Written by Madeleine Willaimson, PR Executive at 10to1PR
At 10to1PR, we embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, which is why our team recently took on the daring task of rappelling off Papago Park’s iconic butte, thanks to the guidance of 360 Adventures AZ. This thrilling experience parallels the strategic nature of our public relations work. Just as rappelling demands careful planning, equipment checks, and skillful maneuvering, effective PR requires meticulous strategy, precise execution, and the ability to deftly navigate public perception.
In both endeavors, balance is essential—rappellers must maintain their center of gravity, while PR professionals ensure that messaging aligns with organizational goals.
Just as climbers depend on their gear, we rely on media channels and communication strategies to effectively engage our audiences. Maintaining composure is critical in both rappelling and PR, especially when crises arise. Each requires a blend of courage, skill, and adaptability, emphasizing the value of preparation and the ability to swiftly adjust to evolving challenges.
For 10to1PR, mastering the art of rappelling at Papago Park reflects our commitment to crafting successful PR strategies. As we navigate new heights, we remain dedicated to blending preparation, execution, and adaptability to achieve impactful results.
Join us in our future PR adventures in our new blog series; 10to1PR Adventures: Beyond the Office.
Confidence and Career Growth: My Intern Experience at 10to1PR
Written byKyle McCartney, Spring 2025 PR Intern at 10to1PR
My experience at 10 to 1 Public Relations impacted me in countless positive ways. I came into this internship with a background in sports journalism, social media and content creation. I spent a semester with the Cronkite Agency executing PR campaigns, but as this internship showed me, I didn’t fully understand the ins and outs of PR agency life.
A rigorous onboarding program quickly equipped me with the tools I needed to contribute to 10to1PR’s efforts. I learned about our unique approach to media outreach, press release writing, internal communications, client relations and more.
Once onboarding was complete, I hit the ground running, as I was assigned to four clients from a variety of industries. This allowed me to learn how to quickly become familiar with industries I was fairly new to and how to align PR messaging with a company’s mission and goals. Every client was different, and each had unique challenges that required me to utilize a variety of skills.
Kyle sharing 10to1PR’s monthly wins with the marble run
One of the most unique and beneficial aspects of this internship was the opportunity to be assigned a client as an “intern project,” in which I, along with another intern, acted as the client lead. This client was a nonprofit called Serve the Future, which provides tennis lessons and life coaching to underserved students in Phoenix. I built a great relationship with the main client contacts and am proud of the work done to secure media coverage for an organization that has an amazing community impact.
For the larger clients I wasn’t directly leading, I learned how to successfully coordinate meetings, execute media training, brainstorm ideas for PR opportunities and collaborate as a team on larger campaigns. I never felt like I was being assigned cliché “intern work” that didn’t serve a larger purpose. All client work had a clear goal in mind and allowed me to truly contribute to some of the agency’s top clients.
The professional development tools put in place for interns and coordinators were extremely helpful. For example, the team often hosted “lunch and learns,” where the experienced PR professionals of 10to1PR shared advice on both career growth and PR strategy. One session that stood out was an hour-long discussion in which those who had been promoted within the organization provided tips on “leveling up” in the workplace and held an open Q&A. As a soon-to-be graduate entering into full-time work, this was a great reminder to avoid complacency and always look for ways to contribute beyond daily tasks.
As my internship with 10to1PR ends, I am filled with gratitude for the people who provided guidance, set leadership examples and took a genuine interest in my growth. I leave with exponentially increased confidence in my PR skills, career skills and personal goals. I’m excited to watch the next interns at 10to1PR have similar experiences and grow as PR professionals!
Cross-Industry Success: 10to1PR’s Spring Media Highlights
The Spring season proved to be a stellar time for 10to1PR and our clients. We secured a diverse range of media placements across national, local, and industry-specific outlets. Let’s take a quick tour of some of our top hits:
💼 Business and Industry Buzz
Hospitality Tech highlighted our client’s innovative approach to personalized guest experiences. The Indianapolis Business Journalrecognized Brad Vogelsmeier of Milhaus in their prestigious Forty Under 40 list. We dove into the world of private equity with Roofing Contractor Magazine, and celebrated a construction industry leader’s Legacy Award in ENR Southwest.
