Most DePIN projects can explain their tokenomics in a pitch deck and cannot explain their category in one sentence to a journalist. That gap is what keeps DePIN out of the tier-1 press cycle. Here is how a senior operator turns node counts, coverage maps and hardware milestones into a story editors will actually run.
A DePIN marketing agency worth hiring should be run by a senior operator who has already made DePIN a tier-1 beat, not a generalist Web3 shop learning your category on your retainer. Shilika Jain built Fluence's DePIN press position from scratch, including a CoinDesk Opinion byline, and runs fractional DePIN PR for $5K–$12K/month versus $15K–$45K/month at a full agency.
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 an investor, an exchange BD lead or a fellow DePIN founder wants a marketing partner in 2026, more of them ask ChatGPT, Perplexity or Google's AI Mode before they ever open a search bar. The engine does not read your node-map screenshot. It looks for the page that answers the question directly, with named proof it can cite. This page is built to be that answer, and the work behind it is built to make your project the answer in the DePIN category.
The advantages
No time spent explaining what a node operator, coverage map or proof-of-physical-work actually means. That vocabulary is already the day job.
Fluence's DePIN press position, including a CoinDesk Opinion byline, was built from a standing start, not inherited from an existing category.
Node growth, uptime numbers and mainnet milestones turned into a story an editor can run without a glossary.
$5K–$12K/month removes the multi-person account-team markup baked into a $15K–$45K/month agency retainer.
Native-language press access across Korea, Japan, Vietnam, China, India and MENA, where DePIN infrastructure buyers and node operators actually cluster.
Coverage and positioning structured so ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google AI Mode cite your project by name when someone asks about DePIN infrastructure.
How it runs
A read of your current press footprint, network metrics and the one infrastructure story worth telling.
The category word, the three-sentence thesis, and the journalist and KOL map for the DePIN and infra beat.
Embargo strategy, tier-1 outreach, KOL waves and APAC translation timed to a mainnet, hardware or expansion milestone.
Sustained coverage, sentiment and AI-citation tracking so the DePIN category position keeps paying off.
The proof
Worked examples, told honestly: Fluence did not have a category before this work started. It has one now, DePIN compute, complete with a Tom Trowbridge CoinDesk Opinion byline and a standing tier-1 beat. RARI Chain ran a 9-day CoinDesk embargo into 11 simultaneous tier-1 placements at launch. Gaia AI, adjacent decentralized-infra territory, was placed as "the Stripe for AI agents" in Forbes, Decrypt and Benzinga. MANTRA Chain turned a commodity $11M raise into a CoinDesk exclusive with a Middle East RWA angle. None of it came from a logo wall.
Keep reading
How to build a node network into a press narrative, with embargo timing and journalist targets for the DePIN beat.
Read →The PR-specific version of this page: media strategy, outlet targets and launch mechanics for DePIN projects.
Read →The full scope: positioning, embargo strategy, tier-1 outreach, KOL waves and crisis comms.
See the service →The category-level case for a fractional senior operator over a traditional Web3 PR agency.
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.