The 20+ best PR & comms thought leaders to follow in 2024
Trying to find PR and comms inspiration on your social media feeds? Look no further than the following thought leaders who will keep you abreast of all things PR, comms, and marketing.
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For those who aren't aware of this quite jargon-y term, a thought leader is at the top of their industry and shares their perspectives, wisdom, and expertise on a topic within said industry. Thought leaders aren't just "people who do PR".
Thought leaders specifically take time out of their day to help other people do PR better. This can be through sharing and amplifying content, sending out helpful tips, or building the best PR community spaces. Having such a human on board can be a perfect opportunity for a little inbound PR coming your way.
We also know that public relations and comms professionals wear many hats throughout the course of a day, and PR professionals are not a monolith. Many are agency, freelance, in-house. PR spans every conceivable industry and niche. PR folks are increasingly expected to be content writers, digital marketers, web developers, social media managers, and more.
This list reflects the many hats of PR and includes a sprinkling of marketing, copywriting, and SEO voices so we can all be our best, most well-rounded professional selves.
Before we dive in, here are a few things to note before perusing:
- This list is not comprehensive. There are many PR thought leaders out there making big moves that we haven't even heard of yet.
- This list is not in order. We didn't rank anyone; we're just here to appreciate the good vibes of the creators.
- This list isn't done. We'll keep adding, updating, and developing the list as we discover more industry thought leaders. If you have a suggestion, send it our way!
![[browser]](https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/3425f45a-b60a-412b-8839-65251d94629f/image.png "[browser]")
Platforms: X, LinkedIn, website
Topics: Freelance, PR, writing, B2B
Why you should follow: PR consultant Michelle Garrett is a staple of PR Twitter as well as the LinkedIn community. Not only does she share her thoughts on freelancing, writing, public relations, and everything in between, but she also runs the #FreelanceChat LinkedIn group.
Remember - the best compliment you can give a freelancer is a referral.
![[browser]](https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/2bbbb35a-c985-418f-b5bc-ff7d018fdc28/image.png "[browser]")
Topics: PR, B2B tech, content marketing
Platforms: X, LinkedIn, website
Why you should follow: Follow Frank if you enjoy discussing comms, finding new PR articles, and digesting unique perspectives on hot topics. He releases a monthly roundup of goings-on in public relations. We personally find his takes on social media and AI to be quite enjoyable to read.
Public relations is an approach - not a series of tasks to be completed every day.
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![Cision vs Meltwater vs Prezly: Which One Is Better? [2024]](https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/10383ab0-88f1-4ac7-994e-a035003a47c7/-/resize/3000/prezly-vs-cision-meltwater.png)
We put all three to the test, so you can see which has the right strengths to fit your needs.
Topics: Reputation management, podcasting, leadership
Platforms: X, LinkedIn, website
Why you should follow: Tonya is a podcaster, PR pro, author, and speaker who shares about all things reputation and communications on her social media. Tonya is great to follow for tips on having a successful PR relationship and talks candidly about the importance of good PR.
![[browser]](https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/0e210182-5955-4631-a6a7-506bced0582b/image.png "[browser]")
Topics: Podcasting, PR
Platforms: X, LinkedIn, website
Why you should follow: Podcasting is bigger than ever. It's also a great way to get eyes (or, more accurately, ears) on your brand. Michelle Glogovac is a publicist, author, and podcast enthusiast. She shares insider tips and tricks about leveraging the power of podcasts for your (or your brand's) message, and she recently released a new book on the topic, "How To Get on Podcasts."
Reminder that PR is a LONG game. I pitched a show back in January (and followed up). Got the YES today...10 months later! PR is about patience! #PRTwitter
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Topics: PR, marketing
Platforms: X, LinkedIn, website
Why you should follow: Follow Rich to gain insights into PR in the modern, technology-driven world. His feed is a little bit funny and a little bit informative (a mixture we enjoy). We're also big fans of his side project @famouscampaigns, which showcases creative, inspiring, and thought-provoking marketing and PR campaigns from around the world.
Hi, I work in PR. You may know me from my greatest hits, including, “No, I cannot guarantee that you will go ‘viral’”, “Did it get a follow link?”, “No, I didn’t know Max Clifford” and “Yes, I know it has the journalist’s name on it, but I was involved, honest.”
