Joe Balich, Nereus Account Manager, recently celebrated his six-year anniversary with the company. During his six years at Nereus, Joe has lent his professional expertise to a variety of industry organization clients, with a knack for thinking on his feet and providing strategic counsel.
Get to know the man behind the Nereus magic:
1. What brought you to PR in the first place?
I’ve always been captivated by strategic messaging and positioning. After watching the movie Thank You for Smoking in 2005, a “dramedy” about a skilled big tobacco lobbyist, I became fascinated by the art of delivering effective arguments within complex subjects or debates – regardless of which side you’re on. I love watching good communicators in action (I highly recommend checking out the UK Prime Minister’s weekly Question Time to get an idea of what I mean). Naturally, this fascination took me to Washington, D.C. where I interned in a U.S. Senate Communications Office and the rest is history!
2. What inspires you?
Intelligent people that come together to tackle big, complex challenges.
3. What do you like best about working at Nereus?
We get to work with extremely smart clients that are advancing really interesting technologies and creating entirely new industries.
4. What’s something not everyone knows about you?
I used to work as a zookeeper’s assistant at the Oakland Zoo, taking care of hyenas, meerkats, vervet monkeys, emus and wallaroos. I also conducted field research for a 6-month rainforest ecological study in Australia. Steve Irwin was my idol.
5. Describe your perfect weekend?
On the coast somewhere with friends/family and no plans.
6. Favorite vacation spot?
The Hawaiian Islands or the United Kingdom.
7. Timbers or Blazers?
I support them equally – but when I root, I root for the Oakland A’s.
8. Star Wars or Star Trek?
Star Wars.
9. Dogs or cats? Pets’ names and breeds?
Doggos hands down – Grover, a large yellow Labrador Retriever.
10. Favorite brewery (or winery)?
Breakside Brewery or Lucky Lab.
11. Favorite season in Portland?
The Spring – when Portland is deciding whether it still wants to be Winter or jump straight to Summer.
12. Favorite movie?
Probably the original Predator with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
13. Favorite book?
The Hobbit by J. R. R., Tolkien, or A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson.
14. Favorite musician/band?
Too many genres to choose from, but either The Doors, Toots & The Maytals or The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
15. Favorite pizza topping?
Buffalo Chicken.
16. Coffee or tea?
Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon.
17. What is your favorite place you have traveled to while working for Nereus?
Berlin, Germany – so much history!
18. Beach or Mountains?
Beach vibes for sure.
19. iPhone or Android?
iPhone
20. What’s your walk-up song?
Weather Report – The Tennors