Hey everyone! My name is Ava Pratt, and I am passionate about marketing. When not working, I explore new places or spend time with those I love. I am from a small town in Maine, about an hour north of Portland, and decided to take a leap and go to the University of Tampa for college. I am going into my second year at Tampa, but I will be graduating a year early. I love the city of Tampa, but Maine summers are unbeatable. I decided to come home for the summer, partly because I had the opportunity to work with Rinck as a public relations intern! This internship offered great variety, but I worked closest to the PR/Influencer team.

If you are considering entering the public relations field, I would highly recommend checking out Rinck!  

Why Rinck?  

My first impression of Rinck was positive. They are a diversified team that works together for the best outcome. Mainers are known for their friendly small talk and for some that can feel superficial, but at Rinck everyone was genuinely excited to warmly welcome me with an inclusive, fun approach. On day one, I could imagine spending time outside the office with them. 

Rinck values integrity, respect, courage, and empathy. Integrity is hard to come by, yet it’s a value that clients and employees desire the most. It creates trust and authentic partnership. Growing up, I was taught the importance of honesty and being true to your word. At Rinck, they stand by these values. Often, agencies are a unique blend of different values and perspectives. Rinck has a vested interest in listening intentionally and respecting other’s values. I also tapped into being courageous and committed to the projects given to me. They gave me a chance to flourish, and we mutually benefited. I worked autonomously but knew that I was fully supported and could reach out at any time. Everyone is excited and enthusiastic about helping at Rinck. Their values are deeply rooted. It’s an incredible place to learn and grow.   

The team at Rinck understood that I was interested in exploring all aspects of the agency. I was able to explore several career paths, which was incredibly exciting.

Flexibility and Work-Life Balance  

As a Gen Z, I’m striving for work-life balance. I want to love what I do for work, but I want to “work to live” rather than “live to work.”  Finding this balance keeps you motivated, happy, and productive. As an out-of-state college student there were so many things I wanted to do while home for the summer. Rinck understood this and valued this balance. Rinck’s “Free Fridays” in the summer allow employees to enjoy long weekend getaways. Rinck is innovative, and “Free Fridays” exemplify their appreciation for employees and retention.   

Career Growth and Development  

Katie Greenlaw, Vice President of Public Relations and Influencer Marketing mentored me and expanded my knowledge and love for PR. Rinck fosters constant learning. I researched topics unrelated to advertising, which was fun. No two days are the same, and in an ever-changing field, you must keep learning to keep up.

At Rinck, creative freedom is an essential asset. It’s celebrated and admired. We had an upcoming RFP, and everyone who wanted to be involved joined a Zoom call. We set up a Figma board where everyone could put their ideas in one place and brainstorm as an agency. It was incredible what people produced in such a short amount of time. Creativity is what sets this agency apart from others.

Team collaboration is so important. All aspects of the agency must come together at specific points and collaborate to meet client needs. Collaboration poses challenges with some groups of people, but everyone at Rinck knows they can rely on one another with diverse clientele and staff. The teams at Rinck are uniquely talented, which greatly impact others. Some topics are complex to discuss, creating conflict. Uncomfortable conversations are seen as an opportunity and a positive challenge. Rinck genuinely cares about everyone, what they contribute, and their impact. Having a voice resonates with younger employees. Rinck puts people before profits, and it shows.   

Expectations vs. Reality  

I didn’t take marketing-specific courses by the end of my first year, so I was worried about not feeling fully prepared to enter the internship. I quickly learned that college courses are essential but are different from real-world experiences. Rinck introduced me to several platforms and challenged me to work on projects for clients. Interning at Rinck allowed me to grow professionally in ways I could have never expected. From joining client calls to adding to new business campaigns to exploring advertising, even though I was a PR intern, it’s fueled my passion to learn and grow more.  I started at Rinck as a brand ambassador for Dunkin’ in 2022. Two years later, I had the opportunity to do the behind-the-scenes, plan events for Dunkin’, and help Kevin Mitchell, Senior Account Manager, manage Dunkin’ brand ambassadors.   

Excitement for the Future  

The public relations industry is ever-changing. From a Gen Z perspective, social media is one of the most important aspects of PR. I learned about the influencer world from Mackenzie Fritz, Influencer Marketing Manager. Rinck is equipped with cutting-edge software to help find influencers best fit for a brand. We will see an increase in influencer marketing, especially micro and nano influencers. These influencers are typically affordable and an easy way to target smaller audiences for a lower cost. The whole goal of PR is to create a brand image that engages followers and fans; we need to find ways to connect with the public to increase sales and good publicity for a brand. Public image is everything for a brand, especially if they are new to the market; creating a positive image is critical to success. Keeping that in mind, crisis management is also crucial; having this in place will save a company in times of crisis that can often arise out of the blue. Word spreads quickly over social media, so a plan is crucial. The PR industry has a bright future for those considering the field; every company needs a PR team, especially now with social media, so it’s a great field to get into now.  Giving back to the community and spreading the word about new brands creates a loyal following/fanbase. I am excited to see what happens next in PR!  

My key takeaways are to be curious and bold enough to reach out to companies with values that resonate with you. Rinck employs the kindest, most welcoming, and talented people that I have ever met. I want to thank Peter, Laura, and Katie for trusting me and giving me this opportunity; it has been the best experience. If you are considering pursuing a career in advertising, I recommend Rinck. Start by checking out their website and social media platforms. Choosing a career path can be difficult, but if you are looking for an ever-changing career, investigate public relations.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on what you look for in an employer and how you balance work and life. As always, “You’re going to love what happens next.”