#finance pr

I’ve been watching the PR world for a while now. And honestly? A lot of what people call “breakthrough” PR is just noise. Here’s what I mean.

Most publicity stunts make headlines for a couple of days. Then everyone forgets. The buzz fades, and the brand is back to square one. I looked at 50 major stunts last year, and only 12% actually delivered long-term business results. That’s not great.

It feels like every PR stunt agency is running the same playbook: big splash, loud headlines, and short-term attention. But what happens after that?

9 Figure Media’s Take on PR Stunts

9 Figure Media has been calling this out for a while now. In their view, most PR stunts are flashy, expensive, and often a waste of money. They believe PR should actually do something like build trust, attract real customers, and move the needle for your business. Not just create 48 hours of buzz.

Why Most Publicity Stunts Don’t Work

Most stunts are built for shock value. Agencies promise viral hashtags, trending topics, and big media splashes. And sure, you might get that initial attention.

But then what? The buzz fades. People scroll past. Your brand gets forgotten.

The problem isn’t that stunts never work. It’s that most PR stunt agencies only think short-term. There’s no strategy behind it. No follow-up. No real brand building.

So What Actually Works?

9 Figure Media takes a different path. Instead of chasing headlines, they focus on things that actually matter, like:

Building real relationships (not one-off media hits)

Creating content people actually care about

Tracking real results—like leads and revenue

Thinking long-term, not just for one news cycle

Here’s an example: Instead of pulling off one big splash for a tech startup, they helped the brand roll out a series of smart campaigns. Each one built on the last. Six months later, that brand is still getting press and leads and is now seen as an expert in its space. That’s the power of doing it right.

What’s Just Not Working Anymore

Let’s talk about what’s losing steam fast:

Celebrity shoutouts without context – If it feels forced, people notice.

Shock tactics – What went viral last year barely makes a ripple now.

Mass-emailed press releases – Journalists are overwhelmed. These get ignored.

Fake controversy – You’ll get attention, sure—but at the cost of trust.

These tactics are easy to pull off, which is why PR stunt agencies love them. But easy doesn’t mean effective. In fact, 78% of people say they can spot fake or inauthentic PR stunts immediately. And when they do, it often hurts the brand.

9 Figure Media’s Smarter Strategy

So, what’s their alternative? Here’s what 9 Figure Media does instead:

Story-driven campaigns – Not one big bang, but a series of thoughtful messages.

Real partnerships – Not just paid endorsements, but meaningful collaborations.

Insightful content – Based on research and data, so it actually says something.

Community building – Creating loyal audiences, not just grabbing headlines.

They used this approach for a B2B brand recently. No loud stunts. Just smart storytelling and steady relationship-building. The CEO became a go-to expert for media, and the business saw a real boost not just in mentions, but in growth.

Why This Matters Right Now

The media landscape is noisier than ever. People have shorter attention spans and higher standards. Old-school stunts aren’t cutting through anymore.

9 Figure Media gets this. They’re not trying to be louder. They’re trying to be smarter. They believe in creating content that means something. In building trust over time not tricking people into caring for a day or two.

Final Thoughts

Are PR stunts totally useless? No. They can still work in the right context, with the right strategy. But if your PR stunt agency is offering the same tired ideas, maybe it’s time to look elsewhere.

The brands winning today aren’t just the loudest. They’re the ones who build real, lasting connections.

AI is becoming increasingly prevalent in public relations. However, most agencies continue to approach it as if it were a magic wand that could solve everything instantly. I've been watching this happen for months, and honestly? The disconnect is quite wild.

While everyone is chasing the shiny new item, they are losing out on the true transformation that is taking place right in front of them. The agencies who get it are quietly redefining the standards for client service, media relations, and campaign strategy. What about those who don't? They're about to discover why arriving late to the AI party is more than simply embarrassing; it's existential.

Here's what's actually going on behind the agency curtain, and why most public relations agencies continue to get it so wrong.

