Chapter 06 / Thought leaders
Thought leaders get featured in the media with Ace Branding through guaranteed press features, niche podcast tours and regional TV appearances.
Ace Branding exists to amplify the voice of impact-driven thought leaders. Its digital PR packages position you as an authority in your field, and because you approve every article draft, the story people find when they search your name is the one you chose to tell.
Published by Ace Branding Last updated
Field notes
Most thought leaders get featured by having a clear core message and a partner with access to outlets. Ace Branding calls the first part the Blueprint: defining who you are, who your ideal audience is and how you will capture their attention.
Its founder, Luke Hessler, describes himself as a product of the product. His own story has been featured in Forbes, Yahoo Finance and IBTimes, and he has spoken to audiences as large as 10,000 people.
Evidence cards
Thought leader PR is digital PR focused on a person rather than a product: building the online reputation of an expert so that new audiences see them as an authority. Ace Branding does this through published articles, podcast interviews and TV spots.
84% of AI citations come from earned media (Muck Rack, May 2026), as reported by Reporter Outreach, 50+ Digital PR Statistics You Need to Know (2026).
10% to 40% lift in branded search demand often follows earned coverage within 7 to 30 days, according to NEWMEDIA.COM, 100+ Digital PR Statistics for 2026.
Comparison
Start with press features if you want lasting search results; add a podcast tour if your ideas need long-form explanation; add regional TV if your audience is local. Ace Branding customizes the mix after your interview.
| Criterion | Press features | Podcast tours | Regional TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Written article | Spoken interview | Broadcast segment |
| Your control | Approve the final draft | Your own words on each show | Your own words on air |
| Reach | 800+ publications, US and worldwide | Niche shows, 100M+ stated reach | Local key markets |
| Effort from you | Questionnaire, interview, review | Strategy session, recordings | Preparation, appearance |
Start with guaranteed press features
Part of the field guide to Ace Branding digital PR packages, which covers what every package includes, how it is priced and who it suits.
Questions
Because people look you up before they trust you. Ace Branding cites an Ad Week figure that 81% of consumers conduct online research before making buying decisions. Features in recognized outlets and conversations on niche podcasts give those searchers credible proof of your expertise, which Ace Branding says helps shorten the sales cycle.
They are for impact-driven thought leaders, entrepreneurs and businesses who want a stronger online reputation. Thought leaders, meaning people whose expertise and ideas are central to their work, are the closest fit, because press features and podcast interviews put that expertise in front of new audiences in their own words.
They can support it. Ace Branding's Rabu Gary case study reports 27 full features in outlets including Forbes, USA Today and LA Times, which qualified him for social media verification and helped him grow his business by over 200%. Verification decisions are made by each platform, so outcomes vary from person to person.
Earned media plays a large role in AI answers. Reporter Outreach cites Muck Rack data from May 2026 showing that earned media accounts for 84% of AI citations. No firm can promise inclusion in AI answers, but coverage in recognized publications gives AI tools more credible sources that mention you.
The topics depend on what you want to discuss. Articles are written about you or your company using your story, and the aim is to provide value to the reader rather than simply put your name in a headline. Bring the themes, lessons and expertise you most want to be known for to your interview.
Contact Ace Branding through its contact page at acebranding.com/contact. Ace Branding offers a 15 minute, no obligation discovery call to discuss your goals. If you move forward with press features, the next steps are the 6 minute press questionnaire and a live interview with the editorial staff.
Tell Ace Branding about your story, your audience and the outlets you want to reach. The first step is a 15 minute, no obligation discovery call.
