Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Casey Ferrand McGee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Casey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
As a former news reporter turned public relations professional, I have seen first hand the impact that being on the news can have on a business. It can be the thing that destroys a business or it can be the thing that catapults a business into greater success. Many of the clients I work with are entrepreneurs or local small business owners who are doing amazing work behind the scenes to grow their business. I intentionally work with them because I know what its like trying to start a business by yourself and pouring everything you have into making it a success. When I step in to support from a branding and PR perspective, I helps to magnify their work and bring attention to their business by getting them into the media spotlight.
My most meaningful project has been working Jonathan Floyd of Box of Care Gifting Company in New Orleans. His company is dominating in the gifting industry and curating an authentic New Orleans experience while supporting other local businesses. Jonathan quit his job recruiting executives for Amazon amid the pandemic to focus full time on growing his business and creating a legacy for his family. I began working with him in 2022 to craft the story around how he started his business and we devised a strategy to begin pitching him for news interviews. After we put out our first press release for Jonathan, we received numerous requests for interviews.
As a result of the onslaught of local and national media coverage, he was able to secure more clients and the demand for his products and services began to increase. I remember when he called to tell be he signed a contract with a local hotel chain. That contract, at the time, generated three times what he spent as his initial investment into my PR services. They have been a repeat customer, so one specific news article that a top executive at the hotel read has flourished into a great business connection for Jonathan and the orders have continued over time. The family-run business is getting tons of local exposure and to date has provided products for major clients including the NCAA 2022 Men’s Final Four, United Airlines, Burger King, the Allstate Sugar Bowl and popular hotel brands.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I have always had a passion for storytelling that grew over time. I grew up in New Orleans working as a child actor starring in musicals and commercials locally. I started my career as a broadcast journalist in Louisiana in 2007 shortly after graduating rom Southern Methodist University in Dallas with degrees in Journalism and Psychology. As a journalist, I have had the opportunity to cover important news stories early on as a newsroom intern following Hurricane Katrina. My reporting has earned local and national awards and recognitions including the prestigious Edwin R. Morrow award.
After years of working in media and helping people and businesses get their stories on the news, I was inspired to start my own media company CFM Media to help businesses and non-profits build their brand and visibility through compelling storytelling. As the Owner of CFM Media, I provide media coaching and public relations services to CEOs, founders, corporate executives, public officials, business owners and organizations. I specialize in a special style of writing and storytelling that enhances the profile of leaders, helping them gain media attention that shines a much deserved spotlight on their work and experience.
I believe my special insight having worked as a news reporter offers my clients the best chances as getting the media coverage they are seeking. In addition, my personal connections to news professionals in newsroom across various cities and states is a valuable resource that I’m often able to put to use for their benefit.
I worked as the Director of Communications for a non-profit before being recruited by the Sheriff of Orleans Parish to be the Chief Communications officer for the department. In this role, I am responsible for leading the strategy, planning and implementation of internal and external communications infrastructure to facilitate the flow of accurate, timely and relevant information to the media, community and key stakeholders. I direct the exchange of all information pertaining to OPSO, manage the distribution of press releases and serve as a spokesperson on behalf of the Sheriff and the main point of contact for the media.
My experiences as a former journalist and a communications professional have allowed me to grow my communications consulting & management firm to support the external and internal communications needs of organizations by helping them to effectively communicate key messaging to their target audience/s.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I have had the unique opportunity to be a news reporter in the city where I started to grow my business. I developed a reputation as someone who is trustworthy, well-spoken and hard working. Most of my clients have either watched me on the news or were referred to me by someone who knows me or has worked with me. If there is one thing I’ve learned throughout my career and in business its that your work and reputation will speak for you! My talent and commitment to my work has gotten me in doors I wasn’t even trying to enter. People were recommending me to clients and suggesting me for jobs I was not aware were available. By simply doing my work, and being good at what I do, I built a reputation that helped to get me in the door to unlock big opportunities and I know that will only continue as I look to secure even more and bigger clients.
If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?
The hardest part of growing my business is staying committed to doing the work to build and grow my business because without me, the business doesn’t exist. I’m looking for and creating more opportunities for the business to generate more passive and regular income that would not require my physical presence and time. I’m doing this by creating more digital products, courses and books to teach my strategies so that businesses have the tools and insight they need to book their own media interviews.
With the ever growing number of people creating content for digital consumption, I also saw an opportunity to tap into this space by provide a much needed service. Last year, my family and I opened a content studio called Off the Avenue Studio to ensure creators have access to a space that allows them to create fresh and regular content. This also provides my existing PR clients a place to work with me more closely as we plan out and shoot their monthly content or a place for them to use when they schedule interviews. This offers me an opportunity to use an existing asset to further grow my passive income for myself and my family without having to always be physically present. Already we’ve been contacted by major production companies, photographers and podcasters to utilize the space.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.caseyferrand.com
- Instagram: caseyferrandmcgee
- Other: [email protected]
Image Credits
Kevin Perrilliat Lacy Davillier