TPJ Communications was built on a single premise: that thoughtful positioning outlasts any press cycle. We work with a small, intentional roster of clients, building campaigns that earn meaningful visibility and hold up over time.
Our practice is guided by three inherited values: Advocacy, Connection, and Strategy. They show up in every brief, every pitch, every relationship.
A boutique agency by design. Strategic by discipline. Human by default.
Toni
Patrick
Junior
The Founder. The Storyteller.
Shaun W. Kimbrow
"What do a four-time Olympic medalist, a Real Housewife, the CEO Emeritus of BET Networks, and two New York Times bestselling authors have in common?"
They've all trusted Shaun to shape, elevate, and amplify their impact.
For him, storytelling was never a career choice. It was a calling; one he recognized at 15. Two decades later, now an award-winning PR and brand strategist, Shaun's career spans entertainment, sports, wellness, business, and thought leadership.
We build visibility for the leaders, brands, and stories that deserve to be seen. Every engagement is tailored, never templated.
01
Thought Leadership + Positioning
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Strategic positioning for CEOs, founders, and experts who want to be recognized as the go-to authority in their space.
02
Speaking + Platform Strategy
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Conference placements, keynote positioning, and speaker toolkit development for major stages.
03
Media Relations + Publicity
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Targeted, relationship-driven media outreach across print, digital, broadcast, and podcasts.
04
Brand Storytelling
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Narrative development, messaging frameworks, and content strategy that makes your story impossible to ignore.
05
Media Training + Executive Presence
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On-camera confidence, interview prep, and executive presence coaching for high-stakes moments.
06
Book + Launch Campaigns
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End-to-end publicity for authors and their publishers, including tour PR, media outreach, and bestseller strategy.
What They Say
Client Testimonials.
Results speak, but so do the people behind them.
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Shaun's expertise made the process seamless, delivering results that exceeded expectations at every stage, with clarity, speed, and confidence.
KO
Kelly & Shylynn Oubre Jr.
NBA, 76ers / Founder, SHHY Beauty
“
Shaun elevated my platform, secured a book endorsement from Gwyneth Paltrow, and delivered meaningful exposure during my book launch.
AK
Avanti Kumar-Singh, MD
Ayurvedic Expert & Author
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His insight-driven approach secured top-tier features in outlets like TODAY Online and Real Simple, positioning me as an authority.
TF
Tracy Ftacek
Mindset Business Strategy Coach
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Shaun translated PR strategy into impactful storytelling, supporting my first TV series and elevating my mentorship program with thoughtfulness and vision.
MG
Mike Gauyo
TV Writer (Insecure, Ginny & Georgia)
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Shaun is an exceptional publicist. He secured my first individual Essence feature and provided attentive and highly effective results.
OM
Olivia Charmaine Morris
Founder/CEO, Black Monarch Entertainment
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Shaun blends PR, digital, and client relationships seamlessly, building trust and delivering results that consistently move business goals forward.
PO
Peter Olesker
Executive VP, @properties | Christie's International Real Estate
In the Press
What the Media Says.
Industry voices on TPJ Communications and Shaun W. Kimbrow.
Instagram
Instagram
"Shaun is a genuine standout in this industry. Whether he's pitching one of his clients or we're collaborating on an Instagram event/project, working with him is a delight."
CC
Claudine Cazian
Global Director, Strategic Partnerships, Instagram
GLAAD
GLAAD
"Shaun is an ideal publicist, quick, thorough, and insightful about what makes a great story. Working with him has been a wonderful experience."
AR
Anthony Allen Ramos
VP of Communication, GLAAD
ET
Entertainment Tonight
"Shaun is easily one of my favorite publicists to work with. He blends professionalism and attention to detail, plus, he's just a joy to collaborate with."
DD
Denny Directo
Correspondent, Entertainment Tonight
Our Work
Client Case Studies.
A snapshot of what strategic, relationship-driven PR looks like in action.
Publishing
Scheana Shay
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A Memoir Launch That Became a Movement
Seven months. 200+ placements. NYT bestseller. TPJ turned My Good Side into a legitimate publishing event the publisher called a game-changer.
Wellness
Dr. Avanti Kumar-Singh
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Bringing Ayurveda Into the Mainstream Longevity Conversation
Podcast pitching, TEDx application support, and a media strategy aligned to the growing longevity and integrative health moment.
Entertainment
Mike Gauyo
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From Industry Insider to Public-Facing Thought Leader
Narrative development and media strategy that positioned a behind-the-scenes executive as a visible, respected voice in his field.
Let's Work Together
Ready to elevate your story?
Every great campaign starts with a conversation. Book a complimentary discovery call and let's map out your next chapter.
TPJ turned a seven-month campaign into a publishing event that redefined who Scheana Shay is in the public eye, taking her from reality TV personality to bestselling author.
Client
Scheana Shay
Industry
Entertainment / Publishing
Services
Book Launch PR, Media Strategy, Tour PR
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Press Placements
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NYT Bestseller, Combined Nonfiction
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Pickups from 2 Strategic Exclusives
The Challenge
A decade on reality TV. One shot at credibility.
