We launched the PR Mentoring Network to encourage our team and our professional colleagues to diversify the PR field by supporting young African American people, Indigenous people, and People of Color who want to build a career in PR. In addition, we plant ten trees for each media placement we secure for our clients, through Trees for the Future. In 2020, we secured 1,900 press stories for our clients which helped plant 19,000 trees.
THE COMPANY
We get influential people to talk about your music tech company so you can generate leads, make sales, do deals, and attract investment. We devise PR campaigns using out of this world creativity to get you high level media coverage.
Founded in 1999, rock paper scissors, inc. is a music tech PR firm composed of a diverse team of communicators, creatives, and business minds. We have represented thousands of projects from six continents. Our roster includes clients in music technology, music gear, B2B music agencies, music consumer products and apps, artist-facing and label services, music sync platforms, music AI, fintech for music, and much more.
We have worked with CD Baby, Bandsintown, LyricFind. Pex, Dubset, Tracklib, Loudr, Rumblefish, SESAC, and many of the biggest and coolest music tech companies in the world. We consistently place feature stories in the New York Times, Wired, TechCrunch, Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., Billboard, Rolling Stone, and on NPR.
We launched the PR Mentoring Network to encourage our team and our professional colleagues to diversify the PR field by supporting young African American people, Indigenous people, and People of Color who want to build a career in PR. In addition, we plant ten trees for each media placement we secure for our clients, through Trees for the Future. In 2020, we secured 1,900 press stories for our clients which helped plant 19,000 trees.
Founder & CEO
Born in Nashville, Dmitri moved to NYC as a teen where he busked in the subways while studying music at “the Fame High School” for Music and the Arts. After earning his business degree, he leaned into his entrepreneurial bent and launched rock paper scissors in 1999. His vision was to combine cutting edge technology and deep organic storytelling to help clients crystallize their missions in compelling ways and amplify them in innovative ways. He continues to lead the company from music to tech and into other fields that are changing the world every day. When others told him that the company he envisioned would not succeed in college town Bloomington, Indiana, he took that as a challenge and has built a collaborative team that leans into the Midwestern ethic of hard work, warmth, and caring. Dmitri can also be found speaking on stage at conferences ranging from SXSW to Music Biz on new approaches to publicity, innovation, and resourcefulness
Chief Operating Officer
With an MBA, twenty-five years of management experience, and founding several businesses and cultural and music festivals, Sheryl is a creative problem solver with a talent for business strategy. She brings thoughtful direction and structure to a growing staff and the hundreds of music tech companies we partner with annually. Sheryl has worked in socially-responsible entrepreneurship, publicity, environmental conservation, fundraising, and as a business coach for artists and business owners. When not at rock paper scissors, Sheryl loves travelling and doing anything outdoors.
Office Manager
Born and raised in California, but now a Hoosier at heart, Tina started out in her father’s construction business doing the books and finances. With more than 20 years of office experience, Tina is the go-to employee for all rps needs. When she does have a spare minute — in between owning multiple rental properties, attending her children’s school activities and spending time with her husband — you can find her in her backyard relaxing with a glass of wine (or a beer!).
New Business Manager
Jade brings years of business development experience to rock paper scissors. He draws on expertise gained working in the start-up world and maintains a focused curiosity for all-things-tech. Jade acts on new business opportunities and seeks to support our clients by connecting them with our team of innovative writers, creatives, and business minds. Outside of work, his interests range from beat-making, gaming, and motorcycles, to social activism. Jade enjoys all the cultural opportunities Bloomington offers and lives with his partner, Allie, in the nearby neighborhood of McDoel Gardens.
Marketing Director
Eleanor loves that marketing lets her use every part of the diverse skill set in problem solving, research, and writing that she acquired in her previous work. A dozen years in the academic world, as a PhD in Classics, a Fellow at the American Academy in Rome, and a teacher of languages and literature, honed Eleanor’s communication skills. As a freelance writer for arts & heritage organizations and then as rps’s staff music writer, she relished developing client’s unique voices to communicate the excitement of their creative work. To each project, she brings boundless curiosity and contagious enthusiasm for learning new things. Off the clock, Eleanor sews her own historical costumes and reads 19th century novels.
Writer and Strategist
With over a dozen years of editing and research experience plus a PhD to her name, Tristra specializes in crystallizing the most compelling aspects of your business and personal story and tying them to larger issues and industry trends. As our lead writer and strategist, Tristra is a key member of your publicity team, and someone you’ll get to know well as she interviews you monthly for your latest press release. She has been a creative force at rock paper scissors for twelve years, where she’s known for synthesizing copious amounts of knowledge at the speed of light. Her love of music stems from her days as a record store employee, continuing through her career as a professional singer and student of Carnatic and Eastern European traditional music, and into her life as a publicist. She writes novels and researches Siberian history in her spare time.
