Q&A Friday: Ann Barlow

Ann Barlow is partner and president of Peppercom San Francisco.  She is the founder of GreenPepper, Peppercom’s environmental offering.

Q. How did you get your start in PR?
A. I actually majored in public relations, which at that time meant designing my own major through the University of Illinois’ college of liberal arts. When I graduated, I moved to New York and started with a small agency.

Q. You lead GreenPepper.  What has been the most important thing you’ve learned in that endeavor?
A. You have to surround yourself with people who know more about environmental issues than you, and then read as much as you can.  This is an area of expertise that you just can’t fake.

Q. What qualities make a young PR professional stand out to you?
A. Initiative, good listening and learning ability, and organization.

Q. What one piece of advice do you have for those just starting their careers in PR?
A. Have an ownership mentality.  In other words, always be looking to see what else you can do to make a project and the company successful.  Do your work as if it was going directly to the client, so make it as high quality as possible.  Let others come to rely on you, and you’ll be successful.