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Randy Savicky -- Bio

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Brand Journalist | Corporate Storyteller: Senior-level “both sides of the editor’s desk” experience establishes foundation for developing/executing public relations and marketing programs that align company communications with business goals.  Founder/CEO of Strategy+Communications, a PR and marketing agency serving entrepreneurial companies; former senior-level executive in the consumer and technology practices at two Top 10 PR agencies (Edelman and Ruder-Finn); head of PR division at advertising agency; and senior-level trade and daily newspaper journalist.
 
Leadership: Proven track record of developing and executing successful, high-impact programs for companies of all sizes – from startups and early stage companies to the Fortune 500.  Demonstrated “roll up your sleeves” ability to help companies gain increased support from all of the audiences critical to their success.

Business Acumen: As senior vice president in consumer and tech practices at Edelman, managed multi-office staff of 20+ employees and increased multi-million dollar budget for agency’s largest account by 67%.  As executive vice president at ACS Communications, established public relations practice at advertising agency with overall P&L responsibility and increased revenue by 125% annually.  At Ruder-Finn, managed budgets and help grow group revenue by 50%.

Strategic Thinking: As head of Fujifilm account, developed overall public relations and corporate communications program to break down internal silos and reposition company as major competitor to Kodak.  Developed/supervised programs to launch IBM’s first storage software product, Quantum’s first broadcast product and three technology and healthcare companies.

Skill Set for the New PR & Marketing: Senior-level experience as writer and editor provides first-person understanding of how the media works to maximize client media coverage.  Award-winning writing skills ensure highest quality content for traditional, digital and social media – blogs, social networking sites, corporate websites and webinars.

EXPERIENCE

Strategy+Communications, Weston, CT (2002-Current)

Position: Founder/CEO

  • Founder of public relations and marketing agency that blends traditional (public relations, marketing communications, reputation management) with digital (inbound marketing, web content, blogs, SEO) and social media solutions (online reputation, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn)
  • Clients include technology companies (Archion, Cache-A, Weston Software), healthcare companies (Accumedic, Brain Tunnelgenix Technologies), financial services firms (American Express, RSM McGladrey, UBS) and not-for-profit agencies (Beyond the Boroughs, Connecticut Optics and Photonics Association, Inventors Association of Connecticut, The Lost Heroes Art Quilt)
  • Managed budgets to ensure agency profitability/client satisfaction
  • Organize professional staff to ensure most cost-effective, high ROI programs
  • Developed auxiliary programs to extend/strengthen communications initiatives

Major Accomplishments

  • Developed/supervised public relations program to launch IBM’s first storage software product and reposition it as leader in computer storage market, resulting in immediate gain in market share
  • Established communications programs to launch new companies: Brain Tunnelgenix Technologies, a medical device manufacturer; Cache-A, a storage company for the media & entertainment industry; and Weston Software, a cloud computing company
  • Planned/executed overall PR and marketing plan to launch Quantum’s first product for the broadcast and media & entertainment market, immediately positioning the company as a major player
  • Developed content and designed marketing materials for financial services firms, including American Express, RSM McGladrey and UBS, to introduce new business units and services
  • Wrote white papers for Tandberg Data to establish thought leadership position in “green” technology and SMB market
  • Wrote case history on “Video Archiving for Tapeless HD Production” that earned Laureate Award from Computerworld Honors Program®
  • Wrote speeches for Sony and Ford Motors on consumer technology innovation


Edelman Public Relations Worldwide, New York (2000-2002)

Position: Senior Vice President

  • Senior client relationship manager for Fujifilm, agency’s oldest and largest account
  • Senior consultant on Apple, Ericsson and Wyeth-Ayerst accounts
  • Member of Consumer and Technology new business development teams
  • Head of Edelman Editorial Team, focused on content creation for agency clients
  • Developed strategy/supervised execution of all client programs
  • Supervised 20+ person multi-office staff to ensure client satisfaction/agency profitability
  • Managed budgets, grew overall account revenue by 67%
  • Media trained client executives/staff, from CEOs to product managers

Major Accomplishments

  • Developed program for Fujifilm to differentiate company from Kodak and secured major media coverage in Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Fortune, Forbes, BusinessWeek
  • Developed overall corporate program, including umbrella theme and key messages, to break down internal silos at Fujifilm and reposition company as major competitor to Kodak
  • Designed and executed executive communications program for Fujifilm executives, including speech writing and byline articles
  • Developed internal communications program for Fujifilm (“Vision 21”) that focused on company’s long-term future and the mission, strategies and values needed to achieve them
  • Secured Fujifilm as key participant at launch of Microsoft’s Windows XP with Bill Gates at NASDAQ
  • Developed/supervised launch plan and viral marketing event for Barnesandnoble.com’s “Same-Day Delivery” service in New York, which resulted in an immediate 160% increase in orders
  • Winner of Webby Award for Data Storage University, Fujifilm’s interactive e-learning micro site

