Stop agency pitches: Build better client partnerships

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.

Ageism in the workplace: Hiring bias, careers, and the future of work

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/593338/fan_mail/new] In this episode, Carly Roszkowski joins host Jason Mudd to discuss ageism in the workplace, how it affects job seekers over 50, hiring bias, and strategies for multigenerational teams. Tune in to learn more! Meet Our Guest: Our guest on this episode is Carly Roszkowski, vice president of financial resilience at AARP. She leads strategy and outcomes within AARP’s Work and Jobs and Financial Resilience initiatives, helping individuals over 50 strengthen their competitiveness in the labor market and access meaningful employment opportunities. Carly also works to eliminate age discrimination and promote inclusive hiring practices across organizations. Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. How ageism in the workplace impacts job seekers and employees over 50 years old 2. The biggest challenges experienced professionals face when seeking new opportunities 3. How department leaders can effectively support and manage multigenerational teams 4. Best practices hiring managers can use to better support experienced talent 5. Practical ways employees and coworkers can help create a safe, inclusive, and high-performing workplace Quotables “AARP is fighting every day to end age discrimination in the workplace and educate consumers, knowing their rights, as well as educating employers on the value that older workers bring to an organization.” — Carly Roszkowski “Networking and knowing someone is still a really great way to start your job search.” — Carly Roszkowski “60% of workers 50 and older have said that they would love to learn new skills for their job or on the job.” — Carly Roszkowski “Research shows that there's increased innovation, increased creativity, better problem solving when you have a mix of ages, mix of different backgrounds, or from different points of view.” — Carly Roszkowski “Mirror the language; reflect the terminology that you see in the job description in your application.” — 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: Carly Roszkowski on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyroszkowski/] AARP website [https://www.aarp.org/] AARP Works and Jobs Resources [http://aarp.org/work]  AARP Employer Resource Center [https://employerportal.aarp.org/resources/] Older Workers are Building Tech Skills Research [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/aarpfoundation1_study-older-workers-are-building-tech-skills-activity-7406430118270676992-IbDM/] Additional Resources: How to calculate the true cost of hiring an employee [https://www.axiapr.com/public-relations-department-costs] 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 Relation [https://www.axiapr.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.

Embedded AI: The future of PR and communication workflows

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/593338/fan_mail/new] In this episode, Muck Rack CEO Greg Galant joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how embedded AI is transforming PR and communications workflows. Tune in to learn more! Meet Our Guest: Our episode guest is Greg Galant, CEO and cofounder at Muck Rack. A returning guest on On Top of PR, he is a leading voice at the crossroads of PR, technology, and media. Greg is also recognized as an early champion of generative engine optimization, shaping the emerging frontier of brand visibility in an AI-driven world. Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. Why embedded AI is more effective than standalone assistants in PR workflows 2. How AI preserves messaging consistency and insight accuracy across teams 3. Ways to make PR teams more adaptable in real time using AI 4. How AI-powered media intelligence predicts trends and shifts in reputation 5. Strategies to integrate AI into every stage of PR: discovery, outreach, monitoring, and reporting  Quotables * “Being able to take advantage of AI is knowing what everyone's doing right now and figuring out which stages of our workflow can benefit from AI and having the right tooling to do that.” — @Greg Galant * “The PR profession's been doing generative engine optimization even before generative AI came to be because when these AI systems were built, they were all trained on news data.” — @Greg Galant * “The work we did a year ago or two years ago is even more valuable today than it was then.” — @Greg Galant * “There's two big buckets. One is: How does AI influence PR, and how does PR influence AI?” — @Greg Galant * “We have to look at this from a macro and a micro level and keep testing and tweaking what we're doing and improving upon it.” — @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: * @gregory on X [https://x.com/gregory] * @gregory on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/gregory/] * Gregory Galant on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/galant/] * Muck Rack website [https://muckrack.com/] * Muck Rack Daily [https://muckrack.com/daily] * Generative Pulse by Muck Rack [https://generativepulse.ai/] * The State of Journalism and PR 2022 reports with Greg Galant [https://youtu.be/cAjSJFS04DI?si=t4HZYF9sEtLRHnyM] If you like this episode, you're going to love this: * 95% of AI citations come from PR content [https://youtu.be/bC5CTYkyrBY?si=rU9c8S-5vD-JPC_D] * How generative AI uses earned media coverage (fueling PR’s resurgence) [https://youtu.be/1XIPRi7qZbk?si=09MDe5AjdkCE3fIi] * Getting more media coverage by making journalists’ lives easier [https://youtu.be/HuWIo_ZqzZ4?si=SFdPpAn01CGCzJsW] * The PR playbook for getting recommended by AI with Unusua [https://youtu.be/RsYv5RAvMHA?si=WQT4ckutDG2P2a4n] 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.