PR & AI – What Entrepreneurs Need to Know
A Q&A with GYC Vegas Founder Gina Yager
2025 officially marks eight years of GYC Vegas! From launch campaigns and nonprofit events to helping some of our clients make national headlines, our journey has been all about storytelling, connection, and keeping up with how fast the media world is changing.
We sat down with our Founder and Director, Gina Yager, to reflect on the past eight years and get her take on what business owners need to know right now about PR, AI, SEO, and building a brand that stands out.
Q1: GYC Vegas is celebrating 8 years! Looking back, what are you most proud of?
A: Honestly, it’s the relationships we’ve built – not just with our clients and business owners, but also with the media and the community connections we’ve helped establish along the way. We’ve worked across so many industries, from healthcare and lifestyle to aviation, nonprofits, and education, and what makes me proud is seeing those businesses grow and knowing we had a hand in their story. PR isn’t about blasting out press releases, it’s about building trust and connecting people. Eight years later, that’s still our “why.”
Q2: Over the past 8 years, PR has changed a lot – especially with the introduction of AI. What’s been the biggest difference you’ve seen in how brands get discovered?
A: The biggest shift in how people are finding brands is that search doesn’t end with Google anymore. Tools like ChatGPT and Google’s new AI Overviews act like personal assistants, pulling from credible sources, news articles, blogs, and even social mentions to answer questions directly.
For example, if someone asks, “What’s the best flight school in Vegas?”, the answer is shaped by content that already exists online. That’s the power of your digital footprint. For entrepreneurs and PR professionals, that’s a huge opportunity. If you’re consistently earning positive media coverage and sharing valuable content, AI will recognize you as a trusted source – giving you free visibility.
Q3: People keep hearing about SEO, GEO, and even “AI-SEO.” Can you break that down simply?
A: Sure! Think of it like this:
- SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the “old school” version, using keywords and backlinks so Google can find you.
- GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is the “new school” version, making sure AI search tools (like ChatGPT) see you as trustworthy.
AI doesn’t just look for keywords, it’s scanning the internet for context and credibility. It favors brands with news coverage, expert insights, and thought leadership.
So, if you’re a business owner, it’s not enough to have a keyword-optimized website anymore. You need to be out there – in contributed articles, online conversations, and trusted media outlets. That’s where PR and SEO meet. PR builds credibility, SEO organizes it, and AI stitches it all together for the person searching.
Q4: What do you think entrepreneurs need to know right now?
A: I’m often asked:
- “How do I get noticed without a big budget?”
- “How do I stand out when everyone’s online?”
- “What’s the ROI of PR in an AI-driven world?”
My answer: focus on being discoverable and consistent. You don’t have to dominate every platform, but you do need to show up where your audience is already looking. A single piece of coverage in the right publication could keep showing up in AI results for months, even years. That’s long-term ROI you can’t get from a single ad campaign.
Q5: If you could give one piece of advice to business owners navigating PR in the next five years, what would it be?
A: Don’t underestimate storytelling. AI and algorithms may help people find you, but it’s your story that makes them care. Whether you’re launching something new, celebrating an anniversary, or just getting started, always ask yourself: Why does this matter to my audience? If you lead with that, PR becomes a lot less complicated.
Q6: And finally, how is GYC Vegas celebrating 8 years?
A: With gratitude! We’re so thankful to our clients, media partners, and amazing team members. Here’s to the next chapter!
At GYC Vegas, we believe every company has a story to tell, and we’re passionate about helping businesses get recognized. Curious how modern PR can boost your visibility? Let’s chat. Fill out our quick questionnaire and let’s get your story discovered.