Meet Julie Whitney

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Julie Whitney. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Julie below.

Julie , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I developed my confidence and self-esteem starting at an early age from appearing on stage in numerous talent shows where I sang throughout elementary school, and starring in numerous a few plays and musicals throughout my high school career, and also through working as a teen model. Believe it or not, I was very shy when I was a young child, but being on the stage and posing on camera was something that taught me to have confidence and it helped me thrive. These traits have served me well throughout my career as both a PR professional and also on-camera talent, as I have starred in podcasts, and also appeared in numerous TV and print commercials.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
After working in the field of public relations, advertising and local television for 18 years, I ventured out and started my own PR consulting business in 2000. I specialize in media relations, and am adept in knowing which stories to pitch, how to spin them and who to pitch them to. Reporters have come to know me and trust me, and know that I only pitch newsworthy and timely topics. I never “cry wolf.” I have many long-term clients that I have been working with for over 15 years. I have had clients in the national media on every major network and publication over the years. Website is www.pwcommunications.net

Most recently I became a children’s author. It was never on my radar, but when my husband lost his job as a Chief Corporate Pilot of a beautiful Gulfstream Jet due to the pandemic in May of 2020, I turned lemons into lemonade and channeled my sadness and anger into writing a rhyming children’s picture book, and Astra The Lonely Airplane was released on March 2, 2022, which is Dr. Seuss’ Birthday and National Read Across America Day. (Published by Brandylane Publishers) Second book in the Astra series is due out in March 2024. Website is www.astrathelonelyairplane.com.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I have always been a people person and my motto has always been “kill ’em with kindness.” Be kind to other people. If a reporter shoots you down or sends you a nasty Email. Thank them for getting back to you, and ask if they wills share why your pitch is off-topic. I have made many valuable contacts in the media by doing just this.

Listen, listen, listen. I listen to my clients as they share their stories and write down everything that they tell me. It is only by being a good listener that you can pick up on facts that may be very newsworthy. I can sit down with a client for 1/2 hour, and often come away with a half dozen story ideas. They may not see it, but as a PR Pro, and an outsider looking in and listening carefully, I can.

Go with your gut. If you meet with a potential client, and get a sense that it is not a good fit personality wise, or if they have a different work style or ethic, you don’t need to work with them. It is not worth the stress, no matter how much money they are offering to pay you. Trust your gut.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I would love to partner with many more organizations for my Astra The Lonely Airplane book series. For example, I have partnered with Junior Achievement locally in Cincinnati – and they are bringing me into area elementary and middle schools where I wear my pilot uniform, and do a presentation on airplanes, flying and careers as a pilot, and becoming an author or entrepreneur. I also read my book, show the accompanying video, and quiz kids from the glossary. I also do a book signing at the end of the presentation. So I welcome the opportunity to travel and visit more schools. It is so very rewarding! I hope that K-3 principals, teachers and librarians will reach out to me.

I am also selling the book at quite a few places that are outside of the bookstore arena – including Sporty’s Pilot Shop,
The Wright Patterson Air Force Base Museum Gift Shop and the Flight Depot at Lunken Airport. So I invite any aviation-related stores or museums to contact me as well.

I have done book signings in some unusual places – including a wine bar. I read the book and showed the video to kids in a Kids Corner with Kiddie Cocktails while the parents enjoyed a glass of fine wine!

Contact Info:

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