James Cortese Email Address

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Design and innovation that advances the human experience. We identify business opportunities, create great products and design meaningful experiences to grow brands and delight customers.

James Cortese is a technology marketing leader with 15 years of experience building and running comprehensive marketing communications programs. His expertise includes creating and scaling storytelling across digital and print, leading global corporate communications and PR, and cultivating thought leadership for professionals in the press and on stage. He brings to his work a lifelong fascination with science and technology. In February 2015 James launched his own marketing communications firm, Gryphon Agency. His clients are technology companies, design consultancies, and thought leaders in the design and innovation fields. Before starting his own company, James led the communications team at frog, the global product strategy and design firm. He oversaw the company's content strategy, including editorial, executive communications, media relations, social media, events, and awards. Prior to frog James worked at Edelman Public Relations, where he ran PR programs for energy and materials companies, including multinationals like Dow Chemical Co. and Oerlikon SE. He was a founding member of Edelman's clean tech practice and helped launch and scale several successful energy companies, like residential solar pioneer SolarCity. James got his start in Silicon Valley at the respected technology PR firm A&R Partners, where he worked on PR programs for high-tech clients like Palm, Roku, and Adobe. James holds a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and an MBA with an emphasis in sustainability from Presidio Graduate School. He lives and works in San Francisco.