On Top of PR with Jason Mudd

Jason Mudd, Axia Public Relations

On Top of PR is a podcast dedicated to helping corporate communications leaders leverage the power of PR to build a strong brand and great reputation. Each episode features guests to discuss PR and marketing topics, tips, and trends. We want to help every active and aspiring communication professional stay on top of PR.   It is one of the top 3% most popular podcast shows globally, according to Listen Notes' Listen Score, and among the top 100 marketing podcasts in the world on Apple Podcasts.   We've featured guests from Disney, Wells Fargo, Tyson Foods, Mall of America, Priceline, Southwest Airlines, and more. About Jason MuddJason Mudd is a professional public speaker, accredited public relations practitioner, published author, podcaster, and entrepreneur. The World Communication Forum named him North America’s top PR leader. He’s the CEO and managing partner of Axia Public Relations. Forbes Magazine named Axia as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. He is a trusted adviser and dynamic strategist to some of America’s most admired and fastest-growing companies. His past PR work includes American Airlines, Budweiser, Dave & Buster’s, H&R Block, Hilton, HP, Miller Lite, New York Life, Pizza Hut, Southern Comfort, and Verizon. 

  1. Rethinking press releases with the rise of AI

    3일 전

    Rethinking press releases with the rise of AI

    Send us a text In this episode, Serena Ehrlich joins On Top of PR host Jason Mudd to discuss how AI-powered search engines take data from press releases, and how they decide on what to show their users. Tune in to learn more! Our Guest: Our episode guest is Serena Ehrlich. She’s the go-to-market director at Notified, the parent company of GlobeNewswire, which provides global press release distribution services. Serena helps spread the “good word” of up-to-date, evolving PR strategies to help PR pros navigate an ever-shifting landscape. Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. How AI ingests press releases and what sticks  2. How the rise of AI-powered search engines parallels the rise of traditional search engines like Google 3. Who actually reads press releases and why they’re the most important to your business 4. The current and future impact of fake press releases 5. How to build a quality press release that will reach your intended audience   Quotables @4:20 — “When somebody says a press release doesn’t work, the very first thing I think of is, ‘Oh, you don’t know what it’s supposed to do.’” – Serena Ehrlich @13:33 — “Search, social, and AI.” – Serena Ehrlich @22:21 — “If it’s as easy as you and me releasing a press release and having that impact AI, look at the opportunity.” – Serena Ehrlich @25:35 — “I love you guys, but your press releases are terrible.” – Serena Ehrlich @ - “People read in an F pattern. If you don't have images, you’ve lost them” – Serena Ehrlich If 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. About Serena Ehrlich Serena Ehrlich is a veteran professional in the fields of investor relations, public relations, and marketing. She currently serves as the director of product marketing at Business Wire. Over more than 25 years, she has become a trusted authority on emerging communication technologies and strategies, helping guide organizations through evolving trends in media and consumer behavior.  Her deep-rooted experience began in advertising, where she honed her understanding of large-scale branding before continuing through two decades in the newswire industry. She has driven successful local, national, and global campaigns for major brands such as Kraft, Kohl’s, Avon, Mattel, and more. Serena transitioned into a strategic go-to-market and social media leadership role, currently serving as the go-to-market director at Notified. Known for her dynamic approach to modern media, she blends content creation, data insights, and format innovation to drive education, advocacy, and revenue. Her philosophy encapsulates this approach: Data + Content + Format = Education + Evangelists + Revenues. A recognized thought leader in the industry, she was named one of the Top 25 Women in Mobile to Watch in 2013 and continues to leverage her pr Support the show On 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.