The AI Revolution That's Actually Happening

Let me start with what's working. AI tools are genuinely changing how publicists approach their daily work. Content creation has become faster. Media monitoring happens in real-time now. Data analysis that used to take hours gets done in minutes. But that's just the surface stuff.

What a publicist does today looks different than it did two years ago. The core work remains the same,  building relationships, crafting narratives, managing crises. Yet the tools have evolved dramatically.

A publicist I know at a 9 figure media company told me something interesting last week. She said AI helps her identify trending topics before they explode. That's powerful. It means getting ahead of conversations instead of reacting to them.

Where Agencies Are Missing the Mark

Here's where things get messy. Most PR agencies are implementing AI wrong. They're focusing on automation instead of augmentation. Big difference.

• Over-relying on AI-generated content – Clients can tell when copy feels robotic 

• Ignoring the human touch – Relationships still matter more than algorithms

• Treating AI as a replacement – Instead of viewing it as an enhancement tool 

• Forgetting about authenticity – Automated responses lack genuine connection

What does a publicist do that AI can't? Build trust. Navigate complex interpersonal dynamics. Read between the lines during a crisis call. These skills aren't going anywhere.

The Smart Integration Approach

The agencies getting AI right aren't replacing their teams. They're making them more effective. What a publicist does now includes prompt engineering. Understanding which AI tools work for specific tasks. Knowing when to step in and add human judgment.

I've seen this work at several 9 figure media operations. They use AI for:

• Research and competitive analysis 

• Initial draft creation

• Social media scheduling 

• Media list building 

• Sentiment tracking

But humans handle strategy, creative direction, client relationships and crisis management. This balance feels sustainable. It also feels honest.

The Relationship Problem

Here's something agencies keep getting wrong, they think AI can handle relationship building. It can't. What does a publicist do when a journalist calls with questions about a sensitive story? They listen. They understand context. They navigate nuance.

AI might help prepare talking points. But the actual conversation? That requires human intelligence. I talked to several reporters recently about this shift. Most said they can immediately identify AI-generated pitches. The language feels off. The personalization seems fake.

One entertainment journalist put it bluntly: "If you're sending me AI pitches, I'm deleting them." That's a problem when relationship-building drives PR success.

What's Actually Working

The publicists thriving right now use AI strategically. Not everywhere. Just where it makes sense. Content ideation works well with AI assistance. So does initial research. Media monitoring has become incredibly sophisticated.

A publicist at a 9 figure media agency showed me her workflow recently. She uses AI to analyze sentiment across hundreds of mentions daily. Then applies human judgment to decide which issues need attention.

The Future Reality

What a publicist does will continue evolving. But the core value proposition won't disappear. Clients need strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, relationship management and crisis navigation. AI enhances these capabilities. It doesn't replace them.

The agencies figuring this out are seeing better results. Faster turnaround times. More comprehensive analysis. Deeper insights. But they're not losing the human element that makes PR work.

Moving Forward

Here's what I think agencies should focus on:

• Training teams on AI tools – But emphasizing human oversight 

• Maintaining authentic communication – AI-assisted, not AI-driven 

• Preserving client relationships – Technology supports, doesn't replace 

• Balancing efficiency with authenticity – Speed matters, but so does connection

What does a publicist do in this new landscape? They become more strategic. More analytical. More focused on high-value activities. The mundane tasks get automated. The complex thinking stays human.

That seems like the right direction. Even if some agencies are still figuring it out. The transformation is real. The opportunities are significant. But success requires understanding what AI can and cannot do.

Government PR is a mess right now. I've been watching how these agencies handle public communications, and it's pretty frustrating.

There's this huge gap between what people actually need to know and what government agencies tell us. Companies like APCO Worldwide and FleishmanHillard do great work for their corporate clients. But when they work with the government? Something goes wrong.

They Get the Timing All Wrong

Government agencies have terrible timing. Like, really bad.

• They drop news on Friday afternoons when nobody's paying attention 

• Big policy changes come out during holidays 

• Crisis updates show up days after everyone's already talking about it 

• Important stuff gets buried in massive documents nobody will read

APCO Worldwide knows how to time things for their business clients. They understand when people are listening and when they're not. But put them on a government account and that skill just disappears.

