If you’ve read any funny, viral stories on the internet lately, there’s a chance that you may already be familiar with the work of local journalist Justin Breen, founder of public relations firm BrEpic Communications, LLC.
Using his twenty years of experience in local media, Breen works wherever his clients need him. He has won dozens of editing and writing awards, and is an author of countless viral stories.
“I write interesting, clicky stories, massaging in a little bit of my clients’ information,” said Breen. “I take those stories and then pitch them to mainstream media, so that media can then do their own version of those stories.”
His company, BrEpic Communications, manages social media and helps individuals and businesses build their brand in a busy world.
“When I worked for the local newspapers, I would find unique stories; inspirational human-interest pieces. After those stories were published, I would forward them to the Associated Press and other news outlets, encouraging them to do their own versions. I use that model in my current business, but now I’m doing it directly for my clients,” said Breen.
A native of Northbrook, IL, Breen currently lives in Glenview with Sarah, his wife of nearly ten years, and their two children - Jake, 5 and Chase, 3. Breen lived in NWI from 1999 to 2010, spending time in Michigan City and Merrillville. Sarah works as a pediatrician, with practices in Buffalo Grove and Arlington Heights, IL. They moved back to Illinois so she could be closer to her work and patients.
“I was living in Merrillville, and she was commuting to medical school in Downers Grove. Also, our parents live near here, and they’ve been a big help with the kids,” said Justin.
Justin says that he misses what he calls the “comfortable quiet” of the region.
“Especially Michigan City. We lived about a half-mile from the beach. It was so quiet and peaceful and the people there were extremely friendly. We love the Lake County Fair, and also the Indiana Dunes and Mount Baldy. We shopped at Lighthouse Place Mall and ate at Don Quixote in Valparaiso. Great Spanish food!” said Breen.
Though he no longer lives in the area, he maintains strong ties to the region.
“I still have a lot of friends from that area. I was in Leadership Northwest Indiana and on the Junior Achievement Northwest Indiana board, so I still have lots of connections there, and I still keep in touch with a lot of the journalist friends I made there over the years. It [Northwest Indiana] was a great place to learn about journalism and to take my first steps into some great markets.”
Breen attended the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, where he still serves as the Journalism Chairman for the College of Media Alumni Board, going down there at least once a year to help current students and recent graduates to find jobs and mentoring them in their careers.
He says people often ask him if he misses journalism, but he has a special reason why he doesn’t: because he feels he never left.
“I write about amazing individuals who are changing the world and doing great things. I get to help people and spread the good word about amazing organizations and people doing the right things. It’s a very rewarding job,” said Breen, who adds that his biggest client is the Allstate Foundation.
“I’m running a national media campaign for them which focuses on teenagers who are incredible, genius-type children. They’re just awesome. I also work with a national non-profit called LISC, they help revitalize urban neighborhoods around the country. And recently, I just signed on with Chicago Academy for the Arts, an incredible performing-arts school and non-profit organization. They teach and train these kids who are amazing artists, dancers and musicians. They even have several kids who commute all the way from Northwest Indiana. I get to write about all these amazing people, to share their stories with the media, getting their stories out to the public. It helps the client and it helps the sources of these stories to get some well-earned publicity,” said Breen.
The journalist and business owner has a rather surprising admission: he’s actually quite shy.
“I grew up very shy. Journalism helped me with that for sure, though I’m still shy when meeting new people - unless I’m talking about my business,” he laughed. “BrEpic is just such a natural fit for my life and for what I’ve done, and I’m getting some terrific results - my clients have been in the New York Times and Chicago Tribune, CBS New York and others - it’s just really exciting to see that type of success.”
An avid runner, he runs at least six days a week, rain or shine.
“With my business, that’s really all I have time for,” he laughed.
When he’s not out on the road, Breen spends his days writing stories and pitching them to media, and says that he meets with potential clients in between chasing down his children.
“It’s a constant state of chaos, but in a good way. I love it! I love this life and wouldn’t have it any other way. My life is flexible and fun and very rewarding in every way imaginable.”
If you’re interested in having BrEpic help you with your personal or business needs on social media or branding, visit them on the web at https://www.brepicllc.com/