Top Talent like Melissa are on Pangea

Pangea, a YC company, connects companies with fractional talent. Fractional hiring allows companies to move faster and work with more specialized talent, while giving talent more flexibility and independence. If you are talent open to fractional work, apply here. If you’re a company looking for high-quality fractional talent, learn more here.

Melissa A.E. Sanders

PR and Communications Specialist • Atlanta, GA, US
Public Relations
Publicity
Media Relations
Strategic Communications
Crisis Management
Marketing Strategy
Marketing
Event Marketing
Consulting
Available for hire fromNegotiable
Contracts
Founder & Chief PR Maven
With more than 20 years of experience, I am a seasoned public relations and marketing professional specializing in entertainment, lifestyle, and various other industries, including nonprofit, education, and professional services. A master storyteller and innovative strategist, I have lived and worked in major markets including New York City, Atlanta, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Since founding my PR agency in 2015, I have led impactful campaigns for high-profile clients like ESL FACEIT Group, the Olympic Virtual Series, Politan Row, Fox Theatre, Skillshot Media, Path2College, and Craft Apes, among others, while collaborating with major organizations such as SXSW, PAX West, The Recording Academy, Atlanta Falcons, and MasterCard. My career also includes past leadership roles at renowned institutions such as the New York Philharmonic, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the Green Music Center. I am actively engaged in professional organizations (including PRSA, The Recording Academy, WIFTA, Women in Music), and am the co-founder of the Georgia Entertainment PR Alliance. I bring a dynamic blend of creativity, passion, and expertise to every endeavor.

Projects

Capabiliites Deck

Tadpole Communications LLC is a creative and highly-driven public relations agency offering an array of PR services to clients all around the globe. We offer a specialization in entertainment and lifestyle, and also work in industries including technology, nonprofits, education, and professional services. See More

Work History

T

Founder & Chief PR Maven

Tadpole CommunicationsPublic relations agency specializing in entertainment, lifestyle, and nonprofits — from music, film/tv, and esports/gaming, to arts, food, professional services, and more. Manage clients and projects including: ESL FACEIT GROUP + DREAMHACK | TYLER PERRY EXHIBIT | POLITAN ROW, TIAA + PATH2COLLEGE | STAR FOREST | TERMINUS MODERN BALLET THEATRE | SKILLSHOT MEDIA | GHOST GAMING | FOX THEATRE | CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF ATLANTA | FINE HYGIENIC HOLDING | LAUGHING MAN COFFEE CO. | SXSW GAMING AWARDS | CAMP | PEOPLE STORE | CREATIVE MEDIA INDUSTRIES INSTITUTE at GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY | GEORGIA STAND-UP | CRAFTY APES | PC&E | MOONSHINE POST-PRODUCTION | JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS | RENEGADE ESPORTS | HOUSTON OUTLAWS | PRIMAL SCREEN | DEKALB ENTERTAINMENT COMMISSION | ATLANTA POPS ORCHESTRA | MIAMI CITY BALLET | PANO SONOMA MUSIC FESTIVAL | CHARLOTTE MARRIOTT CITY CENTER | CONCERTS FOR AMERICA | PERATA VINEYARDS
W

Vice President

Watkins McGowan, LLCJan 2017 - Sep 2017 • 9 mosManaged public relations clients and projects including: AGCO | GREENFIELDS USA | MERCY HOUSING SOUTHEAST | ATLANTA POPS ORCHESTRA | PIANO SONOMA MUSIC FESTIVAL | ROCKY ROMANELLA
G

Senior Director for Marketing & Communications

Green Music Center at Sonoma State UniversityMay 2014 - Dec 2015 • 1 yr 8 mos• Develop and manage all aspects of communications, marketing and promotions for nearly 80 concerts —spanning genres of classical to country and jazz to rock— across three venues including Weill Hall, Weill Hall and Lawn and Schroeder Hall. • Execute integrated marketing-communications strategies aimed to increase revenues, cultivate audiences and engage communities. • Manage all marketing and promotions for opening of the new, 240-seat Schroeder Hall in August 2014. • Develop collaborations in wine and tourism industries for revenue-potential partnerships. • Launched newly designed concert program book with increased revenue potential. • Support increased collaborations with SSU students, including integration of GMC programming into curriculum.
A

