Wonders & Blunders: Burning Through Dough: Outer Space Edition

Are We On Mars, or What?
This week, it feels like we’re on another planet looking down on some really bonkers activity on Earth. Is Russia hacking into U.S. government broadcasts? Is Silicon Valley just pretending to support workforce diversity? Is outer space travel too expensive? And are the San Diego Chargers really moving to L.A.? We don’t buy any of it – or do we? See you on Mars.
c-span interrupted
Dasvidaniya C-SPAN
At 2:30 p.m. last Thursday, Congresswoman Maxine Waters was on the House floor arguing for the importance of the Securities and Exchange Commission, when the feed was abruptly cut off and replaced with a garbled broadcast from RT, the Russian television network that has been accused of helping its government interfere in the American election. Was it a dangerous hack, or a routine glitch? Fortune reports that C-SPAN is claiming the latter: “As RT is one of the stations we regularly monitor, we are operating under the assumption that it was an internal routing issue. If that changes, we will certainly let you know.” Da spasibo, C-SPAN, keep us posted (if you can stay on the air!).

 

facebook
Facebook to Minorities: “You’re Hired…NOT!
Memo to Sheryl Sandberg: your employer is sending out some seriously mixed messages to minorities in tech. In 2015, Facebook initiated an internal recruiting strategy that incentivized recruiters to prioritize women, black and Latino engineering candidates. The catch? A small committee of high-ranking engineers (“almost all white or Asian men” who are “risk-averse,” per Bloomberg) has full “veto power,” rejecting so many promising minority candidates that recruiters have “stopped trying.” No wonder Facebook’s self-reported demographics in technology roles have stayed flat.

 

SpaceX Falcon 9
Burning Through Dough: Outer Space Edition
Elon Musk’s SpaceX recently celebrated a big victory, as the company’s Falcoln 9 rocket successfully deposited 10 Iridium NEXT communication satellites in orbit, and landed successfully on a drone ship. But the recent release of the company’s financials demonstrate that major innovation costs big bucks. SpaceNews reports that the company showed a steady increase in revenue from 2011 through 2014, but suffered heavy losses (ahem, a quarter of a billion dollars heavy) due to Falcoln 9’s much-publicized launch failure in 2015. The company expects launch revenue to continue to grow, but anticipates stronger earnings (more than $30 billion by 2025) from a planned constellation of broadband satellites.

 

chargers

Heck, No! The Chargers Won’t Go!
The Chargers management has announced plans to relocate the team to Los Angeles, but San Diego’s moving community won’t make it easy for them to get there. NBC 7 San Diego reported on Sunday night that 22 movers based in San Diego had signed the www.wewontmoveyouchargers.com pledge vowing not to take a contract that helps move the Chargers north. The genius PR stunt recruited two more signatures this week, and 12 Los Angeles-based moving companies also signed on. “The feedback was immediately positive,” said movement organizer Ryan Charles of www.HireaHelper.com. “I got chuckles, people were laughing, there were guys saying ‘I wouldn’t move them for X amount of dollars.’” In this equation, considering the team’s offices, training equipment, staff and players, x = $100,000+. Those are some pricey principles!

 

think like a startup
Think Like a Startup

Consumer behavior has shifted dramatically in recent years, and many legacy retailers (see: Macy’s) have struggled to keep up. Others, however (we’re looking at Zara, H&M, and Nike) have enhanced expediency, convenience and high satisfaction to stimulate sales and stay in the game. Bottom line: The winners in retail are thinking like startups. TechCrunch offers the old guard the following suggestions to innovate your brand in the new age of consumerism:

  • Make the most of mobile
  • Physical becomes digital
  • Engage in dialogue
  • Utilize alternative shipping models (think subscription-based services)
IN THE NEWS
“After seven years, San Diego-based BrainCorp is finally going commercial.” The San Diego Business Journal reports: AI Allows Robots to Make Clean Break From Controller
EVENTS
Convergence 2017
(Put on by SD Startup Week!)

  • Meet San Diego tech startups & new startup companies
  • Learn about top startup companies in San Diego & happening innovation
  • Grow your skills & cultivate the San Diego startup community!

January 24-27, 2017
Downtown San Diego, CA

THE BOTTOM LINE BLOG
We’re officially obsessed. The battle of home automation startups and smart home products made its mark at CES. Calling all homeowners (millennial or not), you’ll want these tech features in your home.

