JENNIFER BETT MEYER, FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
For over 16 years, Jennifer Bett Meyer has been a success-driven professional working in public relations and marketing for today’s most dynamic global brands. A graduate of Wesleyan University, Jennifer began her career as an editor at Harper's Bazaar where she worked under its famed Editor Glenda Bailey. After three years in publishing, Jennifer transitioned into public relations at Harrison & Shriftman, eventually leaving to become PR Director at Club Monaco.
In 2007, Jennifer was asked to launch the public relations division of the Starworks Group, an innovative agency created to manage and execute celebrity endorsements and product placement. Within one year, she built a 20-person team that serviced over 18 international fashion clients including ASOS, INTERMIX, Kate Spade, and phillip lim 3.1. As the Senior Vice President of Public Relations, she launched the lifestyle and beauty divisions for Starworks and was instrumental in the creation of an events division that would oversee the production and execution of fashion shows, brand launches, and large-scale philanthropic galas. When Starworks expanded into digital, Jennifer was a critical member of the team that helped traditional fashion brands understand and integrate into the online medium.
Next, as the Vice President of Communications for Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet, Jennifer grew a team of two into a department of 14 in just over a year. She was given responsibility for traditional marketing (including the brand's first global advertising campaign), digital marketing, global public relations, social media, events, and celebrity integration. Meyer also played a crucial role in the refinement of the designer’s profile and the building of strategic brand partnerships. During Meyer's tenure at Alice + Olivia, the brand grew into a dominant retail force known for its innovative marketing methods.
In January 2013, Jennifer launched Jennifer Bett Communications to offer forward thinking brands a new, creative, and multi-dimensional approach to overall consumer awareness. Jennifer has succeeded by uniquely employing a comprehensive package of global PR planning, guerilla marketing concepts, social media strategies, brand partnerships, and other state-of-the-art strategies to achieve her clients' varied objectives.
MELISSA DUREN CONNOR, PARTNER & MANAGING DIRECTOR
Melissa Duren Connor is a public relations professional with over 9 years experience and proven success in luxury, contemporary and mass market fashion, accessories, tech, retail and lifestyle businesses.
A graduate of Fordham University, Melissa joined powerhouse NYC agency, HL Group, to lead PR services for TOMS, David Yurman, Bamford, D&G Time & Jewel, Miriam Haskell and Sotheby’s Diamonds. After successfully launching TOMS with coverage ultimately leading to an overwhelming growth period, amongst other client accomplishments, Duren was asked by a previous client to join Starworks’s growing fashion PR division as a Senior Manager of Public Relations. While there, Melissa oversaw the 10th Anniversary of INTERMIX, ROXY Chicken Jam (the U.S.’ only all women’s snow competition), in addition to PR operations for Monique Lhuillier, Zimmermann, Kelly Wearstler, and Jack Spade. Throughout her tenure, Melissa consistently presented dynamic tactics and pitches to secure exceptional and effective results across digital, print and broadcast outlets.
After Starworks, Melissa pursued an opportunity to join Theory to oversee the press strategy of the core brand in addition to the recently launched Theyskens’ Theory- devising a narrative that delicately weaved the two brands together while preserving their unique propositions. In 2012, Melissa was recruited as PR Director to launch Joe Fresh, Canada’s leading fashion brand, in the U.S. to properly position the brand competitively within the thriving accessible fashion market.
In 2013, inspired by her time at Joe Fresh and her experience at leading agencies, Melissa pursued her desire to service emerging, uniquely competitive brands in fashion, retail, tech and lifestyle markets in an entrepreneurial setting as an independent publicist. In July 2014, Melissa joined Jennifer Meyer as Managing Director and Partner of Jennifer Bett Communications to continue bringing dynamic public relations services to their impressive client roster.
Melissa's diverse experience has refined her capabilities across all public relations and communications needs including brand strategy and positioning, media relations, event management and execution, collection/brand launches, strategic partnerships, digital PR, social media and influencer relations.