Melissa Wenzel Email & Phone Number

Folsom, CA, US

• Collaborate with team to achieve a 400% increase in earned media coverage over 2023 and 2024, driving heightened visibility and engagement for the brand.
• Develop and execute impactful brand campaign strategies and messaging, focusing on maximizing earned media and executive thought leadership opportunities.
• Drive customer engagement and advocacy with integrated marketing initiatives, including targeted social media campaigns that increased audience interaction and positive brand sentiment.
• Manage external PR agency relationships, ensuring alignment with corporate messaging and objectives.
• Championed new centralized PR management platform for streamlined communication across global teams to advance organizational effectiveness.
• Led social media team in achieving 156% growth in engagement rate and increased followers across channels by 120%.

Phoenix, Arizona, US

• Supported the public relations engine for the brand; created the company’s first proactive long-lead media strategy to garner brand awareness through PR campaigns and storytelling, resulting in a 100% increase in.
• Developed a localized store grand opening strategy and toolkit for the U.S. and Canada teams supporting more than 80 store openings in 2016.
• Served as a PetSmart spokesperson and worked with agency team to field inquiries, pitch stories, and maintain relationships with media.
• Increased awareness of PetSmart PetsHotels through a National Ice Cream Day initiative, generating 545 million impressions and a 7% increase in traffic during the campaign.
• Worked closely with agency team to secure short-lead placements with key consumer outlets; increased earned impressions by 49% YOY.

Peoria, AZ, US

• Developed and implemented communications strategies to support key city initiatives; leading marketing efforts associated with the city’s sustainability, tourism and economic development projects.
• Led the successful transition of all city websites to a new platform under budget and implemented a digital marketing communications tool for city departments, the mayor’s office and city council members.
• Served as a media spokesperson; managed the team responsible for public information, including creating web content for the city and supporting communications strategies for the mayor’s office.

Phoenix, Arizona, US

• Created the company's first proactive long-lead media structure to garner brand awareness through PR campaigns and storytelling, resulting in top-tier media coverage.
• Conceptualized a localized grand opening strategy and toolkit for the U.S. and Canadian teams to provide PR support for more than 80 store openings in 2016.
• Monitored media for PR opportunities and ensured consistency in company image and message.
• Served as a PetSmart spokesperson, fielding questions, pitching stories, and maintaining relationships with media.
• Increased awareness of PetSmart Pets Hotels with National Ice Cream Day initiative, resulting in 545 million earned impressions and a 7% traffic lift among PetsHotel locations.
• Worked closely with agencies to secure short-lead placements with renowned media outlets to successfully increase media impressions by more than 49% YOY.

Tempe, AZ, US

• Managed public relations for the College of Health Solutions and College of Nursing and Health Innovations at the university.
• Wrote and published student success stories on university website, pitched media and secured placements with key outlets.
• Developed a thought leadership strategy for college leadership and ASU researchers and faculty.
• Researched, wrote and distributed press releases to secure a steady stream of stories in national and local outlets; ensured branding was consistent and in conjunction with the school’s vision.

• Launched a consulting business during the economic downturn, offering public relations consulting and copywriting services to clients like The Nature Conservancy, Thunderbird School of Global Management, and The.
• Secured positive media coverage supporting client initiatives through media outreach and create campaigns. Used data-driven insights to evaluate campaign health and strategize tangible action plans.
• Co-wrote a book on economics and business practices, attaining client’s goals for garnering national recognition as an expert in labor law, taxation and capital markets.

Los Angeles, CA, US

• Managed all aspects of accounts associated with the agency by overseeing quality control and deadlines. Kept projects on time and within budget.
• Set objectives for creative teams and developed communications strategies for clients such as Partnership for a Drug-Free America, the City of Phoenix and the Navajo Nation.
• Led clients campaign strategies, planned special events and worked with media to secure positive coverage in targeted outlets.
• Collaborated with sales, advertising and product development teams to ensure client needs were met; developed strategies to ensure quality and cost-effective services.
• Developed and nurtured client relationships and identified new growth opportunities.
• Monitored the success of campaigns and conducted performance evaluations by preparing post-project results for clients and the agency.

Washington, DC, US

• Managed external communications for Red Cross activities in Arizona, including serving as a national Public Information Officer during local and national disaster response.
• Handled on-the-ground crisis communications in Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina.
• Led a team of web and marketing specialists, regional branch communications leads and volunteer PIOs while carrying out national initiatives such as large-scale volunteer recruitment campaigns.
• Developed and implemented effective awareness campaigns including the Water Wiz Kids summer safety campaign.
• Defined key performance indicators for each communications channel which indicated a campaign’s level of success to help determine strategy for future campaigns.

• Managed multiple client accounts on behalf of the agency.
• Established and maintained solid relationships with consumer, community and public interest groups; developed and implemented marketing and communications campaigns.
• Wrote press releases and other communications materials for clients.
• Worked with managers to identify trends to help inform business decisions.