Matt Hicks Email & Phone Number

Founded a strategic communications consultancy that prepares tech leaders and their companies for their next stage of growth. I've lived through change and scaling at some of Silicon Valley’s biggest brands, and I know that the most successful transitions start with clear-cut, inspiring communication from the top. Together with CEOs and leadership teams, I define their bigger purpose, put it into action, and build strategies to rally stakeholders around where they’re going next. I typically work with leaders during transitions such as IPO preparations, category creations, market expansions, acquisition integrations and rebrands.Current and past clients include Parallel Bio, Jiko, JigSpace, and Maze

New York City, New York, Us

Executive leader spearheading global communications strategy and execution as a part of Marketing leadership. Ensured coherent and consistent corporate narrative across external and internal audiences, leading the teams responsible for PR, AR, internal communications, and social media across Europe and the US. Secured and developed, together with my team, company-defining media coverage in Forbes, CNBC, Bloomberg TV, Protocol, TechCrunch, VentureBeat and Reuters to advance US brand recognition.

San Francisco, California, Us

Served as senior advisor to the CEO on communications, messaging/positioning and strategic projects. Played key role in the positioning of quarterly earnings, developing shareholder letter and narrative with executives and IR teams. Developed narratives and content for CEO speeches and public appearances, as well as corporate transactions and issues. Advised broader executive and marketing teams on messaging and communications initiatives .

San Francisco, California, Us

Built and led a global team of 25 covering corporate communications and PR, content marketing, corporate events, marketing research and brand marketing. Responsible for corporate messaging and positioning as well as brand awareness and corporate reputation. Work closely with CEO and executive leadership on corporate narrative, earnings and financial communications, brand and corporate profile, and thought leadership.

San Francisco, California, Us

Led communications and PR strategy and execution in preparation for the company's IPO and through the event, before being promoted to corporate marketing VP. Oversaw media relations and communications strategy for all product launches, corporate news, crises management and company profiles as part of the marketing leadership. Built out a new communications function and served as a key partner with CEO, General Counsel and executive team in IPO process--from developing positioning and messaging, training executive spokespeople, and creating communciations processes and policies for being a public company.

Served as a strategic consultant and advisory board member for tech startups and brand clients, counseling on social media and communications strategy. Also spoke at industry and client events on related issues. Clients included:• Zuckerberg Media (formerly R to Z Media), the social marketing and production company from Randi Zuckerberg, to help launch the company and manage social media projects with the Clinton Global Initiative and Cirque de Soleil. Served on its advisory board.• Chegg, the online textbook rental and college services site, for a project with the CMO and internal marketing team to develop a new social media strategy.

Helped build the Facebook communications team as its third member. Roles included: • 2007-2009: Directed business and advertising communications and worked with top executives to position Facebook as essential for marketers and consumers through media and blogger relations, speaking engagements and product launches. Also led initial international growth and political outreach, and helped manage crisis communications, policy issues, and US and Europe PR agencies.• 2009-2011: Led company’s social media and content strategy for public communications channels—including the Facebook Blog, official Facebook Page and Twitter account—reaching millions every day. Helped launched Facebook Stories, a campaign to retell user stories, and led ongoing story development for consumer press. Advised teams across the company on social media practices, and managed in-house team of 3 along with outside freelancers and agency resources.

San Francisco, Ca, Us

Supervised 3-4 accounts, overseeing all aspects of PR programs for Internet and digital media clients. Led strategic direction and messaging/positioning, served as daily executive contact and managed client budgets. Drove execution of programs ranging from product/company launches and media relations to speaker programs and influencer marketing campaigns. Served on agency management team and helped to mentor 5 junior staff. Clients: Atom Entertainment, Kaboodle, Pinger, Topix.net

New York, Ny, Us

Managed full scope of PR campaigns and activities for Internet and digital media clients--most notably, the launch of YouTube. Developed and executed PR plans and strategies; conducted messaging/ positioning; media trained executives; and counseled on issue management. In this first PR role, fostered relationships across a broad set of business, tech, entertainment and consumer media, while honing my skills at writing press releases, statements, pitches and speaking abstracts; developing media lists; leading awards and events programs; and managing 2 junior staff. Clients: Alien Technology, FeedBurner, Pump Audio, YouTube

New York, New York, Us

Directed and edited online news coverage for Ziff Davis’ national technology sites, including eWEEK.com, following a promotion in 2005. Helped manage freelancers, coordinate with copy desk and prioritize stories. Also led coverage on Internet technologies and about major companies such as Google, Yahoo and Microsoft.

Washington, Dc, Us

Selected for the American Political Science Association’s highly competitive Congressional Fellowship Program for Journalists. Served as legislative assistant for Congressman, advising him on technology, media ownership, energy and immigration issues; spearheading legislation and legislative strategies; and representing him with constituents and lobbyists.

Salem, Or, Us