I've worked with Ruby Press for nearly a decade, both as an editor and as a client who the agency represented. Melissa Davis is innovative, genuine, whip-smart and--perhaps most importantly--everybody loves her. Editors want to publish her clients because they trust her taste and they like working with the Ruby Press team. They also know that Melissa has her finger on the pulse. She's capable of taking any brand to the next level, so I honestly couldn't recommend anybody more highly.

Michelle Adams, Creative Consultant; Co-Founder, Lonny; Former Editor-in-Chief, Domino; Founder of Rubie Green

I’ve worked with Ruby Press for well over a decade as an editor and a writer, both on staff and as a freelancer. To this day, emails from Melissa and her staff are the ones I always open, no matter how chaotic my inbox might be. I get dozens of emails every day from large PR firms with pitches that are way off the mark. With Ruby Press, I can count on hearing about a good story, an innovative artist, or a really cool product that I’ll want to write about. And it will be something that makes sense for me and what I’m working on because Melissa and her team take the time to get to know writers and editors and understand what they’re looking for. 

Having worked as an editor herself, Melissa knows the industry from both sides, which is an extremely valuable skill set. She gets that writers and editors are constantly inundated with pitches, and she knows how to make hers stand out. 

Also, Melissa is simply a joy to spend time with. When she was on the West Coast, I jumped at the chance to attend any event she organized because I knew it would be fun and worthwhile, and for the chance to just hang out with her! 

Kristen Philipkoski, Forbes Contributor, Freelance Writer

In a time of mass emails and random press kits, it is such a pleasure to work with Melissa and her group. They are true professionals and are selective about what they choose to represent. They understand our magazine and personalize their approach whenever they work with us. And, they meet tight deadlines and are great with the details – every editor’s dream!

Andrea Borda Stanford, Design + Style Editor, C Magazine

As a former designer and now a full time editor for HonestlyWTF, I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked with Melissa as both a client and a colleague. After meeting her for the first time almost seven years ago, I immediately knew that her enthusiasm, charm, and commitment would be vital to the growth and success of my business. Melissa leads a fantastic team, who is equally as genuine and hard working as she is. I look forward to many more years of collaborations with my friends at Ruby Press!

Erica Chan Coffman, Editor In Chief, Honestly…WTF

I often wish Ruby Press was the only PR firm I had to deal with. They only take on great clients so just by virtue of being repped by them I know a company has an interesting back story and a great product. They also pay attention to detail — in the several years I’ve been working with them, they have never once sent me a pitch about something I don’t cover. And they’re great at pitching in general — they know what makes a great story and, more importantly, what makes a great story for me. They’re helpful and super responsive when I’m in the midst of covering one of their clients; they follow up appropriately, but without pestering; and they promote the coverage once it’s come out. Plus they’re just a delightful group of people. In fact they are the only publicists who I will happily set aside an afternoon to meet with.

Amy Westervelt, Freelance Writer, contributing regularly to the Wall Street Journal and The Guardian UK

I consider Melissa Davis a trusted friend and a true collaborator — I honestly couldn’t do my job without her help. She thinks like an editor but with the business acumen of someone who understands an emerging brand and what it takes to get them to the next level. She only works with clients she cares deeply for and believes in, which of course makes editors like me care about them and believe in them too. She has never steered me wrong; she knows exactly what would be a great fit for our audience and how to target that message accordingly. I admire her advocacy on behalf of her clients, coupled with a tastemaker’s unerring eye. To tell you the truth, I’d write about anything she told me to, because I know it would be great.

Irene Edwards, Editor-in-Chief, Sunset

My favorite publicists to work with are those who, quite simply, make my life easier. And everyone at Ruby PR does exactly that. They offer that rare combination of professionalism and genuine warmth. Every person on the team is responsive and reliable, and that means I never have to worry about meeting my deadlines if I’m covering one of their clients. I find myself working with Ruby PR time and time again because they do have such a great roster—individuals and businesses that are stylish and just as wonderful to interact with as Melissa and her team are.

Anh-Minh Le, Freelance Writer, Former Editor-in-Chief, Anthology Magazine

I love working with the Ruby Press team. They show such passion for all of their brands, and have a well-curated group of companies. I always find new and exciting products through the team, and they are always a joy to work with!

Rae Ann Herman, Contributing Style Editor, O Magazine

Ruby Press is not only a delight to work with, but a relief. They know how to anticipate requests and are extremely professional and efficient when handling them. We are always excited to stop by their press previews and see what’s new from their quirky and refreshing clients.

Mimi Fawcett, Market Editor, Luxe Interiors + Design

Melissa Davis makes me smile. In an editorial world besieged by two rival PR camps: the aloof, too-cool-to-offer-any-assistance (besides checking your name off at a preview) on one side, and the super-hyper, garrulous, follow-up call to the minute-old emailed press release band to the other, Melissa stands apart. She is sweet, dearly loyal to her brands, and achingly well-spoken. You want to like her brands because she likes them; you DO like her brands because they’re all fantastic and unique. Like Melissa. She surrounds herself with a stellar team that willliterally work the day away to help you complete a story. Melissa Davis makes me smile.

