Welcome to your go-to source for public relations best practices and advice. Whether you’re navigating a crisis, crafting compelling brand stories, or building stronger media relationships, we share practical tips, insights and inspiration to help you thrive in the ever-evolving PR landscape. Dive in and discover strategies that work, straight from the front lines of modern communications.
When is the right time to call for PR help? Learn when PR is a lifeline for building trust, shaping perception and driving long-term success.
Read moreFrom targeting new audiences to controlling the narrative, Public Relations pros can learn from Taylor Swift’s strategic genius. Explore our key takeaways for PR success.
Read moreThese are the latest communications best practices impacting the senior living industry—how the right engagement leads to the best outcomes.
Read moreAI in PR is becoming pervasive. What do you need to know about its responsible use for media relations?
Read moreSuccessful clean energy projects feature strong community engagement. By fostering transparency and building local partnerships, community engagement for renewable energy can minimize conflicts and deliver long-term benefits.
Read moreEarly in your PR career, you may have asked, “What is media relations, and why does it matter?” Whether you’re a seasoned veteran now or a business leader considering media…
Read moreThese four media training tips help you screen opportunities, prepare effectively, deliver strong interviews and follow up for lasting impact.
Read moreAs 2024 comes to a close, we want to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible work of journalists, reporters, radio and television news broadcasters, news producers and…
Read moreWe count ourselves lucky to support climate and energy innovators with cleantech public relations. But, no matter how ground-breaking an innovator’s solution is, it doesn’t mean anything if their target customer…
Read moreIn the United States, just over 56 million acres of land exist as Native American reservations, which is about 2.3 percent of the ancestral indigenous land that the country occupies. Despite its relatively small geographic footprint, the treasure trove of cultural richness and heritage found within tribal communities is undeniable.
Read moreColor is simple, right? Black is black, red is red and white is white. Well, not always.
Read moreWhile data-driven insights undeniably play a crucial role in marketing and communications, there are times when being led by data without considering its context and potential biases can lead to flawed decision-making. We explore when to listen to your gut over the numbers and how embracing your instincts can fuel innovation and success.
Read more(W)right On Communications kicked off its Next 25 series with an expert panel on the future of sustainable tourism and travel including Visit Napa Valley, Lowe, Archer Aviation and TravelPulse.
Read moreFor us communicators at (W)right On, it’s essential we understand and practice the art of conversation. It’s in part why we recently hosted a
Read moreWhen you advise innovators, change makers and industry leaders every day, it’s expected that you’re also keeping a finger or two on the pulse of shifting trends in business, public…
Read moreI recently spoke to a group of business and community leaders about the future of local news. As a public relations professional, I’ve had a ringside seat on the ever-shrinking…
Read moreMost business leaders understand the value of having a memorable business name and logo, but many don’t realize the importance of a visual identity, what it entails, and why protecting…
Read moreEveryone has a personal brand, whether they work at cultivating it or not. It’s worth it to spend some time thinking about your own and how to be more intentional…
Read moreMore often than not, businesses and brands are turning to social media influencers to help spread their messages, gain awareness, and win over the masses. These pay-for-play personalities make it their jobs (literally) to make you…
Read moreSAN DIEGO; Nov. 23, 2020 — COVID-19 made 2020 the year of the strategy pivot, and independent San Diego State University survey research commissioned by
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Julie Wright serves as President of (W)right On Communications, the strategic communications firm she founded in 1998. She leads the firm’s two specialized agencies—WOC | Signal, serving clean energy, manufacturing and cybersecurity organizations, and WOC | Resonance, serving senior living, tourism and community-facing institutions—and its centers of excellence in crisis communications, creative services and AI-optimized PR.
Julie is known for her trusted crisis communications counsel and as a recognized expert on the intersection of AI and public relations. With more than three decades of experience advising organizations navigating complex reputational and market environments, she began her career as a journalist and has held senior roles in both agency and in-house marketing leadership.
