Helmed by Erik Perez and Marisa Jones Issa, LA-based Hello PR Group has had an exciting year working on comms and strategic development for their design, lifestyle and luxury brand clients. At the start of 2022, the team brought on a director-level team member based in New York, solidifying their position in a new market (in addition to two new team members in Los Angeles). Recognizing that the agency’s role is more than just PR, Hello PR Group expanded their overall capabilities to include marketing, and the team now advises clients in disciplines outside of typical PR including branding, affiliate links, e-commerce, social, video and partnerships. The diverse agency is queer and female-owned, and leadership is proud to foster an inclusive community at work.
Leadership team:
Erik Perez, Principal
Marisa Jones Issa, Partner
Notable long-term clients:
Knoll, Ike Kligerman Barkley, KAA Design Group, TUUCI, The Rug Company
New client wins:
Marmol Radziner, LAZZONI, Portmeirion Group US (Portmeirion, Spode, Nambe), Pavilion
Highlight any particularly successful client campaigns and their outcomes.
“We recently launched the new Knoll Newson Task Chair during NeoCon and MillerKnoll Design Days in Chicago. We lined up an exclusive feature story in Fast Company before the in-person press preview and launch. Several digital and in-print features ran afterward. During Winter 2021-22, we worked with RAMSA and Rocky Mountain Hardware to launch the new Oasis collection. The PR plan consisted of outreach, an online press preview with RMH and the RAMSA team, and coverage in the key shelter publications. We then showed the new collection in NY during ICFF. The RMH team met with press in person and described the brand’s key attributes. The new collection was covered by a number of national and regional publications including LUXE Interiors + Design, House Beautiful, Galerie, Interiors, and Interior Design among others.”
Paul Wilmot Communications has been a go-to agency for luxury fashion, beauty and lifestyle clients for over 25 years, and has recently become a leader in cannabis PR as well. In addition to handling launches and campaigns for brands like L'Oreal Matrix, Kate Somerville and Hublot, the team was also tasked with handling the last Supima Design Competition, which culminated with an in-person fashion show hosted by celebrity stylist Law Roach. On the team front, the agency expanded beyond its NYC HQ, opening a new office in Nashville. Always on the lookout for a campaign that helps the community, PWC coordinated a partnership between client Native Son and Bloomingsdale’s to create a T-shirt and campaign to raise awareness and support for the Black gay/queer male community.
Leadership team:
Hampton Carney, Managing Partner & CEO
Notable long-term clients:
Adidas x IVY PARK, TAG Heuer, Hublot, L'Oreal Matrix, Yves Delorme, Supima, Scent Beauty, Luminox
New client wins:
Bijoux Birks, LilyEve, GSTQ, 4.5.6 Skin, Henry Jacques, Kate Somerville, Angela Caglia, Smile Makers
How is the agency advancing DEI in the industry?
“As a minority owned business, PWC is intrinsically tied to highlighting and promoting DEI throughout its client roster. We have been working with Brahmin since the summer of 2020 to execute a comprehensive diversity and crisis communications strategy, which entails advising Brahmin on a cohesive, thorough communications plan consisting of internal diversity and inclusion best practices; external messaging for reactive media inquiries; recommendations for CSR/charitable donations; and a strategy for owned social media channels. Additionally, PWC works with Native Son, founded by Emil Wilbekin, which drives awareness around the marginalized Black gay/queer male community.”
