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Stop allowing others to control your message and compromise your reputation and instead be viewed as a thought leader, reach your desired audiences and boost your business — essentially you'll be famous...in a good way®!

After an intensive application and review process, we were certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) through WBENC, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. WBENC is the nation’s largest third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women in the US and a leading advocate for women business owners and entrepreneurs. We are proud to be part of a world-class network of more than 13,000 certified Women’s Business Enterprises.

Kristi with POP trademark

2010

Media Minefield is born.

After being laid off, Kristi took a class at her church to help figure out her next career move. With the goal of using news to help people, Media Minefield was born.

Our founder, Kristi Piehl, began her career in news. As a reporter and anchor, she worked at five different television stations and had the privilege of telling people’s stories. Her award-winning career also exposed her to the power of news and the frustrations of working with traditional public relations agencies who didn’t “get it”. The seed of Media Minefield was planted….

It began in news.

From basement to coffee shop to office.

From the basement of Kristi’s house to a coffee shop, Media Minefield needed a real home, and we moved into an office. We soon needed to move again into a bigger space as we continued gaining clients across the country.

2013

Keeping a focus on culture.

Company culture takes shape and regular dress-up days become a tradition.

2014

2015

New digs.

It was time to design and move into our own long-term space complete with many newsie features, plenty of room to grow (or so we thought) and our own spin wheel (see careers page to watch it in action).

2018

Ring that bell.

Each time a client interview was scheduled, a Miner would ring the blue bell. Everyone would come out of their office and cheer. That is, until there were complaints of too many ringing bells!

The first Miner.

The first year, Kristi developed the approach by discounting and donating services. Quickly, word of the results spread and employee #1 was hired.

Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

- RALPH WALDO EMERSON

2011

Newsability®

Newsability®, the innovative service created in 2010 and critical to our success, is officially named and protected!

Core Values Award

2017 was also the year we unveiled the first annual Core Values Award. This prize is an all-expense paid trip for two to a sunny destination! Miners at Media Minefield are nominated by a fellow Miner for an act exemplifying the Core Values we hold dear. The winner is chosen and awarded at the annual Miner Merriment party.

2012 - 2015

Our home.

Inc. 5000

We're honored to debut on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America.

You want to be well known and respected. In order to do that, you need a positive and relevant reputation. The problem is you see your competitors getting attention and you feel overwhelmed with where to begin.


At Media Minefield, we believe you deserve a PR company that gets results and can be trusted with your brand and reputation.

 

We understand it’s a noisy world, making it hard to secure positive “real news.” It’s also challenging for executives to make time for their personal social media presence. Navigating the digital marketing landscape can be complex and overwhelming. We’re here to help!

Media Minefield is a team of trained journalists, storytellers, social, creative and paid experts who come alongside you to unlock the power and profit of your story.

 

Our Storycentric Marketing approach includes:

1 / earned media driven by our Newsability® process

2 / Positive Online Presence (POP®) on social media

3 / digital advertising on search engines and social media

4 / crisis media mitigation

 

2019

2017

2012

About

CONTACT US 

We believe you deserve a PR company that gets results and can be trusted with your brand and reputation.

CONTACT US 

Get caped.

For our five year celebration, we unveiled a brand new logo and all Miners received capes. Now, Miners get “caped” on their first anniversary when they share a favorite memory. 2015 was also the first year we were recognized as one of Minnesota’s Best Places To Work.

Our 100% placement rate combined with our Newsability® process, means more companies, from startups to billion dollar brands, are turning to Media Minefield for earned media. We expanded our office space by 30%.

Expanding.

Inc. 5000, again.

We accomplished a rare feat landing on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies for the second year in a row. Our growth was fueled by new clients, our team and a new service line, Positive Online Presence (POP®).

Download: MM Inc 5000 Press Release 2019.pdf

2020

Do you have POP®?

Our newest service line, Positive Online Presence, affectionately known as POP® officially received a registered trademark. Our unique POP® process delivers thoughtful social media strategy and customized messaging to own your story and increase your company’s bottom line.

Adapting & thriving.

COVID-19 flipped all of our worlds upside down. We quickly transitioned to 100% remote work while remaining committed to our Core Values. Our strong company culture allowed us to not only survive, but thrive. We increased revenue, and our staff grew by more than 20%.