Julie currently serves as a director of Innovotech Inc., a Canadian publicly traded boutique contract research organization; Reposit Carbon, a privately-held company focusing on enhanced rock weathering for carbon dioxide removal; the California Travel Association, a statewide advocacy group for the tourism industry; and a director and past chair of the San Diego North Economic Development Council. Her previous community leadership includes board service with the International Association of Business Communicators, La Jolla Village’s business improvement district, Tri-City Hospital Foundation and California State University San Marcos’ President’s Council.
She has been recognized nationally and regionally for excellence in communications leadership, including honors from IABC San Diego as 2025 Communicator of the Year and the San Diego Press Club’s 2025 Andy Mace Award recipient.
Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Journalism from the University of Western Ontario. She is a graduate of Leadership North County and the Corporate Directors Forum Governance Academy.
Roman is an accomplished video production specialist with over 15 years of experience contributing to various corporate and commercial video projects. Throughout his career he successfully completed jobs for some of the world’s most recognized brands including Amazon, Nike, UCLA, Airbnb, HP, US Navy, and T-Mobile, with some videos reaching millions of online views.
Roman’s expertise covers every stage of production—from pre-production planning and professional on-set cinematography to post-production, including video editing and motion graphics design. His portfolio spans diverse video formats, from corporate training and recruitment films to commercial documentary, testimonials, and animated explainers, delivering high-quality visual storytelling that engages audiences and achieves business goals.
Tatiana Martinez leads Spanish-language media outreach and community relations efforts for the agency and its client partners. She acts as a spokesperson for Spanish-language media and business or community group outreach. Tatiana has provided translations, Spanish voiceovers and strategies for reaching Spanish-speaking stakeholders. A former journalist for Mexican and American media outlets, Tatiana has a journalism degree from the University of Arizona and communications degree from Mexico’s Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara.
Phelan Riessen is a passionate web and graphic design artist with over 25 years of experience designing and building more than 60 websites for a variety of organizations. Skilled in fontography, web design, Photoshop and web marketing strategies; Phelan also holds a strong presence in the San Diego tech community by serving as an organizer of several large-scale events including RefreshSD, March Mingle and Startup Week.
Mindy supports senior living and tourism engagements within WOC | Resonance, helping client partners strengthen community trust and stakeholder alignment.
Mindy provides (W)right On client partners more than 10 years of experience in internal and external communications, media relations, content development, campaign and crisis leadership, fundraising support, social media, strategic planning and stakeholder engagement. She is a LEAD San Diego Impact Leadership Program Graduate; healthcare communications and marketing campaign platinum award winner from MAR-COM Awards; and recipient of a silver award for crisis and executive communications from the San Diego/Imperial County chapter of PRSA.
A native San Diego resident, Mindy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Security and Conflict Resolution from San Diego State University.
Marsha Kelly has dedicated her career to assisting American Indian tribal communities and businesses with strategies to diversify their economies through wind farms, solar arrays, EV charging infrastructure and other initiatives. Her tribal relationships include the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians and the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association with consulting to other tribes across California, Michigan, New Mexico, North and South Dakota and Wisconsin. She holds a Bachelor of Science in English and Communications from the University of Minnesota.
Larry Smalheiser serves as Managing Director of WOC | Signal, the specialized agency within (W)right On Communications, where he leads market development and client strategy across clean energy, infrastructure, manufacturing and cybersecurity. He advises executive teams navigating regulatory complexity, competitive markets and high-visibility growth environments — aligning communications with business objectives in sectors defined by scrutiny and consequence.
With more than 20 years of in-house and agency experience, Larry has built and led communications strategies for global technology and enterprise organizations including Sony, Dell, VMware, RSA, Xerox, Virgin Galactic and Underwriters Laboratories. His work consistently sits at the intersection of corporate narrative, analyst and media influence, sales enablement and executive positioning.
