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The PR Maven Podcast

Business & Economics Podcasts

The PR Maven® Podcast uses a combination of traditional networking techniques and the power of social media to help you 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 Marshall, The PR Maven®, 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.

Location:

United States

Description:

The PR Maven® Podcast uses a combination of traditional networking techniques and the power of social media to help you 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 Marshall, The PR Maven®, 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.

Language:

English

Contact:

207-623-4177


Episodes

Episode 164: How to Adapt to Changing Customer Preferences, With Dana Bullen

3/12/2024
From running the rental shop at Sugarloaf to becoming president of Sunday River, Dana Bullen joins Nancy to talk about his career in the ski business. While it may have been all about the snow when he started his career, Dana describes how people also take their experience into consideration, from the food to guest services. It all comes back to the snow at the end of the day, so Dana describes the importance of snowmaking and how Sunday River shares the snow conditions with its audience. 00:00 Introduction to the PR Maven Podcast 01:40 Introducing Guest: Dana Bullen 05:06 How Dana knew he wanted to be the president of a ski resort 07:20 Building the Sunday River brand 10:27 Adapting to Changing Marketing Techniques 14:48 Dana’s Personal Brand 19:35 The importance of snowmaking at Sunday River 24:02 How Sunday River promotes snowmaking 26:39 Training team members to achieve a common vision 32:01 Helpful Resources Related Episodes Episode 104: How To Grow an Already Established Brand With Karl Strand Episode 249: Spreading Inclusion and Acceptance Through Storytelling, With Lisa and Scott Wentzell and Heidi Bullen Episode 56: Chip Carey, Retired Chief Marketing Officer at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort About Dana With more than 30 years of ski industry and management experience, Dana Bullen began serving in his current role as resort president of Sunday River in September 2004. He worked his way up the ski-business ladder shortly after earning a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Maine Farmington in 1988, holding various positions at Sugarloaf as well. In 2017, he was inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame. A native of Farmington, Maine, Dana enjoys skiing, fishing, hunting and the Maine outdoors. Bonus Q&A 1. Dana, the pandemic and climate change are both impacting your business. How is Sunday River responding to the challenges and opportunities presented by these external factors? The ski business like any outdoor-based industry adapts to outside influences constantly. The Sunday River team is made up of seasoned veterans who embrace the need to constantly improve to meet the needs of our guests. The great news is that we still get to live and play in the outdoors. 2. Sunday River continues to expand and evolve, which is so impressive! How do you manage your team so they are all focused on the same goals? Sunday River has a team of 1,000 leaders. The best example of this was their reaction to the devastating storm in December 2023. We had washed out roads, culverts, bridges, buildings and ski-related infrastructure. Within 24 hours all roads were passable and within 00 hours (about 4 days) we were open for skiing again. This did not happen with one person leading or even 50 people leading. It happened because all 1000 folks were moving in the same direction, working independently in their respective areas of expertise but also mindful of the collective good of the team. We had a team member who was stranded in the hotel, cut off from the resort, with a washed-out bridge that first night of the storm. They need their medicine. Without encouragement or direction, two team members (one who was a raft guide) took it upon themselves to go get the medicine and raft it across. That is the best example I can share of folks leading on their own. We are blessed with so many of these folks. 3. What is the most impactful thing that Sunday River has done to grow its customer base and continue to grow the business? While we continue to improve our snowmaking and create the most modern lift system in the East, the IGLU we built this year was unique and took on a life of its own.

Duration:00:34:32

Episode 104: How To Grow an Already Established Brand With Karl Strand

3/5/2024
In this episode, Karl Strand shares the path his career has taken to become the general manager at Sugarloaf. Karl explains how his parents’ love of restaurants led him to a career in food and beverage operations, which also led him back to Sugarloaf, where he discovered his love of skiing in his younger years. After working his way up, Karl became the general manager at Sugarloaf. Nancy and Karl reminisce and share stories as well as talk about the powerful Sugarloaf brand and community. Karl also talks about plans for the future. 00:00 Introducing Guest: Karl Strand 01:45 Introduction to the PR Maven Podcast 02:46 How Karl’s Parents’ Love of Restaurants Led to His Career Path 06:25 The Benefits of a Well-Rounded Background in a Leadership Position 07:32 The Sugarloaf Community 12:14 How To Engage Audiences of All Ages 14:22 The Legend of Paul Shipper 17:05 Sugarloaf’s Powerful Brand Symbol 23:35 Instilling Company Values in Employees 30:10 The Values of Surveys for Decision-Making 33:12 Sugarloaf’s 2030 Plan 39:00 Helpful Resources Related Episodes Episode 56: Chip Carey, Retired Chief Marketing Officer at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Episode 164: It’s Not Just About the Snow Anymore: How to Adapt to Changing Customer Preferences, With Dana Bullen, President of Sunday River Episode 249: Spreading Inclusion and Acceptance Through Storytelling, With Lisa and Scott Wentzell and Heidi Bullen About Karl After graduating from Bryant University, Karl Strand entered the lodging industry and soon discovered his passion for food and beverage operations. This led him to work in fine dining venues in nearly every region of the United States, and toward his completion of studies at the Culinary Institute of America. Karl began his career at Sugarloaf and Sunday River in 2004 when he was hired as Vice President of Lodging and Property Management for both resorts. He has held a leading role in managing key segments of Sugarloaf and Sunday River's operations. In April 2015, Karl was promoted to the position of Sugarloaf’s general manager. Bonus Q&A 1. Tell us about your expansion plans on West Mountain and where you stand in the process currently. Bucksaw Express and the West Mountain Trails opened on February 16, 2024. The ribbon cutting and opening to date have been a tremendous success with lots of positive feedback. The addition of nine new trails and a high-speed quad increases our capacity and helps spread out the number of guests we can accommodate both in terms of trails and lift lines. It’s notably the largest single-year terrain expansion done in the East, at least since the 1970s. The new zone provides opportunities for future growth, including summer weddings at Bullwinkle’s and real estate development. All trails as part of the West Mountain Expansion were intentionally designed for those who like to cruise and keep it mellow. All are green circle terrain except two, so it bodes well for families and those just learning to ski or for those that prefer easier terrain. It’s unlike anything we have at Sugarloaf and changes the way we ski/ride our mountain. 2. What is it about Sugarloaf that continues to draw more and more skiers and snowboarders every year? Community. The community and varied terrain. It’s a real skiers’ mountain, and with the addition of West Mountain, we truly have it all. From above tree line skiing to now wide-open mellow cruisers, Sugarloaf has the opportunity to attract even more people here and keep them coming back. 3. What events do you have planned for 2024 that you are most excited about? Resort activations have been building off the excitement and success of our annual Spring Reggae Festival by adding new events like EDM (Electric Dance Music) in January, Fire on the Mountain, a weekend totally dedicated to Grateful Dead music in February and now, adding a Country Music Weekend to the line-up in March....