    36분
  2. How earned media is fueling PR’s resurgence in the generative AI search era

    8월 18일

    How earned media is fueling PR’s resurgence in the generative AI search era

    Send us a text In this episode, Matt Dzugan joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how PR pros can use data, AI, and smarter tools to improve media outreach. Tune in to learn more! Our Guest: Our episode guest is Matt Dzugan, senior director of data at Muck Rack. As a software engineer, he contributes to building tools that help journalists and PR professionals collaborate more effectively. With a strong background in full-stack development, he focuses on creating scalable, user-friendly solutions in the media tech space. Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. How to use PR software to streamline journalist research and pitching 2. Why understanding journalist preferences improves outreach effectiveness 3. What data points matter most when evaluating earned media success 4. How Muck Rack supports PR teams through integrations and automation 5. Trends in AI, media relations, and PR measurement that pros should watch   Quotables “We’re building tools that PR pros actually use and value every day.” — @mattdzugan “Better media outreach starts with better journalist insights.” — @JasonMudd9 “PR is evolving fast. You need the right tools to keep up.” — @mattdzugan “Good PR tech doesn’t replace relationships — it enhances them.” — @mattdzugan If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a professional colleague or friend. You may also share your experience with others, buy me a coffee, or leaving us a quick podcast review. About Matt Dzugan Matt Dzugan is a senior software engineer at Muck Rack, where he helps develop tools that empower journalists and PR professionals to collaborate more effectively. With a background in full-stack development, he brings a thoughtful, systems-oriented approach to building reliable, scalable software that meets the media industry’s evolving needs. His work spans from backend architecture to user-facing features, all designed to enhance the transparency, speed, and efficiency of media workflows. Beyond writing clean, maintainable code, Matt is known for his collaborative mindset and dedication to continuous improvement. He actively engages with cross-functional teams to ensure that engineering decisions align with product goals, and he’s always looking for ways to optimize performance and user experience. At Muck Rack, Matt plays a key role in helping the company scale its platform to support a growing user base while staying true to its mission of supporting a free and sustainable press. Guest’s contact info and resources: Matt Dzugan on X (@mattdzugan) Matt Dzugan on LinkedIn Muck Rack’s website What is AI Reading? Generative Pulse Additional Resources: Support the show On 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.

    55분
  3. Networking Without an Agenda: The Key to Career Longevity

    8월 12일

    Networking Without an Agenda: The Key to Career Longevity

    Send us a text Daniel Mendez of Collective Measures shares how the importance of early and active networking. Tune in to learn more! Our Guest: Our episode guest is Collective Measures’ Daniel Mendez, vice president of earned and owned media. He is a seasoned public relations and corporate communications professional with more than 17 years of experience leading global strategies in employee engagement, executive visibility, and reputation management across industries such as healthcare, energy, and pharmaceuticals. Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. How networking must be intentional and ongoing 2. Why you must give in a relationship before you can take. 3. Why PR professionals shouldn’t neglect personal branding. 4. The role of PR and communications and how it shapes narratives. 5. The role of community in your career and the impact it has on it.   Quotables “What you’re trying to do is build relationships” — @DanielMendez “PR people are amazing at promoting others and telling other people's stories, but we forget to tell our own story.” — @DanielMendez “The best opportunities that I've ever gotten in my career didn't come from a job board, they came from people.” — @DanielMendez “People think communications is just sending an email or a poster … It's not. It's so much more than that.” — Jason Mudd “That personal brand is what people remember when they're making decisions about who to bring on board.” — Jason Mudd If 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. About Daniel Mendez Daniel Mendez is vice president of earned and owned media at Collective Measures, a Minneapolis-based performance marketing agency. With more than 15 years of experience across public relations, content marketing, and media strategy, Daniel helps B2B companies connect PR with business outcomes. At Collective Measures, Daniel works closely with marketing and sales teams to align messaging, support each stage of the buyer journey, and use earned media to drive awareness and credibility in niche markets. His approach bridges strategy and execution, making PR a measurable, impactful part of the demand generation engine. Guest’s contact info and resources: Daniel Mendez’s website Daniel Mendez on LinkedIn Additional Resources: Navigating PR and communications hiring with Brooke Kruger How public relations impacts company reputation, revenue, and recruiting Corporate c Support the show On 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.

