Who We Are

Led by founder Michelle Armour, J.A.M. PR was established in 2002. In the years since, J.A.M. PR has earned a reputation as a leader in the field of wine industry communications, while remaining true to our original mandate of staying small—a philosophy that ensures clients extensive one-on-one attention, with full access to the entire J.A.M. PR team. With decades of collective experience, our team is made up of established wine industry experts capable of providing counsel and strategy at the highest level. Beyond the traditional skill set that defines the average wine-focused PR firm, our clients benefit from numerous other company strengths, including our extensive marketing experience and a professional in-house wine writer dedicated to producing high-level marketing, technical, branding and direct-to-consumer materials. We are committed to providing our small portfolio of wineries with stellar service and results.

Michelle Armour - Founder

With more than two decades of wine industry public relations experience, Michelle has 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 and lifestyle journalists, enabling her to obtain key media placements in all influential media outlets. 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, all of 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 20 domestic and international brands. Prior to forming J.A.M. PR, Michelle was also a wine industry consultant to Magnet Communications, a highly regarded national communications agency.

Emily Hirsch - Special Projects

A public relations and marketing specialist, Emily was J.A.M. PR's account director from 2006 to 2012. Based out of New York, Emily continues to be a valuable asset to the J.A.M. team, contributing her extensive skills on special projects, including New York media relations. Prior to joining J.A.M. PR, Emily held positions as the program manager for the Sierra Club, marketing director for Western Union and the communications manager for software provider Redladder.com.

Shaun Armour - Writer/Communications Specialist

Shaun has an extensive background in lifestyle writing for both print and television. In addition, as the head writer for Patron, Canada's largest hospitality industry magazine, Shaun wrote widely about wine and food. 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 multi-media 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 wine writing. Shaun has been J.A.M. PR's writer and communications specialist since the company began.

Molly Hanrahan - Junior Account Executive

After earning a communications degree from the University of Arizona, Molly came to J.A.M. in 2010 as part of the University of Dreams program that places top applicants from across the country with highly regarded companies. She quickly made herself an instrumental part of the J.A.M. team, and was soon promoted to PR coordinator/assistant. Molly excelled in this roll, establishing herself as a talented client services specialist, and in 2012 she was made a junior account executive at J.A.M. PR.

Miriam Pitt - Junior Account Executive

Before joining J.A.M. PR, Miriam was a member of the sales and marketing team at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, where she was based out of the San Francisco sales office, and helped to support a portfolio of 90 luxury hotels. Prior to that, Miriam was the special events coordinator at Foley Family Wines, where she was responsible for multiple winery event venues in Sonoma and Napa. Miriam graduated from Cal Poly with a degree in recreation, parks and tourism administration. While at Cal Poly, she also focused on wine tourism, as well as branding and marketing strategies for the Central Coast wine region.