About Us

Ryan Romana is a music industry and PR professional with over a decade of experience successfully publicizing artists, albums, tours, and labels. In 2009, Ryan launched Press Junkie PR to achieve his dream of obsessively working music that fits into his very eclectic taste.

Ryan started his career working as a DJ at his college radio station – KVCU (Radio 1190) at the University of Colorado, Boulder. On the airwaves he cut his teeth playing electronic music and hip-hop, later DJing in clubs in the Boulder/Denver area. After graduation he moved back home to New York and worked as a tour publicist at Ariel Publicity, promoting aggressively touring bands and artists. Ryan then moved to San Francisco and became the label manager at Wide Hive Records focusing on bay area hip-hop, jazz, and funk.

Ryan then found himself emerged at Engage PR, learning the ins and outs of the high-tech industry post bubble, and took away the structure and discipline needed to run strategic PR campaigns from the ground up, while contributing music reviews to XLR8R Magazine as a freelancer.

Later he landed his dream gig, as in house publicist for tastemaker record label, Six Degrees Records. He worked with GRAMMY nominated artists Bebel Gilberto, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Céu as well as Alice Russell, Cheb i Sabbah, The Real Tuesday Weld, and more. Today Ryan leads his team in creative press campaigns to help artists break out to the next level in their career.

First Record Owned: (bought by parents) “We’re Not Gonna Take It” by Twisted Sister
First Record Bought: (with my own money) “2001 Spliff Odyssey” by Thievery Corporation
Last Record Bought: – Big Boys “Where’s My Towel” / “Industry Standard”

Mercedes Romana has a strong background in marketing and PR with over a fifteen years of experience working with successful businesses including cutting edge technologies, agencies, and non-profits. This has given her a wide range of experience from managing advertising campaigns with large brands such as Skechers, United Airlines, and Pro Flowers, to producing and promoting charitable events with acts such as Larry David, James Taylor, Carol King, Jimmy Fallon, and more. Mercedes joined Press Junkie PR in 2013 and quickly developed relationships with top tier outlets and writers. She currently manages a diverse roster of emerging artists. Mercedes Romana is the Vice President at Press Junkie PR.

First Tape: “Forever Your Girl” Paula Abdul
First CD: Guns N’ Roses “Appetite for Destruction” (had to share it with my brother)
First Vinyl: Deee-Lite “World Clique”

Darian Burns is a current student at Texas State with a deep love for music. He paved his way into the music industry by starting his own blog, Dope Hip Hop, in 2017. Later on, he spent some time working in radio at KTSW where he was the Rap Director and an On-Air DJ. Darian started as an intern with Press Junkie PR before eventually filling the role as Publicity Assistant.

First CD: R. Kelly “Chocolate Factory”
First Vinyl: The Black Keys “El Camino”
First Concert: Vince Staples “Summertime 06 Tour”