About Mike Holden

For over a dozen years, Mike Holden has leveraged the internet and utilized traditional public relations techniques to market and promote the organizations he’s worked for as well as his own projects. Most recently, Holden worked as the marketing director for the World Adult Kickball Association (WAKA), an adult social sports organization with thousands of players participating in leagues in over 35 states.

As Director of Public Relations for Washington, D.C. based non-profit ABCTE from 2008 to early 2011, Holden used social media applications such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to increase web traffic and build brand awareness for the teaching certification organization, while keeping costs at a minimum. The organization received exposure from outlets such as The Washington Post, USA Today and The New York Times during Holden’s time as PR director.

Holden has also served as Media Relations Manager for Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, where he generated national and local media coverage for the non-profit, started a staff blog and worked on launching the organization’s internet radio station and first podcasts.

Holden also worked as Director of Marketing for D.C. area restaurant chain Austin Grill, where he frequently engaged bloggers, increased the company’s use of email and web-driven campaigns, and created unique word-of-mouth-inducing promotions. In one of his most popular promotions, Holden garnered national media attention for the company and drove thousands of customers into its restaurants through a partnership with the NHL’s Washington Capitals that awarded free wings to Caps fans whenever the team scored six or more goals at home.

In 2001, Holden created a website focused on D.C. area music that includes a Yahoo Group he grew to over 1,400 members and he has utilized the internet to promote his own music. He has spoken at conferences and before various organizations—including the Future of Music Policy Summit, the Public Relations Society of America and PR News—on topics such as podcasting, blogging, social media and web-based promotion.

Holden holds a degree in marketing from Loyola University Maryland.