NEW ORLEANS – Spears Group, a strategic communications, creative and public relations firm announced that Malana Joseph Mitchell has been promoted to vice president of public relations. In her role, Mitchell will continue to lead the public relations department, which includes developing and executing fully integrated communications strategies for clients while providing leadership and ongoing development to the firm's PR team of of six public relations practitioners.
"I'm excited to step into my new role and continue leading our hardworking team to execute compelling work for our clients," said Mitchell. "We have a dynamic team that has developed over the course of the past several years and our growth is a reflection of that."
Mitchell, a native of Edgard, Louisiana, joined Spears Group in 2011. Her successful marketing strategies have resulted in dozens of accolades that include helping the firm receive the coveted Silver Anvil Award, the highest honor given by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), for its work on the Urban League's RISE: Katrina 10 Commemorative Conference.
Mitchell was most recently honored at the 2018 ADDY awards on Friday, February 23, taking home the 'Ad Persons for the Year' award in the 'Marketing/Communications Director' category. Spears' Director of Events, Michelle Tarallo, also received the same honor in the 'Special Events Person' category. Mitchell and Tarallo were selected by a panel of judges made up of local advertising professionals.The ADDY's are a way for the American Advertising Federation to honor the best and brightest professionals in the industry.
"We are very excited for Malana. She is a reflection of our commitment to nurturing and developing our team. I know she will do a great job in her new role," said Cleveland Spears, III, president and CEO of Spears Group.
Additionally, Mitchell was named one of PR Week's 2017 Champions of PR, a nationwide list bestowed upon the 40 most influential women shaping the public relations industry. Over the years, she has been actively involved in a variety of noteworthy organizations including the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) where she served two consecutive terms as President, the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau's PR Council, the National Association of Black Journalists and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and also serves as an adjunct professor at Dillard University.