ACS Communications, Great Neck, NY (1997-2000)

Position: Executive Vice President

  • Established public relations division of advertising agency that specialized in IT channel marketing
  • Member of agency’s executive, new business and Web site development committees
  • Developed strategy/supervised execution of programs for computer distributors (D&H Distributing, Westcon), computer consulting firms (Infinite Technology Group), hardware (Daewoo, Micro Innovations) and software (Fastrack Healthcare Systems, Samson Infotech) accounts  
  • Supervised four person in-house staff and six freelancers
  • Managed budgets, grew billing by more than 125% annually

Major Accomplishments

  • Developed strategy for initial public offering (IPO) of Infinite Technology Group
  • Expanded media coverage of D&H from computer channel trades (Computer Reseller News, VAR Business) to major media (New York Times)
  • Created communications platform for the Film-based Imaging Association (FbIA), an organization that promoted microfilm as document imaging and preservation technology
  • Developed auxiliary channel-focused marketing programs for Westcon and D&H: Web press conferences; educational seminars; newsletters; dealer support programs; trade show support

Ruder-Finn, New York (1995–1997)

Position: Vice President

  • Client relationship manager for consumer and technology accounts (promoted from Account Supervisor)
  • Developed strategy/supervised execution of programs for manufacturers (Ricoh, Bayer, AT&T, Prestone), service firms/associations (Booz-Allen & Hamilton, Computer Horizons, AICPA) and Internet startups (Juno, Viaweb)  
  • Senior consultant on Novartis and Medical Information Management Systems healthcare accounts
  • Worked on-site at AT&T in corporate communications department
  • Co-led new business activities
  • Supervised 10-person staff and outside vendors
  • Managed budgets, held grew client billing by 50%

Major Accomplishments

  • Developed communication strategies for initial public offering (IPO) of New Paradigm Software and its later purchase by IBM as well as Viaweb’s purchase by Yahoo!
  • Developed programs to launch Ricoh’s first digital camera and Novartis’ “One Minute Maalox” Award
  • Secured two USA Today “Snapshots” to celebrate 25th anniversary of Mattel Games’ Uno card game
  • Secured CIO cover story on Standard & Poor’s for Booz-Allen’s IT Group

Geltzer & Company, Inc., New York (1993-1995)

Position: Account Supervisor

  • Supervised account team at Top 50 PR agency (promoted from Senior Account Executive)
  • Helped develop strategy/supervised PR and marketing communications programs for global consumer electronics brands (Sony, Motorola, Samsung) and business-to-business clients (Savin, Applied Business Technology, Intelligent Resources Integrated Systems)
  • Supported new business activities
Major Accomplishments
  • Helped develop strategy/managed program to reposition pagers as consumer product for Motorola
  • Organized press event for opening of Sony’s second U.S. disc manufacturing facility
  • Prepared keynote speech for Sony president at Consumer Electronics Show (CES)
  • Developed, wrote and helped design client newsletters (Sony, Savin, Materials Research Corporation)

PRESENTATIONS

  • Advertising Club of Westchester – Big W Awards: Judge in public relations category (2010 + 2011)
  • Audio Engineering Society – Panel moderator on professional audio technology
  • Connecticut Innovations/CTech Seminar – “How Smart PR Helps Startup Companies Grow” (2011)
  • FairCo TEEM (Tech, Environment, Entertainment, Marketing) Meetup Group – Presentation on “Public Relations in the Era of Twitter, Facebook and Google” (2011)
  • Insurance Media Association – Panelist on crisis management best practices (2004)
  • State University of New York/New Paltz, NY – Keynote address on “Current Trends in Communications and Media” at Annual Communications and Media Week (2011)

CAREER AS JOURNALIST

  • Blogger, TMCNet (Consumer technology and public relations/marketing)
  • Editor-in-Chief, Pro Sound News, New York
  • Editor, The Audio Engineering Society Daily, New York
  • Editor, The Kitchen & Bath Daily/KBIS Show, New York
  • Editor, Surgical Rounds, Port Washington, NY
  • Associate Editor, Pharmacy Times, Port Washington, NY
  • Editor, Good Times, Greenvale, NY
  • Assistant Editor, Newsday, Garden City, NY

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

  • American Communication Association
  • American Marketing Association (Board member)
  • Audio Engineering Society
  • Connecticut Optics and Photonics Association (PR counsel)
  • Content Marketing Institute
  • Fairfield County Public Relations Association (Board member)
  • Insurance Media Association
  • Inventors Association of Connecticut (PR counsel)

EDUCATION

  • B.A., English/Journalism, State University of New York, New Paltz, NY (Cum Laude)
  • The Center for Leadership Studies, Situational Leadership II
  • The New School, New York, Certificate Program, Audio Engineering
  • New York University, continuing education courses, writing and publishing