PR Adjacent

Hosted by The Birdie Agency with Ellie McNevin

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Aug 2025

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About the show

Ellie McNevin, founder of The Birdie Agency, takes you behind-the-scenes in her conversations with Birdie's business development BFFs. She brings in experts to answer the most common questions she gets from clients about growing businesses – covering everything from product manufacturing to licensing, events, and even website design. But, it wouldn’t be a Birdie podcast without occasionally talking about PR and marketing, because it only makes sense that as your business grows, your communication strategies grow with it.

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33 recent

August 13, 202546 min

Julia Rubien: The Power of UGC -- How Real Content Converts

In this episode of PR Adjacent, Ellie sits down with Julia Rubien, founder of Amie Social, to break down the basics of user-generated content (UGC) — and why it’s one of the most effective tools brands can use to drive sales today. From understanding what makes UGC different from traditional brand content to knowing how to source, brief, and repurpose it, Julia shares practical tips for beginners and brand owners alike. You’ll learn how UGC builds trust, stops the scroll, and turns casual browsers into loyal customers — plus how to start integrating it into your own marketing mix right now.

June 11, 202552 min

Julie McAllister: Niching Down, Trusting Your Gut, and Building a Business Without a Playbook

When she started her business, Julie McAllister was busy making sugar cookies for events around town — but what really lit her up were hyper-realistic, sculptural cakes. When she made the risky decision to niche down and fully own her creative lane, everything changed. That clarity led to Netflix’s Is It Cake?, the Food Network, and clients like Reese Witherspoon. On today's episode, we're talking about the power of niching down, trusting your gut, and how clear positioning can fuel real growth.

May 14, 202539 min

Samantha Gold: Business Happens in the DM —Building a Brand With Your Customers

Today’s episode is all about what happens when you stop building for your customers—and start building with them. We’re joined by Samantha Gold, founder and CEO of Motette, the elevated bamboo clothing brand for babies and toddlers that’s quickly becoming a go-to for modern families.A former fashion exec and tech leader, Sam didn’t just launch a brand—she created a community. In this conversation, we dive into what that really means: from the DMs that drove early traction, to how 80% of her launch day sales came from moms in her inner circle.We talk about the power of transparency, the value of listening, and why the smartest founders are inviting their customers behind the scenes. If you're thinking about how to grow your brand through real relationships, this one’s for you.

April 9, 202545 min

Rachelle Saevil: Building a Brand Beyond the Logo

What does it really take to manage a brand build from start to finish—without losing your mind or your message? In this episode, I sat down with Rachelle Saevil, founder of Saevil Row, to unpack the art (and science) of creative project management. With two decades of design experience and a decade running her own agency, Rachelle shares how to bring the right people in at the right time, make smart investments, and avoid common pitfalls in the brand development process. Whether you're building a brand from scratch or refining one, this conversation is full of insights on streamlining workflows, maximizing budgets, and making branding feel less chaotic—and a lot more strategic.PS, have you noticed the refreshed PR Adjacent podcast cover? That's thanks to photographer Sarah Cramer Shields and Rachelle and her talented team at Saevil Row!

March 12, 202536 min

Cheri Leavy & Whitney Long: The Business of Intentional Connection

Cheri Leavy and Whitney Long are the founders of The Southern C , a community that’s redefining what networking looks like for creative entrepreneurs. They have built an ecosystem where relationships come first, and their approach to fostering meaningful connections has made The Southern C Summit a must-attend event for female business owners the country.Beyond their in-person events, they’ve also cultivated a thriving online membership, offering entrepreneurs a space to connect, collaborate, and grow year-round. In our conversation, we dive into how in-person experiences are a powerful driver of business growth and brand loyalty, how personalized marketing fosters deeper consumer connections, and how quality over quantity is always the move.

February 26, 2025Episode 330 min

Touching Base with Nicole Noble: A Monthly Check-In on the State of PR & Marketing

PR and marketing are shifting faster than ever—platforms change, media landscapes evolve, and what worked last month might already be outdated. "Touching Base" is your go-to monthly check-in for the latest trends, industry moves, and strategic insights you actually need to know to take your business to the next level. Join Nicole Noble, founder of marketing consultancy Specio, and Ellie, founder of The Birdie Agency, each month as we break down the biggest shifts in PR & marketing, share our insider POV on what’s working now, and help you cut through the noise to stay ahead. If you’re looking for real insights, expert analysis, and actionable takeaways to grow your brand in an ever-changing landscape, this is the check-in you don’t want to miss.

February 12, 2025Episode 246 min

Kate Rosenow: The Systems-First Approach to Business Growth

Ready to take your business to the next level—without drowning in the day-to-day? Kate Rosenow, founder of Work Well with Kate, is your guide to stepping out of the weeds and into a more streamlined, profitable business. Kate is a business systems strategist who shares proven strategies to simplify operations, optimize efficiency, and scale with confidence. Having helped thousands of women business owners transform their workflows, Kate knows that the key to sustainable growth isn’t working harder—it’s working smarter. In today's episode, we dive into what it really takes to transition into your next chapter of business growth, set up systems that work for you (not the other way around), and build a business that supports your life—without burnout. Whether you're stuck in the weeds or ready to scale with ease, this podcast gives you the tools to grow profitably while staying in your zone of genius. Featured in Forbes, Fortune, Real Simple, and Business Insider, Kate brings expert insights, real-life success stories, and actionable strategies to help you create a business that runs smoothly—so you can focus on what matters most.

January 15, 2025Episode 146 min

Skip the January Reset: Goal Setting for a Sustainable Year

Who knew a publicist and a dietitian had so much in common?! In this episode, I sit down with Cayla, a registered dietitian and founder of Nutrition Preferred to chat about breaking free from the “January reset” mindset. We dive into how small, consistent habits, realistic planning, and progress over perfection can help you stay on track all year long—whether you’re working on your health or growing your brand. Tune in for actionable tips to start 2025 with purpose and momentum! 🎧

November 21, 2024Episode 1245 min

Mastering Paid Media: Keys to Success in Today's Competitive Market

On this episode, Emily Heslin, founder of Carriage House Creative, joins us to explore how paid media and PR align for maximum impact. From Meta and Google to TikTok and Pinterest, Emily breaks down key platforms, shares tips for leveraging earned media in ad campaigns, and offers advice on planning for Black Friday and 2025. Perfect for founders looking to elevate their strategy!

October 23, 2024Episode 1146 min

Style as Strategy: Positioning Your Brand Through Intentional Fashion Choices

On today’s episode, I’m thrilled to have Erin Noël, a fashion stylist based out of LA who specializes in helping female entrepreneurs and founders elevate their brand through their wardrobe. In our conversation, we discussed how the clothing and accessories we choose communicate far more than just style—they reveal who we are, what we value, and where we’re headed. Erin shared her expertise on building a wardrobe that reflects both your personal and professional identity, how the right outfit can boost your confidence, and influence how others perceive you.