imPRessions: a pollack group production

This week’s episode covers an incredibly important topic – safety. Liat Kaplan is the mind behind Wisp (formerly My Bouncer), a groundbreaking product designed to protect adults in vulnerable situations at bars and nightclubs. Discover how marketing and compassion intersect to create solutions that empower and change lives, especially for women.

Pop culture loves to show PR as a whirlwind of red-carpet events, A-list celebrity management, and high-stakes crises solved in mere hours by a small, mighty team. But how much of that is reality?This week’s imPRessions episode welcomes Brandon Cox, an experienced PR, marketing, and communications executive to help us set the record straight on what TV and movies get right – and wrong – about the world of public relations.

Most of us indulge in reality TV here and there, so this week’s episode should excite those who enjoy the strategic gameplay of Survivor or the unfiltered drama of The Real Housewives. Veronica Pope, a seasoned writer, executive producer, and showrunner with a wealth of experience working behind the scenes of our favorite reality shows, joins us this week to unpack how reality shows create compelling, unscripted narratives that resonate deeply with audiences.

For entrepreneurs, a personal brand is crucial in ensuring your target demographic not only resonates with your business or product offering, but also your individual values. This week’s episode welcomes Adrienne Wallace, Managing Partner & Practice Lead at INterview, to uncover the essential elements of building a personal brand and what strategies are useful to craft a story.

Networking is no longer limited to in-person events or local connections. If the pandemic taught us anything, professionals across various industries can rely on digital platforms to build their careers, share knowledge, and open doors to new opportunities. LinkedIn became the catalyst for networking, revolutionizing how professionals connect and grow. In this week’s episode, Jenn and Kalli discuss how the social platform has transformed networking and what the future holds for professionals, especially those in marketing, with LinkedIn’s Senior Director, Klayton Kopecky.

In today's world, companies have a responsibility to ensure their messaging resonates with people from all walks of life. Through targeted campaigns, strategic partnerships, and authentic engagement, the role of PR and marketing extends beyond brand promotion—it becomes a driving force for social progress and equality. In this week's episode, we cover how brands can effectively engage diverse communities with Michael Kay, Director of Brand Marketing and Communications at Match Group's ARCHER and OkCupid.

Have you ever been curious about joining a PR association? There are many national and local PR chapters for both budding and seasoned experts to join. Today's episode welcomes Matt Rizzetta, President of the New York City Public Relations of America chapter. From discussing membership benefits to uncovering how to become a board member, today's conversation explores how joining an association can propel any PR professional's career.

Are you interested in the powerful intersection of PR and the sports industry? Today’s episode is for you. We’ll uncover how strategic communication, brand management, and fan engagement drive success on and off the field. Ryan Kantor, Director of Partnership Sales for the LA Clippers, explains in detail how PR and marketing campaigns build loyal communities and create unforgettable moments. Grab your headphones and get ready to learn how to score big with PR in the sports marketing arena.

Many budding PR professionals often want to delve into working for nonprofits or associations to give back to their communities. While conducting PR for a charity or philanthropic group is rewarding, it can undoubtedly impose many challenges as well.Lauren McMillin is the PR and Communications Manager for the American Camp Association, and while conjuring campaigns to excite parents and camp professionals about the benefits of camp is thrilling, working for a legacy nonprofit is a delicate art that takes a unique skill set. Today, Lauren covers how to effectively communicate to stakeholders and relevant audiences and what everyone should know about PR in the nonprofit world.

Influencer marketing has reached new heights in recent years, with an increase in brand partnerships to reach new audiences. But what makes a social media post resonate with followers?Ellyce Fulmore, influencer, best-selling author, and entrepreneur, joins imPRessions to uncover the key ingredient needed in influencer marketing: authenticity. Today, listeners will learn how to appeal naturally to audiences and what brands can do to ensure they are in partnership with an authentic ally.

What do you REALLY know about PR?From pitching, to copywriting, to hosting client events, the PR industry is multi-layered and media relations is just the tip of the iceberg. If you’ve ever wondered about the different sectors within the PR industry, this episode is for you. Kim Marcus, a dynamic PR leader who has worked for Kin Insurance, Bob Evans Farms, Scotts Miracle-Gro, among others, shares the different verticals a PR professional can explore when starting out their career.

Resiliency is essential in any field, but especially so for those working in public relations. Whether managing the high expectations of top-tier media coverage or navigating through a PR crisis, resiliency is critical in keeping composure through turbulent PR times.Peter Rea is Vice President of Integrity and Ethics at Parker Hannifin Corporation and joins us this week to share how leaders can support their teams through stressful times and how PR professionals can combat stress through tough times.To learn more about resiliency in PR, purchase Peter’s book, Better Humans, Better Performance at: https://bit.ly/45pzZR3

Before social media display ads and AI, marketing consisted of print ads and billboards. Today, digital marketing has become so much more. In this week’s episode, Jenn and Kalli were joined by Jocelin Schultz, Director & head of media and digital capabilities at Kenvue, and who has led a voice to a variety of digital marketing campaigns for notable brands such as Johnson and Johnson, Unilever, Charles Schwab, and more. Join us as we dissect the fundamentals and trends of the digital marketing landscape.

We’ve seen plenty of businesses decide to rebrand their look and messaging. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. David Dancer has led his voice and expertise as a marketing expert across various industries, and in today’s episode, he dissects what companies can do to rebrand successfully.Whether facing a change in the market or just ready for a refresh, David explores the dos and don’ts of rebranding.

Jay Baer is a master public speaker who joins imPRessions this week to chat about mastering the art of captivating audiences. From hosting virtual events to giving a live keynote to an audience of thousands, Jay's insight will make even the timidest speaker a pro in no time. It's no wonder that Jay holds the title of being an inductee into the Halls of Fame for professional speaking. Plus, he loves tequila—what more is there to like?!

Season two of imPRessions is here and in our first episode, Jenn and Kalli chat with Chris Enriquez, a music industry professional who leads programs for legendary music media brands such as Revolver Magazine, Brooklyn Vegan, Alternative Press, and more. Today’s episode covers the art and science of brand collaborations; what makes a partnership a success, how to navigate the challenges of authenticity, and emerging trends in the industry.

As imPRessions wraps season one, our last episode is one of the most crucial topics we’ve explored so far: harnessing the power of PR to ignite change in education reform.Episode 24 invites Samantha Jacobs, a fierce advocate for equity in education, who discusses how PR can powerfully ensure every child, regardless of their zip code, has access to the quality education they deserve.

Tune in to episode 23 of imPRessions as Jenn and Kalli dive into how Wikipedia can be a powerful tool in sharing information on prominent businesses and those who lead them. William Beutler, Founder and President of Beutler Ink, award-winning agency specializing in visual and social media and Wikipedia engagement joins our hosts to talk all about the world of Wiki Relations.

In episode 22 of imPRessions, award-winning journalist and media coach, Eileen Frere, draws from her extensive journalistic background to share experiences and insights on the importance of media training.

imPRessions episode 21 delves into the intricate art of conducting a powerful interview with iconic anchor Gregg Greenberg. From deciphering body language to mastering bridging techniques, Gregg shares invaluable tactics to help PR professionals navigate the challenging landscape of media interviews.