The Media Store’s Post

There's an old saw that says, "Days are long, years are short." I am coming to appreciate that sentiment. It was just over 30 years ago when I walked into my then-boss's office at a local PR firm and told him I was going to take a shot at starting my own firm, filled with unbridled ambition and armed with a diaphanous business plan. I leased a small office above The Old Spaghetti Factory on Western Avenue (to this day, I can recall the smell of burnt garlic and cheap olive oil) and began a career that has lasted more than three decades. Over the years, Firmani + Associate Inc. prospered, proudly representing some of the Pacific Northwest's most iconic brands. I attribute F+A's success to several factors, but undoubtedly, the biggest reason we've flourished in a rough-and-tumble industry is the quality of our team. Over these past three decades, I have had the honor of working with some of the brightest, most passionate, and most driven communications professionals in our industry, no more notable than Kristi Herriott and Annie Alley. Kristi and Annie joined F+A right out of school as interns and quickly blossomed into rising stars in our profession. Perhaps my smartest move was to recognize this early on and offer them both equity positions in the agency. Today, the plan and vision that we forged years ago have come to fruition: Kristi and Annie are now the owners of F+A. They will continue the F+A tradition, providing our clients with blue-flame strategic thinking and superlative client service. I am very proud of them and share their excitement for what's to come. So, what about me? Those of you who know me will understand immediately that I am far too restless and ornery to slow down in any meaningful way, so I have a two-pronged approach to the next phase of my professional evolution. First, I will continue contributing to F+A's success in an of counsel role. Second, I will continue providing strategic communications services through my next professional iteration, Juno Strategies. (www.junostrat.com) As you might know, Juno was a Roman goddess who was the counselor to the state. (She’s also related to another Roman goddess, Minerva, the namesake of my wife’s agency, Minerva Strategies). At Juno, I will focus on serving clients who would benefit from senior communications counsel when dealing with bet-the-company issues. I will also continue to work with attorneys and law firms, using my experience to help create marketable differentiation. I hope you will take a moment to congratulate Kristi and Annie – I could not be happier for them. One of the enduring benefits of being around as long as I have is the network of friends and colleagues that I’ve been fortunate to develop. I certainly want to keep that intact, so please keep in touch!

This week, our Industry-Related newsletter covers gratitude. An incredible breathwork session over the summer led to some interesting insights that have driven positive change within our company — two of my favourites being the creation of a "whinge window" and a gratitude channel in Slack. Enjoy! #newsletter #gratitude #pr #brandcomms #wellness #insights

In the professional echo chamber of LinkedIn, it’s easy to forget that behind every profile picture, accolade, and job title, there’s a human being. People, with their complexities, joys, and moments of serenity. This realization deeply influences my approach to marketing and client relations. This weekend, as I sat on our front porch, with my baby in one lap and my husband by my side, immersed in the simple joy of planting spring flowers, a thought struck me. At the end of the day, whether we’re CEOs or interns, we’re all just people seeking moments of happiness and connection. That’s what marketing should be about—not just pushing a product, but how a brand can genuinely participate in and enhance someone’s life. It’s about recognizing the human moments that our products become a part of. From a family’s dinner table to a solo morning coffee ritual, these are the spaces where real connections are made. So, as we strategize and innovate, let’s not lose sight of the simple, human experiences at the heart of what we do. Let’s create marketing that doesn’t just sell, but serves; that doesn’t just tell a story, but becomes a cherished part of someone’s story. Here’s to marketing that sees beyond the transaction to the human on the other side. 🌸 #HumanCenteredMarketing #BrandStorytelling #MarketingPhilosophy

Celebrating 24 incredible years of DEL Communications Inc.! 🎉 From our humble beginnings with just four people, we've grown into a talented team of 25+ professionals, proudly serving over 150 clients across diverse industries. At DEL, we don't just produce magazines – we create impactful platforms that help clients engage their audiences, share valuable information, and drive growth through strategic content and advertising. Plus, we help them generate additional non-dues revenue along the way. We’re grateful for the journey, the partnerships we’ve built, and the lasting impact we continue to make. Here’s to many more years of innovation and success ahead! . . . . . #24YearsStrong #ClientSuccess #ImpactfulContent #StrategicAdvertising #TeamGrowth #NonDuesRevenue #MagazineCreators #EngageAndGrow #BusinessMilestones #InnovationInMedia #ContentMarketing #CelebratingSuccess #IndustryLeaders #BusinessJourney #GrowthAndSuccess #PartnershipsThatMatter #MediaExcellence #ClientEngagement

