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Whitney Lee True Story Public Relations, Principal

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

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3 Ways Businesses Are Rethinking Their Marketing &Amp; Pr In 2025 &Raquo; 20832397 1732295760281 0Dd9D9Fc1C67C
3 Ways Businesses are Rethinking Their Marketing & PR in 2025

In this episode, Whitney Lee discusses the significant shifts in marketing and PR strategies in 2025 emphasizing the move towards fractional CMOs, shorter planning cycles, and a more authentic approac…

In this episode, Whi…

In this episode, Whitney Lee discusses the significant shifts in marketing and PR strategies in 2025 emphasizing the move towards fractional CMOs, shorter planning cycles, and a more authentic approach to branding. She reflects on how the pandemic has changed the way businesses operate, particularly in terms of team structures and the increasing acceptance of remote work. The conversation highlights the importance of adapting to new trends in marketing, including the effectiveness of organic content over traditional polished imagery. ----------- Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with W…

Listen · 35:10
What Pr Pros Need To Know About Seo With Jade Pruett, Owner &Amp; Founder Of Helloseo &Raquo; 20832397 1732295760281 0Dd9D9Fc1C67C
What PR Pros Need to Know About SEO with Jade Pruett, Owner & Founder of HelloSEO

Are you leveraging the full power of SEO in your PR strategy, or are you leaving potential untapped? In this episode, Whitney sits down with Jade Pruett to uncover the vital connection between SEO and…

Are you leveraging t…

Are you leveraging the full power of SEO in your PR strategy, or are you leaving potential untapped? In this episode, Whitney sits down with Jade Pruett to uncover the vital connection between SEO and PR—a must-know for any modern marketer. Together, they break down the challenges PR professionals face in navigating SEO and share actionable strategies to bridge the gap. 💡 Here’s what you’ll learn:The art of acquiring backlinks and why guest posting still reigns supreme. How media coverage can amplify your SEO game. The value of tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Conso…

Listen · 55:33
8 Books You Should Read To Level Up This Year &Raquo; 20832397 1732295760281 0Dd9D9Fc1C67C
8 Books You Should Read To Level Up This Year

In this episode, Whitney shares a curated list of books that have profoundly influenced her personal and professional life. From productivity hacks to the power of love languages, Whitney highlights k…

In this episode, Whi…

In this episode, Whitney shares a curated list of books that have profoundly influenced her personal and professional life. From productivity hacks to the power of love languages, Whitney highlights key insights from these impactful reads and explains how they’ve shaped her mindset and approach to life. Whether you’re looking for your next great read or seeking inspiration for personal Growth, this episode offers a roadmap to elevate your life and business through the Wisdom of books. ------------ Connect with Whitney: LinkedIn Instagram True Story Website TheWhitneyLee.com

Listen · 47:15
How Freelance Journalists Are Changing The Game With Substack With Joni Sweet, Freelance Writer And Pr Consultant &Raquo; 20832397 1732295760281 0Dd9D9Fc1C67C
How Freelance Journalists are Changing the Game with Substack with Joni Sweet, Freelance Writer and PR Consultant

What does it take to thrive as a journalist in today’s fast-paced, digital-first world? In this episode, Whitney Lee uncovers the secrets with freelance journalist and PR consultant Joni Sweet. From…

What does it take to…

What does it take to thrive as a journalist in today’s fast-paced, digital-first world? In this episode, Whitney Lee uncovers the secrets with freelance journalist and PR consultant Joni Sweet. From navigating the rise of AI to mastering the art of storytelling, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone curious about the future of media. Key topics include:The rise of Substack and its role in personal branding for journalists.How media monetization has changed over the years.The growing importance of SEO in modern storytelling.Best practices for pitching stories to journalist…

Listen · 47:06
4 Patterns Biz Owners Need To Break In 2025 &Raquo; 20832397 1732295760281 0Dd9D9Fc1C67C
4 Patterns Biz Owners Need to Break in 2025

Ready to transform your business for the new year? In this episode, Whitney Lee reveals the marketing and PR strategies every business owner needs to navigate a rapidly evolving landscape. Whether you…

