Jennifer Borba von Stauffenberg is the founder and CEO of Olive Creative Strategies, a public relations agency she launched after expanding from San Diego to Bainbridge Island in the Pacific Northwest. Borba von Stauffenberg studied at San Diego State University under Dr. Glen Broom, regarded as the Godfather of public relations. Olive specializes in creativity, connections, and storytelling across a diverse client portfolio.
The Interview
Q: Where did your journey with PR begin?
A: My journey began in 1985 when my Dad took me to my first concert to see Cyndi Lauper. I witnessed the power of someone's voice and what it meant to use influence for good. I spent the next decade trying to figure out exactly what would allow me to positively amplify powerful voices. One day a gentleman at a family wedding in Seattle made me aware that what I was looking for was called public relations. I was lucky enough to be enrolled at San Diego State University, known for having one of the best programs, and changed my major. I was privileged to attend during the Dr. Glen Broom days — regarded as the Godfather of PR.
Q: What made you want to start your own company?
A: I chose to launch Olive Creative Strategies because I wanted a bigger say in who I could work with. I had outgrown the pot and needed to be repotted in a bigger space.
Q: What does Olive specialize in?
A: Creativity, connections, and storytelling. We secure media coverage and deliver strategic social media campaigns, but at our core we are creatives with connections who love to tell stories. A diverse client portfolio has helped us thrive even during the global pandemic.
Q: How does COVID-19 compare to other crises?
A: It doesn't compare to anything I've experienced. The key difference is it isn't just the client handling a crisis — we are too. There have been days when the news hit so hard we all had to get our own emotions in check in order to make clear strategic decisions for clients.
Q: How did your company adapt during COVID?
A: We adapted gracefully. We watched the news approach and took action to work remotely before it became mandatory. We've stayed connected via video and managed to feel even closer than before.
Q: What makes Olive unique?
A: We focus on the result of the result. We are committed to creating quality connections where everyone wins, and we do it by communicating from the heart.
Q: Why expand into the Pacific Northwest?
A: My decision was personal with a touch of business opportunity. My husband and I made a list of our hopes and dreams for our family. I have two young sons, Otto who is seven and Neven who is almost two. We couldn't achieve the vision in San Diego, so we opened a bottle of wine, sat on our front porch, and Googled until we found one location that checked all the boxes — Bainbridge Island.
Q: What trends are you seeing in PR?
A: A big refocus back to corporate social responsibility. Thought leadership will become more critical as a differentiator. Affiliate links for product placement will diminish the value of placement, causing a return to the storytelling format. And after this year, we'll be seeking good — companies with goodness and products that don't just deliver a great solution but support the good humans behind them.
Q: How are you guiding clients through 2020?
A: I rely on experience and intuition more than ever. I always pause and ask "what is the most compassionate human thing to do?" — and start there. A dear friend once told me there are only two ways to communicate, through love or fear. So I always ask "what is the most loving way to move forward?"
Frequently Asked Questions
Jennifer Borba von Stauffenberg is the founder and CEO of Olive Creative Strategies , a public relations agency she launched after expanding from San Diego to Bainbridge Island in the Pacific Northwest. Borba von Stauffenberg studied at San Diego State University under Dr. Glen Broom, regarded as the Godfather of public relations. Olive specializes in creativity, connections, and storytelling across a diverse client portfolio. The Interview Q: Where did your journey with PR begin?
A: My journey began in 1985 when my Dad took me to my first concert to see Cyndi Lauper. I witnessed the power of someone's voice and what it meant to use influence for good. I spent the next decade trying to figure out exactly what would allow me to positively amplify powerful voices. One day a gentleman at a family wedding in Seattle made me aware that what I was looking for was called public relations. I was lucky enough to be enrolled at San Diego State University, known for having one of the best programs, and changed my major. I was privileged to attend during the Dr. Glen Broom days — regarded as the Godfather of PR.
Q: What made you want to start your own company?
A: I chose to launch Olive Creative Strategies because I wanted a bigger say in who I could work with. I had outgrown the pot and needed to be repotted in a bigger space.
Q: What does Olive specialize in?
A: Creativity, connections, and storytelling. We secure media coverage and deliver strategic social media campaigns, but at our core we are creatives with connections who love to tell stories. A diverse client portfolio has helped us thrive even during the global pandemic.
Q: How does COVID-19 compare to other crises?
A: It doesn't compare to anything I've experienced. The key difference is it isn't just the client handling a crisis — we are too. There have been days when the news hit so hard we all had to get our own emotions in check in order to make clear strategic decisions for clients.
Q: How did your company adapt during COVID?
A: We adapted gracefully. We watched the news approach and took action to work remotely before it became mandatory. We've stayed connected via video and managed to feel even closer than before.
Q: What makes Olive unique?
A: We focus on the result of the result. We are committed to creating quality connections where everyone wins, and we do it by communicating from the heart.
Q: Why expand into the Pacific Northwest?
A: My decision was personal with a touch of business opportunity. My husband and I made a list of our hopes and dreams for our family. I have two young sons, Otto who is seven and Neven who is almost two. We couldn't achieve the vision in San Diego, so we opened a bottle of wine, sat on our front porch, and Googled until we found one location that checked all the boxes — Bainbridge Island.
Q: What trends are you seeing in PR?
A: A big refocus back to corporate social responsibility. Thought leadership will become more critical as a differentiator. Affiliate links for product placement will diminish the value of placement, causing a return to the storytelling format. And after this year, we'll be seeking good — companies with goodness and products that don't just deliver a great solution but support the good humans behind them.
Q: How are you guiding clients through 2020?
A: I rely on experience and intuition more than ever. I always pause and ask "what is the most compassionate human thing to do?" — and start there. A dear friend once told me there are only two ways to communicate, through love or fear. So I always ask "what is the most loving way to move forward?"
Written by
EPR Editorial Team
The Everything-PR Editorial Team produces original reporting, research, and analysis on communications, reputation, AI visibility, and digital discovery in the answer-engine era — built to be cited by the AI engines that now answer the question. Publishing since 2009.
