GRC PR 360

Dan Gaynor is the founder of Kumkuat AI, a new competitive intelligence and audience testing AI platform for communicators. Previously, Dan founded Kelp Data, worked in global comms at Nike, Inc., founded a practice at Weber Shandwick, and served as a presidential appointee in the Obama Administration at USAID. In this episode, Dan shares insights on how AI-driven synthetic audiences can revolutionize communication strategies by predicting audience reactions before campaigns launch. Key Takeaways:- Using AI to predict audience reactions before campaigns- The importance of consistent storytelling in branding...

Steve Turner is the co-owner and principal of Solomon Turner PR, an award-winning public relations agency he co-founded in 1990, and the author of "PR That Works: Real Strategies. Real Campaigns. Real Results." With more than 30 years of experience, Steve has helped corporations, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs build stronger brands through strategic public relations and marketing. In this episode, Steve Turner shares current trends in public relations, practical applications for AI, and the "Five Ms of PR."Key Takeaways:- Current trends in corporate communication- Crisis management tactics- Lessons from...

John Gonda is the Vice President of Public Relations at Sage Growth Partners, a national healthcare growth strategy and marketing firm. With more than 25 years of experience in public relations, strategic communications, and content marketing, he helps healthcare organizations strengthen their brands, build industry influence, and accelerate growth through integrated media relations, thought leadership, executive positioning, and strategic storytelling. In this episode, John shares the importance of purpose-driven research in healthcare PR, the impact of AI storytelling, and how to build trust and thought leadership in a rapidly changing industry.Key Takeaways:- AI...

Jim Shearer is the Director of Communications at Fox Rehabilitation, a clinician-owned, mission-driven healthcare organization dedicated to improving the lives of older adults. Previously, he worked at MTV Networks, hosting MTV2’s "Subterranean" and VH1’s "Top 20 Video Countdown". He's also the creative force behind "The Brouhaha," a podcast dedicated to the Beastie Boys. On this episode, Jim discusses his journey from MTV VJ to healthcare communications, memorable interviews with David Bowie, Bloc Party, and the Beastie Boys, and how his college students view media differently from previous generations.Key Takeaways:- Jim's notable MTV...

Mike Ungaro is the CEO and Visionary of San Pedro Fish Market, the most visited paid seaside attraction on the West Coast, second only to SeaWorld. He is also the star of the "Kings of FI$H" reality series, now streaming on Amazon Prime, and host of the "Fi$H Factor" podcast. In this episode, Mike shares the fascinating story of the San Pedro Fish Market's origins and how storytelling and social media transformed the business into a regional destination. Key Takeaways:- How to use storytelling as a marketing strategy - The...

Laura Hutfless is co-founder of FlyteVu, a full-service entertainment marketing and creative strategy agency in Nashville. Laura started FlyteVu in 2015 following a 15-year career as a talent agent at WME and CAA. Under her leadership, FlyteVu has created culture-shifting campaigns that have earned an Emmy, a GRAMMY, multiple Clio Awards, and a spot on the Cannes Lions shortlist. On this episode, Laura shares insights on scaling a company, focusing on the human and emotional challenges, implementing new systems, and changing organizational soundtracks to foster growth and unity.Key Takeaways:- Challenges of scaling a...

Steve Weintraub is the Chief Strategy Officer at Vet Tix and a retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel with more than 30 years of service. He is responsible for marketing the Veteran Tickets and 1st Tix brands, with work spanning public and community relations, campaigns with teams and bowl games, OHH efforts, and events and shows. In this episode, we explore how Vet Tix is making a significant impact by providing free event tickets to veterans, active service members, and first responders, highlighting the importance of community support and effective communication.Key Takeaways:- How...

Sharon Toerek is a marketing and intellectual property attorney who helps independent marketing, digital, PR, and creative agencies protect their assets and turn their ideas into revenue. She is the founder of Toerek Law, a firm dedicated to marketing agencies, where she focuses on intellectual property, smart contracts, and regulatory compliance. Sharon also hosts The Innovative Agency podcast and serves as a trusted legal partner to agencies and communities across the United States. In this episode, Sharon Toerek shares insights on how agencies can leverage legal strategies to protect their assets, increase profitability, and navigate the evolving landscape of...

Samiha Fariha is the senior associate at Golin Ketchum, where she supports clients including Staples Canada, Schneider Electric, ADP Canada, Specsavers, and the LEGO Group. In addition to her agency work, she serves as Communications Chair on the Canadian Public Relations Society’s Toronto board, where she leads member engagement and communications strategy. She also teaches at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Chang School as a professor, where she designed the Media Relations course to reflect the evolving communications landscape. In this episode, Samiha shares expert insights on crafting compelling media pitches, building effective media lists, and navigating emerging trends in p...

Jen Moss is the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of JAR Podcast Solutions, the powerhouse agency behind podcasts for Amazon, Deloitte, Cirque du Soleil, and The Wharton School. Jen’s background spans journalism, radio, fiction, and theater—and she now helps brands tell meaningful stories that move audiences and shape perception. In this episode, Jen shares expert insights on creating compelling branded podcasts. Discover how to craft authentic stories, engage niche audiences, and leverage creative formats to elevate your brand through podcasting.Key Takeaways:- How brands can expand how they think about podcasts<p...

