Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Polite.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
Hi, my name is Tina Polite, and I am a PR executive with over 25 years of experience in Christian Communications. I am a writer, a corporate strategist, and a bit of an expert in branding and personal PR. I have traveled the country over the last several decades speaking at churches and national conference centers; on various subjects like PR and the Church, Women in the Marketplace, and what it means to Brand Faith in a Secular Society. I have worked for significant Fortune 500 companies, and large worldwide ministries and written two books on PR and communications. For over 15 years, I ran my own namesake firm and serviced prominent celebrity clients worldwide.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
I came up in a time when men ruled in PR. I have always had to be the smartest in the room even to get an opportunity. And then when I did get the chance I couldn’t just be able to do my job but surpass all my predecessors. Then I always had to keep m,y head on a swivel for anyone else looking for an opportunity to undermine my accomplishments. It was a stressful time in those days, but it made me tough and it made me grateful. Grateful for my faith along the way that kept me when I was walking through areas where no other path had been left for me to follow.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
Starting out my specialty was PR and marketing for large corporate business ventures and land developments. Companies like Harrah’s Entertainment, The Ogden Corporation, Top Rank Boxing, Marriott Corp, and The Ford World Headquarters. After many years I was recruited into working in the Christian sector as ministries and churches grew and also needed business planning, marketing, and PR coverage like any other corporation.
I then by way of progression moved into crisis work as ministries became bigger and more exposed. I have handled in part or in whole every major crisis that has affected all major denominations and churches over the last 25 years. This goes for Christian celebrities, sports figures, newsmakers, ministries, spokespersons, mega-churches, and their CEOs. I rarely compete with other PR agencies and agents because my work is predominately by word of mouth. In close to 25 years I have never pitched or requested any of my cases. In my way of doing things PR people stay out of sight and work to bring their clients out of the hotspots. Nowadays PR people like to name-drop and be media stars themselves but I work in direct opposition to this. I come in and out to stabilize situations, help build new brand identities, strengthen community and corporate relationships, and often time hire and train new communication associates who will take up the gauntlet after I am finished. Then I leave my clients to shine without the public ever knowing I was there.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
“There are two keys that determine who we are: who we conceive ourselves to be and who we associate with.” In the old testament, a story is relayed about the young man David who would someday be king over all of Israel. The current king Saul hated David and was jealous of his gifts and his abilities. The king’s son Jonathan saw something in David that others did not. He knew he was destined for greatness. And instead of helping his father to kill David, he took up his cause, befriended him, and helped him become what he was destined to be. We need to identify Jonathans in our lives to teach us how to step and when to step so that we make the most of every action and initiative. Whether we are looking to advance our ministry or our own goals for personal growth and advancement, we need to know the rules of engagement. It is not enough to just use our raw talent, or our undeveloped gifting to get us where we want to go. Oh yes, our gifts do make room for us; but once the door opens, what do we do? We cannot just bust in and take over the room. We need the wisdom to know how to stay in the room once we see the opportunity to enter. Who or what is your Jonathan today?
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
For most being successful in life means the achievement of desired visions and planned goals. For others, it may be a certain social status or obtaining wealth, prosperity, and or fame. But after working with all kinds of people in all various sectors of society and business. Success measured merely by the acquisition of material gain is not as lasting as it appears to sometimes be.
While I do not negate that well-defined definition for me it means truly allowing your “gifts” to make room for you. In other words, doing what God has called you to do, being really good at it, and using everything that he has given you to do it.
I believe that ultimately God wants to say to us well done my good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21). And in that parable, the “faithful servant returned with more than what had been entrusted to them. Society lets us often conclude that living a successful life means being extraordinarily wealthy and having a lot of tangibles. But the true meaning of success is to live a happy satisfied life knowing that you are operating in your gifts and because of this you make the world a better place for everyone else around you. It’s about being so in touch with who you are that who you are leads you down a life of purpose.
What’s next for you?
After close to 30 years of corporate and crisis work, running my own national agency I am focusing primarily on speaking and mentoring the next generation of faith communicators. I have been called upon by national leaders in the Christian community to help set the bar for the church during these shifting and uncertain times. To still honor the call to share the good news without totally losing ourselves in this present medium. We are called upon to still be the mouthpiece for Christ and we will have to adapt to new modes of relaying that command but at the same time, there are absolutes that cannot be crossed or dissolved. I want to help those who are called to see pitfalls and embankments along the way that can deter them on their mission. To help leaders be more strategic in the front end so that they don’t have to do so much damage control in the back end. I want to use the wisdom and experiences that God has given me over all these years of using my gifts in messaging, crisis, marketing, and communication. Public Relations is really just a modern part of good evangelism. I pray not only to educate but inspire those who can find my insight helpful.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
They can find me at :
Instagram: @mrstinapolite
Website: tinapolite-pr.com
Blog: www.tinapolite.com
Email: tinapolite30@gmail.com