Brandi Sims Named to ATELIER 100: Honored as One of the Most Influential People of 2026

Brandinc PR is proud to announce that founder and CEO Brandi Sims has been officially recognized as one of the Most Influential People of 2026 by ATELIER Global.

This international recognition highlights leaders who are shaping culture, business, and community impact across industries, and Brandi’s selection reflects over 15 years of work at the intersection of public relations, storytelling, and visibility strategy.

Currently based in Austin, Texas, Brandi leads Brandinc PR, a boutique communications agency serving entrepreneurs, creatives, nonprofits, entertainers, and purpose-driven brands nationwide. Her approach blends earned media strategy, authentic storytelling, and audience-centered messaging to help clients turn influence into measurable impact.

“I’m deeply honored by this recognition,” Brandi shares. “Being named to ATELIER 100 represents more than a personal milestone. It reflects the clients, communities, and collaborators who trust me with their stories every day. This moment belongs to all of us.”

Brandi’s feature appears in ATELIER Magazine Issue #03, alongside global changemakers recognized for leadership, innovation, and forward motion. Her article explores visibility, ownership, and how intentional media strategy can elevate underrepresented voices while driving real-world results.

As an Austin-based PR consultant, professor, podcast host, and magazine contributor, Brandi continues to advocate for inclusive storytelling while helping brands navigate today’s evolving media landscape. Through Brandinc PR, she has secured placements across national publications, supported startups and established organizations alike, and built platforms that amplify voices often left out of mainstream narratives.

Special thanks to Bentley Didier and the ATELIER Global team for this meaningful honor.

Readers can explore Brandi’s feature and the full ATELIER 100 list in ATELIER Magazine Issue #03, available now online.

About Brandinc PR

Brandinc PR is an Austin-based boutique public relations and communications agency specializing in earned media, thought leadership, brand storytelling, and strategic visibility. Founded by Brandi Sims, the agency partners with founders, creatives, and organizations to turn purpose into presence through impactful media strategy.

For media inquiries, speaking engagements, or PR services, visit BrandincPR.com.

PR in 2026: 5 Trends Smart Brands Are Already Preparing For

Public relations is changing fast and brands that don’t evolve with it risk getting left behind.

In 2026, PR isn’t just about pitching journalists or posting consistently on social media. It’s about combining technology, authenticity, owned audiences, and strategic visibility.

On the latest episode of the Brandinc PR Podcast, I break down the five biggest PR trends shaping 2026 and how founders, nonprofits, creatives, and growing brands can prepare now.

Here’s a quick look at what’s ahead.

1. AI Is Becoming a Creative Teammate

Artificial intelligence is now part of everyday PR workflows, from drafting pitches to repurposing content and analyzing audience sentiment.

The brands winning in 2026 aren’t replacing their voice with AI. They’re using it to enhance creativity while keeping human insight at the center.

AI literacy is no longer optional. It’s a leadership skill.

2. Authentic Storytelling Is Driving Engagement

Generic content is out. Personality-driven storytelling is in.

Audiences are responding to founder-led visibility, behind-the-scenes moments, and real perspectives over polished perfection. Authenticity doesn’t mean oversharing. It means showing up aligned and human.

If your content doesn’t sound like a real person, it’s getting scrolled past.

3. GEO Is Changing How Brands Are Discovered

Beyond SEO, PR now includes Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), positioning your brand to appear in AI-generated answers.

This requires clear expertise, structured thought leadership, and consistent digital presence. PR professionals are now building visibility for both journalists and algorithms.

4. Newsletters and Micro Platforms Are Rising

Owned audiences matter more than ever.

Email newsletters, niche communities, and creator-led platforms are becoming powerful PR tools. Followers aren’t assets. Subscribers are.

Your email list is quickly becoming one of your most valuable media channels.

5. Independent Media Is Creating New Opportunities

With traditional newsrooms shrinking, independent and regional outlets are thriving.

