Janne Virtanen’s Post

In the competitive terrain of the Windy City, #Chicago #PRfirms excel at crafting unique stories for businesses. This article dives into how these agencies leverage Chicago’s economic diversity to create impactful narratives and robust brand presence. Get ready to explore the agencies at the heart of Chicago PR, shaping the futures of businesses across the city’s key industries.

How often do you think about taking on something new and end up talking yourself out of it? I used to be the queen of this. I was scared I wouldn’t be good enough for whatever new thing I was taking on.  I gave more power to my fears and limiting beliefs than my power and strengths. The good news is over the last 5-7 years I’ve changed and embraced the new and taken on new challenges. Here are four examples of why I’m glad I said yes, when I really wanted to say no. 1️⃣ Advanced Air, LLC: My friend’s husband owned this company and said they needed someone like me involved in their marketing + PR. I resisted. I had never worked in aviation. Eventually I took the meeting, put some thoughts together and the rest is history. Been part of my growth story and one of the best experiences I’ve had since opening Elevate Communications! 2️⃣ USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy: I was approached about doing PR for USC’s Jimmy Iovine & Dr. Dre’s Academy. I had never worked in education, but knew that I could figure it out. (There were a lot more things in my career I HAD done, and I knew I could channel those learnings into a new vertical.) I took it on, built their PR strategy and landed them a big story in a major Hollywood trade created by a pitch I came up with. It was a wonderful experience! 3️⃣  Netflix: In 2012, I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I started a new job at a company that was setting out to change television as we knew it. Leaping into the unknown, I didn’t think too much about it and dove in head first. Throughout my 6.5 years of time there, I was given so many opportunities to take on new roles within the company: head up Film publicity, head up Slate Publicity, head up Talent Relations. I said yes to all, but deep down I wanted to say no.  Glad I didn’t b/c each of these roles made me the PR Executive I am today! 4️⃣ Elevate Communications: In 2019, after 18 years of working in Corporate America, I opened Elevate Communications, a full-service, boutique PR firm specializing in entertainment, technology, and lifestyle. It would have been easier and more familiar to go back in house at a network, studio, streamer, but the bigger challenge and opportunity resided in something I thought about a lot:  going out on my own. I am SO glad I said ‘yes’ to myself, when my fear wanted me to say ‘no.’ #attitude #mindset #PR #publicrelations

"Success in PR is about creating meaningful connections that leave a lasting impact." As we celebrate three incredible years at Amigoz PR & Communications, the relevance, and power of Public Relations in today's dynamic world have never been more apparent. Beyond traditional strategies, PR plays a pivotal role in building trust and credibility with our target audience. At Amigoz PR, we craft compelling narratives that resonate with our clients' audiences, empowering their businesses and elevating their brands. By staying ahead of industry trends, we navigate challenges and seize opportunities, delivering exceptional results that lead to tangible business growth. Grateful for our amazing team, esteemed clients, and media partners who have been instrumental in our journey. Your unwavering support has driven our success. Cheers to three incredible years of impactful connections, and here's to many more years of empowering businesses and transforming visions into reality! 🥂 Amigoz PR & Communications #publicrelations #amigozPR #threeyearsofexcellence #marcomm #brandbuilding #creatingimpactfulconnections

#EchoesofExperience- journey as a PR Team Member Public Relations? It all seemed so glamorous – crafting compelling stories, generating sponsors and establishing professional relationships. But as a wide-eyed PR member for The Marketing Society, Gargi College, reality dawned quickly. I had zero experience! Our first challenge – securing sponsorships for the annual marketing week Ebullience. Armed with a meticulously crafted list of sponsors preparing after researching, I started reaching out. Every email felt like a leap of faith. How do I present our society's value proposition? What convinces a company to invest? The Power of Guidance Thankfully, my amazing seniors and core team were there to guide us. They equipped me with negotiation pointers, communication strategies, and the art of closing the deal. Each conversation was a learning curve, a chance to refine my approach. PR isn’t just about emails. It is about meticulous planning – building relationships, coordinating logistics, and anticipating challenges. Every successful event, every positive sponsor interaction, was a collective triumph. By now, I am not that clueless person anymore. My communication skills have soared, and I have developed a newfound appreciation for teamwork and planning. This experience taught me that effective communication is the key, and collaboration paves the way for success. I'm eager to keep learning, keep growing, and keep contributing as a valuable PR team member.

Happy Monday and welcome to a brand-new week! Ever thought about how public relations (PR) can shape a business journey? Well, it's like telling an awesome story to people...and anyone that knows me...knows I love to tell a story. lol Public relations isn't just about press releases and media coverage – it's about building authentic connections. From crafting compelling narratives to fostering meaningful relationships, PR has the magic to amplify our stories and values. I chatted with my client last Friday, and we're excited that the promo sizzle video we created for them earlier this year is still getting noticed by the people who support them, from their community members to the government-funded agency. A well-timed PR campaign propelled their brand to new heights and got them additional funding to increase services in their community. The excitement of watching their message spread far and wide was amazing! This week, I'm super excited about what's coming up in the world of PR. Let's embrace the challenges, innovate strategies, and collaborate to make waves in this dynamic landscape. What do you think about PR? Have you seen it make your business better? What cool things are you aiming for this week? Let's chat and get inspired! 👇💬 #PRMagic #NewWeekNewGoals #PRPros #GrowingBusiness

