The Brandinc PR Podcast

This episode of the Brandinc PR Podcast features a conversation with Aquila Mendez-Valdez, Founder and CEO of Haute in Texas, the award-winning PR and marketing agency behind collaborations with brands like Vogue, Prada, Neiman Marcus, and Orangetheory.

Brandi and Aquila dive into the real, raw, and rewarding sides of entrepreneurship—how Aquila scaled her business to six figures, built a franchise model for other women to launch th...

What do presidential campaigns, power ballads, and wedding speeches have in common? Brian Franklin.

In this episode, Brandi chats with the multi-hyphenate co-founder of Vows & Speeches—a wildly creative, award-winning biz that helps people say the right words when it matters most. From advising politicians to helping couples express their vows without sounding like AI, Brian brings the receipts on building a niche brand that act...

The red carpet was hot, the performances were 🔥—but the real story? How the American Music Awards are changing the PR game. In this episode, Brandi breaks down how award shows like the AMAs are no longer just entertainment—they're strategic visibility goldmines.

🎯 From CBS + Paramount+ streaming strategy to red carpet brand collabs and viral TikTok moments, this is your playbook for turning events into PR power moves. Whether your...

Is AI the new PR assistant we never knew we needed… or the reason journalists are ghosting your pitches? In this bold mini-episode, Brandi Sims breaks down the real impact of AI on public relations—from smarter strategy to overdone spam. We’re talking robot-written press releases, fake thought leaders, and what you actually need to know to stay ahead without losing your human touch.

🔥 Whether you love ChatGPT or low-key fear it, th...

Tired of feeling like your brand’s playing hide and seek with success? This week, we’re chopping it up with THEGresham “Gresh” Harkless Jr.—the genius behind CBNation and Blue 16 Media. He’s not just preaching visibility, he’s handing out the whole strategy playbook for CEOs, entrepreneurs, and creatives who are ready to shine loud and proud.

From building your biz like a media company (yes, you are the media) to spicy truths about ...

Think you need to be famous, have an event, or already have media buzz to land press? Think again. In this episode, I’m breaking down the 3 biggest myths about getting PR — and showing you exactly what works instead. You’ll learn how to pitch yourself confidently (even if you’re just getting started), how to build media credibility from scratch, and why the “celebrity factor” is overrated. This is the pep talk and strategy session ...

What do Forrest Gump, corporate boardrooms, and global beer brands have in common? Honestly… more than you’d think. In this episode of The Brandinc PR Podcast, I’m sitting down with Dayna Adelman — 15-year PR powerhouse, former HEINEKEN comms exec, and freshly minted author of The Youngest One in the Room. We’re diving into her career full of unplanned (but wildly meaningful) escapades, what it’s really like being the youngest voic...

What do Wiz Khalifa, a golf ball-sized brain tumor, and social media concert wizardry have in common? Benjamin Shrader.

In this electric episode of The Brandinc PR Podcast, Brandi sits down with the Texas-based CEO of Shrader Promotions, who went from student side hustles to packing out venues with chart-topping artists—all while navigating severe dyslexia, ADHD, and a life-altering haealth scare.

We’re talking:

• Booking megastars ...

Grab your sunscreen and your media statements—because we’re diving deep into the drama-filled waters of The White Lotus Season 3

In this solo episode, I’m unpacking the scandal, the storytelling, and the not-so-subtle PR disasters that unfold at the most luxurious (and chaotic) resort on TV. What can brands learn from it all? More than you'd think.

✨ Crisis comms when everything goes sideways
✨ Curated influencer personas vs. messy re...

She’s the powerhouse behind PR campaigns for Coke, Staples, Carrabba’s, and Cracker Barrel — and that’s just the appetizer. Tracy Tilson, President & Founder of Tilson PR, dishes on her journey from big-name brands to bold, boutique brilliance. Plus, hear how her entrepreneurial spark led to creating National Use Your Gift Card Day — a national movement that’s making waves every January. Get ready for insider PR tips, wild succ...

What does it really take to be an entrepreneur? Spoiler alert: It’s not just passion — it’s grit, heart, and a whole lot of uncomfortable moments. In this episode, we sit down with serial entrepreneur and author Kelvin Abrams, who’s turning failures into fuel and teaching others to do the same. Fresh off the release of his book Get Uncomfortable or Change Course, Kelvin shares his raw, no-BS take on surviving financial struggles, o...

If your brand is caught in a media storm, do you A) hide under a rock, B) tweet something you’ll regret, or C) call Ryan McCormick? (Hint: It’s always C!)

On this episode of The Brandinc PR Podcast, we’re sitting down with PR powerhouse Ryan McCormick—Co-Founder & Media Relations Specialist at Goldman McCormick—who knows a thing or two (or a thousand) about keeping brands cool under pressure. With a career spent crafting powerho...

What do Blue Cross Blue Shield, Rust-Oleum, Orbitz, and AT&T have in common? Besides being household names, they’ve all had the Midas touch of marketing maven Alesha Henley! 🎯

On this episode of The Brandinc PR Podcast, we’re sitting down with Alesha—marketing executive extraordinaire and the mastermind behind A Dose of Insight, a fractional marketing and consulting firm that helps small businesses and nonprofits actually make ...

Ever wonder how E! Entertainment became the powerhouse of pop culture? We’re sitting down with the legend himself—Larry Namer, co-founder of E! and the mastermind behind global media ventures in China, Russia, and beyond. In this episode, we dive into his wild journey from cable TV’s early days to building billion-dollar brands worldwide.

Larry spills on what it really takes to launch a media empire, the future of entertainment in t...

What do A-list nightclubs, platinum-selling artists, and venture-backed startups have in common? A killer brand strategy—and Connor Treacy knows exactly how to make it happen. As the mastermind behind OffSunset’s $4M+ success, a former A&R exec at Universal Music Group, and a branding powerhouse in venture capital, Connor has cracked the code on PR, influence, and high-impact business moves.

In this episode, we dive into:
✨ The s...

In this episode of The Brandinc PR Podcast, we’re diving into the powerful intersection of PR and SEO with Stephany Kaufman, founder of UPBEAT, a creative & digital agency helping small business owners, startup founders, and solopreneurs scale with intention.

We break down how earned media and backlinks can supercharge your search rankings, the role of storytelling in SEO, and why aligning PR with your digital strategy is a game...

What happens when a sports organization steps into a PR crisis that isn’t their own? In this episode of The Brandinc PR Podcast, we dive into the recent controversy involving the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, who reportedly assisted the local archdiocese in managing its clergy abuse scandal. Is this smart crisis strategy or an ethical misstep? Join me as we break down the risks, responsibilities, and best practices for PR profes...

In this episode of The Brandinc PR Podcast, we sit down with Petrona Joseph, founder and publicist of Twenty-Six Comms, to explore the evolving world of PR and communications. Petrona shares her journey from overcoming adversity to building a thriving hybrid PR agency operating in Montreal and Atlanta.

We dive into today’s biggest PR trends, the power of collaboration, and how resilience fuels success in the fast-paced world of med...

In this powerful episode of The Brandinc PR Podcast, we sit down with Nikki Adebiyi, Founder and Director of Bounce Black, to discuss the intersection of mental health, race, and resilience. From her personal journey of overcoming anxiety and depression to her work as a trauma-informed life coach and DEI advocate, Nikki sheds light on the gaps in mental health support for Black and marginalized communities. We also dive into the ro...