Jeffrey R. Epstein

I never thought I’d find myself behind the PBS newsroom desk talking about the new world of PR we’re stepping into. Sharing my top 5 takeaways as a panelist at last night's PRSA Las Vegas Valley Chapter Pinnacle Awards with: 🎙 Amber Dixon, Anchor, PBS, Nevada Week 🗞 McKenna Ross, Reporter, Las Vegas Review-Journal Neal Shulman 🎙️, Co-Founder & CEO, PodPitch Top 5 Takeaways: 1️⃣ Reporters don’t mind AI-written pitches as long as they’re RELEVANT McKenna informally polled her newsroom peers, and the consensus was clear: quality > origin. 2️⃣ Inbox overload is still real. Reporters continue to receive offbeat, off-topic pitches that make it harder for the right stories to break through. 3️⃣ AI is already in the newsroom. Broadcast teams are using ChatGPT to turn on-air segments into written articles, reducing duplicate effort. 4️⃣ Adoption is still early. Only half of the room raised their hands when asked if they’ve used ChatGPT for work. 5️⃣ Bold prediction: By next year, Answer Share, a metric for knowing where your brand appears in AI-generated answers, will become a standard measure of visibility. It was a great balance talking about the realities of journalism right now, the traditional PR landscape and, at the same time, addressing the beginning of AI-augmented storytelling. Huge thanks to PRSA Las Vegas and to everyone pushing our industry forward with curiosity, courage, and craft. #PRSA #PublicRelations #AIinPR #MediaRelations #VisibilityStrategy #NevadaWeek #LasVegasPR #AIVisibility

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Los Angeles is moving to reduce permitting red tape for film and television production- smart step. Production hasn't been anchored to geography for some time — it’s anchored to operating efficiency. Predictable timelines. Permitting speed. Incentives and infrastructure that save dollars and put that spend on the screen. Is this enough? #StudioOperations #ProductionInfrastructure #MediaEconomics #FilmIndustry https://lnkd.in/eJqfxWcp

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This year marks the 10th anniversary of the USC Center for Public Relations Relevance Report, our annual look at a trend or issue that will matter to our industry and students in the year ahead. With Los Angeles at its center, our 2026 report explores how Sports unite us and help PR pros tell compelling stories. This year's collection of forward-looking essays examines how actions on the field reflect who we are off the field, from the rise of women’s sports to the evolving business of college athletics and the technologies changing the fan experience. Sports teach us teamwork, resilience and empathy. Qualities communicators need more than ever. I’m grateful to the more than 40 PR leaders and USC academics who shared relevant stories and counsel in this year's edition, including from FleishmanHillard, Mars, Conagra Brands, We. Communications, AEG and many others from our board, as well as our USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism faculty and students. You can download the 2025 Relevance Report here: https://lnkd.in/egPhMvP #PRFuture #USCAnnenberg #Sports #RelevanceReport #Leadership #PublicRelations #Communication

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It seems like California and LA might be getting their acts together to finally make homegrown production a more appealing prospect for Hollywood producers and filmmakers. LA Mayor Karen Bass announced an “executive order” (wonder where she got that idea) to cut through red tape and make filming permit in LA faster and smoother. This addresses a long-standing complaint by producers. https://lnkd.in/gb2cdFuh At the same time, our reporter Jeremy Fuster takes a deep look at the crisis of production flight in animation, a huge sector of the global box office, and another piece of business that has fled Burbank and northern California for cheaper climes. Now, he explains, the new tax incentive is going to try and bring that piece of the industry back as well. Jeremy writes: The state’s animation industry, one founded in Burbank by legends like Walt Disney and Bob Clampett and which continued through the 20th century with the rise of Pixar and DreamWorks, has ceded its cultural dominance to a global landscape. For members of The Animation Guild, IATSE’s union for animators, that has led to an increasingly untenable position stuck between the high cost of living in Los Angeles and a jobs market that has declined despite being part of a worldwide industry valued at $413 billion and estimated to more than double over the next decade, according to the guild. Lawmakers behind the proposed expansion of the California Film & TV Tax Credit program want to expand the types of films and TV shows that can qualify. That includes a section of entertainment that to this point has been closed off entirely from such tax breaks: animation. https://lnkd.in/gfMddNz4