Mary Kate McGrath, Editor-in-Chief, Pure Wow

As a magazine contributor (Glamour, Conde Nast Traveler) and full-time blogger (A Cup of Jo), I’ve had the pleasure of working with Melissa and the Ruby Press team for the past four years. I adore their friendly emails, which never feel pushy, and we’ve truly become friends over the years, which was such a happy result. They have a roster of amazing clients and brands that are just begging to be written about, and whenever I’m scouting products for gift guides or editorial features, they always send a tailored list of great products that would be a perfect fit. I’m also addicted to their blog, which not only keeps me up to date on their clients, but also is pretty to read over breakfast every morning!

Joanna Goddard, Writer, Blogger, Social Media Influencer, A Cup of Jo

Working with Melissa and her team at Ruby Press is such a pleasure. They are whip-smart, professional, incredibly quick on their feet, and of course, highly responsive to my needs as a journalist. I know I can trust Melissa to tell me about lines and products that have real integrity and that will add to whatever story I’m working on. And she’s got incredible taste! What’s not to love? I recommend Ruby Press wholeheartedly.

Cristina Mueller, Freelance Writer, contributing regularly for Allure, Glamour, Vogue and Town & Country

Melissa and her team are like best friends you wish you had; they find you cool things, remember what you like and keep in touch. Their focus on personal relationships, on both sides of the PR coin, is what keeps them ahead of the pack. I work with plenty of PR companies and Ruby Press is one of the best.

Miranda Jones, Style Editor, Sunset

As an editor, you can always count on Ruby Press to put brands in front of you that are not only gorgeous from a design standpoint but also relevant to your media outlet.  I have known Melissa Davis for many years and love working with her and her team.  I never miss one of their appointments.

Treena Lombardo, Fashion Director, Allure

Melissa and I started our working relationship while she was an editor and I was in public relations. Melissa has such a wonderful and sophisticated eye for design, combined with an endearing personal character. Melissa is so professional, energetic and charismatic that it’s no wonder she now owns her own public relations company. At the time Melissa left New York and moved to the west coast to start her company, I switched my career to the editorial side, allowing Melissa and I to continue to have a close professional relationship which is now going on its eleventh year. I am in awe of Melissa and her accomplishments. She has done so well in the field of public relations – she’s such an inspiration to me. I would so highly recommend Melissa and her company to anyone interested in her services.

Lynn Butler Beling, Freelance Stylist and Editor; Owner of Lynn Butler Design, Inc., The Product Gallery

I am always excited when Melissa and her team come to New York because it means I’m going to see gorgeous new introductions from lines that I’ve grown to love. And I never leave these press previews without discovering a new website, designer or boutique that I want to tell our readers about. Ruby Press is definitely my go-to source for indie, “best-kept-secret” material, exactly what our team of regional editors need to make their pages sparkle.

Amy Elliott, Senior Editor, Brides Northern California & Brides Local Magazine

My background includes working for 4+ years in the home department of Real Simple and then going on to be the home and lifestyle editor of Redbook. I’m currently a freelance writer and stylist. I also curate a daily blog called the Haystack Needle and my online shop is called Cabin 7. So I have experience as both an editor and a blogger. And I have to say, I’m consistently impressed with what this small-but-mighty firm called Ruby Press is able to make happen.

The more I’m in the business, the more I think what Melissa and Ruby Press do for their clients rivals what some of these large New York PR firms try to do with staffs that are ten times the size. It’s not surprising that Melissa gets it, because she was on the other side as a fashion editor before starting Ruby Press. That makes all the difference! She’s aware of the crazy deadlines, last-minute switches, and she understands how to pitch editors. That is no small feat — most publicists do not understand how to pitch. Just ask a magazine editor, or check our email inboxes for proof — I currently have an inbox so littered with spam email because those publicists never once looked at my site to get a sense of what I cover or my voice. At Redbook, I would get some ridiculous pitches for topics that were not even in my beat — and most pitches didn’t understand the tone of the magazine. I’m surprised at how many publicists don’t understand that’s it about quality contact — not quantity of contact — that gets your news heard. There is an incredible amount of laziness when it comes to PR. I know that sounds harsh, but if you ask any editor that’s been in the business a while, you’d find that most PR contact feels like noise jamming up your email and voicemail — and then there are a few gems like Ruby Press, that actually make your job so much easier. Because as an editor, writer, or blogger, you do need great content. You do want to hear what’s new and what’s exciting. It’s all in the way that info is communicated. Melissa gets that you probably don’t want to know everything about all her clients — so her team at Ruby Press tailors the info to you and knows what you’re looking for.

I also have been surprised that through the years, Ruby Press has remained one of the only West Coast PR firms that makes regular trips to New York to visit with magazine editors and show them what’s new with their clients. It’s all about connections. Following each meeting with Ruby Press, I always walk away with a story idea or product find or a reminder of something I want to write about. And I love the way Ruby Press handles their press previews. They pick an accessible location (and a cute boutique hotel) and outfit a room with their clients’ collections. It’s so easy and fun and intimate — you don’t have to go over-the-top with fancy-styled events to get your clients to be noticed.

I don’t know how they find the time to do it all, but like I said, I’m always so impressed by Ruby Press. I’m not surprised that through this tough economy, Melissa has managed to keep a growing client roster of home, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle clients that all have a cool aesthetic you’re interested in finding out more about. And I have to say, meeting with Melissa and her team never feels like work — they both have approachable, fun spirits, and I’ve loved getting to know them over the years.

Jen Jafarzadeh L’italien, Freelance Writer and Stylist