Why brands should lead with public relations

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, former Goldman Sachs partner Mike Ryan, CEO and co-founder of Bullet Point Network, joins host Jason Mudd to discuss the trust problem at the heart of AI, why trust is now the biggest barrier to enterprise AI adoption, and how you can keep human judgment in control of AI output.Tune in to learn more!Meet our guest:Our guest is Mike Ryan, the CEO and co-founder of Bullet Point Network, an AI-driven investment platform. Mike is a former Goldman Sachs partner and global co-head of equities. He also served on the Harvard endowment’s investment committee.Five things you’ll learn from this episode:1. Why trust, not capability, is now the biggest barrier to enterprise AI adoption2. How AI-enabled advisory support pairs speed with human judgment and quality control3. Why off-the-shelf AI isn’t built for high-stakes communication4. How AI can reduce the constant rebuild of senior communication5. The 20-60-20 strategy for avoiding AI slop Quotables“If you can’t trust the information you’re getting, you can’t rely on it.” — Mike Ryan“AI is not going to take the job of most smart people, but a person using AI better than you might take your job.” — Mike Ryan“Just because you can produce it fast doesn’t mean you want it or want to distribute it.” — Mike Ryan“You don’t want AI to take you fast in the wrong direction.” — Mike Ryan“If you use AI the same way, you can elevate your thinking and your mindfulness about the organization and think more as a strategist.” — Jason MuddIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You can also support us by leaving us a quick podcast review.More about Mike RyanMike Ryan is CEO and co-founder of Bullet Point Network, an AI-driven investment platform built on an "AI + 1" philosophy that combines AI with human expertise to speed investment decisions. A former Goldman Sachs partner and global co-head of equities, and a former member of the Harvard endowment's investment committee, Mike brings more than 20 years of experience in investing, leadership, and advisory work. He serves as an adviser and board member for companies and nonprofits, with a personal focus on advancing education and economic opportunity.Guest’s contact info and resources:Mike Ryan on LinkedIn@mikeryanbpn on XBullet Point Network websiteAdditional Resources:Fighting to be trustworthy to AI and humansReputation management for AI search: monitoring and response framework7 responsible principles to guide the use of AI in public relationsIf you like this episode, you're going to love these episodes:The PR playbook for getting recommended by AI with UnusualAI and PR with Microsoft’s CCO Frank ShawThe future of PR in the age of AI with Agility PRSupport the showOn Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Slava Balykov joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how you can assess your brand's public relations readiness before a crisis or AI tool exposes your gaps. Slava shares his five-step framework, explains how to respond when AI gets your brand wrong, and reveals what executives really want from PR reporting.Tune in to learn more!Five things you’ll learn from this episode:How to assess your brand's PR readiness in the AI eraFive steps to PR readinessWhy you should understand your information environment before investing in AI optimizationHow to check what AI says about your organization and what to do when it’s wrongWhat executives want from PR reporting and why coverage volume rarely delivers it Quotables"Before optimizing anything, organizations need to understand the information environment that already exists around them." — Slava Balykov"Critical doesn't mean incorrect." — Slava Balykov"Treat readiness as an ongoing diagnostic, not a one-off exercise." — Slava Balykov"Quality is much more important than quantity." — Slava Balykov"Measuring impressions or the number of appearances feels like what people call vanity metrics, as opposed to true business impact." — Jason MuddIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.Guest’s contact info and resources:Slava Balykov on LinkedInSlava's five steps to PR readiness in the AI era:Establish your baseline. Understand what information about your organization is currently discoverable and identify important gaps, contradictions, or outdated information.Review owned information. Make sure your website, corporate pages, leadership profiles, and other controlled touchpoints clearly and accurately explain who you are and what you do.Look beyond owned channels. Examine credible third-party sources, including media, industry publications, and other independent references, to understand the wider information environment around your organization.Diagnose the gaps. Compare owned and external information. Investigate where they materially differ and determine whether the issue is outdated information, factual inconsistency, legitimate criticism, or a broader positioning gap.Monitor over time. Information environments continually change. Regularly review important sources and AI-generated answers to identify new gaps and keep your communications foundation current.Additional Resources:Reputation management for AI search: Monitoring and response frameworkRethinking reputation management in public relations for the AI eraAI search is the new front pageHow do you measure PR? A guide to meaningful metricsListen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.Find out more about Axia Public Relations.If you like this episode, you're going to love this:AI and PR with Microsoft's CCO Frank ShawThe PR playbook for getting recommended by AI with UnusualHow to prepare for any communication crisis with Tom CiubaCrisis lessons learned from Southwest AirlinesRecorded: September 2026Support the showOn Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us Fan MailIn this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd explains why brands should earn attention before they buy it and how