When I found out that Colleen Lippert, Founder & Owner of Nashville based public relations firm, Anchor Publicity was celebrating 10 Years of putting her clients in the spotlight, I knew it was time for someone to shine a light on Colleen.

I am honored & thrilled that Colleen answered my call because Colleen has been one of the most supportive publicists I have worked with during my 17-year career as a Media Personality & Celebrity Interviewer.

Not only has Colleen asked me to interview many of her clients, including Twinnie, Charlotte Morris & Spencer Jordan, but she has also taken the time to really get to know me as a person.

It's no wonder that her business philosophy is "Everyone deserves someone in their corner who truly believes in them.”

Colleen's clients are VERY LUCKY to have her in their corner!

In this interview, Colleen answered my call to share:

• Why Anchor began in music PR, and how she knew it was time to grow beyond it
• The moment 2016 became the year Anchor Publicity opened its doors in Nashville
• Real talk behind client relationships, letting go, and knowing when a PR partnership has run its course
• Advice for anyone dreaming of starting their own public relations company
• What ten years of business ownership taught her that she wishes she knew on day one
• How Anchor Publicity creates a supportive, safe, and deeply invested space for every client it represents
• So much more

Connect with Colleen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

Colleen Lippert in Nashville
Celebrating 10 Years of Anchor Publicity
Photo courtesy of Colleen Lippert

1. Who or what made you want to become a publicist? I am going to give all the credit to Cher for this one! When I was seven years old, I went to see Cher and Cyndi Lauper at Madison Square Garden. It was my first concert, and they both set the bar pretty high for me!

From where we were sitting, I had a view of what was happening behind the stage. I could see everyone rushing around between costume changes and everything else happening out of sight. I was fascinated by it all.

Of course, I was completely mesmerized by the show, but I think I was even more starstruck by the fact that upwards of 20,000 complete strangers were all united for a few hours, singing the same songs and bonding over a shared interest. I don't think I even knew what a publicist was back then, but I knew from that point on that I wanted to do what the people backstage were doing when I grew up.

I've always been someone who shies away from the spotlight myself, so I knew I wanted to be behind the scenes. I loved the idea of being part of creating something that could bring people together without being the person standing on the stage.

To this day, Cher is still my ultimate idol…and I still want to be her when I grow up.

2. You started Anchor Publicity in 2016 as a music PR firm. When did you know 2016 was going to be the year you opened your doors? Honestly, I think 2016 chose me! Opening a PR firm was the furthest thing from my mind. I was 25, fresh out of college, and had just moved to Nashville from New York when I had a #MeToo experience at my first job in the industry.

It felt like everything I had worked so hard for came crashing down before it had even really started, and suddenly I had no idea what I was going to do next.

My mom suggested I start my own company. My first thought was, Absolutely not. I’m not ready. I didn't have the years of experience some of my peers had and I knew nothing about running a business. I was terrified to fail.

But eventually, I convinced myself that I had nothing to lose by trying. I got to build Anchor Publicity from the ground up, completely on my own, and create the kind of company I wanted to work for. That’s something I am incredibly proud of.

3. What made you want to start out as a music public relations firm? Music was the industry that felt the most natural to me, and honestly, I have American Idol and Bucky Covington to thank for my career.

I lost my dad when I was young and I had a really hard time navigating life after that. As a kid, I loved watching Bucky on American Idol and it gave me something to look forward to each week. After every episode, I would call in and vote as many times as I could.

I remember telling my mom, "I'm going to meet him one day." Even though she thought the odds were against me, she never discouraged me from believing that. A few years later, Bucky came to perform in my hometown and I finally got my chance. From that point on, I went to every show of his that I could.

I eventually got to know Bucky and his family really well. I literally grew up around them. When I told him that I wanted to pursue a career in music publicity, he took me under his wing and let me intern for him. I helped with tour press, meet-and-greets, merch sales, etc. I was so grateful and soaked everything up like a sponge.

Bucky really opened the door for me. When I started Anchor Publicity, he became one of my first clients and we still work together today. It’s been 20+ years since I first saw him on TV and it feels like my entire career came full circle. This story makes him cry, which is also why I love telling it. Ha!

4. When & why did you decide it was time to expand into other parts of the entertainment industry? I love that PR isn't just about getting an article published. You're helping introduce someone to an audience and get their story and their work out into the world. As I've gotten older, material things have really lost their value to me and I've realized that what I really want to do is help people.

There is so much negativity and chaos in the world. I think I've reached a point where I want the work I do to have a positive impact in whatever way it can. If I have the ability to offer something that is genuinely beneficial to another person, why wouldn't I help?

As my business grew, I started meeting people outside of the music industry who needed that same kind of support and advocacy. Expanding into other areas felt like a natural extension of what I was already doing. At the end of the day, the industry may change, but the goal stays the same.

5. As time goes on, people change. How do you know when it's time to let a client go & how have you handled things when a client feels they need to change PR firms? I think the biggest thing is recognizing that not every relationship is meant to last forever, and that's okay. Sometimes a client’s goals change. Sometimes their team changes. Sometimes they need something different than what you offer. And sometimes it’s as simple as the relationship just isn't the right fit anymore.

I try very hard not to take those things personally. I want every client to be somewhere they feel confident and supported, even if that ultimately isn't with me. At the same time, I think it's important to know your own boundaries and recognize when a professional relationship is no longer healthy or productive.

L to R: American Idol's Bucky Covington
Anchor Publicity's Colleen Lippert
Hannah Covington (Bucky's wife)
Photo courtesy of Anchor Publicity Social Media

6. What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start their own public relations company? Build genuine relationships, don't promise things you can't deliver, keep your expectations realistic and, most importantly, remember that your name is attached to everything you do. In PR, your reputation is one of your biggest assets.

