The Future of Media Relations: How to Master the News Cycle

Brian Clark Howard is a senior editor for National Geographic who covers the environment online and in print. "Hidden gems" from less-publicized journals are great, but he'd also like to see the National Geographic take on current events, news analysis of trending topics and visual-driven enterprise stories from around the world. Plastics, biodiversity, climate change and oceans are particular areas of interest for 2019.

Julie Loffredi is an award-winning journalist whose work has appeared on CNN, Fox News, TODAY, USA Today, Forbes, NBC News, and more. Beyond her reporting, she also assists major news organizations with getting ahead of the latest trends with innovative branded content campaigns and new digital commerce-driven programs.

Lisa Camooso Miller has been a notable communications leader for over twenty years in local, state and federal government posts, political campaigns and committees, as well as advocacy organizations. She regularly provides commentary on radio and television and is the host and producer of The Friday Reporter podcast. Miller joined Reset Public Affairs as a partner from a previous public affairs firm. Prior to that position she served as the head of media affairs for the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE). She was previously deputy communications director for the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives.  She also served as the head of communications for the Republican National Committee in 2007. Prior to her time in Washington, D.C., Miller served under two New Jersey governors, where she participated in the recovery and rebuilding efforts following the attacks of September 11th. Miller holds an M.A. in corporate and public communications from Monmouth University and a B.A. in communications from The College of New Jersey.

With more than 20 years of public relations experience, Christina Leeds is a dedicated communications professional with demonstrated ability to lead the creation and implementation of novel strategic communications plans that produce results. Currently, Christina is responsible for leading the entire media relations team at Amtrak, including the development of targeted communication strategies in support of the company’s mission and corporate initiatives that deliver results, as well as protecting and promoting the brand. Prior to her service at Amtrak, Christina was the assistant general manager and marketing & public relations director at a large convention and meeting facility, the Ohio Expo Center, in Columbus, Ohio. In that role, she served as a member of the executive management team that provided public relations counsel in areas such as long-range planning and implementation of strategies to generate revenue.

Howard Mortman is communications director for C-SPAN, the public service providing television coverage of the U.S. Congress. A veteran of Washington, DC, media organizations, he has observed Congress from positions at MSNBC, National Journal’s Hotline, the Broadcasting Board of Governors, and New Media Strategies. Howard Mortman's first book was just published: "When Rabbis Bless Congress: The Great American Story of Jewish Prayers on Capitol Hill." He graduated from the University of Maryland and has appeared on stage performing stand-up comedy at the DC Improv -- although the two aren't related.