MEET MIDNIGHT RUN

CAREN LEONDARD | FOUNDER

4TH GENERATION CHICAGOAN // HOME CHEF // DAILY DOUBLE ESPRESSO // WIFE + MOM x4

OUR STORY

There’s something special about discovering a great new restaurant, hotel, or brand—but even more rewarding is helping the right people discover it, too.

For nearly 15 years, I’ve worked in hospitality and lifestyle public relations alongside founders, chefs, operators, and teams building meaningful brands. Those experiences shaped how I see PR—and what actually works. Not just attention for attention’s sake, but visibility that builds credibility, connection and long-term growth.

Midnight Run Consulting was built on a simple belief: public relations should feel thoughtful, strategic and human. Traditional approaches that focus only on pitches and placements often miss the bigger picture. Today’s hospitality brands grow when their story is clear, their presence is consistent and their relationships—media, community, and customer—are strong.

That’s the work we do. We help brands get seen, understood, and taken seriously—so they can keep growing in a way that feels true to who they are.

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WHAT KEEPS US RUNNING

OUR VALUES

We’re passionate about working with brands in their growth phase—whether it’s launching a new concept, expanding an existing business or scaling an established one.

Here’s some of what you can expect to experience with our team on the daily (in addition to recommendations for where to find the best tavern-style pizza).

We tell real stories that resonate with real people, not just what gets short-term attention.
We look for new angles and ways of capturing your audience's attention, we don't rely on what's worked in the past.
We want our strategies to result in business growth, not just vanity metrics.

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CORE BELIEFS

Brands today need a comprehensive strategy to break through. A traditional approach to PR is not only expensive, but ineffective. Your customers are building a relationship with you across all touch-points - physical, digital and social.

We embrace a holistic and dynamic approach, tapping into all aspects of your relationships and communications to capture attention.

We believe that communication is not just about delivering messages, but about building relationships, shaping perceptions and driving business results.
We believe that compelling stories are at the heart of effective PR and believe in crafting narratives that connect with audiences on an emotional level.
In today’s fast-paced world, we believe in the importance of being agile—ready to pivot strategies when necessary to address new opportunities or challenges.

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AVLI

Launching a modern Greek culinary revolution in Chicago through positioning, messaging and campaign strategy.

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MARRIOTT

Launching a new wellness series for Marriott to drive awareness, visibility and traffic for their dynamic downtown property.

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HERE HERE MARKET

Strategy for the national launch of a next-gen marketplace for chef-made packaged goods.

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STUDIO 54 POP-UP

Driving awareness through a targeted communications campaign for a pop-up immersive experience.

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IMPERFECT FOODS

Scaling a sustainable grocery business with storytelling and strategic messaging.

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LA JOSIE + SOLAZO

Executing a growth strategy for a mezcal enthusiast and his modern restaurants.

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WOLF & COMPANY

Introducing Chicago to a new hospitality model blending dining, retail and community.

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