About Us

People

For public relations in particular, people matter. Credibility, trust, integrity. Those qualities depend on people. We have a team of smart, straight-forward, experienced people who believe strongly that actions speak louder than words.

Ed Brysonsvp & chief public relations

Ed usually introduces himself as a “recovering journalist,” having been an investigative TV news reporter in Mississippi before entering the public relations world. Ed is a Tupelo, Mississippi native and graduate of the University of Mississippi. A seasoned PR strategist, Ed has maneuvered the changing communications landscape for more than 17 years in public relations and communications positions, most recently as a senior vice president at Fleishman-Hillard in Dallas, developing and leading an array of integrated communications programs for clients including Chevrolet, Yahoo!, Zillow, USAA, Jones Day and AT&T. Prior to that he was the public relations manager for MetaSolv Software, Inc. (now Oracle), a senior communications specialist at Entergy and the communications director for the Mayor’s office in Jackson, Mississippi. In his spare time, he loves great music and enjoys playing the guitar (three chords, one capo, and the Truth). Although he is thrilled to return home to the Mid-South, after his years in Texas, he remains an unabashed Texas Rangers fan.

Emily Dahlbeckaccount director

For more than 10 years, Emily has developed and supported award-winning public relations and interactive marketing campaigns. She works with regional and national clients across a variety of industries, placing special emphasis in third-party influencer programs and customer-focused campaigns. Emily was formerly with Fleishman-Hillard International Communications and studied agriculture and journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she worked as a reporter at the Columbia Missourian . She is certified in crisis communications by the Institute for Crisis Communications. Emily is an avid traveler throughout the U.S. and abroad – enthralled by everything from the Coliseum of Rome to the Corn Palace of South Dakota. Lately, however, she has put her roots down, literally, on a farm and garden operation, raising everything from corn and soybeans to rhubarb and habaneros. Next on her agenda: beekeeping.

Jim Masilakaccount supervisor

Jim joined archer>malmo PR after nearly 10 years as an award-winning print news reporter at The Commercial Appeal in Memphis. His work has also appeared in such publications as the Chicago Sun-Times , the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Baseball America , and he has appeared as a guest commentator on sports-talk radio shows across the country. Originally from Joliet, Ill., Jim attended the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and graduated magna cum laude with a degree in communications. He is a lifelong Cubs and Blackhawks fan, a voracious reader and desperately needs to decorate his office.

Katie Wassmeraccount supervisor

Katie joined archer>malmo PR with seven years of experience in public relations. She has worked with clients to integrate PR and social media with traditional marketing disciplines, as well as direct brand management, corporate positioning and product launches. She previously led public relations campaigns and served as social media director for Thompson & Berry PR in Memphis. Katie graduated magna cum laude from The University of Memphis with a degree in journalism and public relations. She is active with the Memphis chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, Indie Memphis Film Festival, Bravo Memphis and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Outside of the office, she can be found treasure hunting in antique and home decor stores, restoring thrift store finds, rearranging her furniture (again), running or practicing yoga.

Aquinas Earlysenior account executive

Aquinas joined archer>malmo PR with over eight years of experience in public relations. Throughout her career, she has managed, developed and implemented integrated marketing communications strategies for major brands such as McDonald’s, Courvoisier, Miller Brewing Company (now, MillerCoors) and Walgreens. Her innovative ideas, creative concepts and strategic campaigns have received national recognition and have been the recipients of industry awards such as PR Week, PCC of Chicago, the Trumpet Awards and the Magellan Awards. An alumni of Chicago State University, Aquinas graduated with a degree in communications. Outside of work, Aquinas is a self-proclaimed restaurant connoisseur. She also enjoys blogging, anything fashion and practicing yoga.

Hannah Gardnersenior account executive

Hannah was previously special events coordinator at the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute, where she organized and promoted conferences for leading journalists and media dignitaries from around the world. She graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in agricultural journalism. While completing her studies, Hannah conducted public relations for Learfield Communications, served as president of the university's National Agri-Marketing Association and was a reporter for the Columbia Missourian . Hannah enjoys being outdoors, whether it be hiking with her two dogs or hunting in Missouri. She also loves traveling and trying out new recipes.

Rik Tiwanaaccount manager

Rik joined archer>malmo after graduating from the University of Memphis with a degree in Journalism focused in public relations. He interned with archer>malmo public relations for about a year while returning to the U of M to complete his pre-medical coursework post-bachelors. Once that was finished, he was eager to return to the agency and use his outstanding media relations and organizational skills. He is a dedicated Memphis alum and Tiger fan. In his free time, when not with friends or reading a new book, he can be found constantly updating his iPod or getting in a good run.

Lauren Harlowaccount coordinator

Lauren comes to archer>malmo from Tunica, Mississippi, where she was an event specialist for Gold Strike Casino Resort. She previously interned with the public relations team while she was in college at the University of Mississippi. After graduating with a degree in Broadcast Journalism with an emphasis on Public Relations, she worked part-time for the company, developing the media relations skills that eventually led her back to the public relations world. Lauren loves shopping, and is constantly trying to find the best deals. She also enjoys traveling and discovering new music all over Memphis.

Michelle Menezesaccount coordinator

Michelle joined archer>malmo after graduating from Brigham Young University with a degree in Communications and a minor in Spanish. During her college years, she held a number of PR internship positions, including working in the nonprofit sector with Morality In Media in their D.C. headquarters. She also was the PR/marketing manager for Muse Music Café in Provo and wrote for the Daily Universe, the BYU student newspaper. At those positions, Michelle was an active driver of several key PR and social media initiatives, including media relations and testimonial programs. Outside of the PR world, she enjoys spending time with friends/family, being a retired swimmer, running, and traveling back to her roots in the West.