💡 Tech and Innovation Takeover
PV Magazine USA featured our client’s groundbreaking use of robots in solar module installation. We explored the evolving role of healthcare CISOs with TechTarget, and Smart Cities World covered our client’s automated bus lane enforcement tech in Barcelona.
📺 Local News, Big Impact
Arizona’s Familybrought our client’s wearable healthcare tech to viewers across the state. The Phoenix Business Journalannounced Hexoskin’s new headquarters, while ReBusiness Online covered a major multifamily property groundbreaking in Ohio.
💰 Financial Insights for the Win
CU Broadcast featured AVANA Companies’ timely webinar series on rising loan delinquencies. Hotel Executive tapped our client for insights on 2025 hotel financing trends, and Middle Market Growth got the scoop on the private credit outlook.
💊 National Health Expertise
Our clients made waves in popular lifestyle publications. Shape Magazinefeatured one of our clients in their “Best Slippers for Women” roundup, perfect for those cozy work-from-home days. We also got our podiatry experts some love, with WebMD tapping their knowledge on cracked heels and EatingWell showcasing their picks for spring footwear.
From consumer tech to construction, healthcare to hospitality, 10to1PR showcased our ability to secure impactful coverage across a wide spectrum of industries and media types. We’re excited to keep this momentum going throughout 2025!
Want to see your company making headlines? Let’s chat about how 10to1PR can elevate your brand story.
In the ever-evolving world of public relations, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. One of the most significant developments shaping our industry today is the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into our daily operations. But how exactly is AI transforming PR, and what does it mean for professionals in our field?
A recent blog post by Madeleine Williamson, PR Executive at 10to1PR, published on the Phoenix PRSA website dives deep into this topic, exploring how AI is revolutionizing everything from content creation to media monitoring. Titled “Using AI to Balance Human Insight with Efficiency,” the article offers valuable insights into:
How AI is speeding up content creation while emphasizing the continued importance of human oversight
The transformation of media monitoring through AI-driven tools
The need for PR professionals to adapt and integrate AI technologies to remain competitive
As Williamson points out, “The future of PR is inextricably linked with AI, and professionals who adapt quickly will lead the field.” This thought-provoking piece serves as a wake-up call for PR practitioners to actively explore and integrate AI tools into their daily operations.
To learn more about how you can leverage AI to enhance your PR efforts while maintaining the crucial human touch, read the full article here.
10to1PR Kicks Off 2025 with Impressive Client Wins Across Diverse Industries
January proved to be a productive month for 10to1PR as we secured high-profile media placements for our clients across a wide range of industries. From cutting-edge technology to community initiatives, our team’s efforts resulted in coverage from top-tier publications, showcasing the breadth of our expertise and the innovative work of our clients.
These diverse media placements highlight 10to1PR’s ability to secure high-quality coverage across various industries. Our team’s expertise in crafting compelling narratives and identifying newsworthy angles has resulted in impactful stories that resonate with a wide range of audiences. As we move further into 2025, we look forward to continuing our partnerships with innovative clients, sharing their stories, and securing media coverage that makes a difference.
Otonomus Hotel, the world’s first AI-powered hotel, made a splash at CES 2025, bringing hospitality back to the conference for the first time in five years. Our goal: secure interview opportunities for the Founder and CEO of Otonomus Hotel, Philippe Ziade, at the booth and showcase the future of hospitality.
President Josh Weiss and PR Executive Sofia Ashley at the Otonomus book at CES 2025
Preparation was key. We crafted pre-event, during-event, and post-event press releases, developed talking points, and conducted thorough media training. Our team sifted through over 6,000 media attendees, targeting AI and hospitality reporters to secure interviews.
At CES 2025, we facilitated 15 interviews with Philippe Ziade and other Otonomus Hotel team members, juggling pre-scheduled meetings and impromptu requests from booth visitors. Our on-site coordination ensured smooth interactions with journalists from major outlets like Forbes and Fast Company. We also facilitated exclusive tours on-site at Otonomus Hotel with the BBC and Associated Press.
