On Top of PR with Jason Mudd

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/593338/open_sms] In this episode, HireMyMom’s Lesley Pyle joins On Top of PR host Jason Mudd to discuss how remote work is transforming the modern workforce Tune in to learn more! Our Guest: Our episode guest is HireMyMom’s Lesley Pyle, founder and CEO of the platform. She has been connecting small businesses with skilled remote professionals since 2007 and brings over two decades of experience in public relations and entrepreneurship. Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. How remote work has evolved from a niche option to a mainstream employment model 2. What today’s professionals are looking for in flexible or freelance roles 3. Why small businesses are embracing remote hiring and the benefits it brings 4. How digital platforms and collaboration tools have removed barriers to remote work 5. Tips for staying relevant, confident, and competitive in a digital-first workforce Quotables “Flexibility is the number-one thing people are looking for. That freedom is like gold.” — @LesleyPyle “Technology has made it easier than ever for businesses to connect with top-tier talent virtually.” — @LesleyPyle “We’ve gone from asking ‘Can this be done remotely?’ to ‘Why wouldn’t it be?’” — @LesleyPyle “Staying engaged in your field, even just a few hours a week, keeps you current and competitive.” — @LesleyPyle “The evolution of remote work isn’t just about where we work — it’s about how we define work altogether.” — @LesleyPyle 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 [http://buymeacoff.ee/OnTopofPR] or by leaving us a quick podcast review [https://ratethispodcast.com/ontopofpr]. About Lesley Pyle Lesley Pyle is the founder and CEO of HireMyMom.com, an online platform that connects small businesses with experienced remote professionals. She launched her first online community for home-based working moms in 1996 and has been a leading voice in the evolution of flexible freelance work ever since. With a master’s degree in public relations and over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, Lesley understands the shifting priorities of today’s workforce. Through HireMyMom, she empowers professionals to find legitimate remote roles and helps businesses discover top-tier talent outside of traditional hiring models. Guest’s contact info and resources: Lesley Pyle on X [https://x.com/hiremymom] Lesley Pyle on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lspencerpyle/] Lesley Pyle on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/HireMyMom] Lesley Pyle on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hiremymom] HireMyMom website [https://www.hiremymom.com/] Additional Resources: How Much Money Can You Save by Working from Home? [https://www.axiapr.com/blog/how-much-money-can-you-save-by-working-from-home] Products for Your [https://www.axiapr.com/blog/products-for-your-companys-pr-pro-whos-working-from-home] Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/OnTopofPR] * On Top of PR [http://www.ontopofpr.com] is produced by Axia Public Relations [http://www.axiapr.com], 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 [https://www.reviewmaxer.com/pages/on-top-of-pr], the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/593338/open_sms] In this episode, Chris Hackney joins On Top of PR host Jason Mudd to learn how to track, interpret, and leverage media coverage. Tune in to learn more! Our Guest: Our episode guest is Chris Hackney, chief product officer at Meltwater. He brings more than 25 years of experience in B2B SaaS, specializing in media intelligence, PR technology, and communications strategy. At Meltwater, he leads product innovation to help brands navigate complex media landscapes and act on real-time insights. Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. What media intelligence is and how it strengthens PR strategy 2. How to turn media monitoring into measurable business insights 3. Why PR professionals must embrace data-driven storytelling 4. Which metrics matter most when evaluating earned media coverage 5. How Meltwater is evolving its tools to meet the needs of modern communicators Quotables “Media intelligence helps you move from reporting what happened to influencing what happens next.” — @ChrisHackney “PR needs to speak the language of the boardroom. That means data, context, and outcomes.” — @ChrisHackney “The goal isn’t more coverage — it’s the right coverage that moves the needle.” — @ChrisHackney “You can’t manage what you don’t measure. And that includes reputation.” — @JasonMudd9 “Media monitoring tools have evolved. It’s time PR pros evolved with them.” — @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 [http://buymeacoff.ee/OnTopofPR] or by leaving us a quick podcast review [https://ratethispodcast.com/ontopofpr]. About Chris Hackney Our episode guest is Meltwater’s Chris Hackney, vice president of enterprise sales. Chris brings nearly two decades of experience in digital media, SaaS technology, and public relations. At Meltwater, he works closely with communications leaders and enterprise organizations to help them gather, analyze, and act on media insights that drive strategic decisions. Chris has a deep understanding of the evolving PR landscape and the growing need for measurement and accountability in earned media. He frequently works with clients to strengthen their media intelligence capabilities and align communications with