These days, if you want to cut through the noise in the media, being authentic is the name of the game – corporate buzzwords just don't fly. So, getting your leaders out there as real thinkers isn't just a PR game anymore, it's a must do. While a well-crafted press release can still be a starting point, what really captures attention now are honest insights, stories that grab folks, and leaders they can actually connect with.

Thought leadership positions your executives as industry experts, building trust and credibility with your audience. It's about sharing unique perspectives, offering valuable insights, and leading conversations that matter. In fact, a recent report highlights that 99% of buyers consider thought leadership important in their decision-making process, with 66% stating they won't engage with providers who produce subpar thought leadership content.

Strategies to Elevate Executive Thought Leadership

1. Identify Your Niche: Focus on areas where your executive's expertise aligns with industry trends. Whether it's sustainable technology or digital transformation, find a niche that resonates.​
2. Be Consistent: Regularly share insights through blogs, social media, and speaking engagements. Consistency builds recognition and trust over time.​
3. Engage with Media: Offer expert commentary on relevant news stories. Journalists value authoritative voices that add depth to their reporting.​
4. Leverage Multiple Platforms: Utilize various channels—LinkedIn, podcasts, webinars—to reach diverse audiences. Tailor your message to fit each platform's unique format.​
5. Collaborate with PR Professionals: Partner with PR experts who can help craft your narrative, pitch to media outlets, and manage your public image effectively.​

I stumbled on Unrivaled while browsing HBO Max a month or so ago and was immediately captivated by its rapid rise and the strategic efforts behind its success.

Unrivaled, the pioneering women's 3-on-3 basketball league, has executed several impactful media relations strategies to elevate its profile and engage audiences effectively. Here are three notable initiatives:​

1. Comprehensive Media Day Rollout

Prior to its inaugural season, Unrivaled organized a meticulously planned media day, providing professional content that showcased players' personalities and stories. This approach humanized the athletes, making them more relatable and engaging to fans. The league's focus on in-depth storytelling across multiple national outlets ensured widespread media coverage, enhancing visibility and interest. ​

2. Strategic Broadcast Partnerships

Unrivaled secured a multi-year broadcasting agreement with TNT Sports, ensuring extensive coverage of over 45 games during its inaugural season. This partnership not only elevated the league's profile but also provided fans with consistent access to games, enhancing viewer engagement. The collaboration with a major network like TNT underscores Unrivaled's commitment to reaching a broad audience and legitimizing its presence in the sports industry. ​

In today's dynamic media landscape, effectively reaching your target audience requires innovative strategies. One such approach is the Satellite Media Tour (SMT), a powerful tool in public relations that enables brands to connect with multiple media outlets efficiently.

What is a Satellite Media Tour?

A Satellite Media Tour is a series of back-to-back interviews conducted from a single location, allowing a spokesperson to engage with television, radio, and online media outlets across the country. Traditionally, these tours were conducted via satellite from professional studios or on locations with limitations, but advancements in technology now allow remote broadcasts from virtually any location (Virtual Media Tours), including home offices or on-site venues.

Benefits of Satellite Media Tours

• Efficiency: SMTs enable a spokesperson to conduct multiple interviews in a short timeframe, maximizing outreach without the need for extensive travel.
• Cost-Effectiveness: By centralizing interviews, brands can save on travel and logistical expenses while still reaching a broad audience.
• Flexibility: Modern SMTs can be conducted from various locations, providing opportunities for creative and visually engaging backdrops that enhance storytelling.

KEF Media is thrilled to announce the launch of KEF Entertainment, a new division dedicated to serving the entertainment industry. Building upon our extensive experience in film, television, and music, this division aims to make PR services more accessible to independent artists and creators.

For over 35 years, KEF Media has been the "go-to" firm for results-driven campaigns, delivering high-quality outcomes for some of the world's most renowned brands. Our innovative tactics and commitment to exceptional client service have propelled us from our beginnings in Chicago to becoming a global organization.

Yvonne Hanak, CEO of KEF Media, explains, "While KEF has a deep history of working with entertainment clients, we felt it was a natural move to form a dedicated division to service filmmakers, movie and recording studios, and independent creators. With the astonishing rate the media landscape has shifted in recent years, the demand for quality content and thoughtful publicity plans continues to increase."

Leading this new division are agency veterans Kyle Smith and Jurena G. Cantrell. Cantrell, VP of Entertainment, notes, "A major shift is happening in the entertainment industry, and with KEF’s expertise, films, events, music properties, and creative projects now have access to connect with wider audiences and with media on a global scale. This is the game changer that will redefine how media works creatively."