RPS is committed to translating our PR success into positive impact on the environment, now and in the future. Our team chose to offset our company’s carbon emissions by planting and sustaining tree cover, since studies have shown lasting impact on climate change long term.
In 2021, RPS supported Canopy Bloomington’s work towards climate equity in our own city. The trees RPS added to Canopy Bloomington’s community-powered urban forest will bring economic, health, social, and environmental benefits to underserved neighborhoods for decades to come.
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.
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.
COO
Allison has experience leading teams in a wide variety of industries, including government, healthcare, manufacturing and performing arts, enabling her to draw on best practices and engineer solutions. With a strong background in HR, combined with her natural inclination for process improvement, she is passionate about making experiences better for employees and clients alike. As a classically trained pianist and vocalist, Allison is excited to be a part of the wacky world of music tech, supporting creative people doing amazingly creative things. Born and raised in Southern Indiana, she lives in Bloomington with her husband James and two young daughters.
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!).
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.
Director of Strategy
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 Director of Strategy, Tristra is a key member of the publicity team. 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.
Writer
After graduating with a degree from Indiana University in Journalism and Public Relations, Alexa joined the Rock Paper Scissors team as a Publicist in January 2020, and was promoted to Senior Publicist before her love for writing shifted her to the role of Writer. Alexa has worked with a wide variety of music tech companies in various verticals, sharing their stories and earning them press in publications such as Forbes, Variety, The Next Web, Business Insider, Billboard, WSJ, and more. She is thrilled to become more immersed in client storytelling, and help share the exciting announcements coming from RPS clients.
Campaign Manager
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.
Campaign Manager
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. After cultivating deep insights into publicity, outreach, and storytelling during her 2+ year role as a publicist, Zeynep continues her RPS journey as campaign manager. She leads multiple campaigns and a team of publicists, securing press coverage and making sure her clients’ media recognition entails consistently growing recognition and business development opportunities, as well as establishing their public profile as key industry leaders. 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.
Senior PR Strategist
After nearly a decade in the newspaper industry and most recently as a wearer of many hats at a small tech startup (with a dash of English teaching abroad in between), Jonathan is excited to combine all that he’s learned to continue telling stories as a Senior PR Strategist at Rock Paper Scissors. He’s also thrilled to have an excuse to go see live music on weekdays again. On most pleasant afternoons Jonathan can likely be found out on a local disc golf course throwing frisbees at metal baskets with his friends.
Publicist
Following her graduation from Indiana University where she studied Public Relations, Anna joined the Rock Paper Scissors team as a tech publicist. Her previous roles in social media marketing, strategic communications, and content creation have shaped her perspective on the PR industry as an opportunity to solve problems while building relationships that last. As a life-long music lover, she is thrilled to discover creative solutions for clients in the world of music.
Outside of the office, Anna enjoys running, hiking, playing guitar, spending time with friends and family, and crafting new creative projects.
Publicist
Leila joins the Rock Paper Scissors team with over a dozen years of training in classical violin and piano performance, degrees from Indiana University in Human Organizations Management and Spanish with a concentration in Communications.
Prior to her role as a publicist, Leila worked in social media content development for candidates running for political office. Leila uses her marketing background to establish credible brand presences in the media for her clients. As a tenacious team leader, Leila excels at generating story ideas and building media relationships.
Outside of work, Leila enjoys jamming with her RPS colleagues, experiencing live music, and spending time in the metaverse.
Publicist
After earning a B.A. from Butler University in Music Industry Studies in 2018, Emily began working for Live Nation. In that time she garnered a wide variety of experience in venue operations, giving her a unique, hands on perspective of music and music tech. Between her work experience with Live Nation and as an artist herself, Emily discovered her passion at its root is helping creatives grow their businesses. She brings that intention to her work at Rock Paper Scissors. In her free time Emily writes and records her own music, spends time in nature, and plays with her cat, Alley. (And yes, Alley is adorable.)
