Confessions of an Insomniac Publicist: 15 Hilariously Useless (but Kinda Genius?) Cures for Insomnia

Hello from the other side… of 2 a.m. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re also one of the many caffeine-addled, thought-riddled night owls lying in bed wondering how your pillow became a portal to a never-ending mental to-do list. As a publicist, I spend my days crafting perfect press angles, pitching impossible stories, and […]
What Is an Op-Ed? And Why Every Public Relations Strategy Needs One

What Is an Op-Ed? And Why Every Public Relations Strategy Needs One If you’ve ever heard a marketing or PR pro shout, “We need an op-ed!” and you smiled and nodded while quietly Googling what is an op-ed, you’re not alone. In today’s digital-first world, op-eds are one of the most underutilized tools in public […]
Calling All Brave Souls: Come Get Uncomfortable on The Level Up Lab

🎙 Calling All Reinventors (and Almost-Reinventors): Want to Be on The Level Up Lab Podcast? Let’s talk about reinvention. Not the Pinterest version where everything is filtered and perfect and tied up with a little gold-foiled bow. I’m talking about the messy middle kind—the “burn-it-all-down,” “what-am-I-even-doing,” “holy-hell-I’m-actually-doing-this” kind of glow up. If you’ve ever had […]
AI Hires Starr Hall PR to Repair Its Reputation—Demands Fewer Robot Uprisings in the Media

Why Playing It Safe in PR Is the Fastest Way to Get Ignored If you want media coverage, customers, and a brand that actually stands out, let me let you in on a little secret: quirky sells. For years, I’ve landed major press, high-profile deals, and built brands by leaning into the unexpected—humor, bold pitches, […]
Honoring a Legacy: Kicking Off Aleene’s 75th Anniversary PR Campaign

Honoring a Legacy: Kicking Off Aleene’s 75th Anniversary PR Campaign Seventy-five years ago, my grandmother, Aleene Jackson, changed the crafting world forever with the creation of Aleene’s Tacky Glue. What began as a small adhesive brand—originally called “Glue d’Aleene”—quickly became a household name, trusted by generations of creators, artists, and DIY enthusiasts. Today, I am […]
The Future of Storytelling: How AI Directed Claremont Graduate University’s Centennial Campaign

Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a tool—it’s an active force in shaping how stories are told. For the first time, AI directed and produced a high-quality commercial, marking a historic moment not just for filmmaking, but for higher education, marketing, and the future of content creation. As a long-time advocate for innovation in branding […]
TikTok’s Temporary Ban and Trump’s Support: A PR Masterstroke?

As a publicist, I’ve seen my fair share of bold public relations moves—some brilliant, some catastrophic. The recent sequence of events surrounding TikTok’s temporary ban and its swift return online, coupled with a public message thanking Donald Trump for his support, strikes me as a carefully choreographed PR play. And I’ll admit: it’s a fascinating […]
Failing Fast: The Secret to Success Lies in Speed

Failure is often feared, avoided, and even stigmatized. Well, to most, but not for me. My take is—what if failure was the quickest path to success? Historically, those who have dared to fail—and fail fast—have paved the way for some of the most groundbreaking innovations. By embracing failure as a stepping stone, they learned, adapted, […]
Lights, Camera, Action: Transforming into Your Own Media Channel Superstar!

Step into the Spotlight and Dominate Your Digital Domain! In today’s rapidly evolving media landscape, particularly in the realm of public relations, the traditional notion of securing press coverage through merit alone has been overshadowed by the pervasive influence of pay-to-play practices. It seems that the days of relying solely on the quality of our […]
Embracing Risk and Thriving in Chaos: My Unconventional Journey

Venturing Beyond the Edge: Embracing Risk and Thriving Amid Chaos In a world that often emphasizes stability and comfort, there are individuals who possess an insatiable appetite for risk, a relentless drive to create, and an ability to thrive in chaos. I am one of those individuals. Let me just take a moment to shed […]