We figured it wouldn’t be much fun if you didn’t know who was doing the posting, and while you may have see our profiles on our website, if you haven’t they are here for you to get to know us a little bit better.

Jana Sanders Perry

PR Account Executive/Events and Promotions Specialist

Name: Jana Sanders Perry
Title: Public Relations Account Executive + Events & Promotions Specialist.
What that title really means: There are four of me and we each have six arms.
Years in the biz: Seven.
Impressive credential: The placement of one 67-foot inflatable crab weighing 400 lbs. on the California State Capitol building lawn which garnered 7 million impressions. That’s a little more than 95,000 impressions per foot or 17,500 impressions per pound. Beat that!
Why people think I’m insane: I’m way too logical to be this superstitious. I hold my breath in tunnels, tap the ceiling of the car when going through yellow lights, put my left shoe on before my right ALWAYS. I’d go on, but then you’d think I’m insane, too.
Why I’m a perfect fit at Merlot: I am fully willing to admit that I thrive in the stress (and often related foot pain) of tradeshows, events and deadlines. As The Rock says, “Just bring it.”
Favorite Food or restaurant: Cake!
Libation of choice: Cake or anything in the bakery case at Nugget Market.

Alma Mater: University of California, Davis. Go Ags!
Special/significant experience: Since joining Merlot, I have: driven successful PR campaigns for a number of Merlot’s clients; been responsible for press, customer and sales events; created and executed countless promotions; and even spearheaded the creation of a new department at the agency. It’s been a busy four years.
Awards: Award-winning work includes PR campaigns, events and promotions.

Kym Preslar

Office Manager/Bookkeeper

Name: Kym Preslar
Title: Office Manager/Bookkeeper
What that title really means: I am the keeper of all things, watchdog, number cruncher and overall office Nazi.
Years in the biz: Lucky Seven
Impressive credential: I’ve coordinated and taken part of five office moves in the past seven years!
Why people think I’m insane: I say what I mean and send out ‘friendly reminders’ to the team when they start breaking the handbook rules!
Why I’m a perfect fit at Merlot: Because I love Merlot and drink it all the time!
Favorite Food or restaurant: The Distillery (Midtown) OH MY GOD! The Chicken Caesar Salad substitute Caesar dressing with Ranch! DELICIOUS!!!!
Libation of choice: Ice cold Bud Light on a hot summer day and several glasses of Merlot on a cold stormy night!

Special/significant experience: I have been running the office for seven years and have learned how to work the vendors and get great deals, free things, and a lot of discounts which has saved Merlot a lot of money. Its amazing what a little bribery can do!
Awards: I won 1st place in a parade twirling my baton. (Hey, I was 12!)

Robert Cook

Senior Designer

Name: Robert Cook
Title: Senior Designer
What that title really means: All the creative that comes out of Merlot Marketing at some point is touched by my hands
Years in the biz: Four
Impressive credential: Worked with Target to create a social media site to help pass a rezoning initiative in Davis, CA.
Why people think I’m insane: All the math I do in my head and the talking to myself while brainstorming creative ideas.
Why I’m a perfect fit at Merlot: I love the fast pace and the high level of expectation for every project that comes through the door.
Favorite Food or restaurant: Kan Zamaan (middle eastern restaurant on Haight St. in San Francisco)
Libation of choice: Absolut Mandarin and tonic.

Alma Mater: Sacramento State University
Special/significant experience: I have four years of working in a group environment with creative people on a large variety of clients and bring that experience to every project I work on.
Awards: 2006 Addy for a studio conceptualized/designed brochure.

Sheena Mills

Receptionist/Team Support

Name: Sheena Mills
Title: Office Assistant, Receptionist
What that title really means: “Good Morning, Merlot Marketing, this is Sheena, how may I help you?”
Years in the biz: Less than a year here- I am the newbie. But all around in this type of work, 7 years.
Impressive credential: I can sort through over 1000 documents, put in Alphabetical, Numerical, any “ical” you can think of, and file them all away in less time than it takes a plane to take off the runway!
Why people think I’m insane: I am a perfectionist! Especially when it comes to my hand writing- it wouldn’t matter if I spent an hour hand writing a letter, one tiny error, and I will re-write the WHOLE thing!
Why I’m a perfect fit at Merlot: I am extremely outgoing and love people- but it was the day I found out some else in the office actually color coordinated the same candy the way I did, that I knew hands down it was the place for me!
-Did I mention I also like wine?
Favorite Food or restaurant: I have THREE words for you: Fidelinas Homemade TOMALES! YUMMY!
Libation of choice: Apple juice slush, but I will take a Vanilla Vodka Cran any day! Two words for you: KOOL- AID

Alma Mater: Bethany University

Zsavonne Heathcock

PR Coordinator

Name: Zsavonne Heathcock
Title: Public Relations Account Coordinator
What that title really means: I do WAY more than coordinate! Tight deadlines stick to me like dryer lint. I live and die by the PR Report!
Years in the biz: Four.
Impressive credential: Landed a pitch with a New York Times editor my first month in the biz!
Why people think I’m insane: I like to relax and stay busy at the same time! I like to clean and organize my desk, car, home, etc when I get stressed.
Why I’m a perfect fit at Merlot: I exude PASSION, CREATIVITY and RESULTS! People here understand the value of a perfectly placed comma, but according to Elisha Counts, “commas are on the way out!”
Favorite Food or restaurant: Dream Dinners, while not a restaurant, it saves me time and money as a meal preparation facility. Oh and the food is awesome too! (Plug for potential free food?)
Libation of choice: Moscato wine any time with any meal, except breakfast. A good Cosmo on a rough day. A glass of Merlot every Friday at 3:30 p.m. Oh, and there’s water in there somewhere.

Alma Mater: The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Special/significant experience: Have coordinated and lead the strategic development of public relation campaigns for numerous local, regional and national brands that have resulted in tremendous brand awareness for the client and averted crisis.