Mike Maney

Resume

MIKE MANEY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Strategic communications executive and narrative architect with 20+ years of experience helping technology companies define categories, reshape markets, and tell bold, human stories that cut through the noise. Trusted advisor to Fortune 50 leaders and startup founders alike with deep experience coaching executives through complex, high-visibility moments. Known for translating complexity into clarity and building high-impact communication programs. Proven record aligning messaging with mission, and helping companies shape public understanding of their role in the larger picture.

NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Created a new industry category that led to a $900 million acquisition.
  • Led external and executive communications for multi-billion dollar business units inside Fortune 50 companies.
  • Built communications programs and counseled founders/CEOs for 25 early stage companies (angel to Series B), including Cloudability (cloud cost optimization; acquired by Apptio), Mashery (API management; acquired by Intel), RackN (infrastructure automation), and Bigleaf Networks (SD-WAN).
  • Successfully rebranded a non-profit open source software foundation backed by some of the world’s biggest technology companies.
  • Launched the Plan 9 operating system created by Turing Award winner Dennis Ritchie and his team at Bell Labs.
  • Architected the umbrella narratives that positioned an established 25 year old company as a driving force for the next decade of cloud computing.
  • Worked closely with CEO, HR, and legal to manage issues and crisis communications, including fast-moving pandemic shutdown and DMCA requests.
  • Wrote foundational storylines for purpose-driven companies such as Queen of Raw (fabric reuse; direct impact on $360k WeWork Creator Awards grand prize), NameCoach (name pronunciation), and Dhaxle (immigrant investment).
  • Co-founded a global organization of corporate change agents.
  • Developed campaign messaging to get a judge elected to the court of common pleas.

EXPERIENCE

AKAMAI, Strategist; December 2022 – Present

  • Lead communications strategist for the $4 billion technology company’s cloud computing business.
  • Led two of the largest and most strategic announcements in the company’s 25 year history. Crafted storylines to launch Akamai’s bold entry into the cloud computing market, followed by elevating the narrative to position the company as a key driver in the shift to the distributed cloud. Both announcements generated widespread global media and analyst coverage, as well as commentary on the impact of Akamai’s vision on the future of the industry.

LINODE, Global Head of Communications; December 2019 – December 2022

  • Built and led the cloud pioneer’s first formal corporate communications function, encompassing messaging, media relations, analyst relations, executive communications, and crisis/issues communications.
  • Created new industry category through strategic use of strategic messaging, third-party research, thought leadership, and aggressive media and influencer engagement. Category creation was cited as a contributing factor when Akamai acquired Linode for $900 million in 2022.

MANEYDIGITAL, President; December 2012 – Present

  • Successful, oversubscribed consulting and advisory practice that provided fractional, senior level communications support to early stage companies by working alongside CEOs and founders to design effective messaging and efficient communications strategies.

CLOUD FOUNDRY FOUNDATION, Vice President, Brand & Communications; May 2015 – December 2015 (client -> inside)

  • Tapped by organization’s first CEO to establish the communications function for this independent non-profit organization which had grown from an open source project into the industry standard platform for cloud applications.
  • Created policies and processes to orchestrate strategic external and internal communications among foundation members — 55 of the biggest brands in cloud computing, Internet of Things, government, automotive and financial services.
  • Led the successful development and launch of the foundation’s brand, including a new global visual identity, comprehensive brand guidelines, and overarching narrative, as well as a re-architecting of the organization’s website and social strategy.
  • Drove a 100% increase in registrations for the foundation’s annual summit (the first official global summit under the stewardship of the newly formed foundation).
  • Worked directly with newly-appointed CEO to communicate the foundation’s mission through keynote speeches at industry conferences.

ALCATEL-LUCENT, Director, Corporate Communications, Software, Services & Solutions; Dec 2011 – December 2012

  • Led external communications strategy for Alcatel-Lucent’s $4.5 billion software, services and solutions division, one of the company’s two strategic revenue drivers.
  • Provided external communications support for the division’s President, including strategic, proactive engagement with traditional and social media influencers.
  • Member of cross-company, cross-discipline social media team responsible for increasing employee and executive engagement with influencers and communities outside the company’s traditional telecommunications market.

