Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrienne Dorsey.
Adrienne, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I moved to Los Angeles in 2003 for graduate school, I soon found myself interning at a fashion public relations agency in the heart of Hollywood. I didn’t really know what PR was back then, but thought it sounded fun! I helped run a showroom where celebrity stylists (and sometimes celebrities themselves) would come and pull clothing & accessories for red carpet appearances, magazine photo shoots, music videos, films…
It was all very glamorous but also down to earth- unpacking boxes, processing stylist returns, trying to locate missing jewelry, etc. We also threw events at Skybar and other popular venues on the Sunset Strip were front row for LA Fashion Week shows and attended some of the coolest parties.
After I finished graduate school, I decided to start my own business, Magnolia Public Relations, which soon became focused on children’s fashion PR. I didn’t set out to focus on kids brands, but some of my very first clients were LA brands seeking exposure and they did well… thus telling their friends who also needed PR!
I saw there was a need to connect talented designers with the media and sought out to be that connector. Since then, my clients have been featured on the cover and inside major magazines (Parents, Us Weekly, FamilyFun…), on A-list celebrity kids, and on top television shows like the Today Show.
Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t always been easy! Starting out, some potential clients would dismiss me since I was young and not a huge established agency. Sometimes brands do not understand what public relations is and think it’s an instant process. Often it will take a few months before clients will see tangible outcomes, like magazine press tears.
Brands don’t always realize the value of having the required materials to promote their brand- high-quality, high-resolution images, lookbooks, etc. are all valuable tools we use to garner press. PR is sometimes seen as an “extra’ for brands, but I think to truly build the foundation of a brand and generate awareness, it should be a constant part of a brand’s business plan.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Magnolia Public Relations story. Tell us more about the business.
Magnolia Public Relations specializes in children’s fashion & lifestyle brands, helping to build brand awareness for new and established companies. We provide media outreach, celebrity seeding, influencer programs, social media, brand audits, and other services to strengthen the impact of brands at all levels.
I’m proud to have helped brands take it to the next level, whether that means the cover of a magazine or signing a deal with one of the sharks on Shark Tank. Their success is my success.
I take a personal approach to business, my clients are not passed off to an intern. Being creative and on top of media trends is crucial, so I’m always testing out new approaches and new social media platforms. I focus on tried & true PR methods but adapt it to the changing media landscape.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
PR is truly experiencing a shift, as it’s now encompassing more than traditional media outlets. We’re also expected to collaborate with influencers and attain large social media followings.
We are expected to secure print even when there are fewer print publications, and the line between editorial and paid placement is often blurred. Things will definitely become more challenging, but there are also more opportunities with a digital press and the 24-hour news cycle, bringing more chances for coverage.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.magnoliapr.com
- Email: adrienne@magnoliapr.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/magnolia_pr
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/magnoliapublicrelations
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/magnoliapr
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