Originally published June 2020. Updated July 2026.
Today we have a feature interview with Valerie Christopherson. She is founder and CEO of Global Results Communications (GRC), an award-winning public relations firm trusted by both entrepreneurs on the cusp of new discoveries and multi-billion-dollar enterprises breaking new ground. Renowned for her expertise in high tech, she is the driving force behind GRC's targeted communications strategies that dramatically enhance client market presence and performance on a global scale.
Prior to founding GRC in 2005, Valerie held key positions at QUALCOMM, Porter Novelli Convergence Group, and other niche agencies in the mobile, telecom, and technology sectors. Over a span of 20 years she provided counsel and campaign management for Fortune 500 companies, major trade associations, and start-ups across public relations and social media.
Tell us about your journey into PR tech. What spurred you to start Global Results Communications?
I, like many other PR professionals, did not plan to be in the PR field. In fact, I sought after law initially. But as my educational career progressed, I found myself taking communications classes and ended up double majoring in English and Communications. It wasn't really the education that excited me — it was the internships, the real experience, and the thrill of the pressure of being put on the spot, combined with the good-doing that communications professionals can do. I'm a firm believer that you don't find PR; it finds you. It's the experience you gain daily that makes the profession what it is.
Starting Global Results Communications was as much fun then as it is today. In 2005, after working 10 years in agencies, the market seemed right and I decided to venture out. Our focus at the time was telecom and the emerging wireless, or mobile, market. As time progressed, so did the firm — today we fancy ourselves a full-service tech-digital PR firm.
How different is the PR tech industry today than when you first started?
Not to date myself, but in 1995 tech was fax machines, pagers were the hot commodity, and mobile phones were really car phones. Laptop computers were only for the C-suite, so you spent many, many late nights in the office. Press kits were paper in folders, and phone calls were made from desk phones. Offices had speaker intercoms. Today we are mobile. We have phones we can use anywhere in the world, we have email, we have laptops, iPads, and apps. We do meetings over video calls, we have clients globally that we can communicate with without garnering expensive phone bills. Tech is ever-changing.
What is the current state of PR for B2B? How do you stay on top of the B2B industry?
B2B is the most critical piece of the global economy. While consumer products and services remain a focus, it truly is the B2B aspect that keeps the world afloat — Internet, mobile services, video communications.
You never really stay on top of the B2B market — you evolve with it and think forward in your strategies. Technologies can be pushed and often uncover things you didn't know were possible. Your comms strategy needs to be pushed until you break the barriers.
What role do modern PR companies play in increasing the trustworthiness of B2B tech companies?
PR agencies are relied on more now than ever to be creative, forward-thinking, calm, and thoughtful — and to embrace the minute-by-minute strategies needed. It's also important you think global.
What trends in the technology industry are you following keenly right now?
Virtual and video. We have automated in a virtual society requiring more video to stay in touch with our personal and professional lives. The connected life is where we are, and technology is the enabling ingredient.
How do you prepare for an AI-centric world as a business leader?
You humanize it. We are all human, and for an AI-centric world you humanize it through virtual touchpoints, conversations, and simply not forgetting humanity.
How do you inspire your people to work with technology?
I have found that even the most technical aspect of tech PR is interesting. Inspiring people requires painting the bigger picture: what does this technology do? What is this technology's purpose? Once you give technology a purpose, it becomes sexy — and sexy is inspiring.
What apps, software, or tools can't you live without?
My mobile phone and laptop / tablet.
What are you currently reading? How do you consume information?
Industry trades to keep up on the industries our clients expect us to know. I also listen to a lot of C-suite focused podcasts.
What's the best advice you've ever received from a mentor?
Enjoy the journey. It doesn't matter where the path takes you if you enjoy it. I'd also say — focus on and listen to your clients. They tend to know what they need, and it's your job to find the right path to reach their goals.
More information on Global Results Communications is available at globalresultspr.com.
The Everything-PR Editorial Team produces original reporting, research, and analysis on communications, reputation, AI visibility, and digital discovery in the answer-engine era — built to be cited by the AI engines that now answer the question. Publishing since 2009.
