The PR Podcast

Alison Seibert is the founder and principal of The James Collective, a boutique PR and integrated communications agency that captures the power of attention for leading lifestyle brands. TJC partners with high caliber CPG food and beverage, wine & spirts and travel companies who are dedicated to creating a more delicious and connected world.Founded in 2015, The James Collective has grown to a bicoastal business with a portfolio of luxury, DTC and legacy brands that have included Jacobsen Salt Company, the 1 Hotel, Food52, Joseph Phelps Vineyards (owned by LVMH), Kermit Lynch, Hungryroot, Flowers Winery, Maille Mustard (a Unilever brand), Oishii, and more. Alison holds an MBA in International Business and both invests in and advises growing businesses in the CPG food, beverage, and travel industries, and is especially passionate about ventures led by the next generation of women entrepreneurs.The PR Podcast is a show about how the news gets made. We talk with great PR people, reporters, and communicators about how the news gets made and strategies for publicity that drive business goals. Host ⁠⁠Jody Fisher⁠⁠ is the founder of Jody Fisher PR and works with clients across the healthcare, higher education, financial services, real estate, entertainment, and non-profit verticals. Join the conversation on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ at @ThePRPodcast.The James CollectiveWebsite: https://thejamescollective.coInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejamescollective/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-james-collective/Alison SeibertInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisonseibert/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonseibert/The PR Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePRPodcast/Twitter: https://x.com/ThePRPodcast1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprpodcast_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theprpodcast?

What happens when you combine storytelling, strategy, and high-stakes advocacy? You get a communicator who understands not just how to craft a message—but how to make it matter.This week on The PR Podcast, we sit down with Caroline Sánchez-Avakian, Strategic Communications Director at the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, to talk about the intersection of policy, narrative, and real-world impact. From leading national advocacy campaigns to her work as a playwright and Emmy-nominated host, Caroline brings a unique perspective on how stories shape public opinion and influence outcomes.We get into what PR professionals can learn from advocacy communications, how to sharpen messaging in high-pressure environments, and why the most effective communicators understand both the facts and the human story behind them.If you want to think differently about influence, messaging, and the role of PR in shaping the world around us—this episode is for you.The PR Podcast is a show about how the news gets made. We talk with great PR people, reporters, and communicators about how the news gets made and strategies for publicity that drive business goals. Host ⁠⁠Jody Fisher⁠⁠ is the founder of Jody Fisher PR and works with clients across the healthcare, higher education, financial services, real estate, entertainment, and non-profit verticals. Ballot Initiative Strategy CenterWebsite: www.ballot.org Socials: @ballotstrategy Podcast page: https://ballot.org/podcastCaroline Sánchez-Avakianwebsite: www.carolineavakian.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carolineavakianThe PR Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePRPodcast/Twitter: https://x.com/ThePRPodcast1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprpodcast_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theprpodcast?

Most agencies treat legal like a necessary expense—something to deal with when contracts need signing or problems arise. But what if legal strategy could actually become a driver of revenue, protection, and long-term growth?In this episode of The PR Podcast, we sit down with Sharon Toerek, a marketing and intellectual property attorney who works with independent PR, marketing, and creative agencies across the United States. Sharon is the founder of Toerek Law and the host of The Innovative Agency podcast, where she helps agency leaders navigate the complex legal landscape surrounding intellectual property, contracts, compliance, and growth.Sharon digs into the legal issues many agencies overlook—from protecting the value of their creative work to avoiding contract pitfalls that can quietly erode margins. They also explore the rapidly evolving risks surrounding AI, data privacy, and influencer marketing, and why agencies need to start thinking about governance and legal structure much earlier in their growth cycle.Sharon also explains how strong legal foundations can actually increase an agency’s valuation, especially when preparing for mergers, acquisitions, or future expansion. Instead of being a defensive expense, she argues that legal strategy can become a proactive advantage for agency owners who want to scale with confidence.If you run an agency—or work inside one—this conversation will change the way you think about contracts, intellectual property, and the role legal strategy plays in building a stronger business.In this episode, we discuss:- Why legal should be seen as a strategic asset—not just a cost- How agencies can protect and monetize their intellectual property- The contract mistakes that quietly hurt agency profitability- The growing legal risks around AI, influencer marketing, and data privacy- How legal preparation affects agency valuation during mergers or acquisitions- Why governance and compliance matter even for smaller agenciesThe PR Podcast is a show about how the news gets made. We talk with great PR people, reporters, and communicators about how the news gets made and strategies for publicity that drive business goals. Host ⁠⁠Jody Fisher⁠⁠ is the founder of Jody Fisher PR and works with clients across the healthcare, higher education, financial services, real estate, entertainment, and non-profit verticals. Join the conversation on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ at @ThePRPodcast.Sharon ToerekWebsite: LegalAndCreative.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sharontoerekPodcast: The Innovative AgencyThe PR Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePRPodcast/Twitter: https://x.com/ThePRPodcast1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprpodcast_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theprpodcast?

