about me
getting to know mike mccamon…
I like to tell people I never climbed the career ladder, I took the stairs instead. Along the way I have done just about everything a person could do in marketing and management. Whether it’’s launching lines of business in foreign markets or working to get competitors to build compatible products I have been constantly on the move.
Over my twenty year career in technology, I have directed teams that have defined, product managed, launched and marketed dozens of new products into the OEM and retail North American, European and Asian markets. I worked in an internet software infrastructure startup (before there were such things), the Fortune 50, in International assignments and most recently for a not-for-profit trade association.
As the former CEO and Executive Director of the Bluetooth SIG, I was responsible for creating a business environment that is expected to result in the creation of a $25B industry – one populated with component, system suppliers, end product manufacturers, service industries and even a few bigger players the likes of Nokia, Sony, Microsoft, Intel, IBM and Ericsson. All of this without trying to lose my cool and still getting a good night sleep once in a while.
What’s my passion? Working to make a difference. If after reading something here you feel compelled to write, drop me a line at mike (at) mccamon.org. If you’re an old (or perhaps new) friend, give me call during US central time hours at 913.940.2737. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.
limestone partners LLC
august 2004 to present [overland park, ks]
Offering marketing, trade assocation and program management consulting to tech and wireless markets and industry associations.
guerrilla online buzz campaign, [client confidential]
- Planned, managed and executed word-of-mouth online campaign via blogs, forums and other vehicles.
- Contributor to online blog in target market.
executive director, uwb forum [client]
- Planned and managed the startup of the Corporation handling the affairs of the trade association.
- Lead the trade association and its membership drive acquiring over 140 members in less than six months.
- Quoted ambassador for the UWB Forum in domestic and international press.
- Led re-branding of the association including figure mark design and website redesign.
- Oversaw the worldwide trademark strategy and implementation efforts.
- Developed and managed marketing plans.
marketing services, IEEE-ISTO [client]
- Developed and managed execution of a short-term marketing plan designed to raise visibility of this services company to the standards market.
- Developed and launched online blog in standards market to increase voice of authority for the IEEE-ISTO.
- Designed and led development of various marketing collateral tools including direct mail, email and press releases.
product launch planning, [several clients]
- Planned launch of several products from varying companies including mobile phone and online community software companies.
- Developed communication plans for press, online campaign, website, direct mail and internal audiences.
blogger & author [just for fun]
- Self published “Right on Red” a compilation of perspectives on marketing, tech, life & work.
- Online blogger for news an opinion sites in the wireless and marketing markets. Some have run their course and those remaining (which I can talk about) include:
- www.mccamon.org
- www.hummerhugger.com
- taxalicious.com – taxes can be fun
- freethe1099 – advocacy to make 1099 electronic
- loonlighter.com – a clever take on moonlighting
- accumul.us – relevant news
- PANfriedchicken.com – comentary on wireless PAN market
- eisto.com – thoughts and advice on trade associations
embarq communications
january 2006 to January 2007 [overland park, ks]
Formerly Sprint’’s landline operation, Embarq is one of the country’’s largest providers of high speed internet and good old fashioned dial tone to over seven million customers in 18 states. As part of its spin-off from Sprint, Embarq intends to launch a wireless business as an MVNO carrier of choice in their local markets.
group manager, wireless product development
- Directing development and launch plan for consumer fixed mobile convergent devices and services.
- Manage all wireless Product Development for the company from idea conception to market launch with a strong focus on products that integrate wireline and wireless services.
- Serve as a content area expert on personal area wireless technologies and trends in the market and it’’s impact on our markets and competitiveness.
bluetooth sig
april 2002 to august 2004 [overland park, ks]
Poised to become the standard wireless connection for mobile products, Bluetooth technology is managed by this not-for-profit trade association. The growth over my tenure was unprecedented; from a base of less than a million per week to surpassing the milestone of well over ten million products shipping per month. Marketing, targeted PR and a focus on product interoperability through programs such as “Five Minute Ready” drove this growth.
marketing director: emerging markets & evangelism
- Led efforts to develop new markets for Bluetooth enabled products in the 2-5yr timeframe.
- Developed, managed and executed plans to enter new markets for Bluetooth technology.
- Act as evanglist, spokesperson and ambassador for the Bluetooth SIG in domestic and international press.
ceo & executive director
- Planned and managed the startup of the Corporation handling the affairs of the trade association.
- Lead the trade association and its members in their drive to over ten million products shipping per month.
- Conceived the highly successful “Five Minute Ready” program that improves device interoperability.
- Widely quoted ambassador for the Bluetooth SIG in domestic and international press.
- Oversaw the worldwide trademark strategy and implementation efforts.
- Developed and managed annual budgets, staffing, operational, marketing, technology and product plans.
- During first year increased membership approval ratings to over 90%
intel
march 2000 to april 2002 [san diego, ca]
As the largest manufacturer of microprocessors in the world, Intel through it’s marketing programs such as “Intel Inside” and branding campaigns for “Pentium” and “Centrino” has established itself as a household name. My role at Intel was to manage our evangelism efforts in standards organizations like GSMA, Wi-Fi Alliance and the Bluetooth SIG influencing their direction favorable to the PC market and Intel’s product plans. I was also a contributer on the marketing team that developed the Centrino branding campaign.
manager wireless evangelism
- Corporate representative to Bluetooth SIG Board of Directors.
