Season One comes full circle as Robyn Patterson welcomes back Mack Media Relations team member Erica Shipione for a candid conversation celebrating the end of the first season of Pitch & Tell.

From surprising public relations statistics to the growing role of AI in communications, Robyn and Erica break down what's changing in the marketing world—and what business owners need to know to stay ahead. They also discuss why authentic storytelling continues to outperform traditional advertising, how media relationships are evolving, and why the best influencers often aren't influencers at all.

To wrap things up, they lighten the mood with a fun game of "Pitch or Pass," debating everything from cat yoga studios and luxury pickleball resorts to divorce party planners and airport nap pods.

In this episode:
Why earned media still beats paid advertising
How AI is transforming public relations and marketing
What journalists actually want from a pitch
The rise of micro-influencers and authentic content
Why Taylor Swift can change entire marketing calendars
Fun business ideas during "Pitch or Pass"
A look back at Season One of Pitch & Tell
If you've enjoyed Season One, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share the show with someone who loves great conversations about business, branding, and storytelling.

Follow Pitch & Tell:
Instagram: @pitchandtellpodcast

Follow Robyn Patterson:
Instagram: @robynpatterson

Follow Mack Media Relations:
Instagram: @mackmediarelations

Follow Erica Shipione:
Instagram: @ericaship

What does it really take to build one of Arizona's premier luxury aesthetics practices?

In this episode of Pitch & Tell, Robyn Patterson sits down with Holly Mueller, founder of Med 44 Arcadia, to talk about the journey from registered dietitian and nurse to building a concierge medical aesthetics practice known for natural results, exceptional patient care, and an unmatched client experience.

Holly shares the personal experiences that inspired her career, the four-year process of transforming her dream location into reality, and why building relationships—not selling treatments—is the foundation of her business. She also discusses entrepreneurship, leadership, luxury branding, the importance of public relations, and how creating confidence in others has become her life's work.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or simply interested in the business of beauty, this conversation is packed with valuable insights on building a brand that people trust.

In this episode:

• Holly's journey from nurse to founder of Med 44 Arcadia
• Why confidence changed the course of her life
• Building a luxury client experience from the ground up
• Common misconceptions about owning a medical aesthetics practice
• Lessons learned growing a successful business
• Why PR has been a game changer for Med 44
• Leadership, hiring, and building a strong team
• The future of aesthetics, technology, and personalized patient care

Follow our guests:
• Med 44 Arcadia: @med44arcadia
• Robyn Patterson: @robynmpat
• Pitch & Tell Podcast: @pitchandtellpodcast

What do you do when life's greatest heartbreak becomes your calling?
In this episode of Pitch & Tell, Robyn Patterson sits down with Chrisie Abramo, President of the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children, to share the deeply personal story that inspired her life's work.

After losing her daughter, Ava, to stage 4 neuroblastoma, Chrisie transformed unimaginable grief into a mission to ensure no family faces childhood cancer alone. She opens up about the emotional and financial realities of caring for a child with cancer, the challenges of building a nonprofit from the ground up, and the importance of surrounding yourself with partners who genuinely believe in your mission.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that purpose can emerge from life's darkest moments and that hope often begins with one person choosing to make a difference.

In this episode:
Chrisie's journey after losing her daughter, Ava
The mission behind the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children
The hidden struggles families face during childhood cancer
Building a nonprofit rooted in compassion and community
Why mission-driven partnerships matter
Chrisie's vision for supporting every Arizona family affected by childhood cancer

Follow @pitchandtellpodcast for more inspiring conversations with Arizona's business leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.

Follow @robynpatterson for behind-the-scenes insights and public relations expertise.

Follow @azcancerfoundation to support families facing childhood cancer and learn how you can make a difference.

What does it take to turn a passion for wine into a nationally recognized brand?

In this episode of Pitch & Tell, Robyn Patterson sits down with Amy and Trevor, the founders of Wine Girl, to discuss the journey from a small wine bar concept in Scottsdale to a rapidly growing brand with locations in Scottsdale, Napa, and San Diego.

