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.
Laura Slawny of 10 to 1 PR Admitted to Global Leadership Academy
Nine-month Program Provides Participants with Access to a World-class, One-of-a-kind Educational Opportunity
10 to 1 Public Relations, a strategic communications firm serving clients in varied industries such as healthcare, technology, transportation, finance, and more, has announced that Laura Slawny has been accepted into a leadership development program for emerging PR and marketing professionals in IPREX, a premier global communications network of independent, partner agencies with 1,220 staff and 110 offices worldwide.
Laura Slawny, 10 to 1 PR’s Director of Public Relations
Slawny, Director of Public Relations at 10 to 1 PR, is one of 18 members in the inaugural class of IPREX Academy, a nine-month program that exposes participants to top industry practitioners and seasoned agency principals from the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific as they engage in international staff exchanges, a mentoring program and robust course modules that delve into subjects beyond marketing and communications, providing holistic business management skills.
“IPREX Academy harnesses the expertise of both members and outside experts to build a unique professional development opportunity for agency professionals who have been recognized as emerging leaders,” said Alexandra Mayhew, IPREX Executive Director. “The seasoned professionals and independent agencies that make up IPREX represent some of the world’s foremost brands, so tapping into that experience is powerful and provides participants with diverse perspectives and learnings that have extremely relevant applications. We are thrilled to have Laura as part of our inaugural class.”
A former television reporter, news producer, and executive producer, Slawny is a gifted storyteller that has earned numerous awards including four regional Emmy awards and the prestigious Edward R. Murrow award. Most recently, Slawny worked as a publicist for another firm where she earned noteworthy local, regional, industry, and national coverage for clients’ media coverage and is excited to bring these talents to assist our clients. Slawny joined 10 to 1 PR in 2018 and was recently promoted to Director of Public Relations to oversee the company’s strategies and direction in serving clients across multiple industries and markets.
“IPREX Academy has been an eye-opening experience for me, as over the last few years, I’ve learned to leverage my extensive journalism career to generate successful public relations campaigns and initiatives,” said Slawny. “I look forward to applying what I learn in the Academy to support 10 to 1 PR’s continued growth into new industries and markets.”
IPREX received applications from all over the map – from Washington State to New York, from Ireland to Tokyo – for its inaugural class and has tapped more than two dozen experts from different regions of the world to deliver the Academy’s curriculum.
In addition to the IPREX Academy course modules – which encompass business strategy, financial management, leadership skills, and sessions on the importance of diversity and cross-cultural communications – the program offers Academy members a dedicated session in IPREX’s annual Emerging Leaders Conference; a mentoring program; international staff exchange; a global group project; and virtual social meetups, which can range from coffee chats to happy hours depending on participant time zone.
Upon completion of the leadership program, participants will receive IPREX Academy accreditation. Mayhew added: “Dynamic learning opportunities such as this are increasingly valuable as communications and marketing professionals navigate a rapidly evolving and extremely competitive industry. We’re thrilled to launch this unique leadership development opportunity to help keep our members ahead of the competition.”
About 10 to 1 Public Relations
For nearly a decade 10 to 1 Public Relations (10 to 1 PR) has been offering public relations services that are targeted, compelling, and achieve our clients’ goals. 10 to 1 PR’s creative plans and messages are distinctive and memorable with original, highly relevant approaches to storytelling that break through the noise and grab the attention of media outlets and target audiences. 10 to 1 PR offers a variety of services including media relations, product launches, crisis communication management, awards submissions, trade show media, and more. Learn more about 10 to 1 PR’s extensive services and success stories at 10to1pr.com.
About IPREX
IPREX is a $420 million network of communication agencies, with 1,220 staff and 110 offices worldwide working across the spectrum of industry sectors and practice disciplines. For more information or to connect with an IPREX partner agency throughout the world, visit iprex.com.
