There was a time when I could move through the world without mentally editing headlines, scanning for news hooks, or wondering which outlet would cover a story. That time is long gone.
Take restaurants. Most people just enjoy their meal. I’m clocking whether there’s a local or national angle worth pitching, noticing if the chef has a compelling backstory, or drafting the opening line of a press release in my head. If the food is great, I’m thinking Wade Tatangelo or Lauren Jackson would love to try it. If there’s a nonprofit tie-in, I’m already planning which community reporter would cover it.
Sporting events? While others just focus on the game, I’m also noticing the veterans being honored at halftime or the high school marching band performing, imagining how their stories could get picked up by local news or featured in a human-interest column. I’m scanning the crowd for moments of connection that would make great visuals for broadcast.
Even a doctor’s office waiting room turns into PR reconnaissance. Instead of leafing through magazines, I’m reading publications to see which reporters are covering what beats, noting upcoming community events listed in the back pages, and mentally cataloging potential story angles for health and wellness reporters.
It’s not that I can’t turn it off. It’s that I don’t want to. This way of seeing the world is the same lens I use for my clients: always scanning for the story that will resonate, the moment worth capturing, and the outlet that will care.
And I’m lucky. On the Suncoast, we have journalists, editors, producers, podcasters, and influencers who are genuinely committed to telling meaningful stories. When I spot one, whether over dinner, during the seventh inning, or in a waiting room, I want to shape it so it gets shared.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about the perfect headline or the glossy feature. For our clients, this isn’t fluff. It’s their livelihood and their reputation. A packed dining room means jobs for servers and line cooks. A profile in the local paper might be the difference between a nonprofit meeting its fundraising goal or falling short. A great story by Mark Gordon can change how people see a brand, an entrepreneur, a company, or even their own neighborhood.
PR doesn’t just color how I see the world – it shapes why I care about it. A story well told can keep doors open, inspire action, or spark pride in a community. That’s what makes this work more than just press releases and pitching. It’s connecting people to what is worth noticing. And if we’re sitting together somewhere, there’s a decent chance I’m already thinking about your headline.
About Grapevine Communications
Grapevine Communications is a full-service creative marketing agency celebrating 23 years of success on the Suncoast of Florida. To learn more about what we do, visit our services page or call us at 941-351-0024.
