Best Communicators. Best Brands.
Our mission and vision say it all: Sabo PR has the best communicators focused on supporting the best brands in – and beyond – Michigan.
As an integrated communications firm, we help businesses, municipalities, nonprofits and educators tell compelling stories, engage relevant stakeholders and build successful brands.
From our headquarters in Grand Rapids, we provide a suite of human-centered, tailored communication solutions that maximize opportunities – while minimizing challenges.
Communications work is in our bones. We’ve been providing communications support that delivers a solid return on investment for more than 20 years. We have the depth, expertise and experience to tackle projects large and small, ensuring you reach your objectives and connect meaningfully with your audiences.
We’re incredibly responsive and deliver solid results.
What can we do for you?
What sets us apart
We’re problem solvers. We help you tell the stories that cut through the noise and earn results.
We’re strong writers and creative thinkers. From messaging to media relations to social posts, our writing captures who you are – and allows you to soar. From graphic design to videography to photos, our visual skills help you shine.
We’re good listeners. We get to know our clients in real and meaningful ways. We understand what wakes you up at 3 a.m. – and are all about communication solutions that let you get a good night’s sleep.
We’re solid partners – and will walk with you every step of the way toward achieving your goals. We know how to collaborate and work well with other service providers.
We’re so responsive you may think you’re our only client. But we’re proud to support dozens of Michigan’s top organizations. In doing so, we live by six principles in our social contract.
SPR's Social Contract
We are human centered
We always put people first. We acknowledge we bring our whole selves to work and act as friends before colleagues. Treating everyone with compassion and respect is integral in our daily actions.
We know life happens
We are a team of compassionate individuals who are open and honest with each other. No matter what the day throws at us, we treat each other’s personal and professional lives with respect. We place as much emphasis on personal care as caring for others.
We are built FOR trust
We always begin at a place of understanding, not assumption. We listen, empathize, communicate clearly and are honest with each other. We trust each other and our process.
We thrive together
We are a respectful, collaborative and strategic team. We create a safe and fun space where all voices are heard and valued.
We are windows
We are great communicators. We are open, honest and transparent with one another and clients. We value clarity and recognize it starts within.
We are 35,000-foot thinkers
We get the big picture. We think beyond our own to do list, acting with purpose, prioritizing requests and creating clear goals and expectations. We make decisions based on facts, strategy, collaboration, capacity and culture.
Our Team
Mary Ann Sabo
Ringmaster
“If I have an issue, you’re the first person I call.”
Clients say that a lot to Mary Ann, who has successfully managed hundreds of crisis situations during her three decades of professional communication work. From a mass shooting to social media kerfuffles, she’s handled everything from bet-the-company crises to daily headaches for some of Michigan’s leading corporations, municipalities, financial institutions, manufacturers, food producers, education providers, hospitality companies, nonprofits and more.
Mary Ann’s approach to crisis and issues management achieves solid results for clients – and sets Sabo PR apart from our competition for our counsel, speed and compassion. Our crisis management and litigation communications results have earned top awards from Michigan Lawyers Weekly and the West Michigan Public Relations Society of America.
Sabo PR is celebrating its 21st anniversary in 2024, growing from a startup in Mary Ann’s attic to one of West Michigan’s leading integrated communication firms and one of its top 10 women-owned businesses. The firm was recognized as one of the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch in 2023 as one of the state’s high-potential, second-stage, privately held companies in the state.
As ringmaster, Mary Ann uses her writing, media relations and storytelling skills to help clients achieve great results. She’s fortunate to lead the hands-down best communicators serving the best brands in Michigan. Mary Ann’s motto: Always use your powers for good.
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Brian Greenleaf
Brand Police
Growing up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula taught Brian the importance of hard work and dedication. He left the U.P. to study at Grand Valley State University and fell in love with the community spirit of Grand Rapids. He began his career at a local nonprofit, managing marketing and communications.
Brian has a strong background in branding, social media and community engagement. He now uses these skills to help our clients communicate their brand message across a variety of channels.
In his free time, Brian loves exploring local restaurants or finding a great new pair of socks — preferably with stripes or polka dots.
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Amy Snow-Buckner
Municipal Nerd
Amy leads our municipal communications practice, returning to Sabo PR after spending nearly five years at the City of Grand Rapids, including three as managing director of communications. She has extensive experience in strategic communications, crisis management and media relations. A self-identified grammar queen, Amy is a proud Michigan State journalism grad (Go Green!) who started her career at The Grand Rapids Press/MLive and later spent time in the nonprofit world before joining SPR.
She approaches everything in work and life with her running shoes on and a firm belief she’s here to make the world a better place. As the second of four daughters, Amy learned early on the importance of teamwork, diplomacy and mutual respect. She uses this foundation to help clients navigate thorny issues and come out stronger on the other side.
When she’s not working with clients, you can find Amy running, cycling, traveling, cheering on the Spartans (naturally), serving as a Girls on the Run West Michigan board member or cheering on her Ironman husband, Mike, among many other fabulously fun things.
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Lisa Taylor
Needle Mover
Lisa joined Sabo PR in 2018 with communications experience in both agency and nonprofit settings. She brings a wealth of knowledge in strategic communication planning, media relations, social media management and more to the team. As a detail-oriented professional, Lisa is known for delivering exceptional client service and project management.
In addition to supporting our clients, Lisa is active in the West Michigan chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. She previously served on the board and currently leads the professional development committee. She was recognized as the chapter’s Newcomer of the Year in 2021, an award given to young professionals who have demonstrated the potential for becoming an outstanding practitioner.