Duration:00:43:51

Episode 271: Does Public Relations Play a Role for Churches and Religious Ministries? With Liz Williams

2/27/2024
In this PR Maven® Podcast episode, host Nancy Marshall sits down with Liz Williams, the communications manager for the Episcopalian Diocese of Georgia to discuss her journey to this unique position. Liz elaborates on her journey from a marketing undergraduate to eventually working in the church's youth and children ministries. She also recounts her experience with a non-profit for mental and behavioral health before becoming communications manager. Nancy and Liz discuss the varied responsibilities, including managing social media, public relations and larger church communications. Their discussion also touches on the upcoming Episcopalian Communicators Conference, set to take place in Portland, Maine. The conference's aim is to build community amongst communicators and equip them with crucial tools. Liz discusses the importance of crisis communication within the church community, and Nancy provides details about her upcoming keynote and crisis communications workshop. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:18 Liz Williams: Her Journey and Role in the Episcopalian Diocese of Georgia 02:21 The Importance of Communication in Ministry 04:14 The Role of Branding and Social Media in Evangelism 05:32 Details about the Upcoming Episcopal Communicators Conference 08:12 Choosing Conference Locations and the Excitement for Portland, Maine 10:45 The Importance of Crisis Communications in the Church 16:12 Break and Book Promotion 17:08 The Power of Personal Branding and Networking 24:34 The Importance of Empathy and Compassion in Crisis Communications 24:39 Details about the Crisis Communications Workshop 30:34 How to Register for the Conference 33:04 Liz's Recommended Podcast and Contact Information 35:18 Closing Remarks and Anticipation for the Conference About Liz Liz Williams is the communications manager for the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia. She has a deep passion for the church and its liturgy, hymns and compassion for others. Liz has served in various positions within the church and has found her calling in ministry and communications. She has also worked for a nonprofit in mental and behavioral health for children and families. Liz's career path led her to her current role as the communications manager for the diocese. She is excited about the upcoming Episcopal Communicators Conference in Portland, Maine, where she will be a keynote speaker and workshop presenter. Liz emphasizes the importance of personal branding and growing a network of connections. She believes in the power of listening and making others feel seen and heard. Additionally, Liz will be co-presenting a crisis communications workshop, where she will discuss the importance of empathy, compassion and planning in effectively communicating during times of crisis.

Duration:00:36:14

Episode 61: How To Positively Impact Lives Everyday Starting With How You Treat Your People With Sean Riley

2/20/2024
In this episode, host Nancy Marshall speaks with Sean Riley, president and CEO of Maine Course Hospitality Group (MCHG), about his career and network. Sean explains how his career in hospitality started after having been a high school teacher and the journey his career took before joining MCHG. Sean emphasizes the importance of a strong company culture and an employee first attitude. Social media has made it possible to further engage with employees as well as build a network. Sean describes how he uses social media and how it benefits all of his relationships, personally and professionally. 00:00 Introduction to The PR Maven® Podcast 01:03 Introducing Guest: Sean Riley 03:27 How Sean’s Career Went From Teaching to Hospitality 07:55 Building Company Culture 09:18 Using Social Media To Share Positive Impact 11:43 Doing What Is Important to You 16:24 Building a Personal and Professional Network 19:01 Measuring Success 24:55 How Sean Built His Network 31:29 How Sean Has Fun and Engages With Associates 34:13 How Networking Can Enable You To Learn From Others About Sean Sean began his career in hospitality in 1982 as the general manager of a 19-room motel and cottage business in Wells, Maine, that he ran with his wife Dayna while teaching high school special ed. A few years later, with experience running larger hotels, Sean switched full time into the hotel business. After working at a couple of hotels that ended up closing, Sean worked for a bank until MCHG bought their first hotel. Over time, MCHG bought more and more hotels and Sean held many positions throughout the company until becoming the president and CEO. Today, Sean is most proud of the culture that MCHG has created, positively impacting lives every day. Related Episodes Episode 172: People Over Price, With Tim Winkeler, President and CEO of VIP Tires & Service Social Media Basics Series: Find All Episodes Here Episode 104: How to grow an already established brand, with Karl Strand, general manager at Sugarloaf Bonus Q&A What is the one thing that MCHG does that has the most impact to make people feel welcome at your hotels? Simply put, but not always easy to do… take care of our people. They will take care of the guests and the guests will keep coming back. A culture of caring for our people is a distinguishable difference. Lots do it, but our purpose is “to positively impact lives.” We start that with associates first. We can’t demand that guests be taken care of if we aren’t first caring about our people. Not just with money and benefits, but in caring for them as people. Family is one of our core values and it is commonly used throughout the organization. It’s not just a word on the website or said by me. It is embraced. Fun is another value that can be seen and felt by guests. And that DEFINITELY has to start at the top. Think about the last time you walked in and someone was having fun and turned to you. The REAL smile, the happy face. It is contagious! Leaders need to set the pace! I need to set the pace. How do you keep employees engaged in this era of quiet quitting? No one is immune from what you called the “quiet quitting.” But if we stay true to our culture and core values, it lessens the chance. Compassion for associates is the right thing to have, and in turn, it creates a caring environment. People need a refuge from their tough lives. Creating a caring environment can help them, not only in the work environment, but in their life outside of work. Long gone are the days of “these are the rules, this is the schedule you are required to work.” Today it’s about flexibility and managing by reason, not by rules. We don’t get it right 100% of the time, but we try. What are you the most proud of in your hospitality career? To have participated in building a sustainable culture, and quite frankly, it’s sustainable because it’s much bigger than Sean Riley. I took part...

