This week’s podcast takes a unique turn as hosts Alex and Mary welcome Maia Rumpho, executive director of Pet Project Rescue in Minneapolis, to discuss PR strategies for cat rescues. Pet Project Rescue focuses on TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) to combat cat overpopulation. Maia shares insights about her nonprofit, and the hosts recount their recent collaboration on a press conference to raise funds—a classic PR move designed to spotlight the rescue’s mission. They dive into the challenges of generating publicity and building buzz for such a vital cause. EPISODE NOTES: From TNR to PR: Raising Awareness for Pet Project Rescue!

Join hosts Mary Tan and Alexane Ricard on The Whisker Report, a lively podcast that helps pet industry professionals—from animal welfare advocates to pet product businesses—get the buzz they need. Mary brings her PR expertise, while Alex, an international cat crusader, adds her global perspective. Together, they recap their recent whirlwind at the SuperZoo trade show, where they guided journalists and influencers to their clients' booths, ensuring their pet products stood out among hundreds. With the help of producer Mark Winter of Pet Life Radio, they share insights on making the most of trade shows, celebrity endorsements (like Katherine Heigl's Badlands Ranch dog food), and why great products matter more than famous faces. Tune in weekly for tips, tricks, and tales from the pet PR world! EPISODE NOTES: SuperZoo Secrets: Paws, Press, and PR Power!

Our guest today is Lauren Carter, who is the founding partner of Ninety94, a boutique marketing firm & content creation hub for startups and small to medium sized businesses. We had the pleasure of working and meeting her at this year’s pet product trade show in Las Vegas. SuperZoo. Whisker Media did PR for TEEF, a dental health product company for pets and Lauren serves as their marketing manager. EPISODE NOTES: Marketing in 2024 with Ninety94

This week the Whisker Report is thrilled to talk to one of our idols, Peter Shankman! We like to call him the godfather of PR. The New York Times has called Peter Shankman “a rock star who knows everything about social media and then some.” A dog dad to a pup named Waffle, he's a six-time best-selling author, entrepreneur and corporate keynote speaker, all while being a serial entrepreneur with four startup launches and three exits under his belt. Shankman is the man behind several popular PR tools and is recognized worldwide for radical thinking. In this week's show, we ask him about advice for pet businesses and animal welfare nonprofits. EPISODE NOTES: PR Powerhouse Peter Shankman Loves Waffles!

Amazon is so important now… everyone has at one point bought or sold something on Amazon. That’s why this week we’re thrilled to welcome Erin Gary of Accelerazon. She’s an amazing part of the Pet Industry Network… a group of marketing creatives dedicated to helping those in the pet industry. Join us on our expedition as we trek through the ins and outs of promoting your products on Amazon! EPISODE NOTES: Exploring the Amazon – Marketplace, That Is!

Mary, Alex and Mark discuss who to send your press releases to in different media outlets… and how not to annoy the recipient! Mary, having been on both sides, as both press and public relations, shares insight into how to write a good story to attract attention from the media. Is it wise to send products to reporters? Tune in to find out! EPISODE NOTES: Press Releases – Who Do You Send Them To?

Mary and Alex answer these questions and more! Whether you're a pet store owner, a vet, or a pet influencer, understanding PR and Marketing can make a big difference in how you promote your brand. Public Relations is all about managing the public image of a brand or individual. It’s about building and maintaining relationships with the public, media, and other stakeholders. Marketing is essentially the process of promoting and selling products or services. It involves research, advertising, sales, and everything in between. The goal of marketing is to drive sales and increase revenue. Learn how you can do both for your business in this fun episode! EPISODE NOTES: Are You Media or an Influencer? And What’s the Difference Between PR and Marketing?

In this week's show, the Whisker Report dives into publicizing animal welfare nonprofits. Meet former animal welfare executive Tricia Montgomery, who recently started Moose's March, a national nonprofit looking to raise awareness of pet cancer. Montgomery started the nonprofit after the loss of her rescue dog Moose, who died of the disease just a few months after being diagnosed. Her grief turned to action, after she found a lack of support in dealing with her loss. Today, Moose's March is helping pet owners all over the country through education and the creation of a special community. EPISODE NOTES: Tricia Montgomery: Fighting Pet Cancer for Greater Awareness

Maria Reitan is a top-notch public relations executive and the founder of the firm, Topsail Strategies. But before that she led television newsrooms in some of the country's largest markets. Find out how the pressure to win in the news ratings affects the story selection in broadcast journalism. EPISODE NOTES: How TV Stations Decide What News to Cover: Former TV News Executive Maria Reitan Speaks Out

Join Mary, Alex, and Mark as they discuss essential strategies to prepare for SuperZoo 2024. Discover expert tips to make your booth stand out, attract media attention, and schedule meetings with the press. Don’t miss this episode for all your SuperZoo success secrets! EPISODE NOTES: How to Get Ready for SuperZoo 2024 with the Whisker Report

Yeowww! Catnip is known as the best catnip in the pet product world. Every piece is 100 percent organic and handmade by the Hmong community in Minnesota. Always a top seller in boutique retailers across the globe, marketing manager Kris Kaiser and international sales manager Norm Harada share what they do to make sure they're the cat's meow when it comes to promoting their products. EPISODE NOTES: Crazy About Cats: Promoting Yeowww! Catnip and Feline Fun

Darryl Michaelson believes cat furniture is not made properly. That's why he set out to make the finest quality cat furniture in the United States. From humble beginnings in his garage to selling thousands of pieces every year in his boutique cat furniture store, find out how the "Catman of Minnesota" uses public relations to boost sales to a loyal following of "catstomers" EPISODE NOTES: The Catman of Minnesota: Meowvalous Storytelling