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These Dates Are Media Gold. Are You Ready?

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:46:41 GMT

Some marketing and PR teams dismiss calendar-driven opportunities (think awareness days, predictions, or seasonal hooks) as tired or irrelevant. I'd argue the opposite. For reporters and editors, these moments are what keep newsrooms humming between breaking news cycles. They're plannable, pitchable, and perpetually in demand.

For as long as I've been in this business, these thought leadership moments have been table stakes for authority building, brand awareness, stakeholder engagement, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO).

With that in mind, we've put together a list of the most impactful days, weeks, and months executives and their teams should have on their radar, particularly those of us in technology, software, and security.

This isn't exhaustive, but it's a strong starting point for planning your blog posts, LinkedIn articles, podcasts, webinars, speaking engagements, and media pitches.

Enjoy!

A note: This list focuses on industry and business-relevant moments. Many companies also align thought leadership with cultural observances and heritage months. If that's part of your communications strategy, plan those with the same intentionality.

January

New Year predictions coverage (early to mid-January): Reporters are actively seeking expert forecasts through mid-January—but pitching should begin in early November.
Data Privacy Day/Week (Jan. 26–30, with Data Privacy Day on Jan. 28): Dates shift slightly year to year, but this is a goldmine for security, compliance, and data-focused companies.

February

Safer Internet Day (second Tuesday of the month): Strong opportunity for cybersecurity, edtech, and parenting/family safety angles.

March

International Women's Day (March 8): A well-established moment to highlight women in leadership, STEM, and entrepreneurship.
Women's History Month : Extends the opportunity beyond a single day.

April

Tax season wrap-up (mid-April): For fintech, accounting software, and financial services, great for tips on security, fraud prevention, or lessons learned.
Earth Day (April 22): Relevant for companies with sustainability initiatives, green tech, or ESG commitments.

May

Graduation season (mid-May through early June): Perfect for founders and executives with career advice for new grads. What skills are you hiring for? What do you wish you'd known starting out?
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (May 17): Ideal for tech and telecom companies promoting connectivity and innovation.
Mental Health Awareness Month: Increasingly relevant for workplace culture, HR tech, and employee wellness angles.

June

World Environment Day (June 5): Another hook for sustainability-focused messaging.

July

Ransomware Awareness Month: A natural fit for cybersecurity companies. Share threat intelligence, prevention tips, or incident response insights.
Amazon Prime Day (mid-July): For executives in retail, customer experience, and payments, how can small businesses compete? How can shoppers protect themselves from scams or impulse spending?

August

Back-to-school season: Relevant for edtech, cybersecurity (student data protection), and retail.
Summer slowdown content: August is typically a quieter month for news, BUT a great time to pitch evergreen thought leadership or secure Q4 speaking slots.

September

National Insider Threat Awareness Month: For security companies focused on insider risk, data loss prevention, or employee monitoring.
Fall conference season begins (September through December): Events like KubeCon NA, AWS re:Invent, and SXSW drive major industry conversations. Even if you're not on stage, be ready to comment on the news, trends, and announcements coming out of these conferences. Reporters are looking for expert reactions and analysis in real time.

October

Cybersecurity Awareness Month: The biggest annual opportunity for security companies. Plan campaigns, contributed articles, and media outreach well in advance.
Ada Lovelace Day (second Tuesday of October): Celebrates women in STEM, a natural moment to highlight technical women leaders at your company.
Open Enrollment season begins: Relevant for HR tech, benefits platforms, and employee wellness companies.

November

Pitch your December/January predictions: Your boldest, most compelling forecasts should be ready to pitch by early November. Don't wait.
Holiday shopping week (Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday): Retail, payments, fraud prevention, and customer experience angles abound.

December

Year-in-review content: What did your company or industry learn this year? What surprised you?
Charitable giving and CSR: Highlight end-of-year giving, volunteer programs, or social impact.

The key to making calendar-driven PR work isn't just showing up. It's showing up early, with a genuine point of view. Reporters can smell a generic pitch from a mile away. Bring data, bring a fresh angle, and bring it a week or two ahead of the date.

Need support building out your editorial calendar or shaping executive thought leadership? Growth Stack Media can help. Let's talk about your goals .

How Growth Stack Media Helped Pangea Cut Through the Noise and Reach a $260M Exit

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 12:30:01 GMT

“Thanks Jordan and Summer. Really appreciate the work that you did for us. It was far above what I've seen much larger PR firms achieve in the past and that's testament to your experience and thoughtfulness." – founder and former CEO, Pangea

“Jordan and Summer delivered throughout our entire partnership—netting us countless media opportunities, speaking engagements, and awards. They 'get' AI startups and are fantastic to work with." – former VP of marketing, Pangea

“Thank you for all of your help. Your operation was beyond impressive.” – former CPO, Pangea

When we kicked off our PR partnership with Pangea in January 2025, they tasked us with one clear goal: help them become the market authority in enterprise AI security. Nine months later, they were acquired by CrowdStrike for $260 million, one of the most respected names in cybersecurity.