Head of Influencer Management, Application Enablement; Jan 2010 – Dec 2011

  • Member of senior leadership team recruited by CEO to build a technology platform for the next generation of telecommunications. Served as Chief of Staff to division’s Senior Vice President. Team was simultaneously tasked by CEO to drive culture change across the company. 
  • Led overall media and communications strategy for two significant acquisitions.
  • Set strategic direction and drove tactical execution of global influencer program to support companywide push to transform the network into a software platform. The role blended marketing, communications, social media, corporate affairs and business development to communicate Alcatel-Lucent’s presence in new markets and among new influencers.
  • Established the first-ever Alcatel-Lucent presence at SXSW. Leveraged industry relationships to create traffic-driving conference partnership with Rovio (Angry Birds). Created and organized “Flight Club” influencer roundtable to advise key corporate customer on the pilot of an innovative new business model. Originated App Idol and Idea Wall programs which generated more than 1,000 new ideas on the convergence of the network and applications.
  • Aggressively inserted the Alcatel-Lucent brand into new media channels and markets via creative community support and sponsorship, guerrilla marketing tactics and traditional marketing/PR tactics. Created innovative community underwriter role with top industry influencer conference to establish relevance in emerging cloud computing and big data markets. Instigated and developed a program at company’s highest profile trade show by organizing a panel of upstart competitors to directly address how they were competing in the market; program spawned immediate partnerships and business opportunities.
  • Worked with corporate marketing and communications to adapt processes and protocols to fit the needs of a faster-paced media market.

ZER0 TO 5IVE, Principal; Apr 2008 – Jan 2010

  • Senior member of 20-person integrated marketing communications firm.
  • Directly drove $250,000 in new business through an aggressive engagement strategy with external influencers in targeted enterprise collaboration and Internet infrastructure markets.
  • Introduced social media technologies and best practices to agency. Designed agency’s first social media services practice.

PAGE ONE PR, Senior Counselor; Feb 2006 – Apr 2008

  • Member of agency’s senior leadership team.
  • Ran $600,000 book of business. Clients included companies in open source, high-volume transaction middleware, and application development tools. Responsible for overall budget and staff planning for a team of four.
  • Drove business media coverage in the Christian Science Monitor for Sourceforge, expanding the client’s visibility beyond technology; BusinessWeek for Atlassian on the growth of wikis, including a follow-on profile naming the company’s co-founders as two of tech’s best entrepreneurs; Barron’s for Synopsys, which profiled the company on its 20th anniversary and was one of the first to highlight Synopsys’ role in the electronics industry; and Investor’s Business Daily for Synopsys, which highlighted the CEO’s background and efforts on immigration/H1-B.
  • Set strategy and delivered strategic media coverage for Aria Systems’ Series A funding and competitive wins for Krugle with IBM and Amazon.

UNISYS, Vice President, Communications; Mar 2004 – Feb 2006

  • Lead and managed media relations for company’s strategic high performance and open source computing initiatives. Served as senior communications leader for company’s vertical industry business units.
  • Managed a remote staff of three professionals and $800,000 agency relationship.
  • Led multi-country media initiative to establish category and support for the launch of a global RFID-based supply chain solution (company’s largest, most successful announcement of the year). Secured more than 450 stories/mentions.
  • Tapped as interim writer for newly-appointed CEO. Written materials included CEO’s first all-employee broadcast, client video introduction, opening/closing panel remarks, and various human resources communications.
  • Created internal media training program to identify and coach high-potential spokespeople.
  • Launched cross-company editorial board to identify and develop proactive media pitches. Initial board discussion resulted in story placement in The New York Times.

IBM, Director, Communications; Jan 2002 – Mar 2004

  • Drove communications for multi-billion dollar, cross-company pervasive computing division.
  • Two programs nominated for the Holmes’ Report Gold Sabre (Superior Achievement in Branding and Reputation) award for business-to-business campaigns of the year.

