Last updated: November 2026
Published research says yes for many experts: 58% of business decision-makers say thought leadership led them to award business.
Ace Branding collected the statistics below from published studies and reports so thought leaders can weigh PR on evidence. Each number is quoted as its source states it and linked. These are industry figures, not Ace Branding results; the firm's own figures appear separately at the end.
58%
of VIP decision-makers spend more than 1 hour per week reading thought leadership content; 21% spend more than 4 hours.
Source: thoughtldr, How is thought leadership different to PR?
76%
say thought leadership content helps them make better business decisions.
Source: DSMN8, 22 Thought Leadership Statistics You Should Know
90%
of B2B buyers experienced longer purchase cycles in 2024, increasing demand for insightful content.
Source: DSMN8, 22 Thought Leadership Statistics You Should Know
58%
of business decision-makers said thought leadership had led them to award business to an organisation.
Source: thoughtldr, How is thought leadership different to PR?
61%
of C-Suite decision-makers are more willing to pay a premium to work with thought leaders versus non-thought leaders.
Source: thoughtldr, How is thought leadership different to PR?
60%
of decision-makers are willing to pay a premium to work with companies that show strong thought leadership.
Source: DSMN8, 22 Thought Leadership Statistics You Should Know
5%
of business buyers are in-market at any given moment; the other 95% will not buy for months or years.
Source: Considered Content, B2B thought leadership effectiveness: what the data says in 2026
97%
of B2B marketers say thought leadership is critical to full-funnel success, but only 43% use it beyond acquisition.
Source: DSMN8, 22 Thought Leadership Statistics You Should Know
6%
average yearly decline in the pool of working journalists.
Source: thoughtldr, How is thought leadership different to PR?
158M
monthly podcast consumers; 55% of Americans regularly tune in.
45%
say recognizing or liking the host can influence them to try a new podcast.
54%
grew to love their favorite podcast over time rather than immediately.
C-Suite Content points to Ken Ohashi, who took the reins of Brooks Brothers two months after it filed for bankruptcy during COVID and reinvigorated the 200-year-old brand, which did nearly $1 billion in revenue in 2023. It is an example of a leader's public profile becoming part of a brand's story.
As of November 2026, Ace Branding reports 12 years of experience, 1,523 clients served, 4,773 articles published, 100M+ podcast reach, and a network of 800+publications. These are the firm's own numbers, not an independent study.
See how those numbers translate into individual case studies, or return to the guide to PR for thought leaders.
It can be, if your goal is credibility and reach for your ideas. Press features give readers something to find when they search your name, and podcast interviews let you explain the book at length. Whether it pays off depends on your goals and budget; Ace Branding’s Reputation to Revenue Consulting is built to connect visibility to outcomes.
Thought leadership in marketing is content that shares genuine expertise to help buyers think through a problem, rather than pushing a sale. DSMN8 reports that 76% of readers say thought leadership content helps them make better business decisions. PR extends that content into outside outlets, so the expertise is published by media brands, not only on your own channels.
Ace Branding reports 1,523 clients served, 4,773 articles published, 100M+ podcast reach, and 12 years of experience. Its case studies include Rabu Gary, featured in 27 outlets and growing his business by over 200%, and UIGISC, featured in 30 outlets while growing from 100,000 to over 300,000 members. These are the firm’s own figures.
Ace Branding defines digital PR as the conscious and intentional effort to create and influence the online reputation of an individual or business by positioning them as an authority, elevating credibility, and differentiating them from competitors. In practice that means online press features, podcast appearances, and a stronger set of Google results for your name.
Ace Branding does not publish its prices, so this site does not list a figure. Cost depends on what you choose, such as the number of press features, the publications involved, and whether you add a podcast tour or TV appearances. The fastest way to get a real number is to request one through the Ace Branding contact page.
Book a consultation with Ace Branding to talk through press features, a podcast tour, or both. No retainer is required.
