On Top of PR with Jason Mudd
- Episódios
- 195
- Publicação
- semanal
- Último episódio
- 10 nov 2026
Sobre o podcast
On Top of PR is a podcast dedicated to helping corporate communications leaders leverage the power of PR to build a strong brand and great reputation. Each episode features guests to discuss PR and marketing topics, tips, and trends. We want to help every active and aspiring communication professional stay on top of PR.
It is one of the top 2.5% most popular podcast shows globally, according to Listen Notes' Listen Score, and among the top 100 marketing podcasts in the world on Apple Podcasts.
We've featured guests from Microsoft, Disney, Wells Fargo, Tyson Foods, Mall of America, Priceline, Southwest Airlines, and more.
About Jason Mudd
Jason Mudd is a professional public speaker, accredited public relations practitioner, published author, podcaster, and entrepreneur. The World Communication Forum named him North America’s top PR leader. He’s the CEO and managing partner of Axia Public Relations. Forbes Magazine named Axia as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. He is a trusted adviser and dynamic strategist to some of America’s most admired and fastest-growing companies. His past PR work includes American Airlines, Budweiser, Dave & Buster’s, H&R Block, Hilton, HP, Miller Lite, New York Life, Pizza Hut, Southern Comfort, and Verizon.
Episódios 195
Why one great media story won't build trust | Pam Fultz
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Pam Fultz, senior community relations manager at Vi Living, joins host Jason Mudd to share how communicators can build and keep trust with community partners, journalists, and …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, Pam Fultz, senior community relations manager at Vi Living, joins host Jason Mudd to share how communicators can build and keep trust with community partners, journalists, and other stakeholders.
Tune in to learn more!
Meet our guest:
Our guest is Pam Fultz, APR, senior community relations manager at Vi Living, a national senior living company. Pam teaches at the University of Florida and Northeastern University and is a past president of PRSA’s Gulf Coast chapter. A former broadcast journalist, she returns to On Top of PR to share how communicators earn and keep stakeholder trust.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why trust is built through hundreds of interactions, not one big announcement
2. How clear, consistent communication keeps stakeholders from filling in the blanks
3. Why listening before responding is one of the most strategic moves a communicator can make
4. What builds trust with journalists and how to protect it when a story falls through
5. How to use the ATTRACT trust framework to become a trusted communication leader
Pam's ATTRACT trust framework:
A: Be accessible. Make it easy for people to reach you and know you’ll hear them.
T: Be transparent. Share what you know, acknowledge what you don’t, and explain what’s next.
T: Be timely. Respond promptly so people know their questions and concerns matter.
R: Be responsive. Address needs with care, clarity, and respect.
A: Be attentive. Listen first so you understand what people truly need and value.
C: Be committed. Follow through on what you promise, even the small details.
T: Be trustworthy. Let every interaction reinforce your credibility and reputation.
Quotables
“Trust is not built all at once. It’s built conversation by conversation, commitment by commitment, and relationship by relationship.” — Pam Fultz
“People rarely complain about having too much clarity.” — Pam Fultz
“Most times stakeholders are not looking for perfection, but they’re looking and hoping for honesty.” — Pam Fultz
“Trust building cannot begin during a crisis. By then it’s often too late.” — Pam Fultz
“They have what we want, and we’ve got to make it so they want what we have too.” — @jasonmudd9
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
More About Pam Fultz
Pam Fultz is the senior community relations manager for Vi Living, a national senior living company, and an adjunct instructor at the University of Florida and Northeastern University. She holds a master’s degree in corporate and organizational communications, is pursuing her Doctor of Education at Northeastern University, and has earned her Accreditation in Public Relations. Pam is a past president of the Public Relations Society of America’s Gulf Coast chapter and brings experience across community relations, external engagement, communications, and PR.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
Additional Resources:
Earned media: The future of PR in the age of AI search
Why does AI skip your website and cite the news instead?
How earned media gets AI to remember your brand
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.
If you like this episode, you’re going to love these episodes:
Behavioral science secrets behind top brands
Ageism in the workplace: Hiring bias, careers, and the future of work
The best argument for PR? Surprisingly, it's AI
Recorded: Oct. 22, 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.
What does your SEO team need to know about earned media?
Send us Fan MailIn this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd explains what SEO teams need to know about earned media and how SEO and PR can work together to earn more AI citations.Tune in to learn more!Five …
Notas do episódio
In this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd explains what SEO teams need to know about earned media and how SEO and PR can work together to earn more AI citations.
Tune in to learn more!
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why about 84% of AI citations come from earned media and only about 15% from your own website
2. How SEO and PR can divide the work based on the questions people ask AI
3. Why writing press releases for AI agents is a weak strategy
4. Four steps to turn your announcement into news reporters cover
5. How to set expectations with your CMO for time, control, and measurement
Quotables
"Collaborate with public relations. Not instead of SEO. With SEO." — @jasonmudd9
"Search needs public relations more than ever. Public relations needs search too." — @jasonmudd9
"You build the foundation. We earn the third-party proof." — @jasonmudd9
"You should be writing for journalists, not for AI agents." — @jasonmudd9
"Stop asking reporters to promote your company. Start giving them a reason to include you in their news stories." — @jasonmudd9
"Reporters don't promote companies. They tell stories." — @jasonmudd9
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You can also support us by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Jason’s contact info and resources:
Muck Rack: What Is AI Reading? (October 2026 report)
Axia Public Relations resources
Request a free consultation with Axia Public Relations
Prioritizing PR over advertising with Laura Ries
Additional resources:
Why does AI skip your website and cite the news instead?
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast
Find out more about Axia Public Relations
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
AI and data-driven PR with Muck Rack's Matt Dzugan
Earned media-first PR in the AI era
The best argument for PR? Surprisingly, it's AI
Recorded: Oct. 31, 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.
What PR Pioneers Say About PR Today
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Shelley Spector, founder and CEO of the Museum of Public Relations, joins host Jason Mudd to share what PR pioneers can still teach today’s communicators.Tune in to learn more! …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, Shelley Spector, founder and CEO of the Museum of Public Relations, joins host Jason Mudd to share what PR pioneers can still teach today’s communicators.
Tune in to learn more!
Meet our guest:
Our guest is Shelley Spector, founder and CEO of the Museum of Public Relations. Located in New York, the museum houses more than 5,100 artifacts that chronicle PR history. Its AI-powered personas let you talk with PR pioneers in their own voices.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. What public relations originally meant and why the definition still matters
2. Why every strong PR program starts with research on your publics
3. How Ivy Lee, Edward Bernays, and Arthur Page shaped the PR profession
4. Why foundational PR principles get lost in the social media and AI era
5. How AI personas of PR pioneers help you brainstorm big ideas, get crisis advice, and pressure-test campaigns
Quotables
"The original usage is creating good relationships with all your publics." — Shelley Spector
"A very good PR program always starts with doing research." — Shelley Spector
"In my experience, clients want earned media. Clients want good, old-fashioned media relations." — Shelley Spector
“Instead of jumping to Instagram or TikTok, ask: What does the research say? What’s the strategy? What do we want for the objectives?” — Shelley Spector
“It’s time we put relationships back in public relations.” — Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
More about Shelley Spector
Shelley Spector is the founder and CEO of the Museum of Public Relations, the world's only museum dedicated to the global PR and communication profession. Since its 1997 founding in New York, the museum has built a collection of more than 5,100 artifacts that chronicle the history of PR. Visitors can now meet the world's only AI-powered personas of PR pioneers Edward Bernays, Arthur W. Page, Ivy Lee, and Walter Lippmann. The museum built each persona exclusively from the pioneer's own writings and interviews, so you hear each one in their own voice and personality.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
Museum of Public Relations website
Ask Eddie: Talk with the AI persona of Edward Bernays
Plan your visit to the Museum of Public Relations
Book: Always Live Better Than Your Clients
Additional resources:
Blog Post: What should I know about media relations and earned media coverage before hiring a PR firm?
