It's an unfortunate reality: bad things happen to good companies. And for companies that aren't prepared, things can get worse -- quickly and irreparably. In working with hundreds of companies across multiple industries, I've found that most companies want to respond the right way to a crisis, but they don't have the principles, procedures and protocols in place to ensure an effective response. Put simply - they don't have a plan.You wouldn't start a business without a plan. You wouldn't raise capital without a plan, so why would you risk your company's reputation, valuation and ability to operate without a plan?Most start-ups haven't invested in crisis communications. They have other priorities - growth, sales, profitability, sustainability. But once they've built something of value, it's time to protect it. That's why I founded Big Sky Crisis Communications -- to provide the innovators, the revolutionaries and the pioneers with premium crisis preparation and response services. Big Sky is singularly focused on helping the great technology companies of tomorrow protect their most valuable assets from the damage a crisis can cause. If you have too much to lose, contact Big Sky (www.BigSkyCrisisCommunications.com) to see how we can help.

Perceptual Advisors is a full stack brand strategy, marketing communications and public affairs firm that works exclusively with Founders, Funders, Entrepreneurs and Disruptors. Every member of the team is a senior executive -- there is no delegation to inexperienced junior personnel. We are trusted advisors to C-suite executives; we are a high-impact advisory firm; we roll up our sleeves and do the work ourselves.

Provided strategic corporate reputation, issues management and crisis communications counsel to both established and emerging companies across multiple industries- Counseled C-suite executives on corporate communications, issues management, crisis, media relations, visibility and stakeholder outreach efforts- Drafted communications plans and recommendations that reflected multiple constituencies, including employees, customers, policymakers and investors- Provided financial communications guidance and support, including M&A transactions, IPOs, quarterly earnings, annual reports and shareholder meetings- Led multiple crisis response projects, including regulatory investigations, executive transitions, cyber security and litigation- Developed crisis communications plans and simulations for clients across multiple industries/sectors- Integrated primary and secondary research to deliver data-driven communications programs and results- Utilized social media platforms to effectively monitor, reach and engage myriad stakeholders

​Led consumer, technology and clean tech accounts including account development, client relationship management, strategic client counsel, staff recruitment and retention, and new business development- Provided strategic communications counsel to a wide range of senior-level management at corporate and consumer clients on topics including integrated public relations planning, crisis/issues management, traditional and social media outreach and public affairs-Implemented PR strategies that delivered meaningful results through both proactive and reactive tactics- Increased positive consumer media coverage and social media results for large consumer tech client - Led efforts to secure broad national coverage for multiple campaigns, including a multicultural marketing effort that was a finalist for a national SABRE award- Led team that won national and regional PRSA Silver Anvil recognition - Drafted executive-level materials that included speeches, by-lines, analyst presentations, press releases and media statements

Key member of the global corporate relations team responsible for developing and implementing communications programs that distinguished Visa as a leading financial services and technology provider, enhanced the perception of Visa among key stakeholders and helped inoculate the company against reputational risks- Provided communications counsel to senior management and developed strategies for all functional areas of Visa’s payments business: Product, Technology/Systems, Innovation, Marketing, Risk, Sales, Customer Service, Finance, Strategy, Interchange and Pricing- Played a leading role in communication efforts for significant corporate initiatives, including Visa’s IPO, joint ventures, product and technology launches, executive personnel changes, organizational changes, new global advertising campaigns, restructuring, corporate governance changes and proxy solicitation efforts- Managed communication initiatives to mitigate reputation risk among key stakeholders as part of public affairs and issues management team; Played a significant role in nearly every crisis that affected Visa and its stakeholders; key topics included data compromises, litigation and settlement, industry regulation, global economic recession, consumer debt, pricing and interchange, natural disasters, product recalls- Developed materials (speeches, key messages, FAQs) and provided counsel for C-suite and executive management that aligned communications with business objectives- Managed multiple agencies with high-six figure budget- Developed, edited and published the ​Visa Business Review​, the primary technical publication used by Visa’s 14,000 clients to manage their payment card business

Developed and executed communication programs that demonstrate Autodesk’s value to the company’s core audiences- Created and maintained cross-divisional understanding of complex technologies, issues and trends that affected Autodesk and its competitors- Developed strategy for FY 05 public relations plan, product launch plan, product review program and speaker’s bureau as interim PR manager of Autodesk Collaboration Services—a strategic business division within Autodesk- Provided regular counsel on communication strategy to product managers, directors and executives- Secured coverage in 100% of Autodesk target industries: building and construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing, technology- Managed public relations agencies in U.S. and United Kingdom to secure positive results in media relations and speaker’s bureau programs- Implemented programs that supported communications and marketing goals including: quarterly media analysis program, product review program, speaker’s bureau, partner certification program, customer leverage program, strategic alliance program

Manage account activities to insure achievement of measurable public relations and marketing objectives for financial services and technology clients.Accomplishments:- Improved regional and trade media coverage 25-75% during first six months on client accounts- Increased number of industry analyst briefings by 50%- Developed positioning platform; tested results with target customers to ensure effective messaging- Developed public relations plans that mapped to clients' business objectives- Drafted and edited newsletter for financial services client- Provided counsel to clients for communication strategies and initiatives- Developed and updated corporate collateral including fact sheets, bios, sales sheets and client testimonials- Coordinated direct mail trade show promotion that drove over 1000 targeted customers to booth

Supervise proactive media and analyst relations initiatives, customer reference program and speaker’s bureau as part of comprehensive public relations program- Developed and managed proactive media relations program that established relationships and drove coverage in leading technology trade publications including ​Infoworld, InformationWeek, eWeek, Computerworld, CIO​, and InternetWeek- Served as West Coast representative for strategic business media program with responsibility for maintaining relationships with ​San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News, Red Herring, Upside, The Industry Standard and​ Business 2.0- Secured briefings and set up analyst tours and with GartnerGroup, Forrester, Yankee Group, Aberdeen, IDC, Giga Information Group, Meta Group, and Jupiter. Maintained information delivery program to keep analysts updated on client news- Managed customer reference program that increased customer participation by 40%- Managed speaking bureau program that secured speaking engagements at key industry events- Managed recruitment, hiring, orientation, training and evaluation for over 50 entry-level candidates