After twelve years on Bravo's "Vanderpump Rules," Scheana's public identity was defined entirely by reality television. Her memoir had blockbuster content, but the question was whether the publishing industry, mainstream press, and book buyers would take it seriously or dismiss it as another celebrity cash grab.
The Approach
Two exclusives. A controlled detonation.
TPJ placed strategically timed excerpt exclusives with Entertainment Weekly and Glamour, sequenced eight days apart to build compounding momentum. The first established national interest. The second detonated the news cycle. Together they triggered a pre-order surge the publisher tracked in real time and opened doors to ET, Access Hollywood, and WWHL.
Coverage Highlights
Where the campaign landed.
ABC Nightline
"Inside 'My Good Side' and the NYT Bestseller"
Broadcast Interview
People
"EXCLUSIVE: Brock Davies Breaks Silence: 'I Was an Absolute Coward'"
"Husband's alleged affair happened before they wed"
National Feature
Variety
"Scheana Shay Tells Her Side of 'Vanderpump' Drama in New Memoir"
Entertainment Feature
The Results
From reality TV to the bestseller list.
Publication week was a blitz: 54 placements landed in 72 hours, with USA Today, People, Page Six, E!, and Us Weekly each publishing multiple stories on day one. When Brock Davies broke his silence mid-cycle, TPJ turned what could have been chaos into 15 coordinated placements in a single day. A 12-city national book tour brought the memoir directly to readers, including a sold-out 175-person event at 92Y in New York that TPJ upgraded based on demand.
What's Next?
Let's build your next launch.
Whether you're releasing a book, entering a new market, or ready to own your narrative, TPJ can design the publicity strategy to get you there.
Salons were closing. Her visibility was just getting started.
When the beauty industry shut down in 2020, Tracy Ftacek and her Pretty Convenient brand went the other direction. TPJ built a national media strategy that turned a Chicago-based beauty founder into a go-to expert for TODAY, Real Simple, Byrdie, and Reader's Digest, generating 96M+ unique visitor impressions in under nine months.
Client
Tracy Ftacek
Industry
Beauty / Lifestyle
Services
Publicity, Expert Positioning
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Unique Visitor Impressions
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Tier 1 Media Placements
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Months to Results
Campaign Overview
Meet Tracy Ftacek.
Tracy Ftacek is a Chicago-based hair and makeup artist and the CEO and Founder of Pretty Convenient Salon + App, an on-demand beauty service connecting clients with top stylists. Before partnering with TPJ in the spring of 2020, Tracy's press footprint was almost entirely local. She had deep expertise and a growing app, but no national media presence to match.
The timing made the challenge sharper. Tracy came to us just as the pandemic was forcing salons to close, upending the beauty industry overnight. Rather than wait it out, we saw an opening: the media was hungry for credible beauty voices who could speak to what was happening in real time. TPJ positioned Tracy as exactly that, offering her knowledge to top-tier outlets while the rest of the industry was still figuring out what came next.
Key Credentials
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Brand
Pretty Convenient Salon + App, on-demand beauty platform for stylists and clients
✎
Expertise
Hair care, makeup technique, salon business operations, COVID-era beauty safety
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Starting Point
Limited to Chicago-area coverage; no national media relationships
Campaign Goals
Three objectives, one pandemic-era push.
01
Turn the Crisis Into a Platform
Leverage the pandemic's disruption of the beauty industry as a media hook, positioning Tracy as a credible, timely voice on salon reopenings, hygiene protocols, and the future of on-demand beauty services.
02
Land National Placements, Fast
Move Tracy from zero national coverage to tier 1 outlets within the first engagement window, targeting beauty, lifestyle, and women's interest publications where her expertise (and her Pretty Convenient App) could resonate with readers.
03
Build Inbound Momentum
Create enough visibility that journalists and producers would start coming to Tracy, not the other way around, establishing her as a repeating source who fields inbound requests and interview opportunities on an ongoing basis.
Coverage Highlights
Where the campaign landed.
Every placement was pitched with intent: match Tracy's specific expertise to the outlet's audience, and give journalists a source they'd want to call back.
Today (NBC)
"How Hair Salons Are Reopening"
Expert Source, Trend Feature
Tracy quoted as an on-the-ground authority on post-lockdown salon safety and the shifting client experience. National broadcast reach.
"How to Figure Out Your Face Shape Once and for All"
Expert Source, Beauty Guide
Featured in Byrdie's flagship beauty vertical, reaching their core demographic of 18-to-34-year-old beauty enthusiasts actively searching for expert guidance.
"5 Business Tips To Get Your Salon Through COVID-19"
Industry Feature, Thought Leadership
Positioned Tracy as a business strategist (not just a stylist) speaking directly to salon owners navigating the pandemic. Key credibility piece for B2B visibility.
