"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory or defeat."

— Theodore Roosevelt

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About Us

Leavitt Communications is a full-service marketing communications company established in 1991. We deliver tangible results for a broad diversity of clients nationwide and overseas. We're experts at generating new business for them, encouraging clients to spend their marketing dollars wisely.

"Had I been present at the creation, I would have given some useful hints for the better ordering of the universe." -- Alphonso The Wise, 1221-1284

While our expertise doesn't extend to creating the universe, Leavitt Communications does offer clients a wide range of marketing communications services. The firm's principal, Neal Leavitt, brings to clients 25 years of marketing communications and journalism expertise, coupled with graduate and undergraduate degrees in related fields from leading American universities. He has lived abroad and traveled to more than 80 nations worldwide. Mr. Leavitt's articles have appeared in a wide variety of print and online publications nationwide and overseas.

Our vertical market experience runs the full gamut– accounting, automotive, computer software and hardware, contract and residential furniture, engineering, entertainment, environmental, financial services, government (state & federal), health care, insurance, medical, real estate, retail, sports, telecommunications, wireless, and more.

We bring to clients a depth and breadth of experience in a wide variety of disciplines and vertical markets. Here are snapshot bios:

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Neal Leavitt

Neal established Leavitt Communications in 1991. He brings to clients a unique blend of more than 25 years of marketing communications and journalism expertise. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from UC-Berkeley and a Master of Arts degree in journalism & public affairs from American University in Washington, DC. He has also lived abroad and has traveled extensively to more than 80 countries worldwide.

As a journalist Neal has served as a city editor, copy editor and reporter for major metropolitan newspapers in California, covering everything from business to technology to travel. He is a regular contributor to a number of technology and marketing publications such as Tech News, published by IEEE Computer Society, and iMediaConnection.com.

Clients (from startups to publicly-held companies) he has worked with over the years have encompassed a wide variety of vertical markets in both the public and private sector. Some of these have included: biotech, education, engineering, entertainment, environment, financial, healthcare/medical, industrial, municipalities, public agencies (state and federal), real estate, sports, and technology.

Neal is a member of the Society of Marketing Professionals (SMPS), San Diego Chapter, and served as the Chapter's director of communications. Neal also does periodic pro bono marketing communications for the National Kidney Foundation.

Ronelle Genser

Ronelle has assisted software, eCommerce, computer peripheral, telecommunications, voice processing, cable, construction, engineering, chemical, metal, sporting goods, industrial machinery, automotive, security, healthcare, service and non-profit companies increase their annual revenues.

Previously she was the national sales manager for AT&S, Inc., a voice processing software company. In this capacity she grew the business from 0 to 50 dealers nationally and 0 to 5 dealers internationally in less than two years. Other entrepreneurial affiliations include Innovative Technology and Migent. During her 12 1/2 year association with General Electric - Information Services Division, she was responsible for the sale of worldwide packet switched network services to large multinational corporations.

Ronnie's specialized skills include developing and evaluating marketing plans and strategic business plans, launching new products and services, establishing domestic and international strategic alliances and dealer/distributor networks, performing market research, designing and implementing public relations and marketing communications programs, producing sales training materials, creating product seminars, implementing telemarketing programs, and organizing trade show participation including post show lead tracking.

Ronnie is an experienced public speaker/executive trainer. She has led numerous corporate sales and marketing seminars. In addition, she has taught sales management, marketing management and international business strategy (in the classroom and online) at the Keller Graduate School of Management and at Clayton College and State University, both in Georgia.

As an accomplished writer/guest editor, her work has appeared in Sales and Marketing Management, Entrepreneur, Atlanta Business Chronicle, and many industry trade publications. She is listed in the Who's Who Registry of Global Business Leaders and International Who's Who of Professionals.

Ronnie received a Master of Arts degree in psychology from the University of West Georgia and a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from the University of Rhode Island.

