Melissa Allen, project associate, began at Judith Kelly + Associates as an intern in January 2010. After two months of exemplary work, Melissa was offered an employment position in March of that year. Areas Melissa oversees include being the public relations liaison for the Dignity & Respect Campaign Champion of Greater Pittsburgh program, where she interviews monthly winners and secures media coverage for each.

Melissa has also researched, developed, and implemented guerilla marketing tactics for individual communities across Pittsburgh for the Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show. During the 32-county Power of 32 regional visioning initiative project, Melissa attended more than twenty community meetings; where she then used social media tactics to promote participants’ impressions of the events. In addition, she assists in publicity efforts for other firm clients such as the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh and the Zonta Club of Pittsburgh. Stateside, before teaming with Judith Kelly + Associates, Adam worked in the purchasing department at American Eagle Outfitter’s corporate office in Warrendale, PA, where he helped the company move to SouthSide Works through vendor and client assessment.

Melissa received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with an emphasis on media and public relations, as well as a minor in English Writing from the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg in December 2010. The highlight of her college career includes analyzing a rebranding strategy for Clairol Herbal Essences, which was chosen for presentation at the Eastern Communication Association Conference.

John Artale, Project Associate at Judith Kelly + Associates, joined the firm in January 2012. His years of working on a corporate level in retail marketing and purchasing have honed his abilities to asses and respond quickly to any situation.

During his fifteen years at National Record Mart (NRM), first as a buyer and later as a director, John worked in tandem with record labels in marketing and promoting recording artists and was rewarded with several gold records as the results of his efforts. Also during his tenure he was a buyer for R&B music and pre-recorded video.

After his tenure at NRM, John joined Galaxy Music Distributors and served as purchasing manager for six years. During that time John also became a freelance contemporary concert reviewer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

John was born in Brooklyn and has made Pittsburgh his home since 1970. He received his Associate’s degree from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and later graduated with a Bachelor of Science from La Roche College. In his free time John enjoys contemporary literature, music and films.