PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
Jennifer Bett Meyer
+JENNIFER'S BIO
For over 18 years, Jennifer Bett Meyer has managed the public relations, marketing and strategic communications for today’s most dynamic global brands.
As President and Founder, Jennifer launched Jennifer Bett Communications in January 2014 to offer forward-thinking brands a new, creative and multi-dimensional approach to consumer awareness. Jennifer has scaled JBC across divisions, and today, it stands as the premier media relations agency for fast-growing, venture-backed start-ups and uniquely competitive brands, approaching PR in a way that speaks to consumers, investors and the industry as a whole.
A graduate of Wesleyan University, Jennifer began her career as an editor at Harper's Bazaar and Marie Claire. After three years in publishing, Jennifer transitioned into public relations at special events and marketing firm Harrison & Shriftman, eventually exiting to become PR Director at Club Monaco.
In 2007, Jennifer was asked to launch the public relations division of Starworks Group, and within one year, she built a 20-person team that serviced over 25 international clients. Next, as the Vice President of Communications for contemporary clothing brand Alice + Olivia, Jennifer oversaw traditional and digital marketing, global public relations, social media, events and celebrity integration.
Today, Jennifer has expanded JBC's offerings to even better serve its 80% female founder client base, as well as support the advancement of women in the workplace. In March 2019, Jennifer helped to both produce and host JBC's first-ever conference for female-focused founders on International Women's Day, which also debuted in Los Angeles in September 2019. In 2018, under Jennifer's leadership, JBC debuted on Observer’s prestigious annual PR Power 50 and returned to the list in 2019. “After five years, JBC is moving into high gear,” wrote Observer, “with a torrent of new business that hasn’t overshadowed its near-fanatic dedication to entrepreneurs and disruptors.”
SVP, LIFESTYLE
Ilana Rubin Dvir
+ILANA'S BIO
Ilana is a seasoned lifestyle, luxury, food + beverage and entertainment media specialist, leading the fast growing lifestyle division at JBC. With 8+ years of experience and a particular expertise in media relations and brand storytelling, Ilana spearheads the planning and execution of integrated public relations programs for her clients, with a proven track record for generating top-tier coverage across all media verticals, including business and thought leadership features. In 2015, Ilana was named one of AdWeek/PRNewser's “30 Under 30 PR Professionals.”
Prior to joining JBC in 2017, Ilana held positions at Matter, Edelman Sports and Entertainment and Civic Entertainment Group, where she oversaw media strategy and execution across agency portfolios for brands including goop, NBCUniversal Cable, Diet Pepsi, Verizon, Airbnb and more.
Featured in Observer’s 15 Rising Stars in the PR Industry for 2018
SVP, FASHION
Sara Ganus
+SARA'S BIO
Sara leads the Fashion division at JBC as a seasoned publicist with over 12 years of experience working with fashion, retail and lifestyle brands that span the luxury, mass and direct-to-consumer spaces. Her specialities include media relations, communication strategy, brand positioning, and events across these diverse and competitive markets.
Sara began her career as a newspaper reporter covering retail and small business but quickly transitioned her skillset into the world of PR, where she could continue to tell stories and utilize her working knowledge of the media.
Over the course of her career, Sara has worked for some of the top New York-based fashion PR agencies, including Starworks Group, PR Consulting and Krupp Group. Most recently, Sara worked on the Entertainment & Influencer Marketing team at Adidas in Los Angeles.
PARTNER & MANAGING DIRECTOR
Melissa Duren Conner
+MELISSA'S BIO
Melissa Duren Conner is a publicist and strategic thinker with almost 15 years of industry experience.
In July 2014, Melissa joined Jennifer Bett Meyer at Jennifer Bett Communications as the agency's Partner and Managing Director, helping to scale its mission of bringing a more thoughtful approach to public relations. Together with Jennifer, Melissa has grown the company into the leading agency for fast-growing consumer brands that are redefining the modern marketplace.