Manager, Media Relations; Jun 1999 – Jan 2002

  • Led media campaign to wrestle mindshare from top data management competitor. Awarded “Best Competitive PR Program” by IBM leadership.
  • Served as publicist for IBM’s top Internet visionary. Successes included page one stories in LA Times and millennium edition of The New York Times; cover story in Fast Company; half-page feature in USA Today; numerous Q&A profiles; and bylined article co-written with the “father of the Internet” in Financial Times. Developed messaging for major speeches, including keynotes at ETRE, Internet Summit and 3GSM.
  • Coached high potential team member as successor.
  • Created first global, company-wide PR measurement system through executive stretch assignment.
  • Managed $1.2 million agency relationship

Advanced Communications Specialist; Mar 1998 – June 1999

  • Provided communications counsel to three general managers. Managed team of five.
  • Provided media relations support for IBM’s Internet payments, rich media and knowledge management businesses.
  • Drove global, multi-company launches for industry-wide electronic check and DVD watermarking initiatives.

AT&T, Manager, Media Relations; Feb 1997 – Mar 1998

  • Primary media relations manager for AT&T’s business data services, including Web hosting, Internet access and IP backbone.
  • Served as spokesperson on e-commerce related topics.
  • Successfully translated complex networking technologies for business audiences and related business strategy messages for trade audiences.

POPPE TYSON, Account Supervisor; Sep 1994 – Feb 1997

  • Led a four-person team to build and execute the first communications programs for Internet start-ups PSINet, Monster.com, Tripod, and DynamicWeb.
  • Primary media relations contact for AT&T’s Software Solutions Group. Successes include widespread coverage for the launch of the Plan 9 distributed operating system created by the AT&T Bell Labs researchers behind UNIX.
  • Generated significant national and regional print and broadcast coverage for the launch of NJ’s first compressed natural gas fueling station.
  • Represented public relations division on cross-agency new business pitches.

GCI GROUP, Account Executive; Jul 1993 – Sep 1994

  • Executed targeted programs for the Hong Kong Economic Trade Organization to generate positive media coverage for visiting cabinet-level officials.
  • Monitored environmental/public policy issues and developed appropriate communications vehicles for the New York State Low-Level Radioactive Waste Siting Commission.
  • Drove media relations efforts for Remington and Panasonic consumer electronic products, securing placements in major consumer and trade publications, including year-end coverage that the CEO said had a direct impact on client revenue.

THE ROWLAND COMPANY, Senior Account Executive; Aug 1992 – Jul 1993

  • Member of three-person spokesperson/crisis training team. Created daily media briefing vehicle for international oil marketing and refining company, as well as rapid response briefing documents on issues affecting international pharmaceutical company.

OGILVY & MATHER, Account Executive; Junior Account Executive; May 1991 – Aug 1992

  • Executed a proactive national media relations program for Shell Oil’s “Answer Book” public awareness program that generated significant coverage in national daily media outlets. Supported outreach efforts through the proactive identification and creation of alliances with large-scale and complementary distribution channels.

EDUCATION

  • The College of New Jersey, BA Communications with concentrations in Professional Writing and Organizational Communications; 1987-1991
  • Vice President of New Membership for college’s InterGreek Council; member of The Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity
  • Four-years varsity cross country

PERSONAL & CAREER ACTIVITIES

  • Mobile Monday Mid-Atlantic, President, Member of Board of Directors (2012-2014)
  • Co-founder of Corporate Rebels United
  • Pro bono communications strategy and execution for The Dementia Society
  • Adjunct professor, The College of New Jersey (Storytelling for Business)
  • Graduate of IBM Accelerated Executive Leadership program and IBM Basic Blue Management School
  • Selected to participate in IBM High Potential and Alcatel-Lucent Key Performer executive programs
  • Guest Lecturer, Rutgers School of Communication; The College of New Jersey
  • Speaker: LeWeb 2010 (App Challenge Awards); Social Media Business Life conference (opening keynote 2011, 2016; closing keynote panel moderator 2010); RCR Wireless/Mobile Monday (moderator); Gluecon (moderator); PR + Social Media Summit (featured speaker; presentation featured as top presentation on Slideshare with 60,000 views); MonktoberFest, API Days (moderator)
  • Director of Publicity, Bike Works p/b Fred Beans professional cycling team
  • Director of Communications for Thompson Bucks County Classic, part of the U.S. Cycling Pro Road Tour (2016)
  • Host of Craft of Code and Bald Guys on Bikes podcasts

REFERRALS

Available upon request.