Duration:00:46:23

Episode 146: Public Relations and Marketing in the Arts With Raffi DerSimonian

2/13/2024
In this episode, Raffi DerSimonian talks about his career doing public relations and marketing of the arts. As a Waterville, Maine, native, Raffi describes the renaissance going on in the city from arts to dining. Music has always been a passion of Raffi’s. He describes his musical career and helping found Waterville Rocks. In addition to doing PR and marketing for the arts, Raffi is experienced in promoting higher education. Raffi shares some advice for schools and colleges to promote themselves as well as what to do when communicating during a crisis. 00:00 Introduction to the PR Maven Podcast 01:32 Introducing Guest: Raffi DerSimonian 02:58 The Importance of a Handwritten Note 11:33 How Video Can Drive Measurable Results 18:19 Waterville, Maine’s Renaissance 23:37 How Waterville Rocks Was Founded 24:16 Music’s Role in Raffi’s Life 29:00 Raffi’s Career Marketing the Arts 32:15 Advice for Schools When Promoting Themselves 36:22 Communicating During a Crisis 39:36 Helpful Resources Related Episodes Episode 128: The basics of handwritten notes and book writing, with Christine Richards, writer, nonfiction book consultant and graphic designer at Composition1206 Episode 118: How to communicate during a crisis, with Steve McCausland, communications specialist at Marshall Communications Episode 168: How Marketing Can Help Overcome Challenges in Higher Education, With Cheryl Broom, CEO at Graduate Communications About Raffi With over 20 years experience in results-oriented public relations, marketing and communications, Raffi DerSimonian has cultivated a comprehensive understanding of the intersection between institutional marketing, communications, advancement and the arts. His experience includes leading new brand launches, developing marketing strategies, and planning advancement campaigns for a diverse range of institutions and organizations. Via RDS Group, Raffi works in highly collaborative settings, which allows him to effectively navigate a range of complex and large-scale initiatives. Bonus Q&A What marketing and PR techniques have you found to be the most impactful over the past year? The integration of AI tools into our professional practice has been transformative. We're continuously astounded by their capabilities, marking a significant inflection point in virtually every field, and especially marketing, communications, PR and advancement. We view AI not just as a tool but as a paradigm shift, fundamentally changing our approach to our work. Where will you be focusing your efforts in the year to come? Our focus remains on leveraging our strengths: helping institutions and organizations amplify their mission by activating the power of strategy, creativity and technology. Our goal is simple: to increase engagement, response and impact. If you could give one piece of advice to someone getting started in a PR career, what would it be? My key advice for any aspiring professional is to embrace diversity in your experiences. There's ample time to specialize later. Engage in as many roles and challenges as possible – our field offers vast opportunities to apply your unique skills. Gaining broad experience helps in understanding where your strengths lie and what brings you the most satisfaction and joy in your career.

Duration:00:42:52

Episode 172: People Over Price With Tim Winkeler

2/6/2024
In this episode, Nancy talks with Tim Winkeler, president and CEO of VIP Tires & Service about PR, marketing and sponsorships. Tim describes his career and how VIP Tires & Service has grown since he started working there in 2010, with a focus on people rather than price. Nancy and Tim also discuss how they met after Nancy left a bad review about her experience at VIP. Nancy and Tim also talk about sponsorships and how VIP sponsors events their employees are involved in. 00:00 Introduction to the PR Maven Podcast 01:32 Introducing Guest: Tim Winkeler 03:07 Tim Winkeler’s Career in the Auto Parts Industry 05:07 About VIP Tires & Service 06:40 How Nancy and Tim Met 13:11 VIP’s Management Process 15:34 VIP Tires & Service’s PR Strategy 18:52 Investing in People 26:39 VIP’s Sponsorship of The Trek Across Maine in 2022 29:17 Sponsorships in VIP’s Marketing Plan 33:06 Helpful Resources Links Competitive Edge - https://competitiveedge.tv/premiere-episode/ Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certification - https://www.ase.com/ “Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Willink - https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Ownership-U-S-Navy-SEALs/dp/1250067057 Origin USA - https://originmaine.com/ Related Episodes Episode 259: How To Attract and Retain Employees in Today’s Labor Market Episode 213: 2022 Golden Microphone Award Celebration With Tim Winkeler Episode 217: Changing Customer Perceptions in the Automotive Repair Industry With PR and Marketing, Featuring Lynn Campbell, Director of Marketing, Advertising and CRM at VIP Tires & Service Episode 61: Sean Riley, President and CEO of Maine Course Hospitality Group About Tim Tim is an accomplished people-focused leader with a track record of building high-performance teams that exceed expectations. Always focused on customer needs and feedback, he builds core competencies around making money by serving customers in different and better ways. Tim is a teacher at heart and learns every day by reading great books and meeting great people. Bonus Q&A VIP has a program they call “five-for-five.” Explain what that means and how you implement it at your stores. Five-for-five is all about focusing on the customer experience. We’ve identified the five key moments in a customer’s visit to VIP where we take the extra step to build a relationship with the customer and to make sure their experience at VIP is memorable. The five-for-five customer engagement process is all about taking the extra time to build a relationship with the customer. VIP has big plans for 2024. Tell us about where you are expanding. For 2024, we will be opening some new locations and expanding some existing ones. We will be entering Connecticut for the first time with the acquisition of a shop in Waterbury. We will be opening our 9th shop in Massachusetts when we open our new shop in Brockton, and we will be expanding our operations in Maine in both our Yarmouth and Augusta shops. In addition, we have several more growth projects that I’m confident will be completed in the back half of the year. What makes you the proudest of everything you have accomplished during your tenure at VIP? What I enjoy most about being a member of the VIP team is interacting with our team members and getting to know them. The people-first culture that we’ve all worked to establish makes VIP a great place to work every day, and I’m proud to wear the "VIP Blues" and do my part to support our mission to "Earn Automotive Customers for Life.”

