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Nathalie Moar Uses An Entrepreneurial Mindset To Create Engaging Narratives For Sean “Diddy” Combs

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Entrepreneurship is an adrenaline rush. It evokes a range of emotions that drive people to do things out of their comfort zone.

Worldwide there are over 582 million entrepreneurs. In the U.S. alone, nearly 5.4 million people started a company, a 23% increase from last year. But sometimes, there’s a better opportunity to have an entrepreneurial mindset and work mentality within an established organization; innovation and execution become more streamlined.

Nathalie Moar, head of communications for Sean “Diddy” Combs, which includes a role in his portfolio of businesses, creates strategies that drive innovative campaigns. Her time as an entrepreneur before returning to the corporate culture helps drive her leadership and approach to new business ideas. She oversees communication strategies and synergies for Sean “Diddy” Combs’ portfolio. Moar’s business relationship with Combs spans more than two decades. This year Sean “Diddy” Combs executive produced the 2022 Billboard Music Awards. Moar led Combs’ efforts as well as spearheaded the synergies for his brands and integrated them into the show. Her previous client portfolio includes Bon Jovi, Britney Spears, Helena Christensen and Pharrell Williams.

“You learn how to craft a narrative, but that is how you become creative,” she explains. “Although the media has changed dramatically, and we now have social media, it’s the same. It’s the same methodology. I learned from the ground up working with difficult products, which gave me the capability to soar in this career... You are only as good as your own ideas. I love coming up with ideas; there’s no bad idea. If it doesn’t work, think of as many options as possible to problem solve or fix it.”

Moar grew up in Australia before moving to New York City to start her career as a commercial photographer. However, it didn’t go as planned. Arriving in the Big Apple, she landed a job in public relations at DKC. She focused on communications for artists and corporate communications for record labels. Additionally, she gained experience in other industries, including entertainment, hospitality, beauty, media and events.

After six years of representing brands and working on talent negotiations, Moar decided it was time to step out on her own. She developed strong relationships with her clients and worked with brands outside of the U.S. to gain global exposure. Her agency worked as a 360-degree company, meaning once the deal closed, she and her team were involved with the next steps, the whole process.

“I wanted to be a part of everything because it was my idea,” Moar smiles. “I saw the opportunity to be able to do that on my own. What the shortfall of that is, you’re only as good as the ideas that you have. It doesn’t matter where you are in your career; you’re constantly learning. I don’t feel like you can do that in an isolated situation. And so that’s why I went back to working full time.”

Moar met Combs while working at DKC. He liked the work that the team provided. As he became familiar with her and her ideas, he hand-picked Moar to be part of his leadership team. Initially, she served as executive vice president of communications at Combs Enterprises. Moar helped shape Combs’ public persona and crafted business and marketing strategies for his projects.

Her work ethic and rapport with Combs have given her the flexibility to work on projects outside of the organization. For a short stint, she joined Mike Bloomberg’s 2020 presidential campaign. For Moar, this was a chance to gain political experience. She rejoined Combs Enterprises after the campaign ended.

“I don’t have to speak to him to know what he wants,” Moar states. “Being somebody that’s worked with him side by side, on and off, for over 20 years, I already know the answer. I know what he wants. I know how he wants it. That makes it a lot easier. He doesn’t have to worry... When I came back a few years ago, I approached him. His companies had grown incredibly successful; he really built out his brands. The public relations was so segmented per brand, and it felt like the brands were fighting for the same press rather than working in unison. The message for him was not clear. I felt that I could come in and streamline it... telling the right narrative.”

Today, she continues to manage Combs’ personal brand and public image as well as internal and external communications for his business portfolio, including Bad Boy Entertainment, Sean John, Combs Spirits. Additionally, Moar has helped launch several CIROC vodka variants and Deleon Tequila, Capital Preparatory Charter Schools, and the Sean Combs Foundation. Most recently, she led the communications around the mogul’s latest venture, making him the world’s largest Black-owned cannabis brand with the $185 million purchase of existing licensed marijuana operations in three states.

As Moar continues to evolve in her career, she focuses on the following essential steps:

  • Make sure you know the reason you’re pivoting to something new.
  • Develop a game plan or strategy that is manageable and makes you feel like you are progressing; don’t let the fear hold you back.
  • Understand that circumstances may change your direction. That’s ok as long as you keep moving forward rather than regressing.

“When it comes to my career, my success and my goals, I’m very stable and believe in myself,” Moar concludes. “There are days of self-doubt. And I think that’s good. If you didn’t have that, you wouldn’t grow. For the rest of my life, I will always want to learn, evolve and grow. It is important. It’s who I am. I’ll never be satisfied if I stay still. Although at times I do doubt myself, my self-belief drives me forward.”

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Updated: chief communications; head of communications

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