With over ten years experience in public relations and marketing, Jillian Tracey Zrihen’s talent and creativity is known throughout the Canadian fashion industry. In 2011 she started a boutique PR agency located in Montreal that specializes in fashion and beauty. With her sister Kailey Brooke Zrihen’s inspiration and support, she decided to name the agency Tracey Brooke Public Relations: her middle name and her sister’s middle name…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I am the owner of Tracey Brooke Public Relations (TBPR), a boutique PR company that specializes in the fashion and beauty industry.
We are image creators, storytellers and brand evangelists. We provide a dedicated, personalized service and develop interesting content for our clients to be able to connect them with the media, the tastemakers, the influencers, the trendsetters and the stylists of today.
Why did you start working at your company?
After working as the director of marketing for Point Zero and other brands, I saw a space in the industry for a personalized service from someone who understands the fashion and beauty industry from the inside.
What was the inspiration for this career route?
I wanted to create my own platform where I could pursue my love for fashion, trend setting, and image building.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis?
Spreading news! I am so passionate about preaching “the next big trend” that my personality really shines when I talk to the media and influencers about something new.
The most challenging part?
At the moment, it’s challenging to break into different industries since our niche is fashion and beauty.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In 5 years I see myself running a full-service marketing and PR agency that not only specializes in fashion and beauty, but can also cater to the restaurant, entertainment, home, sports and technology industries.
What does success look like to you?
Success for me is being healthy, happy and excited to go to work every morning.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
Signing with my first client. I was working for Stylexchange when I realized more and more how much I wanted to start my own PR agency, and they offered to be my first client! This gave me the confidence I needed to go off on my own and develop my agency.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Follow your dreams and don’t burn any bridges! You never know who you will be working next to as you climb the corporate ladder.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
Tracey Brooke PR supports several charities. We try to volunteer at as many charity events as possible. It’s a great way to meet new people, gain experience and give back to the community.
At the moment we are working on the Just For Kids G!EE High School Showdown event that is coming up on November 11th. G!EE is a yearly high school singing completion that raises money for the Just for Kids Foundation; we are also working on the Mad Men gala with YAD, which is part of Federation CJA. We are also supporters of the Starlight Foundation and ICRF.
What to you is notable?
Loyalty and honesty. I believe I have been able to set myself apart by being honest and loyal at all costs. So anyone who does the same is notable in my books!
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
Can’t seem to let go of the BlackBerry…yet!
Keep up with Tracey Brooke Public Relations on Twitter and Facebook.
