TBCPR Founder and CEO Melissa Rein Lively Featured on "The Young Boss Podcast"

Melissa Rein Lively has a familiar face—and for good reason. You might remember her viral moment during the pandemic as she stormed into a Target to protest masks? That episode had her reputation and career on its way to the ‘pasture’, people were attempting to cancel her. If you ask Melissa—that experience was the best thing that happened to her and propelled her career and businesses more than it hurt them. But it didn’t start there..

Pivoting from a dream of red-carpet reporting to becoming a trailblazer in the world of public relations, Melissa Rein Lively shares her unique journey in this episode of the Young Boss podcast with Isabel Guarino. Starting as a journalism student at ASU, Melissa aimed to be the next Julianna Rancik. But as opportunities shifted, so did her focus, leading her to discover the vast potential of PR—a move that would ultimately redefine her career.

Melissa’s hustle began early. From landing a co-hosting gig at just 19 to working as a CBS anchor while still in school, she carved her own path through the media landscape. When PR caught her eye, thanks to her then-boyfriend, now-husband’s connections and its lucrative potential, she didn’t just dive in—she made waves. Melissa wasn’t content with the traditional approach. Instead of simply reporting stories, she created them, earning herself a reputation for orchestrating newsworthy events that brought small businesses into the spotlight.

In this episode, I sat down with Melissa and explored her fascinating insights on going viral and the perils of cancel culture. She shares candid reflections on her own experience with virality, turning what could have been career-ending moments into opportunities for growth. Her advice? Understand your audience and be mindful of what you put into the world.

Melissa’s story is one of grit and guts, constantly reinventing herself in the face of changing circumstances. Whether she was breaking into the PR world or navigating the complex dynamics of cancel-culture, her relentless work ethic and fearless attitude set her apart. We unpack her approach to turning obstacles into opportunities, along with her advice on staying adaptable and ahead of the curve in today’s fast-paced media environment.

A Team Effort: Making Therapy More Accessible to Families in Need in Phoenix

TBCPR founder Melissa Rein Lively partners with the Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels to aid expansion efforts to make mental health treatment more accessible to families fighting childhood cancer in Arizona

For the last decade, TBCPR has been a fixture in Arizona’s non-profit world and the COVID-19 pandemic has strengthened our commitment to supporting important charities that make a difference in our community.

Our renewed focus on philanthropy includes partnerships with key Valley organizations that offer services focused on making mental health care accessible to those in crisis situations across the state.

This week, TBCPR celebrated the expansion of Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels Mobile Therapy program. The generosity of the community has made it possible for the organization to launch two new therapy busses offering home therapy to families facing childhood cancer.

“I am eternally grateful to have the opportunity to lead discussions on the topic of mental health and the immeasurable impact it has on families and the community,” said Melissa Rein Lively, Founder and CEO, The Brand Consortium Public Relations (TBCPR). This organization is doing amazing things in the community by ensuring families in crisis receive the immediate services they need and I am honored to support them,” she said.

For more information about Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels and the mental health resources they offer for families fighting childhood cancer, click here.

Join us on September 18th for the ‘Night of Hope Gala’ in support of Amanda Hope! Details: www.Amanda hope.org/gala

Mental Health Matters: Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels Launches Mobile Therapy Program in Phoenix

It’s no secret that mental health has become a pandemic of its own as the COVID-19 crisis converged across the globe. For families fighting childhood cancer, mental health concerns add a layer of challenges to an already unthinkable situation that no family should have to face alone.

This week, Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels expanded it’s mobile therapy program bringing essential mental health services to families fighting childhood cancer directly to them. Two new fully-decked out buses are now capable of hosting hundreds of therapy sessions per week for children fighting cancer as well as the moms, dads, brothers, sisters and families working together to navigate a difficult diagnosis and even more difficult treatment and recovery.

This effort was made possible by generous community donors in partnership with legacy donations from the Fertitta Family and Brent and Christina Yates of Be The Lead. Offering a variety of therapy treatments including play therapy, music therapy and art therapy, Arizona families affected by cancer will gain access to critical mental health services in the safety and comfort of their own homes.

