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.
 

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.
 

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.

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.
 

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.
 

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.


 

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.