FashionPR.com Interview : Stephanie Somogyi Miller - Miller Hamilton

Business Name:

Miller Hamilton

Your Name:

Stephanie Somogyi Miller

Country:

United States

fashionPR.com: A little about yourself:

I’m 29 years old...started Spread PR when I was 23. I parternered with a full service marketing firm in 2007 to form the miller/hamilton companies Inc.

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

I worked at Stanton Crenshaw and FYI PR

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

I realized that there are many ways to run a company and that I had a different philosophy on how to do things from the people I was working for. So I decided to do it myself and so far so good!

fashionPR.com: A little about your company:

miller/hamilton is a full service PR and Marketing firm that is comprised of Spread PR and the Juice Group. We focus on fashion, accessories, lifestyle, Home, Interior Design, and beauty.

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

50-60

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

Well, this is tricky because it really is a team effort. I have an amazing group of people who are pros at getting the job done...whether it’s pitching product or scheduling photo shoots or coordinating a client, it all has to go off without a hitch.

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

I love the constant movement, the creativity of designers, the new ways to look at the same thing.

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

Contacts!

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

constantly stay connected to people...the more people you know, the better.

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

You must be fast, witty and possess a innate ability to really communicate with people. It’s a born charisma.

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

That it’s going to take time...Fashion PR takes a lot of time. You don’t become famous over night. It is also very important that everything on the sales/retail side is in place...doesn’t matter how much press you get if there’s no place to sell it.

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

make sure your firm has connections...get references, meet the team...

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

sometimes a line just isn’t good...and telling that designer that we don’t feel it’s a good match is always hard.

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

usually by referral

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

We focus online a lot more! We encourage our clients to actively participate in social networking and we spent a considerable amount of time on Search Engine Optimization.

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

placement and events

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

constant communication.

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

We ask them

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

HUGE!

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

start of summer can be slow, but then it’s crazy!

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

Not all but some

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

internships and constant reading

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

Carolina herrera, Yigal Azrouel, Valentino

fashionPR.com: Do you want to share something with fashionPR.com audience ?:

Pay attention to the details...people get so caught up in the big picture, but it’s the details that get you there.

fashionPR.com: What's your favourite quote?:

No idea who said this, but I’ve lived my life by it... “Nothing great was ever achieved without risk.”

Business website:

Miller Hamilton