About Us

DEVENEY, a beacon of excellence in marketing, operates at the intersection of creativity and strategy. With offices in New Orleans and South Florida, the firm advances clients through a full spectrum of services, seamlessly integrating public relations, digital marketing, and creative solutions.

A seasoned team of communication professionals brings a hands-on approach to every project, ensuring personalized attention and exceptional results. From crafting brand stories to optimizing online presence, DEVENEY’s holistic approach delivers results that exceed expectations.

Our Process

Brand loyalty isn’t a given. It’s earned. We look at your goals and objectives and then create a customized, targeted and measurable strategy for each one, leveraging a blend of the right tactics to maximize your reach.

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Immersion & Discovery

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Strategic Planning

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Implementation

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Evaluation

Our Core Values

  • 1

    Everyone an entrepreneur. We do more with less. We look for ways to improve, grow and learn. We know our numbers, act swiftly and listen to our clients.

  • 2

    Our glass is ½ full. We have an attitude of gratitude and look for the best in every situation. A smile goes a long way.

  • 3

    Be curious, ask why, improve. We are lifelong learners.

  • 4

    We dream big.

  • 5

    I’ve got your back, no matter what. We > Me.

Our Team

Our team brings deep experience across a spectrum of communications and believes in a hands-on approach with clients. In addition to our team listed below, DEVENEY is a member of PRConsultants Group and The Worldcom Group, bringing national and international reach to any project.

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John Deveney

President

ABC, APR, Fellow PRSA, IABC Fellow

John Deveney is not only DEVENEY’s president and founder; he’s a national leader known for some of the industry’s best campaigns, results and counsel in strategic marketing and communication. A South Florida native, John attended Loyola University New Orleans, graduating in 1988 (later returning for a master’s degree in mass communication).

In November 1996, John left his position at a growing agency to forge a new path. His own. In opening DEVENEY, John created a new approach to strategic communication, specializing in the areas of crisis, healthcare, higher education, tourism and hospitality. John has led on-site communications during the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, managing more than $400 million in media scrutiny in war-like conditions. For his efforts, John received his twelfth IABC Gold Quill and was named PR News’ “Agency Executive of the Year” in 2006. He also led Louisiana’s Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism through the BP oil spill nightmare, reshaping public perception and preserving the state’s $9.4 billion tourism industry.

When he’s not winning industry awards or speaking internationally, John enjoys working out hard at the gym and the dinner table.

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Melissa Lee

Partner

APR

Melissa Lee, APR has more than 30 years’ experience in travel and tourism, healthcare, government and corporate communications. A former broadcast journalist, Melissa is a key member of DEVENEY’s crisis response team and media training program. She is an Oklahoma State University graduate and is internationally accredited in public relations. In 2019, Melissa was named Louisiana Mother of the Year by American Mothers, Inc.

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Carrie Pavlick

Partner

APR

Carrie is a partner at DEVENEY. She has over 15 years of strategic marketing and communications experience, working primarily with the hospitality and tourism industry. She has been recognized nationally as a Top Women in PR by PR News – a national leader in the PR community – for her industry leading initiatives and bold advances in the communications field.

Carrie has led strategic planning, campaign development and executive trainings for top national brands, including AFLAC, Allegiant Air, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Hard Rock International, Chef Emeril Lagasse, New Orleans Hornets, Caesars Entertainment, Delaware North and more.

Her work over the years, including serving as lead for New Orleans’ tourism agency – generating $7 billion in economic impact – and guiding a century-old restaurant to their first James Beard Award, have earned her recognition as a PR News’ Agency Awe Professional, PR Practitioner of the Year by Public Relations Association of Louisiana and Individual Award of Excellence by Public Relations Society of America. She has the experience and expertise to create targeted, local campaigns or provide effective counsel to large, national brands, with a proven return on investment.

Carrie is APR certified and has been designated as a Senior Practitioner by Southern Public Relations Federation. She graduated with a B.A. in mass communication, with a concentration in journalism, from Louisiana State University. She is proud to call New Orleans home and resides in the Garden District with her husband from which they enjoy all of the culturally rich experiences New Orleans has to offer.

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Lindsey Andry

Account Executive

In true New Orleanian fashion, Lindsey returned to the city after being raised in Nashville. At DEVENEY, she manages media relations, strategic partnerships and special events for a variety of clients. Lindsey holds a B.A. in mass communication, with a concentration in public relations, from Loyola University New Orleans. She is mom to a 2-year-old son and daughter on the way. In her spare time, Lindsey enjoys Zumba classes, as it feeds her passion for the performing arts.

