On Top of PR with Jason Mudd

By Jason Mudd, Axia Public RelationsBusiness Marketing

On Top of PR with Jason Mudd episodes

October 13The AI trust problem: Can you trust your AI?
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In this episode, former Goldman Sachs partner Mike Ryan, CEO and co-founder of Bullet Point Network, joins host Jason Mudd to discuss the trust problem at the heart of AI, why trust is now the biggest barrier to enterprise AI adoption, and how you can keep human judgment in control of AI output.
Tune in to learn more!

Meet our guest:
Our guest is Mike Ryan, the CEO and co-founder of Bullet Point Network, an AI-driven investment platform. Mike is a former Goldman Sachs partner and global co-head of equities. He also served on the Harvard endowment’s investment committee.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why trust, not capability, is now the biggest barrier to enterprise AI adoption
2. How AI-enabled advisory support pairs speed with human judgment and quality control
3. Why off-the-shelf AI isn’t built for high-stakes communication
4. How AI can reduce the constant rebuild of senior communication
5. The 20-60-20 strategy for avoiding AI slop

Quotables
“If you can’t trust the information you’re getting, you can’t rely on it.” — Mike Ryan
“AI is not going to take the job of most smart people, but a person using AI better than you might take your job.” — Mike Ryan
“Just because you can produce it fast doesn’t mean you want it or want to distribute it.” — Mike Ryan
“You don’t want AI to take you fast in the wrong direction.” — Mike Ryan
“If you use AI the same way, you can elevate your thinking and your mindfulness about the organization and think more as a strategist.” — Jason Mudd

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You can also support us by leaving us a quick podcast review.

More about Mike Ryan
Mike Ryan is CEO and co-founder of Bullet Point Network, an AI-driven investment platform built on an "AI + 1" philosophy that combines AI with human expertise to speed investment decisions. A former Goldman Sachs partner and global co-head of equities, and a former member of the Harvard endowment's investment committee, Mike brings more than 20 years of experience in investing, leadership, and advisory work. He serves as an adviser and board member for companies and nonprofits, with a personal focus on advancing education and economic opportunity.

Guest’s contact info and resources:
Mike Ryan on LinkedIn
@mikeryanbpn on X
Bullet Point Network website

Additional Resources:
Fighting to be trustworthy to AI and humans
Reputation management for AI search: monitoring and response framework
7 responsible principles to guide the use of AI in public relations

If you like this episode, you're going to love these episodes:
The PR playbook for getting recommended by AI with Unusual
AI and PR with Microsoft’s CCO Frank Shaw
The future of PR in the age of AI with Agility PR
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.
28 min
October 06Is your brand PR ready? 5 steps for the AI era
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In this episode, Slava Balykov joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how you can assess your brand's public relations readiness before a crisis or AI tool exposes your gaps. Slava shares his five-step framework, explains how to respond when AI gets your brand wrong, and reveals what executives really want from PR reporting.
Tune in to learn more!

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
How to assess your brand's PR readiness in the AI era
Five steps to PR readiness
Why you should understand your information environment before investing in AI optimization
How to check what AI says about your organization and what to do when it’s wrong
What executives want from PR reporting and why coverage volume rarely delivers it
Quotables
"Before optimizing anything, organizations need to understand the information environment that already exists around them." — Slava Balykov
"Critical doesn't mean incorrect." — Slava Balykov
"Treat readiness as an ongoing diagnostic, not a one-off exercise." — Slava Balykov
"Quality is much more important than quantity." — Slava Balykov
"Measuring impressions or the number of appearances feels like what people call vanity metrics, as opposed to true business impact." — Jason Mudd
If 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.

Guest’s contact info and resources:
Slava Balykov on LinkedIn
Slava's five steps to PR readiness in the AI era:
Establish your baseline.
Understand what information about your organization is currently discoverable and identify important gaps, contradictions, or outdated information.
Review owned information.
Make sure your website, corporate pages, leadership profiles, and other controlled touchpoints clearly and accurately explain who you are and what you do.
Look beyond owned channels.
Examine credible third-party sources, including media, industry publications, and other independent references, to understand the wider information environment around your organization.
Diagnose the gaps.
Compare owned and external information. Investigate where they materially differ and determine whether the issue is outdated information, factual inconsistency, legitimate criticism, or a broader positioning gap.
Monitor over time.
Information environments continually change. Regularly review important sources and AI-generated answers to identify new gaps and keep your communications foundation current.
Additional Resources:
Reputation management for AI search: Monitoring and response framework
Rethinking reputation management in public relations for the AI era
AI search is the new front page
How do you measure PR? A guide to meaningful metrics
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.

