Media & PR Consultant
melissakelz@kelzpr.com
Melissa is a seasoned communications professional and principal of Melissa Kelz Communications, Inc., based in Chicago and New York. She has more than 13 years of experience in the fields of beauty, consumer products, eCommerce, healthcare and corporate communications with a proven track record of generating interest and increasing visibility through coverage in national, regional and trade media. She is an award-winning writer with experience in business-to-business and consumer communications, corporate branding and CEO positioning. Her portfolio includes writing c-level executive speeches, implementing successful consumer events, and creating consumer brands that resonate with target audiences.
Throughout her extensive career in public relations, Melissa has earned a reputation for being a results-driven professional. Most recently, Melissa was a Vice President at Behrman Communications in New York City, where she directed consumer health and beauty accounts including the successful North American launch of the NoNo professional hair removal system, the North American introduction of Age-Less 15 from Cellex-C – featuring Joan Collins, the launch of SmoothShapes for Eleme Medical, and many others. While at Behrman, Melissa successfully earned regular placements and segments for her clients on popular national and local television outlets including, The View, The Today Show, Fox National News, Mike and Juliet, Telemundo, Nightline, and in top newspapers and magazines including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times, Newsweek, WWD, W, Vogue, Elle, More, Allure, Women’s Health, Prevention, US Weekly, People and many more.
Prior to joining Behrman Communications, Melissa was an Associate Vice President in the Health and Human Capital group at Euro RSCG Magnet in New York City where she provided strategic counsel, implemented, managed media relations and corporate communication plans for clients including Vichy USA, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (AAFPRS), the Skoll Foundation, Yahoo! HotJobs, Stryker Corporation, Stryker Orthopaedics and PerkinElmer. Melissa regularly earned placements in top newspapers including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today and also on television shows including Good Morning America and The Daily Show.
Prior to joining Euro RSCG Magnet, Melissa was an account director with IMS – Chicago where she managed public relations and integrated marketing communications efforts for ORTHOsoft, Inc., VIVUS, Smith & Nephew, Hollister Incorporated. Her focus was on developing consumer awareness campaigns, executing direct-to-consumer campaigns, media relations programs, developing websites and creating new business opportunities. Melissa also directed endorsement opportunities for several Chicago area athletes including Eddy Curry, formerly of the Chicago Bulls. Earlier in her career, Melissa held marketing, communications and public relations positions at CIGNA HealthCare, Fleishman Hillard, and CorSolutions.
Melissa earned her M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications from the Medill School at Northwestern University, and her B.S. in Social Policy with a minor in Spanish from Northwestern University. She spent time in Spain studying at Universidad de Salamanca. She is a Board Member of Face the Future Foundation through the University of Illinois Hospital. Melissa is also an avid runner, having completed several marathons across the United States and currently splits her time between Chicago and New York.