The Future of PR in the Age of AI: Diane Schwartz of Ragan Communications Joins the Brandinc PR Podcast

The Future of PR in the Age of AI: Diane Schwartz of Ragan Communications Joins the Brandinc PR Podcast

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future conversation for the communications industry. It is already reshaping how brands communicate, how media is created and how public relations professionals approach strategy, storytelling and leadership.

On the newest episode of the Brandinc PR Podcast, Brandi Sims sits down with Diane Schwartz, CEO of Ragan Communications, for an in-depth discussion about AI in PR, the future of communications and the findings behind Ragan’s widely discussed AI in PR Report.

As the first female CEO in Ragan’s 56-year history, Diane has helped lead major conversations around innovation, communicator training and the evolving role of AI in corporate communications. During the episode, she shares valuable insight into how communications professionals can adapt to rapid industry change without losing the human side of storytelling.

The conversation explores:

  • How AI is transforming public relations and corporate communications
  • The biggest misconceptions PR professionals still have about AI
  • Ethical concerns surrounding AI-generated content
  • Why storytelling and authenticity still matter in the AI era
  • The communication skills professionals need to stay competitive
  • What leadership looks like during industry disruption

One of the biggest takeaways from the episode is the reminder that while AI can improve efficiency, strategy and automation, it cannot replace trust, emotional intelligence or authentic communication. As more brands incorporate AI into their workflows, communicators who can balance innovation with human connection will continue to stand out.

This episode is especially relevant for:

  • PR professionals navigating AI adoption
  • Corporate communications leaders
  • Marketing and branding professionals
  • Entrepreneurs building thought leadership
  • Media and communications students
  • Business leaders interested in the future of storytelling

Special thanks to former Brandinc PR Podcast guest and communications leader Samantha Flynn for helping connect this timely conversation following the release of Ragan’s AI in PR Report.

The full episode of the Brandinc PR Podcast featuring Diane Schwartz will be available Thursday, May 28, on Spotify and major podcast platforms.

At Brandinc PR, we help brands, executives and entrepreneurs increase visibility through strategic public relations, thought leadership and media storytelling. Whether you are building brand authority, preparing for media opportunities or navigating communications in the evolving AI landscape, our team helps position your message for impact.

Looking to strengthen your visibility and media strategy? Contact Brandinc PR to learn more about our PR consulting and communications services.

Why Talented People Get Ignored (And How to Fix It) with Jasmine Romaine

Why Talented People Get Ignored (And How to Fix It) with Jasmine Romaine

Some professionals walk into a room and instantly shift the temperature. Not because they’re the loudest person there, but because their confidence, communication style, and executive presence speak before they ever say a word. 🎙️

On the latest episode of the The Brandinc PR Podcast, Dr. Brandi Sims sits down with Jasmine Romaine, an international keynote speaker, communications strategist, actress, and best-selling author, for a conversation that every entrepreneur, executive, creative, and aspiring leader needs to hear.

From commanding executive presence to understanding why highly talented professionals often get overlooked in the workplace, this episode dives into the hidden communication gaps keeping people stuck in invisibility mode.

If you’ve ever felt underestimated, unheard, or like the “best-kept secret” in your industry, this episode offers the reset button your brand and career may need.

Meet Jasmine Romaine

 

 

 

Jasmine Romaine is known for helping professionals amplify their voice, sharpen their communication skills, and develop the confidence necessary to thrive in both the workplace and marketplace.

As the author of Speak to Profit: Speak with Confidence and Jazz Up Your Sales!, Jasmine teaches leaders how strategic communication directly impacts visibility, influence, and income. Her work blends storytelling, executive coaching, performance psychology, and branding into one transformative approach.

Beyond the corporate stage, Jasmine also appeared in the 2023 remake of The Color Purple, bringing a unique performance-based perspective to how presence and confidence show up in professional spaces.

Her mission is simple yet powerful: help people communicate with clarity and confidence so they can stop shrinking and start commanding rooms.

Executive Presence Isn’t Just for CEOs

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is that executive presence is not reserved for corporate executives or people with fancy titles.

