Axia Public Relations: Jacksonville PR Agency Profile

Axia Public Relations is a Jacksonville, Florida PR agency founded in 2002 by Jason Mudd, who still leads it as CEO. The firm focuses on earned media for companies and their leaders, and Mudd hosts its On Top of PR podcast, which has run since 2020 with new episodes through October 2026. Forbes lists Axia among America's best PR agencies, according to the firm.

Originally published December 2013. Updated November 2, 2026.

In this profile

1. What is Axia Public Relations?
2. Who founded and leads Axia?
3. How did Axia start and grow?
4. What does Axia Public Relations do?
5. What is the On Top of PR podcast?
6. What recognition has Axia received?
7. What is the latest Axia news?
8. How does Axia compare with other Florida PR firms?

What is Axia Public Relations?

Axia Public Relations is a Jacksonville, Florida, agency that Jason Mudd started in 2002 and still leads. It builds visibility for companies and executives through news coverage, social media and web content, with a stated focus on earned media and long-term brand authority. Clutch lists the firm at 10 to 49 employees and shows its work as 100 percent public relations, and reviewers there highlight Mudd's hands-on involvement.

That small-team, senior-led model is the firm's selling point. Axia pairs agency work with steady thought leadership: Mudd writes about PR best practices for American City Business Journals, trade media and national business outlets, speaks professionally and hosts a business podcast aimed at corporate communications leaders.

Who founded and leads Axia?

Name	Role	Background
Jason Mudd, APR	Founder, CEO and managing partner	Jacksonville native and University of Missouri School of Journalism graduate. Emmy Award-winning, accredited PR practitioner, author and speaker. CEO of Axia since 2002

In a December 2006 Jacksonville Daily Record profile, Mudd said he started the firm from scratch in 2002 in a spare bedroom with one phone line, after working at the Florida Sports Awards and the Otis Smith Foundation. The World Communication Forum later named him North America's top PR leader, and the Jacksonville Business Journal has featured him on its Florida Business Minds program discussing AI and crisis communications.

How did Axia start and grow?

1. 2002: Mudd launches Axia in Jacksonville.
2. 2004: The firm moves into downtown Jacksonville, and staff and space later double.
3. 2006: The Daily Record reports offices in downtown Jacksonville and Amelia Island, with a third office just opened in Tallahassee.
4. 2020: The On Top of PR podcast begins publishing, and it has produced 140 or more episodes since.
5. 2026: Axia keeps releasing new On Top of PR episodes on AI in PR, crisis communications and media relations, with episodes listed through October 13.

Mudd explained to the Daily Record in 2006 that "axia" is Greek for "trusted friend", and that he chose a distinctive name over one built from partners' surnames.

What does Axia Public Relations do?

Axia offers news, social media and web strategies, services and measurement programs, according to its Glassdoor company description. Its stated focus is earning credible media coverage and aligning news, social and web content to support brand authority for companies and executives.

• Media relations and earned media programs
• Crisis communications, which Axia promotes as its own service line
• Corporate communications and executive thought leadership
• Social media and web content tied to PR goals
• One-on-one consultations and training for communicators

For related disciplines, see EPR's crisis PR coverage.

What is the On Top of PR podcast?

On Top of PR with Jason Mudd is a business podcast from Axia for corporate communications leaders who want to use PR to build brand and reputation. Podcast listings show it has been active since 2020, and the show says its guests have included people from Disney, Wells Fargo, Tyson Foods, Mall of America, Priceline and Southwest Airlines. Recent topics include AI media relations, crisis messaging, measurement under the Barcelona Principles 4.0 and AI ethics in PR with PRSA CEO Matthew Marcial.

What recognition has Axia received?

Recognition	Who it is for	Source
Named one of America's Best PR Agencies by Forbes	Axia	Axia and PRSA biography of Mudd (firm-stated)
Named North America's top PR leader by the World Communication Forum	Jason Mudd	Podcast and PRSA biographies
Emmy Award winner and accredited PR practitioner (APR)	Jason Mudd	Axia author biography

These honors come from the firm's own descriptions, so check the awarding bodies for years and categories.

What is the latest Axia news?

Date	News	Source
October 13, 2026	New On Top of PR episode: "Is your brand PR ready? 5 steps for the AI era"	Podcast Republic
October 6, 2026	Episode on why brands should lead with public relations	Podcast Republic
July 27, 2026	Episode on managing communications and PR in the AI era with Brenda Duran	Talks.co
January 2026	Axia adds a client engagement team member based in Atlanta	Axia team page
January 26, 2026	Episode with PRSA CEO Matthew Marcial on AI ethics in PR	Podcast Republic

EPR updates this table when Axia announces a leadership change, client win or award.

How does Axia compare with other Florida PR firms?

Axia is a Northeast Florida independent, so buyers usually compare it with other Florida agencies by size, specialty and location.

Firm	Market	EPR profile
The Zimmerman Agency	Tallahassee	The Zimmerman Agency
rbb Communications	Miami	rbb Communications
BoardroomPR	Fort Lauderdale	BoardroomPR

For other markets, see the Florida PR firms directory, the best PR firms in Miami and the best PR firms in Tampa. The PR agency profiles directory lists more.

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Related: PR agency profiles, Florida PR firms, The Zimmerman Agency, rbb Communications, Crisis PR