Kevin Leu
Founder of Empathy PR
Kevin Leu
Founder of Empathy PR
San Francisco, California
Overview
Work Experience
Host and Producer
2023 - Current
Stories and hacks from the world’s most traveled! Less than 300 people in the world have visited all 195 countries. To put that into context, about 600 have been to space! In the Pick My Adventure Show, Kevin Leu interviews the world’s most traveled to find out what inspired them, how they fund their travels, their most incredible (and terrifying) situations, their favorite countries, and what they can teach us about seeing more of the world. Host Kevin Leu is a former television news reporter, anchor, and producer in several markets in the United States, who travels the world by allowing his followers to choose his next destination and activities via Instagram polls. He has been to 94 countries – not yet 195! – and you can follow him on Instagram at @PickMyAdventureTraveler.
Founder
2019
Public Relations, Marketing, Branding, and Advertising Campaigns From a Proven Entity in Blockchain and Technology. Founder and Principal, Kevin Leu, has worked in-house at early-stage startups that were acquired (Tubi $440M, MerchantCircle $65M), incubated through Y Combinator, 500 Startups, and more. He has diversified his background, working with non-profits including Girls in Tech. In recent years, he has worked with several Binance and Polygon-backed startups in blockchain, as well as the cryptocurrency exchange Huobi. Previous clients include Thumbtack, Sandeep Nailwal (founder of Polygon), Marlin, Reef, HOPR, Cere Network, Xend Finance, Planet Mojo (Mystic Moose), Wicrypt, and more.
Chief Marketing Officer, Investor, Advisor
2020
Backed by Binance and Google Launchpad, Xend Finance is a global crypto bank offering up to 20% interest, with an open Web3 infrastructure for developers. Xend Finance is the first DeFi company to launch out of Africa, as well as the first on the continent to build on Binance Smart Chain. With a seasoned team working at some of Africa’s largest employers, including KPMG, Chevron, and Stanbic Bank, Xend Finance has been covered by top news outlets around the world, including TechCrunch, Coindesk, and Decrypt. https://techcrunch.com/2021/03/22/binance-backed-xend-finance-launches-defi-platform-for-credit-unions-in-africa/ https://www.coindesk.com/binance-smart-chain-xend-finance-africa-defi https://decrypt.co/62369/xend-finance-is-bringing-defi-services-to-africa
Head Of Marketing
2020 - 2020
HOPR provides the tools and framework for a decentralized web ecosystem, ensuring everyone has control of their privacy, data, and identity as they navigate online. The HOPR protocol introduces the first-ever open incentivized mixnet, where anyone can run HOPR nodes that mix traffic and protect data privacy while earning tokens. HOPR launched in July of 2020 and has been covered by Coindesk and Cointelegraph, amongst others: https://www.coindesk.com/binance-labs-leads-1m-seed-round-in-crypto-tor-alternative-hopr https://cointelegraph.com/news/hopr-data-privacy-testnet-to-launch-following-investment-by-binance
Head Of Communications
2018 - 2019
I lead all Messaging/Communications/PR efforts -- inbound and outbound -- at HBUS. HBUS is an advanced digital currency trading platform and the exclusive U.S. partner of Huobi, one of the world’s largest digital currency marketplaces. HBUS offers a wider variety of token options and giveaways to American audiences, with 24/7 personal customer support and unparalleled security. Located in San Francisco, HBUS is founded by a team of proven technology executives and disruptive founders. HBUS operates under the highest of ethical standards and is committed to full U.S. legal compliance.