Executive presence is how people experience you.

It’s your energy.
Your posture.
Your voice.
Your clarity.
Your confidence.
Your ability to make people trust you before your résumé even enters the conversation.

During the episode, Jasmine breaks down the subtle signals that communicate authority before you ever open your mouth. From nonverbal communication to intentional branding, she explains why talented professionals often struggle to advance despite having the skills to succeed.

Spoiler alert: talent alone is not enough anymore.

Why Talented Professionals Get Overlooked

The modern workplace rewards visibility as much as expertise. That doesn’t mean becoming performative or fake. It means learning how to communicate your value clearly and consistently.

In this episode, Jasmine and Brandi discuss:

  • Why high achievers often undersell themselves
  • The connection between executive presence and career advancement
  • How communication impacts perceived leadership ability
  • Why confidence directly affects profitability and opportunities
  • The difference between being visible and being memorable
  • How personal branding shapes professional opportunities
  • The role of authenticity in executive communication
  • How professionals can stop shrinking themselves in leadership spaces

The conversation especially resonates with entrepreneurs, women leaders, creatives, underrepresented professionals, and anyone navigating rooms where they’ve historically been underestimated.

The Link Between Communication and Profitability

Speak to Profit centers around a powerful truth: your voice has value.

Whether you’re pitching investors, leading a team meeting, interviewing for a promotion, appearing on podcasts, or building a personal brand online, communication impacts how people perceive your expertise.

In a digital-first era where attention spans are shorter than a TikTok swipe and personal brands operate like mini media companies, strategic communication has become a business asset.

Jasmine explains that confidence is not just motivational fluff. It’s measurable positioning.

People who communicate clearly:

  • Build stronger authority
  • Create trust faster
  • Land more opportunities
  • Increase perceived expertise
  • Strengthen leadership presence
  • Often increase revenue potential

Translation? Your communication style may literally be impacting your money.

A Conversation About Authenticity and Leadership

One of the most compelling moments in the episode explores the tension many professionals feel between authenticity and “professionalism.”

How do you maintain your authentic voice while still navigating leadership expectations?

How do you command authority without feeling forced to code-switch or become someone else?

Jasmine offers practical insight into aligning communication style with personal brand identity while remaining authentic and impactful.

The episode challenges listeners to rethink executive presence not as conformity, but as intentional communication.

Why This Episode Matters Right Now

We’re living in an era where visibility drives opportunity. Social media, podcasting, digital branding, and thought leadership have changed how audiences determine expertise.

The professionals who stand out today are often the ones who communicate with clarity, confidence, and consistency.

That’s exactly why this episode matters.

Whether you’re:

  • Building a personal brand
  • Leading a company
  • Transitioning careers
  • Growing your authority online
  • Seeking media opportunities
  • Preparing for leadership roles
  • Launching a business
  • Trying to stop playing small

…this conversation delivers both strategy and mindset shifts you can apply immediately.

Listen to the Episode

🎙️ Why Talented People Get Ignored (And How to Fix It) featuring Jasmine Romaine is now streaming on the The Brandinc PR Podcast.

Listeners can expect actionable communication strategies, leadership insights, branding gems, and a few truth bombs that might make them sit up straighter halfway through the episode. ✨

Connect with Jasmine Romaine

Connect with Brandinc PR

  • Book a PR consultation
  • Explore media strategy services
  • Listen to more podcast episodes
  • Learn how to strengthen your brand visibility and authority

Episode Highlights

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Some standout themes from the conversation include:

  • Executive presence and leadership communication
  • Personal branding and visibility strategy
  • Speaking with confidence in professional settings
  • Communication skills for entrepreneurs and executives
  • Authentic leadership and workplace confidence
  • Public speaking and authority building
  • Career advancement through strategic communication
  • Confidence-building for women in leadership
  • Voice alignment and professional branding
  • How communication impacts business growth

The full interview framework and discussion topics developed for the episode also explored executive presence, confident leadership, and communication strategy in depth.

