Let’s talk results.
Our clients have landed on every major TV network, been quoted in Newsweek, Bloomberg, and the Washington Post, published in HBR and Fast Company, spoken on the mainstage at SXSW, competed on Gordon Ramsay’s “Food Stars,” been at the center of viral social media campaigns, and written a New York Times best-seller. Here’s more about some of their biggest wins…
Building a breakout moment: How Ian Beacraft became a sought-after AI expert
Ian Beacraft, a futurist and creative technologist, sought to amplify his presence ahead of his featured keynote on generative AI and the metaverse at SXSW in March 2023. With the rapid rise of AI dominating headlines, it was critical to ensure his insights stood out in a crowded and noisy space.
We worked with Ian to refine and strengthen his big idea, “The Age of Creative Generalists,” positioning it within the broader conversation about the fears and opportunities surrounding generative AI and the future of work. Additionally, we developed a targeted PR and thought leadership strategy to maximize his impact at SXSW.
The results were immediate. Ian’s keynote was a major success, delivered to a standing-room-only audience and generating over 75 global media mentions that weekend alone. The video of his talk has since been viewed more than 100,000 times, cementing his reputation as a leading voice in AI and the future of creativity.
Just one month later, he was invited to appear on stage with one of the most respected technology journalists in the United States. His media momentum continued to grow, earning him over 500 press mentions in 2023, with quotes featured in outlets like Slate, The Washington Post, and Bloomberg. The heightened visibility led to high-profile partnerships, including with Boston Consulting Group, Universal Studios, and an expanding roster of paid keynote engagements for industry giants like Google and Microsoft.
In 2024, Ian returned to SXSW as a main stage speaker, further solidifying his position as a global thought leader at the intersection of AI, creativity, and technology.
Messaging • Speech Development • Media Relations
Ian Beacraft, Founder and Chief Futurist, Signal + Cipher
“Without a doubt, my work with Tracy on my messaging was key to my successes in 2023. Not only did she help me crystalize my ideas and make them applicable to all audiences, but she also helped me understand and anticipate journalists’ reactions. On top of that, she helped me leverage my SXSW speech to attract a ton of media coverage that was a game-changer for the growth of our business. If you are ready to get more attention for your ideas, Tracy has my highest recommendation.”
Attracting The Gap as a client within weeks of launch
Mike Gunderson, founder of the top-ranked direct mail agency Gunderson Direct, wanted to increase visibility for both his leadership team and his latest ventures—PostReminder and VoteReminder, two innovative direct response platforms. While Gunderson Direct was already well-established in the industry, Mike saw an opportunity to showcase the expertise of his executives and position his new platforms for maximum impact. Our team worked closely with Mike and his team to develop a PR strategy, refine messaging, and create compelling pitch materials that would attract media attention and industry recognition.
The results were immediate. PostReminder launched with a feature in a leading marketing trade publication, boosting its credibility and visibility among key decision-makers. This momentum helped Mike secure a pilot project with The Gap, demonstrating the platform’s value in real-world applications.
Meanwhile, the agency’s COO leveraged the new messaging to book multiple interviews on top marketing podcasts, further solidifying Gunderson Direct’s reputation as an industry leader. By crafting a cohesive PR and thought leadership strategy, we helped Mike and his team gain the recognition they deserved—both for their established agency and their groundbreaking new ventures.
POSITIONING • MESSAGING • COPYWRITING • DIY PUBLIC RELATIONS
Mike Gunderson, Founder of Gunderson Direct, PostReminder, and VoteReminder
Tracy's attention to detail, research prowess, and knack for crafting persuasive pitches were evident in every aspect of the toolkit her team created for us. Without a doubt, I would wholeheartedly recommend Tracy to anyone looking to grow their brand, whether it's an existing business or a new venture.”
Mobilizing a city: How we enlisted the governor and raised $80k in an hour
In April 2020, music producers at Windy City Indie wanted to launch “Our City of Neighbors,” a live-stream concert to unite Chicago and raise funds for four frontline organizations. The challenge? The event was less than two weeks away, and the organizers had no existing online presence. With limited time, we stepped in to lead the digital strategy, activate artists’ audiences, and secure high-profile media coverage to ensure the event’s success.
