Just Following Up...Again: A Public Relations Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Thom Gravelle, Graphic Designer at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, to explore the creative crossroads where graphic design and communications meet. Thom shares why collaboration between designers and communicators is essential for producing campaigns that are not only visually striking, but strategically sound. Whether you're a PR professional, marketer, or creative, this conversation offers valuable insights into building stronger partnerships and better campaigns through intentional collaboration.
Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know by filling out this form. For more information on the Central West Coast Chapter of FPRA visit https://cwcfpra.com/ 
Editing by Muffy LavensTheme song courtesy of Ben Kunkel/Professor Soup

Our Live from Summit series continues to Pamela Greenwalt, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer for SAG-AFTRA, the world’s largest union for actors, broadcast journalists and recording artists. Pamela directly oversees the union’s global brand, image and reputation, and guides a deep bench of marketing communications professionals.
Following her fireside chat at the PR & Comms Summit, she sat down with Just Following Up...Again to expand on how she managed the 2023 SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical/Streaming strike, which gained global support for the union and ultimately ended with more than $1 billion in new gains, as well as critical AI protections for members.
Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know by filling out this form. For more information on the Central West Coast Chapter of FPRA visit https://cwcfpra.com/ 
The Live from the Summit mini-series is sponsored by Liquid Creative. Learn more at https://liquidcreativestudio.com/
Editing by Muffy LavensTheme song courtesy of Ben Kunkel/Professor Soup

Live from the PR & COMMS SUMMIT, it's Just Following Up...Again. This season features a new mini-series called Live from Summit, where speakers who joined the Florida Public Relations Association for the 2025 PR & COMMS SUMMIT are highlighted and share additional information from their presentations. 
In the season three premiere, Alyson Sologaistoa, Vice President of Public Relations for Universal Orlando Resorts, shares what it took to launch EPIC Universe, the brand-new theme park at Universal Orlando Resort. From leveraging traditional media to engaging content creators, Alyson gives insights into how to build a successful campaign launch. 
Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know by filling out this form. For more information on the Central West Coast Chapter of FPRA visit https://cwcfpra.com/ 
The Live from the Summit mini-series is sponsored by Liquid Creative. Learn more at https://liquidcreativestudio.com/
Editing by Muffy LavensTheme song courtesy of Ben Kunkel/Professor Soup

This one is for the Swifties and anyone who is interested in learning more about the marketing and communications strategy behind Taylor Swift! In the season two finale, Dr. Alyse Lancaster walks us through her Taylor Swift themed class at the University of Miami’s School of Communications. Dr. Lancaster uses this class to tie pop culture into the communication space to help students remember the concepts better. From teasing releases to the legal battle of Taylor owning her early albums, Dr. Lanscaster covers it all. 

Digital marketing is an ever evolving landscape. In this episode Co-Communications Director Alyssa Barnsley speaks with Dr. Loran Jarrett to learn more about digital marketing and how Dr. Jarrett is preparing the next generation of marketers. 
 
Editing by Muffy LavensTheme song courtesy of Ben Kunkel/Professor Soup
 
Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know by filling out this form. For more information on the Central West Coast Chapter of FPRA visit https://cwcfpra.com/ 
 
Just Following Up...Again is sponsored by Next Mark. 
Next-Mark is a full-service, award-winning marketing communications agency based in Sarasota, FL. It helps business leaders beat their growth targets by delivering better competitive insights, more powerful branding, stronger strategies and faster results. Breaking away from the constraints of traditional marketing service organizations, the Next-Mark team facilitates new conversations about a client’s brand, integrating experience, analytics and innovation in developing strategic marketing solutions to meet clients’ individual needs. Next-Mark focuses on internationally and nationally recognized brands along with growing companies across a broad spectrum of categories, including healthcare, technology, hospitality and entertainment, not-for-profits, tourism, retail, destination, and real estate.
With clients from Beverly Hills to Amsterdam, its roster includes industry leaders like Simon Malls, Comcast/NBC, LexisNexis, Elsevier, CMX/Cinebistro, Medecision, California Pizza Kitchen, along with Florida-based clients such as The City of Sarasota, John Cannon Homes, DWYLA Architecture, Willis Smith Construction, St. Armands Circle, The Sarasota Players, First 1000 Days Suncoast, Yarnall Moving and Storage, CitySide Apartments, Sugar Champagne Bar, among others. Along with marketing communications solutions, Next-Mark is a Certified Salesforce Partner engaging with clients in over 18 states and Canada and is a proud longtime member of the Florida Public Relations Association. Learn more at https://next-mark.com/
 

Mission Mavericks was created by the Central West Coast Chapter to help local nonprofit organizations with communications guidance and support. In this episode, Linda and Paul Johnson, founders of Service Dogs Saving Lives (SDSL), sit down with the CWC Community team to discuss how the Mission Mavericks program benefited SDSL. 
Mission Mavericks consistently works with local area groups. Be sure to check https://cwcfpra.com/mission-mavericks/ for future application deadlines. 
 
