Rich Gallagher

Head of Communications Innovation @ Brands2Life

About

Endless curiosity led me to a job in PR, and it’s what has made this such a satisfying, rewarding career for twenty years and counting. My favorite part about this business has always been learning the ins and outs of so many different industries, working with leaders in far-flung categories like video games, beverage alcohol, blockchain tech, sports, SaaS platforms, hedge funds, wellness devices, magazine publishing… even adult diapers. I've been very lucky to so often be in the right place, at the right time, to work with interesting founders in the earliest days of groundbreaking companies, and to touch landmark projects for globally beloved brands: -I was introduced to hedge funds and startup tech in my first job, launching Clarium Capital just after Peter Thiel sold PayPal to eBay. -Introducing the world to Nintendo 3DS was a dream come true for a guy whose childhood dog was named ‘Mario’. -The first time I went to Walt Disney World was to cut the ribbon for the sponsored attraction my team produced, T. Rowe Price’s “The Great Piggy Bank Adventure.” -I learned how powerful data-led storytelling can be when my team launched the ADP National Employment Report, and applied it years later to tap my MOAT client’s election campaign data for a blockbuster story during the 2016 presidential cycle. -In service of the brand’s first-ever social media program, I got to find the world’s biggest Guinness fans to celebrate the 250th anniversary in Dublin. Nothing has colored my style as a manager of PR professionals more than parenthood. I am always looking for ways to inspire my teams’ best work, to ask the big questions that multiply their ambitions, and for those moments where I can nudge them along with just the right feedback or book recommendation to unlock their “a-ha!” moment. Across the board, the people I've managed have picked up good habits, learned a lot, and contributed more than they ever thought they would.

Country

United States

City

Princeton

Industry

Public Relations & Communications

Skill

Cowork for M365, Claude Cowork, Claude Skills, Confidentiality, Business-to-Business (B2B), Launches, Strategic Counsel, Media Coverage, Global Communications, Executive Visibility, Media Relations, Public Relations, Social Media, Digital Strategy, Strategic Communications, Digital Marketing, Crisis Communications, Community Management, Community Engagement, Social Media Marketing

Experience

Head of Communications Innovation

Brands2Life

2026-3 - Present · 7 mos

New York City Metropolitan Area

-Apply emerging technologies, like AI, to track media trends, uncover insights and develop tools that help our teams deliver outstanding work efficiently. -Design bespoke, grassroots programming to ensure client companies make meaningful contributions to the communities in which they operate. -Provide trustworthy crisis counsel informed by always-on monitoring, so client partners are confident and prepared. -Tap primary research, proprietary, and publicly available data to tell better stories. -Coach clients on how to maximize the AI opportunity within their internal communications teams.

Deputy Managing Director

Brands2Life

2022-10 - 2026-3 · 3 yrs 6 mos

New York City Metropolitan Area

Senior Vice President

Brands2Life

2021-4 - 2022-10 · 1 yr 7 mos

New York City Metropolitan Area

Strategic Advisor

Princeton Narrative Lab

2025-6 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos

Princeton, NJ

Comunications advisor and executive coach for early stage companies and founders in the Princeton technology ecosystem

Executive Vice President

Resound Marketing

2015-8 - 2021-4 · 5 yrs 9 mos

Greater New York City Area

Lead the day-to-day operations of the corporate practice, directing new business, account strategy, executive training, and critical corporate messaging. Clients include MOAT, PSI, Lucidity, Mya Systems, CultureIQ, Zenoti, and Replicon.

Associate Director

Hotwire

2013-7 - 2015-7 · 2 yrs 1 mo

New York, NY

Initially came on board as a Vice President to help establish US presence for top rated UK agency Frank PR with a team of three. Following a year of growth, Frank PR was integrated with the consumer arm of Hotwire PR in the US. Led new business efforts and day to day operations for US Consumer group. Clients include SquareTrade, Withings, Rakuten, and Indeed.com.

Communications and Social Media Strategist

Rich Gallagher Consulting

2012-12 - 2013-7 · 8 mos

Greater New York City Area

•Developed and executed go-to-market strategies for independent video game and mobile app developers •Clients include Indiegogo, mysugr, THUP Games, Thuzio

Senior Manager, Media

Golin

2010-10 - 2012-11 · 2 yrs 2 mos

•Created daily content for the first social media programs from Nintendo of America, comprising the @NintendoAmerica Twitter handle and 10 Facebook pages that connected the brand with over 10 million fans and counting; operated at highest possible security clearance for agency partners •Planned and executed traditional media relations programs for Nintendo, securing coverage in critical outlets like Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Live with Regis and Kelly •Led media relations for Banana Boat’s first sports marketing effort with Chip Ganassi Racing •Clients include adidas, Banana Boat, Discover Student Loans, eMusic, Equinix, Florida Department of Citrus, Mattel, Nintendo of America, Orasure, Texas Instruments, Vivus, VTech

Senior Digital Strategist

Taylor

2008-4 - 2010-10 · 2 yrs 7 mos

•Designed community management programs, including Facebook and Twitter presences, for top sports, lifestyle and spirits brands •Produced the Gillette Champions of Gaming tournament, forging partnerships with Microsoft, EA Sports, and Spike TV to create a global online tournament with nearly 500,000 participants and live, media-friendly finals events in Miami (March 2009) and NYC (April 2010) •Negotiated title sponsorship for the Diageo spirits catalog at ongoing sports blogger conference Blogs with Balls, boosting smaller brands like Bulleit Bourbon and Jeremiah Weed, while introducing classics like Tanqueray and Guinness to a younger, influential new audience •Clients include Ask.com, Can-Am Spyder Roadster, Coke Zero, Diageo Spirits Portfolio, GlaxoSmithKline, Kleenex, M&M Mars, Microsoft Xbox 360, Minute Maid, P&G,T. Rowe Price

Account Executive

Cohn & Wolfe

2006-11 - 2008-4 · 1 yr 6 mos

•Conducted media relations for early-stage technology clients and established brands •Clients include ADP, AddThis, Allianz, Cadbury Schweppes, Digital Railroad, InGrid Digital Home Security, Joost, Steel Series, Ubisoft

Account Director

Trylon SMR

2005-2 - 2006-11 · 1 yr 10 mos

•Directed and executed publicity efforts for media brands and startup technology companies •Clients include AlmondNet, Aniboom, Corbis, Coupons Inc., CourtTV, GamePro Magazine, Return Path, Smashing Ideas, Targetbase, The Weather Channel

Assistant Account Executive

Walek & Associates

2003-9 - 2004-12 · 1 yr 4 mos

•Executed innovative public relations, investor relations and research programs for hedge funds and traditional investment products •Clients include Clarium Capital, Dow Jones Indexes, Man Investment Group, Mellon HBV