Phil West

Current

President at Luminaria Media & Public Relations

Past

Co-Director at National Poetry Slam
Senior Account Executive at Dublin & Associates
Freelance Writer at San Antonio Express-News

Freelance Writer at Seattle Times

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Education

The University of Texas at Austin
University of Washington

Recommended

2 people have recommended Phil

Connections

196 connections

Industry

Public Relations and Communications

Websites

Phil West’s Summary

I'm the president and founder of Luminaria Media & Public Relations, an Austin-based firm specializing in media relations, online media relations, writing, ghostwriting, event coordination, event management and sponsorship consultation, digital strategy coordination, and strategic planning for companies, non-profits, universities, authors, and entrepreneurs.

Before returning to Austin in 2006 to found Luminaria, I was a senior account executive with Dublin & Associates in San Antonio, one of the largest PR firms in South Texas, working on a variety of corporate and university accounts.

My work at Dublin included generating more than 70 million impressions in 12 media markets (including six Top 20 markets) for Pace Foods for its Tom Perini/Trailgating campaign, managing media relations for a number of Frost’s financial professionals, and spearheading event planning and media relations for Taco Cabana’s campaign in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

My media relations work has resulted in coverage for clients from some of the nation’s top media outlets, including: AP Broadcast Services, Associated Press, Austin American-Statesman, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Christian Science Monitor, CNN, Dallas Morning News, Detroit Free Press, Forbes, Fortune, Fox News Channel, Houston Chronicle, Latina, Los Angeles Times, MSNBC, National Public Radio, Reuters, Robb Report Worth, San Antonio Express-News, San Francisco Chronicle, Southwest Airlines Spirit, Time, U.S. News and World Report, and USA Today.

I also have nearly 20 years experience as a freelance journalist, with work appearing in the Los Angeles Times, Seattle Times, Austin Chronicle, and San Antonio Express-News. I currently serve on the board of Freelance Austin. I am also a veteran arts organizer, and I have had work featured in numerous poetry and creative nonfiction publications, including a book-length collection of poems, The Arsenal of Small Stars, from The Wordsmith Press.

Phil West’s Experience

President

Luminaria Media & Public Relations

(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Public Relations and Communications industry)

May 2006 — Present (3 years 3 months)

Develop and conduct public relations campaigns, including media relations, writing, ghostwriting, strategic planning, media training, event coordination, and administrative support, for a variety of clients, including non-profit organizations, authors, arts organizations, entrepreneurs, educators, and professional alliances.
Co-Director

National Poetry Slam

(Non-Profit; 1-10 employees; Performing Arts industry)

March 2005 — September 2007 (2 years 7 months)

Coordinated media relations, sponsorships, and logistics for this multi-day festival and tournament involving more than 300 competitors from across North America and Europe.
Senior Account Executive

Dublin & Associates

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Public Relations and Communications industry)

August 2002 — May 2006 (3 years 10 months)

Conducted public relations campaigns, including media relations, writing, ghostwriting, event coordination, and strategic planning for a variety of corporate clients, including a Fortune 500 food company, a major regional bank, a major regional restaurant chain, two universities, and a top-performing private K-12 school.
Freelance Writer

San Antonio Express-News

(Newspapers industry)

2000 — 2003 (3 years)
Freelance Writer

Seattle Times

(Newspapers industry)

1988 — 1994 (6 years)

Phil West’s Education

The University of Texas at Austin

MFA , Writing (Minor in Anthropology) , 1997 — 2000

Also studied English and Education as a post-bacc student, 1995-1997
University of Washington

BA , Communications (Editorial Journalism) , 1986 — 1990

Activities and Societies:

The Daily of the University of Washington, UW News Lab, KCMU-FM (now KEXP-FM)