Allison+Partners Expands Presence in Silicon Valley, Deepens B2B Technology Capabilities

Allison+Partners announced today that the team from B2B technology firm New Venture Communications (NVC), has become part of Allison+Partners, bringing additional leadership, Silicon Valley presence and technology sector experience that spans enterprise software, semiconductors, storage, renewable energy, SaaS and cloud computing, mobile and telecom, professional services and private equity.

NVC co-founders and principals Rich Moore and Lisa Kelaita join Allison+Partners as managing directors, responsible for the agency’s Silicon Valley presence. Robin Bectel, NVC senior vice president, will join Allison+Partners’ Washington, D.C. office.

“Our global technology business is growing at an extraordinary pace,” said Phil Carpenter, senior partner, west coast at Allison+Partners. “We’re seeing strong demand from some of the world’s leading enterprise technology companies and fast-growing startups, which are attracted by our work for firms like Micron Technologies and Samsung’s Enterprise Business Division. Rich, Lisa and the entire NVC team have great enterprise technology experience and their addition to Allison+Partners extends us further into this valuable, high-growth segment.”

“This is an opportunity to realize the best of both worlds,” said Lisa Kelaita, co-founder and principal at NVC. “We will continue to build a solid presence in Silicon Valley which started a decade ago when we founded NVC, while tapping into the broader and deeper resources of a highly regarded global midsize agency.”

NVC clients joining Allison+Partners include companies such as First Solar, a global provider of comprehensive photovoltaic (PV) solar systems; StrongView, a provider of email marketing and cross-channel marketing solutions; Boundless, a developer of software for enterprise Spatial IT applications; CS Stars, a business unit of March LLC and the leading provider of risk, safety, and claims management software, analytics and services; and The Anita Borg Institute, a non-profit organization focused on advancing women in technology.

According to Rich Moore, co-founder and principal at NVC, the boutique firm found an alignment with Allison+Partners that is ideal both geographically and culturally. “We sought a partner with a bi-coastal presence in the U.S. to support and complement our expertise, one with the international reach our clients are increasingly requiring as well as deeper resources in areas such as media services and content marketing,” said Moore. “Our agencies are known for providing clients with senior level leadership, positive workplace cultures, and setting a high bar for quality of work.”

Prior to co-founding NVC in 2004, Rich Moore was president of Edelman’s Global Technology Practice and previously was a venture partner at Battery Ventures, guiding general partners and portfolio companies on marketing and strategic communications. While at Battery he supported companies such as Corillian, empowerTel (acquired by Cypress Semiconductor), and Enosys (acquired by BEA Systems). He was also one of four co-founding partners of Copithorne & Bellows (C&B), a high tech PR firm that he helped grow to more than 300 people in 13 offices worldwide prior to its acquisition in 2000. While at C&B he worked closely with major corporations as well as growth-stage B2B companies, including HP, Oracle, McAfee and SanDisk.

Lisa Kelaita, before co-founding NVC, served as executive vice president and general manager of Shandwick International’s Silicon Valley office where she grew both staff and revenue ten-fold during her tenure. Over the course of her career, she has managed and executed communications and content marketing campaigns for dozens of young companies as well as for some of Silicon Valley’s seminal technology companies, associations, and investment firms, including: Codian (Now Cisco), Symantec, SIA, Phillips, US Venture Partners, the Kauffman Fellows Program and Advanced Technology Ventures. Lisa has been supporting the Anita Borg Institute for the past three years and serving on the communications committee of the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) for the past eight years.

About Allison+Partners

Allison+Partners, an MDC Partners company, is a global communications firm driven by a collaborative approach to innovation and creativity. Named 2014 Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report, the firm is organized around seven practices: Consumer Marketing, Corporate, Global China Practice, Health + Wellness, Public Affairs, Social Impact and Technology + Digital Media and has offices in San Francisco, New York, London, Beijing, Shanghai, Paris, Lyon, Singapore, Chicago, Washington D.C., Silicon Valley, Seattle, Portland, Dallas, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Phoenix and San Diego. The firm has a 50-state grassroots U.S. network and deep affiliations with quality firms worldwide through MDC Partners (NASDAQ: MDCA, Toronto Stock Exchange: MDZ.A), a progressive marketing and communications network, championing the most innovative entrepreneurial talent. Visit us at: www.allisonpr.com.