A cadre of young talent is making waves in the marcomms industry, recognized for their creativity, strategic acumen and dedication. From the behind-the-scenes work that makes a company operate smoothly to fostering client relationships and spearheading impactful media campaigns, these individuals are the future of our ever-evolving industry. Read on to meet some of marcomms rising stars.
Huy Vu, Junior Account Executive, Gia Kuan Consulting
Nominated by Gia Kuan, Founder
How did you find this person?
Huy was highly recommended to me by a dear friend Eli Rosenbloom, the founder of New Reader –– a publication focusing on the reads and references that shape people with unique cultural impact. Through in-depth interviews, New Reader dissects their personal library; examining what histories, techniques, and references informed them and how they apply it to their practice. There, Huy was commended for his attention to detail and knack of research for in-depth profiles such as Toshiko Mori and Elise By Olsen, a love for printed matter and books –- precisely a trait we look for at GKC, where thoughtful research is the foundation for all of our work. Since then, Huy has been a pillar of support and works very closely with me across the board for accounts.
What does his role consist of?
Huy works closely with myself on key accounts at GKC including ESSX, a new Lower East Side retailer, Badbinch Tong Tong, TELFAR, Raimundo Langlois and many more – crafting a media strategy, conducting in-depth research, past press and looking for suitable writers or non-writers as organic introductions for the brand, across media pitching and community seeding. Huy also works closely with photographers across all of our events in identifying VIPs and shot lists for photography as well as scheduling operational call times and deliverables for the photographers we work with. Huy also leads all new business tracking for in-bounds as well as in-conversations for new and existing opportunities at GKC through close assessment and analysis of each business with myself. This work is integral for us to understand the cultural landscape as well as finetune our curation of brands that we decide to take on. Lastly, Huy oversees our entire database and ensures contacts are correctly coded and up to date.
What makes him outstanding as a team member?
Huy carries a naturally bubbly and friendly, professional disposition and has the ability to be fluid between accounts and client personalities, which is a trait that we highly value in the company. He has a very proactive and positive attitude towards his work and also a nuanced eye for visuals and media understanding that enables him to assess cases with me and help make judgment calls. There's an inquisitiveness and curiosity about Huy that allows him to work across accounts in various dimensions and develop ideas outside the box, and works with us on constantly improving the way we work as a small team. Lastly –– his attention to detail and capability in managing the latest work tool functions (programming, Excel, database) has excelled productivity in how we work as a team.
Joanna Manning, Manager, Strategic Brand Communications, Pernod Ricard USA
Nominated by Team Pernod Ricard
How did you find this person?
Joanna possessed a wealth of agency experience, supporting major CPG brands with a special focus on media relations. That combination made her candidacy especially appealing as our communications team expanded. We were in search of someone who understood how an agency operates, and in turn how to guide agencies and inter-agency teams. We also sought a candidate who had a firm grasp of the ever-evolving media landscape: at the end of the day, we are tasked with developing programs that grab those oh-so-coveted headlines, and in turn, help change consumer perception of our brands as it relates to specific brand challenges and headwinds.
What does their role consist of?
Joanna is responsible for developing, in partnership with our marketing and cross-functional colleagues, earned first programming for select brands within the Pernod Ricard USA portfolio, including Absolut Vodka, Malibu Rum, Código 1530 Tequila, and Malfy Gin. Joanna’s work includes but is not limited to high-profile celebrity spokesperson deals, strategic partnerships, equity campaigns, influencer relations, and of course, ongoing media relations – a PR professional's bread and butter!
What makes them outstanding as a team member?
Joanna has all of the traits you’d expect in a communications professional: collaborative, creative, organized, thoughtful, agile. But what really makes Joanna outstanding is her empathy, kindness, and the way she supports her colleagues. Her work is outstanding, but at the end of the day, it’s simply a joy to work alongside Joanna!
Paul Thomas, Marketing Coordinator, The PR Net
Nominated by Lisa Smith, Founder
How did you find this person?