Prior to joining (W)right On, Larry served as Public Relations and Analyst Relations Lead for Sony Electronics, working closely with the North America President & COO and global leadership teams. In that role, he helped shape corporate messaging, engage influential analysts and media and ensure alignment between business priorities and market perception across a complex, matrixed organization.
Larry brings a steady, commercially literate point of view to communications strategy — advising leaders on thought leadership, competitive differentiation and reputation management in highly technical and fast-evolving markets. He is a two-time PRSA Silver Anvil Award recipient and fluent in Japanese and Spanish.
While Larry is based in San Diego today, he was raised in the Bay Area and lived for several years in Japan. Larry holds a Master of Science in Foreign Service and International Affairs from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Science in Linguistics from UC Santa Barbara.
Formerly with VisitBritain and Showtime Networks, Katrina Early provides (W)right On client partners’ integrated and creative partnerships with film and TV studios, retailers, and media outlets such as Sony Pictures, Universal, Warner Brothers, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Entertainment Tonight to name a few. Experienced in the hospitality, travel, entertainment industries among others, Katrina coordinates all aspects of B2B industry events, as well as grows client partners’ audience social media engagement through highly sharable digital content. Results achieved include positive media placement in top tier outlets including National Geographic, Robb Report, Forbes, USA Today, LA Times, NBC/Today Show, E! News, Extra, The Tonight Show, People and many others.
Katrina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Public Relations from CSU Long Beach and a Master of Arts in Communications from the prestigious University of Southern California Annenberg School of Communication.
Justin Beach brings over 25 years of expertise in web development, programming and technical support to his role at (W)right On Communications. As the agency’s Web Developer and Technical Resource, Justin ensures our client partners’ digital platforms are optimized for success and deliver seamless functionality and a compelling user experience.
Justin’s career spans leadership and entrepreneurial roles with experience building corporate websites, e-commerce platforms and electronic marketing campaigns for a diverse client base. His technical fluency extends across PHP, ASP, MySQL, CSS, JS and multiple database architectures.
Previously, Justin supported strategic SEO campaigns at Myers Media Group, creating platforms responsible for deploying over a million search-optimized web pages. He also led the development of an online shopping platform for Kodak subsidiary ENCAD, Inc., driving e-commerce growth through sophisticated web solutions and marketing integrations.
From guiding print marketing clients into the digital age to deploying hundreds of websites across various frameworks, Justin’s ability to blend design and technical expertise has benefited industries ranging from finance and bioscience to wellness and nonprofit organizations.
At (W)right On Communications, Justin’s creative problem-solving, deep technical know-how and passion for excellence power our clients’ digital strategies, elevating their brands in the digital space.
As Director of Research & Analytics based out of (W)right On’s Vancouver office, Hamish leads (W)right On’s survey and stakeholder information gathering initiatives North America-wide. A former advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada, Provincial Premiers, City Mayors and dozens of elected officials, he also served in the government of Canada overseeing the quantitative and qualitative research activities of federal government agencies. With experience using every sort of data collection method to provide critical insights for strategic planning, marketing and other organizational activities, Hamish has worked with dozens of private and public sector client partners, including the world’s largest mining company. In 2004 he worked in radio business development in Kabul, Afghanistan, and he has volunteered in democracy-building activities in Bangladesh and Jordan. Today, Hamish is frequently sought out by the media as an expert commentator for national television, radio and print publications. Prior to joining (W)right On, Hamish worked as the Research Director for Angus Reid Public Opinion, conducting and performing analysis on surveys in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Oxford in England, a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree from the University of Toronto and enjoys history, writing and sailing.
Grant Wright serves as CEO and Managing Partner of (W)right On Communications. He brings more than 30 years of senior leadership experience in external affairs, business development and strategic communications for major American and Canadian corporations. His background spans regulatory and governmental affairs, stakeholder engagement, infrastructure development, M&A integration and brand strategy for organizations from growth-stage ventures to Fortune 500 companies.
