Who We Are
Our History
ANPR is a NYC-based PR Agency founded in 2003. To truly know the story of ANPR, you must first know the rich histories of our fascinating and wholly unique staff. To aid you in this, we’ve put together an illuminating (and entertaining, we admit) timeline. Now, like all good history lessons, let’s start from the top, shall we?
NPR hits the airwaves
1971 - National Public Radio hits the airwaves, coming only one letter away from having the best acronym ever.
Hearst Magazines hires Alissa Neil as a public relations manager
In this role, she handles the trade and consumer publicity for the company’s 15 magazines (including Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Redbook, and many others).
Jocelyn Nubel is voted “friendliest” in her 8th grade class
A long career in public relations is almost inevitable.
Alissa joins The Village Voice as its first PR director
During her tenure, Stern Publishing buys the LA Weekly, Cleveland Free Times, Seattle Weekly, Minneapolis City Pages, and three other alternative newsweeklies where Alissa oversees PR.
Alissa joins the company that made the internet famous: The Industry Standard
Here, she is in charge of weekly magazine publicity, Standard conferences, and events. Alissa likens her experience to a residency (as in, she worked so much, she might as well have lived there), and it’s where she hones her skills in company positioning, messaging, crisis communication, and new product launches.
Alissa and the Editor in Chief of Bicycling magazine head to Portland, Maine to kick off BikeTown
Now in its eighth year, the grassroots program has traveled to more than 40 cities, as well as Africa, and given away more than 5000 bikes. It’s also been on the Today Show, The Early Show and numerous other outlets thanks to ANPR.
ANPR hangs its shingle
Freshly back from Italy, Jocelyn Nubel begins an internship at ANPR. First order of business: figure out what a shingle is.
Food is fun again when ANPR helps launch CHOW magazine in print form
ANPR plans a launch party at Metrazur, NYC and the who’s who of major league foodies attend. Even Chef Charlie Palmer himself sticks around. CNET then buys CHOW, and CHOW becomes CHOW.com. Buh-bye print.
The staff at ANPR keeps claiming they have “the force” and staging mock light saber battles
In reality, they have the George Lucas Education Foundation as a new client.
Jocelyn graduates from NYU
Jocelyn graduates from NYU with a BA in journalism and she starts full time at Alissa Neil PR.
Jocelyn and Alissa sit next to NY1’s George Whipple and his infamous eyebrows at ANPR client, Variety’s film screening series
Also, and perhaps more importantly, Variety seeks assistance from Alissa and Jocelyn to oversee a Matt Dillon NYC photo shoot.
Spotted — Al Gore singing along to “Hip Hop Hooray” at an ANPR-organized GOOD launch party
The media is abuzz (and yes, pretty hungover) after this barn-burner of a magazine bash.
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ANPR makes “giving a damn” mainstream again by helping to launch GOOD, the previously unheard of magazine
ANPR scores features in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and a segment on Good Morning America. Subscriptions skyrocket from zero to 2000 on the day the news hits.
Alissa signs on with Backpacker supported non-profit, Big City Mountaineers
After working and being inspired by Backpacker magazine for nearly 5 years, Alissa signs on with Backpacker supported non-profit, Big City Mountaineers, and takes to the back country for 8 days in Yosemite. Uh-oh.
Mmmbop 2.0
The adorable and now grown up Hanson brothers take on ANPR; ANPR takes on Hanson’s charity book: “Take The Walk.”
ANPR hires 3rd full time employee
A media favorite, The Week magazine, finds its new favorite PR firm
They hire ANPR and the start of a long-standing relationship begins.
ANPR finds the perfect venue and organizes a Pandora get-down
Hiro Ballroom it is.
CBS brings back ANPR for round 2
CBS buys CNET, owner of CHOW.COM, and brings back ANPR for round 2.
Sex sells
It always has; and it continues to thanks in part to The Frisky’s patronage of ANPR.
Alissa Neil PR Clients (Runner’s World, Backpacker, Bicycling) sweep the National Magazine Awards
The appropriate level of celebration ensues.
Alissa heads to Agahoza-Shalom Youth Village in Rwanda
Alissa heads to Agahoza-Shalom Youth Village in Rwanda to check out PR opportunities there. The pro-bono project continues today.
The Slate Group hires ANPR
Little do they know, they’re about to become roommates.
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ANPR heads to DC for the 6th annual Opinion Awards presented by The Week.
Alissa and Jocelyn manage the massive press presence and mingle with David Axelrod.
Slate moves office to 95 Morton Street, ANPR piggybacks
ANPR pulls a hat trick, booking three interviews on Today
With the alarming trend of cyberbullying grabbing everyone’s attention, Slate columnist Emily Bazelon breaks news about a big cyberbullying case and ANPR pulls a hat trick, booking three interviews on Today.
Second verse same as the first at the 7th annual Opinion Awards
Only this time, it’s special guest Rahm Emanuel who they’re hangin’ with.
Happy 8th birthday, ANPR!
Some generally excellent news
Slate wins National Magazine Digital Award for General Excellence.
Our Bios
Awesome list of awesome things:
- Christian Marclay’s amazing masterpiece, The Clock
- Margaret Solow’s earrings, necklaces and rings
- Slate’s Addictive Culture Gabfest
- David’s Tea, my favorite: Creme Caramel Rooibos
- The Dream Hotel I must visit someday
Alissa Neil President & Founder
| With nearly 20 years in public relations for major media companies, Alissa Neil is as accomplished as she is experienced in the New York media scene. Prior to launching Alissa Neil PR in 2003, Alissa built an impressive resume managing and directing PR for brands such as The Industry Standard, The Village Voice, LA Weekly, Redbook, and Cosmopolitan. From successfully managing the trade and consumer publicity efforts of 15 magazines at one time, to coordinating press efforts at international conferences and events, to launching unknown media entities and turning them into viral sensations overnight, Alissa has displayed extraordinary energy, creativity, and ambition in her career. | Her expertise translates into results for her clients. Alissa has secured countless media placements for her clients within such outlets as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, AP, Reuters, Bloomberg, USA Today, New York Daily News, The New York Post, LA Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Advertising Age, MediaWeek, Huffington Post, Politico, MediaBistro, as well as on The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS Early Show, CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, National Public Radio, Marketplace, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, and numerous other local and national outlets. |
Awesome list of awesome things:
- Pumpkinhead dance guy
- Social consciousness. See: TheLoveAlliance.net
- My super cuddly Brussels Griffon, Griffin. See: #thedailygriff on Instagram
Jocelyn Nubel Vice President
| Having joined Alissa Neil PR in its first year (2003) as an intern, Jocelyn is now vice president of the firm. Her current duties include creating and designing successful PR strategies, securing media placements, managing client press appearances, and executing client events. Jocelyn maintains (and is continually expanding her book of) numerous media contacts in the broadcast, print, and web arenas. Indeed, she has been responsible for booking client appearances on national and local television and radio outlets, as well as placing stories and items in key print outlets. | She’s proven effective at generating buzz around clients on influential blogs and websites. Jocelyn’s background, which includes freelance writing, blogging, and a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from New York University, has made her quite familiar with modern media content and tonality. Truly, she has become an expert in identifying the type of press interaction that really works. |
Awesome list of awesome things:
- Dear Prudence of Slate
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden
- Crif dogs
- NYC historic landmarks
- Baoguettes
Stephanie Gomory Public Relations Coordinator
| Stephanie joined ANPR in November 2012 with a background in book marketing and publicity. She can’t wait to engage with ANPR clients and find the most effective—and most interesting—ways to maximize the potential of their ideas. |