Episodes

  • Lessons on Leadership with Ashley Small
    Sep 11 2024

    Welcome Ashley Small, to PRSay – the podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

    In this episode, Ashley shares about Lessons on Leadership.

    There is a unique place where PR, technology, and digital media overlap, and in that place, you’ll find Ashley Small, Founder, and CEO of Medley Inc. Ashley’s proven PR and digital marketing strategies have helped brands grow their visibility, amplify their voice and expand their reach across the world.

    In 2008, when social media was newly on the rise, Ashley set out on a mission to marry traditional PR with the latest trends in technology. Since then, she has launched a boutique PR and digital marketing agency, Medley Inc., and has worked with organizations such as Major League Baseball, AT&T, The City of Houston and The Rose Houston to meet their marketing goals, specifically geared towards African American and Latino consumers.

    A Google AdWords certified specialist, Ashley has been nationally recognized by Fast Company Magazine, the Canada Broadcast Network, ABC, FOX, and more as an expert in business, technology, social media, and public relations. She is an alumnus of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and Leadership Houston as well as one of Houston Business Journal’s 2018 40 under 40 leading professionals and the 2019 Greater Houston Partnership HYPE Impact Business Leader award winner. In 2021, she was named a Woman in the Fast Lane by the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce.

    Through her work in the community, she has educated and trained more than 5,000 girls and budding entrepreneurs in the areas of technology, social media, and leadership development.

    Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyrsmall/

    Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

    PRSay is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

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    14 mins
  • How To Start In PR, No Matter Your Age Or Where You Are In Your Career with Tiffany Marascio
    Sep 4 2024

    Welcome Tiffany Marascio, to PRSay – the podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

    In this episode, Tiffany shares about How To Start In PR, No Matter Your Age Or Where You Are In Your Career.

    Tiffany was born and raised in the Greater Houston area where she lives with her husband and three kids. She holds a master’s degree in marketing from the University of Houston and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin in studio art. She is an active part of her community and enjoys sharing with residents and visitors everything that North Houston has to offer.

    Connect with Tiffany at:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanymarascio/,
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiffanymarascio1/,
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffanymarascio/,
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmarascio

    Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

    PRSay is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

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    13 mins
  • The Many Paths A Career in PR Can Take You with Becky Best
    Aug 28 2024

    Welcome Becky Best, to PRSay – the podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

    In this episode, Becky shares about The Many Paths A Career in PR Can Take You.

    Becky Best, APR has nearly 30 years of professional experience in communications. She began her career working at boutique PR agencies before transitioning to destination marketing and then spending 20 years in leadership positions in corporate social responsibility at financial services companies.

    During this time, she served on nearly a dozen nonprofit boards in Michigan and Texas, earning several awards for her efforts and igniting a passion for nonprofit work. After Hurricane Harvey highlighted the region’s significant numbers of homeless pets, she pivoted once more to use her grant-making and community relations skills to help improve the quality of life for pets and people. Today, she is the director of the Gulf Coast Animal Welfare Alliance and has been appointed by the Houston City Council to serve on the advisory board for the city’s BARC animal shelter.

    Becky earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a concentration on public relations from Stephen F. Austin University, a Master’s in Business Administration from Davenport University in Michigan, and her Accreditation in Public Relations. She has served on the board of directors for Houston PRSA and is a current APR Committee co-chair.

    Connect with Becky at:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckyebest
    Website: https://gulfcoastanimalwelfarealliance.org

    Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

    PRSay is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations

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    16 mins
  • Media Relations with Jonathan Diamond
    Aug 21 2024

    Welcome Jonathan Diamond, to PRSay – the podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter. In this episode, Jonathan shares about Media Relations.

    Jonathan Diamond is the business editor at the Houston Chronicle.

