A Brief Coffee With...

In this episode of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy White sits down with Dominic-Madori Davis, Senior Venture Capital and Startup Reporter at TechCrunch, to explore what one of the world's most influential technology publications is really looking for today.
From the future of TechCrunch's European coverage to the cultural differences between founders in the US and the UK, Dominic shares why storytelling is shaped as much by sociology as by startups.
If you've ever wondered what catches a TechCrunch reporter's attention—or why some startup stories resonate more than others—this episode is packed with practical insights for founders and communications professionals alike.
Key moments
00:00 – Meet Dominic-Madori Davis, Senior Venture Capital & Startup Reporter at TechCrunch
01:40 – Dominic's journey from Business Insider to TechCrunch
02:40 – Is TechCrunch still covering European startups after its restructuring?
04:15 – The biggest cultural differences between US and UK founders
06:00 – Risk, ambition, failure and the British startup mindset
09:30 – Why Dominic became fascinated by Europe's startup ecosystem
13:10 – The startup stories that are really catching her attention right now
14:15 – Beyond AI: biotech, healthtech and the science of creating entirely new smells
16:40 – How TechCrunch journalists are actually using AI day-to-day
19:30 – AI as a research partner, brainstorming tool and search engine
20:50 – Quick fire: pitches, press releases, narratives and founder interviews
21:00 – Why your first message should be a DM, not an email
22:00 – Press releases still matter
22:30 – Data vs narrative—and why the best stories need both
23:15 – The one thing PR professionals should stop doing: cold calling Gen Z journalists
24:00 – How to connect with Dominic and the TechCrunch team

In this episode of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy is joined by Ana Metz, Founder and Editor of Future Travel, to explore how a niche travel tech newsletter has grown into one of the industry's leading media brands—and why community has become just as important as journalism.
From launching Future Travel during the pandemic to building the annual Future Travel Summit in Barcelona, Ana shares what she's seeing across travel technology, the biggest opportunities emerging around AI, and why founders need to think beyond product announcements if they want to earn attention.
The conversation also explores how specialist publications work, what makes a story stand out, the importance of understanding a publication's editorial rhythm, and why building genuine relationships is far more valuable than chasing coverage.
Key Moments
00:00 – Meet Ana Metz, Founder and Editor of Future Travel
01:00 – From EU-Startups to launching Future Travel during the pandemic
03:00 – What Future Travel covers and why travel tech deserves its own publication
04:00 – Inside the Future Travel Summit and bringing the industry together
05:30 – The biggest trends shaping travel technology today
06:00 – AI in travel: balancing automation with human experiences
08:30 – How the Future Travel newsletter is curated each week
09:50 – Using reader questions to demystify AI through industry experts
11:00 – How PR professionals can work with Future Travel
11:45 – Inbox zero, email pitches and managing a growing publication
12:30 – Quick fire: founder interviews, embargoes and pitching preferences
13:20 – Why understanding a publication's editorial calendar matters
16:00 – What PR professionals should do more of—not less
17:00 – Why travel tech founders need to professionalize their communications
18:30 – The AI travel startup story that's exciting Ana most
19:40 – How to get in touch with Ana and the Future Travel team
If you're looking for support with your communications, from PR and media relations to content strategy and thought leadership, get in touch with CEW Communications at cewcomms.com.

In this episode of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy is joined by Damisola Sulaiman, Fintech Reporter at Sifted, to explore what it's like joining one of Europe's busiest startup newsrooms—and what founders need to understand if they want their stories to stand out.
From covering Europe's biggest fintechs to tracking emerging trends in AI, digital assets, and financial services, Damisola shares what catches her attention, how she works through more than 200 pitches a day, and why context matters just as much as the product you're building.
Key Moments
00:00 – Meet Damisola Sulaiman, Fintech Reporter at Sifted
02:00 – From financial trade journalism to Europe's startup ecosystem
04:00 – Why fintech moves faster than traditional finance
05:20 – The stories shaping fintech today: neobanks, AI, digital assets, and insurtech
08:10 – Revolut, growth-stage fintechs, and spotting the next big trend
09:20 – Inside a fintech reporter's inbox: managing 200+ emails a day
11:50 – How to write a subject line that catches Damisola's attention
13:30 – Why founders should build relationships before they need coverage
14:10 – What makes a great founder interview
17:10 – Quick-fire round: exclusives, data vs narrative, experts vs founders, and press releases
19:30 – The biggest mistake PR professionals make when pitching Sifted
20:20 – Why founders need to place their company in a wider context
23:30 – AI in journalism: research assistant, not replacement
24:00 – The rise of AI-generated pitches and why they're easy to spot
26:00 – How journalists are using AI for sourcing and research
27:00 – Why media coverage increasingly influences AI discovery
28:50 – The best way to pitch Damisola and the Sifted newsroom
If you're looking for support with your communications, from PR and media relations to content strategy and thought leadership, get in touch with CEW Communications at cewcomms.com.

