Bob Dirkes
Account Services Manager

With 10 years experience encompassing journalism, business-to-business marketing and communications management, Bob brings a well-rounded perspective to developing messaging strategies and executing marketing programs. His primary responsibility is ensuring clients see their marketing goals and objectives translated into media relations results. Before joining Tech Image, Bob served as a marketing and public relations consultant to small technology companies, technology-focused advertising firms and entrepreneurs. In the corporate arena, he has served as Product Marketing Manager for start-up Isix Software, Director of Public Relations & Advertising for luxury hospitality group Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and Director of Corporate Communications for global travel service and management firm BTI Americas. He has also worked as a sports reporter, syndicated radio writer and producer of more than 20 corporate videos.

What is Your Favorite Success Story?
The merger that created BTI Americas required secrecy for three months while I developed press releases, letters to clients, employee Q&A's and other marketing documents. The night before and morning of the announcement I supervised the production team that printed, assembled and packaged of over 250,000 pages of publicity material for hundreds of clients and thousands of employees across the country. We held our collective breath as I stood in the mailing warehouse with a cell phone awaiting word that funds were transferred and the deal was done. A glitch or delay in the merger transaction could have meant that weeks of work had to be revised and reproduced. Luck was with us and all went smoothly on schedule. Over the next year BTI Americas rose to become the third largest company of its kind in the world.

What Are Your Hobbies and Interests?
The daily growth and development of my two children never ceases to amaze me. And when not reveling in fatherhood, I enjoy watching pro and college football, learning to golf and playing games of strategy such as chess.

What is the Title of the Last Good Book You Read?
" 1984" by George Orwell. Never had to read it in high school or college, so I picked it up one day out of curiosity. It's amazing how much popular culture, political philosophy, movies and books of the last 50 years have been influenced by this work.

Who Are Your Favorite Recording Artists?
Very eclectic... Frank Sinatra. Louie Prima. Elvis. Sting. Classical. Some Blues and a little Big Band.

What are your favorite TV shows?
Three shows that may seem at odds: Law & Order, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Simpsons. The common thread is great screenwriting. Each show has a different finger on the pop-cultural pulse.

Why Are You a Good Fit at Tech Image?
In the last decade, I have been involved in virtually every aspect of marketing and corporate communications in some capacity. I hope this experience allows me to step into the clients' shoes and ensure they see and understand the value of our services.