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June 9, 2025 32 mins

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In this episode, Chris Hackney joins On Top of PR host Jason Mudd to learn how to track, interpret, and leverage media coverage.

Tune in to learn more!


Our Guest:

Our episode guest is Chris Hackney, chief product officer at Meltwater. He brings more than 25 years of experience in B2B SaaS, specializing in media intelligence, PR technology, and communications strategy. At Meltwater, he leads product innovation to help brands navigate complex media landscapes and act on real-time insights.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. What media intelligence is and how it strengthens PR strategy

2. How to turn media monitoring into measurable business insights

3. Why PR professionals must embrace data-driven storytelling

4. Which metrics matter most when evaluating earned media coverage

5. How Meltwater is evolving its tools to meet the needs of modern communicators

Quotables

“Media intelligence helps you move from reporting what happened to influencing what happens next.” — @ChrisHackney

“PR needs to speak the language of the boardroom. That means data, context, and outcomes.” — @ChrisHackney

“The goal isn’t more coverage — it’s the right coverage that moves the needle.” — @ChrisHackney

“You can’t manage what you don’t measure. And that includes reputation.” — @JasonMudd9

“Media monitoring tools have evolved. It’s time PR pros evolved with them.” — @JasonMudd9


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About Chris Hackney

Our episode guest is Meltwater’s Chris Hackney, vice president of enterprise sales. Chris brings nearly two decades of experience in digital media, SaaS technology, and public relations. At Meltwater, he works closely with communications leaders and enterprise organizations to help them gather, analyze, and act on media insights that drive strategic decisions.

Chris has a deep understanding of the evolving PR landscape and the growing need for measurement and accountability in earned media. He frequently works with clients to strengthen their media intelligence capabilities and align communications with business outcomes. His insights help brands better understand their reputations, competitive positioning, and media performance in a fast-moving digital environment.


Guest’s contact info and resources:

Chris Hackney on LinkedIn

Meltwater website

10 steps to prepare your company for crisis


Additional Resources:

Understanding the differences of PR monitoring, measurement, and evaluation

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.


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