In this episode of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy sits down with freelance technology journalist and producer Tim Smith to explore how journalism is evolving.
Drawing on his experience covering startups and AI at Sifted, producing programs for the BBC, writing for The Infinite Loop, and creating documentary-style YouTube content, Tim shares practical advice on becoming a trusted expert source, why authentic opinions will always outperform AI-generated content, and the simple changes that make journalists far more likely to get in touch.
The conversation also explores how AI is really being used inside newsrooms and why the best stories are those that explain how technology affects real people—not just other people in tech.
Key Moments
00:00 – Meet Tim Smith, freelance journalist, BBC producer, and former Sifted news editor
02:20 – Why Tim returned to freelancing and the projects he's working on today
03:30 – Writing about AI for The Infinite Loop and the changing media landscape
05:20 – Producing documentary-style YouTube content about technology and work
07:15 – The difference between being a journalist and a producer
09:30 – How Tim finds expert sources for BBC programs
11:00 – The simple website mistake that stops journalists contacting startups
12:10 – How AI fits into Tim's daily workflow
15:10 – Why AI still can't write great journalism
15:50 – ChatGPT talking to Claude: the problem with AI-generated LinkedIn content
17:20 – Why authenticity is becoming more valuable in an AI-first world
18:00 – Journalists want original thinking, not average opinions
19:20 – Finding experts with genuine points of view
19:45 – Quick-fire round: pitches, exclusives, founders vs experts, and press releases
20:50 – One thing PR professionals should stop doing
21:30 – Tim's advice for founders: don't let your PR run the interview
23:10 – The AI stories Tim is most interested in covering next
24:00 – How to get in touch with Tim
 
If you're looking for support with your communications, from PR and media relations to content strategy and thought leadership, get in touch at CEW Communications via cewcomms.com.

In this episode of A Brief Coffee With, Cathy White sits down with veteran technology and business journalist Nick Huber to explore what more than 25 years in journalism has taught him about media, storytelling, and why so many companies still get communications wrong.
Having written for the Financial Times, The Guardian, the BBC, and The Telegraph, including many trade titles, Nick shares a unique perspective from both sides of the fence, combining his work as a freelance journalist with advising technology companies on content, thought leadership, and media strategy.
The conversation explores why founders should stop talking about their products and start becoming trusted industry experts, why strong opinions and clear storytelling matter more than ever, and whether every business really needs a "Chief Storyteller".
Key moments
00:00 – Meet Nick Huber, veteran technology and business journalist
01:15 – From aspiring TV journalist to covering technology for more than 25 years
04:30 – Writing for the Financial Times and why AI dominates today's newsroom
07:20 – How technology journalism has evolved from niche to mainstream
10:00 – Why journalists increasingly work alongside companies as communications consultants
13:00 – The biggest mistake companies make: writing for themselves, not their audience
16:00 – Why founders should position themselves as industry experts, not just company spokespeople
17:20 – How to explain complex technology so journalists actually understand it
18:50 – What makes a founder memorable? Simplicity, enthusiasm, and strong opinions
21:00 – Why authentic expertise stands out in an AI-generated content world
22:00 – The surprisingly common mistake startups make that stops journalists getting in touch
26:00 – Does every business really need a Chief Storyteller?
30:00 – Why companies struggle to produce genuinely great content
33:00 – What's catching Nick's attention in technology right now
35:20 – Quick fire
41:15 – How to get in touch with Nick
If you're looking for support with your communications, from PR and media relations to content strategy and thought leadership, get in touch at cewcomms.com.

