Eric Villines / MWW Group Technology Practice Chair
This was my baby!
Eric has over fifteen years of experience in PR, and has not only managed PR programs for some of the most recognizable brands in the world – but also some really cool start-ups. Eric’s geekiness for all things tech started at a very young age when he learned how to animate bad words in BASIC on his Commodore 64. At 18, he ran a Bulletin Board Service in San Francisco (that’s BBS y’all) devoted to movies. In his 20’s he developed some of the first, national online film promotions with both AOL and CompuServe (remember when that was online?!). More recently, he’s won several prestigious awards for helping one of the largest Mobile/Telco companies in the world develop a “Social Media” newsroom to better connect with media online.
Eric has spent most of his adult life working in a combination of entertainment, consumer electronics and technology. This is probably why his major area of interest is digital content. More specifically: content rights (DRM), content delivery (e.g., Internet, IPTV) , and content consumption (both mobile and digital living room).
His take on 21st Century PR: There are a million things you could be doing to connect with customers and consumers. Best advice: Do what makes sense and stay away from what doesn’t. Create a plan and stick with it — but leave room for a little experimentation (i.e., 10% not 90%). Finally, be prepared to make mistakes. Just make them quickly, own up to them, and move on.
Bob Silver / MWW Group Seattle
Alex Bie / MWW Group San Francisco
Alex’s role includes research and writing, event planning, managing editorial calendar, speaking and award programs for technology companies and consumer brands.
Prior to MWW, Alex worked with a range of high profile clients such as Pacific Gas & Electric, IMG, and Louis Vuitton US. Additionally, his public relations background includes special events PR for non-profit clients such as the Stanford Cancer Center, Global Green USA, and Voto Latino.
Alex graduated from the University of San Francisco with a B.S. in Business Marketing. Not afraid of the outdoors, Alex loves to travel and explore all that California’s state parks and coasts has to offer.
Bridget Boland / MWW Group Seattle
Bridget is an Associate Account Executive, working in media relations—particularly within the digital media space—at MWW Group. In addition to working with international consumer brands such as Motorola, Aveda and Adidas, she has worked with the Washington Wine Commission, Indymac Bank, Giant Campus, D.A. Davidson & Co., Blackhawk Network and early-stage tech companies such as Picnik, Melodeo, Artefact, Recombo and Veotag.
Bridget graduated with a B.A. in Public Relations from the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University. Prior to MWW Group, Bridget worked at a boutique PR agency in London where she worked with celebrity, fashion and beauty brands.
Outside work, Bridget enjoys spending time with her friends and family, traveling, practicing Bikram Yoga and trying to learn how to cook (or just making messes in the kitchen).
Katie McFadzean / MWW Group Seattle
Throughout her career in PR, Katie has worked with a variety of industries including financial services, consumer interest, tourism, real estate and technology. Some of her current and previous clients include D.A. Davidson, Artefact, Hubspan, ShareBuilder, Adecco and Amazon.com.
Katie earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University. Before joining MWW Group, she was a member of the communications team at Pacific Northwest National Laboratories where her writing was published in a variety of internal and external laboratory magazines and newsletters.
When she’s not at work, Katie is happiest when she is traveling, watching her beloved Washington State Cougars win, running half (not full) marathons, spending time with friends and family or enjoying a glass of wine.
Leanne Miller / MWW Group Seattle
Leanne is responsible for strategic planning and executing media relations programs for technology companies, consumer brands, wine regions and local start-ups.
In her past life, Leanne was in New York working with a variety of technology brands, regional and national tourism and hospitality accounts, and publicly-traded sports and restaurant companies.
A grad of the University of Oregon (go Ducks!) Leanne is a member of the Auction Committee for Girls on the Run Puget Sound, has a serious love for all things travel and is a budding wine aficionado.
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