Otonomus Founder and CEO Philippe Ziade participating in a media interview at CES 2025
The results speak volumes. We completed 15 high-quality interviews, including unexpected opportunities with Vegas PBS and Las Vegas Sun. Reporters showed keen interest in Otonomus’s AI-driven approach to hospitality, setting the stage for extensive post-event coverage, including more than 50 media features and mentions so far.
This success at CES 2025 highlights our expertise in trade show PR. For more information on how we can elevate your brand at major industry events, visit our trade show services page here.
Six months after transitioning from fashion to PR, I sought advice from my 10 to 1 Public Relations colleagues about navigating the industry. Their insights, ranging from new coordinators to the company president, offer valuable guidance for PR newcomers.
Madeleine Williamson, PR Executive at 10 to 1:
How did you know you wanted to go into PR?
“I knew I wanted to be in the communication industry, so I explored jobs in all different areas of communications, and I kept coming back to PR.”
What other past experiences have led you to where you are today?
“Starting as editor of my high school yearbook, I learned that I enjoyed telling people’s stories. Through different internships, I gained experience in journalism and media production, which have led me to where I am today.”
What advice do you have for someone who is entering the field?
“Embrace learning— don’t be afraid to ask questions when you first start a position. The field is constantly evolving, and asking questions fosters long-term learning.”
What have you learned at 10to1PR?
“10 to 1 has given me a space where I feel confident to lead a client. I feel that everyone on the team has supported me and I learn from everyone every day. I was able to lead clients by watching my teammates successfully lead theirs, and I picked up tips along the way that I apply in my own leadership roles.”
Laura Slawny Vice President of at 10 to 1:
How did you know you wanted to go into PR?
“I started my career in journalism, and as a producer for an evening news team, we didn’t utilize PR agencies like the morning show did. So it was definitely a shift when I decided to take a coordinator job at a PR agency. I realized at that job that I could get my news fix but in a more stable career. I just wish I had made the switch sooner!”
What other past experiences have led you to where you are today?
“I took a job at an agency that was primarily focused on media relations and sending pitches. I wanted to find an agency that offered more thought leadership, campaign building, and long-lasting relationship building priorities. Then I met Josh and he taught me so much.”
What advice do you have for new pros?
“There is always more than one way to do something. If you hit a dead end, pivot and find a new solution. Also never take ‘no’ for an answer.”
What have you learned at 10to1PR?
“Everyone has a unique skill. You can learn something from each person. Everyone brings something to the table, whether it’s a technical skill that that person has already mastered or a mistake they have made that can teach you new strategies.”
Sofia Ashley, Public Relations Executive:
How did you know you wanted to go into PR?
“I had different majors in college, I first started in STEM, then Business, but in my Business major we had a class where we created our own fake PR campaign. Getting to be creative after taking so many technical classes was refreshing and I knew I wanted a career path that was the perfect blend of creativity and strategy.”
What other past experiences have led you to where you are today?
“My social media management background gave me a solid foundation, but it was the experience I got as an intern in PR that solidified it for me.”
What advice do you have for new pros?
“A career in PR/Journalism offers more flexibility than complex mathematical and scientific fields. You can get better over time and learn by experience. Every little moment builds up your confidence, and you shouldn’t underestimate the tools that you have in your back pocket.”
What have you learned at 10to1PR?
“I have learned how to be an advocate for myself. I definitely think I underestimated myself when I was first put in charge to lead clients, but I channeled confidence to reassure them, and I even was able to reassure myself.”
Kaden Ryback, Public Relations Coordinator
How did you know you wanted to go into PR?
“It was either between PR and marketing, but marketing’s heavy sales focus wasn’t aligned with my aspirations, and after one day at a marketing job I quickly realized it was not the right fit for me. PR was more focused on the human element which was important to me. It satisfied my passion for writing and relationship-building, and I was able to incorporate my videography skills into client campaign production.”
What other past experiences have led you to where you are today?
“My path to PR was not as specific to PR, but more of the communications field. I graduated with a bachelor’s in public relations and journalism, but I got the most hands-on experience at The Cronkite Agency, which combined my video editing, and personal relations skills. I realized after a brief career in marketing, that PR appealed to me more, and that was all I needed to know to make it my career.”