If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
AI and PR with Microsoft's CCO Frank Shaw
The PR playbook for getting recommended by AI with Unusual
How to prepare for any communication crisis with Tom Ciuba
Crisis lessons learned from Southwest Airlines

Recorded: September 2026
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.
13 min
September 29Why brands should lead with public relations
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In this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd explains why brands should earn attention before they buy it and how generative AI makes leading with PR more important for marketing leaders.
Tune in to learn more!

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why the order of PR and advertising matters when you launch something new
2. How Starbucks, Tesla, and Pepperidge Farm earned attention before they bought it
3. Why launching advertising first can spend your news value
4. How earned media shapes what generative AI platforms say about your brand
5. Which three questions to ask before your next launch

Quotables
“They earned attention before they bought it.” — @jasonmudd9
“Lead with PR. Then use advertising to amplify what PR helped build.” — @jasonmudd9
“If you have something new, different, or disruptive, you have something advertising can’t buy. You have news value.” — @jasonmudd9
“PR helped other people do the talking.” — @jasonmudd9
“You don’t always have to buy attention first. Sometimes the better strategy is to earn it.” — @jasonmudd9

If 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.

Guest’s contact info and resources:
Jason Mudd on X
Jason Mudd on LinkedIn
Prioritizing PR over advertising with Laura Ries | On Top of PR podcast
Muck Rack: What Is AI Reading? (May 2026)
PR Success Stories: From Struggling Startup to More Than $130 Million in Revenues

Additional Resources:
The power of PR
How do you measure PR?
7 ways to build credibility using public relations
PR is now the front door to AI discovery
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast
Find out more about Axia Public Relations

If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
The best argument for PR? Surprisingly, it’s AI
How public relations changes business outcomes
95% of AI citations come from PR content

Recorded: September, 2026
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.
15 min
September 01Why business acumen is critical for PR professionals today
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In this episode, Ron Culp joins host Jason Mudd to discuss why business acumen now outweighs writing skills in PR hiring, the three stages of a corporate PR career, and five practical ways to build business acumen at any career stage.
Tune in to learn more!

Meet Our Guest:
Our guest is Ron Culp, a professional-in-residence at DePaul University and a former corporate chief communications officer. He brings decades of experience across government, corporate communications, public relations agencies, and higher education, where he helps prepare the next generation of PR professionals.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Three stages of corporate public relations
2. Why business acumen has taken over writing skills as the top thing employers want
3. Five practical ways students and young professionals can build business acumen
4. Why understanding how your company makes money changes the decisions you make
5. Why business acumen matters

Quotables
"When what you're doing isn't having any impact on the business, you really have to question it. If you don't, you're gonna start being questioned." – Ron Culp
"You just make better decisions if you have a sense of what the business is all about." – Ron Culp
"Good writers are good thinkers, always has been the case, and good writers can be trained." – Ron Culp
"If we can't figure out how they make money, then I'm not sure we can be the trusted strategic partner that we need to be." – Jason Mudd

If 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.

Guest’s contact info and resources:
Ron Culp on LinkedIn
Ron Culp's blog: culpwrit.com
Ageism in the workplace: Hiring bias, careers, and the future of work
How trusted strategic advisors influence leaders

Additional Resources:
Marketing leaders are reframing reputation management as a revenue strategy
Traditional PR doesn’t work anymore
How to turn social and reputation management into a revenue operating system
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast
Find out more about Axia Public Relations

If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
How public relations changes business outcomes
How communications professionals shape business success
Maximizing Agency Partnerships with Mark Riggs

Recorded: August, 2026
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.
49 min
August 24AI can synthesize your data. It can't tell you what matters.
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In this episode, Jessica Barber Scott joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how public relations professionals can move beyond impressions and advertising value equivalency to measure outcomes and impact, build measurement frameworks around business objectives, and use AI without losing the human judgment a CFO relationship requires.
Tune in to learn more!

Meet our guest:
Our guest is Jessica Barber Scott, a senior communication professional with 15 years of experience across regulated financial services, state government, and higher education. She is a PRSA Silver Anvil Award winner for crisis communication and has advised C-suite leaders at organizations including TIAA, Corebridge Financial, and EverBank.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why AVE still shows up in reporting and what it costs you
2. How to climb the three tiers of PR measurement (outputs, outcomes, and impact)
3. Why your measurement framework should start with the business objective, not the data
4. Four moves that change the dynamic of any CFO budget meeting
5. What AI can do for measurement and what it can’t replace

Quotables
“The numbers are getting smaller as the work gets credible.” — Jessica Scott
“Come in with the data. Not with an apology, with data.” — Jessica Scott
“AI can pull faster. It can synthesize more broadly. It can find patterns across data at a scale that really no human team can match. But what it can't do is tell you whether you're measuring the right thing in the first place.” — Jessica Scott
“Getting media coverage is not a result. It's an output of the work and the effort that you made.” — Jason Mudd

If 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.