Ready to transform y…

Ready to transform your business for the new year? In this episode, Whitney Lee reveals the marketing and PR strategies every business owner needs to navigate a rapidly evolving landscape. Whether you're struggling to stand out in a crowded market or looking to optimize your budget, these insights are your roadmap to success. Whitney Lee reflects on the transformative year of 2024, sharing invaluable lessons and strategies for businesses aiming to thrive amidst changing consumer behaviors. She explores the interconnected yet distinct roles of marketing and PR, highlighting how they work togeth…

Listen · 38:11
High Stakes Pr: Building Campaigns Like Someone'S Life Depends On It With Drew Piers, Managing Director, Partner - Sachs Media Group &Raquo; 20832397 1732295760281 0Dd9D9Fc1C67C
High Stakes PR: Building Campaigns Like Someone's Life Depends On It with Drew Piers, Managing Director, Partner – Sachs Media Group

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…

Listen · 44:56
Biz Owners: Why Your Marketing/Pr Isn'T Successful &Raquo; 20832397 1732295760281 0Dd9D9Fc1C67C
Biz Owners: Why Your Marketing/PR Isn't Successful

🎙️ 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…

Listen · 22:25
Pros &Amp; Cons: Big Agencies Vs Small Agencies With Amy Dang-Stojanovic - Managing Partner, Mochee &Raquo; 20832397 1732295760281 0Dd9D9Fc1C67C
Pros & Cons: Big Agencies vs Small Agencies with Amy Dang-Stojanovic – Managing Partner, Mochee

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…

Listen · 43:32
Missed Opportunities - What I Should'Ve Done When We Started The Agency &Raquo; 20832397 1732295760281 0Dd9D9Fc1C67C
Missed Opportunities – What I Should've Done When We Started the Agency

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…

Listen · 27:06
How To Triple Your Podcast Pitching In A Day With Parker Olson, Founder Of Podpitch &Raquo; 20832397 1673878976474 5481Fd6421513
How to Triple Your Podcast Pitching in a Day with Parker Olson, Founder of PodPitch

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 …

Listen · 35:28
The Tiny Shift That Changed Our Relationship With Every Client &Raquo; 20832397 1673878976474 5481Fd6421513
The Tiny Shift that Changed Our Relationship with Every Client

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…

Listen · 22:24
Efficient Vs. Effective - How Personalization Changes Everything In Sales + Marketing With Scott Russell, Partner At Russell And Russell Consulting &Raquo; 20832397 1673878976474 5481Fd6421513
Efficient vs. Effective – How Personalization Changes Everything in Sales + Marketing with Scott Russell, Partner at Russell and Russell Consulting

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…

Listen · 31:35
Your First Assistant Or Employee: How To Know What You Should Hand Off &Raquo; 20832397 1673878976474 5481Fd6421513
Your First Assistant or Employee: How to Know What You Should Hand Off

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…

Listen · 33:09
How She Went From A Corporate Job Managing 16 Agencies To Starting Her Own With Lindsay Kirsh, Founder And Chief Strategist, Slayer Pr &Raquo; 20832397 1673878976474 5481Fd6421513
How She Went from a Corporate Job Managing 16 Agencies to Starting Her Own with Lindsay Kirsh, Founder and Chief Strategist, Slayer PR

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…

Listen · 40:47
The Worst Advice For A New Agency Or Freelancer &Raquo; 20832397 1673878976474 5481Fd6421513
The Worst Advice for a New Agency or Freelancer

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

Listen · 29:21
How She Scaled And Sold Her Agency With Carrie Kerpen, Founder And Ceo Of The Whisper Group &Raquo; 20832397 1673878976474 5481Fd6421513
How She Scaled and Sold her Agency with Carrie Kerpen, Founder and CEO of The Whisper Group

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

Listen · 42:50
Navigating The Evolution Of Agency Structure And Services With Veronique Zayas, Founder Of Hatchmark Studio &Raquo; 20832397 1673878976474 5481Fd6421513
Navigating the Evolution of Agency Structure and Services with Veronique Zayas, Founder of HatchMark Studio

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…

Listen · 44:44
Fixing The Friction Between Clients And Mid Size Agencies With Lindsey Breitwieser, Fractional Cmo &Amp; Founder Of The Cmo Lab &Raquo; 20832397 1673878976474 5481Fd6421513
Fixing the Friction Between Clients and Mid Size Agencies with Lindsey Breitwieser, Fractional CMO & Founder of The CMO Lab

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…

Listen · 49:56

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