Copper State of Mind: public relations, media, and marketing in Arizona

Copper State of Mind: public relations, media, and marketing in Arizona

Copper State of Mind is a public relations podcast for Arizona executives, business owners, and directors of marketing and communications who want to increase the effectiveness of their PR, media, and marketing campaigns. From messaging and media relations to content strategy and crisis management, the dollars your organization spends on integrated marketing communications are an investment that helps boost your brand, break through the noise, and drive business results. Join Abbie Fink, President of HMA Public Relations, and Dr. Adrian McIntyre, cultural anthropologist and communication adviser, as they explore today’s communications challenges and share insights, stories, and strategies to help your message reach its target audience. Copper State of Mind is a project of HMA Public Relations, a full-service public relations and marketing communications agency in Phoenix and the oldest continuously operating PR firm in Arizona. With more than 40 years of experience helping clients tell their stories, HMA Public Relations is committed to your success. Learn more at https://hmapr.com The show is recorded and produced in the studio of PHX.fm, the leading independent B2B podcast network in Phoenix, AZ. Learn more at https://phx.fm

Episodes

June 6, 2025 24 mins

There is an urgent threat facing public media in the United States: a proposed federal budget cut that would not only threaten its future, but also "claw back" funding that's already been awarded to public television and radio stations across the country.

Read the transcript and notes for this episode on our website.

Adrian McIntyre opens with a personal anecdote about the impact of public media on his family, setting the stage fo...

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Local news is facing serious challenges everywhere, with more than half the counties in the United States lacking any source of community reporting.

Chris Kline, CEO of the Arizona Media Association, joins us to talk about the Arizona Community Collaborative and its efforts to revitalize local news in Arizona with a bold, statewide storytelling initiative focused on the topic of education solutions.

Backed by a coalition of nearly 4...

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Abbie and Adrian discuss the value of postgraduate degrees, questioning whether formal education is necessary for success in today’s job market.

Abbie emphasizes that while she values her Master's degree for personal growth, she believes that education doesn’t always have to come from traditional institutions. She talks about the importance of trade skills, the evolving nature of professional qualifications, and the need for contin...

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Abbie and Adrian discuss the perspectives of recent college graduates and the unique challenges they face in today's job market. In an era where technology has rendered remote work more accessible, new grads are asking critical questions about workplace culture and the boundaries of work-life balance.

Abbie shares her thoughts on the relevance of working "9 to 5" (and sings a little Dolly Parton in the process). Are outdated workpl...

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April 18, 2025 23 mins

Abbie and Adrian discuss the importance of showing appreciation through small yet impactful gestures. While many people recognize the importance of these actions, consistently putting them into practice can be a challenge amidst the chaos of everyday life.

Abbie shares a personal experience from a recent business trip, emphasizing how simple acts, like delivering handwritten notes to media contacts, can create lasting impressions an...

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Abbie and Adrian talk about bridging the gap between what can be measured and what truly matters in communications and public relations.

They discuss how the phrase "what gets measured gets managed"—often wrongly attributed to Peter Drucker—can be misleading since not everything that truly matters can be quantified and counted.

Abbie shares her experiences from earlier in her career, reminiscing about the era of clip books, where ...

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This episode explores how employees can become powerful brand ambassadors, influencing public perception and enhancing brand communication.

Abbie and Adrian discuss findings from a PR Week/Cision study showing that today's audiences increasingly trust employees' voices over paid celebrity endorsements.

This change marks a notable shift in consumer behavior and brand strategy, showcasing the critical role trust plays in modern marke...

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The 2025 Comms Report by Cision and PRWeek highlights the significant impact of AI on the PR industry, touching on both the opportunities and concerns AI presents.

Abbie and Adrian discuss how AI is becoming an integral part of their workflows, while also addressing fears about job security and budget impacts. They emphasize the importance of adapting to these changes by equipping oneself with AI knowledge to enhance professional va...

