Pitch & Tell

What does it take to turn a passion for wine into a nationally recognized brand?In this episode of Pitch & Tell, Robyn Patterson sits down with Amy and Trevor, the founders of Wine Girl, to discuss the journey from a small wine bar concept in Scottsdale to a rapidly growing brand with locations in Scottsdale, Napa, and San Diego.The conversation covers:How they discovered the Scottsdale location that launched Wine GirlOpening a brand-new business during the COVID-19 shutdownsExpanding into Napa and San DiegoThe challenges of scaling a hospitality brandBuilding a successful merchandise business alongside their wine barsTheir experience appearing on Shark Tank and how national media changed their business overnightThe role of PR, influencers, and social media in growing a modern brandLessons for entrepreneurs looking to break into hospitality, retail, or e-commerceAmy and Trevor also share candid insights about finding locations, navigating city regulations, creating products customers love, and why staying visible is critical in today's business landscape.Learn more about Wine Girl🍷 Scottsdale🍷 Napa Valley🍷 San Diego

What does it take to build an award-winning restaurant that stands the test of time?In this episode of Pitch & Tell, host Robyn Patterson sits down with acclaimed Scottsdale chef and restaurateur Gio Osso, owner of Vertù Honest Craft and Pizzeria Virtù. From growing up in an Italian family where food was the center of everything to becoming a James Beard-nominated chef, Gio shares the experiences, challenges, and philosophies that have shaped his career.They discuss:The inspiration behind Vertù Honest CraftWhy changing the menu every week became part of the restaurant's identityOpening Pizzeria Virtù just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemicThe role PR played in growing his restaurants and personal brandNavigating traditional media, influencers, and social mediaWhy authenticity matters more than personality when you're in front of a cameraWhat's next for Gio and his restaurantsWhether you're a restaurateur, entrepreneur, marketer, or simply someone who appreciates great food and hospitality, this conversation offers valuable insights into building a lasting brand and creating unforgettable experiences.

Tatum Beck joins Pitch & Tell for an honest conversation about what it really takes to build a career as a full time influencer in today’s social media world.With more than 3 million followers across platforms and currently appearing on Fear Factor, Tatum opens up about the reality behind viral content, brand deals, PR relationships, online criticism, creator burnout, and the pressure of constantly living life online.In this episode, Tatum shares:• How she accidentally started her influencer career during COVID• The truth about brand deals, rates, gifting, and managers• Why engagement matters more than follower count• The pressure and anxiety that comes with social media• How influencers actually work with PR agencies and brands• Why authenticity matters more than trends• The emotional side of being publicly judged online• How she balances content creation with real lifeRobyn Patterson and Tatum also dive into the evolution of influencer marketing and why creators have become one of the most valuable tools in modern PR strategy.Follow Tatum Beck:TikTok: @tatumbeckInstagram: @tatum_beck

In this episode of Pitch & Tell, Robyn Patterson sits down with Stephanie Clark, Executive Vice President at Havas Red, for an inside look at how public relations has evolved from traditional media outreach into culture-driven storytelling powered by influencers, experiential marketing, podcasts, and digital media.Stephanie shares her journey from Arizona State’s Walter Cronkite School to helping launch the Phoenix office of Havas Red and eventually leading campaigns for nationally recognized consumer brands across beauty, hospitality, food & beverage, tech, and lifestyle.The conversation dives into:• How PR has changed over the last decade • Why influencer marketing now plays such a major role in campaigns • What brands need to do to actually stand out today • The impact AI is having on communications and media • The difference between local PR and national brand strategy • Behind-the-scenes stories from working with Patrón, Coachella, Heidi Klum’s Halloween party, and more • Why relationships still matter in a rapidly changing industryFollow Mack Media Relations: @mackmediarelationsFollow Robyn Patterson: @robynmpat

