Meet Madeline Janning, an Oakland-based PR pro. Last year, Madeline took her years of experience at top hospitality agencies to launch her own shop, M. Janning Communications. Since then, her fast-growing client roster has come to include top names in food and beverage, with a slew of exciting openings coming up. Read on to learn more about what she’s working on and her favorite aspects of freelancer life.
Where are you currently - and usually - based?
I work and live in Oakland, California.
What are your specialty practice areas?
Restaurants, food and beverage. I have always been drawn to the food and beverage industry - I joke that after graduating with a degree in Journalism and then working in restaurants my whole life, it occurred to me that I could make a career out of talking about food all day!
Tell us about your career background before becoming a freelance consultant.
Before I started M. Janning Communications in March of 2020, I was the Vice President of Magnum PR, San Francisco's premiere restaurant hospitality agency where I worked for over three years. Prior to that I was with Wagstaff Worldwide and af&co, two of San Francisco's leading agencies, always working within the hospitality space. I've worked with celebrity chefs, opened award-winning, Michelin-starred restaurants, and supported top rated wineries and travel destinations.
What are some of your current projects/clients?
I have a very full roster at the moment so I'll share a selection - currently I'm working on a slate of new, exciting openings in Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco. I also work with natural wine pioneer, Broc Cellars and locally represent Shake Shack, supporting all of their Bay Area openings, initiatives, and special projects.
What are your favorite aspects of freelance life - and least favorite?
I love the ability to work with the clients that I choose. As I go through the new business process, it is important to impart how deep a relationship it requires to work with me. I want there to be give and take, I want to feel like an integrated member of your team. Sometimes I don't love being a one woman show! Which consequently is why I helped start an fantastic PR collective of incredible women, mostly in the Bay Area, but also across the country. In addition to wonderful resources like The PR Net, this collective shares leads, pitches together, and really serves as a source of support for one another.
Who would be a dream client?
I feel like I already have my dream clients! I love working on restaurant openings with creative chefs, sharing their ideas and recipes is my favorite part of what I do!
