In 1993 I was asked to promote an event through Phoenix Metro media channels. It was fun and I was successful at securing coverage! Other opportunities came and then I met a PR Pro who left years of working at a PR agency to start her own firm. She hired me for contract work, became my mentor and a dear friend. I was contracted by additional PR agencies and many women coached me, helping me grow. I will always be grateful.
Often times when I share that I am a PR Specialist, the first thing that comes to mind is a press release. That is the tool used to contact media sources, yet it begins with learning what the needs and goals of the client are. Then to develop a strategy, plan and tactics that will reach the targeted audience(s). My specialty is publicity, creating story ideas and pitching them to media to secure coverage for my clients. Also researching additional avenues available to build awareness. It is also being a specialist that anticipates, analyzes and interprets attitudes, issues, and public opinion, that may have a positive or negative impact on the client. When needed, provide counsel to management on how to protect the reputation of the organization, how to pivot and move forward with their communications.
I also assist clients with websites, social media and have developed a more comprehensive campaign with partners and experts in brand development, marketing, digital marketing, advertising and social media strategy and placement.
The clients I represent are small and midsize businesses in industries including, yet not limited to, B2B, healthcare, wellness and fitness, consumer, restaurants, lifestyle, luxury, celebrity, special events, business services, startups, nonprofits and a specialty niche with authors/speakers. More information and examples are available on the client pages.
Prior background:
Marketing and Advertising Manager for Phoenix Metro’s largest furniture consignment company, Terri’s Consign & Design, responsible for securing advertising buys for a $320,000 ad budget, working with media ad representatives, creating the advertising campaigns and tracking the results. Also managing the CEO and Founder’s national speaking calendar.
PR and Marketing Manager for a family entertainment center in Scottsdale, AZ. Responsible for directing strategy, working with a local advertising and PR agency, and managing a $500,000 budget developing advertising collateral, print, broadcast media production, media buying and PR.
Owner of Creative Artist’s Agency, Butler Creative Resources, where I marketed creative talent portfolios to advertising agency creative directors and in-house marketing directors at large companies in the Phoenix Metro area. My responsibilities were to secure business for my artists, the project manage: communicate the assignment, negotiate the contracts and rights with the Artists Guild, and manage talent deadlines. The artists represented were five illustrators, three photographers, a stock photography company, four writers, a music production company, a video production company and graphic design firm.
Giving back is essential in life and my agency consistently provides services for charitable organizations and causes.