We were lucky to catch up with Em Fergusson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Em, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I’ve had the opportunity to work on so many wonderful and impactful productions and projects. As an arts and entertainment Publicist specializing in film, arts and music, many of the projects I have worked on have been life-changing in one way or another. One film production, in particular, struck a cord with me. It’s based on a true story, that delves into the journeys of 22 families from a rural black church who adopt 77 children in a small East Texas community. I was blessed to have been a part of the production, to help tell the story that there are over 300,000 children in this country in need of a home. The movie, ‘Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot,’ will be in theatres July 4, 2024.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m originally from Montreal, Quebec and moved to Georgia in 2003. I started my communications career in Montreal, working as a co-host for the only Black Gospel radio station in Montreal. I had the opportunity to tour with Gospel artists, attend award shows, and launch album release parties in more than one country.

For several years, I freelanced for publications and also worked as an assignment editor for an ABC news affiliate. I transitioned into public relations after being approached by a gospel duo in need of promotion. Since then, the rest is history. I provided marketing and PR services for small businesses, and due to my experience working in the music industry, I represented musicians, artists, and performers. It was exciting and I still work with musicians from time to time. But over the past few years, I’ve transitioned to specializing in film PR and working with lifestyle brands. I work on film productions as a unit Publicist, with filmmakers, studios, actors/celebrities, and I coordinate special events.

I grew up in a home that was incredibly diverse and, as a visible minority, I’m proud that I was raised to embrace diversity in every form. Race, religion, people who live with disabilities, different sexual orientations, and ethnicities from every corner of the earth helped to shape how I provide services for my clients. It’s easy for me to identify and engage with people from different countries. As an immigrant from a different country and a French province where the dominant language is not English, I believe my upbringing has given me an advantage in being able to represent so many different types of people. I consider myself a global citizen!

My goal is to assist my clients in sharing their stories and their vision. Every client is different: some need media exposure, others may choose to host an event. Identifying strategic solutions to assist my clients in fulfilling their goals is extremely important to me.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission in life is to inspire people to embrace change. If we had more people who would be willing to assist in cultivating the concept that there are various degrees of perspectives that are neither wrong nor right, our society would thrive. We are all different, despite the fact that we have similar needs, similar wants, and may have similar goals in our lives. The idea that I can help my clients bring their vision to life that can, ultimately, impact the world in a positive way, gets me up in the morning. What do they want to share that they feel is important to their families, their children, their communities, or peers? How will their stories help someone?

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn that everything is not always black and white, that the world has different layers, and there’s not one way of doing something. I was taught that the “sure” way to success was based on working in a demanding field: healthcare, law, business administration. My parents immigrated to Canada in the 1970’s. They had to work extremely hard for what they had and they didn’t want my three sisters and I to suffer. When it came time to select a major in college, I chose a field of study that ultimately led to negative experiences. It became so severe, I had to accept the fact that I needed to walk away. It was hard for me. I felt like a failure and spent many years feeling guilty for working in a field I thoroughly enjoy and find deeply fulfilling.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.emfergussonpr.com
• Instagram: @emfergussonpr
• Facebook: Em Fergusson
• Linkedin: EmFergusson
• Twitter: @emfergussonpr

Image Credits

Second photo: Summer Jones