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 top-tier media coverage. • 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 Arizona Office of Tourism.• 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.