Duration:00:40:19

Episode 270: HOW & WHY? Optimizing Blog Posts for SEO & Reusing Old Blogs for Brand Growth With Koty Potts

1/30/2024
In this episode of the PR Maven podcast, host Nancy Marshall welcomes guest Koty Potts, the digital manager at ER Marketing, to discuss how to amplify brand reach using traditional and digital networking methods. Koty shares his journey from an SEO specialist to a digital manager, stressing the benefit of combining SEO expertise with web development skills. He elaborates on his strategy of optimizing blog posts and regularly updating old content to improve search rankings. Koty believes that reusing and updating existing blog content is cost-effective and leads to better SEO outcomes compared to publishing new blog posts. He emphasizes the significance of understanding and responding to audience needs and competitive content to stay ahead and even recommends a few resources for anyone seeking to dive deeper into SEO and content marketing. 00:02 Introduction to the PR Maven Podcast 01:44 Introducing Guest Speaker: Koty Potts 01:56 Koty Potts: Journey in Digital Marketing 02:58 Optimizing Blog Posts for Search: A Deep Dive 03:20 The Power of Blogging and SEO 06:48 The Impact of SEO on Business Growth 09:45 The Art of Blog Post Optimization 15:21 The Importance of Regular Content Updates 15:32 The Role of Public Relations in Content Marketing 17:50 The Value of Consistent Blogging 27:08 The Impact of Backlinks on SEO 33:54 Conclusion and Contact Information Mentioned View screenshare (10:25) “They Ask, You Answer” by Marcus Sheridan “Building Better Brands” by Elton Mayfield Search Engine Journal Semrush Hubspot “Evergreen Affiliate Marketing” by Nate McCallister About Koty Koty Potts, Digital Manager at ER Marketing, initially joined as an SEO specialist and swiftly expanded his role into web development. With a keen eye for SEO, web development, and a strategic focus on reporting and analytics, Koty wears many hats in his current position. Beyond his 9-to-5, Koty is a freelance filmmaker, photographer, and musician — a lifelong creator. His creative background aligns seamlessly with his digital expertise, making him a versatile professional. Koty's standout trait is his insatiable curiosity. He thrives on learning, ensuring he masters any challenge. With a commitment to continuous growth, Koty is a valuable force in the dynamic landscape of digital marketing.

Duration:00:36:36

Episode 269: Using Public Relations to Improve Food Allergy Awareness, With Caili Elwell, Family Food Allergy Advocate and Public Relations Specialist/Independent Producer at Mother Eats Proper

1/23/2024
In this episode, Caili Elwell joins Nancy to share her career journey from hospitality to food allergy advocacy using public relations. After discovering her daughter had severe food allergies, Caili made a career shift, opening Mother Eats Proper to grow the conversation around food allergies. Caili shares her approach to PR and branding through this lens, emphasizing a craveable narrative. Caili also talks about the idea behind her documentary, “How Do We Make It Better?” 1:49 – Caili explains how her career started in hospitality and tourism before shifting to PR. 3:48 – Caili talks about discovering her daughter’s food allergies and how that spurred a transition in her career. 7:58 – Caili shares some details about the documentary she is working on. 10:57 – Caili describes finding her path in hospitality. 18:00 – Caili shares her approach to branding and public relations through a craveable narrative. 19:53 – Caili explains what is important to know when working with her. 21:10 – Caili talks about meditation and grounding techniques. 24:19 – Caili shares a resource that has been helpful to her. Quote “This food allergy community, too, is so fiercely loyal. The second that we find a place that we like that takes really good care of us, we are going to advocate for your establishment and tell everybody about it. So, I think it's worth investing time and energy into training your staff around food allergies because you will grow a giant extra demographic of loyal customers.” – Caili Elwell, family food allergy advocate and public relations specialist/independent producer at Mother Eats Proper Links: Pulp + Wire: https://pulpandwire.com/ Maine Magazine: https://www.themainemag.com/ SKORDO: https://skordo.com/ Stray Arrow Media: https://www.strayarrowmedia.com/ How Do We Make It Better? Documentary fundraising: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/howdowemakeitbetter The Expanded Podcast: https://tobemagnetic.com/expanded-podcast About the guest: Caili Elwell is the owner of Mother Eats Proper — a space for food allergy brands, private chefs, and dining experiences to gain public relations, affiliate program, and brand partnership support. Caili has worked under great mentors and believes that the work to make a great change is never done. It is because of her 4-year-old daughter who has over seven severe food allergies and her background in food CPG branding and hospitality management that she decided to open her doors to food allergy-safe brands and spaces exclusively believing the conversation around the food allergy customer deserves more of non-allergy safe brands and establishments’ time. Looking to connect: Email: mothereatsproper@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cailielwell/ Website: www.mothereatsproper.com

Duration:00:27:52

Episode 268: Building Brands and Using Your Brightest Minds, With Christian Espinosa, CEO of Blue Goat Cyber

