Todd Barrish Joins PR Firm LaunchSquad as Managing Director of Its Growing New York Operations

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - December 16, 2009) - LaunchSquad, the 2009 Boutique Agency of the Year, today announced the appointment of technology PR veteran Todd Barrish as Managing Director of its New York Operations. Under this new role, Todd is responsible for day-to-day operational management as well as strategic client organization, development and counsel. Todd joins Senior Vice President Gavin Skillman, who founded the firm's New York office in 2007.

LaunchSquad works with some of the world's most innovative and promising high-growth companies, including SuccessFactors, Next New Networks, Epix TV, Evernote, Daptiv, Ocarina Networks and Savings.com. The firm now employs more than 40 people in San Francisco, New York City and Montreal.

"Despite the economic downturn, we have been aggressively investing in growth over the past couple of years, adding senior level talent and expanding and enhancing our services to include a full suite of social and digital PR capabilities. As we head into 2010, LaunchSquad is embarking on a strategic initiative to build out its East Coast team and network," said Brett Weiner, partner. "We are extremely bullish on extending our success to capitalize on the growing East Coast opportunity for new and emerging innovators, particularly in new media, web technology and alternative energy.

"Todd brings to LaunchSquad a strong combination of high-level critical thinking combined with a do-what-it-takes entrepreneurial spirit that embodies our approach to creating high-impact communications campaigns for our clients."

Todd came to LaunchSquad after serving as the executive vice president and general manager at Dukas Public Relations, where he was responsible for building the agency's technology division as well as overall agency and account management. He played an integral role in helping grow the firm from a five person agency in 2006 with revenue under one million, to a 20-plus person firm with several million in revenue.

In June 2009, Todd was appointed to the Radford University Board of Visitors by Virginia Governor Tim Kaine. He was also a founder and former member of the Board of Directors of Foresight Research Solutions, LLC, a New York-based broker-dealer and independent research company, which closed its operations in July 2006.

"Joining the LaunchSquad team is a highly sought after career achievement for me," said Todd Barrish. "It was my mission to find a talented and innovative PR agency that has both a demonstrated track record of success and the client recognition to go with that success. There is an evolving plan in place to advance the LaunchSquad mission first in New York and throughout East Coast innovation capitals. Our intent is to work above and beyond to execute on this initiative while meeting LaunchSquad's high standard of excellence for work and client service."

About LaunchSquad

LaunchSquad helps high-growth companies build awareness, grow their business and become market leaders through a full suite of public relations and social media services. Named the 2009 Boutique PR Agency of the Year by PR Week, LaunchSquad has more than 40 employees and serves more than 35 of the world's most exciting new and emerging companies. The firm is based in San Francisco with an office in New York City.

Contact Information: Contact: Aly Gibson aly@launchsquad.com