Liana Harrison

Liana has worked as a journalist and photographer for a newspaper owned by the Los Angeles Times, a private magazine and newspaper in Laguna Beach, CA, and has reported on numerous political and social events in Orange County, CA. Her reporting background has enabled her to be successful in creating and implementing public relations campaigns for small and large firms.

Liana also founded Eclipse Communications, a full-service marketing company. Key clients included the City of Irvine; Irvine Transportation Center; City of Laguna Beach, CA; International Parking Design; Carl Walker, Inc.; The Sierra Club; Century 21 Real Estate; Los Angeles Times; Construction Communications; Cushman & Wakefield Real Estate; and Out of Africa Wildlife Park.

Liana received her Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and public relations from California State University, Fullerton. She is a member of the Society for Marketing Professional Services, Phoenix Chapter, Urban Land Institute and Valley Partnership in Phoenix, AZ.

Rene A. Henry

Rene has had diverse careers in public relations, sports marketing, housing and real estate, television and entertainment, politics, federal service, higher education and as a trade association executive.

In the mid-70s, he co-founded ICPR which became the second largest international PR firm in the West with headquarters in Los Angeles and offices in New York, Washington and Paris. It was the first PR or advertising agency in the U.S. to establish Hispanic marketing and sports marketing divisions. He has counseled Fortune 500 companies, leaders in entertainment, sports and politics, and foreign governments, on a myriad of issues and crises.

He was president and CEO of the National Institute of Building Sciences; directed international media activities to get Los Angeles the 1984 Olympic Games; and was a senior member of George Bush's 1988 presidential campaign staff. He served in the Bush Administration and was a member of the team at the Department of Labor that researched and implemented the 'Glass Ceiling Initiative.'

From 1991-96 he was executive director of university relations and on the president's executive cabinet at Texas A&M University. For the next five years, until October 2001, he was director of the Office of Communications and Government Relations for the mid-Atlantic states region of the Environmental Protection Agency in Philadelphia.

He has created and produced award-winning videos and television documentaries and authored books on land investment, utility cogeneration, sports and public relations. His books, You'd Better Have a Hose If You Want to Put Out the Fire -- the complete guide to crisis and risk communications and Marketing Public Relations -- the Hows that Make it Work! are used by professionals, professors and students. Offsides!, a book about officiating in the National Football League, was published in 2001.

He was the 2001 chair of the College of Fellows of the Public Relations Society of America and a member of the boards of the Global Initiative Committee and Environmental Section. He served on the boards of the Los Angeles and Philadelphia chapters and Counselors in Higher Education. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and has judged the primetime Emmy awards 12 times. He also serves on the advisory board of the Center for Crisis Public Relations and Litigation Studies at Lehigh University.

Honors include three Silver Anvils from PRSA, two CINE Golden Eagles, three Creative Excellence in Black Advertising awards, the Clarion Award from Women In Communications, Distinguished Citizen Award from the Los Angeles PRSA chapter, 'Best In Texas' Silver Spurs, three medals from WorldFest Houston International Film Festival and numerous awards and citations from professional organizations for campaigns and excellence in public relations.

He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from The College of William & Mary, did graduate study in marketing at West Virginia University and has taken executive courses at Harvard University.

Ford Kanzler

Ford is a veteran agency PR pro with serious strategic chops and deep tech expertise spanning over 30 years in Silicon Valley…chips, boards, boxes and all the software that runs on them. However, he's contributed to the marketing success of lawyers, doctors, educators, SaaS education providers, government officials and even a nightclub.

Well-honed PR skills are highly transferable. He started his career as a newspaper reporter and later a magazine editor, so he brings a fact-based approach to PR rather than arm waving, loud noises or stunts. He's also done stints in corporate communications with large and small companies, so he's clear on what's needed on the receiving end of professional services.

