ITK Radio | Aaron Kwittken

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

ITK Radio | Andrew Mack

On this episode of ITK Radio, a conversation with Andrew Mack.

Andrew is currently the Founder + CEO @ Agromovil.

Andrew is a seasoned, innovative international development and international business professional with nearly 30 years of experience working with Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East.

Andrew is an internationally-recognized facilitator with deep expertise in partnership development, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and a special focus on information technology and health.

Andrew is a business owner with clients from donor agencies like the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Bank to Fortune 500 companies, foundations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), specializing in finding creative and sustainable commercial solutions.

Andrew holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and history from Amherst College and an MA in international relations from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

You can find Andrew on LinkedIn here.

 
 

Insights + Ideas:

Agromovil was born out of a simple realization – tremendous trapped value exists in the current inefficient agriculture ecosystem. The company's simple goal is to unlock that value, profitably getting more and fresher food to market worldwide.

Learn more about Agromovil here.

+ Today, 90+% of the world’s farms are off the data map. Farmers need visibility - the chance to raise their hand and be seen.

+ "Pattern matching is effectively the buy-sell match is the thing that needs to happen to scale."

+ "You can power thru with expertise in a lot of things, but part of what makes the next phase of one's career really interesting is when you're outside of your comfort zone, and you're looking at something you don't particularly know with a child's eyes."

+ The need to make your service/business model ruthlessly simple and make it urgent.

+ "What can we take out?"

+ "Food is today what energy was 10 years ago."

+ Insights on US Vice President Kamala Harris's three-nation Africa visit.

ITK Radio | Ada Polla

On this episode of ITK Radio, a conversation with Ada Polla.

Ada is currently the CEO @ Alchimie Forever.

In 2004, Ada set out to launch her family's Swiss-based skincare line in the US. Today, the brand boasts global visibility and distribution, thanks to her focus and determination, which have yielded double-digit annual growth and garnered her several press-worthy opportunities to communicate her family's knowledge and passion for the science of anti-aging skincare.

In addition to her responsibilities at Alchimie Forever, she still finds time to be involved in several ventures, such as the Washington Spa Alliance and Fashion Group International, where she serves on the board as Founding Member and Treasurer, respectively. In addition, Ada operates on the Editorial Board of GCI Magazine and the HBA Conference Advisory Board.

A native of Switzerland, Ada holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and art history from Harvard University and an MBA from Georgetown University.

You can find Ada on LinkedIn here.

Insights + Ideas:

Hammond, Louisiana Wikipedia

+ Embracing geography to be a better CEO

+ Using an origin story to help propel a business

+ Communicating in a way to connects with your audience + where they are

+ Being in the field to learn and recognize players in your business ecosystem

+ "Pick your hard."

+ Using business school to explore ideas and business models

+ Ideas on planning your day + scheduling your day + reducing stress by hitting the ground running

+ "Eat the frog for breakfast."

Watch: NCIS Wikipedia

Read: The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday

Read: Fierce Fairytales: Poems and Stories to Stir Your Soul by Nikita Gill

Connect with Alchimie Forever:

Website

Instagram

YouTube

Twitter

TikTok

Connect with Ada Polla:

LinkedIn

Instagram