In 2026, smart PR strategies focus on local visibility, community storytelling, and independent publishers that deliver real engagement and trust.

Visibility is becoming decentralized and that’s opening doors for brands willing to think differently.

Final Thoughts

PR in 2026 is more human, more strategic, and more distributed than ever before.

The brands that succeed will embrace AI thoughtfully, lead with authenticity, build owned audiences, and leverage independent media for meaningful visibility.

🎧 Want the full breakdown? Listen to the complete episode of the Brandinc PR Podcast:
PR in 2026: 5 Trends Smart Brands Are Already Preparing For

Ready to Future-Proof Your PR Strategy?

Brandinc PR helps founders, nonprofits, and creative brands build modern visibility through strategic communications and thought leadership.

Visit BrandincPR.com to learn more.

Identify. Define. Align.: How Brand Clarity Builds Trust, Visibility, and Real Growth

In today’s crowded digital marketplace, visibility alone isn’t enough. Brands don’t just need attention. They need clarity.

On a recent episode of The Brandinc PR Podcast, host Brandi Sims sat down with Brand Clarity Expert, author, and international speaker Suzanne Tulien to explore what it truly means to build a brand from the inside out.

Suzanne is known for helping purpose-driven businesses uncover their unique differentiation through her proprietary Brand DNA process. Her work centers around three powerful pillars:

Identify. Define. Align.

And while those words sound simple, the impact is transformational.

Branding Is Not Just Marketing. It’s Your Operating System.

One of the biggest takeaways from the conversation?
Branding isn’t just visuals, messaging, or social media. It’s how your organization operates.

Suzanne explains that when businesses gain clarity on who they are, what they stand for, and how they show up consistently, they build trust faster with customers, teams, and partners. That clarity becomes the foundation for:

• Stronger leadership alignment

• More confident marketing decisions

• Consistent customer experiences

• Engaged employees who act as brand ambassadors

• Clear positioning in competitive markets

In other words, brand clarity becomes a business advantage.

Why Inside-Out Branding Matters for Entrepreneurs and Growing Teams

For small business owners, founders, and scaling brands, it’s easy to get caught in “do everything” mode. Posting constantly. Chasing trends. Trying every tactic.

But without a clear internal foundation, external efforts fall flat.

Suzanne emphasizes that sustainable growth starts internally. When leaders define their brand DNA first, every touchpoint becomes intentional, from hiring and culture to PR strategy and customer experience.

That alignment is what turns brands into movements.

Personal Brand Clarity Fuels Professional Impact

The conversation also highlights how individual clarity affects team success. Suzanne’s work shows that when leaders understand their own personal brand, they communicate more effectively, lead with confidence, and create cultures rooted in purpose, not performance alone.

For PR professionals, entrepreneurs, and executives alike, this alignment is what drives authentic visibility.

Final Thoughts

If you’re building a business, growing a brand, or refining your public presence, this episode is a masterclass in clarity-led strategy.

Because when you identify who you are, define what makes you different, and align your actions accordingly, everything else becomes easier: marketing, PR, partnerships, and growth.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on The Brandinc PR Podcast to hear Suzanne Tulien break down how brand clarity transforms organizations from the inside out.

Brandinc PR Founder Brandi Sims Recognized by Influential Women

Brandinc PR is proud to announce that its Founder and CEO, Brandi Sims, has been individually recognized by Influential Women, a national platform highlighting women making meaningful impact across industries.

The recognition acknowledges Sims’ work in public relations, strategic storytelling, and brand positioning, as well as her continued commitment to helping entrepreneurs, creatives, and organizations build credible, media-ready brands.

Notably, the recognition was extended independently and was not tied to a paid program or advertising placement. Influential Women selected Sims based on her professional impact and leadership within the communications and media space.

“Influence isn’t measured by visibility alone, but by the consistency of results and the integrity behind the work,” said Sims. “This recognition reflects the mission behind Brandinc PR: to help stories stand out for the right reasons.”

