By Lexie Smith
Going into its 7th season, Pitchin’ and Sippin’ is one of the world’s top-rated PR and Media podcasts. Hosted by publicist and entrepreneur Lexie Smith of
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The podcast currently has 139 episodes available.
In this episode, podcast producer Daniela Albertina shares key insights on effective podcast pitching and expected trends in 2025. Daniela Albertina is a seasoned podcast producer and marketing strategist with over seven years of experience helping storytellers and entrepreneurs amplify their voices and build authority in their fields. With a foundation in journalism and a background as a TV reporter and radio host, Daniela brings a unique storytelling approach to her work.
This week, Lexie Smith and Daniela Albertina dive into the evolving landscape of podcasting as we head into 2025, exploring critical trends and strategies for effective pitching. Lexie and Daniela provide actionable tips for maximizing the podcast guest experience, from preparing for recordings to promoting episodes after they go live. They stress the importance of research, connection, and authenticity in building rapport with hosts and audiences. With the rise of video podcasting and platforms like YouTube, they discuss the need to adapt content for different media, noting that a show's performance can vary significantly across platforms. Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of how to pitch effectively and navigate the complex world of podcasting in 2025, focusing on building genuine connections and delivering impactful content.
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In this episode, Lexie Smith and Joni Sweet dive deep into the do's and don'ts of pitching for holiday gift guides, offering invaluable insights for publicists and brands eager to make their mark. Joni Sweet has been a writer, editor, and content strategist for over 13 years. Her work has been published by TIME, National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, SELF, Real Simple, Frommer's, and dozens of other publications. She also offers consulting services to help publicists deepen relationships with journalists, develop smarter pitching strategies, and troubleshoot challenges, earning media coverage for their clients.
Joni shares her experience working with PR professionals, highlighting common pitfalls, such as excessive follow-ups and pitching irrelevant products. With holiday gift guide season in full swing, she emphasizes the importance of timely and targeted pitches.
Joni advises publicists to curate their submissions, showcasing only the most unique and giftable products rather than overwhelming her with options. She also explains her selection process for gift guides, which involves thorough organization and a keen eye for what resonates with readers. Tune in for essential tips on crafting compelling pitches, understanding seasonal trends, and navigating the competitive landscape of holiday gift coverage.
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In this episode, Lexie Smith sits down with Christina Nicholson, a TV host, producer, correspondent, and the owner of Media Maven, a public relations and content creation agency. The two dive into the complex world of pay-for-play TV segments and the evolving role of press releases in modern public relations. With her background as a TV producer, Christina sheds light on how to leverage paid TV opportunities effectively. They discuss the state of the press release in 2024, with Christina sharing her candid thoughts on why press releases no longer hold the power they once did. Lexie and Christina discuss how publicists must adapt their strategies to stand out in an oversaturated industry as the media landscape becomes increasingly challenging and reliant on affiliate marketing and paid placements.
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In this episode of Lexie Smith sits down with Whitney Lee, APR, CPRC, a marketing and PR expert and the founder of True Story Public Relations – an award-winning creative agency helping companies in the hospitality, travel, and tourism industries get in front of the right people with the right message. Today, True Story has grown into a fully remote agency of ten, serving clients all over the US and internationally. She was named Scarlett Magazine’s “Woman of the Year” in PR, one of the “Five Most Dynamic Women Leaders Ruling the PR Industry” in the CIO Times, and one of United Way’s 40 under 40.
Whitney provides insight into scaling her agency, staying within her niche, and the unique challenges of managing a remote workforce. She also dives into the importance of travel and how being mobile helps inspire creativity and strategy for her hospitality clients.
The episode also touches on the intricacies of hospitality PR, from building relationships in an industry where connections are key to managing complex client expectations. Whitney explains how her agency focuses on a triad approach of PR, social media, and email marketing to build a holistic marketing strategy for clients. For listeners looking to grow their own PR firms, Whitney offers valuable advice on networking within the hospitality sector and leveraging client relationships to expand business opportunities.
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In this minisode, Lexie Smith discusses five PR strategies that are actively yielding success for her agency, GROWTH MODE, and coaching clients at THEPRBAR Inc.
From pitching podcasts to landing TV segments, Influencer Marketing wins, and more, tune in to learn new PR strategies you can implement today!
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In this episode, Lexie Smith sits down with Marie Incontrera, a two-time TEDx speaker and founder of Incontrera Consulting. Marie Incontrera is the CEO and Founder of Incontrera Consulting, a digital marketing and thought leadership consulting agency; author, creative professional, and speechwriter. She works with thought leaders to leverage their online presence through social media, podcasts, and speaking. Her speaker clients have booked TED and TedX conferences globally and have talked on keynote stages worldwide. Her media clients have been booked on popular podcasts and radio stations such as The World’s Most Amazing People, Entrepreneur On Fire, and more. Marie authorizes the Amazon best-sellers Social Your Book Launch and Spread Your Idea. She is a two-time TEDx speaker and a keynote speaker.
Marie shares her journey from jazz musician to digital marketing expert and successful speaker coach, having placed over 100 clients on TEDx stages worldwide. Whether you’re a budding speaker or a seasoned pro, Marie’s insights will help you confidently navigate the TEDx application landscape.
