Experiential marketing has gained significant recognition over the past decade, becoming essential for brand engagement. Real-life experiences create emotional connections and community, which are often more impactful than traditional advertising methods.

Bryan Duffy explores the evolution of experiential marketing from a "below-the-line" activity to a crucial component in marketing strategies. He discusses the immense value experiential marketing adds through consumer engagement, emotional connection, and shareability of content.

Bryan explains that effective experiential marketing requires a strategic approach that combines creativity, consumer insights, and logistical expertise. Bill Southard expands on the collaborative nature of creating engaging experiences, emphasizing the synthesis of PR, digital, and experiential tactics for consumer-driven campaigns.

Key Takeaways

• Experiential marketing, once considered a secondary marketing tool, has evolved to be a vital element in integrated marketing strategies, offering significant ROI and reach.
• PR firms are increasingly collaborating with experiential marketing agencies to create seamless consumer engagement strategies that deliver tangible results.
• Live events create community and emotional connections that digital marketing simply can't replicate, enhancing brand loyalty.
• The proliferation of mobile technology has enhanced the value of experiential marketing by enabling immediate content sharing and amplifying campaign reach.
• Experiential events can take place as part of larger activities or as bespoke experiences, each providing unique opportunities for consumer interaction and brand promotion.
• The value of experiential marketing lies in its shareability, allowing brands to reach millions beyond just event attendees.

About the Guests

Bill Southard is founder and CEO of Southard Communications, a firm he founded in 1994. Under his leadership, Southard Communications has shown significant growth across a number of market segments. Headquartered in New York City, the firm has executed successful public relations, digital marketing and communications and social media campaigns for a wide range of B2B and B2C companies, for several of which the agency has been recognized with industry awards. Southard has four decades of experience in the public relations industry. Prior to founding his current firm, he was executive vice president/general manager of Dorf & Stanton Communications, an agency that was sold in 1989 to Shandwick. The agency has worked on a number of iconic brands in the toy and game space including Etch a Sketch, LeapFrog, The Elf on the Shelf, Pound Puppies and Slinky, to name a few.

Bryan Duffy is the Founder/CEO of BOOM Ventures, a full-service brand engagement agency he started in September 2020. A marketing communications veteran with over 30+ years in the industry servicing some of the worlds biggest and most relevant brands; he left the "big agency" structure behind to start BOOM with a unique approach and spin on the classic agency model. Bryan started his career on the brand side of the table in both sales and marketing roles at Converse and since that time has been in executive-level roles with some of the largest agencies in the industry. Throughout his tenure he has developed strategic business solutions for the likes of: Amazon, Facebook, Google, IBM, Microsoft, Pepsico, NFL, ESPN, Coca-Cola, General Mills...

Nick Leighton, CEO of NettResults Middle East, shares insights on the evolving landscape of public relations in the region, emphasizing the significance of long-term strategic planning driven by regional visions like UAE Vision 2021 and Saudi Vision 2030. He highlights how these frameworks focus on sustainability and technological advancement, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence, which is transforming PR practices by enabling more targeted and data-driven outreach.

Nick also talks about the unique challenges posed by tightly controlled media environments, where cultural sensitivity and ethical communication are paramount. He discusses the necessity for brands to maintain transparency and accountability, especially in an era marked by growing consumer skepticism. Nick also addresses the importance of hyper-personalization in communications and the strategic use of social media tailored to diverse linguistic and cultural contexts within the region.

Additional Resources

• Long-term national visions like UAE Vision 2021 and Saudi Vision 2030 guide the Middle East’s economic and technological progress.
• The region is a leader in sustainability, with a focus on transitioning from oil-dependence to diversified, sustainable economies.
• Artificial Intelligence is more than just a trend in the region--AI is a vital cog in diverse business operations, from PR to crisis management.
• Social media marketing in the Middle East is highly localized, catering to its rich cultural and linguistic diversity.
• Ethical practices and transparency are paramount in establishing trust within an increasingly informed and discerning consumer base.

About the Guest

Nick Leighton is the founder and CEO of NettResults International Public Relations, an award-winning Middle East-based public relations agency launched in November 1999 with offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Jeddah. He has represented the public image of Fortune 500 companies, some of the largest non-profit organizations in the world, political parties, and members of royalty.

About the Host

Abbie Fink is president of HMA Public Relations in Phoenix, Arizona and a founding member of PRGN. Her marketing communications background includes skills in media relations, digital communications, social media strategies, special event management, crisis communications, community relations, issues management, and marketing promotions for both the private and public sectors, including such industries as healthcare, financial services, professional services, government affairs and tribal affairs, as well as not-for-profit organizations.

PRGN Presents is brought to you by Public Relations Global Network, the world’s local public relations agency. Our co-host and executive producer is Adrian McIntyre with Speed of Story, a B2B communications firm in Phoenix.

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Abbie Fink and Terrie Ard discuss the 2025 M.Cast™ Trends Report and the importance of forward-looking thinking and data-driven insights for business leaders and communications professionals alike.

Terrie shares how the M.Cast™ Trends Report was initiated as a guide to help leaders think like futurists, equipping them with the insights to foresee and adapt to inevitable industry transformations.

The report encourages leaders to balance technological advancement with maintaining genuine human connections, a critical aspect for organizational success.

Key Takeaways

• The M.Cast™ Trends Report was created to help leaders anticipate future trends and challenges by adopting a futurist mindset.
• In 2025, Artificial Intelligence is a "mega-trend" that is shaping business strategy and decision-making in nearly every industry, from healthcare to finance to marketing, education and entertainment.
• Successful leaders balance technology solutions with the essential human connection in their organizations.
• Organizations are shifting from customer service to customer care, emphasizing the need for a more empathetic approach and authentic interactions.
• Embracing convergence—the merging of distinct industries and technologies—will lead to innovative business models and solutions.

About the Guest

Terrie Ard is Partner, President & COO of The Moore Agency, a full-service marketing communications agency in Tallahassee, FL with a 31-year track record of building trusted influence and delivering impactful results. Terrie leads the strategic direction of the firm, including key initiatives, partnerships and client and business development. With a passion for collaboration and culture building, Terrie oversees the Moore Team, boasting a 92% retention rate.

Terrie is a specialist in corporate positioning and branding with a keen focus on strategy and creativity. Her expertise includes crisis communications, communications strategy and employee relations. Through Terrie's leadership, the agency has achieved a 98% client retention rate and is ranked a top 50 agency in the U.S. and top 200 globally. Terrie has been recognized by Florida Trend as one of the top 500 most influential leaders. She is a recipient of the Florida Public Relations Association Stanley Tait Award for Leadership, the American Advertising Federation Silver Medal for outstanding industry contributions and recognized by PR News as a Top Changemaker in the U.S.

About the Host

Abbie Fink is president of HMA Public Relations in Phoenix, Arizona and a founding member of PRGN. Her marketing communications background includes skills in media relations, digital communications, social media strategies, special event management, crisis communications, community relations, issues management, and marketing promotions for both the private and public sectors, including such industries as healthcare, financial services, professional services, government affairs and tribal affairs, as well as not-for-profit organizations.

PRGN Presents is brought to you by Public Relations Global Network, the world’s local public relations agency. Our co-host and executive producer is Adrian McIntyre with