The Limitless CMO Era: How AI & PR Strategy Are Reshaping Brand Visibility

If you’re still approaching PR like it’s just about press releases and placements… we need to talk.

In the latest episode of the Brandinc PR Podcast, I sat down with Lisa Cole, Chief Marketing, Product & AI Officer at 2Xand author of The Limitless CMO, to break down what it really means to operate as a strategic leader in today’s AI-driven landscape.


From Order Takers to Market Makers

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is this:

PR professionals can’t afford to just “execute” anymore.
You have to think like a strategist. Move like a marketer. And show up like a decision-maker.

Lisa shares how the most effective brands today aren’t reacting to the moment—they’re shaping it.


AI Isn’t the Future—It’s the Advantage

AI isn’t here to replace PR professionals—it’s here to elevate them.

From identifying trends earlier to refining messaging and predicting audience behavior, Lisa shares how AI is already transforming how brands approach visibility, positioning, and growth.

The real question?
Are you using it strategically—or just experimenting?


What This Means for Your Brand

PR in 2026 isn’t about being everywhere.
It’s about being intentional, aligned, and ready when the right opportunity presents itself.

Because the brands—and professionals—that win today aren’t just part of the conversation…

They help define it.


🎧 Listen to the Full Episode

Tune into this episode of the Brandinc PR Podcast to learn how to move from reactive to strategic, leverage AI with intention, and position your brand for long-term visibility.


🚀 Ready to Build a Smarter PR Strategy?

If this episode has you thinking about how to show up more strategically for your brand or clients—don’t just sit on it.

Whether you need clarity on your messaging, support aligning your PR with business goals, or a strategy that actually drives visibility and results, this is your next step.

👉 Book a PR Power Hour Session for focused, 1:1 strategy tailored to your brand
👉 Or schedule a consultation to explore ongoing PR support with Brandinc PR

Because visibility alone isn’t enough—positioning is what moves the needle.

Austin Bats Basketball Claims 2025-26 ABA National Championship — Austin’s Own Professional Basketball Team Makes History

Austin Bats Basketball Claims 2025-26 ABA National Championship — Austin’s Own Professional Basketball Team Makes History


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Austin Bats Basketball Claims ABA National Championship, Bringing Home Austin’s First Professional Basketball Title in Team History

South Region Champions Turn 16-0 Start Into ABA National Title, Completing One of the League’s Most Dominant Seasons

AUSTIN, Texas – May 2026 — Austin Bats Basketball, a professional basketball team competing in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and based in Austin, Texas, has officially claimed the 2025-26 ABA National Championship — marking a historic milestone for the franchise and the city of Austin. After 12 years of competition, the Austin Bats secured the title on April 11, 2026, in a hard-fought championship series led by Finals MVP JaMichael Brown, cementing their place in Austin sports history.

The championship victory is a testament to the resilience and dedication of the entire Austin Bats organization. Founded and led by owner Leticia Castillo, the team has spent over a decade building a competitive roster, a loyal fan base, and a deep connection to the Austin community. The 2025-26 ABA Champion Austin Bats are led by Head Coach Rommel Corro, whose leadership guided the team to its first national title. This year’s championship squad featured a roster of elite athletes — including former NBA player Mims O’Neal — united under a coaching staff committed to developing talent at the highest level of the game.

JaMichael Brown (@mikeweezyeer_) was named the 2025-26 ABA National Championship Finals MVP after a standout performance that proved decisive in Austin’s run to the title. Brown’s explosive play and competitive drive throughout the postseason embodied the championship-level standard that Head Coach Corro has instilled in the Austin Bats program.

“This championship has been 12 years in the making and I could not be more proud of this team,” said Leticia Castillo, Owner of Austin Bats Basketball. “We have put in the work, year after year, and to finally bring this title home to Austin is an incredible feeling. This city has supported us and we are honored to represent Austin on a national stage.”

The Austin Bats compete in the American Basketball Association, one of the longest-running professional basketball leagues in the country, providing a platform for elite athletes to compete at the professional level. The ABA National Championship is the league’s highest honor, awarded annually to the team that demonstrates the highest level of competitive excellence throughout the season and postseason.

