The Power of Personal Branding: Michelle Mackel Of Plugstar On How Publicists Shape Influential Leaders
An Interview With Chad Silverstein
Build Relationships: Cultivate relationships and networks to expand your influence. Strategic partnerships can significantly enhance your brand.
In today’s digital-first world, personal branding has emerged as a cornerstone of professional success and influence. Behind many of the most recognized leaders and personalities stands a strategic partnership with skilled publicists who craft and convey their stories, values, and visions to the world. I had the pleasure of interviewing Michelle Mackel, CEO of Plugstar and Celebrity Publicist.
Michelle Mackel is an Oklahoma native and the founder of PlugStar Entertainment. As a celebrity publicist and brand expert, she excels at connecting clients with opportunities to expand their audience reach. A veteran of the United States Army, Michelle values teamwork and sets high standards for goal-setting and dream pursuit, principles that form the foundation of PlugStar’s mission.
Thank you for joining us. To start, could you share your “origin story” with our readers? How did you begin your journey, and what challenges did you face in the early days?
My journey began in Oklahoma, where I developed a deep passion for music, entertainment, and the power of storytelling which at the time I thought I would be using that strength to enhance my music career.
Growing up, I was surrounded by a vibrant community that nurtured creativity but didn’t encourage me to pursue my dreams. During serving in the United States Army, I transitioned into the entertainment industry, initially working as a music manager and producer of live concerts.
Through these experiences, I discovered my knack for connecting people, establishing partnerships, and creating opportunities for aspiring talent. This led me to found PlugStar Entertainment in my later years, a platform dedicated to representing the most talented individuals across various industries, including music, film, literature, experts and digital media.
One significant challenge I’ve encountered in my public relations career is establishing name recognition, especially while operating from Oklahoma, where the entertainment industry isn’t as prominent. However, by working with a diverse array of clients, from celebrities to small entrepreneurs, and assisting them in scaling their brands throughout media, I’ve been able to establish consumer trust and name recognition effectively. At this point, what matters most is always the results and proven track record you bring to the table, rather than your geographical location. Keep that in mind when building a PR firm that your expertise and publicity niche might not reside. Your career is whatever you make out of it.
My mission with PlugStar is simple: to provide unwavering support, guidance, and publicity to help my clients’ brands reach wider audiences and achieve their fullest potential. I believe in the power of teamwork and collaboration, and I am deeply committed to helping others succeed in their endeavors.
Ultimately, my journey is a testament to the importance of pursuing one’s passions, embracing opportunities for growth, and never underestimating the impact of a strong support system. Also showing others that dreams really can become possible. Life is short and you should be inspired to live out your professional passions. I am grateful for every step of my journey and excited to continue making a positive impact in the world of publicity.
Can you share a transformative moment or campaign in your career where you significantly altered the personal brand of a leader, and what was the impact of that change?
One transformative moment in my career involved working with a prominent leader in the entertainment industry who was struggling to connect with their audience on a deeper level. Through strategic planning and targeted messaging, we crafted a compelling narrative that highlighted their authentic story and values. By humanizing their brand and showcasing their passion for social causes, we were able to resonate with their audience on a more emotional level.
The impact of this change was profound. Not only did the leader experience a surge in public support and engagement, but they also saw an increase in brand loyalty and trust. Their personal brand became synonymous with authenticity, empathy, and social responsibility, leading to new opportunities for collaboration and growth. Overall, this campaign demonstrated the power of storytelling in shaping perceptions and fostering meaningful connections with audiences.
Another pivotal moment arises when assisting a client in rebranding their identity to reflect their current phase in life. Clients often approach without a clear direction for their brand. As a publicist, my role is to attentively listen to their narrative and aspirations, guiding them towards an authentic image that aligns with their essence. This process of self-discovery and alignment ensures that their brand accurately represents who they are at this moment in time. Which I can effectively convey through media platforms.
What are the most common misconceptions leaders have about personal branding, and how do you address these in your work?
Leaders often mistakenly believe that personal branding is solely about self-promotion or creating a superficial image. However, I believe personal branding is more about authenticity, credibility, and connecting with your audience on a deeper level. In my work, I address these misconceptions by emphasizing the importance of authenticity and transparency. I help leaders understand that personal branding is about showcasing their unique strengths, values, and expertise in a genuine way that resonates with their audience. By focusing on authenticity and building meaningful connections, leaders can create a strong and lasting personal brand that truly reflects who they are and what they stand for.
How do you navigate the balance between a leader’s authentic self and the public persona you craft for them in their branding strategy?
Navigating the balance between a leader’s authentic self and the public persona crafted for them requires careful consideration and collaboration. Firstly, I work closely with the leader to understand their values, goals, and unique attributes. By aligning the branding strategy with their authentic self, we ensure that the public persona reflects their true identity.
