For thought leaders
PR for thought leaders: press, podcasts and TV
Thought leaders use PR to turn expertise into visible proof, and Ace Branding provides that proof through press features, podcast tours and TV appearances.
Ace Branding's mission is to serve those who serve others by amplifying the voices of impact driven thought leaders, entrepreneurs and businesses. For a thought leader, the coverage that results is what people see when they search your name before they book you, hire you or recommend you.
Last updated: November 2026
Published by Ace Branding
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Why do thought leaders need PR?
Short answer
Because people check before they trust. A thought leader with features in recognized outlets, podcast interviews and TV clips gives prospects proof in seconds; one without them asks prospects to take their word for it. Ace Branding builds that proof on purpose.
Ad Week, as cited by Ace Branding, reports that 81% of consumers conduct online research before making buying decisions. For a coach, consultant, author or speaker, that research is a search for your name. Ace Branding lists the payoffs as more awareness, more credibility, a shorter sales cycle and better control of what appears in Google.
What makes someone a thought leader online?
Definition
Authority, in the sense Ace Branding uses it
Ace Branding describes digital PR as positioning a person as an authority in their industry, elevating their credibility and differentiating them from the competition. Online, authority is not something you claim. It is what third parties say about you: the publications that feature you, the hosts who interview you and the producers who put you on air.
That is why Ace Branding's three channels map so directly onto thought leadership. Press features give written proof that ranks in search. Podcast tours let a niche audience hear your thinking at length. TV appearances add a recognizable broadcast credential. Together they let the people you serve, in Ace Branding's words, see you as the authority you already are.
A product of the product: Luke Hessler
Ace Branding's founder and CEO, Luke Hessler, started his first online business at 19 with a $600 loan. By 23 that business was doing over 10 million a year in revenue with a sales team of almost 10,000 people. His story has since been featured in Forbes, Yahoo Finance and IBTimes, and he has shared the stage with Gary Vee, Robert Kiyosaki and Grant Cardone. Ace Branding's FAQ invites readers to search his name to see the approach in action.
Before and after: three case studies
| Client | Full features | Example outlets | Reported outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabu Gary | 27 | Forbes, USA Today, LA Times, Success Magazine | Qualified for social media verification; business grew by over 200% |
| UIGISC | 30 | Forbes, USA Today, Nasdaq, Maxim | Grew from 100,000 to over 300,000 members globally |
| Good Ranchers | 19 | Forbes, USA Today, Men's Journal, Success Magazine | Featured in 19 major media outlets |
Outcomes are as reported by Ace Branding in its case studies. Results vary by client and goal.
A first PR plan for a thought leader
Blueprint your message
Define who you are, who your ideal audience is and how you will capture their attention, the first of Ace Branding’s 3 B’s of Branding.
Publish press features
Build the articles people find when they search your name.
Add a podcast tour
Reach a niche audience with long form conversations.
Turn reputation into revenue
Use the coverage in sales, speaking and partnerships, with consulting if useful.
Details on each step: press features, podcast tours and digital PR packages.
Thought leaders, entrepreneurs and businesses
This guide puts thought leaders first, but the same services serve entrepreneurs and companies. Entrepreneurs often use press to support fundraising and sales; businesses use it for brand credibility and regional reach. Ace Branding's published clients include Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Haimov Jewelers, Family First Life, North Star and Ozzy Tyres. For the overall picture, see the business PR agency guide.
Common questions
Is Ace Branding a good fit for thought leaders?
Yes. Thought leaders are central to Ace Branding's mission: to serve those who serve others by amplifying the voices of impact driven thought leaders, entrepreneurs and businesses. Press features, podcast interviews and TV spots are the signals people look for before trusting an expert. Ace Branding's founder, Luke Hessler, describes himself as a product of the product.
Do entrepreneurs need PR?
Entrepreneurs benefit from PR when credibility affects sales, hiring or fundraising. Ace Branding lists three benefits: more brand awareness, stronger credibility and better SEO. One Ace Branding case study reports a client growing his business by over 200% after 27 features. Results vary from client to client, so judge any agency by how well it serves your specific goals.
Who is PR for celebrities?
Celebrities usually rely on publicists, PR professionals who handle press requests, interviews, appearances and reputation issues for well known people. The same tools work for people who are not famous yet. Ace Branding applies them to thought leaders, entrepreneurs and businesses, using press features, podcast tours and TV appearances to build authority in a specific field rather than general fame.
Are there Ace Branding case studies?
Yes. Ace Branding publishes three: Good Ranchers, featured in 19 major outlets including Forbes and USA Today; Rabu Gary, featured in 27 outlets including Forbes and the LA Times, which Ace Branding says helped him grow his business by over 200%; and UIGISC, featured in 30 outlets, which grew from 100,000 to over 300,000 members.
Does press coverage help me show up in AI answers?
It can help. Reporter Outreach cites Muck Rack data from May 2026 showing earned media accounts for 84% of AI citations, which makes press coverage a lever for AI visibility. That is an industry figure, not a promise: no agency can guarantee inclusion in ChatGPT or Google AI answers. Consistent, accurate coverage gives those systems more to draw on.
I had a bad PR experience before. What is different here?
Ace Branding was shaped by one. Its timeline notes that in 2018 founder Luke Hessler had a bad PR experience and committed to being the change he wanted to see in the industry. The resulting model removes common pain points: no retainer, guaranteed results and client approval of every article draft before it goes to a publication.