It is with great pleasure that Carly Leviton Eilian, Leslie Friebert and Jaime Grodsky announce the launch of FORGE PR.
With more than 30 years of combined experience in media relations and marketing, we have joined forces to create a new kind of communications company. We set ourselves apart by understanding that meaningful, collaborative relationships are at the root of every success story, and creating strategies that are socially responsible and give back to the community. We want to help our clients do good for others while we are doing good for our clients.
Our experience, tenacity, dedication and perseverance has helped us find one another and build a company that empowers and propels strong independent thinkers while celebrating the power of public relations and the many effects it can have on a brand as well as the community.
We know what it is like to overcome challenges—one of the many things that has brought the three of us together—and we also know how to overcome them by FORGING ahead.
Having different backgrounds spanning art, entertainment, lifestyle, design, hospitality and corporate social responsibility, we each bring incredible passion, deep knowledge and a lot of excitement to what we do. We thrive on the opportunity to work with great people doing great things. If you or someone you know is looking for an agency that will get the best results, provide meaningful, successful experiences and create strategies that also help give back to the community, please let us know!
Thank you for FORGING ahead with us and for all your support along the way.
Carly, Jaime and Leslie
CARLY LEVITON EILIAN
Carly Leviton Eilian has more than 12 years of experience in Public Relations and communications having worked with arts & entertainment, food & beverage as well as lifestyle clients. She has vast knowledge and expertise in all forms of PR and has led campaigns for internationally recognized clients including EXPO CHICAGO, The Chicago International Film Festival, HBO, The Auditorium Theater, Chicago Magic Lounge, Mary Wilson and the Four Tops, The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co., The James Beard Foundation’s Taste America and more.
She is passionate about telling her clients’ stories in a thoughtful, meaningful way while also utilizing her keen sense of creativity and out of the box thinking to make the biggest impact. Carly thrives on the deep relationships she has built with both her clients as well as the media and will always go the extra mile to ensure the best results.
Carly received her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism at Indiana University with a minor in theater. She currently serves as the co-chair for the Gene Siskel Film Center’s Associate Producers Board.
Carly lives in Chicago with her husband Abe. When she is not shouting her client’s news from the rooftops she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, binging a good show and exploring all that Chicago and the rest of the world has to offer!
LESLIE FRIEBERT
Leslie brings more than 15 years of PR and communications experience having worked both in-house and at agencies in Chicago and New York. She has vast knowledge and an extensive range of experience managing accounts for a wide array of clients including Bacardi, Blue Chair Bay Rum, TJ Maxx / Marshalls, Gaiam, ZED451, Charter Oak Wine, ALDI, vitaminwater, Tribune Events Group, The Gettys Group and more.
She has assisted and led the development of an array of integrated public relations programs that include traditional and digital media relations, social media, celebrity and corporate partnerships, and events and trade show management. Leslie has a deep understanding of how and why spreading meaningful messages is key to successful communications programs and strives to strategically analyze every media opportunity, partnership and tactic in an effort to engage with press and consumers in a meaningful and impactful way.
Leslie is a committee member for the Robert H. Friebert Social Justice Award and she sits on the board of Connections for Abused Women and their Children (CAWC), Chicago's first domestic violence services program. She is also serving as co-chair for CAWC's 2020 annual fundraiser gala, Sounds of Silence.
Leslie received her BA from The George Washington University with concentrations in Women’s Studies and Journalism.
She loves to travel, try new foods and cocktails, take in as much live music as possible and most importantly spend time with her family, friends and pups.
JAIME GRODSKY
Jaime has two decades of experience in entertainment, brand marketing and media relations, where she has provided strategic counsel on managing integrated marketing campaigns, partnerships, events, sponsorships and celebrity engagements on a global scale, as a consultant and in-house within the non-profit and corporate sectors. Most recently, Jaime has held senior management positions at various corporate and philanthropic organizations, where she has led many successful multi-functional teams throughout communications and marketing.
Jaime began her career in Los Angeles, where her most notable work was on the set of “FRIENDS,” at an agency - BWR Public Relations, and for an Academy Award winning Director. With the desire to move back to the midwest, Jaime landed in Chicago where she has expanded upon her expertise and relationships in the entertainment industry to help create positive and measurable results for causes and brands alike. Working with local and global non-profit organizations such as: the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Feeding America, JDRF and Rotary International, Jaime has developed and implemented successful partnerships with celebrities, fortune 500 companies, and media outlets that have been integral in raising over $2 billion dollars for various charitable causes.
Jaime approaches every situation as an opportunity to create a unique narrative and capture new audiences. She takes great pride in the relationships that she has built throughout her career, as they are key to all of her professional accomplishments. Best known as a CREATIVE and strategic problem solver, she is an extremely dedicated partner to all of her clients and colleagues.
Jaime received her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism/Communication from The Ohio State University, with a minor in production. She has served as a creative content contributor for TEDx Youth (in Chicago), and as a volunteer at CPS in her children’s school.
If there are ever extra hours in the day, Jaime likes to catch up with friends or go on “adventures” with her two curious little boys and very exhausted husband.