Interview by Ingrid Galvez
NGLCCNY Diversity Inclusion Outreach Chair
Last year I had the pleasure of
being introduced to Cindi Creager and Rainie Cole Co-Founders of CreagerCole Communications. Whether working with
professionals on public speaking for personal/professional growth to working
with individuals thrust into the spotlight for high profile media appearances, these professionals transfer their calm, cool collected air to their clients so
that they may be able to handle the anxiety and pressure of the media
spotlight.
CreagerCole Communications is
comprised of two talented, dedicated and thriving members of the NGLCCNY whose
impact is far reaching. From actors like James Franco on handling inappropriate
interview questions for his role in the film MILK to Janice Langbehn, who was
thrust into the media spotlight after challenging the unfair treatment of her
family during the passing of her partner in a Miami hospital to Rachel B. Tiven, former Executive Director of Immigration Equality attorneys fighting on the frontline
of immigration reform; CreagerCole Communications works with their clients to
craft and hone their message so that it is heard over the noise of media
scrutiny.
CreagerCole communications has
its finger on the pulse of media relations and it is my privilege to bring you
my interview with these very talented ladies.
Tell me about CreagerCole Communications and how you came
up with the idea for your business?
Cindi’s background in
local and national news coupled with the media advocacy and communications
positions she held at GLAAD and the NYC LGBT Center were the springboards for
starting CreagerCole Communications.
Rainie moved to New York City to be a singer/actress and
spent a good deal of her life here performing. She also discovered that she had
the additional skill
of promoting her solo cabaret shows. Now, through CreagerCole Communications,
she is passionate about promoting other people.
We also love working together.
From Cindi:
“I love working with my wife, Rainie Cole. She is my rock in
life and in business. There’s
no one I trust or rely upon more.”
From Rainie:
“Sharing my life and my work with my wife Cindi is the
biggest gift of all. Our combined personal and professional skill sets are a
winning combination.”
What sets CreagerCole Communications apart from others in
PR & Communications?
Some skills can’t
be taught. Many have told us that we have a gift for making people feel
respected and valued. It could be the way we see the potential in people who
may not initially see it in themselves. Perhaps it’s
our desire to lift people up and empower them to be their best. Whatever that
special something, it really does make a difference and it’s
what makes our services unique.
One of our clients, world-renowned classical pianist Sara Davis Buechner, sums up our work even better:
“In the field of media relations, Cindi Creager and Rainie
Cole have the insight, the determination, the creativity, and a reputation of
gold standard to make the connections for their clients that matter most. To
all of these talents they bring a personal touch and sensitivity that is rare
in today’s
world of communications. And from my own personal experience - - matching my
own story up with a Pulitzer-Prize-winning writer from The New York Times to
tell it in just the right way- - I can attest that they have the goods to make
the best kind of miracles happen.”
Ideally, who can benefit from your services?
We work with individuals, organizations and businesses who
need help with media relations/public relations, media training (becoming a
successful media spokesperson) public speaking prep, and message development.
We have an expertise in LGBT issues.
Our motto: “We teach clients to
cut through the clutter and get to the point so they shine in the spotlight.”
We work with LGBT and human rights organizations that need
public relations assistance but may not be big enough to hire a full-time
communications staff or they have limited communications support, and require
an outside PR effort to promote their programs. We also work with authors,
filmmakers, and artists who have new products to promote. In addition, we work
with businesses, ensuring they are up to speed on terminology and overall best
practices when working with the LGBT community. And we also help larger
businesses and LGBT and human rights organizations by taking on specific PR
projects in collaboration with their established communications teams. Bottom
line, if we believe in your vision, your mission, or your product, and think we’re
the right fit, we’ll gladly pursue a
business agreement with you.
How did you become aware of NGLCCNY?
We learned about NGLCCNY from our friend who is a member,
Amy Mayes, owner of Amy Mayes Photography. Amy invited us as guests to a
NGLCCNY holiday gathering last December.
What was your initial impression? How has that changed over
the last year?
From the moment we walked into our first NGLCCNY event we
felt instantly welcomed and supported as a lesbian-owned business. The NGLCCY
team is extremely smart, savvy, diverse, passionate and devoted to helping
business owners like us. Our positive impression has only grown over time.
How has CreagerCole Communications been impacted since
joining the NGLCCNY?
We have made wonderful friends and connections that have
greatly enriched our lives and our business. Before we joined NGLCCNY, we felt
a bit alone in the world as a small, lesbian-owned firm. Now we’re
able to bounce ideas off other business owners on a regular basis. We have also
been learning how to navigate the legal and administrative requirements of
small business ownership. NGLCCNY’s
overall resources coupled with the advice of its more experienced members have
bolstered our efforts.
What special projects are you currently working on and how
might NGLCCNY members support your endeavors?
We are currently working to promote the Arcus Foundation and Institute for the Future’s #My2024 Campaign,
a national online conversation that asks the LGBT movement to collectively help
shape positive futures by the year 2024.
We’re also working
with Equality Card, a credit card startup that allows consumer and business
cardholders to donate 1 percent of purchases back to LGBT nonprofits of their
choice.
In addition we are handling day-to-day public relations
efforts for two national LGBT nonprofits: The Transgender Legal Defense &Education Fund and Family Equality Council.
We are also working on a special project with the True Colors Fund. And
on the artistic side, we’re promoting a
Brooklyn-based, up-and-coming Americana band, The Sometime Boys.
NGLCCY can support our endeavors by spreading the word to
those who may be looking for a small and special PR firm like ours. Thank you
NGLCCNY!
To learn more about CreagerCole
Communications visit http://creagercole.com/.
SwagBucks is a very recommended work from home website.
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