RELATIONSHIPS + INNOVATION

Michelle Olson has spent most of her 25-year public relations career in a consulting environment, ranging from mid-size firms to large integrated advertising agencies. With a depth of experience in national consumer and trade media relations across industries, Michelle provides clients with strategic planning, media relations, public involvement and crisis communications, social media campaigns, and event coordination.
 
Among the large-scale feathers in her event cap are grand openings for Scottsdale Quarter, Kierland Commons, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa and Phoenix Coyotes/Jobing.com Arena, as well as the media management of the Merrill Lynch Skins Game, The Tradition and ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
 
With Michelle's leadership, the Olson Communications team remains at the forefront of changing media and interactive platforms, integrating social media and other online initiatives in all PR campaigns and programs. She is an active user of LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, and lesser-known social networks that keep her connected to her contacts, friends and hobbies.
 
Although she launched her career in Minnesota and still calls it home, Michelle has lived in Arizona for 20 years and has built strong relationships with business leaders, government staff and officials, and print and broadcast media throughout the state.
 
She also has been a key player in her field locally, regionally and nationally, including the mentorship of young people interested in public relations as a career choice. She holds the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) designation, and currently sits on the board of the Western District of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). She is a past president of the Phoenix Chapter of the PRSA and a past chair of Counselors Academy, a 400-member special section within PRSA for public relations firm owners and leaders. To stay savvy about the industries she serves, she is an active member of the National Association of Real Estate Editors (NAREE) and the Urban Land Institute (ULI).
 
In 2003, Michelle was recognized by the Phoenix Chapter of PRSA with the prestigious Percy Award for her contributions to the public relations industry. Her firm has been recognized as "Up and Coming" in BizAZ magazine and as "One to Watch" by Arizona Business Magazine.
 
Michelle earned a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
 

With over 30 years in media, public relations, promotions and advertising, Mary brings a wealth of expertise to Olson and our clients. The merging of her firm, Barclay Communications, with Olson creates an agency with exceptional experience and capabilities in real estate, hospitality, film and entertainment, sustainability and non-profits.
 
Mary's work as a mentor and community leader is as impressive as her business building. She currently serves as Phoenix Rescue Mission Board Vice-Chair, a member of Charter 100, Executive Women's Roundtable and Commercial One. She's also served on the boards of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, AWEE (Arizona Women for Education and Employment) and ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. Additionally, she's the co-founder of Bosom Buddies, a non-profit group offering peer counseling to women with breast disease.
 
Arizona Woman Magazine honored Mary with its "Woman of the Year" award, while the Girl Scouts named her a "Woman of Distinction" at the 2005 World Awards.
 

Linda has spent the past 25 years working on both sides of the Valley's media desk. Capitalizing on her strong foundation as a beat reporter, editor and freelance journalist, she has built a successful PR career around her ability to discern what's newsworthy (and what's not) and to strategically tell her clients' stories in fresh and engaging ways.

Linda was luckier than most: she discovered her life's passion in the seventh grade when she landed her first "job" as a cub reporter writing for the school newspaper. She was hooked, and followed her nose for news as it led her through Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and out into the world of daily newspapers.

In 1992, she traded her reporter's notepad for an opportunity to parlay her journalism experience into a career as a public relations professional. Her strong writing skills, natural curiosity and knowledge of what journalists want have come in handy over the years as she continually seeks to bridge the gap between the media and the PR clients she represents. Her results—for clients in the legal, real estate, financial and healthcare industries—include image-building lifestyle and business stories that have appeared everywhere from the Wall Street Journal to online blogs and local community newspapers and broadcast news programs.

In her role as a senior-level executive at several Valley public relations agencies, Linda has managed media relations, crisis communications and community relations for a wide spectrum of clients. Most recently, she has operated an independent public relations consulting business focused primarily on media relations and direct marketing.
 

