tesla, and Pepperidge Farm earned attention before they bought it
3. Why launching advertising first can spend your news value
4. How earned media shapes what generative AI platforms say about your brand
5. Which three questions to ask before your next launch
Quotables
“They earned attention before they bought it.” — @jasonmudd9
“Lead with PR. Then use advertising to amplify what PR helped build.” — @jasonmudd9
“If you have something new, different, or disruptive, you have something advertising can’t buy. You have news value.” — @jasonmudd9
“PR helped other people do the talking.” — @jasonmudd9
“You don’t always have to buy attention first. Sometimes the better strategy is to earn it.” — @jasonmudd9
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Guest’s contact info and resources:
Prioritizing PR over advertising with Laura Ries | On Top of PR podcast
Muck Rack: What Is AI Reading? (May 2026)
PR Success Stories: From Struggling Startup to More Than $130 Million in Revenues
Additional Resources:
7 ways to build credibility using public relations
PR is now the front door to AI discovery
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast
Find out more about Axia Public Relations
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Recorded: September, 2026
- On Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.
- On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.