"Here's Why Knowing Your Hair Type Is So Important"
Brand Partnership, Expert Feature
Crossover into wellness/lifestyle through a brand editorial, connecting Tracy's hair expertise to the broader self-care conversation Vital Proteins' audience engages with.
Whether you're launching during a crisis or scaling in calmer waters, TPJ builds visibility strategies that turn expertise into authority. Let's talk about what that looks like for you.
TPJ built a dual-narrative campaign that positioned a Hollywood writer as a cultural leader, turning a mentorship launch and a series premiere into one coordinated media moment.
Client
Mike Gauyo
Industry
Entertainment
Services
Publicity, Brand Positioning
0
Unique Impressions
0
Media Placements
$0
Ad Value Equivalency
The Challenge
Two stories. One window.
Mike had two major moments happening simultaneously: the 2nd Annual Black Boy Writes / Black Girl Writes Mentorship Initiative and the premiere of his debut series "Send Help" on ALLBLK. The challenge was building a campaign that could service both narratives, reaching the right audiences for each without diluting either message.
The Approach
Layer the narratives. Sequence the hits.
TPJ built a phased media strategy: lead with the mentorship story to establish Mike as a thought leader and community builder, then pivot to the series premiere once that credibility was in place. Cultural and advocacy outlets got the mentorship angle. Entertainment press got the show. The result was coverage that reinforced both stories at once.
Coverage Highlights
Where the campaign landed.
BuzzFeed
"Championing Underrepresented Voices in Hollywood"
Feature Profile
The Root 100
"'My Voice Is a Collection of My Experiences,' Says TV Writer Mike Gauyo"
Profile / List Feature
GLAAD
"Paving a Path in Hollywood: Black Boy Writes / Black Girl Writes"
Organization Feature
FOX 32 Chicago
"HBO 'Insecure' Alum Talks New Series, Community Response to 'Send Help'"
Broadcast Interview
USA Today
"'Insecure' Alum Brings Cultural Storytelling to 'Send Help'"
Video + Article
IntoMore
"The World Deserves One More Show: Inside the Making of 'Send Help'"
Feature
The Results
From writer credit to cultural leader.
The dual-narrative strategy landed. Mike's mentorship initiative was covered by BuzzFeed, GLAAD, and The Root 100, establishing him as a community builder before the entertainment press even picked up the series. When "Send Help" premiered, the foundation was already there: FOX 32 and USA Today covered the show through the lens of Mike's broader mission, not just as a streaming launch. The campaign moved Mike from "writer on notable shows" to a recognized voice on representation, mental health, and the Haitian-American experience.
What's Next?
Let's build your next campaign.
If you're preparing a launch, entering a new market, or ready to own your narrative, TPJ can design the publicity strategy to get you there.
Some people find their calling. Shaun has known since age 15 that his career would be built on the power of a well-told story. Now an award-winning PR and branding strategist, he has spent more than a decade partnering with thought leaders, executives, and cultural figures to position their work, protect their legacy, and amplify their impact.
Known for his adaptability and instinct for what the moment demands, Shaun has built a career around a single conviction: that the right story, told to the right people, at exactly the right time, changes everything.
The Mission
Today, Shaun leads TPJ Consulting with the same conviction that has guided him since the beginning: find the story only you can tell, and tell it in a way the world cannot ignore. The result is meaningful press coverage, top-tier podcast placements, high-impact social and digital features, coveted stage appearances, and the kind of cultural relevance that outlasts any single headline.
Service
Beyond client work, Shaun volunteers at TEDxChicago, one of North America's premier TEDx events, serving as the organization's PR and Communications Director, where he helps bring Chicago's boldest voices and most transformative ideas to the world stage. For Shaun, it's a chance to apply his craft to ideas worth amplifying, and to invest in the next generation of voices shaping how culture, business, and society move forward.
Shaun's Past Clients
The campaigns that built the reputation
01
Venus Williams
4x Olympic Medalist
13
Alexa Meade
Contemporary Artist
02
Debra L. Lee
CEO Emeritus, BET Networks
03
Lisa Vanderpump
Restaurateur + TV Personality
04
Stephen A. Smith
ESPN Personality
07
Gigi Pritzker
Producer + Investor
06
Mike Gayou
Actor, Insecure
05
Ross Butler
Actor
08
Aaron Kirman
Real Estate
09
Emily Skye
Fitness Entrepreneur
10
Spencer Haywood
NBA Legend
11
Kelly Oubre
NBA Star
12
Michelle Maros
Author + Mindfulness Teacher
Client Recognition
Shaun has a track record of securing clients awards and honors that cement their authority and outlast the news cycle.
TIMEBest Inventions List·RYSE Aero Tech
The Root 100·Mike Gayou
ADWEEKAnnual Disruptors List·Debra L. Lee
Greatist100 Most Influential in Health + Fitness·Emily Skye
Sports IllustratedAnnual Fashionable 50·Venus Williams
Fast CompanyWorld's Most Productive People·Venus Williams
Crain's Chicago BusinessNotable Entrepreneurs·Jessica Zweig
