Dana Humphrey is the lead Marketing and PR Consultant and Owner at Whitegate PR with experience publicizing small and large businesses, artists, authors and non-profits in the U.S. and abroad, with a specific focus in consumer, professional services and retail industries – especially in the pet industry!
After working “in-house” in San Diego and New York, for Muttropolis, Great White Wines and Women For Hire, Dana absolutely has a “can-do” attitude and enjoys juggling many projects simultaneously.
Dana leads public relations, blogger relations, media relations and marketing initiatives-both on and offline; orchestrates special events and delivers campaign analysis for her varied clients around the globe.
Due to her targeted outreach, Dana has secured media hits in People, Newsweek, Animal Planet, NBC’s Today Show, Good Morning America, Forbes, Prevention, USA Today, Time, Every Day With Rachel Ray Magazine, Southwest Airlines Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, Dog Fancy, Pet Product News, Doggie Aficionado, Bark Magazine, Chain Store Age, Pet Age, Dansk 013 Magazine, Kirari Magazine (Japan), NBC News, ABC News, Fox News, LA Times, San Diego Union Tribune, Chicago Tribune, AZ Daily Star, Hollywood Dog Magazine, San Diego Business Journal, North County Times, Ranch & Coast Magazine, Coast Magazine, 5280 Magazine, AZ Foothills Magazine, Décor and Style Magazine, Riviera Magazine, Tucson Weekly, OC Register, 944 Magazine, Rocky Mountain News, Coastal Living Magazine, Outside Traveler Magazine, Wines & Vines Magazine, Contra Costa Times- to name a few.
As an older sister of one, she is a natural leader and go-getter! Dana’s recent community leadership roles include: Femfessional Board of Advisor and Public Relations Chair for 2011-2012, We Are Booming Board of Directors 2011, PRSA-NY International Volunteer Committee in 2009, Ideablob Guest Advisor in 2009 and Miss. Can Diego in 2007 and 2008. In 2009, she was an Associate Board Member of the American Cancer Society in Brooklyn and she is currently on the ACS Queens Board of Directors for 2010 and 2011.
Dana graduated from San Diego State University in the honors program, with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and a minor in Political Science. After traveling to 45+ countries and living in five, she currently resides in Astoria, New York and identifies as a global citizen.
What are you working on right now?
Promoting my clients, and getting them featured in magazines, blogs, tv and radio as well as holiday gift guides. I am also teaching five courses between FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) and NYC Business Solutions.
Where did the idea for Whitegate PR come from?
I decided to start Whitegate PR, as a DBA (doing business as) in 2007 when I was working full time, doing in-house Marketing and PR for a small company in Solana Beach, CA called Muttropolis. I was able to work with one client on a very part time basis, until I was ready to launch full time in 2008.
What does your typical day look like?
Ha. No typical day. I guess it usually consists of coffee, conference calls and emails. Then I usually take a break to go for a run, as I am training for a marathon. Then into the city for in-person meetings, coffees, lunches or dinners and then events to network.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Usually I get ideas in the shower or when I’m running, and I bring them to fruition by talking about them with friends and colleagues. I usually try to get a partner on board and then it’s all about taking the first step and creating and making it happen.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
I love that bright colors, such as yellow and orange are hot right now… from a fashion perspective, as these colors make me happy.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
When I was in college I worked at a for a corrupt home brokerage company, and I was responsible for cold calling 100s of people everyday and asking if they want to refinance.
It was awful, however I learned to not be afraid of the phone or of rejection, which both help me in my work today as I call many reporters.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
I live with no regrets. Every decision has lead me to where I am today, which is a fine place to be.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Get on LinkedIn! I use it as my online rolodex and I use it everyday.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Without failure there is no success! I’m sure I’ve failed many times, as long as you use it as a learning experience, it’s all good. It just prepares you more for what is yet to come.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Just tweet at me or contact me – I have so many ideas and inventions!
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be and how would you go about it?
I would try to get running water and power to people in West Africa. I think that a big company such as Lipton should start doing business there.
What are your three favorite online tools or resources and what do you love about them?
My favorite online tools are Facebook, LinkedIn and email. The basics! Without them I could not do my job.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to Use News Releases, Blogs, Podcasting, Viral Marketing and Online Media to Reach Buyers Directly. This book spells out clearly and completely what you need to do to market your business.
When was the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it?
I am always laughing! At myself, and others and situations.
Who is your hero?
David Meerman Scott.
Connect:
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Dana Humphrey on LinkedIn:
Dana Humphrey on Twitter:
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.