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Lauren Kirk

Associate

Lauren Kirk is an associate at DEVENEY. As an associate, Lauren provides support for the DEVENEY creative team and assists with a range of initiatives.

She is currently a second-year J.D. candidate at Tulane Law School. She holds a B.A. in political science from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

When Lauren is not in the DEVENEY office or Tulane law library, you can catch her dancing to Little Freddie King at BJ’s Lounge in the Bywater or ordering her usual at LemonShark Poke.

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Fran Lawless

Of Counsel

Fran Lawless joins DEVENEY as Of Counsel with more than 20 years of health administration experience. Most recently, she served as the Deputy Director of the New Orleans Health Department and Executive Director of the Office of Health Policy and AIDS Funding (OHP) for the City of New Orleans. A veteran of federal grants, Fran administered all HIV funding for Ryan White Program which included the 8-parish eligible metropolitan area  of Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, St. James, St. John, St. Charles, and Plaquemines. Fran also administered the Healthy Start Program for maternal and child health.

Fran has provided technical assistance to faculty and staff at colleges and universities, and most recently has appeared internationally as a guest speaker with the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (IAPAC) at their conference in Lisbon, Portugal.

The recipient of numerous awards, she was named one of the “Women Making a Difference” and a Healthcare Hero. She most recently served on the Governor’s Commission on HIV and Hepatitis C for Louisiana.

Fran has a master’s degree in health administration from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Fran has two adult children, Aurora, an educator in New Orleans, and Jason, an attorney in San Francisco.

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Marina Machado

Digital Marketing Manager

Marina serves as digital marketing manager at DEVENEY. A strategic, multilingual marketing professional, Marina creates and implements digital and social media strategies on behalf of clients.

Marina holds a B.A. in Hospitality Management from the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, and The Honors College, at Florida International University.

As a new resident of New Orleans, Marina is excited to explore all the local attractions, music and restaurants the city has to offer. In her spare time, she enjoys learning about wine, and holds a WSET Level 2 Award in Wine, and is a Level 3 candidate.

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Anne Miller

Advertising and Creative Supervisor

Anne is a seasoned marketing executive with over 20 years of experience in nurturing dynamic client relationships while managing complex marketing initiatives within local, regional and national organizations. She brings expertise across travel/tourism, hospitality and attractions, health care, consumer packaged goods, utilities and other varied industries. As head of the Advertising and Creative Divisions at DEVENEY, Anne oversees all strategic planning and creative development to develop efficient and targeted marketing campaigns from concept through execution. A lifelong resident of New Orleans, Anne graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University with a B.A. in psychology and sociology, and enjoys exploring the city with her young daughter.

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Nick Shapiro

Of Counsel

A DEVENEY alum, turned Founder & CEO of 10th Avenue Consulting LLC, Nick Shapiro has more than 15 years of crisis management, national security and strategic communications experience in the White House, at the CIA and in the private sector.

Previously, Shapiro was the CIA’s Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the Director. Shapiro also served in the White House as a Senior Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Aide on the National Security Council, and he was a National Security Spokesperson for President Obama.

While in the federal government, Shapiro helped lead the Obama Administration’s response to the H1N1 Pandemic, the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting, the Gulf Oil Spill, the Christmas Day “underwear bomber” Terrorist Attack, the Boston Marathon Bombing, the Japan Earthquake, Tsunami and Fukushima Nuclear Disaster, as well as numerous cyber attacks, data breaches, wildfires, floods, and hurricanes.

Since leaving the U.S. Government in 2015, Shapiro and 10th Avenue Consulting have advised and led global crisis management for a myriad of high-profile individuals and companies.

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Griffin

Chief Barketing Officer

Griffin is head doggo at DEVENEY. He joined the team in June 2022 and has been busy diminishing stress and doling out hugs (and licks) ever since. He prides himself on being competent, cuddly and cute.

Griffin is a graduate of Underdog Academy in New Orleans. In his free time, he enjoys collecting socks and sticks, and going on sniffaris around town. You can follow his adventures on Instagram at @griffinthegoldenirish.

Our Clients

If a person is known by the company they keep, our client roster speaks for itself. These are just some of the brands we’ve worked with.

Interested in joining the DEVENEY team?

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