FashionPR.com Interview : Shannon Cavanagh-Estrada - Pitch Press

Business Name:

Pitch Press

Your Name:

Shannon Cavanagh-Estrada

Country:

United Kingdom

fashionPR.com: A little about yourself:

Partner, Pitch! Press

fashionPR.com: Where did you work before founding your FashionPR firm?:

Was sole proprietor of another Fashion PR Firm, Bottled Blond Press Relations

fashionPR.com: Why did you start your fashion PR firm ?:

We started Pitch! Press because there was a need for a press service for fashion industry clients seeking on-going editorial and media placement at an affordable monthly rate.

fashionPR.com: A little about your company:

What We Do:
* Pitch! media 24/7
* Manage our clients media
* Get placement for our clients
What Clients Get:
* Editorial placement in national fashion and lifestyle publications, blogs and daily newspapers
* Editorial placement in trade publications
* Exposure on broadcast and cable fashion/beauty-related segments

fashionPR.com: How many hours you rougly work per week?:

50

fashionPR.com: What does a fashion pr do ?:

Depends on the publicist. We focus on JUST pitching and securing editorial.

fashionPR.com: What do you find interesting about fashion pr ?:

You have to love fast-paced, high-stress work environments and fashion of course.

fashionPR.com: What do you think the core competitiveness for fashion pr company ?:

Be up to speed on the musical chairs of editors and be on good terms with bloggers.

fashionPR.com: How fashion pr company should try to maintain their market competitivenss ?:

Branded website

fashionPR.com: What are the key skills to being a great fashion pr ?:

To be sincere, honest, hard working.

fashionPR.com: What should a new designer expect from a fashion pr ?:

A publicist needs to believe in the collection and have the ability to teach a new designer the PR process. PR takes time and a commitment.

fashionPR.com: How to chose a fashion pr ?:

Same way one chooses a showroom. It needs to feel right, be a good fit. Do your homework.

fashionPR.com: What part of your job do you find the most challenging ?:

Keeping the clients in the loop on how the PR process works. We publicist cannot force an item to be shot, or a designer to be interviewed. We can provide quality products but what the editors do with them is up to their creative team. The designers need to understand this.

fashionPR.com: How do you bring new brands into your agency ?:

Referrals.

fashionPR.com: How has the new media landscape changed how you do business ?:

You have to be flexible, have stellar customer service and be willing to put in longer hours and go the extra mile for your clients. I work a lot of Saturdays.

fashionPR.com: How do you demonstrate results for your clients ?:

Editorials.

fashionPR.com: How do you maintain sustainable relationships with the media ?:

Sincerity and proving to make their jobs easier by being at their beck and call.

fashionPR.com: How to know what a publication or stylist wants?:

You ask or they tell. Don’t ever send something that isn’t a direct fit for what they are working on.

fashionPR.com: What do you think the future of digital fashion media/pr is?:

Online.

fashionPR.com: Are there busy and quiet periods during the year?:

Quite = Fashion Week (twice a year).

fashionPR.com: What makes a great brand or label stand out?:

Price, Branded Website, On Trend, Distribution.

fashionPR.com: Are many of your friends fashion PRs ?:

Some, but many many more are editors.

fashionPR.com: What would you recommend to college graduate to help start their career?:

Intern somewhere. It’s a very cut throat and fast paced business. You need thick skin, so try it out before you commit.

fashionPR.com: What sums up 'fashion PR' for you ? :

My love of all things fashion.

fashionPR.com: Please list 3 designers who you like the most:

Tory Burch, Phillip Lim, Cynthia St. Vincent

Contact Info:

Twitter: @PitchPress, fan page on FB, and shannon@pitchpress.com

Business website:

PitchPress