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Abbie and Adrian discuss the backlash against Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) programs amidst changing federal policies and ongoing cultural debates. They explore the tension between maintaining an inclusive workplace and the pushback against such initiatives, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue, factual evidence, and continuous learning.

The conversation touches on "merit," the value of diverse voices, a...

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Abbie and Adrian talk about the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer report, which reveals rising global grievances and declining trust in institutions. They explore how businesses, governments, and NGOs can rebuild trust amidst economic and social challenges.

The discussion centers on the role of transparent communication, responsible leadership, how generational differences affect perceptions of trust and "hostile activism," as well as w...

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It's National Mentoring Month, and Abbie Fink and Adrian McIntyre talk about the transformative power of mentoring and its impact on their personal lives and professional careers.

They discuss the essence of mentorship, emphasizing the importance of both giving and receiving guidance. They reflect on their own experiences with mentors, highlighting how these relationships can profoundly impact one's career trajectory, and they shar...

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A high-profile legal battle has erupted in Hollywood involving Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, following allegations of sexual harassment during the production of the film It Ends With Us.

Abbie Fink and Adrian McIntyre talk about the complexities of reputation management in the public relations field, raising ethical concerns around the tactics used by both celebrities and their representatives.

They discuss how these cases refle...

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The recent $15 million settlement between ABC News and President-elect Trump has sparked significant concern about the future of objective reporting and press freedom.

Abbie and Adrian discuss the implications of this case, exploring how such legal actions can influence journalistic integrity and the delicate balance between business interests and the truth.

They talk about the evolving role of media as both a watchdog and a busine...

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The holiday season presents unique challenges for communications professionals as we navigate a crowded landscape of messaging and marketing. With many shoppers planning their purchases well in advance—some starting as early as Labor Day—it's crucial for brands and organizations to strategize their communications well ahead of time.

Abbie emphasizes the importance of starting holiday conversations early to ensure messages reach the...

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The decline of local media outlets in the United States poses significant threats to democracy and community engagement. Abbie Fink and Adrian McIntyre discuss the phenomenon of "news deserts," areas devoid of reliable local news sources, drawing on a comprehensive study by Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Media and Integrated Marketing Communications that tracks the scale and impact of shrinking local journal...

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As the United States navigates the turbulent waters of a presidential transition, the ripple effects of the presidential election will be felt across the globe. A growing division in society—fueled by media that profits from polarization—calls for a reevaluation of how businesses and organizations communicate.

In this episode, Abbie and Adrian talk about emotional responses to the election results, highlighting the necessity for ef...

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Abbie Fink, the new sole owner of HMA Public Relations, shares her journey of transitioning from vice president to president and the challenges she faced during this significant change.

Abbie and Adrian discuss the intricacies of business ownership, including the emotional and financial aspects of Abbie buying out her business partner, Scott Hanson, who retired after many successful years together.

Abbie highlights the importance o...

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How do you communicate your best ideas and strategies to your audience? What are the possibilities and potential pitfalls of "thought leadership"? How do you know when you've accomplished the goals of your content strategy or marketing campaigns?

In this episode, Abbie Fink and Adrian McIntyre talk about the 83 podcast episodes they've recorded together since 2019 and why Abbie has decided to "pause" the Copper State of Mind podcas...

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In this episode, Abbie Fink and Adrian McIntyre talk with Jackie Yoder, COO of Wilde Wealth Management.

Jackie Yoder joined Wilde Wealth Management in March of 2020. As Chief Operating Officer, she leverages her excellent leadership and teamwork skills in order to ensure that objectives are completed to the highest standard. Jackie brings with her a background in Sales Accounting, and Financial Advising. Prior to her position at Wil...

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In this episode, Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre talk with Melanie Green about law firm marketing and communications.

Melanie Green loves working with lawyers and building teams to support them. She currently serves as the chief marketing and business development officer at Fish & Richardson, a premier intellectual property and litigation law firm. With over 20 years of experience in the legal marketing industry, Melanie is ...

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