As the Founder and Chief PR Maven of Tadpole Communications, MELISSA SANDERS specializes in strategic communications and public relations across entertainment, lifestyle, sports, arts and culture, wellness, and nonprofit sectors. A master storyteller and solution-oriented strategist, she is known for finding the story that matters, identifying creative opportunities, and working across complex organizations to help clients achieve their goals.

With more than 20 years of experience in public relations and marketing, Melissa has lived and worked in cities including New York City, Atlanta, and the San Francisco Bay Area, building relationships and leading communications initiatives locally, nationally, and around the globe.

Melissa curates her team for each client based on the scope of work, budget, and specializations desired. This strategy delivers a unique team and skill set for each client and/or project of which she is a part.

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

Since founding Tadpole Communications in 2015, Melissa has led work for clients and projects including FIFA World Cup 2026™, ESL FACEIT Group/DreamHack, Monday Night Brewing, TIAA + Path2College 529 Plan, Politan Row, Candy Crush, the Olympic Virtual Series, Fox Theatre, Georgia State University’s Creative Media Industry Institute, Atlanta Pops Orchestra, CAMP, University of Georgia, Terminus Modern Ballet, Fox Theatre, PC&E, DeKalb Entertainment Commission, Children’s Museum of Atlanta, John Driskell Hopkins of Zac Brown Band, Miami City Ballet, and Skillshot Media, Moonshine Post Production, and the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, among others.

Her experience also includes partnerships and activations with organizations including SXSW, The Recording Academy, PAX West, Coca-Cola, American Express, MasterCard, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons, Home Depot Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, plus wineries, food banks, venues, museums, tourism boards, and more. 

Prior to launching Tadpole Communications, she led the public relations teams of the internationally-acclaimed New York Philharmonic (New York City, NY) and its concerts, international tours, record label and television broadcasts; the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Chorus, and Youth Orchestra (Atlanta, GA), as well as its concerts, record label, touring, Chastain Amphitheater, and opening of Ameris Bank Amphitheatre; and The Green Music Center (San Francisco / Sonoma County, CA) and its venues, concerts and events, including the opening of Schroeder Hall. 

VOLUNTEER AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

As an active member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Melissa currently serves on its National Executive Committee for the Entertainment and Sports Section, and her agency’s work has been awarded PRSA Phoenix Awards. She is the former Vice Chair of Communications for Women in Music Atlanta, Former PR Chair of both Georgia Music Partners and Georgia Production Partnership, Co-Founder of the Georgia Entertainment PR Alliance (GEPRA); and is also a member of The Recording Academy (The GRAMMYs®), the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (The Emmys®), and Women in Film and Television Atlanta (WIFTA). Melissa has also served as a guest lecturer at various universities and is a former musician, former athlete, and a proud alumnus of The Ohio State University (B.A. in Journalism / Public Relations) and The Ohio State University Marching Band.