• Tech Trends Abound at TechFestNW

    Tech Trends Abound at TechFestNW

    I recently had the pleasure of attending my very first TechFestNW, an annual tech conference that brings the brightest minds, companies and ideas in technology together in the Rose City. Throughout the two-day event, various speakers – from growing startups (like Portland-based Sightbox, a client of ours) and major companies (think Nike and Hewlett Packard) – discussed trends they’re seeing across the industry. Along with keynote sessions, workshops were held throughout the event and focused on various topics – one of my favorite sessions focused on how US-based companies can successfully introduce themselves into the UK market, especially given Brexit – so cool! Another exciting portion of the conference was PitchFest, which featured over 70 startups pitching their company to the bevy of investors that attended the event (proud agency alert: Sightbox made it to the top 5!).

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    Overall, the event was the perfect mix of exciting and truly futuristic technical innovations and realistic, game-changing technologies that both enterprises and startups alike have already started putting into practice.

    So, what were some of the biggest trends we saw?

    Virtual reality

    Virtual reality (VR) was possibly the most talked about technology throughout the event. Whether it was about incorporating VR into gaming, or script writing for VR films – it’s definitely a hot topic that everyone from consumers to enterprises are excited about. And if you want to see what it looks like to have fun with VR, check this out:

    Cybersecurity

    You couldn’t go more than a few minutes without hearing about the widely-debated role that security and privacy has in tech. According to the New York Time’s cybersecurity reporter Nicole Perlroth, there is a whole lot of F.U.D. – fear, uncertainly, and doubt – in the industry currently. The main takeaway? Cyberthreats are increasing at a rapid pace and the tech industry is responsible for providing secure products, applications and technologies for businesses and consumers alike.

    Tech for Good

    One of my favorite sessions throughout the conference focused on “tech-lanthropy,” and stressed the importance of venture capitalists “thinking bigger.” It’s the idea that not only should VCs consider the financial gains that they’ll receive from investing in technology, but also how their investments will make a positive impact socially, societally and environmentally.

    What’s next?

    Of course, there were so many more topics and amazing companies that I could never fit into one blog post, but it’s safe to say I’m already eager for next year’s event. In the meantime, we’re keeping an eye out for all the exciting companies operating under these trends, so that we can help them rise above the noise.

    Do you think these trends will be top of mind next year? If not, what trends do you expect WILL be a big hit?

    Matter

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  • Exploring the Portland Startup Scene at NewTech PDX

    Exploring the Portland Startup Scene at NewTech PDX

    As a Massachusetts native, I’ve encountered my fair share of smart, scrappy founders working to turn their ideas into reality in a competitive ecosystem. As a transplant to the west coast and working in Matter’s Portland office, it’s easy to see there’s something different in the air here, and startups love it. To date, I haven’t been more reminded of that than I was at a recent NewTech PDX gathering. A monthly networking event, it brings together individuals from across Portland’s diverse business community to make new connections and support the professionals that power this budding startup mecca. This month’s event, hosted at New Relic, was themed after a subject near and dear to Portland’s heart: Food.

    Before you start salivating, check out the video we created below that takes a closer look at the individuals and organizations that make up NewTech PDX.

    Companies like Intel and Nike give Portland a reputation for top notch tech and consumer goods, but there’s no discussing the best things in Portland without mentioning its culinary culture. It’s also perhaps one of the best ways to understand what drives this city’s robust startup community. Food and drink is everywhere in Portland, from high end steakhouses to Froot Loop donuts; from molecular mixology to gourmet grilled cheese food carts. It’s a boon for diners, but even moreso for entrepreneurs looking to make a splash in food.

    During this month’s NewTech PDX event, I had the chance to sample some unbelievable cuisine and to hear from a handful of companies leading the charge in foodtech. As I listened to founders passionately describing their projects, there were some standout takeaways that illustrate why Portland is such a great place for startups, delicious and otherwise.

