Jeff Wenker

Current

• Principal at JM West Marketing

Past

• Director of Public Relations at Earth Class Mail
• Director of Marketing, PCCS GiDE at PCCS, Inc.
• Director of Corporate Communications at WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.

• Founder/Partner at JM West Marketing
• Worldwide Public Relations Manager at NetScreen Technologies
• Director of Marketing Communications at iOwn.com
• Senior Account Executive at Edelman
• Account Executive at A&R Partners
• Editorial Consultant and Writer at UniForum Monthly
• Founder/Publisher at The World Wind
• Barrel Monkey at Jenke Vineyards

see less...

8 more...

Education

• University of California, Berkeley

Connections

428 connections

Industry

Marketing and Advertising

Jeff Wenker’s Summary

Extensive experience in marketing, corporate communications, and public relations.

Jeff Wenker’s Specialties:

Product Positioning and Messaging, PR Strategy and Planning, Product Launches, Media and Analyst Relations, Marketing Communication, Investor Relations, Acquisition and IPO PR, Creation of Marketing Materials, Customer Engagement

Jeff Wenker’s Experience

• Principal

  JM West Marketing

  (Public Relations and Communications industry)

  September 2008 — Present (11 months)

  Marketing consulting, writing and design services for high-tech, greentech, and consumer clients.

• Director of Public Relations

  Earth Class Mail

  (Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Computer Software industry)

  March 2008 — September 2008 (7 months)

  Built brand awareness and spread the good news of a revolutionary online postal mail solution that will transform the way people manage their mail.

• Director of Marketing, PCCS GiDE

  PCCS, Inc.

  (Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Computer & Network Security industry)

  May 2007 — December 2007 (8 months)

  Developed marketing strategy for new managed technology service, GiDE, a business continuity solution. Established brand, created the web site, wrote and edited marketing communication materials, and other sales tools.

• Director of Corporate Communications

  WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.

  (Public Company; 201-500 employees; WGRD; Computer & Network Security industry)

  February 2005 — November 2006 (1 year 10 months)

  Managed marketing communication strategy, the creation of marketing materials, direct marketing programs, media and analyst relations, and internal communications.
  
  Developed and implemented worldwide communications program, managed international network of PR agencies to improve media relations and generate positive press coverage.
  
  Built better industry analyst relations, worked closely with the CFO and CEO to prepare for quarterly earnings statements.
  
  Worked on defining and then conducted corporate communications strategy during the transition from public to private company upon acquisition.

• Founder/Partner

  JM West Marketing

  (Partnership; 1-10 employees; Marketing and Advertising industry)

  September 2003 — February 2005 (1 year 6 months)

  Founded independent marketing communications and public relations agency, provided branding, visibility and adept communication services to high tech and environmental clients.
  
  Added a partner and expanded the business to provide product marketing consulting and design services.

• Worldwide Public Relations Manager

  NetScreen Technologies

  (Public Company; 501-1000 employees; NSCN; Computer & Network Security industry)

  September 2000 — June 2002 (1 year 10 months)

  Oversaw all PR, provided strategic direction, managed media and analyst relations, and developed corporate communications program.
  
  Coordinated global product launches and lead international PR program. Researched, selected and managed worldwide PR agencies in APAC, EMEA and US at a budget of more that $1 million a year.
  
  Established and maintained business press relations, and worked closely with IR to provide content to financial analysts.
  
  Directed NetScreen PR through one of the most successful IPOs of 2001, complying with all SEC requirements while generating strong press coverage pre and post quiet period.

• Director of Marketing Communications

  iOwn.com

  (Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Internet industry)

  March 2000 — August 2000 (6 months)

  Managed all aspects of marketing communications and public relations under a limited budget.
  
  Provided a foundation for consistent corporate messaging and direction, and developed content for marketing materials and events.
  
  Managed relations with financial and industry analysts, working directly with senior management on all strategic communications before company closed.

• Senior Account Executive

  Edelman

  (Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Public Relations and Communications industry)

  January 1999 — February 2000 (1 year 2 months)

  Managed high-profile clients such as VeriSign and Tibco Finance, developing their PR strategy and plans.
  
  Successfully executed multiple PR programs, which included writing press releases, establishing and fostering press and analyst relationships, developing prominence in vertical market segments, formulating creative stories to pitch, and organizing tours and events.
  
  Directed VeriSign’s international PR in addition to their domestic PR, working with agencies and partners in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
  
  Handled all media relations and activities during VeriSign's acquisitions of Thawte and Signio, as well as the $24 billion acquisition of Network Solutions.

• Account Executive

  A&R Partners

  (Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Public Relations and Communications industry)

  November 1995 — June 1998 (2 years 8 months)

  Managed diverse accounts, including Resonate, NetManage, Allied Telesyn, Pantone, and Reel.com. Worked closely with executive staff to determine corporate messaging and PR strategy. Consistently created and executed successful PR programs.
  
  Organized press tours, wrote and placed articles in trade and business publications, and developed lasting relationships with key press and industry influencers. Helped secure new agency business.
  
  Developed a broad knowledge of the high technology industry and PR.

• Editorial Consultant and Writer

  UniForum Monthly

  (Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Computer Software industry)

  May 1992 — September 1995 (3 years 5 months)

  Edited product descriptions for the annual Open Systems Products Directory, the most comprehensive source for UNIX and Open Systems related hardware, software and periodicals.
  
  Wrote book reviews and other short pieces for UniForum Monthly, the association's magazine.

• Founder/Publisher

  The World Wind

  (Partnership; 1-10 employees; Publishing industry)

  February 1992 — February 1994 (2 years 1 month)

  Founded, edited, published, and wrote for The World Wind, a newsletter based in San Francisco focused on short fiction, poetry, social commentary and activism.

• Barrel Monkey

  Jenke Vineyards

  (Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Food & Beverages industry)

  March 1990 — June 1990 (4 months)

  Picked grapes, rolled barrels, worked the cellar door at a boutique winery in Australia's Barossa Valley. Winner of the coveted Golden Shovel Award.
  
  Wines now available at: http://www.34thparallel.com/

Jeff Wenker’s Education

• University of California, Berkeley

  BA , History , 1985 — 1989

  Created and ran The Great Berkeley Cook-off, an annual competitive culinary and musical experience with proceeds going to The March of Dimes, 1986-1989

Additional Information

Jeff Wenker’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

• job inquiries
• expertise requests
• business deals
• reference requests
• getting back in touch