A Passion for Storytelling: Michelle Bolden of 10 to 1 PR
In this series, we flip the script and put 10 to 1 PR team members in the interview seat. Get to know Michelle Bolden, PR Coordinator at 10 to 1 PR:
Tell us a little about yourself.
I recently graduated from Arizona State University with my BA in Communication. Creative expression is my safe space so naturally I’ve always loved writing and storytelling. Some of my passions are music, health and wellness, and trying new things.
What song would you sing during karaoke?
Emotions by Mariah Carey
What is your favorite way to spend a day off?
I’m a self care enthusiast so I would say doing activities that make me feel happy and recharged like practicing yoga, spending time in nature, reading, and listening to music.
Public Relations Coordinator or Senior PR Coordinator
Are you someone who likes to tell stories? Do you want to develop your talent while making an immediate impact as part of a team? Interested in growing your career at a rapidly expanding PR firm? Then we need you on the 10 to 1 Public Relations team!
10 to 1 Public Relations is an award-winning traditional PR firm that works with interesting and diverse clients from across the globe. We have a “No Jerks” policy which refers to both co-workers and clients and we believe in a “no drama” office.
10 to 1 Public Relations has grown dramatically over the last few years. We are seeking a full-time, public relations professional to help our clients share their stories and achieve their public relations goals. Some of our work includes:
Media relations such as writing press releases, articles and pitching reporters and influencers (local, national and trade) and securing media placements (online, print, TV & radio)
New market and/or new product related media launches
Growing client recognition through award nominations and speaker submissions
You’ll be part of a team expected to play an important role in it all; involved in client-facing tasks, strategy creation, and implementation duties. Ultimately, you’ll be an important part of helping our team achieve the client’s stated goals, meaning you must:
Be able to prioritize, organize and manage multiple tasks at the same time
Have strong interpersonal skills to communicate with clients and journalists as well as collaborate with team members
Be an excellent writer
Enjoy telling stories
Additional info:
PR Pros with communications experience or a PR-focused degree encouraged to apply.
Career transition and entry level candidates with demonstrated writing skills and applicable experience will be considered.
Salary range for a coordinate starts at $40,000 and increases depending on experience.
We do not offer health insurance or a 401k.
18 days PTO
We are hybrid, and you will be expected to work in the office two days a week, and remotely 3 days each week. Our offices are in the Scottsdale Airpark area, behind Scottsdale Quarter.
Currently local candidates preferred.
Bilingual candidates a plus.
To learn more about our clients, approach and philosophy, visit us at 10to1pr.com
Still interested? Tell us your story! Send your resume and cover letter explaining why you want to be part of our team to josh at 10to1pr.com
When you’re focused on taking small, steady steps forward it’s often easy to forget how far you’ve gone.
With 2021 coming to a close, I started reviewing the past year and I’m completely amazed at all that was accomplished. We’ve grown so much in just the past 12 months. Here are some 2021 highlights:
Completed a Brand Relaunch (including updated logo and materials, new website, etc.)
While our strategy for success may be simple, that doesn’t mean it’s easy. And bluntly, it wasn’t easy! It was really hard! It’s why I’m so very proud of our team, and how we’ve risen to each challenge during this unpredictable year.
I hope that you too take a moment to recognize and reflect on your accomplishments over the past year and that it refreshes and excites you for the year ahead. Watch out, 2022, here we come!
With 2021 coming to a close, members of the 10 to 1 Public Relations team respond to the question, ‘What are some personal and professional goals or wishes for 2022?’
Professionally, I want to take better advantage of the opporutnity I’ve been given to write columns for Entrepreneur Magazine. While I submitted several in 2021, I’d love to get ahead and write even more in 2022. Personally, I’d love to get back into the habit of playing my guitar more regularly. I’ve been playing since I was ten, and while I never have been particularly good- I always enjoy strumming a few cords.
Josh Weiss, President
Professionally I hope to continue to forge great bonds with my coworkers! Personally, I hope to find more time for drawing so that I can improve my skills.
Mackenzie Nintzel, PR Coordinator
Joanne and Smriti in the office
Professional wish: I would like to put more effort into keeping up with the news. So much is changing daily in Arizona’s business landscape that new opportunties can be found every day. Personal wish: I’d like to spend more time outside. We live in a beautiful region that can be enjoyed all year long and I aim to take better advantage of the weather.
Laura Slawny, PR Director
Professionally to attend more career development events and opportunities to learn more about my clients’ industries. Personally my wish is to read for fun!