    Before returning to Houston in 2022, Jonathan worked as the West Coast Editor of CoStar News in Los Angeles. He was also previously editor of the Los Angeles Business Journal, leading it in 2016 to 16 national and regional journalism awards.
    Jonathan holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston University and a master’s in public policy from UCLA.

    Connect with Jonathan at:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-diamond-7016228
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/jdiamondLA

    Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

    PRSay is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations

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    16 mins
  • Communicating In The Roaring 20's with Anne Hedrich
    Aug 14 2024
    Welcome Anne Hedrich, to PRSay – the podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

    In this episode, Anne shares about Communicating in the Roaring 20's.

    Anne Hedrich is an award-winning communicator with more than 20 years of communications experience, spanning strategic communications, internal communications, employee engagement, key messaging, public disclosure, issues and reputation management, crisis communications, channel strategy and brand communications. Anne recently made the switch from the energy industry to the defense industry where she holds the role of Sr. Director, Employee Engagement and Internal Communications for Elbit Systems of America. She is also president-elect of IABC Houston.

    Connect with Anne at:
    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/annehedrich

    Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

    PRSay is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

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    10 mins
  • The Communications Role for Non-Profits and Small Businesses
    Jul 24 2024

    Welcome Zondra Victor-Johnson, to PRSay – the podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

    In this episode, Zondra shares about The Communications Role for Non-Profits and Small Businesses.

    Zondra is a Communications Specialist residing in Houston, TX. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Media Production from the University of Houston and a Master of Arts in New Media Journalism from Full Sail University. Zondra has ten years of experience writing about arts, culture, and several other topics. She also has experience in video production, audio production, and social media management.

    Connect with Zondra at:
    Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Twitter: @freshmediablog
    YouTube: www.youtube.com/@freshmedia713

    Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

    PRSay is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

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    13 mins
  • Authenticity and Integrity in the PR Profession with Laura Pennino
    Jul 17 2024

    Welcome Laura Pennino, to PRSay – the podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.

    In this episode, Laura shares about Authenticity and Integrity in the PR Profession.

    Graduate of LSU Manship School of Mass Communications; over 40 years of journalism and PR experience. Worked at Edelman in a variety of senior PR consulting roles from 1989 to 1998 and at Fleishman-Hillard from 1998 to 1999 as a senior consultant to FH teams and clients before starting Pennino and Partners in September 1998. Won a Houston Better Business Bureau Award of Excellence in 2022 in the PR/Marketing category. Supporter of non profit organizations that benefit children and animals. Actively involved in fostering and adopting dogs, puppies, cats and kittens.

    Connect with Laura at:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/penninoandpartners/
    Text or giver her a call: (713)-419-1776

    Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

    PRSay is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations.

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    15 mins
  • Strategic Comms in the Political Sector
    Jul 10 2024

    Welcome Jordan Hunter Rice, to PRSay – the podcast of the Houston PRSA Chapter.
    In this episode, Jordan shares about Strategic Comms in the Political Sector.

    Jordan Hunter Rice, a policy analyst and strategic communications expert, leads teams in developing actionable strategies and guides clients through the ever-evolving political and economic environment. A former White House Press Secretary and congressional staffer, she is plugged into the policy world and 24-hour news cycle to ensure her clients are ahead of what’s to come.

    While on Capitol Hill, she created and executed communications campaigns and strategies for a wide range of policy arenas and supported efforts on the House Armed Services Committee. After her stint on the Hill, Rice served as press secretary at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, where she delivered on communications strategies supporting over 90 science and technology streams and played an integral role in the COVID-19 international science response.

    She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelors of Science in Political Communications and worked in the Texas State Capitol throughout her time in Austin.

    Connect with Jordan at:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-hunter-rice/
    Instagram: @jordan.like.mike
    Facebook: Jordan Hunter Rice

    Learn more about the PRSA Houston Chapter, our events and opportunities at www.prsahouston.org.

    PRSay is brought to you by Veronica V. Sopher, Public Relations

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    14 mins