Behind the mic with Jason Mudd: An Ask Me Anything special solocast on PR and Axia’s beginning
Send us a textIn this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd answers Fernandina Beach High School students’ questions and shares his PR career journey, experiences, and key insights.Tune in to learn more!Five things you’ll learn from this episode:1. How perseverance helped build Axia into the agency it is today2. How integrity shaped Jason Mudd’s career, leadership, and long-term reputation3. Why lifelong learning sets great communicators apart in PR and beyond4. The value of genuine relationships in public relations, business, and everyday life5. How setting long-term goals can guide you in owning and running your future business Quotables“One thing about the profession of public relations, you’re always getting exposure to new ideas and new information. No two days are the same.” — @jasonmudd“My primary goal and aspiration for what I do is to have a great reputation of providing both valuable and helpful services that companies benefit from.” — @jasonmudd“Growing my agency with integrity and having a reputation of giving back so that we can attract the best talent in the profession, as well as attract the best clients and do some of the best work.” — @jasonmudd“In starting a small business, you've got to do what 99% of the people are unwilling to do themselves. And that's hard by itself.” — @jasonmudd“Think about everything long-term. So, whatever you’re doing personally, professionally, think long term about it. Will your future self thank you for what you’re doing today?” — @jasonmudd“Regardless of what profession you pursue, always be learning and improving. So improve your communication skills, both verbally and written. Because at the end of the day, that will apply to any profession you're in.” — @jasonmudd“Your integrity and reputation are essential to your success in life, in business, but also in your personal life. People want to do business with people they like, know, and trust.” — @jasonmudd“The greatest compliment for a small business is probably to get a referral. If you know a small business, don't hesitate to leave them an online review or give them a referral because that is the lifeblood of a small business.” — @jasonmuddIf 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:Brightway Insurance PR case studyAdecco Group PR case studyFoundation Financial Group PR case studyFirst Coast Community Bank case stSupport 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.
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The future of PR in the age of AI with Agility PR
Send us a textIn this episode, Pragya Dubey, Agility PR’s VP of Global Services & Analytics, joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how AI is reshaping PR, media intelligence, and measurement for smarter, data-driven strategies.Tune in to learn more!Meet Our Guest:Our episode guest is Pragya Dubey, Agility PR Solutions’ VP of Global Services & Analytics. With more than 20 years of experience across three continents, she helps organizations transform media data into meaningful insights that demonstrate ROI and elevate the impact of communications.Five things you’ll learn from this episode: 1. How AI is changing the media intelligence landscape and how we can measure it2. Ways PR professionals can use AI to make smarter, data-driven decisions3. What the emerging AI landscape means for PR professionals4. How to use AI to enhance productivity and creativity in PR5. How press releases are regaining power as vital tools for AI-driven search visibilityQuotables“AI is really reshaping the way we are accessing information and our need for information.” — Pragya Dubey“PR teams can be empowered with more data-driven decisions as opposed to basing their decisions on anecdotes, or an impression, or simply instincts – that’s the biggest shift.” — Pragya Dubey“AI is the assistant that PR never had that can help public relations professionals work smarter.” — Pragya Dubey"The question to ask is how AI is getting its information. AI is getting that information from the web, from Google, Yahoo, all those aggregator websites and media. So if you're not putting yourself out there more and more, you're missing out on that opportunity to be read and analyzed by AI.” — Pragya Dubey“The press release that we all thought was on life support and losing credibility year after year is suddenly the new sexy PR tool that everybody's talking about again and getting excited about.” — 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.More About Pragya DubeyPragya Dubey is Vice President of Global Services and Media Analytics at Agility PR Solutions, where she leads strategy and client success for media monitoring, measurement, and insights. With over 20 years of experience across Canada, the U.S., and India, she specializes in turning complex media data into actionable narratives that demonstrate ROI and drive smarter decision-making.Since joining Agility in 2006, she has helped clients — including Fortune 500s, governments, and nonprofits — align media analysis with strategic goals. Pragya is a passionate advocate for using meaningful metrics to elevate the role of communications.Guest’s contact info and resources:Pragya Dubey on LinkedInAgility PR Solutions websiteAdditional 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.
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Common mistakes publicly traded companies make when working with the news media – Mark Basch
Send us a textIn this episode, Mark Basch joins host Jason Mudd to discuss the common media mistakes publicly traded companies make.Tune in to learn more!Meet our guest:Our episode guest is Mark Basch, a seasoned business journalist with decades of experience covering publicly traded companies. He provides insights on economics, business trends, manufacturing, real estate, and unemployment, drawing from data releases and press statements.Five things you’ll learn from this episode:1. Consequences of companies mishandling bad news2. Best practices for publicly traded companies to work effectively with journalists3. Why preparation and anticipation are key to effective media interactions4. Why understanding media evolution is critical for PR5. The difference between embargoes and advance news, and how to use them strategically Quotables“When something is happening, it's a good idea to preemptively get together with the key people and have a response ready because one of the things that could happen in today's world is the story is going to be posted online and nobody is ready to respond.” — Mark Basch“Clever is great, but it better be accurate.” — Mark Basch“The headline … is designed to get you to read the story but also should tell you what the story is.” — Mark Basch“If you want to make this newsworthy, if you want to get media coverage about your company, its success and its growth, we've got to have credible indicators of how quickly you are growing.” — Jason Mudd“Always prepare, always assume the worst, and have proper preparations.” — Jason Mudd“Have a plan, but have a plan in case the plan fails of what you're going to do secondarily.” — 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.More about Mark BaschMark Basch is a seasoned business journalist who’s covered publicly traded companies for decades. His reporting focuses on economics, business trends, manufacturing, real estate, and unemployment, drawing regularly from data releases and press statements.Guest’s contact info and resources:Mark Basch on LinkedInAdditional resources:The best and worst media relations efforts from public relations professionalsHow to speak with clarity and authority during a crisis11 crisis management tactics to avoid or prepare for a PR disasterThe 4 R’s of media relatSupport 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.
