Position a technical AI founder as a cited category authority across op-eds, podcasts and analyst rooms. The right byline in Forbes or a well-placed CoinDesk opinion column does more durable work than any press release, and it compounds over time. This page explains how that positioning is built, what it costs, and what the proof looks like.
For AI founders who want to be cited by journalists, analysts and AI engines, the fastest path is a fractional senior operator who crafts op-eds, secures podcast bookings and places bylines directly, for $5K–$12K/month. Shilika Jain has positioned Gaia AI as "the Stripe for AI agents" in Forbes, placed technical founders on a 6-podcast tour reaching 200K+ listeners, and built narrative frameworks that get cited by ChatGPT and Perplexity in category queries.
As featured in
"I don't pitch products. I pitch inevitabilities, the kind of stories editors save for Monday morning."
Why this page exists
When a journalist looks for an AI founder to quote, when an LP asks ChatGPT who the credible operators in agentic AI are, or when a conference program team pulls names from Perplexity, the engine cites published record: op-eds, podcast transcripts, analyst mentions and named case studies. A founder with no published footprint is invisible to that process, no matter how good the product. This page is built to be discoverable, and the work behind it builds your footprint so you become the cited authority in your category.
The advantages
Op-ed pitches go directly to editors at Forbes, CoinDesk and AI Magazine via relationships built over six years of actual placements, not a PR wire blast.
Before a single pitch is sent, a category thesis is built: the one sentence that defines your position in the AI market and makes every piece of content point the same direction.
Targeted booking on shows whose transcripts get indexed and cited by AI engines, not just downloaded once. The Gaia AI podcast tour reached 200K+ listeners across six shows in eight weeks.
Op-eds, interview transcripts and case studies are written so ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google AI Mode pull named quotes and cite your project when category queries come in.
$5K–$12K/month removes the multi-person account-team markup baked into a $15K–$45K agency retainer. The senior operator writes, pitches and places directly.
Most AI founders are deep on the tech and thin on the narrative. The work turns architecture decisions and benchmark data into stories that non-technical editors and investors actually read.
How it runs
A read of your existing published footprint, category white space and the one credible authority claim worth owning in 2026.
The category thesis, the founding story angle, the opinion territory that no competitor has claimed and that editors will actually want to publish.
Op-ed drafting, direct editor pitches, podcast booking and conference panel submissions, timed so placements cluster and build citation weight together.
Ongoing byline pipeline, speaker reel and AI-citation tracking so your published authority keeps growing quarter on quarter.
The proof
Worked examples, told honestly: Gaia AI was positioned as "the Stripe for AI agents" in Forbes, Decrypt and Benzinga, with a 6-podcast tour as the core thought leadership vehicle. Fluence founder Tom Trowbridge placed a CoinDesk Opinion that made DePIN a tier-1 beat, not a niche category. RARI Chain ran a 9-day CoinDesk embargo into 11 simultaneous tier-1 placements at launch. MANTRA Chain built an RWA authority narrative that turned a $11M raise into a CoinDesk exclusive. The pattern: a credible point of view placed in the right outlet at the right time, not a content volume play.
Keep reading
A field guide to building a cited founder profile in AI, from category thesis to podcast placement to op-ed strategy.
Read →Step-by-step framework for AI and tech founders to own a category position, with outlet maps and timeline benchmarks.
Read →The full scope: positioning audit, narrative architecture, op-ed drafting, direct editor pitches and podcast booking.
See the service →How fractional personal branding works for technical founders, including cost, timeline and what a senior operator does differently.
Read →FAQ
Testimonials
Shilika is one of the most impressive PR experts I've worked with. She deeply understands her clients, knows how to craft narratives that genuinely land, and brings a rare mix of strategic thinking and relentless execution. She's built strong relationships with top journalists and publications around the world, which gives her a real edge when it comes to getting stories placed.
I highly recommend Shilika for anyone needing PR support in Web3. What sets her apart is a deep, genuine understanding of blockchain, not just the buzzwords. Her network is outstanding: outlets that once felt out of reach became regular coverage, both in crypto and mainstream tech media. If you're in Web3 and want PR that actually delivers, Shilika is the one to call.
Work with Shilika
Two ways in. Send the intent form and I reply within 24 hours with a quick read on your press footprint, or book a 30-minute call and we plot it live.