Robert Michael Murray is partner and chief innovation officer for Matchfire Co. Matchfire is an open data company and startup studio enabling brands, agencies, and publishers to create omni-channel experiences that deliver more meaningful and personalized moments to consumers, thereby driving greater brand affinity and value.
For more than two decades, Murray has been a senior strategist / influencer focused on digital communications, emerging technologies, social media and live-event production in the commercial, nonprofit, media, political and higher education sectors. His work is award-winning and has garnered national and international media coverage; outlets include BBC, CNN, C-SPAN, The Washington Post, The New York Times and others.
Murray most recently served as vice president, social media, for National Geographic in Washington, D.C. As one of the first social media executives for a global media company, he was responsible for harnessing social technologies across the Society's various media platforms and non-profit efforts. He built a global social footprint of more than 90 million fans. In 2013 Nat Geo was ranked as the 3rd most popular brand on social media (source: Starcount).
He speaks regularly around the globe on topics ranging from: pervasive to persuasive technologies; the power and limitations of media; digital and transmedia storytelling; and the varied ways in which social/emerging technologies intersect with culture, society and human rights.