Meg Connolly's agency has launched some of the world's most covetable brands - the likes of the ambitious new Faena District in Miami and a roster of ultra-luxe real estate, lifestyle and design brands.
Meg shared with us some of the values that have been cornerstone to her company's success and longevity, as well as how she manages to find balance in an increasingly fast-paced industry.
What does your
company do?
Meg Connolly Communications is a
high-service, results-driven public relations and marketing agency representing
prestigious international clients in the luxury lifestyle arena. We have
offices in New York and Los Angeles, and we are recognized for our dynamic and
creative approach, flawless execution (we are admittedly perfectionists) and
press generating partnerships and initiatives.
Since I founded the agency in
2006, we have carefully grown our client base to include some of the world’s
most celebrated luxury brands. Our clients are a mix of ultra-luxury brands
including Faena, Vik Retreats, Christofle, Bronson van Wyck, St. Regis Hotels
& Resorts and Savoir Beds among others.
How did you start the
business? What were you doing at the time?
Prior to MCC, I headed global PR for St.
Regis Hotels & Resorts, where I had the opportunity to create and implement
communications strategies for the world’s greatest designers, architects and
chefs including Yabu Pushelberg, Stephen Sills and James Huniford, Alain
Ducasse and Jean-Georges Vongerichten. I was also scouring the globe for agency
partners, and it was at that time I came to believe that there was space to
create a unique firm which held service, results, creativity, as well as client
and media relations at the highest level.
I was fortunate that St. Regis and Maybourne Hotel Group (Claridge’s,
The Connaught and Berkeley Hotels in London) signed on as our first clients. We continue to represent the St. Regis brand
and many of their hotels, and worked with Maybourne Hotel Group for over 8
years. Longevity in our client relationships is another hallmark for MCC.
Tell us about some of
the highlights of your career thus far
I am incredibly proud of all of the work
which best displays the qualities and characteristics for which the agency
stands apart, namely strategic and creative thinking, from cover stories and
multi-page features in the most important and discerning outlets to creating
partnerships for our clients that drive press.
There are many examples – from bringing The
Berkeley Hotel’s famed Prêt á Portea to Bergdorf Goodman for Fashion Week
(which sold out immediately and was featured in range of top publications
including Vanity Fair and W), to launching Vik Retreats and putting José
Ignacio, Uruguay on the map for chic travelers.
What are some of your
current projects that you’re excited about?
The opening of Faena District Miami Beach
is an incredible project, it is immensely ambitious, dynamic and layered – a merging
of art, design, music, theater, wellness and culinary. Alan Faena’s vision for
an urban utopia, bringing together the best minds, architects, designers,
thinkers and talents has elevated Miami to new heights.
The hotel, designed by
Alan in collaboration with Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin is spectacularly
glamorous, features Francis Mallmann’s only North American restaurant. The
hotel is part of Faena District which includes Foster + Partners Faena House,
and Rem Koolhaas designed Faena Forum, Bazaar, Park & Marina.
The District
runs from 32nd to 36th & Collins from the beach to
Indian Creek, truly a city within a city.
We are also launching Celerie Kemble’s
island fantasy retreat, Playa Grande in the Dominican Republic. The design is
remarkable and singular and we are excited to share it with the world.
It can be an intense,
competitive industry – how do you stay calm and centered?
I’m proud to say we have created a culture
which is positive and supportive and quite wellness oriented. We have a walking
and bike desk in the office, which are pretty much going nonstop. That said, we
are in an incredibly fast paced industry, and as highly service oriented
professionals, who hold the bar high, the daily cycle can be very intense. Working
smartly and efficiently, and maintaining clarity is key and something we strive
for daily, though sometimes it’s equally effective to enjoy a glass of wine at the
end of the day.
What are some of the
biggest changes you predict for the industry in the next 5-10 years?
The volume and pace of communication is
certainly a challenge and it requires a high bandwidth to say one step ahead of
it all. It is no longer communication across one platform either, understanding
how to share your message thoughtfully and effectively through traditional
print publications, in the digital space and on social media, it calls for
strategic and detailed plans for every launch.
This will only increase as the industry continues to evolve, Instagram
didn’t exist six years ago but now it is something we are thinking about daily,
who knows what will be next!
Additionally, having the foresight to
understand trends and capitalize on them is important, but carving out a
platform for your client is even more critical.
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