PR Assistant

San Diego, CA
Close

Our ideal candidate is a news and digital marketing junkie, who loves the thrill of pitching top-tier business media, writing a timely blog post and managing client PR & marketing campaigns. Pitching the Wall Street Journal or TechCrunch? No problem. Searching and networking for the next great speaking opportunity for a client? Of course! You live to see your clients featured in the spotlight. KCD PR is hiring a full-time Senior Associate based in San Diego or virtual (with some travel to San Diego!) to join our growing agency specializing in the financial, fintech and emerging technology industries. This position works directly on a small, collaborative team on public relations, digital marketing and social media campaigns for our diverse roster of clients across the nation in emerging categories like fintech, AI, SaaS, cybersecurity and blockchain. This position promises to offer an exciting, fast-paced work environment, access to clients and the opportunity to grow within the firm. If you enjoy rubbing elbows and supporting some of the brightest names in financial and technology with brand-building public relations and marketing campaigns, we want to hear from you. We have a caring and rewarding culture and a fun work environment – we work as hard as we play!  Expect a fast paced day and plenty of opportunity to shine and be rewarded for your hard work.

What You Will Be Doing at KCD PR:
•  Key contact for clients, supporting daily communications for 5-7 key client accounts
•  Partnering with other KCD PR team members on content creation and support of collateral materials and client events
•  Key role on agency marketing initiatives – creating company newsletter, blog content and digital PR and marketing campaigns
•  Participates in day-to-day media monitoring of client and industry news
•  Creating press releases, fact sheets and various other press materials
•  Strategizing on public relations and marketing goals and objectives
•  Pitching/conversing with national business and technology media on behalf of KCD PR clients
•  Managing social media marketing content for new clients and knowledge to use Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, Twitter and YouTube
•  E-Marketing management, blog posts and landing page content creation
•  Utilizing social media to promote client news/events updating/creating pages for clients, web content revisions for client web sites
•  Editing web site content, uploading videos, often first draft of client work

Does This Sound Like You?
(*Must meet all criteria*) Candidates with previous experience working in related roles in the financial services and technology industry will be given priority. No recent graduates will be considered.

At least 3+ Years previous PR or marketing agency experience (with technology and/or financial services clients)
Bachelor’s Degree in related field (Communications, Marketing, Finance, Business or related field)
You have proven skills of integrating and leveraging social media programs, print and broadcast media to heighten client exposure and visibility
You have a strong knowledge of the financial and technology markets and know the trends, opportunities and challenges that face many of the agency’s clients
You’re a communication guru and have a strong portfolio of writing (creative and strategic) and possess a healthy network of media contacts that have helped garner impressive results
Experience managing multiple client accounts and collaborating with a team of internal resources
Superior, proven written and oral communication skills and an obsession with detail-oriented results
Ability to speak with clients, participate on conference calls and maintain high level of professionalism and maintain confidentiality of client information
Knowledge of WordPress, basic website editing and Hubspot marketing software systems a plus (as is Hubspot certification)

Compensation:
Competitive salary based on commensurate experience, bonus program for smart goal performance, 401 (k) retirement plan with full company match and annual company profit sharing contributions, generous group health care plan options, PTO plus paid company holiday from Christmas Day through New Year’s Day, free beer, breakfast and all sorts of goodies at our awesome co-working space in Little Italy, direct deposit, mass-transit/biking incentives.

PR Assistant 2

San Diego, CA
Close

Our ideal candidate is a news and digital marketing junkie, who loves the thrill of pitching top-tier business media, writing a timely blog post and managing client PR & marketing campaigns. Pitching the Wall Street Journal or TechCrunch? No problem. Searching and networking for the next great speaking opportunity for a client? Of course! You live to see your clients featured in the spotlight. KCD PR is hiring a full-time Senior Associate based in San Diego or virtual (with some travel to San Diego!) to join our growing agency specializing in the financial, fintech and emerging technology industries. This position works directly on a small, collaborative team on public relations, digital marketing and social media campaigns for our diverse roster of clients across the nation in emerging categories like fintech, AI, SaaS, cybersecurity and blockchain. This position promises to offer an exciting, fast-paced work environment, access to clients and the opportunity to grow within the firm. If you enjoy rubbing elbows and supporting some of the brightest names in financial and technology with brand-building public relations and marketing campaigns, we want to hear from you. We have a caring and rewarding culture and a fun work environment – we work as hard as we play!  Expect a fast paced day and plenty of opportunity to shine and be rewarded for your hard work.

What You Will Be Doing at KCD PR:
•  Key contact for clients, supporting daily communications for 5-7 key client accounts
•  Partnering with other KCD PR team members on content creation and support of collateral materials and client events
•  Key role on agency marketing initiatives – creating company newsletter, blog content and digital PR and marketing campaigns
•  Participates in day-to-day media monitoring of client and industry news
•  Creating press releases, fact sheets and various other press materials
•  Strategizing on public relations and marketing goals and objectives
•  Pitching/conversing with national business and technology media on behalf of KCD PR clients
•  Managing social media marketing content for new clients and knowledge to use Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, Twitter and YouTube
•  E-Marketing management, blog posts and landing page content creation
•  Utilizing social media to promote client news/events updating/creating pages for clients, web content revisions for client web sites
•  Editing web site content, uploading videos, often first draft of client work

Does This Sound Like You?
(*Must meet all criteria*) Candidates with previous experience working in related roles in the financial services and technology industry will be given priority. No recent graduates will be considered.

