PR: Done & Doner

Is ChatGPT a threat or opportunity for creative and knowledge-driven fields like PR and journalism? We invited two PR pros and  an AI wonk / entrepreneur to help us understand what is happening and where things are going.  Host Bob Geller moderated the discussion with these panelists: Mark Prindle, Director, Fusion PR Diana Bost, Director, Fusion PR Stefano Pacifico, CEO and Co-founder of Epistemic AI, a company that uses AI for drug discovery It was a lively and wide ranging conversation.  The participants covered these points and others: Real-world PR use cases for ChatGPT today Pitfalls of ChatGPT State of AI, how far off is Artificial General Intelligence? Impact on AI vendor landscape How PR teams can responsibly harness its power Other generative AI solutions Please contact bob.geller@fusionpr.com to offer feedback, and suggest topics and podcast guests.  Thanks for tuning in!

PR, Done & Doner kicks off a new season with a discussion about achieving and proving great PR results. Renée Warren of We Wild Women, an agency that helps female entrepreneurs turn vision into impact, shares her experiences over many campaigns involving startups and tech companies.   Host Bob Geller spoke with Renée about these topics: The importance of measuring and connecting PR to business outcomes Tech tools ranging from spreadsheets to commercial solutions PR attribution: what it is, how to do track Case studies Renée is a dynamo, a great speaker, author, entrepreneur and a fellow podcaster.  You can read more about PR attribution in her article on the PRowly blog https://prowly.com/magazine/pr-attribution/ About Renée Warren: Renée Warren is an award-winning entrepreneur, inspirational speaker, author, and founder of We Wild Women, a platform that helps women-led businesses amplify their visibility. She’s also the host of the celebrated podcast, Into the Wild, a program that features curated interviews with women entrepreneurs and provides actionable advice to women who are launching or growing their own dream businesses. Renée firmly believes that the best advice comes from someone who has successfully done it before. Her approach to PR comes from over 23 years of experience as an entrepreneur, running marketing and PR agencies, and being an unapologetic risk-taker. When she's not crafting the ultimate pitch for her clients or podcasting, you can find Renée spending time with her family. In addition, she loves CrossFit, travel, and refining her drumming skills.

This special episode of PR, Done & Doner features highlights from interviews over the past year. It wasn't easy picking the best moments, because there were so many truly great guests covering important topics.  Here, we share insights that the hosts found to be interesting, informative and actionable, in snippets of 1-3 minutes each. We have combined experience of many decades of PR work - yet learned new and surprising things through these interviews. So check it out. The podcast includes three groups of clips, about creating influence, executive leadership, and PR in tech segments, featuring the following speakers: Kevin Maney, co-author of Playing Bigger, management consultant, top-tier journalist Mark Traphagen, SEO guru and influencer Robin Schaffer, analyst relations consultant Chris Holscher, analyst relations consultant Diego Pineda, thought leadership guru and author Brette  Goldstein, executive coach and casting director Daniel Nelson, crypto journalist Mark Hollmer, insurtech journalist Joseph Steinberg, cyebrsecurity influencer and top-tier contributor There were many other great moments and speakers, feel free to go back and binge on our episodes.  We will be running other roundups, as it is impossible to get everything into one episode. Thank you PR, Done & Doner fans - wishing you joyous holidays and a happy new year!

PR, Done and Doner sometimes takes a deep dive into the verticals that Fusion PR serves.  In this episode we explore the state of buzz, innovation and funding in insurtech, via a panel of experts: David Gritz, co-founder of InsurTechNY, the largest such community in North America that connects carriers, investors and startups Mark Hollmer, a veteran journalist who has covered the property/casualty insurance industry for more than a decade Layla Atya, serial insurtech entrepreneur; serves as CEO of Quantumerge, the first and only transactional liability MGA for small deals; and founder and CEO of Zala Technology, an insurance developer for tech companies and tech developer for insurance companies It was an informative conversation around these questions and others. The state of Insurtech - what it is, why it matters, where is it today? How have insurtechs been coping in light of reduced funding, and other economic stresses? What are VCs looking for? How is the playing field different today vs. a few years ago? Which technologies are hot, what's next? What's the number one tip for startup success? What are the best PR tactics for insurtech startups? Bios Layla Atya Before joining the insurance industry, Layla spent eight years in the Middle East, creating predictive models to understand behavior and the emergence of insurgencies in Iraq.  In 2016 Layla transitioned to insurance, which allowed her to combine her technology and legal expertise to improve the underwriting processes. After working for Victor Insurance for four years, she became the principal insurance consultant and the CEO of her first US-based company - Zala Technology. Zala was created to serve rising insurtech companies in the United States. In 2021 Layla founded an insurtech in the transactional liability space. Quantumerge officially became the first insurtech servicing small transactions in the United States. David Gritz David Gritz is an InsurTech community leader, public speaker, and InsurTech advisor. He has been featured in recognized Insurance media including Carrier Management, Digital Insurance, IIR, AM Best TV, and the Re/Image Podcast. David is the co-founder of InsurTech NY, the largest InsurTech community in the NY metro area. David also serves as a strategic advisor to high-growth InsurTechs to help them go from concept to scale. Previously David has served as the Director of Innovation for the Silicon Valley Insurance Accelerator (SVIA) and has led product at Zero, a behavioral safety focused InsurTech acquired by EverestRe. He holds a J.D. from the Mitchell Hamline School of Law and business and industrial engineering degrees from Lehigh University. Mark Hollmer Mark Hollmer is a veteran journalist who has covered the property/casualty insurance industry for more than a decade. For Key Media he helped launch two technology email newsletters focused on insurtech and mortgage fintech, respectively. At Wells Media, he wrote about the property/casualty insurance industry and co-edited a daily email newsletter for Carrier Management. He also launched a twice-monthly InsurTech newsletter in June 2019, under the Carrier Management umbrella. In addition, he helped plan and execute online InsurTech events for Wells, designing content and curating speakers.  To contact Bob Geller about the podcast or features he can be reached at Bob.Geller@Fusionpr.com

