Melissa Hopkins

Melissa Hopkins created The Hopkins Group, Inc. in 2001, a communications consulting company in Northern Virginia working with nationally recognized corporate, non-profit and political clients. She works heavily with national Web-based campaigns including a one-of-a-kind video email platform in conjunction with traditional media outreach. Gives speeches on media and public relations and provides media coaching for clients. Served five years as the on-air talent for a weekly radio spot of Inside the Ring, a news column about the Pentagon, international affairs and intelligence published in The Washington Times newspaper.

Prior to forming The Hopkins Group, Inc. she joined political and public policy consultant veteran, Jo Anne Barnhart, to manage her company's media relations division. Developed and implemented communications strategies, interacted with local and national media and provided media coaching. Brought in The Washington Times as a client.

Before bringing in The Times in as a client, Melissa was employed at The Times managing the media relations office. Coordinated daily interaction with national and local media outlets including; AP and other newswire services, television networks and their affiliates, numerous radio stations and networks, national and local print media and various new-media vehicles. Initiated and arranged interviews with Times’ reporters and editors and monitored other news coverage to ensure that the newspaper was properly attributed. Experienced in crisis management and proactive communications, also served as the newspaper’s spokesperson. Attributions of Times’ stories in other media more than tripled.

In the 1996 election cycle Melissa worked for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. She created, developed and managed an interactive radio actuality and satellite teleconferencing program for 25 Republican U.S. Senate candidates in the 1996 election cycle. Conducted daily interviews with candidates, elected officials, and campaign surrogates to package to radio and television stations across the country for earned media coverage. Worked under political director, Jo Anne Barnhart.

In the early 90’s Melissa worked for the US Senate Republican Conference. She produced daily press releases and logistical work for the Conference TV operation, including RTV, a weekly in-house news production, and call-in cable shows. Conducted on-air interviews with U.S. Senators, Governors, high profile U.S. Senate staff and other political figures and created the RTV Report, a weekly press release recapping the Monday morning broadcast.

In addition to working in the media and politics, Melissa also spent time as a professional Actress, working in television, commercials, and the stage in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and the Pacific Northwest. As a member of the Screen Actors Guild, credits have included roles for NBC television in “Sisters” and “Days of Our Lives”. As a member of L.A Theatre Works, appeared in Exchange for National Public Radio and BBC radio. Also served as a casting assistant to LA-based casting director Mali Finn on the feature films, “Batman Forever” and “True Lies”. Helped recruit actors, coached improvisational and scripted scenes and videotaped auditions for director Joel Shoemacher’s review.