Restaurant PR is one of the most competitive and fast-moving sectors in communications. Grand openings, influencer buzz, local community engagement, and crisis management all collide in an industry where every detail matters.In this episode of The PR Podcast, I speak with Courtney Mazzella, Vice President of Client Services at Champion, one of the largest restaurant PR agencies in the United States.Courtney joined Champion in 2011 as one of the agency’s earliest team members and has spent the past 15 years helping grow the firm into a national leader in restaurant communications. She works with brands across the country on grand openings, local store marketing, media relations, influencer engagement, and crisis communications.In our conversation we explore:• What makes a restaurant grand opening truly successful• Why local marketing and community engagement are critical for new locations• The evolving role of influencers and social media in restaurant PR• How restaurant brands navigate crises and reputation challenges• What it takes to build long-term client relationships in agency life• Why hospitality brands succeed when they become part of the communityWhether you work in public relations, marketing, hospitality, or simply love the restaurant industry, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how restaurant brands grow and stay relevant.The PR Podcast is a show about how the news gets made. We talk with great PR people, reporters, and communicators about how the news gets made and strategies for publicity that drive business goals. Host ⁠⁠Jody Fisher⁠⁠ is the founder of Jody Fisher PR and works with clients across the healthcare, higher education, financial services, real estate, entertainment, and non-profit verticals. Join the conversation on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ at @ThePRPodcast.Courtney Mazzella🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneymazzella/?hl=en🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneymazzellaChampion🔗 website: https://championmgt.com🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/championmgt🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/champion-managementThe PR Podcast 🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePRPodcast/🔗 Twitter: https://x.com/ThePRPodcast1🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprpodcast_/🔗 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theprpodcast?

Our guest is Matisse Hamel-Nelis, an award-winning communications strategist and accessibility advocate who is helping organizations rethink how they show up in the world. From websites and press releases to social media and broader communications strategy, Matisse specializes in making content not just compliant—but genuinely usable, inclusive, and impactful for everyone. She brings a rare blend of real-world PR experience, formal accessibility training, and academic insight, showing why accessibility isn’t an add-on—it’s smart, effective communication. This conversation challenges how we write, publish, and share stories, and why accessible communications are quickly becoming a professional imperative, not a nice-to-have.The PR Podcast is a show about how the news gets made. We talk with great PR people, reporters, and communicators about how the news gets made and strategies for publicity that drive business goals. Host ⁠⁠Jody Fisher⁠⁠ is the founder of Jody Fisher PR and works with clients across the healthcare, higher education, financial services, real estate, entertainment, and non-profit verticals. Matisse Hamel-Nelis Website: https://matissenelis.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matissenelis/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matissenelis/Twitter: https://x.com/matissenelisYouTube (PR & Lattes): https://www.youtube.com/@PRandLattesThe PR Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePRPodcast/Twitter: https://x.com/ThePRPodcast1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprpodcast_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theprpodcast?

Liz Burke is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Journalism at Hofstra University and a reporter at News 12 Long Island, teaching the next generation of journalists while actively covering news in one of the most competitive local media markets. She understands exactly what reporters look for, how stories get assigned, and where PR efforts succeed—or fall flat—in real time. Her social media is an informative master class in how to be a better reporter, tips and advice on storytelling, TV tech and more.The PR Podcast is a show about how the news gets made. We talk with great PR people, reporters, and communicators about how the news gets made and strategies for publicity that drive business goals. Host ⁠⁠Jody Fisher⁠⁠ is the founder of Jody Fisher PR and works with clients across the healthcare, higher education, financial services, real estate, entertainment, and non-profit verticals. Join the conversation on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ at @ThePRPodcast.Liz Burke – Official Links & SocialNews 12 Long Island: https://longisland.news12.com/author/liz-burkeHofstra University: https://www.hofstra.edu/faculty-profile/?id=7729TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lizburketvInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizburketv/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizburkemedia/ The PR Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePRPodcast/Twitter: https://x.com/ThePRPodcast1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprpodcast_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theprpodcast?

Jason Fishman is a new-media strategist who leads DNA in Los Angeles, a go-to firm for eCommerce brands, digital assets, and crowdfunding-driven growth. He’s helped power more than 500 successful crowdfunding campaigns, collectively raising nine figures through data-driven marketing strategies that scale. A frequent speaker at major crowdfunding conferences and a contributor to the Forbes Agency Council, Jason specializes in breaking down where modern PR meets performance marketing—and how brands can leverage both when investment and visibility matter most.The PR Podcast is a show about how the news gets made. We talk with great PR people, reporters, and communicators about how the news gets made and strategies for publicity that drive business goals. Host ⁠⁠Jody Fisher⁠⁠ is the founder of Jody Fisher PR and works with clients across the healthcare, higher education, financial services, real estate, entertainment, and non-profit verticals. Join the conversation on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ at @ThePRPodcast.Jason FishmanWebsite: https://www.jasonfishman.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonfishman/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonFishmanTwitter/X: https://x.com/JasonFishmanInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonfishmanDigital Niche AgencyWebsite: https://www.digitalnicheagency.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-niche-agency/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalNicheAgencyTwitter/X: https://x.com/DigitalNicheInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalnicheagencyThe PR PodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePRPodcast/Twitter: https://x.com/ThePRPodcast1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprpodcast_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theprpodcast?

