In this episode, Lexie Smith sits down with John Sampogna, the CEO and Co-founder of Wondersauce, an agency specializing in brand storytelling, paid media, e-commerce, and digital experiences. With over 15 years of experience in digital marketing and advertising, John has created and led work for a wide range of clients such as L’Oreal, Scott’s, Golf.com, and Subway, amongst many others. Featured early in his career in Business Insider’s “30 Most Creative People In Advertising Under 30”, John’s insights have been featured in numerous media outlets, including Glossy, Adweek, CNBC, Medium, Yahoo, and Digiday. Today, he manages a team of over 100 creatives, strategists, producers, and technologists at Wondersauce, and is well-regarded industry-wide for his innovative approach toward digital marketing and brand storytelling.Lexie and John delve into the intricate dynamics of brand storytelling and media strategies. They explore the importance of crafting a cohesive brand narrative and discuss how brands can navigate the often complex landscape of both media strategies. John emphasizes that successful marketing today requires more than effective campaigns—it demands a thoughtful integration of top-of-funnel brand-building efforts and bottom-of-funnel performance tactics.John also provides practical advice for businesses, whether they're just starting out or scaling up. He discusses how brands can effectively leverage paid media to generate earned media, stressing the importance of creating engaging content that resonates with audiences. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to refine their brand strategy and harness the full potential of both paid and earned media.Here’s What You’ll Learn:Understand why a brand's content is a crucial reflection of its identity and how it can influence audience perception.Learn how to balance large-scale, brand-building campaigns with tactical, performance-focused marketing efforts.Discover how to use paid media not just for immediate results but to test and refine content strategies that can generate organic, earned media.Explore the potential of newer advertising platforms like connected TV for reaching audiences in innovative ways.Get insights into using paid media for AB testing to determine which messaging resonates best with audiences before full-scale deployment.Learn how partnering with influencers can be a cost-effective way to amplify brand stories and create engaging content.Understand how to create effective content strategies on a smaller budget and why foundational content development is crucial before scaling paid efforts.Emphasize the importance of knowing where your audience spends their time and tailoring content and advertising strategies accordingly.Find out how to identify and exploit niche market opportunities that can offer high rewards for brands willing to diverge from traditional tactics.Gain insights into effectively integrating paid and earned media strategies to maximize impact and drive brand success.Social Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnsampogna/Wondersauce: https://www.wondersauce.com/ Sun Moon Rising Wine - the world's first astrology-inspired wine brand - is offering all Pitchin' and Sippin' listeners 10% off their first purchase. Visit sunmoonrisingwine.com and use promo code PITCHIN10 at checkout.Sign up For Lexie's Weekly Insider to Receive Insider Tips, Invites, & More at: https://theprbarinc.com/newsworthy/Ways you Can Work with THEPRBAR: 

In this episode, Lexie Smith sits down with Jessica Booth, a freelance writer, former editor and a Commerce Writer for leading global media company BDG. She has written for a wide variety of outlets, including Refinery 29, Bustle, Elite Daily, Parents, Brides, What To Expect, The Knot, People, The Bump, Reviewed, The Daily Beast, Forbes, Insider, Cosmopolitan, She Knows, Romper, and Food & Wine. Jessica covers tons of different topics, but specializes in parenting and commerce writing.In this episode, Jessica delves into the intricacies of commerce writing, detailing her journey from editorial assistant to managing editor and now a key player in BDG’s dedicated commerce team. She explains how commerce writing often revolves around assignments rather than pitches and discusses the distinct roles of assignment-based and freelance commerce writing.Jessica also shares insightful tips on what makes a pitch stand out, emphasizing the importance of clear, concise communication and relevant product information. She breaks down her process for evaluating products, highlighting the significance of personal experience and customer reviews. As the discussion turns to the impact of AI on journalism, Jessica expresses her concerns while also acknowledging the potential benefits. Whether you're a publicist looking to refine your pitch strategy or a journalist navigating the evolving media landscape, this episode offers valuable perspectives on pitching and product evaluation in commerce.Here’s What You’ll Learn:Details about Jessica's extensive career from her beginnings as an intern at Redbook to her role as a freelance commerce writer for BDG and other prominent outlets.The nuances of commerce writing, including how Jessica manages assignments for different brands under BDG and the specific focus areas of her work.The difference between freelance commerce writing and in-house roles, including how product pitches are handled in each context.Insights into what makes a successful product pitch, including the importance of getting straight to the point and providing essential assets like product links and images.How assignments work in the commerce writing field, from how Jessica receives them to the creative liberties allowed in her roles.How holiday gift guide pitches are managedJessica’s perspective on the potential impact of AI on the commerce writing industry and its effects on jobs and the writing process.Jessica’s preferences for receiving product pitches, including the type of information she values and how she likes to be approachedHow Jessica sources and evaluates products for inclusion in her articlesHow to connect with Jessica Booth for media and PR inquiriesListener Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jboothyy Twitter: https://x.com/JBoothyyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicabooth1031/ Sign up For Lexie's Weekly Insider to Receive Insider Tips, Invites, & More at: https://theprbarinc.com/newsworthy/Ways you Can Work with THEPRBAR: https://theprbarinc.com/private-workshops/Learn about Growth Mode Agency: https://www.growthmodeagency.com/Connect with Lexie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexie-smith-pr/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprbar_inc/