In this episode of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy sits down with Caitlin Macdonald, Social Media Editor at The Observer, to explore how one of Britain's most historic newspaper brands is reinventing itself for a digital-first future.
From helping to transform a 234-year-old publication for audiences on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to finding stories in LinkedIn comments and social media conversations, the two discuss how modern journalism is evolving — and why founders, experts, and communications professionals should pay closer attention to their online presence.
The conversation covers the role social media now plays inside newsrooms, how journalists discover sources, why authenticity is becoming more valuable in an AI-driven world, and how a single comment or post can lead to media opportunities.
Plus, Caitlin shares practical advice for founders and PR professionals looking to earn coverage, build relationships with journalists, and stand out in an increasingly crowded information landscape.
Key Moments
00:00 – Meet Caitlin Macdonald, Social Media Editor at The Observer02:00 – Bringing a 234-year-old newspaper into the digital age04:00 – From journalism student to startup employee to The Observer newsroom07:30 – Why startup environments create better media professionals08:30 – How social media surfaces stories traditional newsrooms might miss09:30 – The Steven Bartlett debate and how Cathy ended up in The Observer11:00 – How journalists use LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok to find sources12:20 – Finding overlooked voices through social media13:30 – Why your online presence matters more than ever15:30 – The role of personal branding in earning media opportunities16:00 – Can journalists spot AI-generated content?17:30 – Why authenticity is becoming more valuable in the AI era19:20 – Posting less, but posting better19:50 – How stories are pitched and developed inside The Observer newsroom20:30 – From Dua Lipa's wedding to spotting wider cultural trends22:00 – Turning social media conversations into published features23:30 – Why social media now sits at the center of the newsroom24:00 – Quick-fire round: DMs, exclusives and founder interviews25:00 – The best time to pitch Caitlin25:30 – Why PR professionals should stop "spray and pray" outreach26:30 – Breaking major exclusives and the power of social distribution28:00 – What Caitlin is watching next at The Observer29:00 – How to get in touch with Caitlin and the social team
 
If you're looking for support with your communications, from PR and media relations to content and thought leadership, get in touch at CEW Communications via cewcomms.com.

In this episode of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy White sits down with Charlotte Jee, News Editor at MIT Technology Review, to explore how one of the world's most respected technology publications approaches emerging technology, innovation, and the future of AI.
 
From autonomous drones and world models to the realities of AI adoption and the growing influence of deep tech startups, Charlotte shares what is catching her attention right now, how MIT Technology Review decides which technologies matter, and why founders often approach the media before they're truly ready.
 
The conversation also dives into AI-generated content, authentic storytelling, the importance of proving that technology works in the real world, and the challenges women face in AI.
Along the way, Charlotte offers practical advice for founders and communications professionals looking to earn meaningful coverage in an increasingly noisy technology landscape.
Key moments
00:00 – Meet Charlotte Jee, News Editor at MIT Technology Review
02:15 – How MIT Technology Review works and its relationship with MIT
04:20 – Why AI still dominates the technology agenda
05:15 – The technologies MIT Technology Review is watching closely
06:00 – AI, robotics, defense technology, and autonomous systems
06:45 – AI infrastructure, chip supply chains, and the next wave of innovation
07:20 – Has the AI hype cycle peaked?
08:00 – The real cost of AI and who gets access to the best tools
08:45 – What makes a startup interesting to MIT Technology Review?
09:20 – Why many founders start PR too early
10:15 – The rise of AI-generated pitches and comments
11:05 – Why journalists can usually spot AI-written content
12:00 – The "AI witch hunt" and what authentic communication looks like
13:00 – Human storytelling versus AI-generated content
13:20 – Women, power, and inequality in the age of AI
14:45 – Deepfakes, bias, and the societal impact of emerging technology
15:20 – Is AI really replacing jobs?
16:00 – The best way to pitch MIT Technology Review
17:15 – Quick fire round
18:30 – Why PR professionals should think carefully before posting
19:00 – The one thing founders should do more often when speaking to journalists
19:30 – Charlotte's "secret word" for podcast listeners
20:00 – How to connect with Charlotte and the MIT Technology Review team
If you're looking for support with your communications, from PR and media relations to content and thought leadership, get in touch at cewcomms.com.
 