    36분
  4. Managing stress in public relations with Integrated Leadership Systems’ M.J. Clark

    7월 21일

    Managing stress in public relations with Integrated Leadership Systems’ M.J. Clark

    Send us a text In this episode, M.J. Clark joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how PR pros can manage stress and thrive under pressure by adopting better leadership practices. Tune in to learn more! Our Guest: Our episode guest is M.J. Clark, vice president at Integrated Leadership Systems. With more than 15 years of experience as an executive coach and leadership consultant, she specializes in helping professionals in high-stress industries like PR thrive under pressure. M.J. supports executives in strengthening communication, setting boundaries, and building emotional intelligence. She’s the author of Leading Through Listening and other books on assertive leadership and workplace wellness. Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. Why PR is among the most stressful careers and what you can do about it 2. The five ways people typically respond to stress and how to identify your style 3. Ways to manage stress before it leads to burnout 4. How tools like journaling, affirmations, and body language influence emotional control 5. How assertiveness and boundary-setting help PR pros manage clients  Quotables "You don’t realize how much stress you’re taking on when you’re not sharing your thoughts and feelings." — @MJ Clark "PR is high-pressure by nature, but burnout isn’t inevitable." — @MJ Clark "Being a trusted adviser means showing up clearly, confidently, and consistently." — @JasonMudd9 "When we reframe our thoughts, we reshape how we lead and respond under pressure." — @MJ Clark "Assertiveness isn’t confrontation. It’s clarity with compassion." — @MJ Clark If 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. About M.J. Clark M.J. Clark is the vice president at Integrated Leadership Systems, where she serves as an executive coach, leadership consultant, and trainer. With over 15 years of experience, she helps professionals and organizations manage stress, improve communication, and develop stronger leadership skills. M.J. specializes in guiding executives through high-pressure situations, teaching them how to set boundaries, build emotional intelligence, and communicate with clarity and confidence. She holds a master’s degree in organizational communication from The Ohio State University and authored three books, including “Leading Through Listening.” Her work blends research-based strategies with real-world applications, making her a sought-after speaker and coach across industries. M.J.’s mission is to help leaders thrive under pressure while fostering healthier workplace cultures through assertiveness, trust, and self-awareness. Guest’s contact info and resources: M.J. Clark on LinkedIn Integrated Leadership System website Support the show On 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.

    39분
  5. The dirty truth about ‘guaranteed media coverage’

    7월 8일

    The dirty truth about ‘guaranteed media coverage’

    Send us a text In this solocast episode, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd discusses why “guaranteed media” isn’t earned and how to protect yourself from misleading PR firms. Tune in to learn more! Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. What “guaranteed media coverage” really means — and why it’s rarely earned 2. The differences between earned, placed, contributed, and sponsored content 3. How deceptive firms use fake credibility and vanity metrics to lure clients 4. The true cost of falling for pay-to-play PR, including damaged trust and wasted budgets 5. What questions you must ask before hiring a PR partner to protect your investment   Quotables “If it’s guaranteed, it’s not earned. And if it’s not earned, it’s not PR — it’s advertising.” — @JasonMudd9 “You’re not being pitched to journalists. You’re being pitched to a payment processor.” — @JasonMudd9 “Too many firms are ghostwriting puff pieces and calling it earned coverage. It’s not.” — @JasonMudd9 “Earned media is hard to win, and that’s exactly why it works.” — @JasonMudd9 “You deserve real answers, not marketing spin.” — @JasonMudd9 If 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. About Jason Mudd, Axia Public Relations Jason Mudd is a trusted adviser and dynamic strategist for some of America’s most admired brands. Since 1994, he’s worked with brands including American Airlines, Budweiser, Dave & Buster’s, H&R Block, Hilton, HP, Miller Lite, New York Life, Pizza Hut, Southern Comfort, and Verizon.  Jason founded Axia Public Relations in 2002. Forbes named Axia one of America’s Best PR Agencies. At Axia, Jason oversees strategic communications for national clients and leads top PR talent. Clients love his passion, innovation, candor, commitment, and award-winning team. He consults with leadership teams at billion-dollar global business-to-business and business-to-consumer brands, advising them on spokesperson training, crisis communications, analytics, social media, online reputation management, and more.  In an increasingly tech-forward world, Jason’s grasp of the technological demands companies face helps his multiple-sector clients reach their target audiences. After teaching himself HTML in 1994, Jason helped pioneer internet marketing strategies as an early adopter of e-commerce, search engine optimization, and social media, inspiring tech giants like Yahoo. He speaks to corporations and industry groups and writes about PR trends and best practices for American City Business Journals and other national outlets. Guest’s contact info and resources: Jason Mudd on X Jason Mudd on LinkedIn Axia Public Relations 1:1 consultations and training with Support the show On 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.

