Who We Are
Led by founder Michelle Armour, J.A.M. PR has established itself as one of the wine industry's most respected PR agencies. Throughout her two decades of wine public relations experience, Michelle has established a proven track record of planning and implementing strong, integrated national publicity programs at the highest level. She has also developed excellent relationships with top wine industry journalists, enabling her to obtain key media placements in all influential wine trade publications. In addition to obtaining coveted exposure in the wine arena, she is also highly successful at placing lifestyle stories. Michelle has carefully assembled a small team of seasoned professionals to provide outstanding client services.

Michelle Armour - Founder
Michelle began her career at Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates and from there went to Edwin J. Schwartz Public Relations Inc., where her accounts included Caymus Vineyards, Far Niente, Flora Springs Winery & Vineyards and Calera Wine Company. While at the company, her clients flourished with 75 to 500 percent growth. Following E.J.S. PR, Michelle spent four years as director of communications at Maisons, Marques and Domaines, USA Inc., the Oakland-based wine importer owned by Louis Roederer Champagne. In this capacity she handled all national media relations, advertising, promotions and special events for its premium wine portfolio of more than twenty domestic and international brands. Prior to forming J.A.M. PR, Michelle was a consultant to Magnet Communications, a highly rated national communications agency.

Emily Gorton - Account Director
Prior to joining J.A.M. PR Emily worked as a program manager for the Sierra Club, America's most influential grassroots environmental organization. A public relations and marketing veteran, Emily has also held positions as the marketing director for Western Union and the communications manager for software provider Redladder.com. She is skilled at a full range of client services including: national media relations, product launches, press tours, event coordinating and direct-to-consumer campaigns. Specific to the wine industry, Emily was born and raised in the Anderson Valley. There, her parents owned and operated the award-winning DuPratt Vineyard, and not far away, her aunt and uncle owned Mendocino's well-regarded Edmeades Vineyard. Emily's extensive exposure to viticulture and winemaking, combined with her comprehensive communications and marketing experience, makes her a skilled and effective member of the J.A.M. team.

Shaun Armour - Copywriter
Shaun has an extensive background in lifestyle writing for both print and television. As the head writer for Patron, Canada’s largest hospitality industry magazine, Shaun wrote widely on a variety of subjects ranging from wine and food to business and design. After Patron, Shaun was the writer for two television series, The Goods, a high-end shopping show, and The Wave, a cutting-edge male lifestyle program. His film, music and literary reviews have appeared in numerous magazines, while his fiction, lifestyle and travel writing have been widely featured in such influential publications as McSweeney’s and Outpost. Before coming to work for J.A.M. PR, Shaun was the senior copywriter for Stayawake, a respected multimedia-advertising agency. He has also managed several high-profile Bay Area restaurants where he was responsible for the wine list, menu design and event planning – experience that makes him a natural for food and wine writing. Shaun has just finished work on his first literary novel.

Haley Fess - Account Executive
Haley is a native of Sonoma County, and an honors graduate of U.C. Berkeley with a degree in communications. Prior to joining J.A.M., Haley trained at the MacKenzie Agency, a highly regarded food and beverage PR firm, where she focused on media outreach and event planning. In addition, she also worked for the Headlands Center for the Arts, where she applied her numerous talents in the media relations department. Since joining J.A.M. PR in 2007, Haley's intelligence and strong work ethic have made her an integral part of the team.

Rebecca Pariser - PR Coordinator
The newest member of the J.A.M. PR team, Rebecca has a culture and communications degree from Ithaca College, where she graduated cum laude and on the Dean's List. Prior to joining J.A.M., Rebecca was a contributing writer and editorial intern for San Francisco Magazine, where she pitched and wrote stories on a variety of topics including dining, fashion, and travel. While studying abroad at Ithaca College London, Rebecca interned with Redress, a human rights advocacy organization. At Redress, Rebecca designed global media databases and publicity packages, and assisted with press outreach. While putting herself through college, Rebecca also worked in the hospitality industry, where she developed a love of wine that ultimately inspired her to pursue a career in wine PR.

J.A.M. Partners
J.A.M. partners with Pros From Dover, a San Francisco-based advertising agency with extensive wine industry experience. Run by former top executives from Foote, Cone & Belding and McCann-Erickson, two of the country’s most successful advertising houses, Pros From Dover works with J.A.M. to create and place effective advertising campaigns. Pros From Dover client experience includes Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates, Gallo, Coors, AT&T, W. & J. Graham’s, Dow’s, Charles Schwab, Safeway and Nestlé, to name just a few.