Ford has sold the value of public relations to dozens of CEOs and has a knack for creating winning campaigns. He focuses on strategic outcomes rather than only tactical process. Besides being demonstrably effective in counseling management, interacting with media and market analysts, he brings a proven method for creating programs based on well-differentiated communications strategies and is a fun guy to work with.

Andrea Siedsma

As a seasoned journalist, Andrea has inked several award-winning stories for various local and national publications on topics ranging from general business to high-technology, life sciences, energy/clean technology, financial services, defense/military, health care, education and entertainment.

As part of her role at UC-San Diego, Andrea helped promote the Jacobs School of Engineering as one of the top engineering schools in the United States through various collaborative PR efforts, including press releases, blogging, video and photo production and social media strategies.

Andrea, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism from San Diego State University, launched her successful career at KPBS Radio, an NPR affiliate.

Her versatility in modern media has also landed her gigs writing and editing press releases, brochures, case studies, white papers, web site copy, and ad copy, as well as developing and implementing social media strategies.

Kent Streeb

Kent is a public relations professional and copywriter with 17 years of experience. He spent five years with high-tech industry analyst firm META Group (acquired by Gartner Group). Kent has agency, in-house and consulting experience. He has held several positions in senior leadership, including serving as director of marketing for a utility-scale solar company. He launched and ran the public relations practice of an integrated advertising agency in Silicon Valley.

As a strategic communications consultant and copywriter, Kent has worked with both startup and Fortune 500 companies in technology, renewable energy, consumer, nonprofit, videogames, manufacturing, healthcare and biotech. Some of the companies Kent has worked with include Palo Alto Networks, HopeLab, Bill Cosby's PicturePages, Blue Coat Systems, NETGEAR, 8minutenergy Solar Renewables, VTech, Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Baltimore Technology Park and Calvo & Clark LLP.

Kent's extensive writing includes publishing byline articles in media such as Disaster Recovery Journal, the Baltimore Business Journal, Processor Magazine and Physician's Practice. He writes case studies, white papers, press releases, website and brochure copy, video scripts and advertisements. He also has a creative side, having contributed comedy material performed by Jay Leno on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Kent earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Colorado. He holds a Master's of Arts degree in history from George Mason University. Kent served as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal, West Africa. He speaks French and Wolof.

Ana Tackett

Ana is a skilled public relations expert with 20+ years of experience. Key tasks have included media relations, social media campaigns, global branding, product launches, messaging and positioning, special events and analyst programs.

Ana has worked at boutique, mid-size and global agencies, telling the story and messaging of over 50 companies and most recently worked at Waggener Edstrom Worldwide Global where she managed several teams for the company's technology clients - from Microsoft to small business, including B2B and B2C hardware and software.

Ana has helped clients across every industry -- technology, healthcare, business, financial/banking, nonprofit, real estate, and more. She also has provided counsel and developed strategic social media programs for many clients, some of which include Goodwill Industries, Popar Toys and SimpleWan.

Ana holds a B.A in corporate communications from the University of Michigan, and started her career at Fox News in Detroit where she shot, wrote and edited stories for various newscasts. She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

Lisa Brown Valentino

Lisa is an award-winning writer and public relations professional with nearly 20 years of experience. She has held senior positions with several prestigious global organizations, including the J. Paul Getty Trust and the Gemological Institute of America. As a strategic communications and public affairs consultant, Lisa has represented clients in both the public and private sectors, including the Southern California Association of Governments, Pepperdine University, the American Film Institute, UCLA and UCSD. She is also seasoned in the political arena.

Recognized both nationally and internationally, Lisa's extensive body of work includes development, authorship and oversight of specialized publications, including newsletters, brochures and annual reports; as well as numerous journalistic accomplishments such as feature stories, popular columns and bylined articles. She has also developed website and SEO-optimized content; CDs; corporate videos; and television and radio advertising.

Lisa's industry expertise extends to technology, education, healthcare and hospitality, and other vertical markets. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from California State University, Northridge.

COPY WRITING

John Chadwell

John has more than 30 years experience in marketing, public relations and publishing. He has served on the staffs of marketing and public relations agencies, multinational technology companies and the U.S. government, as well as international newspapers and magazines. John is an award-winning copywriter and journalist, having garnered an ACE Award for feature writing from the International Association of Business Communicators; an Editorial Excellence award from Vance Publishing; and is one of three national finalists for the 2008 NEAL Award from American Business Media.

John has written copy for a wide range of specialties, including communications, state and federal governments, energy, recycling, health care, finance and agriculture. Some of the companies and organizations he has written copy for are: Chevron, Motorola, KB Homes, Mars Inc., Penn State University, Disney-Touchstone, Paramount Studios, Banco Santander Santiago, Fiserv, Morgan Stanley, the City of Ventura, Calif., Johnson & Johnson, Schwarz Pharma, Computer Sciences Corporation, Infonet, and the Office of the President of the United States.

John graduated from the Chapman University, Orange, CA, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications. He also attended the University of Southern California for graduate level course work in motion picture and video production.

Alex A. Kecskes

Alex has more than 20 years advertising and marketing communications experience, serving as writer, copy supervisor and creative director for ad agencies and clients throughout Southern California and Canada. He has developed award-winning communications campaigns for a wide variety of Fortune 500 companies and dot.com startups. Past clients include Disneyland, Samsung, Mitsubishi, Toshiba, Aetna, Johnson & Johnson and Lennar Homebuilders. He has worked on such national brands as Taster's Choice, Juicy Juice and Coffee-mate.

Alex has created highly effective results-oriented ads, brochures, direct mail, news releases, data/application sheets, radio commercials and videos. He has also created marketing plans and has written over 1,000 articles and blogs on a broad range of issues--on everything from sustainability to healthcare.

Alex graduated from California State University-Long Beach with a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing. His awards include: the Andy, the Belding, One Show, Art Directors Club of New York, Protos, Communication Arts magazine, and the Orange County Ad Club Golden Orange.

Patrick Pawling

Pat is a former correspondent for the New York Times who also wrote for magazines such as Time, Life and Sports Illustrated. He made the switch to copywriting 10 years ago after sensing a need in corporate America and agencies for "words that actually work." He believes effective words are an often-untapped business differentiator.

Pat specializes in long and short copy forms for B2B and B2C organizations in technology (Cisco Systems, Yahoo! and Citrix, for example) financial services (Heartland Payment Systems and Signature Bank of New York), healthcare (Providence Health System and Copenhagen-based Ferring Pharmaceuticals), and law (numerous law firms). He also frequently does work for diverse organizations such as The History Channel, regional/national real estate developers and industrial companies such as the Linde Group.

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Lisa B. Spinelli

Lisa has more than 20 years of professional graphic design experience. Her expertise includes art direction, marketing, graphic computer production, photography, signage, trade show displays, copywriting, print consulting and brokering.

Lisa has designed award-winning logos, brochures, ads, packaging, displays, and Web sites. She has won numerous awards, including an annual design award from Architectural Digest.

Lisa graduated from the Syracuse School of Art, studying graphics and interior design, and has taught art classes at various educational institutions throughout Southern California. Clients have included the Cities of San Clemente and Newport Beach, Anatec International, NovaStar Mortgage, Western Aircraft Repair, Capistrano Labs, RIFFE International, Filger Manufacturing, San Clemente Real Estate, Chameleon Merchandising & Design, and Mika Electric.

WEB SERVICES

Elyssa Malakoff

Elyssa is a professional website developer with over 15 years of experience in website consulting, creation and maintenance. She takes pride in combining solid technical skills with sound usability practices to offer a strategic approach to websites that drive outstanding results.

Elyssa has developed websites for a wide variety of clients including individuals, non-profit organizations, and small- to medium-sized businesses.

With an educational background in computer science, cognitive science, psychology, and marketing, Elyssa guides her clients through the process from website inception through ROI.