Copper State of Mind: public relations, media, and marketing in Arizona

From Arizona to Africa: Global PR Trends & Kenyan Culture at the PRGN Conference in Nairobi

Abbie Fink and Adrian McIntyre reflect on their recent visit to Nairobi, Kenya, for the Public Relations Global Network (PRGN) conference, a gathering that brought together PR and communications professionals from across the globe. They share stories of connection and discovery, from the warmth and hospitality of the Kenyan people to the vibrant cultural pride that infused every interaction. What stood out most wasn’t just the professional insights, but the personal connections that made the experience unforgettable. The conversations in Nairobi underscored how universal many of today’s challenges are. Topics like the rise of AI, shifting trade dynamics, and the persistence of misinformation affect communicators everywhere, regardless of geography. Hearing from African business leaders and international executives alike offered fresh, nuanced perspectives on how different regions are adapting to change while staying rooted in shared values of transparency and trust. The episode also explores how emerging tools like AI and podcasting are reshaping the future of global PR. As Adrian and Abbie note, these technologies open new doors for storytelling, connection, and creativity, but they also demand continuous learning and adaptability. Ultimately, the trip to Nairobi was a reminder that global collaboration is as much about people as it is about progress, and that meaningful growth happens through shared experiences, empathy, and genuine human connection. Read the transcript and notes [https://copperstateofmind.show/episode/arizona-africa-global-pr-trends-prgn-nairobi] for this episode on our website. Key Takeaways * PR professionals around the world are grappling with similar challenges, from misinformation to the rapid evolution of AI and global trade shifts. * The PRGN conference in Nairobi demonstrated how authentic human connection and cultural exchange can strengthen global collaboration. * Insights from African business leaders and international peers revealed fresh approaches to common industry challenges. * Discussions focused on how emerging technologies like AI and podcasting are transforming the way communicators tell stories and engage audiences. * Genuine relationships and shared experiences remain at the heart of effective communication and lifelong professional growth. Follow the podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Copper State of Mind in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other podcast app. We publish new episodes every other Friday. Just pick your preferred podcast player from this link, open the app, and click the button to “Follow” the show: https://copperstateofmind.show/listen [https://copperstateofmind.show/listen] Need to hire a PR firm? We demystify the process and give you some helpful advice in Episode 19: "How to Hire a Public Relations Agency in Arizona: Insider Tips for Executives and Marketing Directors [https://copperstateofmind.show/episode/how-to-hire-public-relations-agency-phoenix-arizona]." Credits Copper State of Mind, hosted by Abbie Fink [https://hmapr.com/team/abbie-s-fink/] and Dr. Adrian McIntyre [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianmcintyre], is brought to you by HMA Public Relations [https://hmapr.com/], a full-service public relations firm in Phoenix, AZ. The show is recorded and produced by the team at Speed of Story [https://speedofstory.com], a strategic communications consultancy for PR agencies and marketing firms, and distributed by PHX.fm [https://phx.fm/], the leading independent B2B podcast network in Arizona. If you like this podcast, you might also enjoy PRGN Presents: PR News & Views from the Public Relations Global Network [https://prgnpodcast.com/], featuring conversations about strategic communications, marketing, and PR from PRGN, "the world’s local public relations agency.”

