About Us
Forty-three percent - not where we got our name BTW - of journalists today don’t trust public relations professionals, according to a recent study. Earning the media’s trust is woven into the fabric of our agency’s culture.
Consumers today have one-touch access to a dizzying array of content. They have never been as informed or discerning as they are now and your public relations campaign must be made relevant and authentic to succeed. We keep you one step ahead by blending traditional public relations with blogger relations and social media to deliver tangible results.
Our team of former top-tier journalists, public relations veterans and social web pros use best practices gleaned from decades of experience. Our quiver of services includes full-service media relations, product placement in games/films and cross promotions with likeminded brands.
Forty-three percent - not where we got our name BTW - of journalists today don’t trust public relations professionals, according to a recent study. Earning the media’s trust is woven into the fabric of our agency’s culture.
Consumers today have one-touch access to a dizzying array of content. They have never been as informed or discerning as they are now and your public relations campaign must be made relevant and authentic to succeed. We keep you one step ahead by blending traditional public relations with blogger relations and social media to deliver tangible results.
Our team of former top-tier journalists, public relations veterans and social web pros use best practices gleaned from decades of experience. Our quiver of services includes full-service media relations, product placement in games/films and cross promotions with likeminded brands.
Gary Byrd
President
Gary has over 15 years of public relations and top-tier journalism experience. Some of his campaigns include Cisco Systems, Slacker, Griffin Technology, Smith Micro, among others. Before starting FortyThree in 2005, he held the vice president position at one of the largest technology public relations firms in Silicon Valley. As a journalist, Gary was a bureau chief for Knight-Ridder responsible for timely tech news to global markets. Before joining Knight-Ridder, he was a correspondent for The Economist covering tech and business. His articles have appeared in London Times, San Jose Mercury and USA Today. Gary earned a bachelor's degree from University of California, Santa Barbara.
President
Gary has over 15 years of public relations and top-tier journalism experience. Some of his campaigns include Cisco Systems, Slacker, Griffin Technology, Smith Micro, among others. Before starting FortyThree in 2005, he held the vice president position at one of the largest technology public relations firms in Silicon Valley. As a journalist, Gary was a bureau chief for Knight-Ridder responsible for timely tech news to global markets. Before joining Knight-Ridder, he was a correspondent for The Economist covering tech and business. His articles have appeared in London Times, San Jose Mercury and USA Today. Gary earned a bachelor's degree from University of California, Santa Barbara.
Erika Seligsohn
General Manager
Erika is responsible for managing operations at FortyThree and supporting nationwide promotional and online marketing campaigns. Prior to joining FortyThree, Erika co-founded Noah’s Garage, a snowboarding site showcasing talented boarders and selling snowboards and other gear. She managed operations and the North American marketing initiatives. Noah’s Garage was successfully acquired by action sports retailer HardCloud complementing its skate, snow, bike and surf offering. Erika was previously advertising director at Thrasher Magazine, the most popular skateboard magazine spanning over 20 years. Erika received a bachelor's degree from University of California, Santa Barbara.
General Manager
Erika is responsible for managing operations at FortyThree and supporting nationwide promotional and online marketing campaigns. Prior to joining FortyThree, Erika co-founded Noah’s Garage, a snowboarding site showcasing talented boarders and selling snowboards and other gear. She managed operations and the North American marketing initiatives. Noah’s Garage was successfully acquired by action sports retailer HardCloud complementing its skate, snow, bike and surf offering. Erika was previously advertising director at Thrasher Magazine, the most popular skateboard magazine spanning over 20 years. Erika received a bachelor's degree from University of California, Santa Barbara.
