San Jose, CA 95110
(408) 436-3900
info@bigskypr.com
The Big Sky team has worked with the high-tech industry’s big players and big players-to-be. We’ve helped promote some of the most revolutionary business and consumer products and technologies, including the Apple PowerBook, Apple QuickTime, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, electronic design automation (EDA) software, HR and online recruitment systems, iPod accessories, Microsoft Developer Tools and Embedded Applications, Netscape Navigator, network security, on-demand TV, online advertising, SAP Enterprise Applications, semiconductors, TiVo digital video recorders, VoIP, voice recognition applications, Web communities, wireless communications, and more. Across audiences and markets, we’ve told our clients’ stories in compelling new ways, helping to make their messages come alive.
We didn’t found our agency so much as our agency found us. That’s because Big Sky’s service offerings are based on real business needs, ones we recognized while working with Apple Computer and other top high-tech companies in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
What we discovered is that (1) excellent public relations programs need customer references for credibility and depth, and that (2) customer reference programs provide an invaluable source of strategic insights and story ideas for proactive public relations. So, in 1994, it only seemed natural to form Big Sky Communications around this simple yet big concept.
We were among the first agencies to couple public relations with customer reference programs, and it’s proved to be a winning combination. Speaker programs have emerged as a third practice area as we have found ever-increasing opportunities for businesses to reach their target audiences and establish leadership through strategically selected personal appearances.
This all adds up to a powerful, synergistic trio of services. And we do it better than anyone.
Based in Silicon Valley with a national presence, Big Sky is small enough in size to keep pace with high-technology companies, yet large enough in talent to meet the specific needs of emerging startups, corporate giants, and everybody in between. As a Big Sky client, you can count on receiving:
- Personal, focused attention at every step
- An account team tailored to your specific needs, staffed with experienced communicators who know your market and audience
- Involvement from and access to agency executives
- Reasonable fees and budget flexibility
You also can count on Big Sky to meet the highest standards of quality, loyalty, and trust, and nothing less. From the beginning, you’ll see that we’re top-level strategic thinkers who aren’t above doing real work. Whether we’re interacting with your customers, colleagues, or senior executives, you’ll find that we’re more than up to any challenge, yet refreshingly down to earth.
Big Sky offers seasoned communications veterans representing a wide range of industries and disciplines. In fact, most of our account team members have at least 10 years of professional experience, and the majority of them have worked with us for more than five years. Our agency executives set the bar high and inspire team loyalty.
Colleen Muller Padnos, President
With more than 20 years in high-tech marketing, Colleen Muller Padnos is an expert in developing and executing high-impact customer reference programs. She has played a key role in helping top technology companies such as Adobe, Apple Computer, Hewlett-Packard, Netscape, Microsoft, and Sun Microsystems make the most of customer relationships. Her programs have formed the foundation for a wide range of successful customer-focused communication initiatives. Before co-founding Big Sky in 1994, Colleen had her own high-tech communications consultancy for six years.
Eddie Miller, Executive Vice President
During his 20 years in high-tech communications Eddie Miller has managed a range of marketing and public relations activities, including building and implementing successful customer reference programs for technology companies of all sizes. He provides ongoing strategic direction on fostering customer relationships to maximize the benefits of customer participation in marketing, PR, and sales efforts. In addition to his extensive customer program experience, Eddie has worked with U.S. companies to create and drive marketing and PR programs to increase their visibility in Europe. Previously, Eddie worked as an anchor and reporter for television news programs on CBS and NBC affiliates. He also served as Communications Director for statewide political campaigns. Eddie has written thousands of marketing materials, including customer case studies, whitepapers, press materials, magazine articles, book chapters, and speeches for corporate executives and elected officials. His client experience includes Adobe, Fujitsu Computer Systems, Portal Software, Harris Corporation, Network Appliance, QAD, Quantum, Sherpa, and Sun Microsystems.
Katy Boos, VP, PR Client Services
Katy Boos is a strategist and creative brainstormer with more than 20 years of agency and corporate public relations, speaking, and customer reference program experience. Never one to take a cookie-cutter approach, she works with clients to develop compelling programs that deliver results, assisting companies such as Adobe, AdKnowledge, Apple Computer, Fujitsu Computer Systems, Netscape, Pivotal, Symantec, WetFeet, and many others. From the launch of QuickTime VR and the first online interactive shopping service, to the emergence of online advertising and tablet PCs, Katy has created a presence for her clients in media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, MTV, CNN, the “Today” show, and many more, and at top speaking venues such as the National Association of Broadcasters, Macworld, and MILIA in Cannes. Before co-founding Big Sky in 1994, she ran her own PR business, serving clients such as Interop and Oracle. Earlier, Katy was an account supervisor at PRx, where she was integral in launching the agency’s technology division, and previously was a senior public relations specialist at Tandem Computers, and an account executive at Joyce Lekas Public Relations.