Sarah Cullen is the founder of SideCar Public Relations, a nationally recognized full-service communications firm based in Denver. Founded in 2011, the firm works at the intersection of economic development, commercial real estate, and placemaking, offering in-house expertise in public relations, social media, stakeholder engagement, events, digital communications, and more. In this episode, Sarah shares insights on the power of specialization in commercial real estate PR, the importance of human connection in communication, and how the industry is evolving in good (and questionable) ways through AI.Key Takeaways:- The importance of specialization in PR<...

Julie Lilliston is Founder & President of Julie Lilliston Communications, an award-winning, nationally certified woman-owned public relations firm in Nashville. It helps businesses enhance their reputation, build their brand, and grow market share. Her firm specializes in executive visibility and thought leadership programs for small businesses. On this episode, Julie discusses how businesses can build their reputations through executive visibility campaigns and the state of women in PR.Key Takeaways:- How Julie helped save the Treasury Department $450 million- The power of thought leadership campaigns- The current state of...

Rich Boerner is an award-winning audio creator, producer, voice talent, and best-selling author whose career has taken him from a pirate radio station on Long Island to New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and more. Along the way, he's worked alongside A-list talent and with major networks including Spotify, Audacy, FOX, and CBS. From 2001 to 2007, he worked with Tod at 97.1 KLSX Los Angeles, the home of "The Howard Stern Show" and "The Adam Carolla Show." These days, he's the co-founder of The Sandbox, a private podcast network and curriculum program designed to help middle school students...

Rich Boerner is an award-winning audio creator, producer, voice talent, and best-selling author whose career has taken him from a pirate radio station on Long Island to New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and more. Along the way, he's worked alongside A-list talent and with major networks including Spotify, Audacy, FOX, and CBS. From 2001 to 2007, he worked with Tod at 97.1 KLSX Los Angeles, the home of "The Howard Stern Show" and "The Adam Carolla Show." These days, he's the co-founder of The Sandbox, a private podcast network and curriculum program designed to help middle school students find their voices...

Lauren Kwedar Cockerell is the founder and president of Kwedar & Co. and host of "The Impatient Entrepreneur" podcast. She's a PR strategist who helps entrepreneurs and business leaders turn their expertise into credible, visible brands through thoughtful public relations and clear communication. She works with founders across industries to uncover the stories inside their businesses and turn them into meaningful visibility, thought leadership, and long-term trust. On this episode, she shares the art of storytelling in the manufacturing space, why PR is all about saving jobs, and the lessons she's learned as a podcast host.Key...

Dorie Klissas is the Founder & President of Dorie Klissas Media and the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at LiveOnNY. Over her career in PR and as a producer on "The Today Show," Dorie has vetted over 100,000 pitches and knows what makes a story pitchable. In this episode, Dorie Klissas shares the art of creating pitchable stories, the importance of well-organized reporting, and how to manage crisis communications in healthcare. Key Takeaways:- Crafting pitchable stories- Crisis communication strategies in healthcare- Turning press officers into reporters...

Becky Lawlor is the Founder & Principal at Redpoint Insights. She partners with B2B tech firms to elevate their market presence and brand recognition by producing original research and authoritative insights. With over a decade of experience, her approach has helped scale pipeline growth and enhance industry authority for top-tier tech companies such as Adobe, Samsung, IBM, and Fivetran. In this episode, Becky shares how she uses research-based content creation, original data, strategic research planning, and storytelling to help brands build authority. Key Takeaways:- How original research builds credibility- Why d...

David Barkoe is the Founder & CEO of Carve Communications, and with over 25 years of experience as a PR and digital marketing executive, he has developed, managed, and executed strategic communications and consumer engagement campaigns for some of the world’s most influential brands and innovative startups. In this episode, David shares insights on the virtuous cycle of media relations, the importance of earned media in the AI era, and effective executive communication strategies.Key Takeaways:- How David worked with clients in God, sports, drugs, and education simultaneously- The Virtuous Cycle of...

Vince Galloro is the Principal at Sunrise Health Communications, where he creates media relations, thought leadership, and corporate communications strategies for companies partnering with healthcare providers. In this episode, Vince shares insights into how healthcare companies can leverage press releases to generate earned media, his transition from journalism to healthcare PR, effective storytelling strategies, and the importance of data-driven press releases.Episode Timeline:1:40Vince's Transition from journalism to healthcare PR4:00Vince's favorite stories that he's covered6:15How journalism skills benefit PR strategies8:25Overview of Sunrise Health Communications<...

Josh Inglis is the founder and principal of Propllr, a PR and content marketing firm that helps B2B technology companies build trust to more effectively increase sales, attract talent, and raise capital. He’s also been named by Business Insider as one of the top people in Tech PR. In this episode, Josh shares insights on building credibility in the AI era, effective strategies for thought leadership in B2B tech, and how to stand out on AI search. Key Takeaways:- Building B2B credibility- The Trust Engine Framework <p...