Blog Post: Question-based crisis communication: What leaders miss online
Blog Post: How to develop buyer personas and avatars
If you like this episode, you're going to love these episodes:
Leveraging market insights to shape PR strategy
What you should know about earning media coverage
One brand, four generations: Why trust doesn't transfer
Recorded: Oct. 13, 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.
One brand, four generations: Why trust doesn't transfer
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Mari Considine, chief brand and marketing officer at Acenda Integrated Health, joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how to reach Gen Z, millennials, Gen X, and baby boomers with one …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, Mari Considine, chief brand and marketing officer at Acenda Integrated Health, joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how to reach Gen Z, millennials, Gen X, and baby boomers with one brand promise.
Tune in to learn more!
Meet our guest:
Our guest is Mari Considine, chief brand and marketing officer at Acenda Integrated Health. Mari brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience connecting brand storytelling with business strategy, especially in healthcare. She is a national speaker, an adjunct professor, and a PRSA ICON 2026 speaker on reaching four generations of patients.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. How to adapt your tone without changing your core message
2. Why trust doesn’t transfer across generations and how to choose the right messengers
3. Where patients now look for healthcare information
4. How to match the right message, messenger, and medium
5. How to adapt one brand promise to each generation without fragmenting your brand
Quotables
“Trust is the thing that is less transferable than other things.” — Mari Considine
“It's not about being everything to everyone, where your target audience is everyone. That's the nightmare scenario.” — Mari Considine
“If we're not on social media or we're not driving that audience to talk about us, then we're pretty much invisible.” — Mari Considine
“We're promoting the same product and the same service, and we're going to use the same core messaging. We're just going to tweak how we tell the story a little bit and where we're going to appear.” — Mari Considine
“People are using AI even when they either don't want to or don't realize they are.” — Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
Acenda Integrated Health website
Additional Resources:
Earned media: The future of PR in the age of AI search
Why does AI skip your website and cite the news instead?
How earned media gets AI to remember your brand
If you like this episode, you’re going to love these episodes:
Behavioral science secrets behind top brands
Ageism in the workplace: Hiring bias, careers, and the future of work
The best argument for PR? Surprisingly, it's AI
Recorded: Oct. 8, 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.
The AI trust problem: Can you trust your AI?
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, former Goldman Sachs partner Mike Ryan, CEO and co-founder of Bullet Point Network, joins host Jason Mudd to discuss the trust problem at the heart of AI, why trust is now the …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, former Goldman Sachs partner Mike Ryan, CEO and co-founder of Bullet Point Network, joins host Jason Mudd to discuss the trust problem at the heart of AI, why trust is now the biggest barrier to enterprise AI adoption, and how you can keep human judgment in control of AI output.
Tune in to learn more!
Meet our guest:
Our guest is Mike Ryan, the CEO and co-founder of Bullet Point Network, an AI-driven investment platform. Mike is a former Goldman Sachs partner and global co-head of equities. He also served on the Harvard endowment’s investment committee.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why trust, not capability, is now the biggest barrier to enterprise AI adoption
2. How AI-enabled advisory support pairs speed with human judgment and quality control
3. Why off-the-shelf AI isn’t built for high-stakes communication
4. How AI can reduce the constant rebuild of senior communication
5. The 20-60-20 strategy for avoiding AI slop
Quotables
“If you can’t trust the information you’re getting, you can’t rely on it.” — Mike Ryan
“AI is not going to take the job of most smart people, but a person using AI better than you might take your job.” — Mike Ryan
“Just because you can produce it fast doesn’t mean you want it or want to distribute it.” — Mike Ryan
“You don’t want AI to take you fast in the wrong direction.” — Mike Ryan
“If you use AI the same way, you can elevate your thinking and your mindfulness about the organization and think more as a strategist.” — Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You can also support us by leaving us a quick podcast review.
More about Mike Ryan
Mike Ryan is CEO and co-founder of Bullet Point Network, an AI-driven investment platform built on an "AI + 1" philosophy that combines AI with human expertise to speed investment decisions. A former Goldman Sachs partner and global co-head of equities, and a former member of the Harvard endowment's investment committee, Mike brings more than 20 years of experience in investing, leadership, and advisory work. He serves as an adviser and board member for companies and nonprofits, with a personal focus on advancing education and economic opportunity.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
Additional Resources:
Fighting to be trustworthy to AI and humans
Reputation management for AI search: monitoring and response framework
7 responsible principles to guide the use of AI in public relations
If you like this episode, you're going to love these episodes:
The PR playbook for getting recommended by AI with Unusual
AI and PR with Microsoft’s CCO Frank Shaw
The future of PR in the age of AI with Agility PR
- 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.
Is your brand PR ready? 5 steps for the AI era
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Slava Balykov joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how you can assess your brand's public relations readiness before a crisis or AI tool exposes your gaps. Slava shares his …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, Slava Balykov joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how you can assess your brand's public relations readiness before a crisis or AI tool exposes your gaps. Slava shares his five-step framework, explains how to respond when AI gets your brand wrong, and reveals what executives really want from PR reporting.
Tune in to learn more!
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:- How to assess your brand's PR readiness in the AI era
- Five steps to PR readiness
- Why you should understand your information environment before investing in AI optimization
- How to check what AI says about your organization and what to do when it’s wrong
- What executives want from PR reporting and why coverage volume rarely delivers it
Quotables
- "Before optimizing anything, organizations need to understand the information environment that already exists around them." — Slava Balykov
- "Critical doesn't mean incorrect." — Slava Balykov
- "Treat readiness as an ongoing diagnostic, not a one-off exercise." — Slava Balykov
- "Quality is much more important than quantity." — Slava Balykov
- "Measuring impressions or the number of appearances feels like what people call vanity metrics, as opposed to true business impact." — Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
- Slava Balykov on LinkedIn
- Slava's five steps to PR readiness in the AI era:
- Establish your baseline.
Understand what information about your organization is currently discoverable and identify important gaps, contradictions, or outdated information. - Review owned information.
Make sure your website, corporate pages, leadership profiles, and other controlled touchpoints clearly and accurately explain who you are and what you do. - Look beyond owned channels.
Examine credible third-party sources, including media, industry publications, and other independent references, to understand the wider information environment around your organization. - Diagnose the gaps.
Compare owned and external information. Investigate where they materially differ and determine whether the issue is outdated information, factual inconsistency, legitimate criticism, or a broader positioning gap. - Monitor over time.
Information environments continually change. Regularly review important sources and AI-generated answers to identify new gaps and keep your communications foundation current.
- Establish your baseline.
Additional Resources:
- Reputation management for AI search: Monitoring and response framework
- Rethinking reputation management in public relations for the AI era
- AI search is the new front page
- How do you measure PR? A guide to meaningful metrics
- Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
- Find out more about Axia Public Relations.
