MJ Pedone
Founder & CEO, Indra Public Relations
Length of PR career (so far): Over two decades. (Did I just say that!??)
Most poignant professional moment: Unfortunately, I have two of those. First, I had NY Knicks All-Star Anthony Mason booked for All-Star weekend in NYC and he died of a heart attack. Second, I received an email that came from a friend at Base Camp that my client, Marty Schmidt died climbing K2 in Pakistan with his son as they were preparing for the training of the filming for what would have been the only “family” to climb the most dangerous mountain in the world together.
Favorite journalist to work with: Well, as you can imagine, I can’t show any favoritism, but let’s just say the sports writers are always awesome and very accommodating. But they are all my favorite of course!
Indra PR team
Number of 2 a.m. calls from a client this month: 5. Now 4:00 a.m. calls are a different story.
Biggest complaint about social media: That my clients who are from the older generation, are still trying to figure out why they need to embrace social media.
Best thing about working at your agency: We get to work on so many different nonprofit organizations that are doing great things and that in itself is a rewarding feeling. And needless to say, working with professional athletes and attending the games are always a fun perk to go along with as well as many others. And of course, having me as the boss!
Last time you didn’t do any work all weekend: Probably in high school.
Most misunderstood thing about PR: Most people don’t understand the value and ROI when it comes to PR. I’m glad the clients who have retained my company, Indra Public Relations, have entrusted us and get it!
Most outrageous client request: If I can secure an elephant for our Times Square restaurant opening? Yes, they were serious.
Most interesting thing about your job: I get to work with some of the most recognized athletes and brands in the world and tell their stories to top-tier journalists who write about them.
MJ & her son, Adam
Number of meetings you were in last week: 12
Your nightmare client in 3 words: Egotistically, Boisterous and Obnoxious. However, I know how to deal with them at this point!
Rate your math skills from 1-10: 10. I have a great CFO and two great accountants.
Best advice to a PR student: Hone in on your writing and proofreading skills and be prepared to work 24/7 in a job that can be thankless at times.
What do you read daily? I read the Huffington Post, NY Times, Yahoo News and most sports section.
Favorite way to de-stress: Jacuzzi, exercise, skiing, tennis and sex.
The moment you realized PR is more fun than you thought it would be: When I realized how good I was at it. But one moment in particular when I was working with the New York Knicks and Rangers, which was surreal for me. This is because my passion became my hobby.
Worst PR crisis in the news in 2016: Wounded Warriors Project was certainly one of them. Hundreds of millions of dollars each year are donated to the charity, expecting their money will help some of the 52,000 wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. But the Wounded Warrior Project spent 40 to 50 percent on overhead, including extravagant parties. Other veterans’ charities have overhead costs are 10 to 15 percent maximum. A total disgrace on the CEO!
All 4 Kids Foundation Event, 2011
Favorite food: Italian and Seafood
Favorite restaurant: Scalinatella in NYC for Italian food. I highly recommend it.
Favorite non-work hobby: Tennis and skiing
Last book you read: Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder by Arianna Huffington, and Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines & Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World – Class Performers by Tim Ferriss.
Cocktail of choice: Depends on who I’m drinking with, but a Saketini is one of them.
Your first “real” job: Model
Childhood “dream job”: Jockey
Your next big adventure: Skiing in Aspen and Vail where I will attempt to snowboard for the first time, which will be an adventure in itself.
Want to be a PR PROfile source, or know someone who would be a perfect fit? Email the editor at richardc@bulldogreporter.com.