Publicist
Since graduating from The New School in NYC at the end of 2019 with an MS in Media Management, Brendan has explored several industries within publicity work. His experience ranged from a music publicity firm representing household names like Dua Lipa all the way to servicing clothing apparel brands. Brendan has long been a fan and supporter of the artistry that goes into creating music and the hard work that goes into releasing songs to the consumer. Brendan is excited to put a bold and creative perspective from his niche music business experience to work for his clients. Assisting music tech companies this way is one of the many bonuses he appreciates about working at RPS. Outside of work, Brendan spends time with family, friends, and his adorable huskimo, drinking coffee and surrounding himself with nothing but positive energy.
Publicist
Emily McGee joins the Rock Paper Scissors team with over 15 years of experience in the performing arts arena. After receiving her master of Music degree from Indiana University, Emily has worked both on stage and behind the scenes for various theatre, opera, and film companies. Emily is excited to put her multifaceted creativity and dynamic communication skills to good use as a publicist at Rock Paper Scissors. Outside of the office, Emily enjoys improv, acting, and puppetry design and performance.
Publicist
Alex entered the world of PR with a brand marketing internship at global PR agency FleishmanHillard in St. Louis, MO. He gained invaluable experience working alongside the global entertainment lead, giving him a unique perspective on the entertainment industry. After the internship, he freelanced with several St. Louis local businesses and influencers to land brand-building interviews and product reviews. He brings his life-long learner attitude to Rock Paper Scissors to drive his clients and team to succeed. In his free time, Alex enjoys playing, writing and recording music, going on long bike rides and watching action movies.
Publicist
Since Peyton was an infant, he has had a unique bond with music—a bond that will last a lifetime. As a child, he would put together musical performances in his living room for his family to enjoy. Today, as a successful saxophonist, Peyton has created a public brand and image that expresses his passion, energy, and personal story through his art. As part of the Rock Paper Scissors team, he strives to help clients find their own stories with the same passion and energy.
Peyton not only has knowledge of the music industry through performing, but also brings a unique perspective of music tech through his education at Indiana University where he studied Informatics with a cognate in music.
Publicist
Quick, detailed and extraordinarily kind, Meg Banich is adept at industry research, trend pitching, and filling in wherever is needed.
Her education and experience have led her to the intersection of media and music – earning a degree in Media and working for the California Music Hall of Fame, among others. At Rock Paper Scissors, she strives to combine her love of music and passion for storytelling to create long lasting relationships and solutions for all clients. She’s always sporting artist merch. And when not at the office (or attending a concert), you can find her browsing book aisles or shooting 35mm film on her dad’s old camera.
Conference Planner
Shayli organizes the annual Music Tectonics conference and was instrumental in pivoting the event to an all-digital format in 2020. A graduate of Indiana University, Shayli’s past roles at RPS have included everything from editing podcast episodes to assisting the CEO. She furthers her pursuit of education through YouTube videos about editing audio and self-help books when formal education hasn’t sufficed. Having played jazz piano, flute, and saxophone all throughout primary and secondary school, she’s eagerly striving to be at the center of the music and tech industry. In her free time she enjoys exploring all the nature Bloomington has to offer and has a passion for the environment and human rights. Her loves include family, the lake, traveling, and cows.
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Rhyan graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Interpersonal Communication. After years of experience in Theatre, Rhyan decided to switch trajectories into Public Relations- and she hasn’t looked back since! She is passionate about building relationships and staying on top of to-do lists in order to meet big, dream goals. She uses those skills to anticipate the needs of the CEO and optimize his time so he can focus on clients. When out of the office, you can find Rhyan catching up on the latest must-read book, in line for any live music event, or chilling with her cat, Ari.
Podcast Editor
After graduating from Indiana University with a degree in Music and Audio Engineering, Grace Elmer joined the RPS team as an assistant and podcast editor for the Music Tectonics Podcast. With experience in studio and live recording, editing, and production, Grace brings her fine tuned musical ear, audio magic, and eagerness to learn about the rapidly evolving music industry to the RPS team. When she doesn’t have her headphones on editing the podcast, you can find her performing and sharing her love of music as a classical and flamenco style guitarist.
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?
