10 to 1 PR Sweeps Public Relations Category at American Marketing Association Awards

10 to 1 PR Sweeps Public Relations Category at American Marketing Association Awards

10 to 1 Public Relations won all three awards in the public relations category at this year’s American Marketing Association Phoenix Chapter (AMA Phoenix) Spectrum Awards. The Spectrum Awards are the premier marketing awards program in the state and a testament to the incredible talent and groundbreaking campaigns that hail from across Arizona.

10 to 1 PR won all the public relations awards, which recognized developing successful local public relations campaigns, national public relations campaigns, and effective press kits.

Sweeping the public relations category underscores the effectiveness of our mission to dominate local market and national industry media. Thank you to the American Marketing Association for recognizing our teams efforts to create and execute strategic public relations campaigns that deliver meaningful results for our clients.

Josh Weiss, President and Founder, 10 to 1 Public Relations

Here’s a summary of the winning public relations campaigns:

National Public Relations

Category Description: This category honors public relations campaigns that target a national audience and focus on building relationships with national media and influencers.

The Campaign: To meet credit unions’ ever-evolving needs, AVANA Companies launched AVANA CUSO (a Credit Union Service Organization), formerly Extensia Financial, in 2023. 10 to 1 PR was integrated to amplify the rebrand and increase awareness and education on the benefits of the CUSO. This became an opportunity for 10 to 1 PR to establish AVANA CUSO as a leader amongst other CUSOs, educate credit unions looking to partner with a CUSO and attract new partner credit unions.

Results: The goals of placing a story in a national finance outlet, a national credit union outlet, and a local Phoenix outlet were all met. In credit union industry outlets, the AVANA CUSO announcement press release was repurposed and shared in CUInsight and Credit Union Times. The press release announcing the hire of COO Chad Witcher was also repurposed into stories in CUbroadcast and CUInsight. The most successful thing our team achieved was leveraging the partnership between Sunlight FCU and AVANA CUSO. In the credit union industry, our team secured an opportunity to record a podcast episode with a representative from Sunlight FCU and AVANA CUSO on one of the leading credit union industry podcasts, CUbroadcast. The partnership details were discussed in the podcast episode and how AVANA CUSO works to diversify Sunlight FCU’s portfolio outside its local market by still serving low-income populations in particular. Alongside the podcast episode, we secured a story written by a credit union reporter at a national finance publication, American Banker.

Press Kit/Sales Kit

Category Description: This category honors a comprehensive set of materials that support and promote a brand or product to the media. Examples include a press kit for a new product launch or a sales kit for a tourism destination.

The Campaign: A global semiconductor equipment supplier, ASM, was planning a new North American headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona, due to the growth the industry has experienced. ASM contracted with 10 to 1 Public Relations to develop a public relations campaign to share this news of their expansion plans with local, national, and industry media. A large part of this work was creating a press kit for the launch event.

The press kit included the following materials:

  • Fact Sheet – 10 to 1 PR started with the creation of an extensive fact sheet. This allowed 10 to 1 PR to gather all of the most relevant information, key talking points, background and history, and more. 10 to 1 PR was able to confirm accuracy with the client and prioritize they key points.
  • Press Release – 10 to 1 PR then utilized the fact sheet to draft a press release draft that would be shared with media that attended the event as well as those who were out of state or could not attend. This would be a more formal representation of the desired messaging and also include quotes from ASM executives and key community partners.
  • Visuals – 10 to 1 PR was able to secure renderings/images of the new ASM headquarters. This was important to help journalists understand and communicate what the new headquarters would look like for their specific audiences.

Results: 10 to 1 Public Relations was successful in executing the event press kit and exceeding expectations with their public relations campaign to drive stories about ASM’s expansion with local, national, and industry media. 10 to 1 PR generated over 100 media features in national outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, Yahoo!, Reuters, Bloomberg; industry outlets such as Semiconductor Engineering, Semiconductor Digest, Computer World; and local outlets such as all the major local TV stations, local NPR, the Arizona Republic (Arizona’s newspaper of record); and others. These stories were all considered very positive and incorporated ASM’s story into the larger story of economic and technological growth in Arizona and the U.S.