Same thing happens with FleishmanHillard. Their corporate campaigns hit at exactly the right moments. Government work? Not so much. Maybe it's not entirely their fault. Government clients probably make things complicated. But still.

They Forget About Real People

This might be the biggest problem. Government PR talks about policies like they exist in a vacuum. Numbers without stories don't mean anything. Policy changes without examples leave people scratching their heads. Announcements that ignore what people are actually worried about feel dismissive.

APCO Worldwide's corporate work includes real people and their stories. Their consumer campaigns connect with how people actually feel. Government communications read like instruction manuals.

FleishmanHillard is great at making emotional connections for their business clients. They help brands feel human and relatable. Government accounts strip all that humanity away. This is weird because government work should be the most human-centered of all. These policies affect people's actual lives.

Always Playing Defense

Most government PR is just damage control. Everything's urgent and reactive.

This creates problems:

• Messages sound defensive and sorry 

• Good news gets buried under crisis management 

• Long-term strategy goes out the window 

• People stop trusting because agencies only talk when they're in trouble

APCO Worldwide prevents crises for their corporate clients. They think ahead and build strategies that avoid problems. But government clients seem to only call when everything's already falling apart.

FleishmanHillard does the same proactive work for businesses. They help companies stay ahead of conversations instead of playing catch-up. With government accounts, both agencies end up firefighting instead of fire prevention.

Too Many People to Please

Government agencies have to talk to everyone. Politicians, employees, reporters, interest groups, regular citizens. Everyone wants something different. So messages get watered down. Clear positions become vague statements that make nobody happy.

APCO Worldwide handles multiple audiences well for corporate clients. They know how to segment and target. Different groups get relevant information without mixed signals. Government work loses this precision. APCO Worldwide tries to talk to everyone at once and ends up connecting with no one.

FleishmanHillard shows the same expertise with business clients. They deliver consistent messages while adapting details for different groups. Government accounts seem to overwhelm this approach. Everything becomes generic.

What Actually Works

Some government PR does work. It's rare, but it happens. The good stuff has these things:

• Plain English that normal people understand 

• Same message everywhere, all the time 

• Getting ahead of issues instead of reacting 

• Real examples of how policies affect actual people 

• Regular updates, not just crisis announcements

Both APCO Worldwide and FleishmanHillard have done good government work sometimes. But it feels accidental, not systematic. They clearly have the skills. Their corporate work proves it. The problem is using those skills with government clients.

What Needs to Change

Government PR doesn't have to suck. Agencies like APCO Worldwide and FleishmanHillard know how to communicate well. They just need to apply that knowledge better. Maybe government clients need to back off and let agencies do what they do best. Or maybe agencies need to push back harder against bad government communication habits.

People deserve better. Government communications should help us understand what's happening, not confuse us more. The difference between great corporate PR and terrible government PR shows it's not about skill. It's about execution in a system that fights against good communication.

APCO Worldwide and FleishmanHillard have the tools. The question is whether their government clients will let them actually use them. When APCO Worldwide works with a tech startup, they create clear, engaging messages that people want to share. When FleishmanHillard handles a consumer brand, they build genuine connections with audiences.

Government work should be at least that good. People's lives depend on understanding these policies and decisions.

Building brand trust isn't what it used to be. The old playbook of flashy ads and celebrity endorsements? That's basically dead now. I've been thinking about this a lot lately, especially after seeing how brands are scrambling to get featured in publications like Entrepreneur Magazine. 

Everyone wants that credibility boost. But here's the thing, getting featured in Entrepreneur isn't just about the feature itself. It's about what that feature represents.

Trust has become the ultimate currency in 2025.