As CEO and Managing Partner of (W)right On Communications, Grant provides executive-level counsel to client partners and oversees agency management and operations across WOC | Signal and WOC | Resonance. His experience navigating complex regulatory and infrastructure environments strengthens the firm’s ability to advise organizations operating under scrutiny and high consequence. Grant is often called upon to lead media and presentation trainings for the agencies’ client partners ahead of high-stakes market, media and community opportunities.
Grant is a Canada Global Executive, a director on the Downtown San Diego Partnership board and recently chaired the International PR Network (IPRN) North American chapter board and served as a global board director. He is a past director of Connect San Diego board and holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Victoria and an MBA in Marketing and Finance from McMaster University.
A longtime San Diego resident, Grant is a commercial pilot licensed in both Canada and the United States and founding board chair of the Southern California Aviation Association, which has awarded more than $500,000 in student scholarships.
David Cumpston serves as Director of WOC | Resonance, the specialized agency within (W)right On Communications serving senior living communities, tourism organizations and other community-facing institutions. He advises executive teams and boards on how to strengthen trust, shape narrative and protect reputation in environments where public perception and stakeholder confidence directly influence success.
With more than two decades of strategic communications leadership experience, David has guided organizations through growth initiatives, executive transitions, reputational challenges and high-visibility moments. His work spans narrative development, reputation management and integrated communications strategy for organizations including Oakmont Management Group, Episcopal Communities & Services, the San Diego Tourism Marketing District (SDTMD), Visit Napa Valley, Visit Modesto, Stanford Children’s Health and national hospitality and retail brands.
Known for pairing disciplined strategic judgment with creative clarity, David helps organizations cut through noise with communications that are thoughtful, differentiated and grounded in long-term credibility. His ability to respond decisively under pressure has earned two Bulldog Media Awards for Best Response to Breaking News.
David holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Texas State University and is a certified member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). Based in San Diego, he brings a global perspective and deep appreciation for culture and context to the organizations and communities he serves.
Outside of work, David is an avid traveler and lifelong student of culture — experiences that inform his approach to community-centered communications.
With more than 10 years of design and marketing experience, Danielle creates compelling visual identities and creative assets that strengthen brand recognition and audience engagement. Danielle supports (W)right On Communications’ creative services across WOC | Signal and WOC | Resonance, leading design initiatives including brand development, website experiences, annual reports and strategic visual storytelling.
From website design and digital campaigns to print materials, billboards and motion graphics, Danielle ensures every execution reflects strong branding and cohesive visual storytelling. Her capabilities span content creation, marketing collateral, animations, websites, print and motion graphics, all grounded in thoughtful design and storytelling.
Prior to joining (W)right On Communications, Danielle worked with creative agencies and freelance clients across the Caribbean, the U.K. and European Union. Most recently, she oversaw creative localization for Dyson’s Central European and Emerging Markets. She also brings a strategic perspective to her work, incorporating SEO and generative search optimization (GEO) insights to support campaign performance.
Danielle holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts & Graphic Design from Barbados Community College and a Master of Science in International Creative Advertising from Manchester Metropolitan University. She has lived and worked in the Caribbean, U.K., Austria and now the USA.
Claudia Askew, APR is based in Washington, D.C. and draws on her 30 years of experience in strategic communications to serve client partners in the energy, cleantech and B2B sectors. She led marketing and PR planning for the NeighborWorks America program for eight years helping low-income residents in all 50 states access down payment assistance through the Neighborhood LIFT program. She has a long history of volunteerism helping underserved youth and low-income women, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from Wake Forest University and her Accredited in PR (APR) designation from the Public Relations Society of America.
Responsible for communication programs research and analysis, Brian provides administrative and functional support to the agency’s program leads as well as senior management. With experience managing a retail store in the complex pool supply industry, Brian is a key contributor for social media programs, media relations, content development, vendor management, software programs oversight and other critical program aspects. He brings an innate sense of the agency’s GSD attitude to help ensure the agency remains at the industry forefront.