Local Public Relations

Category Description: This category honors public relations campaigns that target a local audience and focus on building relationships with local media and influencers.

The Campaign: In July 2023, Unical Aviation relocated its global corporate headquarters from Los Angeles, California, to Glendale, Arizona. 10 to 1 PR was integrated to amplify the benefits of moving to Arizona and establish Unical Aviation as a leader in the aerospace market.

The objectives of this project included amplifying positive messaging around this relocation to support Unical Aviation’s hiring efforts and establishing Unical Aviation as a trusted global aircraft parts supplier in the Phoenix market. The goals indicated at the beginning of this project included targeting the local Arizona publications to aid in Unical Aviation’s new hiring initiatives and the aviation industry publications to elevate Unical Aviation as a leader in the industry.

Results: For the internal communications strategies, goals and objectives were met, as our customer, vendor, and internal communication documents were shared with the appropriate audiences, assisting in Unical Aviation’s goals of amplifying positive messaging around this relocation to support Unical Aviation’s hiring efforts and establishing Unical Aviation as a trusted global aircraft parts supplier in the Phoenix market.

Goals and objectives were also met for the external communication strategies, as our team was able to secure media placements in local media for the formal announcement of the move to Arizona, including the Phoenix Business Journal, ABC15, Daily Independent, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Glendale Arizona, AZ Big Media, West Valley View, Glendale Star, and Glendale Independent. We also secured placements in the Los Angeles market, LA Business First, and an industry publication, Connect CRE.

10to1PR Scales New Heights

10to1PR Scales New Heights


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

Confidence and Career Growth: My Intern Experience at 10to1PR


Written by Kyle 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!

10 to 1 Public Relations Clinches Two Hermes Creative Awards

10 to 1 Public Relations Clinches Two Hermes Creative Awards

10 to 1 Public Relations was recognized with two Hermes Creative awards. Both recognize 10 to 1 Public Relations’ expertise in public relations campaigns. These awards acknowledge 10 to 1 PR’s success in executing multi-level campaigns that deliver results to support client goals. 

Hermes Creative Awards is administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP) and is an international competition for creative professionals involved in the concept, writing, and design of traditional and emerging media. Hermes Creative Awards recognizes outstanding work in the industry while promoting the philanthropic nature of marketing and communication professionals.

“At 10 to 1 PR we believe that a successful communications campaign should share our client’s story in a targeted compelling way that supports the client’s goals. We share our client’s stories the way they  should be told and the recognition we’ve received is a testament to the hard work and dedication it took to develop and execute these campaigns.”

Josh Weiss President and Founder of 10 to 1 PR

Here’s a summary of the winning campaigns that were recognized:  

Platinum Winner: PR Campaign for Unical Aviation Relocation

The Situation: Unical Aviation, Inc. is a leading provider of aircraft parts and components to the global commercial aerospace market. In July 2023, Unical Aviation relocated its global corporate headquarters and parts warehouse at the recently built Falcon Park 303 in Glendale, Arizona. Alongside the move to Arizona, Unical Aviation set a goal to hire for dozens of new positions in Arizona across many departments, including warehouse, finance, aircraft repair, human resources, IT, and more. 

Our Results: 10 to 1 PR amplified positive messaging around this relocation to support Unical Aviation’s hiring efforts and established Unical Aviation as a trusted global aircraft parts supplier in the Phoenix market. 10 to 1 PR secured media placements in local media for the formal announcement of the move to Arizona, including the Phoenix Business Journal, ABC15, Daily Independent, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Glendale Arizona, AZ Big Media, West Valley View, Glendale Star, and Glendale Independent. We also secured placements in the Los Angeles market (the previous location of the headquarters), LA Business First, and an industry publication, Connect CRE. Industry publications were included as well; Aviation Week, MRO Management, and the local publication Arizona Digital Free Press. These placements included key messaging objectives, positioning Unical Aviation as a leader in the aviation industry, and elevating a new hire announcement to recruit and retain employees.