Marie also discusses the broader speaking landscape, comparing TEDx to keynote opportunities. She provides valuable tips on creating a "speak to sell" strategy, focusing on identifying pain points for potential clients and leveraging speaking engagements for business growth. With a wealth of experience and a passion for empowering thought leaders, Marie offers actionable advice that can help anyone looking to elevate their public speaking game and make a lasting impact. Tune in to learn how to turn your ideas into powerful presentations and unlock new opportunities on the global stage!
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In this episode, Lexie Smith sits down with John Sampogna, the CEO and Co-founder of Wondersauce, an agency specializing in brand storytelling, paid media, e-commerce, and digital experiences. With over 15 years of experience in digital marketing and advertising, John has created and led work for a wide range of clients such as L’Oreal, Scott’s, Golf.com, and Subway, amongst many others. Featured early in his career in Business Insider’s “30 Most Creative People In Advertising Under 30”, John’s insights have been featured in numerous media outlets, including Glossy, Adweek, CNBC, Medium, Yahoo, and Digiday. Today, he manages a team of over 100 creatives, strategists, producers, and technologists at Wondersauce, and is well-regarded industry-wide for his innovative approach toward digital marketing and brand storytelling.
Lexie and John delve into the intricate dynamics of brand storytelling and media strategies. They explore the importance of crafting a cohesive brand narrative and discuss how brands can navigate the often complex landscape of both media strategies. John emphasizes that successful marketing today requires more than effective campaigns—it demands a thoughtful integration of top-of-funnel brand-building efforts and bottom-of-funnel performance tactics.
John also provides practical advice for businesses, whether they're just starting out or scaling up. He discusses how brands can effectively leverage paid media to generate earned media, stressing the importance of creating engaging content that resonates with audiences. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to refine their brand strategy and harness the full potential of both paid and earned media.
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In this episode, Lexie Smith sits down with Jessica Booth, a freelance writer, former editor and a Commerce Writer for leading global media company BDG. She has written for a wide variety of outlets, including Refinery 29, Bustle, Elite Daily, Parents, Brides, What To Expect, The Knot, People, The Bump, Reviewed, The Daily Beast, Forbes, Insider, Cosmopolitan, She Knows, Romper, and Food & Wine. Jessica covers tons of different topics, but specializes in parenting and commerce writing.
In this episode, Jessica delves into the intricacies of commerce writing, detailing her journey from editorial assistant to managing editor and now a key player in BDG’s dedicated commerce team. She explains how commerce writing often revolves around assignments rather than pitches and discusses the distinct roles of assignment-based and freelance commerce writing.
Jessica also shares insightful tips on what makes a pitch stand out, emphasizing the importance of clear, concise communication and relevant product information. She breaks down her process for evaluating products, highlighting the significance of personal experience and customer reviews. As the discussion turns to the impact of AI on journalism, Jessica expresses her concerns while also acknowledging the potential benefits. Whether you're a publicist looking to refine your pitch strategy or a journalist navigating the evolving media landscape, this episode offers valuable perspectives on pitching and product evaluation in commerce.
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In this podcast episode, Lexie Smith dives into the evolving media landscape, challenging listeners to rethink the traditional media categories of paid, earned, and owned. Lexie introduces the "gray zone" – a hybrid media category that blends paid and earned media elements yet remains distinct from both. Through her insightful LinkedIn article, Lexie argues that this emerging category needs its own definition to reflect better the current media environment, where boundaries between these traditional categories are increasingly blurred. She provides compelling examples, such as awards programs and paid contributor networks, illustrating how this gray zone operates.
Lexie further explores how integrating this new category into media strategies can enhance credibility, visibility, and engagement. She emphasizes recognizing and leveraging these hybrid opportunities to fill gaps in traditional media approaches and drive more effective PR outcomes. Lexie calls on PR professionals and marketers to embrace this shift as the media landscape evolves, suggesting a collaborative effort to define and name this new category. Tune in to hear her call to action and discuss categorizing and utilizing this hybrid media approach.
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In this episode of Pitchin’ and Sippin’, Lexie Smith sits down with Emily L. Foley, a prominent journalist, TV personality and expert trendspotter. Emily, whose career spans beauty, fashion and lifestyle journalism, shares her insights into the ever-evolving world of trendsetting and trendspotting. A former magazine editor, her writing has appeared in publications such as Allure, Marie Claire, Glamour, US Weekly and Instyle.com, and she specializes in beauty, fashion, lifestyle and entertainment topics.
Emily talks about the symbiotic relationship between social media and traditional journalism, revealing how platforms like TikTok have reshaped the way trends are identified and reported.
Emily also discusses the challenges and rewards of juggling multiple roles, including her work with QVC and various editorial assignments. She offers valuable advice on pitching strategies, emphasizing the importance of relevance and timing in reaching out to journalists. Tune in to discover Emily's approach to staying ahead of trends and her tips for efficiently managing the myriad responsibilities of a multifaceted media career. Whether you're a budding trendspotter or simply curious about the industry's inner workings, this episode is packed with actionable insights and behind-the-scenes stories.
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The podcast currently has 139 episodes available.
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