Brian holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from the University of Victoria in British Columbia, is an FAA-licensed Private Pilot, and is an accomplished musician and music producer in his spare time.
Andrea focuses on clean energy client engagements within WOC | Signal, advising organizations navigating infrastructure development, regulatory complexity and energy transition communications.
Andrea brings more than ten years of strategic communications experience, with a strong focus on energy, B2B and tech. Most recently based in San Diego, she has worked as a freelance communications consultant supporting numerous energy infrastructure projects across the country through community outreach, corporate and sustainability communications, and digital content creation. Prior to this, Andrea led comprehensive internal and external communications initiatives at BKW Power Grid, Swiss Post and the State Executive Office in Switzerland.
She currently serves as Chair of Communications for the San Diego Chapter of WRISE (Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy).
Andrea holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Public Management and Policy, as well as a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Political Communications from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences. She also earned a Digital Marketing Certificate from Columbia Business School and most recently completed the MITx Resolving Renewable Energy Siting Disputes course.
She is bilingual in English and German, fluent in Spanish, and proficient in French.
Roman is an accomplished video production specialist with over 15 years of experience contributing to various corporate and commercial video projects. Throughout his career he successfully completed jobs for some of the world’s most recognized brands including Amazon, Nike, UCLA, Airbnb, HP, US Navy, and T-Mobile, with some videos reaching millions of online views.
Roman’s expertise covers every stage of production—from pre-production planning and professional on-set cinematography to post-production, including video editing and motion graphics design. His portfolio spans diverse video formats, from corporate training and recruitment films to commercial documentary, testimonials, and animated explainers, delivering high-quality visual storytelling that engages audiences and achieves business goals.
Mindy provides (W)right On client partners more than 10 years of experience in internal and external communications, media relations, content development, campaign and crisis leadership, fundraising support, social media, strategic planning and stakeholder engagement. She is a LEAD San Diego Impact Leadership Program Graduate; healthcare communications and marketing campaign platinum award winner from MAR-COM Awards; and recipient of a silver award for crisis and executive communications from the San Diego/Imperial County chapter of PRSA.
A native San Diego resident, Mindy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Security and Conflict Resolution from San Diego State University.
Justin Beach brings over 25 years of expertise in web development, programming and technical support to his role at (W)right On Communications. As the agency’s Web Developer and Technical Resource, Justin ensures our client partners’ digital platforms are optimized for success and deliver seamless functionality and a compelling user experience.
Justin’s career spans leadership and entrepreneurial roles with experience building corporate websites, e-commerce platforms and electronic marketing campaigns for a diverse client base. His technical fluency extends across PHP, ASP, MySQL, CSS, JS and multiple database architectures.
Previously, Justin supported strategic SEO campaigns at Myers Media Group, creating platforms responsible for deploying over a million search-optimized web pages. He also led the development of an online shopping platform for Kodak subsidiary ENCAD, Inc., driving e-commerce growth through sophisticated web solutions and marketing integrations.
From guiding print marketing clients into the digital age to deploying hundreds of websites across various frameworks, Justin’s ability to blend design and technical expertise has benefited industries ranging from finance and bioscience to wellness and nonprofit organizations.
At (W)right On Communications, Justin’s creative problem-solving, deep technical know-how and passion for excellence power our clients’ digital strategies, elevating their brands in the digital space.
Claudia Askew, APR is based in Washington, D.C. and draws on her 30 years of experience in strategic communications to serve client partners in the energy, cleantech and B2B sectors. She led marketing and PR planning for the NeighborWorks America program for eight years helping low-income residents in all 50 states access down payment assistance through the Neighborhood LIFT program. She has a long history of volunteerism helping underserved youth and low-income women, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from Wake Forest University and her Accredited in PR (APR) designation from the Public Relations Society of America.