Hi, I’m a climate scientist. You may know me from my greatest hits including, “No, it’s not a natural cycle,” “Yes, I know it’s been warmer before (and the only reason YOU know is because we scientists told you so),” and “Just because it’s on YouTube doesn’t mean it’s true.”
![[browser]](https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/e656a6f1-5f95-4f09-b336-6015343962b5/image.png "[browser]")
Topics: Media, podcasting,
Platforms: X, LinkedIn, website
Why you should follow: Podcast host, PR consultant, author, TV journalist – what doesn't Christina do? Follow her for advice and tips about landing legacy and digital media opportunities for clients. If social media isn't enough inspo, she also has a newsletter and regular podcast (details on her website).
💡 Watch our PR Roundtable with Christina about how to pitch your clients to podcasts!
Strategic PR is slow PR. I know, it doesn't sound fun or sexy. But more things that work usually aren't. Build your media list one journalist at a time. Pitch one journalist at a time. Connect with the journalist before pitching them.
![[browser]](https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/96b386e2-f1b0-47a9-8170-09120cc7e61e/image.png "[browser]")
Topics: Reputation management, public relations
Platforms: X, LinkedIn, website
Why you should follow: Amith literally wrote the PR book on reputation management. As our work lives and personal lives slowly merge into one, thanks to the ubiquity of the internet and the importance of us regular human nobodies to "be a brand", the need for reputation management has never been greater.
A lot of people including journalists & even corporate communications people assume public relations = media relations. It's NOT. PR is many things and media relations is just one of them. Important to understand.
With your business, not with each other. That would be creepy.
Prezly – software for modern PR teams
Write & publish brand stories in an online newsroom
Send email campaigns, pitches & newsletters
Manage all your contact lists in a single CRM, with easy import & export
Measure performance with analytics & built-in media monitoring
![[browser]](https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/c6cf8b5d-c903-48a9-9c83-4249c0bcaabf/image.png "[browser]")
Topics: Strategy, media relations, public relations
Platforms: X
Why you should follow: Sarolta is a fantastic follow if you're looking for tips, tricks, and advice from a PR perspective. She also hosts the regular #MediaRelationsChat. She shares inspiration for PR professionals to do their jobs with even more strategic pizzazz.
Actually, it is your choice what type of PR pro you want to be. Social butterfly, planning events Introvert, writing all-day Spokesperson thrilled by challenges Crisis expert getting the buzz from edgy situations It's your call. who are you?
![[browser]](https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/1e9d60f5-4430-4473-812f-2103b5529993/image.png "[browser]")
Topics: Content, media, public relations
Platforms: X, LinkedIn, website
Why you should follow: It would be impossible for us not to include the Spin Sucks maven herself, Gini Dietrich. Follow Gini for interesting articles and bits of inspiration from the comms world.
💡 Watch our PR Roundtable episode with Gini, where she talks about the importance of good PR strategy!
What is the #PESOModel? We give you a breakdown on what it is, how to plan for it, how to implement it, and what to measure.
![[browser]](https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/02f68fda-4fcd-4b21-af9d-6ae1e57099b0/image.png "[browser]")
Topics: Strategy, content, freelance
Platforms: X, LinkedIn, website
Why you should follow: High-quality content is more important than ever. If you want advice on creating the best content and copy possible for your clients or brand, give Fi a follow.
I love this. I've always kinda hated how 'personas' in marketing get a lot of elevation as a 'thing'. 🤷🏻♀️ Personas for hands-on marketers? Useless. What's useful? Understanding target customer PROBLEMS, not PERSONAS. 🥁
![[browser]](https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/6f978910-7f50-43da-a008-d48e9d0f157d/image.png "[browser]")
Topics: Communications, B2B, PR
Why you should follow: Advice and insight on B2B comms from a professional in the business. Follow Tolulope as she shares industry insights, resources, and advice.
Don’t just delegate duties, delegate powers too. Don’t give people KPIs without equipping them with resources to do a good job. Don’t set people up for failure.
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Topics: Digital marketing, content, social media
Platforms: X, LinkedIn, website
Why you should follow: Neal shares insights and advice about connecting with customers through the power of digital marketing and social media. He talks often about content, AI, personal branding, and more.
