In this episode of Press Playbook, I sat down with Brittany Harran, Senior Account Director at BAM, to talk about how our team helped two venture firms, Costanoa and Matrix, land quotes in Fortune's Term Sheet by sharing bold predictions about the year ahead.
We walk through how the opportunity came together, why prediction series are such a strong thought leadership play for VCs, and what founders and investors can learn about getting their perspectives in front of the right audiences.
Below are the key moments and takeaways from the episode, or listen where you please:
Episode Overview
Guest: Brittany Harran, Senior Account Director at BAM
Clients Featured: Costanoa and Matrix
Key Placement: Fortune Term Sheet
Episode Focus: Thought leadership, predictions, and VC media strategy
Key Moments & Takeaways
⏱️ 00:00–01:45 — Meet Brittany and the Clients
I introduce Brittany and her role at BAM, where she works across our venture and deep tech practices. She shares background on both Kostanoa and Matrix, two early-stage venture funds looking to get in front of new founders and strengthen their visibility in the VC ecosystem.
⏱️ 01:45–03:15 — How the Fortune Opportunity Came Together
Brittany explains how Fortune Term Sheet runs an annual “crystal ball” series, where they invite founders, VCs, and executives to submit predictions about what’s coming next in venture, AI, cybersecurity, and tech.
Because our team has an ongoing relationship with Fortune’s Alexandra Garfinkle, we knew this opportunity was coming and helped both clients prepare strong, forward-looking takes.
⏱️ 03:15–04:35 — Submitting Bold Predictions
For both Costanoa and Matrix, the team worked with partners to shape predictions that would stand out.
One shared a perspective on where venture capital is headed in the coming year. Another offered a bold take on how early-stage VC returns might change.
Instead of playing it safe, the goal was to submit quotes that were interesting, differentiated, and actually useful to Fortune’s readers.
⏱️ 04:35–05:25 — Why These Placements Matter for VCs
We talk about why placements like Fortune Term Sheet are so valuable for venture firms.
These quotes help:
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build visibility with new founders
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strengthen personal brand for partners
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support relationships with LPs
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position firms as thoughtful voices in the ecosystem
Being featured alongside other respected investors carries a lot of weight.
⏱️ 05:25–06:35 — Advice for Founders and VCs on Thought Leadership
Brittany shares one of the best takeaways from the episode.
Her advice is simple:
"Don’t be afraid to share a bold or even slightly controversial perspective."
She explains that reporters want differentiated voices and that they are not going to punish you if your prediction doesn’t come true exactly as planned.
What matters more is showing how you think about your market.
Final Takeaway
This episode is a great example of how PR does not always need an announcement to work.
By planning ahead, timing submissions with editorial moments, and encouraging clients to share bold points of view, BAM helped two venture firms earn meaningful visibility in one of the most influential VC publications.
If you are a founder or investor waiting for “perfect news” before talking to the media, this episode is a good reminder that insight alone can open a lot of doors.
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