Lambert & Co., Michigan’s top-ranked public relations firm and a top-50 PR firm nationally, announced five promotions across its Detroit and Grand Rapids offices. As the largest PR firm in Michigan, Lambert recruits and maintains some of the industry’s top talent:
- Sawyer Lipari was promoted to senior director in Lambert’s Detroit office. Joining Lambert after moving to Detroit from New York City in 2016, Lipari established herself as a fearless and insightful resource. She has delivered results while taking on increasing levels of responsibility, proving herself to be a playmaker even when tasked with highly complex and challenging responsibilities.
- Darby Dame was promoted to senior associate in Lambert’s Grand Rapids office. She started at Lambert as an intern and became a full-time employee in 2016 after showcasing her talent, resourcefulness and team-based attitude. Dame has secured high-profile media placements, coordinated major influencer campaigns and serves as an innovative thought-leader for Lambert and its clients.
- Drew Hall has been promoted to analyst in the Grand Rapids office. Hall joined the firm in 2018 and has worked on innovative companywide projects as well as executing tactical work on public and private equity clients. Displaying the company’s core values, he has succeeded through his playmaking, tenacity and cleverness.
- Tonie Wells was promoted to associate in the Detroit office. Becoming a part of the firm in 2018, she demonstrated growth and the desire to learn in all areas and across all accounts. She is a go-to resource across the firm, supporting accounts with client communications, event management and media relations.
- Michelle Connell has been promoted to director of accounting in the Grand Rapids office. She joined the team in November 2017 and has been instrumental in leading client billing, preparing financial analysis, and performing general and day-to-day accounting work for the firm. Connell additionally plays a significant role in the company’s software implementations and processes integration during acquisitions.
The firm also announced it is partnering with long-time client HarperCollins Publishers to donate 5,000 early-reader books from the Michigan-based Zonderkidz imprint to students at Detroit Public Schools, Flint Community Schools and the Detroit Literacy Project.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary and heritage built on the written word, Lambert is giving the gift of lifelong learning to the next generation of readers. The premium hardcover and softcover books, including New York Times Best Seller Fiona the Hippo and selections from the wildly popular and iconic Berenstain Bears series, including Sister Bear and the Golden Rule and Berenstain Bears Respect Each Other, were given to 5,000 individual K-4th grade students across 20 Detroit and Flint schools.
“Literacy and specifically fourth grade reading levels are key determinants of future success – in education and in life,” said Jeff Lambert, CEO and founder of Lambert. “We wanted to celebrate our success as an agency by paying it forward to our most deserving communities and to the kids who will most benefit from the gift of words.”
Representatives from Lambert and HarperCollins presented the pallets of books to schools and kids in Flint and Detroit.
“Literacy is an integral part of the learning process, and giving children books—their very own, brand new books—will make a meaningful impact on the essential skills for thousands of students,” said Flint Community Schools Superintendent Derrick Lopez. “It’s truly a gift that lasts a lifetime and will have a multiplying effect as these books go home to siblings, families and neighbors. We’re grateful for our partnership with Lambert and appreciate their investment in our students and the next generation.”
Lambert added: “We worked with Detroit Public Schools when it reorganized and many of our colleagues and clients are graduates of DPS and neighbors with these students. Likewise, we have supported Flint Community Schools since the water issues challenged the community of Flint, and we could think of no better way to give back than to causes and kids we care about.
“One phone call to a client and friend of the firm for most of our 20 years, HarperCollins, and they were expanding our vision from 2,000 books to 5,000, and did a remarkable job of curating best-sellers and award-winning authors to give the kids of Detroit and Flint not just books, but the best books with the most potential to impact early reading development.”
HarperCollins has been entertaining, educating and inspiring generations of readers for 200 years. As the second-largest consumer book publisher in the world, HarperCollins Publishers supports local communities through volunteer efforts, book donations and various charitable organizations.
Lambert’s Education and Social Impact practice works with educational institutions from early childhood development to higher education and non-profit and community organizations and causes that matter. The firm has contributed more than $2.5 million in pro bono work and contributions since its founding in 1998.
