Advertise on podcast: Brand Rescue: Marketing + PR Guidance for Small Businesses

Can you work with competing clients without crossing a line? Whitney tackles one of the questions agency owners hear time and time again: whether representing competitors is a conflict of interest. Working with competing brands doesn’t have to mean turning away business. Whitney gets into the tricky conversations that come with serving a small market, and why the right client boundaries can actually create more room for growth. She also reveals what happens when you stop treating every potential client like a deal you can’t afford to lose, and how being willing to walk away can change the entire conversation. It’s a reminder that building a stronger agency isn’t just about winning new business. It’s about knowing what’s worth saying yes to.

Giving a journalist an exclusive could land you a big story. It could also cost you a dozen others. In this Q&A episode, Whitney gets candid about when media exclusivity makes sense, why giving one outlet first dibs isn’t always worth the trade-off, and how a little early access can go a long way in building stronger journalist relationships. She also unpacks a common PR pitfall that can quietly derail media coverage before a story ever makes it to publication. From protecting media relationships to making smarter calls about timing, Whitney shares what PR pros should consider before handing over the exclusive. Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn

How do you become the PR pro clients can’t afford to lose? Whitney Lee is getting into what it really takes to stand out, earn your seat at the table, and make sure your value goes beyond a never-ending to-do list. She breaks down the client red flags worth paying attention to, why setting expectations early can save you major headaches, and how to shift from being the person who checks off tasks to the expert clients trust to guide the big picture. Plus, she gets into why not every client deserves a yes. Because being unfirable isn’t about doing more work. It’s about bringing more to the relationship. Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn

If every PR client needs something different, how do you build an agency that can actually scale? That’s the question Whitney found herself wrestling with after years of intentionally avoiding traditional packages. In this episode, Whitney takes you behind the scenes of how True Story tackled that problem: creating a framework for the team without turning the agency into a one-size-fits-all machine. She shares what happened when she brought in an outside expert to challenge the way they were doing things, rethink their processes, and automate the parts of the business that didn’t need to be reinvented every time. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at building systems that make an agency easier to run, without losing the customization that makes PR different from a one-size-fits-all service. Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn x1s1ND6kjxbBBElSxwS2

Packages sound simple: give clients a few options, let them pick what they need, and make the sales process easier. So why has Whitney spent years running an agency without them? In this episode, Whitney gets into the age-old agency debate around packages and why they can create more problems than they solve. She breaks down why PR agencies need to look beyond a list of deliverables, what clients are really paying for, and why letting a client prescribe their own marketing strategy can get you into trouble. Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn

What if you could spend three months traveling through Europe without taking three months off work? In this episode, Whitney gets candid about what it actually takes to run an agency while working from wherever you want. She shares how she structures her days while traveling, why she treats work hours like she would in a traditional office, and how strong systems allow her team to operate without her hovering over every task. Because working from anywhere sounds glamorous, but the freedom to make your own schedule only works if you’re willing to give yourself a strong structure. Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn

Every client has critics. But what happens when those critics become organized, persistent, and loud enough to potentially influence decision makers? In this candid episode, Whitney tackles one of the more challenging realities of PR: representing a client when people are actively working against them. She explains how to understand what the opposition actually wants, turn their criticism into better messaging and keep control of the narrative when going silent feels like the easiest option. Most importantly, Whitney explains why transparency, professionalism, and consistency are your best tools when the haters get loud. Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn

What happens when you take your business out of its normal environment for an entire summer? You start noticing things you probably would’ve missed sitting at your desk. After spending the summer working and traveling across Europe, Whitney came home with a different perspective on how she works, how her team operates, and how brands connect with people. In this episode, Whitney breaks down what her first real experience with digital nomadism taught her about productivity, communication, team dynamics, and her role as a business owner. She also digs into the differences she noticed between European and American consumer culture, and how stepping outside your usual environment can make you question which parts of your business are truly strategic and which ones are just habits you’ve gotten very comfortable with. In This Episode, We Cover:What working from Europe revealed about Whitney’s habits, productivity, and role as a business ownerHow travel and time-zone differences can expose strengths and weaknesses in team communicationThe consumer and branding differences Whitney noticed between Europe and the U.S.Why stepping outside your normal environment can challenge assumptions about how your business “has” to operateWhat Whitney learned from testing out the digital nomad lifestyle while still running a company If you’re building a business and occasionally wondering whether the way you’re doing things is actually the best way, this episode will give you plenty to think about. Subscribe to Brand Rescue, leave a review if you’re enjoying the show, and connect with Whitney for more straight-up conversations about branding, marketing, and running a business. Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn

Not every client is the right client. The sooner you learn to spot red flags—and trust your instincts—the less time, money, and energy you'll waste trying to force the wrong fit. Using two very different client experiences from this summer, Whitney breaks down what she looks for before saying yes, the conversations that reveal whether a partnership will actually work, and why protecting your team is just as important as winning new business. In This Episode, We Cover:The client red flags you shouldn't ignoreWhy thorough vetting saves bigger problems laterHow honest conversations set better expectations from the startThe impact difficult clients can have on team moraleHow to make smarter client decisions with long-term growth in mind If you've ever questioned whether to take on a client or walk away, this episode offers practical guidance to help you make that decision with more confidence. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and connect with Whitney Lee for more straightforward business insights. Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn

