How To Get Famous Without Ads: The PR Playbook for CPG Brands With Matt Kovacs

Matt Kovacs is the President and Lead Strategist at Blaze PR, a boutique PR agency that works with lifestyle brands. With over two decades of experience in PR and marketing, he has led campaigns for major brands like ESPN, Honest Tea, and Marriott Hotels. Matt specializes in helping brands leverage PR to attract investments, shape category dynamics, and build reputations that convert. 

In this episode…

For consumer brands aiming to scale, public relations often feels like an uncertain investment. While performance marketing offers measurable ROI, PR can seem intangible, focusing more on image than impact. How can founders ensure their PR efforts support business outcomes like fundraising, acquisition, or retail expansion?

Public relations strategist Matt Kovacs has developed a practical framework for aligning PR with business goals. He emphasizes the importance of clarifying a brand’s objectives before launching any campaign, whether building thought leadership, category awareness, or retail traction. Matt recommends building cross-functional buy-in, investing in influencer product sampling, and leveraging media audits and strategic messaging to improve placement outcomes. To quantify results, he suggests using tools like an “impact index” to rate coverage based on business-relevant criteria.

In today’s episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris sits down with Matt Kovacs, President and Lead Strategist at Blaze PR, to discuss how to execute PR that drives measurable business growth. He talks about aligning PR with acquisition or retail goals and best practices for media training, leveraging influencer partnerships, and supporting founder-led storytelling.