Rachael Clifford, PR Executive
Eirca, Josh and Mackenzie hold some recent awards earned in 2021
Professionally I want to continue learning and indentifying new, creative story angles. There are so many ways to tell a story and I want to be able to explore all the possibilities for our clients. Personally, I want to continue letting my family and friends know how lucky I am o have them in my life, but also to make more big life changes on my own like finishing paying off my car, move into my own place, and travel more (and also to hang my clothes/put laundry away immediately!).
Knitting it All Together: Rachael Clifford of 10 to 1 PR
In this series, we flip the script and put 10 to 1 PR team members in the interview seat. Get to know Rachael Clifford, PR Executive at 10 to 1 PR:
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m Rachael, and I’m a PR Executive at 10 to 1 PR. I’m curious and enjoy learning what makes others unique, two qualities I think make me well-suited for a career in PR. I graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Strategic Communications, PR and Advertising. Before I joined 10 to 1, I interned and worked at various nonprofits in many marketing roles, but I always found myself most at home in a PR function. I like the variety of team members, clients, and industries I get to work with at 10 to 1. Every day is a new day!
Rachael (center) with some 10 to 1 PR team members
What is one lesson you’ve learned from your time in PR?
Doing a SWOT analysis, a quick one or a deep one, will help you better understand a situation and will help you determine the best course of action. You can’t always control a situation, but you do have agency over your response.
What is your favorite way to spend a day off?
Going on a morning hike and then coming home to knit and watch the Great British Baking Show.
What song would you sing during karaoke?
I think singing any ABBA song would guarantee a good time.
What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t overthink it. I’m the type of person who is all about the details, and I like to think through my next steps always, but sometimes it’s necessary to zoom out and go with my instincts.
If you had a superpower, what would it be and why?
I would want to be able to speak any language. I’d love to be able to go anywhere in the world and be able to converse with people. Language also encodes a lot about culture, and many barriers would vanish if we took the time to understand where another person is coming from.
In this series, we flip the script and put 10 to 1 PR team members in the interview seat. Get to know Mackenzie Nintzel, PR Coordinator at 10 to 1 PR:
Tell us a little about yourself.
Hi there, my name is Mackenzie and as of August of 2021, I have been a PR Coordinator at 10 to 1 Public Relations. I became interested in public relations due to my love for hearing about others’ passions and using my writing abilities to be able to translate them into words through press releases and articles. I graduated summa cum laude from NAU with a degree in Strategic Communications with an emphasis in public relations as well as a minor in Cinema Studies. I have a big love for all media including movies, music, and video games and have always thrown myself neck deep into every interest I’ve ever had which now extends to my career in PR at 10 to 1!
What is your favorite thing about your career in PR?
I love working collaboratively with a team and getting to learn from others every day. The whole team at 10 to 1 has different backgrounds and experiences that I love being able to hear about and learn from as I find my place in the PR industry.
What is your favorite way to spend a day off?
I love to draw and wish I had more time to do it. So, when I do have a day off, I let all the inspiration I have bubbling up inside me from the week manifest by drawing. There is something really special about having a hobby that has such visible results to make my day feel productive.
What is your favorite movie?
My favorite movie is Ex Machina! I love stories that keep me guessing and have a lot of mystery surrounding them and this movie does that type of suspense perfectly.
Who inspires you?
Both of my parents inspire me daily. My dad has worked in the public relations field for my entire life and has been extremely helpful through my journey in college while my mom helps me learn life lessons by sharing her own experiences for me to grow from. They both show me what real kindness and love look like every day and I am forever grateful to them for all that they have done for me as I’ve grown into a young adult.
If you had a superpower, what would it be and why?
Teleportation. I would love to travel more than I’ve gotten the chance to, and I would love to make it even easier by being able to be anywhere I wanted instantaneously.
Pilates & Publicity: Joanne Sgro-Killworth of 10 to 1 PR
In this series, we flip the script and put 10 to 1 PR team members in the interview seat. Get to know Joanne Sgro-Killworth, Sr. PR Executive at 10 to 1 PR:
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am Joanne and my passions are Pilates and publicity. I have an amazing family. We are blessed with kids who are great at sports and the arts. I have 20+ fitness certifications and love to sing. I also have a secret love of 80’s hairband rock.
Joanne with her Emmy
What is your most memorable PR experience?
Having a client live on CNBC from the NYSE.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Winning an Emmy and being on the cover of Women’s World Magazine.
To celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, members of the 10 to 1 Public Relations team respond to the question, ‘What are you thankful for this year?’
I’m grateful for the personal life achievements and collective health of my family, as well as my work family! Even with all the challenges related to the pandemic, we continue to thrive and support each other in our efforts! Oh, and I’m also thankful for coffee.
Josh Weiss, President
I am thankful for my family who have supported me through this past year as I finished up my bachelor’s degree and started my career with 10to1!
