The Public Relations Blog

Reputation, credibility, and media relationships develop over time. Companies expecting immediate results from PR often misunderstand how earned media actually works.

Many executives approach public relations expecting quick results, similar to advertising. In reality, earned media works differently. In this article, Axia Public Relations explains why successful PR strategies unfold over years and why consistent effort produces the strongest results.

How you connect with reporters should follow a pattern.

As you cultivate relationships with reporters, you and your company can become trusted, go-to sources for their stories. To build these connections, it’s crucial to communicate effectively. Reporters appreciate sources who respond clearly, concisely, and in the same "vernacular" they use in their articles.

In this episode, Brett Farmiloe joins host Jason Mudd to discuss the comeback of HARO and smarter PR pitching.

Tune in to learn more!

Your company doesn’t always have big announcements, but you still need attention in top-tier publications. A strong PR strategy doesn’t rely solely on launches or major milestones. Consistent earned media and strategic media relations protect and grow your brand’s authority, credibility, and visibility.

When you don’t have big news to share, manufacture timeliness, refine your pitch structure and voice, use credible data, and follow up thoughtfully to secure media coverage.

In this solocast, On Top of PR host Jason Mudd discusses the ethical and practical differences between exclusives, advances, and embargoes and how to use them correctly in media relations.

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Most press releases don’t earn media coverage. That’s not because “the media is broken.” It’s because most press releases aren’t written for journalists or their audiences.

Learn how a public relations agency builds long-term media trust by focusing on accuracy, timeliness, and value, not just press coverage.

You want journalists to respond to your news, but relying only on media lists or press blast tactics will not get you there. Building genuine media relations takes more than email templates and databases. It takes trust, timely relevance, and a strong sense of mutual value.

If you work in corporate marketing, you’ve likely received an email that looks like an exclusive media opportunity. It promises national TV exposure, professional production, and access to millions of viewers. The catch: there’s a hefty fee.

Learn how to connect quickly with reporters, earn trust, and grow visibility through a trusted public relations agency. Speed sets you apart.

What data reveals — and what your brand can do about it

96% of AI citations come from earned media coverage. Only 1% cite press releases.

That finding from Muck Rack’s "2025 Generative Pulse" and "What Is AI Reading?" studies confirms what smart communicators already know: Earned media still drives visibility and trust — for both people and machines.

Even so, when you distribute a news release through a trusted commercial newswire, you still earn a small but measurable advantage in generative and answer-engine visibility.