Lexie Smith, an insightful commentator on the evolving media landscape, challenges the norms of traditional media categories. She introduces the concept of the 'gray zone,' a hybrid blending paid and earned media, urging listeners to rethink media strategies. Lexie provides compelling examples, including awards programs, that highlight this new category’s relevance. She emphasizes the importance of embracing hybrid opportunities for enhanced credibility and engagement, calling on PR professionals to collaborate in defining this fresh approach.

Emily L. Foley, a prominent journalist and TV personality with vast experience in beauty, fashion, and lifestyle, shares her journey from political speechwriting to trendspotting. She discusses how social media, especially TikTok, has transformed journalism, enhancing our understanding of trends. Emily also highlights the balancing act of juggling multiple roles and offers insightful pitching strategies for aspiring media professionals. Tune in for her unique perspectives on staying ahead in the fast-paced world of media.

 In this episode, Lexie Smith talks with Peter Shankman, a 6x best-selling author, speaker, and entrepreneur. In the world of media he is best known for founding HARO; an online service for journalists to gather feedback from the public, and a newer service called Source of Sources. Additionally, Peter is a marketing expert for several national and international news channels, including Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC, and is frequently quoted in major media and trade publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Daily News, The Associated Press, Reuters and USA Today.Peter's conversation delves into the core principles of SOS, highlighting its simplicity and efficiency in connecting reporters with knowledgeable sources. He shares insights on how SOS improves upon its predecessor by incorporating the immediacy and directness that made HARO a game-changer in the PR world. Peter also offers valuable tips for crafting effective pitches, stressing the need for brevity and relevance. Tune in to discover how SOS is setting a new standard in media sourcing and learn from Peter’s extensive experience in both journalism and entrepreneurship.Here’s What You’ll Learn:Discover how Peter transitioned from a journalism major and fashion photography student to a successful entrepreneur and media expert.Understand the origins and evolution of Help A Reporter Out (HARO), the revolutionary platform for connecting journalists with sources.Learn about SOS, Peter's latest venture designed to improve and simplify the way journalists find sources, and how it builds on his previous work with HARO.Explore how Peter built trust over his career and why it is crucial for successful PR and media relations.Discover why the immediacy of email communication was a key factor in HARO's success and how SOS maintains that principle.Gain insights into how Peter's personal network and interactions have contributed to his success and the growth of SOS.Learn about the strategic partnership between SOS and Muck Rack, and how it enhances the value of both platforms for journalists and sources.Understand the common pitfalls in PR and media relations, such as off-topic pitching and unnecessary preliminary information requests.Hear Peter's advice on how PR professionals can make journalists' lives easier and the broader impact of creating valuable, respectful relationships in media.Social Links: Website: https://www.shankman.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petershankman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petershankman/?hl=enSun Moon Rising Wine - the world's first astrology-inspired wine brand - is offering all Pitchin' and Sippin' listeners 10% off their first purchase. Visit sunmoonrisingwine.com and use promo code PITCHIN10 at checkout.Sign up For Lexie's Weekly Insider to Receive Insider Tips, Invites, & More at: https://theprbarinc.com/newsworthy/Ways you Can Work with THEPRBAR: https://theprbarinc.com/private-workshops/Learn about Growth Mode: https://www.growthmodeagency.com/Connect with Lexie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexie-smith-pr/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprbar_inc/

