

Brand Rescue: Marketing & PR Guidance for Small Businesses
Whitney Lee
Welcome to Brand Rescue: Marketing & PR Guidance for Small Businesses — the show that cuts through the fluff and gives you real, tactical advice to grow your business. From paid ads and social media to press coverage and strategy, we make marketing simple and effective for small business owners like you. Each week, get practical insights, real-world examples, and behind-the-scenes truths on what it really takes to build visibility and grow your brand — with straight talk and support from Your Marketing Heroes.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 7, 2024 • 43min
How She Scaled and Sold her Agency with Carrie Kerpen, Founder and CEO of The Whisper Group
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Carrie Kerpen, Founder and CEO of The Whisper Group, as she shares the journey of how she scaled and sold her agency.
In this episode, Whitney and Carrie dive into strategies for success, the specific obstacles she overcame in building her agency, and the key insights she gained throughout her journey. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned pro, you won’t want to miss this episode!
-------------
Connect with Whitney on Instagram
Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn
TheWhitneyLee.com
True Story Website

Sep 23, 2024 • 45min
Navigating the Evolution of Agency Structure and Services with Veronique Zayas, Founder of HatchMark Studio
Join us today as Whitney chats with Veronique Zayas, the creative force behind HatchMark Studio. Veronique shares her agency’s exciting evolution to a full-service powerhouse. Together, they dive into how HatchMark Studio masters branding, visual systems, and helps clients stay on-brand across multiple platforms.
🔥 What You’ll Learn:
Why a strong social media presence is key to brand success
How cohesive messaging across channels boosts business
The power of partnerships and collaborating with other agencies to deliver specialized services
Real-world examples of how smart branding leads to higher revenue
💡 Whitney also shares her own agency’s shift toward integrating PR, social media, and more to meet today’s demands. They explore how the agency world has moved from siloed services to seamless, holistic solutions.
👥 Key Insights:
Building a dream team that’s ready to grow with you
Clear communication and flexibility: essential tools for thriving in any agency
How to attract clients that align with your values and vision
Leading with purpose while navigating the challenges of team dynamics
Tune in for an inspiring deep-dive into branding, agency growth, and the changing landscape of marketing services.
-------
Connect with Veronique on Instagram
HatchMark Studio Website
Connect with HatchMark Studio on LinkedIn
Connect with Whitney on Instagram
Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn
True Story PR Website

Aug 20, 2024 • 50min
Fixing the Friction Between Clients and Mid Size Agencies with Lindsey Breitwieser, Fractional CMO & Founder of The CMO Lab
Get ready to dive deep into the world of marketing and PR with this insightful episode! Join Whitney Lee as she sits down with Lindsay Breitwieser, the mastermind behind CMO Lab, to tackle the real challenges regional agencies face and the often-overlooked friction between agencies and clients. Lindsay shares her expertise on crafting marketing strategies that truly align with business goals, all while balancing the data-driven and emotional aspects of marketing.
Discover why managing client expectations is crucial, and learn the art of making bold adjustments when things aren’t working. From the power of data to the value of failure and experimentation, this conversation is packed with actionable insights. Whether you're thinking about hiring a CMO or simply looking to refine your marketing approach, this episode is a must-listen!
-------------
Visit The CMO Lab
The CMO Lab on Instagram
True Story on Instagram
True Story PR Website

Aug 12, 2024 • 41min
How We Doubled the Business in 2020
In a time of uncertainty, True Story Public Relations experienced remarkable growth in 2020.
While some clients had to step back, others stepped up, expanding their services! Join us today as agency owner Whitney Lee shares how her agency managed to double during such a challenging year.
Whitney will delve into the strategic steps she took, how global shifts influenced the business landscape, and the enduring practices that have continued to drive success well beyond 2020.
Have a specific topic you want us to cover? Send your ideas to Whitney on Instagram @thewhitneylee.
-------------
Connect with Whitney on Instagram
Visit TheWhitneyLee.com
Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn
Visit TrueStoryPR.co

Jul 30, 2024 • 44min
Building a Personal Brand as an Agency Owner with Lexie Smith, Founder of Growth Mode Agency & The PR Bar Inc.
Whether you want to or not, EVERYONE has a personal brand. Join us today as Whitney chats with fellow agency owner, Lexie Smith! They’re covering the ins and outs of building a personal brand as an agency owner. You won’t want to miss this behind-the-scenes look at agency life.
-------
As seen in Entrepreneur.com, Business Insider, NASDAQ, Create & Cultivate, and more, Lexie Smith, is a PR & Business Coach, Founder & CEO of GROWTH MODE PR & Communications Agency, Founder of THEPRBAR inc., and Host of the Pitchin' and Sippin' Podcast.
-------
Connect with Lexie on LinkedIn
Connect with Lexie on Instagram
Pitchin' and Sippin' Podcast

Jul 24, 2024 • 14min
Special Announcement - TheWhitneyLee.com is LIVE
Tune in today for a special announcement from Whitney Lee!
For the past several months, Whitney has been working on a new resource to support agency owners and we are ecstatic to announce that TheWhitneyLee.com is now LIVE!
Visit TheWhitneyLee.com/streamline to download the 4 Steps to a Streamlined Remote Agency! Applications for mentorship with Whitney are open with only two spaces available. Digital template downloads and roadmaps for remote agency owners will be available for purchase soon. We can't wait to support you in the process of streamlining and scaling your remote agency.
-------
Visit TheWhitneyLee.com for more information!

Jul 15, 2024 • 31min
Should You Niche Down Your Agency?
Is niching down the key to success? Will it help you get more of the right kind of clients? How niche is too niche?
Join us today as Whitney cracks the code on whether or not niching down your agency is the right move.
----------------
Have a specific topic you want us to cover? Connect with Whitney on Instagram @thewhitneylee.

Jul 9, 2024 • 33min
PR + HR - How Company Culture and Your Brand Intersect with James Ferguson of Wurzak Hotel Group
Get ready to dive into the concept of confetti culture as Whitney explores the intersection of PR and HR with James Ferguson. James is the Director of Culture for Wurzak Hotel Group and is sharing how he used his passion for company culture to make his dream position a reality.
Whether you are a business owner, work in HR, or have a goal on your mind, you can expect to leave this episode fired up and ready to take on any hurdle in your path.
-------------
The Confetti Culture Playbook
Connect with James on LinkedIn

Jun 24, 2024 • 37min
5 Controversial Opinions on Marketing with Amy Colbourn, Managing Director of MONOGRAM Agency
Get ready for a round of hot takes as Whitney chats with Amy Colbourn, Managing Director of MONOGRAM, about controversial opinions on marketing. In this episode, two hospitality marketing and PR experts share their perspectives on hot topics, such as the effectiveness of using awareness as a marketing objective and whether the same strategies can be applied to marketing products and services.
About Amy: Amy Colbourn is a marketing executive and brand strategist who serves as the Managing Director of MONOGRAM. Headquartered in Las Vegas MONOGRAM is a brand agency, and a member of The Harkey Group of agencies, specializing in luxury hospitality and casino marketing.
Connect with Whitney on Instagram
MONOGRAM Agency

Jun 17, 2024 • 39min
Why Agencies Get Fired
Getting fired by a client can feel incredibly disheartening, but it's an experience every agency faces sooner or later. The key is to learn and grow from it.
In this episode, Whitney explores common reasons why agencies get fired and offers actionable tips to prevent it. If you're an agency owner or part of an agency team, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you avoid common pitfalls and cultivate lasting, successful client relationships from the start.
--------------
Have a specific topic you’d like us to cover? Connect with Whitney on Instagram @thewhitneylee.