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
- AI and PR with Microsoft's CCO Frank Shaw
- The PR playbook for getting recommended by AI with Unusual
- How to prepare for any communication crisis with Tom Ciuba
- Crisis lessons learned from Southwest Airlines
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.
Why brands should lead with public relations
Send us Fan MailIn 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 …
Notas do episódio
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
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
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
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
The best argument for PR? Surprisingly, it’s AI
How public relations changes business outcomes
95% of AI citations come from PR content
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.
Why business acumen is critical for PR professionals today
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Ron Culp joins host Jason Mudd to discuss why business acumen now outweighs writing skills in PR hiring, the three stages of a corporate PR career, and five practical ways to …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, Ron Culp joins host Jason Mudd to discuss why business acumen now outweighs writing skills in PR hiring, the three stages of a corporate PR career, and five practical ways to build business acumen at any career stage.
Tune in to learn more!
Meet Our Guest:
Our guest is Ron Culp, a professional-in-residence at DePaul University and a former corporate chief communications officer. He brings decades of experience across government, corporate communications, public relations agencies, and higher education, where he helps prepare the next generation of PR professionals.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Three stages of corporate public relations
2. Why business acumen has taken over writing skills as the top thing employers want
3. Five practical ways students and young professionals can build business acumen
4. Why understanding how your company makes money changes the decisions you make
5. Why business acumen matters
Quotables
"When what you're doing isn't having any impact on the business, you really have to question it. If you don't, you're gonna start being questioned." – Ron Culp
"You just make better decisions if you have a sense of what the business is all about." – Ron Culp
"Good writers are good thinkers, always has been the case, and good writers can be trained." – Ron Culp
"If we can't figure out how they make money, then I'm not sure we can be the trusted strategic partner that we need to be." – Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
Ageism in the workplace: Hiring bias, careers, and the future of work
How trusted strategic advisors influence leaders
Additional Resources:
Marketing leaders are reframing reputation management as a revenue strategy
Traditional PR doesn’t work anymore
How to turn social and reputation management into a revenue operating system
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast
Find out more about Axia Public Relations
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
How public relations changes business outcomes
How communications professionals shape business success
Maximizing Agency Partnerships with Mark Riggs
Recorded: August, 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.
AI can synthesize your data. It can't tell you what matters.
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Jessica Barber Scott joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how public relations professionals can move beyond impressions and advertising value equivalency to measure outcomes and …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, Jessica Barber Scott joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how public relations professionals can move beyond impressions and advertising value equivalency to measure outcomes and impact, build measurement frameworks around business objectives, and use AI without losing the human judgment a CFO relationship requires.
Tune in to learn more!
Meet our guest:
Our guest is Jessica Barber Scott, a senior communication professional with 15 years of experience across regulated financial services, state government, and higher education. She is a PRSA Silver Anvil Award winner for crisis communication and has advised C-suite leaders at organizations including TIAA, Corebridge Financial, and EverBank.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why AVE still shows up in reporting and what it costs you
2. How to climb the three tiers of PR measurement (outputs, outcomes, and impact)
3. Why your measurement framework should start with the business objective, not the data
4. Four moves that change the dynamic of any CFO budget meeting
5. What AI can do for measurement and what it can’t replace
Quotables
“The numbers are getting smaller as the work gets credible.” — Jessica Scott
“Come in with the data. Not with an apology, with data.” — Jessica Scott
“AI can pull faster. It can synthesize more broadly. It can find patterns across data at a scale that really no human team can match. But what it can't do is tell you whether you're measuring the right thing in the first place.” — Jessica Scott
“Getting media coverage is not a result. It's an output of the work and the effort that you made.” — Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
Additional Resources:
The 3 biggest PR measurement mistakes
5 metrics you should measure in PR
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
What you should be measuring in your PR campaigns with Johna Burke
Barcelona Principles 4.0: How to measure PR effectively with AMEC CEO Johna Burke
The power of PR measurement with Katie Delahaye Paine
Recorded: August, 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.
Applying leadership frameworks to AI
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Ken Jacobs, principal of Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching, joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how communications leaders can apply proven leadership principles to AI …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, Ken Jacobs, principal of Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching, joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how communications leaders can apply proven leadership principles to AI adoption.
Tune in to learn more!
Meet our guest:
Our guest is Ken Jacobs, principal of Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching. Ken helps public relations, communications, and marketing leaders become more effective and inspiring leaders through executive coaching and consulting. Before launching his consulting practice, he spent 25 years in leadership roles at leading PR agencies. He also hosts Taking the Lead, a leadership video podcast, and writes the quarterly Taking the Lead column for the Public Relations Society of America's Strategies & Tactics publication.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. How courageous leaders embrace AI
2. Why every organization needs AI guardrails
3. How leaders can build AI confidence
4. Why listening leads to stronger teams
5. How AI and human judgment work together
Quotables
"If you're not already deep in AI, you're behind, but it's also never too late." — Ken Jacobs
“Walk the walk, not just talk the talk.” — Ken Jacobs
“True leaders update their knowledge and fluency.” — Ken Jacobs
“You as a leader have to be able to ask the right kind of questions.” — Ken Jacobs
"Hire smart people and get out of their way." — Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching website
How to stay ahead of AI in communications and marketing
Four leadership tips to guide you through uncertain times
Additional resources:
What sources feed generative AI answers?
What Google AI Mode means for your PR and media strategy
How are AI tools changing PR jobs?
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
The best argument for PR? Surprisingly, it's AI
95% of AI citations come from PR content
Managing communications and PR in the AI era
Embedded AI: The future of PR and communication workflows
Recorded: July, 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.
Managing communications and PR in the AI era with Brenda Duran
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, LA County communications leader Brenda Duran joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how to manage communications and public relations in the AI era through trust and authentic …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, LA County communications leader Brenda Duran joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how to manage communications and public relations in the AI era through trust and authentic storytelling.
Tune in to learn more!
Meet Our Guest:
Our guest is Brenda Duran, director of external affairs at the Los Angeles County Justice, Care and Opportunities Department. An award-winning public affairs and communications executive with more than 12 years of experience, Brenda specializes in crisis communications, community engagement, and building trust through authentic storytelling. A former journalist, she brings a unique perspective on how public institutions can communicate with transparency, empathy, and impact.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. The rise of AI in public relations
2. Building trust in a digital-first world
3. Leading communications during high-stakes moments
4. The power of authentic storytelling
5. The future of communications leadership
Quotables
“[AI] is not there to replace anything; it's more to enhance what we're already doing.” — Brenda Duran
“Trust isn't really built in with one campaign. It's earned through repeated reliable communication over time.” — Brenda Duran
“AI definitely cannot replace some fundamental things like strategic thinking, relationship building, emotional intelligence, ethics and cultural understanding. Those are things that no machine will ever be able to take from us.” — Brenda Duran
“We need to become AI literate, but you have to also remain human-centered.” — Brenda Duran
“We still have to be trusted strategic advisors, lead with strategy, lead with empathy and humanity, and just make the right choices of what's good and what's ethical for the marketplace.” — Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
From newsroom to PR: Journalists making the switch
Transition from journalism to PR
Additional Resources:
AI in PR: Transforming communication strategies
The emerging role of AI in public relations
How to speak with clarity and authority during a crisis
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
The best argument for PR? Surprisingly, it's AI
When a crisis hits, say this or stay silent
Effective crisis communications
Recorded: July, 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.
