Jane Owen is the CEO of Jane Owen Public Relations. Her award-winning PR company prides itself in offering a variety of upscale, boutique services like: celebrity endorsements, Film & TV production media exposure, product placement, brand communications, event planning and media strategy for the Entertainment industry. She is a trailblazer, who is passionate and dedicated to providing professional media solutions. Check out our interview to learn more about her success. Plus get her expert tips for women entrepreneurs.
1. Hello! Please tell us more about yourself and your company.
My name is Jane Owen. I own JOPR, which is a PR firm based in LA; we also have satellite offices in London and Dubai. We work in many different markets including Film & TV, Fashion, Beauty, New Technology and Brand building. We also produce events for everything from Art Openings to Charity Galas.
2. What inspired you to start your PR business?
I love PR, even before I knew what it was I loved doing it. My mother tells me stories of my hanging out on the stairs when she had guests over for dinner. They were very glamorous events and I was about 4-years-old. I had a little book and a pen and I would ask for their name and number! I was always eager to connect people. I loved writing and speaking to people and communicating stories. I started in PR very young and having my own company was the inevitable result of many years of hard work for other people.
3. With over 17 years of experience, how do you stay ahead of the curve in your industry?
It’s important to be current with the new ways in which information is spread, whether it’s understanding social media or keeping an eye on new shows, blogs, magazines, etc. This can be difficult because it’s almost another job on top of the one you already have! Looking ahead whilst dealing with the present.
4. You’ve worked with some pretty big celebrities (awesome). Please elaborate more on your celebrity endorsement specialty.
My first job in the world was running a record label called Full On Entertainment and I was brought into the celebrity world through that experience. It’s continued to grow through PR, working with film companies, charities, events and of course being based in Hollywood. The combination of traditional press, online press, social media and access to celebrities (and influencers) that’s the golden triangle for success.
5. Biggest challenges you’ve faced in your industry and how you overcame those challenges?
It’s always been hard being both young and female, people take you less seriously and I spent most of my twenties lying about my age, which is ironic since I’m sure there will come a day when I might be tempted to do the opposite . However, to be honest the biggest challenges are those that all PR people face. Some examples are how to get press for a client that doesn’t have much happening? How to deal with difficult clients who have unrealistic expectations? The answer to both is always being creative, inventive, patient and persistent.
6. You were awarded the NAPW Woman of the Year award a few years ago (congrats). Any expert tips for other women entrepreneurs out there?
Don’t ever believe that you are not the equal of any man. If you believe it, then it will be an issue. If you don’t, then eventually it won’t.
Always be fair but firm, but not mean! There is a tendency for PR people, especially women, to think that you have to be a bitch to gain respect, control and get results. It’s not true. You can go a long way with a smile and a good personality, but don’t let people think you are easily walked all over. You can be kind, fun, firm and hardworking at the same time.
7. Please share some of your future goals?
I’m going to keep growing the company. I want to expand in to new countries and build on the branches I have right now. I’d like to be a global business with a boutique PR firm attitude.
You can learn more about Jane Owen at www.janeowenpr.net.