What does it take to turn a simple idea into one of Arizona’s most iconic destinations?In this episode of Pitch and Tell, Robyn Patterson sits down with Perry Rea, founder of Queen Creek Olive Mill, to break down how he built one of the largest olive oil producers in the country right here in Arizona.Perry shares the unexpected moment that sparked the idea, how a background in the automotive industry translated into building a farm based business, and why storytelling not selling is the key to long term success.They also get into:How the Olive Mill became a true agritourism experienceWhy consistency in PR and media exposure matters more than viral momentsThe philosophy of if you tell the story right you do not have to sellBuilding a brand rooted in authenticity family and product integrityWhat is next including a new concept coming to ArcadiaIf you are building a brand, this episode is a masterclass in turning a product into an experience and using media the right way.Follow Mack Media Relations: @mackmediarelationsFollow Robyn Patterson: @robynmpat

In this episode of Pitch and Tell, Robyn Patterson sits down with Mack Media Relations Account Manager Tori Karlic to break down how PR professionals actually view what’s happening in the news, on social media, and across pop culture.From reality TV drama to celebrity controversies, they talk through how these situations are handled behind the scenes and what brands and public figures get right and wrong when responding.This episode dives into:How PR changes the way you see news, social media, and pop cultureThe Bachelorette controversy and what went wrong from a PR standpointWhy timing and messaging matter when videos resurfaceThe impact of poorly written statements and influencer-driven PR decisionsJustin Timberlake’s DUI footage and missed opportunities in responseHow brands and celebrities can better handle public backlashFollow Mack Media Relations @mackmediarelationsFollow Robyn Patterson @robynmpatFollow Tori Karlic @torikarlic

Welcome back to Pitch and Tell.In this episode, Robyn Patterson sits down with Megan Greenwood, founder of Greenwood Brewing, to talk about how she built her business from a home brew kit in her kitchen to a growing brand with a downtown Phoenix location and a second on the way.Megan shares her journey from engineering into entrepreneurship, how she carved out a unique position in a saturated market, and what it actually takes to build a brand that stands out.The conversation also dives into the role of public relations in business growth, including how to develop a story, when to invest in PR, and why visibility is critical at every stage of business.In this episode, we cover:• How Megan built a brewery from her garage• The importance of storytelling in a crowded market• What PR actually does for a business• When it makes sense to hire a PR agency• The difference between PR, marketing, and sales• How media, influencers, and visibility drive real growthIf you are a business owner, entrepreneur, or building a brand, this episode gives a real look at how to create momentum and get your business seen.Follow Mack Media Relations @mackmediarelationsFollow Robyn Patterson @robynmpatFollow Megan Greenwood @themegangreenwoodFollow Greenwood Brewing: @greenwoodbrew

In this episode of Pitch and Tell, Robyn Patterson sits down with one of Arizona’s most recognized restaurateurs, Chef Joey Maggiore.From growing up in the kitchen under his father to building concepts like Hash Kitchen, The Sicilian Butcher, and The Mexicano, Joey shares what it really takes to create restaurants that stand out, and stay relevant.This conversation goes beyond food. It’s about branding, media, and how to give people something worth talking about.Chef Joey breaks down:How PR and media exposure changed the trajectory of his careerWhy “giving people something to talk about” is the key to growthLessons learned from failed concepts and pivotsThe role of influencers and social media in today’s restaurant industryHow he builds experiences—not just menus—that drive demandHis approach to personal brand vs. business brandIf you’re a business owner, operator, or building a brand in a crowded market, this episode is a case study in how to cut through the noise.Follow Mack Media Relations: @mackmediarelationsFollow Robyn Patterson: @robynmpatFollow Chef Joey: @chefjoeymaggiore

Welcome to Pitch and Tell.In this first episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the world of public relations and what actually happens behind the scenes.Host Robyn Patterson is joined by Erica Shipione, Senior Account Director at Mack Media, to talk about how they got into PR, how the industry has evolved, and why relationships still drive real results even in a world of AI and influencers.If you’ve ever wondered how brands get attention, land media coverage, or manage their reputation, this is a look at how it really works.Follow Mack Media Relations @mackmediarelationsFollow Robyn Patterson @robynmpatFollow Erica Shipione @ericaship