A seasoned marketing professional in the entertainment industry, Alison has more than 20 years of experience in a wide variety of film, theatre and entertainment promotion. As Olson's manager of film and entertainment, she handles an impressive roster of major studio clients, including Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Sony Pictures Classics, CBS Films and Roadside Attractions.

Alison's past experience also included supervising the on-going marketing, advertising and branding efforts for all AMC Theatres throughout the Valley. She helped orchestrate and promote grand openings for seven new Valley theatres, including the AMC Deer Valley 30, one of just a handful of 30-screen theatres in the country and the only one in Arizona. Her efforts in launching the first all-stadium AMC Arrowhead 14 Theatres earned her a MAXI award from the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Alison brings her love for entertainment and education to people and places beyond the Olson office as well. She's been a board member of the Phoenix Film Festival for several years and previously served as PR director for the Arizona Science Center.
 

A native New Yorker and a graduate of ASU, Sue brings more than 20 years of marketing communications experience to the Olson team, having devised and implemented many public relations campaigns in New York and her adopted home state of Arizona.

Sue's in-depth knowledge of public relations and promotions stems from her work with Forbes and VIM&VIGOR magazines, and her strong print and broadcast media relationships have helped her secure high-profile projects with celebrities such as John Corbett, Debbie Reynolds, Shirley Jones, Hugh Downs, Lou Rawls, Roberta Flack, The Manhattans, and others.

Recent projects include Phoenix Rescue Mission's "Code Red: Summer Heat Relief" campaign to help the homeless and elderly shut-ins, and ongoing work with Arizona Connections Academy, a tuition-free, K-12 public online school. Sue also handles the publicity surrounding Texas-based Gehan Homes' expansion to the Arizona market and public relations for J. Levine Auction & Appraisal and its new Gallery J2, a contemporary art gallery on J. Levine's second floor.

A member of Public Relations Society of America, Sue is a freelance writer and has been published in In Business, The Peak, Southwest Contractor and VIM&VIGOR magazines. She is a graduate of Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
 

Lynita's professional background includes a diverse range of public relations roles in the sports, entertainment, hospitality and wellness industries.

Prior to joining Olson Communications, she managed the PR efforts for more than 10 clients at Tempe-based Spark Design. She honed her media relations skills in the fast-paced sporting and entertainment environments of Live Nation, where she was the Southwest public relations manager, and the Arizona Diamondbacks, where she worked as player and media relations coordinator. At Phoenix International Raceway, she coordinated efforts in the marketing, advertising and public relations departments.

Outside of the office, Lynita is a member of the ALS Arizona Bite Nite Committee, has served on the board of directors for Valley Youth Theatre and volunteered with the ASK Youth Tutoring program.

Lynita graduated Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with a minor in Mass Communications and a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Business and Communications.
 

Regina's passion for pop-culture, music and movies has paved the way for a career path in promotions and event marketing. She has worked in broadcasting, sports entertainment, live events, and the feature film industry for more than 12 years.

Currently Regina manages promotional and marketing campaigns in several Southwestern markets for Walt Disney Studios, Marvel and DreamWorks Studios. She has also created and executed promotional initiatives, advertising and PR events for WWE's Wrestlemania XXVI, Street League Skateboarding, and Cirque du Soleil.

Prior to joining Olson Communications, she managed the promotional efforts for multiple radio stations at Clear Channel Communications in Phoenix.

Regina attended Arizona State University earning a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Sociology.
 

Veronica brings a can-do approach, a passion for learning, strong writing and editing skills, and a keen eye for logistical detail to her role as account executive. Like her colleagues, she feels great affection for the food and beverage industry - both as a consumer and PR pro.

Veronica joined Olson Communications after spending three years in the corporate sector at Kahala, the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based franchisor of quick-service restaurant brands such as Cold Stone Creamery and Blimpie. There, as public relations manager, she oversaw media relations for all 12 concepts, handling consumer and trade media on both local and national levels.