Mike Harris is President and Co-Founder of Uproar PR, one of the fastest-growing consumer and technology agencies in the country. Since launching in 2011, Mike has led Uproar’s expansion into major markets from New York to Tel Aviv, while shaping award-winning campaigns for brands like Planet Fitness, Rakuten, and Delsey Luggage Paris. We talk about how he blends creativity with data, how his team consistently lands top-tier national coverage—including a memorable product demonstration on CSI featuring a laser keyboard (watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh6blxlnykM)—what it really takes to scale an agency, and the trends he believes will redefine PR in the years ahead. This episode drives into strategy, storytelling, and building a modern PR firm from the ground up.The PR Podcast is a show about how the news gets made. We talk with great PR people, reporters, and communicators about how the news gets made and strategies for publicity that drive business goals. Host ⁠⁠Jody Fisher⁠⁠ is the founder of Jody Fisher PR and works with clients across the healthcare, higher education, financial services, real estate, entertainment, and non-profit verticals. Join the conversation on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ at @ThePRPodcast.Connect with Mike and Uproar PR:Mike Harris - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeharrispr/Website - https://uproarpr.com/The PR Podcast: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ThePRPodcast/Twitter - https://x.com/ThePRPodcast1Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theprpodcast_/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theprpodcast?

In this special solo episode of The PR Podcast, host Jody Fisher steps into the hot seat to respond to real, unfiltered questions from the public relations community — pulled straight from Reddit.From emotional career crossroads to practical visibility questions, this episode tackles what PR pros are really thinking but don’t always say out loud. Topics include burnout, confidence, internal vs. external communications, knowing when to go on a PR tour, where you belong in the industry, and how to recognize opportunity when it shows up.Some of these posts are raw. Some are tactical. All of them are deeply relatable for anyone navigating a career in public relations.If you’ve ever wondered:• Is this normal in PR?• Am I on the right path?• Where do I go next?This episode is for you.Reddit threads discussed in this episode:• Writing this with tears in my eyes• Career advice: corp comm to internal comm• Should I go on a PR tour?• I love my career but don’t know where to settle• My local news says they want to feature me — now what?Questions or topic ideas? Send them our way.The PR Podcast is a show about how the news gets made. We talk with great PR people, reporters, and communicators about how the news gets made and strategies for publicity that drive business goals. Host ⁠⁠Jody Fisher⁠⁠ is the founder of Jody Fisher PR and works with clients across the healthcare, higher education, financial services, real estate, entertainment, and non-profit verticals. Join the conversation on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ at @ThePRPodcast.The PR Podcast: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ThePRPodcast/Twitter - https://x.com/ThePRPodcast1Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theprpodcast_/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theprpodcast?

Visibility on Purpose, founded by Lydia Bagarozza and Bridget Sicsko, is redefining how founders and small business owners approach PR. In this episode, they break down how their PR strategy studio helps brands get seen, featured, and remembered—without relying on expensive agencies or guesswork.Lydia has led campaigns for top consumer brands sold at Ulta, Target, Amazon, and Whole Foods, while Bridget brings the storytelling expertise of a former book publisher and speaker, helping founders craft narratives that consistently land in USA Today, Time Magazine, Yahoo, Fortune, mindbodygreen, and leading podcasts.We dive into:• The gap between DIY PR and traditional agencies• What founders truly need to secure meaningful media• How to build story angles that attract journalists• What Visibility on Purpose teaches that most PR pros don’t• Real examples of brand features and how they happenedThe PR Podcast is a show about how the news gets made. We talk with great PR people, reporters, and communicators about how the news gets made and strategies for publicity that drive business goals. Host ⁠⁠Jody Fisher⁠⁠ is the founder of Jody Fisher PR and works with clients across the healthcare, higher education, financial services, real estate, entertainment, and non-profit verticals. Join the conversation on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ at @ThePRPodcast.🎥 Watch more from Visibility on Purpose on YouTube:👉 https://www.youtube.com/@visibilityonpurpose🔗 Connect with Visibility on Purpose:Website: https://www.visibilityonpurpose.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/visibilityonpurposeLydia: https://www.instagram.com/lydiabagarozzaBridget: https://www.instagram.com/bridgetsicskoThe PR Podcast: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ThePRPodcast/Twitter - https://x.com/ThePRPodcast1Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theprpodcast_/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@theprpodcast?