We had no idea when we began working on a podcast in 2019 how badly the world would need inspiring stories. “Flip Your Script” is a podcast, hosted by our CEO Kristi Piehl, that looks at life’s critical turning points. Each episode features a conversation with a special guest about how they found inspiration and motivation to turn the page and rewrite their unique stories - because sharing stories is powerful.

Flip Your Script Logo

Flipping our script

& launching a podcast.

We were incredibly honored to be on the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal’s Best Places to Work list for the third time, but when the rankings were announced, we were blown away to find ourselves #1 in the Small Business Category. It is the perfect culmination of the most important lesson of 2020; it is not about a place at all, it is all about the people. Despite the fact that we were all working remotely, we were still connected and committed to one another - and that is what makes work great. At least, in our humble opinion.

#1 Best place to work.

Download: MM Inc 5000 - Press Release 2018.pdf

Certified Women's Business Enterprise.

WBE Seal RGB

Implemented EOS and defined our Core Values.

We implemented the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS®) and defined our company’s core values, integrating them into everything we do.

EOS logo full

Core Values

Miners at Heart: All-in on the success of our clients and each other. We encourage big dreams, personal growth and aren’t afraid to wear capes.

Innovative Creators: Fearlessly evolving, we try, learn, grow and try again.

Nimble: Flexible with the experience and ability to respond at the speed of news.

Extra-Ordinary: Delivering results with a little magic.

Respectable: With positivity and accountability, we do what we say.

 

2016

2021

Media Minefield landed on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies for the third time in four years!

Inc 5000

Inc. 5000 Color Medallion Logo

The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal named Media Minefield one of the 50 fastest growing private companies in the Twin Cities.

Fast 50

Fast50 Logo

Media Minefield became Great Place to Work Certified™ in 2021. Based on responses from our team of Miners, our culture is now certified among the best workplaces in the country.

Great Place to Work

Media Minefield 2021 Certification Badge

2022

4M

As we continue to innovate how, when and where people work, Media Minefield launched a new employee initiative called 4M. This four-day mindset allows Miners the flexibility to fit their work into the equivalent of four days each week.

Storycentric Marketing Trademark

Media Minefield’s innovative Storycentric Marketing approach is now protected with a trademark. Our unique approach utilizes proactive media coverage, strategic social media, thought leadership and digital advertising to grow your business and build your brand.

#FreeTheGrowler

Media Minefield was proud to partner with the Alliance of Minnesota Craft Breweries to create a PR campaign to change an archaic state law prohibiting certain breweries from selling growlers. Our campaign led to Gov. Walz signing the “Free The Growler” bill into law in May 2022.

PHOTO COURTESY: Castle Danger Brewery

Awards for Workplace Culture

Miners once again gave Media Minefield’s culture high praise, earning our second Great Place to Work certification and our fourth Best Places to Work award. Media Minefield was also named one of Fortune Magazine’s 50 Best Workplaces in Advertising and Marketing.

Fast 50

For the second year in a row, Media Minefield was named one of the fastest-growing private companies in the Twin Cities by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

2023

PR Week Awards Finalist for Best in Public Affairs

Media Minefield’s #FreeTheGrowler campaign was named a finalist for PR Week Awards’ Best in Public Affairs. Our team’s work helped change Minnesota state law, removing an outdated growler cap that stifled growth and innovation for the state’s craft brewers.

National Agency Awards

Media Minefield landed on the PR NEWS Agency Elite Top 100 list, and thanks to our clients who shared how our work helps them grow their businesses, we were also named an Inc. Power Partner. This award highlights the best B2B companies around the world.

PR NEWS People of the Year Award

By implementing cutting-edge policies like the 4-day mindset, Founder + CEO Kristi Piehl was honored with a PR NEWS People of the Year Award in the Agency Innovators category.

Awards for Growth & Workplace Culture

Thanks to our Miners’ feedback, Media Minefield earned its fifth Best Place to Work Award and was named one of Fortune Magazine’s 50 Best Workplaces in Advertising and Marketing. Our growth landed us on the Fast 50 list of fastest-growing private companies in the Twin Cities for the third year in a row.