Today is my last day at SHIFT. It’s been a whirlwind adventure, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.
I still remember the day SHIFT principal and respected PR blogger Todd Defren took me out to coffee three and a half years ago and convinced me to take a swig of the SHIFT Kool-Aid. Not long thereafter, Julie Crabill swept into my interview at SHIFT’s San Francisco office to offer me the opportunity to work on her growing consumer lifestyle practice. I eagerly accepted and never looked back.
Three years later, I’ve had the opportunity to work with both loveably scrappy startups and Fortune 500 companies with established brands. Whether it was working on Oakley’s technology sunglasses, getting the world to fall in love with UGOBE’s little robotic dinosaur Pleo, promoting Yelp’s local reviews platform or launching Valley darling Powerset, I’ve gotten to work on some amazing projects. Our little consumer practice quickly grew and it now boasts a roster of impressive brands. I’m proud to have been a part of building that legacy.
But beyond developing my skills as a PR and marketing professional, I’m thankful that in working for SHIFT I’ve been thrown into the heart of the wondrous world of technology. I feel like I’ve found my calling in technology but for quite some time I’ve hungered for an opportunity to sink my teeth into more than the PR side of the startup world. For that reason, I’ll be leaving SHIFT for a new opportunity that will expand my professional horizons. Details to come soon!
I will look back fondly at my adventures at SHIFT, but more than that, I will miss the people that have been more to me than just colleagues: they’ve become cherished friends. I will miss you all.
Me, Fiona Tang, Audrey Craipain and Wawi Ramallo at a SHIFT party, mere days after I accepted SHIFT's offer. My how time flies!
How can you not love little robotic dinosaurs cuddling up to you? It's impossible to resist Pleo's charm.
Celebrating Powerset's launch with my esteemed colleagues Julia Stemerman, Julie Crabill, Kayla Kooyman and Justine Navaja
Kayla and I with our favorite AC, Christina Wellhouser (aka the Sassy Sipper)
My account director, Erin Santy, and me at a Bing party
With my SAE, Kristine Lee, at a Bing party
*tears* Marie you’ve definitely made my experience at SHIFT what it is, I honestly don’t know what I would have done without your sweet spirit and coaching. We will miss you so much, but I look forward to hearing about all the exciting new things you will be working on. Your new company is so blessed to have your smart, marketing savvy mind to help lead them to success. Best of luck and I’ll see you at Korean BBQ! YUM YUM!
I’ll miss you Marie! But I wish you all the best on your next adventure – I’m sure you’ll rock it out, as you did here at SHIFT
Best of Luck!
See you soon!
Audrey/PRFrenchy
Very nicely written, now don’t forget to change your bio here!
Good luck on the next chapter of your career and life!
It’s been a good run pal, you will surely be missed. Best of luck to you, though I know you won’t need it;)
aww such great photos and a great goodbye post! I’m sure you’ll “kick it out of the park,” Marie! And you know I’ll think of you every time I use a hyphen!
Love,
Your fave AC
Congratulations for your new job! Working for Meraki must be exciting and challenging, I hope you’ll have lots of fun!
Thanks, Xavier! I hope you are having fun in Paris too. Let me know if you’re ever in SF and can meet up for coffee sometime!