    1. This is a haven of sustainable and intentional living. It might be the overwhelming beauty of our natural landscapes, or Oregon’s strong farming and craft culture, but the demand for transparency and responsibility in food production is pervasive. Leveraging a regional predilection for farm-to-table with tech-driven convenience, MilkRun has found a willing test audience in Portland to take their fresh, farmer-friendly take on food delivery to a national stage.
    2. Portland’s people and infrastructure are evidence of a community ready to let technology reshape daily life. From bikeshare kiosks to digitized streetcar tickets to iPad cash registers, a night (or day) on the town is unavoidably digital. YouAte, a free food journaling app available for iOS, is finding new ways for technology to help us make healthier choices and enjoy all the great food this city has to offer in a more mindful way.
    3. Portland loves a food fad, but from food carts to underground gastropubs, the people here also know that great dining experiences often come in unexpected packages. Feastly, a company that connects chefs with venues for pop-up restaurants and experimental culinary events, is providing a new platform to make this happen. It’s great for chefs looking for adventurous eaters, and vice versa. I’ve personally got my eye on Food of Guam next month, but there’s plenty of great meals to go around, regardless of your preferred tastes.
    4. I’ve been here for a year, and about half of the people I meet at a given event have been here for less time. The fact is that talented young professionals are flocking to Stumptown in droves, and they need jobs. Poached, another NewTech presenter, is changing the way restaurants hire, providing a platform that opens up a world of new opportunities for those working in the foodservice industry. With new restaurants popping up every day and torrent of professional transplants, business is booming.

    While Portland’s startup culture has exploded in recent years, the city has a well established and long standing reputation as a haven for entrepreneurs. Most of us have heard, at least a dozen or so times, the story of Portland’s original deal maker, Henry Pittock, who showed up penniless in 1853 on the banks of the Willamette before becoming a self-made millionaire. In 2017, his sprawling family mansion is still a Portland landmark, and a testament to the fact that if you’ve got a crazy idea and a willingness to work hard for it, this is a great place to be. If only he’d also predicted Portland’s inexplicable obsession with donuts, his house might have been even bigger…

     

    Matter

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  • Why I Get Amped When Visiting Our PR and Social Media Office in Portland!

    Last week I shared some thoughts related to the experience that clients have when engaged with a PR and social media agency that has a national presence – and this week I had the opportunity to spend some time with my dynamite crew of professionals in one of our offices on the West Coast. Here are a few reasons why I get pumped when I visit Portland, and in particular, when I spend time with the smart, savvy and hard-working gang from Matter in that city:

    First, Good Lord – what a town. Portland has a terrific blend of people, culture, hobbies, and happenings. It’s a city that supports an active lifestyle – and please see our gang getting recognized for being so healthy! –while also offering more eating, drinking and merriment options than all other cities of comparable size and scope. It’s a vibrant community that’s fueled by solid and honest people.

    Second, speaking of those people, our office is jammed-packed with a group of outstanding locals – and those who are quickly becoming locals. There’s a great blend of local knowledge, balanced by perspective from the East Coast. Half of our crowd are born and raised in the great Northwest, but a number of staff have moved to this great city from Boston, Atlanta and other hot spots on the eastern seaboard. As a result, it’s so nice to be here in person to meet new people – but also to see some of the familiar ones who made a great life choice to add to their career experience by spending time in Portland.

    Third, it’s special to sit with the team here in Portland in person and be reminded about their capabilities and their PR savvy. I love hearing first-hand how they are working creativity into their client programs – in terms of imaginative pitch ideas for media relations, or highly visual content produced by the creative team. It’s terrific to hear them overcome media challenges, and celebrate successes. While improvements in connectivity have changed all of our lives for the better, nothing really compares to talking shop in the office or catching-up on life during a visit to a pub.

    Fourth, this town has a steady and growing technology buzz. Beyond its thriving start-up scene, in which Matter client Urban Airship is so active, a constant stream of established players, such as Google, Intel and eBay, have moved people and their gigs to the region in the past few years. There’s so much energy that results from having credible, thriving and opportunistic technology players side-by-side, and the buzz can be felt while walking in the Pearl District – or glancing quickly at GeekWire.

    I like spending time here in our Portland office – can you tell?

    Scott Signore

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  • Pilgrimage to Portland

    Traveling from time to time is something you sign up for when making the choice to pursue a career in video production. It can be very exciting at times; getting to check out new places that you otherwise might never think of visiting. And although video production is a creative field, there are certainly those other times when the required tasks during the trip aren’t as artistically refreshing as one might hope.