- Chairman of the Bluetooth SIG Marketing Committee, 2002.
- Member Wi-Fi Alliance Marketing Committee.
- Developed brand strategy for trademarks, annual marketing plans and budgets.
- Chairman of the Bluetooth User Experience Team Working Group.
- Coordinated and facilitated Intel Bluetooth marketing and messaging efforts.
product marketing engineer
- Recruited to new business venture to develop and market wireless products.
- Created marketing strategies, pricing, positioning and feature set requirements for future and existing products.
- Developed and managed product roadmap and brand identity of retail and embedded products.
- Directed research efforts into new product opportunities, customer behaviors and preferences.
- Forecasted demand and product line profitability
iomega
september 1997 to march 2000 [san diego, ca & geneva, switzerland]
Iomega was the world leader in removable storage products for the PC industry. As a member of the team that developed Clik! our aim was to leverage the success of the Zip Drive technology for mobile products. Later at Iomega I worked in an ex-patriot assignment in Geneva, Switzerland. There I launched our optical product line while managing the Clik! business for the geo. During my short time in Europe my product line revenue grew nearly 500% in part due to our pricing and promotional strategy for the optical business line.
european general manager – mobile & optical products
- General Manager with P&L responsibility of forecasted FY2000 $70MM European business.
- Manage brand identity of two product lines in European market.
- Develop marketing strategies, pricing and positioning for product line.
- Define requirements for program management, marketing, press relations and creative staffs.
- Grew 1H99 Revenue of $1.5M to $8.6M 2H99.
- Member of Iomega International, S.A. Board of Directors.
director future products
- Developed product requirements, product managed and launched eleven new retail products into domestic, European and Asian markets.
- Co-Developed two products with Japanese licensees.
- Developed and managed product roadmap and brand identity of retail and embedded products.
- Directed research efforts into new product opportunities, customer behaviors and preferences.
- Created marketing strategies, pricing, positioning and feature set requirements for future products.
- Forecasted demand and product line profitability.
visual components
october 1995 to september 1997 [overland park, ks]
During the mid-90s there was growing interest in component based software for the PC industry. Visual Components designed software development tools for the Windows operating system. As the internet boomed we ported our products to Lotus Notes, Netscape and then Java. While Director of Products & Marketing I managed a portfolio of fifteen products growing our business to gain the attention of Sybase whom acquired us in 1997.
director products & marketing
- Startup software developer of Java, component software and software development tools.
- Increased product portfolio sales over 50% in FY97.
- Generated a 250% increase in sales leads.
- Manage product portfolio of fifteen products.
- Direct efforts of product management, marketing, press relations, marketing programs and creative staffs.
- Lead contact and negotiator for licensed technologies.
- Corporate spokesman for industry press, trade and customer events
apple computer
november 1989 to october 1995 [overland park, ks & dallas, tx]
Apple remains the icon of innovation in the technology industry. Veterans normally mark their tenure by product launches: I was there from the IIcx through the PowerPC and Performa launches. Along the way we saw the introduction of the Powerbook and demise of Newton. Having spend most of my time in the field I called on corporate accounts, the channel and served an account team as a Systems Engineer. Also spent a year in the Executive Briefing Center program – wow, talk about a new challenge every day.
account executive
- Lead Apple contact for named accounts in Kansas, Kansas City metro and Nebraska
- Consult with major customers regarding Apple and industry trends.
- Recommend tactical and strategic directions for our corporate customers.
business sales executive
- Manage and leverage relationship with local resellers in geography.
- Increased territory performance by 32% for FY 1994.
- $22 million quota responsibility over three state area.
senior technology consultant – briefing center
- Consult with major customers regarding Apple technology and industry trends.
- Consult with corporate product management to incorporate customer feature requirements into future products.
- Recommend tactical and strategic directions for our corporate customers.
- Develop presentations and prototype applications
senior systems engineer
- Awarded AUSA EMD Vice President’s Impact Award, October 1992
- Nominated for 1991 AUSA Systems Engineer of the Year.
- Awarded Great Plains Regional Manager Impact Award, Summer 1991.
- Act as the technical resource for a sales team that serves a set of target accounts.
- Develop presentations and prototype applications.
informix
january 1988 to november 1989 [lenexa, ks]
Back in the day of database wars, Informix decided to merge with Innovative Software; the logic was this would allow each company to leverage their core competencies in database and, what we called then, workstation-based software. Having started in technical support for a DOS-based integrated Office product called SmartWare I was recruited to join marketing and there I worked on the team that brought Wingz to market.
product manager
- Created marketing strategies, pricing and feature set specifications for future software developer products.
- Developed demonstrations and applications that featured the functionality of existing and future products.
- Provided technical sales support to publications, high-end users and sales force.
- Demonstrated products to Fortune 500 businesses, large computer user groups, and trade shows.
advanced technial support engineer
- Provided technical support for dealers, consultants, and end-users
- Supplied on-site custom programming, installation, and training for special projects.