Brand Rescue: Public Relations Unfiltered

Hosted by Whitney Lee

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Episodes

215

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Brand Rescue: Marketing + PR Guidance for Small Businesses — the show that cuts through the fluff and gives you real, tactical advice to grow your business. From paid ads and social media to press coverage and strategy, we make marketing simple and effective for small business owners like you. Each week, get practical insights, real-world examples, and behind-the-scenes truths on what it really takes to build visibility and grow your brand — with straight talk and support from Your Marketing Heroes.

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60 recent

August 17, 202615 min

Local PR: Does Location Really Matter?

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 own Strategies for building media relationships remotely Why geography is no longer the barrier it once was How the media landscape has evolved—and what that means for PR Why 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

August 10, 202619 min

Can Two Agencies Successfully Share a Client?

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 partnerships Why clear communication prevents costly misunderstandings Common collaboration mistakes that can hurt client relationships How to set expectations and define responsibilities from the start What 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

August 3, 202620 min

Do Paid Ads Work for Agencies?

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 growth Why relationships remain one of the most valuable business development strategies Common mistakes agencies make when trying to scale How to create a more sustainable and predictable client pipeline Where 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

July 27, 202616 min

How to Handle the Dreaded Last Minute Client

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 marketing How to set client expectations without overpromising results The role clear, consistent communication plays in strong client relationships Why rushing the process can hurt the quality of the work How 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

July 20, 202615 min

The Only Way Your Cold Pitch Stands a Chance These Days

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 were How SEO is changing the way brands should think about PR and earned media The growing role of digital traffic in determining the value of media coverage How AI is influencing the way people search for and discover brands What 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

July 13, 202621 min

How One PR Campaign Created a Forever Divide in European vs US Culture

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 change What made the Truth Campaign so effective How culture influences messaging and perception The role PR plays in shaping public opinion What 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

July 6, 202619 min

Why Some Amazing Brands Will Never Turn into Franchises

Growing your business and building a franchise aren't the same thing. Treating them like they are can create bigger problems than opportunities. Whitney breaks down what really changes when you shift from managing your own locations to building a franchise. She shares practical insights on the systems, branding, and strategy required to grow without losing control of your business. In This Episode, We Cover: The difference between multi-location growth and franchising Why systems are the foundation of successful franchise brands Common mistakes to avoid before expanding How to know if your business is ready to scale If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and connect with Whitney for more practical marketing and business strategy. Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn Your Marketing Heroes Website

June 29, 202626 min

How I'm Doing Business Development from Overseas

Business development doesn't have to mean sending hundreds of cold emails. The best opportunities often come from building genuine relationships and showing up in the right rooms. In this episode, Whitney shares what she's learned while growing her agency from Milan. She explains why relationship-first networking has been far more effective than transactional outreach, and how speaking engagements have become one of her strongest business development tools. Building an international business has reinforced a simple truth: trust takes time. Whitney breaks down how staying visible, nurturing connections, and playing the long game can create more sustainable growth than constantly chasing the next lead. In This Episode, We Cover: Why relationships outperform cold outreach How speaking engagements can generate new business What building an agency abroad has taught Whitney about networking The value of nurturing connections over time If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and connect with Whitney for more practical insights on building a business that grows with intention. Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn Your Marketing Heroes Website

June 22, 202623 min

Running the Agency from Europe

Everyone talks about the freedom of working remotely, but few people talk about what it actually takes to keep a business running while you're hopping between countries and time zones. In this episode, Whitney Lee shares the real behind-the-scenes of managing her business while traveling through Europe this summer. From staying productive on the road to leading a team from thousands of miles away, Whitney breaks down the systems, boundaries, and communication strategies that make it possible. She also shares what she's learned about balancing work with travel and why building a business that doesn't depend on your constant presence is the ultimate goal. In This Episode, We Cover: The systems that keep business operations running while traveling Managing a team across different time zones Setting boundaries between work and travel Why delegation is essential for long-term growth The reality of remote work versus the social media version If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and connect with Whitney for more practical business and marketing insights. Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn Your Marketing Heroes Website

June 15, 202641 min

Growing a national substack and traveling across the nation with Amy Cavanaugh

The media world doesn’t look the way it did even a few years ago. Independent publishers, niche newsletters, and direct audience connections are creating new opportunities for brands that know how to tell the right story. Whitney sits down with Amy Cavanaugh, editor of American Weekender, to discuss building a travel and food publication, growing an audience through platforms like Substack, and what businesses need to understand about earning meaningful media coverage in today’s landscape. In This Episode, We Cover: How independent publishers are reshaping media Why Substack has become a powerful tool for audience growth Common mistakes brands make when pitching media The value of authentic relationships in building visibility How strong storytelling helps businesses stand out Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and connect with Whitney for more practical marketing and PR insights. American Weekender Website American Weekender Instagram Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn Your Marketing Heroes Website