More startup founders are beginning to question the usefulness of influencer campaigns. While social personalities still post about supplements and apps, many people now ignore these posts, often spotting the rehearsed tone behind the message. Even carefully crafted promotions often fall flat with audiences who have grown selective about the content they trust. This has led many businesses to search for methods that feel more grounded.

Baden Bower, a PR agency for startups, offers something different. It helps companies gain visibility through articles in trusted publications instead of paying influencers or buying ad space. This method lines up with what many consumers want: stories that feel credible and independently produced.

Editorial Coverage Carries More Weight Than Paid Ads

Trust matters more than reach now. Nearly all online shoppers, about 95%, read reviews before deciding what to buy. But not all outside sources carry the same impact. Influencers, once praised for their relatability, now rank low in public trust. Only 21% of Americans find them believable, less than those who trust horoscopes.

Baden Bower noticed this early. It built a system around helping its clients get featured in Forbes, Yahoo Finance, and Business Insider. These aren’t sponsored posts. Journalists write them as news, not marketing. That difference matters. Readers respond better to content that feels neutral and properly reported.

Its process leans on storytelling that feels real and grounded. It offers a path around the kind of advertising fatigue that now affects nearly every online platform.

A Different Kind of Media Work

Baden Bower works with experienced writers who know what a good news piece looks like. It doesn’t rely on standard press releases. Instead, its team builds narratives that focus on facts and relevance. Journalists and publicists work together to find the angle that makes a story worth publishing.

“Good PR means saying something people actually care about,” CEO AJ Ignacio notes. This thinking has helped clients gain real traction. One example: the agency secured more than 105 articles for BruntWork, bringing in over 9.2 million views and leading to steady business results.

Clients don’t pay based on time or vague goals. They pay only when articles go live. That model brings clarity and keeps the focus on outcomes that matter.

Why Startups Are Moving Away from Ads

Trust helps businesses grow, but many of the usual tools for building it now feel tired. Social feeds are packed, people use ad blockers, and attention spans are short.

Younger buyers, especially Gen Z, grew up spotting sponsored content. Many dismiss it right away, even if the message is solid.

Baden Bower’s work reflects these changes. One client, Global Recognition Awards, needed more visibility. The agency helped secure over 200 features in established publications, reaching more than 420 million readers. Instead of running the same ads over and over, it focused on getting the brand mentioned in real news stories.

This move away from paid promotions shows how people are now drawn to what feels reliable. Real coverage often matters more than flashy campaigns because it comes from independent writers rather than the company itself.

Why Trust Still Matters Most

As AI-generated content spreads fast, spotting what’s real has become harder. That’s made reliable, human-written reporting more valuable than ever. Readers want proof that isn’t easy to fake.

Baden Bower has adjusted to meet that need. It’s bringing in people who understand both traditional journalism and online media. The aim is to blend the strengths of both, clear, fact-based storytelling with a wide digital reach.

“We look for people who know how to make a message stand out and connect with readers,” notes Ignacio. That mindset helped it land a spot in Rolling Stone UK’s list of top PR agencies for growing companies.

Instead of chasing trends or repeating ad formulas, Baden Bower focuses on publishing content that carries real weight. Clients get stories that make sense to readers and hold up under scrutiny.

While others compete for clicks, it builds lasting credibility, something startups can’t buy and no algorithm can fake.