Pangea's success demonstrates what happens when a company has all the right ingredients: visionary leadership, cutting-edge technology, and a collaborative team pushing boundaries. Their incredible growth, along with their willingness to invest in storytelling and move fast on opportunities, made them the ideal partner.

Here's how we helped cut through one of tech's most competitive categories with a lean team and airtight PR strategy.

1. Pick Your Lane (and Floor It)

From day one, we had one objective: make Pangea THE leader in enterprise AI security. Not "an emerging player." Not "one to watch." THE leader.

Every campaign, pitch, award submission, and piece of content reinforced this single narrative. When we talked to the media, we exposed the hidden risks of GenAI, and positioned Pangea's executives as the authorities defining what AI security should be.

The key was relentless consistency. One narrative, executed across all touchpoints. Each win got amplified across owned channels: social, newsroom, customer emails, LinkedIn newsletters, and so on.

If you're trying to break through in a competitive market, don't hedge. Pick your lane, commit to it, and make sure PR placements reinforce that positioning.

Need help defining your category narrative? This is where an experienced PR partner can help you identify white space and craft positioning that resonates with both media and your target audience.

2. Awards as Proof Points

In one quarter, we secured multiple major awards with Fast Company, InfoWorld and SiliconANGLE, among others.

These became ammunition. Every pitch. Every sales conversation. Every deck.

Instead of treating award submissions like check boxes, we treated them like narrative exercises. Crafting submissions that underscored how and why Pangea's technology was the hero in a larger societal story about AI risk, enterprise security, and protecting what matters most.

Their tech solution was the vehicle, but the story was about the problem it solved for the world. That's what resonates with award judges and why these wins carried weight with Pangea's audience.

The lesson? Don’t sleep on awards! Submit early, submit often, and really lean into your creative side when it comes to crafting an attention-grabbing submission.

3. Build Your Bench

We didn't only promote Pangea's Founder and CEO. We built a bench of industry voices including their CTO, CPO, and one of their newly minted AI Red Teaming specialists. Each with their own expertise and audience. This approach yielded speaking opportunities at the AI Risk Summit and AI Summit NYC, plus dozens of bylines, podcasts, and interviews across NBC Press:Here , Software Engineering Radio , TechRadar , and NYSE .

We identified the executives' unique angles and matched them to appropriate opportunities. Their CTO became the technical authority on emerging protocols and AI vulnerabilities. Their AI Red Teaming specialist owned conversations about enterprise AI security implementation. Their CPO spoke to AI risk and governance. This topical diversity ensured Pangea showed up as an authoritative player in the space. We also tapped third-party experts regularly to amplify their credibility and provide social proof.

Yes, your CEO needs to be involved, but make sure you identify 2-3 executives who can speak credibly on different aspects of your business and coach them on their unique points of view. Reporters and event organizers appreciate having options.

Feeling stretched thin? Managing multiple executive voices and opportunities requires coordination. If your team is already maxed out, bringing in PR support can ensure no opportunity falls through the cracks.

4. Original Research Rules Them All

Pangea’s research didn't just generate coverage. It went viral.

Hackread , CISO , GB Hackers Security , The Register , IT Brew , CSO , Smashing Security . The list goes on.

One research project generated more qualified attention than months of “traditional news” pitching. Why? Because Pangea identified a timely, original vulnerability that demonstrated technical expertise while providing real value to the security community. Clear implications. Actionable recommendations. Easy for journalists to cover.

Original research and data-driven insights are like catnip. Focus on findings that reveal something new, challenge conventional wisdom, or quantify a problem your audience cares about.

5. Treat Product Launches as Company Milestones

When we weren’t working on reports, thought leadership, and awards, we turned every product launch into meaningful moments that mapped back to Pangea's main objective - AI security leadership.

We strategically timed announcements around notable seasons and breaking industry trends, relied heavily on embargoed briefings, and incorporated voices from customers, partners, advisors, and investors. This amplified our coverage via social media and drove significant engagement, particularly on LinkedIn.

Pangea’s product launches worked because we made sure they were part of a larger narrative about where AI security was headed and why it mattered. Features got coverage, but vision got conversation.

To do this, build a drumbeat that captures all that your company is doing in that one particular “theme” or “category.” Include room in your GTM timelines to pre-brief key media. Coordinate social amplification ahead of time, and create follow-up thought leadership that extends the conversation beyond launch day.

6. Execute with Focus and Discipline

Here's the reality: Pangea didn't have an unlimited PR budget or a massive in-house team. Yet, we secured 130+ quality PR hits throughout the nine months we worked together, with 50 high-impact features across Tier 1 and Tier 2 publications in one quarter alone . Not through spray-and-pray tactics, but through ruthless prioritization and strategic targeting.

