If audiences have fragmented attention and trust is harder to earn, what do you need to do? You don't need to burn it all down. It's about aligning your strategy to what works now. Gini Dietrich discusses how you can adapt the PESO Model© to function in a zero-click, zero-share world and how to structure your strategy for discover, trust, and measu…

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the frequent occurrence of receiving offers to buy agencies and how to handle these communications. They share their own experiences of receiving such emails, including the prevalence of fraudulent or unserious offers. Gini describes her method of vetting these emails, such as examining URLs and LinkedIn profi…

Remember when clicks, shares, and impressions were reliable measures of success? Those days are gone. In this episode, Gini Dietrich breaks down why AI-generated answers, algorithm-controlled feeds, and private, hidden sharing have fundamentally changed how audiences discover and trust your content. We’re living in a zero-click, zero-share, zero-vi…

What does it mean to work smarter not harder when it comes to your communications strategy? Often a 'more is more' strategy feels like the way to go - adding content and tasks and tactics, but you'll get much better results if you focus on alignment instead of addition, and that's what Gini Dietrich is talking about this week on the Spin Sucks Podc…

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the challenges of dealing with team members who may not be enthusiastic about the clients or the work your agency is doing. They cover whether agency owners should be concerned if their employees dislike the job, the consequences of ignoring such issues, and the importance of alignment between client work and …

The expectations for marketing and communications teams are higher than ever, and old systems aren't going to cut it. This week on the Spin Sucks Podcast, Gini Dietrich is talking about how the PESO Model© turns disconnected tactics into aligned strategy, vanity metrics into business results, and overwhelmed teams into confident, focused operators.…

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss how agency owners should handle situations when an employee resigns. They explore the emotional reactions owners might have, the importance of maintaining professionalism, and the need to gather more information from the departing employee. They emphasize the value of a cooling-off period to devise a rational …

It seems like AI content is everywhere these days - in your inbox, on LinkedIn - even in major publications. And for all the many amazing ways AI can help make you more effective, it needs to be supervised. Closely. On this week's episode of the Spin Sucks Podcast, Gini Dietrich is talking about how to walk the line between getting value out of AI …

In this episode, Chip and Gini highlight the challenges and potential pitfalls of over-relying on AI for content creation in PR and marketing. They discuss instances of AI-generated content gone wrong, such as the fake book list published by the Chicago Sun-Times and poorly crafted AI-generated pitches. The hosts emphasize the importance of human o…

In an environment that is constantly changing, you need to make sure that you are in partnership with your clients, and providing the strategy and insight they need to grow. This week on the Spin Sucks Podcast, Gini Dietrich is walking you through exactly how to change your relationship from vendor to business parter.…

In this episode, Chip and Gini delve into the challenge of agencies being brought in late on client projects. They discuss the common scenario where clients give last-minute requests and share strategies for becoming part of the planning process earlier. Key recommendations include integrating into internal communications, attending more meetings, …

Last week on the Spin Sucks Podcast, Gini Dietrich shared the 4 types of data stories you need to communicate your metrics effectively. This week, she is talking about how to take those stories to the next level, and make them relatable to the decision makers you're working with.By Gini Dietrich, Founder of Spin Sucks

When you're in communications, you need to make data compelling, and the best way to do that is through stories. On this week's episode of the Spin Sucks Podcast, Gini Dietrich is talking about the 4 types of Data Stories you need to be able to tease out and share.By Gini Dietrich, Founder of Spin Sucks

Do you know if your client's business is moving forward with all the data collected? This week on the Spin Sucks Podcast, Gini Dietrich is talking about how you can take your client's data and uncover the why behind the number by asking the questions they haven't asked yet.By Gini Dietrich, Founder of Spin Sucks

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss whether or not employees can be encouraged to be “more strategic”. They explore the definition of being strategic, frequently misunderstood expectations, and the challenges of fostering strategic thinking among team members. Gini shares her personal experiences and frustrations from her early career, emphasizi…

The PESO Model© will help you build an integrated communications strategy, but if you're not measuring the right things - the outcomes it's creating - then you're going to have a hard time proving it. This week on the Spin Sucks Podcast, Gini Dietrich is talking about how to stop measuring your activity, and start putting some real numbers around t…

