The D S Simon Media mission includes sharing best practices with the PR community. D S Simon Media is a recognized innovator in broadcast public relations and the creator of the industry’s first AI-Powered Broadcast Media Tour™. Our award-winning podcast “PR’s Top Pros Talk…” features conversations with industry leaders. Its 300+ episodes have been featured in a top industry trade publication. We are currently the 7th ranked PR podcast according to monitoring firm Million Podcasts. If you or someone on your team would like to be featured on the show, reach out to us at prstopprostalk@dssimonmedia.com.
Saul Hafenbredl, Partner at CB&A, A Finn Partners Company, and Jacqui Lipson, Partner at Finn Partners, delve into the 2025 Education Marketing Trends report, exploring the rise of state-based marketing and its impact on campaign strategies. Joined by Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, they discuss the evolving dynamics between federal and state communications, the role of education reporters, and the growing need for grassroots journalism.
Ronica Cleary, Founder and CEO of Cleary Strategies, reveals how viewing a story from a producer’s perspective is crucial to achieving earned media success. Doug and Ronica share their experiences of transforming ideas into powerful TV stories that resonate with viewers. Ronica also highlights the growing importance of remote interviews in today’s media landscape.
Kevin Whalen, Partner at the Guyer Group, addresses some misconceptions about analyst relations. He emphasizes that leaders must be transparent about their company’s challenges to forge a strategic path forward. Kevin discusses various meeting formats and details their unique benefits. He also shares valuable resources that can help organizations navigate their growth journeys.
Lauren Meckstroth, Vice President at Fahlgren Mortine, shares how her team spots trends that clients can contribute to. She emphasizes the importance of selecting the right storytelling medium based on the scope of the subject. Lauren also explains the benefits of taking risks if it makes sense for a client.
Michael Kempner, Founder and CEO of MikeWorldWide, discusses the significance of maintaining a strong reputation. He explains how communicators can play an active role in reputation management. Michael also shares what tools his team uses to mitigate potential risks.
Alex Schriver, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), explains how he builds trust with key stakeholder audiences through internal and external localization efforts. He shares how he applies a campaign-style approach to communicate and engage with his team to “win the day.” Additionally, Alex emphasizes how leaders can ensure their employees’ voices are genuinely heard and valued.
