This episode of PR Explored explores how companies can make the most out of a partnership with a PR consultant or agency. What do B2B clients need to bring to the start of the engagement? Join my guest, John Forberger, communications strategist for B2B companies, and me as we dig into this topic. Follow the host: Website: www.michellegarrett.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prstrategist/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PRisUs X/Twitter: https://x.com/PRisUs Threads: ht...

In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer, welcomes guest Amanda Milligan to discuss brand authority and its critical role in public relations and marketing. Amanda shares her background in content, SEO, and brand strategy, emphasizing the importance of holistic marketing efforts. They delve into how brand authority is measured, identify practical steps to assess it through tools like Reddit, LLMs, and social media, and discuss the intricate re...

In this episode of ‘PR Explored,’ hosted by Michelle Garrett, PR consultant and writer, the focus is on the intersection of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and corporate ethics in the realm of Public Relations. The guest, Bo Breuklander, founder of Breuklander Communications, shares insights on how AI affects sustainability, governance, and the broader PR landscape. They discuss the importance of values, consistency, and trust in corporate b...

In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer, interviews Lou Covey, a veteran journalist with 55 years of experience. Lou shares his journey from journalism to exploring cybersecurity and creating the Cyber Protection Magazine. They discuss the state of PR today, including formulaic approaches, the impact of AI, and the importance of storytelling. They also highlight the challenges of effectively pitching to journalists, the decline of independent...

In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett discusses misinformation and its impact on public relations with guest Jennifer McGinley, a PR consultant specializing in healthcare. They delve into the definitions of misinformation, disinformation, and malformation, providing insights into how organizations can prepare and respond to these challenges. The conversation covers proactive crisis communication strategies, the importance of internal communications, media training, and the rol...

In this episode of PR Explored, host and PR consultant Michelle Garrett sits down with her longtime friend and colleague Erika Heald to discuss the crucial role that thought leadership plays in content marketing and PR. Erika, a seasoned marketing communications consultant and former journalist, delves into her journey and experience in the field, highlighting the importance of having a strategy to create impactful content. The conversation covers the definition of thought leadership, the typ...

In this episode, host Michelle Garrett, a public relations consultant and writer, interviews Doug Downs, the host of ‘Stories and Strategies’ podcast. They discuss the significance of podcasting in PR and marketing, highlighting how podcasts can build brand trust and engage audiences more deeply than traditional social media posts. Doug shares insights into his journey with ‘Stories and Strategies,’ a leading PR-focused podcast, and the launch of his podcast production agency. They also addre...

In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author and writer, talks with public relations consultant Crystal Richard about managing client expectations in the realm of public relations. They delve into Crystal’s background, which includes over 15 years in the PR industry and founding her own company, Crystal Richard & Co. Crystal also shares details about her lifestyle and travel brand, East Coast Mermaid. The discussion covers the critical aspect of setting r...

Working with companies in so-called “boring” industries can be its own type of challenge. PR and communications pros in industries like construction, manufacturing, agriculture and others often struggle to find creative ways to talk about what they do. How can those in public relations and marketing breathe new life into their efforts when working in these industries? Michelle's guest, Ayo Abbas, an award-winning built environment marketing consultant with a background in communications an...

In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a public relations consultant, discusses the crucial topic of PR ethics with industry experts Mary Beth West and Jared Mead. They explore the importance of ethical practices in public relations, share their extensive backgrounds, and discuss the creation of an online PR ethics community on LinkedIn. The episode covers why ethics in PR is often overlooked, the necessity of integrating ethical discussions into the classroom, and the importa...

In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a public relations consultant, author and writer, interviews Sunny Hunt, CEO of Hunt Interaction, about the intersection of public relations (PR) and the customer buying journey. Sunny discusses the importance of integrating PR with sales and customer success teams to better understand and meet customer needs, ultimately driving revenue and shortening sales cycles. She emphasizes the need for customer-driven PR strategies, the value of cu...

In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a public relations consultant and writer, interviews Matisse Hamel-Nelis, founder and principal of Matisse Nelis Consulting. They discuss the importance of digital accessibility in public relations and communications. Matisse explains her background, her work in teaching, and her PR & Lattes blog and podcast. Matisse emphasizes the importance of making digital content accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. Th...

In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant and writer, interviews Kathy Kashani, the principal of Azul Communications, about the nuances of public relations for startups. Kathy discusses her journey from a long-time PR agency veteran to an independent PR consultant, focusing on consumer goods and B2C brands, especially startups. The conversation centers around defining a startup, understanding the distinct needs of startups versus established companies, and the fou...

It’s time for a mid-year check-in on PR trends. Has AI destroyed PR as we know it? Is TikTok the only social media channel that matters? Back in December, Bill Byrne of Remedy Public Relations and I discussed which PR trends we’d be keeping an eye on as we headed into the new year. Some of the trends we noted: AI in PR. The shrinking number of media outlets. How silos impact our work. The role the C-suite plays in the success of a PR program. So, where are we now? And what trends should we ...

The public relations industry is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by artificial intelligence, hybrid work, a changing media landscape, and deepening political divides. Across four generations — Gen Z to Baby Boomers — PR professionals are navigating these transformations, each with unique perspectives on where the industry is headed. On this episode of PR Explored, we discuss the findings of this year’s USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism‘s survey, as compiled in its Glo...

Burnout in the PR and social media marketing fields is rampant. Many communications pros are exhausted. The non-stop news cycle. The demand to be “always on.” The rising stress level, as day-to-day responsibilities continue to grow. Surveys repeatedly show that those working in public relations and social media marketing experience some of the highest rates of burnout. It’s no wonder, because, more than almost any other group of workers, we’re under pressure to stay in touch with our audie...

The media relations game is ever-changing. While traditional media outlets remain coveted by businesses that want to be in the news, non-traditional outlets are on the rise. Podcasts, newsletters and social media influencers now often play a key role in effective media outreach. PR pros need to ensure they’re immersed in as much client-relevant content as possible, regardless of where it comes from. PR Consultant Michelle Garrett and her guest, Peter Himler, founder of Flatiron Communications...

Eleanor Hawkins, a communications strategist and writer at Axios, and PR Consultant Michelle Garrett discuss trending topics in the world of communications. Hawkins authors the weekly Axios Communicators newsletter covering topics and trends that impact how leaders, brands and employers communicate.

Newer to PR? Or maybe you’ve worked in PR for a while but are trying to keep up with the changing landscape. Sure, writing is important. But what other skills and aptitudes are vital for today’s public relations and communications professionals? As roles become more sophisticated and communication challenges more complex, PR pros must prove value, adapt to new technologies, navigate ethical challenges – and there is so much unknown. And unknowable. My guest is Steve Ryan, Assistant Prof...

In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a public relations consultant, is joined by Christopher Penn of Trust Insights to discuss the impact of AI on public relations, particularly in terms of search. The conversation covers the evolution and deployment of AI models, the importance of SEO and broad content distribution, and the ethical implications of AI in content creation. The discussion also touches on the efficiency of AI in automating repetitive tasks and its p...