The new girl fits right in

Photo credit Google Images

At the end of October, Profiles, Inc. welcomed a new Account Manager to the team, Marianne E. Ortiz. Marianne’s transition has been a smooth one and we’re thrilled to welcome her onboard! The last few weeks, Marianne has been settling in to her new position…

The last time someone called me “the new girl,” I was wearing pigtails and Mary Janes. I no longer have the Mary Janes, but I was once again confronted with the “new girl” title as a new addition to Profiles last month. I’ve gotten a little taller since my pigtail days and, fortunately, the dreaded “first day in a new school” feeling wasn’t nearly as frightening this time around.

I’ve only been at Profiles for a few weeks, but it already feels like home. The Profiles ladies have been nothing but accommodating – sharing cookies, umbrellas, space heaters and rides to Curbside Café. While I embark upon a new chapter of my life, I’ve been reflecting on my career in PR up until this point.

I’ve only worked in PR for five years, but in that short time, I’ve been lucky to work alongside the best in the business – from the largest agency on the planet to a small two-man shop. I have learned a lot about PR, from pitching stories to planning events, but my first three weeks at Profiles has taught me one very important lesson: you can’t do this job right without creating strong, meaningful relationships.

True, I can call up any technology reporter in the country and they will know who I am, but do they really know me? The ladies at Profiles (and our clients) don’t really care what is going on in Wisconsin and aren’t trying to push their clients into the New York Times if it’s not right. Clients come to Profiles because they know Baltimore and have relationships with every journalist, blogger and editor in this city– and that goes a long way. Amy E., Amy B., Jamie, Bridget and Shelly are not only on a first name basis with folks at the Baltimore Sun, Urbanite and WYPR, but they are also Facebook friends and happy hour companions. And that goes for clients, too.

As I start what I hope will be a long career with Profiles, I am excited to not only continue working with great clients and colleagues that make me excited to come to work every day, but also to keep getting to know this wonderful city that I call home. So Baltimore, I’m excited to get to know you better, break out of my tech PR role and take this city by storm.

For now, I’m happy to be “the new girl,” living in Canton with my husband, cat and dog, and getting to know Profiles, our clients and the city one event, one pitch, one story at a time. And to the ladies of Profiles, thanks for letting me be a part of your team.

Tags: Baltimore, Marianne Ortiz, PR, Profiles