D S Simon Media Alumni Spotlight: Brian Devenny

 Episode 369: As D S Simon Media celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, we’re taking a trip down memory lane by reconnecting with former employees who helped make this milestone possible. Brian Devenny, Senior Account Supervisor at Zeno Group, talks to Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, about his experience at the company. Brian also shares his perspective on how the media relations industry has evolved. Listen to the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts,…

What to Expect at ICON 2026

 Episode 368: Matt Marcial, CEO of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), joins Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, to share what’s coming up at ICON 2026. Matt explains how PRSA has turned member feedback into insightful sessions for attendees. Matt and Doug offer practical advice on making the most of the conference. Matt also discusses PRSA’s new ethical standards for AI. >> If you want to register, and save money in the…

Navigating Health Information Overload

 Episode 367: Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, and Saramaya Penacho, Executive Vice President of Health at Edelman, discuss key findings from the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer Special Report: Trust and Health. They discuss why 70% of respondents believe at least one divisive health claim. She shares how healthcare communicators can foster empathetic, two-way conversations that build trust. She also highlights the value of uniting audiences around shared health goals. >> Listen to the…

What Makes a Story Truly Newsworthy?

 Episode 366: Doug Simon, CEO of ⁠D S Simon Media⁠, talks to Loren Pomerantz, President of ⁠Combined Forces Public Relations⁠, about how to recognize what makes a story newsworthy. Loren shares why honest conversations with clients and strong relationships with journalists are essential to successful media relations. She also offers practical advice for streamlining the PR process. >> Listen to the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and others. TRANSCRIPT:   DOUG: Lauren, you work with multiple…

Staying Competitive in an AI Landscape

 Episode 365: How can small agencies stay competitive in the age of AI? Megan Shroy, Founder and President of Approach Marketing, shares how her agency has built more than 80 custom AI agents for clients. Doug and Megan explore thoughtful approaches to AI adoption, including safety, compliance, and change management. Megan also explains why she built an agency designed to support working moms. >> Listen to the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and others. TRANSCRIPT:   DOUG: Megan, let’s start off how small…

How Tech Brands Can Stand Out in AI Search

 Episode 364: Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, talks to Gerard LaFond, Managing Director of North America at The Hoffman Agency, about what it takes for tech brands to get noticed by large language models. They discuss why earned media is becoming increasingly important for building brand visibility. Gerard also shares how to turn technical capabilities into stories that connect with audiences. >> Listen to the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and others. TRANSCRIPT:  …