How public relations changes business outcomes
Send us Fan MailIn this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd discusses how public relations drives awareness, credibility, trust, and demand to create measurable business outcomes beyond media coverage.Tune …
Notas do episódio
In this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd discusses how public relations drives awareness, credibility, trust, and demand to create measurable business outcomes beyond media coverage.
Tune in to learn more!
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why organizations should measure PR by business outcomes instead of media outputs
2. How awareness can remove growth barriers for great products and services
3. Why earned media builds credibility that influences customer behavior
4. How visibility creates demand through real-world business examples
5. What marketing leaders should ask when evaluating PR performance
Quotables
“Organizations invest in PR because they want business results.” — @jasonmudd9
“The game didn't change; awareness changed.” — @jasonmudd9
“Awareness gets attention, credibility earns trust, and trust influences behavior.” — @jasonmudd9
“Public relations isn't magic, but when it's aligned with business objectives, it can be a powerful driver of business outcomes.” — @jasonmudd9
“Awareness influenced credibility. Credibility influenced demand, and demand influenced business outcomes.” — @jasonmudd9
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Contact info and resources:
How the power of PR saved Twister
PR Success Stories: From Struggling Startup to More Than $130 Million in Revenues
PR Success Stories: Media Coverage for HeadBlade Creates $25,000 in Website Sales
Axia Case Study Foundation Financial Group
Additional Resources:
7 ways to build credibility using public relations
5 ways PR can generate buzz for your business
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast
Find out more about Axia Public Relations
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
3 ways franchisors can use PR to grow their company with John Hewitt
Recorded: June 15, 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.
How trusted strategic advisors influence leaders
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, James (Jim) Lukaszewski joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how to influence leaders through trust, candor, and strategic communication.Tune in to learn more!Meet our guest:Our …
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In this episode, James (Jim) Lukaszewski joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how to influence leaders through trust, candor, and strategic communication.
Tune in to learn more!
Meet our guest:
Our guest is James (Jim) Lukaszewski, president and CEO of The Lukaszewski Group. Jim has advised business leaders through crises and high-stakes situations for more than five decades. He shares practical strategies for becoming the trusted strategic advisor leaders rely on when making important decisions.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why trusted advisors begin by understanding leadership challenges before communication challenges
2. How candor helps build credibility with executives
3. The Three-Minute Drill for presenting strategic recommendations
4. Why offering options instead of conclusions leads to better leadership decisions
5. How studying leadership helps communicators become more influential advisors
Quotables
“All problems are management and organizational problems before they are any other kind of problem.” — Jim Lukaszewski
“You have to start where the person you're advising is, not where you think the solution is.” — Jim Lukaszewski
“Management happens in real time.” — Jim Lukaszewski
“Anybody who can offer three perspectives or useful concepts about any problem the boss is facing is a valuable person.” — Jim Lukaszewski
“Your highest and best use … is being a trusted advisor to leadership.” — Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
James E. Lukaszewski on YouTube
Pre-order the “Influencing Leaders” book
Pre-order Jim’s new book.
Email a copy of your receipt to [email protected] with the subject line "TOP."
Subscribe to Jim’s newsletter.
When the book is released in August, you'll receive the handbook by email.
Additional Resources:
Defining leadership in corporate communications
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
How to be a trusted adviser with Del Galloway
When a crisis hits, say this or stay silent
Recorded: July, 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.
Why PR is the last budget line you should cut (and what happens if you do)
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Heidi Howell joins host Jason Mudd to discuss why organizations should think twice before cutting PR during economic uncertainty. They explore the connection between reputation …
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In this episode, Heidi Howell joins host Jason Mudd to discuss why organizations should think twice before cutting PR during economic uncertainty. They explore the connection between reputation, recruiting, employer branding, visibility, trust, and revenue growth.
Tune in to learn more!
Meet our guest:
Our guest is Heidi Howell, she is a marketing executive who leads efforts to transform marketing into a revenue-driving function within healthcare staffing and human resources technology. She partners with executive teams to align marketing, sales, and operations through scalable systems, data-driven strategy, and growth-focused demand generation.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why public relations is often cut first and why that can be a costly mistake
2. How reputation directly impacts recruiting outcomes and talent acquisition
3. Why you should view recruiting as a revenue-driving function
4. How PR keeps you visible to top clients
5. Questions leaders should ask before reducing PR investments
Quotables
“PR is not just about visibility; it's about trust, reputation, and staying known to the people who are ultimately going to be buying your services.” — Heidi Howell
“Recruiting is our revenue. That's how we make money. We make money by placing great candidates at great jobs with great clients.” — Heidi Howell
“When companies cut PR, they're cutting the very thing that keeps them visible.” — Heidi Howell
"When budgets are being cut, trust becomes more valuable, not less." — Heidi Howell
“In a down economy, trust becomes more valuable, not less. PR is one of the few functions built specifically to protect it.” — Jason MuddIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
- Heidi Howell on LinkedIn
- How PR influences recruiting, retention, and workforce quality
- ratethispodcast.com/ontopofpr
Additional Resources:
- Reputation management for AI search: Monitoring and response framework
- Warning signs your online reputation management is failing
- Axia’s reputation management service
- Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
- Find out more about Axia Public Relations.
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
- Job search and hiring tips with Nicole Balsam
- Navigating PR and communications hiring with Brooke Kruger
- 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.
Inside the newsroom: Media relations advice from a former CNN producer
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, former CNN producer Tiffany Anthony joins host Jason Mudd to discuss media relations best practices, newsroom operations, and journalist preferences.Tune in to learn more!Meet …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, former CNN producer Tiffany Anthony joins host Jason Mudd to discuss media relations best practices, newsroom operations, and journalist preferences.
Tune in to learn more!
Meet our guest:
Our guest is Tiffany Anthony, a communications and storytelling professional and former CNN cross-platform producer at Warner Bros. Discovery. With more than 18 years of experience in broadcast, digital, and social media, Tiffany has helped shape high-impact stories and audience engagement strategies while working inside local and national newsrooms.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why strong media relationships still matter, even when newsworthiness comes first
2. Common media pitching mistakes that damage credibility with journalists
3. How to effectively follow up with reporters without becoming a nuisance
4. Why understanding newsroom operations improves media relations success
5. How changing newsroom dynamics and audience behaviors are reshaping media relations
Quotables
“Relationships matter a lot when it comes to newsrooms as well as with PR. Basically, you don't want to be a stranger.” — @Tiffany Anthony
“You need to consume news yourself. You need to know what's going on.” — @Tiffany Anthony
“It is not always about the fastest anymore. It's about the most accurate, the most in-depth, the most personal.” — @Tiffany Anthony
“You have to grab the reporter's attention, just like we have to grab the viewer’s attention. And you have to do it quickly because people will lose interest; reporters will lose interest.” — @Tiffany Anthony
“Every touchpoint should add value to the relationship. Every touchpoint should be another piece of insight.” — @Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
From newsroom to PR: How journalists can successfully make the switch
Additional Resources:
What strong media relations actually look like
The best and worst media relations efforts from public relations professionals
The 4 R’s of media relations: Responsive, resourceful, rapid, and respect
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
Advanced AI media relations strategies for public relations
How to improve your media pitches with Jason Mudd of Axia Public Relations
Media relations best practices with Axia
- 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.
