Joanna Roche is the Senior Managing VP of Pierce Mattie Public Relations. She has a proven track record of success and corporate experience. She is high energy and passionate about her work, which makes her direct, up front, realistic approach with Pierce Mattie PR clients what makes her a true asset.
Joanna is a married mother of a 2-year-old son, who loves to run, cook and travel. The best way to describe her is balanced. She loves to dive into her work, yet still maintain the proper balance of her hobbies and family life. Joanna is goal oriented and believes that nothing is impossible.
Tell readers about a typical day as VP of Pierce Mattie.
There is nothing typical about being a VP at Pierce Mattie PR! Every day is different and it is one of the things I love about my job. Most days include working on new business, coming up with creative ideas to promote our brands, meeting with clients, nurturing the staff and helping them develop pitches and reach editors, and keeping abreast of trends and happenings in the PR world.
With so much going on at once, how do you multi-task effectively?
I am very organized, I keep lots of lists, I have a sharp memory, and I file and try to deal with things as they come across my desk. Most importantly I focus on moving forward.
What makes Pierce Mattie PR different from other PR firms?
Three things; the staff, the commitment to innovation and Pierce.
The staff - our brand advocates are special, we've carefully chosen them because of their specific skill sets, ability to sell a story, energy level and commitment to PR as a profession.
Technology - We are dedicated to being a leader on the technology side of PR. We've developed a specialized software program that eases our client communication, we're a leader in the blogging community, and we are expert at using the internet to advance our clients brands.
Pierce Mattie - Pierce is one of the most creative and driven people I have ever met. He's worked very hard to build our agency and develop our client's brands and there is no one more dedicated to engaging the media in that process. He has a tremendous presence, a strong intellectual appetite, and he's also fun and quirky. He's an expert trend spotter and a great writer.
What are some previous duties you have held prior to Pierce Mattie that helped to make a smooth transition into VP?
My background is in the resort and spa industry, specifically development, marketing and PR. I was the Communications Director for Canyon Ranch Health Resorts for eight years and when I left five years ago I started my own consulting practice. My experience with Canyon Ranch was invaluable. I was fortunate enough to have worked alongside with Mel and Enid Zuckerman, the founders, in the early days of their Berkshire resort. I learned the importance of believing in the vision of a company, to value to staff above all else, and the art of customer service. In my consulting practice, I took those skills and worked with a variety of different businesses helping them develop strategies to grow, or to launch new product. The combination of corporate and entrepreneurial experience makes me a good fit for a boutique PR firm like Pierce Mattie.
What is your advice to women looking to make it to the top in their field?
Be proactive, read everything, try new things, don't be afraid of change, ask for the promotion. Find a good mentor, always be professional, exit unpleasant situations gracefully, trust your instincts and believe in yourself.
Posted by Shannon Nelson on December 6, 2006 1:38 PM
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