Journalist and communications pro Imani Bashir joins Lexie to talk about when to pitch a freelancer and how to create measurable content strategies. Imani Bashir is a media professional with over 13 years in the field of communications. She began her career in sports broadcasting, covering collegiate sports and in 2015 made the decision to move abroad. Imani has lived in five countries and has written for some of the most prestigious publications worldwide, including The New York Times, Forbes, Glamour Magazine, Travel + Leisure, and more. In 2021, she was the recipient of Adweek's "Shine 'A' Light Award" for her dynamic voice as a journalist and content within the travel industry. Today, in addition to being a freelance journalist, she serves as the Director of Communications of BEAM (The Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective).In this first episode of season 7, Imani Bashir recounts how her experiences, from launching a luggage company during the pandemic to navigating the complexities of her current role, have shaped her approach to creating impactful content. Imani emphasizes the importance of aligning content with an organization’s mission and measuring its effectiveness through both quantitative metrics and qualitative feedback.The conversation also explores Imani’s process for pitching and managing freelance assignments. She discusses the balance between cold pitching and responding to incoming opportunities, highlighting the importance of understanding the unique needs of each publication and editor. Whether it’s crafting a compelling story from a PR pitch or ensuring that content resonates with its intended audience, Imani offers valuable insights into the art of effective communication and strategy. Here’s What You’ll Learn:How Imani Bashir got her career startBest practices for pitching freelancers effectively.Strategies to create content that delivers measurable results.Insights into the evolving role of freelancers in the media landscape.Tips for crafting compelling pitches that capture attention.Imani Bashir's experiences and lessons from working with top publications.Key factors that contribute to successful content strategies.More about BEAM and their experiential learning styleAnd more! Guest Social Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheisimanib/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imanibashir/Website: https://sheisimanib.com/about-meSign up For Lexie's Weekly Insider to Receive Insider Tips, Invites, & More at: https://theprbarinc.com/newsworthy/Ways you Can Work with THEPRBAR: https://theprbarinc.com/private-workshops/Learn about Growth Mode Agency Here: https://www.growthmodeagency.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprbar_inc/Connect with Lexie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexie-smith-pr/

Listen to quick updates and announcements as we wait for Season 7 to Launch this Summer!Submit pitches online at theprbarinc.com/podcastsEmail topic requests to pitchinandsippin@gmail.comSign up for THEPRBAR weekly round-up at https://theprbarinc.com/newsworthy/Don't forget to hit subscribe wherever you watch and listen so you don't miss the first episode of Season 7!

This week’s minisode is the final episode of Season 6 of the Pitchin’ and Sippin’ Podcast. On this wrap up episode, Lexie Smith reflects on this season of the podcast and all that she’s learned and taken away from her conversations with ‘Journalistic Royalty’. She reflects particularly on the different themes from her interviews with different journalists throughout the season. From freelance journalists to higher-ups at significant outlets, Lexie breaks down 8 core takeaways about the future of the media and journalism world. Here’s What You’ll Learn:Lexie’s reflections on her interviews with journalists on Season 6The effect AI has had on these journalist's careers and the media worldCore takeaways about the differing personal pitching preferences of journalists The influence of the business of media and how it differed guests based on their titleHow many more things are being put on journalist's plates in this day and ageThe influence of the rise of Substack and the decline of XAnd more!Listener Links: Sign up For Lexie's Weekly Insider to Receive Insider Tips, Invites, & More at: https://theprbarinc.com/newsworthy/Listen to Season 6: https://theprbarinc.com/podcasts/Ways you Can Work with THEPRBAR: https://theprbarinc.com/private-workshops/Learn about Growth Mode Agency: https://www.growthmodeagency.com/Instagram: @theprbar_inc