Senior Director, Communications

Atlanta Symphony OrchestraApr 2010 - Jun 2014 • 4 yrs 3 mosIn addition to duties handled as Director of Public and Media Relations: - Develop and implement all internal and external strategic communications plans, and crisis and issues management plans. - Plan, execute, and oversee all traditional and social media relations for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and its brands. - Create and oversee all communications materials (e.g. executive communications, speaker’s bureau, website content, video, photography, social media, and program book editorial, special publications) to ensure brand adherence and messaging. - Planned and executed crisis communications plan for 2012 labor negotiations.
A

Director of Public & Media Relations

Atlanta Symphony OrchestraJan 2008 - Apr 2010 • 2 yrs 4 mos- Develop, plan, and execute all traditional and social communications plans for Atlanta Symphony-related concerts and events. - Oversee content development for outlets including online media center, newsroom, and editorial content of website, as
N

Associate Director, Public Relations

New York PhilharmonicSep 2000 - Dec 2007 • 7 yrs 4 mos- Develop and implement traditional and social strategic public relations plans for over 200 subscription and special concerts annually, plus international tours and residencies, national and international radio broadcasts, Live from Lincoln Center national telecasts, education programs, press conferences and events and recordings. - Coordinate and execute content development, editing, and production of Annual Report, Playbill program book, special publications and website. - Develop and execute promotional partnerships and events in coordination with partners such as Citibank, New York Yankees, Credit Suisse and Time Warner.- Develop and implement traditional and social strategic public relations plans for over 200 subscription and special concerts annually, plus international tours and residencies, national and international radio broadcasts, Live from Lincoln Center national telecasts, education programs, press conferences and events and recordings. - Coordinate and execute content development, editing, and production of Annual Report, Playbill program book, special publications and website. - Develop and execute promotional partnerships and events in coordination with partners such as Citibank, New York Yankees, Credit Suisse and Time Warner.
N

Senior Publicist

New York PhilharmonicOct 1999 - Sep 2000 • 1 yr- Coordinated all publicity efforts and materials for international tours and residencies, including: liaising with sponsors, local presenters and Operations department; events planning, implementation and production; Tracked and disseminated all tour-related press; produced tour press book. - Coordinated all publicity efforts for summer Concerts in the Parks, including coordinating NY1 News pre-produced 1/2 hour feature and on-site live, one-hour broadcast; liaised with sponsors, major media outlets, Operations department, NYC Parks Departments, and vendors. - PR liaison for live, monthly radio broadcasts: composed press releases, speaking points and radio spots for live, monthly, national broadcasts; reviewed scripts; scheduled artist interviews for intermission features.
N

Public Relations Associate

New York PhilharmonicMar 1997 - Oct 1999 • 2 yrs 8 mos- Generated national publicity for concerts, events, artists, and special projects, including launch of record label. - Launched national radio series and coordinated speaking points and radio spots for live, monthly, national broadcasts; review scripts; scheduled artist interviews. - Scheduled and directed photo shoots and portrait sittings for Orchestra members; booked and briefed photographers and camera crews; obtained photo clearances; oversaw selection and captioning of photos for publications; maintained portrait gallery on Grand Promenade.

Education

T

The Ohio State University

BA, Journalism/Public Relations

How Pangea Works

Effortlessly discover top talent

We’ve distilled the candidate search from endless hours down to just a few minutes. Using Pangea’s AI-powered search tools, you can find top fractional talent able to take on your next project. Our system looks at your company’s niche and your needs to find the perfect match faster than any traditional hiring platform.

Start working with talent today

The top talent on Pangea is ready to get started with you right now. You can message or hire a candidate right from their profile page and start assigning work as soon as they respond. And the best part? Pangea’s fractional contract structure lets you start small and ramp up as your needs change, keeping your costs manageable and your team’s capabliities flexible.

Track work and invoices in one place

Assign tasks, track progress, and complete invoices all on Pangea. We’ve combined every part of the hiring process into one platform to eliminate the miscommunication that’s unavoidable on other freelance platforms. We even send out 1099s to your contractors at the end of the year!

