Lauren Melcher
was promoted to senior digital account executive in the digital
communications practice. Since joining Weber Shandwick in 2011, she has
become a leading social media crisis drill expert, developing and
participating in complex scenarios for Weber Shandwick’s award-winning
FireBell crisis simulator. Melcher has also led comprehensive social
media audits and provided guidance on social media issues for a wide
range of consumer marketing and agribusiness clients. In the community,
Melcher serves on the board of directors of the Minnesota Interactive
Marketing Association, speaks locally on social media topics, and writes
for TECHdotMN and the Huffington Post. She holds a bachelor’s degree in
English and management studies from St. Olaf College.
Sarah Rydland
was promoted to senior account executive in the financial services
practice. Rydland’s media relations skills and commitment to excellent
client service have made her an asset to her colleagues and clients
since she joined Weber Shandwick in 2007. She has been a driving force
behind the U.S. Treasury’s Go Direct campaign’s media
relations efforts and partner outreach, as well as supporting product
launches for several other government and financial services clients. In
addition, Rydland leads the student relations committee of the
Minnesota chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. She holds a
bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota.
