This week we profile Account Manager Rachael Keshishian!
How did you land at RCG?
I filled out countless applications and cold-called agencies across the state hoping to find a job in PR. When I came across Rubin Communications Group, Joel agreed to meet with me for an “informational interview.”
Before my interview, I stopped for coffee in Town Center, and when I got back to my car it wouldn’t start. Joel saved me that day. He drove to meet me in the parking lot in 90 degree heat and jump-started my car (yes, Joel knows how to jump a car).
We talked, and he told me to come by the office to meet the rest of the team. After a (slightly) more formal interview with Sara Jo and a follow-up call, they created a job for me. I started as an account associate and served as the agency social media coordinator. Since then, I have been promoted to account manager.
What’s one of your favorite RCG projects?
It’s hard to pick one project. One of the things I would say is great about my job is the variety of projects I have the opportunity to work on. It’s allowed me to learn about so many industries and find creative ways to market to all types of customers.
Recently, I’ve enjoyed working alongside Joel to help ESG Companies on the Virginia Beach arena project. It’s so interesting to see what goes on behind the scenes with city council and local business professionals. It’s also exciting to be part of a project from step one, watch how the story develops and see how the information is then relayed to the public.
What about your craziest day at work?
I’ve had some crazy days. I never thought I’d find myself guiding city officials through the waste-to-energy plant in a hard hat and four-inch heels, or shooting video on a 30-foot Walmart forklift during a charity shopping spree.
One of my first projects still sticks out in my memory. The campaign, “Count on Coal,” was put on by the National Mining Association during the 2012 presidential election. Agencies from various “coal-driven” states were hired to help raise awareness and collect signatures in support of the industry.
I like to call it my “initiation” because I was tasked with researching and attending Republican events and rallies across Hampton Roads for months leading up to the presidential election. From state fairs to country concerts, to Romney rallies and even a NASCAR race, I was there with “Count on Coal” koozies, stickers and information asking people to sign our petition in support of coal.
My competitive nature got the best of me, and I gave my all to “win” and get the most signatures at every event. I joined weekly conference calls just to hear them mention RCG and our record-setting signature numbers. Ultimately, Obama won the election and the coal campaign died, but it was still a great experience in grassroots PR.
What’s the best piece of advice you would give someone entering the marketing/PR field?
Talk to as many people as you can and ask as many questions as possible. When I was looking for a job, instead of calling agencies about job openings, I called the person whose job I wanted and asked for a coffee date to find out more about what they did. Not only did it help me find my own career path, but I also met people who turned out to be friends and valuable connections. When I finally landed my job at Rubin Communications it was because someone just saw potential in me, not my resume or GPA.
What do you do outside of work?
I enjoy working out. I do yoga and just started training for my first half marathon. In the summer, I spend a lot of time at the beach and I love fishing. Is eating tacos a hobby??
If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
hard-working, entertaining, fashionable, artistic, easygoing, diplomatic (also, bad at math)
