PR, brand and marketing communications specialist

MARK BUTTON San Diego, CA ***** 408-***-****

www.markbutton.info

ac2hto@r.postjobfree.com

SENIOR PR, BRANDING AND COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE

“Mark is a walking creative brain.

He was thinking outside the box before

the term was even invented, and never fails to

surprise with his inspired insights and ideas.”

“A born communicator, Mark must be a joy to

work with for his clients... He treats media

contacts such as myself with unwavering

professionalism and attention to detail.”

one of the most creative and innovative

people I've had the pleasure of working with

“a highly-regarded PR professional with

exceptional account services skills and flawless

execution.”

PROFESSIONAL PR EXPERIENCE

PR CONSULTANT AND STRATEGIST Freelance Portland, OR, Berkeley, CA and San Diego, CA 1/13 – 7/14 and 6/15 – present I currently manage my own consulting service offering strategic brand development and communications services to a variety of consumer and technology clients and agencies, including Liberty Communications, mdg, Agency Brazil, Jama Software, ieCrowd, DietSensor, Tribogenics, Naked Food Magazine, The Strawberry Fields Project, Parker Hannifin, the Young Presidents Organization, and Sanaria. I work as an extension of the client’s team on strategy, planning, content creation, outreach and reporting. Highlights include:

Successful launch of Jama Software into the semiconductor and embedded systems market.

Launching the award-winning Naked Food Magazine, working with celebrities including Kristen Bell, Jason Mraz, Laura Prepon and Melissa Etheridge.

Successfully launching ieCrowd, an innovation commercialization company that leverages crowd financing to develop and market life- changing consumer and research health technologies.

Directing record-breaking PR campaign for Kite Mosquito Patch, a technology that prevents mosquitoes from spreading diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Grey Frandsen, ieCrowd CMO, commented, “The best media man I’ve ever worked with.”

Provided senior level consultancy and counsel to Liberty Communications' AI, robotics, ad-tech and mobile technology clients, including GENBAND/Kandy, DooAp, FutureDial, Thinkware, Starship and Blis Media.

Provided senior level consultancy and content generation for mdg clients, including WPA/SuperZoo, PCBC, ABC Children's Expo, and NPE2018.

VICE PRESIDENT, TECHNOLOGY PRACTICE Weber Shandwick San Francisco, CA 7/14 – 5/15 Top global PR and communications firm Weber Shandwick has a lean technology group of ten in the Bay Area, and recruited me to oversee key client accounts including Netgear, Gigamon, OneRoof Energy and Global Logic. I drove strategy, planning, operations, P&L and reporting. Also part of the executive steering committee that worked on revamping company mentoring programs and enabling multi-discipline teams to stimulate organic account growth. Managed team of seven across $1m business.

Directed launch of Netgear’s Arlo wireless HD camera product line including highly successful CES 2015 pre-launch demos and events.

Stepped in as interim Director of Communications for Gigamon, working in their office two days a week with their CMO, CTO and CEO to drive product and communications strategy and planning.

Media-trained SolarCity executives at the Sales and Customer Account Management headquarters in Las Vegas.

DIRECTOR / CO-OWNER Impress Labs San Jose, CA and Portland, OR 1/07 – 12/12 Impress Labs is a global branding, marketing and communications agency specializing in semiconductor manufacturing, green technology, solar and life sciences. Recruited as a partner to drive the core PR offering and oversee client services. During my tenure, we expanded to five offices spanning the US, the UK and Taiwan, and added creative, brand development and social media services including collateral and marcomms, social media, design, production, cause marketing, branding and launch activities for companies such as Sigma-Aldrich, SAFC Hitech, Dow Electronic Materials, OmniVision, Deca Technologies, Micrel, SolarWorld, ATMI, ASM, ASML, Affymetrix, InforMEX and UBM Live.

Increased billings, taking one client from $7.5K to $30K monthly, which paved the way for agency expansion. Led expansion into Life Sciences in addition to Technology practices. Grew revenues tenfold in six years to $2.5M

In 2010, created a new ahead-of-its-time ‘opt-in’ content strategy for two clients using microsites bolted onto client sites.

