Branded or Buried: Pete Pachal on Why AI Will Expose the Real Value of Media
In this episode of The Revenue Room™, Pete Pachal, founder of The Media Copilot and longtime tech journalist, joins Heather Holst-Knudsen for a sharp, future-forward conversation on how AI is reshaping the media landscape. From the decline of brand trust to the rise of zero-click content, Pete unpacks the brutal clarity that AI brings—and why it may force media companies to finally prove their real value.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Why AI’s biggest disruption isn’t productivity—it’s radical transparency.
- How zero-click content is changing content discovery and engagement.
- Why media brands must differentiate or risk being buried by algorithms.
- The case for authenticity as the next competitive advantage.
- What tech’s evolution tells us about the future of media.
- How Pete built The Media Copilot to help publishers and marketers navigate the AI transition.
- What it takes to thrive in a world where AI can replicate—but not originate—trust.
About Pete Pachal
Pete Pachal is the founder of The Media Copilot, a consulting and strategy platform for helping media and marketing leaders make sense of AI. He is also a longtime tech journalist, having served in editorial leadership roles at CoinDesk, Mashable, and PCMag. Pete is known for his sharp analysis and ability to demystify emerging technologies in plain language. He’s appeared as a tech expert on The Today Show, CNN, Fox Business, CNBC, and more.
About Heather Holst-Knudsen
Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. She is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in digital transformation, data, and revenue growth. She is a recognized leader and operator in media, marketplaces, events, and adjacent technologies. Heather has a proven track record of leading organizations to achieve customer-centric innovation, revenue growth, and enterprise value creation. As a thought leader, Heather shares her insights on multisided business models under The Revenue Room™. Connect with Heather on LinkedIn.
ABOUT REVENUE ROOM™ CONNECT
Revenue Room™ Connect is a high-trust membership network for growth-minded executives in media, events, data, and B2B platforms. It’s where forward-thinking leaders align around what actually drives revenue—with curated content, peer exchange, and exclusive access to frameworks, events, and executive insights. Join to connect with others solving the same challenges you are. Create your free profile at https://www.revenueroomconnect.com.
ABOUT H2K LABS
H2K Labs is a tech-enabled value creation specialist that helps media, data/information, event, and marketplace businesses accelerate revenue, drive profitability, and fuel enterprise value using data, digi...