In this episode of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy sits down with Shona Ghosh, Senior Editor at Bloomberg, to explore how one of the world’s most influential financial news organisations approaches technology reporting.
From Bloomberg’s unique terminal-first newsroom culture to the challenges of covering startups in an era dominated by AI, defense tech, and billion-dollar funding rounds, Shona shares what catches her attention, how founders can earn coverage beyond fundraising announcements, and why trust matters more than ever in media relationships.
The conversation also dives into Bloomberg’s growing focus on trends, newsletters, and expert commentary, alongside practical advice for founders and communications professionals hoping to build meaningful relationships with journalists.
Key moments
00:00 – Meet Shona Ghosh, Senior Editor at Bloomberg01:00 – How Bloomberg’s newsroom operates and the role of the technology team03:20 – Moving from reporter to editor and staying connected to startup stories05:20 – What Bloomberg is covering right now: AI, defense, venture capital and the Middle East08:20 – Why most startups are too small for Bloomberg (and what to do instead)09:20 – How founders can earn Bloomberg coverage through trends and expertise11:00 – Newsletters as an overlooked route into Bloomberg12:20 – Bloomberg TV and becoming a trusted expert voice13:20 – Understanding Bloomberg’s terminal audience and why it matters16:30 – Why some Bloomberg stories never appear online18:10 – Building relationships with Bloomberg journalists19:50 – Quick fire round: pitches, exclusives and founder interviews21:10 – The one thing PR professionals should never do: lie to journalists24:20 – Tech bro culture, LinkedIn controversy and building long-term credibility26:30 – How to contact Shona and the Bloomberg team
If you’re looking for support with your communications, from PR and media relations to content and thought leadership, get in touch at cewcomms.com.

In this episode of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy sits down with Thomas Ohr, founder of EU-Startups, to discuss the evolution of startup media, the realities of running an independent publication, and what founders need to understand if they want to earn meaningful coverage.
Thomas shares the story behind building EU-Startups from a hobby blog into one of Europe’s leading startup publications, reflects on the company’s recent acquisition, and explains why storytelling, not product features, is often the difference between getting noticed and getting ignored.
From AI-generated pitches to startup events, media relationships, and the future of European tech journalism, this episode is packed with practical advice for founders, PR professionals, and anyone trying to stand out in a crowded market.
Key moments
00:00 – Meet Thomas Ohr, founder of EU-Startups
02:00 – Reflecting on the EU-Startups Summit in Malta
03:00 – Building EU-Startups from a hobby project to a leading publication
06:00 – The acquisition of EU-Startups and what changes next
07:20 – The changing startup media landscape in the age of AI
08:15 – What EU-Startups looks for in startup stories
09:15 – Why founders need better narratives, not more features
11:00 – How to get a journalist’s attention
12:20 – Why AI-written pitches are hurting founders
14:15 – The role of thought leadership and opinion pieces
15:00 – What makes a great podcast guest
16:30 – Quick fire: pitching journalists, exclusives and press releases
18:00 – What founders consistently get wrong with media
19:15 – New projects, African Startups and the Me Out Summit
21:00 – How to pitch EU-Startups and connect with the team
If you’re looking for support with your communications, get in touch at cewcomms.com.

In this episode of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy sits down with Martin Bryant, founder of PreSeed Now, to unpack what really makes an early-stage startup stand out — and why storytelling can be just as important as the technology itself.
 
From deep tech communication challenges to the realities of modern startup media, Martin shares what he’s learned from covering hundreds of pre-seed companies across the UK startup ecosystem. The conversation also explores how founders can improve their narrative, why investors sometimes struggle to understand technical businesses, and what PRs should stop doing when pitching journalists.
 
Key moments
00:00 – Meet Martin Bryant & the story behind PreSeed Now02:15 – Why Martin launched a publication focused on pre-seed startups03:10 – How the startup funding landscape has changed in recent years04:30 – From ElevenLabs to hidden gems: spotting startups early05:40 – How PreSeed Now has helped founders attract investors06:20 – Why deep tech founders struggle with storytelling07:00 – The importance of leading with impact, not complexity08:10 – Martin’s journalism journey: TNW, Tech Nation & startup comms09:30 – Journalism vs communications: can the two coexist?10:45 – Why Martin moved from Substack to Beehiiv11:40 – The rise of creator-led media in tech journalism12:20 – How Martin handles startup pitches today13:50 – Why email still beats LinkedIn DMs15:00 – Tips for first-time founders doing media interviews16:40 – The “duty of care” Martin feels towards early-stage startups17:20 – Why founders shouldn’t obsess over early valuations18:50 – Quick fire: pitching, press releases & PR mistakes21:50 – Martin’s advice for every founder: build a “micro pitch”22:40 – How to contact Martin & pitch PreSeed Now
If you're looking for support with your communications, get in touch at cewcomms.com.