Danielle Belton is the current editor-in-chief of HuffPost where she led the Pulitzer Prize-winning newsroom to profitability in 2021, after her first year in leadership. In her three-year tenure, she has improved overall newsroom diversity and relaunched HuffPost's legacy Voices brands, including adding a new vertical, Indigenous Voices — one of the first mainstream, digital media offerings for Indigenous people. Prior to joining HuffPost, she was editor-in-chief of the leading Black digital publication, The Root. Belton grew the award-winning site's traffic by 300 percent within her first year leading its newsroom. A 20-year-veteran of journalism, blogging, and writing, Belton is also known for being one of the first black women to lead a writer's room in late night when she was head writer for BET's talk show, "Don't Sleep" in 2012. She was also the creator and author of the popular, former politics and pop culture weblog, The Black Snob. In this episode, Lexie and Danielle Belton discuss all things journalism and the ever-changing media landscape. She breaks down what she believes is impacting the journalism landscape, both positively and negatively, and what needs to happen to save the media industry at large. Lexie wraps up the episode by asking Danielle about her personal pitching preferences. Here’s What You’ll Learn:Danielle Belton’s career cliff notesHow Daniella got into journalismHer journey to becoming editor-in-chief of HuffPostWhat her average day looks like in her role as editor-in-chief at the HuffPostThe pros and cons of advertising revenue when it comes to media and journalismHer thoughts on the role journalism leadership plays in the overall state of the industryWhat she sees that is negatively impacting the industryHow she believes we can save the Journalism industryHer personal pitching preferencesAnd more!Listener Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/daniellecbelton?lang=enInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/beltondanielle/?hl=enThreads: https://www.threads.net/@beltondanielle?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellebelton/Substack Profile: https://daniellebelton.substack.com/Huff Post Profile: https://www.huffpost.com/author/danielle-beltonSign up For Lexie's Weekly Insider to Receive Insider Tips, Invites, & More at: https://theprbarinc.com/newsworthy/Ways you Can Work with THEPRBAR: https://theprbarinc.com/private-workshops/Learn about Growth Mode Agency: https://www.growthmodeagency.com/Instagram: @theprbar_inc

Maria Streshinsky is the executive editor of features at WIRED. Before joining WIRED she was the editor-in-chief of Pacific Standard, a magazine she launched in 2012. In its first year Pacific Standard was nominated for a National Magazine Award for general excellence; in 2014 the publication won the National Magazine Award for public service for a story that Streshinsky edited. Streshinsky also served for many years as the managing editor of The Atlantic, where she won the Atlantic Media Company award for editing excellence. She has also worked for the Department of the Interior in Washington, DC, and a stint in New York as a freelance editor and writer. In this episode, Lexie and Maria discuss all things feature. They discuss what makes a great feature and how it’s different from other types of stories, how to pitch features as both a freelancer and publicist, and what a coveted publication—such as WIRED—looks for when selecting their next feature topic. They also review Maria’s personal pitching preferences, the best title to pitch at WIRED if you’re hoping for coverage, and much more. Here’s What You’ll Learn:Maria Streshinsky’s career journey and how she developed her love for feature writingHow Maria ended up as WIRED’s executive editor of features, and what her role entailsWhat differentiates a feature from other storiesThe difference elements that make a great feature articleTips on how to pitch a feature as a freelance writerHow to pitch a feature as a publicistWhat she is specifically looking for as an executive editorCurrent stories and ideas she’s working onTips on pitching feature stories with WIREDAnd more!Listener Links: Wired Profile: https://www.wired.com/author/maria-streshinsky/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-streshinsky-b44aaa211Twitter: https://twitter.com/mstreshinsky?lang=enMuck Rack Profile: https://muckrack.com/maria-streshinskySign up For Lexie's Weekly Insider to Receive Insider Tips, Invites, & More at: https://theprbarinc.com/newsworthy/Ways you Can Work with THEPRBAR: https://theprbarinc.com/private-workshops/Learn about Growth Mode Agency: https://www.growthmodeagency.com/Instagram: @theprbar_inc