The best argument for PR? Surprisingly, it's AI
Send us Fan MailIn this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd explains why earned media now drives visibility in ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and AI search.Tune in to learn more! Five things you’ll learn from this …
Notas do episódio
In this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd explains why earned media now drives visibility in ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and AI search.
Tune in to learn more!Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why earned media is the primary driver of visibility in AI-generated search
2. How ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude determine which brands to recommend
3. What the 2% pitch overlap statistic means for PR and marketing teams
4. Why media velocity and recency matter more than one big placement
5. What to do right now: three actions to strengthen your brand's AI visibility
Quotables
“Earned media is what AI trusts.” — @jasonmudd9
“The right earned media in the right outlets at the right frequency is the primary lever for brand visibility and AI-generated search. Not one of the levers, it's the primary lever.” — @jasonmudd9
“The brands that figure this out first are going to own the narrative inside the AI tools their buyers are already using every day.” — @jasonmudd9
“99% of links cited by AI come from unpaid media.” — @jasonmudd9
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Contact info and resources:
Muck Rack: Earned media still drives 84% of AI citations
Gartner: Predicts 2026: Top Predictions to Inform 2026 Comms Strategies
Additional Resources:
Why earned media is so powerful in the age of AI and GEO
Why AI tools now rely on earned media
How earned media gets AI to remember your brand
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast
Find out more about Axia Public Relations
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
The PR playbook for getting recommended
Embedded AI: The future of PR and communication workflows
How to stay ahead of AI in communication and marketing
Recorded: June 06, 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.
The secrets every professional speaker knows (that you don't)
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Matt Mosich joins host Jason Mudd to discuss what separates professional speakers from aspiring speakers. From storytelling and stage presence to preparation, mindset, and …
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In this episode, Matt Mosich joins host Jason Mudd to discuss what separates professional speakers from aspiring speakers. From storytelling and stage presence to preparation, mindset, and memorable messaging, Matt shares practical insights from years of coaching executives, founders, and business leaders.
Tune in to learn more!Meet our guest:
Our guest is Matt Mosich, president and owner of The Mosich Group. Matt is a communication and speaker coach for executives, founders, and their teams. He helps clients prepare for and build keynotes, board presentations, podcasts, and media interviews.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why every point needs a story and every story needs a point
2. How great speakers collect stories from everyday experiences
3. Why audiences remember sentences, not speeches
4. The hidden preparation behind seemingly effortless presentations
5. How to use nerves as an advantage instead of trying to eliminate them
Quotables
“There are probably thousands of people out there who can speak on your topic. They might have the exact same conclusions that you do. The only difference is how you arrived at them.” — Matt Mosich
“The best speakers aren't more creative. They're better at noticing and writing down what everyone else walks past.” — Matt Mosich
“People remember sentences, not speeches.” — Matt Mosich
“Our mindset is how we observe the world; it's how we live our experience.” — Matt Mosich
“You have to show up as a professional in order to get paid like a professional.” — Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
Additional Resources:
Axia Public Relations’ SpeakersBureau service
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.
The right way to apply for a speaking engagement
Don’t let your superstar company speaker go unnoticed; promote today!
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
Embracing the power of “No” and storytelling
How company executives can become powerful keynote speakers
How to become an excellent TEDx speaker
- 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.
From newsroom to PR: How journalists can successfully make the switch
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, CNN producer Tiffany Anthony joins host Jason Mudd to discuss one of the most talked-about career pivots in media today — journalists transitioning into public relations and …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, CNN producer Tiffany Anthony joins host Jason Mudd to discuss one of the most talked-about career pivots in media today — journalists transitioning into public relations and corporate communications.
Tune in to learn more!
Meet our guest:
Our guest is Tiffany Anthony, cross-platform producer at CNN/Warner Brothers Discovery. Tiffany is a communications and storytelling professional with 18+ years of experience crafting clear, high-impact narratives across broadcast, digital, and social platforms. She has led messaging for high-stakes news and major public-facing initiatives, with a focus on audience engagement, clarity, and collaborative leadership.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why journalists are uniquely positioned to succeed in PR and corporate communications
2. How newsroom experience strengthens media relations, storytelling, and strategic communications
3. How former journalists can position their skills and experience to stand out in today’s PR job market
4. How AI, applicant tracking systems, and evolving hiring practices are changing communications careers
5. Why companies increasingly value journalists who understand newsrooms, audiences, and compelling stories
Quotables
“You always have to learn to adapt and evolve.” — Tiffany Anthony
“Some of the best stories are about people and interesting people. It’s not just about a product.” — Tiffany Anthony
"People want people's stories. They want to connect emotionally with stories. And I think a lot of companies forget that and lose sight of that." — Tiffany Anthony
“You have to be willing to say, ‘I’m no longer a journalist. I’m now a corporate storyteller.’” — Jason Mudd
"If you don't tell them, you won't sell them." — Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
Public Relations Employment Statistics by BLS.gov
Additional Resources:
6 ways agency work provides the best work experience
Top 6 questions public relations students ask us about the PR industry
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
Transition from journalism to PR with David DeCamp
Behind the mic with Jason Mudd: An Ask Me Anything special solocast on PR and Axia’s beginning
Networking without an agenda: The key to career longevity
- 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.
Advanced AI media relations strategies for public relations
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Qwoted’s Shelby Bridges joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how AI, shrinking newsrooms, and faster news cycles are reshaping modern media relations and earned media …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, Qwoted’s Shelby Bridges joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how AI, shrinking newsrooms, and faster news cycles are reshaping modern media relations and earned media strategies.
Tune in to learn more!
Meet our guest:
Our guest is Shelby Bridges, director of customer success at Qwoted. Shelby works at the intersection of PR, media, and technology, helping communicators build stronger relationships with journalists through smarter, more strategic data usage and platforms like Qwoted. She leads training, demos, and user initiatives that support agencies and brands in a fast-moving media landscape.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why modern news cycles now behave like breaking news by default
2. How shrinking newsrooms are increasing pressure on journalists and PR teams
3. Why responding within 48 hours significantly increases placement success
4. How AI is changing pitching, and why similarity is becoming a problem
5. Why diversification of angles and sources is critical for credibility
Quotables
“All news is almost breaking news now. It has to be told immediately and as quickly as possible because somebody else is already writing it.” — Shelby Bridges
“The people who are responding within the first 48 hours are the ones that are winning.” — Shelby Bridges
“Everybody should be able to use AI to pitch — but not to falsify data, personas, or companies.” — Shelby Bridges
“What journalists need is something that stands out and isn’t generic.” — Shelby Bridges
“If people in the room all look like you, you're not going to hear as good or thoughtful storytelling and insights as you might want.” — Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
Additional Resources:
Journalist PR responses under 3% for third straight quarter
Journalists don’t want AI-generated commentary (and what to give them instead)
Top PR pros share their tips for earning U.S. media coverage
The best and worst media relations efforts from public relations professionals
How to use media relations strategically to boost SEO
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
Making your media pitches stand out
The 4 R’s of media relations: Responsive, resourceful, rapid, and respect
Media relations best practices
- 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.