Most startups recognize the key role of industry analysts, and the value of getting into their reports.  But they may not understand exactly how (and when) to engage analysts for best results. Now,  the Universtiy of Edinburgh, with analyst relations experts Robin Schaffer and Chris Holscher, have released the results of a groundbreaking study that sheds light on the topic. We had Robin and Chris on the show to discuss the research, which is based on a survey of 500 startups, VCs, accelerators and industry analysts. They explained how the study refuted common myths, and shared actionable insights to help startups understand how and when to engage analysts, what to expect and how to improve collaboration and results, including: How to get on analysts' radars Jumpstarting success Working with analysts to ensure the best product-market fit The disconnect in perceptions that prevents many from deriving the most value Why analysts value startup relationships, and the right time to get started with A/R Thank you, Robin and Chris, for coming on the podcast and discussing the research. You can contact Robin Schaffer via her email robin@schafferar.com.  Feel free to reach out to Chris Holscher on LinkedIn. To contact Bob Geller about the podcast or features he can be reached at Bob.Geller@Fusionpr.com To obtain the report, you can visit either of the following links: https://www.holscher.one/ssia www.schafferar.com/ssia

Can you ace media interviews and up your exec preso skills by learning to channel your inner George Clooney or Meryl Streep? In this episode Brette Goldstein shares her advice and insight, as someone who helps both actors and executives put on their best performances. Brette chatted with host Bob Geller, and explained: The importance of identifying your "special sauce" How to get out of your own way and flex your charisma The importance of archetypes and role models Six questions that can prepare you for any interview or presentation Brette Goldstein Brette Goldstein has cast over 50 films, five TV series, over 300 commercials, countless plays, seven pilot presentations, and various new media projects.  Brette also works with executives at large, well known enterprises, non profits, and tech startups, bringing their authentic voice to the “role” for presentations, interiews, etc. You can read her full bio and find Brette's contact details at https://www.brettegoldstein.com/

In this episode, host Bob Geller interviews thought leadership guru Diego Pineda, an author who has carved out a niche advising solopreneurs and business executives; Diego literally wrote the book (see below).  He explains why thought leadership is a better place to invest precious time and marketing resources than content marketing if you are not already a big player or established brand.   These are some of the topics we explored in our conversation: How to develop a unique framework and PoV Why it is important to take a stand The need to publish or perish How and where to cutlivate communities Influencers vs. creators vs. thought leaders Diego Pineda Diego Pineda is the author of two novels, 9 non-fiction books, and hundreds of articles and blogs as a science writer, a business writer, and a sales and marketing writer. He started his career as a medical writer while writing fiction on the side.  Diego is also a book coach helping solopreneurs and business leaders write their first book fast so they can become thought leaders in their industries, gain authority and visibility, and make more money. Diego's book: Solo Thought Leader Post on Better Marketing: Content Marketing is Dying; Here’s why you need to Develop Thought Leadership Instead Connect Diego on LinkedIn