    Last week I got to visit the Matter office in Portland, Oregon for the first time. Among my list of tasks were to take headshots for all of our staff, shoot some office B Roll, and give an overview presentation of Matter’s in-house creative services to the PDX staff. After a day and a half of this, I was to then hop on a plane to San Francisco to staff a Media Training event for a client. While all of this stuff is useful for the company and good professional experience for me, I needed to find a way that I could bring back more than just photos of smiling faces and a PowerPoint deck. Enter Nick and Cait.

    Nick and Cait are two of our staff members who recently jumped ship from Newburyport to Portland. They’ve been working from the Oregon office for a couple months now, so with their help I created this short doc about the migration process and how it’s affected each of them. Working on this project allowed me to get outside for a while to shoot B Roll around the city and take in some of the sights, all while telling their unique story.

    Breaking the norm of telling a client’s story to tell one of our agency’s own was a nice change of pace. From a Matter perspective, I hope this will help folks realize that moving 2500 miles away from home doesn’t have to be all that intimidating.

    Matter

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  • Going Organic in the Silicon Forest

    Portland thrives in the Silicon Forest (Photo courtesy of backpacker.com)

    Although I am one of the newest team members with Matter Communications, I have been doing this PR thing for while—eight years to be exact. During my early years in PR I saw the emergence of the smartphone app, the dawn of the very painful 2008 recession, and the rise of social networks like Facebook and Twitter. I learned early on that having a Swiss Army knife full of skills will make you invaluable to both bootstrapped clients and to your own firm. Part of me feels like I grew up in Silicon Valley. It’s where I first fell in love with consumer technology and really learned how to be a great PR person. I took my first steps as a professional there and learned the industry in and out, but like most hometowns in order to keep growing, sometimes you have to leave the nest.

    The first time I heard someone mention the “Silicon Forest,” it piqued my interest. From big data number crunchers to companies like Urban Airship and Simple, some cutting-edge trends were springing up in Portland, and many of tech’s most influential players were opening offices all over the Pacific Northwest.

    After a few visits, I knew it was for me.

    Working in Silicon Valley for almost a decade taught me a lot about hustle. I learned the power of forming authentic relationships and how to spot the difference between a brilliant idea and a brilliant pitch. Still, something was always missing for me—something never fit quite right. When I started meeting professionals in Portland—everyone from reporters and startup founders to deep thinkers and unicycle riders—things really started to click for me. (Not that the latter two are mutually exclusive!)

    Having been in Matter’s Portland office for just over two months, I can honestly say that I am continually impressed and excited about what makes the Silicon Forest thrive. Portland’s tech scene offers all of the core things that made the Valley special, and so much more. In the Pacific Northwest, environmental sustainability isn’t an afterthought and important conversations around diversity in tech come up organically. Startups aren’t just creating fun products—they’re creating culture and real change. It’s really a beautiful thing!

    Establishing myself as a PR professional in Portland’s lush Silicon Forest has been a remarkably natural process, some could even say it’s been very organic. During my time in Portland, everyone I’ve encountered in tech has shown a genuine eagerness to connect me with their circles, and forge real connections over a local pour-over cup of coffee.

    For me, that drive to form authentic, organic relationships is what really sets Portland’s Silicon Forest apart.

    People here love genuine. They love real conversations and getting to know you, your company, and how you might be able to make something together. And I love genuine too.

    Sure, I might have been swayed by the abundance of delicious craft beers and artisan donuts, but Bridge City is definitely for me!

    Matter

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  • PR Networking In Portland: An Opportunity To Connect

    This past week the Matter Portland office took a trip to an evening networking event hosted by Women In Information Technology (WITI), a group hosts get-together’s for women working in the technology industry. As we headed out the door we were all excited to get our feet wet in the local community, building relationships with other professional women in the technology world – and it didn’t hurt that the event was taking place at a Jaguar R&D center.

