Brand Rescue: Marketing + PR Guidance for Small Businesses

She got fired over a bra, and turned it into her life’s mission.In this episode of Brand Rescue, Whitney Lee sits down with Jessica Wenger McPhaul, a fashion industry veteran who turned a moment of exclusion into a movement for representation. Jessica shares the story of a fitting session gone wrong that exposed how deeply the fashion world overlooks women of diverse backgrounds and body types.What could have ended her career instead became the spark that inspired her to build something better: a lingerie brand rooted in inclusivity, awareness, and empowerment.From color ranges that actually match real skin tones to the emotional impact of feeling seen, Jessica and Whitney unpack what it takes to create products and brands that truly represent everyone.---------Naked Rebellion on Instagram Jessica on Instagram Your Marketing Heroes on Instagram

You launched an ad, spent your hard-earned cash… and nothing happened. Sound familiar?In this episode of Brand Rescue, Whitney Lee calls out two of the biggest mistakes small business owners make when it comes to advertising. She explains why successful campaigns often take multiple tries, how to craft messages that actually land, and what it really means to “target the right audience.”Whitney also digs into the psychology behind why people buy, the power of a killer call to action, and how AI tools can help you refine your strategy instead of wasting your budget.If your ads aren’t working, this episode will show you how to turn things around with smarter targeting, clearer messaging, and a little marketing grit.--------Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedInYour Marketing Heroes Website

What happens when an influencer goes way off the rails?In this episode, Whitney Lee breaks down a recent viral clash between a local bakery and an influencer. From miscommunication to public callouts, Whitney unpacks where things went sideways and what both sides can learn from the fallout.Whitney also tackles the difference between media and influencers (they’re not the same), how to handle criticism without burning bridges, and the art of keeping your cool when the comments section catches fire.------------Your Marketing Heroes WebsiteYour Marketing Heroes on Instagram Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn

PR is changing and if you’re still pitching like it’s 2015, you’re already behind.In this episode of Brand Rescue, Whitney Lee sits down with Gloria Chou, a former U.S. Diplomat turned PR powerhouse, to talk about how small businesses can actually get seen in the new media landscape.They dig into what’s working (and what’s not) when it comes to earning real visibility, standing out in an AI-driven world, and pitching your story with purpose.🎙️ Whether you’re DIY-ing your PR or just trying to figure out where to start, this convo is packed with insights that’ll make you rethink your entire approach to getting noticed.--------------About Gloria:A former U.S. Diplomat turned small business advocate, Gloria has been featured on more than 100 podcasts, was named “Pitch Writing Expert of the Year” in 2021 by the Influential Businesswomen Awards, and is a Forbes Next 1000 honoree. Beyond PR, she’s passionate about creating spaces where founders feel seen, supported, and celebrated. You can often find her on Instagram @gloriachoupr speaking unapologetically about her values, her healing journey with psychedelic plant medicine, and sharing resources for building visibility that removes gatekeeping and breaks outdated rules.--------------Important Links: Get Featured In Gift Guides + Dominate AI SearchConnect with Gloria on InstagramConnect with Gloria on LinkedInConnect with Whitney on InstagramConnect with Whitney on LinkedInYour Marketing Heroes Website

💸 Think advertising is dead? Think again.In this episode of Brand Rescue, Whitney Lee breaks down where smart business owners are putting their marketing dollars right now—and why old-school tactics might be making a serious comeback.From budget strategy to creative execution, Whitney shares the kind of insight that’ll make you rethink how you’re getting in front of your audience.🎧 Tune in for a reality check on what’s really working in advertising today—and how to make sure your money’s actually doing its job.---------Connect with Whitney on InstagramConnect with Whitney on LinkedInYour Marketing Heroes on Instagram Your Marketing Heroes Website

From the classroom to the comms room—this week’s guest knows a thing or two about getting a message across.Whitney sits down with Bobby Parker, founder of Parker Gene Creative, who went from teaching lessons to teaching schools how to actually communicate. They dive into the wild world of education marketing—where every message has to speak to parents, students, teachers, and sometimes the whole town.Bobby shares how crisis comms can make or break a school’s reputation, what most schools get wrong about storytelling, and how his TEACH framework is changing the way education pros think about PR.🎤 Spoiler: great communication doesn’t just fill seats—it shapes futures.Whether you’re in education, nonprofit work, or just love a good brand rescue story, this episode will make you see school PR in a whole new light.---------Parker Gene Creative WebsiteConnect with Bobby on LinkedIn---------Connect with Whitney on LinkedInConnect with Whitney on Instagram Your Marketing Heroes Website

🚨 Hot take: not running ads might be the most expensive mistake your business is making.In this episode of Brand Rescue, Whitney cuts through the noise on paid advertising—calling out the four boneheaded moves that are draining wallets and stunting growth. (Don’t worry, if you’ve made one of these mistakes… you’re in good company.)From why “dabbling” in ads is a total waste, to how negotiation can change the game, Whitney dishes out some tough love every brand needs to hear.⚡ Spoiler: ads aren’t just about quick sales—they’re about building something bigger, longer, and way more profitable.------------Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedInYour Marketing Heroes Website

🎙️ Buckle up, because Whitney’s sitting down with a guy who basically went from running a marketing agency to steering two media powerhouses you’ve definitely heard of: Featured.com and the newly revived HARO (yep, that HARO).Brett Farmiloe drops into Brand Rescue to talk about what it’s like breathing new life into a platform that connects journalists with sources, why trust in media is more important than ever, and how AI is both shaking things up and holding the door open for new opportunities.But it’s not just all SaaS talk and buzzwords. Brett keeps it real about the messiness of transitioning from agency life to building a tech platform, finding that elusive product-market fit, and why sometimes success comes down to doing one thing really, really well.👉 Curious about where journalism, AI, and media are headed? Or maybe just want a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run two big-name platforms without losing your mind? This episode’s got your name on it.-------Featured.comFeatured on LinkedIn--------Connect with Whitney on LinkedInConnect with Whitney on InstagramYour Marketing Heroes

Here’s the deal: people don’t want to buy from faceless logos anymore—they want to buy from humans. In this episode, we're breaking down why thought leadership isn’t just some fluffy buzzword, but the make-or-break factor for connecting with millennials and Gen Z.We’ll get into how to humanize your brand (without cringey corporate-speak), how to actually build trust in a world of nonstop scrolling, and why aligning your values with your audience isn’t optional anymore—it’s survival.From hospitality to tech, retail to real estate, this episode is your no-BS guide to making thought leadership work for your business.----------Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedInYour Marketing Heroes WebsiteYour Marketing Heroes on Instagram

Big things are happening around here. Whitney is pulling back the curtain on a brand-new chapter — one that’s all about growth, evolution, and helping more businesses thrive. And yes, there are a few surprises you won’t want to miss.---------Your Marketing Heroes Website Connect with Whitney on InstagramConnect with Whitney on LinkedInTrue Story Website