In this episode of Digital PR Explained, Michelle Mekky, founder and president of Mekky Media Relations, shares the strategy and success behind her team’s influencer-led bar crawl campaign for Meet Chicago Northwest, a local tourism agency. The campaign spotlighted the Cork & Tap Trail, a collection of neighborhood establishments, and leveraged local influencers to boost awareness and drive engagement for the region.
Michelle discusses her journey from broadcast journalism to PR, the importance of selecting the right influencers, and how balancing creative freedom with clear objectives can lead to outstanding results. Whether you’re interested in tourism PR or influencer marketing, Michelle’s insights will inspire your next campaign.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- Michelle Mekky’s transition from award-winning journalist to PR agency founder.
- How to craft a campaign using influencers to highlight local destinations.
- The importance of building authentic relationships with influencers.
- Key metrics and results from the Cork & Tap Trail campaign.
- Practical advice for balancing influencer creativity with campaign goals.
About Michelle Mekky
Michelle Mekky is the founder and president of Mekky Media Relations, a boutique PR agency based in Chicago with a national reach. A veteran journalist turned PR executive, Michelle began her career as a senior producer for Fox-TV in Chicago before transitioning to public relations and founding her agency in 2016. Her team specializes in media relations, PR strategy, personal branding, and integrated digital campaigns, serving clients across industries such as technology, healthcare, and hospitality.
Under Michelle’s leadership, Mekky Media has received national recognition, including multiple Gold and Silver Stevie Awards, PR News Top 100 Agency Elite accolades, and Publicity Club of Chicago Trumpet Awards. Michelle herself has been celebrated as the PRSA Chicago Skyline Awards Professional of the Year and a Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Entrepreneur, among other honors.
Links and Resources Mentioned
- Mekky Media Relations: Visit Website
- Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn
Listen and Subscribe: Stay tuned for more insights and tips in future episodes of Digital PR Explained! And don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to never miss an episode. Happy pitching!