Meet Jillian Zrihen

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jillian Zrihen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jillian, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I wanted to develop a career in trendsetting, image-building, and meaningful collaborations. I envisioned creating an agency renowned for unique public relations and marketing strategies. My goal was to deliver an exceptional service that mirrors the commitment of a full-time employee.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Tracey Brooke Public Relations (TBPR) launched in 2011. My sister was a behind-the-scenes influence and that inspired the name Tracey Brooke Public Relations. My middle name is Tracey and her middle name is Brooke.

With our extensive network, we use our expertise to connect our clients with media, influencers and trendsetters. We develop tailored initiatives to create buzz, impact consumers, and maximize results, believing strongly in authentic collaborations.

With over 20 years working in PR and marketing, I’ve spearheaded countless campaigns, product launches, photo shoots, events, and social media initiatives for both small businesses and major brands across various industries, including fashion, food, philanthropy, beauty, and more. Throughout the years, each project presented its own distinct set of challenges, but navigating those obstacles and turning them into opportunities for growth has always been rewarding.

My favourite saying is “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. What I value most is building meaningful relationships, meeting new people, and discovering innovative ways to support their business growth.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Some of my favourite spots are:

The Beverly Hills Hotel,
Sunset Tower Bar,
San Vicente Bungalows,
The Hollywood Bowl for an outdoor concert under the stars,
The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker for Latte Art,
The Dig in Venice to shop for vintage Levi’s,
Go Greek for frozen yogurt,
Shutters on the Beach for lunch with a view,
Strolling Rodeo and getting a smoothie at Erewhon,
Hiking Runyon Canyon,
Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills for the most beautiful view

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Before I graduated university, I was unsure about my career path. Because of this, I made an impulsive decision to pursue an internship in Los Angeles. It was the summer of 2003 and I thought that working on a movie set was probably where I wanted to be.

However, through sheer luck, I found an opportunity to work for BWR Public Relations. The caveat – I knew nothing about the PR field. At the time, the company had no website or social media and they were even hesitant to give out any information over the phone. Nevertheless, I thought it sounded interesting; so I decided to trust my gut, take a chance, and applied. Lucky for me, I got the internship!

Not knowing what I was walking into on my first day, I was greeted by the most wonderful team and to my surprise, the most impressive roster of clients. That summer changed my life and set the direction for my career. It was the most incredible experience learning from the best team and working on amazing, high-profile projects, events, and movie premieres.

It was then that I knew I wanted to pursue a career in Public Relations and at the same time, I established a lasting connection with LA. Because of BWR, I also believe in the power of internships and how crucial they are for personal and professional development. I now frequently mentor interns, providing them with hands-on experience and valuable insight into the PR industry.

Thank you, BWR Public Relations for the invaluable experience that guided me towards a career in PR!

Website: traceybrooke.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillzrihen/ & https://www.instagram.com/traceybrookepr/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianzrihen/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/tracey-brooke-public-relations

Twitter: https://x.com/traceybrookepr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TraceyBrookePR/ 

Image Credits
Georges Alexandar Howard Kay