Tara Coomans
Founder & President
Tara Coomans is a creative leader with the unique ability to develop strategies that drive action. Tara started her agency in 2008 because she is passionate about driving results in a nimble, digitally savvy environment that moves objectives forward for clients. She has spearheaded viral campaigns throughout her career, hosted and designed hundreds of events, secured essential TV and print coverage, and guided clients through complicated PR situations and messaging. Tara’s ability to “read the room” is her secret weapon. She serves as the creative vision of the campaigns, and the analytical enforcer, ensuring we meet not only your expectations but our own.
Justin Simon
Vice President of Client Strategy
Justin’s talent is cutting through the noise and finding the connective tissue in messaging. Owing to his background Fox Sports, Justin is our eyes and ears for content and our creative secret weapon for activations. Justin never settles, his critical eye and emotional intelligence ensures his strategic vision hits all the right PR notes at the right time. Justin is an indispensable member of our PR strategy team.
Lara Miller
Senior Public Relations Director
With deep experience in consumer tech PR, DTC PR, and B2B executive PR, Lara always gets her media placement. Her grit and determination means she finds a way to meet every challenge challenge. Lara leverages her relationships at every turn to develop great stories for game-changing people and products.
Anu Kher
Sr. Public Relations Director
L.A.-based Anu is a collaborative, strategic, and detail-oriented public relations executive and copywriter with 15 years of experience in several industries, including B2B technology, cannabis & CPG, real estate, and psychedelics (biotech, wellness). Prior to joining the Avaans team, Anu worked at global and mid-size PR agencies, including KCSA, Edelman and Ketchum. She has an M. A. in journalism and communications from New York University and a professional certificate in digital marketing from Northwestern Kellogg University.
Melissa Vitale
Senior Public Relations Director
New York-based Melissa ensures our cannabis clients have a presence in the media epicenter of the US. Melissa is a laser-focused publicist, nimble enough to catch daily opportunities and strategic enough to plan for press months in advance. Melissa excels in emerging markets that require laser-focused, brand consistent and groundbreaking media pitching.
AJ Feuerman
Senior Public Relations Director
AJ is our resident go to for hip and emerging stories and crossover opportunities in the entertainment space. AJ is always on the groundbreaking of emerging trends and she digs in to find the storytelling threads for all her clients. AJ is based in L.A.
Megan Hanson
Public Relations and Media Associate
Colorado-based Megan puts the “relations” into media relations and the “social” into social media. Megan’s digitally savvy public relations approach scores points with both clients and journalists alike.
Cristina Cano
Public Relations and Media Associate
L.A.-based Cristina is a natural storyteller and tenacious media relations professional. Cristina’s superpower is her ability to see opportunities in places others miss. Cristina is nimble and flexible enough to work on a wide variety of emerging industry PR. With a bright and optimistic view on life, Cristina is a joy to have on our team.
Shelley Simpson
Community & Social Engagement Manager
A creative and emotionally intelligent natural communicator, Shelley is the day-to-day delight providing community management and social media implementation. Her eye for opportunity is unmatched and when she’s at the keyboard, she drives loyalty and passion for your brand.
Howard Daniels
Editor
Piia Aarma
Executive PR Advisor
Jason Kama
Web & Digital Design
Laura Dvir
Print Design & Branding
Meredith Mcilmoyle
Event Activation Specialist
Sarah Lewis
Social Media Specialist
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Expertise in Bespoke PR
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Resources
