The Matchbox.

Oct. 09

Best in Class: Young & Associates Named Top EdTech PR Firm

We’re honored to share that Young & Associates has been named Best EdTech PR Firm in the 2025 Tech Edvocate Awards.

This recognition celebrates our team’s commitment to elevating the voices driving innovation in education.

From pioneering startups to established global leaders, we’re proud to partner with organizations transforming how the world learns, teaches and connects.

For nearly 15 years, Y&A has been helping education technology brands stand out—through thoughtful strategy, compelling storytelling and deep industry insight.

The Tech Edvocate honor underscores what has always defined the agency: a passion for helping companies tell stories that matter.

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Sep. 30

The Perils of PR Stops and Starts

In PR, momentum is everything. Too often, organizations treat public relations like a faucet—turning it on when they want attention, then shutting it off when budgets tighten or priorities shift. The problem? Every stop forces you to rebuild trust, reestablish visibility and fight uphill for relevance.

Inconsistency in B2B tech erodes buyer confidence. A brand that goes quiet looks unstable, leaving prospects wondering if you’re still innovating—or even still around. Meanwhile, competitors who keep showing up become the reliable voices in the market.

The takeaway: sustainable PR isn’t about one-off headlines. It’s about showing up, again and again, with a clear story that builds over time. And if budgets get tight, don’t pull the plug. Instead, rescope and focus on the core activities that keep your brand visible and credible, so momentum never stalls.

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Sep. 17

Y&A Spark: Adapting Digital Marketing for AI; Data in PR; The Perils of PR Stops and Starts

The September 2025 issue of the Y&A Spark newsletter is here. Check it out for exciting award wins and insights on why data is essential to smart PR and adapting digital marketing for AI. Plus, Jennifer MacLeid Qotb offers a warning about PR stops and starts.

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Aug. 28

Cut the Content Clutter for PR Clarity

In public relations, clarity is not optional — it is foundational. Journalists face relentless deadlines, reviewing dozens of pitches, press releases and Q&As each day. They do not have time to decode jargon or search for a story buried under mountains of unnecessary detail. What they need is accuracy, focus and speed.

Every piece of content we create — whether a release, a pitch or a Q&A — should be sharp, scannable, and purposeful. Remove the marketing fluff. Lead with the facts and the central narrative. When the story is easy to understand, reporters can deliver timely, accurate coverage that ultimately benefits our clients.

Clarity also builds trust. Journalists recognize when PR professionals respect their time and their craft. Overly promotional language or dense copy does more than slow them down — it can make us appear careless or insincere. Editing for clarity strengthens credibility.

Think like a reporter: What is the news? Why does it matter now? Who can speak to it? When we answer those questions clearly, we not only strengthen media relationships but also improve the quality and impact of the coverage we earn.

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Jul. 30

PR is Crucial in the Era of Generative AI

Generative AI is rapidly transforming how people search for and find information. Whether asking questions directly through ChatGPT, Claude or Grok, or finding AI-generated summaries at the top of Google and Bing search results—users are increasingly bypassing traditional search engines and relying on AI-curated answers.

This change presents a new challenge for marketers as companies are no longer competing for search engine results – they must now compete to be cited in generative AI responses. Generative engine optimization (GEO), optimizing content for AI-powered search engines, is growing in popularity as companies realize its importance. And at the center of it all –  PR. 

A recent report from MuckRack says that earned media coverage is the single most influential factor in whether a brand is mentioned in AI-generated results. Over 89% of links cited by generative AI tools come from editorial media coverage. Timelines matter too. AI prefers sources that have been published within the past year, making consistent PR efforts – not just one-off announcements –  crucial for GEO. 

We’re not surprised, but outlet quality is also important. It’s not just the number of articles a company has; reputable publications with a higher readership are cited more often in AI responses. Press releases also remain valuable, especially when written in clear, factual language that AI models can easily scan and interpret.

The bottom line – PR is more important than ever. If you’re not actively building media relationships and securing coverage, your brand risks falling behind as the new search economy is powered by generative AI.

