Savannah Britt Speaks on How She Got Started in the Entertainment Industry

Savannah Britt Speaks on How She Got Started in the Entertainment Industry, Social and Digital Media, Being a PR Specialist and More

As we continue on with Women’s History Month and the interview series, we’re going to show some love to a woman who’s been grinding and putting plays together since she was 9 years old. Savannah Britt has become one of the most recognized women in the entertainment world and for good reason. The young mogul has her own company called GP & Britt Public Relations, she has been involved in multiple projects that have included brands such as Pelle-Pelle and REVOLT, and has become one of the go to women when it pertains to content creation, social media, PR, and digital strategy work.

I was able to catch up with Savannah and we had the chance to talk about her come up story, being a PR guru, women in the industry, her connections to Boi-1da and much more.

1 – How did you begin your journey in the entertainment industry?

I started my own magazine when I was twelve-years-old called Girlpez. It focused on fashion, entertainment, and issues around self-esteem development for teen girls. I found myself attending and reporting on lots of events like concerts, fashion shows, and red carpet events. I began connecting the dots early on and it was up from there.

2 – What about the industry intrigued you to be apart of it?

I love meeting new and interesting people. The entertainment industry exposes you to all different sorts of people. One day you can meet a magazine editor at a party, and the very next day you’re grabbing lunch with a former rapper-turned-Silicon Valley expert. Everyone has an interesting story and perspective that they bring with them. When you meet all these different people, you really start to build with one another, and together you all reach a common goal.

3 – You worked for a newspaper at the age of 9 and then started your own magazine at the age of 12. Although that’s really young to have your own brand, it teaches a valuable lesson of doing things on your own. What type of inspiration did you have around you at that time that made you make that decision?

Both my parents work in education which was a plus. They’ve also allotted me more than enough tools to learn and explore the things that peak my interest. One year, I remember being a kid and being fascinated with Egyptian culture. My parents gifted me with a bunch of picture books about Egypt. I remember being in first grade when the George W. Bush vs. Al Gore election happened, and I told my parents how unfair the electoral college was. They encouraged me to write a letter to the White House about my concerns about the electoral college, and I did! They’ve always fed my creative curiosities which ultimately inspired me to be my best self.

4 – Along with being a social media + digital specialist you also do some PR work. How did you manage to get into that?

After high school, I folded my magazine, and freshman year of college I decided to start my journey to public relations. My first client ever was Milyn Jensen from Bad Girls Club. I found her on Instagram before she was even on the show and shot her a message and she replied. I started doing image consulting for her, and I utilized many of the relationships that I had built through my magazine. Everything after that became a domino effect. One thing led to another, and here I am now.

5 – The term “PR” means Public Relations but for those who don’t know, what exactly does PR specialist do in this industry?

Public relations encompasses a lot under its umbrella. In sum, public relations specialists are in charge of how a client’s image is relayed to the public. This can mean scheduling interviews with media, preparing for the release of a single, organizing an album release party, taking a client on a New York Fashion Week run, handling a social media crisis, and so much more.

6 – What are some pros and cons of being a young woman in an industry that’s pretty much male-dominated?

The pros are that often times when you are the only female in a male setting you get access to a lot of things that guys would not get access to first. For instance, if I’m trying to get into an exclusive party–a guy is way more inclined to help me get in before my male counterpart, simply because I am a woman.

However, being a pretty woman may get you in the door but often times it can be a distraction for these men. I’m very serious about my work and what I do, and often times guys in this industry will try to sway the focus from work to dating me or trying to hook up. It can be frustrating sometimes because it’s like “Do you really believe in my work or is this just about my looks?” Either way, I hold my own and steer every conversation.

7 – You’re only 23 years old but it seems like you’ve accomplished so much in so little time. What keeps you motivated?

Thank you! I think I’m my biggest critic but also my biggest cheerleader, and I think the balance of both keeps me going. I love every feat that I make, but I’m always thinking about what’s next. I’m motivated to outperform my last move and continue to better myself. I’m also motivated by knowing there are no limits. Once you have a grasp of that–you’re really capable of doing anything!

8 – How did you manage to get connected with Boi-1da?

I connected with his really good friend Marlon, who he started his website with, about three years ago. I slid in his Instagram DMs and told him I was interested in writing for the site. The rest was history.

9 – Was writing a passion of yours as well?

Writing has always been a passion of mine, that’s why I still continue to do it to this day. It has always been a way for me to express myself. I love discovering new and rising talent and sharing their stories with the world. I also enjoy other areas of writing like politics and fiction.

10 – In your honest opinion, do you feel the women in the entertainment industry, whether in the spotlight or behind the scenes, get the credit that they deserve? Why or why not?

More than ever, the conversation around women is loud and clear. So many amazing things are happening centered around women. We are shining our light brighter than ever. Ava DuVernay and Shonda Rhimes are household names. Last year’s Women’s March was the largest single-day protest in U.S. history. The mayor of San Juan, Carmen Yulin Cruz, was vital in the response to the Hurricane Maria disaster in Puerto Rico. Hillary Clinton made history for women in politics. But even that feat showed that although we have made major strides, the conversation must continue and that it doesn’t stop there. We as women have to continue to keep kicking down these doors and demanding respect and representation in every room that we walk in to. It’s the only way to keep the momentum going.

11 – What’s been the most important piece of advice given to you throughout your come up?

Someone once told me, “It’s not about knowing a bunch of people. It’s about knowing a handful of people that can help you in different areas and continue that symbiotic relationship to get things done.” You’ll find yourself running out of endurance if all you do is name chase and make an effort to know every single person. While you’re focused on trying to meet a new person every day you could be continuously building with ten people who all have what you’re looking for and vice versa.

12 – What should people look forward to getting from you as 2018 continues on?

This year is going to be crazy! I’m going to be dishing out more activations and contents per usual, but I’m also going to be tapping into other areas like A&R’ing, community service, and lots of other cool things. Stay tuned!