We were lucky to catch up with Cheyenne Beam recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cheyenne, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry?

For so long, publicists played the background. Often times, we were required to dress in all black, not to be showy, and stay behind the scenes when in fact, a lot of us are amazing at our professions because we do have amazing personalities, unique styles and opinions, etc. I think this notion of staying quiet behind the scenes is a thing of the past. Sometimes, it can still be taboo to be a multi-hyphenate or deviating for what has been “the norm” especially depending on what era a publicist launched and evolved in their career, but I think more people are accepting and even encouraging of publicists being multi-hyphenates and getting their back-due recognition and praise. Being a publicist is often a thankless job so it’s refreshing to see people who tirelessly work around the clock devoting so much for their time to their clients and career receive some gratitude and grace.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

When I first entered college at Middle Tennessee State University, I declared pre-med, having always dreamed of becoming a doctor. But as I explored new interests, my passion shifted towards entertainment, blogging, and fashion. I became captivated by Tumblr, which opened my eyes to new cultures, styles, and creative possibilities. I switched my minor to Fashion Merchandising, stepping away from science and math to embrace my artistic side, which had always been part of me through music, art, and theater.

After three years, I launched my own bow tie line, Cheyenne Beam Neckwear, inspired by the lack of creative options in men’s formalwear. I sourced fabrics in NYC, hosted a pop-up launch in Memphis, and gained exposure through New York Fashion Week, local boutiques, and media like BET’s 106 & Park. My success in fashion led me to shift my focus to Public Relations, and I transferred to the University of Memphis, graduating in 2014.

I moved to NYC in 2014 to pursue a career in Fashion PR, interning at several agencies before landing a role at The Chamber Group, where I worked with major artists like Lil Wayne, Mariah Carey, and Juicy J. From there, I transitioned to Island Records, leading campaigns for artists like Skip Marley and Jessie Reyez, and later joined Interscope Records, working on projects for Tupac’s and Juice WRLD’s estates, as well as artists like Swae Lee and Willow Smith.

After industry-wide layoffs earlier this year, I am now freelancing and consulting as I simultaneously look ahead to new opportunities in 2025.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Most of my career has been in the record label industry, working with celebrities, talent, and VIPs. I’ve always felt that people have a certain expectation of how a publicist should present themselves, but I’m most proud of staying true to who I am while maintaining professionalism and focusing on authentic storytelling and brand development. What sets me apart is my diverse experience across agencies, record labels, and now as a freelancer and consultant, as well as my extensive network in music, entertainment, and fashion. I value the strong relationships I’ve built and take pride in staying connected to the latest trends and cultural movements.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In this industry, you have to be ready to pivot at all times. News travels quickly and you never know what the day may bring so a large part of the job is being able to quickly pivot and adapt. As far as business, career and life, 2024 was a huge pivot as I was unexpectedly laid off due to massive layoffs across the industry and had to figure out how I wanted to navigate all three areas moving forward. My career provided me with stability, consistency and fervor. It was a bit challenging going from doing something that I’m very passionate about every single day to figuring out how to attain new business, keep the fire burning, and maintain an optimistic perspective.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bio.site/cheyennebeam
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheyennebeam/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheyenne-beam-36727769/