Additionally, I emphasize transparency and consistency throughout the branding process. It’s essential to maintain authenticity in all communications and interactions, ensuring that the leader’s public persona remains genuine and credible.
At the same time, I provide guidance on how to effectively communicate their message and amplify their strengths to connect with their target audience. This may involve refining messaging, leveraging storytelling techniques, or utilizing various channels to reach their audience effectively.
Ultimately, the goal is to strike a balance where the leader’s authentic self shines through while still aligning with their strategic objectives and resonating with their audience. By maintaining open communication and staying true to their values, we can create a compelling and authentic personal brand that drives success.
What are the most common misconceptions leaders have about personal branding, and how do you address these in your work?
One common misconception leaders have about personal branding is that it’s solely about self-promotion or creating a facade. In reality, effective personal branding is about authentically showcasing one’s values, expertise, and unique perspective to build trust and credibility with their audience.
Another misconception is that personal branding is only necessary for individuals in certain industries or at a certain level of success. In today’s interconnected world, everyone has a personal brand, whether they actively cultivate it or not. I address this misconception by emphasizing the importance of proactively managing one’s brand to shape perceptions, influence opportunities, and achieve professional goals.
Additionally, some leaders may view personal branding as a one-time effort rather than an ongoing process. I educate my clients about the dynamic nature of personal branding and the need for continuous refinement and adaptation to stay relevant and resonant with their audience.
Lastly, there’s a misconception that personal branding is solely about online presence or social media. While digital platforms are essential components of personal branding, I emphasize the importance of offline interactions, networking, and community engagement in building a comprehensive and impactful personal brand. By addressing these misconceptions, I help leaders develop a more nuanced understanding of personal branding and guide them in creating authentic, compelling, and sustainable brands.
In a crisis situation, what steps do you take to protect or rehabilitate the personal brand of a leader?
In a crisis situation, protecting or rehabilitating the personal brand of a leader requires a strategic and multi-faceted approach. Here are the steps I typically take: Immediate Response, Transparent Communication, Strategic Messaging, Crafting messages, Media Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Social Media Monitoring, and Long-Term Reputation Management.
Overall, protecting or rehabilitating the personal brand of a leader in a crisis requires a combination of strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, and proactive reputation management efforts. By taking decisive action and demonstrating integrity and transparency, leaders can navigate through crises while preserving their reputation and credibility.
Could you list and briefly explain “5 Things You Need to Know to Shape a Personal Brand” based on your experiences and insights? If you can, please share a story or example for each.
1. Define Authenticity: Align your brand with your values and true self. For example, I helped a client rebrand authentically to connect better with their audience.
2. Know Your Audience: Understand your target audience’s needs and preferences. Through research, one client discovered their audience valued personal storytelling.
3. Be Consistent: Maintain consistency in messaging and visuals across all platforms. Aligning messaging improved one client’s brand presence and credibility.
4. Build Relationships: Cultivate relationships and networks to expand your influence. Strategic partnerships can significantly enhance your brand.
5. Embrace Adaptability: Stay open to feedback and learning, adapting to the evolving landscape of personal branding. For instance, one client embraced video content after initial hesitation, leading to improved engagement.
Looking forward, how do you see the role of technology and social media evolving in the way publicists shape and manage the personal brands of leaders?
Looking ahead, technology and social media will continue to revolutionize how publicists shape leaders’ personal brands. Advancements in AI and data analytics offer deeper insights into audience behavior, while emerging platforms provide new engagement opportunities. However, navigating privacy and ethical concerns remains utmost critical. Despite these challenges, technology enables more compelling storytelling and authentic connections between leaders and their audience. It also allows publicists more variety media platforms to collaborate with and publicize their clients’ stories.
How can our readers follow your work?
You can follow my work on various social media platforms (@plugstar_socialclub) and stay updated on the latest projects, insights, and PR tips. Connect with me on LinkedIn, Facebook , and Instagram, where I regularly share updates and engage with my audience. Additionally, you can visit my website (https://plugstar.org/about-us/) for more information and to explore my portfolio of work.
Thank you for offering such valuable insights into the power of personal branding. We wish you continued success in all of your work.
About the Interviewer: Chad Silverstein, a seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience as the Founder and CEO of multiple companies. He launched Choice Recovery, Inc., a healthcare collection agency, while going to The Ohio State University, His team earned national recognition, twice being ranked as the #1 business to work for in Central Ohio. In 2018, Chad launched [re]start, a career development platform connecting thousands of individuals in collections with meaningful employment opportunities, He sold Choice Recovery on his 25th anniversary and in 2023, sold the majority interest in [re]start so he can focus his transition to Built to Lead as an Executive Leadership Coach. Learn more at www.chadsilverstein.com
The Power of Personal Branding: Michelle Mackel Of Plugstar On How Publicists Shape Influential… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.