Today we’d like to introduce you to Colleen O’Mara-Diamond.
Hi Colleen, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started my career as a Writer working in Production on a Diversity Video Series with Dr. Maya Angelou. I then joined a Magazine focused on profiles of Directors, Cinematographers, and Producers behind the scenes in entertainment. After being a magazine Editor for almost 5 years, I launched my own Agency with my business partner, which has become a global communications agency called Hype. We provide PR, Marketing, social media, Branding, & Design services to entertainment clients, non-profit organizations, and small businesses across the U.S. and around the world. In addition to my work with Hype, I am also a Creative Writer and have several Book Projects I am involved with currently. One just published in Fall 2023, and the other is slated to publish in the next year or so. I am also committed to my community work, having been a Co-Founder of the Venice Media District. I have just entered my 2nd year on the Ojai Art Center Board in a Communications Role. In addition to my career, I am also a busy working mom, currently juggling three teenagers and their busy extracurricular activities in the arts and sports. My life partner is a VFX Supervisor & Visual Effects Artist. So, life is very busy but very rewarding simultaneously! My Calendar is color-coded. ; )
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The trajectory of my career was definitely a smooth one. But I have to say that I always took every opportunity that was presented to me. If a door opened, I walked through it and tried to add value in any way I could. I had one major negative career experience, but it led me to opening my own agency and company. So oftentimes, the most challenging moment can also be an opportunity when you look back. Now as a company owner and manager, I try really hard to be a good listener. To figure out what motivates each individual on our now 15-member global team and to work to people’s strengths. Everyone has their strengths and the areas we all need to improve. A career is a journey, and the road is not always clear or smooth. But that can be what makes us better as managers, as team members, and as people.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In addition to my work managing a global communications agency, I have always been a Creative Writer. I started writing seriously in college and have always written. I started writing Short Stories, Essays, and Articles and then transitioned into writing Poetry. I have two Book Projects that I am involved with currently. One is “Slow Lightning: Astonished Poetry,” Anthology II, which published in Fall 2023. This Book project is curated, edited and published by Writing Mentor Peggy Dobreer. The poetry is generated in this daily writing group that Peggy started and runs. Peggy leads a daily somatic meditation and then provides a prompt that we all write to. The annual anthology is made up of poetry from writers in the group, who are worldwide and have all had such interesting lives and careers. After its publication, we have had a series of Book Launch and Book Celebration Events. I just hosted one at the Ojai Art Center in February 2024, which was lovely — an afternoon of Poetry & Music. I have also written a Memoir called “Raw Diamond,” which is with my Agent Nancy Hancock now. Nancy was with Harper Collins and Harper One for 20 years. Now, she has her own company and goes between New York & Nashville. She is the perfect partner to represent my Creative Writing Projects. I consider her and our collaboration a true gift. We hope for publication of “Raw Diamond” with a traditional publisher in the next year or so, and eventually a film adaptation. I write because I have to. It helps me to organize my thoughts and make meaning out of life.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Whenever I meet someone, I have a tendency to ask a lot of questions to get to know them. It’s the original journalist in me, I think, always trying to paint a picture of each person I meet. I think what people find surprising about me is how busy I keep myself and how I am always juggling my work life, home life, community work, and creative projects. But I have a lot of energy and a lot of ideas. I love to collaborate with other people, make connections, connect dots, and see projects come to life, whether that is my creative project or someone else’s. But I also know when to stop and rest, when to take much-needed breaks, and quality time with my lovely family. I am someone who always loves to learn new things. My lifelong learning list includes learning other languages, how to play the piano, and how to fly a plane. Those are all very big goals, but I believe they are attainable in this lifetime. I don’t think I will ever stop working in some way and trying to make a contribution each day to something worthwhile.
Pricing:
- Hype’s PR, Marketing & Social Media Services range from $2,000-$5,000 in Monthly Creative Fees. Our Special Project fee is $2,500.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hypeworld.com, www.colleenomaradiamond.com, www.theyellownest.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colleenomaradiamond/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleeno3/
Image Credits
Colleen O’Mara-Diamond
Jessie Nagel
Peggy Dobreer
Janet Fitch
Simon Petty
Celia Chavez
Petty Chavez
Andrew & Olivia MacDonald
Judah & Julian O’Mara
