Mike Nikolich
President and CEO

Mike founded Tech Image® in 1993 and offers 20 years of high–tech public relations agency experience, representing such companies as Ameritech, Cardinal Technologies, Information Resources, MapQuest.com, Metamor Technologies, Productivity Point International, Rockwell Electronic Commerce, Truevision and Videocart. Prior to Tech Image, Mike served as senior vice president at Chicago public relations firm Selz/Seabolt Communications.

What is Your Favorite Success Story?
For many years, Tech Image represented the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the world's largest association of amateur radio operators. Since I am a ham radio operator myself, I was very excited about this account. When we began working for the ARRL, they had a program in place called the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX), where astronauts aboard the shuttle would talk to students via ham radio. We thought this program had tremendous PR potential; the client didn't. I was willing to risk the account to prove a point. We enlisted the help of a former NBC–TV host (and amateur radio operator) named Roy Neal and promoted him as a spokesperson for the event. Our teaser mailing consisted of a 50–cent space shuttle toy and an index card headlined, Want to talk to someone in outer space? Good Morning America, CBS This Morning and NBC Overnight all featured major stories on the SAREX program as a result of our work, but the highlight had to be a 15–minute segment on David Letterman. I still play that tape for prospective clients.

What Are Your Hobbies and Interests?
My wife and two daughters are my #1 interest, but I dabble in many hobbies. I love music of all styles – pop, world beat, classical, hard rock and jazz. Just recently, I purchased a Fender Stratocaster and have been serenading my family and dog with dissonant sounds from my study. I'm also threatening to get a drum kit. Other passions include astronomy, golf, biking, reading, computers and investing. My favorite hobbies, however, are shortwave radio listening and amateur radio. Radio communications has had a big impact on what I do professionally. My kids, of course, will have nothing to do with radio.

What is the Title of the Last Good Book You Read?
The Unemotional Investor by Robert Sheard and Healing Back Pain – the Mind Body Connection, by John E. Sarno, M.D.

Who are Your Favorite Recording Artists?
I'm currently listening to Jeff Buckley, Dream Academy, Golden Earring, Prefab Sprout, Paul Rodgers, Style Council, David Sylvian, Ali Farka Toure, Vivaldi, Chris Whitley and Wilco.

Why Are You a Good Fit at Tech Image?
I like to lead by example. PR is a passion for me and nothing gives me a bigger kick than seeing a client on the front page of the Chicago Tribune or the Wall Street Journal. I try to inspire my employees to do their best work of their careers. We don't have room for slackers at Tech Image. All of us work hard and play hard. That's why we do crazy things like "Champagne Fridays" once a month. We also have a ping–pong table that's not used enough and we've added a pool table to our office space. Heck, I'd rather brainstorm around a pool table or on the golf course than sit around a conference table falling asleep. Life's too short. If you are not having fun at work, what's the point in going to work?