Michael Volpe Email & Phone Number

Carlsbad, Us

Supervise brand marketing team with focus on cultivating brand love, loyalty, and cultural relevance through branding, marketing, and communication initiatives. Steer strategic brand licensing collaborations and marketing partnerships with industry giants, such as Marvel/Disney, Blizzard Entertainment, Activision, Ubisoft, tokidoki, and Amazon Studios/Fallout TV series. Head social media initiatives, influencer marketing, brand partnerships, eSport sponsorships, and product placements.Increased 15% female conversions in 2023 as well as facilitated expansion of brand into female and unisex public relations offerings by directing comprehensive rebranding initiative, transitioning from previous gamer-only branding to more inclusive and diverse identity.Revamped PR strategy to achieve remarkable 200% increase in brand mentions and garnered 1.5B+ (UMVs) in 2023 by adopting comprehensive approach, involving product reviews, previews, and C-Suite thought leader content.Drove development of creative briefs, collaborated with creative team, and oversaw work from conceptualization through launch.Steer strategic brand licensing collaborations and marketing partnerships with industry giants.Executed detailed primary/secondary market research for new product marketing opportunities, synthesizing data into opportunity analyses and recommending directions for new products and technologies.Identified new IP license opportunities for $1.5 million new product line growth in 2024.Managed the product management and marketing process for new product lines, resulting in a 25% revenue increase.Drove messaging and execution of go-to-market product strategies, resulting in significant funnel growth and new customer wins.Directed the development of a new corporate DTC website and oversaw a comprehensive rebranding initiative.

Irvine, Ca, Us

Supported channel and retail partner activations by utilizing creative, social media, influencer and esports partnerships, owned channels, sales, e-commerce, public relations, and marketing collateral. Negotiated brand partnerships with major game developers, leading to co-branded activations in US, LATAM, and Australia markets by collaborating with Electronic Arts, Wargaming, and Blizzard Entertainment. Led team of six direct reports as well as managed all aspects of marketing including trade show logistics, product marketing, graphic design, and web design.• Ensured successful launch of key technology and gaming hardware in highly competitive consumer electronics market by creating and implementing branding, marketing, and communications strategies.• Pioneered experiential trade show strategies, and elevated brand awareness within channel partners and end users at prominent events such as CES, TwitchCon, PAX, SIGGRAPH, CEDIA, and GDC.• Achieved 2.5B UMVs coverage and secured over 500 product reviews, placements in best-of-lists, gift guides, and inclusion in product roundups.• Launched 250 technology products, leveraged cost-effective go-to-market strategies across multiple market verticals, and sustained sales efforts. • Earned promotion from Marketing Manager to Director of Marketing by demonstrating exceptional performance.

Irvine, Ca, Us

Overseeing all marketing and public relations efforts for IOGEAR and Kaliber Gaming brands including esports, influencer marketing and event marketing.

Irvine, Ca, Us

Supported team of eight direct account members and provided strategic guidance for day-to-day client management. Conducted market research and analysis to identify trends, consumer behaviors, and competitive landscapes. Defined brand goals, values, and positioning in alignment with business objectives by collaborating with clients.Clients include Toyo Tires, JVC Smart TV, Advantech Inc., Adventist Health, PriceSpider, Concierge Key Health, Carepoynt

Lake Forest, Ca, Us

Responsibilities included consumer product strategy, brand positioning, media relations, crisis management, executive communications, social media marketing strategy, and agency/vendor services.Key Achievements:Developed and managed multiple successful PR initiatives supporting consumer technology products and video game launches over seven years to raise brand awareness end to end. Managed teams of three to four PR and marketing specialists.Served as Media Relations Manager for Warner Bros. Interactive titles Batman Arkham Knight and Mortal Kombat X generating PR placements, social media content, and new media relationships; generated over 5,000 positive sentiment mentions over an 11-month period following Batman Arkham Knight’s two delays. Notable hits include placements with Entertainment Weekly, Wired, and Penthouse MagazineSpearheaded YouTube campaign with influencers Smosh Games for Mortal Kombat X with resulting video receiving full promotion across channels with 6 million YouTube subscribers, 10 million Twitter followers, and 1 million unique visitors per month on Smosh.com; 3.4 million views in six day periodClients included Microsoft, Warner Bros. Interactive, Electronic Arts, DIRECTV, TRX Training, Ayzenberg Group, The Brand Amp, Kabam Games, Genotaur Inc., Nimbus Games, Salus Homecare, Atari SA, THQ

