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Hosts: Jamie Kaye Walters, VVK CMO & Craig Fahle, Media Relations Director

Guests: Peter Van Dyke, VVK CEO & Ned Ward, SVP National PR  

What happens when a growing three-year-old Detroit PR agency acquires the PR division of a 40-year-old New Jersey firm? This VVK podcast episode uncovers the strategy behind VVK's acquisition of Stern Strategy Group's PR division and examines why executive visibility is essential for brands that want to stand out.

CEO Peter Van Dyke discusses how client demands for national visibility drove VVK to expand its capabilities, culminating in the acquisition. This move brought five seasoned pros to the team, including SVP of National PR Ned Ward, who highlights how amplifying executives creates trust and gives brands a personality in competitive markets.

The podcast tackles key PR trends like executive thought leadership and navigating executives’ reluctance to step into the spotlight. Both leaders share tips on leveraging social platforms strategically and adapting to a fast-changing industry.  

Tips for career growth and organizational visibility include saying yes to opportunities, leaning into discomfort, and making personal connections in a digital-first world.  

Discover how executive visibility can take your organization to the next level. Visit vvkagency.com to learn more.

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At a time when public trust in media continues its precipitous decline, what does it take to build a news organization that truly serves its community? In this revealing conversation, Craig Fahle sits down with Laurén Abdel-Razzaq, Executive Director of Bridge Detroit, to explore how hyperlocal journalism can reconnect citizens with the information they need most. The conversation delves into the profound challenges facing journalism today: shrinking attention spans, the proliferation of misinformation, and the fundamental question of how to earn community trust. "Trust is very easy to lose and extremely difficult to get," Abdel-Razzaq explains, outlining how Bridge Detroit builds relationships before they need to rely on them, particularly in communities traditionally underserved by mainstream media. Whether you're concerned about the state of media, interested in community-centered approaches to information, or simply curious about innovative models for rebuilding trust, this conversation offers valuable insights into how we might reimagine journalism for a fractured age.

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Host Craig Fahle speaks with Andrew Stein, President and CEO of The Children's Foundation about their innovative approach to philanthropy, and how they work to make sure their contributions in support of children's initiatives have maximum impact. Then, Craig is joined by fellow VVK team members Justin Skotarczyk and Kyle Fields about the newest ad VVK and it's legal video arm Watermark Law + Creative made for this year's "Big Game."  Here is the completed Team Schwartz commercial https://vimeo.com/1055427379.

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In this episode of the VVK Podcast, host Craig Fahle speaks with Rachel Alternative of the Alternative Foundation about her work in support of neighborhood improvement projects in Detroit.  Then, Devon O'Reilly of the Detroit Regional Chamber discusses the upcoming Mackinac Policy Conference, and his work as the director of the influential "Leadership Detroit" program at the Chamber.   

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Most of us don’t really think about our garbage, as long as it’s picked up on time at the curb each week…but the industry itself is actually pretty fascinating. Many cities used to have in house garbage service, but more an more communities have outsourced waste collection…and there are some very large companies that control a big slice of that business in metro Detroit and across our state…so what does it take for a small company to break in?  What kinds of innovations are happening in the industry?  We’ll talk to two people that can give us some insight into the business of garbage.  Matt Allen and Michael French of Priority Waste will be our guests. 

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In this special Valentine’s Day episode, we’re talking all about love. Host Evann Webb sat down with VVK’s VP of Creative Production John Heiple and his wife Angie, VVK’s Senior Executive Consultant Annmarie Erickson and her husband Paul, VVK friends Marc and Sharon Berke, and her own boyfriend, Robert Thomas, to discuss dating, marriage, and all those warm & fuzzy feelings.

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Today's guest on the program is New York Times bestselling author Dan Charnas, author of  Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, the Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm.  Detroit native J Dilla was a record producer, drummer, rapper and songwriter who died of a rare blood disease at the age of 32.  Despite his short life, his impact on hip hop and popular music in general is finally receiving the attention it deserves.  

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Today's episode includes two more interviews conducted at this year's Detroit Policy Conference.  Guests today include Matt Elliott, president of Bank of American - Michigan, and the chair of this year's upcoming Mackinac Policy Conference.  Craig and Matt discuss BofA's philanthropic efforts in Detroit, and also what Matt hopes will come from this year's big conference on the Island.  Then, Craig sits down with Ferndale mayor Melanie Piana to discuss cross border relations between Detroit and its suburbs, transit issues, and more.   

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Our guests this week on the VVK Podcast are Bud Denker, President at Penske, and the Chair of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix sponsored by Lear, and Melanie Markowicz, Executive Director of the Greektown Neighborhood Partnership.  The Grand Prix moves to downtown Detroit this year, and Greektown is getting ready for some major upgrades, including new park space, and new infrastructure upgrades designed to make the space more pedestrian and event friendly.   

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Today's VVK podcast guests are the leaders of VVK PR+Creative.  Founders Jamie Kaye Walters, Mike Sherman and Peter Van Dyke talk about the company's founding, the challenges and rewards of starting a new business, and what it takes to make a partnership work.   We also welcome new VVK Podcast co-host Evann Webb to the program!