PR Explored: The Podcast for Public Relations and Communications Pros

Afleveringen

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  The Most Expensive B2B Marketing Strategy Is Waiting 06.08.2026 50min

  In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer interviews her guest B2B growth strategist Gina Tobasso about why manufacturers and other B2B companies should treat marketing as a continuous process, especially amid ongoing uncertainty (COVID, supply chain disruptions, tariffs, reshoring). Tobasso says many B2B companies underinvest in marketing, recommending 3–5% of revenue, and warns that cutting spend dries up the funnel, slows sales, and tr...
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  B2B PR & Marketing Studies, Surveys & Stats 24.07.2026 1u 9min

  In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer interviews her guest Sword and Script founder Frank Strong about trends and 2026 research. They discuss pricing reputation via balance-sheet “goodwill,” the limits of click-based optimization versus long-term brand value, and why in-person trade shows are resurging, with PR pros better used networking, creating content, and meeting media than sitting in booths. A study finding 62 touches and...
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  Accessible Communications: Create Impact, Avoid Missteps and Build Trust 15.07.2026 58min

  In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer, interviews her guest Matisse Hamel-Nelis, PR consultant, trainer, professor, and speaker, to discuss her new co-authored book with Lisa Riemers on accessible communications in PR, created to help practitioners “create impact, avoid missteps, and build trust.” Hamel-Nelis shares how a Twitter hashtag mistake at CNIB introduced her to digital accessibility and revealed a gap in PR education despite...
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  Staying on Top of Current Trends in Public Relations 25.06.2026 1u

  In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer, interviews her guest, Nicole Schuman, managing editor of PRNews, who describes her role planning editorial content, newsletters (including Friday Five and her weekly PR Roundup), podcasts, events, and social strategy. They discuss industry trends, including major agency mergers and acquisitions leading to layoffs, while smaller independent and specialized agencies benefit from available talent an...
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  Trade Media 101: How to Pitch and Build Relationships in B2B PR 12.06.2026 1u

  In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer, interviews her guest, Kelly Rodriguez, editor-in-chief of Refrigerated & Frozen Foods (BNP Media), to explain what trade media is and why it matters for B2B PR. Rodriguez contrasts trade and mainstream coverage, emphasizing trade media’s highly engaged niche audiences, subject-matter expertise, and industry-specific language, using food and beverage examples. She advises PR pros to know each public...
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  A Quiet Shift - How Polarization Is Reshaping Corporate Speech 29.05.2026 35min

  In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer, interviews her guest, Fred Cook, director of the Annenberg Center for Public Relations at USC and chair emeritus of Golin, about USC’s 2026 Global Communication Report, “A Quiet Shift,” on how political and social polarization is reshaping communications. Based on a survey of about 800 PR professionals worldwide and CCO interviews, the report finds polarization is seen as harmful to the country a...
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  Social Media Strategies to Boost Your B2B PR Efforts 08.05.2026 54min

  In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer talks with her guest Andy Lambert, co-founder of ContentCal (acquired by Adobe) and author of Spheres of Influence, to discuss how B2B companies should approach social media and PR, especially on LinkedIn and YouTube. Lambert highlights LinkedIn’s algorithm shift toward personal profiles and subject-matter expertise, advises prioritizing original content over reshares, and notes strong performance from ...
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  Staying Crisis-Ready: What Matters Most? 25.04.2026 1u 8min

  In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer talks with her guest crisis communications expert Shawna Bruce, who shares her 40-year communications background, including 25+ years in military public affairs, work at Dow Chemical, and her current focus (since 2018) on training organizations to prepare for crises. They discuss why crisis communications is now operational infrastructure, how to anticipate risks by studying incidents in your sector, an...
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  Modern media training: Rethinking how we prep executives 09.04.2026 59min

  In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer talks with her guest Katie Suiters of Brighton Media to discuss modernizing media training for executives. Suiters contrasts outdated, scripted talking-point memorization with a hyper-custom approach that builds authentic, teachable communication skills across scenarios, including media interviews, internal all-hands, social video, panels, and crisis moments. She recommends starting with int...
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  PR and Search – What Really Matters When Advising Clients 01.04.2026 54min

  In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer talks with her guest Katie Robbert, CEO of Trust Insights, about how SEO and GEO (generative AI engine optimization) affect PR work. Robbert explains GEO as serving a new “business to machine” audience—LLMs like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude—which summarize information from sources such as listicles and quoted articles, making PR placements and strong SEO fundamentals still essential. Rather than throwing...
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  PR Scams: Fake PR isn’t worth it. How to spot paid media masquerading as earned media 18.03.2026 1u 1min

