By Ray Pride Pride@moviecitynews.com
BUMBLE WARD AND TRACY BECHTOLD LAUNCH NEW COMMUNICATION FIRM, HIVE COLLECTIVE
Digital-oriented firm will focus on entertainment and philanthropy LOS ANGELES, June 27, 2013 — A fresh approach to communication comes in the form of Hive Collective, a new company launched by entertainment industry veteran Bumble Ward in partnership with philanthropy professional Tracy Bechtold. Sitting at the intersection of entertainment and philanthropy in Los Angeles, the firm will offer a full complement of communication services including strategic messaging, media relations, and social and digital media outreach to forward-thinking entertainment companies, creators and projects as well as local and national non-profits and social causes. Ward, formerly executive vice president of publicity at 20th Century Fox, and prior to that, principal of Bumble Ward & Associates, wanted to forge a new kind of paradigm in communications that emphasizes message and story in every medium, with a particular focus on social media. Bechtold, formerly executive director of Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena and prior to that a public relations executive with Burson/Marsteller and Bender/Helper, brings a deep knowledge of fundraising and philanthropy. The duo originally partnered up to represent Megan Chernin’s LA Fund for Public Education. “The profound shift in the way consumers inform themselves requires new communication methods and technology. Hive Collective will fill this need combining our tried-and-true narrative expertise with innovative social media thinking to service both the creative community and important social causes, especially where they intersect,” said Bechtold in making the announcement. “Blogging and social media have been my passion for years, and combining those with traditional media relations to tell interesting, powerful and meaningful stories for clients will be the backbone of this firm,” said Ward. “Tracy and I are thrilled to be starting a new agency and hopefully offering something fresh and dynamic to what is already out there.” Hive Collective has just opened the doors to its new West Los Angeles offices. # # # |