The Power of Personal Branding: Meredith Corning Of Meredith Corning PR On How Publicists Shape Influential Leaders
An Interview With Chad Silverstein
Break Free from Industry Boxes
Lead with Truth, Not Trends
Transform Your Self-Perception First
Create Movement, Not Just Moments
Create Movement, Not Just Moments
In today’s digital-first world, personal branding has emerged as a cornerstone of professional success and influence. Behind many of the most recognized leaders and personalities stands a strategic partnership with skilled publicists who craft and convey their stories, values, and visions to the world. I had the pleasure of interviewing Meredith Corning.
Meredith Corning, an award-winning publicist and strategic communications expert, has spent over two decades shaping the narratives of influential leaders across diverse industries including fashion, hospitality, medical aesthetics, software, law, and nonprofit organizations. Her pioneering “mind shift” methodology combines traditional media relations with innovative event production and strategic storytelling, helping leaders authentically amplify their influence while transforming how they view themselves and their work. Based in the Ozark Mountains region, Corning’s holistic approach to building influence through creative campaign direction, influencer partnerships, and strategic event planning has revolutionized how businesses and creative entrepreneurs communicate their stories, demonstrating that modern publicity requires equal parts strategic thinking, creative vision, and authentic relationship building.
Thank you for joining us. To start, could you share your “origin story” with our readers? How did you begin your journey, and what challenges did you face in the early days?
My journey into PR wasn’t a straight line. It rarely is for the most interesting stories, right? I started as a dancer, which taught me early on about the power of perception and presentation. Throughout my career, I’ve always found myself naturally gravitating toward creative industries and artistic personalities. This background gave me a unique perspective on how to help others present themselves authentically while making an impact.
Initially, I worked in sales and marketing positions within the entertainment, beauty, and hospitality industries. What fascinated me was how the right story, told the right way, could transform not just how others see you, but how you see yourself. Time and again, I’ve watched how embracing one’s authentic self, perceived imperfections and all, unleashes waves of creative energy and innovative thinking. The challenges I faced early on actually became my greatest assets. I learned that being analytical and creative isn’t a contradiction, it’s a superpower in PR. This realization eventually led me to develop my own methodology for personal and professional transformation.
Can you share a transformative moment or campaign in your career where you significantly altered the personal brand of a leader, and what was the impact of that change?
While I respect client confidentiality, I can share a particularly impactful transformation we achieved with a client who had been positioning themselves as “just another local business owner.” Through our work together, we completely shifted their self-perception and market position. Not only did we change their messaging but we also helped them break free from the box they’d put themselves in.
This transformation began with challenging their own limitations and ended with them becoming a recognized industry authority. The impact wasn’t just in media coverage or business growth, it was in watching them step fully into their leadership and influence.
How do you navigate the balance between a leader’s authentic self and the public persona you craft for them in their branding strategy?
Here’s what most people get wrong about authenticity in personal branding: they think it’s about fitting into a predetermined mold of what a leader should be. I believe it’s exactly the opposite. My approach, particularly through the Meredith MindShift Methodology (M³), focuses on breaking free from these prescribed notions.
We never craft a “persona”. Instead, we uncover and amplify what’s already there. It’s about removing the limitations and boxes society has placed around them, not creating new ones. True authenticity comes from understanding that you don’t have to fit into anyone’s predetermined categories to be influential.
What are the most common misconceptions leaders have about personal branding, and how do you address these in your work?
The most common misconception I encounter about personal branding, especially among small business owners and creative entrepreneurs, is actually the fear that polishing their presentation will somehow make them appear inauthentic. They worry that professional photography, strategic messaging, or curated content will strip away their uniqueness or make them seem “fake.” It’s as if they believe that authenticity can only exist in its raw, unfiltered form.
What I help them understand is that thoughtful presentation doesn’t diminish authenticity…it amplifies it! A good creative director knows how to showcase what’s already genuine and special about a brand or person, just in its best light. It’s about finding the sweet spot between professional and approachable. Sometimes this means simple adjustments, like ensuring manicured fingernails before photographing food preparation, or understanding that while candid iPhone shots are charming, they might not all belong on your professional platforms. It can also mean making thoughtful choices about personal presentation. A luxury fashion designer needs to embody their brand through their own styling choices, especially at international industry events where their personal appearance is an extension of their brand’s credibility. Other times, it’s about helping clients find the right balance and yes, showing personality through fun reels is great, but if you’re a financial advisor, you also need to maintain content that reinforces your expertise and trustworthiness. Real authenticity isn’t about being completely unfiltered; it’s about thoughtfully presenting your true self in a way that resonates with your audience while staying true to your brand’s purpose.
In a crisis situation, what steps do you take to protect or rehabilitate the personal brand of a leader?
First, we get clear on what truth really means in the situation and not “your truth” versus “someone else’s truth,” but actual facts. Then we:
- Assess the situation without emotional reaction
- Protect the authentic core of their brand
- Communicate with transparency and integrity
- Take decisive action that aligns with their values
- Use the situation as an opportunity for genuine growth
Could you list and briefly explain “5 Things You Need to Know to Shape a Personal Brand” based on your experiences and insights? If you can, please share a story or example for each.
- Break Free from Industry Boxes
Story: One client kept trying to mirror their competitors until we helped them realize their unique approach was actually their greatest strength.
2. Lead with Truth, Not Trends
Story: A client was forcing themselves to be active on every social platform until we helped them focus on the channels where they could provide real value.
3. Transform Your Self-Perception First
Story: We worked with a leader who was an expert in their field but presented themselves as a novice. Once they embraced their expertise, their influence naturally expanded.
4. Create Movement, Not Just Moments
Story: Rather than just chasing press hits, we helped a client build a sustainable platform for ongoing influence through strategic storytelling and community building.
5. Protect Your Mental Space
Story: Teaching clients to be selective about which opportunities they pursue and which they let go, ensuring their brand growth aligns with their authentic path.
Looking forward, how do you see the role of technology and social media evolving in the way publicists shape and manage the personal brands of leaders?
While technology continues to evolve, the fundamental truth remains: authentic leadership can’t be automated. The future of personal branding will be less about being everywhere and more about being intentional. We’ll see more emphasis on genuine connection and less on artificial perfection.
How can our readers follow your work?
You can follow our PR journey at www.meredithcorningpr.com or connect with me on Instagram @meredithcorningpr.
For event inspiration and behind-the-scenes glimpses of our creative productions, follow our event division at www.meredithevents.com and @meredithevents on Instagram.
We share different types of content on each platform — press hits and leadership transformation on our PR channels, and artistic event design and creative direction on our events channels.
Portrait photography by @layersphoto and in-action shot by @leah.vibrantoccasionscatering used in this interview with permission.
Thank you for offering such valuable insights into the power of personal branding. We wish you continued success in all of your work.
About the Interviewer: Chad Silverstein, a seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience as the Founder and CEO of multiple companies. He launched Choice Recovery, Inc., a healthcare collection agency, while going to The Ohio State University, His team earned national recognition, twice being ranked as the #1 business to work for in Central Ohio. In 2018, Chad launched [re]start, a career development platform connecting thousands of individuals in collections with meaningful employment opportunities, He sold Choice Recovery on his 25th anniversary and in 2023, sold the majority interest in [re]start so he can focus his transition to Built to Lead as an Executive Leadership Coach. Learn more at www.chadsilverstein.com
The Power of Personal Branding: Meredith Corning Of Meredith Corning PR On How Publicists Shape… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.