Headed up SolarWorld campaign, working with the awesome Larry Hagman, to promote domestic solar.

Awards: PRSA Copper Anvil Award 2007 for SAFC Hitech brand development and launch. PR News Platinum Awards, Honorable Mention 2011 for SAFC Live social media hub and blog, Honorable Mention 2012 for Deca Technologies brand development and launch.

DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES Positio PR San Jose, CA 3/04 – 12/06 Positio was a PR agency for high-tech semiconductor and microcontroller equipment clients in Silicon Valley, including ZiLOG, Cimetrix, Amkor and SPTS. My role was to oversee all client services, planning, strategy, operations, billing and reporting, and to ensure we were delivering results and exceeding client expectations.

Built the foundation of my US network of editorial contacts and industry analysts.

Optimized new business and organic growth in existing clients.

ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Ridgemount PR London, UK 3/02 – 2/04 Ridgemount specialized in B2B PR for companies in construction and electronics, with clients like Pirelli, KeyNote Market Research and Solaglas. Directed client operations and branded my PR expertise into construction, market research and corporate PR.

Grew Federation of Master Builders, Solaglas and Pirelli accounts 20% YOY. Launched a quarterly online publication for FMB, showcasing projects and working with celebrity property experts providing guest editorial. Ran the highly successful FMB Master Builder of the Year Awards event. Supported FMB lobbying around construction industry issues.

Launched Pirelli Firefix eco-friendly, fire-resistant cabling to mass market.

SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER Le Fevre Communications London, UK 8/99 – 3/02 I joined the technology account management team supporting clients including British Telecom, BT Cellnet (now called O2) and Blackberry. Managed three junior account managers, planned campaigns and coverage, identified opportunities and developed my network of key influencers.

At the client’s request, was seconded to BT’s London headquarters for 12 months to oversee PR around brand development, service launch and rollout of BTopenworld, BT’s high-speed internet service (ADSL). Developed early-release program for rollout of ADSL, engaging journalists, media presenters, technology analysts, musicians and lifestyle gurus, which garnered incredible coverage. Launched 2.5G mobile in the UK with BTCellnet. Launched Blackberry into UK market.

Promoted website of rock band Marillion, with one of the first methods to make music digitally available direct to fans. Supported early crowdfunding campaigns in 2000 to raise money for the ‘Marillion.com’ album and U.S. tour.

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER ClaraNET Limited London, UK 7/98 – 8/99 ClaraNET was two years old and the largest independent ISP in the UK when I was hired to establish a PR function in the marketing department. Handled media relations, generated media opportunities and commentary on regulatory and industry issues. Grew ClaraNET’s media profile and contacts, and put together positioning, key messaging, media collateral, FAQs and press kits.

Generated $1M in coverage on a $40K annual budget and raised the visibility of the CEO as an independent thought leader in the new internet economy. Launched ClaraNET to trade media with an open house event, tour and Q&A session. Supported the launch of sister companies ClaraNET France and FreeUK.

PR EXECUTIVE / EVENTS Chartered Institute of Public Relations London UK 6/96 – 7/98 This is the membership body for the public relations industry in the UK. I handled media relations for the Institute, news releases, managed the CIPR website and worked on a wide range of events, national conferences and annual awards.

Created and organized high-profile ‘Meet the Editors’ series of monthly events that helped reposition CIPR as current and relevant and led to an uptick in younger members.

Set topics and pitched and booked influential speakers, panelists and celebrity speakers including George Stephanopolous and Toyah Willcox. Worked with sponsors, created promotional materials and managed logistics. Developed ‘Spotlight on Skills’ monthly series on PR vocational topics.

EDUCATION

B.A. (HONS), PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS STUDIES Leeds Beckett University UK INTERNATIONAL MARKETING DIPLOMA International Business School, Hanzehogeschool van Groningen Netherlands

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

I’m a keen cyclist and runner. I enjoy travel, adventure and outdoor activities. I love soccer, college football and Formula 1 racing. I play drums and compose music, am an aficionado of fine ales and love to cook. Proud dad to son Max and husband to Lauren.

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