I am the founder, president CEO of The Blaine Group, Inc., and was named by the Los Angeles Business Journal recently as “one of the most influential marketers in Southern
California.” Formerly an actress and model, I established The Blaine Group, Inc., a Beverly
Hills-based full-service communications agency specializing in public relations, crisis
management, marketing and advertising. One of my career highlights was being elected as a delegate to the first White House Conference on Small Business, then appointed to the Second Conference by then U.S. Senator Pete Wilson. Then I was elected by my peers to co-chair the
California delegation.
As a total communications agency, we have implemented consumer, trade, and financial public
relations; investor relations; and advertising efforts and have provided marketing strategy, based
on conducting market research, for a diverse range of companies and organizations. We have also
created and managed special events and fundraisers and have directed community relations projects. In addition, The Blaine Group provides a variety of special communications services to its clients. These include managing crisis situations; conceiving and coordinating seminars and
press conferences; event and party planning; developing master plans and collateral materials;
proposal, article, letter, and speech writing; conducting surveys; and publishing newsletters and
brochures. We both create and implement.
Today our client base encompasses a wide range of businesses and industries with particular
emphasis on business-to-business communications, publicly-held companies, technology-based
businesses, the medical and healthcare fields, environmental-related firms, consumer products,
publishing, fashion and beauty, continuing education, non-profit organizations and trade
associations, and the world of show business.
The Blaine Group has had the privilege of implementing public relations activities for the Polk Institute Foundation since its inception. That includes placing articles in the media, arranging
talk show and podcast interviews, speaking engagements, supporting its events, and all other. We
adore the management team and its commitment to its mission: “Serving Social Entrepreneurs to
Help Make the World a Better Place.” I enjoy interacting with the cohorts who are so committed to their businesses and the success thereof. Personally, I appreciate people who are passionate about what they do. That’s everyone surrounding the Polk Institute! Need I say more?
Success stories…there have been a few. I also put a high priority on figuring out what could go awry… and preventing it. I have learned a great deal about how to do that! Here’s one I frequently share with new team members… so they will start thinking, “What could go wrong? How do I prevent that?” Imagine having the responsibility for planning a reception for about 300 people in the newly redecorated California State Capitol Rotunda. Invited guests included all state legislators, delegates to the state conference on small business, and local media. Our client, Glendale Federal, that provided small business loans, was the host; their economist was set to speak. Sounds terrific, doesn’t it. What could possibly go wrong? Thinking about it the night before, it became obvious! I planned and packed accordingly for the trip to Sacramento the next morning.
Consider that:
*We’d invited all of the state senators and assembly representatives, the governor and
lieutenant governor. About 65% of them planned to attend.
*We’d invited the 200+ small business owners from throughout the state of California who
were delegates to the conference. We had positive RSVPS from 90% of them.
Our reception was being held the night prior to the start of the three-day State Conference
on Small Business.
We’d invited the local press and prepared a press kit that our client had approved. Copies
were assembled and would be available for the 10 to 15 members of the Sacramento media who indicated they’d attend.
* Because the event was being held in the beautifully-redecorated state capitol rotunda,
we’d worked with a number of vendors to arrange the party.
* Glendale Federal had purchased the wine in San Francisco at a good price. We’d advised that it be shipped in Coke or 7-Up cases so it would be received at the Capital building.
* A local caterer was providing the appetizers. I had worked with them to select the menu.
* The capital cafeteria was delivering ice.
* A constituent of the Assembly Small Business Committee Chair was providing wine glasses.
When the Vice President we reported to at Glendale Federal arrived, I walked him around. Everyone was setting up. It was beautiful. He was pleased. What could go wrong?
It was apparent to me, with all the disparate duties, that no one would take the responsibility for one item. I was correct. I possessed the only corkscrew!
My message to my team…, always be the one to remember the corkscrew! Or whatever is called for in the situation at hand.
As stated earlier, what I love most about working with the Polk Institute is all the terrific people we work with. I so appreciate their hard work and commitment. It makes all the effort not just
worthwhile but also rewarding.
Would you please give us one of your favorite quotes?
I LOVE quotes so choosing just one is truly a challenge!
“If it is to be, it’s up to me,” definitely comes to mind.
