Meet Franziska Pugh of JAQS Publicity in South Bay

Today we’d like to introduce you to Franziska Pugh.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Franziska. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born in a small town on the west side of Germany. Growing up, our opportunities were extremely limited. Everyone in my town stayed in their place and never left their comfort zones.

I always knew I wanted to live in Los Angeles and work in entertainment. My family and friends would always laugh at me and thought I was crazy. If college wasn’t even an option, how was I going to move across the world to do something that only happened in movies?

When I was 12, my family moved to Michigan. As I began to learn English and assimilate to the American culture, I became fascinated by the psychology of communication between different cultures and effects of mass media. I completed my bachelor’s and master’s degree from Michigan State University, specializing in persuasion and social influence. Throughout my early career, I worked with local businesses – garnering press, working with start-ups to build online platforms, and hosting workshops where I taught the local community how to effectively use social media.

During my graduate program, I was invited to attend a Forbes U30 Summit in Israel that changed my life. I would have never in my wildest dreams imagined that I’d ever become an entrepreneur. I realized then that I had a unique opportunity to tell the stories of people I met along my journey and create hope that would hopefully reach that little girl in Germany that I once was.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When you first begin to establish yourself, you tend to work with whoever comes your way and sometimes other people’s values and goals don’t align with yours. Throughout the years, I’ve been able to establish my values and beliefs and am lucky to work with brands and entertainers who align with them.

No matter the hardships, this journey is a dream come true. I continue to learn how to meet myself where I’m at, including accepting and celebrating being vulnerable and sometimes insecure (hello, imposter syndrome!). I’ve met some of the most innovative people, found myself working with my idols, worked behind-the-scenes of award shows that I used to watch as a kid, and have traveled across the nation to pursue my passions.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about JAQS Publicity – what should we know?
I started JAQS in 2016. The name comes from my grandma, “Jacqueline,” who was the most fierce, brave, and courageous woman in the world. I specialize in entertainment public relations and work with local musicians, actors, and production studios.

Everything I do comes back to hope. I work with brands and entertainers who want to tell their stories and vision for a better world. I want to reach the youth who don’t have the same opportunities as others and show them that it’s possible to dream big and achieve their goals. The stories I tell are about celebration, momentum, and energy.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The most important quality to my success is my passion for storytelling and the belief that entertainment can positively impact the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.franziskapugh.com
• Phone: 810-844-6100
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/franderellla/

Image Credit:
Blende Einsacht, Meghan Terbush

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