In this episode Fusion PR CEO Jordan Chanofsky interviews Danny Nelson, deputy business editor at CoinDesk, the top publication covering crypto, digital assets and the future of money.  Fusion PR's Diana Bost also joined the conversation. It was a lively and wide ranging discussion with a somber backdrop, as the show was recorded during the week of the collapse of Terra's Luna and the UST stablecoin.  Daniel shared his thoughts on the following questions: Where is crypto today? Is the market maturing? Terra crash and Implications for startups entering the space Importance and relevance of NFTs How to bring more people in the crypto world (without boosterism) Danny's thoughts on      pay-for-play in crypto journalism Pet PR peeves How to pitch Danny Can early-stage companies get good press? Danny is CoinDesk's deputy business editor. He formerly ran investigations for the Tufts Daily. At CoinDesk, his beats include (but are not limited to): federal policy, regulation, securities law, exchanges, the Solana ecosystem, smart money doing dumb things, dumb money doing smart things and tungsten cubes. He owns BTC, ETH, and SOL, as well as the LinksDAO NFT. Danny Nelson on Twitter

Many in tech and Silicon Valley have closely watched the Theranos saga. It's kept entrepreneurs up at night wondering: does the Holmes conviction spell the end of smoke and mirror pitch decks and the "fake it 'til you make it" Valley ethos? It's also caused concern in the tech PR and marketing circles. You've heard of hate crimes. As we go forward and do PR, and others in marketing go out there and market and advertise, it is a logical question: are we committing hype crimes?  In this episode, host Bob Geller speaks with noted legal analyst and commentator Aron Solomon to get answers to these questions. About Aron Solomon  A Pulitzer Prize-nominated writer, Aron Solomon, JD, is the Chief Legal Analyst for Esquire Digital and the Editor of Today’s Esquire. He has taught entrepreneurship at McGill University and the University of Pennsylvania and was elected to Fastcase 50, recognizing the top 50 legal innovators in the world. Aron has been featured in Forbes, CBS News, CNBC, USA Today, ESPN, TechCrunch, The Hill, BuzzFeed, Fortune, Venture Beat, The Independent, Fortune China, Yahoo!, ABA Journal, Law.com, The Boston Globe, NewsBreak, and many other leading publications.

In this episode, acclaimed PR blogger/influencer and tech PR pro Frank Strong joins host Bob Geller to discuss the state of PR tech. We have always relied on various tech tools, but they are becoming increasingly important amidst shortening news cycles and a fragmented media landscape. Tech marketing and PR folks probably know Frank and turn to his blog Sword & the Script as a resource. He has become an authority on PR tech, and shares his insight with the PR Done & Doner audience, answering these questions and others. The state of PR tech: Is it still lagging ad and martech? What tech tools should the typical agency or internal PR team have in their quiver? What is the point of all this tech, anyway? Point solutions vs. suites, incumbents vs. startups Has AI made a big impact? Why does blogging make you a better PR pro? Bob and Frank also discuss PR blogging and social media, and Frank shares his thoughts on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.   He worked in the military for the first part of his career and offers great insight, especially regarding PR implications, e.g. answering: “Is it OK to newsjack this?” You can email Frank at: frank@swordandthescript.com Here are some of his relevant posts: 9 Corporate Characteristics to Look for When Buying Public Relations Software Presentation: The PR Technology Landscape 2022 8 Innovations in Public Relations Technology to Watch The Making of Cision: A Brief History of 18 M&A Transactions that Consolidated a Sizable Chunk of the PR Tech Market into One Company Want to come on our podcast?  Have an idea for a show?  Please email bob.geller@fusionpr.com with your suggestions, and thanks for listening. You can see the videos of the interviews on Fusion PR's YouTube channel.

In this episode, friend and former colleague Tina Loncaric speaks with PR Done & Doner host Jordan Chanofsky about how to achieve success with international PR programs. Originally from Sweden, Tina began her PR career in the US at Fusion PR. Since then she has gone on to achieve success for a range of agencies, nonprofits and tech companies, in roles that have taken Tina from Texas, to London, Croatia and Silicon Valley. She currently is a Global PR Manager for Agora.io, the leading video, voice and live interactive streaming platform In a wide ranging conversation, Tina answers questions such as: The difference between PR in the US and Europe The role of culture in PR, for various geographies How can teams adapt their approaches, press releases and messages? How to be agile and go international without a massive budget The importance of localization and nuances of translation Do customer stories work beyond their home markets? How to prioritize international efforts? What are the potential barriers? Do you need a large global agency or smaller shops in each region? Tina's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinaloncaric/ Agora's LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/agora-lab-inc/  To contact Bob Geller about the podcast or features, he can be reached at Bob.Geller@Fusionpr.com Want to be a guest on a future episode? We'd love to hear who you'd like us to feature as a guest. Simply reply to this email and let us know who you think would be a great fit—even (and especially) if that's you!

