PR's Top Pros Talk

Hosted by D S Simon Media

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303

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Jun 2026

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About the show

A D S Simon Media and O’Dwyer’s podcast for communicators, featuring top PR executives sharing valuable insights and giving tips on adapting your strategy during these challenging times.

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60 recent

June 16, 202610 min

Why Earned Media Matters More Than Ever

Will Reese, Chief Innovation Officer at Inizio Evoke, and Theresa Dolge, Chief Media Relations Officer at Inizio Evoke, join Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, to discuss how GEO is reshaping the earned media landscape. They explore the important role local media plays in building trust and fostering community engagement. Theresa and Will also share strategies for strengthening brand reputation and visibility in AI-driven search results.D S Simon Media is a recognized innovator in broadcast public relations and the creator of the industry’s first AI-Powered Broadcast Media Tour™. Over the last five years the firm has scheduled and produced more than 5,000 media segments annually, further establishing itself as a category leader. Clients include top brands in healthcare, technology, travel, financial services, food and beverage, consumer goods, entertainment, retail, non-profits, and associations. Celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2026, the company has won more than 125 industry awards.

June 2, 202610 min

How to Become the CEO of Your Career

Allyson Park, Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer at Walmart, joins Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, for a conversation on leadership, continuous learning, and building a career with purpose in today’s rapidly evolving environment.Drawing on her experience helping lead communications for one of the world’s largest companies, Allyson shares perspectives on the importance of creating a culture where people can learn in every direction. She also discusses what it means to take ownership as the “CEO” of your own career. The conversation also includes how Allyson and Doug have put leadership principles into practice in the workplace.D S Simon Media is a recognized innovator in broadcast public relations and the creator of the industry’s first AI-Powered Broadcast Media Tour™. Over the last five years the firm has scheduled and produced more than 5,000 media segments annually, further establishing itself as a category leader. Clients include top brands in healthcare, technology, travel, financial services, food and beverage, consumer goods, entertainment, retail, non-profits, and associations. Celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2026, the company has won more than 125 industry awards.

June 1, 202612 min

What You Need To Know About AI Visibility

Megan Kessler, Chief of Integrated Marketing and Strategy for PAN Communications, talks to Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, about why some companies appear in less than 5% of AI-generated answers. Megan explains how earned and owned media work together to improve visibility. They also discuss how communications teams can take a more proactive role in shaping brand perception.D S Simon Media is a recognized innovator in broadcast public relations and the creator of the industry’s first AI-Powered Broadcast Media Tour™. Over the last five years the firm has scheduled and produced more than 5,000 media segments annually, further establishing itself as a category leader. Clients include top brands in healthcare, technology, travel, financial services, food and beverage, consumer goods, entertainment, retail, non-profits, and associations. Celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2026, the company has won more than 125 industry awards.

May 27, 20267 min

Building Your Own AI Toolkit

Shira Fine, Partner and Head of Strategic Communications at Bryson Gillette, joins Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, to discuss why it’s important to learn how to build tools with AI. She shares examples of tools her team has built and how they improve efficiency. The conversation also explores what seasoned communicators can learn from younger generations about adapting to new technology.D S Simon Media is a recognized innovator in broadcast public relations and the creator of the industry’s first AI-Powered Broadcast Media Tour™. Over the last five years the firm has scheduled and produced more than 5,000 media segments annually, further establishing itself as a category leader. Clients include top brands in healthcare, technology, travel, financial services, food and beverage, consumer goods, entertainment, retail, non-profits, and associations. Celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2026, the company has won more than 125 industry awards.

May 19, 202610 min

How Leaders Can Drive Impact Right Now

Darryl Sparey, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Hard Numbers, talks to Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, about the commitments communicators should embrace to drive meaningful organizational impact. They discuss how PR professionals can bring the most value to clients. They also dive into the importance of earned media and its influence on GEO.D S Simon Media is a recognized innovator in broadcast public relations and the creator of the industry’s first AI-Powered Broadcast Media Tour™. Over the last five years the firm has scheduled and produced more than 5,000 media segments annually, further establishing itself as a category leader. Clients include top brands in healthcare, technology, travel, financial services, food and beverage, consumer goods, entertainment, retail, non-profits, and associations. Celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2026, the company has won more than 125 industry awards.