In this episode, Chip and Gini delve into the topic of scope creep in agencies. They discuss the bell curve of profitability and the importance of setting clear expectations from the first client conversation. They highlight strategies like dividing projects into 90-day scopes to regularly reassess goals and deliverables. The duo emphasizes the sig…

Doing a little bit of everything - picking and choosing tactics - is NOT using the PESO Model©. This week on the Spin Sucks Podcast, Gini Dietrich is talking about the real power of the model: the integration. When you have a fully integrated PESO Model© strategy, then you have a replicable system that works in your sleep, with each element re-info…

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the psychology of pricing within agencies. They cover topics such as the importance of being confident in your pricing, avoiding negotiating against oneself, and the benefits of premium pricing. Gini highlights her experiences with male and female negotiators, emphasizing how women often undervalue themselves.…

As economic uncertainty and the pace of technological change increases around the world, the communications plans you made late last year might already need an update. On this week's episode of the Spin Sucks Podcast, Gini Dietrich is talking you through how you should be reviewing and updating your communications plans in light of this constantly …

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the prevalent issue of burnout among agency owners. They explore the different types of burnout, including cyclical and long-term burnout, and offer strategies to identify, cope with, and prevent it. Key recommendations include taking regular breaks, understanding personal energy drains and boosts, and adjusti…

A lot has changed since the PESO Model© was first released in 2014 - marketing and communications have all seen massive change - but the model has been there through it. On this week's episode of the Spin Sucks Podcast, Gini Dietrich is sharing the evolution and elevation of the PESO Model, so that the marketing communications professionals who use…

AI adoption in the PR industry has been huge, but you're not at risk of being replaced. AI is taking over the work that ultimately, we don't want to be doing, and on today's episode of the Spin Sucks Podcast, Gini Dietrich is sharing exactly how to get started, and where your human touch is, and will remain, needed.…

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the latest quarterly SAGA owner survey, which provides a mixed bag of results for agencies. They explore key findings, including the cautious optimism displayed by respondents, concerns about economic conditions, and the impact of government policies. Despite the varied performance of agencies, many are still …

When customer journeys are non-linear, and happening around the world, a one-size fits all approach to marketing an communication just doesn't work - but picking and choosing individual tactics from the PESO Model© won't fix the problem - you need a whole strategy. This week on the Spin Sucks Podcast, Gini Dietrich is talking about how large organi…

Being a good communicator means being able to effectively tell stories - that is what helps you build trust and relationships. On today's episode of the Spin Sucks Podcast, Gini Dietrich is talking about the stories that work best in business and how you can get comfortable telling them.By Gini Dietrich, Founder of Spin Sucks

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss what agency owners can do to weather the current climate of economic uncertainty and potential recession. They suggest preparing for different economic scenarios by creating best, neutral, and worst case plans, cutting unnecessary expenses, and keeping lines of communication open with team members. Chip and Gi…

Most brand stories miss the mark becuase they're focused on the wrong thing, don't resonate with the intended audience, or lack consistency accross different channels. But there is a way to do it right, and that's exactly what Gini Dietrich is sharing this week on the Spin Sucks Podcast.By Gini Dietrich, Founder of Spin Sucks

Requests for Proposals are the bane of many agency's existence, and although they're popular, they're rarely the best way to stary a new professional relationship. On this week's episode of the Spin Sucks Podcast, Gini Dietrich is talking about a better way to position yourself as an expert and get new business without the proposals.…

In this episode, Chip and Gini explore strategies for agency owners contemplating an exit plan. They discuss the importance of planning and the different options available, depending on the agency’s size and structure. They talk about the limited choices for solopreneurs, as well as a wider variety of possibilities for larger agencies, including me…

You've seen them on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube - they're an increasingly popular and important method of connecting with the people interested in the companies you represent. On this week's episode of the Spin Sucks podcast, Gini Dietrich is talking about how to use this format, and how to integrate it into your PESO Model© strategy.…

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the ongoing challenge of managing remote workers in the PR and marketing agency world. Five years after most agencies leaned in to remote or hybrid work models, many owners and managers continue to struggle with finding the right approach to managing employees that they don’t see in person every day. Chip and …

If AI is stopping people from clicking through to websites - what is the end goal for our PR work? That's what Gini Dietrich is exploring on this week's episode of the Spin Sucks Podcast: the challenges, the opportunities and what you should be tracking and prioritizing as the landscape keeps shifting.…

