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.
Carfrae Consulting
View ProfileNike Communications
View Profile12.29
View ProfileEvins Communications
View ProfileBillion Dollar Boy
View ProfileKate Spade
View ProfileScenario Communications
View ProfileMagrino Agency
View ProfilePurple
View ProfilePineapple Co / MKG
View ProfileH&S
View ProfileFactory PR
View ProfileBacchus Agency
View ProfileTaco Bell
View ProfileWhitney Museum of American Art
View ProfileCadillac
View ProfileChefanie
View Profilealice + olivia
View ProfileAmerican Express
View ProfileMMGY Wagstaff
View ProfileLittle Gem
View ProfilePK PR & BRANDING
View ProfileSix One Agency
View ProfileLaForce
View ProfileCultural Counsel
View ProfileNike Communications
View ProfileJenelle Hamilton Inc.
View ProfileBecca
View ProfileGeneral Motors
View Profile12.29
View ProfileLaura Neilson
View ProfileJBC
View ProfileGia Kuan Consulting
View ProfileBICOM Communications
View ProfileMillerKnoll
View ProfileBlack Frame
View ProfilePR Consulting
View ProfileEddie Zaratsian
View ProfileThe Flair Index
View ProfileMMCurate
View ProfileKensington Grey
View ProfileCabana
View ProfileThe Berman Group
View ProfileSmall Girls PR
View ProfileLinda Gaunt Communications
View ProfileThe Communications Store
View ProfileModern Luxury
View ProfileMarie Claire
View ProfileLaForce
View ProfileMKG
View ProfileBullfrog + Baum
View ProfileBattalion PR
View ProfileBrandstyle Communications
View ProfileApollo Theater
View ProfileSmall Luxury Hotels of the World
View ProfileVan Wyck & Van Wyck
View ProfileCare of Chan
View ProfileThe A List
View ProfileSEEN Group
View ProfileRelevance International
View ProfileThe Gathery
View ProfileThe Brandman Agency
View ProfileNJF an MMGY Global Company
View Profileaf&co.
View ProfileAmazon
View ProfileElliot Carlyle
View ProfileSimmons PR
View ProfileAZZI+CO
View ProfileStylists to a T
View ProfileWednesday Agency
View ProfileQuinn PR
View ProfileCJC Insights
View ProfileBerlinRosen
View ProfileNo. 29 Communications
View ProfileBPCM
View ProfileLifestyle Magazine
View ProfileM18
View ProfileAlison Brod Marketing + Communications
View ProfileThe Communications Bureau
View ProfileRachel Cole Art Advisory
View ProfileParasol Marketing
View ProfileSHADOW
View ProfileKWT Global
View ProfileBMF
View ProfileJ Public Relations
View ProfileTHE CONSULTANCY PR
View ProfileLesley Vecsler Communications
View ProfileAlpha Kilo
View ProfilePreferred Hotels & Resorts
View ProfileBrandstyle Communications
View ProfilePaul Wilmot Communications
View ProfileBlack Flower Agency
View ProfileChristie's
View ProfileSoho House & Co.
View ProfileIRO PARIS
View ProfileThe 5th Column
View ProfileWalker Drawas
View Profile