When a crisis hits, say this or stay silent

Advanced AI media relations strategies for public relations

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/593338/fan_mail/new] 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 [http://buymeacoff.ee/OnTopofPR] or by leaving us a quick podcast review [https://ratethispodcast.com/ontopofpr]. Guest’s contact info and resources: @sbridges0117 on instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sbridges0117/] Shelby Bridges on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelby-bridges/] Qwoted website [https://www.qwoted.com/] Qwoted resources [https://www.qwoted.com/blog/] Additional Resources: Journalist PR responses under 3% for third straight quarter [https://www.axiapr.com/blog/journalist-pr-responses-under-3-for-third-straight-quarter] Journalists don’t want AI-generated commentary (and what to give them instead) [https://www.axiapr.com/blog/journalists-dont-want-ai-generated-commentary-and-what-to-give-them-instead] Top PR pros share their tips for earning U.S. media coverage [https://www.axiapr.com/blog/top-pr-pros-share-their-tips-for-earning-media-coverage] The best and worst media relations efforts from public relations professionals [https://www.axiapr.com/blog/best-and-worst-observations-of-media-relations] How to use media relations strategically to boost SEO [https://www.axiapr.com/blog/how-to-use-media-relations-strategically-to-boost-seo] Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast. [https://www.axiapr.com/podcast] Find out more about Axia Public Relations [https://www.axiapr.com/]. If you like this episode, you're going to love this: Making your media pitches stand out [https://youtu.be/YygOcU-B5Ak?si=LR5pczjbBh_NjH3p] The 4 R’s of media relations: Responsive, resourceful, rapid, and respect [https://youtu.be/y7so_Z6_gDk] Media relations best practices  [https://youtu.be/sWyBu0PXetE?si=LWaPZHh42tbXhKtf] 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.

When a crisis hits, say this or stay silent

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/593338/fan_mail/new] 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 [http://buymeacoff.ee/OnTopofPR] or by leaving us a quick podcast review [https://ratethispodcast.com/ontopofpr]. 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: Michele Ehrhart on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-ehrhart-93a46258/] Michele Ehrhart’s website [https://www.micheleehrhart.com/] Get the “Crisis Compass: How to Communicate When It Matters Most” book [https://www.amazon.com/Crisis-Compass-Communicate-When-Matters/dp/B0F9JKTJQ9/] Axia’s CrisisPoint service [https://www.axiapr.com/services/crisis-communications-management-service] Axia’s Reputation Restoration service [https://www.axiapr.com/services/online-reputation-management-service] Additional Resources: How to recover from a PR crisis and manage [https://www.axiapr.com/blog/6-ways-to-recover-from-pr-crisis-and-online-reputation-management] 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.

How PR influences recruiting, retention, and workforce quality

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/593338/fan_mail/new] 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 [http://buymeacoff.ee/OnTopofPR] or by leaving us a quick podcast review [https://ratethispodcast.com/ontopofpr]. Contact info and resources: Jason Mudd on X [https://x.com/jasonmudd9] Jason Mudd on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonmudd/] LinkedIn Talent Solutions - Employer’s brand matters [https://business.linkedin.com/content/dam/business/talent-solutions/global/en_us/c/pdfs/ultimate-list-of-employer-brand-stats.pdf] Glassdoor - Employer Branding 101: Why, How and Proven ROI [https://www.glassdoor.com/employers/resources/employer-branding-101-why-how-and-proven-roi/] ratethispodcast.com/ontopofpr [http://ratethispodcast.com/ontopofpr]  Additional Resources: Case study: Improving a company’s recruiting [https://www.axiapr.com/case-studies/axias-strong-pr-campaign-increases-foundation-financial-groups-reputation-exposure-and-revenue] How to turn award wins into long-term assets [https://www.axiapr.com/blog/turn-award-into-long-term-assets] Warning signs your online reputation management is failing [https://www.axiapr.com/blog/signs-online-reputation-management-is-failing] How to improve your company’s Glassdoor reviews [https://www.axiapr.com/blog/how-to-improve-your-companys-glassdoor-reviews] Find out more about Axia Public Relations. [https://www.axiapr.com/] Axia Public Relations resources [http://axiapr.com/resources] Axia’s NewsBureau Service [https://www.axiapr.com/services/media-relations-for-earned-media-coverage] Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR podcast. [https://www.axiapr.com/podcast] If you like this episode, you're going to love this: https://youtu.be/WjIsaO1srFk?si=61oc16Rku6u0Cedr 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.

Stop agency pitches: Build better client partnerships

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/593338/fan_mail/new] 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 [http://buymeacoff.ee/OnTopofPR] or by leaving us a quick podcast review [https://ratethispodcast.com/ontopofpr]. Guest’s contact info and resources: Camden Bernatz on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/camden-bernatz/] Camden Bernatz on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpgGgN6R6Oa_IYJCidaqPgA] Brand Revolt website [https://thebrandrevolt.com/] “Stop Asking For Pitches: 10 Rules to Fix the Client-Agency Relationship” book [https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Asking-Pitches-Client-Agency-Relationship-ebook/dp/B0GRMLJF99] The Win Without Pitching Manifesto [https://www.winwithoutpitching.com/books/the-win-without-pitching-manifesto] Clients behaving badly: Video store, hair salon haggling [https://youtu.be/R2a8TRSgzZY?si=qILdBCQ8PjgjPCFZ] Additional Resources: https://www.axiapr.com/blog/how-do-we-find-a-pr-agency 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.

Behavioral science secrets behind top brands

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/593338/fan_mail/new] 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 [http://buymeacoff.ee/OnTopofPR] or by leaving us a quick podcast review [https://ratethispodcast.com/ontopofpr]. 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: @rshotton on X [https://x.com/rshotton] Richard Shotton on LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-shotton] Astroten’s website [https://www.astroten.co.uk/] Consumer Behavior Lab website [https://theconsumerbehaviorlab.com/] ”Hacking the Human Mind” book [https://www.amazon.com/Hacking-Human-Mind-behavioral-science/dp/1804091324] Additional Resources: Earned authority + emotional resonance = brand wins [https://www.axiapr.com/blog/earned-authority-emotional-resonance-brand-wins] https://www.axiapr.com/blog/what-is-social-proof-and-how-is-it-used-in-pr 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.