Paul was a student member of The PR Net before we hired him, which when we were looking to hire was a huge bonus point for him. For junior roles we strongly prefer to hire former interns or people who were already in touch with us in some way. Paul had interned at a couple of member agencies, including KCD, then freelanced for them after graduating from college, so again it felt like a nice synergy. When the marketing coordinator role came up, he interviewed and with fantastic references, started almost right away.
What does their role consist of?
Paul spearheads our website content and our weekly newsletter, so he’s the person our members are in touch with regularly to submit industry news, events, jobs listings, etc. Paul works in support of all our programs and events, plus a lot of member and prospective member liaison - he is an all-rounder in that way and is such an indispensable part of the team. Paul also manages our TikTok and does a weekly post to our Instagram.
What makes them outstanding as a team member?
Paul has all the attributes of a great team member: positive attitude, efficiently gets tasks done, is conscientious, reliable and takes initiative. I’m excited to see his role with us grow - we feel very lucky to have him.
Katharine McAnarney, Senior Manager, Impact.com
Nominated by Cristy Garcia, Chief Marketing Officer
How did you find this person?
Katharine applied to the internal communication manager role a few years ago while she worked in book publishing. I knew immediately that she was humble, hungry, and smart, and so a transition into the technology industry and into our company specifically was something she would thrive in.
What does their role consist of?
Katharine is a jack of all trades. She owns internal communications, regularly sending out updates, newsletters, and emails on behalf of the C-suite, primarily our CEO. She also manages and creates assets for our all-company meetings and is part of our PR team, regularly writing and pitching news. Katharine always jumps in to help other members of the company, so she can be seen working on the events team from time to time.
What makes them outstanding as a team member?
Katharine is extremely organized and detail-oriented, making her a great project manager and able to keep track of many tasks and projects at once. She is also very efficient in her role and can be depended on for her reliability in quality work. She often goes above and beyond what is asked and required of her, taking on various office and team projects and helping out team members with various needs.
The new company meeting format was redesigned by Katharine and is working great, and the Thursday Threads (her company Slack updates) help align the various offices. Her Connect The Dots email newsletter is one of my favorites to read through. These are initiatives inspired and executed by Katharine with no help from other team members. I am proud of how she's stepped into her expanded role. She's also taken on the panel creation for iPX, arguably one of the hardest roles for the event. While I was at first a little nervous, given that I typically have more involvement in the process, Katharine has been managing it with grace and speed, as she always does. We had a great lineup of content and speakers, and Katharine led that initiative while collaborating with other teammates.
Katharine was a star during our annual momentum project, writing the video script, LinkedIn Pulse, and email “from” the CEO all by herself. It turned out to be the best momentum we've ever had, with Dave (the CEO) and I both impressed by the quality of the content and finished video. Katharine demonstrates ownership and builds trust with her stakeholders when leading a project. I am so proud of Katharine and the work she puts in every day to level the team and company up. I can't imagine working without her on the team.
Isabel Rudie, Senior Account Executive, BerlinRosen
Nominated by Sara Joseph, EVP of Travel & Lifestyle
How did you find this person?
Isabel applied to BerlinRosen via one of our job opening postings.
What does their role consist of?
Isabel works in our Travel & Lifestyle practice as a Senior Account Executive across multiple clients including destinations like Bermuda Tourism, Los Angeles Tourism, and The Meatpacking District along with attractions like SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and some of our New York City favorites like Brookfield Place, Manhattan West and Grand Central Terminal.
Isabel is focused on storytelling and instrumental in brainstorming creative story ideas outside of hard news like new hotel openings, destination promotions and special events. She leads teams in making sure we have a steady pipeline of coverage all year round. She spends time building new relationships with journalists and influencers as well as fostering existing ones. She helps craft media strategies and serves as a mentor for the junior staff. Isabel escorts press visits, secures media and influencers to participate in trips and events, and manages the process along the way.
