On this episode of ITK Radio, a conversation with Aaron Kwittken.

Aaron is currently the Founder + CEO @ PRophet.

PRophet (prprophet.ai) is the first-ever generative and predictive AI SaaS platform designed by and for the PR community. The platform uses AI to help modern PR professionals become more performative, productive, and predictive by generating, analyzing, and testing content that predicts earned media interest and sentiment.

Aaron is also CEO of the Comms Tech Unit for the Stagwell Marketing Cloud, a suite of AI SaaS solutions for PR, social media, and content creators.

Aaron founded KWT Global in late 2005 (f/k/a Kwittken), a highly acclaimed global PR and brand strategy consultancy where he currently serves as Chairman Emeritus. Stagwell Global acquired KWT Global in 2010.

A highly acclaimed industry leader, serial entrepreneur, and seasoned corporate affairs and integrated communications strategist for more than 30 years, Aaron began his career in Washington, DC, in public affairs and crisis management and held numerous senior agency leadership roles before starting his own firm in late 2005.

He’s counseled hundreds of organizations, from F100 listed companies to private and high-growth brands alike, spanning multiple sectors.

A proud George Washington University alum, Aaron serves on GW’s School of Media and Public Affairs advisory committee. He is the immediate past president of the Public Relations Society of New York, past president of the Americas for the International Communications Consultancy Organization, a former Board member of the PR Council, a former adjunct professor at New York University, and a former Forbes columnist.

He currently writes a monthly column for The Drum and is the creator and host of the popular Brand on Purpose podcast that features companies and leaders that do well by doing good.

You can find Aaron on LinkedIn here.

Insights + Ideas:

+ The power of a challenger mindset

+ Creating an AI that is both predictive and generative

+ Using the TV character Taylor from Billons as inspiration for building a new service for PR pros

+ Ending "spray and pray" media pitches

+ Thinking of PR pros as "communications engineers" who have the skills to be predictive, performative, and productive

+ "It is easier to be an entrepreneur if you have domain expertise"

+ How to use thought leadership as a promotional tool for a founder and a company, plus for an inbound tool to get feedback from the marketplace

+ "Be a Swiss army knife"

+ "It is important to have well-rounded and dynamic inputs as we do outputs"

+ "AI is not going to replace us, it is going to make us better"

+ How to approach AI from a C-suite perspective - what should a senior executive consider?

+ How will universities and college degree programs add AI to the study of communications and public relations?

+ The rise of "comms tech"

+ Fresh Air from WHYY, the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues, is one of public radio's most popular programs. NPR

+ Real Time with Bill Maher: Maher welcomes a panel of three guests from diverse parts of the political spectrum for a lively discussion of current events. Also usually included as part of the show are a comedic monologue and an interview with a newsmaker or political figure. HBO