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Radio remains a powerful connector — WNNR-DB Orlando builds listener loyalty by blending music, timely news, and local sports coverage that reflect community interests. For media professionals and station leaders, this approach demonstrates how curated content and community focus drive engagement and long-term value. Learn more: https://wix.to/Kn2LAsQ 🔗📻 #RadioStrategy #CommunityMedia #AudienceEngagement

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Sharing some gratitude today. In 2023, we launched a fellowship / early career mentorship program to guide college students from an Asian background at University of California, Berkeley to find careers on the creative side of the entertainment industry. The aim was simple, there's never going to be enough producers or executives on the creative side to bring all the worthy stories that exist to life, so we need more people who have the capacity and passion to get involved. Hollywood has many gatekeepers by design, but collectively we can enter those gates together. With the institutional resources of Berkeley Center for New Media, donation of Sam Kwok, mentorship leadership from Lacy Lew Nguyen Wright, Laura Reddy of Range Media Partners, Jonder Ho and Joanne Lee, this program continues into it's fourth year. If there are current students at Cal in my network or you know one who is interested in careers in entertainment, please share this.

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The world could use a little more #kindness these days... Media companies like NBCUniversal have a unique ability to inspire people to make a positive difference. This morning's #TODAYShow segment highlighted the 2025 #TheMoreYouKnow campaign with Savannah Guthrie’s PSA which encourages everyone to turn small acts of kindness into meaningful change. This PSA is part of a new series running across Comcast and #NBCUniversal platforms—designed to motivate audiences to address important issues like #mentalhealth and responsible social media use. 💛 Watch the video below and learn more here: https://bit.ly/47lwqxV 🌈⭐

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Michael MacMillan, CEO of Blue Ant Media, discusses the company's recent acquisition of Thunderbird Entertainment, a production, distribution, and rights management company. This strategic move aims to enhance Blue Ant Media's capabilities and expand its portfolio in the media landscape. https://lnkd.in/gFTWfpr3

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I was 27. It was a hot, NY City summer and I was working on a number of client projects. And then a call came…”Hey Erica, can you come down to see me? There’s a project I want to talk with you about.” I walk down slowly to the agency president’s corner office and knocked. I sat down and the female executive said, “What are your plans for the next four weeks?” Me: “Not too much.” Her: “So there’s this confidential project, it will be intense, take up a lot of time. We think you’re the person. We need you to write for the CEO, help develop a roadshow narrative and deck, draft the announcement release and come to every meeting, take great notes and, and...” Me: “Ok, so what are we doing?” Her: “Our agency is merging. We have a month. Are you in?” Little did I know this tap and vote of confidence would change the trajectory of my career and prepare me to be in the rooms where it happens for decades to come. I am very grateful to the leader, the CEO and the merger team who saw my curiosity, resiliency, integrity, judiciousness, decency, courage and diligence as core strengths key to our collective success. It was meaningful then and it stays with me today. So paying it forward is part of me because of the leaders who saw something in me. Putting your senior chips on a junior person’s career is one of the best parts of leadership. Do it. It will be lasting and meaningful for you and for them.

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Thrilled to join Heather Holst-Knudsen on The Revenue Room™ Podcast and grateful for such a thoughtful conversation about leadership in an era where disruption is no longer an event, it’s the operating environment. Over the course of my career, I’ve had the privilege of helping teams navigate moments when the future wasn’t yet proven — from cable challenging broadcast, to the rise of fandom-driven engagement, to launching Peacock’s ad-supported streaming business with nothing but vision, belief, and extraordinary teams willing to build what didn’t yet exist. One lesson continues to hold true: Transformation doesn’t happen because markets change. It happens because leaders align people around a shared vision of what’s possible. I’m excited to continue this conversation live at RevvedUP 2026, where we’ll talk about how leaders can get comfortable being uncomfortable and thrive through continuous change. Thank you, Heather, for the conversation and for creating a community that brings revenue and growth leaders together in such a meaningful way. 🎧 Listen here: https://lnkd.in/d9v_6D-d