1/16/2024
In this episode, Christian Espinosa shares his career path, starting in the Airforce and the lessons he brought with him to his work in cybersecurity. Chrisitan also talks about his books, mainly "The Smartest Person in the Room," giving an overview of what you will learn by reading his book. Christian describes his keynote speaking, from his inspiration to become a keynote speaker to the theme of his speeches. He also talks about growing his personal brand and network. 5:29 – Christian talks about his time in the Airforce and how his career developed after. 8:47 – Christian explains how NOT to be the smartest person in the room and gives an overview of the seven steps. 16:35 – Christian shares how he built his brand and network. 19:14 – Christian lists some lessons he learned in the military that he still uses now. 25:11 – Christian describes why he wanted to start keynote speaking. 26:13 – Christian talks about the theme of his speeches: self-leadership. 27:35 – Christian explains how his books have helped position him as a thought leader. 29:44 – Christian shares some of the PR techniques he has used. 31:40 – Christian offers some resources that have been helpful to him. Quote “When I first started doing marketing or PR, I thought I could just market to everybody and what I realized is that I’m marketing to nobody if I'm trying to market to everybody because I don’t really understand the details of someone's pain points.” – Christian Espinosa, CEO of Blue Goat Cyber Links: Heroic Public Speaking: https://heroicpublicspeaking.com/ Otter.ai: https://otter.ai/ About the guest: Christian Espinosa, an esteemed thought leader, is most known as the bestselling author of "The Smartest Person in the Room," which explores the limitations of seeking validation through achievement and the desire to be the brightest intellect in any room. With a deep desire to inspire others to harness their innate wisdom, overcome perceived barriers, and summon the courage to tread new paths, Christian authored his latest book, "The In-Between: Life in the Micro." This book chronicles his remarkable transformation — from a "me against the world" mindset cultivated during his tumultuous upbringing to his evolution as a compassionate global citizen committed to uplifting humanity. A dynamic entrepreneur, Christian built and successfully sold Alpine Security, a cybersecurity business. He founded and currently leads Blue Goat Cyber. He also has an array of professional and personal development certifications. His expertise extends beyond the confines of the corporate world: he's a white hat hacker, a captivating keynote speaker, a perceptive real estate investor, and a connoisseur of heavy metal music and fiery cuisines. He’s also spent time in the Mexican jungle with Mayan Shamans, is a C-License skydiver, and is a PADI divemaster. Whatever Christian tries, he tends to master. Beyond his impactful professional pursuits, Christian's zest for life knows no bounds. An adventurer at heart, he fearlessly leaps from planes and balloons, conquers towering peaks, explores the globe, imparts wisdom in outdoor wilderness survival, and even takes on the rigorous challenges of Ironman triathlons. Having completed an impressive 24 Ironman triathlons and scaled two of the renowned Seven Summits, Christian Espinosa epitomizes the spirit of transformative leadership and unyielding exploration. Looking to connect: Email: christian@christianespinosa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianespinosa/ X: @Ironracer Website: https://christianespinosa.com/

Duration:00:37:10

Episode 267: 3 Valuable PR Lessons To Learn From Taylor Swift

1/9/2024
Billions of dollars in profit. Millions of fans captivated by her concerts. In 2023, Taylor Swift has been everywhere, and her omnipresence provides valuable lessons for the entire public relations industry. In PR, we dream of making our clients a hot commodity. We dream of sending consumers into a frenzy. We dream of going viral. Sometimes, dreams become reality, and that is the excitement of PR. With hard work and strategic execution, PR campaigns can truly change hearts and minds. Swift’s success is essentially PR at its finest. Because of positive PR, the singer extraordinaire has become one of the most famous people on the planet. Whether you’re a Swiftie or not, the reasoning behind her success can be applied to other industries outside of entertainment and popular culture. Continue reading here. The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in November 2023. Join The PR Maven® Facebook group page. Sign up for email notifications for when new episodes are released.

Duration:00:11:32

Episode 266: Navigating the World of Media Production With Kathleen O'Heron

12/19/2023
In this episode, Nancy Marshall, The PR Maven®, speaks with Kathleen O'Heron, CEO and co- founder of Jynx Productions. Kathleen shares her professional journey, from her early fascination with film production and editing in high school and college, to co-founding Jynx Productions, a leading boutique media production company based in New England. She discusses the value of personal storytelling in achieving impactful personal branding and the documentary style of production that her company follows. Kathleen also sheds light on the production process, where a one-day to two-week shoot goes through several iterations of research, planning, filming, rating, editing and broadcasting. Finally, Kathleen shares her passion for educating people about American life, their work with corporate clients and creating legacy documentaries for families. 00:00 Introduction and background 00:48 Guest introduction: Kathleen O'Heron 02:15 Kathleen's journey into filmmaking 05:14 Kathleen's experience at Bloomberg and Jynx Productions 11:33 The impact of technology on filmmaking 14:37 The art of pitching a story 22:50 Current projects and future plans 25:45 The production process in filmmaking 35:23 The influence of media on Kathleen's career 38:33 Conclusion and contact information About Kathleen: Kathleen O'Heron is the co-founder and CEO of Jynx Productions, a media production company based in Maine. Over the last 20 years, she has built Jynx into one of the leading boutique production companies in New England. Jynx produces unscripted documentary-style content for TV networks, corporate clients and private clients, reaching millions of people on television, streaming platforms and social media. Prior to co-founding Jynx, Kathleen ran the global post- production department at Bloomberg Television in New York City, where she was instrumental in the success of several corporate initiatives. Kathleen has a unique combination of skills, including documentary storytelling, technology and international experience, having worked in London, Germany, and traveled extensively. Jynx Productions often covers American topics and stories from the perspectives of everyday people. “Hunger for content has not changed. In fact, it's increased. And it seems to me that the more that's available to people, the more they want.”