Talk with a Talent Expert

Members of our team are available to help you speed through the hiring process.
Available Now
Book a Call
Founder & Chief PR Maven
With more than 20 years of experience, I am a seasoned public relations and marketing professional specializing in entertainment, lifestyle, and various other industries, including nonprofit, education, and professional services. A master storyteller and innovative strategist, I have lived and worked in major markets including New York City, Atlanta, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Since founding my PR agency in 2015, I have led impactful campaigns for high-profile clients like ESL FACEIT Group, the Olympic Virtual Series, Politan Row, Fox Theatre, Skillshot Media, Path2College, and Craft Apes, among others, while collaborating with major organizations such as SXSW, PAX West, The Recording Academy, Atlanta Falcons, and MasterCard. My career also includes past leadership roles at renowned institutions such as the New York Philharmonic, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the Green Music Center. I am actively engaged in professional organizations (including PRSA, The Recording Academy, WIFTA, Women in Music), and am the co-founder of the Georgia Entertainment PR Alliance. I bring a dynamic blend of creativity, passion, and expertise to every endeavor.

Talk with a Talent Expert

Members of our team are available to help you speed through the hiring process.
Available Now
Book a Call

Top Talent like Melissa are on Pangea

Pangea, a YC company, connects companies with fractional talent. Fractional hiring allows companies to move faster and work with more specialized talent, while giving talent more flexibility and independence. If you are talent open to fractional work, apply here. If you’re a company looking for high-quality fractional talent, learn more here.

Melissa A.E. Sanders

PR and Communications Specialist • Atlanta, GA, US
Public Relations
Publicity
Media Relations
Strategic Communications
Crisis Management
Marketing Strategy
Marketing
Event Marketing
Consulting
Available for hire fromNegotiable
Contracts

Projects

Capabiliites Deck

Tadpole Communications LLC is a creative and highly-driven public relations agency offering an array of PR services to clients all around the globe. We offer a specialization in entertainment and lifestyle, and also work in industries including technology, nonprofits, education, and professional services.

Work History

T

Founder & Chief PR Maven

Tadpole CommunicationsPublic relations agency specializing in entertainment, lifestyle, and nonprofits — from music, film/tv, and esports/gaming, to arts, food, professional services, and more. Manage clients and projects including: ESL FACEIT GROUP + DREAMHACK | TYLER PERRY EXHIBIT | POLITAN ROW, TIAA + PATH2COLLEGE | STAR FOREST | TERMINUS MODERN BALLET THEATRE | SKILLSHOT MEDIA | GHOST GAMING | FOX THEATRE | CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF ATLANTA | FINE HYGIENIC HOLDING | LAUGHING MAN COFFEE CO. | SXSW GAMING AWARDS | CAMP | PEOPLE STORE | CREATIVE MEDIA INDUSTRIES INSTITUTE at GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY | GEORGIA STAND-UP | CRAFTY APES | PC&E | MOONSHINE POST-PRODUCTION | JOHN DRISKELL HOPKINS | RENEGADE ESPORTS | HOUSTON OUTLAWS | PRIMAL SCREEN | DEKALB ENTERTAINMENT COMMISSION | ATLANTA POPS ORCHESTRA | MIAMI CITY BALLET | PANO SONOMA MUSIC FESTIVAL | CHARLOTTE MARRIOTT CITY CENTER | CONCERTS FOR AMERICA | PERATA VINEYARDS
W

Vice President

Watkins McGowan, LLCJan 2017 - Sep 2017 • 9 mosManaged public relations clients and projects including: AGCO | GREENFIELDS USA | MERCY HOUSING SOUTHEAST | ATLANTA POPS ORCHESTRA | PIANO SONOMA MUSIC FESTIVAL | ROCKY ROMANELLA
G

Senior Director for Marketing & Communications

Green Music Center at Sonoma State UniversityMay 2014 - Dec 2015 • 1 yr 8 mos• Develop and manage all aspects of communications, marketing and promotions for nearly 80 concerts —spanning genres of classical to country and jazz to rock— across three venues including Weill Hall, Weill Hall and Lawn and Schroeder Hall. • Execute integrated marketing-communications strategies aimed to increase revenues, cultivate audiences and engage communities. • Manage all marketing and promotions for opening of the new, 240-seat Schroeder Hall in August 2014. • Develop collaborations in wine and tourism industries for revenue-potential partnerships. • Launched newly designed concert program book with increased revenue potential. • Support increased collaborations with SSU students, including integration of GMC programming into curriculum.
A