In this episode, top cybersecurity influencer Joseph Steinberg joins host Bob Geller to discuss the state of the space and how to stand out in a crowded market. We cover the following topics: Are there too many cyber tech companies? The 3 three things that will grab CISOs and CSOs Avoiding common PR errors Why you need to be on TikTok and Instagram Tips for working with influencers Joseph Steinberg is known for his keen insights and unique perspectives on cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the impact of technological developments on society. He amassed millions of readers as a regular columnist for Forbes and Inc. magazines. Joseph’s blog gets millions of monthly views, making it one of the most read columns in the fields of cybersecurity and AI. His opinions are also frequently cited in books, law journals, security publications, and general interest periodicals. Joseph Steinberg serves as a cybersecurity expert witness, and an advisor to both businesses and governments around the world. He has been a leader and innovator in the cybersecurity industry for nearly 25 years, is one of the top cybersecurity influencers worldwide, and has written books ranging from Cybersecurity for Dummies to the Official Guide that many Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) study for their certification exams. Engage with Joseph Steinberg: Website:JosephSteinberg.com Email: Via Contact Form Twitter: https://twitter.com/JosephSteinberg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephsteinberg/ To contact Bob Geller about the podcast or features, he can be reached at Bob.Geller@Fusionpr.com Want to be a guest? We'd love to hear your idea. Send an email and let us know who you think would be a great fit—even (and especially) if that's you!

In this episode, host Bob Geller speaks with Dan Prince, a B2B PR and marketing pro who achieved success at companies like Accenture, Alliant, Deloitte, Marsh, and Willis for over 20 years before launching his own shop, Prince Communications. Dan discusses his career at length, and lessons from the client side that helped him grow as a PR professional and agency owner. It is a great POV, because Dan worked with many PR agencies, and managed teams that were responsible for PR and MarCom. We cover topics such as: Does agency size matter? How not to pitch a PR prospect Measuring and reporting results Connecting PR and MarCom to sales How to keep programs on track Setting and managing internal stakeholder expectations To contact Dan Prince, you can email him or check out his website and Linkedin. Email: dan@princecomms.com Website: https://princecomms.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danprincecomms/ Want to be a guest?  Feel free to contact Bob Geller at Bob.Geller@Fusionpr.com with a topic and speaker suggestion.

On Episode 3 guest Mark Traphagen,  VP of Product Marketing and Training for SEOclarity, joins host Bob Geller to discuss the state of SEO and relevance for PR.Search continues to drive most website traffic, yet many in the PR field are unsure of how to leverage it for the best content and earned media results.Mark is an award-winning veteran of Internet and search marketing. He sheds light on the following questions and topics: The latest updates to Google's search algorithm Blogging and website content for improved SEO and PR Can startups displace the giants in search results? Why good UX is so important How to combine SEO and PR for the best results Interact with Mark Traphagen: Twitter: https://twitter.com/marktraphagen LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marktraphagen Other resources: seoClarity SEO & Content Marketing Learning Center https://www.seoclarity.net/seo-content-learning-center FREE Spark Content Optimizer Chrome extension: https://www.seoclarity.net/spark-content-optimizer/ FREE Schema Builder & Tester (tool for implementing structured data code on your site) https://schema.dev To contact Bob Geller about the podcast or features, he can be reached at Bob.Geller@Fusionpr.com Want to be a guest on a future episode? We'd love to hear who you'd like us to feature as a guest. Simply reply to this email and let us know who you think would be a great fit—even (and especially) if that's you!

On Episode 2, guest Kevin Maney, co-founder of strategy consulting firm Category Design Advisors, joins host Bob Geller to discuss how tech companies can achieve market leadership. It's a noisy and competitive world in technology. How to stand apart? It gets down to creating and owning a category.  Kevin will offer learnings based on his many years working as a consultant, top journalist, and co-author of Play Bigger. We also get into PR tactics, explore what tech marketing can learn from infomercials, and how to reinvent the press release. Kevin's book "Play Bigger" is available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Play-Bigger-Dreamers-Innovators-Dominate/dp/0062407619 You can contact Kevin Maney via his email: kevin@categorydesignadvisors.com To contact Bob Geller about the podcast or features, he can be reached at Bob.Geller@Fusionpr.com Want to be a guest on a future episode? We'd love to hear who you'd like us to feature as a guest. Simply reply to this email and let us know who you think would be a great fit—even (and especially) if that's you!

Welcome to our first PR, Done & Doner podcast.  In this episode, Bob Geller interviews Robin Schaffer, an industry analyst relations expert.  Her company Schaffer AR helps B2B tech companies maximize results with analysts and get into the reports.  Here, Robin counters myths and misperceptions about analysts, answers the most common questions asked by PR teams, and explains how to influence these key influencers. Robin Schaffer's Book "Analysts on Analyst Relations" is available on Amazon using the following link: https://www.amazon.com/Analysts-Analyst-Relations-Robin-Schaffer/dp/0906378133 You can contact Robin Schaffer via her email robin@schafferar.com To contact Bob Geller about the podcast or features he can be reached at Bob.Geller@Fusionpr.com