Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Podkasik.
Jennifer, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications and started my career out as a newspaper writer for a local Chicago newspaper. Soon after, I began working at a marketing and PR firm which provided me with my first real taste of Public Relations, and I fell in love with this side of the industry! I took a job at JSH&A Public Relations and spent the next eight years working on a variety of high-profile national accounts including The Hershey Company, ConAgra Foods, Beam Suntory, Purina Pet Care, among others. I learned so much during my tenure at JSH&A and established excellent, long-term relationships with both local and national media outlets that helped secure placements across top daily newspapers, national magazines, trade publications, online outlets and television shows including the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, and FOX & Friends. In 2012, I decided to go off on my own and have continued working with both local and national companies including Lovely Candy Company, EZ Links Golf, The Morton Arboretum, Jonny Pops, the Tennessee Bureau of Tourism and nuyu Clothing. In 2016, I took on a partner – Abby Penich – who is an expert in social media, to expand our client services and offerings.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Owning your own company always comes with challenges. Abby and I both have a philosophy that we are not just the faces of the company, but are the ones actually doing the day-to-day work. Working in the industry for nearly 20 years, we have often seen business get pitched and then handed off to junior account executives. We wanted to create a model where our clients have senior-level talent running their day-to-day business, executing events, drafting plans, submitting strategies and even pitching and securing media placements. As such, we are constantly splitting our time and talents to not only service our own clients first and foremost, but also run our own business. Therefore, time management is always top of mind running a company.
In addition, I would say, it is hard to lose a client or see them cut PR due to budget limitations, as we pride ourselves on going above and beyond to deliver results. However, while losing a client is a disappointment, we have been able to see a loss as a growth opportunity by listening, learning and embracing new possibilities that present themselves.
Arrowhead Communications – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are a Chicago-based Public Relations, Social Media, and Communications company founded by two industry veterans with an affinity for all things food, lifestyle, and travel. Our services include everything from traditional and social PR campaigns, new product launches, high-profile events, media tours and influencer campaigns. We dedicate ourselves and our talents to generating positive press, word of mouth and exposure for each of our clients’ services and products.
I think what sets us apart is that our clients always have one of the co-founders leading and working on their business each and every day. My expertise is in Public Relations, event planning, and media relations, but I also understand and help run the social side of client accounts. And vice versa for Abby – her expertise is in Social Media from her days of working in-house at ConAgra Foods as Director of PR & Social Media and Director of Content Marketing, but she also has a thorough understanding of PR. Not only do our professional skills marry perfectly for our client-based communications agency, but our personalities also mesh really well which makes working together fun (and productive) every day!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Professionally, I define success by the happiness of my clients. I definitely have a Type A personality and am often a perfectionist so I always try to hit and exceed client goals to ensure they are happy. This means putting in extra hours and usually going above and beyond the defined project scope.
Personally, success for me is defined by happiness and an important piece of being happy is having a good work/life balance. Owning my own business and having a dedicated partner to run it, has created a great balance that I am grateful for every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.arrowheadsocialpr.com
- Phone: 630.347.9338
- Email: jen@arrowheadsocialpr.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arrowheadsocialpr
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arrowhead-communications-llc
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