Editing by Muffy LavensTheme song courtesy of Ben Kunkel/Professor Soup
 
Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know by filling out this form. For more information on the Central West Coast Chapter of FPRA visit https://cwcfpra.com/ 
 
Just Following Up...Again is sponsored by Next Mark. 
Next-Mark is a full-service, award-winning marketing communications agency based in Sarasota, FL. It helps business leaders beat their growth targets by delivering better competitive insights, more powerful branding, stronger strategies and faster results. Breaking away from the constraints of traditional marketing service organizations, the Next-Mark team facilitates new conversations about a client’s brand, integrating experience, analytics and innovation in developing strategic marketing solutions to meet clients’ individual needs. Next-Mark focuses on internationally and nationally recognized brands along with growing companies across a broad spectrum of categories, including healthcare, technology, hospitality and entertainment, not-for-profits, tourism, retail, destination, and real estate.
With clients from Beverly Hills to Amsterdam, its roster includes industry leaders like Simon Malls, Comcast/NBC, LexisNexis, Elsevier, CMX/Cinebistro, Medecision, California Pizza Kitchen, along with Florida-based clients such as The City of Sarasota, John Cannon Homes, DWYLA Architecture, Willis Smith Construction, St. Armands Circle, The Sarasota Players, First 1000 Days Suncoast, Yarnall Moving and Storage, CitySide Apartments, Sugar Champagne Bar, among others. Along with marketing communications solutions, Next-Mark is a Certified Salesforce Partner engaging with clients in over 18 states and Canada and is a proud longtime member of the Florida Public Relations Association. Learn more at https://next-mark.com/

In this episode, we dive into the LeadershipFPRA program. CWC Members Jennifer Hemmerdinger, APR and Laura Ansel, APR, CPRC share their experiences in the LeadershipFPRA program and how the program has impacted their careers. 
If you're ready to join LeadershipFPRA after listening to this episode, hurry over to the FPRA website. Applications for Class X are due by June 23, 2025.
Applications: https://www.fpra.org/professional-development/leadership-opportunities/leadershipfpra
 
Editing by Muffy LavensTheme song courtesy of Ben Kunkel/Professor Soup
 
Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know by filling out this form. For more information on the Central West Coast Chapter of FPRA visit https://cwcfpra.com/ 
 
Just Following Up...Again is sponsored by Next Mark. 
Next-Mark is a full-service, award-winning marketing communications agency based in Sarasota, FL. It helps business leaders beat their growth targets by delivering better competitive insights, more powerful branding, stronger strategies and faster results. Breaking away from the constraints of traditional marketing service organizations, the Next-Mark team facilitates new conversations about a client’s brand, integrating experience, analytics and innovation in developing strategic marketing solutions to meet clients’ individual needs. Next-Mark focuses on internationally and nationally recognized brands along with growing companies across a broad spectrum of categories, including healthcare, technology, hospitality and entertainment, not-for-profits, tourism, retail, destination, and real estate.
With clients from Beverly Hills to Amsterdam, its roster includes industry leaders like Simon Malls, Comcast/NBC, LexisNexis, Elsevier, CMX/Cinebistro, Medecision, California Pizza Kitchen, along with Florida-based clients such as The City of Sarasota, John Cannon Homes, DWYLA Architecture, Willis Smith Construction, St. Armands Circle, The Sarasota Players, First 1000 Days Suncoast, Yarnall Moving and Storage, CitySide Apartments, Sugar Champagne Bar, among others. Along with marketing communications solutions, Next-Mark is a Certified Salesforce Partner engaging with clients in over 18 states and Canada and is a proud longtime member of the Florida Public Relations Association. Learn more at https://next-mark.com/

State President Julie Frey, APR, CPRC and State President-Elect Lindsay Hudock, APR, CPRC sat down with CWC-FPRA President Hunter Carpenter, APR in this episode of Just Following Up…Again. They discuss the benefits of an FPRA member and some of the exciting programs on the horizon, including the PR & Comms Summit. Learn all about with FPRA has to offer in this episode.
 
Editing by MakSchu ProductionsTheme song courtesy of Ben Kunkel/Professor Soup
 
Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know by filling out this form. For more information on the Central West Coast Chapter of FPRA visit https://cwcfpra.com/ 
 