Campaign Manager
As Tech Campaign Manager Jeff has been an integral part of the continued growth of RPS in the music industry and tech spaces. His decades of real-world industry experience as a composer, band leader, and instrumentalist gave him first-hand knowledge of industry topics such as licensing, recording contracts, lyrics, distribution, streaming, and sampling. That has translated into successfully managing a team of publicists and the most diverse client roster in RPS’s 20-year history to over 3000 earned media placements to date.
Senior Publicist
A Bay Area native, James has worked in and studied the music, film, and tech industries for all of his adult life. From directing his college radio station, working at several fine record stores, being a touring musician, independent music promoter, and film programmer, James’s experiences have shaped his interest in understanding popular culture and the people who consume it. His experience in academia (Masters in Popular Culture, Bowling Green State University and PhD in Film and Media Studies, Indiana University) has solidified his ability to question the intersection of music, tech, and everyday life. He loves helping clients figure out how to be authentic in an increasingly inauthentic world. His training as a media historian helps him call upon stories from media’s past to shape new media realities and the stories his clients tell. In his off time, James enjoys his small family and their big hearts, and at this very moment, is currently writing a song.
Senior Publicist
Zeynep joined rock paper scissors as a tech publicist after earning a PhD in Communication and Culture at Indiana University, where she focused on film culture and contemporary politics in her native Turkey. With years of experience in research, writing, and media analysis, as well as a professional background in editing and publishing, Zeynep enjoys the opportunity to distill the most compelling aspects of her clients and communicate them to journalists in creative and informed ways. Outside of her work at rps, she enjoys thinking and writing about cinema, seeing shows and movies around town, and playing board games with friends.
Publicist
Originally trained in the hard-knocks school of publicity (an internship with rock paper scissors), Christine became keen on research, campaign strategy, and creative innovation. After graduating with a B.A. in Telecommunications from Indiana University, she proceeded to work in multimedia marketing and production at home and abroad, giving her unique connections with content creators. Then, Christine reunited with rock paper scissors as a tech publicist, staying afloat on industry trends and collaborating on eclectic solutions for clients. Around town, she enjoys the live music and comedy scenes, and goes by “DJ Bracky Brack” as a community radio volunteer.
Publicist
After graduating with a degree from Indiana University in Public Relations, Alexa joined the rock paper scissors team as a tech publicist. Her previous roles in social media marketing, as well as her background growing up as a dancer, have given Alexa a strong work ethic and a determination for success, which translates into her everyday work. In her free time, Alexa enjoys photography, yoga, and spending time with her family.
Publicist
An Emmy award-winning documentarian, Sarah worked in the journalism field for over 15 years. From the plateaus of Tibet to dizzying adventures on the Vomit Comet, she thrives in discovering and uplifting voices throughout every sector. Dedicated to dynamic storytelling, Sarah is thrilled to bring her journalistic expertise to the rock paper scissor mission. Having been a journalist, she understands how to nurture the client-media relationship and craft compelling content through authentic curiosity. When not working, Sarah enjoys traveling the world as an avid scuba diver and freelance photographer. Her lovable cats would rather she stay home.
Publicist
Starting out at rock paper scissors as an intern, Macie learned from the best on how to navigate the ropes of storytelling and campaign strategy in the music tech world. After graduating from Indiana University with a degree in public relations, she joined the RPS team again as a tech publicist. Her background in strategic communications from overseas internships to content marketing positions has given her a unique perspective on the world of PR, and made her more excited than ever to craft creative solutions for clients. When not at work, Macie enjoys trying out new cooking recipes, reading mystery novels, and hanging out with her dog.
Sales Tech
As Sales Tech at rps, Ben has been able to use his experience from being a Business and Marketing Intern to help ease the sales process for not only our staff, but our clients as well. Ben assists our sales team in data entry for new business leads, proposal editing, and client organization. Ben has had a passion for music and the industry that surrounds since he was in high school and coordinated his community Dance Marathon event by selecting and scheduling musical performances for the 12 hour event. Outside the office, his interests include freelance work for local musicians, watching movies, gaming, and attending concerts.
OUR TEAM
Meet the storytellers.
CAREERS
Join the RPS team.
A culture of innovation, curiosity, and creativity. Midwestern work ethic, global impact.
Crazy pants welcome.
Sound good to you?
