Johnna Muscente
Vice President of Communications & PR
The Corcoran Group
As a strategic communications executive, Johnna Muscente has over 17 years of experience as a trusted advisor to some of the most prominent brands across the real estate, travel, and lifestyle spaces.
Known for big-picture thinking and consistent results, she is currently the Head of Communications at The Corcoran Group, where she serves as strategic counsel to the CEO while overseeing corporate communications, external brand positioning, and innovative internal communications.
She formerly led Vail Resorts’ Global Communications department, driving the international PR efforts for the ski industry giant across Australia, Europe, South America, and the United Kingdom, increasing awareness of the company’s destinations and consumer products around the world. While at Hearst Magazines, as the Director of Public Relations, she handled communications for some of the biggest lifestyle media brands in the world including ELLE Magazine, Harper's BAZAAR, Redbook, and more.
A proud graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, she is an outdoor enthusiast and an avid skier, fortunate to have hit the slopes on three separate continents. Johnna lives in New York with her husband, their newborn daughter, and a very spoiled dog named Nala.
5 Things I Wish I Knew……
✶ Consume the news.
Every communications professional should have a solid understanding of what reporters are writing, what information they are including, and who their sources are. Being an avid consumer of the news will set you apart and keep you informed.
✶ Learn from those around you.
Learn from the comms pros who have been in the industry for years and have seen it all. Listen to the junior staffers and pay attention to their fresh perspectives. Learn from every journalist you meet - get to know them as people, listen to what interests them, and who their audiences are.
✶ Don't forget that we're here to tell a story.
Success in our industry is no longer about churning out press releases, it’s about engaging with others to tell an effective story. At the end of the day, the media covers the news and if your brand doesn't have anything particularly newsworthy to talk about, you need to create by finding the angle.
✶ Your reputation is your most valuable asset.
It really is a small world, and yes, everyone does know everyone. If you're notorious for being challenging to work with, there's a good chance that someone outside of your immediate sphere is aware of it too. Always be respectful and better yet, be a good teammate.
✶ If you have an opportunity to partner with your CEO on a project, TAKE IT.
Stretch projects are only offered to those who are ready for the opportunity, so if you get the chance to work closely with senior leadership, set your nervousness aside and jump at the chance. Don't let imposter syndrome get in the way of your career growth.