We secured opening remarks from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, giving the concert credibility and a powerful kickoff. To drive engagement, we directed a digital activation strategy that mobilized influential musicians, including Jeff Tweedy, Katie Kaden, The O’My’s, Ric Wilson, and NNMADI, encouraging them to promote the event directly to their fans.
Our media efforts resulted in widespread press coverage across all major outlets, including a feature in the print edition of the Chicago Tribune.
The response was signfifcant—1,300 people tuned in live, and within a week, 7,000 more had watched the performance, raising over $80,000 to support Chicago’s communities in need.
DIGITAL STRATEGY • INFLUENCER ACTIVATION • MEDIA RELATIONS
Karen Salmon, Co-founder of Windy City Indie and Things That Fly
“Working with Tracy is like having a partner in crime. She fully immerses herself in the art and science of telling your story and growing your audience--both at the strategic level and in the fine details. Strategically, she is spot on. Tracy is quick to set a course—then evaluate and adjust, so time is not wasted and opportunities are not missed. But details are everything in this field and she makes sure to get them right. “
Gaining industry recognition: How Rachel Zorel became a top woman to watch in design
Rachel Zorel, a creative director, wanted to raise awareness for herself and her agency, 7 Layer Studio, a team of female designers based in suburban New Jersey. The challenge? While their work was on par with top Manhattan agencies, they weren’t on journalists’ radars the way New York City firms were. To bridge this gap, we helped Rachel refine her messaging and develop a PR strategy that positioned her team for greater visibility.
We started by crafting a new sales page optimized for SEO to attract client leads. Then, we worked closely with Rachel and her team to develop timely, compelling pitches designed to catch journalists' attention. We also created a series of strategic outreach emails to help them connect with key media outlets.
The results were immediate—7 Layer Studio secured a feature in GDUSA Magazine, one of the top trade publications for graphic designers. Soon after, Rachel was named a “GDUSA Magazine 2023 Person to Watch,” solidifying her reputation as a leader in the design industry.
SEO OPTIMIZATION • DIY PUBLIC RELATIONS
Rachel Zorel, Founder and Creative Director, 7-Layer Studios
”As an agency owner, I hired Tracy for guidance and support to market our agency. In our time working together, we discussed everything from brand positioning to marketing opportunities through the lens of PR, social media, and thought leadership. Her insight, experience, and accessibility made the process incredibly valuable, which we are still benefiting from nearly a year later.”
Attracting top talent: How we helped an AI company recruit elite hackers worldwide
As an AI-driven industrial intelligence company, Uptake Technologies needed to recruit top-tier cybersecurity talent—but standing out in a competitive hiring landscape was a challenge. To break through, the company launched the #UptakeChallenge, a five-part computer challenge where anyone who completed it would earn an interview. While the challenge had the potential to attract elite hackers, Uptake needed a high-impact digital strategy to reach the right people quickly.
In just one day, we developed and launched a digital activation plan designed to engage the global cybersecurity community. We leveraged the credibility of renowned hackers Nick Percoco and Jaku, directing a series of comedic, high-energy videos where they taunted and challenged participants. These videos were strategically distributed across YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram, creating a viral effect.
The results were immediate—the hashtag generated over 300,000 organic impressions in just six weeks, and nearly 1,000 elite hackers from companies like Tesla and Google took the challenge. More importantly, Uptake saw real hiring success, bringing on four top cybersecurity experts within a month, proving that an AI company can attract elite talent by speaking their language and tapping into the competitive spirit of the hacker community.
MESSAGING • INFLUENCER ACTIVATION
Seth Kravitz, Co-founder of Technori
“Because of Tracy, we were first covered by CBS and then inundated with press coverage. Tracy's PR strategy was a game-changer for our organization and one of the reasons why we grew so fast. I'm incredibly grateful for her support and friendship."
A catalyst for clarity: How repositioning transformed Christi Powell’s business
Christi Powell had a powerful skill set—helping elite athletes and high performers break through mental barriers using visualization and mindset training—but explaining what she did in a way that resonated with potential clients was a challenge.
