Manolatos Nelson Murphy Advertising & PR launches in San Diego

MNM offers strategic planning, media relations, advertising, coalition building and crisis communication.

​SAN DIEGO (Oct. 31, 2016) — Three of San Diego’s most experienced communications professionals have launched a new advertising and public relations firm offering a robust array of services to local, state and national clients.

​Tony Manolatos, principal of Apex Strategies, has joined with Bob Nelson and Kelly Murphy Lamkin, principals of BNA Communications, to form Manolatos Nelson Murphy Advertising & Public Relations.

​“MNM offers our clients a broader and richer range of services and expertise by uniting an established advertising firm with an established public relations firm,” Manolatos said.
 
MNM Advertising & PR offers five core areas of service:

• Strategic planning
• Media relations
• Online, print and broadcast advertising
• Coalition building

• Crisis communications

 
“We’re thrilled to be able to offer a new model that more fully meets our clients’ needs,” Nelson said. “There’s nothing like it in San Diego.”

​The firm’s list of current clients includes 7-Eleven, Community HousingWorks, the Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS®, the San Diego County Apartment Association and the San Diego County Taxpayers Association. Current and past clients have spanned a broad range of organizations, including corporations, non-profit organizations, professional associations, trade groups, public utilities, professional service providers, political campaigns and elected leaders.
 
“I have worked with Tony, Bob and Kelly separately and I recently had the opportunity to work with them collectively,” said Mike McDowell, CEO of the San Diego Lodging Industry Association. “MNM is a creative, committed and talented communications firm that produces excellent results.”
 
The firm currently has seven employees and is based in a new Bankers Hill office.
 
“Our team puts decades of experience to work every day for our clients,” Murphy Lamkin said. “All of us are excited about MNM and all that it means for the businesses, non-profits, trade associations and campaigns we work with.”

​Tony Manolatos is an experienced strategist specializing in media relations, crisis communications, community engagement, coalition building and government affairs. Tony's 15-plus years of experience in public policy, politics and journalism shapes the planning of effective strategies.
 
As the founder of Apex Strategies, Tony developed and executed successful communication strategies for The Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS®, San Diego County Taxpayers Association, Balboa Park Conservancy and California American Water.
 
In 2015, Tony served as Communications Strategist for San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer's Citizens' Stadium Advisory Group (CSAG). In 2014, Tony helped guide communications for the Port of San Diego during a leadership change. He also directed communications for the successful Cate for Council 2014 campaign, and helped lead the Keep It Green Escondido campaign, which won by 22 points despite being outspent by a margin greater than 10-1. Prior to that, Tony served as Communications Director for the Faulconer for Mayor campaign. Following the election, Tony was appointed to Mayor Faulconer's "One San Diego Transition Advisory Committee."

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​Bob Nelson specializes in issues strategy, advertising and public affairs consulting. Bob has directed national and regional projects supporting public schools, water systems, electrical utilities, hospitals, highways, gaming, horse breeders, oil producers, beer and wine producers, organized labor and property owners. He has led victorious campaigns for major ballot propositions in California since 1980 and dozens of state and local projects in 13 states. From 1977 to 1996, Bob was chairman of Nelson Communications Group, one of America’s largest independent public relations agencies, now a division of Porter-Novelli.
 
Bob is a Port Commissioner for the San Diego Unified Port District. Previously, he has served as Chair of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation Board of Directors, and as Secretary-Treasurer of San Diego Theatres, Inc., operator of San Diego Civic Theater and Balboa Theatre. He has been a City of San Diego Public Utilities Advisory Commissioner, served on the San Diego County District Attorney’s Community Advisory Board, Citizens Academy Planning Committee, and Reentry Roundtable, and as chair of the San Diego LGBT Center Board of Directors. Bob also served as a Presidential appointee to the bipartisan U.S. Competitiveness Policy Council and as transition chairman and interim chief of staff for a U.S Senator.

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Kelly Murphy Lamkin specializes in print, online and broadcast advertising, leading a team of account executives and designers who have been nationally recognized for creative and effective ad campaigns.

Kelly provides strategic support for all clients. She also oversees day-to-day operations, creating and managing multimedia communications and integrated campaigns for clients nationwide. Kelly has spent more than a decade creating successful advertising campaigns for a range of clients, including public utilities, political campaigns, and nonprofits. Early in her career, Kelly coordinated the successful re-election campaign for former San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy.
 
MORE: www.mnmadpr.com
 
CONTACT: Tony Manolatos
tony@mnmadpr.com

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