Melanie S. Howard, President and CEO

Melanie has represented individuals and companies around the globe, for over 22 years, including public and private companies and large and small entities in a variety of sectors (health, education, entertainment, real estate, hospitality, restaurants, grocery/organic foods, technology, nonprofits, and new media). She owned and operated a public relations and marketing agency in Los Angeles prior to relocating to Denver. Her expertise includes branding and strategic positioning, media relations, crisis management, marketing communications, public affairs and public policy, new business development, new product launches, and special events.

She offers her clients a rare empathetic understanding of their bottom-line needs and top-line objectives, an integrated approach to marketing, unparalleled service, persuasive skills, visionary thinking, and tenacity that ensures high achievement of publicity and marketing goals. Her skills at diplomacy turn adverse circumstances to advantage. Melanie’s clients have appeared in both international and local media, including network news, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, and Time. She recommends that her clients employ a variety of media and marketing tools, including social media and digital communications, in their marketing campaigns.

Melanie gives her clients the attention of a boutique agency with the experience of international agencies. Prior to owning her own agency in Los Angeles, she worked for some of the most celebrated PR agencies in the world: Edelman Public Relations Worldwide and Hill & Knowlton Public Relations. She has amassed a diverse team who bring national experience and a large array of skills.

She has produced results for many companies, including: Whole Foods Markets, Gateway Educational Products, Inc. (Hooked on Phonics), The International Pablo Casals Festival (Puerto Rico Tourism), Bell Canada Enterprises Development, Hamilton Cove resort, Polygram Filmed Entertainment and Ms. Sally Field (global PR), Noware (Australia), Origins Corporation (Estee Lauder Corp.), Rysher Entertainment, GRP Records, Miramar Films, American Securities Corp., Steve Farber’s American Transplant Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Liberty Dialysis, ServiceMagic, Orson Scott Card, Century Cable/Century Communications, S.C.R.U.B.S., Rich Products Corp., John Wayne Cancer Clinic, The Learning Annex, Hyatt Regency Hotels, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Indulge Wine Bar, Kitchen Table Cooking School, and even President Reagan’s multi-lingual press conference in Los Angeles in 1987.

Melanie has a BA in English/Journalism from UCLA, and a degree in Marketing Communications from FIDM. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and remains active with various children’s charities. When not working, Melanie can be found playing competitive tennis or golf, swimming, cycling, skiing, travelling, and entertaining her talented children.

Lee Ann Fleming, APR, Senior Account Supervisor

Lee Ann offers skills from more than 20 years as a professional communicator, with professional experience in industries as varied as high tech/software development, education, fitness, healthcare, energy, transportation, and professional business services (law, HR, consulting).

She is an award-winning writer with a strong background in e-commerce and the use of Internet 2.0 resources, which she believes is crucial in any 21st century marketing campaign. She is comfortable in every aspect of integrated marketing, from startup, product launch, sales, trade show/conference promotion, media relations, thought-leadership promotion, direct marketing, market/audience segmentation, measurement, SEO/SEM, channel marketing, and brand positioning.

Since earning her PRSA accreditation in 2003, she has written a course in public relations that is being used by an online university, placed articles with the Associated Press, New York Times, and Entrepreneur magazines (among many others), ghost-written dozens of contributed articles and presentations on behalf of clients, developed and executed strategy for brand positioning, created a sales program for a high-tech startup, successfully navigated crisis communication issues, and created collateral materials from annual reports to trade show brochures.

Her two master’s degrees (English, emphasizing technical and creative writing, and Corporate Communications), along with undergrad degrees in English and history, underscores her belief that one should always keep learning. In fact, the reason she enjoys her job so much is that in marketing and public relations, one learns or is left behind.

When Lee Ann is not working, she’s writing novels (a historical thriller, set in 1856, is set to be completed by end of 2009). Lee Ann is married and is a devoted mother to son Ben, currently in middle school. The family dog, a Yorkie named Nika, is the true head of household. Just ask for pictures.

Kirsten Becker, Senior Account Executive

Kirsten brings more than 10 years of professional experience in media relations, marketing and event production to Howard PR.

During her eight-year tenure as the Marketing and Public Relations Manager of Larimer Square, Kirsten became an invaluable asset to the property by successfully promoting its 35 high-end retail stores and restaurants. Through an aggressive publicity and marketing campaign, she was instrumental in helping to distinguish Larimer Square as one of Denver's most popular shopping and dining destinations.

Kirsten also has a strong background in promoting and producing both large and small-scale events. She was one of the founders of the Italian street painting festival, La Piazza dell'Arte and helped establish the award-winning event as the premier chalk festival in the Rocky Mountain region. As the Associate Director of the Larimer Arts Association, Kirsten managed Sight & Sounds Wine Down, Oktoberfest Denver, Winterfest, and a number of smaller events. Kirsten has also consulted for the Crested Butte Food & Wine Festival, Steamboat Wine Festival, and Applewood Arts Fine Art and Craft Fairs.

Kirsten is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder where she earned her B.A. degree in Journalism. During her free time, she enjoys running, skiing, playing competitive tennis and golf, traveling, reading and spending time with her husband and two young children.

Riegel Brasseux, Senior Account Executive

Riegel has been a national publicist for over five years. During that time, she has developed and executed in excess of 15 public relations campaigns for national consumer brands and local events.

Prior to joining Howard Communications as a Senior Account Executive, she was a Senior Account Executive at a local agency with expertise in travel and real estate media relations, as well as specialties that include sustainability, food and health, and wellness. Prior to that, she served as a Senior Associate at a Denver-based agency, where she specialized in reputation management, crisis planning and mitigation, and building awareness for more than five national organizations.

A graduate of the University of Colorado at Denver, Riegel began her publicity career at a national boutique agency, where she worked closely with notable brands, including Cutter & Buck Sportswear, Spyder Outerwear, Imperial Headwear, and Feld Entertainment. During this time, she executed countless community relations events, raising awareness for her clients and garnering quality media coverage.

Riegel is an energetic publicist who has earned a great reputation with the Colorado media for her savvy story delivery and relentless preparation. Her love of publicity shows in her desire to be the voice of her clients – she believes in her clients’ missions and is able to successfully share their message with key media nationwide. Riegel lives in Colorado and is the mother to a precocious preschooler.

Samantha Britten, Assistant Account Executive

Samantha is talented, hard-working, and an optimistic go-getter, capable of juggling numerous tasks, and providing attention to every client’s communication needs.

She is skilled in an array of public relations techniques that get clients great national media coverage. Samantha has helped clients in a variety of sectors.

Prior to working for Howard PR, Samantha served as an AAE at a local agency. There, she utilized her multitasking skills, dedication, and commitment to detail and teamwork to achieve success for both the agency and clients. Her skill set will propel her far in the field of communications and public relations.

Samantha holds a B.A. in English from the University of Northern Colorado.