Persephone

Wine and Dine Me Podcast
Written By Reagan Kerr
Promotional graphic for the Wine and Dine Me Podcast episode featuring Persephone Maglaya, titled “Data-Driven Marketing, Social Media Icks, and the Myth of ‘The Lists’.”

There’s a moment when the pressure to “keep up” in this industry starts to feel more exhausting than inspiring. When you're investing time, money, and energy—and still not sure where your leads are actually coming from. This episode is for you.

I sat down with Persephone, CEO of The Media Socialites, for a raw, numbers-first discussion about what marketing strategies actually move the needle—and which ones are just noise. She’s built her digital agency from the ground up (during maternity leave with twins, no less) and now leads a 50-person team that works with ultra-luxury brands across events, hospitality, and lifestyle. Needless to say, she doesn’t mince words—and I was here for it.

Listen to the full episode via Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

On Building a Business in the Middle of a Storm

We both built our businesses in the margins of life: Persephone during twin motherhood, and myself as a single mother. We opened with that truth—not for drama, but because it informs how we approach work today. Survival mode taught us how to operate with focus and intentionality, and how to question the norms that don’t serve us.

What’s the Difference Between PR and Marketing? (And Does It Even Matter?)

It does. Because one is trackable—and one often isn’t.

Persephone broke down the core distinction: PR is a tactic. Marketing is a strategy. PR might get you mentions, press hits, and podcast features. Marketing, when done right, drives revenue and builds brand clarity.

She doesn’t offer PR at her agency, and it’s not because she doesn’t value it—it’s because you can’t track it with the same level of precision. And when you’re looking at hard costs, that matters.

“If I can’t track it, I don’t trust it. I need to see exactly where the lead came from—down to the click.” – Persephone

Professional podcast microphone with pop filter illuminated by pink and blue neon lighting against a dark background.

The Vanity Trap: Who Are You Actually Marketing To?

This part hit home for both of us. In weddings, there’s a subtle but powerful pull toward marketing to your peers instead of your clients. The magazine feature, the industry list, the conference badge—it all looks impressive. But who’s actually watching?

“We’re paying to advertise to other vendors. That’s not always wrong, but we have to be honest about it.” – Persephone

We talked openly about Engage! and the spend-to-belong culture around some of these spaces. The takeaway wasn’t “don’t go”—it was: know why you’re there, and make sure the math makes sense.

When the Math Doesn’t Math

The truth is, too many businesses in our industry don’t know their numbers. Or don’t want to look.

One of the most powerful takeaways from Persephone was this: start with your revenue goals—not your follower count, not your engagement metrics, and not your press wishlist. Until you understand what you're working toward, your strategy will always feel scattered.

“Every other industry leads with numbers. Why don’t we?” – Persephone

Thought Leader vs. Influencer: Know the Difference

In the ultra-luxury space, your audience isn’t looking to be entertained. They’re looking to be informed, reassured, and inspired—without the hard sell. And they’re watching how you show up online.

“Discretion matters. Turn the camera around. Use your voice without making it all about you.” – Persephone

We talked about the rise of influencer behavior in the luxury space—brand partnerships that don’t align, or social media content that feels more like self-promotion than thoughtful leadership. The short version? You don’t need to be everywhere. But where you are—you should lead with clarity, not performance.

On Boundaries, Texting Clients, and Knowing When to Bend

One of the most layered parts of our conversation was about boundaries—and how the word itself can be weaponized. We both believe in having them. We also believe in knowing when to show a little flexibility.

Persephone introduced tools like OpenPhone and Slack to help her team stay accessible without burning out. I shared a story about a planner who lost a multimillion-dollar wedding because they refused to text back on a Saturday. It wasn’t about being always on—it was about knowing when a two-second response could mean everything to a client.

“People want to feel seen. That’s luxury. And sometimes, it’s as simple as a text that says: ‘Love it. Let’s talk about it Monday.’” – Reagan

Persephone Maglaya wearing a deep red leather coat and sunglasses, holding a smartphone, seated on a marble bench against a dark green wall.

Final Word: Turn Down the Volume

We ended where we started—with clarity. Look at your numbers. Know your audience. Be honest about where your energy is going and what it’s actually giving back.

As Persephone put it:

“If the money’s in the bank and the clients are the right fit—turn down the volume.”

And if that means opting out of the list, the spotlight, or the comparison game? So be it.

If you’d like to talk with us about planning your next event, CLICK HERE.

Learn more about Persephone and The Media Socialites at themediasocialites.com.

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Reagan Kerr
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