Public Relations Review Podcast

Peter C Woolfolk, Producer & Host

An award-winning, global podcast with host Peter Woolfolk discussing substantive public relations topics, issues, and more with public relations professionals, educators, vendors, and others. Seasoned professionals provide expert content useful in your daily PR projects. Guests from around the U.S. {and some international} are interviewed, all while providing quality, substantive information of interest to public relations professionals at all levels.APPLE ranks this podcast among the "Top 1%" of podcasts worldwide." Rated #4 on the "MillionPodcasts" Top 60 PR Podcasts. Ranked in the Top 10% most popular shows of the 3.5+ million ranked by "Listen Score."  Rated #13 on FEEDSPOTS top 70 PR Podcasts 2025. Recently, the podcast won the 2024 Award of Merit from the Nashville PRSA. The podcast also won the UK's  Innovation in Business's  "Media Innovator Award" as "Podcast Innovator of the Year--2023--Southern USA."  The podcast has won "Best Podcast" awards from American Business Awards and Nashville-PRSA.  Rated in the U.S. among "Top" / "Best" PR podcasts on multiple sites.  Five-star ratings on Apple Podcasts. Listeners in 3,279 cities in 157 countries around the world.  Available on Amazon Alexa and 30+ sites around the world.Podcast official website: www.publicrelationsreviewpodcast.com  Podcast studio currently located in Brentwood, Tenn  USA.Leave a podcast review at:  https://www.publicrelationsreviewpodcast.com Facebook/Meta: https://m.facebook.com/Public-Relations-Review-Podcast-590455264754170/ Learn more on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D54NRSyeXs 

  1. 11 MAY

    Your Marketing Drives Traffic But PR Builds Belief

    I would very like to get a review from you. Please send a note to me. Thanks, Peter! like to much appreciate a review from you!! Thank you! Your ads can be working and your content can look polished, yet the sales still stall the moment someone checks your profile or Googles your business. That’s not a “more traffic” problem. It’s a trust problem, and it shows up as inconsistency, unclear positioning, and an online footprint that fails to confirm your claims. Peter Woolfolk talks with Vancouver, British Columbia PR strategist Anna Tran, co-founder of Level Up With Anna PR, to unpack what she calls purposeful PR: media coverage and strategic placements that act as third-party validation when you’re not in the room. She walks through the real-world reasons brands get ignored even when they’re successful, including how missing visibility can cost partnerships, recruiting, and high-level opportunities. Anna shares a simple audit you can run today, plus practical guidance on tightening your message, making your offer easier to understand, and writing calls to action that actually move people forward. She also draws a bright line between public relations and marketing. Marketing generates attention, but PR builds favorability and lowers the barrier of entry for qualified buyers. That difference matters when clients expect PR to be a magic button, and it matters inside corporations where senior leaders may need a clearer case for reputation management and brand equity before they commit. If you want a stronger PR strategy, better media pitching, and a brand presence that holds up under scrutiny, listen now. Subscribe, share the show with a colleague, and leave a review so more people can build credibility that lasts. Information on NEW podcast website. Support the show Newsletter link: https://www.publicrelationsreviewpodcast.com

    24 min
  2. 20 APR

    How To Write Media Pitches Journalists Actually Open And Use

    I would very like to get a review from you. Please send a note to me. Thanks, Peter! like to much appreciate a review from you!! Thank you! Your pitch is competing with hundreds of emails a day, so “spray and pray” PR isn’t just ineffective, it’s invisible. Peter woolfolk speaks with Kourtney Jason, president and co-founder of Pacific and Court, to unpack what actually works in media relations when you’re trying to earn coverage for a book, an author, or an idea. She draws on her background as a former magazine journalist to explain what it feels like to be on the receiving end, and how that perspective should change the way you pitch. We get concrete about the mechanics: how to research a journalist’s true beat (not the overly broad label in a media database), how to use Google Alerts to track who is writing about your topic right now, and how to craft an email subject line that tells the story clearly enough to earn the open. Courtney also shares why timing is rarely “now or never” in book publicity, how to build smart news hooks around publication dates and seasonal calendars like holiday gift guides, and why a well-targeted pitch can turn into a yes months later. Then we zoom out to modern publicity. Traditional media still matters, but it doesn’t sell books the way it used to, so we talk podcast tours, Substack newsletters, and niche audiences that actually convert. Along the way, we cover simple credibility moves that make journalists trust you: meeting deadlines, delivering clean assets, and making their job easier so they come back when they need an expert. Subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave a review, then tell us: what’s the hardest part of pitching for you? Information on NEW podcast website. Support the show Newsletter link: https://www.publicrelationsreviewpodcast.com

