The D S Simon Media mission includes sharing best practices with the PR community. 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 11th ranked PR podcast according to monitoring firm Million Podcasts.
Barri Rafferty, Head of Communications and Brand Management, Wells Fargo, encourages aspiring women leaders to create an ecosystem of diverse mentors around them. She also discusses how can women navigate some of the challenges of the “she-cession,” as women are dropping out of the workforce at higher rates than men as a result of the pandemic. Barri also shares insights on how organizations can increase leadership opportunities for women and minority groups.
In the 50th episode of PR’s Top Pros Talk, Michelle Mekky, Founder & CEO, Mekky Media Relations, emphasizes the need for communicators to embrace the journalistic mindset to get the best earned media results. She shares insights on being creative and finding unique hooks to secure coverage for smaller businesses and non-profits. Michelle also discusses practices that larger agencies can learn from boutique agencies.
Michael Kempner, Founder & CEO, MWWPR, emphasizes the importance of agility in 2021 and staying true to entrepreneurial roots. He emphasizes that employees are an organization’s most important stakeholder, and recognizing that has a big impact on how the brand is viewed externally. Michael also discusses the role of the brands in building trust among the public and the importance of having a social CEO.
Jason Mudd, Managing Partner and CEO at Axia Public Relations, encourages brands to set bigger goals. He shares best practices on improving the quality of ideas and adapting ideation sessions from an office environment to a remote one. Jason also offers tips for how to overcome hesitations to go big.
Carrie Jones, Principal, JPA Health, shares insights on navigating vaccine rollout messaging. She discusses communications challenges surrounding the topic, and how organizations can tackle misinformation. Carrie also outlines best practices for communicators to prepare the public for a post-vaccine rollout environment.
