Archive for 'Stage Two'
Stage Two Communications is looking to add a new member to its team to help manage award-winning clients
There are some exciting new happenings here at Stage Two: three of our clients have won three of the most prestigious awards at CES 2012. While we’re busy earning massive amounts of coverage and winning awards for our clients, we continue to add new clients and grow the firm. As a result, we are looking to add new team members to help us keep up with the agency growth.
We are looking for a PR Account Manager with four to six years of media-relations experience to join our hip, fun, experienced and dedicated team of tech marketing and PR professionals. The best candidate will be someone who knows both tech bloggers and tech lifestyle journalists who cover the consumer electronics and consumer web space. A knowledge of apps and the mobile tech space is also a big plus!
Who we are:
Stage Two is a cutting-edge consumer electronics PR and marketing firm. It’s our job to make consumer products popular. From gadgets, to apps, to connected TV, we represent some of the best products and startups in tech. We have fun, but are hard working above all else. Meanwhile, our office is just… well… cooler than yours. When we find some time away from our keyboards, we’re enjoying some drinks, some X-Box, free movies and occasionally Pepper, our official canine Stage Two mascot.
Job description:
As an Account Manager you will be serving several accounts, liaising with clients, launching products, creating and implementing press strategies on behalf of the clients and working closely with journalists from leading publications to niche tech blogs.
What we are looking for in a candidate:
- Were are a dynamic start-up environment, you need to be able to keep up
- You are a fast learner and a self-starter with impeccable organizational skills
- You are also very reliable and a team player
- You are able to manage and prioritize the needs of multiple client relationships simultaneously
- You have extremely strong communications skills, especially written. We expect “Pulitzer-worthy” writing samples. (Ok, Ok, that was a bit too much, but you MUST have solid writing skills.)
- You have good understanding of consumer technology (video, mobile, etc) with a genuine interest in new trends in tech, media, and culture
- You bring to the table decent grasp of new media, including some contacts with bloggers and social network influencers
- You must be good at distilling complex tech talk into compelling stories
- In addition, the right candidate must be confident, articulate and brilliantly creative
Responsibilities:
- See above, and…
- Coordination of media lists and event logistics
- Monitoring of client and industry press
- Development, implementation and evaluation of the influencer-marketing strategies for clients
- Media relations: building and nurturing relationships with key bloggers, industry influencers, press/media, analysts
- New media outreach and traditional PR for new stories, company launches, product launches, etc.
- Strategic counsel: understand and explain consumer behaviors to clients. Suggest best marketing, web and pr strategies to enable clients achieve their ambitious business objectives
- Research and evaluate event participation opportunities (speaking, booths, panels, etc.) for clients
- Attend local industry networking events
We are located in the Financial District. There are many restaurants, bars and “cool spots” in the neighborhood.
If you’re interested in this job opportunity, please send the following to jobs(at)stagetwo(dot)com:
- A resume (preferably a hard copy and a link to an online one)
- A short bio
- Your salary requirements
- Why you think this agency is a perfect fit for you
- Which of our clients excite you the most, and why
Any emails without all 5 of the above will be ignored, and probably marked as spam. Feel free to let us know if you have any questions. Otherwise, we look forward to hearing from you!
Meet Swivl: The mobile video tool to track your every move
Just over eight months ago, Satarii kicked off a successful campaign on IndieGoGo focused on building a new video tool concept that holds your mobile video camera or device, and captures your moves as it follows you in every direction. Today they introduced an updated industrial design, new name and opened reservations to the community. We’re pleased to introduce you to Swivl!
Before you dig into details, check out this video. It is so cool! We can’t wait to get one in the office:
Swivl by Satarii from Satarii on Vimeo.
We’re happy to welcome Swivl to the Stage Two family and honored to support them in their online debut. It’s always exciting to work with companies from their public debut through launch and we expect Swivl to be nothing short of a thrilling ride!
