Senior Communications Leader | Evolving Toward Brand & Creative Marketing | Ex-Google | Advisor to Tech & Consumer Brands
About
What I love most is turning complex ideas into compelling stories that have cultural impact. Setting the creative vision and getting people to say yes to ideas, partnerships and action.
I’ve helped launch internet-shaping products (like Gmail and Google Maps), led crisis comms at a global scale (LAION v. Stanford) and crafted messaging for some of the highest-impact companies and campaigns in the world.
I’m not a brand strategist by title—but I’m moving that way. I’m especially drawn to mission-driven startups and emerging consumer brands looking to build something real, resonant and lasting.
Below are a few highlights of my work.
Artificial Intelligence
01
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Led communications strategy for the company’s launch and early growth. Developed messaging, managed global press outreach, and advised the executive team on media strategy and crisis communications—including responses to high-profile copyright lawsuits. Worked closely with
leadership across multiple product cycles and news events over 18 months. Coverage spanned The
New York Times, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, major tech trades, U.S. wires, and European
outlets. -
Volunteer communications and marketing lead for LAION, the global nonprofit behind the largest
open-source image dataset in the world. I led the crisis response to the Stanford Internet Observatory
report that identified illegal content in LAION-5B, coordinated global media outreach, and served as
spokesperson. I also helped name and launch RE-LAION, the cleaned and restructured dataset that
followed. Coverage included WIRED, TechCrunch, and European media. Collaborated with the team
on messaging, Q&As, and public positioning. -
Advised the founder on brand positioning, communications strategy and messaging for
early partnership and fundraising calls. Provided creative direction for a new visual identity and website concept, aligning the brand more clearly with its long-term vision. Helped shape external communications to make complex product ideas more accessible to non-technical audiences. Supported early outreach to potential collaborators, customers, and investors.
Consumer Product
02
Designed and marketed a minimalist backpack made from upcycled materials. Led product design, naming, photography, and social media strategy. Built a brand identity rooted in sustainability and simplicity, and drove all aspects of launch and promotion.
Handy Right Bag Co.
Directing marketing strategy and creative direction for Basil’s spring bag collection. Work includes photography, brand storytelling, and development of a campaign for Instagram and email. Focused on bringing the brand to life through emotionally resonant content and real-world imagery. Project currently in progress.
Basil Racuk
03
Google Maps, The New York Times Magazine
Led media strategy for the launch of Google Maps’ Grand Canyon project, the first digital survey of the region. Invited The New York Times Magazine to join the team on the river, resulting in a full-length feature story and national coverage of the effort.
To address growing concerns about the transparency of Google Search results, I developed, wrote, and produced the How Search Works video in collaboration with Matt Cutts. It became the go-to resource for press and policymakers worldwide and is still used in computer science courses to explain the fundamentals of crawl-based search engines.
Google Search, How Search Works
Campaigns
04
Created and led an energy conservation campaign encouraging San Franciscans to turn off lights for one hour. Directed all aspects of the initiative, including marketing, press, partnerships, fundraising, and on-the-ground operations. Coverage included NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, NPR, and major local outlets.
Lights Out San Francisco
Served on the advance team for the Clinton/Gore White House, producing large-scale messaging events across the country. For this San Francisco visit, the team was tasked with visualizing the theme “Building a Bridge to the Future.” The resulting image—captured by a pool photographer—was syndicated globally.