Melissa Watkins is president and owner of Out Box, a full-service public relations and communications agency, in the Southeast. With over 2 decades of experience, Melissa is a passionate professional that develops public relations campaigns that work. Whether introducing a new concept, idea, way of doing something differently, a brand, product, person or thought-leadership program, she tells your story through key media outlets and influencer channels for engagements that deliver results.

Having worked for and with some of America’s leading companies, she has served as a spokesperson and handled integrated marketing programs for everything from public relations planning/strategy and executive level media training to developing community relations programs and outreach for companies like: The Home Depot, Georgia-Pacific, DentalPlans.com and UScellular.

Her experience spans the pharma, agriculture, healthcare, technology, telecom, manufacturing, non-profit, BtoB, lifestyle/beauty industries, financial services and beyond. She developed an award-winning Black History Month Art Contest with the Boys & Girls Clubs that was launched nation-wide due to success. She also served as an international press liaison for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

She is a public speaker, media training coach, digital content writer, trend forecaster and avid researcher. She loves playing tennis, reading, gardening and spending time with her two dogs, two children and husband of 25 years.