Yearly Archives: 2021

PR’s Top Pros Talk…Leadership – Julissa Marenco

 Julissa Marenco, CMO & Assistant Secretary for Communications and External Affairs, The Smithsonian, discusses the challenges of aligned messaging for different museums under the Institution’s umbrella brand. She emphasizes the importance of soft skills and soft influence in building effective relationships within the decentralized enviornment of the Institution. Julissa also dives into the organization’s creative initiatives to reach people across the nation through digital means.  

PR’s Top Pros Talk…Travel – Linda Rutherford

 Linda Rutherford, SVP & CCO, Southwest Airlines, shares her predictions for the comeback of travel. She emphasizes the increased importance of integrating communications with marketing. Linda also discusses lessons learned from the pandemic that will continue to be relevant moving forward.  

PR’s Top Pros Talk…Leadership – Chris Foster

 Chris Foster, President, North America, BCW Group, shares insights on how the expectations on how to communicate have changed for organization leaders. He discusses the increased importance of DE&I and his own journey of becoming a Black agency leader. Chris also dives into the rising trend of CEOs being more engaged in the communications strategy.  

PR’s Top Pros Talk…Leadership – Christine Barney

 Christine Barney, CEO, RBB Communications, emphasizes that what you stand for as a business is more important than ever. She shares insights on the future of the workplace, and how her team was prepared for the remote environment. Christine also dives into the agency’s initiatives in the ESG space.  

PR’s Top Pros Talk…Satellite Media Tours – Doug Simon

 Why are satellite media tours growing in importance as a must use public relations tool? What are best practices? Host Doug Simon interviewed Doug Simon, Founder & CEO, D S Simon Media. They discussed the significant rise in demand for satellite media tours and the increased importance for organizations to communicate with their stakeholders through the media. He offers insights from Nielsen and local TV producers on recent viewership trends. Doug and Doug also…

PR’s Top Pros Talk…Travel – Kristen Vigrass

 Kristen Vigrass, President, The Brandman Agency, shares insights on the challenges of travel communications during COVID and transitioning into a post-pandemic environment. She breaks down how to navigate messaging for different organizations in the industry. Kristen also dives into the Brandman Agency Partner Program that her team developed to provide opportunities for experienced PR professionals to join the Agency’s network.