business outcomes. His insights help brands better understand their reputations, competitive positioning, and media performance in a fast-moving digital environment. Guest’s contact info and resources: Chris Hackney on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishackney] Meltwater website [https://www.meltwater.com/en] 10 steps to prepare your company for crisis [https://www.axiapr.com/blog/prepare-your-company-for-crisis] Additional Resources: Understanding the differences of PR monitoring, measurement, and evaluation [https://www.axiapr.com/blog/understanding-the-differences-of-pr-monitoring-measurement-and-evaluation?utm_source=chatgpt.com] https://www.axiapr.com/blog/yes-pr-is-measurable-how-to-measure-and-report-public-relations-and-strategic-corporate-communications?utm_source=chatgpt.com Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/OnTopofPR] * On Top of PR [http://www.ontopofpr.com] is produced by Axia Public Relations [http://www.axiapr.com], 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 [https://www.reviewmaxer.com/pages/on-top-of-pr], the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/593338/open_sms] In this episode, Jessica Pantages joins host Jason Mudd to explore how AI is reshaping storytelling and public relations Tune in to learn more! Our Guest: Our episode guest is Jessica Pantages, Egnyte’s chief communications officer. With more than 20 years of experience in aerospace, construction, consumer tech, and agriculture, Jessica leads the global corporate marketing team at Egnyte, a B2B software company focused on collaboration, governance, and AI-enhanced solutions. She brings deep insight into how marketing and PR professionals can responsibly and strategically integrate AI into their communications work. Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. How AI is enhancing PR storytelling and content workflows 2. Why marketers must understand prompt crafting and data literacy 3. Ways PR pros can use AI to develop personalized media pitches and optimize translation at scale 4. The importance of AI governance, including style guides, usage policies, and compliance tracking 5. How communications professionals can evolve into “story systems architects”   Quotables “Humans will set the narrative arc and the ethics. Machines will handle the infinite micro stories.” — @JessicaPantages “If you try to avoid AI now, you're just going to find yourself in a heap of trouble in the future.” — @JessicaPantages “Treat AI like any other vendor. You need a usage log, disclosure rules, and a style guide.” — @JessicaPantages “We're just at the beginning of figuring out the prompts that give us usable drafts.” — @JessicaPantages “AI is a great beginning, but a terrible ending. It still needs human oversight.” — @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 [http://buymeacoff.ee/OnTopofPR] or by leaving us a quick podcast review [https://ratethispodcast.com/ontopofpr]. About Jessica Pantages Jessica Pantages is the chief communications officer at Egnyte, where she leads the company’s global corporate marketing and communications strategy. With over two decades of experience across aerospace, construction, consumer tech, and B2B software, Jessica brings a deep understanding of how to connect complex technology with real-world audiences. At Egnyte, she helps teams leverage AI to streamline workflows, enhance storytelling, and maintain brand integrity at scale. Her leadership has been instrumental in navigating major company milestones, including a recent acquisition, and in guiding her team through the evolving landscape of content creation, governance, and digital engagement. Jessica is passionate about blending human creativity with machine insight to shape the future of PR and marketing. Guest’s contact info and resources: Jessica Pantages on X [https://x.com/JPantages5] Jessica Pantages on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicapantages/] Egnyte [https://www.egnyte.com/] https://www.axiapr.com/blog/7-responsible-principles-to-guide-the-use-of-ai-in-public-relations Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/OnTopofPR] * On Top of PR [http://www.ontopofpr.com] is produced by Axia Public Relations [http://www.axiapr.com], 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 [https://www.reviewmaxer.com/pages/on-top-of-pr], the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/593338/open_sms] In this episode, Vannyda Thach joins host Jason Mudd to discuss expert strategies for media pitching and journalist relationships Tune in to learn more! Our Guest: Vannyda Thach is the Head of Media Success at Qwoted. With a background in media relations and digital communications, Vannyda helps journalists find trusted sources and build meaningful relationships through the Qwoted platform. Her experience spans PR campaign management, social media strategy, and work with major entertainment events, including Disney’s “Big Hero 6” premiere. Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. Why building relationships (and not just landing placements) is the foundation of good media pitching 2. The difference between cold pitches and media query responses — and how to craft both effectively 3. Best practices for using Qwoted to match sources with journalists quickly and accurately 4. How personalization, clarity, and relevance impact whether journalists notice or ignore a pitch  5. The role of urgency and profile optimization in earning top-tier media coverage   Quotables “You want to be unique. You want to have your own take on the topic.” — @VannydaThach “Remember to call the journalist by their name. If your pitch isn’t personalized, they’ll see right through it.” — @VannydaThach “Pitching media is about being helpful, not selling. Focus on building the relationship.” — @JasonMudd9 “Don’t ghost reporters. Communicate early if something changes. It’s all about respect.” — @JasonMudd9 “Journalists are busy and under pressure. The more complete your profile, the more credibility you have.” — @VannydaThach If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us though Buy Me a Coffee [http://buymeacoff.ee/OnTopofPR] or by leavinging us a quick podcast review [https://ratethispodcast.com/ontopofpr]. About Vannyda Thach Vannyda Thach is the Head of Media Success at Qwoted, a platform dedicated to connecting journalists with expert sources. Based in Los Angeles, she leads a team committed to supporting media professionals — including journalists, freelancers, podcasters, and producers by facilitating connections with the right experts for their stories, even under tight deadlines.  With a journalism and public relations background, Vannyda earned her bachelor's degree in journalism with an emphasis in public relations from California State University, Long Beach. Her career began with roles such as a communications intern at AARP and public relations manager for DisneyExaminer. She later joined Citizen Relations, progressing from a junior account executive to senior account executive, managing PR campaigns and fostering media relationships.  At Qwoted, Vannyda leverages her PR experience to assist journalists in finding trusted sources and building meaningful relationships through the platform. She emphasizes the importance of being helpful over selling in media pitching and building genuine connections with reporters. Guest’s c Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/OnTopofPR] * On Top of PR [http://www.ontopofpr.com] is produced by Axia Public Relations [http://www.axiapr.com], 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 [https://www.reviewmaxer.com/pages/on-top-of-pr], the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/593338/open_sms] In this episode, Bill Zimmerman joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how the creator economy is transforming public relations and marketing strategy. Tune in to learn more! Our Guest: Our episode guest is Bill Zimmerman, a professor in the College of Communications at Penn State University. With a background in journalism and public relations, he recently authored a textbook on the creator economy. His academic work focuses on preparing students for the evolving landscape of influencer marketing, content creation, and digital media strategy. Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. Why brands must understand the difference between influencers and content creators 2. The power of evaluating creators’ niche audiences instead of just follower count 3. Why trust, disclosure, and transparency are crucial in influencer partnerships 4. How to build an effective creator brief and why it matters for brand alignment 5. Tools and trends shaping the future of influencer marketing and PR education Quotables “Trust is the currency of the creator economy. It must be earned and maintained.” — @BillZimmerman “A million followers doesn’t mean a million buyers. Engagement matters more.” — @BillZimmerman “Creators are trusted more than institutions because they deliver real talk and transparency.” — @BillZimmerman “You hire a creator for their voice. Over-directing the message kills authenticity.” — @JasonMudd9 “Disclosure isn’t optional. It’s ethical, smart, and legally required.” — @JasonMudd9 “The creator brief is quickly becoming the backbone of successful campaigns.” — @BillZimmerman 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 [http://buymeacoff.ee/OnTopofPR] or by leaving us a quick podcast review [https://ratethispodcast.com/ontopofpr]. About Bill Zimmerman Bill Zimmerman is an assistant teaching professor at Penn State University’s College of Communications. He brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles as a newspaper reporter and PR professional. Bill holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and another in higher education from Penn State, along with accreditation in public relations. A thought leader in the evolving world of digital media and PR education, Bill authored a textbook on the creator economy and is launching a content creator certificate program at Penn State. His work is helping shape how future PR and marketing professionals approach influencer strategy, creator partnerships, and audience trust in the digital age. Guest’s contact info and resources: Bill Zimmerman on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/billfzimmerman/] Understanding the Creator Economy: Making Digital Media Work for You [https://he.kendallhunt.com/product/understanding-creator-economy-making-digital-media-work-you] Additional Resources: Influential.co [http://influential.co] http://grin.co Support the show [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/OnTopofPR] * On Top of PR [http://www.ontopofpr.com] is produced by Axia Public Relations [http://www.axiapr.com], 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 [https://www.reviewmaxer.com/pages/on-top-of-pr], the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.