Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Croy
Hi Ryan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started my journey in the PR world a year after graduating college, initially believing that I was destined for law school. However, a stint in the managing clerk’s office of a major New York law firm quickly made me realize that the legal profession was not my true calling. Around that time, a close college friend was working at an entertainment PR agency, organizing fun press parties for liquor brands. Without fully understanding all that PR entailed, I felt that arranging parties, getting my friends on the list, and meeting lots of interesting people seemed like a no-brainer, so I decided to make a pivot.
I ended up landing a junior role at a notoriously cut-throat PR agency in New York City and quickly learned that PR wasn’t all parties and guest lists. It was a tough environment with a constantly-revolving door of employees, but it honed my skills and resilience through much more hands-on experience than I anticipated. After a year and a half in the trenches—pitching media, building relationships with journalists and crafting strategies at the age of 24—I moved to a smaller agency where I found my stride and truly enjoyed the work.
Southern California had always held a special place in my heart from numerous visits during my youth. Five years after starting my career in Manhattan, I felt the West Coast calling. The owner of the agency I was with supported my move and asked me to establish their first West Coast office. Working out of my Santa Monica apartment, I was ahead of the curve, embracing remote work before it became the norm. I spent nearly two years building the agency’s presence on the West Coast.
My next chapter began when I partnered with a well-known and highly respected Los Angeles publicist who was launching a new venture after selling his previous agency. For over a decade, I served as his right hand, helping to grow the agency to over 20 employees while overseeing the brands division, where we represented clients in entertainment, lifestyle, apparel, real estate, music and sports, to name a few.
In 2017, a year after the birth of my second child, I felt a renewed sense of purpose and decided it was time to chart my own course. I founded Public Haus, a PR, marketing and content agency that offers all the comprehensive services of larger firms but in a more client-friendly, personalized, digital-first package. Today, our team consists of five dedicated professionals and a handful of external specialists, with plans for further growth this year. We work with established and emerging brands across various sectors, including lifestyle, automotive, food and beverage, outdoors, hospitality and pop culture, among others.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My professional journey was far from smooth, but it provided me with the perspective, tools and drive needed to succeed as an agency owner. Diving into the deep end at my first PR job in New York City allowed me to adapt to a frenetic pace and style, giving me the confidence to learn quickly and handle high-pressure environments. Later, when I moved to Los Angeles, I had to learn to self-motivate while working alone. It was isolating at times, and building new professional relationships in an unfamiliar city was challenging. This environment forced me to put myself out there, and in doing so, I connected with influential people, including the PR heavyweight who eventually made me his business partner.
Starting my own agency came with its own set of challenges. Establishing credibility in a saturated market, identifying the right niches, building a book of business and developing systems to scale were all significant hurdles—ones that every business owner faces. Much of our growth has been based on trial and error. However, the lessons learned from my earlier experiences prepared me to tackle these challenges head-on, even though I still feel like I’m learning something new every day.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We like to consider ourselves a PR and marketing Swiss Army knife. Public Haus primarily helps brands in lifestyle, automotive, health & wellness, food & beverage, and gear & gadgets generate more awareness, influence, and ultimately, revenue. The days of pitching media and hoping for the best possible coverage are long gone. Today, we have tools at our disposal to guarantee reach, engagement and sales. Depending on our clients’ needs, we develop campaigns designed to maximize their potential so they can scale more quickly. Whether it’s publicity, influencer campaigns, social strategies, content production and distribution, or digital advertising, we do it all.
Most of our clients, from companies as large as Chevron Products Company to smaller outdoor gear startups to expanding culinary brands, have been with us for years. That’s not too shabby for a growing boutique agency. We’re always introducing fresh ideas to help our clients get the exposure and awareness they deserve. We can talk about KPIs all day long, but ultimately, our measuring stick of success is whether we have happy clients who consistently rely on us for new ideas, campaigns and activations. This dedication to client satisfaction is why I believe we excel with client referrals and maintain long-term relationships that grow over time.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
LA offers so much to so many. Whether it’s the weather, beaches, entertainment, sports, outstanding food culture, diversity or access to incredible nature, there’s so much to love about this city. LA’s energy and endless opportunities for exploration keep things exciting. Prior to starting a family, the West side was my stomping grounds. Now, the valley is where I call home, and I’ve grown to love it! I’m not going to lie—the traffic in LA sucks and the cost of living is not ideal—but in my opinion, the positives far outweigh the negatives. Overall, LA’s unique blend of experiences makes it an incredible place to live.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://publichausagency.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/publichausagency/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@publichausagency9495