As a successful advertising creative director, she didn’t fit the mold of a traditional coach, which often led to confusion about her work. We helped Christi reposition herself as a visualization strategist, a title that immediately clicked with her audience. This clarity not only made her expertise more accessible but also sparked the development of a new, data-driven methodology that further strengthened her practice.
The impact was immediate. With a clear and compelling message, Christi quickly attracted more elite athletes and expanded her work to include more training programs for emerging talent. Her refined positioning became the catalyst for accelerated growth, allowing her to scale her business and deepen her impact in the world of high-performance coaching.
POSITIONING • MESSAGING
Christi Powell, Mindset and Visualization Strategist
“Since collaborating with Tracy, I’ve seen a huge uptick in inquiries, sales calls, and new clients—and we’re not even done yet. I can’t wait to see what happens when everything is complete. Tracy is an investment that is worth every penny.”
Landing full-morning coverage on Chicago’s top TV show
Experiential photographer Margo Popio launched a new immersive photoshoot for the release of Barbie the movie. Because the movie had already debuted when Margo launched her photoshoot, she had to build buzz — fast.
We worked with Margo to create a PR strategy and pitch emails to attract media coverage in Chicago, where her studio is based. We set expectations that it would be a stretch since the media had already done extensive coverage of Barbie-related events.
And then, WGN Morning News —Chicago’s top-rated morning show — reached out to Margo. Not only did they want to feature her photoshoot, but they wanted two of their on-air reporters to get the complete Barbie photoshoot experience. On top of that, they wanted to feature the photoshoot throughout their morning news show.
The segments were wildly successful; within a few hours, Margo had received over 25 requests to book photoshoots.
Media Relations
Margo Popio, Owner, Vavoom Pinups and Margo Popio Studios
“Tracy is the sharpest tool in my toolbox. She is in your corner… she comes up with the hook that snaps it all together. A true creative thinker, she opens your world and asks you the hard questions that take you to the next level, even when you think you know everything about your business. The PR Accelerator formula that she created is so fine-tuned because she is. She comes to you with the highest variety of experiences, clients, and focuses. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my company’s reputation.”
Elevating a legacy: How Alex Ruggieri’s new brand led to international recognition
Alex Ruggieri, a globally recognized expert in commercial real estate and a distinguished member of the elite Counselors of Real Estate, came to us to launch a new brand for his advisor business.
With decades of expertise in all aspects of commercial real estate, he needed a brand identity that conveyed his depth of knowledge and his ability to navigate complex transactions. We worked with Alex to refine his messaging, ensuring it captured the breadth of his expertise while resonating with his audience. From there, we developed a sophisticated brand identity, conducted a photo shoot, and developed a new website showcasing his industry leadership.
The impact was immediate. Within a month of launching his new website, Alex was named an international brand ambassador for a leading commercial real estate group—further solidifying his reputation as a global authority. His refreshed brand not only enhanced his visibility but also created new opportunities for collaboration and advisory roles. By aligning his brand with his decades of insight and experience, we helped Alex step into an even greater leadership position within the commercial real estate world.
MESSAGING • PHOTOGRAPHY • BRANDING • WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT
Alex Ruggieri, Commercial Real Estate Broker and Counselor of Real Estate
“I have looked for ages to find someone who could understand my business, and Tracy got it right from the start. She helped me form the right message to clearly define my value proposition. She also put together all the right people to help me through the process of launching my new brand — and I couldn't be happier with the results!”
Launching a bestseller: How we helped Mark Briggs create the foundation for his coaching business
Although Mark Briggs had published two books before, The Butterfly Impact was his most personal yet. In it, he shares how his life was upended twice in a decade and the surprising ripple effect that followed when he made small, intentional changes to how he worked.
To ensure the book resonated with the right audience, we helped Mark refine his messaging and worked closely with his publisher’s team to craft compelling sales copy.
Beyond the book launch, we built and optimized his website, making it a hub for book sales and sample chapter downloads. We also refreshed his LinkedIn profile and developed a personal branding strategy to maximize his visibility.
The book became an instant Amazon bestseller in multiple categories upon release and the momentum didn’t stop there. Mark used the positioning and platform we created to successfully launch his executive coaching business, turning his insights into a thriving new chapter of his career.
BRANDING • MESSAGING • WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT