Rachel Dares
President & Senior Publicist
Rachel Dares is the founder of Rachel Dares PR, an award-winning boutique agency known for strategically positioning brands, founders, and experts for high-level visibility and real business growth. With over two decades of experience across public relations, media, marketing, partnerships, and sponsored events, she is recognized for turning ideas into visibility, and visibility into opportunity.
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Her work goes beyond traditional publicity. Rachel leads campaigns that integrate media placements, strategic partnerships, brand positioning, and sponsored events, including fundraising initiatives and revenue-generating activations. She is known for making the right introductions, securing meaningful opportunities, and aligning clients with platforms that elevate both credibility and influence.
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A former TV newscaster and journalist, Rachel brings an insider understanding of how media works, what stories get picked up, and how to position clients in a way that cuts through the noise. That perspective, combined with her strategic execution, allows her to consistently deliver results that extend far beyond press coverage.
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Rachel has worked with a diverse roster of clients including physicians and medical professionals, wellness and consumer brands, professional athletes, authors and speakers, nonprofit organizations, filmmakers, and political campaigns. Her approach is direct, hands-on, and results-driven, with a focus on building long-term visibility and measurable impact.
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In addition to leading client campaigns, Rachel mentors emerging publicists through her internship program in partnership with California State University, Long Beach, reflecting her commitment to developing the next generation of communications professionals.
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Guided by her mantra, “Don’t be the best kept secret,” Rachel continues to help clients step into visibility, authority, and opportunity at the highest level.
Madeline Safrit
Publicist
Madeline is a communications professional and publicist who helps craft clear, compelling brand stories and strengthen client visibility across social media. She also serves as the Internal Communications Manager for Special Olympics International, where she oversees global messaging that connects and informs teams and audiences around the world.
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With both undergraduate and graduate degrees in public relations, Madeline brings strong expertise in strategic communication, digital storytelling, and brand development. At Rachel Dares PR, she leads the agency’s social media division, developing tailored content strategies that reflect each client’s voice and messaging. She also manages the firm’s internship program, mentoring emerging PR professionals and guiding them through hands-on industry experience.
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Thoughtful, strategic, and relationship-driven, Madeline combines global insight with a grounded approach to communication - making her an integral part of the team at Rachel Dares PR.
Tiziano Mammana
Videographer, Cinematographer,
Licensed Drone Pilot
Tiziano brings a dynamic blend of technical expertise and creative precision to Rachel Dares PR’s visual production team. Specializing in videography, cinematography, and FAA-certified drone cinematography, he captures striking visuals that elevate brand stories, events, and campaigns.
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With deep experience in lighting, composition, and aerial operations, Tiziano plans every shoot with meticulous attention to detail - from weather and obstruction mapping to flight path coordination for both indoor and outdoor settings. His commitment to safety, quality, and storytelling ensures every project is executed flawlessly and visually impactful.
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In post-production, Tiziano’s refined eye for pacing and tone transforms raw footage into polished, cinematic content that amplifies visibility and captures attention across platforms.
Kyle Shields
Photographer, Videographer, Creative Director
With a sharp eye for storytelling and a background in Broadcast Journalism from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Kyle Shields brings years of professional experience to his role as the in-house photographer and videographer at Rachel Dares PR.
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Kyle specializes in producing high-quality visuals that capture the heart of a brand, event, or individual.
Whether he's shooting portraits, producing behind-the-scenes content, or crafting dynamic video reels for social media and press, Kyle blends technical precision with creative vision to deliver content that connects. His work plays a key role in helping clients elevate their visibility and tell their stories with impact.
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Outside work, Kyle enjoys downtime with his two rescued German Shepherds, Herbie and Pickett.
Carlos Escarcega
Events Associate
Introducing Carlos, our Events Associate. Carlos is a dynamic force with a wealth of experience in sales, and client development.
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With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to perfection, Carlos ensures that every event we organize is a seamless and unforgettable experience. Drawing from his background at Coca-Cola, he understands the importance of impeccable execution and exceeding client expectations.
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But what sets Carlos apart is his holistic approach to event management. Outside of his role as Event Associate with Rachel Dares PR, he serves as campus security and is a certified self-defense instructor and fitness trainer. This experience drives his strong focus on safety, preparedness, and the overall well-being of clients and attendees.
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