Danielle Gordon, Executive Assistant, of MB and Associates Public Relations shared the inside scoop on what drew her to the field and what continues to make MB and Associates a leading example of excellence among public relations firms in Southern New Jersey, the greater Philadelphia area, and nationwide. She shared more:
Meghan Forte: What made you drawn to the public relations industry?
Danielle Gordon:
This may be a shock to some, but I never studied to work in the public relations industry! I actually graduated with degrees in both Communication Studies and Film Production. Growing up, I loved storytelling in all its forms whether that was through movies and short films, music, books, musical theater, etc. so I was bound to end up somewhere that let my creativity shine. When I was in high school, I remember joining the news team and working as an anchor and video editor, but still I never understood PR (I didn’t even know what it was at the time). I considered journalism at one point so that I could be an anchor/ reporter one day. But as I began to study and work on more projects during my academic and adult career, I grew an immense love for producing and orchestrating shows and enjoyed having control over what people viewed on their screens every day. Now I get to do that for a living, and help people share the story of their personal brand and/or business.
Meghan Forte: What are important people skills and communication skills for working in Public Relations?
Danielle Gordon: People often ask me this question when they are considering working in this industry, in media or marketing in some shape or form.
I think one of the biggest characteristics is that someone should be open and outgoing. You are going to meet and talk to A LOT of people on a daily basis. Whether it’s through cold emails and phone calls to producers, news desks, assignment editors, reporters, radio hosts, podcast producers, event managers, vendors, old and new, past and current clients. The list is never ending. So you need to be comfortable representing your business and your client in the most authentic and professional way possible.
Another skill, or requirement rather, is being able to understand and anticipate your client’s needs and ALWAYS have a game plan for when the bomb falls, because at one point or another it will. Working in PR you are responsible for making your client appear as an expert and reliable source. YOU are trusted to control the narrative, so always staying on top of current trends and forecasting the next best thing is critical to helping a client(s) stay relevant.
Finally, create and maintain your relationships. When I first started working at MB, I didn’t know the people I do now. I started reaching out to those who already had an established relationship with others at our firm and began showing them my talent and rapport, proving that I was reliable and always delivered. That’s why we always pride ourselves on going above and beyond when it comes to our work. We think a lot like the producers and reporters we work with, and quickly begin to understand their vision and their needs so the next time we inquire about a story idea and offer an expert, they know they can trust me/us time and time again.
Meghan Forte: Where did you study for this industry?
Danielle Gordon: Though I didn’t graduate with a public relations degree, I attribute a lot of my success and knowledge to what I learned both in and out of the classroom. There was still much to learn (as there is with any position) so I leaned on my team to guide me in the right direction. I was initially onboarded as a Social Media Director and Content Creator, assisting with pitching and media outreach when able. The PR industry is ever changing and with that comes a new task, a new project, and a constant need for a new set of skills. As I grew more into my role, I leaned on my team to guide me and offer their input on my writing style and my design concepts. I’m grateful that I have and continue to work in a collaborative environment because we always learn from each other. I continue to grow in my position – now as an Executive Assistant, Team Lead and Publicist at MB and Associates. Every day is different and I’m never stuck doing the exact same thing. Since 2021, I’ve learned to manage book tour campaigns, produce and edit podcasts, increase client social media engagement, develop branding strategies, handle influencer management and collaborations, execute media strategies, manage crisis PR, oversee business operations, and much more.
Meghan Forte: In what ways do you feel that the public relations industry makes a positive impact for the community?
Danielle Gordon: Our firm works with both businesses and nonprofits alike, and it’s really rewarding to see how we help amplify voices in different communities. The clients that we represent all aim to benefit those it serves, whether that’s shining light on the autism community, offering educational resources and a safer environment for children of underserved areas, or bettering the physical and/or mental wellbeing of others with counseling services, literature, cosmetics, etc. Those who work in the public relations industry act as the liaisons between the business or person and their prospective audience. Readers and viewers are constantly given so much information in the media, and it’s our job to bring awareness to our clients’ cause and how they can help others.
Meghan Forte: Do you have a specialization within PR and can you share a career highlight moment?
Danielle Gordon: I feel as though I have many specializations in my role, but more recently my focus has been book tour management. I spearhead a lot of author campaigns and oversee all their events and store signings nationwide. I’ve worked with famed Barnes and Nobles stores in New York City, Los Angeles, and Florida, as well as independent bookstores such as Zibby’s Bookshop, Booked in Chestnut Hill, Village Well, and many others. It’s been very rewarding to be able to work with authors such as Joel Waldman, Steve Guttenberg, Janet Zappala, Dave Lopez, Carrie Berk, Helaine Knapp, and now, Jimmy Dunne.
Meghan Forte: Do you have aspirations in the near future pertaining to your PR career?
Danielle Gordon: One of my proudest moments was when I coordinated a book signing for a current author and the store’s event coordinator personally reached out to tell me the event exceeded max capacity and the books sold out in only minutes. The author was so elated and it just meant the world to me to know that my work is making such a positive impact on someone’s career and passion. Right now, I’m looking forward to growing more as a publicist and continuing to learn from my colleagues and peers so that I can deliver to the best of my ability and become one of the best publicists in the industry. And who knows, maybe there will be exciting announcements in the near future!
It continues to be a privilege to collaborate with firms like MB and Associates as a writer for Social The Lifestyle Magazine. It’s incredibly rewarding to see, read, and watch the careers of publicists like Danielle Gordon unfold and grow exponentially. Thank you to Danielle Gordon and MB and Associates Public Relations.
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New Jersey Location:
651 Route 73 North, Suite 207
Marlton, New Jersey
New York Office:
310 E. 65th Street 12A
New York, NY 10065
Phone: (856) 452-5640
Email: [email protected]
