All eyes are on Taylor Swift right now as she closes the first U.S. leg of the Eras tour. To examine her history in the headlines, Baltimore-based 212 Communications released a three-part Taylor Swift Series on its podcast, “Not Your Parents’ PR.” Hosted by superfan Marla Clendenin, the agency’s Creative Partner, she breaks down major takeaways from three albums, including 1989, Reputation and Lover.

For each, she explores how Swift made marketing magic out of tabloids, gracefully handled public scandals on social media and built suspense with hidden “Easter egg” messages in lyrics, music videos and articles. In each podcast episode, Clendenin compares lessons from Swift’s marketing decisions to a popular campaign from a notable brand, such as Domino’s Pizza, Lush Cosmetics and Mountain Dew.

Ultimately, she captures how Swift is a master at public relations, navigating the chaos around her while staying grounded, remaining agile, and using it as fuel to strengthen connections with her audience no matter her public perception. As Swift continues to reinvent herself, she never loses sight to producing great work, which all brands should take note of.

The podcast is promoted as “Lessons and laughs for communications professionals in 10ish minutes. Thoughts brought to you by 212 Communications, a strategic communications agency. Hosted by Marla Clendenin, Mads Caldwell and Erica Mechlinski.”

You can listen to the series here:

1. How Taylor Swift’s 1989 Album Took Back the Power of Perception
2. Taylor Swift’s Album Reputation Shows us How to Master Social Media
3. Taylor Swift Shows us the Art of the Easter Egg in her Album Lover

Matthew Kilmurry

Annapolis-based digital marketing agency Intrinsic Digital, specializing in geofencing, streaming TV advertising, and AI-driven creative services across the multifamily, restaurant, hotel, and retail sectors, has landed at #953 on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies. Intrinsic Digital also secured the 37th spot for the fastest-growing private company in the Mid-Atlantic Region. According to an announcement, “This significant accolade underlines the company’s steadfast dedication to innovation, growth, and pioneering marketing endeavors.” Matthew Kilmurry, Intrinsic’s CEO, expressed gratitude to his team and clients: “I am grateful to our clients for their trust and to our employees for their unwavering dedication. Being part of the Inc. 5000 is a testament to our shared commitment to excellence and growth.”

Sage Growth Partners, a Baltimore-based healthcare research, strategy, and marketing firm, announced the hiring of new staff to provide expanded communication services and account support for continued national growth and client success. Katy Gathright is now Account Group Director. Prior to joining SGP, she was most recently a Writing Seminars Graduate Student at John Hopkins University and also worked as an Ultimate Novel Writing Course Moderator with Jericho Writers. Tom Sullivan has joined the firm as the Senior Director of Editorial Services. An accomplished editor and writer, he was most recently Editor-in-Chief and head of content for League, a leading healthcare consumer experience platform, and prior to that was the Editor-in-Chief for Health Evolution.

Main photo via 212 Communications, left to right, Madeline Caldwell, managing partner; Erica Mechlinski, founding partner; Marla Rose Clendenin, creative partner.