Technology PR Veteran Melissa Neumann Promoted to Executive Vice President of Eastwick Communications

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA--(Marketwire - February 9, 2010) - Eastwick Communications announced today that Melissa Neumann has been promoted to executive VP and will lead the agency's San Francisco and Silicon Valley offices. In addition, the agency announced it has landed several new clients in some of the fastest-growing markets including search, cleantech, mobile and storage. New clients include Bridgelux, Lucid Imagination, NetBase, Sonic Solutions, Tandberg Data, and Zerista.

In Neumann's new role, she will work closely with Principal Barbara Bates to execute on a new strategic plan for the agency that includes broadening its services beyond PR and social media to include inbound programs like SEO and analytics and outbound programs, such as self-publishing and branded content. The agency also now offers word of mouth services like community-building, viral programs, customer engagement and advanced social media campaigns.

Neumann recently held the position of senior VP, in which she managed several key accounts and account teams for the agency. During Neumann's five-plus years with Eastwick she has led some of the agency's largest accounts including Business Objects (a ten-year Eastwick client prior to its acquisition by SAP) and Fujitsu America. Neumann has also overseen some of the agency's hottest startups in the open source arena including Vyatta, Pentaho, DotNetNuke and most recently Lucid Imagination.

Prior to Eastwick, Neumann has managed and implemented communications programs for large multi-national corporations, such as Cable & Wireless, Exodus Communications, SAP and Microsoft, as well as many emerging companies. She began her career at Breakthru Communications and Walt & Company Communications.

New Clients

-- Bridgelux Inc. is a leading developer and manufacturer of integrated, solid-state lighting technologies and solutions that will transform the $40 billion global lighting industry into a $100 billion market opportunity.

-- Lucid Imagination is the commercial company for enterprise solutions based on Apache Lucene and Apache Solr search technologies.

-- NetBase is the Insight Discovery company whose next-generation semantic technology is changing the way people search. Five of the top ten consumer packaged goods companies, including Procter & Gamble, and two of the top three STM publishers, including Reed Elsevier, are using NetBase to find answers faster.

-- Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC) is powering the digital media ecosystem through its complete range of Hollywood to Home™ applications, services, and technologies.

-- Tandberg Data is a leading global supplier of data protection solutions.

-- Zerista is the leading provider of next-generation web and mobile social networking software for events.

Quotes

"It's a really interesting time in our business and I couldn't think of a more qualified person to help take us into the next decade," said Barbara Bates, principal, Eastwick Communications. "We've got some pretty big plans for how we're transforming the agency and Melissa's contributions will be key, not to mention she has a wicked sense of humor, which is an important trait in this business!"

"Eastwick's history as one of Silicon Valley's most successful technology communications firms is one I am proud to be part of," said Melissa Neumann, executive vice president, Eastwick Communications. "I know our future holds even more promise, which is why this new role is so exciting."

Related Links

The Connected Agency

About Eastwick Communications

Eastwick Communications is one of the top independent integrated communications agencies in the country with specific expertise in enterprise technologies, consumer technologies and the SMB market. Using a unique blend of art and analytics to develop comprehensive, strategic communications programs, Eastwick provides a full range of inbound, outbound and word of mouth services customized to reach key individuals and groups who are leading online conversations and shaping opinions in its clients' markets. For more than 18 years, Eastwick has helped put emerging technology companies on the map, build category leaders into multi-billion dollar enterprises, and develop global businesses into powerhouse brands.

Contact Information: Contact Press Contacts Rachel Shelton Eastwick Communications 650.480.4069 rachel@eastwick.com