Marsha Kelly has dedicated her career to assisting American Indian tribal communities and businesses with strategies to diversify their economies through wind farms, solar arrays, EV charging infrastructure and other initiatives. Her tribal relationships include the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians and the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association with consulting to other tribes across California, Michigan, New Mexico, North and South Dakota and Wisconsin. She holds a Bachelor of Science in English and Communications from the University of Minnesota.
Tatiana Martinez leads Spanish-language media outreach and community relations efforts for the agency and its client partners. She acts as a spokesperson for Spanish-language media and business or community group outreach. Tatiana has provided translations, Spanish voiceovers and strategies for reaching Spanish-speaking stakeholders. A former journalist for Mexican and American media outlets, Tatiana has a journalism degree from the University of Arizona and communications degree from Mexico’s Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara.
Larry is a strategic communications and PR pro who brings more than 20 years’ in-house, agency and independent experience driving brand visibility, supporting sales growth, and establishing executives as thought leaders in the B2B and B2C spaces. He has a track record of building, leading, and excelling on cross-functional global teams for emerging and established brands including Sony, Dell, VMware, RSA, Xerox, Virgin Galactic, Underwriters Laboratories, Purfresh, Radiant Logic, Sumo Logic and more. He regularly serves as mentor to business and community organizations and has earned two PRSA Silver Anvil Awards for his work over the years.
Larry most recently served as Public Relations and Analyst Relations Lead at Sony Electronics, where he worked closely with Sony Electronics North America President & COO, and the global team. He holds a Master’s degree, is fluent in Japanese and Spanish, and lives in San Diego with his wife and their rescue Morkie, Cookie.
David brings more than 22 years of communication experience to (W)right On’s client partners, currently overseeing the agency’s hospitality, tourism, senior living, wellness and education practice areas. He has developed and successfully led strategic communications for numerous prominent brands including JP Morgan Chase, Oakmont Management Group, Aramark, San Diego Tourism Marketing District, SEGA, RISE Healthcare Group, Horizon Organic, Visit Napa Valley, Stanford Children’s Hospital, Orbitz, Best Western, Walmart and Velodyne Lidar.
He is a two-time winner of Bulldog Media’s Best Response to Breaking News Award and earned a bachelor degree in Mass Communication & Public Relations from Texas State University. David cemented his love for travel early on and has visited more than 45 countries on six continents; he’s also passionate about dogs and, in particular, his Chiweenie mix, Dora.
Andrea brings more than ten years of strategic communications experience, with a strong focus on energy, B2B and tech. Most recently based in San Diego, she has worked as a freelance communications consultant supporting numerous energy infrastructure projects across the country through community outreach, corporate and sustainability communications, and digital content creation. Prior to this, Andrea led comprehensive internal and external communications initiatives at BKW Power Grid, Swiss Post and the State Executive Office in Switzerland.
She currently serves as Chair of Communications for the San Diego Chapter of WRISE (Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy).
Andrea holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Public Management and Policy, as well as a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Political Communications from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences. She also earned a Digital Marketing Certificate from Columbia Business School and most recently completed the MITx Resolving Renewable Energy Siting Disputes course.
She is bilingual in English and German, fluent in Spanish, and proficient in French.
Responsible for communication programs research and analysis, Brian provides administrative and functional support to the agency’s program leads as well as senior management. With experience managing a retail store in the complex pool supply industry, Brian is a key contributor for social media programs, media relations, content development, vendor management, software programs oversight and other critical program aspects. He brings an innate sense of the agency’s GSD attitude to help ensure the agency remains at the industry forefront.
Brian holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from the University of Victoria in British Columbia, is an FAA-licensed Private Pilot, and is an accomplished musician and music producer in his spare time.