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Corporate Gifting Done Right with The Expressory
Send us a textIn this episode, Jamie Shibley, CEO of The Expressory joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how to strengthen relationships through thoughtful, strategic corporate gifting.Tune in to learn more!Meet Our Guest:Our episode guest is Jamie Shibley, CEO of The Expressory, a strategic engagement agency helping businesses strengthen relationships through thoughtful, relationship-first strategies. She’s a best-selling author and recognized expert in strategic gifting and relationship marketing, with insights featured on “Entertainment Tonight” and Forbes.com.Five things you’ll learn from this episode:1. Strategic and themed gift giving for internal and external audiences2. How to redefine “gifting” beyond presents3. The three emotional pillars that build strong business relationships4. Ethical considerations and best practices for corporate gifting programs5. Why systems and consistency are essential to meaningful engagement Quotables“To form a relationship with somebody, that person needs to feel three things. They need to feel that you understand them, they need to feel that you validate what's important in their world, and they need to feel that you care.” — Jamie Shibley“You recognize that it's not only the people that you already know and have some sort of relationship with. It's about nurturing the ones you want for the long term as well.” — Jamie Shibley“When your vendor partners feel valued and seen, they will work harder for you.” — Jamie Shibley“Sometimes a gift is your smarts. Sometimes a gift is just something that's simply helpful to someone so you don't have to spend. The budget does not matter.” — Jamie Shibley“We would be better off not sending a gift or not sending a note card to somebody if it has something that has a negative unintended consequence or ramifications.” — 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.More About Jamie ShibleyJamie Shibley is the CEO of The Expressory, a strategic engagement agency that believes the key to accelerating business growth and profitability in the post-COVID era lies in your ability to maintain personal connections and build emotional loyalty in your relationships. Jamie is the best-selling author of “Relationship-First Strategic Engagement” and is widely respected as a market leader. Her work has been featured on “Entertainment Tonight” and Forbes.com.Guest’s contact info and resources:Jamie Shibley on LinkedInThe Expressory website“Relationship-First Strategic Engagement” bookRecorded: June 23, 2025Support 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.
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Market Insights Shape PR – Habitat for Humanity
Send us a textOur Guest:Our episode guest is Amy Dunham, chief communications officer at Habitat for Humanity International. Overseeing the organization’s global brand, marketing, and communications strategy, she helps reach audiences across all 50 U.S. states and more than 70 countries. Amy is a seasoned communications leader passionate about using market insights to shape strategy and strengthen engagement worldwide.Five things you’ll learn from this episode:1. How to leverage market insights to shape and guide PR strategy2. The balance of art, science, and passion in effective strategic planning3. Practical ways communicators can advocate for audiences at the strategy table4. How messaging and strategy must stay in lockstep to maintain credibility and consistency across audiences5. How brand perception gaps create opportunities for stronger audience engagement Quotables“The human brain always absorbs things best in threes. And communications know if you’ve got 15 priorities, you have no priorities. When setting priorities, it has to be a clear way to say yes and to say no. If it doesn’t give you the ability to say no, then it’s not really helping you set a strategy.” — Amy Dunham“You can't have good communication or public relations strategy without messaging. They're in lockstep together.” — @JasonMudd9“To really stand out in PR, whatever you're doing, is to make sure you're saying things that are provocative, contrary, and have a unique point of view from what everybody else is saying because otherwise, you're just going to blend in and not stand out.” — @JasonMudd9“It's not a conversation about ‘I know better’ versus ‘you know better.’ It's much more about ‘Here's what the data indicates, and now here's the flexibility to be able to use it in the way that works best in your market.’” — Amy Dunham“It's really through the lens of ‘How can I add value in a way to enable their work?’ rather than to direct how things should get done.” — Amy DunhamIf 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 Amy DunhamAmy leads Habitat for Humanity’s brand, marketing campaigns, and communications efforts across its global footprint in all 50 U.S. states and in more than 70 countries. Before joining Habitat in 2022, she held brand and communications roles at the NCAA, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and US Airways.Guest’s contact info and resources:Amy (Kudwa) Dunham on LinkedInHabitat for Humanity websiteFact Fullness by Hans RoslingCrucial ConversationsAdditional 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.
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.