by Carmen Kramer-Liberto
After nearly 16 years in PR (and 11 at H5!), I’ve realized that hustle has always been at the center of who I am. I’m the type of person who steps toward challenges instead of waiting for them to land in my lap. Precision matters to me, and so do solutions. And honestly, I’ve always loved the thrill of the hunt and the reward that comes from solving complex issues (often before anyone even knew there was a problem).
That mindset is exactly what drew me to this career. It matches the way I’m wired, and over the years, I’ve evolved alongside some incredible teammates and clients who have taught me something important: hustle isn’t about moving fast, it’s about moving right.
For me, and for the entire team at H5, hustle comes down to three things: moving with focus and intention, showing commitment to the people who rely on you and collaborating with others to bring out the best work.
Hustle With Strategy, Not Chaos
It’s no secret that PR + marketing is a fast-paced environment. Whether navigating a deadline or logistical issue or concepting quick-turn ideas, one thing remains true: hustle needs to have thoughtful intent. It’s not about running around and reacting – it’s the ability to make the best move because the strategy is sharp. Having clarity in your approach needs to come before speed. That means gathering with your team to analyze scenarios, create a gameplan and align on messaging, proof-points or desired outcomes first – then jump into action! Think less “fire drill” and more purposeful responsiveness.
Showing Up Fully for Clients
For our clients, hustle shows up as dependability – they know they can count on our team to be on it and make smart decisions on their behalf. We do this by being both proactive and reactive in our approach and letting our passion for the work come through in the way we operate. Commitment is reflected in many ways, from providing frequent updates (without needing to be prompted) and spotting risks early to offering thoughtful quick-turn solutions and anticipating news cycle updates. It’s all about knowing your client, being a step ahead and making them feel supported.
A Team Sport, Not a Solo Grind
Hustling together means better thinking and more efficiency. You must have a solid workflow established to support fast movement. At H5, we can act quickly because we work side-by-side, share real-time insights and remove roadblocks (no bureaucracy over here!). You need to create habits internally that foster a culture where hustle is sustainable, like being flexible for quick huddles, having templates that allow swift turnaround or scheduling regular touch bases. Wins come from well-orchestrated collaboration, knowing who owns what and trusting each other’s expertise. The end result: clients (and teams) benefit from smoother execution and faster solutions.
These three practices, rooted in hustle, have shaped not only my approach, but the kind of teammate, leader and human I strive to be every day. Hustle can sometimes get a bad reputation, but at H5, this value simply means that whether opportunity, problem or crisis comes knocking, we make it happen.
Learn more about our values and how H5 hustles to strategically amplify brands.