Just Following Up...Again is sponsored by Next Mark. 
Next-Mark is a full-service, award-winning marketing communications agency based in Sarasota, FL. It helps business leaders beat their growth targets by delivering better competitive insights, more powerful branding, stronger strategies and faster results. Breaking away from the constraints of traditional marketing service organizations, the Next-Mark team facilitates new conversations about a client’s brand, integrating experience, analytics and innovation in developing strategic marketing solutions to meet clients’ individual needs. Next-Mark focuses on internationally and nationally recognized brands along with growing companies across a broad spectrum of categories, including healthcare, technology, hospitality and entertainment, not-for-profits, tourism, retail, destination, and real estate.
With clients from Beverly Hills to Amsterdam, its roster includes industry leaders like Simon Malls, Comcast/NBC, LexisNexis, Elsevier, CMX/Cinebistro, Medecision, California Pizza Kitchen, along with Florida-based clients such as The City of Sarasota, John Cannon Homes, DWYLA Architecture, Willis Smith Construction, St. Armands Circle, The Sarasota Players, First 1000 Days Suncoast, Yarnall Moving and Storage, CitySide Apartments, Sugar Champagne Bar, among others. Along with marketing communications solutions, Next-Mark is a Certified Salesforce Partner engaging with clients in over 18 states and Canada and is a proud longtime member of the Florida Public Relations Association. Learn more at https://next-mark.com/

Just Following Up...Again is back with a very special interview with Joseph Grano, President and Founder of Next-Mark. In this episode, listeners will learn about Next-Mark's growth over the past 20th years and lessons in business Joe has learned through growing the company. Future entrepreneurs will also get some insight into how to start their own businesses. 
Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know by filling out this form.For more information on the Central West Coast Chapter of FPRA visit https://cwcfpra.com/ 
Editing by Muffy LavensTheme song courtesy of Ben Kunkel/Professor Soup
 
Just Following Up...Again is sponsored by Next Mark. 
Next-Mark is a full-service, award-winning marketing communications agency based in Sarasota, FL. It helps business leaders beat their growth targets by delivering better competitive insights, more powerful branding, stronger strategies and faster results. Breaking away from the constraints of traditional marketing service organizations, the Next-Mark team facilitates new conversations about a client’s brand, integrating experience, analytics and innovation in developing strategic marketing solutions to meet clients’ individual needs. Next-Mark focuses on internationally and nationally recognized brands along with growing companies across a broad spectrum of categories, including healthcare, technology, hospitality and entertainment, not-for-profits, tourism, retail, destination, and real estate.
With clients from Beverly Hills to Amsterdam, its roster includes industry leaders like Simon Malls, Comcast/NBC, LexisNexis, Elsevier, CMX/Cinebistro, Medecision, California Pizza Kitchen, along with Florida-based clients such as The City of Sarasota, John Cannon Homes, DWYLA Architecture, Willis Smith Construction, St. Armands Circle, The Sarasota Players, First 1000 Days Suncoast, Yarnall Moving and Storage, CitySide Apartments, Sugar Champagne Bar, among others. Along with marketing communications solutions, Next-Mark is a Certified Salesforce Partner engaging with clients in over 18 states and Canada and is a proud longtime member of the Florida Public Relations Association. Learn more at https://next-mark.com/

Those on the Suncoast likely know Linda Carson from ABC7's Suncoast View, but she has had an expansive career spanning decades. Linda started her TV career in 1964 as a "TV Weather Girl" at Channel 11 in Atlanta. She went on to become one of the first female TV reporters and one of the first prime time female anchors in the country. Through her career she covered the Civil Rights Movement focusing on Coretta Scott King, walked with President George Bush to the media center following Sept. 11th, and interviewed a death row inmate. In this episode, Linda shares her incredible journalism journey and offers a little advice to both journalists and PR professionals. 
Have a suggestion for a future episode? Let us know by filling out this form. For more information on the Central West Coast Chapter of FPRA visit https://cwcfpra.com/ 
Editing by MakSchu ProductionsTheme song courtesy of Ben Kunkel/Professor Soup
 
Just Following Up...Again is sponsored by Next Mark. 
Next-Mark is a full-service, award-winning marketing communications agency based in Sarasota, FL. It helps business leaders beat their growth targets by delivering better competitive insights, more powerful branding, stronger strategies and faster results. Breaking away from the constraints of traditional marketing service organizations, the Next-Mark team facilitates new conversations about a client’s brand, integrating experience, analytics and innovation in developing strategic marketing solutions to meet clients’ individual needs. Next-Mark focuses on internationally and nationally recognized brands along with growing companies across a broad spectrum of categories, including healthcare, technology, hospitality and entertainment, not-for-profits, tourism, retail, destination, and real estate.
With clients from Beverly Hills to Amsterdam, its roster includes industry leaders like Simon Malls, Comcast/NBC, LexisNexis, Elsevier, CMX/Cinebistro, Medecision, California Pizza Kitchen, along with Florida-based clients such as The City of Sarasota, John Cannon Homes, DWYLA Architecture, Willis Smith Construction, St. Armands Circle, The Sarasota Players, First 1000 Days Suncoast, Yarnall Moving and Storage, CitySide Apartments, Sugar Champagne Bar, among others. Along with marketing communications solutions, Next-Mark is a Certified Salesforce Partner engaging with clients in over 18 states and Canada and is a proud longtime member of the Florida Public Relations Association. Learn more at https://next-mark.com/