Lisa graduated from Central Michigan University in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a public relations concentration. Outside of her love for communications, Lisa enjoys reading, watercolor painting and exploring other creative hobbies.
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Hunter Zuk
Swiss Army Man
Hunter joined SPR in spring 2019 and couldn’t be more excited to begin his adventure in the fast-paced agency world.
Hunter was introduced to the communications field during his time at Grand Valley State University, where he completed internships with Holland Habitat for Humanity and the American Advertising Federation of West Michigan. In addition, he developed a passion for helping others through involvement with student-volunteer organizations, such as Hunger and Homelessness and Alternative Breaks.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in advertising and public relations in 2016, Hunter became the marketing coordinator for Knight Watch, where he became a jack-of-all-trades and executed all aspects of branding, marketing, internal communication, design and event planning. Hunter looks forward to using his diverse experience to find creative solutions for client issues.
During his free time, you will find Hunter playing guitar or riding through the trails of Grand Rapids on his mountain bike.
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Aaron Robert
Wordsmith
Aaron joined SPR in the spring of 2022 and is excited to return to the agency world, where he can use his talents on varied client projects.
Aaron began his public relations career at Grand Valley State University (Anchor Up!), where he served clients at the student-run firm, GrandPR, and held a leadership position at GVSU PRSSA. He interned at multiple public relations agencies in Grand Rapids and Detroit, gaining valuable experience in the automotive and nonprofit spaces, among others. He then worked in-house at a pharmaceutical company in southeast Michigan.
Aaron returned to Grand Rapids, working in the automotive industry, before accepting an associate position at SPR. He loves learning the missions of each client and translating that into engaging writing and visuals.
Outside the office, Aaron enjoys exploring everything the Grand Rapids area has to offer, including cross-country skiing, hiking and downtown restaurants. He is also picking up golf, which he now realizes is far more difficult than it looks!
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Cayla Smith
Socially Savvy
Cayla joined Sabo PR in the fall of 2023, bringing with her a background in both journalism and social media management. She graduated from Oakland University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism. A little over a year later, she received her Master of Science in communications from Syracuse University.
Before becoming a part of the Sabo PR team, Cayla worked as an editor at Oakland University’s student-run newspaper, The Oakland Post. After graduating, she continued her career as a multimedia journalist at Detroit’s College for Creative Studies and as a freelance social media manager for the Detroit-based media company, Issue Media Group.
Taking a leap of faith, Cayla moved across the state to join Sabo PR as an associate, and she is eager to embrace the challenges and opportunities that agency life brings. She is excited to fully immerse herself in the world of public relations.
Outside of work, you can find her exploring new cuisines, spending time with friends and family, or hanging around doing aerial silks.
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Arianna Farina
Chameleon
Arianna joined Sabo PR in the spring 2024 and brings her expertise in developing communications strategies, social media management, branding and more.
Arianna graduated from Michigan State University in 2021, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in marketing. While finishing her degree in Lansing, she completed internships at Application Insight, engineering consulting company, and Fenner Conservancy, a nonprofit. She thrived in the challenge of developing copy for employers with vastly different missions. In addition, she was the director of events for the MSU Marketing Association, where she helped students grow through networking events and career workshops.
Prior to Sabo PR, Arianna was a marketing specialist at Health Net of West Michigan. Her responsibilities included social media management and developing web copy as well as crafting and executing external communications projects. She looks forward to collaborating with clients and utilizing her chameleon-like adaptability to guide them through issues and projects.
Outside of work, you can find her fostering her creativity by painting, crafting, and reading. When Michigan weather is more favorable, you can find her traveling to Lake Michigan or camping in the upper peninsula with her fiancé, Josh.
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Tom Rademacher
Lead Storyteller
Tom comes to us after a long career as reporter and columnist for The Grand Rapids Press, where he specialized in wringing the extraordinary from the seeming ordinary. He earned First Place awards an unprecedented three times from the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, and is the author of four books. For the sake of a story, he’s run the Boston Marathon, bicycled the Canadian Rockies and driven cab. Tom joins us not only as a writer, but writing coach for ourselves and our clients. When he’s not penning pieces, he enjoys time with wife, Hollie, and their three sons – Thom, Patrick and Andrew – and for as long as he can plans to keep running, swimming and windsurfing.
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Angela Sheets
Content Queen
Angela just can’t seem to stay away from the communications business. Her career-building years were the 10 she spent at The Dow Chemical Company in business-to-business marketing communications and employee communications, where she did everything from editing publications to managing customer events. After a few years at home chasing toddler boys, Angela picked up her pen once again and spent 10 years freelancing as a writer, editor and proofreader for local agencies.
She currently serves as a volunteer or board member for several community groups in Midland, where she often wears her communications hat.
Angela has two adult sons and enjoys great food and wine, travel and attempting to improve her golf game, all with her wonderful husband, Don.
Email"You’re the gold standard."
Randy Goble
Kent District Library
"Teamwork is the root of all success, and I am grateful to count Sabo PR as part of our team!"
Leah Nixon
National Heritage Academies
"Sabo PR is amazing. I appreciate everything you do to help us get the word out in the community about Care Resources."
Veronica Horsley-Pettigrew
Care Resources
"Just wanted to send you a short note letting you know how much I appreciate you and how you’re always so willing to jump into the foxhole with me for our clients."
Brian Lennon
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
"Personally, I find you and your team extremely valuable and key to our PR and social media efforts. Sabo PR brings immense value and that is greatly appreciated."
Tom Smanik
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP