New Hire/Promotion
Georgette Gilmore joins the firm as a senior copywriter, leading editorial content for Violet PR’s growing client list
On August 26, 2022
Montclair-based public relations firm Violet PR has hired five new employees: Senior Writer Georgette Gilmore, Account Executive Assistant Luke Gavronski and Account Coordinators Claudia Velasquez, Joelle DeCaro and Rachel Lessig. The new team members serve the firm’s growing list of economic development, professional services and social good clients.
“Violet PR has been on an impressive growth path since 2021, and these new hires are critical to helping us serve our new and existing clients,” said April Mason, president of Violet PR. “I’m especially excited to welcome Georgette Gilmore, as she brings 15 years of experience as a journalist, social media manager and creative writer – plus a wealth of connections here at Montclair.”
Prior to joining Violet PR, Gilmore served as social media manager and creative writer at the Montclair Art Museum, where she grew the museum’s Instagram presence to more than 12,000 followers. She also served as daily editor at Baristanet – a hyperlocal website focused on news, arts, culture and lifestyle for Montclair and surrounding communities. Gilmore holds a degree in Visual Arts from Montclair State University, where he graduated with honors.
“I am thrilled to be joining the dynamic team at Violet PR,” said Gilmore. “As one of New Jersey’s top boutique PR firms, VPR exhibits a commitment to helping clients make a positive impact on the world. I look forward to supporting their continued success in my new role as senior copywriter.”
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Luke Gavronski is a skilled communicator with expertise in writing, media relations and digital marketing. He previously served as an account coordinator at Conway PR & Marketing, where he gained valuable experience creating and managing social media content for clients including Malaysia, the Santa Clarita Valley and Trinidad and Tobago.
Claudia Velasquez holds an MA in Public and Organizational Affairs and a BA in Communication and Media Arts from Montclair State University. Her extensive practice experience includes working for 5W PR’s media relations team, as well as work at major media companies Sony Music Entertainment and iHeartMedia.
A recent graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University, Joelle DeCaro is currently pursuing a master’s degree in communications. She is a former communications and development intern for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Union County, where she gained valuable media relations skills. Additional internship experience includes social media management at DeCaro and Sons, a family-owned HVAC company, and Card My Yard-Florham Park. She is expected to graduate with high honors in December 2022.
Rachel Lessig joins Violet PR full-time after interning at the firm for the past six months. She has supported media relations and social media campaigns for various clients, including the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs and Carbon Valley, Wyoming. She graduated from Monmouth University with a BA in Political Science and a BA in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations and Journalism. At Monmouth, she was vice president of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), a student-run PR firm, where she helped nonprofits like Big Brothers Big Sisters implement PR strategies. Lessig was awarded the Future PR Pro Award in her senior year.
The VPR team serves economic development, professional services and nonprofit clients throughout New Jersey. Nationally, the firm manages media relations and social media campaigns for the states of New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Georgia, and the Kansas City, Kansas, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Buffalo, New York regions and more.
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