“So.. you just scroll all day?” Not quite! From looking at analytics and providing strategic content recommendations to writing monthly editorials/content calendars and maintaining community engagement efforts on each platform, there’s there’s no such thing as a boring day working in social. Though no two days look the same, I’m grateful to continue to explore new trends, experiment with platform updates, and work with clients to achieve their KPI goals. #SocialStrategy #SocialInsights #SocialMedia

Mega-mergers like Omnicom and Interpublic should raise serious concerns for companies navigating sensitive public policy and PR challenges. When a single corporate conglomerate owns agencies representing BOTH SIDES of a conflict, how can you be sure your strategy stays protected? Conflicts of interest and blurred lines seem inevitable. In the high-stakes world of public affairs and PR, discretion and loyalty are non-negotiable. That’s why so many organizations turn to independent firms like Sachs Media for: ✔️ Conflict-free representation ✔️ Strict confidentiality with no shared parent company ✔️ Direct, senior-level attention without competing priorities In a world where influence is everything, your voice should never be just another account on a balance sheet. Choose partners working only for YOU.

Gifts marketers & agencies REALLY want... 15 gifts for marketers; 15 gifts for agencies. What's your favorite? Mine for marketers from agencies: 1. More proactivity 5. More transparency & less self-dealing (principal buying etc.) 6. Deeper customer, competitor and brand insights 8. Better trained staff 12. Ways to deliver more impact for the same budget Mine for agencies from marketers: 1. A client-agency 360 5. Better strategic marketing written briefs 7. More time to do great work 8. A client team trained in how to evaluate creative, media & PR plans 10. Fair compensation What are yours? Read the entire lists below. Faris Yakob Drew McLellan Matt Kasindorf Gini Dietrich Andrew Tindall 4A's Association of National Advertisers American Marketing Association Mitchell Caplan Matt Weiss

Here’s a bold take: 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆. Unusual? Sure. But here’s why it works. We’re not here to replace your current partners—we’re here to join forces with them. In our launch year, we collaborated with eight different client partners. Not a single agency was dismissed when we came on board. That’s because we’ve carved out a unique PR specialty: partnership amplification. 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: You can work with us without disrupting your current relationships. We’re not an AOR and don’t seek to be. And here’s a stat that speaks volumes: In our year-end survey, all clients rated our collaboration with their other agencies a perfect 5/5. The Gray Wolf name originated from our desire to run in a pack. This includes working collaboratively with your current agencies. #HearTheHowl

Omnicom’s announcement to acquire Interpublic Group spurred big conversations about the influx of recent M&A on the #publicrelations industry. Beyond changing the agency landscape, it’s also shaping the career paths of #GenZ in a new way.   The ever-talented Alana MacLeod explored the growing gap between indie firms and consolidated agencies, and the different opportunities they offer to Gen Z professionals early on in their careers. With benefits that span from global footprints and specialized training at larger firms to the creative freedom and first-hand experiences at smaller agencies, #PRpros should carefully consider what they're looking for as they grow in their career.   Read more of her analysis in PRWeek: https://lnkd.in/eCCJm8MX

When Innovate Marketing Group started in 2014, we only had a few clients and just a small office in Los Angeles. But within a few months, we secured our first major contract that paved the path to our breakthrough. How? By focusing relentlessly on creating unforgettable experiences. In those early days, we didn’t aim to build a big company. We concentrated on getting the basics right—organizing small events, networking, and refining our approach. Our strategy was clear: prioritize client satisfaction, build a strong team, and keep innovating. Over the years, our efforts paid off. We gained industry recognition, a growing list of high-profile clients, and a reputation for excellence. Now, as we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we’re proud of how far we’ve come. Our journey taught us that success comes from hard work and dedication. It's not just about being in the right place at the right time—it's about being ready to seize opportunities when they come. So, for anyone with big dreams, remember: consistent effort and a commitment to excellence will always put you in a position to succeed. #Innovation #BusinessExcellence #eventagency