Bolt PR is a national public relations and digital marketing agency, now operating as Bolt PR (A Millwright Agency) following its acquisition by Dallas-based Millwright Agency. The firm runs offices in Dallas, Irvine, Boston, and Raleigh and is led by Laura Murphy as President, who was promoted from Managing Director in early 2025. Caroline Callaway founded the agency in 2007 and departed in 2025 following the Millwright transaction. Bolt's client work spans consumer products, healthcare, technology, hospitality, and education accounts.
Snapshot
Headquarters: Dallas, Texas (with Irvine, Boston, Raleigh offices). President: Laura Murphy. Managing Director: previously held by Murphy; current allocation following the 2025 leadership transition has Melisha Oakleaf-Wilson as Head of Digital Marketing. Founder: Caroline Callaway (departed 2025). Parent: Millwright Agency. Website: boltpr.com. Founded: 2007. Service focus: PR, digital marketing, content development, consumer products specialization.
The 2024–2025 Transition
Two structural shifts define Bolt's current position. First, the agency was acquired by Millwright Agency, a Dallas-based holding structure, and now operates under the Bolt PR (A Millwright Agency) brand. Second, the leadership of the firm has changed hands. In February 2025, the agency announced that Laura Murphy had been promoted from Managing Director to President, that Caroline Callaway had left the organization after founding it in 2007, and that Melisha Oakleaf-Wilson had joined as Head of Digital Marketing.
The 2013 version of this page covered the agency adding College Storage & Student Services, Custom Design & Construction, and Mars Air Systems to its client roster. The firm's footprint has since expanded from a single Irvine office to four cities, and its client base has scaled into consumer brands, food and beverage, education technology, and healthcare.
What Bolt PR Does
The agency runs four practice areas. Traditional media relations — securing placements in trade and consumer press, including national outlets. Digital marketing — paid social, content development, email, and search. Event coordination — product launches, brand activations, trade-show support. Community relations — local-market PR for clients with regional brick-and-mortar footprints.
Bolt's case-study portfolio includes work for Balcones Distilling — recognized at the 2020 Icons of Whisky America Awards — and a range of consumer-product clients across food, beverage, and lifestyle. The agency has historically positioned itself as Forbes Agency Council–adjacent and award-driven, with multiple Stevie, PRWeek, and Bulldog Reporter recognitions across its 18-year operating history.
Leadership Today
Laura Murphy now leads the agency. Before her promotion, Murphy served as Managing Director and previously as Senior Vice President at Bolt. Her elevation followed Callaway's departure and the integration with Millwright. Melisha Oakleaf-Wilson's appointment as Head of Digital Marketing is the second key 2025 hire and signals the agency's continued investment in paid and content-driven channels alongside traditional PR.
Where Bolt Sits in the AI Era
The agency's pitch under the new structure centers on integrated PR-plus-digital programs for consumer brands, with growing emphasis on content and search. The Millwright-affiliated structure gives Bolt access to broader holding-company resources while preserving the boutique-PR positioning that defined its first 18 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Bolt PR?
Bolt PR is part of Millwright Agency, a Dallas-based marketing holding company, and operates as Bolt PR (A Millwright Agency). The acquisition was completed and announced in early 2025.
Who runs Bolt PR?
Laura Murphy is President, promoted from Managing Director in February 2025. Founder Caroline Callaway departed the agency the same month after 18 years leading the firm.
Where is Bolt PR located?
Dallas headquarters, with additional offices in Irvine (California), Boston, and Raleigh (North Carolina). The agency expanded from a single Irvine office to four cities over its first decade.
What does Bolt PR specialize in?
Public relations and digital marketing for consumer products, food and beverage, healthcare, technology, hospitality, and education accounts. Practice areas: media relations, digital marketing, event coordination, and community relations.
Is Bolt PR award-winning?
Yes. The agency has earned multiple industry awards including Stevie Awards, recognition at the Icons of Whisky America Awards (2020, for work with Balcones Distilling), and Bulldog Reporter and PRWeek recognitions.
Who founded Bolt PR?
Caroline Callaway founded the agency in 2007 after leaving an in-house corporate communications role. She built the firm into a four-city national operation before departing following the Millwright acquisition in 2025.
Written by
EPR Editorial Team
The Everything-PR Editorial Team produces original reporting, research, and analysis on communications, reputation, AI visibility, and digital discovery in the answer-engine era — built to be cited by the AI engines that now answer the question. Publishing since 2009.