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the practical uses and pitfalls of AI in agency lead generation and business development. They criticize the common misuse of AI for impersonal, high-volume outreach, which often results in off-putting and ineffective communication. Instead, they advocate for leveraging AI as a tool to enhance efficiency in ta…

Gini Dietrich dives into AI and how PR professionals are the future of marketing. She discussed the future of paid media and using paid strategies to extend your reach with valuable content with the PESO Model. The key isn't reaching the most people; it's reaching the right people.By Gini Dietrich, Founder of Spin Sucks

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the transition from being a freelancer to an agency owner. They delve into the common fears and challenges associated with hiring employees and emphasize the importance of having structured processes and systems. The episode also explores topics such as the strategic direction of a business, handling pricing m…

Your intellectual property is the culmination of your experience, insights and proven methodologies - and you should make sure that your proprietary ideas, productized services and frameworks are unambiguously yours. On this week's episode of the Spin Sucks Podcast, Gini Dietrich is walking you through the exact steps to take to use you IP to becom…

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the importance of mentorship for small agency employees. They explore various approaches including informal and formal mentorships, organic development of mentor-mentee relationships, and bringing in external consultants for mentorship. Gini shares her personal experiences, highlighting the challenges of force…

AI search engines, and even traditional search engines using AI are changing how people look for and find information. For communicators, this means we need to update the way we're using the PESO Model© to make sure we're getting found where people are looking. On this week's episode of the Spin Sucks Podcast, Gini Dietrich is telling you how.…

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the complaint from owners that AI is preventing junior employees from learning how to do their jobs the right way. They refute arguments that AI is detrimental to learning the fundamentals, comparing it to outdated technologies like fax machines and card catalogs. They advocate for embracing AI, citing its eff…

The magic of the PESO model is integration between the different media types. Often the lines are blurred between the elements and that means you're doing it exactly right. On this week's episode of the Spin Sucks Podcast, Gini Dietrich is talking about how to be omnipresent, and why you need to create an environment around each opportunity you hav…

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the importance of satisfaction from the work you do for clients, both for agency owners and their teams. They explore how satisfaction can drive motivation, the significance of setting boundaries with clients, and the need for purpose in work. The conversation emphasizes the balance between achieving satisfact…

More and more of the public have trust issues with companies and media. Gini Dietrich reviews the Annual Edelman Trust Barometer Report and how you can use the PESO Model to address trust challenges in today's communication landscape.By Gini Dietrich, Founder of Spin Sucks

In this episode, Chip and Gini address the topic of pivoting for small agencies in response to changing economic and political climates. They discuss the importance of evaluating whether to switch niches, cautioning against overreacting to trends. They highlight the risks of chasing ‘gold rush’ industries like cannabis and AI without true expertise…

A mistake that companies and individuals often make with the PESO Model© is treating it like a checklist of tactics rather than what it really is - an integrated strategy. On This week's episode of the Spin Sucks Podcast, Gini Dietrich is talking about how to make sure you're getting all of the benefits of the system - not just a few wins here and …

In this episode, Chip and Gini dive into the topic of agencies doing subcontracted work for other agencies. Both share their personal experiences of starting and growing their businesses through such work. They discuss the advantages, such as faster decision-making processes and the opportunity to work with big clients without direct procurement ha…

Search is always changing, and as communications professionals, we don't always stay up to date on the latest. On this week's episode of the Spin Sucks Podcast, Gini Dietrich is sharing how you should be updating your SEO strategy in 2025 to make sure that the people who need to find your content, do.…

In this episode, Chip and Gini tackle the challenges of staffing, particularly in response to landing a large contract. They discuss a Reddit user’s question about managing a $2 million account and emphasize the importance of involving key team members throughout the business development process, rather than afterward. The hosts advocate for a tier…

There are things AI can do. Lots of them, in fact. But it can't do everything and it can't replace a solid communications plan and team. This week on the Spin Sucks Podcast, Gini Dietrich is talking about how AI can enhance your PESO Model© Strategy in 2025 - complete with measurement and integration.…

In this episode, Chip and Gini discuss the findings from the SAGA quarterly survey of small agency owners. They cover insights on optimism in business outlook despite recent challenges, with a focus on talent-related issues such as compensation, retention, and recruiting. They delve into some surprising statistics, such as one in five agency owners…