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When Should Startups Begin PR? Insights from LEVEL PR’s Scott Rosenblum

One of the biggest questions we hear from founders—especially in the startup world—is: “When is the right time to start PR?”

On the latest episode of The Brandinc PR Podcast, I sat down with Scott Rosenblum, President and Founder of LEVEL PR, a boutique agency specializing in B2B tech startups with deep expertise in industries like fintech. With over 20 years in tech PR, Scott has helped countless companies navigate media strategy, launch timing, and market positioning.

And here’s the thing—Scott says most founders get PR timing wrong.

🚦 The PR Timing Dilemma

In our conversation, Scott broke down the key signals that a startup is truly PR-ready, and why starting too early can waste valuable resources (and damage credibility). We explored:

• The must-have milestones before you engage a PR firm

• How to avoid the “quick fix” trap and treat PR as a long-term investment

• The difference between being “ready for press” vs. “ready for growth”

🌍 Going Global: International Startups & U.S. PR

For international founders looking to break into the U.S. market, Scott shared why PR timing is even trickier. From adapting your messaging to navigating competitive landscapes, his advice offers a clear roadmap for entering one of the most competitive media markets in the world.

🎧 Why This Episode Matters for Founders

Whether you’re bootstrapped, pre-seed, or preparing for Series A, understanding when to launch PR can make or break your brand’s first impression. Scott’s insights are actionable, candid, and rooted in decades of experience working with both U.S.-based and global startups.

💡 Pro tip: Before you spend a dollar on PR, make sure you have a compelling story, market traction, and a clear objective. As Scott puts it, “PR is not about making noise—it’s about making the right noise at the right time.”

📲 Listen now: The full episode is streaming on The Brandinc PR Podcast—available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.

👉 Follow Scott Rosenblum on LinkedIn and visit www.levelpr.co
👉 Follow Brandi Sims and Brandinc PR on Instagram & LinkedIn for more PR insights and behind-the-scenes conversations.

Dr. Charmain Jackman on Owning Your Voice in Mental Health & Media

What happens when a therapist turns brand strategist—and builds a movement in the process?

In the latest episode of the Brandinc PR Podcast, Brandi Sims sits down with Dr. Charmain Jackman, award-winning psychologist, TEDx speaker, and founder of InnoPsych, for a candid convo on all things mental health, media visibility, and mission-driven branding.

Fresh off the release of her debut book, The Black Therapist’s Guide to Private Practice and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Jackman shares how she pivoted from high school psychologist to full-time CEO, securing partnerships with national brands like Charlamagne tha God’s Mental Wealth Alliance, AdCouncil, and PBS along the way.

From building her signature Branding Your V.O.I.C.E. framework to managing the pressures of platform-building while staying authentic, Dr. Jackman brings clarity, courage, and culture to the mic.

🎧 In this episode, we cover:

• How to build a brand that amplifies your mission—not dilutes it

• The media moves that helped grow InnoPsych into a national force

• Advice for therapists, coaches, and wellness leaders afraid to “go public”

• The real deal on cultural nuance in mental health campaigns

• Why owning your story is the new non-negotiable

This one is a must-listen for mental health pros, entrepreneurs, and anyone trying to show up with both strategy and soul.

👉🏾 Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 Connect with Us

Keep the conversation going—follow us on social and let us know what resonated most with you from this episode:

📲 Follow Dr. Charmain Jackman
Instagram: @drcharmainjackman
LinkedIn: Dr. Charmain Jackman

📲 Follow Brandi Sims
Instagram: @brandincpr
LinkedIn: Brandi Sims

💬 Tag us and share your biggest “aha!” moment using #BrandincPRPodcast!

How Higher Ed is Fueling the Creator Economy – Featuring Bill Zimmerman

The latest episode of the Brandinc PR Podcast is live, and we’re diving into a topic that’s reshaping the media, PR, and digital landscape: the creator economy—and how colleges are teaching it.

This week, I’m joined by Bill Zimmerman, Assistant Teaching Professor at Penn State University and author of the new textbook Understanding the Creator Economy: Making Digital Media Work for You. Bill is helping redefine what it means to learn and work in digital media, from launching a Content Creator Certificate program to co-directing a summer camp just for high schoolers looking to level up their content skills.

We talk about:

• How the creator economy is being taught in college classrooms

• What PR pros need to understand about today’s digital-first talent

• Lessons from working directly with student creators

• Why education must evolve to meet the demands of a changing media world

Whether you’re a brand leader, a student, or a professional communicator, this episode is packed with gems on how to stay ahead of the curve and collaborate meaningfully with creators.

📲 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.

🔗 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brandinc-pr-podcast/id1769667431

Let’s get into the future of content—because it’s already here.

Brandinc PR Named a Powerhouse by Blavity

We’ve got BIG news—Brandinc PR has officially been named one of the “Powerhouse Black-Owned Digital Marketing Agencies Changing the Game” by Blavity!

Blavity’s spotlight celebrates the agencies reshaping the digital landscape, and we’re proud to stand among the best, driving bold campaigns, amplifying underrepresented voices, and helping small businesses show up like industry giants.

From PR strategy and media placements to brand partnerships and purpose-driven storytelling, Brandinc PR continues to champion small business owners, creatives, and changemakers ready to level up their brand visibility.

This recognition is more than a win for our team—it’s a nod to the visionary clients who trust us with their stories and the culture-shifting work we get to do every day.

📣 Want to work with a powerhouse? Let’s build something worth the headlines.

🔗 Read the full Blavity feature here
👀 Be sure to follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes looks, upcoming campaigns, and media tips that actually work.

From Static to Strategy: Joe Massa on Building Influence Through Podcasting

At Brandinc PR, we believe in amplifying bold voices—and this week’s podcast episode delivers exactly that.

On the latest episode of the Brandinc PR Podcast, host Brandi Sims sits down with Joe Massa, veteran media strategist, broadcaster, and CEO of Podtopia Network, to unpack what it really takes to build a podcasting brand that actually moves the needle.

With more than 20 years in PR, radio, and digital media, Joe shares how he’s helped brands go from invisible to influential—by using the mic as their megaphone. From creating the Podcast Accelerator course to launching a full-fledged podcast network, Joe’s career is proof that storytelling and strategy are a power duo in today’s content economy.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why podcasting is one of the most powerful PR tools right now

• Common mistakes new podcasters make (and how to avoid them)

• How to grow a loyal audience and turn content into credibility

• What every business should know before hitting “record”

Whether you’re a brand ready to start a podcast, or a PR pro looking to add audio to your strategy, this conversation is packed with actionable insights you won’t want to miss.

👉 Listen now: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brandinc-pr-podcast/id1769667431
👉 Connect with Joe Massa: [Insert Podtopia Website or Instagram Handle]

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