    26분
  6. The evolution of remote work with HireMyMom’s Lesley Pyle

    6월 25일

    The evolution of remote work with HireMyMom’s Lesley Pyle

    Send us a text In this episode, HireMyMom’s Lesley Pyle joins On Top of PR host Jason Mudd to discuss how remote work is transforming the modern workforce Tune in to learn more! Our Guest: Our episode guest is HireMyMom’s Lesley Pyle, founder and CEO of the platform. She has been connecting small businesses with skilled remote professionals since 2007 and brings over two decades of experience in public relations and entrepreneurship. Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. How remote work has evolved from a niche option to a mainstream employment model 2. What today’s professionals are looking for in flexible or freelance roles 3. Why small businesses are embracing remote hiring and the benefits it brings 4. How digital platforms and collaboration tools have removed barriers to remote work 5. Tips for staying relevant, confident, and competitive in a digital-first workforce Quotables “Flexibility is the number-one thing people are looking for. That freedom is like gold.” — @LesleyPyle “Technology has made it easier than ever for businesses to connect with top-tier talent virtually.” — @LesleyPyle “We’ve gone from asking ‘Can this be done remotely?’ to ‘Why wouldn’t it be?’” — @LesleyPyle “Staying engaged in your field, even just a few hours a week, keeps you current and competitive.” — @LesleyPyle “The evolution of remote work isn’t just about where we work — it’s about how we define work altogether.” — @LesleyPyle If 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. About Lesley Pyle Lesley Pyle is the founder and CEO of HireMyMom.com, an online platform that connects small businesses with experienced remote professionals. She launched her first online community for home-based working moms in 1996 and has been a leading voice in the evolution of flexible freelance work ever since. With a master’s degree in public relations and over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, Lesley understands the shifting priorities of today’s workforce. Through HireMyMom, she empowers professionals to find legitimate remote roles and helps businesses discover top-tier talent outside of traditional hiring models. Guest’s contact info and resources: Lesley Pyle on X Lesley Pyle on LinkedIn Lesley Pyle on Facebook Lesley Pyle on Instagram HireMyMom website Additional Resources: How Much Money Can You Save by Working from Home? Products for Your Support the show On 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.

    26분
  7. Media intelligence and PR measurement with Meltwater’s Chris Hackney

    6월 9일

    Media intelligence and PR measurement with Meltwater’s Chris Hackney

    Send us a text In this episode, Chris Hackney joins On Top of PR host Jason Mudd to learn how to track, interpret, and leverage media coverage. Tune in to learn more! Our Guest: Our episode guest is Chris Hackney, chief product officer at Meltwater. He brings more than 25 years of experience in B2B SaaS, specializing in media intelligence, PR technology, and communications strategy. At Meltwater, he leads product innovation to help brands navigate complex media landscapes and act on real-time insights. Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. What media intelligence is and how it strengthens PR strategy 2. How to turn media monitoring into measurable business insights 3. Why PR professionals must embrace data-driven storytelling 4. Which metrics matter most when evaluating earned media coverage 5. How Meltwater is evolving its tools to meet the needs of modern communicators Quotables “Media intelligence helps you move from reporting what happened to influencing what happens next.” — @ChrisHackney “PR needs to speak the language of the boardroom. That means data, context, and outcomes.” — @ChrisHackney “The goal isn’t more coverage — it’s the right coverage that moves the needle.” — @ChrisHackney “You can’t manage what you don’t measure. And that includes reputation.” — @JasonMudd9 “Media monitoring tools have evolved. It’s time PR pros evolved with them.” — @JasonMudd9 If 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. About Chris Hackney Our episode guest is Meltwater’s Chris Hackney, vice president of enterprise sales. Chris brings nearly two decades of experience in digital media, SaaS technology, and public relations. At Meltwater, he works closely with communications leaders and enterprise organizations to help them gather, analyze, and act on media insights that drive strategic decisions. Chris has a deep understanding of the evolving PR landscape and the growing need for measurement and accountability in earned media. He frequently works with clients to strengthen their media intelligence capabilities and align communications with business outcomes. His insights help brands better understand their reputations, competitive positioning, and media performance in a fast-moving digital environment. Guest’s contact info and resources: Chris Hackney on LinkedIn Meltwater website 10 steps to prepare your company for crisis Additional Resources: Understanding the differences of PR monitoring, measurement, and evaluation Support the show On 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.

