Long before the Academy Award nominees are named in mid-January, the conversation about the film industry’s biggest celebration begins to percolate. While a noteworthy portion of this discussion happens in glossy magazines, the arts pages of major newspapers and in social media, television is the predominant medium for speculation about winners and the fashions they’ll wear.

Long before storytelling became the cool buzzword in business, it was – and still is – the heart of the public relations professional’s craft. The most successful media relations professionals are consummate storytellers, and the best PR strategists are those who have honed their ability to identify and shape vivid, emotionally driven stories about a brand, product or client.