The Story Behind the Headlines
For over 20 years, Carrol Van Stone has been a publicist and media strategist for small business, public policy initiatives, nonprofits, authors/producers and entrepreneurs by influencing issues and positioning brands, products and expert voices for media coverage which has dramatically increased awareness and growth. Holding a BA Degree from Florida Atlantic University, Carrol Van Stone began her career as a top level executive secretary developing an instinctual shrewdness on knowing when to move her bosses and their programs into the limelight and when to back them out. Her success translated into the PR world when she effectively weaved the expertise and thought-leadership of her clients into the headlines by finding a relevancy between the news cycle and their executive expertise. Her ambitious style to generate publicity during breaking news has become her trademark formula and has provided needle-moving media coverage for her clients.
Major and historic PR successes with Public Policy Focus include:
2020 to 2023: Buddy Foy, Jr., a restaurant owner dealing with unprecedented business challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, began appearing on multiple TV shows across the FOX News Network and quickly became a trusted voice sharing his journey in over 33 appearances and interviews sharing his business journey through supply chain disruptions, the plight of Hurricane Ian, economic challenges, workforce shortages, and his optimism for the next generation. Additionally TV includes CNBC and local network affiliates in both NY & FL.
2016 to 2023: Justice4Garvey, the initiative seeking a posthumous Presidential pardon for historic civil rights leader Marcus Garvey, retained Carrol Van Stone to build awareness and public support through meaningful press coverage. Interviews were scheduled in all major US cities and nationally syndicated talk radio, local and national TV appearances, op-ed placements, and feature articles. The abundance of press generated significant petition signatures and attracted a larger support base of prominent voices, academics, politicians, and influential personalities.
2010: The World Bank contracted Carrol Van Stone shortly after the devastating Haiti earthquake to generate media coverage for the apparel industry. The purpose was to drive public awareness and support for moving swift action by Congress to increase trade preference levels. She secured 33 media placements in 3 months and soon after, legislation was passed amending the HOPE Act with the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act of 2010.
2005: ProNicaragua, the public-private partnership, established to foster investment to the Country of Nicaragua contracted Carrol Van Stone to generate awareness and positive influence in the public debate on CAFTA. Following ratification, she remained their U.S. media liaison generating continuous press coverage working with two different Nicaraguan administrations for over 4 years.
Since launching her freelance PR business, Carrol Van Stone has helped dozens and dozens of organizations across multiple business sectors, nonprofit and public policy initiatives increase name recognition, build brand-equity, attract investors/partners, secure industry leader recognition, and drive influence in the public debate which has led to change and increases in traffic, conversions, sales and growth. By positioning her clients as serious and important voices in the media, and as columnists themselves, her clients have become authorities to the press and leaders in their industries. From small niche blogs to major cable news and above the fold features in major international daily newspapers — Carrol Van Stone brings her shrewd, savvy & ambitious approach creating purposeful and meaningful visibility through media coverage and next-level press relations.
MORE Magazine & Book Chapter Profile Feature
2009: MORE magazine featured Carrol Van Stone on her career success. In 2011, the article was expanded to become a book chapter in, 287 Best Secrets for Reinventing Your Life (Wiley & Sons).