Think you need to be in the same city to land media coverage? Not anymore. The best PR strategies aren't limited by geography—they're built on strong relationships, smart storytelling, and knowing how to connect with the right people from anywhere. Whitney shares how agencies can successfully manage PR campaigns in markets where they don't have a local presence, from building credibility remotely to adapting outreach strategies for different regions. She also explores how the media landscape has changed and why storytelling continues to be the foundation of effective public relations. In This Episode, We Cover:How to run successful PR campaigns in markets outside your ownStrategies for building media relationships remotelyWhy geography is no longer the barrier it once wasHow the media landscape has evolved—and what that means for PRWhy strong storytelling is still your biggest competitive advantage If you're looking to expand your reach without expanding your office footprint, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can apply right away. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and connect with Whitney Lee for more straightforward business insights. Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn

Agency partnerships can be one of the fastest ways to grow your business—or one of the quickest ways to create unnecessary headaches. The difference usually comes down to communication, expectations, and choosing the right partners. Whitney breaks down what makes agency collaborations actually work, from building trust and defining roles upfront to avoiding common pitfalls that can damage client relationships. The goal isn't just finding partners—it's creating partnerships that benefit everyone involved. In This Episode, We Cover:How to build strong, mutually beneficial agency partnershipsWhy clear communication prevents costly misunderstandingsCommon collaboration mistakes that can hurt client relationshipsHow to set expectations and define responsibilities from the startWhat to look for when deciding whether another agency is the right fit Whether you're considering your first agency partnership or looking to strengthen the ones you already have, this episode offers practical strategies you can put to work right away. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and connect with Whitney Lee for more straightforward business insights. Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn

Most agencies hit a point where referrals stop being enough. The question is: do you pour money into ads, or double down on relationships? The answer isn't as obvious as people make it seem. Business development isn't about chasing the newest marketing tactic. Whitney breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of paid advertising versus referral-based growth, why so many agencies struggle to scale, and how relationship-building creates a more sustainable, predictable pipeline over the long term. In This Episode, We Cover:The pros and cons of paid ads versus referral-driven growthWhy relationships remain one of the most valuable business development strategiesCommon mistakes agencies make when trying to scaleHow to create a more sustainable and predictable client pipelineWhere to invest your time and marketing budget for long-term growth If you're looking for practical strategies to grow your agency without relying on guesswork, this episode is worth adding to your queue. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and connect with Whitney Lee for more straightforward business insights. Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn

Clients want results yesterday. Good PR and marketing don’t work that way. The real challenge is setting expectations early, communicating clearly, and building a strategy that prioritizes quality over rushed results. In this episode, Whitney breaks down how to manage client expectations around timelines without overpromising just to keep everyone happy. She explains why honesty from the start matters, how strategic planning creates better outcomes, and why clear communication can prevent a lot of unnecessary frustration on both sides. In This Episode, We Cover:Why realistic timelines matter in PR and marketingHow to set client expectations without overpromising resultsThe role clear, consistent communication plays in strong client relationshipsWhy rushing the process can hurt the quality of the workHow strategic planning keeps clients and teams aligned If you’re building a business, managing clients, or wondering why good marketing takes longer than five minutes, this episode is for you. Subscribe to Brand Rescue for more practical business and marketing conversations, leave a review, and connect with Whitney to keep the conversation going. Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn

Cold pitching isn’t dead, but it’s definitely not doing the heavy lifting it used to. As media, search, and AI reshape how people find information, getting your brand seen is becoming less about sending the perfect pitch and more about understanding how visibility actually works online. In this episode, Whitney breaks down why traditional PR tactics are losing steam and how SEO, digital traffic, and AI are changing the earned media landscape. The goal isn’t to ditch media relations. It’s to get smarter about where you’re investing your time and how PR fits into your larger visibility strategy. In This Episode, We Cover:Why cold media pitches aren’t as effective as they once wereHow SEO is changing the way brands should think about PR and earned mediaThe growing role of digital traffic in determining the value of media coverageHow AI is influencing the way people search for and discover brandsWhat PR professionals and business owners need to rethink to stay visible as the media landscape evolves Subscribe to Brand Rescue for more straight talk on PR, marketing, and building a brand that people can actually find, and leave a review if the show has helped you rethink your strategy. You can also connect with Whitney to keep the conversation going. Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn

Marketing doesn't just sell products, it shapes beliefs. And when you change what people believe, changing behavior gets a whole lot easier. This episode explores how messaging has influenced public perception around smoking, from cultural differences between Europe and the U.S. to the lasting impact of the Truth Campaign. It's a practical look at why the best campaigns don't just grab attention, they shift the conversation. In This Episode, We Cover:Why belief change drives behavior changeWhat made the Truth Campaign so effectiveHow culture influences messaging and perceptionThe role PR plays in shaping public opinionWhat businesses can learn from campaigns that actually change minds If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another business owner. For more practical PR and marketing insights, connect with Whitney and keep following along. Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn Your Marketing Heroes Website