In 2002 RMS was called to assist Erin Runnion following the kidnap and murder of her then nearly six-year-old daughter, Samantha Runnion. RMS was tasked with handling the media storm surrounding this highly-publicized incident. Following Samantha's death, media were hounding Erin to speak, in detail, about her daughter’s tragic death. Erin was overwhelmed and needed assistance to manage the deluge of media and offer counsel on which interviews to take and on which to pass. In addition, a front line of defense was needed when dealing with these editors to not only find out what the purpose/angle of the story, but to also establish boundaries with the press and determine what questions were off-limits. Both Erika Schulte and Shana Starr, of RMS, handled all press for Erin and subsequently helped to launch her foundation in honor of Samantha – The Joyful Child Foundation. We continue to work with Erin and the foundation to this day.

• Create speaking points per media interview
• Change Erin's contact information to only our cell phones to handle the calls and create a schedule
• Created a media plan to launch the foundation
• Worked with National outlets such as Larry King Live, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox News, CBS The Morning Show, Court TV and others and negotiated deals on interviews so that if she spoke during the trial or other high-profile event, the media outlet would also have her on-air to promote fundraisers and events for The Joyful Child Foundation
• Handled the media for the ongoing annual Arts Festival in honor of Samantha in the City of Stanton
• Handled the media for fundraising events and worked with Maria Shriver and Laura Diaz of CBS Channel 2 to be the chairperson of the event
• Worked directly with Sheriff Corona and his staff on press conferences to launch the event and during the trial

• Create speaking points for each media interview
• We are still working directly with Erin Runnion who has also launched a political committee, the Parents Coalition, which consists of parents who have been affected by the murder of or assault on their children. This coalition plans to lobby Congress for the protection of children. Other group members are Marc Klass, Mark Lunsford, Ed Smart and other parents who have received considerable media attention during trials.
• The Joyful Child Foundation is growing and now has nationwide program for cities called PRIDES, designed specifically by the foundation to protect children.
• Erin Runnion is a nationally known child advocate and is consistently called upon by the press to comment on matters affecting children.