PubU | ECPA

Join us for the NEW publicity track this year to gain invaluable insight from top industry professionals, hone your publicity skills, and add to your contact database across six customized publicity sessions. Whether you are established in the industry or just beginning your career, the wisdom offered from producers of top Christian podcasts, well known agents, social media influencers, and industry veterans will surely transform the work you do on behalf of your authors. These sessions will also help you make your mark in this industry, spark a new level of creativity in your work and help take your PR team to the next level.

TRACK LEADERS

Andrea Martin

Andrea Martin is the Sr. Director of Public Relations and Author Relations for Tyndale House Publishers. With a career spanning 18 years at Tyndale leading marketing, PR, and author relations teams, she has had the privilege of promoting and publicizing hundreds of books across diverse genres and works hard to amplify the voices of best-selling authors, renowned pastors, women’s ministry leaders, musicians, and celebrities, ensuring their message reaches audiences far and wide. Leveraging her deep understanding of the industry and her extensive knowledge of Tyndale, Andrea also collaborates closely with authors, partners, and agents, ensuring their journey from ideation to publication is seamless and enjoyable. Before her tenure at Tyndale, Andrea cut her teeth in the fast-paced worlds of television and newspapers, honing skills that now serve as valuable assets in her current role. When she’s not working, this native Bostonian can be found lost in the pages of a gripping novel, whipping up the latest TikTok recipe, or on a quest to find the perfect “Lobstah” Roll with her husband, three kids and giant golden retriever.

Tara Burns

Tara Burns is the Associate Director of Marketing at InterVarsity Press, having worked within the publicity team for the last five years. Prior to IVP, she worked as a Media Director at a leading advertising agency in Chicago for over a decade, over-seeing media strategies for Fortune 500 companies. A career break in between these two positions allowed her to focus on raising her family and volunteering in her church and community. Tara lives in the Western Suburbs of Chicago with her husband and two teenage boys.

Podcast PR Essentials

Podcast PR Essentials This session will guide publicists through the process of identifying and pitching the most suitable podcasts for their authors and books. Learn how to evaluate podcast metrics, audience demographics, and content alignment to gain the most exposure for your book. By the end of the session, you'll have the tools to craft compelling pitches and make data-driven decisions for podcast placements.

Trent Anderson

Head of Growth & Strategy, Podcast Analytics

The Art and Science of the Pitch

The Art and Science of the Pitch Transform your pitching strategy from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Knowing that there are hundreds of pitches vying for the attention of producers and editors every day, how can you make your pitch stand out? The science of the pitch lies in the elements every proposal must include to be informative, but the art of the pitch is found in the unique nuances that showcase your creativity and create a break-through connection. Increase the likelihood of not just any response, but a positive one, through the insights that will be offered through this panel discussion with the following industry experts:

Mike Slavow

Holy Post producer

Clarissa Moll

The Bulletin producer

And more to come…

Harnessing Social Media as a Strategic PR Tool

Learn from industry social media experts how to effectively harness social media as a powerful PR tool. You'll learn best practices for building relationships with media and influencers on a variety of platforms. The session will also cover tips for identifying which social media efforts are worth your time and how to maximize your impact. By the end, you'll be equipped with strategies to elevate your book promotion through targeted social media engagement.

Jackie Horbrook

Jacqueline Horbrook, also recognized as “Jackie the Educator” across social media platforms, hails from Chicago, Illinois, emerging as a pioneering force among millennials. Armed with a Master's in Education and a Bachelor's in Business, her vision is to be renowned as a Kingdom solutionist. She serves as the visionary CEO of Black Christian Influencers, a thriving community dedicated to empowering kingdom builders across diverse professions. Additionally, she presides over two other flourishing enterprises: BCI Influencer Agency and the Christian Travel Club. Ordained as a minister, her unwavering commitment lies in advancing the kingdom of God, leveraging her manifold talents and gifts.

Navigating Author Expectations: A Guide for Success

Navigating Author Expectations: A Guide for Success In this session, a seasoned publicist and top agent will provide expert guidance on navigating author expectations in the ever-evolving publishing landscape. They will share practical strategies for balancing author ambitions with industry realities, fostering clear communication, and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships. Through real-world insights and proven techniques, attendees will learn how to manage potential challenges and ensure successful outcomes.

Karen Campbell

Owner, Karen Campbell Media

Don Gates

Founder & Principal, The Gates Group

Amplifying the Voices of Authors of Color

Amplifying the Voices of Authors of Color As we seek to truly reflect God’s kingdom in the world today, it is imperative that we deepen our understanding of the unique needs of BIPOC authors and strengthen our collective reach across a comprehensive list of BIPOC media partners. The work begins with hospitality and ends with a media pitch list that supports the whole of each BIPOC author’s identity. Join Jevon Bolden from Embolden Media Group, as she shares a framework for amplifying the voices of color that sets you up to ensure a strong partnership built on trust and a marketplace presence that will make a meaningful difference for every BIPOC book launch.

Jevon Bolden

With two decades of experience in the publishing industry, Jevon Bolden leads Embolden Media Group, a literary agency and publishing consulting firm that exists to cultivate, amplify, and advocate for the works of women writers, authors of color, and forward-thinking creators whose diverse ideas move the world through written, audio, and visual content. Jevon has authored eight books, ghostwritten and edited hundreds of titles, and helped build culture-shifting author brands.

Advocating for inclusion and equity for diverse voices in publishing, Jevon serves as a consultant to the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) and a member of the organization's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) subcommittee. As a conference speaker, workshop facilitator, writing coach, and mentor, she shares the best of what she knows with passionate, creative, and influential people who desire to publish great books that make a difference.

PR Unplugged: Timeless Advice from Industry Veterans

PR Unplugged: Timeless Advice from Industry Veterans A must-attend session! Join us as we wrap up the PR track with a panel of seasoned PR veterans who are ready to share everything they have learned over the years. The industry is changing rapidly, but some key insights in the world of publicity stand the test of time. Learn what has stuck, what has evolved, and how to navigate the changing waters ahead with perseverance and resilience. Come and get the answers to the questions you’ve been afraid to ask and receive words of encouragement regarding the importance of our collective work from a panel of veteran publicists who haven’t given up on the mission-minded nature of work and stand at the ready to press on alongside you.