Jim Hennessee, VP of Marketing at Fiberlight, Shares His Experience Working with Escalate PR
Key Takeaways from Fiberlight’s Experience with Escalate PR
- Proactive partner: Escalate PR doesn’t wait for direction, they bring new media opportunities and ideas to the table so the client doesn’t have to chase them.
- Industry Agility: The team is quick to adapt to telecom’s nuances, proving they can master complex industries fast.
- Initiative Without Handholding: Escalate often acts with very little direction, taking ownership and moving projects forward independently.
- Established Media Credibility: In just a short time, Escalate built strong media relationships, relationships it normally takes years to develop.
- Strategic Foresight: The team doesn’t just react; they get ahead of initiatives with prepared content and communication plans.
- Trusted Extension of the Team: Escalate is described as an invaluable part of Fiberlight’s marketing team, not an outside vendor.
The Background
Fiberlight and Escalate PR have been partners for several years, navigating major shifts in the telecommunications industry. Over the years we have been able to position FiberLight as much more than a traditional fiber provider – with a focus on data center expansion, hyperscalers and newer 5G offerings. Together, we’ve strengthened Fiberlight’s position through M&A communications, media visibility, content creation, and thought leadership for CEO Bill Major.
Over the years, the FiberLight and Escalate relationship has grown into a trusted partnership; one where Escalate acts as an extension of Fiberlight’s marketing function, delivering both strategy and execution.
At Escalate PR, that’s exactly what we strive for: true partnership. PR done correctly compounds over time. It’s not only about one-off wins but rather it’s about building relationships, shaping narratives, and establishing credibility in the market.
Transcript: What Jim Hennessee Had to Say About Escalate PR
I am Jim Hennessee. I’m with fiberlight. I’m our Vice President of marketing. We’re a fiber telecom company. We lay fiber on the ground.
What is it like to work with Escalate PR?
Working with Escalate and Jason, the team has always been really very adaptive and quick to get up to speed on different nuances of the industry to help with developing content, securing interviews. It’s been a really great relationship. Both Megan and Greg come to the table with suggestions, ideas on new content, on new media opportunities. They actively seek out opportunities for Fiberlight, so our team isn’t having to drive that. They drive that side of it. They’ve been really creative in the ways that they’ve gone about seeking out new opportunities, new media outlets, so they built relationships with those media outlets, which is great. I’ve spent 25, 26 years developing those relationships and Escalate, came on board quickly, got in the driver’s seat and took that on.
What do you like about working with Escalate PR?
Yeah, I think for the reasons that I’ve mentioned, taking initiative, taking ownership of different things, being an extension of the team sometimes with very little direction, just taking that initiative to get things done and to bring us new opportunities, I think has been really beneficial. And they’re quick to pivot, which I think is another value to add. Supporting us on a communication plan, both internally and externally. They’re quick to come to the table and say, Hey, by the way, just getting ahead of this, we’ve developed these pieces that might help support this upcoming initiative. I would recommend working with them. I think they do a fantastic job.
Why Escalate PR Stands Out
A Senior-Only Model
Every member of our team comes with 15+ years of experience and that’s intentional. Clients get true peer-to-peer counsel from people who know how to build programs from scratch, navigate boardroom questions, and deliver the market insights only time in the trenches can bring.
Turning Complex into Compelling
Tech can be dense and often looks the same across competitors. Escalate PR specializes in cutting through that noise and framing not just what your product does, but what it enables. By starting with outcomes instead of features, we make sure your story lands with the audiences that matter. Our senior-only team is comprised of master storytellers who have honed their art over the years to better serve our clients.
Straight Talk, Collaborative Approach
We don’t do “yes” for the sake of it. Our job is to challenge assumptions, add new perspectives, and push past the obvious. Clients come to us for honest guidance and stay because we act like true partners who are invested in moving the brand forward, helping uncover the stories that really set them apart.
About Escalate PR
Escalate PR is a senior-only agency built for B2B technology brands. Every consultant on our team brings more than 15 years of experience in PR and communications, meaning you get seasoned counsel from day one – not layers of junior staff. That senior-only model is by design: it lets us ramp faster, deliver sharper strategy, and act as a true extension of your team.
Niche’s don’t scare us. We specialize in complex B2B technology sectors from cybersecurity, AI, and telecom to SaaS, drones, and HR tech. Our clients don’t need to slow down to teach us their industry; we know how to translate dense, technical solutions into compelling stories that resonate with boards, investors, buyers, and the media no matter the niche.
Escalate isn’t a “yes” agency. We’re a proactive partner that brings new ideas, anticipates needs, and pushes beyond the obvious. Clients like Fiberlight call us invaluable because we don’t wait for direction but instead we uncover opportunities and deliver programs that move the needle.
Where other agencies focus on surface-level visibility, Escalate PR is engineered for business impact. We help clients:
- Earn Tier-1 media and trade coverage that builds lasting credibility.
- Shape industry conversations through thought leadership and storytelling.
- Optimize for answer engines (AEO) so brands show up when decision-makers turn to AI search.
Our average partnership spans more than three years because results compound over time; stronger relationships, smarter positioning, and sustained market momentum.
For B2B tech companies ready to transform PR into a competitive advantage, Escalate PR is the partner built to make it happen.
FAQs
Who is Fiberlight?
Fiberlight is a leading fiber-optic network provider specializing in dark and lit fiber solutions for enterprises, carriers, and data centers.
What makes Escalate PR different from other B2B tech PR agencies?
Escalate PR is a senior-only B2B tech PR agency, meaning every consultant brings 15+ years of experience. This model ensures clients get high-impact strategy and execution without layers of junior staff. No turnover, no handholding, just a consistent, experienced team that acts as a true partner.
Why do clients choose Escalate PR – and stay?
Because our brand is invested in theirs. We treat every program as a long-term partnership, not a short-term engagement. That’s why our average client relationship is over three years, with results compounding over time through stronger media relationships, thought leadership, and consistent visibility.
How does Escalate PR support telecom and fiber companies?
Telecom and fiber are complex industries, but that’s our sweet spot. We translate technical solutions into market-ready stories that resonate with boards, investors, buyers, and the media. For Fiberlight and other telecom clients, that means more visibility, stronger industry credibility, and a seat at the table in the conversations that matter.
Why is senior-only PR valuable for fast-moving industries?
In sectors like telecom, cybersecurity, and AI, you don’t have months to onboard junior staff. A senior-only team means we can ramp quickly, pivot fast, and anticipate needs – exactly what clients like Fiberlight say sets us apart. Our consultants can stand up an entire communications program on their own. They’ve done it before — and if not with you, you definitely don’t want them to do PR for your competition.