The official job title may be “publicist,” but you're also a salesperson, accountant, HR department, customer service representative, strategist, therapist, social media manager and about 47 other things some days.

Don’t let communication become transactional. Get to know the journalists you’re emailing. Ask them how their week has been. We are all just trying to do our best and you never know what someone else is going through.

7. What is something you know now about PR or owning your own business that you wish you knew back in 2016 when you first started Anchor Publicity? There will be days when you wonder if you've made the right choice and feel completely defeated. I can't count the number of times over the last 10 years I've thought, Maybe I should have gone to dental school or being a florist sounds like such a peaceful job. But deep down, I know this is the career I was meant for.

I wish I'd realized sooner that it's impossible to make everyone happy. You can give 110 percent, get great results, communicate constantly, and genuinely care about someone, and sometimes it still won't be enough. That's part of owning a business.

The biggest lesson has been understanding the difference between constructive criticism and carrying someone else's expectations on your shoulders. You can't let someone else's opinion determine your worth. Truthfully, that's something I'm still learning.

8. In addition to having YOU at the helm, what do you feel makes Anchor Publicity different from other PR firms? I’d like to think it's the level of personal investment I have in my clients. I’m not interested in treating people like numbers on a roster. I care about understanding who someone is, what they're trying to accomplish, what makes their story unique, and where they ultimately want to go. Sometimes that means getting creative and finding opportunities that aren't necessarily the obvious ones.

I want to be someone my clients know they can come to when they need advice, an introduction, a strategy, a problem solved, or just someone in their corner. PR is the job, but being a resource and an advocate for my clients is what I really want Anchor to be known for.

9. Press notes state that you "...started Anchor Publicity with a belief that everyone deserves someone in their corner who truly believes in them." Why do you feel this is so important for your clients to succeed? The entertainment industry can be incredibly isolating. You're putting your work, your creativity, and often very personal pieces of yourself out into the world, and rejection is inevitable. Having someone beside you who genuinely believes in what you're doing can make a huge difference, especially when it comes to mental health.

Because I've experienced firsthand what it means to have people truly show up for you, that's the kind of person I want to be for my clients. I never want anyone to think I'm working with them simply because they're paying me. That's not who I am. If I take someone on as a client, I genuinely want to see them succeed.

Colleen Lippert
Celebrating her Birthday in 2023
Photo courtesy of Anchor Publicity Social Media

10. Press notes also state you "...wanted to create a place where clients feel supported, valued, and safe." How do you create this kind of environment? A lot of it comes down to communication and trust. In the entertainment industry, people are constantly expected to be "on." They're performing, doing interviews, taking photos, meeting people and putting their best face forward. I want them to know that they don't have to do that with me.

Whether we're backstage before a show, traveling on a tour bus, or having a completely ordinary weekday meeting in my office, I want my clients to feel like they can just be themselves around me. No judgment. No expectations. Honestly, show up to my office in your pajamas. I want everyone to feel comfortable with me.

I also never want someone to be put in a similar situation that I was put in at the beginning of my career. If I can prevent that in any way, I will.

11. Who do you still hope you get to represent one day for all their PR needs? This may seem a little out of the blue to some people, but I would absolutely LOVE to work with Karen Read. I became really invested in her story while her trial was taking place, and I think she has a unique perspective and a lot of insight that could be valuable to people.

Her case has sparked so many larger conversations about the justice system, media coverage, public perception, and what happens when someone becomes a global story. I think Karen has an opportunity to use her experience to contribute to those conversations and potentially help prevent similar situations in the future.

From a PR perspective, I would genuinely love the opportunity to help her tell her story thoughtfully and authentically, while making sure she feels supported throughout the process. I think it would be an incredibly meaningful project to be part of.

12. What is something we didn't get to talk about in this interview that you'd like my audience to know about you? I think people hear the word "publicist" and immediately think glamour…red carpets, celebrity events, the whole nine yards.

In reality, I'm actually a pretty quiet, introverted person. I'm happiest at home, watching a true crime documentary and snuggling with my dog.

I also love to joke around and laugh, so I'm definitely not as serious as the word "publicist" might make me sound!

If you'd like to chat, have a question, or think we might be a good fit to work together, reach out and send me a message. I'd love to hear from you!

Colleen Lippert
Photo courtesy of Colleen Lippert

More on Colleen Lippert:

Colleen Lippert, the sweet, hardworking powerhouse celebrity publicist is known around town for getting the job done! Colleen has represented some of the biggest names in music. Her impressive roster includes over 100 clients who have been featured in popular magazines, television shows, and radio broadcasts.

The former zookeeper-turned-CEO is a three-time ‘Publicist of the Year’ nominee at the Josie Music Awards, the 2022 recipient of ‘Best Secret Keeper (Publicist)’ at Nashville’s YEPPIE Awards and has been named a “Power Woman” and “Rockstar Publicist” by Authority Magazine.

Colleen is also a passionate advocate for women’s rights and animal welfare, proving that her heart is as big as her talent, and was the inaugural feature in Music City Melody’s ‘Empowered Women Empowering Women’ 2024 series.

Colleen first discovered her love for music at age seven while attending her first concert – Cher with Cyndi Lauper. She loved the bright lights and captivating entertainment, but she loved how music brought thousands of strangers together even more.

Fast forward fifteen years, Colleen graduated from Marist College with her degree in Public Relations and moved from New York to Nashville to chase her dream. She interned in the music industry for two years, working with some of the most talented people in country music.

Always ambitious and determined, Colleen made her dream a reality by opening Anchor Publicity in 2016.

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