Melissa began her marketing, communications and media relations career at HL Group, where she led PR services for TOMS, David Yurman and Sotheby’s Diamonds. In 2010, Melissa joined Starworks Group as Senior Manager of Public Relations, where she oversaw the 10th anniversary of INTERMIX, in addition to PR operations for luxury fashion and lifestyle brands Monique Lhuillier, Zimmermann, Kelly Wearstler and Jack Spade.
Following her tenure at Starworks, Melissa joined Theory to oversee the press strategy of the core brand, in addition to the recently launched Theyskens’ Theory, led by industry-leading fashion designer Olivier Theyskens. Melissa then served as PR Director for the U.S. launch of Joe Fresh, Canada's leading fashion label and retail chain, where she positioned the brand competitively within the thriving accessible fashion market.
In 2017, Melissa was honored by the Public Relations Society of America as a member of its inaugural 15 Under 35 Awards, recognizing the foremost talent and emerging leaders of the Greater New York PR community. In 2018, Melissa spearheaded JBC's first-of-its-kind Office Hours program, during which the agency opens its doors to fledgling founders and entrepreneurs seeking PR, marketing and communications insight each month, free of charge. Melissa holds a regular speaking presence across conferences, panels and podcasts, appearing at The Wing, Interactive Advertising Bureau’s Direct Brand Summit, Business of Home’s Future of Home Conference and Shopify’s Commerce+, to name a few.
HEAD OF CONTENT
Maura Brannigan
+MAURA'S BIO
As head of content, Maura joined JBC with more than seven years of writing, editing, and reporting experience, holding a nearly four-year tenure at leading fashion news site Fashionista, with additional editorial roles in fashion magazines at Condé Nast and Hearst. She brings a sharp media eye and strong network across industries including fashion, beauty, wellness, sustainability, and tech. At JBC, Maura now leverages her broad editorial background to oversee a menu of editorial services for clients, ranging from one-time projects to ongoing and immersive content strategy.
DIRECTOR OF AFFILIATE MARKETING
Katie Samuels
+KATIE'S BIO
A specialist in affiliate management, Katie Samuels arrived at JBC to launch the agency’s affiliate division. In her previous role as a client success manager at a full-service affiliate management agency, Katie has both built strategies and grown affiliate programs for well-known, high-impact brands that have benefitted from the optimized relationship between PR and affiliate.
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & HEAD OF GROWTH
Libbey Baumgarten
+LIBBEY'S BIO
Libbey Baumgarten is a public relations professional with over 10 years of experience in business, lifestyle and technology. She started her career at Nike Communications where she lead corporate communications for Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, and supported nearly twenty individual properties throughout the collection including New York’s iconic The Carlyle Hotel.
More recently, Libbey developed and executed strategic PR campaigns and product launches for various consumer technology companies including Google, YouTube, Yahoo, Polyvore, Pebble Smartwatches, Doctor On Demand, and more. In addition to product and brand launches, she has created unique programming and initiatives for brands to keep them relevant and top-of-mind to consumers.
Over the course of her career, Libbey has developed a strong understanding of the ever-changing media landscape and the processes needed to bring a brand story to life. In 2015, Libbey joined the JBC team to offer Direct-to-Consumer brands a creative and fresh approach to media relations.
VP. THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Jenna Toder
+JENNA'S BIO
Jenna Toder has over 12 years experience positioning founders and executives of mission-driven brands as thought leaders in their respective industries. Jenna is a natural story-teller with an instinct for conceptualizing interesting narratives.
As Vice President of Thought Leadership at JBC, she oversees speaking opportunities for the agency’s full roster of clients. In her tenure at the agency, Jenna has successfully secured speaking roles for executives at Fast Company’s Innovation Festival, Glamour’s Women of the Year Awards and Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit. Prior to joining JBC in 2018, Jenna held senior executive positions at EJ Media Group and Sunshine Sachs.
CHIEF OF STAFF
Stephanie Davis
+STEPHANIE'S BIO
Steph joined JBC with 15-plus years of experience in recruiting, talent development and executive operations, working with companies of all sizes, including Apple, Intel, Foursquare Labs and Lucky Strike Entertainment. She holds a B.S. in Organizational Behavior & Leadership from The University of San Francisco and is passionate about implementing policies and procedures that help make JBC a world-class agency to both collaborate with and work for.