We chose the Loughlin/Michaels Group because of the team’s industry-specific knowledge, enthusiasm for technology and media contacts, all of which translates to substantial results. The Loughlin/Michaels Group’s results-focused approach and flexible program options, coupled with their proven ability to create thought leaders in technology makes them a valuable partner for NetMagic.
Sandip Gupta, President, Netmagic
Leadership
Overview
The Loughlin/Michaels Group was founded in 2002 by Donna Michaels, a PR veteran known for her tenacity and creativity in leading public relations programs for early stage technology innovators taking them from start-up to IPO and often acquisition.
Building upon this legacy, LMGPR’s savvy team of experts deliver insight, expertise and a comprehensive network of editorial, social media, analyst and other industry contacts to create market leaders. Our service philosophy ensures every account team is led by a professional with a minimum of 10+ years of experience. Our goal is to create a strategic partnership with our clients where public relations and communications become key tools for helping clients achieve their business objectives.
The agency team has launched dozens of market innovators, turning them into brand leaders and acquisition targets, including enkoo (acquired by Sonicwall), Cyclades (acquired by Avocent) and Filtrbox (acquired by Jive Software), Ankeena (Aquired by Juniper) and a host of other companies.
LMGPR has received numerous industry awards based on its continuous PR leadership, creativity, media relations and innovative PR approach.
Leadership
Donna Michaels, President & Founder
Donna Michaels, President & Founder, is known for her results-oriented PR programs, dedication to her clients and constant enthusiasm for technology. Both C-level management and venture capitalists have praised her innovative public relations programs that have strengthened brands, catapulted companies to market leadership, secured loyal customer following and driven revenue.
Prior to establishing the Loughlin/Michaels Group in 2002, Donna spent 17 years directing communications programs for technology firms on the corporate and agency side.
Donna was instrumental in taking Telebit (Acquired by Cisco), Concentric (acquired by XO Communications), NetManage (acquired by Microfocus), Exodus Communications (acquired by Cable and Wireless) and NetScaler (acquired by Citrix) from start-up to leadership status prior to forming the agency. She also worked for global PR firms Burson-Marsteller and Edelman Public Relations working on technology and consumer tech markets. Earlier in her career she was a news reporter and editor.
Donna holds a Master’s in Journalism from the University of California, Berkeley and a bachelor’s in marketing and advertising from San Jose State University. In 2009 she was awarded the Stevie Awards PR Leader of the Year for small agencies and the Silicon Valley Business Journal named her one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Business. She is a member of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and Executives and serves on the Public Relations Society of America technology practice committee.
Robert Finlayson, Senior Counsel, B2B and Consumer
Bob Finlayson serves as Senior Counsel to LMGPR and our clients. Bob is a seasoned marketing and communications consultant with more than 15 years experience working with a diverse range of clients and companies to help them develop and implement effective marketing, branding, communications and social media strategies.
Bob’s areas of expertise include: positioning and messaging, communications strategy and planning, company, brand and product launches, social media marketing, thought leadership campaigns, crisis communications, media and analyst relations, and media training.
Bob has served as a senior marketing and communications counselor, strategist and tactician to a range of technology startups and many category-leading brands, including Activision, Adobe, Charles Schwab, Electronic Arts, Gap, Microsoft (Xbox and MSN), Ofoto, RealNetworks, Sony Computer Entertainment of America, Sony Consumer Electronics of America, THQ Inc., TiVo and Visa International.
Matthew “Matt” David Sarrel, Market Strategist B2B and Consumer
Matthew David Sarrel is market strategist for the Loughlin Michaels Group with expertise in B2B and consumer technology markets. In this position he leads market strategy, new product introductions, including competitive and single product analysis, and media strategy. His market expertise includes enterprise software and hardware, mobility, unified communications and security. He is an avid gamer and tester and has evaluated more than 500 games in his career.
Before joining the Loughlin/Michaels Group, he founded Sarrel Group, an editorial services, product test lab, and information technology consulting company. He is also Contributing Analyst for eWeek, Research Analyst for GigaOM, 3G Editor for Backyard Magazine, Contributing Editor for PCMag.com as well as a blogger for CIOUpdate and IDGuardian.
Previously, Mr. Sarrel was a technical director for PC Magazine Labs, where he led all testing conducted by the Applications, Enterprise and Development Software, OS and Utilities, Network Infrastructure and Wireless LAN teams. Prior to joining PC Magazine, Mr. Sarrel served as Vice President of Engineering and IS Manager at two Internet startups. Prior to his experiences in the world of Internet startups, Mr. Sarrel spent almost 10 years providing IT solutions in medical research settings, beginning his career as a network administrator and ultimately serving as Director of IT for the New Jersey Medical School National Tuberculosis Center and CIO for the HIV Educational Exchange for Healthcare Workers in Vietnam project.
Mr. Sarrel has earned a BA (History) from Cornell University, an MPH (Epidemiology) from Columbia University, and is also a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). Matt and his Top Tech dog sidekick, Elvis, a French Bulldog, are competitive gamers and BBQ pit masters at a national level too.
The Loughlin/Michaels Group team members are among the most talented communications professionals in the technology industry. Let us put our creativity, experience and tenacity to work for you!