Former Starbucks marketer brings unique mix of consumer experience and innovative track record to Wetpaint

January 13, 2009 – Wetpaint today announced that Rob Grady will join the company as senior vice president of marketing. In this position, Grady will be responsible for helping Wetpaint profitably grow its leading market share in social publishing. Grady will manage all aspects of customer awareness, acquisition, and retention, reporting directly to Wetpaint CEO Ben Elowitz.

Grady joins Wetpaint after six years at Starbucks, where he most recently served as vice president, global beverage. In that role, Grady was responsible for driving the innovation and customer experience behind all Starbucks hand-made beverages, including the launch of the Mastrena espresso machine, Pike Place Roast brewed coffee, and the recently launched Tazo Tea Latte platform. Prior to his tenure at Starbucks, Grady served as a senior director of marketing at RealNetworks, leading the marketing team for RealPlayer, RealPlayer Plus, and RealNetworks consumer subscription services. Grady began his professional career at The Procter & Gamble Company.

“Rob brings a great mix of consumer and product innovation experience to Wetpaint,” Elowitz said. “He has an established track record of bringing new products to market that quickly generate bottom-line results. His skills and experience will significantly benefit Wetpaint in its drive to make every site on the web socially published.”

Added Wetpaint board member Gus Tai, who is a general partner at Trinity Ventures, “Rob Grady is an amazing addition to the Wetpaint team; he shares and personifies the Wetpaint passion for people, connective technologies and user experiences, and personal growth. This unique combination will not only help the company succeed but make Wetpaint an even better and more inspiring place to work.”

“As the web becomes more social, the relevance and importance of community will grow. Wetpaint can help make that happen by enabling millions of consumers to have a voice on the Internet,” said Grady. “I am incredibly excited to join the Wetpaint team and participate in building the next great community-oriented business — the possibilities are limitless.”

Grady received a master’s degree in business administration from Stanford Graduate School of Business and has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard College.