Fully Managed

From Fashion to Flora: On Niche PR & Sustainable Business

Episode Summary

On today’s episode, Katie Dubow talks to Shannon, Penji’s Partnership Coordinator about how Katie, a second-generation business owner, champions sustainability and happiness through plants, sharing insights on niche marketing, industry shifts, and the unique challenges of promoting living products.

Episode Notes

Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode:

  1. Niche PR for a Passionate Industry: Katie Dubow, CEO and founder of Garden Media Group, explains how her company specializes in PR for the gardening industry, promoting everything from seeds to outdoor furniture. She highlights the unique fulfillment of working in a field that scientifically boosts happiness and resonates with her personal values, a stark contrast to her previous experience in fashion PR.
  2. Navigating Industry Challenges and Trends: The podcast delves into the specific difficulties of plant PR, such as the multi-year cultivation process that impacts supply and demand, and the regional nature of outdoor plants. Katie also discusses the significant surge in new gardeners during the pandemic (18 million new gardeners) and the current focus on retaining these individuals by understanding their evolving needs and desires for environmental support and home beautification.
  3. The Power of Values-Driven Marketing and Storytelling: Katie emphasizes that successful plant marketing sells a "dream" rather than just a product, intertwining plants with key life moments and aspirations (e.g., a tree growing with a new home). She also underscores the importance of a strong company culture built on values, refusing to work with clients whose products harm the environment, which not only attracts like-minded clients but also fosters a dedicated and passionate team.

About Katie Dubow & Garden Media Group:

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