generative AI makes leading with PR more important for marketing leaders.Tune in to learn more!Five things you’ll learn from this episode:1. Why the order of PR and advertising matters when you launch something new2. How Starbucks, Tesla, and Pepperidge Farm earned attention before they bought it3. Why launching advertising first can spend your news value4. How earned media shapes what generative AI platforms say about your brand5. Which three questions to ask before your next launch Quotables“They earned attention before they bought it.” — @jasonmudd9“Lead with PR. Then use advertising to amplify what PR helped build.” — @jasonmudd9“If you have something new, different, or disruptive, you have something advertising can’t buy. You have news value.” — @jasonmudd9“PR helped other people do the talking.” — @jasonmudd9“You don’t always have to buy attention first. Sometimes the better strategy is to earn it.” — @jasonmudd9If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.Guest’s contact info and resources:Jason Mudd on XJason Mudd on LinkedInPrioritizing PR over advertising with Laura Ries | On Top of PR podcastMuck Rack: What Is AI Reading? (May 2026)PR Success Stories: From Struggling Startup to More Than $130 Million in RevenuesAdditional Resources:The power of PRHow do you measure PR?7 ways to build credibility using public relationsPR is now the front door to AI discoveryListen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcastFind out more about Axia Public RelationsIf you like this episode, you're going to love this:The best argument for PR? Surprisingly, it’s AIHow public relations changes business outcomes95% of AI citations come from PR contentRecorded: September, 2026Support the showOn Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Ron Culp joins host Jason Mudd to discuss why business acumen now outweighs writing skills in PR hiring, the three stages of a corporate PR career, and five practical ways to build business acumen at any career stage.Tune in to learn more!Meet Our Guest:Our guest is Ron Culp, a professional-in-residence at DePaul University and a former corporate chief communications officer. He brings decades of experience across government, corporate communications, public relations agencies, and higher education, where he helps prepare the next generation of PR professionals.Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. Three stages of corporate public relations2. Why business acumen has taken over writing skills as the top thing employers want3. Five practical ways students and young professionals can build business acumen4. Why understanding how your company makes money changes the decisions you make5. Why business acumen matters Quotables"When what you're doing isn't having any impact on the business, you really have to question it. If you don't, you're gonna start being questioned." – Ron Culp"You just make better decisions if you have a sense of what the business is all about." – Ron Culp"Good writers are good thinkers, always has been the case, and good writers can be trained." – Ron Culp"If we can't figure out how they make money, then I'm not sure we can be the trusted strategic partner that we need to be." – Jason MuddIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.Guest’s contact info and resources:Ron Culp on LinkedInRon Culp's blog: culpwrit.comAgeism in the workplace: Hiring bias, careers, and the future of workHow trusted strategic advisors influence leadersAdditional Resources:Marketing leaders are reframing reputation management as a revenue strategyTraditional PR doesn’t work anymoreHow to turn social and reputation management into a revenue operating systemListen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcastFind out more about Axia Public RelationsIf you like this episode, you're going to love this:How public relations changes business outcomesHow communications professionals shape business successMaximizing Agency Partnerships with Mark RiggsRecorded: August, 2026Support the showOn Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Jessica Barber Scott joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how public relations professionals can move beyond impressions and advertising value equivalency to measure outcomes and impact, build measurement frameworks around business objectives, and use AI without losing the human judgment a CFO relationship requires.Tune in to learn more! Meet our guest:Our guest is Jessica Barber Scott, a senior communication professional with 15 years of experience across regulated financial services, state government, and higher education. She is a PRSA Silver Anvil Award winner for crisis communication and has advised C-suite leaders at organizations including TIAA, Corebridge Financial, and EverBank.Five things you’ll learn from this episode:1. Why AVE still shows up in reporting and what it costs you2. How to climb the three tiers of PR measurement (outputs, outcomes, and impact)3. Why your measurement framework should start with the business objective, not the data4. Four moves that change the dynamic of any CFO budget meeting5. What AI can do for measurement and what it can’t replace Quotables“The numbers are getting smaller as the work gets credible.” — Jessica Scott“Come in with the data. Not with an apology, with data.” — Jessica Scott“AI can pull faster. It can synthesize more broadly. It can find patterns across data at a scale that really no human team can match. But what it can't do is tell you whether you're measuring the right thing in the first place.” — Jessica Scott“Getting media coverage is not a result. It's an output of the work and the effort that you made.” — Jason MuddIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.Guest’s contact info and resources:Jessica Scott on LinkedInAMECAdditional Resources:How do you measure PR?Yes, PR is measurable. How to measure and report public relations and strategic corporate communicationsThe 3 biggest PR measurement mistakes5 metrics you should measure in