Mad ink, PR

About our Staff:

Melissa Dragich-Cordero - Owner/President

Melissa Dragich-Cordero offers 20+ years of experience in publicity, promotion and imaging for her many high profile and indie musical acts. Melissa founded her own public relations company, MAD Ink, PR, in February 2002, immediately accepting responsibility for clients such as the highly successful rock band, Incubus and charity events like the Tiger Woods Foundation “Tiger Jam V”. In August 2002, Melissa brought her expertise to marketingfactory Inc. where she headed up the company’s PR division, working on Honda’s high-profile annual “Civic Tour”, as well as the many independent PR clients she brought into the company. By November 2004, Melissa had re-opened MAD Ink PR full-time where she continues to lead publicity campaigns for both major and indie label artists.

Prior to launching MAD Ink, PR, Melissa spent six years at Epic Records as National Director in charge of the strategy and implementation of national press campaigns for such acts as Incubus, Oasis, Jeff Beck and Tenacious D, as well as many high-profile movie soundtracks such as Jerry Maguire, That Thing You Do and Judgment Night. Her career in music began at Relativity Records in 1990 and was followed by a four year stint as National Media Relations manager at Rick Rubin’s cutting edge label, Def American Recordings, responsible for helping to guide the PR campaigns of artists like the Black Crowes, Johnny Cash, Slayer and Sir Mix-A-Lot. Melissa graduated in 1990 from California State University Long Beach with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Marketing.

Michelle Gutenstein-Hinz - Independent Media Representative working in partnership with MAD Ink, PR

Michelle Gutenstein Hinz, an independent media representative working in partnership with Mad Ink, PR, works closely with her clients to craft the right message and communicate it strategically, creatively, and persistently for measurable impact.

Michelle began her career in 1990 at Warner Bros. Records. Over the years, Michelle has worked with a diverse group of artists in a wide range of genres. After rising through the ranks in the publicity departments of such varied labels as EMI/Chrysalis/SBK, (Def) American, and Elektra Records, Michelle took a short break from her career as Senior Director of National Media Relations at Elektra to focus on her young children.

Michelle has crafted publicity campaigns for performing artists both great and striving for greatness. She has also run campaigns for both film and television soundtracks and scores, for Sony Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, Miramax, Fox, and New Line, to name a few. Michelle has organized Grammy parties, film screenings and movie premieres, album launches, and listening events.

Michelle gains exposure for her clients through national and local media, including magazines, newspapers, television, and syndicated radio as well as through niche outlets, websites, blogs, and other social networking media.