In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a public relations consultant and writer, interviews Matisse Hamel-Nelis, founder and principal of Matisse Nelis Consulting. They discuss the importance of digital accessibility in public relations and communications. Matisse explains her background, her work in teaching, and her PR & Lattes blog and podcast. Matisse emphasizes the importance of making digital content accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. Th...

In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant and writer, interviews Kathy Kashani, the principal of Azul Communications, about the nuances of public relations for startups. Kathy discusses her journey from a long-time PR agency veteran to an independent PR consultant, focusing on consumer goods and B2C brands, especially startups. The conversation centers around defining a startup, understanding the distinct needs of startups versus established companies, and the fou...

It’s time for a mid-year check-in on PR trends. Has AI destroyed PR as we know it? Is TikTok the only social media channel that matters? Back in December, Bill Byrne of Remedy Public Relations and I discussed which PR trends we’d be keeping an eye on as we headed into the new year. Some of the trends we noted: AI in PR. The shrinking number of media outlets. How silos impact our work. The role the C-suite plays in the success of a PR program. So, where are we now? And what trends should we ...

The public relations industry is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by artificial intelligence, hybrid work, a changing media landscape, and deepening political divides. Across four generations — Gen Z to Baby Boomers — PR professionals are navigating these transformations, each with unique perspectives on where the industry is headed. On this episode of PR Explored, we discuss the findings of this year’s USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism‘s survey, as compiled in its Glo...

Burnout in the PR and social media marketing fields is rampant. Many communications pros are exhausted. The non-stop news cycle. The demand to be “always on.” The rising stress level, as day-to-day responsibilities continue to grow. Surveys repeatedly show that those working in public relations and social media marketing experience some of the highest rates of burnout. It’s no wonder, because, more than almost any other group of workers, we’re under pressure to stay in touch with our audie...

The media relations game is ever-changing. While traditional media outlets remain coveted by businesses that want to be in the news, non-traditional outlets are on the rise. Podcasts, newsletters and social media influencers now often play a key role in effective media outreach. PR pros need to ensure they’re immersed in as much client-relevant content as possible, regardless of where it comes from. PR Consultant Michelle Garrett and her guest, Peter Himler, founder of Flatiron Communications...

Eleanor Hawkins, a communications strategist and writer at Axios, and PR Consultant Michelle Garrett discuss trending topics in the world of communications. Hawkins authors the weekly Axios Communicators newsletter covering topics and trends that impact how leaders, brands and employers communicate.

Newer to PR? Or maybe you’ve worked in PR for a while but are trying to keep up with the changing landscape. Sure, writing is important. But what other skills and aptitudes are vital for today’s public relations and communications professionals? As roles become more sophisticated and communication challenges more complex, PR pros must prove value, adapt to new technologies, navigate ethical challenges – and there is so much unknown. And unknowable. My guest is Steve Ryan, Assistant Prof...

In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a public relations consultant, is joined by Christopher Penn of Trust Insights to discuss the impact of AI on public relations, particularly in terms of search. The conversation covers the evolution and deployment of AI models, the importance of SEO and broad content distribution, and the ethical implications of AI in content creation. The discussion also touches on the efficiency of AI in automating repetitive tasks and its p...

AI is transforming how we search and engage with content online. In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett is joined by digital marketing expert Andy Crestodina to discuss how AI-based search is reshaping the PR and marketing landscape. From AI optimization strategies to leveraging PR for brand visibility in generative search engines, Andy shares actionable insights to help professionals navigate this rapidly evolving space. Whether you’re a PR pro looking to stay ahead or a marke...

In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a public relations consultant, welcomes crisis communications expert Shawna Bruce to discuss the critical importance of effective crisis management for brands and organizations. They cover how social media has amplified the visibility of crises, making preparedness more crucial than ever. Shawna shares her experience from her 40-year career in communications, including her time in the Canadian Armed Forces and Dow Chemical. Specific examp...

In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a public relations consultant, talks with guest Jonna Burke about the importance of measurement in PR. They discuss the evolving landscape of AI and automation, the necessity of having strong data acumen, the importance of setting measurable objectives, the challenges around vanity metrics, and the significance of frameworks like the Integrated Evaluation Framework (IEF) and Barcelona Principles for effective PR measurement. Jonna highlig...

In this episode of PR Explored, host Michelle Garrett, a PR consultant and writer, is joined by Gini Dietrich, founder of Arment Dietrich and Spin Sucks, to discuss the refreshed PESO model. They explore the evolution of the model from its tactical roots to a focus on outcomes, and discuss the importance of owned media as the foundation of any PR strategy. Gini shares her insights on the rising role of AI in PR, the ways to effectively measure PR outcomes, and the importance of community buil...

PR and social media benefit from leveraging each other – yet often, there’s a disconnect between the two. Silos may exist that prevent them from collaborating to maximize a brand’s communications. How can public relations and social media pros work together to get more out of each other’s efforts? My guest, Karen Freberg, a professor of strategic communication at the University of Louisville and social media expert, joins me to discuss the best ways for these two to team up. We also discu...

The media layoffs aren’t stopping – and that can make it even more difficult for public relations professionals to land earned media coverage for their companies and clients. My guest, Frank Strong of Sword and the Script Media, and I will discuss approaches PR pros can use to find opportunities and garner coverage in these challenging conditions. This is the first episode of my new show, PR Explored, where I’ll talk with some of the best and brightest in the public relations industry to disc...