Media Day
Media Day 2026: PR with Purpose
Presented by The Motion Agency
Less than one week left to register for PRSA Media Day on April 21. With registration closing April 13 now’s the time to secure your spot.
In an era defined by fragmented media ecosystems, AI-influenced discovery, blurred ethical lines, and declining institutional trust, communications professionals must do more than secure coverage, they must communicate with intention.
Why Attend?
Join PR pros, local journalists, content creators, and strategic communicators for a day packed with actionable insights, dynamic panels, and networking opportunities. Discover how brands and agencies are rethinking their strategies, pivoting their messaging, and embracing innovation to stay relevant in a constantly changing media landscape.
What to Expect:
Media Day 2026 will explore what it means to practice PR with Purpose in a rapidly evolving communications landscape. Throughout the day, attendees will hear from communications professionals, journalists, editors, and content creators who are navigating shifting media ecosystems, changing audience expectations, and new economic realities. Sessions will examine how PR professionals can approach media relations, influencer engagement, and reputation management with greater intention and impact. Speakers will also share real world examples of how communicators have adapted through industry changes, brand evolutions, and new platforms while staying focused on meaningful storytelling and strategic outcomes.
Whether you are a seasoned communicator or just entering the PR profession, Media Day 2026 will provide practical insights, honest conversations with the media, and valuable connections with industry leaders from across Cincinnati and the region, all centered on one goal: practicing PR with Purpose.
Whether you're a seasoned communicator or just entering the PR world, Media Day 2026 will equip you with the tools and inspiration to pivot with purpose.
Join the conversation. Shape the future.
Date: April 21, 2026
Venue: First Financial Convention Center
Address: 525 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Tickets:
PRSA Cincinnati Chapter Member - $150
PRSSA Member - $75
Non-Member - $200
Write [email protected] for group discount of 5 or more tickets for your office.
Agenda 2026
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Networking Coffee Hour
Registration, badge pickup, coffee bar, and informal networking
9:00 – 9:10 a.m.
Welcome + Opening Remarks
Host welcome and overview of the day
Morning Sessions
9:10 – 10:00 a.m.
Session 1 - Information Ecosystems & Trust
Nicola Ziady, University of Cincinnati
10:00 – 10:10 a.m.
Break / Room Transition
10:10 – 11:00 a.m.
Session 2
1 - Influencers, Creators & Community Voices
Moderator: Emily Nachazel, The Motion Agency
Kait Nevin (@KaitsKravings - 37.9k followers)
Melissa Lewis (@CincyCurlyFoddieTravelGirl - 28.7k followers)
Drew Lee (@dollarswithdrew - 84.6k followers)
Mitko and Sarah Karshovski (@CincyScoop 75.9k followers)
2 - Strategic Amplification
Matthew Dooley, Dooley
Jac Kern, University of Cincinnati
Andy Ruther, Gold Star Chili
11:00 – 11:10 a.m.
Break / Room Transition
11:10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Session 3
1 - Getting Your Story on Morning News
Ken Baker, FOX19 (Kickin' it with Ken)
Michelle Hopkins, WCPO (Come Have Coffee with Michelle)
Brad Pushkar, FOX19 Morning Producer
Tricia Suit, Game Day Communications
2 - Crisis Communications & Mitigation
Moderator: Suzanne Boys, University of Cincinnati
Nanette Bentley, Cincinnati Children's Hospital
Brandy Jones, Cincinnati Metro
Danielle Gentry, Kroger
Midday
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Networking Lunch (no speakers)
Afternoon Sessions
1:00 – 1:50 p.m.
Session 4
1 - From Pitch to Publication
Maggy McDonel, Digital Editor at LINK nky
Andy Brownfield, Managing Editor of Cincinnati Business Courier
Rachel Whelan, reporter for WLWT
Teresa Weaver, Assignment Manager at FOX19
2 - Community Media & Cultural Trust
Moderator: Crystal Kendrick, The Voice of Black Cincinnati
Madeline Fening, Formerly at City Beat
Daniel Abercrombie, Urban One
Tiffany Luckey, Ten21 Agency
Bryan Wright, Cincinnati Compass
Missy Spears, Queer Kentucky
1:50 – 2:00 p.m.
Break / Room Transition
2:00 – 2:50 p.m.
Session 5
1 - Building Digital Authority & Strategic Intelligence
Moderator: Tiana Henry, WCPO
Jeff Goldstein, Acupoll Precision Research
Lucy May, WVXU
Mimi Rasor, Rasor Marketing Communications
2 - Authority Beyond Headlines: Thought leadership
Mike Gehrig, The Motion Agency
Suzanne Boys, University of Cincinnati
Kevin Aldridge, Cincinnati Enquirer
Closing
2:50 – 3:00 p.m.
Break / Transition
3:00 – 3:50 p.m.
Keynote Panel: The Future of Communications in an AI‑Influenced World
Moderator: Amy Vaughn, Together Digital
Helen Todd, CincyAI
Betty Rodriguez-Hakes, MarTech & AdTech Consultant
Pete Blackshaw, Co-Founder/CEO, BrandRank.AI
3:50 – 4:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks / Thank You
Don't forget -- Cincinnati PRSA is holding its 4th annual book drive at this year's Media Day! Learn more here.
#MediaDay2026 #PRPurpose #CincyPRSA
Contact us at [email protected] to learn about sponsoring opportunities!
Presenting Sponsor:
Supporting Sponsors:
Ticket & Pricing information
- PRSA Cincinnati Chapter Member - $150
- PRSSA Member - $75
- Non-Member - $200
Support our Community Service project.
Last day to purchase tickets is April 13.
Presented by The Motion Agency
Motion is a full-service, results-driven marketing agency ready to push clients further than they could ever go alone. Our unwavering dedication and full suite of marketing services make us partners in propelling our clients forward. We bring together strategy, branding, creative, content, social, digital, and PR experts with a focus on achieving tangible outcomes. Whether you’re a challenger brand seeking to gain significant market share, or a category leader looking to evolve and optimize your marketing strategy, our team is here to help you accelerate growth.
Thank you to our event sponsors.
**Spots still available. Contact [email protected] for more details.