Mackenzie Nintzel, PR Coordinator
Mayra, Mackenzie, and Rachael at the 10 to 1 PR office
I am thankful for all the individuals on our wonderful team at 10 to 1 PR who bring positive and creative ideas every day to help one another so we can be our very best for all our clients.
Laura Slawny, PR Director
This year I’m thankful for my good health, joining an amazing PR team, and being able to see my loved ones in person for Thanksgiving.
Michelle Bolden, PR Coordinator
I’m thankful for my family’s/my sister Aimee’s dog named Marla. She keeps me company on my work from home days and she gives me an excuse to go on a walk.
Rachael Clifford, PR Executive
Marla the Dog
I am so thankful for the incredible year I’ve had. I got to travel to new places, landed my dream job, and made special memories with my family and friends.
Mayra Vasquez-Chavez, PR Coordinator
I am thankful for my children and husband, who put a smile on my face everyday. I am also thankful that I was finally able to visit my parents and siblings this year.
Joanne Sgro-Killworth, SR. PR Executive
I moved to Arizona this year and I am very thankful to everyone who supported me and made me feel welcome. I am grateful for a healthy work environment, great team, wonderful clients, and the super nice journalists who make me want to do better professionally, every day. From the best bunch of PR nerds – Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Smriti Shakargaye, PR Executive
I am thankful for my health, the health of my family and friends, and for my sister’s Thanksgiving mashed potatoes.
10 to 1 Public Relations (10 to 1 PR), a Scottsdale-based strategic communications firm, was named the winner in their category at the Better Business Bureau Pacific Southwest region’s 2021 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics. The award, presented on November 17th at an awards ceremony held at the Waldorf Astoria’s Arizona Biltmore Resort, honors top greater Arizona businesses for ethics and integrity.
“We want our employees, customers, partners, and members of the media to trust us, which allows us to do our jobs most effectively and efficiently,” said Josh Weiss, President and founder of 10 to 1 Public Relations. “Winning the BBB Torch Award for Ethics is a true honor and testament to the integrity and excellent work our team does every day.”
Finalists were selected by an independent panel of volunteer community leaders based on criteria established by the International Association of Better Business Bureaus. It is the organization’s highest award designed to highlight outstanding ethical businesses.
“Honesty builds trust, which is a vital aspect in the success of a business. For 19 years, BBB has been recognizing outstanding companies in Greater Arizona for their solid commitment to doing things the right way and we are so proud of our 2021 winning businesses,” said Shelley Bradley, Director of Signature Events at BBB Serving the Pacific Southwest.
All finalists completed an evaluation where they demonstrated their commitment to ethics and trust in four categories: Character, Culture, Customers, and Community. Finalists also illustrated the character of their organization’s leadership, how an authentic culture is being fostered, how the company prioritizes its relationship with customers, and the impact the organization is making in their community.
10 to 1 PR received high marks in all categories for its efforts to build a team culture where everyone supports each other; investing heavily in the professional development of its employees; a ‘No Jerks’ policy that applies to both team members and clients; transparent and honest client communications and media relations; and supporting the local community with in-kind services.
Weiss added, “We’ve been fortunate to win several industry PR awards over the years, but this award from the Better Business Bureau is special since it’s based on more than the results we achieve for our clients, but how those results are achieved.”
10 to 1 PR has built a diverse clientele of businesses across the U.S. and the globe from numerous industries including financial, health and wellness, professional services, real estate, manufacturing, mechanical and construction, technology, and transportation. The company collaborates with each client to develop a custom strategic communications plan built around achieving the client’s desired results.
Should public relations for charities and nonprofits be implemented differently compared to for-profit businesses?
For nearly 20 years, I’ve been asked a variation of this question by nonprofit leaders. Since I launched my PR firm about a decade ago, the question comes even more frequently. While most of our clients are for-profit businesses that are national or in several markets, we have also worked with a handful of charities and nonprofits over the years, some that are nationally focused and others local only to a single media market.
When it comes to PR tactics, it doesn’t matter if you’re a for-profit or nonprofit. Sure, a nonprofit might be focused on specifically promoting its fundraising or education efforts, but when you boil it down, it’s really promoting a service, product or idea just like a for-profit business.
I’m constantly impressed by the mission-driven focus of the many nonprofit leaders that I’ve worked with, and I believe business leaders can learn a lot from their passion and commitment to achieving an end goal. The challenge is that some nonprofit leaders fail to understand that their organization is a type of business too and that public relations is a key ingredient to achieving success for their overall mission. Many times, and for various reasons, nonprofit leaders have the wrong mindset and don’t recognize or believe they should adhere to the proven PR recipe that many businesses follow…