When a crisis hits, say this or stay silent
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, University of Memphis expert Michele Ehrhart joins host Jason Mudd to discuss crisis communication, leadership preparedness, reputation management, and how organizations can …
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In this episode, University of Memphis expert Michele Ehrhart joins host Jason Mudd to discuss crisis communication, leadership preparedness, reputation management, and how organizations can navigate high-pressure situations with clarity and confidence.
Tune in to learn more!
Meet our guest:
Our guest is Michele Ehrhart, senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer at the University of Memphis. Michele is a crisis communications expert with three decades of experience in corporate affairs, executive communications, and PR strategy.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why crisis preparation must happen before a crisis occurs
2. How leaders can use “what if” scenario planning to prepare for high-risk situations
3. Why silence can be a strategic communication choice depending on context
4. How reputation is built slowly but can be damaged quickly during a crisis
5. Why defining roles and responsibilities in advance improves crisis response execution
Quotables
“The day you have a crisis should not be the first day you've thought about what you'll do.” — Michele Ehrhart
“Planning the work and working the plan.” — Michele Ehrhart
“Silence is a strategy. If the story isn't yours, don't talk about it.” — Michele Ehrhart
“The brand is what you put out there; reputation is what they think of you.” — Michele Ehrhart
“When PR is at its best, it's building a reputation for your company — just not visibility, but also the reputation. You could have great visibility, but it's not positive.” – Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
More About Michele Ehrhart
Michele Ehrhart is a crisis communications expert with three decades of experience in corporate affairs, executive communications, and PR strategy. After 22 years with FedEx, she now serves as the University of Memphis's senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer. She is a bestselling author, speaker, and industry expert helping leaders navigate crises with confidence and clarity.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
Get the “Crisis Compass: How to Communicate When It Matters Most” book
Axia’s Reputation Restoration service
Additional Resources:
How to recover from a PR crisis and manage your reputation
What is reputation management?
Build a crisis communication plan that works fast
Question-based crisis communication: What leaders miss online
How to build a crisis-resilient marketing and communication plan
- 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.
How PR influences recruiting, retention, and workforce quality
Send us Fan MailIn this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd dives into how PR shapes recruiting, retention, and workforce quality through reputation.Tune in to learn more! Five things you’ll learn from this …
Notas do episódio
In this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd dives into how PR shapes recruiting, retention, and workforce quality through reputation.
Tune in to learn more!
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. How candidates evaluate your reputation before your careers page
2. Why PR influences recruiting outcomes before HR gets involved
3. The role of visibility, credibility, and interpretation in hiring decisions
4. Why employer brand perception is formed in search and media results
5. How PR reduces hiring friction and improves talent quality
Quotables
“Candidates don't start with your careers page; they start with your reputation.” — @jasonmudd9
“Your careers page doesn't create perception. It confirms or contradicts what they already perceive or believe.” — @jasonmudd9
“Recruiting is a reputation-driven system.” — @jasonmudd9
“PR didn't create demand; it removed the friction that prevented their growth.” — @jasonmudd9
“Public relations doesn't just influence how customers see you, it influences who wants to work for you, who shows up, and how they perform.” — @jasonmudd9
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Contact info and resources:
LinkedIn Talent Solutions - Employer’s brand matters
Glassdoor - Employer Branding 101: Why, How and Proven ROI
Additional Resources:
Case study: Improving a company’s recruiting
How to turn award wins into long-term assets
Warning signs your online reputation management is failing
How to improve your company’s Glassdoor reviews
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.
Axia Public Relations resources
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR podcast.
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
Job search and hiring tips with Nicole Balsam
Navigating PR and communications hiring with Brooke Kruger
Networking without an agenda: The key to career longevity
- 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.
Stop agency pitches: Build better client partnerships
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Brand Revolt’s Camden Bernatz joins host Jason Mudd to discuss why traditional agency pitches often fail, how clients can build better partnerships, and why diagnosis must come …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, Brand Revolt’s Camden Bernatz joins host Jason Mudd to discuss why traditional agency pitches often fail, how clients can build better partnerships, and why diagnosis must come before solutions.
Tune in to learn more!
Meet our guest:
Our guest is Camden Bernatz, creative director and strategist at Brand Revolt and author of “Stop Asking for Pitches: 10 Rules to Fix the Client-Agency Relationship.” Once drawn to psychiatry, he now applies that same curiosity to branding, helping organizations diagnose challenges and build stronger brands.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why traditional agency pitches often prioritize performance over real problem-solving
2. Why diagnosing the problem must come before prescribing any solution
3. How treating agency relationships as strategic investments improves outcomes
4. How shifting from vendor transactions to partnerships leads to better results
5. What a true client-agency partnership looks like in practice
Quotables
“You want that agency that helps you develop the brief [to] help you figure out what we actually need. What are we trying to accomplish? What would success look like?” — Camden Bernatz
“The reason you have a need for an RFP or to hire a firm and hire an agency is because you don't totally know what you need.” — Camden Bernatz
“It’s just having things on the table early, talking about like, ‘We think that you're prescribing something that's going to cost more than you say you have money for.’” — Camden Bernatz
“There's a difference in the way it feels to spend money on an agency versus spending the money with the agency.” — Camden Bernatz
“Your agency is like an engine to fuel as opposed to a resource to drain. You will treat it differently, and they will perform differently.” — Camden Bernatz
“Buying agency services is about buying a creative class of expertise, experience, guidance, and consulting that is much different than buying staples, pencils, and other supplies.” — Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
“Stop Asking For Pitches: 10 Rules to Fix the Client-Agency Relationship” book
The Win Without Pitching Manifesto
Clients behaving badly: Video store, hair salon haggling
Additional Resources:
7 steps to working effectively with your PR firm
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
Hiring a PR agency with Shannyn Lee
- 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.
Behavioral science secrets behind top brands
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Richard Shotton joins host Jason Mudd to discuss the behavioral science behind some of the world’s most successful brands and how to apply those principles in marketing and PR …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, Richard Shotton joins host Jason Mudd to discuss the behavioral science behind some of the world’s most successful brands and how to apply those principles in marketing and PR.
Meet our guest:
Our guest this episode is Richard Shotton, founder of Astroten. Richard is a behavioral scientist and best-selling author of “The Choice Factory,” “The Illusion of Choice,” and “Hacking the Human Mind.” He specializes in applying behavioral science to marketing and works with global brands to solve real-world challenges.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why what people say influences them vs. what actually drives behavior
2. How “effort storytelling” can increase perceived product value
3. Why simplicity in messaging increases perceived intelligence and trust
4. How timing and “fresh start” moments influence behavior change
5. Why social proof remains one of the strongest drivers of decision-making
Quotables
“Behavioral science is what people say influences them and what actually influences them. They are wildly different.” — Richard Shotton
“If you ever need someone to make a really big change in their life, don't target them randomly.” — Richard Shotton
“The more effort that goes into something, the better it is. People have got that as a rule of thumb in their head. And the interesting thing is, the rule of thumb takes on a life of its own.” — Richard Shotton
“If you want to convey strong brand values, the argument from Oppenheimer is to speak in a simple, clear way.” — Richard Shotton
“The simplest answer is usually the best answer. If it’s focused on one thing, it's clear, easy to digest.” — Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
More About Richard Shotton
Richard Shotton is a behavioral scientist and founder of Astroten. He is a best-selling author of three books, including “The Choice Factory” and “The Illusion of Choice.” His latest book, “Hacking the Human Mind,” explores the behavioral science underpinning the success of 17 leading brands. He specializes in applying behavioral science to marketing, helping brands like Google solve real-world challenges through consultancy, copywriting, and training.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
Additional Resources:
Earned authority + emotional resonance = brand wins
What is social proof, and how is it used in PR?
