Today we’d like to introduce you to Garrett McClure.
Garrett, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have worked with grapevine’s founder Steven Le Vine for many years; and I joined grapevine at the end of last year.
We served together on the Board of Directors for the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA) and I was always impressed with the professionalism, creativity and star power Steven brought to that organization.
So, the real question is how did I end up here? In 2017, after more than 20 years in media and advertising, I left corporate America in search of a great mission and purpose.
I spent a few years working in LGBT non-profits including GMCLA and leading corporate partnerships and business development initiatives for the LA LGBT Center while I took time to refine my new mission and professional direction.
It became clear that I missed mentoring people and inspiring teams to achieve greater potential. So, I began to focus on transformational consulting and growth hacking for my clients. That’s when Steven and I started to work together.
Grapevine has an impressive track record and extensive client roster spanning celebrities, consumer brands, B2B, and experts and personalities. And with offices in LA, Austin, Nashville, and NY the firm is poised for exponential growth. We started chatting about the mission and values of grapevine and it was an exciting conversation.
As the Chief Strategy Officer at grapevine pr, I bring more than 20 years of entrepreneurial experience and expertise in paid media and performance advertising to the firm and our clients. Together with the award-winning PR work and decades of trusted media relationships, we are a one-of-a-kind powerhouse for our clients.
In today’s crowded and competitive media landscape, it’s no longer good enough to get your name out there – you must do it strategically and aligned with your business outcomes. So at grapevine pr we start with the why and desired outcomes and build a smart PR program for our clients.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Of course, there have been challenges along the way. We’re still in the midst of the biggest challenge of my life – a global pandemic.
We had just embarked on a strategic growth plan in early 2020 when COVID-19 emerged, and we went into lockdown in Los Angeles. Along with millions of others, the future was uncertain. So, we took the opportunity to spend time on how we can have the greatest impact and how to help our current clients as we reimagine work in the uncertain American economy in a post-pandemic world.
Currently, we are working on a few programs to help our clients navigate re-opening or moving into the virtual world by providing advice and best practices on how to ensure your messaging conveys trust and safety.
Personally, as I was transitioning from a very successful career in corporate America to a full-time consultant, I also was working through a divorce from my husband. The shut-down provided me an opportunity to really examine what matters most and work to rebuild. To be clear, I do not recommend you tackle all three of these at the same time!!
Coming out the other side has made me a more effective coach and entrepreneur. So, I’m excited to share these lessons of resiliency and purpose.
Grapevine PR + Consulting – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are a strategic public relations and consulting firm specializing in celebrities, consumer brands, B2B, and experts and personalities.
Grapevine brings together decades of experience in PR, Performance Marketing and Social Media to showcase our clients and amplify their message in today’s fragmented and rapidly shifting media landscape.
Over the years, we have worked with The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Entertainment Weekly, Deadline Hollywood, People, Us Weekly, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Women’s Health, Men’s Journal and Reader’s Digest to prominent newspapers including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and USA Today. Network and cable placements have included The View, The Talk, Access Hollywood, CNN Newsroom, CBS News, Entertainment Tonight, E! News, Good Day New York, Home & Family, Germany’s Morgenmagazin, Australia’s Mornings, and exclusive sit-down interviews with major media personalities, including Oprah. Our news placements have included myriad regional and local networks and cable news outlets.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
My definition of success has changed a lot over the years. Today, I define success as feeling content and fulfillment in my work and life. Rather than focusing solely on cash and assets, my priority is creating an abundant value-driven life or purpose and impact. Don’t get me wrong, all of this brings along a lot of professional success and financial growth – but that alone isn’t enough.
Contact Info:
- Address: 8033 Sunset Blvd, Ste. 831
West Hollywood, CA 90046 - Website: www.theprgrapevine.com
- Phone: 323-386-2300
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/grapevinepr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grapevinepr
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/grapevinepr
Image Credit:
Jose Arroyo
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
