Team Members

Irmgard Lafrentz, President and Founder

Irmgard long has been focused squarely on helping U.S. technology companies get the most out of their international PR budgets. Shortly after arriving in the U.S. in 1984 from her native Germany, where she worked in Munich for 12 years as a marketing communications manager. Irmgard recognized a need among high-tech firms for cost-effective international PR services.

Her revolutionary business model has helped hundreds of companies gain recognition and market share overseas. In the years since launching the firm, she has received premier recognition for connecting high-tech companies with targeted media and analysts worldwide.

Irmgard sees herself as the "strategic and executive mind" of the agency. Her management style focuses on providing effective client service by empowering her staff of multilingual professionals, whom she describes as "the backbone" of the business.

With a client-service philosophy that emphasizes long-term commitment to establishing worldwide market presence, Irmgard relishes working with clients whose international PR coordinator responds quickly to requests for information.

Gregory K. Etemad, Director of Business Development

Greg joined the Globalpress Connection staff in 2001, bringing with him a strong background in technology sales, marketing and business development combined with experience as an industry analyst and facility with five languages.

After starting his career in sales, Greg spent a year and half working and studying in Japan as part of his international MBA program. He then joined Frost & Sullivan where he spent one year as an IT industry analyst/market consultant and two years in business development. Greg authored several successful industry studies and worked with clients on market consulting projects. He helped to create the Frost & Sullivan Online subscription service and led marketing efforts for several subscription areas including networking, enterprise software (security, CRM, etc.), telecommunications/wireless, and electronics/semiconductors. Greg has worked in sales and marketing for several technology companies including Kao Infosystems and most recently as director of business development for Sentius Corporation (software start-up).

Greg holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from Tufts University and an international MBA in marketing from the University of South Carolina. A native English speaker, Greg is fluent in Japanese and French, conversant in Spanish and speaks basic Farsi. He is a Certified Toastmaster, past vice-president and active member of Silicon Valley Japanese English Toastmasters.

When presented with the opportunity, Greg knew immediately that directing business development at Globalpress was perfect for him - a chance to utilize his diverse business talents and multilingual facility while working with a great team on a superb product!

Edith Bendermacher, Press Event Manager / Public Relations Specialist

Edith joined the Globalpress Connection team in March 2001 after moving from Germany to Silicon Valley. She works on the reverse press tour team with Irmgard Lafrentz, President of Globalpress Connection.

The idea of pursuing her career in the US came from an internship at LogiCad3D, Inc., Fremont, where she learned the "can do" ethic and to enjoy the Californian way of life. At LogiCad3D she was responsible for organizing and coordinating promotional events such as tradeshows, assisted with sales statistics and customer service transactions.

Before moving to the US, Edith worked for the Institute of Hormone and Fertility Research in Hamburg as an Executive Assistant where she was involved in general planning and organization of in-house seminars and new employee orientations. As a Program Coordinator in the German publishing house, RWS Verlag Kommunikationsforum GmbH, she assisted in the design and production of seminar and promotional materials, coordinated activities to plan and direct the development of seminars including correspondence with speakers, seminar participants and conference centers/hotels, meeting schedules, promotion of seminar to prospective participants through direct correspondence and distribution of promotional materials.

Edith brings her organizational talent and a positive attitude to the team. Besides English, she speaks German and Polish fluently.

Anne Massenkeil, Manager, Business Development

Anne’s career combines extensive experience in journalism,
international public relations and marketing in Germany as well as in the US. She will be primarily supporting Globalpress’ business development team, utilitzing her expertise in international public relations to promote Globalpress unique services. She will also support Irmgard Lafrentz, President of Globalpress Connection with event management and marketing and help in the transition while Edith Bendermacher, Tour Event Manager is on maternity leave.

Anne started her career as a journalist for major broadcast stations and newspapers in Germany before she ‘converted’ to the world of public
relations. Driven by her desire to work internationally, she joined one of
Europe’s leading agency networks, EURO RSCG, in Düsseldorf, Germany, where
she mainly supported U.S.-based companies. In 2001, Anne moved to New York to lead a EURO RSCG research project on innovative PR strategies in the U.S. and their potential when applied to international markets. Intrigued by America, Anne decided to remain in the States and further pursue her career in international communications. Heading up the international Communications Team for YAHOO!’s search division in Pasadena, California, she launched-to-market regional branches in over 10 countries, including Germany, France, Japan, Korea and Australia.

Anne has a Masters degree in Journalism from the German Journalism Academy
in Eichstätt, Germany. Besides English, she speaks German and French.

Helga Devon, Office Administrator and Bookkeeping

Helga Devon joined the Globalpress team in 1998 to support the Account team. Her tasks includes preparing press releases in Germany, French, Italian, clip preparation for clients and agencies, editorial research and general support for the AE's.

Her attention to detail and thorough work style lead to the extension of her tasks. They now include travel arrangements for the "Reverse Press Tour Program" as well as handling all aspects of the agency's financials. Helga, a native of Linz, Austria, speaks English, German, as well as a charming Northern Austrian dialect.