    If you haven’t been to a networking event for some time, the idea of chatting with new people can be overwhelming and intimidating. However, networking events are a great opportunity to forge new connections since everyone in the room is there because they are interested in expanding their network and learning about new companies, people, and opportunities in the area.

    So, if you are feeling a little bit rusty here are some great ways to prepare:

    • Practice your elevator pitch: At a networking event everyone wants to know who each other is, who they work for, and what they do there. You want to be able to share this information quickly, concisely, but still with personality.
    • Put on your happy face: How likely are you to walk up to someone who is scowling? Not very. You want to put off an open vibe that will invite people to come speak with you. What’s one easy way to do this? Smile and meet the eyes of those around you.
    • Dress the part: Depending on the venue and event you may want to dress up, or down. Do a little bit of research beforehand. Is the event taking place at a nice location, or somewhere more low key?
    • Get excited: You only have as much fun at these events as you allow yourself to. Take advantage of the opportunity and get excited about all of the people you will meet. There’s no shame in playing a little pump up music.

    You never know who you may meet that will be a great connection in the future. Think about it this way, the Portland team works with mostly technology clients, so connecting with women in technology startups or established companies may open doors for new business down the road. Similarly, if there is a technology journalist at the event taking a moment to chat may help you gain insight into her interests, which gives you great pitching insight to take to work.

    Matter

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  • Where the Hipsters PR

    What do Nike Shoes, local brews, foodies, hipsters and Matter Communications all have in common? Simple – all can be found in Portland Oregon. I have been fortunate enough to spend this week with some of Matter’s newest cohorts in our recently added Portland office. While I am here in an official capacity, it has hardly felt that way.

    There is something in the air in Portland, and whatever it is, it is making the folks that breathe it creative as hell. From the locally sourced everything that has made up my multi-cultural infused meals, to the street performers and coffee shop writers, there is no lack of creative spirit in Portland. This has all lead me to better appreciate what an asset we’ve gained at Matter by expanding our footprint into one of the hippest and most original cities on the West Coast.

    While I think we have always had a highly creative spirit at Matter, we have definitely gained some considerable stock by moving out West and adding a Portland office to our ranks. We spend a lot of time talking about what public relations is and what we do, and sometimes with all the day to day rigmarole we end up defining ourselves according to the many tasks that we perform. It is important not to lose sight of the essentially creative nature of PR. At our core we are idea people. We come up with ideas and tell stories that others struggle to tell. Without an intelligent, creative and engaging story or idea driving it, the day to day work of any PR program becomes meaningless.

    One thing is for sure, Portland is a city that in many ways thrives on stories. It’s not just the product, but where the ingredients were sourced and how it was made. The story behind a meal, or a soap, or a beer is almost as important as the end product itself. Like any good PR person Portland people take pride in their stories, making it a naturally conducive environment for the craft. Portland breeds inspiration, imagination, and a real appreciation for good story telling, and my Portland counterparts are no exception to this rule. Matter, and perhaps most importantly, Matter’s clients, have scored a major win with our Portland expansion. I will certainly look forward to my next chance to visit and soak up some of the creative air in StumpTown.

    Ryan Lilly

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  • From Boston to Portland: a PR Brainstorm

    Everyone knows the common saying among creative professionals: “There’s never a dumb idea while brainstorming.”

    Jokes aside, being a member of the Matter Communications team, whether in Portland or Newburyport, we often find ourselves searching for creative ideas among our colleagues, both on and off the account in question, to expand our clients’ reach within their respective industries. Matter has developed such a strong repertoire of clients that teams often overlap when it comes to technologies or media targets.

    Cue the calendar invite for a brainstorm session.

    Sometimes it takes a conversation with a person or group not on the account to be a catalyst in a new, innovative communications tactic. A fresh pair of eyes and/or ears can make a world of difference in a short 20-minute brainstorm session. There is no shortage of smart PR professionals at Matter, which makes for productive, sometimes ground-breaking brainstorming sessions, whether on the couch or over the conference line 3000 miles away.

    If you’re feeling like all of your ideas have been exhausted, it will never hurt to get 4-5 people together just to talk. Since this should be an educational post, I’ve developed a few simple checkpoints the brainstorm leader can use to make a session productive and efficient!