What advice do you have for new pros?
“Research is a bigger part of PR than many people may think. It’s invaluable when you start with a client to know not only the media landscape around the client but also the big stories that the client has had, and the publications that have featured them. Doing your research on the clients that you represent will help you present yourself well,and inform how you will work with them.”
What have you learned at 10to1PR?
“I’ve learned the art of team-oriented work. This has helped me identify the tasks that drive the most value for both the team and the clients. When you work alone on a client, it’s up to you to decide the methodology on how you go about completing tasks, but when you’re on a team, every piece of the work, and knowing the importance of delegation is important. You may not realize the time that you spent researching, when communicated well with your team, can take work off a lot of other people.”
Josh Weiss, President of 10 to 1 Public Relations
How did you know you wanted to go into PR?
“I started this company to find like-minded individuals who wanted to take a more traditional approach to PR. I also wanted to build a team that specialized in what they’re good at. Everyone here has a unique skill that they contribute and that helps others. The agency itself is known for traditional media relations.”
What other past experiences have led you to where you are today?
“My first job out of college was in the Illinois House Representatives helping elected officials get on their local radio stations. I created radio press releases, combining radio, PR and politics. When I was ready to move on, PR felt like the most steady job opportunity of the three options (compared to politics or radio). After working in several PR-related jobs for the next decade, I eventually decided to start my own PR agency in 2012.”
What advice do you have for new pros?
“Passion and genuine interest are important because actual knowledge of the industry can be taught. Scale the one thing you’re good at. If someone is testing to see if you can deliver a project, knock that project out of the park first, then ask to take on more.”
What have you learned from 10to1PR?
“I’ve learned the different roles of leadership when it comes to managing a team. 10 to 1 is a collaborative agency, and that has taught me to meet people where they are at, and help them get to that next step.”
Conclusion:
During my internship at 10 to 1, I have learned there are different ways to find your place in PR. Some of my team found PR through other professions but were pulled back into it, and some knew they were enthusiastic the moment they entered the profession.
My journey may not have originally started here, but as my team members illustrated there is no one set way to find a job in Public Relations. If you are passionate about Public Relations take steps to learn more about the field you’ll be working in. Any experience, whether it’s an internship or work for another agency will help you develop practical skills that you can take with you. Finding work that is meaningful will help you bring your best to the role and inspire you to stay open to constantly evolving your skills.
The diverse skills and different paths of my team has shown me that there is no single route to success in PR, but that it is a combination of embracing continuous learning, passion for the career, different variations of skills, and the ability to pivot that makes a PR pro successful.
A diverse skill set is needed at an agency in PR to adapt to different clients, and specializing at a specific skill can contribute to a team’s success. As I reflect on my growth I’m grateful for the support the team from 10 to 1 has shown me. This experience has confirmed my passion for PR and I am grateful that I am able to continue onto a new career path where I feel comfortable to take my next steps.
From Intern to PR Pro: My Experience with the Veterans Day Parade Campaign
Written by Morgan Ray, 10to1PR Intern
As an intern at 10to1PR, I’ve packed these past couple of months with numerous learning experiences. I had the opportunity to contribute to the first-ever intern project, which included building a PR campaign for the Veterans Day Parade from scratch.
The Veterans Day Parade was a new client that was introduced in October with the parade taking place in November. Although it was a tight turnaround, the 10to1PR team executed a successful campaign.
This was the first campaign I worked on where I had full responsibility over the tasks and how to execute them. The first step in handling a campaign is to brainstorm ideas and break them down into manageable tasks. I worked alongside Halle Sweeter, an intern at 10to1PR, to create a timeline of ideas and concepts that we wanted to execute before, during and after the parade.
Prior to the Veterans Day Parade, a press conference unveiled this year’s theme, as well as the Celebrity Grand Marshal and the honored Grand Marshals. Our team ensured the media was informed and secured coverage.