Duration:00:44:04

Episode 265: How To Help Journalists and Create Quality Content, With Deirdre Stires, Former Portland Press Herald Outdoor Reporter

12/12/2023
Based on her 27 years as a journalist in Maine, Deirdre Stires (you might recognize her from her byline, Deirdre Fleming) shares what she was always looking for as a journalist and how PR people can be helpful. Deirdre talks about her recent transition to creating content for Bates College and why it is important to be a good writer when it comes to creating content. Deirdre also lists some of the content she enjoys consuming and some resources she has found helpful as a writer. 3:16 – Deirdre describes how her career began by studying journalism in college and moving to Maine to cover hockey. 10:53 – Deirdre shares the best ways to help a journalist, including delivering on what you say you will deliver. 21:08 – Deirdre talks about content creation and how she is always looking for something quirky or unusual. 28:58 – Deirdre gives a glimpse into the types of content she consumes. 33:28 – Deirdre explains why it is important to be a good writer when it comes to content creation. 35:28 – Deirdre shares some resources that have been helpful to her. Quote “I always wanted to get an unusual story, something different, something quirky, weird, bizarre and ideally, it’s something new. It’s breaking news. Then, you’re the first person to get it on your website or on the front of your newspaper, but even if it’s not something new, oftentimes within a story, there’s something unusual or unique.” – Deirdre Stires, senior writer at Bates College Links: Maine’s outdoor tourism industry seeks solutions for workforce housing: https://www.pressherald.com/2023/04/23/maines-outdoor-tourism-industry-seeks-solutions-for-workforce-housing/ Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife: https://www.maine.gov/IFW/ Maine Audubon: https://maineaudubon.org/ The Nature Conservancy in Maine: https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/maine/ Bates College: https://www.bates.edu/ Bates Trashion Show 2023: https://www.bates.edu/news/2023/11/16/bates-trashion-show-2023/ Portland Press Herald: https://www.pressherald.com/ “Becoming” by Michelle Obama: https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Michelle-Obama/dp/1524763136 Word Counter: https://wordcounter.net/ “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen: https://www.amazon.com/Born-Run-Bruce-Springsteen/dp/1501141511 “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson: https://www.amazon.com/Steve-Jobs-Walter-Isaacson/dp/1451648537 About the guest: Deirdre Stires worked for 27 years as a journalist in Maine, first at the Bangor Daily News and then at the Portland Press Herald, where she covered the outdoors for 20 years. Many newspaper readers in Maine know her from her byline — Deirdre Fleming — and her stories that anchored the Maine Sunday Telegram Outdoors section virtually every week. But Deirdre also covered outdoor and environmental breaking news and wrote in-depth, front-page Sunday stories on Maine’s myriad outdoor activities, wildlife populations, conservation efforts and trends in outdoor recreation. In two decades, she wrote about — and experienced while reporting —virtually every outdoor activity in Maine. She’s won several writing awards in Maine and nationally. In 2013, she was selected as a national finalist in the beat-writing category by the Associated Press Sports Editors, which means as an outdoor writer she beat out sports journalists around the country covering traditional sports like football, basketball and baseball. Her first book, which will be published by Islandport Press this spring, will be one of the nation’s few hiking guides on accessible trails and will highlight the current movement to build more universal-access trails across the country. Looking to connect: Email: Deirdre.fleming30@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deirdre-fleming-stires-383910132/ X: @DeirdreStires

Duration:00:41:26

Episode 264: Conversion Rate Optimization Explained, With Marty Greif, President of SiteTuners

12/5/2023
You may be using search engine optimization (SEO) to increase the traffic to your website, but are you using conversion rate optimization (CRO) to make use of that traffic? In this episode, Marty Greif defines CRO, explains what it can do for you and how you can start implementing it. Marty also talks about client success stories using CRO and a game changer you will want to know for your career. Learn about trust bars and the ugly baby test in this episode as well. 3:50 – Marty describes how he started his career as a developer before joining SiteTuners and then buying the company. 6:38 – Marty defines conversion rate optimization. 8:41 – Marty talks about what types of clients he looks for. 11:50 – Marty explains why it is important to have your phone number and a trust bar on your website. 14:55 – Marty shares a game changer: think about others. 22:08 – Marty describes the difference between conversion rate optimization and search engine optimization. 25:28 – Marty lists some changes you can make now to improve your conversion rate optimization. 29:26 – Marty shares client success stories. 34:47 – Marty talks about some resources that have been helpful to him. Quote “Conversion rate optimization is making sure that the traffic that comes to your website actually does what you want them to do. There's a difference between driving traffic and making use of the traffic, so conversion rate optimization is making sure that the traffic, when it gets to your website, takes whatever your desired actions are so that you create a user journey for people.” – Marty Greif, president of SiteTuners Links: Heroic Public Speaking: https://heroicpublicspeaking.com/ Women Presidents Organization: https://www.women-presidents.com/ Forbes Agency Council: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/people/nancymarshall1/ Maine PR Council: https://meprcouncil.org/ Mainebiz: https://www.mainebiz.biz/ Society for the Advancement of Travel Writers: https://satw.org/ “How to Win Friends & Influence People” by Dale Carnegie: https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034 Nyraju Skin Care case study: https://sitetuners.com/resources/case-studies/nyraju-skin-care-ecommerce-landing-pages-277-increase-in-conversions/ “What Women Want Man to Know” by Barbara De Angelis: https://www.amazon.com/What-Women-Want-Men-Know/dp/0007132956 “True Connections” by Marty Greif: https://www.amazon.com/True-Connections-Relationship-Marketing-Digital/dp/1716943361 About the guest: Martin Greif is a digital marketing expert, author, and renowned speaker who has captivated audiences worldwide with his transformative strategies. With over 25 years of experience in sales and marketing, he brings an unrivaled level of expertise and a passion for driving revenue growth. Currently serving as president at SiteTuners, Martin is responsible for nurturing partner relationships, creating value for the customer base and overseeing day-to-day operations for this award-winning digital marketing agency. But Martin's impact extends far beyond his professional achievements. He is a man of compassion and social responsibility, serving as a board member for Vincent House, a respected charitable organization dedicated to supporting individuals with mental health challenges. This philanthropic involvement showcases Martin's commitment to making a positive impact on society and creating a better world. Looking to connect: Email: marty@sitetuners.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martingreif/ X: @SiteTuners Website: sitetuners.com

