ROI

o, when is PR simply a press release? When does it overlap with branding, marketing, or advertising? How can PR help move product, expand new opportunities, or give your business more structure? The answer is yes to all of the above.

There are several different types of PR that can pull different “levers” towards business growth, brand recognition, reputation management, and so much more.

We are so excited to introduce you to several leading PR executives from across industries.

While there are several common threads in our collective attitude and approach, each and every one of us (and our wonderful teams) represents a business and bottom-line focused solution that has been carefully designed through our individual experience. Without further ado, please meet the PR industry’s leading innovators:

From a tactical standpoint, I know “what” to do when it comes to PR. The insight that I was missing was a very specific focus that Nicole brings to her work- shops, clients, interactions: the “how.” It was about their belief in themselves.

I remember sitting there in awe at her message, which she delivered with precision. She used keywords like “worthy” and “deserve” — and any other words that speak to you in an encouraging manner. Just brilliant.

It was my honor to yet again appreciate her insights through the lens of sharing it with you all. (I would even suggest bookmarking this section to read again and again, so you can truly absorb Nicole’s spirit.)

OF NICOLE MYDEN, LLC

icole, your background sounds like a movie trailer!

Tell us! Tell us!

I’ve been working in the public relations industry for 23 years now. My career started in May of 2000 when I had the great opportunity to shadow a film publicist as an intern at the Cannes Film Festival. Post trip, I was back in Los Angeles working at a prestigious agency that represented celebrity talent. I spent my first few years working in the entertainment public relations niche and then found myself working in the consumer product, lifestyle and hospitality space for a bulk of my career.

My journey in PR has been a combination of holding upper management roles at some of the most respected agencies in the industry with a combined handful of years as an entrepreneur, serving both regionally focused and national businesses. In the last few years especially, I’ve found great joy in helping small business owners learn how to garner their own media coverage, for it is my core belief that everyone is worthy of press! They just need to understand how to tell their story and communicate it in a compelling way that shows people how they solve a problem with what they are bringing into the world through their business and or offerings, etc.

How did you get your start at your current company / organization?

I love being a guide to open up a client’s eyes to what is possible. I’ve had students show up to my workshops who don’t believe they are “worthy” of being on TV or in a magazine. Within 2 or 3 months of working together, they are seeing themselves on TV, in magazines, and opening doors for larger opportunities, because they had a shift in mindset and energy to align to these opportunities, and focus on calling them in.

I love to see the small business owners rewarded and celebrated in the press for their amazing causes, businesses, missions or ways they improve people’s lives. Press coverage is not just something for big brands, everyone deserves it!

What do you enjoy most about your work?

The infamous question of my career. At various stages of my career, my answer to this has looked very differently. I am very transparent with clients and tell them always, there is no guarantee in working together you will get placement. I prefer to under promise and over deliver and let the process take shape. I’ve personally seen the entire trajectory of a business change because of solid and consistent press coverage. I truly believe you have to be known these days, to stay relevant. Brands can’t afford to not be out there, so invest in the energy of PR, the momentum it will bring to your business, rather than gripping on the dollar return for every placement.

What topics could you talk about endlessly?

Trust the process, nothing happens overnight, but if the press coverage can help you impact just one person’s life for the better and reach just one new person with your mission and story, we’ve done our job!

Anything we haven’t asked?

Yes, the media landscape has changed so much since I started in my career over two decades ago. I love traditional media, I love magazines, I always have. I cherish the traditional media landscape and what it can do for brands still, even amidst all the incredible digital noise.

If you had to narrow it down, what is your specific area of expertise?

It has now become niching down to teach small business owners how to engage with the press in their local media markets and garner placements where their business is based.

Nicole Myden is the Founder of Nicole Myden LLC. Stay in touch with Nicole on LinkedIn and Instagram! @nicolemyden