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
Using psychology to become a better leader
Human motivation with Darryl Salerno
Re
- 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.
Ageism in the workplace: Hiring bias, careers, and the future of work
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Carly Roszkowski joins host Jason Mudd to discuss ageism in the workplace, how it affects job seekers over 50, hiring bias, and strategies for multigenerational teams.Tune in to …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, Carly Roszkowski joins host Jason Mudd to discuss ageism in the workplace, how it affects job seekers over 50, hiring bias, and strategies for multigenerational teams.
Tune in to learn more!
Meet Our Guest:
Our guest on this episode is Carly Roszkowski, vice president of financial resilience at AARP. She leads strategy and outcomes within AARP’s Work and Jobs and Financial Resilience initiatives, helping individuals over 50 strengthen their competitiveness in the labor market and access meaningful employment opportunities. Carly also works to eliminate age discrimination and promote inclusive hiring practices across organizations.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. How ageism in the workplace impacts job seekers and employees over 50 years old
2. The biggest challenges experienced professionals face when seeking new opportunities
3. How department leaders can effectively support and manage multigenerational teams
4. Best practices hiring managers can use to better support experienced talent
5. Practical ways employees and coworkers can help create a safe, inclusive, and high-performing workplace
Quotables
“AARP is fighting every day to end age discrimination in the workplace and educate consumers, knowing their rights, as well as educating employers on the value that older workers bring to an organization.” — Carly Roszkowski
“Networking and knowing someone is still a really great way to start your job search.” — Carly Roszkowski
“60% of workers 50 and older have said that they would love to learn new skills for their job or on the job.” — Carly Roszkowski
“Research shows that there's increased innovation, increased creativity, better problem solving when you have a mix of ages, mix of different backgrounds, or from different points of view.” — Carly Roszkowski
“Mirror the language; reflect the terminology that you see in the job description in your application.” — Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
Older Workers are Building Tech Skills Research
Additional Resources:
How to calculate the true cost of hiring an employee
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
Courageous conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion
Shattering the Six Gender Bias Barriers Still Holding Women Back at Work
Recorded: December 10, 2025
- 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.
Embedded AI: The future of PR and communication workflows
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Muck Rack CEO Greg Galant joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how embedded AI is transforming PR and communications workflows.Tune in to learn more!Meet Our Guest:Our episode guest …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, Muck Rack CEO Greg Galant joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how embedded AI is transforming PR and communications workflows.
Tune in to learn more!
Meet Our Guest:
Our episode guest is Greg Galant, CEO and cofounder at Muck Rack. A returning guest on On Top of PR, he is a leading voice at the crossroads of PR, technology, and media. Greg is also recognized as an early champion of generative engine optimization, shaping the emerging frontier of brand visibility in an AI-driven world.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:- Why embedded AI is more effective than standalone assistants in PR workflows
- How AI preserves messaging consistency and insight accuracy across teams
- Ways to make PR teams more adaptable in real time using AI
- How AI-powered media intelligence predicts trends and shifts in reputation
- Strategies to integrate AI into every stage of PR: discovery, outreach, monitoring, and reporting
Quotables
- “Being able to take advantage of AI is knowing what everyone's doing right now and figuring out which stages of our workflow can benefit from AI and having the right tooling to do that.” — @Greg Galant
- “The PR profession's been doing generative engine optimization even before generative AI came to be because when these AI systems were built, they were all trained on news data.” — @Greg Galant
- “The work we did a year ago or two years ago is even more valuable today than it was then.” — @Greg Galant
- “There's two big buckets. One is: How does AI influence PR, and how does PR influence AI?” — @Greg Galant
- “We have to look at this from a macro and a micro level and keep testing and tweaking what we're doing and improving upon it.” — @Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
- @gregory on X
- @gregory on Instagram
- Gregory Galant on LinkedIn
- Muck Rack website
- Muck Rack Daily
- Generative Pulse by Muck Rack
- The State of Journalism and PR 2022 reports with Greg Galant
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
- 95% of AI citations come from PR content
- How generative AI uses earned media coverage (fueling PR’s resurgence)
- Getting more media coverage by making journalists’ lives easier
- The PR playbook for getting recommended by AI with Unusual
- 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.
Why isn’t your press release getting any coverage?
Send us Fan MailIn this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd dives into why most press releases fail and how to craft news releases that capture attention, clicks, and engagement.Five things you’ll learn from …
Notas do episódio
In this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd dives into why most press releases fail and how to craft news releases that capture attention, clicks, and engagement.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Five reasons your news release isn’t getting coverage
2. Understanding the move from “press releases” to news releases
3. Common mistakes that cause press releases to be ignored
4. How to write headlines and content that attract attention and clicks
5. Adopting an audience-first mindset to make your news releases effective
Quotables
“A journalist or reader is asking, ‘Why should I care?’ ‘Why now?’ and ‘Why does this matter now?’ And if you don't answer that in the first few lines of your pitch or your news release, you lose that audience.” — @jasonmudd9
“Safe content doesn't get shared; it gets ignored.” — @jasonmudd9
“Your content now competes in search, AI, and social feeds. Structure matters. You need clear headlines, direct language, and answer-driven content.” — @jasonmudd9
“Shift your mindset from ‘What do we want to announce?’ to ‘What would someone care [about], click, and share?’ Define your audience, validate your angle with data, and write like a journalist.” — @jasonmudd9
“Coverage isn't requested; it's earned. It starts with how you think about the story before writing.” — @jasonmudd9
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.
Axia Public Relations resources
1:1 consultations and training with Axia
10 2026 press release tips marketers aren’t going to like
Additional Resources:
What's the difference between press releases and public relations?
What’s the difference between newswire and press release distribution wire agencies?
How press releases are powering generative engine optimization and answer engine optimization
3 elements of an effective news release
11 tips to craft engaging press release headlines
Should you use a commercial newswire for news release distribution?
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
Rethinking press releases with the rise of AI
- 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.
Shaping the future of PR with AI: Insights from Microsoft’s Frank X. Shaw
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Microsoft CCO Frank Shaw joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how AI is reshaping PR workflows, strategy, and corporate communications.Tune in to learn more!Meet Our Guest:Our …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, Microsoft CCO Frank Shaw joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how AI is reshaping PR workflows, strategy, and corporate communications.
Tune in to learn more!
