When we look back on ten years of Praytell, we’re proud of our journey from a scrappy startup to an ambitious global agency that has never lost sight of where we came from. We set out to change the agency playbook—putting people first to create a culture where folks want to stay long enough to build something bigger, and impacting an industry desperately in need of new ideas.
It’s our people who’ve gotten us this far, and it’s our people who’ll help us achieve our dreams for the future. To mark this milestone in our journey, we asked our team what they want to see for Praytell and the PR industry in the next decade.
To our friends, partners and peers in the industry and beyond—we hope these ideas spark a little something for you, too!
“I want to see an industry that reflects our population. Brands want to speak to all audiences, but we can’t do that authentically and responsibly without a workforce that reflects this diversity. Diversity goes beyond race and ethnicity; class and background matter, too.”
—Nia Carter, Senior Account Executive
“At Praytell, we act as a stepping stone for rising artists and creators to gain new exposure and opportunities. In the next ten years, I’d like to see us continue expanding this role, advocating for creators across every front: standing up for equal pay, supporting artists unions, and more. “
—Dele Odumosu, Senior Account Supervisor
“In ten years time, I hope 20-hour work weeks are the norm. This would create time to cultivate out-of-the-box skills that reinvigorate our work, to care for ourselves and our loved ones, and to engage in addressing the big issues facing our communities.”
—Nadia Bovy, Associate Editorial Director
“I'd like to see Praytell become the absolute gold standard in creating an environment where the friction between idea and execution is almost seamless. A shop where we use all the tools at our disposal for big doing and big thinking alike. And where the trends we follow are the ones we set ourselves.”
—Mikhail James, Creative Strategist
“I’ve found we do our best work when we engage in thoughtful collaboration across disciplines. Continuing to foster respect for our individual experiences will lend itself to stronger collaboration—and ultimately, exceptional work.”
—Kendall Palmer, Associate Account Executive
“Even 5 or 6 years ago, it was really hard to find people who look like me in our industry. In the next decade, I want to see more investment in BIPOC talent. Let’s continue cultivating a culture of ‘come as you are’ as we strive to be inclusive in every way that we can.”
—Brandon Cho, Recruiting Manager
“I want to see our industry really embrace the fact that—as we like to say at Praytell—PR isn’t ER! It’s ok to get lunch and run out to do errands. Hyper-vigilance has no place in our industry. Let’s trust our teams to bring their best work while allowing them to live their lives outside of it.”
—Amy Poltorak, Account Director
“I hope we’re not only making changes at work, but all the things that feel “too big” to tackle for a PR agency: climate change, global racial equity, class divides, and more. We’ve already proven that we can make change, and I hope we carry these experiences as inspiration in the future. “
—Sanji Moore, SVP, People Operations
“I hope we see an industry that puts more emphasis on kindness. Proactively seeking kindness for ourselves and the people we work with, and acknowledging the complicated nuance of our lives. But also kinder work for kinder clients; the sort of work that makes the world a better place.”
—James Bunting, Director, UK
“Early in my career, I was introduced to the notion that ‘everyone is an Account Executive.’ I believe that teammates who are committed to getting our hands dirty and lifting others up along the way–regardless of experience or title–embody the difference between an agency that makes it, and one that doesn't. Good news: Praytell will be here.”
—Meagan Fisher, VP, Corporate Reputation