PR Spotlight: Hanging Out with Lifestyle Publicist, Jenelle Hamilton

It is my pleasure to introduce Luxury Lifestyle Publicist, Jenelle Hamilton of NYC. I am incredibly honored to have interviewed such a skilled and passionate individual. Not to mention, she is 'PR Breakthrough' first interview. I hope you all enjoy and find inspiration through her amazing story.

 

1) What influenced you to do PR, what was that “Breakthrough” moment that made you realize that you have to do this as a career?

 

I love meeting and talking to new people. I think I have an ability to read people - know what they want, how to talk to them and make them open up to me. I couldn't see myself sitting behind a desk every day - that's SO not me. I like to be out and about and PR allows me to do just that!

 

2) Seeing that you received your BA from Greenwich University in Media and Communications, did you ever have the opportunity to intern? If so, who did you intern with and what was an invaluable lesson that you learned from it?

 

I actually didn't intern during college, I worked at the retail store Prada two days per week. That actually helped me perfect my craft as a publicist, as I got to meet with people from all walks of life. I did customer service, managed people queries and complaints and I got to work with beautiful products (clothes). That actually prepared me more than I realized and that was good for me. I didn't do my first internship until I graduated from college and left my first entry level PR assistant job. I did it backwards, but it worked for me!

3) What are three essentials that you feel are vital in becoming a successful publicist?

1) Work on your confidence and being able to speak to people from all walks of life. PR isn't a job for wallflowers.

2) An ability to work under stress and multi-task - you have to do this EVERY day!!

3) Make sure you like people and dealing with them. If you don't like speaking with people on the phone, over email or in person, you won't progress in this field.

4) I noticed that you began your PR journey in London and made the BIG move to NYC. What made you want to move there? Handling PR in a city such as New York, do you have a new perspective in the field of public relations or do you feel that it’s equally the same?

I specialized in luxury fashion PR in London, working at one of the best PR agencies in the world. I loved it, but after a few years, I really wanted to explore a different kind of PR - namely beauty PR! Where is the capital of beauty - New York City, so I decided to pack up and move here and it was the best thing I ever did.

I noticed that in NYC publicists work hard and play harder than London publicists. PR is definitely more "glamorous" in NY. In London, editors are happy to just go to the pub and hang out and you become friends and they give you placements. IN NYC, it's all about going and being seen at the hottest restaurants and venues. PR isn't taken as seriously in London as it is here.

5) Are there any special PR tactics that you use to attract new potential clients?

I make sure that I PR "myself" first! I am very active on social media, I have a blog, I go out and network (even when I don't want to) and I talk about the events I am doing, so potential clients can see what I am doing. There are so many BS-ers in PR, I want clients to know that I am the real deal and can actually deliver.

6) Being as though you’re a publicist that represent multiple clients from different industries (fashion, entertainment and lifestyle), do you ever face challenges in balancing time with each of them? What have you discovered to be your best tool for managing your time?

I am a workhorse! I work seven days a week, till late at night, but I am trying to step away and learn to find a balance with my personal life. I have noticed that food, fashion, beauty - they are all merging into one. They are really not separate anymore. It's all about "lifestyle" and many media opps or partnerships I secure for one client, could also work for another. It's all about synergy.

7) Would you ever recommend PR newbies to representing multiple brands at one time if they fresh to the public relations world?

If you can get the clients - do it. Landing new business when you start out is TOUGH. I'd rather work with a small number of amazing brands/clients, that tons of bad clients that no editor would write about anyway. Just make sure you can deliver what you promise to your clients and don't take on more than you can chew!

8) What’s a typical day in the fab life of Miss. Jenelle Hamilton?

Before I even roll out of bed, I switch on my cell, check my messages and Twitter account. I put on my gym clothes and work out for 1.5 hrs. I am ob-sessed with the Tracy Anderson Method and do it 4-6 times a week. It energizes me, gets me focused for the day and allows me to fit in to my fashion clients' samples (which is great motivation).

I do my pitching and client communication before midday. I tend to not schedule meetings until after 11am (I am not good about getting out of the house) and I tend to do all my meetings in the afternoon. I run around the city trying to fit everything in. Thats why I love living in Manhattan, as it allows me to be mobile and get around quickly. I love that I am not stuck in front of a computer in an office all day. I think I would slowly die if that were my day-to-day reality!!

I get invited to a lot of events in NYC with clients or just personally, so I will usually go out to dinners and events in the evening. PR is a social job and tends to roll over in to "personal time" but I love what I do, so it's fine.

9) What is one solid piece of advice that you would like to share to aspiring publicists?

Stay humble! When things are going great and people love you, remember to be nice and stay true to the essence of who you are. I have seen so many PR pros with egos that are out of control and that is ugly to me. People like to work with nice people, so always stay that way.

10) (Fun Question)- When you’re not attending galas, meetings, film segments and showroom consults, what do you enjoy doing the MOST in your minimal free time?

I like doing the most non-PR things such as; shopping at farmers markets, cooking at home (because I eat out so much) watching documentaries and spending time with family and friends. I hate going to parties when I am not working anymore, because I have to do it so much for work. For me, the simple life is HEAVEN when I am not doing my PR thing!

11) (Fun Question)- Are you team iPhone or team blackberry?

Team iPhone all the way! Pin numbers to chat (so 90s) and having to scroll down to find info - so dated. I love my iPhone and can't ive without it! :)

To find out more information about Jenelle Hamilton, check out her website www.jenellehamilton.com or tweet her @JenelleHamilton

 

Thank you all for your support!

 

XOXO,

 

Key

Tweet me: @Fab_Key
Email: info.prblog@gmail.com