We planned in advance. We identified a curated list of publications, podcasts, awards, and speaking CFPs that mattered most to Pangea's audience, and built deep relationships with those reporters and editors. We said “no” to opportunities that didn't serve the category leadership narrative and made every pitch count.

PR doesn’t mean you don't need to be everywhere, but you do need to be in all the right places, consistently.

If you're building something great and want it to resonate with more customers, the formula is straightforward: define your position, create original POVs, execute with discipline, and give yourself enough runway to build momentum.

Need a partner to help you execute? Growth Stack Media specializes in helping B2B tech companies break through crowded categories and build visibility that attracts customers, investors, and acquirers through public relations, video production and podcasting. Let's talk about your goals .

Congratulations to the entire Pangea team. We're grateful to have been part of the journey!

Portal Editor is Now Available

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 02:05:11 GMT

Growth Stack Media Launches Industry First On-Demand Editing Platform for Branded Videos and Podcasts

Portal Editor Addresses $51.7 Billion Enterprise Video and Podcast Market by Delivering

Expert Post-Production When Marketers Need It Most

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - April 15, 2025 - Growth Stack Media , a leading integrated communication and content agency, today announced the official availability of Portal Editor , the industry's first on-demand editing platform specifically designed for branded videos and podcasts. This solution bridges the gap between in-house production and professional post-production, enabling marketers to transform raw multimedia content into broadcast-quality assets from any device.

The reality of today's dynamic business environment is that marketing priorities shift rapidly—often weekly or even daily. Growth Stack Media’s Portal Editor supports this need for agility through its flexible, project-based pricing model where clients pay only for what they need.

"Marketers excel at capturing video footage and audio recordings but face significant challenges at the post-production stage," said Jordan Mitchell, Founder of Growth Stack Media. "Many of these teams don't want another tool to learn. They want professionally edited assets delivered fast so they can focus on strategy and growth, whether they're just starting content programs or looking to scale existing ones."

Portal Editor provides an on-demand team of editors skilled in video, audio, and podcast production, who deeply understand brand guidelines and channel specifics — a valuable done-for-you service that adapts to evolving content demands.

Key features of Growth Stack Media’s Portal Editor include:

Streamlined submission process for video, audio and image files
Project-based pricing tailored to specific requirements
Quick turnaround times with global team support
Comprehensive feedback and revision system
Flexible workflow options: choose between AI-enhanced efficiency or 100% human-only editing

"We've built Portal Editor with future-proofing in mind," Mitchell added. "As the platform evolves with emerging technologies, we'll deliberately preserve human expertise in our approach. Our mission is to forge genuine connections between brands and their audiences. While AI and automation bring efficiency, the human element remains essential for the creativity and authenticity that truly effective content requires."

The company is actively gathering feedback from early adopters to drive its ambitious feature expansion roadmap. Test the platform today at: https://portaleditor.ai/

About Growth Stack Media

Growth Stack Media is a leading, results-driven, integrated communication and content agency specializing in public relations, video production and podcasting services. With deep expertise across enterprise technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, healthcare and software development sectors, the company serves as a strategic partner for organizations looking to elevate their market presence and drive positive business outcomes.

For more information about Growth Stack Media visit www.growthstackmedia.com .

Media Contact:
info@growthstackmedia.com

Don't Wait Until It's Too Late: 5 Questions to Help You Shine in the Media

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 23:19:41 GMT

By: Summer Mitchell (Falgiano) , Managing Partner, Growth Stack Media

Let’s face it, waiting for the "perfect moment" to tell your story can cost you valuable opportunities. I know it can feel daunting at times, but trust me - as a PR pro who has helped and continues to help countless companies land coveted media placements , I've learned that success comes to those who prepare early and execute strategically. While some of the best practices for storytelling will never change, the media landscape has evolved significantly in recent years. That’s why I’ve put together a list of five critical questions that will transform how you approach your next media announcement – and why having an experienced PR partner by your side can make all the difference.

1. What's Your True Story?

The most powerful announcements often hide in plain sight. Sometimes companies rush past obvious news because they're too close to see its value. Other times, they're sitting on a goldmine of accomplishments without realizing it.

No matter what you're working on at that moment, a good place to start is by nailing down 3-5 key messaging points that succinctly communicate the essence of your story. Drill this messaging into everyone involved so that the story is told consistently.

That way, whenever you're emerging from stealth mode, taking a new product to market, or celebrating continued growth and impact within your industry you have your core value points and communication pillars to always go back to.

If you’re having a hard time finding the traction here, this is where an expert eye to spot those opportunities and shape them into compelling narratives comes in handy.