Swivl caught some publicity this morning, take a look and check back for more later today:
Engadget
Gizmodo
PetaPixel
SlashGear
SmartPlanet
TechCrunch
The Next Web
The Verge
TUAW
UberGizmo
Uncrate
Wired
Sphero Rolls Open Official Pre-Orders to the Community
In the wee hours of Tuesday morning, Sphero opened up the official Pre-Orders to consumers, confirming they will begin shipping this December. Not only can you buy directly from GoSphero.com, you will be able to purchase through Amazon later this week too! While you’re visiting GoSphero.com, check out the shiny new digs with their completely overhauled site: new images, new videos, new look and all the latest games.
A New Way To Play from GoSphero on Vimeo.
We’ve been lucky enough to work with Sphero since their very first debut at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show, which in the agency world is a rare treat to work with a product from start to finish. Now we’re in the home stretch with the Sphero team preparing for the big launch before the end of the year.
Make sure to follow them on Twitter @GoSphero and on Facebook for all the latest updates.
We made a little bit of noise in the blogoSphero (couldn’t help myself!) read articles below:
Android Community
AndroidSPIN
Boulder County Business Report
Denver Post
GizmoFusion
SlashGear
Tech Rockies
TUAW
The Next Web
Touch Arcade
Red Karaoke upgrades iPhone, iPad and Android devices into a portable karaoke machine!
Singers of the world unite! Today, our client, Red Karaoke, launched their awesome new mobile application for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, further cementing them as the international, online, karaoke kings that they are. The app turns your device into a karaoke machine with a library of over 45,000 songs. Queued music and scrolling lyrics show you what’s next while the camera allows you to easily record and share your karaoke performances. It’s pretty sweet!
Last week, we had some special guests over to the (still) new office for a sneak preview of the app with Red Karaoke’s CEO and founder, Miguel A. Diez Ferreira.
Fact- The word “karaoke” or “empty orchestra” comes from the Japanese word for “empty” (kara) plus the first part of the word “orchestra.” But, hooked up to the stereo via HDMI or even mirrored via AppleTV, the Red Karaoke app makes it seem like the orchestra is anything but empty.
Most everyone took a turn at singing their favorite karaoke classics including “Hotel California”, “Piano Man,” and more… Of course, the whole gang chimed in on “Piano Man.” La-di-da-di-di-da…
So if you like karaoke, go try out Red Karaoke for yourself. You won’t regret it!
The announcement was made via PR Web and the Red Karaoke Blog.
Hot off the presses-
The Next Web
Gizmodo
Stage Two Is Adding An Account Manager To The Team!
We are looking for a PR Account Manager with four to six years of media-relations experience to join our hip, fun team of tech marketing and PR professionals. The best candidate will be someone who knows both tech bloggers and tech lifestyle journalists who cover the consumer electronics and consumer web space. Bonus points if you know apps, mobile tech and smart TV. You will be managing accounts, liaising with clients, launching products, creating press strategies, and schmoozing with journalists. Sounds like fun? It is.
Stage Two is a small group of industry-insiders, wizened tech masters and pop-culture junkies who know how to maintain a proper work/life balance. Whether it’s ending the day early to catch the hottest blockbuster, or drinking scotch with a client at one of our many local watering holes, we play as hard as we work and do great things for all of our clients.
Qualifications:
- Able to work within dynamic start-up environment
- Fast learner and self-starting with impeccable organizational skills
- Can manage and prioritize the needs of multiple client relationships simultaneously
- Extremely strong communications skills, especially written
- Good understanding of consumer technology (video, mobile, etc) with a genuine interest in new trends in tech, media, and culture
- Decent grasp of new media, including some contacts with bloggers and social network influencers
- Confident and articulate
- Brilliantly creative
Responsibilities:
- See above, and…
- Coordinating media lists and event logistics
- Monitoring client and industry press
- Conceive, develop, and implement influencer-marketing strategies for clients
- Build and nurture relationships with key bloggers, industry influencers, press/media, analysts, and potential marketing partners
- New media outreach and traditional PR for new stories, company launches, product launches, etc.
- Take a consumer product from 80 or 90% to 100% readiness for launch
- Understand and explain consumer behaviors to clients
- Find and evaluate event participation opportunities (speaking, booths, panels, etc.) for clients
- Attend local industry networking events
Our new office is really sweet and is in the Financial District. There are many restaurants, bars and “cool spots” in the neighborhood. We don’t have cubicles or time sheets here. Just work, play and PR!
