Alex Daly: A Refreshing Twist on PR
Could you walk me through a typical day in your role?
I have built Daly so that I primarily focus on the high-level details that make the company what it is: its culture, new business, marketing, and vision. I find that approaching my role this way – versus overseeing client work – empowers my team to do their best work.
As a fully remote team, the day starts with everyone exchanging cute hellos with each other on Slack before diving into their respective tasks. Mine typically include catching up on proposals, connecting with my brilliant Managing Director & Partner Ally Bruschi about priorities for the day and week across culture and ops things (she keeps me focused, honest, and sane), and new business calls.
What was your early career like?
When I graduated from college I was on a professional trajectory to becoming a journalist. After working fact checking jobs at various magazines and picking up freelance writing gigs, I realized that journalism wasn’t my path. I had minored in film in college, and decided to give that industry a crack instead, so I took on a production role at a boutique documentary film company, which led me into the world of crowdfunding.
How did you get the title “The Crowdsourceress”?
In my role at the documentary firm, I was working as a production manager, managing a team, working on several film projects, and writing lots of grants to raise money for those projects. I found the grant writing process so slow and disheartening, but I wanted to stick with the job because I figured it could eventually lead me to higher positions in film. One day, a film editor told me about a documentary he was working on, and asked if I knew anything about Kickstarter (he had eyed my grant writing skills). This was 2012, and my short answer was: pretty much nothing.
While I didn’t know what crowdfunding was or how it worked, I told him I was game to help, and learned everything on the fly, from building the campaign page to Googling how to write a press release. We launched, and by the last day of the 30-day campaign, we had surpassed our goal by over 60 percent.
What was it like being named in Forbes’ 30 under 30?
Much like publishing my book, that time of my life was a bit foggy. I was managing too many crowdfunding campaigns without the right support system or company culture, and was feeling burnt out. It took me some time to submerge from that moment to have a deeper level of appreciation.
Still, I recall something very special at the time. When I made the Forbes list, I was already thinking about the next thing – new project, new challenge, new obstacle to overcome. I remember my mom telling me to pause and celebrate this win. We threw a party at my office, and I was surrounded by family, friends, colleagues, clients all celebrating this win, together. It was a lovely moment!
How inclusive is the design industry in 2024?
We’ve been lucky enough to work with some incredible designers and agencies at Daly. While a lot of progress has been made, there is still so much more to be done when it comes to inclusivity – and we find that the best work happens when these commitments come from within an organization.
A great example of a design company that has held themselves accountable and led the conversation on this front is the incredible team at SYLVAIN. Each year, they publish an Impact Assessment, including reports like Accountability Frameworks through which any consultancy can orient itself around progress, while also taking stock of their own performance to-date.
Do you think OCD has impacted your career?
Absolutely! I was diagnosed late in life, and both my perfectionist tendencies and obsessions got in the way of a lot, early on in my career. But what has impacted my career even more is the therapy I have been in for the past 5 years to treat my OCD. It has opened up my mind significantly, made me more self-aware, and empathic – both in my personal life, and as a professional and founder, too.
What are your favorite tools?
Monday.com, Google Drive, Slack.
What’s your dream project/dream client?
I have a few! Headspace, IDEO, Discord, Delta.
What do you think the PR industry needs to improve?
PR is an ever-changing landscape – with the most dramatic changes having unfolded since 2020. The most effective PR approach today is one that is both holistic and niche, and requires nimble, creative, media-obsessed comms folks who can think outside the box. Most agencies are really lacking in that department, and need to take a more proactive, modern approach to succeed.
What career advice would you give your younger self?
Keep going.
Alex Daly’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and creativity. From her early days as a journalist to her current role as a founder and CEO, she has consistently pushed boundaries and challenged herself to grow. Her commitment to inclusivity and her willingness to share her story openly are inspiring, and we are excited to see what the future holds for her and Daly.
Q: What inspired you to start Daly?
A: I was inspired by my own experiences as a crowdfunder and the need for a more holistic approach to PR.
Q: What sets Daly apart from other PR agencies?
A: Our focus on inclusivity and our willingness to think outside the box.
Q: What is your favorite part about being a founder and CEO?
A: The freedom to create and the opportunity to make a difference.
Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own business?
A: Keep going!