Honesty and Integrity for PR Pros in the Post-Truth Era with Samantha Villegas

Dishonesty and deceit have become the defining features of much communication today, in politics and business alike. What are public relations professionals to do? Samantha Villegas joins Abbie Fink and Adrian McIntyre to talk about PR ethics in a post-truth era. She talks about the importance of ethical standards, the impact of misinformation, and strategies for discerning truth. And perhaps most importantly, Sam touches on the importance of courage in standing up against dishonest practices and the necessity of critical thinking to combat disinformation. Read the transcript and notes [https://copperstateofmind.show/episode/pr-honesty-integrity-post-truth-era] for this episode on our website. Key Takeaways * The normalization of lying creates a challenging environment for PR professionals committed to honesty. * Ethical communication is fundamental to the integrity of public relations and should prioritize the public good. * PR professionals must develop a keen awareness of red flags indicating dishonest communication. * Effective communication strategies must involve critical analysis and an unwavering commitment to ethical standards. * Courage is essential when standing up for truth in professional settings, even when it means dissenting from the official narrative. About the Guest Samantha Villegas [https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthavillegas] is an award-winning communications and outreach executive, with over 30 years of experience in public communication and participation. Sam is a member of Raftelis [https://www.raftelis.com/]’ Strategic Communications Practice, helping utilities and local governments develop relationships and engage equitably with their stakeholders around critical topics like affordability, public health, and environmental protection. She counsels executives through programmatic changes, strategic planning, and reputational crises, and she designs and implements strategic communication and stakeholder engagement programs that bring diverse interest together in support of efforts that benefit communities' triple bottom line. Prior to Raftelis, Sam led communications programs at American Water, Loudoun Water, and for EPA’s Office of Water. Sam also owned her own communications agency for seven years, serving clients in the water sector, including AWWA, WRF, ASDWA and several utilities. Sam is actively involved in AWWA, WEF, NACWA, and PRSA (the Public Relations Society of America). She holds a master’s degree in environmental policy from Johns Hopkins University, she is accredited in public relations from PRSA and a member of its College of Fellows, and she holds certificates in public participation from the International Association of Public Participation. Follow the podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Copper State of Mind in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other podcast app. We publish new episodes every other Friday. Just pick your preferred podcast player from this link, open the app, and click the button to “Follow” the show: https://copperstateofmind.show/listen [https://copperstateofmind.show/listen] Need to hire a PR firm? We demystify the process and give you some helpful advice in Episode 19: "How to Hire a Public Relations Agency in Arizona: Insider Tips for Executives and Marketing Directors [https://copperstateofmind.show/episode/how-to-hire-public-relations-agency-phoenix-arizona]." Credits Copper State of Mind, hosted by Abbie Fink [https://hmapr.com/team/abbie-s-fink/] and Dr. Adrian McIntyre [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianmcintyre], is brought to you by HMA Public Relations [https://hmapr.com/], a full-service public relations firm in Phoenix, AZ. The show is recorded and produced by the team at Speed of Story [https://speedofstory.com], a strategic communications consultancy for PR agencies and marketing firms, and distributed by PHX.fm [https://phx.fm/], the leading independent B2B podcast network in Arizona. If you like this podcast, you might also enjoy PRGN Presents: PR News & Views from the Public Relations Global Network [https://prgnpodcast.com/], featuring conversations about strategic communications, marketing, and PR from PRGN, "the world’s local public relations agency.”

Journalists, Comedians, and Other Casualties in the War on Truth

The core principle of journalism is to "seek the truth and report it," a mission that is constantly challenged by those who don't want the truth to be told. The First Amendment protects journalism in the United States, yet there is a growing concern about governmental restrictions on press freedoms. Journalists are facing unprecedented attempts to silence them through lawsuits and intimidation, raising alarms about the future of the free press. Can the truth survive an assault by the US Department of War? Read the transcript and notes [https://copperstateofmind.show/episode/journalists-comedians-war-on-truth] for this episode on our website. Key Takeaways * The First Amendment guarantees freedom of press and speech, but these rights are increasingly under attack by new government restrictions and litigation. * Journalism is crucial for democracy as it holds power to account, yet current trends threaten to stifle investigative reporting and free expression. * The lines between news, opinion, and entertainment are blurring, demanding that audiences become more critical of their media consumption. * Young journalists may become discouraged from pursuing hard-hitting stories, leading to a prominent decline in investigative journalism. * Advocacy and support for journalistic freedom are vital in preserving a healthy, informed democracy and counteracting misinformation. Follow the podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Copper State of Mind in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other podcast app. We publish new episodes every other Friday. Just pick your preferred podcast player from this link, open the app, and click the button to “Follow” the show: https://copperstateofmind.show/listen [https://copperstateofmind.show/listen] Need to hire a PR firm? We demystify the process and give you some helpful advice in Episode 19: "How to Hire a Public Relations Agency in Arizona: Insider Tips for Executives and Marketing Directors [https://copperstateofmind.show/episode/how-to-hire-public-relations-agency-phoenix-arizona]." Credits Copper State of Mind, hosted by Abbie Fink [https://hmapr.com/team/abbie-s-fink/] and Dr. Adrian McIntyre [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianmcintyre], is brought to you by HMA Public Relations [https://hmapr.com/], a full-service public relations firm in Phoenix, AZ. The show is recorded and produced by the team at Speed of Story [https://speedofstory.com], a strategic communications consultancy for PR agencies and marketing firms, and distributed by PHX.fm [https://phx.fm/], the leading independent B2B podcast network in Arizona. If you like this podcast, you might also enjoy PRGN Presents: PR News & Views from the Public Relations Global Network [https://prgnpodcast.com/], featuring conversations about strategic communications, marketing, and PR from PRGN, "the world’s local public relations agency.”