If you’re interested, please send the following to jobs at stagetwo dot com:
- a resume (preferably a hard copy and a link to an online one)
- a short bio
- your salary requirements
- why you think this is a perfect fit for you
- which of our clients excites you the most, and why
Any emails without all 5 of the above will be ignored, and probably marked as spam. Feel free to let us know if you have any questions. Otherwise, we look forward to hearing from you. Ready to be our newest rock star? We’re waiting…
PS – Our loyal readers will note that we recycled a lot of this content from the last time we posted – there’s a good reason for that.
Come and knock on our door – Stage Two has a new home!
It seems like only yesterday that the Stage Two team packed up our computers and moved into a new SOMA office complex. We loved working South of Market (we were literally right across the street from the ball park) and made a number of new friends during our time on Townsend Street.
But like all things, our time visiting HRD and Brickhouse for working lunches has come to an end. Stage Two has set up a more permanent shingle on Kearny and Sutter . . .
. . . right above Murphy’s Pub.
The view from Stage Two
It took some elbow grease, some heavy lifting and some IKEA furniture assembling, but we have pretty much settled in to our new digs. The office itself is amazing, with a full kitchen and exposed brick walls.
That's a wine fridge and a gas range in the back, friends.
We’re not saying that our office is better than your office, but we’re not not saying that, either.
We don't really believe in cubicles.
Jim's office is pretty great.
We're still trying to find a home for the Rock Band gear.
So if you are in the neighborhood and a friend of the company, come and knock on our door and see our new pad! We can’t wait to meet out neighbors, make new friends and do some serious tech marketing consulting and PR in our new home.
Waze Helps Drivers Band Together To Fight Carmageddon
If you have ever lived in or even visited smoggy Los Angeles, you know how terrible the unpredictable 405 freeway can be. The intersection of
the 405 and the 10 has been called the worst traffic jam in North America – and with good reason. Driving there is awful. And as if this six lane parking lot couldn’t get any worse, they are actually shutting down the entire freaking freeway. For a whole weekend. Welcome to Carmageddon.
Never fear, though. Stage Two client Waze has a solution, and a website – beatcarmageddon.com Waze is a community of drivers banding together with a single purpose: eliminating traffic. The traffic and navigation application uses real time data from drivers on the road to help people fight, avoid and extinguish traffic. The company recently announced a partnership with ABC News in Los Angeles to help local drivers fight the impending Auto-pocalypse. That is the kind of innovation we can all applaud.
When the 405 shuts down later this month, traffic in Los Angeles will be a nightmare. With Waze, Angelinos can have a fighting chance of getting through it together.
Waze recently doubled the number of drivers using the app and has been written up in a number of media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. Other press picking up the Waze news include:
Stage Two Names Jim Schaff Managing Partner
I am pleased to announce that starting today 
Jim Schaff is the new Managing Partner of Stage Two. Jim will oversee all of the firm’s day-to-day operations and work output going forward as Adam and I transition into an advisory role with the company we founded almost five years ago. Jim is one of the most knowledgeable marketing executives I’ve had the pleasure to work with. I am proud to hand him the keys to the Stage Two kingdom.
It’s a very, very challenging thing to do, to be honest. We’ve had an amazing run since the company was founded, and have had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented entrepreneurs and executives from around the world. With Jim on board we’ve put some very cool companies and products on the map, including Boxee, Bug Labs, Pogoplug, Sphero, Face.com, TuneUp Media, Splashtop, and more. We’ve also had the chance to work for amazing companies like Clicker.com (now part of CBS), Electronic Arts, VUDU (acquired by Wal-Mart), BOKU, Worldmate, and others. I know it’s a rarity to have your cake and eat it too, but we’ve been doing it for almost five years now. And that’s a lot of cake.
