Rachel Weikum brings a wealth of experience to McKenzie Worldwide clients with more than 15 years of high-tech public relations experience and front line media and analyst relations work.

Most recently Rachel was the principal of Weikum Communications where she provided strategic public relations counsel and programs for a range of start-up companies. Before forming Weikum Communications, Rachel was the acting public relations manager for InstallShield, Inc. a developer tool company and Microsoft partner located in Chicago, IL. During her tenure, Rachel provided strategic counsel, lead multiple new products, developed press material and case studies, nominated company for awards and supported tradeshows.

Prior to that, Rachel was the primary public relations manager for Tripwire, Inc. a provider of network change monitoring, analysis and compliance software and an IBM and HP partner headquartered in Portland, OR. During her time at Tripwire Rachel more than doubled their coverage. She was responsible for corporate and product PR program development, hiring a PR agency and management of that agency. Programs Rachel developed include; product reviews, customer case studies, joint partner initiatives, media & analyst relations, contributed article and speakers bureau.

Rachel spent five years as an account supervisor at Waggener Edstrom. In this role, she successfully provided strategic counsel, planning and program execution for the launch of various Microsoft products including; Windows NT Server and Workstation and BackOffice Suite of Products. In addition, she provided vertical and horizontal market PR for the healthcare, financial services, manufacturing & retail and e-commerce groups with Microsoft's Enterprise Partner Division. Rachel also successfully designed and implemented a product reviews & analyst relations program for Windows CE operating system and devices.

Before working with Microsoft, Rachel spent more than three years with Sequent Computers (now IBM), as the company's marketing communications lead. While at Sequent, Rachel helped design and implemented a telemarketing program for Windows NT and instituted a training course for new recruits.

Rachel began her career in Los Angeles as a media buyer at BBDO Advertising where she led media planning and buying for Apple Computers. She continued her media planning role for Wieden & Kennedy Advertising working on the Nike account.

Rachel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications Management from the University Portland. She attended radio and television buying courses at UCLA, has completed the PRSA accreditation course and continues her education through various classes and seminars.

Rachel can be contacted at rachelw@mckenzieworldwide.com.

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