2. What Makes You Stand Out?

Just like in school when students are recognized with superlatives such as 'Most Likely to Be President' or 'Cutest Couple,' it's important to distinguish yourself from the crowded cafeteria that is high-stakes tech.

Are you the first, the fastest, the most innovative or comprehensive? Work with your team and external partners who can provide objective perspectives, to find out where you stand among the crowd. Once you find a provable superlative, weave it through your messaging and stick with it.

3. What's Your Street Cred?

Journalists don't just want your story – they need proof. Your credibility in the market is what transforms you from just another pitch into a must-cover story. Here are a few ways we’ve helped our clients build and showcase their authority through multiple channels:

● Social Proof: Strategic customer testimonials, case studies and success metrics that demonstrate real-world impact

● Thought Leadership: Placing your or your executives' insights in trade publications, industry podcasts and speaking engagements

● Market Recognition: Securing prestigious awards, analyst coverage and industry rankings

● Data Authority: Leveraging your unique market insights and research to position you as an industry expert

● Community Impact: Highlighting your contributions to industry advancement and broader societal goals

Even if you're just starting out, at Growth Stack Media we know how to package early wins and momentum indicators into compelling proof points that grab media attention.

4. Where Are Your Audiences (Really)?

While major news publications still matter, your target audience might be equally or more engaged on podcasts, Substacks, newsletters, Twitch streams or specialized online communities like Reddit. In fact, by taking your news to where you think your readers are, you may actually be putting your brand at risk.

Make sure you have a firm understanding of your target audiences, and work with media relations experts who understand the nuanced modern media landscape. We help our clients identify the right target outlets, whether they're national pubs, niche industry blogs or up-and-coming social media influencers, to ensure their announcement reaches the right folks.

5. How Can You Make Reporters Care?

Getting media coverage isn't about simply broadcasting your news – it's about making your story relevant to what journalists and their audiences care about. Otherwise, you may quite literally get blocked .

Here are a few proven story formats to consider:

The "Underdog" or "Can They Do It?" Narrative: Position your company as the scrappy up-and-comer challenging industry giants. Emphasize your unique approach and how it benefits customers in new ways.

Anchor to a Market Trend: Is there an important industry trend, market statistic, or customer behavior that your announcement aligns with? Lead with the data to give reporters context.

Impact on Society: How does your news positively affect your customers, your industry, or society as a whole? Tying your story or announcement to a broader social impact can make it more newsworthy

Don't Leave Your Story to Chance

The best time to start building your media presence was yesterday. The second best time is now. As you navigate 2025, remember that successful media coverage rarely happens by accident. It requires strategic thinking, deep media relationships and expert execution.

At Growth Stack Media , we bring all these elements together to help you craft and tell stories that capture attention, build credibility and drive growth. Don't wait until you have "big news" to start thinking about PR. Let's start shaping your narrative today!

How to Make Promo Videos That Sell

jordan@growthstackmedia.com (Jordan Mitchell) — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 16:59:55 GMT

Crafting Conversion-Driven Promos: The Art and Science of Video Marketing That Sells

Promotional videos have become an essential part of the modern marketing mix. With the rise of video consumption and the widespread availability of high-quality video editing tools, businesses of all sizes can create engaging and effective video content that drives sales and conversions.

But what makes a video promo successful? How can you create a video that actually sells?

The first step is to understand your target audience. What are their pain points and desires? What motivates them to take action? By understanding your audience, you can create content that speaks directly to their needs and desires, making it much more likely that they will engage with your brand and make a purchase.

Next, you need to focus on the message of your video. It should be clear, concise, and to the point. Ideally, your video should communicate your unique selling proposition and highlight the benefits of your product or service. Avoid cluttering it with too much information or trying to communicate multiple messages at once. Keep it simple and focus on the key message you want to convey.

When it comes to the production, quality is key. Poorly produced videos turn off potential customers and harm your brand image. Invest in high-quality video partners like Growth Stack to ensure that your content looks polished and professional.

Another important factor to consider is the duration. While shorter is generally better, there is no hard and fast rule for the ideal length of a video (unless there are restrictions that are platform specific). Instead, focus on creating a video that captures the attention of your audience and keeps them engaged.

Finally, don't forget the importance of testing and optimization. Even the best-planned video can fall flat if it's not optimized for maximum impact. Test different versions of videos to see what works best and make adjustments based on the results.

Creating videos that actually sell requires a combination of art and science. By understanding your audience, focusing on a clear message, investing in quality production, and testing and optimizing your content, you can create videos that resonate with your target audience and convert more sales. With the right approach, video marketing can be a powerful tool for any business looking to grow and succeed in today's digital landscape.

Ready to uplevel your business video content? Growth Stack can help! To get started, visit www.growthstackmedia.com or send us an email at info@growthstackmedia.com .