About us

We’re Tanya and Missy, the founders of Mainstay Media. After eight years working together, we knew we had something special—a partnership built on shared strengths and distinct expertise.

We each started as journalists before expanding into broader media and communications, now holding a combined 40 years of industry experience. We’re both driven by a deep commitment to client service, a sharp eye for what makes a message resonate, and a talent for connecting brands with the right audiences in meaningful ways.

But where we are different is our specialisations—Tanya in communications, public relations, and media, and Missy in creative copywriting, content strategy, and social media. Together, our complementary skill set means we can offer a full suite of communications services, from high-level strategy and media relations to content creation and digital engagement, giving our clients complete coverage across every touchpoint.

After leading large agency teams, we saw an opportunity to do things differently, together. We wanted to offer the expertise, capability, and reach of a big firm with the agility, continuity, and personalised service of a boutique agency. That’s why we created Mainstay Media in 2024.

Today, we’re working with top communicators and creators, delivering exceptional results for brands across Australia. Built on a solid foundation of experience, creativity, and client-first thinking, Mainstay Media is here to help brands tell their stories—and tell them well.

Tanya Waite, Director of PR for Mainstay Media


  • Director of PR

    Tanya Waite honed her news sense and ability to tell stories that resonate early in her career as a print journalist. Working for News Corp for seven years, she covered various rounds including general news, education, court, crime and the Tweed bureau. Her days included everything from prime ministers to council meetings, bikies to babies, and fires to the famous white whale—Migaloo.

    In 2006, she made the switch to corporate communications, taking up a role with one of Australia’s most established public relations agencies. Since then, she’s headed campaigns for a diverse portfolio of clients across the property and development, lifestyle, health, education and legal industries in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.

    Tanya has worked with major ASX-listed and private companies including Mirvac, Cedar Woods, Robina Group, GemLife and Bond University, and promoted billion-dollar projects, building reputation and telling compelling stories that connect.

    Whether crafting and pitching newsworthy articles to media, creating content for social, drafting click-worthy blogs or stand-out award submissions, she’s at home across various channels and tones of voice.


  • Director of Social

    Missy Burrell’s career has been shaped by storytelling in all its forms. She started as a broadcast journalist, rising to News Director at Gold Coast Media Centre before moving into television, where she worked across censorship, content creation, and social and digital production for some of Australia’s biggest shows—Big Brother, I’m a Celebrity, The Voice, and 60 Minutes.

    In 2017, Missy transitioned to agency life, building and leading the social media arm of the Gold Coast's longest-established firm as Head of Content. She’s worked with brands across technology, property, and health—including Microsoft, Mirvac, and Healthscope—helping them craft compelling narratives and connect with audiences in meaningful ways. A skilled copywriter and long-time freelance writer, her work has appeared in news.com.au, Mamamia, and Kidspot, and she’s shaped brand messaging for Uber, Optus, and Woolworths.

    Missy holds a Bachelor of Communications and returned to university in 2020 to complete her Master in Writing, Editing, and Publishing. Now a PhD candidate at the University of Queensland, she’s researching artificial intelligence and its impact on creative writing.

    At Mainstay Media, Missy’s approach is guided by humour, authenticity, and a deep instinct for finding the heart of every story.

It's easy to see why the next release at GemLife Gold Coast already has a lengthy waitlist. The upcoming launch of 143 homes—the first to be released in ten months at the sought-after over-50s resort in Pimpama on the Gold Coast—follows
Sunrise and sunset 🌅 It was great to see the under-construction $140 million @lamer_mainbeach apartments on the Gold Coast featured in the @gcbulletin over the weekend. @jameselliott_otpgroup, who is managing the project's sales, explains why the u
Our Co-Founder Missy Burrell was working in social before social was even a ‘thing’. From directing a national newsroom, to managing digital strategies for some of Australia’s biggest television shows, and shaping content strategi
We love spreading the word about new projects that are set to deliver much needed housing 🏠 As one of Townsville's first planned land lease developments since the 1970s, the proposed 292-home lifestyle community by Living Gems is just that. The f

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