Meet Jessica Hann | Public Relations Strategist

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

Hi Jessica, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
I have so many quotes that I use as my mantras, but the following Thomas Edison quote is at the top of the list. “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” As a woman who has had a diverse career journey and then gave birth during the pandemic, I never thought that I’d be able to have the time or energy to begin to create something for myself. I thought that my life with strategic thinking and public relations was behind me as I moved into non-profit work for the last decade. This quote inspired me to find strength in trying one more time to pursue my passion. Personally, it’s so important for me to show my daughter that if you don’t give up, you can achieve your dreams.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started my career in the glamorous world of entertainment PR, working photoshoots, walking red carpets, and having “power lunches” with the Hollywood elite. It was such a thrilling time in my life, but I soon realized that I wanted to give back. I transitioned to Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles, eventually running their scholarship program and developing an alumni program, helping hundreds of young Jews in need in the Los Angeles area. I took my desire to make an impact on the Jewish community a step further by working at Adat Ari El in Valley Village. I am the granddaughter of Holocaust Survivors and, to me, being able to contribute to the world by giving back to the Jewish community was so meaningful to me. I started my company, Jessica Hann PR, while working at Adat Ari El.

Public relations, specifically strategy, has been a passion of mine since I was at Emerson College and my “day jobs” just weren’t fulfilling the part of me that so eagerly started a career in that field. I knew I wanted to find a way to combine my passion with a way to give back to the community so my little company was born. The ultimate goal is to help non-profits nationwide with strategic PR initiatives, to raise awareness of their important missions. It is just getting off the ground and it is certainly a challenge with a full time (very demanding) job and a toddler! I’m very excited for this chapter in my career and life.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am a huge foodie so a lot of my love of Los Angeles revolves around food.

Day 1:
Jameson Brown Coffee Roasters in Pasadena is my coffee “go to”
The Cara Hotel in Los Feliz is one of my favorite lunch spots
Firefly in Studio City for drinks/dinner
Bonus if you can catch a live taping or get a studio tour for an out of town guest – especially since I started my career in the entertainment industry, I always like to share that with friends

Day 2:
Paradise Cove Beach in Malibu for a beach day – rent a Palapa
Yamashiro Hollywood has one of the best views of the city in my opinion and is another amazing place to take a friend for a night on the town. The Castaway in Burbank would be the “go to” for the most incredible views of the Valley.

Day 3:
The Palm coffee shop in Burbank has the best blueberry matcha and I add lucky charms marshmallows!
The Grove and Farmer’s Market is always a staple of mine for out of town guests. Then head over to play tourist on Rodeo and grab a mocha at Urth Caffe in Beverly Hills
Dinner at the London Hotel in West Hollywood

Day 4:
Breakfast at the Terrace at the Langham in Pasadena
I love visiting Descanso Gardens
The Saucy Chick Rotisserie in Pasadena – Indian/Mexican fusion and the best nachos I’ve ever had
Sonny’s Handcrafted Ice Cream & Italian Ice in Sherman Oaks
Meteora Los Angeles has to be one of the most fun for me to take “out of towners” to!

Day 5:
Runyon hike and playing tourist! LA has such a rich history and as a fan of the golden age of Hollywood, a driving tour with great music blasting in the car is always a great time for me. It’s so fun to be a part of this city and all of the legends that come from it.
Musso and Frank’s for dinner

On a Sunday – Smorgasburg in DTLA is so fun!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Florence Grace, of Grace PR absolutely shaped my life. Working at Grace PR was my first “real job” and she taught me resilience, the importance of being succinct, how to be a powerful woman in Hollywood, cultivate relationships, and really helped me hone my craft. She gave a twenty-something, recent college graduate so much responsibility with everything from writing/pitching releases to walking the red carpet with clients. It was such a gift to know her, work with her and learn from her. I credit her with being the person who taught me to call everybody a colleague. As her assistant, referring to me in front of the power-players as her teammate or colleague gave me so much confidence. She is an incredible woman.

I also have to shout out my incredible husband who has put up with me working “insane” hours since the day we met and has been beyond supportive. I couldn’t do any of this without his love and without him being my ultimate cheerleader.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicahannpr/

Image Credits
Shani Barel Photography and Lusine Avakian