    26 min
  3. 10/11/2025

    How Research Makes Your PR Pitch Stand Out

    I would very like to get a review from you. Please send a note to me. Thanks, Peter! like to much appreciate a review from you!! Thank you! Ever wonder why some PR pitches get immediate attention while others languish in crowded inboxes? The secret might be in how you're using—or misusing—research data. Nathan Richter of Wakefield Research pulls back the curtain on the powerful relationship between public relations and data research, revealing how these disciplines must work in concert rather than as separate functions. With experience on both sides of the equation, Richter speaks directly to the challenges PR professionals face when trying to make their stories stand out. The conversation tackles a widespread problem in communications: the tendency to equate complexity with sophistication when presenting research. As Richter explains, "Many PR people, when they have data in hand, tend to be extremely excited and eager to publicize it... unfortunately, many equate complexity with sophistication or quality. Nothing could be further from the truth." In an environment where journalists face a barrage of pitches daily, clarity and credibility become your most valuable currency. Perhaps most valuable is Richter's breakdown of the "broken process" most organizations use to develop research for public consumption. Rather than the common approach of brainstorming questions without clear intention, he advocates for a hypothesis-driven methodology that starts with desired outcomes. This approach triangulates what brands want to communicate, what media wants to hear, and what can actually be discovered through research—creating stories that truly resonate. For PR professionals looking to elevate their media relations through research, this conversation offers practical guidance on building credibility, avoiding common pitfalls, and developing partnerships with research specialists who understand the unique demands of earned media. Whether you're pitching complex healthcare data or consumer trends, the principles remain the same: simplify, clarify, and validate your story with data that journalists can trust. Take your PR strategy to the next level by understanding how research can transform from merely supporting content to becoming your strongest competitive advantage in a crowded media landscape. Information on NEW podcast website. Support the show Newsletter link: https://www.publicrelationsreviewpodcast.com

    26 min
  4. 27/10/2025

    The Trust Bridge: Finding Patient Advocates in Healthcare

    I would very like to get a review from you. Please send a note to me. Thanks, Peter! like to much appreciate a review from you!! Thank you! What happens when the most powerful marketing tool—customer testimonials—is restricted by privacy laws and personal boundaries? Robin Malone, CEO of RJ Communications, pulls back the curtain and shares with host Peter Woolfolk the unique challenges healthcare brands face when trying to showcase real patient stories. With nearly three decades of experience in healthcare communications, Malone reveals how she's mastered the delicate art of building "trust bridges" between healthcare providers and potential patient advocates. "This can't be transactional," Malone emphasizes. "You have to build the kind of trust that takes time." Her approach focuses on finding what she calls the "loud voices in the room"—those patients already enthusiastic about sharing their experiences—rather than trying to convince reluctant individuals. The conversation explores the regulatory maze created by HIPAA laws that protect patient privacy while creating significant hurdles for marketers. Malone walks us through the multi-layered permission process required before a PR professional can even contact a potential patient advocate. She shares a fascinating case study where her team successfully reframed a pharmaceutical campaign to focus on patients' lives rather than their medical conditions, creating powerful advocacy without compromising privacy. For healthcare communicators, marketers, and PR professionals working in regulated industries, this episode offers invaluable insights into building authentic advocacy programs that respect both legal boundaries and personal comfort levels. Malone's hard-earned wisdom demonstrates that the most compelling healthcare stories come from advocates who genuinely want to share—never from those who've been persuaded against their better judgment. Have you encountered similar challenges in your industry? We'd love to hear your experiences with navigating regulatory hurdles while trying to showcase authentic customer stories. Information on NEW podcast website. Support the show Newsletter link: https://www.publicrelationsreviewpodcast.com

