We recently had the chance to connect with Julie Whitney and have shared our conversation below.
Julie , we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I have recently created two 2D animated trailers for the new children’s streaming series I am working on entitled Astra & Friends. This series, targeted for children ages 3-9, is based upon my two, award-winning children’s books – Astra The Lonely Airplane and Astra In Hollywood. I have spent countless hours producing the trailers and a comprehensive pitch deck, and writing up the TV treatment with more than 25 episodes. I am so very proud of the work that I have created, and the children I have tested the trailers on and enthralled and watch them over and over again, and beg for more content! I need the world to see my hard work, so that Astra & Friends can soar high on the big screen! I am seeking a collaborative partner that may be looking to produce new children’s IP, and help me make this dream a reality.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I have a duel career as both a self-employed PR professional and also a children’s book author. I started my PR company in 2000, after working in the field of advertising and PR on both the agency and client side and also in the field of television. Throughout my 40+ year career, I have worked with clients in virtually every industry – including medicine, health and fitness, legal to automotive, retail, small businesses and authors. I specialize in media relations, knowing how to strategize, write and pitch a newsworthy story, and who to pitch. I love bringing the stories of my clients alive in the traditional and non-traditional media.
I also unexpectedly became a children’s author in 2020 when my husband lost his job as the chief corporate pilot of a beautiful Gulfstream jet when his company decided to eliminate the flight department and sell the plane due to the pandemic. I went with him to clean out the hangar and say goodbye to the beautiful jet and openly wept as I sat inside her interior. I went home that very night and started writing Astra The Lonely Airplane, which was published (Brandylane Publishers, Inc.) in March 2022. The second book in the series, Astra In Hollywood was released in March 2024.
A third book, Astra’s Canine Rescue is also written but not yet published. I am focusing on finding a collaborative partner for the Astra & Friends animated streaming series that I am hoping will soon be in development.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My mother recently passed away, and during her final two weeks of life, she reminded me repeatedly of how very proud of me she continues to be. She was always my biggest fan, and I included her in the dedication page of my first book. She was a hard-working single mom, and nurtured me and encouraged me to be all that I could be!
She likes to remind me that I was very shy as a child, until I discovered that I loved to act and sing, and got on the big stage to perform for the very first time. I became and outgoing and confident individual from that time forward. She encouraged me and supported me in many talent shows, and musicals, and was especially proud when I landed a role as an Extra in the movie “Grease” shot on location in LA in the summer of 1977.
She was equally proud when I won a national essay contest through my AP French Class that earned me a trip to France my senior year in high school. She supported me and encouraged me as I flew across the Atlantic on my own, to meet a group of other American students that I had never met.
She was ecstatic when I started my own company in 2000, and sent me flowers the day I signed with my publisher for my first book.
She has always been my biggest fan, and she is the reason I developed into the confident person that I am today. Although she is no longer with me, I still feel her presence, encouraging me and guiding me every step of the way.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure often leads to much better things and takes us down the path we were intended to follow!
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that being kind to others and being a good listener are what really matters the most to me.
I hate any sort of conflict, and I try to be kind at all costs. Kill ’em with kindness is always the best approach, even when others may be difficult or rude.
I have a memory like an elephant, and rarely forget a birthday or other details about the people in my lives. This is all due to my good listening skills.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I had 10 years left, and unlimited income, I would stop working and travel the universe! There are so many places both in the U.S and abroad that I will never get a chance to visit. My husband and I would buy both a jet and a yacht, and he would captain both of them and take us on many new adventures. And with our own plane, we could visit our kids and grandkids anytime we wanted to! Note that the key to this answer is the “unlimited income” part!
Contact Info:
- Website: julie@pwcommunications.net and AstraTheLonelyAirplane.com
- Instagram: @juliewhitneyauthor and @whitneyjulie
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillippiwhitneycommunications/
- Twitter: BestCincyPRPro
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julie.phillippi.whitney/ and https://www.facebook.com/Bestcincyprpro/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AstraTheLonelyAirplane
- Other: YouTube @juliewhitney1960