Duration:00:39:16

Episode 263: Using Empathy in Crisis Communications, With Steve McCausland, Communications Specialist at Marshall Communications

11/28/2023
In this episode, Steve McCausland returns to The PR Maven® Podcast to share more of his crisis communications wisdom. Starting with his background and career, Steve shares some examples of how to handle communicating during crises based on his 30+ years working for Maine Public Safety. Steve and Nancy also give a look into their crisis communications training process, including some of their most important tips. Steve and Nancy discuss how the media landscape has changed throughout their careers as well and how that impacts your crisis communications strategy. 3:21 – Steve talks about his 30+ year career at Maine Public Safety. 4:57 – Steve explains how to stay calm in the face of a crisis. 9:18 – Steve shares the advice he gave to the Farmington deputy fire chief following the deadly 2019 explosion. 10:19 – Steve recounts the worst motor vehicle accident in Maine. 18:50 – Steve shares why you should never say “no comment.” 20:41 – Steve describes how the media landscape has changed since he began his career. 25:03 – Steve gives a piece of advice: don’t go off the record. 30:57 – Steve talks about why and how you should get ready for a crisis. 35:57 – Steve emphasizes the importance of rehearsing. 40:38 – Steve shares some resources that have been helpful to him. Quote “It is an incredibly important component of getting the information out, to show some empathy. You can do it with few words, but it shows that you care about what happened, for the victim, for the victim's family and the businesses that may have been affected as well.” – Steve McCausland, communications specialist at Marshall Communications Links: Farmington explosion: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/09/16/farmington-maine-explosion-leap-inc-1-dead-propane-blast/2341115001/ Lac-Mégantic interviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfULxhsPm3Y City of Lewiston Support Fund: https://www.androscogginbank.com/city-of-lewiston-support-fund/ AP Stylebook: https://www.apstylebook.com/ “The Elements of Style” by William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White: https://www.amazon.com/Elements-Style-Fourth-William-Strunk/dp/020530902X Listen to PR Maven® Podcast episode 82 on message mapping: https://marshallpr.com/podcast/episode-82-how-to-use-a-message-map-to-build-your-brand/ Listen to Steve's first episode on The PR Maven® Podcast: https://marshallpr.com/podcast/episode-118-how-to-communicate-during-a-crisis-with-steve-mccausland-communications-specialist-at-marshall-communications/ About the guest: Steve McCausland served 32 years as the spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, handling information on over 500 homicides, another 500 fire deaths and thousands of motor vehicle fatalities. Before retiring, he had a role in every major criminal investigation the department was involved in over those three decades. He served as an advisor to eight commissioners of public safety and eight chiefs of the State Police on media relations and public and governmental policy. Steve started his media career as the news director of the radio station in Bath and worked part-time for the Portland Press Herald, Associated Press and WCSH-TV in Portland. He was elected and served 20 years on the Brunswick Town Council, serving six of those years as chairman.

Duration:00:44:23

Episode 262: To Be a Successful Entrepreneur, You Need a Strong Network — Here’s Why

11/21/2023
I’ve run a public relations agency for more than three decades, so entrepreneurship runs in my blood. It’s honestly difficult to fathom life before, when I worked a traditional job and reported to a boss. Honestly, I was not cut out to be an employee. I was born to run my own business. These days, headlines like “How to be an entrepreneur” are a dime a dozen. It seems like everyone has secret tips and pieces of advice for those looking to be entrepreneurial, even if it means thinking outside the box and excelling at a 9-to-5 job. While there is no silver bullet, one thing is clear: Entrepreneurs take pride in building a strong network, which leads to a strong personal brand. Without networking, it is virtually impossible to be a successful entrepreneur or to find success in business more generally. A strong network — and the strong brand that it creates — is like a magnet, attracting the “right” people to your orbit and leaving out the “wrong” ones. Continue reading here. The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in October 2023. Join The PR Maven® Facebook group page. Sign up for email notifications for when new episodes are released.

Duration:00:11:58

Episode 261: 2023 Golden Microphone Award Celebration With Bob Shultz

11/14/2023
In this episode, The PR Maven® Podcast celebrates five years and congratulates Bob Shultz, president and chief financial officer at Puritan Medical Products, for having the most popular episode of the year. Nancy and Bob talk about how Puritan adapted during the COVID pandemic and how they are diversifying now that demand for COVID swabs has decreased. Nancy and Bob also talk about the value of having a finance background in a leadership position. 3:17 – Bob explains how Puritan adapted to the demand for testing swabs during the COVID pandemic. 7:39 – Bob talks about the growth at Puritan since he joined Puritan. 8:36 – Bob describes why he chose to come back to Maine. 10:14 – Bob shares how having a finance background has helped him in his role as president at Puritan. 14:43 – Bob talks about being on The PR Maven® Podcast. 15:47 – Bob explains how Puritan is diversifying as demand for COVID swabs has declined. 19:36 – Bob shares some resources he finds helpful. Quote “Doing whatever it takes to get it done. You can see that in everything that Puritan does and it is a differentiator. We are a company that is in the medical device business, so we have regulatory requirements that we need to meet, but the beauty of a company like Puritan is that we're nimble enough to be able to get things done that our customer needs done.” – Bob Shultz, president and chief financial officer at Puritan Medical Products Links: Cianbro: https://www.cianbro.com/ Bath Iron Works: https://gdbiw.com/ Grippy Tannins: https://www.grippytannins.com/ Benkay: https://sushiman.com/ 3M: https://www.3m.com/ “StrengthsFinder 2.0”: https://www.amazon.com/StrengthsFinder-2-0-Tom-Rath/dp/159562015X “Oh, the Places You'll Go!” by Dr. Seuss: https://www.amazon.com/Oh-Places-Youll-Dr-Seuss/dp/0679805273/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1PJJ1JG1UYUFQ&keywords=the+places+you+go+by+dr.+seuss&qid=1699551376&s=books&sprefix=the+places+you+go+by+dr.+suess+%2Cstripbooks%2C72&sr=1-1 Listen to Bob’s first episode on The PR Maven® Podcast. About the guest: A 1990 graduate from Bowdoin with a major in economics and a minor in government, Bob Shultz started his career at Deloitte where he earned his certified public accountant (CPA) designation. After public accounting, Bob worked in a variety of leadership positions in both financial and operational capacities. These roles allowed him to excel as a business leader given the diversity of experiences. Bob has worked in organizations ranging from start-ups to global Fortune 100 companies and across diverse industries. Prior to joining Puritan, he was the division CFO of one of the largest global operating units of 3M Company. At Puritan, Bob is currently the president and chief financial officer.In this role, he is responsible for the day-to-day operations as well as the future strategic direction. This role allows Bob to utilize the totality of his strengths and experiences to partner with the fantastic leadership team and drive profitable growth across all of Puritan’s markets. Looking to connect: Email: rlshultz@puritanmedproducts.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bobshultz3 Website: www.puritanmedproducts.com

