Effective communication is vital to the success of any business. I started KO Communications and consulting to help clients achieve their communication goals. I have decades of experience working for established companies, agencies, and startups in nearly every industry. I work with clients to understand their needs and create tailored solutions for their unique challenges. Recently, I've been working with companies in the AI, cybersecurity and DevOps spaces as well as a nonprofit. Whether you… Show more Effective communication is vital to the success of any business. I started KO Communications and consulting to help clients achieve their communication goals. I have decades of experience working for established companies, agencies, and startups in nearly every industry. I work with clients to understand their needs and create tailored solutions for their unique challenges. Recently, I've been working with companies in the AI, cybersecurity and DevOps spaces as well as a nonprofit. Whether you want to improve your messaging strategy, gain media exposure or analyst mindshare, increase employee engagement, or streamline your communication processes, I'm here to help! Show less

Managed tier-one media strategy and opportunities for CEO Michael Dell and other C, top-level executives/spokespeople; also responsible for tier-one media strategy, spokesperson training, counsel and storytelling across the company from gaming and PCs to the cloud/datacenter and across all markets (consumer, SMB and enterprise). Previous roles include overseeing the entire PR team and agency for Dell’s multi-billion-dollar Enterprise Product Group including datacenter, client and… Show more Managed tier-one media strategy and opportunities for CEO Michael Dell and other C, top-level executives/spokespeople; also responsible for tier-one media strategy, spokesperson training, counsel and storytelling across the company from gaming and PCs to the cloud/datacenter and across all markets (consumer, SMB and enterprise). Previous roles include overseeing the entire PR team and agency for Dell’s multi-billion-dollar Enterprise Product Group including datacenter, client and product reviews. Analyst relations for the company's client computing division. Managing the launch and communications strategy for the corporate venture practice--Dell Technologies Capital. Crisis management and being the designated contact for the company’s media helpline among several other roles and responsibilities.Recipient of the Dell Chairman Award twice (annual CEO recognition awarded to top 1% of 170,000 global team members). Show less

Effectively developed and managed the corporate communications team for Sony’s gaming division and regularly secured positive media and blog coverage as well as analyst mindshare and research for the PlayStation line of products and services. Also responsible for internal and executive communications.Created a new corporate communications team from the ground up months before the company’s most important product launch—PLAYSTATION 3.Secured regular, positive media coverage… Show more Effectively developed and managed the corporate communications team for Sony’s gaming division and regularly secured positive media and blog coverage as well as analyst mindshare and research for the PlayStation line of products and services. Also responsible for internal and executive communications.Created a new corporate communications team from the ground up months before the company’s most important product launch—PLAYSTATION 3.Secured regular, positive media coverage, profiles and hardware reviews in numerous top tier media outlets including BusinessWeek, Fortune, Newsweek, The New York Times, Reuters, TIME, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and WIRED; facilitated high-profile broadcast coverage including CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, CNBC, CNN, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Fox News and The Today Show.Successfully managed numerous corporate issues and crises such as Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD, lawsuits, a perceived lack of development support and numerous changes to product specifications, launch timing (delayed three times) and pricing. Show less

Teamed with the global communications team and senior executives to develop and implement strategic PR programs and events that enhanced the company’s business press profile and helped propel its consumer brand.Responsible for switching, wireless, security and the company's launch into consumer/home networking.Placed positive feature stories in several top-tier media outlets including Associated Press, BusinessWeek, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Reuters, San Jose… Show more Teamed with the global communications team and senior executives to develop and implement strategic PR programs and events that enhanced the company’s business press profile and helped propel its consumer brand.Responsible for switching, wireless, security and the company's launch into consumer/home networking.Placed positive feature stories in several top-tier media outlets including Associated Press, BusinessWeek, Good Housekeeping, The New York Times, Reuters, San Jose Mercury News, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal; facilitated high profile broadcast coverage including Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Regis & Kelly and The Today Show.Organized the industry’s first Home Networking Education Day for press and analysts, hosted by Cisco/Linksys, BestBuy, Intel, Maxtor, Symantec and others.Managed a multi-vendor CEO press and analyst event to announce an industry initiative designed to provide enterprise customers better network security products and solutions. Show less

Managed global communications for one of the first digital music startups; responsible for internal and external global communications, including analyst relations, as well as CEO and executive communications; handled event planning and implementation, product launches, tradeshows, announcements with record labels and musicians as well as partner/retail activities.Devised messaging and strategic media and analyst relations programs to build awareness of the company’s digital music… Show more Managed global communications for one of the first digital music startups; responsible for internal and external global communications, including analyst relations, as well as CEO and executive communications; handled event planning and implementation, product launches, tradeshows, announcements with record labels and musicians as well as partner/retail activities.Devised messaging and strategic media and analyst relations programs to build awareness of the company’s digital music products and services which competed against bigger companies including Microsoft and Real NetworksComposed and distributed three to five press releases a week announcing new digital music content, products, partnerships with major and independent record labels and affiliate agreements with retailers worldwide. Acted as corporate spokesperson at a variety of events and tradeshows and regarding numerous industry issues including digital music piracy, competitive announcements, shareholder lawsuits and a hostile takeover; prepared the CEO and other key executives for various proactive and reactive print and broadcast interviews. Managed PR for Napster’s first technology agreement and rollout of their new legal digital music service. Proactively placed numerous positive feature stories in business press, broadcast, and trade journals, including Billboard, BusinessWeek, C|NET, CNN, Fortune, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, NPR, PC Magazine, San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal. Show less

Successfully managed press and analyst relations programs designed to raise awareness and facilitate momentum of Microsoft's developer platform and services, including application server technologies, web standards and Windows DNA.Served as primary spokesperson on key developer announcements and issues.Maintained ongoing communication with top-tier trade press and the industry analyst community to increase mindshare for the company’s developer technologies.Recognized and… Show more Successfully managed press and analyst relations programs designed to raise awareness and facilitate momentum of Microsoft's developer platform and services, including application server technologies, web standards and Windows DNA.Served as primary spokesperson on key developer announcements and issues.Maintained ongoing communication with top-tier trade press and the industry analyst community to increase mindshare for the company’s developer technologies.Recognized and leveraged media opportunities; proactively shaped themes, story lines, coverage, and timing.Cultivated positive relationships with 20+ leading industry analysts to ensure inclusion in reports and positive media quotes. Show less

Developed and implemented media relations programs and services to support the corporate PR department. Responded to general and deadline inquiries from the media and analyst community. At the company for three different CEOs including the Steve Jobs return, iMac launch and Think Different ad campaign.Responsible for editing and distributing all of Apple’s press releases over the newswire including quarterly earnings. Facilitated numerous corporate product briefings and… Show more Developed and implemented media relations programs and services to support the corporate PR department. Responded to general and deadline inquiries from the media and analyst community. At the company for three different CEOs including the Steve Jobs return, iMac launch and Think Different ad campaign.Responsible for editing and distributing all of Apple’s press releases over the newswire including quarterly earnings. Facilitated numerous corporate product briefings and launches.Functioned as Webmaster and primary contact for Apple’s media and analyst webpages (www.apple.com/pr); created virtual online pressrooms to support major events and announcements. Also responsible for Media Helpline.Managed broadcast/B-roll process and satellite media tours for U.S. and International media.Coordinated photo shoots for executives, new products and cover stories; main contact for all photography requests. Show less