May 13, 20261 min

PR Professionals Need to Adapt as AI Is Reshaping the Newsroom

Doug Simon, Founder and CEO of D S Simon Media, shares what communicators need to know about how stories are selected and discovered for TV news.D S Simon Media is a recognized innovator in broadcast public relations and the creator of the industry’s first AI-Powered Broadcast Media Tour™. Clients include top brands in healthcare, technology, travel, financial services, food and beverage, consumer goods, entertainment, retail, and non-profits. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the firm has won more than 100 industry awards. Contact Doug at dougs@dssimonmedia.com.

May 11, 20265 min

How AI is Shaping TV News Coverage

Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, shares what communicators need to know about how stories are selected and discovered for TV news.D S Simon Media is a recognized innovator in broadcast public relations and the creator of the industry’s first AI-Powered Broadcast Media Tour™. Over the last five years the firm has scheduled and produced more than 5,000 media segments annually, further establishing itself as a category leader. Clients include top brands in healthcare, technology, travel, financial services, food and beverage, consumer goods, entertainment, retail, non-profits, and associations. Celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2026, the company has won more than 125 industry awards.

May 5, 202618 min

Building a Niche That Grows With You

In this episode, Jennifer Tramontana, President and Founder of The Fletcher Group, joins Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, to discuss how agencies can find a niche and evolve alongside it. Jennifer shares how to build a company culture that authentically reflects and supports your team. Doug and Jennifer also explain why earned media is more important than ever in an AI-driven landscape.D S Simon Media is a recognized innovator in broadcast public relations and the creator of the industry’s first AI-Powered Broadcast Media Tour™. Over the last five years the firm has scheduled and produced more than 5,000 media segments annually, further establishing itself as a category leader. Clients include top brands in healthcare, technology, travel, financial services, food and beverage, consumer goods, entertainment, retail, non-profits, and associations. Celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2026, the company has won more than 125 industry awards.

April 14, 202611 min

How To Optimize Your Content for AI Search

In this episode, Jonny Bentwood, Global President of Data & Analytics at ⁠Golin⁠, joins Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, to explore how AI is reshaping the PR industry. Jonny shares the pivotal moment he realized generative AI would transform consumer behavior. Jonny shares his “Four F’s” framework, offering actionable strategies to optimize content for AI discovery and visibility. Doug and Jonny also show how communicators can take the lead in adopting AI.⁠D S Simon Media⁠ is a recognized innovator in broadcast public relations and the creator of the industry’s first AI-Powered Broadcast Media Tour™. Over the last five years the firm has scheduled and produced more than 5,000 media segments annually, further establishing itself as a category leader. Clients include top brands in healthcare, technology, travel, financial services, food and beverage, consumer goods, entertainment, retail, non-profits, and associations. Celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2026, the company has won more than 125 industry awards.

April 8, 202612 min

Leading with Credibility in an AI-Driven Landscape

Doug Simon, CEO of D S Simon Media, and Campbell O’Connor, Group Director, Media & Engagement at Real Chemistry, explore how AI is transforming healthcare communications and media relations. They discuss how audiences are increasingly turning to platforms like YouTube, LLMs, and other digital sources for health information. Campbell also shares insights on HealthGEO, Real Chemistry’s proprietary AI search intelligence platform, and how it is helping organizations understand, manage, and shape how their science and brands are represented by AI-driven search.D S Simon Media is a recognized innovator in broadcast public relations and the creator of the industry’s first AI-Powered Broadcast Media Tour™. Over the last five years the firm has scheduled and produced more than 5,000 media segments annually, further establishing itself as a category leader. Clients include top brands in healthcare, technology, travel, financial services, food and beverage, consumer goods, entertainment, retail, non-profits, and associations. Celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2026, the company has won more than 125 industry awards.