Marilyn Reles

“ I love making people happy. Whenever I successfully get an artist a premiere or a placement in a large publication, I know that it truly makes their day. ”

Q. Tell Everyone who you are and where you’re from?

A. My name is Marilyn Reles and I am the Founder of Present PR.

I am from so many places. My parents moved me around a lot as a kid, but I spent the majority of my teenage years in Wisconsin. My adult years have been spent in the three largest cities ofthe United

States, Chicago, Los Angeles and

NYC. Chicago feels like home, so

I have a feeling we’ll end up there long term.

Q.

A. What made you want to be in PR?

It was a wild journey getting here. I have been interested in the entertainment industry ever since I was a kid. I always loved singing, dancing and acting. I acted in musicals from 14-22 and from there, decided to start writing and recording my own music. In retrospect I realize how good I was at booking myself interviews and promoting myself. At the time, I didn’t know that what I was doing was PR. I had no frame of reference; I just instinctively knew what to do. From there, I started managing artists and successfully providing them with opportunities to promote their work. I took a job at a small PR agency back in 2018 as an A&R. I was great at sales so they kept me there; however, I’d watch the publicists do their work and I was like “Hey, I can do that too!”. I ended up taking another job as a publicist at a small PR agency in NYC. I started to realize that I preferred to do things my way, so I launched my own firm in June of 2019!

Q.

A. In your own words tell us what PR is?

PR is many things. It is the professional maintenance of a public image through things like media training. It is creative writing / storytelling. It is brand development and securing promotional opportunities like interviews, reviews and endorsements, etc. I seek out opportunities that are the right fit formy clients. I’m also a bit of a cheerleader :) I believe in all of my clients!

Q. What is one of the biggest challenges you have being a publicist?

A. 2020, haha. No but really though, 2020 has offered some very interesting hoops and hurdles to climb through. The environment seems to be changing every day.

We’re witnessing so much history this yearand it has affected the ways in which we approach press.

One good thing that I’ve been pleasantly surprised about is how creative artists have been during quarantine. I’m hearing some of the best music they’ve ever made. The introspective time at home helps but with all of this history in the making... it’s safe to say that there’s a lot to be inspired by right now.

Q.

A. What is one thing you think Publicists do not get enough credit on?

Haha good question. Hmmm probably the thoughtful and delicate care we put into each and every client. In order to be successful at what we do, we have to exhibit a high level of emotional intelligence. We also have to exhibit a unique ability to empathize. In orderto best represent each and every client, we have to know how to put ourselves in their shoes in order to deliver the results that they desire and deserve.

Q.

A. What is one fun fact about you that people do not know?

I was a rapper. haha. A lot of people actually know that but, it’s obviously not assumed when they meet me as ‘Publicist Marilyn’ and not ‘Rapper Marilyn’. I wrote a few albums and produced a bunch of music videos. It was a blast and allowed me to gain empathy for artists because I was once an indie artist too. Whenever I work an artist campaign I think “What would I have wanted?”

Q. If you can go anywhere in the world where would you go?

I want to go to Santorini, Greece so bad! It looks beautiful in the photos - very serene and calming. I’m also vegetarian and I hear it’s very easy to eat vegetarian in Greece. The

Mediterranean diet offers a lot of healthy options :)

Q.

A. Q. A.

What are some of your other hobbies?

I love to work out. Not being able to go to the gym during quarantine has actually been pretty hard on me. Home workouts are just not the same, haha. But obviously I’d rather be safe than sorry so, I’ve been making it a habit to go out fora walk /jog every night after work. It allows me to take a break from my computer and it keeps me

healthy :).

What do you love about being a publicist?

I love making people happy. Whenever I successfully get an artist a premiere or a placement in a large publication, I know that it truly makes their day. Being an independent musician is an uphill battle, so ifI can offeranything to help them make their dreams come true, I will.

Q. What are you working on right now and where can everyone follow you?

A. Right now, I’m promoting Layzie

Bone’s new album “Wanted Dead orAlive”. Layzie is a legend. Bone

Thugs-N-Harmony made such a huge impact on hip hop and working with him has been so incredibly rewarding.

You can follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/

presentmediapr/