Valentina Gurova
Valentina Gurova is the CEO of an
international PR agency that has specialized in PR, marketing, and advertising
management for stars, bloggers, and public figures for over 20 years. Her
agency, www.praliyans.com, collaborates with many of the world's leading glossy
magazines, as well as TV and radio shows. The agency has a large in-house
production team capable of handling a wide range of creative projects, from
music videos to major campaigns and coverstories. The agency works with world
stars such as Maya Musk, Monica Bellucci, Toni Braxton, Uma Thurman, Steve Aoki
and many others.
In the
near future, our agency plans to create a comprehensive international platform
for professionals in the media sector. This platform will facilitate the rapid
exchange of the latest IT technologies, news, and contacts within the industry,
particularly in light of the current challenges posed by border closures and
the decline in circulation and distribution of printed publications. Our goal
is to work together to overcome the crisis, train young specialists, and
maintain professional engagement among experienced professionals
Team:
Photo by Pavel Makarenko
@pavelmakarenko
Interview: Nick Gurov
@n_gurov
Dress:
@try.on.dress.uae
Studio: @13moons_studio
Hero: Valentina Gurova CEO of
www.praliyans.com
How did you start your career in PR? What
attracted you to this field?
When I started, almost noone knew what the job of
a PR agent was, there were only 15 agencies in Russia. Back when I was still a
university student, I visited an exhibition featuring books on advertising and
PR, lectures and, of course, professionals who were willing to share their
experience: and right at the exhibition I applied for an internship at one of
those agencies. The new job took over my life to the point that I was
practically drowning in it: during the day I was torn between lectures at the
university and trips to the office; at night, I would study copywriting and
read anything I could find on PR in Russia. I was fortunate enough to almost
immediately become part of the team of a major political project: the
gubernatorial elections. I had to work around the clock in order to make time
for everything, but since this was my calling, I forgot about sleep. I still
look back at those times with fondness!
Can you share some memorable experiences
from your work in the fashion industry? How did you get involved in that
world?
Our agency is actively engaged in the field of fashion, I am
especially proud of our cooperation with such giants as Harper’s Bazaar,
Elle, Marie Claire and Vogue. Over the past 12 years, we have
significantly expanded our areas of activity and now we not only cooperate with
the European media, but also work closely with such countries as the USA,
China, Vietnam, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. At the same time, each
client and each publication is a real challenge and joy. But perhaps the most
memorable project was and still is the international beauty contest Miss Earth,
where our client, despite her modest achievements, managed to impress everyone
with her emotional speech about Russia written under the guidance of our
copywriter. Just imagine, a contestant who didn’t even get into the top 10
finalists, was followed day and night by dozens of reporters wishing to
interview her. The girl was predicted to have a successful political career in
her home country, but she saw her calling in social and charitable projects, so
she did not take this opportunity. Well, there are different ways to influence
the fate of your country, but for our part, we have done everything to make the
name of our client known throughout the world.
What have been some of the biggest
challenges you faced while working in fashion PR?
Fashion,
beauty, and lifestyle are three of my favorite topics for filming and creative
self-expression. Unfortunately, these topics have become more challenging since
the start of political events. My colleagues and I have been struggling to
obtain visas to attend fashion weeks in Europe and the United States, as well
as continue to collaborate with our international brand partners.
How do you choose the projects and
clients you want to work with?
It’s
just easier to make others fall in love with someone who you personally find
appealing. But, just like in any other business, you get all sorts of jobs —
some easy, some difficult. In most cases, I try to connect with the client and
build a trusting relationship for many years of fruitful cooperation.
If
there happens to be a sudden creative disconnect between us, we sit down at the
negotiating table and discuss the working process. Sometimes clients themselves
do not know what they want from their PR team or do not trust us as
specialists: in cases like these we simply part our ways. Time is the most
valuable resource, you can’t spend it on someone who does not understand this. .
What key skills do you believe are
essential for success in PR today?
I try to be the best at everything, I always
keep learning and never look down on beginners. More specifically, these
qualities are perfectionism, thirst for knowledge and the lack of a superiority
complex.
How do your travels influence your
creative process and perspective in your work?
Traveling
is a great source of inspiration for me and my team. We are able to create
vivid and creative images for our clients' advertising campaigns and personal
brands thanks to our travels.
We
have filmed in many different countries, including Russia, South and North
America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. It's difficult to imagine where we haven't
been yet! We have not yet worked at the North or South Poles, but I'm sure we
will eventually go there.
Are there any projects you’re currently
working on?
At
the moment, we are continuing to promote and publicize the top officials of
Russian businesses, working with bloggers and influencers from America, Europe,
and Asia, and continuing to shoot for coverage in Russia, Europe, and Asia. I
am proud to work with such world stars as Toni Braxton, Maya Musk, Steve Aoki,
Monica Bellucci, Uma Thurman, Cardi B and I hope that this list will only grow!