Erick Brownstein

Erick Brownstein is an entrepreneur, innovator and creative strategist with a passion for the social web. Since 2003, he has helped agencies, senior executives and organizations get social in the Google Era by better understanding and navigating the ever-changing media landscape. Erick brings artistic and practical sensibilities to: building brands; developing and executing integrated digital marketing strategies; generating extensive coverage in traditional and online press; and establishing unique partnerships, often cause-based.

In addition to his work with with The New Agency, Erick is currently a partner at Media Needle, a social media marketing agency.

In 2010, Erick briefly tasted full time employment as the SVP of Media Strategy & Innovation for Patriarch Partners, a $7 billion private equity fund with 74 portfolio companies, (that’s a longer story). From 2003 to 2009, as full-time strategic adviser to the CEO and CIO of Advanta Bank (NASDAQ: ADVNB), he assembled and led an internal innovation team, managed their PR and social media and conceived of, developed, launched and promoted four of their major small business-focused brands. During that time, he also designed and implemented marketing and social web strategies for several other companies across diverse industries, from Vegas and Broadway shows, to Fortune 500 B2B to cosmetics to film. In addition to his digital life, Erick B:  hosted and MC’d bloblive, (a celebrated series of ‘open mic nights for entrepreneurs’); hosted ‘Meet the Angels,’ a live video series connecting entrepreneurs and investors; directed and produced Social Media Week Los Angeles (80+ events across multiple industries); runs a small business; directed two international environmental and human rights campaigns with Rainforest Action Network; designed ‘sustainability meets competitiveness’ strategies as a senior analyst for Strategic Environmental Associates; volunteered with Mother Theresa’s Home for the Sick & Dying Destitute in Calcutta; and studied martial arts and lived in monasteries during a two year Asian exploration.

He currently lives in Santa Monica, California with his wife, three boys and dog. In theory more than practice, he surfs, plays poker and practices martial arts.