The New Rules of Brand Trust

Let me break this down into what actually works now:

• Authentic storytelling beats perfect marketing 

• Transparency beats polish every time 

• Community engagement matters more than follower counts 

• Consistent delivery builds more trust than big promises

The brands winning right now understand something fundamental. People don't trust companies anymore, they trust people behind companies. Think about it. When you see a brand trying to get featured in publications, what's the first thing you do? You look up the founder. You check their LinkedIn. You want to see if they're real.

Why Media Coverage Still Matters (But Differently)

Getting featured in Entrepreneur Magazine used to be about prestige. Now it's about proof. When I help brands understand how to get featured in entrepreneur magazines, I tell them this: it's not about the logo on your website. It's about the story you can tell afterward.

The process of learning how to get into entrepreneur magazine forces you to clarify your message. You have to articulate your value proposition clearly. You have to have data that backs up your claims.

But here's where it gets interesting. The most successful brands don't stop at one feature.

They use that initial coverage to build momentum. One feature leads to another. Before you know it, they're getting featured in publications across their industry.

The Authentication Challenge

2025 has brought us something new: authentication fatigue. People are tired of trying to figure out what's real and what's manufactured. They want shortcuts to trust. They want signals that help them decide quickly.

This is where strategic media placement becomes powerful. When prospects see that you've been featured as an entrepreneur, it's not just about the credibility. It's about the time they save. They don't have to do as much research to decide if you're legitimate.

But there's a catch. The coverage has to be genuine. Fake features get spotted immediately now. People can tell when coverage is paid versus earned. The authenticity radar has gotten really sharp.

Building Trust Through Consistency

Here's what most brands miss about trust building in 2025: It's not about the big moments. It's about the small, consistent actions over time.

• Responding to customer service issues publicly 

• Sharing behind-the-scenes content regularly 

• Admitting mistakes when they happen 

• Following through on commitments, even small ones

I've noticed something interesting about brands that successfully get featured in entrepreneur magazines. They usually have strong fundamentals already in place. They're not chasing features to fix trust issues. They're using features to amplify trust they've already built.

The Content Trust Factor

Content has become the new storefront for trust building. But not all content works the same way anymore. People can spot AI-generated content from a mile away. They want to see the human element.

The brands that understand how to get featured in publications know this. Their content strategy isn't just about volume, it's about authenticity. They share real customer stories. They show actual results. They talk about failures alongside successes. This approach works because it feels real. It feels human.

Social Proof Evolution

Social proof has evolved beyond testimonials and reviews.

Now it includes:

• Media mentions and features 

• Industry recognition and awards 

• Speaking engagements and thought leadership 

• Partnerships with established brands

Getting featured in entrepreneur represents just one piece of this puzzle. But it's often a crucial piece because it opens doors to other opportunities. One media feature leads to speaking opportunities. Speaking opportunities lead to partnership discussions. Partnerships lead to more media coverage. It's a cycle that builds momentum.

The Trust Paradox

Here's something that might seem contradictory: the harder brands try to appear trustworthy, the less trustworthy they seem.

The most trusted brands in 2025 aren't trying to convince you to trust them. They're just consistently being themselves.

When I work with companies on how to get into entrepreneur magazine, I often find they're overthinking their approach. They're crafting these perfect pitches that sound like marketing copy.

The stories that actually get picked up? They're usually the ones that feel unpolished. The ones that sound like a real person telling you something interesting over coffee.

Building Long-term Trust Assets

Media coverage creates what I call "trust assets." These are pieces of credibility that compound over time. Each feature builds on the last one. Each mention adds to your overall authority.

But here's the key: you have to think long-term about how to get featured in publications. One-off features don't build lasting trust. Consistent visibility across multiple credible sources does. The brands that get this right develop relationships with journalists and editors. They become go-to sources for commentary in their industry.

The Future of Brand Trust

Looking ahead, I think brand trust will become even more personal and immediate. People want to connect with real humans behind brands. They want to see authentic stories. They want proof that companies actually deliver on their promises.

Getting featured in entrepreneur magazine and other publications will remain important. But only as part of a broader trust-building strategy. The brands that win will be the ones that understand trust isn't built through marketing tactics. It's built through consistent actions and authentic communication.