  PR scams are EVERYWHERE these days. We also see a rise in the number of agencies selling “fake PR” placements. My guest, Bill Byrne, co-founder of Remedy PR, and I delve into this topic on this episode of PR Explored. What should you watch out for? How can you tell when someone is trying to sell you something that's too good to be true? And how should you vet a PR provider to ensure you're hiring a credible consultant or agency? Follow the host: Website: www.michellega...
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  How to Leverage Original Research to Boost Your PR Results 05.03.2026 54min

  In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer, interviews Becky Lawlor of RedPoint Insights about using original research to support B2B PR and thought leadership. Lawler defines original research (surveys, internal proprietary data, or unique analysis) versus third-party stats and explains how it builds authority by “owning the narrative.” She emphasizes upfront strategy, competitor analysis, and alignment with goals; choosing credible respo...
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  The Rise of Personality Brands - and What It Means for PR & Comms Pros 26.02.2026 59min

  In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer, interviews Fatou B. Barry, founder of the PR Girl Manifesto, a global community and editorial platform created to provide culturally competent PR resources, strategy, and professional development. They discuss the rise of “personality brands” as a structural shift where companies prioritize long-term identity, recurring voices, and entertainment-driven continuity over one-off product campaigns, d...
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  How to Maximize Your Job Search: Strategies Beyond Submitting Applications 19.02.2026 1u 1min

  In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer talks with her guest, Stacia Doss from Glassdoor, as they dive deep into the current job market’s complexities and provide actionable advice for job seekers. In this episode, they discuss effective job search strategies, the importance of networking, leveraging AI, and how to stand out in a crowded field. This follows the discussion on the last episode about skills pros need to succeed in a PR career. T...
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  PR: On the Hiring Horizon - Soft Skills That Matter 04.02.2026 58min

  In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett interviews Kristina Markos, an associate professor and co-founder of GenSpark Solutions. They discuss the significance of soft skills such as listening, presenting, collaboration, and curiosity in public relations. Kristina shares her varied background in agency work and academia, emphasizing the transition needs between generations in the workplace. They address the importance of effective presentation skills, the need to ask ...
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  How Public Speaking Can Boost Your PR Efforts 28.01.2026 58min

  Public speaking is a powerful way for thought leaders to stand out from the crowd. How can PR pros and communicators leverage speaking opportunities to help clients get more visibility for themselves and their brands? In this episode of PR Explored I talked with guest Tricia Richards-Service, founder of I Need a Speaker, which helps organizations and event planners find the right speaker for their events. Overview: In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, ...
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  PR for Nonprofits: Doing More with Less 21.01.2026 1u 1min

  In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer chats with Marc Whitt, a seasoned public relations consultant and author. The conversation explores Whitt’s extensive 40-year career in PR, primarily within higher education and nonprofit sectors. They discuss essential topics such as the unique challenges faced by nonprofit PR professionals, the importance of ethical conduct, the role of events in nonprofit PR, and the critical relationship between PR ...
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  2026 PR Trends You Need To Know 24.12.2025 1u 4min

  Here we go, heading into 2026. Changes are coming at PR pros faster than they can keep up. But, what should we really focus on? What trends deserve our attention? And which ones should we adopt a wait-and-see approach for? My guest, Bill Byrne of Remedy Public Relations, is with me to discuss what to expect as we hurdle into the new year. Whether you’re in B2C or B2B PR and comms, we’ll cover the insight you need to get ready for what lies ahead. Overview: In ...
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  Managing a Social Media Crisis: How PR & Social Teams Can Work Together 17.12.2025 58min

  Social media is a valuable part of a company’s marketing program – but it can sometimes take a turn we may not have anticipated . What happens when your brand finds itself in the midst of a crisis created by a social media post? Well, first, you probably panic. Then, you might turn to your social media or PR team for help. How can a company best manage a crisis created when a customer complaint goes viral? Overview: In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant...
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  Media Training Advice for Better Executive Communications 26.11.2025 59min

  In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant, author, and writer, invites communications and presentations coach Joel Schwartzberg to discuss key message development and the importance of media training for executives. Joel shares his approach to executive communication, emphasizing the importance of having a clear and compelling point, and offers practical tips on how to effectively convey messages to a reporter’s audience. The conversation covers techni...