Gold Winner: PR Campaign for Camp Build Initiative from The Rosendin Foundation

The Situation: The campaign we spearheaded focused on changing perceptions among young people and their parents through career exploration with a new initiative from The Rosendin Foundation (TRF), Rosendin’s 501c3. The Rosedin Foundation hosted a free summer camp called TRF Camp Build for middle school boys and girls at their training centers and prefabrication warehouses in five cities. For one week, dozens of students in each city learned hands-on skills from construction experts using professional-grade power tools, materials and computer systems. 

Our Results: In every market, 10 to 1 PR got reporters to come to TRF Camp Build to share stories in local, industry and business media that showcased the incredible skills of these children. TRF Camp Build was a huge success for the campers and the industry. Our efforts secured 96 unique TV, newspaper, digital, and magazine stories that ran in all five markets (Phoenix, Austin, Anaheim, Nashville and Sherman, TX). We also landed national stories with the construction industry and business magazines. In total 10 to 1 PR secured over 350 earned media stories with consumer, business and industry media outlets across a wide spectrum of mediums including television, newspaper, radio, and digital. This does not include press releases posted on a news wire, sponsored posts, or marketing of any kind. Our earned media results came from 10 to 1 PR’s stellar pitches, media relationships, award nominations, and well-crafted thought leadership articles. In addition, we used TRF Camp Build to win regional awards for community service, a leadership award for the camp director, and industry giant ENR Magazine gave Rosendin’s CEO the Southwest Legacy award.

10 to 1 Public Relations Recognized as Agency of the Year

10 to 1 Public Relations Recognized as Agency of the Year

This time of year usually has our team busy, submitting dozens of award nominations for clients. Awards can help boost an organization’s reputation with third-party credibility and our team nominates clients in various local, industry, and national awards. 

Seeing the value for our clients, we also apply for several awards for ourselves.

Our team is proud to share that 10 to 1 Public Relations was recognized with three Titan awards. The first recognizes 10 to 1 PR as PR Agency of the Year. The second two awards recognize 10 to 1 Public Relations’ expertise in public relations campaigns. 

As a firm focused on creating the highest caliber PR campaigns and results for our clients, it’s especially rewarding when independent third-party organizations recognize our strategy creation and implementation efforts as among the best they’ve seen compared to our industry peers.

Josh Weiss President and Founder of 10 to 1 PR

According to the awards organization:

TITAN Business Awards’ mission is to acknowledge the achievements of both entrepreneurs and organizations worldwide, the award aims to provide recognition for all who are over-shadowed, as well as established, organizations around the world.

Here’s a recap of the winning campaigns that were recognized:  

Gold Winner: “10 to 1 PR for Agency of the Year” – PR & Communications – PR Agency of the Year

For more than a decade, 10 to 1 Public Relations has offered public relations services that are targeted, compelling, and achieve clients’ goals. In today’s flood of non-stop communications across a multitude of channels, it’s tough to get noticed – much less get results. In 2023 our team secured more than 9000 stories for clients. At 10 to 1 Public Relations, our creative plans and messages are distinctive and memorable. We develop original, highly relevant approaches to storytelling that break through the noise and grab the attention of media outlets, and, more importantly, our clients’ target audiences. We believe it’s much more beneficial for a company to dominate industry and local media coverage with multiple different story placements over time rather than solely focusing on a placement in a well-known mainstream media outlet. Like drips out of a faucet, we can collect the water and utilize it however chosen to create the greatest benefit. The more water collected steadily over time, the bigger the impact.