Guest’s contact info and resources:
Jessica Scott on LinkedIn
AMEC

Additional Resources:
How do you measure PR?
Yes, PR is measurable. How to measure and report public relations and strategic corporate communications
The 3 biggest PR measurement mistakes
5 metrics you should measure in PR
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.

If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
What you should be measuring in your PR campaigns with Johna Burke
Barcelona Principles 4.0: How to measure PR effectively with AMEC CEO Johna Burke
The power of PR measurement with Katie Delahaye Paine

Recorded: August, 2026
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.
51 min
August 04Applying leadership frameworks to AI
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In this episode, Ken Jacobs, principal of Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching, joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how communications leaders can apply proven leadership principles to AI adoption.
Tune in to learn more!

Meet our guest:
Our guest is Ken Jacobs, principal of Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching. Ken helps public relations, communications, and marketing leaders become more effective and inspiring leaders through executive coaching and consulting. Before launching his consulting practice, he spent 25 years in leadership roles at leading PR agencies. He also hosts Taking the Lead, a leadership video podcast, and writes the quarterly Taking the Lead column for the Public Relations Society of America's Strategies & Tactics publication.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. How courageous leaders embrace AI
2. Why every organization needs AI guardrails
3. How leaders can build AI confidence
4. Why listening leads to stronger teams
5. How AI and human judgment work together

Quotables
"If you're not already deep in AI, you're behind, but it's also never too late." — Ken Jacobs
“Walk the walk, not just talk the talk.” — Ken Jacobs
“True leaders update their knowledge and fluency.” — Ken Jacobs
“You as a leader have to be able to ask the right kind of questions.” — Ken Jacobs
"Hire smart people and get out of their way." — Jason Mudd

If 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.

Guest’s contact info and resources:
Ken Jacobs on LinkedIn
Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching website
Taking the Lead Podcast
How to stay ahead of AI in communications and marketing
Four leadership tips to guide you through uncertain times

Additional resources:
What sources feed generative AI answers?
What Google AI Mode means for your PR and media strategy
How are AI tools changing PR jobs?
Axia’s AIVisibility service
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.

If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
The best argument for PR? Surprisingly, it's AI
95% of AI citations come from PR content
Managing communications and PR in the AI era
Embedded AI: The future of PR and communication workflows

Recorded: July, 2026
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.
46 min
July 28Managing communications and PR in the AI era with Brenda Duran
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In this episode, LA County communications leader Brenda Duran joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how to manage communications and public relations in the AI era through trust and authentic storytelling.
Tune in to learn more!

Meet Our Guest:
Our guest is Brenda Duran, director of external affairs at the Los Angeles County Justice, Care and Opportunities Department. An award-winning public affairs and communications executive with more than 12 years of experience, Brenda specializes in crisis communications, community engagement, and building trust through authentic storytelling. A former journalist, she brings a unique perspective on how public institutions can communicate with transparency, empathy, and impact.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. The rise of AI in public relations
2. Building trust in a digital-first world
3. Leading communications during high-stakes moments
4. The power of authentic storytelling
5. The future of communications leadership

Quotables
“[AI] is not there to replace anything; it's more to enhance what we're already doing.” — Brenda Duran
“Trust isn't really built in with one campaign. It's earned through repeated reliable communication over time.” — Brenda Duran
“AI definitely cannot replace some fundamental things like strategic thinking, relationship building, emotional intelligence, ethics and cultural understanding. Those are things that no machine will ever be able to take from us.” — Brenda Duran
“We need to become AI literate, but you have to also remain human-centered.” — Brenda Duran
“We still have to be trusted strategic advisors, lead with strategy, lead with empathy and humanity, and just make the right choices of what's good and what's ethical for the marketplace.” — Jason Mudd

If 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.

Guest’s contact info and resources:
@bduran5 on Instagram
Brenda Duran on LinkedIn
Brenda Duran’s website
From newsroom to PR: Journalists making the switch
Transition from journalism to PR

Additional Resources:
AI in PR: Transforming communication strategies
The emerging role of AI in public relations
How to speak with clarity and authority during a crisis
Axia’s AI visibility services
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.

If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
The best argument for PR? Surprisingly, it's AI
When a crisis hits, say this or stay silent
Effective crisis communications

Recorded: July, 2026
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.
46 min
July 14How public relations changes business outcomes
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In this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd discusses how public relations drives awareness, credibility, trust, and demand to create measurable business outcomes beyond media coverage.
Tune in to learn more!