Senior Director, Communications

Atlanta Symphony OrchestraApr 2010 - Jun 2014 • 4 yrs 3 mosIn addition to duties handled as Director of Public and Media Relations: - Develop and implement all internal and external strategic communications plans, and crisis and issues management plans. - Plan, execute, and oversee all traditional and social media relations for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and its brands. - Create and oversee all communications materials (e.g. executive communications, speaker’s bureau, website content, video, photography, social media, and program book editorial, special publications) to ensure brand adherence and messaging. - Planned and executed crisis communications plan for 2012 labor negotiations.
A

Director of Public & Media Relations

Atlanta Symphony OrchestraJan 2008 - Apr 2010 • 2 yrs 4 mos- Develop, plan, and execute all traditional and social communications plans for Atlanta Symphony-related concerts and events. - Oversee content development for outlets including online media center, newsroom, and editorial content of website, as
N

Associate Director, Public Relations

New York PhilharmonicSep 2000 - Dec 2007 • 7 yrs 4 mos- Develop and implement traditional and social strategic public relations plans for over 200 subscription and special concerts annually, plus international tours and residencies, national and international radio broadcasts, Live from Lincoln Center national telecasts, education programs, press conferences and events and recordings. - Coordinate and execute content development, editing, and production of Annual Report, Playbill program book, special publications and website. - Develop and execute promotional partnerships and events in coordination with partners such as Citibank, New York Yankees, Credit Suisse and Time Warner.- Develop and implement traditional and social strategic public relations plans for over 200 subscription and special concerts annually, plus international tours and residencies, national and international radio broadcasts, Live from Lincoln Center national telecasts, education programs, press conferences and events and recordings. - Coordinate and execute content development, editing, and production of Annual Report, Playbill program book, special publications and website. - Develop and execute promotional partnerships and events in coordination with partners such as Citibank, New York Yankees, Credit Suisse and Time Warner.
N

Senior Publicist

New York PhilharmonicOct 1999 - Sep 2000 • 1 yr- Coordinated all publicity efforts and materials for international tours and residencies, including: liaising with sponsors, local presenters and Operations department; events planning, implementation and production; Tracked and disseminated all tour-related press; produced tour press book. - Coordinated all publicity efforts for summer Concerts in the Parks, including coordinating NY1 News pre-produced 1/2 hour feature and on-site live, one-hour broadcast; liaised with sponsors, major media outlets, Operations department, NYC Parks Departments, and vendors. - PR liaison for live, monthly radio broadcasts: composed press releases, speaking points and radio spots for live, monthly, national broadcasts; reviewed scripts; scheduled artist interviews for intermission features.
N

Public Relations Associate

New York PhilharmonicMar 1997 - Oct 1999 • 2 yrs 8 mos- Generated national publicity for concerts, events, artists, and special projects, including launch of record label. - Launched national radio series and coordinated speaking points and radio spots for live, monthly, national broadcasts; review scripts; scheduled artist interviews. - Scheduled and directed photo shoots and portrait sittings for Orchestra members; booked and briefed photographers and camera crews; obtained photo clearances; oversaw selection and captioning of photos for publications; maintained portrait gallery on Grand Promenade.

Education

T

The Ohio State University

BA, Journalism/Public Relations

How Pangea Works

Effortlessly discover top talent

We’ve distilled the candidate search from endless hours down to just a few minutes. Using Pangea’s AI-powered search tools, you can find top fractional talent able to take on your next project. Our system looks at your company’s niche and your needs to find the perfect match faster than any traditional hiring platform.

Start working with talent today

The top talent on Pangea is ready to get started with you right now. You can message or hire a candidate right from their profile page and start assigning work as soon as they respond. And the best part? Pangea’s fractional contract structure lets you start small and ramp up as your needs change, keeping your costs manageable and your team’s capabliities flexible.

Track work and invoices in one place

Assign tasks, track progress, and complete invoices all on Pangea. We’ve combined every part of the hiring process into one platform to eliminate the miscommunication that’s unavoidable on other freelance platforms. We even send out 1099s to your contractors at the end of the year!

Talk with a Talent Expert

Members of our team are available to help you speed through the hiring process.
Available Now
Book a Call
Pangea empowers fractional work across the world for marketing and design roles.