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Great news for the Film & TV community in Los Angeles. All 9 measures passed at LA City Hall, marking another important step toward supporting and strengthening production in our city. These efforts help keep jobs local, support thousands of hardworking crew members, and ensure Los Angeles continues to be the heart of the entertainment industry. Proud to be part of an industry and community that continues to advocate for growth, opportunity, and the future of production in LA. 🎬 #FilmIndustry #FilmLA #Production #EntertainmentIndustry #LosAngeles #FilmAndTV #KeepFilmingInLA

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In this inspiring conversation, media entrepreneur and visionary Danielle P. Jeter talks with Roz Nieves at the Podcast Summit to share her journey of purpose, creativity, and leadership. She opens up about building Women In Media Global Network, empowering storytellers, and how faith and focus fuel her mission to uplift communities through the power of media. Her insights remind every creator that storytelling isn’t just content — it’s culture, connection, and change. 🎧 Tune in to this empowering moment from the Podcast Summit and discover what it truly means to use your voice for impact. Video by: Joe Swift

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My guy has written this piece I believe anyone interested in Nigeria's creative industries should read. "The challenge here is not a lack of stories. The entertainment sector is one of the country’s most dynamic fields, touching on technology, globalization, entrepreneurship, language, and nation-building. Yet these stories often remain buried beneath surface-level coverage." It's one reason I love what David Adeleke and The Culture Custodian are doing.

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Summons Productions Announces Dual Bay Area Music Residencies for 2026 In a strategic expansion that reflects its rising influence in the independent music sector, Summons Productions, under the leadership of Chairman and CEO Drananda Summons, has secured two year-defining music residencies in the Bay Area—Berkeley and San Francisco—positioning the company for a landmark 2026. The Berkeley Residency, scheduled to launch January 2026, will serve as the flagship location for the Summons Productions performance series Summons Lounge. Designed as an incubator for independent musicians, vocalists, and cross-genre creators, Summons Lounge has rapidly become a proving ground for emerging artistry and an essential space for music discovery in Northern California. In May 2026, Summons Productions will extend its reach with a second Summons Lounge Residency in San Francisco, widening its platform for musicians seeking industry-level performance opportunities without the barriers often found in traditional venues. This dual-residency structure marks a significant evolution in the company’s music-driven programming, allowing Summons Productions to operate simultaneously in two of the Bay Area’s most competitive cultural markets. Both residencies are being established in partnership with North Beach Pizza Berkeley & San Francisco, whose venues have become hubs for live music, creative gatherings, and community-centered entertainment. Their collaboration with Summons Productions underscores a shared mission: to cultivate accessible performance spaces that elevate independent music while supporting the creative economy of the region. As Summons Productions enters 2026 with two anchored residencies, the company strengthens its position as a leading force in the Bay Area’s independent music landscape—bridging artists, audiences, and industry pathways through the ongoing evolution of Summons Lounge.

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Passion Jackson’s read on this one is sharp—and here’s why it stands out from a PR lens: When the Coldplay kiss-cam moment unexpectedly pulled Astronomer into the spotlight, most companies would’ve gone quiet or leaned into a safe statement. Instead, #Astronomer made a bold move—hiring Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Martin’s ex-wife, as their “temporary spokesperson”. In a tongue-in-cheek video, she addressed the public’s most common reactions—without ever mentioning the scandal—and subtly shifted attention back to what the company does: data pipeline automation powered by Apache Airflow. Celebrity connection? Check. Cultural moment? Check. Crisis defused with creativity? Absolutely. As communications professionals, this is the kind of risk I applaud: a response that doesn’t just manage fallout but takes control of the narrative—with humor, relevance, and authenticity. It’s a reminder that protecting a brand doesn’t always mean playing it safe. Sometimes, the most strategic option is the most unexpected one. Thank you, Passion, for sparking this powerful conversation about narrative ownership—and thanks to the brand for showing that reputation management can also be artful. #CrisisComms #CreativeStrategy #BrandProtection #EarnedMedia #Storytelling #NarrativeControl #PRLeadership #BrandResilience

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All3Media CEO Jane Turton weighed in on M&A (bypassing commentary on a potential Banijay merger), the importance of scale, and the company’s expanding U.S. footprint at Realscreen Summit this morning. https://lnkd.in/ecxaW2bE

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