At least 3+ Years previous PR or marketing agency experience (with technology and/or financial services clients)
Bachelor’s Degree in related field (Communications, Marketing, Finance, Business or related field)
You have proven skills of integrating and leveraging social media programs, print and broadcast media to heighten client exposure and visibility
You have a strong knowledge of the financial and technology markets and know the trends, opportunities and challenges that face many of the agency’s clients
You’re a communication guru and have a strong portfolio of writing (creative and strategic) and possess a healthy network of media contacts that have helped garner impressive results
Experience managing multiple client accounts and collaborating with a team of internal resources
Superior, proven written and oral communication skills and an obsession with detail-oriented results
Ability to speak with clients, participate on conference calls and maintain high level of professionalism and maintain confidentiality of client information
Knowledge of WordPress, basic website editing and Hubspot marketing software systems a plus (as is Hubspot certification)

Compensation:
Competitive salary based on commensurate experience, bonus program for smart goal performance, 401 (k) retirement plan with full company match and annual company profit sharing contributions, generous group health care plan options, PTO plus paid company holiday from Christmas Day through New Year’s Day, free beer, breakfast and all sorts of goodies at our awesome co-working space in Little Italy, direct deposit, mass-transit/biking incentives.

PR Assistant 3

San Diego, CA
Close

Our ideal candidate is a news and digital marketing junkie, who loves the thrill of pitching top-tier business media, writing a timely blog post and managing client PR & marketing campaigns. Pitching the Wall Street Journal or TechCrunch? No problem. Searching and networking for the next great speaking opportunity for a client? Of course! You live to see your clients featured in the spotlight. KCD PR is hiring a full-time Senior Associate based in San Diego or virtual (with some travel to San Diego!) to join our growing agency specializing in the financial, fintech and emerging technology industries. This position works directly on a small, collaborative team on public relations, digital marketing and social media campaigns for our diverse roster of clients across the nation in emerging categories like fintech, AI, SaaS, cybersecurity and blockchain. This position promises to offer an exciting, fast-paced work environment, access to clients and the opportunity to grow within the firm. If you enjoy rubbing elbows and supporting some of the brightest names in financial and technology with brand-building public relations and marketing campaigns, we want to hear from you. We have a caring and rewarding culture and a fun work environment – we work as hard as we play!  Expect a fast paced day and plenty of opportunity to shine and be rewarded for your hard work.

What You Will Be Doing at KCD PR:
•  Key contact for clients, supporting daily communications for 5-7 key client accounts
•  Partnering with other KCD PR team members on content creation and support of collateral materials and client events
•  Key role on agency marketing initiatives – creating company newsletter, blog content and digital PR and marketing campaigns
•  Participates in day-to-day media monitoring of client and industry news
•  Creating press releases, fact sheets and various other press materials
•  Strategizing on public relations and marketing goals and objectives
•  Pitching/conversing with national business and technology media on behalf of KCD PR clients
•  Managing social media marketing content for new clients and knowledge to use Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, Twitter and YouTube
•  E-Marketing management, blog posts and landing page content creation
•  Utilizing social media to promote client news/events updating/creating pages for clients, web content revisions for client web sites
•  Editing web site content, uploading videos, often first draft of client work

Does This Sound Like You?
(*Must meet all criteria*) Candidates with previous experience working in related roles in the financial services and technology industry will be given priority. No recent graduates will be considered.

At least 3+ Years previous PR or marketing agency experience (with technology and/or financial services clients)
Bachelor’s Degree in related field (Communications, Marketing, Finance, Business or related field)
You have proven skills of integrating and leveraging social media programs, print and broadcast media to heighten client exposure and visibility
You have a strong knowledge of the financial and technology markets and know the trends, opportunities and challenges that face many of the agency’s clients
You’re a communication guru and have a strong portfolio of writing (creative and strategic) and possess a healthy network of media contacts that have helped garner impressive results
Experience managing multiple client accounts and collaborating with a team of internal resources
Superior, proven written and oral communication skills and an obsession with detail-oriented results
Ability to speak with clients, participate on conference calls and maintain high level of professionalism and maintain confidentiality of client information
Knowledge of WordPress, basic website editing and Hubspot marketing software systems a plus (as is Hubspot certification)

Compensation:
Competitive salary based on commensurate experience, bonus program for smart goal performance, 401 (k) retirement plan with full company match and annual company profit sharing contributions, generous group health care plan options, PTO plus paid company holiday from Christmas Day through New Year’s Day, free beer, breakfast and all sorts of goodies at our awesome co-working space in Little Italy, direct deposit, mass-transit/biking incentives.