PRListen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.Find out more about Axia Public Relations.If you like this episode, you're going to love this:What you should be measuring in your PR campaigns with Johna BurkeBarcelona Principles 4.0: How to measure PR effectively with AMEC CEO Johna BurkeThe power of PR measurement with Katie Delahaye Paine Recorded: August, 2026Support the showOn Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Ken Jacobs, principal of Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching, joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how communications leaders can apply proven leadership principles to AI adoption.Tune in to learn more!Meet our guest:Our guest is Ken Jacobs, principal of Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching. Ken helps public relations, communications, and marketing leaders become more effective and inspiring leaders through executive coaching and consulting. Before launching his consulting practice, he spent 25 years in leadership roles at leading PR agencies. He also hosts Taking the Lead, a leadership video podcast, and writes the quarterly Taking the Lead column for the Public Relations Society of America's Strategies & Tactics publication.Five things you’ll learn from this episode:1. How courageous leaders embrace AI2. Why every organization needs AI guardrails3. How leaders can build AI confidence4. Why listening leads to stronger teams5. How AI and human judgment work together Quotables"If you're not already deep in AI, you're behind, but it's also never too late." — Ken Jacobs“Walk the walk, not just talk the talk.” — Ken Jacobs“True leaders update their knowledge and fluency.” — Ken Jacobs“You as a leader have to be able to ask the right kind of questions.” — Ken Jacobs"Hire smart people and get out of their way." — Jason MuddIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.Guest’s contact info and resources:Ken Jacobs on LinkedInJacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching websiteTaking the Lead PodcastHow to stay ahead of AI in communications and marketingFour leadership tips to guide you through uncertain timesAdditional resources:What sources feed generative AI answers?What Google AI Mode means for your PR and media strategyHow are AI tools changing PR jobs?Axia’s AIVisibility serviceListen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.Find out more about Axia Public Relations.If you like this episode, you're going to love this:The best argument for PR? Surprisingly, it's AI95% of AI citations come from PR content Managing communications and PR in the AI eraEmbedded AI: The future of PR and communication workflowsRecorded: July, 2026Support the showOn Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, LA County communications leader Brenda Duran joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how to manage communications and public relations in the AI era through trust and authentic storytelling.Tune in to learn more!Meet Our Guest:Our guest is Brenda Duran, director of external affairs at the Los Angeles County Justice, Care and Opportunities Department. An award-winning public affairs and communications executive with more than 12 years of experience, Brenda specializes in crisis communications, community engagement, and building trust through authentic storytelling. A former journalist, she brings a unique perspective on how public institutions can communicate with transparency, empathy, and impact.Five things you’ll learn from this episode:1. The rise of AI in public relations2. Building trust in a digital-first world3. Leading communications during high-stakes moments4. The power of authentic storytelling5. The future of communications leadershipQuotables “[AI] is not there to replace anything; it's more to enhance what we're already doing.”  — Brenda Duran“Trust isn't really built in with one campaign. It's earned through repeated reliable communication over time.” — Brenda Duran“AI definitely cannot replace some fundamental things like strategic thinking, relationship building, emotional intelligence, ethics and cultural understanding. Those are things that no machine will ever be able to take from us.” — Brenda Duran“We need to become AI literate, but you have to also remain human-centered.” — Brenda Duran“We still have to be trusted strategic advisors, lead with strategy, lead with empathy and humanity, and just make the right choices of what's good and what's ethical for the marketplace.” — Jason MuddIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.Guest’s contact info and resources:@bduran5 on InstagramBrenda Duran on LinkedInBrenda Duran’s websiteFrom newsroom to PR: Journalists making the switchTransition from journalism to PRAdditional Resources:AI in PR: Transforming communication strategiesThe emerging role of AI in public relationsHow to speak with clarity and authority during a crisisAxia’s AI visibility servicesListen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.Find out more about Axia Public Relations.If you like this episode, you're going to love this:The best argument for PR? Surprisingly, it's AIWhen a crisis hits, say this or stay silentEffective crisis communicationsRecorded: July, 2026Support the showOn Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us Fan MailIn this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd discusses how public relations drives awareness, credibility, trust, and demand to create measurable business outcomes beyond media coverage.Tune in to learn more!Five things you’ll learn from this episode:1. Why organizations should measure PR by business outcomes instead of media outputs2. How awareness can remove growth barriers for great products and services3. Why earned media builds credibility that influences customer behavior4. How visibility creates demand through real-world business examples5. What marketing leaders should ask when evaluating PR performance Quotables“Organizations invest in PR because they want business results.” — @jasonmudd9“The