I’ve affectionately joked about Jim’s long history in marketing and technology. He was a key person to help launch the typewriter, and his crisis PR management for black and white TV when “full color” became all the rage is legendary. In reality Jim has over two decades of experience in marketing, advertising, consumer technology and managing marketing teams. He is a branding expert with deep knowledge of launching consumer technology products. On a more personal level, he is also an incredible human being. He loves hockey (go Sharks Habs), poker (although “Poker Jim” is not welcome at all tables), scuba diving and his dog. I’ve learned many things from Jim over the past few years, and have respect for him as a person and as a businessman.
As for Adam and me? Yes we are leaving day-to-day roles, but let’s face it, even when your baby grows up, goes to college, then moves abroad, you still follow him on Twitter and do his laundry sometimes, right? We will remain connected to the firm and several clients in a strategic advisory capacity, though we have every bit of confidence that things are being left in extremely capable hands. Regarding what we’ll be spending our time on moving forward? Well, the first rule of show business is, ” . . .”
Stage Two is Hiring a Business Development/Sales Representative
Stage Two, Inc. is an integrated communications agency obsessed with creating innovative marketing strategies and engaging PR campaigns for consumer technology companies. We have helped clients such as EA, SONOS, NETGEAR, Boxee, Clicker, VUDU, D-Link, PogoPlug, Waze, and Orbotix connect with tech press, traditional journalists, digital influencers and consumers.
Stage Two is currently seeking a full time Business Development/Sales Representative to join our fast growing San Francisco-based boutique firm.
The primary role of this position is to close new business by generating meetings with target accounts, developing leads into opportunities and establishing long-term relationships with prospective clients. Candidates will start in a lead generation role or a lead generation / sales role based on qualifications and level of experience.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead generation/outbound calling and warm lead follow up.
- Perform new business introductory calls and presentations to articulate S2 services, philosophies and methodologies.
- Manage deals from prospecting to close
- Meet or exceed monthly, quarterly and annual revenue targets.
- Work closely with prospective clients to understand their business objectives and create the most appropriate solution to meet their needs.
- Develop and maintain relationships with prospects and clients over the long term.
- Attend tech / networking events around the bay area as a representative of Stage Two
Qualifications:
- 2-5 years proven B2B sales experience in a product or services environment.
- Proven track record of opening new accounts.
- Experience closing deals in the $25k-$100k range.
- Proven track record of meeting/exceeding quotas and goals.
- Experience selling services to marketing organizations within high-tech firms a plus.
- Exceptional written and oral presentation skills
- Ability to work independently on multiple tasks
- Strong attention to detail
- Experience negotiating legal contracts and/or agreements a plus
If you’re highly entrepreneurial, confident, passionate, eager to learn and have a proven track record of sales achievement, you might be just the person we’re looking for.
If you’re interested in this position, please email us some thoughts as to why you’d be a great addition to our rock star team (don’t do a cut/paste job, we’ll know) as well as your resume to jobs@stagetwo.com for immediate consideration.
Windows 8: Close, But No iOS
After reading this article from Daring Fireball we got the idea that Windows 8 is like that guy who is always modifying his old car. Sure, he has custom rims, tinted windows and monogrammed upholstery. But at the end of the day, he is still cruising around in a ’99 Celica.
While Windows 8 does offer some pretty nifty features- you can view two apps side by side, among other enhancements – the esthetically pleasing demeanor doesn’t equal flawless functionality. Quoting from the page:
I think it’s a fundamentally flawed idea for Microsoft to build their next-generation OS and interface on top of the existing Windows. The idea is that you get the new stuff right alongside Windows as we know it. Microsoft is obviously trying to learn from Apple, but they clearly don’t understand why the iPad runs iOS, and not Mac OS X.
So while Microsoft has built a visually appealing mobile operating system (and it is pretty – see the video below), they tacked this new UI on top of Windows. The result is a potentially muddled experience that aims to power tablets, laptops and desktop PCs. Others have wondered if this new OS is capable of powering both desktops and slates.
Microsoft needs to understand that a great touch OS is defined by restraint and streamlined elegance, while a desktop OS is defined by thoroughness and depth. It is interesting to see how the UI has progressed, but in failing to differentiate mobile from desktop user needs, Microsoft may have just put new spinners on an old Toyota.
