Born into a family of journalists in the U.K., Elliott Stares knew that his innate extroverted charm wouldn't let him get stuck behind a desk. Since coming to Miami, Stares has not only spearheaded several projects for heavy-hitter public relations firm Tara Ink as its entertainment and hospitality division manager, but has also successfully launched his own one-man company, Elliott Stares Public Relations Inc.
BREAKING INTO THE INDUSTRY Upon graduating from University of Southampton with a degree in communications, Stares began his formal training in the industry at Hill & Knowlton, There, he managed U.K. accounts for Adidas' sponsorship of David Beckham, Procter & Gamble, and the pan-European launch of Gillette's Mach3 razor.
That last job eventually brought him to host his first event in the U.S., where he single-handedly brokered and orchestrated his first event on U.S. soil-a successful attempt to break the world land-speed record, sponsored by Gillette MACH3.
After leaving Hill & Knowlton, Stares worked for Bell Pottinger-the PR agency owned by former U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's press secretary-as the European communications director for Beijing's successful 2008 Olympic Bid.
"The Olympics is as big as it gets," says Stares, an athlete and sports enthusiast who worked on the project for two years before making the move to the U.S. to launch CareerSports International, America's first European-style soccer academy.
MAKING HIS MARK In 2002, he launched ESPR, and though the company doesn't boast an intricate infrastructure like many others, Stares as an individual has been able to champion several big-name clients and events.
"Being a European publicist in Miami speaks for itself," he says. "The level of professionalism here is noticeably substandard to European business."
His experience abroad has granted him the leverage to direct the public relations and sponsorship operation for the American Dance Music Awards-DanceStar USA (for which he raised $100,000 in sponsorship funds), and the nation's first Urban Latin Music Festival, Soulfrito.
Events are a large part of his world. "When it comes to events, too many people are consumed with strategy," Stares says. "I believe tactics and on-the-ground execution require a far greater skill than basic strategy. The tactile approach must be just as sound as the strategy."
While continuing to grow his personal business, Stares also stands out as one of Tara Ink's most valuable assets, heading its entertainment and hospitality division.
"Tara Ink. has opened a lot of doors for me over the past three and a half years, which I am grateful for " he says. Stares' part-time work at the South Beach firm has included clients such as Hotel Victor, The Forge, Tommy Hilfiger, Table 8, Delano, DeVito South Beach, the Make-a-Wish Foundation of South Florida, and Brookstone.
LOOKING AHEAD With several projects in the works for 2009, including Remix Hotel (the Winter Music Conference's longest-running event behind Ultra) for the sixth year, the future of ESPR-and the man behind it-appears limitless.
"I am looking to turn the corner with my firm and start working with global brands that I have experience with," he says.
As a testament to his aspirations, Stares' namesake firm has already tackled international brands with its media representation of the night tennis event for the Sony Ericsson Open in 2007.
"People gravitate to results and standards of a world-class level," he says. "If I continue to deliver 110 percent, I will continue to grow."