An active member of the Phoenix Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Veronica mentors students and new professionals in the PRSA student chapter and serves as a PRSA committee chairperson and board member.

Veronica earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University.
 

Katie's in-depth knowledge of social media platforms and communicating with an online audience is key to her role as assistant account executive. A member of several client teams, she directs the day-to-day effort to create and deliver relevant, interesting and engaging messaging on Facebook, Twitter, and through various blogs for clients and for Olson Communications. She also reaches audiences through traditional PR and media relations efforts.

Katie joined the Olson team as in intern while studying at Arizona State University, where she graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with an emphasis in public relations from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She was appointed to the position of account coordinator following graduation and has since been promoted to assistant account executive and on to account executive.

While attending ASU, she also garnered valuable experience in event planning, marketing, and communications as an intern for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, marketing assistant at the Arizona State University Alumni Association, an intern at David and Sam PR and as a PR liaison for various student organizations. Among other charitable endeavors, she served as philanthropy committee chairwoman for the Delta Zeta sorority for which her efforts were recognized an induction into the university's student organization hall of fame in 2010.


 

Lindsay's love for movies, pop culture and entertainment buzz inspires the imaginative publicity campaigns she creates for Olson’s film studio and entertainment clients, including Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and Universal Pictures. She has been integral to our clients' success in Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada, and has worked on press junkets, public appearance tours and ongoing media outreach in several cities in those markets.

Outside the office, Lindsay serves on the board of the Scottsdale International Film Festival and is both a domestic and international volunteer with Food for the Hungry. She holds a BA in journalism with a public relations emphasis from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University. No stranger to risk taking, she recently jumped out of a perfectly good airplane and tells us she'd happily do it again.


 

Erica's professional background includes internships and position on both sides of the media desk, in the fields of journalism and public relations.

Before joining the Olson team, she held internships at Madden Media and the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. Prior to that, Erica was a writer and assistant editor at State Press Magazine. She also served as a social media consultant for the local non-profit organization, The Phoenix Indian Center.

Erica is a graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, where she received her B.A. in Public Relations with a related area studies in Art. While in school she was a member of the Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society for Journalists as well as the ASU chapter of PRSA.


 

Currently an Arizona State University student pursuing a degree in marketing, Eric joined the Olson team as a Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures intern. As our newest account coordinator, he now assists with all promotions and publicity for Olson's film studio accounts.

Having already earned a minor in Film and Media Studies and an International Business certificate, Eric hopes to continue pursuing his passion for marketing, film and film history. Last year, he enjoyed studying international business abroad in Barcelona, and has just one semester left at ASU before graduating in December 2013.
 

For over 25 years, Wendy has managed accounting and finances from nearly every perspective of the communications world. After her many years on the broadcast side of the ledger, she now enjoys working on the PR and media side. Much of her career has been spent working in Phoenix television, having served at KSAZ (KTSP) Channel 10 and KTVK Channel 3. She joined MAC America in 1993, managing the financials for its television, radio, magazine and production divisions. In 1999, MAC sold to Belo, and her responsibilities grew to include CW6 (KASW), two Tucson television stations and two Internet divisions.

Outside the workplace, Wendy puts her broadcasting knowledge to work as a board member of the House of Broadcasting Museum. She's also a past president of the American Women in Radio & Television Phoenix Chapter.
 

Josh's professional background includes a variety of internships in public relations and journalism. Most recently, he spent the 2013 summer interning with Olson Communications, where his hard work and desire to learn all aspects of public relations landed him a full-time position.

Before joining the Olson Team, he held internships at InMaricopa.com and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley. While interning at InMaricopa.com, Josh worked as a features writer and news reporter, covering community news, business and education. His internship with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley allowed him to delve into the nonprofit sector, further developing his marketing and public relations skills.

A recent graduate of Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Josh received his B.A. in Public Relations. Graduating with honors, he excelled in all aspects of his education, including the time he spent working for actual clients in the Cronkite Public Relations Lab.