Matt Hicks

Matt Hicks Email and Phone Number

Strategic Communications Leader and Founder of Refract Strategies @ Refract Strategies
Matt Hicks's Location
San Francisco, California, United States, United States
About Matt Hicks

A seasoned communications and marketing leader and strategist with broad experience with Internet, social media and software companies, most notably Facebook, Zendesk and YouTube. Dived into tech public relations after an earlier career in journalism and public policy, having covered major Internet companies and serving as a fellow in the U.S. Congress.Specialties: Public relations, social media strategy, public policy, consumer and brand marketing, media relations, writing/editing, content strategy, strategic communications, editorial training

Matt Hicks's Current Company Details
Refract Strategies

Refract Strategies

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Strategic Communications Leader and Founder of Refract Strategies
Matt Hicks Work Experience Details
  • Refract Strategies
    Founder And Ceo
    Refract Strategies Mar 2022 - Present
    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
  • Celonis
    Senior Vice President, Communications And Public Affairs
    Celonis Dec 2020 - Aug 2021
    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.
  • Zendesk
    Vice President And Senior Advisor, Executive Communications For The Ceo
    Zendesk Feb 2017 - Dec 2020
    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 .
  • Zendesk
    Vice President, Corporate Marketing
    Zendesk Oct 2014 - Feb 2017
    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.
  • Zendesk
    Senior Director, Corporate Communications
    Zendesk Mar 2013 - Oct 2014
    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.
  • Multiple
    Marketing And Communications Consultant And Advisor
    Multiple Aug 2011 - Mar 2013
    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.
  • Facebook
    Manager, Corporate Communications
    Facebook Apr 2007 - Apr 2011
    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.
  • Sutherlandgold Group
    Director
    Sutherlandgold Group Mar 2006 - Apr 2007
    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
  • Zeno Group
    Senior Account Executive
    Zeno Group Aug 2005 - Feb 2006
    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
  • Ziff Davis Media
    News Editor, Eweek.Com
    Ziff Davis Media Aug 2003 - Jul 2005
    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.
  • American Political Science Association
    Congressional Fellow
    American Political Science Association Nov 2002 - Aug 2003
    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.
  • Ziff Davis Media
    Senior Writer, Eweek
    Ziff Davis Media May 1999 - Sep 2002
  • Statesman Journal / Gannett
    Staff Writer
    Statesman Journal / Gannett Oct 1997 - Apr 1999
    Salem, Or, Us

Matt Hicks Skills

Media Relations Social Media Marketing Strategic Communications Content Strategy Public Relations Marketing Facebook Strategy Social Media Corporate Communications Blogging Crisis Communications Advertising Journalism Start Ups Public Policy

Matt Hicks Education Details

  • Northwestern University
    Northwestern University
    Journalism

Frequently Asked Questions about Matt Hicks

What company does Matt Hicks work for?

Matt Hicks works for Refract Strategies

What is Matt Hicks's role at the current company?

Matt Hicks's current role is Strategic Communications Leader and Founder of Refract Strategies.

What is Matt Hicks's email address?

Matt Hicks's email address is mh****@****esk.com

What is Matt Hicks's direct phone number?

Matt Hicks's direct phone number is +141544*****

What schools did Matt Hicks attend?

Matt Hicks attended Northwestern University.

What are some of Matt Hicks's interests?

Matt Hicks has interest in Mobile, Stocks (Financial), The Killers (Band), Silicon Valley, Facebook Pages, Skiing, Clean Technology, Education, Facebook Ads, Facebook Platform.

What skills is Matt Hicks known for?

Matt Hicks has skills like Media Relations, Social Media Marketing, Strategic Communications, Content Strategy, Public Relations, Marketing, Facebook, Strategy, Social Media, Corporate Communications, Blogging, Crisis Communications.

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