Gold Winner: “Garnering attention for semiconductor company expansion” – PR & Communications – Technology / Science

A global semiconductor equipment supplier, ASM, was planning a new North American headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona, due to the growth the industry has experienced. The global semiconductor industry is expected to double to $1 trillion by 2030, with U.S. semiconductor revenue amounting to $75 billion in 2022 alone. ASM is not as large as some of the ‘household names’ in the semiconductor industry, like Intel, and so they wanted to be better known within the industry and draw attention to their North American HQ expansion. Our team developed a public relations campaign to share this news with local, national, and industry media. Our team generated over 100 Arizona and United States media features for the announcement and had over a dozen reporters show up on the site of the event. Major top-tier national features include Reuters, Bloomberg and Wall Street Journal. National industry features include Semiconductor Digest, Computer World, Silicon Semiconductor Magazine, Semiconductor Engineering, Tech Switch and others.

Gold Winner: “Bolstering the reputation of a career in construction” – PR & Communications – Construction

10 to 1 PR provides traditional public relations services to boost brand awareness for the nation’s largest employee-owned electrical contractor, Rosendin. The construction company is known for building large-scale commercial projects including SoFi Stadium, The Westin Anaheim, data centers for top tech giants, educational facilities, hospitals, and some of the biggest renewable energy facilities in the country. Our team set out in 2023 to position Rosendin as an industry leader that offered career opportunities in a technology-forward company that valued safety. We reshaped the narrative around construction career opportunities by focusing on the individuals who come together for shared success, targeting young people and their parents to change their perception of the industry.

Cross-Industry Success: 10to1PR’s Spring Media Highlights

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 Journal recognized 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 Family brought our client’s wearable healthcare tech to viewers across the state. The Phoenix Business Journal announced 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 Magazine featured 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.

Embracing AI in PR: A Game-Changer for Efficiency and Insight

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:

  1. How AI is speeding up content creation while emphasizing the continued importance of human oversight
  2. The transformation of media monitoring through AI-driven tools
  3. 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

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.

💻 Technology and Innovation Take Center Stage

Our tech-savvy clients made waves in various sectors. Fast Company featured a story about an AI-powered hotel coming to Las Vegas, highlighting the future of hospitality. In the healthcare realm, Pharmacy Practice News covered a groundbreaking robotics partnership between Swisslog Healthcare and BD, demonstrating the potential for automation in medical settings. Meanwhile, ENR reported on Rosendin Electric’s deployment of custom robots for solar panel installation, marrying renewable energy with advanced robotics.

🏗️ Real Estate and Development Solutions

The real estate sector saw exciting developments. Scottsdale Progress reported on the opening of indoor pickleball courts, catering to the growing popularity of the sport. Hotel Dive featured an AI lending tool for hotel owners, showcasing innovative financial solutions in the hospitality industry. On the community development front, Good Good Good covered a heartwarming story about shipping container homes for the homeless in Glendale, Arizona, highlighting creative approaches to housing challenges.

🏥 Healthcare and Community Initiatives

Our clients’ commitment to community well-being shone through in several stories. Jewish News reported on local synagogues opening their doors to unsheltered families, demonstrating interfaith cooperation and compassion. Becker’s Dental Review covered a survey revealing patients’ concerns about lowering dental licensing standards, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high-quality healthcare. Arizona’s Family delved into the ongoing fluoride debate in Arizona’s drinking water, sparking important conversations about public health.

👷‍♀️ Driving Economic Growth and Workforce Development

We helped put the spotlight on Arizona’s economic initiatives. The Phoenix Business Journal covered the state’s future research and development investments, pointing to a bright economic outlook. GovTech reported on Arizona’s investment in its cyber workforce, highlighting the state’s commitment to technological advancement and job creation. HR Spotlight featured an article on the importance of DEI and niche recruitment advertising in 2025, reflecting the evolving landscape of workforce management.

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 Scores Big at CES 2025

Otonomus Hotel Scores Big at CES 2025


Written by Sofia Ashley, PR Executive at 10to1PR

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.

Insights from 10 to 1 Public Relations’ Pros

Insights from 10 to 1 Public Relations’ Pros



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.