Costa Mesa, California, Us

Consumer product and sports marketing public relations agency where I provided in-house services as part of the account team. Areas of expertise include consumer product strategy, brand positioning, media relations, crisis management, executive communications, and social media. Responsibilities include media relations, influencer relationships, and social media community management. Key Achievements: Successfully planned and executed a PR launch strategies for 20 consumer products in 2016 across three industries including consumer electronics, automotive, and fitness.  Led a team of 5 account managers across four high profile accounts Pitched and managed PR/social campaign for Audience Sports with Jets player Brandon Marshall on location for Super Bowl 51 with 56 placements generating 105K media impressions and an estimated ad $9M. Built a community of over 100,000 followers across several social channels in less than a year for luxury automaker Karma Automotive, secured exclusive placements in LA Times and Wired MagazineClients included Karma Automotive, Vizio Inc., AT&T/DIRECTV’s Audience Sports channel, TRX Training, ZAGG Inc., Yunteec Aviation

Burbank, Ca, Us

• Boosted Warner Bros. Interactive account by serving as both Media Relations Manager and Account Lead, while overseeing console titles, such as Batman: Arkham Knight and Mortal Kombat X. • Led public relations, managed influencer engagement, and orchestrated brand activations for Rocksteady Studios' Batman: Arkham Knight and Neversoft's Mortal Kombat X.

Los Angeles, California, Us

Advertising and public relations agency specializing in consumer products where I served as an in-house consultant working alongside several agency departments. As an Influencer Outreach Manager, responsibilities included content creation, new media talent acquisition, and strategic counsel. Achievements: Managed a team of 25 community managers across several platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and enthusiast forums for Battlefield 3 launch, Microsoft Xbox One launch and Microsoft Kinect peripheral Community management of channels with audience around 2.5 million for Electronic Arts’ Battlefield franchise on Facebook, Twitter, and forums. Spearheaded ION outreach, agency’s new media affiliated marketing and content creation strategy with bloggers, YouTube creators, and other online influencers as part of ongoing efforts to maximize program success rates Create strategically driven product marketing plans for launch titles and oversee implementation of all tactical components. Additionally, acted as the overall orchestrator of the publishing process for a title, aligning Production/Development, Public Relations, Community, Web, Commerce and other disciplines towards achieving the strategic and financial goals for titles. Media, influencer, and blogger outreach for Electronic Arts video game titles and Microsoft console hardware releases Worked closely with [a] Social, the agency’s social media division, to sync outreach efforts with social media development to drive engagement for clients through strategic messagingProject clients include Microsoft, Electronic Arts Inc., [a] List Games, production company Thousand Pound Action Company, Criterion Games, Mattel Inc., Universal Studios, Crytek Games

I served as the co-chair of communication for the Orange County chapter of the national public relations professional organization, PRSA, managing all of its communication outreach efforts including its Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Irvine, Ca, Us

A Southern California regional business newspaper with circulation about 25,000. As a staff reporter, responsibilities included content creation, special reporting, investigative journalism, weekly columns, and online news stories.

A real estate subscription-based newsletter publisher. As a senior reporter/editor, responsibilities included content creation and overseeing direction for defunct Real Estate Developer newsletter, managing a team of two reporters and copy editor, timetables, and budget.

Bachelor, Modern Literature, Ancient Japanese History

Aa, Literature