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Exploring Life & Business with Jess Kim of WIREHOUSE MEDIA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jess Kim

Hi JESS, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started off my career at 16, working concert promotions for local venues in Chicago. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was my first foot in the door. I handled advertising and social media for radio stations and newspapers, often for free, just to get the experience. Those early connections turned out to be so much more important than I realized at the time—they laid the groundwork for everything that followed.

After moving to California for college, where I studied Advertising at Pepperdine University, I continued to build my career in the entertainment industry. I got into PR, working across different areas like broadcasting, fashion, and influencer marketing. But it was at FYI Brand Group where everything really came together for me. I had the chance to work with Grammy-winning artists like Travis Scott, 21 Savage, Doja Cat, Jhené Aiko, and Metro Boomin. These experiences taught me the intricacies of managing brand partnerships, negotiating deals, and handling crisis management at the highest level for top-tier artists.

One of the most memorable moments of my career was working on the Concert Marketing for Drake and 21 Savage’s “It’s All A Blur” Tour at the Crypto.com Arena. Just a few months earlier, I had been handling the PR for the exact same album at FYI Brand Group. This experience showed me how each step in my journey was a stepping stone, preparing me for even bigger opportunities. This was just the beginning of me learning how to leverage my connections and experiences to create something bigger.

As much as I loved working in Concert Marketing, I knew I wanted to be more involved in the management side of the entertainment business. That’s when I transitioned into Viral Marketing at Atlantic Records. During my time there, I helped manage artists like Ty Dolla $ign, Charli XCX, Charlie Puth, Oliver Tree, and Sueco. Most notably, I was able to work on the “Barbie: The Album” campaign, which recently won two Grammys—an achievement I’m proud of. I also researched & analyzed the latest trends, built fan communities, and created content for social media accounts for Atlantic’s roster using strategies I’ve developed to go viral on different platforms. That’s when I realized these proven methods could be adapted and successful in any industry, not just music.

With all these experiences, I felt ready to create something of my own—Wirehouse Media. Wirehouse Media connects brands with professional creatives to tell their brand story in a way that genuinely resonates with their audience. Our strategies are designed to generate high engagement and effectively drive leads, whether it’s through innovative technology, NFC marketing, or strategic digital content.

It’s clear that every step prepared me for this moment—creating a full-service media agency that understands the nuances of brand storytelling and customer engagement. If you’re ready to take your brand to the next level, Wirehouse Media is here to help. Let us help you create your next viral campaign for your brand.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey has been anything but smooth, especially as an AAPI woman navigating industries where diversity is still lacking, particularly in Hollywood. Being in spaces where voices like mine were rare added an extra layer of challenge. Working in creative roles within media for the entertainment and music sectors, I often encountered resistance when trying to push innovative ideas forward, especially when dealing with large brands and high-profile clients on a global scale. The lack of diversity in these environments was frustrating, particularly in brainstorming sessions where the absence of varied perspectives often stifled creativity.

One of the most significant challenges I faced was during my time in PR, particularly in crisis management. PR is not just about securing the next big editorial feature; it’s about managing crises that can define a client’s career. I was involved in high-stakes situations where clients’ reputations were on the line, including a notable instance where a client faced a multi-million dollar lawsuit from a major publication. These experiences taught me that PR is about safeguarding a person’s identity and how they’re perceived in society. The way a public image is managed can directly impact someone’s financial stability and the future of their business.

Navigating these unpredictable situations required quick thinking and the ability to manage complex legal and media challenges on a case-by-case basis. Throughout my career in PR, I regularly dealt with lawsuits and liabilities, which became a critical part of my role. Despite the immense pressure, I learned that PR is about much more than managing public relations; it’s about protecting someone’s entire livelihood.

Balancing these responsibilities was even more challenging due to the lack of diversity in the spaces I worked in. The hurdles I faced as an AAPI woman in Hollywood, combined with the demands of crisis management in PR, have shaped my resilience and prepared me to navigate the high-stakes world of entertainment and music with confidence. If there’s one thing I wish I had known sooner, it’s that every challenge—whether related to diversity, creativity, or crisis management—has only strengthened my ability to push forward and make a lasting impact.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about WIREHOUSE MEDIA?
At Wirehouse Media, we’re dedicated to taking brands to the next level through a comprehensive range of services that make the process seamless for our clients. As a full-service media agency, we manage everything from branding, press relations, and content creation to social media management, influencer marketing, and strategic brand partnerships. Based in Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Venice, we serve as a creative hub for brands, businesses, and creators across various fields to help create their next viral campaign.

One of the biggest mistakes brands make is relying solely on traditional methods. At Wirehouse Media, we break that mold by integrating NFC marketing to create interactive experiences that drive sales and generate leads. Our in-house printing capabilities allow us to manage everything from digital content to physical promotional items, ensuring a cohesive and powerful brand presence. By managing all these elements in-house—from graphic design to printing—we maintain consistency and quality across every touchpoint.

Additionally, we offer legal consultation to ensure that your brand is compliant, protected, and ready to grow. Our legal team is dedicated to safeguarding your brand’s identity and intellectual property, giving you the peace of mind to focus on what you do best—creating and innovating.

We believe that effective marketing is more than just visibility. It’s about building lasting connections with your customers and creating communities around your brand. That’s why we focus not only on your company’s brand, but also offer personal branding services to ensure you connect with the right communities, networks, and events to maximize your impact.

Let Wirehouse Media take your brand to the next level. Whether you’re an established name or just starting out, we connect you with the right opportunities and create meaningful marketing strategies that drive real results.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories is from when I was a competitive figure skater. I started skating at just four years old and spent over 12 years pouring everything I had into the sport. At 10, I even moved to Los Angeles to train with one of the world’s top Olympic coaches, Tammy Gambill. Skating taught me discipline, perseverance, and how to push through challenges—both physically and mentally. But when I suffered a back injury, my skating career came to a sudden halt, and I had to step away from the sport at a crucial time in my life.

After the injury, I threw myself into new things, like coaching and even learning hockey, before eventually finding my way into the music industry. But one of the most meaningful moments came later, when some of the U.S. Olympic team members I had trained with—like Vincent Zhou, Karen Chen, and Jason Brown—were part of the “Stars on Ice” tour. When the tour came to Chicago, they invited me to perform with them at the Allstate Arena. It was my first time back on the ice since my injury, and even though I was still dealing with some pain, I was able to skate alongside the Olympians I had grown up with.

Being back on the ice in the Allstate Arena, with my family and friends watching, reminded me that all those years of hard work and dedication were worth it. That experience reignited my passion and showed me that even when one door closes, there are always new opportunities waiting. It’s a lesson that has fueled my journey, pushing me to keep going, embrace challenges, and create my own path to success.

Pricing:

  • Essentials Content Plan ($650/mo)
  • Media Plus Plan ($1250/mo)
  • Premium Branding Plan ($5000/mo)
  • Brand Copyright & Trademark Registration ($4000)

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Jacob Erbes

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