Head Of Marketing
2017 - 2018
Mobius is founded by a team of serial entrepreneurs that hail from YC, Stanford University, and Harvard Law with experience in computer science, statistics, and mathematics. Mobius offers a free universal API that allows any existing business to accept blockchain-based payments -- anywhere in the world -- in a cheap, fast, and secure manner. The Mobius “DApp Store” is currently ranked number one on Google search, allowing developers an opportunity to gain new revenue streams and participate in a decentralized data marketplace. Mobius has two provisional patents covering their Proof of Stake Oracle Protocol (PSOP) that connects high fidelity data to smart contracts. Mobius closed one of the most successful token sales of Q4 2017 and 2018, selling out of MOBI with over $39M in revenue. https://mobius.network/ Recent press I secured for the company: – CoinDesk: https://www.coindesk.com/why-a-39-million-ico-chose-stellar-over-ethereum/ – Marketing Land: https://marketingland.com/startup-mobius-network-launches-stripe-like-api-blockchain-access-227971 – International Business Times: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/mobius-connects-blockchain-ecosystem-through-universal-api-1645574
Head of Marketing and PR
2016 - 2017
A Y Combinator, TechCrunch Disrupt Finalist, and NEA-funded live stream marketing disruptor. Traction Labs is an advanced content distribution technology company and the only platform optimized for live streaming video. By leveraging real-time, video-enabled targeting and measurement solutions, Traction Labs helps brands and publishers maximize their live stream content with authentic audience engagement and make real-time adjustments based on performance. Traction Labs’ repeating Fortune 100 customers include: Dove, Yahoo!, Axe, Campbell's, Absolut, and many more. Traction Labs was a TechCrunch Disrupt finalist, with premier top-tier investors, including New Enterprise Associates, Lightbank, and Metamorphic Ventures. Traction Labs is headquartered in SF and has offices in NYC and LA Recent press I secured for our ground-breaking technology here: - Adweek: http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/bernie-sanders-targeting-california-voters-live-video-ads-171844 - AdAge: http://adage.com/article/campaign-trail/sanders-ran-sf-rally-stream-ads-aimed-millennials/304340/ - AdExchanger: http://adexchanger.com/online-advertising/godaddy-becomes-first-brand-foray-programmatic-live-streaming/ - The Drum: http://www.thedrum.com/news/2016/07/21/sheknows-and-godaddy-partner-produce-pitch-blogher-2016
Head of Public Relations
2016 - 2017
Girls in Tech (GIT) is a global non-profit focused on the engagement, education and empowerment of influential women in technology and entrepreneurship. We focus on the promotion, growth and success of entrepreneurial and innovative women in the technology space. Created in February 2007, Girls in Tech was founded by Adriana Gascoigne, and was born out of a need to provide a place for women to cultivate ideas around their careers and business concepts involving technology and entrepreneurship. Girls in Tech is headquartered in San Francisco, CA and has multiple chapters around the world, including North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South America. Girls in Tech offers a variety of initiatives for women and girls to enhance their professional aspirations. Our programs include GIT M (Mentorship Program), GITHacks, Bootcamps, GIT360 Entrepreneur Labs, XChange, Catalyst Conference, GIT University, Lady Pitch Night Competition, Global Classroom (online education), and many more. Recent press I secured: – HuffingtonPost: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-wolfson/4-women-entrepreneurs-hel_b_13588794.html - Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/sites/deniserestauri/2016/11/13/women-taking-action-10-top-female-founded-tech-startups/#312a438f62f8 - HuffingtonPost: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-wolfson/5-reasons-everyone-should_1_b_12884214.html - VentureBeat: http://venturebeat.com/2016/11/11/girls-in-tech-amplify-event-will-pick-the-best-female-led-startup/ - VentureBeat: http://venturebeat.com/2016/09/06/tech-women-overwhelmingly-favor-hillary-clinton-over-donald-trump/
Head of Marketing, Growth, and Public Relations
2015 - 2016
I led and executed all initiatives that dealt with growth, including all phases of marketing, organic SEO, AdWords, outbound emails, press campaigns, social media, and data analysis. 250% growth in audience in my first eight months. 650% growth in social media followers on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Increased organic reach and engagement by over 4,000%. Tubi TV is the largest free and legal destination for TV and Movies across several OTT platforms, including iOS, Android, Roku, and Amazon. One of my favorite original marketing campaigns was featured on billboards and transit shelters around the San Francisco Bay Area, for which I was interviewed by The Drum: http://www.thedrum.com/news/2015/07/21/tubi-tv-trends-reddit-after-launching-advertising-campaign-based-hbos-silicon-valley
Founder and CEO
2013 - 2015
Rate. Discover. Travel. Connect with the RIGHT Hosts. OnAMap is a company that helps travelers explore the world and connect with locals through niche interests – while, inversely, empowering every local to make money off their niche specialties. First product launched featured in over 10 countries, including Buzzfeed, Playboy, Elite Daily, and Newsweek.