PR can be a hard thing to celebrate 🎉 When you land a big media placement, and even better one you have been working towards for months, the first person you want to tell is the client, who will be as excited as you are and possibly more! Then who do you tell who will “get it”? Fellow PR’s will also get it and share the excitement in the win as they have been there and know the thrill. From there, friends and family…some who will get it and others who won’t. Some will act excited with us, but not understand what is actually happening. Some will understand it, but not understand why we seem THAT excited. People who are still confused what we do will look at the media placement and say “Why isn’t your name there?” That’s a whole different conversation there, because it’s not about us taking credit. There is a thrill and rush of adrenaline for PR’e chasing media for a client, and feeling of celebration when it lands. It’s something you only know how good it feels when you are actually a PR. I’m working on celebrating more by myself in my personal life, but also celebrating more in work when it feels as though only a certain number of people actually get it. Here’s to celebrating PR wins more! #publicrelations #publicity #pr

It's NOT about You, It's about the Brand In the world of Public Relations (PR), where big personalities strut their stuff like peacocks on a catwalk, it's easy to get caught up in the glitz and glam. But let me be direct: it's NOT about you, it's about the brand. Sure, confidence is key, and we've got more of it than a cat has lives. Yet, in the midst of all the swagger, the heart and soul of PR lies in protecting the sacred ground of brand reputation and understanding the pulse of the consumer or client. It's a passionate dance where emotions run high, and every move is crafted to safeguard what matters most. So, to my fellow PR aficionados, let's not forget: our bravado might turn heads, but it's the brand's heartbeat and the way it resonates with our audience that truly defines our success. The stage is set, the spotlight is on, but it's NOT about you; it's about the brand. #brandbuilding #brand #PR #publicrelations #publicaffairs #reputationmanagement #communications #perceptionmatters

I want to share a story about returning to work after the birth of my first child. I always had a feeling I would be the kind of mom who would return to work sooner than most. The truth is, I really enjoy working. I have always known this, but I became even more keenly aware of it after my business was acquired a few years ago. When I exited, I took a partial sabbatical while I considered my next move. This was hard for me. I don’t always thrive in stillness, but years of burnout and disillusionment with my profession had taken their toll. I needed a break badly. In all honesty, I never expected to return to the industry. I explored a few new and different opportunities, but they never quite hit the mark. It wasn’t until I was pregnant that I started to think about a return to the PR industry. This was an unexpected development, but as time went on, I started to gain clarity on the things that really mattered to me in my work: freedom, collaboration, creativity, and leadership. For the first time, I began to miss the field I turned my back on. About six months after my daughter was born, I was hungry to get back to work. I really enjoyed my maternity leave, but I knew that I needed some variety in my days and that being totally off work for much longer would make me antsy. I needed something just for me, something that would fill my cup and help me be the best possible parent. I started to get a sense of the job market. I applied for a few in-house roles for which I was extremely qualified and anxiously mentioned I was returning from maternity leave in my cover letters. I didn’t get a single response. I was already nervous about returning to work after an extended break, and this didn’t help. I spoke to a few trusted advisors, colleagues and friends to get their insight. At the urging of Tak Yukawa, I started to think about returning to agency life. He introduced me to Maxine Jakubke at PUBLiSH Partners. One email introduction all of a sudden became an incredible offer that included working remotely, a gradual return to entry, and the chance to do the meaningful work I craved. More importantly, it gave me the gift of being a present mom for my daughter, which is undoubtedly the greatest perk of all. I am so grateful to work for a company that celebrates women and mothers. Imagine the world today if every workplace did the same. I hope that world is one my daughter gets to experience in her lifetime.

I personally believe that both in work and personal relationships, success is measured by the trust we build. Midway through my career, I worked tirelessly on a challenging campaign for a client who was on the brink of a significant product launch. Amidst the hectic planning, a defining moment emerged. The client had a critical decision to make. And so she reached out to me not just as their PR professional but as a trusted advisor. This was a turning point for me- a testament to the trust we had built over time. PR is about building relationships and trust with your stakeholders. The real achievement for me here wasn't merely securing media placements or executing a flawless event. It was becoming the first person they called when they had something in their mind and needed my counsel to make that decision. This trust, forged through honest communication, transparency, and a relentless pursuit of results, became my unique selling point with this client- and all other future clients. This moment signaled a key achievement for me and it is something I have carried along throughout my career. If you enjoy PR like I do, let's connect and share our passion for telling stories! #publicrelations #globallinkedinbootcampwithmuthoni

Hey LinkedIn fam! Just wanted to take a moment to share a glimpse into the exhilarating journey of crafting press releases as a PR and Communications Coordinator at Hollywoodbets and Hollywood Foundation.  For Hollywoodbets and Hollywood Foundation, there is always something new happening, and we absolutely love to share the latest news with the public. As a PR aficionado, being part of this dynamic process that bridges the gap between our organisations and our valued audience is an incredible experience. From the initial brainstorming session, where we map out the key messages that resonate with our brands' essence, to the meticulous drafting and revising phase, and finally, to that exhilarating moment when the release goes live - the journey is a rollercoaster of creativity and strategy.  At Hollywoodbets, we understand that there's an art to distilling complex information into a concise yet impactful narrative. It's about finding that perfect balance between our corporate voice and relatable storytelling, ensuring that our audience stays engaged and informed.  And let's not forget the dance with deadlines and the adrenaline rush of adapting the release to breaking news or unexpected changes. It's all part of the thrill of working in an ever-evolving industry!  But what truly makes this journey remarkable, is the collaboration with our diverse teams - from our marketing maestros to our subject matter experts. The magic happens when everyone brings their unique insights to the table, shaping the narrative into something truly exceptional.  So, here's to the art of crafting press releases - a skill that requires finesse, strategic thinking, and a touch of creativity. As a PR professional, I'm honored to be part of this process that brings the exciting stories of our brands to life and connects us with our valued audience. Feel free to share your own experiences in the world of PR and press releases in the comments below! Let's keep the conversation going.  #Hollywoodbets #HollywoodFoundation #PRprofessionals #PressReleaseMagic #CraftingStories