How I Got Here: PRophet Founder Aaron Kwittken on unlocking AI for smarter stakeholder engagement

Aaron Kwittken, founder and CEO of PRophet, is a seasoned communications pro with over 30 years of experience, starting with public affairs on the hill and then transitioning to tech entrepreneurship. He founded PRophet, the first AI-powered platform for PR professionals, after a successful career leading a global PR and brand strategy firm, KWT. 

The thing I’m most excited about for the future of my profession is: 

Being able to bring the power of AI to revolutionize stakeholder engagement. With AI, we can better predict which stakeholders will be most receptive to a company or brand’s content – journalists, creators, influencers, prospects, employees, competitors, and the list goes on. We are finally in a position to be able to unlock data to backstop our instincts and replace the guessing game with knowledge when it comes to strategy, creativity and engagement to maximize impact.  

A tool or a piece of software I cannot live without is: 

I can’t live without Peak Metrics,an AI-powered narrative monitoring and analysis platform. 

And of course, The PRophet Suite to improve pitch performance and influencer engagement.  

Someone who has helped me be successful in my career is:  

There are a few individuals that come to mind for me. I am very grateful for Joe Gleason, Bob Feldman and David Gallagher’s support over the years. They have been my professional sounding board and have given me the confidence and inspiration to take on new ventures. Bob and David are what I consider to be my “professional Rabbis.”  

One piece of advice I would give other people in my profession is: 

I have several pieces of advice:  

• It’s important to prioritize your physical and mental health.  

• Stay curious to stay ahead. 

•  Never stop innovating.  

• Always remember that excellence and comfort can’t co-exist — comfort is a career killer.   

One way I maintain my work-life balance is: 

Spending time with my human and canine family and staying physically and mentally fit through open water swimming, long-distance running and cycling, hot yoga and daily meditation.  It’s crucial for me to prioritize these things to maintain the balance.  

The toughest moment in my career was: 

During the height of COVID, I managed my agency, KWT, launched PRophet, and served as president of my temple—all with a clear goal: to keep as many people employed as possible, safeguard everyone’s mental and physical health, and position each entity for long-term success amid the storm of panic and uncertainty. 

The most challenging moment during that time was the murder of George Floyd. While I was proud of our agency’s commitment to DEIB, it became clear that we needed to evolve further in both our culture and hiring practices. I was also shocked by the weak and uninformed responses from some clients when advising them on communication strategies during that period. 

 Fast forward to today, the Israel-Hamas war has sparked a pervasive, yet often silent, anxiety, especially with the rise of antisemitism and hate toward the Jewish community. I have been outspoken and believe it’s crucial for the non-Jewish community to show stronger allyship and stand with us. 

Isis Simpson-Mersha is a conference producer/ reporter for Ragan. Follow her on LinkedIn.