Whitney Lee, APR, CPRC, is a marketing and PR expert and the founder of True Story Public Relations – an award-winning creative agency helping companies in the hospitality, Travel, and tourism industries get in front of the right people with the right message.
With a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from Florida State University, an Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), and a Certification as a Public Relations Counselor (CPRC), Whitney left her fancy corporate job in Destin, Florida, at age 26 and started as a freelancer, helping Small Businesses to get more visibility, clients and customers. Today, True Story has grown into fully-remote agency of ten, serving clients all over the US and internationally.
She was named Scarlett Magazine’s “Woman of the Year” in PR, one of the “Five Most Dynamic Women Leaders Ruling the PR Industry” in the CIO Times and one of United Way’s 40 under 40. Her insights are regularly featured in well-known media outlets like 850 Business Magazine, Emerald Coast Magazine, and the She Who Wins podcast with Renee Bauer to name a few.
Whitney is also a keynote speaker and the host of True Story: The PR Podcast where she shares marketing and PR tips, as well as insightful info on best practices of leading and working in a fully-remote agency.
Recent Content
How do you cut through the noise to tell stories that matter? In this episode, Whitney sits down with Drew Piers of Sachs Media to unpack the ever-evolving world of public relations, advocacy, and sto…
How do you cut throu…
How do you cut through the noise to tell stories that matter? In this episode, Whitney sits down with Drew Piers of Sachs Media to unpack the ever-evolving world of public relations, advocacy, and storytelling. From navigating political turbulence to driving nonprofit missions, this conversation dives deep into the power of authentic communication and the strategies that make it work. Drew shares his journey in public affairs, revealing how research and audience insights shape impactful campaigns. He and Whitney explore the nuances of leadership, the role of language in framing issues for dive…
🎙️ Is your marketing team set up for success, or are you unknowingly setting them up to fail? In this episode, Whitney takes a hard look at the challenges business owners face when hiring and man…
🎙️ Is your mark…
🎙️ Is your marketing team set up for success, or are you unknowingly setting them up to fail? In this episode, Whitney takes a hard look at the challenges business owners face when hiring and managing young marketing talent. She reveals why simply hiring fresh faces isn’t enough—and what it takes to transform raw potential into real results. You’ll also hear how fractional CMOs are emerging as a smart, cost-effective solution for businesses that can’t afford a full-service agency but still need experienced leadership to drive strategy and execution. Whether you’re navigating the…
Is social media still the Wild West of marketing, or has it grown into a strategic powerhouse? In this episode, Whitney Lee sits down with Amy Dang-Stojanovic, managing partner of Mochi, to explore th…
Is social media stil…
Is social media still the Wild West of marketing, or has it grown into a strategic powerhouse? In this episode, Whitney Lee sits down with Amy Dang-Stojanovic, managing partner of Mochi, to explore the ever-changing world of social media and PR. They pull back the curtain on:The rise of authentic content and the shift away from polished perfection. Why smaller, nimble teams can outshine big-name agencies. The critical balance between engagement and calls to action in successful campaigns. How content creators and influencers play different but vital roles in modern marketing.Amy also s…
What if the secret to success wasn’t in finding a business partner? 🤔 In this episode, Whitney Lee shares her inspiring journey from leaving a corporate career at just 26 years old to building he…
What if the secret t…
What if the secret to success wasn’t in finding a business partner? 🤔 In this episode, Whitney Lee shares her inspiring journey from leaving a corporate career at just 26 years old to building her own thriving business. She dives into how mentorship—both informal and paid—has been a game-changer in her life. Whitney reflects on the lessons learned, mistakes made, and the invaluable guidance she’s gained along the way. 💡 Key Takeaways You’ll Love:Start your mentorship journey sooner rather than later. Mistakes are inevitable—but mentors help you learn and avoid the big one…
Think podcasts are just a side hustle or hobby? Think again. In this episode, Whitney Lee chats with Parker Olson, founder of PodPitch, about how podcasts are becoming a PR powerhouse. They explore th…
Think podcasts are j…
Think podcasts are just a side hustle or hobby? Think again. In this episode, Whitney Lee chats with Parker Olson, founder of PodPitch, about how podcasts are becoming a PR powerhouse. They explore the art of customized pitches, the game-changing role of AI, and why podcasts are now key players in the media landscape. Parker shares his unconventional journey—from wild diets to living in nontraditional spaces—offering fresh insights on creativity and Innovation. Discover how tools like PodPitch are enhancing PR efforts while preserving the human touch, and what this means for the future of …