"Fighting childhood cancer takes an enormous toll on families when it comes to mental health," said Lorraine Tallman, Founder of Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels Foundation.

"Our in-house Comfort and Care team of licensed therapists provides free counseling, play therapy, and supportive services to Arizona families who have a child battling cancer, a blood disorder, or any other life-threatening illness," she said.

Services are provided to pediatric patients, their siblings, parents and caregivers. Individual, couples, and family counseling appointments are available, as well as support communities and educational sessions.

On Saturday, August 28th, the Amanda Hope Rainbow Foundation hosted a ribbon cutting and open house to celebrate the generous donations of the Fertitta family, the Yates family and Be The Lead as the new mobile therapy vans are put to use helping families heal around the Valley.

TBCPR is a proud donor and supporter of the Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels. For more information visit www.amandahope.org

TBCPR Melissa Rein Lively featured on the Today Show - FULL INTERVIEW

TBCPR CEO Melissa Rein Lively featured on the Today Show, January 2021. The full interview with reporter Stephanie Gosk is featured below.

"I'm moving forward, I will keep moving forward, and I will use my voice to advocate for mental health awareness and access to resources for those unable to advocate for themselves."

TBCPR Founder and CEO Melissa Rein Lively shares insights into her personal battles, cancel culture and her relentless determination to advocate for crisis and intervention resources for those struggling with mental health issues and efforts to reduce the stigma around mental health.

TBCPR CEO Melissa Rein Lively Offers Public Apology to Target Following Summer Incident

TBCPR Founder and CEO Melissa Rein Lively has offered a public apology to Target following a mental health crisis that occurred in a Scottsdale store on July 4th, 2020.

Statement provided in full below:

An Apology with Hope for Healing from TBCPR CEO Melissa Rein Lively

For the last year and a half, I have been facing a silent and debilitating experience with mental illness as well as other health diagnoses that recently escalated my condition and its severity.

I want to deeply apologize for my words and actions that took place earlier this month. For the first time ever, I have accepted that I am completely powerless over this condition and have accepted the medical help and professional intervention that is needed to establish mental and physical stability for myself and my family.

For the last several weeks, I have been working with several doctors to try to piece together what happened and why, and I have learned there are several serious underlying conditions that were untreated and triggered an episode due to extreme stress by the pandemic and everything else going on. I really can’t express how scary the whole situation was and how out-of-control I felt and I wanted to share this so people know they are not alone in facing mental illness.

The past few months have been extraordinarily difficult for everyone and it has been heartbreaking to witness what’s been happening in the world around us. For me, it was just too much for someone of my condition to bear.

I will be entering an intensive treatment program to address these health concerns from a mental, physical and spiritual level. I am deeply committed to repairing my marriage, family and personal and professional relationships and pursuing treatment is the first step.

I would like to thank those that have reached out and stood by me during what has certainly been the most difficult and dark few weeks of my life. Thank you for seeing me, seeing my heart, and knowing this diagnosis does not define who I am.

At this time, our family would like to request privacy while we address this serious health issue. In time, I hope to return and share my story for others facing mental health issues. I am limitlessly grateful to my husband who had the courage to stand for my life and is my rock in all of this.

Most of all, I wanted to reiterate how deeply sorry I am to those that were hurt by what happened. The stigma associated with mental illness is tragic, but it is not the end. I look forward to returning stronger as a friend to others struggling with mental illness.

I wish I would have had the courage to accept and address this health condition before this crisis occurred. For those my actions directly impacted, I am truly sorry for breaking your trust and flat out letting you down. Nothing gave me more pride and honor than the opportunity to represent my community and work in the professional realm that I did, I will regret those choices and the impact they had on my family, clients and friends for the rest of my life.

Thank you for respecting our privacy during this challenging time.

With love and hope for healing,

Melissa Rein Lively

Founder & CEO

The Brand Consortium Public Relations