    • Provide a brief explanation of the client’s offering to start the conversation and ignite a firestorm of creative thinking.
    • Ask if any of the brainstormers have a relationship with a publication or editor that can be utilized for an opportunity. Don’t expect an immediate introduction, but learn what can be done to seize the potential opportunity.
    • Has anyone noticed any current events or relevant news stories that can be related to the client’s story or offering?
    • Build upon others’ ideas – don’t just write them down to let them die

    While you should come out of a brainstorm with an entirely new set of provocative, exciting and news-worthy ideas, you may even discover a completely new understanding or appreciation of exactly how cool your clients really are!

    Matter

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  • PR: Is Proximity Relative?

    As the newest team member at Matter Communications in Portland, OR, I take time to reflect on the words of one of the most influential voices of my generation to help make my transition as seamless as possible:

    “When opportunity knocks, you better let him in. Sit him on down and try to be his friend.”

    I’ve taken Coolio’s words to heart during my first month with Matter and the weeks leading up to my start date. Yes, Coolio AND the Space Jam soundtrack referenced in my first Matter Chatter.  I stick by my “most influential” claim. #noregrets.

    Throughout my career, I’ve been a part of numerous PR campaigns ranging from basic US-based media relations to global product launches and reviews. I’ve worked in agencies on the east and west coasts and have come across opportunities with clients down the street and half way around the world.

    Many times, potential clients, who are not necessarily within driving range of the office, will question the reliability or ability of an agency to meet their needs. Are time zones really that big of an issue? Of course, it may be inconvenient to be in our Portland office on a call at 6AM, but if the work is done satisfactory and in a timely manner, should that be an issue?

    Whether we like to admit it, a PR professional is on call at all times. In this day and age of constant connectivity, do the miles really make a difference? Will a potential client in the Bay Area pass over the most qualified or affordable agency if they’re not in San Francisco? Will a Seattle company be more content with an agency headquartered in Newburyport, MA who has an office down I-5 in Portland?

    Matter is the second bi-coastal agency on my resume and I’ve seen the time zone bias play on numerous occasions. But with that, I’ve also been on a 7AM call with European contacts. The work gets done, clients are happy and we’ll occasionally get a good night’s rest!

    When it’s all said and done, I think the experience, willingness to adjust and success of a company should be the ultimate measure of a deal. Hey, there’s always a seat on the red eye if the clients back east want to thank you for your work in person!

    There are so many opportunities out there to increase the success of your campaign, but to a PR professional “home” is wherever you can connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot. We can make it happen on the road during a trade show, in the office or on the couch at midnight. If the opportunity to develop a communications plan for a company outside of your city limits arises, reinforce the quality of work rather than your ability to take them out to lunch!

    Seth Buchwalter, Senior Account Executive, Portland, OR

    Matter

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  • PR Firm Matter Communications Launches West Coast Office!

    It’s official: after months of careful research and planning, today we open the doors to our new, full-service PR office in Portland, Oregon by acquiring The Hollenbeck Group in Portland. The new office will be run by long-time PR veteran Kent Hollenbeck, who joins Matter as Vice President.

    Effective immediately, Matter Communications has a bona fide West Coast presence strategically located in a burgeoning city full of promising technology and consumer companies as well as PR talent. Moreover, the location positions Matter squarely within shouting distance of key geographies such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle and Boise, where a healthy number of Matter’s existing clients reside.

    I’m thrilled about this move, which comes on the heels of an earlier announcement that we’ve opened an office in Boston’s Innovation District. Our careful expansion directly reflects the continued health of our business, which is owed to the tremendous work and spirit of our 60+ staff of talented PR professionals.

    Kent and his team are an exciting addition to our staff, and their collective experience working  with technology companies is a perfect complement to Matter’s 10-year history . He’s philosophically aligned with Matter’s approach to client services, which is to say he knows that smart strategy and flawless execution are critical ingredients for client longevity in today’s demanding PR environment.

    To our existing clients, today is a good day because it means we have you covered with a physical presence from coast to coast. And to our new friends in Portland and across the West Coast, I’d love a chance to meet with you on one of my upcoming trips out West.

    Onward and upward!

    Scott Signore

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