7 Highlights in 7 Years

ADPR has officially turned lucky number 7. It’s hard to believe but I’ve worked for myself almost as long as I worked for someone else. I didn’t think I’d EVER (note the caps) be an entrepreneur. I didn’t think I had the guts or the drive or the contacts, but it turns out, I did and I do. It’s one of my proudest accomplishments.

 To celebrate, I thought it would be fun to look back at some of the highlights of ADPR and the amazing projects I have been able to work on. Buckle up for a trip down memory lane.

2015 – Hockey Wives and Tealpower

A few months into my first year of business, my best friend/ GF Alison, who was going through cancer treatment at the time, asked me to work on a TV show project with her. I was thrilled at the thought of us working together again. But as the year progressed, GF became sicker. One day while visiting her in the hospital, I got a call from a producer of Hockey Wives, one of her clients. They were worried about some upcoming interviews and GF wasn’t answering emails. When they learned of the extent of her illness, they asked if I could help. The truth was, I had a lot of my own clients (plus another TV show GF and I were working on), but I couldn’t say no so my friend Jess and I took on the project. At the premiere party a few weeks later, the producer sang our praises. I felt an overwhelming mix of emotions – sadness because GF wasn’t getting any better, yet happiness, because even though my world was falling apart, I felt like we were doing her proud. GF adored this series and she knew it was in good hands. After she passed, we organized a Tealpower event in her honour and it was one of my proudest achievements. No MMVAs, TIFF or JUNO Awards could ever hold a candle to that night.

2016 – New frontiers with Jason Momoa

When an old colleague from Discovery Canada asked me to plan a junket for Jason Momoa, I realized I had heard that name, but embarrassingly, I wasn’t sure from where. I have not seen one episode of Game of Thrones (I know, I know!) and I’m no superhero superfan, so I was in the small section of society who didn’t know him. But as soon as Jim found out, he set me straight. Jason Momoa was an A-Lister with a trajectory to the top. As it turns out, Jason was not a morning person but he was a very good sport and a true gentleman. Once he found out I was four months pregnant, he helped me out of the car, had water readily available and ensured that we weren’t moving too quickly. I witnessed first-hand that Aquaman is a kind nurturer.

2017 – The Birth of a Senior Vice-President

In 2017, ADPR took some downtime to raise the next generation and promote her new SVP, Development and Client Relations… welcome #christosarthur! Taking on motherhood is a whole other blog, but behind the burping, breastfeeding and tears was laughter, first steps and SO.MUCH.JOY. Christos continues to have a smile that can light up any room, even in the darkest PR crisis. No project I work on will come close to being his mom.

2018 – Crown and Anchor

When my friend Matt Wells asked me to help promote his new film, Crown and Anchor, I said yes right away. Matt is one of those people that no matter the project, I will always say yes. I loved watching him VJ on MuchMusic (long before I worked there) and when I was assigned to be his publicist, I felt like the luckiest publicist on the planet. His passion project was one of my most favourite publicity campaigns because, not only was I working on a very cool independent film, I was also working with a dear friend.

2019 – Gordon Lightfoot

Gordon Lightfoot is an icon. Full Stop. Being asked to work on the documentary, If You Could Read My Mind - which highlighted his life and body of work - was an immense thrill and provided serious bragging rights for my parents. The film, a labour of love from co-directors Joan Tosoni and Martha Kehoe, was moving and revealing. It was also a publicist’s dream - everyone wanted to talk to Gordon! My friend Pam Stillman and I were able to coordinate some compelling coverage that we are proud of to this day. Getting a picture with Gordon was also a highlight and yes, it hangs proudly on my mother’s fridge! I think about Gordon and his wife often. They are an open, welcoming, and loving couple. I’m so grateful I was able to get to know them.

2020 – Canada’s Drag Race

When Canada’s Drag Race was announced in 2019 it was BIG news. Finally, the worldwide phenomena was coming to the great white north. This series was one of the few that I really, really wanted. I just knew it would be something special… and it was; it still is. We filmed pre-COVID but the show aired during the height of the pandemic and was one of the only new series on TV that summer. To no one’s surprise, it was a huge hit. I learned so much from that group of queens about artistry, passion, and kindness, but also from a production team I feel really cares about the contestants.

2021 – ADPR 2.0.

Last year was a year of growth for ADPR. Not only did we have our best year, but we rebranded so that the outside of the company looked more like the inside. My business coach, Danielle Barich reminded me that the way we present ourselves is just as important as the work we put into each client, a sentiment that really resonated with me. We commissioned a new logo, new offerings and I put together a course curriculum for small businesses to learn how to do their own media relations. Publicity 101: How to get your small business noticed soft-launched last fall but follow along as we kick this into high gear in the coming months.