Gambel Communications welcomes Darian Shorts and Justin Vlosich

Aug 20

NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans-based public relations firm Gambel Communications welcomes two new public relations practitioners to the growing client services team – Darian Shorts and Justin Vlosich.

Shorts joins Gambel Communications as a communications strategist where she is responsible for media relations, community relations, special event planning and social media for a myriad clients including, Boys Town Louisiana, Junior League of New Orleans, Mendoza Medical Clinic, Touchstone ABA, Traveler’s Aid Society and Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana. Previously, she served as a public relations specialist for The PR Alliance based out of Washington, DC and has worked with a variety of organizations across the country including Black Women Invest, National Alliance of Black Businesses, Célébrez en Rosé DC and MimosaCity Festival.

“Darian is a driven public relations practitioner with a fervent passion for storytelling and effective communication,” says Amy Boyle Collins, Gambel Communications CEO. “Her collaborative spirit and adaptability to thrive in fast-paced environments will help her advance our vision of bringing transformational impact to causes on behalf of our clients.”

Adding to the growing team at Gambel Communications, Vlosich serves as communications coordinator and supports the client services team to deliver on the agency’s key services – public relations, executive communications, crisis management, social media, paid media and special events. Formerly, he served as the digital media coordinator for the New Orleans Pelicans and Saints and as communications coordinator for the Louisiana SPCA.

“Gambel was built with a passion for putting people and ideas together,” said Collins. “Justin’s deep background in marketing and journalism coupled with his view of teamwork being a critical foundation for success will make him an asset to our team.”

A Baton Rouge native, Shorts completed both her undergraduate and graduate degree at LSU in mass communication with a concentration in political communications and a minor in African American studies. Vlosich graduated from Jesuit High School and earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in journalism from the University of New Orleans.

Founded in 2009 by Betsie Gambel, Gambel Communications is a female-led boutique public relations firm that provides purpose-driven strategic communications to a cadre of clients spanning the Gulf South. As public relations agency of record for the Jefferson, New Orleans and St. Tammany Chambers of Commerce, Gambel Communications is consistently recognized as a premiere professional communications services consultancy in the region and has produced award-winning work for iconic brands, legions of nonprofits, public agencies, schools, corporations and small businesses.

For information about Gambel Communications click here.

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About Gambel Communications
Gambel Communications is a full-service public relations agency specializing in communication strategy; media, community and government relations; issue management; special events, social media and marketing/branding. Gambel Communications forges relationships with clients, complementary industries, nonprofits and businesses through traditional media, social media and networking/grassroots initiatives. Our passion is putting people and ideas together to forge great connections.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

Gambel Communications welcomes Darian Shorts and Justin Vlosich

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