What Public Relations Practitioners Can Learn from The Gilded Age

HBO’s The Gilded Age is having an absolute banger of a season.

Wow. Just wow.

Like so many others, I’ve learned several lessons from the show, both as it relates to “dollar princesses,” railroad politics, and public relations.

Yes, public relations.  Beneath the corsets, alarm clocks, and society soirées lies a world driven by reputation management, calculated alliances, and public perception.

For example, Bertha Russell is the ultimate case study in brand positioning and making creativity count. As a new-money maverick who has been bold in her moves, she has had her work cut out for her getting into the fancy, snooty, cliché-y society of 1880s New York. Rather than conform, she crafts her own narrative, and does so creatively — investing in grand architecture, charitable causes, and strategic event hosting. Her drive mirrors the way brands today must leverage storytelling, partnerships, and media opportunities.

And Agnes Van Rhijn?

She is strategic and understands the power of restraint. The old-money diva measures her words, making them carry so much weight. There is a lesson here that has been especially hard for me in my career: sometimes silence is needed. In a media landscape saturated with noise, well-timed messaging — especially during crisis communication or brand repositioning — can make all the difference.

Finally, there is Peggy Scott.

The lesson here should be clear: journalism matters. Ethics matter. Being a good writer MATTERS.

Want to partner with a team that understands the importance of all three of these characters’ traits? Contact us today – let’s work together!