As part of the acknowledgment, Influential Women invited Sims to participate in a complimentary profile opportunity, allowing her to share insights with their national network and engage with resources designed to connect expert voices with media opportunities.

Sims brings over a decade of experience in public relations and strategic communications, working with clients across entertainment, lifestyle, nonprofit, and emerging business sectors. Through Brandinc PR, she leads strategy-driven campaigns focused on earned media, founder visibility, and long-term brand equity rather than short-term exposure.

This recognition further underscores Brandinc PR’s growing footprint and reinforces its role as a trusted partner for brands seeking thoughtful, results-driven public relations.

For more information about Brandinc PR or to explore working with the agency, visit www.brandincpr.com.

Networking Isn’t Small Talk: How Strategic Communication Fuels Career Growth

In today’s hyperconnected world, networking is everywhere — LinkedIn messages, conferences, virtual meetups, coffee chats. Yet despite all the access, many professionals still feel disconnected, overlooked, or unsure how to turn conversations into real opportunities.

On a recent episode of the The Brandinc PR Podcast, host Brandi Sims sat down with award-winning business communication expert Michael A. Forman to unpack a hard truth:
Most networking fails because it’s transactional — not strategic.

And that distinction changes everything.

Why Networking Feels Awkward (and Why It Doesn’t Have to)

For many professionals, networking feels forced. You walk into a room, exchange business cards, make polite conversation, and leave hoping something “sticks.” According to Michael Forman, this approach misses the mark entirely.

True networking isn’t about pitching yourself. It’s about building trust through communication.

With more than 20 years of experience across military service, banking, law, and entrepreneurship, Michael emphasizes that meaningful connections are built when people focus on listening, clarity, and intention — not self-promotion.

Communication Is the Real Competitive Advantage

Named Best Business Communication Expert of 2024, Michael Forman teaches that communication is not just a soft skill — it’s a growth lever.

During the episode, he explains that professionals who advance faster don’t necessarily have larger networks. They have stronger relationships. Those relationships are built through:

• Clear and confident communication

• Emotional intelligence in conversations

• Consistency in follow-up

• Alignment between values, message, and action

In industries like PR, marketing, entrepreneurship, and leadership, this ability to connect authentically is what differentiates visibility from influence.

From Transactions to Transformation

One of the core takeaways from the conversation is the need to shift how we define networking success.

Instead of asking, “What can I get from this person?”
Michael challenges professionals to ask, “How can I build value here?”

This mindset shift leads to long-term results: referrals, partnerships, media opportunities, promotions, and increased revenue — without burnout or performative networking.

It’s also the foundation of his book, Networking Unleashed, which breaks down how communication, consistency, and credibility work together to elevate both careers and businesses.

Networking in a Digital and AI-Driven World

With AI tools and digital platforms reshaping how professionals connect, Michael also addresses a timely concern: how to remain human in automated spaces.

His answer is simple but powerful:
Technology can open doors — communication determines what happens once you’re inside.

Whether you’re building your personal brand online, pitching media, or leading teams, your ability to communicate clearly and genuinely will always matter more than algorithms.

What This Means for PR, Branding, and Leadership

For professionals navigating today’s competitive landscape — especially founders, executives, creatives, and consultants — the message is clear:

• Networking is a skill, not a personality trait

• Communication is a growth strategy, not an afterthought

• Relationships outperform reach every time

This episode of The Brandinc PR Podcast is a must-listen for anyone ready to stop collecting contacts and start building influence.

Listen to the Full Episode

🎙 Episode Title: Networking Is Not Small Talk: How to Build Real Connections That Actually Pay Off
🎧 Available now on Spotify and all major podcast platforms

To learn more about Michael Forman’s work, explore his book Networking Unleashed on Amazon and his digital courses focused on professional communication and relationship-building.

About The Brandinc PR Podcast

The Brandinc PR Podcast explores the intersection of public relations, branding, communication, and leadership, featuring industry experts and candid conversations designed to help professionals show up with clarity, confidence, and credibility.