Duration:00:24:04

Encore Episode 210: An American Success Story, With Bob Shultz, President and Chief Financial Officer at Puritan Medical Products

11/7/2023
As The PR Maven® Podcast awards the 2023 Golden Microphone, we are rereleasing the most popular guest episode of the past year. This year’s Golden Microphone Award winner is Bob Shultz, president and chief financial officer at Puritan Medical Products. Listen to this week’s encore episode as a refresher ahead of next week’s launch of a new episode with Bob! In episode 210, Nancy and Bob talked about Puritan Medical Products’ growth after ramping up production of their testing swabs for COVID-19 under the Defense Production Act. In early 2020, Puritan was one of only two producers of these swabs in the world. Bob joined Puritan in April 2022 as the CFO and quickly added president to his title. Nancy and Bob also talked about Puritan’s plans for the future in this episode as well as the role sales and marketing have played in Puritan’s success. Find the original episode here. Join The PR Maven® Facebook group page. Sign up for email notifications for when new episodes are released.

Duration:00:43:22

Episode 259: How To Attract and Retain Employees in Today’s Labor Market

10/31/2023
It isn’t easy being a boss these days. The economy is up and down, and the labor market is unpredictable. Depending on the industry, some employers are struggling to attract and retain employees, while others are thriving. In public relations, I have seen it all in recent months: Some agencies refusing to hire, others hiring in abundance, some losing workers to their competitors, and others keeping employees for the long haul. During turbulent times, it is important for employers — in PR or not — to go back to the drawing board and reevaluate their policies pertaining to employee attraction and retention. Businesses large and small cannot rest on their laurels. They need to make a strong case to employees and job-seekers to come and stay. Continue reading here. The article read in this episode originally appeared in Mainebiz in July 2023. Join The PR Maven® Facebook group page. Sign up for email notifications for when new episodes are released.

Duration:00:10:39

Episode 258: Important Lessons Learned as a Podcaster

10/24/2023
Did you know that there are millions of podcasts? Or that nearly 80% of U.S. adults listen to them? You don’t need me to state the obvious: Podcasting is big business. What’s less obvious is how to succeed as a podcaster. Which topics resonate most with your target audience? Who is your target audience? Which formats are the most popular? How often should you release a new podcast? Who should you interview, if anyone? I’ve been podcasting since 2018, long before the Covid-19 pandemic took podcasts to new heights. When I first started podcasting, it was a concept with unknown opportunities (or limitations). The potential of podcasting seemed limitless, but it wasn’t apparent that it could become big business, even on an individual level. Over the years, my podcast has evolved in different ways, gaining new listeners and introducing them to a wide range of interesting guests. I have now released more than 240 episodes, many of them interviews with thought leaders in different industries. From Instagram and LinkedIn basics to using ChatGPT and the future of artificial intelligence, I have learned so much from my merry band of interviewees, and hopefully, my listeners feel the same way. I’ve learned a lot about the art of podcasting along the way too. Here are some of the key lessons. Continue reading here. The article read in this episode originally appeared on the Forbes Agency Council CommunityVoice™ in September 2023. Join The PR Maven® Facebook group page. Sign up for email notifications for when new episodes are released.

Duration:00:10:51

Episode 257: How To Use LinkedIn To Grow Your Network — and Bolster In-Person Connections

10/17/2023
In another column, I explained how LinkedIn is a useful social media platform for generating sales. And it’s true: LinkedIn can be monetized in a way that grows your business and strengthens your brand through your own “thought leadership.” But there is much, much more to LinkedIn than money. Too often, advertisers, marketers, and public relations practitioners look at social media platforms exclusively through the lens of self-interest — how they can benefit me, me, me. Right away, people ask: How can I turn connections into cold, hard cash? Stop. Take a step back. Look at the bigger picture — beyond the “me.” At its core, LinkedIn is a social media platform that allows you to create and cultivate meaningful connections professionally or personally. It is an extremely valuable tool for growing your network. As the saying goes, your network is ultimately your net worth, and LinkedIn can help you on both fronts. Continue reading here. The article read in this episode originally appeared in Mainebiz in July 2023. Listen to other podcast episodes about LinkedIn: Episode 195: How LinkedIn Can Help You Build Your Network and Your Brand Episode 199: LinkedIn: Are You Taking Advantage of the World’s Largest Professional Network? Episode 241: LinkedIn Basics Join The PR Maven® Facebook group page. Sign up for email notifications for when new episodes are released.

Duration:00:10:48