As Director of Research & Analytics based out of (W)right On’s Vancouver office, Hamish leads (W)right On’s survey and stakeholder information gathering initiatives North America-wide. A former advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada, Provincial Premiers, City Mayors and dozens of elected officials, he also served in the government of Canada overseeing the quantitative and qualitative research activities of federal government agencies. With experience using every sort of data collection method to provide critical insights for strategic planning, marketing and other organizational activities, Hamish has worked with dozens of private and public sector client partners, including the world’s largest mining company. In 2004 he worked in radio business development in Kabul, Afghanistan, and he has volunteered in democracy-building activities in Bangladesh and Jordan. Today, Hamish is frequently sought out by the media as an expert commentator for national television, radio and print publications. Prior to joining (W)right On, Hamish worked as the Research Director for Angus Reid Public Opinion, conducting and performing analysis on surveys in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Oxford in England, a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree from the University of Toronto and enjoys history, writing and sailing.
Formerly with VisitBritain and Showtime Networks, Katrina Early provides (W)right On client partners’ integrated and creative partnerships with film and TV studios, retailers, and media outlets such as Sony Pictures, Universal, Warner Brothers, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Entertainment Tonight to name a few. Experienced in the hospitality, travel, entertainment industries among others, Katrina coordinates all aspects of B2B industry events, as well as grows client partners’ audience social media engagement through highly sharable digital content. Results achieved include positive media placement in top tier outlets including National Geographic, Robb Report, Forbes, USA Today, LA Times, NBC/Today Show, E! News, Extra, The Tonight Show, People and many others.
Katrina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Public Relations from CSU Long Beach and a Master of Arts in Communications from the prestigious University of Southern California Annenberg School of Communication.
Phelan Riessen is a passionate web and graphic design artist with over 25 years of experience designing and building more than 60 websites for a variety of organizations. Skilled in fontography, web design, Photoshop and web marketing strategies; Phelan also holds a strong presence in the San Diego tech community by serving as an organizer of several large-scale events including RefreshSD, March Mingle and Startup Week.
With a proven track record of success and more than 10 years of design and marketing experience, Danielle optimizes design workflows to ensure consistent brand identity while overseeing a wide range of creative services from concept development, through to delivery of final designs and artwork. Prior to joining the (W)right On Communications team, Danielle worked for various creative agencies and on a wide range of freelance projects for clients in the U.K. and European Union. Most recently, she oversaw creative localization for Dyson’s Central European and Emerging Markets.
Danielle’s capabilities include content creation, marketing pieces, animations, websites, print collateral, motion graphics and more, all with a strong foundation in visual storytelling.
Danielle holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts & Graphic Design degree from Barbados Community College, a Master of Science in International Creative Advertising degree from Manchester Metropolitan University, and embraces emerging technologies in the creative services field.
Danielle has lived and worked in the Caribbean, U.K., and Austria and loves living in San Diego and exploring Southern California with her husband.
Grant Wright has more than 30 years of senior management experience including external affairs and business development leadership roles for major American and Canadian corporations and their subsidiaries. With extensive skills in all aspects of communications including media, regulatory, governmental, community outreach and labor relations; he has also led major infrastructure project development, M&A due diligence and implementation management, marketing and brand development, strategic planning and business plan development for small through Fortune 500 companies.
As CEO and Managing Partner, Grant provides oversight and senior-level communications and business counsel for the agency’s client partners while also overseeing agency management and administration.
Grant holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and an MBA in Marketing and Finance. Professionally, he is formerly a Board Director of the San Diego Venture Group (now Connect San Diego – the region’s venture capital ecosystem). Grant is a two-time Finalist for the San Diego Business Journal’s Most Admired CEO Awards, and currently is in his second year as Chair of the North American chapter of the International PR Network (IPRN) based in Brussels, Belgium. He is also one of five board directors chosen by its worldwide membership for a second year to lead IPRN globally. A resident of and advocate for San Diego, and with (W)right On being a prominent tenant in San Diego’s iconic Emerald Plaza, Grant also serves on the board of directors of the Downtown San Diego Partnership.
During his free time, Grant enjoys scuba diving, hiking and family time. He is also a commercial pilot licensed in both Canada and the U.S. and is the founding board chairman of the Southern California Aviation Association that has provided more than $500,000 in student scholarship grants since the organization’s inception.
