Maxwell Strengthens Team with Experienced Food PR Duo, Announces Promotion

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Two consumer PR professionals, with product category experiencing ranging from coffee and tea, to cheese and pears, have joined Maxwell PR to work on the agency’s roster of natural foods industry leaders.

Erika Simms joins Maxwell as an account director, bringing 20 years of food and beverage PR experience. Simms oversees media and blogger relations and influencer engagement programs for Traditional Medicinals, Columbus Foods and Kettle Brand®. Before joining Maxwell, she was vice president of Edelman Portland’s consumer practice in Portland, where she helped administer PR and marketing programs for clients including Starbucks, Harry and David, and the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council. Previous positions include principal at Conkling Fiskum & McCormick, where she strategized and implemented marketing and public relations programs for Tillamook Cheese, and eight years at the public relations agency KVO, a Fleishman-Hillard Company. She has received numerous awards in the public relations and dairy industries.

New senior account executive Kevin Lee brings four years of public relations experience, also from Edelman Portland. Lee joined the Traditional Medicinals and Kettle Brand teams leading national media and blogger relations. His experience includes Starbucks, Tazo Tea and USA Pears. Lee has been recognized with regional PRSA Spotlight awards and was a member of the Starbucks team awarded with PR Week’s 2011 Global Campaign of the Year.

Marta Drevniak, previously account coordinator at Maxwell, has been promoted to account executive. In her new role, Drevniak leads media relations, as well as the integration of social media efforts for clients including Pacific Natural Foods and Bon Ami. In addition to account service, she continues to serve as editor of the company blog, Free Think. Drevniak is a recipient of a regional PRSA Spotlight award for her contribution to Bon Ami’s Good Friends Spring Clean Promotion.

About Maxwell PR

Founded in 1997, Maxwell PR is an independently owned, Portland-based public relations and consumer engagement agency specializing in media and blogger relations, social media engagement and marketing and consumer promotions and sampling for national brands. CPG clients include Argyle Winery, Bon Ami, Columbus Foods, Kettle Brand®, Pacific Natural Foods, Pamela’s Products, Traditional Medicinals and Willamette Valley Granola Company. Its work in tourism and hospitality includes Travel Oregon, Inn at the 5th and Astoria-Warrenton. For more information visit www.maxwellpr.com.