Meet Our Guest:
Our episode guest is Frank X. Shaw, chief communications officer at Microsoft. Frank leads global communications strategy, product PR, media and analyst relations, executive and employee communications, and global agency partnerships. He shares insights on how communicators can leverage AI to focus on high-value work and improve efficiency.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. How to identify high-value PR work and apply AI to repetitive tasks
2. Practical AI applications for media monitoring, analyst engagement, and internal communications
3. How autonomous AI agents can enhance predictive insights for communications teams
4. The mindset needed to embrace AI tools without fear of job loss
5. How efficiency gained through AI can drive growth rather than just cost-cutting
Quotables
“It's not like you can outsource your judgment, but you can augment it.” — Frank Shaw
“I don't look at all this technology as something that is going to cut costs. It's going to allow us to do the things that are in front of us that we want to do that we can't get to right now because we don't have the resources and the time.” — Frank Shaw
“The mindset has to be one of experimentation, curiosity, trying new things, being willing to fail, at some, grabbing every tool that comes out there and thinking about how we can apply it to the work that we do. “ — Frank Shaw
“I think everybody should be experimenting with stuff at home and at work because it's moving really fast, and the way you stay on top of it is just to play.” — Frank Shaw
“People say the corporate communication profession has changed over the years. And my argument is it really hasn't changed. We just have better tools. But those same tools require us to be even better practitioners, more strategically minded.” — Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
LinkedIn Learning: Communicator’s Guide to AI Tools and Mindsets for Modern PR and Media course
Additional Resources:
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
How to stay ahead of AI in communication and marketing
- 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.
Media-first PR in the AI era with Storyblok’s Brandon Watts
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Brandon Watts joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how to prioritize audience and authenticity in media-first PR during the AI era.Tune in to learn more! Meet Our Guest:Our episode …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, Brandon Watts joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how to prioritize audience and authenticity in media-first PR during the AI era.
Tune in to learn more!
Meet Our Guest:
Our episode guest is Brandon Watts, director of PR and communications at Storyblok. With 20-plus years in shaping narratives for startups and enterprise tech, Brandon brings insights from both the media and PR sides. He’s also contributed to Fast Company, Entrepreneur, and Adweek.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. How to adopt a media-first approach in PR during the AI era
2. Why quality matters more than quantity when pitching stories
3. How to put the audience before your PR agenda
4. The power of exclusives and timings
5. Tips for pitching original, AI-proof stories
Quotables
“The biggest challenge here is when we think of what we're trying to tell, the story we're trying to tell, it's usually always framed through our lens. What do we have to say? What benefit do we get from it? That's a lot of we, me — a lot of self-service focus. So we have to reframe this. If it's media first, it means that it's really media first.” — Brandon Watts
“Communication with your pitch is so critical because that's really what helps you to sell it, to make it more broad in terms of who's going to want to listen to that and why.” — Brandon Watts
“You have to create the stories that AI can't. And all of that is due to your personal experience, what your company's experiencing, what your team is experiencing, and your customers' lived experiences that cannot be hallucinated, that cannot be made up. That's authenticity.” — Brandon Watts
“We use AI just in the right way to help you get more power out of your content creation. So you just have to take that extra bit of time to understand that you can't just prompt and run. You've got to give it context and tweak.” — Brandon Watts
“Garbage in, garbage out. If you put bad input into a generative AI app, you're going to get bad output from it.” — Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
How to stay ahead of AI in communication and marketing
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.
Additional Resources:
AI in PR: Transforming communication strategies
AI is transforming PR: What are the risks and benefits?
What strong media relations actually look like
How to pitch and earn media without breaking news
Pitching exclusives by the numbers
If you like this episode, you're
- 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.
HARO’s comeback: Modern sourcing for journalists and brands
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Brett Farmiloe joins host Jason Mudd to discuss the comeback of HARO and smarter PR pitching. Tune in to learn more! Meet Our Guest:Our episode guest is Brett Farmiloe, founder …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, Brett Farmiloe joins host Jason Mudd to discuss the comeback of HARO and smarter PR pitching.
Tune in to learn more!
Meet Our Guest:
Our episode guest is Brett Farmiloe, founder and CEO at Help a Reporter Out (HARO). Brett has scaled startups and worked with global brands, and he helps professionals share their expertise online. His mission is to make knowledge more accessible and human.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why HARO was revived and what’s changed since its launch
2. How journalist profiles and “Open to Write” signals improve pitch success
3. Tips for better pitches with fewer blasts to stand out to reporters
4. How HARO is expanding to support journalists beyond sourcing experts
5. How PR pros can measure expert authority instead of vanity placements in the AI era
More About Brett Farmiloe
Brett Farmiloe is the CEO of Help a Reporter Out (HARO), a platform connecting journalists with sources to create expert-powered content. An entrepreneur and author, Brett has scaled startups, collaborated with global brands, and helped thousands of professionals share their expertise. His mission is to make knowledge more accessible and human online.
Quotables
“Our goal at the end of the day is to connect journalists with great sources for stories.” — Brett Farmiloe
“When sources come to us and they're like, ‘What do I do here? How do I be helpful?’ It's really in the HARO acronym: It's be Helpful, be Authentic, be Relevant, and be On time.” — Brett Farmiloe
“Be authentic; don't just use 100% AI, and add your own human expertise to things.” — Brett Farmiloe
“What comes around, goes around, and I really think that just being helpful and friendly and nice to people goes a long way.” — Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.
Additional Resources:
6 tips for using HARO to pitch your story
HARO Shifts to Connectively: What does this mean for PR professionals?
Authentic PR: Giving it a human touch
PR pros have a new way to connect with reporters
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
How to improve your media pitches
Building relationships with Peter Shankman
Making your media pitches stand out with Qwoted
Recorded: November 10, 2025
- 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.
How to stay ahead of AI in communication and marketing with Martin Waxman
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Martin Waxman joins host Jason Mudd to discuss AI’s impact on communications and marketing, why training matters, and how to avoid “AI slop” by pairing AI with real …
Notas do episódio
In this episode, Martin Waxman joins host Jason Mudd to discuss AI’s impact on communications and marketing, why training matters, and how to avoid “AI slop” by pairing AI with real expertise.
Meet Our Guest:
Our episode guest is Martin Waxman, LinkedIn Learning instructor, adjunct professor at the York Schulich School of Business, and associate director of the Future of Marketing Institute. He writes an AI and digital marketing trends newsletter, delivers hands-on generative AI training workshops, and conducts AI research.
Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why using AI only to offload tasks can lower quality and why thinking first matters
2. What Martin predicted correctly about AI and what surprised him about its rapid adoption
3. How to move beyond basic content generation to strategy and analytics
4. Why subject-matter expertise is critical when using AI for insights and data
5. How leaders can manage hype, train teams, and stay ethical as AI evolves
Quotables
“Use their brains first so they can start to push themselves and then get AI tools to push them even farther.” — Martin Waxman
“We have to prompt AI, but we also have to get AI to prompt us to think about things from a different perspective.” — Martin Waxman
“You don't have to go at the pace of AI development, which is really fast, but you need to go at a much faster pace than we as communicators have been used to using.” — Martin Waxman
“There's a new term called FOMO, fear of becoming obsolete, which is really real. Because we don't know what we need to learn to do our job successfully. So managing The hype is job number one, figuring out what's new, when it's going to start affecting us, and what can we do to prepare along the way.” — Martin Waxman
“AI will take your job if you're the master and commander of it.” — Jason Mudd
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.
More About Martin Waxman
Martin Waxman writes a popular AI and digital marketing trends newsletter, delivers hands-on generative AI training workshops, and conducts AI research. He’s a LinkedIn Learning instructor, adjunct professor at the York Schulich School of Business, and associate director of the Future of Marketing Institute.
Guest’s contact info and resources:
@martinwaxman on X
@martinwaxman on Instagram
Martin Waxman on Facebook
LinkedIn Learning course: Using Generative AI in Public Relations
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.
Additional Resources:
AI in PR: Transforming communication strategies
- 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.
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