As we look to raise awareness for our clients, our communications need to educate people about what to see and do and motivate them to engage with the brand and book travel, tickets or come to an event/participate in programming. Isabel also manages the junior team to keep all reporting on time and all agendas, calls and client communications on point.
What makes them outstanding as a team member?
Aside from being a pleasure to work with and a true team player, Isabel is always looking for opportunities to grow and learn and is focused on how to achieve our client’s goals. She has built a nice relationship with our daily client leads which team members are not always able to do. She has confidence, is thoughtful and is always looking to up the ante on a strategy or tactic.
Isabel is a savvy storyteller and spends time building media relationships via coffees and deskside appointments. She attends industry events and is able to translate these relationships into coverage. She continuously lands top tier media placements and visits. One example was when she secured and escorted writers from Vogue, National Geographic, and Cosmopolitan, amongst others, on an LA Tourism group FAM and when she locked in an NPR Marketplace interview for LA Tourism CEO, which ran on all local channels nationally. Also recently for our Bermuda client, Isabel coordinated FOX5 DC's live segment on an island in Bermuda, spotlighting local attractions and recent flight expansion from Washington, D.C. This was organic, not paid which TV often is!
Hallie Long, Account Executive, Mekky Media
Nominated by Michelle Mekky, CEO & Founder
How did you find this person?
Hallie joined the Mekky Media team in her senior year at DePaul University as an intern in 2022. In just a few years, she has received multiple promotions, elevating her to Account Executive.
What does their role consist of?
Hallie supports daily account activities and creates written content including press releases, media pitches, media briefings and more. She drives consistent earned media for clients ranging from B2B to advocacy, hospitality, and nonprofits- to name a few. Using her own experience as a Mekky Media intern, she now oversees recruiting, training and managing new classes of interns, providing exceptional mentorship and leadership for the team.
What makes them outstanding as a team member?
Instead of shying away from a challenge, Hallie rolls up her sleeves and fulfills account needs and deliverables before they’ve even been assigned. Whether it’s working onsite at large-scale media events, running points on media blitzes, or coordinating pitch strategies for clients, her proactive approach is invaluable. Particularly in a boutique agency, that drive and mindset have been paramount in furthering the success of each account she touches.
She is committed to building one-on-one professional relationships with local and national reporters, producers and journalists and has become a go-to on-site representative for the agency and its clients. In one of the country’s largest and most competitive media markets, she independently pitches, coordinates and staffs interviews in-studio and on-site with confidence and poise. Hallie’s commitment to success, even in difficult situations with clients, has made her an integral member of the Mekky team.
Leslie Cheng, Associate, The Blue Engine
Nominated by The Blue Engine team
How did you find this person?
Leslie began as an intern and immediately made an impression on her managers. Her commitment to her work and quick understanding of what makes a good PR professional put her at the top of our list when an appropriate position opened up.
What does their role consist of?
Leslie’s primary responsibility is media relations but she also oversees administration, reporting and analysis for our luxury hotel and lifestyle clients as well as tourism boards. She has recently taken on clients in the quick service restaurant sector and has applied her skills to a different demographic with aplomb. Not in Leslie’s job description is her role as the “rock” of her teams, always jumping in when needed, supporting her fellow team members and taking on any new challenge presented to her.
What makes them outstanding as a team member?
Leslie’s intelligence, understanding of human behavior and true love for her job are evident in everything she does. She has landed feature pieces in top-tier media beyond what one might expect for her experience while also creating detailed reports for her clients. She manages reactive press queries often creating lasting relationships with the media and also turning a small request into a large feature for her clients. She is creative and committed, willing to take on any type of client or responsibility that will allow her to learn more and to be a more valued member of our team. She is also not afraid to step outside of her comfort zone to do what needs to get done, even if it means leading calls for a demanding client when both senior leaders were out of the office. She owned it, she rocked it and the client was rightfully impressed. Beyond Leslie’s quiet demeanor is a tough, smart, dedicated professional whose interests, attitude and collaborative nature will continue to serve her very well in her career. We are extremely lucky to have Leslie on our team.
