PR Maven Podcast: Recent Episodes
Nancy Marshall
The PR Maven Podcast is the combination of traditional networking techniques combined with the power of social media to build your personal and professional brand. The podcast features interviews with industry leaders, top executives, media personalities and online influencers about public relations and their personal brand. Each week, Nancy connects with a special guest to talk about their career, and business or organization, as well as the latest news and events that will give listeners a unique perspective on the world of public relations, marketing and personal branding, including actionable takeaways.
In this mini episode, Nancy shares her Forbes Agency Council article, “PR Pros: Don’t Send Generic Press Releases; Use Customized Pitches.” Every year, PR professionals send out tens of thousands of press releases. Just because press releases are sent often doesn’t make them effective. Today’s PR professionals lean on generic press releases too much, when customized pitches are the way to go. Customized pitches target the right media contacts and are individualized to suit a writer’s specific in
Innovative products are not always immediately accepted by customers. This was the case for Allagash Brewing Company owner Rob Tod who explains his journey to success in this episode. After shifting customer tastes, Allagash was hit with another challenge – COVID-19. With seventy percent of their business coming from bars and restaurants, Allagash started to focus on employee wellness while riding out the COVID-19 storm. Rob also explains how supporting local grain farmers improved sustainability.
In this episode, Raffi DerSimonian talks about his career doing public relations and marketing in the arts. As a Waterville native, Raffi talks about the art and culture renaissance going on in the city. Raffi also describes his musical career and helping found Waterville Rocks. In addition to doing public relations and marketing in the arts, Raffi is experienced in promoting higher education. Raffi and Nancy discuss how COVID-19 has impacted higher education as well as communicating during a crisis.
In this special episode, Nancy is joined by Greg Glynn to talk about some changes to The PR Maven Podcast. The podcast will be live-streamed to the PR Maven ® Nation Facebook group and Marshall Communications YouTube page when recorded. Join PR Maven® Nation for early access to episodes! The podcast will also start to be launched bi-weekly. In addition to these exciting changes, Nancy and Greg celebrate the 30th anniversary of Marshall Communications by recalling some of their favorite moments.
After working in a corporate position, Tanea Smith turned her passion for paper and writing letters into a business. Tanea describes the inspiration behind her stationery line and shares the steps to writing the perfect letter, after all, the mark of a good letter is the feeling someone gets when they receive it. Tanea also talks about the benefits of journaling and how she kept a journal called Gloria. She also shares ways you can get into the habit of journaling. Hear Tanea’s tips in this episode.
Katie Shorey is Director of Engagement of Live + Work in Maine (LWM), and a proud boomerang. In her role at LWM, she develops partnerships with employer partners, community organizations, and officials within the State of Maine. The nonprofit, focused on talent attraction & retention in the state, executes marketing campaigns, in-person events, and develops PR strategies to showcase Maine for its quality of life and career opportunities. Katie returned to Maine after working in Washington, DC and San Francisco, CA. Prior to LWM, Katie was the business & community liaison for People’s United Bank and then worked at WEX on the New Business Ventures team. Katie is active in economic development initiatives to help foster innovation and entrepreneurship. She serves as president of Startup Maine, a nonprofit that serves as a convener, educator and catalyst of the Maine startup ecosystem. In addition to Startup Maine, she serves on the advisory board of Maine Accelerates Growth, is a certified SCORE mentor and former workshop facilitator, and is a board member of the Portland Community Chamber. She attended St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY and Fryeburg Academy.
In this episode, Lindy Graham, LCSW, explains the critical need for mental wellness in the workplace. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lindy responded to the increasing need for mental health treatment by creating WellSpace@Work, making it possible for Maine employers to provide mental health treatment to their employees. Lindy describes what sets WellSpace@Work apart and why breweries have shown higher interest in the program.
After studying Richard Rorty’s philosophies, John Zavodny shifted his career from university professor to president of the Maine Seacoast Mission. In this episode, John describes the work the mission does, how members of DownEast Maine communities are impacted and how you can help. John also talks about the importance of relationships to the work the Maine Seacoast mission does. From teaching quietism to community conversation, learn how to build meaningful relationships in your community in this episode.
Sabina Hitchen started her career as a high school teacher before moving on to a career in public relations. Now she has come full circle teaching small business owners how to earn publicity. In this episode, Sabina talks about why publicity is valuable for businesses and how it can be attainable even on a small budget. Through her examples and advice, learn how to do the publicity for your own small business in this episode.
In this episode, Jackie Berlowksi joins Nancy to talk about why public relations is an essential part of your business plan. Often PR and marketing budgets are the first to be cut, but Jackie explains how your business cannot grow without PR and why it is so important to make PR an integral part of your business plan. Jackie also points out that PR is not just for big businesses. Whether big or small, find out how to grow your business through PR in this episode.
How do you feel when you receive a handwritten note in the mail? In this episode, Christine Richards talks with Nancy about her passion for sending handwritten notes. Not only is Christine an avid note writer, but she also helps others write books. Cristine shares why having a well-written book is so important for your business or personal brand. Design also comes into play as Christine describes her graphic design and collage making background, helping to make books more visually appealing.
After starting his PR career working for companies like IBM and Google, Matias Rodsevich changed gears to bring his experience and knowledge to startups. From strategy to media relationships, Matias explains how he works with clients and journalists in a field where there is constant change. Matias offers tips for working with startups and shares some of the differences between working with startups and established brands, such as building their reputation.