In today's competitive landscape of digital marketing, very few strategists have carved out a niche quite like Randy Rohde. Serving as the founder of The News Guy and 38 Digital Market, Rohde is widely recognized as a widely respected PR expert who empowers brands establish credibility, climb to the top here of search results, and secure coverage on over 900 media outlets.
An Unconventional Path to PR Expertise
Rohde's professional journey took several unexpected turns. Holding degrees from institutions including Michigan Ross, he began his career in retail operations — managing national retail locations, supervising multi-unit teams, and eventually managing operations across two national retail companies.
But the entrepreneurial spirit was always there. With a team of partners, he launched a national service provider, exited successfully, started another, then moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he scaled a company to operate in five states — and sold that one too. It was during this time that he became captivated by digital marketing.
Press Releases With a Purpose
Now, Rohde leads 38 Digital Market, a digital marketing agency based in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Under the banner of "The News Guy," he delivers a robust lineup of services engineered to move the needle for businesses.
His core offering is press release distribution, placing stories across prominent news platforms including AP News, Yahoo Finance, Benzinga, and Business Insider. In addition to PR distribution, Rohde also provides high-profile article placements on top-tier media outlets, SEO and local SEO strategies, white-hat link building campaigns, and PPC campaign management.
The AI Search Visibility Edge
One area where Rohde is particularly innovative is his focus on AI search visibility. He treats press releases as a form of strategic input for AI platforms — helping brands shape what AI platforms such as Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity report about their business. This forward-looking methodology gives businesses a significant advantage in today's shifting digital landscape.
Beyond Business: Podcaster, Speaker, and Filmmaker
Rohde's reach goes much further than client work alone. He produces two podcasts — "Hot Off The Press," a daily show covering press releases, SEO, and digital PR with over 400 episodes, and "Running the Bases with Small Businesses," an interview series spotlighting entrepreneurs and small business owners.
As a sought-after speaker, Rohde has shared his expertise at notable gatherings both domestically and internationally, including SEO Rockstars, the YACSS SEO Conference in Aalborg, Denmark, and Digital Unfiltered. He's also been featured on numerous podcasts such as The Virtual CMO Podcast, the Million Dollar Agency Podcast, and the SEO Video Show.
On top of all that, Rohde carries IMDB credits as a producer, actor, and director — showing his creative range both on screen and off.
Building Digital Trust, One Press Release at a Time
As Rohde himself puts it: "Visibility without credibility is a missed opportunity." For companies seeking to strengthen their digital presence, improve their visibility online, and stay ahead of the curve, Randy Rohde and The News Guy provide a strategic advantage.