LESLIE GAY
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Accomplished Event Operations & PR Strategist with 15+ years of expertise orchestrating high-profile entertainment events including BET Awards and San Diego Comic-Con, serving audiences of 30-130,000 attendees. Demonstrates exceptional talent management, media relations, and volunteer coordination skills while managing substantial budgets. Proven record of elevating brand visibility through strategic red carpet productions and seamless event execution across multiple venues nationwide.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Event Operations & PR Management Consultant
Leslie Gay and Associates
01.2019 - Current
- Orchestrated PR campaigns for AT&T's Black Future Makers, Humor Mill Comedy Awards and WWE talent Jade Cargill, generating massive media coverage across broadcast networks (BET, Fox, CBS, ESPN), digital platforms, print publications, and social media channels
- Negotiated with venues, vendors, and contractors to significantly reduce event costs while elevating attendee experiences across multiple high-profile markets
- Designed and managed end-to-end red carpet operations for televised events, coordinating press layouts, talent schedules, and media logistics
- Executed guerrilla marketing activations at Coachella and other major festivals, capturing valuable consumer insights through strategic brand ambassador deployments and robust data collection systems
- Served as lead talent wrangler for Los Angeles Super Bowl events, ensuring precise VIP positioning and timing for broadcast requirements
- Streamlined communications between production teams, talent management, and media outlets to deliver seamless high-profile event experiences
Account Executive/Publicist/Consultant
The FrontPage Firm
01.2009 - 02.2025
- Managed operations for the NFL-sanctioned Super Bowl Soulful Celebration for 5 years, orchestrating event logistics for broadcasts across CBS, Fox, ESPN and BET networks
- Directed publicity and operations for TV One premieres and Stellar Awards, maintaining consistent brand representation while coordinating multiple simultaneous events
- Streamlined communication between technical production teams, talent handlers, and media personnel, preemptively resolving potential issues for high-profile live broadcasts
- Orchestrated comprehensive VIP experience management, from talent transportation and hospitality to media scheduling and rider fulfillment for celebrity guests
- Developed and implemented standardized volunteer training protocols, enhancing service quality while efficiently managing large event staff teams
- Secured strategic sponsorships through targeted proposal development and relationship cultivation, personally managing on-site activation and deliverable execution
- Managed end-to-end financial operations including budget development, invoice processing, and expense tracking for multi-million dollar entertainment events
PR & Event Operations Manager
JL Media PR
01.2017 - 10.2024
- Managed publicity event operations for Black Music Honors for 6 consecutive years, scaling teams effectively while coordinating coverage across 200+ media outlets
- Orchestrated high-profile red carpet experiences from concept to execution, including design, talent logistics, and live broadcast coordination
- Optimized event budgets through strategic vendor negotiations and thorough expense tracking while maintaining premium production quality
- Developed streamlined media credential protocols and distribution systems, strengthening relationships with national broadcast and digital outlets
- Created comprehensive production timelines and cross-departmental workback schedules, ensuring seamless coordination between publicity, talent, and technical teams
- Produced targeted post-event press packages with curated photo selections and media-ready content, maximizing publicity impact beyond the live event
Volunteer Operations Coordinator
San Diego International Comic-Con
01.2008 - 07.2024
- Company Overview: one of the world's largest pop culture conventions
- Dedicated 15+ years to volunteer operations at San Diego Comic-Con International, one of the world's largest pop culture conventions, supporting events with 130,000+ annual attendees
- Coordinated scheduling and supervision of 2500+ volunteers during peak periods across multiple venue locations, ensuring appropriate coverage for all event areas
- Applied volunteer tracking systems to monitor staffing levels and facilitate rapid response deployment to high-need areas
- Resolved on-site challenges in real-time, adapting quickly to shifting requirements in high-traffic, high-intensity environments
- Implemented volunteer training and orientation programs, ensuring consistent service delivery and operational efficiency
- One of the world's largest pop culture conventions
Project Coordinator
Los Angeles Sustainability Coalition
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Coordinated logistics for high-profile stakeholder meetings between government agencies and contractors for major infrastructure projects, including the LAWA People Mover initiative
- Managed event execution including venue preparation, audio-visual setup, registration processes, and materials distribution for public-private partnership sessions
- Facilitated communication between public and private sector stakeholders, ensuring alignment and information flow during collaborative infrastructure planning meetings
- Streamlined event documentation processes, organizing presentation materials and handling post-meeting follow-up communications
Communications Director
Brock Beauty
08.2011 - 03.2014
- Managed campaigns for 4 beauty brands (Hairfinity, Essentious, Infinite Lash, Demera), securing multiple celebrity endorsers and integrations at high-profile events including NAACP Image Awards and NBA All-Star
- Secured brand placements in film and television productions, including Tyler Perry's 'A Madea's Christmas,' coordinating PR, national ad campaigns, and social media promotions
- Pioneered influencer marketing strategy by identifying and securing YouTube beauty content creators for brand endorsements and sponsored content
- Executed comprehensive multi-city promotional tour, managing travel logistics, on-site activations, event staff, talent relations, and local media engagements across diverse markets
- Developed and maintained client-facing documentation including status reports, financial budgets, event recaps, contracts, and promotional materials
Public Relations Specialist
Black Entertainment Television
06.2005 - 07.2008
- Executed production elements for high-profile BET entertainment events including BET Awards, Hip Hop Awards, Celebration of Gospel, and 25th Anniversary Special
- Managed media center operations and red carpet logistics, coordinating celebrity interviews and escorting talent to designated media outlets
- Collaborated with production vendors to secure necessary A/V equipment, lighting, pipe and drape, and other technical requirements
- Created press materials including tip sheets, FAQs, talent bios, and media kits to support comprehensive event coverage
- Facilitated seamless talent-media interactions during red carpet events, ensuring optimal exposure across multiple platforms
- Processed and tracked financial documentation including expense reports, reimbursements, invoices, and vendor payments
Education
B.A. - Sociology with Emphasis in Communications
University of California
Santa Cruz, CA01.2004
Skills
- Event Operations & Logistics
- Budget Management
- Volunteer Recruitment & Training
- Vendor Negotiation & Management
- Problem Solving
- VIP & Talent Relations
- Media Relations & Publicity Campaigns
- Los Angeles Venue Knowledge
- On-site Event Execution
- Contract Management (RFPs, POs)
- Red Carpet Production & Management
- Live Broadcast Coordination
- Press Room Operations
- Social Media Campaign Integration
- Microsoft Office and Google Suites
- Content Creation,
- Cision,
- Dropbox
- Survey Monkey
- Canva
- Constant Contact,
- Mailchimp
- ChatGPT
Awards Recognition
- Shine Star Award - National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)
- Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Award for PR Campaign Excellence
Timeline
Event Operations & PR Management Consultant
Leslie Gay and Associates
01.2019 - Current
Project Coordinator
Los Angeles Sustainability Coalition
01.2018 - 01.2021
PR & Event Operations Manager
JL Media PR
01.2017 - 10.2024
Communications Director
Brock Beauty
08.2011 - 03.2014
Account Executive/Publicist/Consultant
The FrontPage Firm
01.2009 - 02.2025
Volunteer Operations Coordinator
San Diego International Comic-Con
01.2008 - 07.2024
Public Relations Specialist
Black Entertainment Television
06.2005 - 07.2008
B.A. - Sociology with Emphasis in Communications
University of California
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