Anders Steele
Vice President
Combining a true love of technology, professional music experience and strong PR skills, Anders "walks the walk" and excels in understanding and explaining how technology fits into everyday lives. Anders has 10 years of consumer PR, journalism and professional music experience. For the past seven years, Anders has developed a strong rapport with consumer technology editors and analysts. His entertainment background gives him credibility that he uses to hammer home the strengths of his client’s vision and products. Anders’ clients have received numerous accolades, including Time Magazine's Best Inventions and countless “Best Of” awards from CNET, PC World, Wired, Hollywood Reporter, Laptop and many more. Anders received a bachelor's degree in Public Relations at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Vice President
Combining a true love of technology, professional music experience and strong PR skills, Anders "walks the walk" and excels in understanding and explaining how technology fits into everyday lives. Anders has 10 years of consumer PR, journalism and professional music experience. For the past seven years, Anders has developed a strong rapport with consumer technology editors and analysts. His entertainment background gives him credibility that he uses to hammer home the strengths of his client’s vision and products. Anders’ clients have received numerous accolades, including Time Magazine's Best Inventions and countless “Best Of” awards from CNET, PC World, Wired, Hollywood Reporter, Laptop and many more. Anders received a bachelor's degree in Public Relations at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Maggie Quale
Senior Manager
Maggie has over 12 years of experience managing public relations efforts for a diverse group of organizations. Combining her love of the written language with a passion for positive communication, Maggie successfully guides her clients in the development and execution of public relations strategies - from leading “big splash” launches to building lasting relationships with key members of the media. Maggie’s areas of expertise include established and up-and-coming trends in mobile, web services, software and consumer technology. Maggie’s clients are frequently featured in the NY Times, USA Today and other top-circulation local newspapers, TV and radio programs. Maggie earned a bachelor's degree from University of California, Santa Cruz. She is a mommy to three beautiful boys and an unapologetic Trekkie.
Senior Manager
Maggie has over 12 years of experience managing public relations efforts for a diverse group of organizations. Combining her love of the written language with a passion for positive communication, Maggie successfully guides her clients in the development and execution of public relations strategies - from leading “big splash” launches to building lasting relationships with key members of the media. Maggie’s areas of expertise include established and up-and-coming trends in mobile, web services, software and consumer technology. Maggie’s clients are frequently featured in the NY Times, USA Today and other top-circulation local newspapers, TV and radio programs. Maggie earned a bachelor's degree from University of California, Santa Cruz. She is a mommy to three beautiful boys and an unapologetic Trekkie.
Seana Norvell
Account Manager
Whether it's word-of-mouth marketing, social media or traditional media relations, Seana provides clients with highly targeted yet well-rounded campaigns. Seana has spent years cultivating relationships with consumer and business bloggers, editors and analysts covering mobile apps, software and web services. Some of her public relations campaigns include FastPencil, Slacker, iRiver and SGN. As a result of her innovative strategies millions of people use the products she promotes. She comes to FortyThree from a social web strategy firm where she managed media relations and advised Web 2.0 gaming, ecommerce, widget and advertising clients on branding, messaging and product management. Seana spends her spare time spearheading the Santa Cruz chapter of Girls in Tech. She received her bachelor’s in Business Management and Economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Account Manager
Whether it's word-of-mouth marketing, social media or traditional media relations, Seana provides clients with highly targeted yet well-rounded campaigns. Seana has spent years cultivating relationships with consumer and business bloggers, editors and analysts covering mobile apps, software and web services. Some of her public relations campaigns include FastPencil, Slacker, iRiver and SGN. As a result of her innovative strategies millions of people use the products she promotes. She comes to FortyThree from a social web strategy firm where she managed media relations and advised Web 2.0 gaming, ecommerce, widget and advertising clients on branding, messaging and product management. Seana spends her spare time spearheading the Santa Cruz chapter of Girls in Tech. She received her bachelor’s in Business Management and Economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Evie Smith
Account Manager
Evie is an account manager at FortyThree specializing in entertainment technologies and mobile apps with a passion for all that is social networking. Evie has a strong editorial background that she brings to the FortyThree team offering an extremely detail-oriented eye complemented by a highly creative frame of mind. Evie plays a key role in providing consumer tech companies with media strategies that include print, broadcast and online blended with a strong social networking component. This approach gets their messages to the right people at the right time. Some of her experience includes Griffin Technology, Aerielle and TuitionU.com. As a former journalist, Evie covered entertainment and music for such lifestyle publications as ZERO and Access. Evie is an extreme sports enthusiast and member of the Santa Cruz Derby Girls. Evie received her bachelor's degree in Journalism from San Jose State University.
