Publicity Manager of Weehawken PR Firm spotlights Intâ€l Clients

By Darren Paltrowitz

Founded in 1998, The Syndicate has been instrumental in getting hundreds of artists to the No. 1 chart spot. Based in Weehawken, the agency has overseen marketing and radio campaigns for A-Listers like Maroon 5, Pearl Jam, The Killers, and Daft Punk. Within the comedy world, it has worked with plenty of top talent including Amy Schumer, Jim Gaffigan, Lewis Black, and the cast of Workaholics. Beyond public relations, The Syndicate owns The Laugh Network, The Laugh Button and Metal Insider.

Publicity Manager of The Syndicate Brittany Brave spent several years at Columbia Records prior to joining “The Syn” – as its employees are known to call it. She born in New Jersey, and returned to the area after attending college in Florida. Prior to settling into life as a publicist, she was a performer, which she continues to do in her limited off-time. Brittany shared a little of her off time chatting about life and career with River View Observer

RVO: Who was the first artist whose publicity campaign you worked on?

BB: The first publicity campaign I ever really jumped into was in college. I offered to help out my universityâ€s a cappella troupe, No Southern Accent. These guys had a killer live show, competed all across the state and had a pretty impressive catalog of independent releases, too. They had such a huge presence around our campus and wanted to see how far they could take their impact across our city, Gainesville, Florida, which has a booming local music scene. I was still learning the ropes and chipping away at my degree, but jumped in and tried to put everything into practice and get some experience.

RVO: How did you wind up at The Syndicate?

BB: The Syndicate was one of the first companies I was introduced to once I got started full-time in the industry. We work closely with nearly all the major/independent labels, management companies, booking agencies — you name it — so I quickly caught on to the agencyâ€s role and reputation in the industry. I was always intrigued by how it existed so well in both the comedy and music worlds, too. As our PR department expanded and the Publicity Manager position opened up, I applied.

RVO: What does a typical day look like for you as a publicist at The Syndicate?

BB: It varies. If Iâ€m stationed at my desk, the nuts and bolts of my job are the same — a lot of pitching, writing, crafting, researching, gabbing on the phone and hopping in and out of Syn brainstorm sessions. The beauty of both this industry and profession is that it gets you out and about a lot. Some days, I get to roam from TV tapings to (photo) shoots to events, and that aspect of the gig is just as important.

RVO: Do you feel that there are any misconceptions about being a publicist?

BB: Loads, as Iâ€m sure there are with other career paths. Public relations, as a practice, has become infinitely more credible, research-oriented and valuable to corporations/projects in the last few years. The career itself is a “catch-all” of sorts, but thatâ€s whatâ€s kept it so dynamic. It’s always evolving so it’ll always play a relevant role. Still, the negative stigmas associated with being a publicist linger. Itâ€s an aggressive career, but itâ€s rooted in a lot of discipline, which — I think — is a common misconception.

RVO: How did The Syndicate become headquartered in Weehawken? 

BB: Weâ€re Jersey folk, and our partners stumbled on a great spot that had easy access into the city. Itâ€s been our headquarters for the last 18 years.

RVO: Does The Syndicate have a softball or any sort of interesting out-of-office tradition?

BB: Culture Club/Fun Club! We work really hard, but play hard, too, and make it a point to keep up on our company fun. Every quarter, we plan a few team events that help us bond and let off steam, whether its laser tag, scavenger hunts, bowling…. We also have a pretty epic Secret Harry tradition every Christmas that can put your best Secret Santa round to shame…

RVO: When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?

BB: I keep tabs on those old passions. I do improv — train, practice, jam and coach when I can. Take a few dance classes, write, pretend to bake/cook well, dominate karaoke, catch up on much-needed sleep, binge on Netflix marathons. Yâ€know, living the dream.

RVO: Finally, Brittany, any last words for the kids?

BB: “It is what it is.” Probably the most frustrating piece of advice you can bestow upon anyone, but thereâ€s no denying that itâ€s true in just about any context. More importantly: “Work hard. Be kind. Amazing things will happen.” Itâ€s a simple, but pretty solid recipe for success, or at the very least, a damn good life, which I think places you in the real Winner’s Circle at the end of the day.

For more info on both Brittany Brave and The Syndicate, go to www.thesyn.com.

The post The Syndicate’s Brittany Brave first appeared on River View Observer.