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Jul. 09

How to Make the Most of PR Coverage

Your latest announcement or client success story received stellar media coverage – now what? After taking a moment to celebrate, make sure you are maximizing the reach so it’s not just a one-hit wonder. Here’s how:

Social Media Amplification
Don’t just post the article; ensure quoted or featured executives share it too. Most outlets promote their stories on social, so resharing helps boost reach and builds goodwill with the publication.

Newsletter and Website Inclusion
Featuring earned media in your newsletters and on the website reinforces credibility and extends the article’s shelf life with new audiences.

Blogs and Long-Form Content
Media coverage can spark blog ideas, shape long-form content and help your broader marketing and messaging efforts. Use it as a springboard for deeper storytelling.

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Jun. 18

My (Our) Two Cents

Recognizing 15 years of Young & Associates ownership calls for a nod to our mentor. Jean Young started Young & Associates in 1982, when women-owned agencies were uncommon and tech-focused agencies were rare. She hired us fresh out of college and mentored us (and many others) with candor, respect and a big heart, modeling tenacity and a go-getter approach.

The amount of change in the workplace, technology and public relations since 1982 is immeasurable, and since 2010 is significant. What hasn’t changed is Young & Associates’ founding principle: to help growing technology companies tap into the power of PR to increase their marketplace visibility and credibility. Cheers to Young & Associates’ storied history and continued success partnering with an amazing group of clients, partners and friends – we are proud to continue the legacy.

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Jun. 12

Y&A Spark: Importance of Pre-Pitching, Making the Most of PR Coverage & Celebrating 15 Years

The latest Y&A Spark newsletter is out! In it, we share why we pre-pitch announcements, how to make the most out of PR coverage and our latest Hermes Creative Awards wins. Principals Meggan Manson and Jennifer MacLeid Qotb share a heartfelt message on their 15 years of agency ownership.

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May. 22

Trade Publications Deserve More Hype

We get it – TechCrunch and The Wall Street Journal are THE goals. But PR programs don’t start there. Most company news benefits from a more specific audience. Enter trade publications – they help reach the intended buyers directly by offering specialized industry content. Trade publication outreach and inclusion offer a host of upsides.

Improved Audience Reach

With targeted audiences, trade publications directly reach buyers and decision makers. Their stories cover sophisticated, nuanced discussions, rather than giving a 101 to a general audience.

Thought Leader Opportunities

Trade publications offer an abundance of thought leadership opportunities, from bylined articles to Q&As and podcasts. Participation can yield significant coverage, boosting the company and individual leaders’ profiles.

Road to National Coverage

Beyond the thorough, targeted stories, consistent media coverage in trade publications is a strategic way to position a company as an industry leader. Many national beat reporters look to trade publications for sources on relevant trends and research stories.

Don’t discount the value of these outlets. Trade publications play a key role in successful PR programs and pave the way for meaningful thought leadership opportunities, while directly reaching a target audience in any industry.

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Apr. 18

The Evolving PR-Journalist Relationship: Meeting Reporters on Their Terms

The PR-journalist relationship is constantly evolving and staying ahead means tapping new channels and pitching styles. PR teams are on the front lines, bridging the gap between corporate marketing teams and the press, ensuring that the right stories reach the right journalists—on the right platforms.

Phone Calls Still Matter – While digital dominates, a well-timed call can cut through the noise, especially for urgent follow-ups.
Email Requires Precision – Mass blasts are ineffective. Personalized, concise, and timely emails have the best chance of standing out.
Social Media for Engagement – Journalists use platforms like Twitter (X) and LinkedIn to track trends and connect. Thoughtful engagement before pitching can open doors.
Encrypted Messaging for Privacy – Many reporters prefer Signal or WhatsApp for secure conversations. Adapting to these preferences builds trust.

Savvy PR pros don’t just pitch but stay ahead—adapting strategies, tailoring outreach, and ensuring brands remain relevant to meet journalists where they are, on their terms.

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