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Executive Bio's
Matt Batt, Founder & CEO
Pipeline Media Relations was founded by Matt Batt after spending the past 12 years bringing “relationships” back to the traditional media and the dramatically growing social media professions working for both corporations and agencies. Most recently, Batt has advised some of the largest companies helping them develop their social media strategies including Cancer Treatment Centers of America, CVS Caremark, CME Group and redbox. Batt is also a featured speaker on social and traditional media. In 2009 alone he has spoken to a several thousand business professionals through a number of industry workshops and seminars including the top U.S. government agencies at the Social Media for Government Conference in September 2009.
Batt has also worked exclusively with the national business and consumer media regularly landing clients in outlets such as Associated Press, BusinessWeek, CBS Radio, The Early Show, Fortune, Good Morning America, Inc., Oprah & Friends, Today Show, USA Today, USA Weekend and The Wall Street Journal. Batt has worked with clients throughout a wide variety of industries including consumer, financial services, franchise and technology.
Batt’s work with the national media has garnered multiple industry awards, including several Golden and Silver Trumpets from the Publicity Club of Chicago, and Tower Awards from the Business Marketing Association.
Batt graduated from Drake University with degrees in journalism and marketing. While not at work, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing basketball and golf, and analyzing news stories and blogging at www.storyassistant.com.
matt@pipelinemediarelations.com
(m) 773.294.5808
(o) 847.201.6588 x222
Amy Hesser, COO
Pipeline Media Relations brought Amy Hesser on board as Chief Operating Officer in late 2009 in response to the terrific uptick in demand for services the firm has been seeing during the last several quarters. In the new age of “me media”, Hesser, a celebrated Chicago publicist and former broadcast journalist is well positioned to advise clients on their own content creation and new media strategies. Hesser’s career as a member of the traditional media has spanned newsrooms from Washington, DC to Chicago where she was a popular reporter at Fox News.
Amy has been featured as a female power broker in the Chicago Sun-Times and has spent her PR career bridging the worlds of business and media and gaining maximum exposure for her clients including coverage in outlets like The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, USA Today, The Today Show and Investor’s Business Daily. Hesser was vice-president and director of media relations in the technology practice at Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide before moving on to found two other successful companies.
As a social media enthusiast, writer, and wife and mother of two young children, Hesser publishes a blog at www.achicmom.com where she posts musings about style, lifestyle and media.
Hesser graduated from The George Washington University where she was a member of The GW Hatchet newspaper staff. She is also a volunteer at her church and children’s school, and is a member of the Infant Welfare Society where she works to help raise money for children at risk.
amy@pipelinemediarelations.com
(m) 312.933.8324
(o) 847.201.6588 x225
Michelle Damico, Vice President
Michelle Damico has been working with Pipeline Media Relations since we started in 2008. Michelle helps clients polish their messages to target audiences through message and media training workshops that help professionals deliver key points about their businesses with impact.
Michelle’s extensive experience in marketing and media relations includes managing PR teams at leading downtown Chicago marketing agencies, the Illinois Tollway, the City of Chicago’s Web site www.cityofchicago.org, and Mayor Richard M. Daley’s 1995 re-election campaign. Her client work has been recognized with several awards by the Publicity Club of Chicago and the Business Marketing Association.
Michelle entered PR and marketing following a 15-year broadcast news career at Chicago’s WXRT, WBEZ and WGN Radio. She was twice named Reporter of the Year by the Illinois News Broadcasters Association, and her reporting has been honored by the Society of Professional Journalists and UPI.
Michelle helps clients develop their messages, prepare for interviews and launch outreach and engagement initiatives through traditional and social media. Over the past two years alone, Michelle has placed stories about Pipeline clients in USA Today, The Today Show, CNBC, Money Magazine, Inc. Magazine, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Crain’s Chicago Business, nearly all local TV stations in Chicago and Milwaukee, WGN Radio and Newsradio 780. Her broad client experiences include work in retail, financial services, and technology.
Michelle is a graduate of Southern Illinois University with degrees in communications and journalism. She is an avid cook who has taught numerous cooking classes. When she’s not in the kitchen with her family, she’s in the garden or racewalking through her community.
michelle@pipelinemediarelations.com
(m) 312.217.6572
(o) 847.201.6588 x223
Sheri Valskis, Manager of Client Relations
In her role as Manager of Client Relations Sheri is focused on finding and developing relationships with the clients that are a great fit for Pipeline and visa-versa including staying focused on making sure the agency is focused on delivering against and above every client expectation.
Sheri comes to us with 14 years of strong experience in customized personal client service and relationship management. Additionally, her knowledge and experience in various marketing and advertising channels has allowed her to provide a higher level of service to our clients.
Prior to joining PMR, she served as an Investment Associate managing a wide variety of client portfolios with Stein Roe Investment Counsel. It was here, where her passion for developing and cultivating client relationships began. She gained the knowledge and experience working with high net worth individuals and large organizations.
Sheri’s most recent experience included representing a local Salon working on their overall branding and marketing initiatives. While there Sheri successfully established various client retention and former client relation programs. She achieved National and International recognition for client work in several media outlets such as InSpire, Passion and American Salon.
Sheri earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics from Elmhurst College. When away from the office, Sheri enjoys spending time with her family, maintaining greater health thru fitness and entertaining with friends.
sheri@pipelinemediarelations.com
(m) 847.727.7737
(o) 847.201.6588 x224
svalskis