The Press Retriever is a small woman-owned public relations, marketing and event production firm specializing in retail, fashion, lifestyle, health & wellness and home décor. We strive to help our clients enhance recognition of their brands through results-oriented campaigns and strategies that drive sales. We also work with a number of non-profit organizations to help them raise funds, awareness and negotiate with community sponsors and media creating win-win partnerships for our clients and the communities they serve.
Born a natural communicator, Jennifer's mom swears upon arriving in the world, she said, "Where's the phone??" That passion, coupled with her need for a fast-paced environment (or was it her love of shoes?), landed her in the retail world over twenty years ago. She began her retail career in specialty stores selling, training, merchandising and managing locations in the Pacific Northwest.Jen's next adventure took her to the department store arena where she began a 12-year career with The May Department Stores Company. Here she held varying positions of increased responsibility in sales, the merchant organization and special events & public relations. During her tenure, she learned the value of forging strong partnerships with internal business units and the communities the company served.
While based in Los Angeles, Jen directed the West Coast region's public relations and community events. She continued developing revenue-generating strategic plans and collaborating with vendors on a variety of initiatives, while creating a PR department from the ground up. Her team led the company's product placement efforts, outfitting The Bachelor on ABC and negotiating promotional opportunities on national style programs such as How Do I Look? on E! Entertainment. Over the years Jen has worked with many celebrities to launch their new product lines, including Beyoncé, Paris Hilton and Oscar de la Renta. Her efforts created extensive media coverage and buzz about the company. She also had the opportunity to serve as company spokesperson making regular guest appearances on local morning shows throughout her territory.
Jen feels fortunate to have had many rewarding opportunities with May, and counts spearheading the company's philanthropic efforts among her favorites. Her division raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local nonprofit organizations through its Charity Day shopping program, and her team proudly orchestrated May's involvement in numerous other worthwhile community events, including run/walks such as LA Revlon Run/Walk for Women, partnerships with regional-based museums, like Museum Month in San Diego, Portland's Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade and a multi-zoo promotion spanning cities across the region including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City and San Diego.
From there Jen's retail career transitioned to the luxury segment at Neiman Marcus in Dallas, Texas. Her responsibilities included managing personal appearances for high-profile international designers including Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik and Laura Mercier. Her team produced first-class fashion presentations and sales driving events and led the charge for the company's world-renowned InCircle® program at the NorthPark Center Mall.
Jen's next career move took her to Richards Partners, the brand public relations arm of The Richards Group where she gained valuable agency-side experience. Here she worked on new business opportunities, furthering her presentation skills and managing and mentoring public relations and marketing teams to create chatter and drive business for consumer brands such as Goody's, Michaels, Victory Park, Zales and health & wellness client, Texas Back Institute.
Always one to appreciate what she has, Jen gives back to society through her work with non-profit organizations. She is currently helping the Not-to-be-forgotten foundation, which supports seniors through their twilight years. She previously served on the board of directors for the national non-profit, Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation, where she worked with BRIDES magazine on a grass roots effort to raise awareness and funds for those with terminal stage four breast cancer and as Public Relations & Marketing Director for a Dallas-based charity, Companions For Life.
Jennifer earned her Bachelor's Degree in Management and Business Information Systems from George Fox University. She, along with her husband, twin boys and two dogs, currently makes her home in Wisconsin where she runs The Press Retriever.
