I'm a right-brained entrepreneur and singer-songwriter who's also a left-brained businesswoman with a long career in P.R. and marketing. I particularly love helping start-ups get off the ground and fledgling organizations to take wing. In the last few years, I've been a virtual CMO, helping a start-up establish its brand and footprint in the telecom industry. I'm also a singer-songwriter and love using my talent for writing songs to help non-profits raise awareness and funds. After releasing a CD of original songs, I created the music publisher Songnificant (Songnificant.com) where you can hear my music.I've been a VP at three companies: Piper Jaffray, the worldwide P.R. agency Fleishman Hillard, and Dexma, a technology start-up now owned by Accenture. I've been around the block a few times, handling deep and diverse topics in technology, healthcare and financial services. I know how to develop and implement strategies that help companies gain greater visibility and credibility with their key audiences. I've taught the 'new rules' of doing P.R. and marketing online, including using content in its many forms - website content, news releases, articles, blogs, social media, etc.“Maria Verven is one of the few professionals I know who has deep understanding of both P.R. and marketing. She thinks both strategically and creatively - this is rare; most of us fall strongly one way or the other. Lastly, Maria is a very nice person, and yet she is tough as nails. Maria is good, and then some. I've worked with her for over 20+ years. I recommend her without reservation.” -- David Therkelsen, former professor, U of MNSpecialties: P.R., public relations, strategic marketing and communications planning, reputation management, media relations, marketing communications, inbound marketing, web marketing, Internet marketing, PR for IT companies, website development, website content, social media strategy, social media marketing, blogging, SEO, search engine optimization