    33분
  8. AI storytelling and PR strategy with Egnyte’s Jessica Pantages

    5월 28일

    AI storytelling and PR strategy with Egnyte’s Jessica Pantages

    Send us a text In this episode, Jessica Pantages joins host Jason Mudd to explore how AI is reshaping storytelling and public relations Tune in to learn more! Our Guest: Our episode guest is Jessica Pantages, Egnyte’s chief communications officer. With more than 20 years of experience in aerospace, construction, consumer tech, and agriculture, Jessica leads the global corporate marketing team at Egnyte, a B2B software company focused on collaboration, governance, and AI-enhanced solutions. She brings deep insight into how marketing and PR professionals can responsibly and strategically integrate AI into their communications work. Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. How AI is enhancing PR storytelling and content workflows 2. Why marketers must understand prompt crafting and data literacy 3. Ways PR pros can use AI to develop personalized media pitches and optimize translation at scale 4. The importance of AI governance, including style guides, usage policies, and compliance tracking 5. How communications professionals can evolve into “story systems architects”   Quotables “Humans will set the narrative arc and the ethics. Machines will handle the infinite micro stories.” — @JessicaPantages “If you try to avoid AI now, you're just going to find yourself in a heap of trouble in the future.” — @JessicaPantages “Treat AI like any other vendor. You need a usage log, disclosure rules, and a style guide.” — @JessicaPantages “We're just at the beginning of figuring out the prompts that give us usable drafts.” — @JessicaPantages “AI is a great beginning, but a terrible ending. It still needs human oversight.” — @JasonMudd9 If 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. About Jessica Pantages Jessica Pantages is the chief communications officer at Egnyte, where she leads the company’s global corporate marketing and communications strategy. With over two decades of experience across aerospace, construction, consumer tech, and B2B software, Jessica brings a deep understanding of how to connect complex technology with real-world audiences. At Egnyte, she helps teams leverage AI to streamline workflows, enhance storytelling, and maintain brand integrity at scale. Her leadership has been instrumental in navigating major company milestones, including a recent acquisition, and in guiding her team through the evolving landscape of content creation, governance, and digital engagement. Jessica is passionate about blending human creativity with machine insight to shape the future of PR and marketing. Guest’s contact info and resources: Jessica Pantages on X Jessica Pantages on LinkedIn Egnyte Support the show On 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.

    33분
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On Top of PR is a podcast dedicated to helping corporate communications leaders leverage the power of PR to build a strong brand and great reputation. Each episode features guests to discuss PR and marketing topics, tips, and trends. We want to help every active and aspiring communication professional stay on top of PR.   It is one of the top 3% most popular podcast shows globally, according to Listen Notes' Listen Score, and among the top 100 marketing podcasts in the world on Apple Podcasts.   We've featured guests from Disney, Wells Fargo, Tyson Foods, Mall of America, Priceline, Southwest Airlines, and more. About Jason MuddJason Mudd is a professional public speaker, accredited public relations practitioner, published author, podcaster, and entrepreneur. The World Communication Forum named him North America’s top PR leader. He’s the CEO and managing partner of Axia Public Relations. Forbes Magazine named Axia as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. He is a trusted adviser and dynamic strategist to some of America’s most admired and fastest-growing companies. His past PR work includes American Airlines, Budweiser, Dave & Buster’s, H&R Block, Hilton, HP, Miller Lite, New York Life, Pizza Hut, Southern Comfort, and Verizon. 

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