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Topics: SEO, digital marketing, search
Platforms: X, LinkedIn, website
Why you should follow: Neil Patel is a constant source of well-researched insights into digital marketing, SEO, and data-driven strategy. He helps you grow your marketing skills and use data to inform said marketing skills. Cool guy.
If your marketing feels like marketing, you're doing something wrong.
![[browser]](https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/f2585f9e-4035-4a81-a5e8-07bcc20d47c9/image.png "[browser]")
Platforms: X, LinkedIn, website
Topics: Social media, PR industry, tech in PR
Why you should follow: Tressa shares engaging PR and agency life perspectives. Her feed is filled with snippets and resources around modernizing your PR efforts with the constantly evolving technological advances.
I've only seen a few uses of #PRTwitter, but great idea! 👋 Hi y'all! I'm Tressa. I'm head of client onboarding for @BurrellesUS. I'm both a @PRSA member and @PRCA_UK, I write for the blog and manage our social media accts as well. Previously worked in agency PR and corp comms.
![[browser]](https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/63dacb03-6178-43eb-8272-eae132588500/image.png "[browser]")
Platforms: X, LinkedIn, Instagram, website
Topics: Public relations, comms, real talk
Why you should follow: Bill shares his unfiltered thoughts on the state of comms and PR. His is a refreshingly honest look at an industry that often sugarcoats the BS.
Clarity leads to efficiency. And cost savings. Leaders... It matters in the emails you send to your team members. Don't f*&king subject-jack. Spend five extra minutes giving details and the WHY. Don't leave your team guessing. #CorporateComms #PublicReleations
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Their platforms: X, LinkedIn, website
Topics: PR, management, comms
Why you should follow: Advisor. Instructor. PhD student. What isn't Stephen Waddington doing in the world of PR? If you're looking for a man who has his finger on the pulse of modern PR, look no further.
💡 Watch our PR Roundtable with Stephen as we break down the day's biggest stories.
How to get ahead in PR #1 Work hard #2 Create value #3 Be enthusiastic #4 Build lifelong relationships #5 Don't be a dick #firstPRjob
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Platforms: X, LinkedIn, website
Topics: PR, comms education
Why you should follow: Ron Culp is a PR consultant and educator who often discusses all things PR, but often with an emphasis on students, ongoing education, and mastering the basics. Follow Ron for a levelheaded take on the hottest topics.
Duke endorses all points, except those requiring human exercise.
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Topics: Social media, PR, community building
Why you should follow: Kami dives into many relevant topics in today's PR – community, strategy, visibility, content, and more.
A1: Being human means building relationships. It's easy to post and run. I have been guilty. But relationships work better. #TwitterSmarter
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Platforms: X, LinkedIn, website
Topics: PR, strategy, marketing
Why you should follow: Follow Deirdre to learn more about the intersection of marketing, PR, and social. She shares resources and advice about leveling up your communication in the digital age.
A1. It doesn’t matter if you’re writing for a brochure, website or a Facebook post ... grammar, spelling and your words matter. #PRSSA
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Platforms: X, LinkedIn, website
Topics: PR, AI, futurism, tech
Why you should follow: Curious how the PR industry is changing with modern tech? Stuart Bruce talks all things futurism and PR on his socials, and he's a great person to follow to know what's coming up next in the industry.
👇💯 It's rarely just about communications. It's nearly always about behaviour. That's why I like the term public relations as it makes it clear it's about relationships which depend more on what you do than what you say. PR needs direct access to CEO who decides behaviour.
It’s seldom a smart move for an organization’s public relations success to lower the communications function reporting line down from the CEO to a lesser executive. Especially at a time when comms is more important than ever – and leadership communication particularly so.
Our list is far from comprehensive because the internet is vast. We are relying on you, dear reader, to let us know who we missed and who should be added to the list.
Please share your thoughts with us on X or send us an email, and we will be happy to take a look. If your favorite thought leader inspires us, we will consider throwing them on the list.
For more ongoing education inspiration, check out our 15 favorite PR blogs and our top comms newsletters!
Are you a PR thought leader? Let us help you do your amazing media relations with Prezly, your all-in-one PR powerhouse. Try it out now for free! 👇
Prezly – software for modern PR teams
Write & publish brand stories in an online newsroom
Send email campaigns, pitches & newsletters
Manage all your contact lists in a single CRM, with easy import & export
Measure performance with analytics & built-in media monitoring
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