A New Agency Emerges

The Brooks Group is a Manhattan-based public relations agency renowned for its diverse client roster and personalized approach to business. Founder and President, Rebecca Brooks opened The Brooks Group in 1995, determined to avoid the “cookie cutter” style of public relations. She originally sought out small, entrepreneurial clients and offered customized, one-on-one service that landed her account after account.

Word quickly spread about Rebecca and her innovative agency. An entrepreneur herself, Rebecca became known for spotting raw talent. Not surprisingly, many of her first clients were inventors and small business owners. Rebecca originally focused on her own area of expertise, beauty and fitness. As a result of her passion and industry experience, The Brooks Group transported numerous clients from obscurity to national awareness. Within the first two years, The Brooks Group created million-dollar businesses out of niche items such as The Hairdini Products and Curves.

Promoting The Product And The People Behind The Brand

As the agency developed, another strength became clear – the ability to promote the personalities behind the brands. Rebecca and her team explore all angles of a client’s background and the development of each product in order to create the most accurate and effective public image. The Brooks Group focuses on each client’s strengths and creates a media strategy that showcases these qualities. “I get to know my clients so well that I can think for them,” notes Rebecca.

Case Studies

Among The Brooks Groups’ success stories is Rachael Ray -- a woman who had previously “hated public relations people”. Ray quickly changed her opinion when she met Rebecca -- and hired her on the spot. Their 3 ½ year professional relationship included Rachael’s first appearances on Oprah, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Night With David Letterman. The Brooks Group became a veritable clearing house for all of Rachael’s public relations. At the same time, the two women cemented their connection beyond business, when Rebecca and her husband attended Rachael’s wedding in Italy. Thanks to Rebecca, the popular cook soared to superstardom. Or as Rachael says it, “brought me from cable to daytime”.

Bare Escentuals, the San-Francisco-based prestige beauty company, also rates as one of The Brooks Groups’ major achievements. During the eight-year partnership, Bare Escentuals grew more than 18-fold. From 1998 to 2006, The Brooks Group team functioned as the primary vehicle to drive sales and spread awareness, resulting in placements in top media outlets including Glamour, Allure, Real Simple, Beauty Biz, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Forbes, The Oprah Winfrey Show and numerous others.

The Brooks Group Today – Style Meets Substance

The Brooks Group now boasts an impressive range of clients, from beauty icons such as  Gretta Monahan and high profile food personalities Ingrid Hoffmann, Katie Lee Joel, Cat Cora and Guy Fieri, to international interior design icon, Thom Filicia, Bravo's fitness superstar Jackie Warner and the face of Travel Channel, Samantha Brown.  Although the agency receives countless calls regarding new business, Rebecca signs on with less than a quarter of the people who contact her. By keeping the agency small, Rebecca can provide personal attention to each client, a luxury often lost in larger agencies. “I have to believe in a product or a person to represent them. That passion leads to long client relationships, which inevitably leads to success. Both the client and the media can distinguish between sincere and insincere interest.” Just as The Brooks Group tailors their strategies to suit each client, the team customizes their communications with the media. Journalists have long been wary of aggressive, formulaic public relations. Rebecca and her team strive to change that image by maintaining genuine and long-standing relationships with a wide range of journalists. Instead of assaulting the media with constant calls, reporters welcome The Brooks Group’s informative results orientated approach. Editors and producers also know they can contact The Brooks Group with questions and requests and receive immediate responses.

In addition to strong media relationships, The Brooks Group offers clients skills essential to a
comprehensive strategic program. Unique communications strategies, including high-end designs for press releases and collateral materials, combined with superior creative writing allow clients to shine in the public eye. The Brooks Groups’ extensive experience with media training and book and media tours assist clients with building their brands and their public personas. At the core of The Brooks Group is a legacy of solid public relations. From coveted media placements to product launch events, The Brooks Group provides specialized, sophisticated and newsworthy communications to both the media and client.