Ever wonder what it takes to go from a "yes person" to an authoritative leader in your field? In this episode, Whitney Lee shares her transformative journey from corporate life to freelancing, highlig…
Ever wonder what it …
Ever wonder what it takes to go from a "yes person" to an authoritative leader in your field? In this episode, Whitney Lee shares her transformative journey from corporate life to freelancing, highlighting the mindset shifts that changed her career. She talks about redefining client Relationships, stepping into a strategist role, and the power of proactive communication. But that’s just the beginning—Whitney dives into how perception and PR can make or break your business. Want more? Hit play and discover her secrets firsthand! ------------ Apply for Mentorship with Whitney Connect with…
What does it take to stand out in a crowded, ever-evolving market? In this episode, Whitney Lee sits down with Scott Russell, a luxury hospitality veteran turned entrepreneur, who spills the secrets o…
What does it take to…
What does it take to stand out in a crowded, ever-evolving market? In this episode, Whitney Lee sits down with Scott Russell, a luxury hospitality veteran turned entrepreneur, who spills the secrets of navigating one of the most competitive industries out there. From his corporate days at the Ritz Carlton to building his own consulting and sales training business, Scott shares the bold moves and creative strategies that helped him thrive—especially during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. You’ll hear how Scott mastered the art of differentiation and personalization, why effective c…
Feeling overwhelmed by doing it all yourself? It’s time to level up! In this episode, Whitney Lee reveals the secrets to successfully building and managing a team. Drawing from her own journey, she …
Feeling overwhelmed …
Feeling overwhelmed by doing it all yourself? It’s time to level up! In this episode, Whitney Lee reveals the secrets to successfully building and managing a team. Drawing from her own journey, she shares invaluable tips on hiring the right assistants, defining clear roles, and creating a structured system for task management. Whitney breaks down the critical difference between being a leader who trains and counsels versus just overseeing task execution. Plus, she dives into the nuances of working with employees versus contractors, giving you the tools to make the right choices for your busi…
In this episode, Whitney Lee sits down with Lindsay Kirsh, Founder and Chief Strategist of Slayer PR, to dive deep into her incredible career transformation. From managing over 15 agencies at McDonald…
In this episode, Whi…
In this episode, Whitney Lee sits down with Lindsay Kirsh, Founder and Chief Strategist of Slayer PR, to dive deep into her incredible career transformation. From managing over 15 agencies at McDonald’s to building her own PR powerhouse, Lindsay shares the highs, lows, and lessons learned along the way. Discover the importance of trust in agency-client relationships, the perks of niche expertise, and what it truly takes to lead a successful team. Whether you’re curious about the agency vs. corporate world or want to hear strategic insights for long-term success, this conversation is packed…
Is following conventional Wisdom really the best path for your agency or freelance journey? In today’s solo podcast episode, Whitney dives into “The Worst Advice for a New Agency or Freelancer.…
Is following convent…
Is following conventional wisdom really the best path for your agency or freelance journey? In today’s solo podcast episode, Whitney dives into “The Worst Advice for a New Agency or Freelancer.” Get ready for some hot takes on the common pitfalls and misconceptions that could hold you back!Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn TheWhitneyLee.com True Story Website
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Carrie Kerpen, Founder and CEO of The Whisper Group, as she shares the journey of how she scaled and sold her agency. In this episode, Whitney and Carrie div…
Join us for an inspi…
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Carrie Kerpen, Founder and CEO of The Whisper Group, as she shares the journey of how she scaled and sold her agency. In this episode, Whitney and Carrie dive into strategies for success, the specific obstacles she overcame in building her agency, and the key insights she gained throughout her journey. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned pro, you won’t want to miss this episode!------------- Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn TheWhitneyLee.com True Story Website
Join us today as Whitney chats with Veronique Zayas, the creative force behind HatchMark Studio. Veronique shares her agency’s exciting evolution to a full-service powerhouse. Together, they dive in…
Join us today as Whi…
