Today we’re thrilled to introduce you to Jenan Matari who joined VPR in June as Director of Accounts. We already can’t imagine working without her. Read on to learn just a little bit about what makes her so special.
Jenan Matari in 2020 joined VPR as Director of Accounts
1. What do you love most about working in PR? I love that the PR industry affords me the opportunity to develop a new passion every time we sign on a new client. I don't care what you're selling or offering to the consumer and public, the moment you sign on to VPR - I become your #1 cheerleader.
2. What is your personal PR Victory? I'm grateful to have had such an incredibly diverse experience in the PR industry. From starting off in entertainment and music PR, to fashion PR to the food & beverage industry - I've experienced so much personal growth from every career move. But I think the thing I am most proud of is developing a platform from the ground up that became one of the fastest-growing websites in the US that was founded and run by Muslim and minority women.
3. What advice would you give to someone hoping to leverage PR to grow their brand? Trust your publicist! Remind yourself that you are paying them to perform a job that they are experts at performing on your behalf. Publicists take great pride in the work they are capable of doing for a client. No one is hoping to take a client's money and do a bang-up job. We are proud of our work. We are proud of our relationships with the media. And we work hard every day to sustain what we've built and to build even more momentum and connections.
4. What advice would you give to someone hoping to land a job in PR? Love what you do and be a people person. If you're not much of a communicator - you'll learn VERY quickly that the PR field isn't for you. Get to know your clients and your media contacts on a personal level and make real human connections. It will make all the difference in the work you are able to do for both your client and your reputation.
5. Is there a trend in PR that you're particularly excited about? I am loving the boldness that is becoming more prominent in pitching and what's being pumped out by the media. The stories we're reading are real and raw and have a unique authenticity to them that is kind of new and very much a big deal. People were once so concerned with appearances and the moment that switch flipped and authenticity took over in stories, things got very exciting.
6. What do you do to unwind? Sigh. I'm a Netflix binger to a fault. I'm not sure it's a skill that I should be this proud of but I can binge a whole seven-season series of a show in like three weeks!
7. What is your favorite motivational quote? This is a quote my dad actually used to repeat to me when I was little. It wasn't until about six or seven years ago that it really clicked with me and I began to truly live by it:
"Argue for your limitations and they are sure to be yours." - Richard Bach
We are our own worst enemies and our harshest critics. We are also the only ones standing in our own way.
8. What is your go-to takeout place and favorite order? Since I've just moved to the area I don't have one around here yet! BUT - I can tell you that when I lived in Hoboken I ordered the #26 (gluten-Free, of course) with extra vinaigrette from Mr. Wraps at least three times a week!
To introduce yourself to Jenan, reach her at Jenan@victorypublicrelations.com.
Jenan leads our accounts team, which includes Christina Gorini and Kerry Haggerty