Account Manager
Evie is an account manager at FortyThree specializing in entertainment technologies and mobile apps with a passion for all that is social networking. Evie has a strong editorial background that she brings to the FortyThree team offering an extremely detail-oriented eye complemented by a highly creative frame of mind. Evie plays a key role in providing consumer tech companies with media strategies that include print, broadcast and online blended with a strong social networking component. This approach gets their messages to the right people at the right time. Some of her experience includes Griffin Technology, Aerielle and TuitionU.com. As a former journalist, Evie covered entertainment and music for such lifestyle publications as ZERO and Access. Evie is an extreme sports enthusiast and member of the Santa Cruz Derby Girls. Evie received her bachelor's degree in Journalism from San Jose State University.
Roseann Hernandez
Account Manager
With a passion for the latest gadgets and tech, Roseann has a potent blend of strong editorial and communications skills that combine to help clients get the right messages to the right place at the right time. She plans and executes mobile app campaigns that have garnered accolades from major online and traditional media, while resulting in millions of global downloads. Roseann recently returned to Santa Cruz from a sojourn to London where she wrote for online sites, ran a successful audio-visual company and learned how to make a mean cup of tea. Roseann has a bachelor's degree from Stanford University and a master's degree in Journalism from Goldsmiths College, University of London.
Account Manager
With a passion for the latest gadgets and tech, Roseann has a potent blend of strong editorial and communications skills that combine to help clients get the right messages to the right place at the right time. She plans and executes mobile app campaigns that have garnered accolades from major online and traditional media, while resulting in millions of global downloads. Roseann recently returned to Santa Cruz from a sojourn to London where she wrote for online sites, ran a successful audio-visual company and learned how to make a mean cup of tea. Roseann has a bachelor's degree from Stanford University and a master's degree in Journalism from Goldsmiths College, University of London.
Sara Johnson
Account Associate
Sara is a public relations specialist handling press releases, industry and market research, social media and reviews. She uses her journalism background and relationships to ensure the media gets what they want, when they want it. Prior to FortyThree, Sara worked as a newspaper reporter in Columbus, Ohio. A Michigan native, Sara spends her time exploring what Santa Cruz and Northern California has to offer. She earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Western Michigan University.
Account Associate
Sara is a public relations specialist handling press releases, industry and market research, social media and reviews. She uses her journalism background and relationships to ensure the media gets what they want, when they want it. Prior to FortyThree, Sara worked as a newspaper reporter in Columbus, Ohio. A Michigan native, Sara spends her time exploring what Santa Cruz and Northern California has to offer. She earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Western Michigan University.
Carrie Weiss
Account Assistant
Carrie is responsible for monitoring client and industry coverage, product review programs and managing social media campaigns. She grew up in Silicon Valley with a passion for soccer, socializing and seeing the world. Carrie is a recent graduate of University of California, Santa Cruz with a bachelor's degree in Sociology.
Account Assistant
Carrie is responsible for monitoring client and industry coverage, product review programs and managing social media campaigns. She grew up in Silicon Valley with a passion for soccer, socializing and seeing the world. Carrie is a recent graduate of University of California, Santa Cruz with a bachelor's degree in Sociology.
Blair Williams
Account Assistant
Blair is responsible for compiling client coverage, distributing products to journalists for review and assisting with social media campaigns. A San Diego native, Blair is an avid runner and fears moving away from the ocean. She attends University of California, Santa Cruz working toward a bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies and Literature.
Account Assistant
Blair is responsible for compiling client coverage, distributing products to journalists for review and assisting with social media campaigns. A San Diego native, Blair is an avid runner and fears moving away from the ocean. She attends University of California, Santa Cruz working toward a bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies and Literature.
Daniel Griffin
Account Assistant
Daniel assists account managers in getting coverage for FortyThree clients. Recently receiving a Journalism and Political Science bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas, Daniel is putting his education to good work at FortyThree. His hobbies include traveling, college football and the Razorbacks. We sometimes hear him calling the Hogs on game day.
Account Assistant
Daniel assists account managers in getting coverage for FortyThree clients. Recently receiving a Journalism and Political Science bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas, Daniel is putting his education to good work at FortyThree. His hobbies include traveling, college football and the Razorbacks. We sometimes hear him calling the Hogs on game day.