To secure media coverage, we pitched several news outlets, with an emphasis on hyper-local ones. Our goal was to give the Veteran Grand Marshals an opportunity to share their stories and have those stories featured in the media that covers their homes. We secured about 10 stories covering the Grand Marshals in news outlets like the Arizona Republic, SanTan Sun News, Surprise Independent, Scottsdale Progress and KTAR.
In addition to the press conference, we worked to raise awareness for the Veterans Day Parade by submitting calendar listings and distributing press releases. The goal was to spotlight the Grand Marshals while encouraging the community to come together and honor the veterans.
On the day of the parade, our team arrived on site at 4 a.m. to coordinate interviews with parade participants and Grand Marshals for several news outlets. Our role at the parade was to ensure interviewees were prepared and ready for TV appearances, while also working closely with the media to brief them and set up ideal backgrounds for live shots.
We coordinated 20 TV segments, as well as 45 online and print stories covering the parade. Overall this was a successful campaign for the parade and a successful first intern project at 10to1PR.
I gained valuable experience in building a campaign from the ground up. I developed project management and team leadership skills, which was an area I was less familiar with before. This project highlighted the importance of organization and communication for a successful campaign, which I can bring with me when working on future projects.
Last month, we hosted an event at our offices organized by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ). Basically, it’s a once-a-year event where Phoenix area PR folk pay money to SPJ to individually pitch reporters in person various stories on behalf of their clients. Think of it as speed pitching, where each reporter has their own desk and PR folk line up for their three-minute pitch.
PR Pros attend panel presentation with journalists at SPJ Publicity Summit
This year, 29 journalists volunteered to participate and be pitched by several dozen PR professionals. The picture shown is of many of those journalists gathered in our offices a few minutes before the pitching sessions began.
We’re very proud that 10to1PR serves clients across the U.S. and that we work with media across North America- but it felt great contributing to our local Phoenix community (media and PR peers alike). Generating local market media for our clients across the U.S. is a priority for us, and seeing local media up close and in person only rejuvenated our excitement in doing so.
Journalists in attendance at SPJ Publicity Summit
Got a story you think that your local media should care about? Give us a call and let’s chat!
From Fashion to PR: My Journey of Transitioning Skills and Growing in Public Relations
Written by: Halle Sweeter, PR Intern
As the first-ever intern at 10to1PR, I have already learned so much about what a career in public relations really entails. The experiences that I have had in this internship have broadened my experience in the field. From day one I have gained a deeper perspective on what goes into the day-to-day responsibilities and importance of maintaining a brand’s image and the effectiveness that 10 good impressions can have in canceling out 1 bad one.
My first real encounter with PR came from a final semester project that was a co-collaboration marketing strategy between the fashion program at my school and a non-profit. In my pursuit of other education opportunities post-graduation, I knew I wanted a career that utilized my market research and trend forecasting skills while also combining creativity, strategy, storytelling, and relationship building.
My skills in market research and trend forecasting from my degree in fashion merchandising were put to use quickly and utilized in research and analysis for PR campaigns, client relationships, and contributions to group projects.
Halle with Drip, the office pet fish
Even from the day I came in as a shadow, I was given the opportunity to watch PR professionals at work. Through observing their work, I was able to gain hands-on experience and offer contributions towards meeting client goals, participate in internal strategy meetings, and learn best practices from team members on how to write more concisely.
Working at 10to1PR, I found a collaborative work culture where everyone has a specific skill they can contribute to the team. As a part of the team, I have contributed my skill set, as well as built a new one over the last 6 weeks. During the onboarding process, I started with basic tasks like feeding the office fish and setting up meetings, while gradually learning and observing from team members. As I gained experience my responsibilities expanded to include media monitoring, editing press releases, building media lists, and finally drafting my own press releases.
In college, professors teach you how to draft a press release and you can create as many mock press releases and pitches as you want, but no class can give you the rewarding feeling of sending your first real pitch to a news editor. And with a pitch-a-day campaign, I quickly gained confidence in my writing skills, and secured wins by getting multiple interview requests from reporters.
This internship has been a whirlwind of learning and growth, and taught me how my everyday skills could transfer over to a job in public relations. From administration tasks to major wins, every day has contributed to my development as a PR professional.