    25 min
  5. 13/10/2025

    Building Authentic Brands: Successful Strategies for Today's Digital Landscape

    I would very like to get a review from you. Please send a note to me. Thanks, Peter! like to much appreciate a review from you!! Thank you! Ever wondered what truly makes a brand successful in today's crowded marketplace? Alexandria "Alex" Hammond, principal of Brand News, cuts through the noise with powerful clarity on what matters most when establishing and protecting your brand identity. Hammond reveals to host Peter Woolfolk the two deceptively simple questions every organization must answer before launching any marketing initiative: "Who are you?" and "Why should people care?" These foundational queries serve as guideposts for authentic brand development that resonates with target audiences. She emphasizes the importance of going where your audience already exists rather than expecting them to come to you – a customer-centric approach that fundamentally shifts how brands should think about their presence across platforms. The conversation delves into practical strategies for integrated marketing, where public relations, social media, and digital content work in harmony rather than silos. Hammond shares valuable insights on content creation, explaining how earned media coverage gains exponential value when strategically repurposed across owned channels. With audiences' shrinking attention spans, she stresses the importance of front-loading compelling information – you typically have just 30 seconds to capture interest before losing your audience. Perhaps most valuable is Hammond's expertise in brand protection through crisis communications. She advocates for having crisis plans and teams established before issues arise, noting that it's not the crisis itself that defines brand perception, but how an organization responds and recovers. This requires strategic thinking, clear communication channels, and experienced professionals who understand the nuances of reputation management. Whether you're a startup defining your identity or an established organization looking to strengthen your brand presence, Hammond's practical wisdom offers a roadmap for authentic connection with audiences. Remember her parting advice: brand building is "definitely a marathon, not a sprint." Give yourself time to develop messaging, refine strategies, and build meaningful relationships with your audience. Your brand's story matters – what are you doing to tell it effectively? Information on NEW podcast website. Support the show Newsletter link: https://www.publicrelationsreviewpodcast.com

    35 min
  6. 29/09/2025

    Preparing for the Inevitable: Modern Communications Crisis

    I would very like to get a review from you. Please send a note to me. Thanks, Peter! like to much appreciate a review from you!! Thank you! Ever wondered when crisis communications became a recognized discipline? This riveting exploration traces the evolution of crisis management from its origins following a deadly 1942 Boston nightclub fire to today's sophisticated frameworks addressing everything from cyberattacks to brand reputation disasters. Matt Charles, crisis communications expert with a doctorate in public affairs, joins host Peter Woolfolk to walk us through how pioneers like Stephen Fink, Ian Mitroff, and Timothy Coombs established the theoretical foundations that organizations now rely on to navigate their darkest hours. These frameworks transformed crisis management from reactive scrambling to strategic preparation, emphasizing the crucial difference between merely responding and effectively managing threats. What separates successful crisis navigation from reputation-damaging failures? Charles reveals the essential components every crisis plan must include: dedicated teams, comprehensive scenario planning, regular simulations, and the "devil's advocate approach" that prepares for seemingly unlikely but potentially devastating events. "Nothing is too crazy. Nothing is too far off the table," Charles emphasizes, drawing from his frontline experience handling the 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville. The conversation tackles modern challenges like ransomware attacks and AI-generated disinformation while examining instructive case studies including Cracker Barrel's logo redesign disaster and Red Lobster's successful handling of its "unlimited shrimp" promotion crisis. Through these examples, Charles demonstrates how transparency, authenticity, and appropriate empathy can transform potential disasters into reputation-strengthening opportunities. Charles also introduces his new book examining nine crisis types throughout history—from conflict and disease to technological failures—revealing how leadership decisions repeatedly determine crisis outcomes. Whether you're a PR professional, organizational leader, or simply fascinated by how institutions navigate their greatest challenges, this episode provides invaluable insights into preparing for when things inevitably go wrong. Information on NEW podcast website. Support the show Newsletter link: https://www.publicrelationsreviewpodcast.com

    28 min

About

An award-winning, global podcast with host Peter Woolfolk discussing substantive public relations topics, issues, and more with public relations professionals, educators, vendors, and others. Seasoned professionals provide expert content useful in your daily PR projects. Guests from around the U.S. {and some international} are interviewed, all while providing quality, substantive information of interest to public relations professionals at all levels.APPLE ranks this podcast among the "Top 1%" of podcasts worldwide." Rated #4 on the "MillionPodcasts" Top 60 PR Podcasts. Ranked in the Top 10% most popular shows of the 3.5+ million ranked by "Listen Score."  Rated #13 on FEEDSPOTS top 70 PR Podcasts 2025. Recently, the podcast won the 2024 Award of Merit from the Nashville PRSA. The podcast also won the UK's  Innovation in Business's  "Media Innovator Award" as "Podcast Innovator of the Year--2023--Southern USA."  The podcast has won "Best Podcast" awards from American Business Awards and Nashville-PRSA.  Rated in the U.S. among "Top" / "Best" PR podcasts on multiple sites.  Five-star ratings on Apple Podcasts. Listeners in 3,279 cities in 157 countries around the world.  Available on Amazon Alexa and 30+ sites around the world.Podcast official website: www.publicrelationsreviewpodcast.com  Podcast studio currently located in Brentwood, Tenn  USA.Leave a podcast review at:  https://www.publicrelationsreviewpodcast.com Facebook/Meta: https://m.facebook.com/Public-Relations-Review-Podcast-590455264754170/ Learn more on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D54NRSyeXs