game didn't change; awareness changed.” — @jasonmudd9“Awareness gets attention, credibility earns trust, and trust influences behavior.” — @jasonmudd9“Public relations isn't magic, but when it's aligned with business objectives, it can be a powerful driver of business outcomes.” — @jasonmudd9“Awareness influenced credibility. Credibility influenced demand, and demand influenced business outcomes.” — @jasonmudd9If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.Contact info and resources:Jason Mudd on XJason Mudd on LinkedInHow the power of PR saved TwisterPR Success Stories: From Struggling Startup to More Than $130 Million in RevenuesPR Success Stories: Media Coverage for HeadBlade Creates $25,000 in Website SalesAxia Case Study Foundation Financial GroupAdditional Resources:The power of PRHow do you measure PR?7 ways to build credibility using public relations5 ways PR can generate buzz for your businessListen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcastFind out more about Axia Public RelationsIf you like this episode, you're going to love this:3 ways franchisors can use PR to grow their company with John HewittPR research with Mark WeinerRecorded: June 15, 2026Support the showOn Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, James (Jim) Lukaszewski joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how to influence leaders through trust, candor, and strategic communication.Tune in to learn more!Meet our guest:Our guest is James (Jim) Lukaszewski, president and CEO of The Lukaszewski Group. Jim has advised business leaders through crises and high-stakes situations for more than five decades. He shares practical strategies for becoming the trusted strategic advisor leaders rely on when making important decisions.Five things you’ll learn from this episode:1. Why trusted advisors begin by understanding leadership challenges before communication challenges 2. How candor helps build credibility with executives 3. The Three-Minute Drill for presenting strategic recommendations 4. Why offering options instead of conclusions leads to better leadership decisions5. How studying leadership helps communicators become more influential advisors Quotables“All problems are management and organizational problems before they are any other kind of problem.” — Jim Lukaszewski“You have to start where the person you're advising is, not where you think the solution is.” — Jim Lukaszewski“Management happens in real time.” — Jim Lukaszewski“Anybody who can offer three perspectives or useful concepts about any problem the boss is facing is a valuable person.” — Jim Lukaszewski“Your highest and best use … is being a trusted advisor to leadership.” — Jason MuddIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.Guest’s contact info and resources:James Lukaszewski on LinkedInJames E. Lukaszewski on YouTubeE911 websiteCrisisguru.aiPre-order the “Influencing Leaders” bookPre-order Jim’s new book.Email a copy of your receipt to [email protected] with the subject line "TOP." Follow Jim on LinkedIn.Subscribe to Jim’s newsletter.When the book is released in August, you'll receive the handbook by email.Additional Resources:Does PR play an active role in your strategic planning? Learn how to make it easier to reach your goalsDefining leadership in corporate communicationsAxia’s crisis PR serviceListen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.Find out more about Axia Public Relations.If you like this episode, you're going to love this:How to be a trusted adviser with Del GallowayWhen a crisis hits, say this or stay silentRecorded: July, 2026Support the showOn Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Heidi Howell joins host Jason Mudd to discuss why organizations should think twice before cutting PR during economic uncertainty. They explore the connection between reputation, recruiting, employer branding, visibility, trust, and revenue growth.Tune in to learn more!Meet our guest:Our guest is Heidi Howell, she is a marketing executive who leads efforts to transform marketing into a revenue-driving function within healthcare staffing and human resources technology. She partners with executive teams to align marketing, sales, and operations through scalable systems, data-driven strategy, and growth-focused demand generation.Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. Why public relations is often cut first and why that can be a costly mistake2. How reputation directly impacts recruiting outcomes and talent acquisition3. Why you should view recruiting as a revenue-driving function4. How PR keeps you visible to top clients 5. Questions leaders should ask before reducing PR investments Quotables“PR is not just about visibility; it's about trust, reputation, and staying known to the people who are ultimately going to be buying your services.” — Heidi Howell“Recruiting is our revenue. That's how we make money. We make money by placing great candidates at great jobs with great clients.” — Heidi Howell“When companies cut PR, they're cutting the very thing that keeps them visible.” — Heidi Howell"When budgets are being cut, trust becomes more valuable, not less." — Heidi Howell“In a down economy, trust becomes more valuable, not less. PR is one of the few functions built specifically to protect it.” — Jason MuddIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.Guest’s contact info and resources:Heidi Howell on LinkedInHow PR influences recruiting, retention, and workforce qualityratethispodcast.com/ontopofprAdditional Resources:Reputation management for AI search: Monitoring and response frameworkWarning signs your online reputation management is failingAxia’s reputation management serviceListen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.Find out more about Axia Public Relations.If you like this episode, you're going to love this:Job search and hiring tips with Nicole BalsamNavigating PR and communications hiring with Brooke KrugerSupport the showOn Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.