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why organizations should measure PR by business outcomes instead of media outputs
2. How awareness can remove growth barriers for great products and services
3. Why earned media builds credibility that influences customer behavior
4. How visibility creates demand through real-world business examples
5. What marketing leaders should ask when evaluating PR performance

Quotables
“Organizations invest in PR because they want business results.” — @jasonmudd9
“The game didn't change; awareness changed.” — @jasonmudd9
“Awareness gets attention, credibility earns trust, and trust influences behavior.” — @jasonmudd9
“Public relations isn't magic, but when it's aligned with business objectives, it can be a powerful driver of business outcomes.” — @jasonmudd9
“Awareness influenced credibility. Credibility influenced demand, and demand influenced business outcomes.” — @jasonmudd9

If 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:
Jason Mudd on X
Jason Mudd on LinkedIn
How the power of PR saved Twister
PR Success Stories: From Struggling Startup to More Than $130 Million in Revenues
PR Success Stories: Media Coverage for HeadBlade Creates $25,000 in Website Sales
Axia Case Study Foundation Financial Group

Additional Resources:
The power of PR
How do you measure PR?
7 ways to build credibility using public relations
5 ways PR can generate buzz for your business
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast
Find out more about Axia Public Relations

If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
3 ways franchisors can use PR to grow their company with John Hewitt
PR research with Mark Weiner

Recorded: June 15, 2026
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.
9 min
July 07How trusted strategic advisors influence leaders
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In this episode, James (Jim) Lukaszewski joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how to influence leaders through trust, candor, and strategic communication.
Tune in to learn more!

Meet our guest:
Our guest is James (Jim) Lukaszewski, president and CEO of The Lukaszewski Group. Jim has advised business leaders through crises and high-stakes situations for more than five decades. He shares practical strategies for becoming the trusted strategic advisor leaders rely on when making important decisions.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:
1. Why trusted advisors begin by understanding leadership challenges before communication challenges
2. How candor helps build credibility with executives
3. The Three-Minute Drill for presenting strategic recommendations
4. Why offering options instead of conclusions leads to better leadership decisions
5. How studying leadership helps communicators become more influential advisors

Quotables
“All problems are management and organizational problems before they are any other kind of problem.” — Jim Lukaszewski
“You have to start where the person you're advising is, not where you think the solution is.” — Jim Lukaszewski
“Management happens in real time.” — Jim Lukaszewski
“Anybody who can offer three perspectives or useful concepts about any problem the boss is facing is a valuable person.” — Jim Lukaszewski
“Your highest and best use … is being a trusted advisor to leadership.” — Jason Mudd

If 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.

Guest’s contact info and resources:
James Lukaszewski on LinkedIn
James E. Lukaszewski on YouTube
E911 website
Crisisguru.ai

Pre-order the “Influencing Leaders” book
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Additional Resources:
Does PR play an active role in your strategic planning? Learn how to make it easier to reach your goals
Defining leadership in corporate communications
Axia’s crisis PR service
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.

If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
How to be a trusted adviser with Del Galloway
When a crisis hits, say this or stay silent

Recorded: July, 2026
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.
50 min
June 23Why PR is the last budget line you should cut (and what happens if you do)
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In this episode, Heidi Howell joins host Jason Mudd to discuss why organizations should think twice before cutting PR during economic uncertainty. They explore the connection between reputation, recruiting, employer branding, visibility, trust, and revenue growth.

Tune in to learn more!

Meet our guest:

Our guest is Heidi Howell, she is a marketing executive who leads efforts to transform marketing into a revenue-driving function within healthcare staffing and human resources technology. She partners with executive teams to align marketing, sales, and operations through scalable systems, data-driven strategy, and growth-focused demand generation.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. Why public relations is often cut first and why that can be a costly mistake
2. How reputation directly impacts recruiting outcomes and talent acquisition
3. Why you should view recruiting as a revenue-driving function
4. How PR keeps you visible to top clients
5. Questions leaders should ask before reducing PR investments

Quotables

“PR is not just about visibility; it's about trust, reputation, and staying known to the people who are ultimately going to be buying your services.” — Heidi Howell

“Recruiting is our revenue. That's how we make money. We make money by placing great candidates at great jobs with great clients.” — Heidi Howell

“When companies cut PR, they're cutting the very thing that keeps them visible.” — Heidi Howell

"When budgets are being cut, trust becomes more valuable, not less." — Heidi Howell

“In a down economy, trust becomes more valuable, not less. PR is one of the few functions built specifically to protect it.” — Jason Mudd
If 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.

Guest’s contact info and resources:
Heidi Howell on LinkedIn
How PR influences recruiting, retention, and workforce quality
ratethispodcast.com/ontopofpr
Additional Resources:
Reputation management for AI search: Monitoring and response framework
Warning signs your online reputation management is failing
Axia’s reputation management service
Listen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.
Find out more about Axia Public Relations.
If you like this episode, you're going to love this:
Job search and hiring tips with Nicole Balsam
Navigating PR and communications hiring with Brooke Kruger

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.
29 min

About On Top of PR with Jason Mudd

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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…