You Need to Write a Better RFP for PR & Communications Work

The typical RFP process for hiring PR and communications firms produces sub-optimal outcomes for all parties. (That's the polite way of saying it's really bad.) We believe it can be done better, but it will take increased transparency and trust between organizations and agencies. In this episode, Abbie and Adrian discuss how the traditional RFP has become a barrier that stifles creativity. They provide insights to reshape the way RFPs are perceived and executed, advocating for a more collaborative and open process that benefits both parties. Abbie shares her firsthand experiences with various proposals, noting the importance of well-structured RFPs that allow for meaningful comparisons. Adrian emphasizes that organizations should be clear about their needs and budget to foster a productive dialogue, ultimately leading to better outcomes for all involved. Read the transcript and notes [https://copperstateofmind.show/episode/better-rfp-process-for-pr-communications] for this episode on our website. Key Takeaways * The RFP process is a common yet often unsatisfactory method for hiring PR firms, as it can limit creativity and effectiveness. * Organizations must clearly outline their needs in an RFP, as unclear requests lead to poor responses and miscommunication. * Trust is essential in the RFP process; both clients and agencies should be transparent about their expectations and capabilities. * Budget parameters should be discussed upfront to ensure agencies can provide realistic and feasible proposals that meet client needs. * Pre-RFP conversations can enhance the quality of the proposals received by allowing agencies to ask clarifying questions. * Agencies should not be asked to provide free ideas, strategies, or plans during the RFP process; this is unethical and counterproductive. Follow the podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Copper State of Mind in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other podcast app. We publish new episodes every other Friday. Just pick your preferred podcast player from this link, open the app, and click the button to “Follow” the show: https://copperstateofmind.show/listen [https://copperstateofmind.show/listen] Need to hire a PR firm? We demystify the process and give you some helpful advice in Episode 19: "How to Hire a Public Relations Agency in Arizona: Insider Tips for Executives and Marketing Directors [https://copperstateofmind.show/episode/how-to-hire-public-relations-agency-phoenix-arizona]." Credits Copper State of Mind, hosted by Abbie Fink [https://hmapr.com/team/abbie-s-fink/] and Dr. Adrian McIntyre [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianmcintyre], is brought to you by HMA Public Relations [https://hmapr.com/], a full-service public relations firm in Phoenix, AZ. The show is recorded and produced by the team at Speed of Story [https://speedofstory.com], a strategic communications consultancy for PR agencies and marketing firms, and distributed by PHX.fm [https://phx.fm/], the leading independent B2B podcast network in Arizona. If you like this podcast, you might also enjoy PRGN Presents: PR News & Views from the Public Relations Global Network [https://prgnpodcast.com/], featuring conversations about strategic communications, marketing, and PR from PRGN, "the world’s local public relations agency.”

A Pop Star and a Football Player Walk Into a Cracker Barrel

Abbie and Adrian take a break from the very serious topics we've discussed on recent episodes to share our hot and Coldplay takes on a few of the stories that have been dominating the news lately. From the kiss cam to Cracker Barrel—with rambling detours and digressions on Marilyn Monroe and Taylor Swift—there's something in this episode to interest or annoy almost anyone. (We also say a few smart things about brands and community engagement, the societal impact of celebrity culture, and the balance between pop culture and private life. It's not all fun and games, you know!) Read the transcript and notes [https://copperstateofmind.show/episode/coldplay-taylor-swift-travis-kelce-cracker-barrel] for this episode on our website. Follow the podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Copper State of Mind in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other podcast app. We publish new episodes every other Friday. Just pick your preferred podcast player from this link, open the app, and click the button to “Follow” the show: https://copperstateofmind.show/listen [https://copperstateofmind.show/listen] Need to hire a PR firm? We demystify the process and give you some helpful advice in Episode 19: "How to Hire a Public Relations Agency in Arizona: Insider Tips for Executives and Marketing Directors [https://copperstateofmind.show/episode/how-to-hire-public-relations-agency-phoenix-arizona]." Credits Copper State of Mind, hosted by Abbie Fink [https://hmapr.com/team/abbie-s-fink/] and Dr. Adrian McIntyre [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianmcintyre], is brought to you by HMA Public Relations [https://hmapr.com/], a full-service public relations firm in Phoenix, AZ. The show is recorded and produced by the team at Speed of Story [https://speedofstory.com], a strategic communications consultancy for PR agencies and marketing firms, and distributed by PHX.fm [https://phx.fm/], the leading independent B2B podcast network in Arizona. If you like this podcast, you might also enjoy PRGN Presents: PR News & Views from the Public Relations Global Network [https://prgnpodcast.com/], featuring conversations about strategic communications, marketing, and PR from PRGN, "the world’s local public relations agency.”