Chicago PR leader Michelle Mekky on the power of storytelling and effective media relations
Combine a veteran journalist with a PR executive skilled in both storytelling and communications, and you have a recipe for success in launching a PR firm.
That’s exactly what Michelle Mekky, an award-winning broadcast journalist and PR professional, did when she turned her experience into her own agency, Mekky Media Relations, Inc.
Based in Chicago, the boutique agency serves clients ranging from startups to industry leaders across the United States, helping them tell stories that inspire real action and growth.
But one thing that sets her firm apart from others is its specialty in media relations. Drawing on her journalist roots, Mekky and her team go beyond press releases to craft meaningful stories that earn real media coverage and build lasting brand visibility.
The recognition hasn’t slowed down, either. During a recent phone conversation with EIN Presswire, Mekky humbly shared how her firm recently took home a prestigious award from PRSA Chicago for a campaign that centered on storytelling.
“Our team was proud to be recognized by PRSA Chicago for our work on Westfield Old Orchard’s campaign, ‘A Vision for Community-Driven Redevelopment,’ which earned the award for Best Earned Media Relations,” Mekky told EIN Presswire. “The project focused on telling the mall’s story of transformation – highlighting community, sustainability and innovation.”
Since launching Mekky Media in 2016, Mekky and her team have helped clients in various industries — from healthcare and tech to retail and nonprofits — amplify their stories through strategic PR, social media strategies, and personal branding.
She understands the business from both the newsroom and the PR side, which was key to leading successful campaigns for her agency’s clients. Before launching her firm, Mekky recalled when she was a senior producer at Fox-TV Chicago and later worked in marketing and PR at top agencies before taking the leap to build her own.
Today, Mekky Media partners with clients nationwide, offering media training, digital strategy, and integrated PR — all fueled by the same storytelling skills that complemented her journalism career.
Her success has garnered national attention, including Gold and Silver Stevie Awards, a PR News Top 100 Agency Elite Award, and more. Mekky was also named among the 100 Women to Know in America in 2025.
In her interview, Mekky shared her journey to building an award-winning firm, reflected on her recent honor, and discussed what true media relations means — while offering tips for staying ahead in a fast-changing PR world.
Q: Tell us more about your journey into public relations and communications, and how you got started.
A: I actually began my career in broadcast journalism, where I spent over a decade as a writer and producer at FOX-TV Chicago. I always dreamed of becoming a journalist, and I loved every second of telling stories that informed and inspired people. Over time, though, I realized what I loved most was helping others share their stories, especially those that could make a real impact. The realization sparked my transition into public relations and communications.
My path wasn’t a straight line. After more than 12 years in television and deep in my PR career, I faced two life-changing challenges – a battle with ovarian cancer and a sudden job loss. During that period of uncertainty, my husband, who is always my biggest fan, encouraged me to take a leap of faith and start my own business. A family mentor believed in me so much that she handed me a $10,000 check and said, “It’s a loan, go start your business.” And that’s how Mekky Media Relations was born in 2016.
I built Mekky Media with a vision to redefine what PR could be – focusing on authentic storytelling, creativity and purpose. Today, nearly a decade later, we’ve grown into an award-winning, women-owned agency serving clients across industries. Every challenge and chapter, from the newsroom to entrepreneurship, has shaped the leader I am today and the culture of passion, heart and resilience that defines Mekky Media.
Q: Describe your firm and the industries and clients you serve.
A: Mekky Media Relations is a boutique, women-owned public relations agency based in Chicago, built on the belief that authentic storytelling drives meaningful results. Our mission is to craft and share powerful stories that inspire action, elevate brands and make an impact.
We specialize in media relations, PR strategy, media and public speaking training, event promotion, social media strategy and influencer engagement. Our team of passionate communicators brings a creative, hands-on approach to every campaign, providing personalized attention that larger firms often can’t match.
We’re proud to represent a diverse roster of clients across industries including hospitality, retail, finance, healthcare, nonprofits, technology and lifestyle brands to name a few. Some of our partnerships include Giordano’s, Abt Electronics, Start Early and the American Library Association, among many others.
What truly sets the agency apart is our commitment to authenticity, collaboration and purpose-driven PR. Whether we’re launching a national campaign or amplifying a local nonprofit, our goal remains the same: To tell stories that connect, inspire and create lasting impact.
Q: One area your firm specializes in is media relations. Can you explain what that means in practice and how you help clients get their stories covered by the media?
A: Media relations is at the heart of everything we do. It’s about building genuine relationships with journalists, editors and producers – and knowing how to connect a client’s story to what’s timely, relevant and newsworthy. With my background in journalism, I understand exactly what the media looks for and how to shape a story that will capture attention.
In practice, this means we work closely with our clients to uncover the most compelling aspects of their brand or mission, then craft thoughtful, strategic pitches tailored to the right outlets and reporters. We don’t just send mass emails – we create targeted, creative angles and follow through with persistence and professionalism.
Our goal is to earn meaningful, credible coverage that aligns with each client’s business objectives – whether that’s a segment on local TV, a feature in a national publication or an industry trade piece. When done right, media relations builds visibility, credibility and lasting brand trust – and that’s where our team truly excels.
Q: You recently won an award from PRSA for a campaign your firm worked on. Tell us more about the campaign and what you were able to achieve to be able to win this prestigious award.
A: Our team developed a comprehensive strategy that focused on authentic storytelling, positioning Westfield as a thoughtful, forward-looking leader in the Chicago suburban landscape. Through targeted media outreach, compelling visuals and consistent relationship-building with key outlets, we generated extensive coverage across broadcast, print and digital media, sparking excitement and meaningful conversations around the redevelopment plans.
This award truly reflects our agency’s core values – passion, curiosity, entrepreneurship and trust. I’m so proud of our team’s passion and the trusted partnerships that make achievements like this possible.
Q: What is one of the biggest mistakes you see brands, companies, or organizations make in the field of PR?
A: One of the biggest mistakes I see is when brands treat PR like marketing or advertising. They expect immediate results from media coverage through sales, web/foot traffic or use overly promotional language that reads more like an ad than a story. Journalists aren’t looking to run commercials – they want to tell stories that are timely, credible and meaningful to their audience. When brands forget that, their messages often get ignored.
Another common misstep is seeking coverage without true news or alignment. You can’t expect media attention without something fresh, relevant or insightful to share. At Mekky Media, we help clients find that “why now” factor, whether it’s a human-interest angle, thought leadership perspective or data-driven insight.
Ultimately, great PR isn’t about pushing messages out, it’s about earning trust through authentic storytelling. When brands focus on connection over promotion, that’s when PR delivers real, lasting impact.
Q: Anything else you’d like to share about the industry you work in or helpful tips?
A: The public relations industry is constantly evolving, and that’s what makes it so exciting – but also challenging. My biggest advice is to stay adaptable and lead with authenticity. Trends, technology and media landscapes will always change, but people will always connect with genuine stories told with heart and purpose.
I also encourage anyone in this field to prioritize relationships and mental well-being. PR can be fast-paced and demanding, so it’s essential to build strong connections with your clients, your team and yourself. Take care of your people, celebrate small wins and never lose sight of why you do the work.
At the end of the day, great PR isn’t just about headlines. It’s about making an impact through storytelling. When you focus on that, everything else falls into place.