Join us today as Whitney chats with Veronique Zayas, the creative force behind HatchMark Studio. Veronique shares her agency’s exciting evolution to a full-service powerhouse. Together, they dive into how HatchMark Studio masters branding, visual systems, and helps clients stay on-brand across multiple platforms. 🔥 What You’ll Learn:Why a strong social media presence is key to brand success How cohesive messaging across channels boosts business The power of partnerships and collaborating with other agencies to deliver specialized services Real-world examples of how smart brandin…
Get ready to dive deep into the world of marketing and PR with this insightful episode! Join Whitney Lee as she sits down with Lindsay Breitwieser, the mastermind behind CMO Lab, to tackle the real ch…
Get ready to dive de…
Get ready to dive deep into the world of marketing and PR with this insightful episode! Join Whitney Lee as she sits down with Lindsay Breitwieser, the mastermind behind CMO Lab, to tackle the real challenges regional agencies face and the often-overlooked friction between agencies and clients. Lindsay shares her expertise on crafting marketing strategies that truly align with business goals, all while balancing the data-driven and emotional aspects of marketing. Discover why managing client expectations is crucial, and learn the art of making bold adjustments when things aren’t working. Fr…
In a time of uncertainty, True Story Public Relations experienced remarkable Growth in 2020. While some clients had to step back, others stepped up, expanding their services! Join us today as agency o…
In a time of uncerta…
In a time of uncertainty, True Story Public Relations experienced remarkable growth in 2020. While some clients had to step back, others stepped up, expanding their services! Join us today as agency owner Whitney Lee shares how her agency managed to double during such a challenging year. Whitney will delve into the strategic steps she took, how global shifts influenced the business landscape, and the enduring practices that have continued to drive success well beyond 2020. Have a specific topic you want us to cover? Send your ideas to Whitney on Instagram @thewhitneylee. ------------- Connect …
Whether you want to or not, EVERYONE has a personal brand. Join us today as Whitney chats with fellow agency owner, Lexie Smith! They’re covering the ins and outs of building a personal brand as an …
Whether you want to …
Whether you want to or not, EVERYONE has a personal brand. Join us today as Whitney chats with fellow agency owner, Lexie Smith! They’re covering the ins and outs of building a personal brand as an agency owner. You won’t want to miss this behind-the-scenes look at agency life. ------- As seen in Entrepreneur.com, Business Insider, NASDAQ, Create & Cultivate, and more, Lexie Smith, is a PR & Business Coach, Founder & CEO of GROWTH MODE PR & Communications Agency, Founder of THEPRBAR inc., and Host of the Pitchin' and Sippin' Podcast. ------- Connect with Lexie on LinkedIn…
Tune in today for a special announcement from Whitney Lee! For the past several months, Whitney has been working on a new resource to support agency owners and we are ecstatic to announce that TheWhi…
Tune in today for a …
Tune in today for a special announcement from Whitney Lee! For the past several months, Whitney has been working on a new resource to support agency owners and we are ecstatic to announce that TheWhitneyLee.com is now LIVE! Visit TheWhitneyLee.com/streamline to download the 4 Steps to a Streamlined Remote Agency! Applications for mentorship with Whitney are open with only two spaces available. Digital template downloads and roadmaps for remote agency owners will be available for purchase soon. We can't wait to support you in the process of streamlining and scaling your remote agency. ------…
Is niching down the key to success? Will it help you get more of the right kind of clients? How niche is too niche? Join us today as Whitney cracks the code on whether or not niching down your agency …
Is niching down the …
Is niching down the key to success? Will it help you get more of the right kind of clients? How niche is too niche? Join us today as Whitney cracks the code on whether or not niching down your agency is the right move. ---------------- Have a specific topic you want us to cover? Connect with Whitney on Instagram @thewhitneylee.
Get ready to dive into the concept of confetti culture as Whitney explores the intersection of PR and HR with James Ferguson. James is the Director of Culture for Wurzak Hotel Group and is sharing how…
Get ready to dive in…
Get ready to dive into the concept of confetti culture as Whitney explores the intersection of PR and HR with James Ferguson. James is the Director of Culture for Wurzak Hotel Group and is sharing how he used his passion for company culture to make his dream position a reality. Whether you are a business owner, work in HR, or have a goal on your mind, you can expect to leave this episode fired up and ready to take on any hurdle in your path. ------------- The Confetti Culture Playbook Connect with James on LinkedIn