SALLIE OLMSTED-MACKINNON
Global Communications Lead
i.am.MEDIA

Sallie is a recognized strategic corporate communications expert with deep experience in public relations, branding, narrative creation, crisis and issues management, executive and talent visibility, and image management across business-to-business and consumer-facing programs. During her 25+ years in communications, she has worked on client programs with organizations and corporations including AARP, Amazon, Apple, Bazooka Candy Brands, Coca-Cola, GlaxoSmithKline, Google, I.AM+, iD Software, Intel, Marvel Comics, and Oculus with “Masters of the Sun”, Microsoft, NASA, Neuro Drinks, Nokia, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Pioneer Electronics, Procter & Gamble, RJ Reynolds, Rock in Rio, Rio2C (fka Rio Content Market), Sirius Satellite Radio, Texas Instruments, The Prince’s Trust, US FIRST and more.

During her tenure as an Executive Vice President at Rogers & Cowan, Sallie also worked with clients seeking to integrate entertainment and pop culture with major consumer and technology brands. She defined the narrative arc and then created and managed campaigns for clients including: will.i.am, tech investor, TV producer, and front man for The Black Eyed Peas; AARP Media Properties including AARP The Magazine and AARP Movies for Grownups programs; David Beckham’s resort real estate and consumer products businesses; writer/showrunner Tim Kring (“Heroes”, and “Conspiracy For Good” with Nokia); and Texas Instruments and CBS Television to create “We All Use Math Every Day™, a teen math education program.

Excelling in distilling and crystalizing complex offerings, Sallie has managed many new category introductions across hardware, software, consumer products, and services for industry sectors including media and entertainment content, core technology, consumer tech, telecommunications (mobile/satellite/cable/radio), food & beverage, health and medical, cannabis, environment and sustainability, financial services, philanthropy, transportation, consumer products, fashion and accessories.

As an event, conference management, and speaker acquisition & placement expert, Sallie manages strategies to package and promote consumer-facing events, professional conferences, and product/service launches. She is also highly experienced at managing executive and talent speaker placement programs working with organizations including World Economic Forum, Global Goals, Clinton Global Initiative, TEDMED, TEDxHollywood, EG-The Entertainment Gathering, Cannes Lions, MIDEM, SXSW, COMPLEXCON, Rock In Rio USA, TRANS4M, UNICEF, WIRED, WORLDZ, 3D Entertainment Summits, Dow Jones Conferences, and has also mounted significant programs for clients at CES, CinemaCon, Comic-Con, CTIA, E3, InfoComm, MacWorld, Mobile World Congress, NAB, NCTA, SALT, and TCA/Television Critics Association.

Within her event and conference experience, Sallie has managed many visits by dignitaries including heads of state, Presidents, Mayors, and royal families. From working with press officers, security teams, and other members of the dignitary’s staff to plan a visit, she also prepares protocol guides for clients and invited media to ensure correct interaction with high-ranking guests.

Her practice also includes managing corporate, merger & acquisition, legal, and crisis communication needs, skillfully guiding clients through internal and external communications challenges with an emphasis on resolving difficult matters quietly. With the utmost discretion, Sallie works in tandem with client legal and investigative teams to predict and prepare for possible actions and outcomes.

Sallie’s extensive crisis experience includes litigation support, IP infringement, product recalls, food/ingredient complaints, human resources investigations, stock market/SEC situations, criminal allegations and proceedings, white-collar crime, corporate espionage, government inquiries and investigations (Department of Justice, Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Trade Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission), domestic/family issues, and personal malfeasance on part of client company executives.

Prior to joining Rogers & Cowan, Sallie served as Vice President of Corporate Communications, and member of the Executive Operating Committee at Metacreations, a graphics software company where she oversaw corporate communications, investor relations, trade and consumer product public relations, and corporate philanthropy programs.

Sallie relocated to Los Angeles in 1994 where she joined Rogers & Cowan and helped establish the Convergence Department, comprised of a team of communication specialists focused on clients in the emerging tech space across video gaming, interactive entertainment, and cable/satellite TV services.

Earlier in her career, Sallie was the Director of Public Affairs at TV Answer (later Eon Corporation), a pioneer in the interactive television and cable industry. She led media relations and entertainment industry outreach and liaised with Congressional Committees that oversaw the commercial use of radio frequencies.

Sallie’s award-winning campaigns have been recognized by PRSA, PRSA-LA, PR News, Hermes Awards, and Bulldog Reporter awards for leadership and outstanding outcomes in media relations, corporate social responsibility (CSR), environmental sustainability, entertainment marketing, and event execution.

She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in International Business from George Washington University and holds a Certificate in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution from The MIT-Harvard Public Disputes Program. Sallie’s professional society memberships include the Public Relations Society of America – Los Angeles (Board Member), Television Academy-Interactive Media Peer Group, and BAFTA Los Angeles. She also serves as a marketing advisor to PTTOW & WORLDZ communities, as well as TheFreshToast.com, a consumer lifestyle daily news site.