When a crisis hits, communicators are the ones working behind the scenes to fix the problem and rescue a brand’s reputation. 

This episode of The PR Week comes to you live from the 2025 PRWeek Crisis Comms Conference, where leaders from media, corporate communications and public affairs shared what it takes to stay steady under pressure.

You’ll hear from Judy Smith, whose career inspired Scandal; NFL SVP Katie Hill on managing a live emergency; and former Boeing and White House communications aide Brian Besanceney. 

Plus, Audrey Cooper of New York Public Radio unpacks the media’s shifting role, and reaction from panelists on how to engage audiences that don’t want to listen.

AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out for $100 your ticket! 

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AJ Jones II is back full-time in Washington, DC, with a new job leading communications for Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the owner of the NBA’s Washington Wizards, the NHL’s Washington Capitals, the WNBA’s Washington Mystics and other sports brands. 

Jones talks about making the transition to the sports world from Starbucks, where he was EVP and chief corporate affairs officer and previously EVP and chief communications and public affairs officer. 

There’s no shortage of other news coming out of Washington, DC, including Wednesday’s major tariff announcements and significant job cuts across communications teams in the Department of Health and Human Services. 

Jones also offers his two cents on the biggest marketing and communications news of the week, including April Fools’ Day campaigns and major people moves at Andreessen Horowitz and Roche Diagnostics. 

AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out for $100 your ticket! 

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Dive into the crucial topic of men's mental health and social connection in this episode featuring Laura Bremer, US president of Citizen Relations and Nate Checketts, co-founder of performance apparel brand Rhone, champion for mental fitness. Drawing from the 2024 Citizen Connections Report, this critical conversation explores the growing desire for deeper social connections, particularly amongst men. Laura and Nate will share more about their mental health advocacy work, authentic and actionable steps brands can take to make a difference, and the role PR plays in rebuilding male connection.
 

AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out for $100 your ticket! 

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Who starts a PR firm in the middle of a pandemic? 

Steve Hirsch and his business partner, Evan Leatherwood, did just that, when they launched Hirsch Leatherwood in 2021 at the corner of reputation management and media and content strategy. 

He joins the latest edition of The PR Week podcast to discuss the agency’s founding principles, what types of employees it hires and how Hirsch sees the legacy media landscape. 

Plus: the biggest marketing and communications news of the week, such as Golin and The Weber Shandwick Collective taking a break from the PR Council, major people moves at TikTok and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Trump administration’s Signal fiasco. 

AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out for $100 your ticket! 

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The eighth annual PRWeek/Cision industry report recently deployed. PRWeek's Gideon Fidelzeid speaks with Cision’s Katie Tod to dissect key data and highlight what it means for communicators’ day-to-day function.

Since 2017, industry pros have been the main source of a Cision/PRWeek annual report that captures the current state of the comms industry and function. This year’s iteration produced some noteworthy findings. Among numerous obstacles they face, communicators identified “a focus that is too reactive, as opposed to proactive” as the factor that challenges them the most. Though improvement is apparent, effective measurement of earned media’s impact (on multiple platforms) remains elusive for the majority. A healthy focus on Gen AI’s impact and an emerging voice in the never-ending search for optimal influence over consumers round out this in-depth conversation between PRWeek’s Gideon Fidelzeid and CisionOne’s VP of marketing Katie Tod, during which the numbers are converted to actionable takeaways.

Click here to download the 2025 PRWeek/Cision Comms Report.

AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out for $100 your ticket! 

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PR leaders from Microsoft, We. Communications, and the USC Center for PR unpack their latest research on AI’s impact on the industry. The We. Communications and USC Annenberg study Energized by AI reveals that AI is making communicators feel more valued, while USC’s Relevance Report, produced with Microsoft, showcases how AI is reshaping the way we work, create, and connect.

AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out for $100 your ticket! 

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The biggest day in the industry got even bigger this year. 

The PRWeek Awards U.S. kicked off bright and early on Wall Street last Thursday, with PRWeek ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange alongside prominent industry executives. 

Later, the stars of the industry were out at the PRWeek Awards U.S., which honored the best work — good to see you again, Michael Cera! — to top agencies, students and organizations. 

The latest edition of The PR Week takes you behind the scenes at the New York Stock Exchange and includes interviews with winners and special guests from the PRWeek Awards. Cheers! 

AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out for $100 your ticket! 

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Next up on The PR Week: Dawn Beauparlant, CEO for North America at WE Communications. 

Recorded just one day before The PR Week Awards, Beauparlant talks about what she’s most looking forward to during the big night. She also previews some upcoming agency news and talks about topics including tariffs and the suddenly uncertain economy. 

Also on this edition of the podcast: 

Sandy Hook Promise’s latest touching campaign, the race to buy TikTok and big changes taking place at Unilever. 

AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out for $100 your ticket! 

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This week’s guest on The PR Week is Susan Howe, CEO of The Weber Shandwick Collective. 

She talks about her first six months as Weber’s chief executive after succeeding Gail Heimann, as well as her firm’s award-winning bowl-game work for Pop-Tarts and the adjustment to another hectic Trump-driven news cycle. 

Plus, the biggest marketing and communications news of the week, including President Donald Trump’s speech to Congress, financial results from Edelman and Stagwell and Finn Partners’ latest acquisition. 

AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out for $100 your ticket! 

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In this week’s episode, PRWeek senior reporter Jess Ruderman takes you inside PRWeek’s inaugural Sports Conference, featuring highlights from Wednesday’s event in New York City and off-stage insight from industry leaders. You’ll hear from our opening keynote presentation, plus exclusive conversations with communications pros from national athletic organizations and clients about what to expect in sports PR in 2025 and beyond.  

AI Deciphered is back—live in New York City this November 13th.Join leaders from brands, agencies, and platforms for a future-focused conversation on how AI is transforming media, marketing, and the retail experience. Ready to future-proof your strategy? Secure your spot now at aidecipheredsummit.com. Use code POD at check out for $100 your ticket! 

Follow us: @PRWeekUS

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