“Elaine is absolutely one of the most talented superstars in media relations.
As UCLA’s PR leader for neuroscience and neurosurgery, she helped our specialty’s surgical volume grow exponentially. The news coverage she earned is responsible for much of the incredible growth and outreach of our skull-base disease program. She has been instrumental in placing stories in People, ABC’s “Good Morning America,” local TV news and many more.
Elaine is super smart, insanely organized and an absolute rockstar when it comes to developing story ideas and strategies to move the needle. From pitching journalists, supervising shoots and coaching doctors, Elaine makes everyone around her better at their jobs and is always committed to the ultimate level of success.
I give her my highest recommendation.”
Dr. Isaac Yang, UCLA neurosurgeon
“Working with StoryPower PR transformed my book launch experience.
Elaine was a wise strategic partner who positioned my book to earn national and international attention. She organized a launch event that sold out my entire book stock, drew multiple TV news crews and attracted the largest crowd in the bookstore’s history.
She confidently oversaw every detail of the process from start to finish: planning the run of show, coaching me before media interviews, reaching out to my publisher’s PR team and overseeing promotions with the bookstore’s event coordinator.
Thanks to StoryPower, my book launch was a huge success! I highly recommend hiring Elaine if you’re seeking a savvy PR pro to champion your cause.”
Dr. Elizabeth Barnert
UCLA pediatrician and author of Reunion: Finding the Disappeared Children of El Salvador (UC Press)
“Elaine Schmidt was the ‘media guru’ most sought after by UCLA faculty across campus.
Her reputation grew from her repeated ability to mastermind successful strategies for everything from broadly disseminating critical research findings to launching internationally bestselling books.
Keenly attuned to emerging trends and opportunities, Elaine has an unrivaled knowledge of every level of today’s complex media system. Her extensive experience and longstanding relationships, coupled with unparalleled instincts for what works, make her a true superstar in her field.”
Dr. Barbara Natterson-Horowitz
UCLA cardiologist and evolutionary biologist
“Elaine is a PR pro! She never lets me down.
She has a genuine understanding of what a journalist needs and has connected me with excellent sources numerous times. She is reliable, trustworthy and efficient without compromising on quality.
I trust Elaine as she is basically a walking textbook of every medical specialty there is. She is friendly, positive and has a calming presence even as deadlines loom.
Over the years we have developed a wonderful working relationship. Elaine is a joy to work with.”
Elizabeth Pratt
Medical Journalist
“I hired StoryPower PR to support my team on several high-profile projects for our medtech accounts.
It was a great decision. Elaine’s extensive experience in health care communications enabled her to be immediately productive.
She was a quick study, a valuable strategic partner and skilled at interacting with clients. Her news judgement and expertise in research, writing and pitching the media were equally impressive. Best of all, Elaine was a joy to collaborate with. She’s a consummate PR pro who approaches her work with zest and integrity.
I’d hire her again in a minute.”
Amy Cook, Founder
AMC Public Relations
“Elaine Schmidt is a PR pro who embodies diplomatic tenacity.
She pursued a Los Angeles Times reporter for five months to generate a front-page profile of her client. That takes patience, persistence and professionalism. Her efforts earned her a 2023 award in my “Best Pitch of the Year” competition.”
Michael Smart
Founder of Smart PR
“Elaine is an outstanding media relations expert who was instrumental in getting my academic research into the public eye.
Thanks to her strong relationships with reporters, Elaine’s pitches and news releases about my work in the biomedical and social sciences were picked up quickly by major news organizations. Coverage included the Washington Post, CNN, CBS News and U.S. News & World Report, as well as specialty outlets like The Scientist, Consumer Affairs, Men’s Journal and Woman’s Day.
Elaine is an excellent writer who can simplify complex material without sacrificing accuracy. She also gave me great advice and coached me before my media interviews.
My discussions with Elaine are broad and extend beyond work. I know her to be a person of integrity, intelligence, honesty and openness.
I look forward to our future partnerships.”
Dr. Nancy Wayne
President, Women Advancing Together and
former UCLA vice chancellor of research
“Elaine is a great colleague. We collaborated many times to promote scientific issues to the public.
She placed stories on my team’s genetic research and clinical advances in autism, rare diseases and Duchenne muscular dystrophy in top-tier news media, including multiple features in the Los Angeles Times, the cover story on U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals” edition, as well as Kaiser Health News, Voice of America and many more.
Elaine quickly grasps the essential issues within complex scientific topics to craft language appropriate to a lay audience. She is a terrific advisor on public relations strategies and helped us increase the visibility of our new center.
I’d be delighted to work with her again.”
Dr. Stanley Nelson
Ginsberg Endowed Chair in Translational Genomics and
co-director, Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