The championship win has already garnered recognition beyond the court. The City of Austin honored the team with four prominent community billboards celebrating the historic achievement — a reflection of the team’s growing impact on Austin’s sports and cultural landscape. The Austin Chamber of Commerce is actively supporting the organization as it continues to grow its presence in the Austin community.

“We came into this season with one goal — to bring a championship back to Austin,” said Rommel Corro, Head Coach of Austin Bats Basketball. “This team never stopped believing in what we were building. The hard work, the sacrifices, the commitment to each other — it all came together this season and I could not be prouder of every single player and coach who was a part of this journey.”

As national champions, the Austin Bats look forward to celebrating this milestone with the Austin community in the weeks ahead. The organization invites fans, partners, and supporters to follow the team on social media for updates on upcoming events, community appearances, and championship celebrations.


About Austin Bats Basketball

Austin Bats Basketball is a professional basketball franchise based in Austin, Texas, competing in the American Basketball Association (ABA). Founded and owned by Leticia Castillo, the team has competed for over 12 years with a commitment to athletic excellence, community engagement, and developing professional-level talent in Central Texas. The Austin Bats are the reigning 2025-26 ABA National Champions. Learn more at austinbatsbasketball.com.

About Brandinc PR

Brandinc PR is a boutique strategic communications and digital marketing agency founded by Brandi Sims, Ph.D., MBA, and based in Austin, Texas. With over 15 years of experience representing entertainment, sports, and lifestyle brands, Brandinc PR specializes in media outreach, brand storytelling, and earned media strategy. The agency has secured placements in ESPN, ABC News, Fox News, Forbes, AP News, and more. Brandinc PR has been recognized by Blavity as a Top Black Digital Marketing Agency. Learn more at brandincpr.com.


For media inquiries, interview requests, and press assets, please contact Brandi Sims at Brandinc PR at brandi@brandincpr.com or (512) 222-9355.

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Brandinc PR Signs Austin Bats Basketball, 2025-26 ABA National Champions, as Newest Client

AUSTIN, Texas — May 8, 2026 — Brandinc PR, a boutique strategic communications and digital marketing agency based in Austin, Texas, is proud to announce the addition of Austin Bats Basketball to its growing roster of clients. The Austin Bats recently claimed the 2025-26 American Basketball Association (ABA) National Championship — the first national title in the franchise’s 12-year history.

Founded and owned by Leticia Castillo, the Austin Bats are a professional basketball franchise competing in the ABA’s South Region. The team dominated the 2025-26 season with a 16-0 start, captured the South Region championship, and clinched the ABA National title on April 11, 2026, in front of a packed, near sold-out crowd. Finals MVP JaMichael Brown delivered a standout postseason performance to help secure the historic win, while former NBA player Mims O’Neal brought championship-level experience to the roster throughout the season.

Brandinc PR has been retained to lead the team’s media outreach and earned media strategy, with a focus on securing local, regional, and national coverage of the franchise’s landmark championship season. The campaign targets Austin-area broadcast and print outlets, regional Texas media, sports publications, and podcast placements to amplify the Austin Bats’ story to the widest possible audience.

“We are honored to represent the Austin Bats Basketball team during this historic moment,” said Brandi Sims, Ph.D., MBA, Founder and CEO of Brandinc PR. “Leticia Castillo’s 12-year journey to a national championship is exactly the kind of compelling, community-driven story we love to tell. Austin has a national champion in its backyard and we are committed to making sure the world knows it.”

Brandinc PR brings over 15 years of strategic communications experience to the partnership, with a deep network of Austin, Texas, and national media contacts across sports, entertainment, lifestyle, and business. The agency has secured placements in ESPN, ABC News, Fox News, Forbes, and more, and is recognized by Blavity as a Top Black Digital Marketing Agency.

For media inquiries about the Austin Bats Basketball championship campaign, contact Brandi Sims at brandi@brandincpr.com or (512) 222-9355.