AI Search Is Rewriting PR: What Comms Leaders Need To Know Before Feb 18
AI-powered search is changing how people discover brands, analyze credibility, and form opinions. PR and communications teams are expected to adapt fast-and prove impact just as fast.
On February 18, 2026, 75 senior leaders will meet on Madison Ave in New York for a half-day, invite-only executive event focused on generative engine optimization (GEO) for communications. A virtual Zoom option is available, with a recording after the event. Tickets are available to purchase (password: GEO).
Why this event matters
Most AI answers are stitched from sources that reflect authority, structure, and recency. Earned media, messaging, and narrative now directly influence what shows up-and what gets cited-in AI-driven responses.
This program zeroes in on the PR levers that move GEO results: the content signals that matter, where authority comes from, and how to build a repeatable strategy that leadership can understand and fund.
Who's behind it
The event is supported by Notified, Meltwater, Coffee Communications, and Stacker-spanning measurement, media intelligence, strategic communications, and content distribution. Leaders from multiple AI and search platforms will provide a platform-agnostic view of what works and what doesn't.
The emphasis is practical and comparative: what actually improves AI search performance, what falls flat, and how teams can drive measurable outcomes without vendor spin.
Early insights you can use
Notified analyzed thousands of GlobeNewswire press releases, investor updates, and corporate statements for AI visibility. The content most likely to be surfaced and cited by AI shared four traits-summarized in the SOAR Content Framework™:
- Structure: Clear, scannable information architecture and data points
- Originality: Unique insights, angles, and analysis
- Authority: Credible sources, experts, and proof
- Recency: Fresh, timely updates and context
"This is the year AI becomes a defining capability for every communicator, as we move from channels to answers and from impressions to influence," said Erik Carlson, President and Chief Executive Officer at Notified. "The teams who act quickly to structure information for both people and machines will win in the Answer Engine Economy and define the future of corporate communications."
"The way people search and discover information has fundamentally changed. GenAI is the new first impression for brands, and if you're not in the answer, you're in the background," said Jenny Force, VP of Global Marketing at Meltwater. "What we're seeing from the most innovative teams is a shift from chasing tactics to building a comprehensive GEO strategy. They're analyzing where their brand shows up in AI-generated answers, which sources are cited, what narratives are repeated, and the sentiment of the responses themselves."
Event curation
Amanda Coffee and Noah Greenberg are serving on the host committee for this first-of-its-kind event, with a singular focus on elevating communications leaders in AI search.
"Most Fortune 500 companies are in the business of trust. Ensuring your brand is accurately represented in AI search is now essential to protecting reputation capital and relevance," said Amanda Coffee, CEO of Coffee Communications. "Almost overnight, communications leaders have been deputized to lead AI search, as earned media remains the most trusted source cited by large language models."
"The majority of GEO content and events are geared towards professionals focused on SEO, even though data confirms communications leaders are credited as the ones that can make material impact," said Noah Greenberg, CEO of Stacker. "I'm looking forward to moderating the closing session on proving ROI for GEO programs in addition to connecting communications professionals on the front lines of how AI search can define brand impact."
Agenda highlights
- How comms leaders compete and win in AI search
Panelists: Jen Cornwell, Sr Director of AI SEO Innovation at Tinuiti; Marcel Goldstein, Managing Director, Global Corporate Affairs at Allison; Jenny Force, VP of Global Marketing at Meltwater; Joanie Sanders, Agency Growth at Profound
Moderator: Amanda Miller, SVP of Corporate Communications at American Express - Increasing brand visibility with AI
A session with Notified's President & CEO, Erik Carlson - Proving the ROI on AI Search
Panelists: Steve Rubel, EVP Media Insights & Measurement, Burson; Christine Bartlett, SVP Marketing, Hack the Box; Christina Bennett, Head of Communications at Priceline
Moderator: Noah Greenberg, CEO of Stacker - How top-tier reporters are adapting to AI-and what they see cited by LLMs
Panelists: Caleb Silver, Editor in Chief of Investopedia, a People Inc. media title and top five source on Gemini; Tim Crino, Senior Editor at Inc Magazine; Colleen Turner, VP of Strategy at Axios
Moderator: Pete Pachal, Founder of The Media Copilot
The event concludes with three hours of in-person networking.
Who should attend
Senior communications decision-makers who want clarity over hype. Expect real examples, practical frameworks, and honest tradeoffs as AI search becomes a primary discovery channel.
Quick actions you can take now
- Audit where your brand appears in AI-generated answers, which sources get cited, and the sentiment of those answers.
- Publish SOAR-ready content: structured, original, authoritative, and up-to-date.
- Lean into earned media and expert commentary to build durable authority signals.
- Define ROI metrics that matter to leadership: answer share, citation quality, narrative consistency, and conversion impact.
How to join
In-person seats are limited to 75 leaders. A virtual Zoom option is available, with a recording post-event. Tickets are available to purchase (password: GEO). For questions or invite requests, contact: amanda@amanda.coffee | 408 221 1984.
About Notified
We are Notified, and your story goes here. As the only technology partner dedicated to both investor relations and public relations professionals, we help you control and amplify your corporate narrative. Our fully integrated PR and IR platforms streamline every step-whether it's reaching the right media, press release distribution, and measurement or designing new IR websites, managing investor days, earnings releases, and regulatory filings. Connecting both worlds, GlobeNewswire is one of the world's largest and most trusted newswire distribution networks, serving leading organizations for over 30 years. Together, we empower communicators to inform a better world. Notified is an affiliate of Equiniti Group Limited (EQ).
About Meltwater
Meltwater empowers companies with a suite of solutions that spans media, social and consumer intelligence. By analyzing ~1 billion pieces of content each day and transforming them into vital insights, Meltwater unlocks the competitive edge needed to drive results. With 27,000 global customers, 50 offices across six continents, and 2,200 employees, Meltwater is the industry partner of choice for global brands making an impact. Learn more at meltwater.com.
Helpful resource for PR teams building GEO skills
Explore practical AI learning paths by job function to accelerate GEO readiness: AI courses by job.
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