The conversation covers:
How they discovered the Scottsdale location that launched Wine Girl
Opening a brand-new business during the COVID-19 shutdowns
Expanding into Napa and San Diego
The challenges of scaling a hospitality brand
Building a successful merchandise business alongside their wine bars
Their experience appearing on Shark Tank and how national media changed their business overnight
The role of PR, influencers, and social media in growing a modern brand
Lessons for entrepreneurs looking to break into hospitality, retail, or e-commerce

Amy and Trevor also share candid insights about finding locations, navigating city regulations, creating products customers love, and why staying visible is critical in today's business landscape.

Learn more about Wine Girl
🍷 Scottsdale
🍷 Napa Valley
🍷 San Diego

What does it take to build an award-winning restaurant that stands the test of time?

In this episode of Pitch & Tell, host Robyn Patterson sits down with acclaimed Scottsdale chef and restaurateur Gio Osso, owner of Vertù Honest Craft and Pizzeria Virtù. From growing up in an Italian family where food was the center of everything to becoming a James Beard-nominated chef, Gio shares the experiences, challenges, and philosophies that have shaped his career.

They discuss:
The inspiration behind Vertù Honest Craft
Why changing the menu every week became part of the restaurant's identity
Opening Pizzeria Virtù just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic
The role PR played in growing his restaurants and personal brand
Navigating traditional media, influencers, and social media
Why authenticity matters more than personality when you're in front of a camera
What's next for Gio and his restaurants

Whether you're a restaurateur, entrepreneur, marketer, or simply someone who appreciates great food and hospitality, this conversation offers valuable insights into building a lasting brand and creating unforgettable experiences.

Tatum Beck joins Pitch & Tell for an honest conversation about what it really takes to build a career as a full time influencer in today’s social media world.
With more than 3 million followers across platforms and currently appearing on Fear Factor, Tatum opens up about the reality behind viral content, brand deals, PR relationships, online criticism, creator burnout, and the pressure of constantly living life online.

In this episode, Tatum shares:
• How she accidentally started her influencer career during COVID
• The truth about brand deals, rates, gifting, and managers
• Why engagement matters more than follower count
• The pressure and anxiety that comes with social media
• How influencers actually work with PR agencies and brands
• Why authenticity matters more than trends
• The emotional side of being publicly judged online
• How she balances content creation with real life

Robyn Patterson and Tatum also dive into the evolution of influencer marketing and why creators have become one of the most valuable tools in modern PR strategy.

Follow Tatum Beck:
TikTok: @tatumbeck
Instagram: @tatum_beck

In this episode of Pitch & Tell, Robyn Patterson sits down with Stephanie Clark, Executive Vice President at Havas Red, for an inside look at how public relations has evolved from traditional media outreach into culture-driven storytelling powered by influencers, experiential marketing, podcasts, and digital media.

Stephanie shares her journey from Arizona State’s Walter Cronkite School to helping launch the Phoenix office of Havas Red and eventually leading campaigns for nationally recognized consumer brands across beauty, hospitality, food & beverage, tech, and lifestyle.

The conversation dives into:

• How PR has changed over the last decade
• Why influencer marketing now plays such a major role in campaigns
• What brands need to do to actually stand out today
• The impact AI is having on communications and media
• The difference between local PR and national brand strategy
• Behind-the-scenes stories from working with Patrón, Coachella, Heidi Klum’s Halloween party, and more
• Why relationships still matter in a rapidly changing industry

Follow Mack Media Relations: @mackmediarelations
Follow Robyn Patterson: @robynmpat

What does it take to turn a simple idea into one of Arizona’s most iconic destinations?

In this episode of Pitch and Tell, Robyn Patterson sits down with Perry Rea, founder of Queen Creek Olive Mill, to break down how he built one of the largest olive oil producers in the country right here in Arizona.

Perry shares the unexpected moment that sparked the idea, how a background in the automotive industry translated into building a farm based business, and why storytelling not selling is the key to long term success.

They also get into:
How the Olive Mill became a true agritourism experience
Why consistency in PR and media exposure matters more than viral moments
The philosophy of if you tell the story right you do not have to sell
Building a brand rooted in authenticity family and product integrity
What is next including a new concept coming to Arcadia

If you are building a brand, this episode is a masterclass in turning a product into an experience and using media the right way.

Follow Mack Media Relations: @mackmediarelations
Follow Robyn Patterson: @robynmpat