Ballin PR & Marketing

Founder of her own public relations firm, Nicole Balin has a nose for a good story. “A compelling narrative is the only way to cut through today’s noisy media landscape,” says the Marin-based communications whiz. She ought to know. After telling stories for a living as a career journalist, Balin now keeps her PR clients—mostly design, architecture, fashion, and music professionals—in the headlines, using her news industry chops to help them identify their strongest messaging angles and raise their brand profiles. “We’re a full-service marketing agency, but we specialize in media relations,” she explains, “which is the nuanced art of getting someone else to sing your praises.”