Havana Gazlay: Building a Public Relations Career Through Mentorship and Pitching

Early Career & COVID-19 Internship

• 💡 Havana Gazlay's internship at Pitch Publicity during the COVID-19 pandemic provided crucial remote work experience.
• 🎯 She learned to pivot campaigns and adapt strategies, notably with a travel client (Saggy Travel) during an uncertain time.
• 🔑 This period was instrumental in building her confidence in pitching and media relations, which became foundational for her career.

The Power of Pitching & Mentorship

• 🚀 Havana emphasizes that every aspect of a career is a pitch, from job interviews to securing new business.
• 🌱 Her early mentorship from Amy Summers was critical, helping her develop essential communication and negotiation skills.
• ✅ She attributes much of her success to having supportive managers and intentionally seeking out good leadership.

Transition to Real Estate Public Relations

• 🏡 Havana's entry into luxury real estate PR happened organically after the pandemic, starting in South Florida.
• 🏙️ She found her niche in urbanism and real estate development, appreciating the dynamic nature and community impact of the industry.
• 🗺️ Her work has connected her to diverse cities like New York, Detroit, and Baltimore, learning about their architectural history and development.

Navigating Career Growth & Leadership

• 📈 Havana's rapid promotions at Berlin Rosen are due to her ambition and clear communication of career goals to her managers.
• ⚡ She proactively seeks opportunities to lead client calls and take on more responsibility, demonstrating her capabilities.
• 🤝 Working in a larger agency required adapting to different team dynamics and advocating for her own workload and deadlines.

Mentorship in Management

• 🧠 As an Account Director, Havana now manages direct reports and integrates mentorship into her daily leadership.
• 💬 She focuses on understanding how team members best receive feedback, whether in-the-moment or through formal discussions.
• 🌟 Havana believes that mentorship is a daily practice and that leaders set an example through how they show up and approach their work.