His PRspective: Digital Fashion PR with McArthur Joseph at Bollare

Fashion PR is a profession overrun by women, and we tend to claim the whole field as ours, even via hashtags like #PRGirl. The PR Guys deserve love, too. They work just as hard and have their share of #PRGuyProblems. We began our #PRGuy installment with Gregory Russell and Zack Tanck. PR guys (and gals) everywhere loved it so much, we decided to highlight more guys in the industry. Next up, McArthur Joseph. McArthur, also known as Mac, is on the digital team at Bollare and is the blogger behind Daily Mister. We caught up with our favorite menswear aficionado to chat about his experiences as a guy in the industry.

Tell us your name and the company you work with.

McArthur Joseph (but most people call me Mac) and I work on the digital team at Bollare Communications.

What’s it like being in an office full of women?

Previously I was at an agency called Small Girls PR so I think I’m pretty used to it by now. I don’t think gender plays a major role in an industry like this. I like to surround myself with creative and hard working individuals.

I don’t think gender plays a major role in an industry like this. I like to surround myself with creative and hard working individuals.

Do you get special or different treatment? How so?

I wish! In all seriousness, I never want special treatment because I’m a dude. I let my work speak for itself.

What advantages are there working as a guy in Fashion PR?

I’m able to provide a different perspective and spin to my clients, as well as my coworkers. The team at Bollare is really collaborative and I get to extend my voice and help out with strategy for our amazing brand partners.

Do you automatically get placed on menswear projects?

I do, but I love it. My expertise is in the menswear space and I’m pretty vocal about it. It’s a lot easier to get up every morning and head to an office when you’re doing something you’re passionate about.

Please share any interesting stories you’ve had working as a guy in Fashion PR or just in the industry in general.

As a person who’s worked in digital for a while, I’ve done social media for a couple of women’s driven brands. It’s kind of fun to pretend to be someone else. I always get a kick from when I introduce myself to people as the person behind an account because people expect some twenty-something girl with a designer bag in one hand and an avocado toast in the other. Meanwhile, here I am a guy usually dressed in sneakers with a snapback who can quote random 90s hip hop songs at the drop of a dime.

I’ve done social media for a couple of women’s driven brands. It’s kind of fun to pretend to be someone else.

Do you have any tips you’d like to share with aspiring PR guys out there?

Find what you love and run with it. That can be pretty hard at first but try out a few different internships and do your research. You might start out thinking you only want to work in luxury fashion, but then realize you really like grooming or accessories. There are so many opportunities and amazing jobs out there. There’s no reason to keep yourself in a box.

Stay in touch with Mac on Twitter and Instagram @mcarthurjoseph, as well as the @bollare team.