About Jon Perr
Perrspectives.com is the work of Jon Perr, a technology marketing executive and supporter of Democratic causes with 25 years of experience in each.
Currently a software marketing consultant based in Portland, Oregon, Jon has long been active in Democratic politics and public policy as an organizer and advisor in California and Massachusetts. His past roles include field staffer for Gary Hart for President (1984), organizer of Silicon Valley tech executives backing President Clinton's call for national education standards (1997), recruiter of tech executives for Al Gore for President (2000), and co-coordinator of MassTech for Robert Reich (2002). He is also a member of New Democrat Network.
Jon returned to his consulting practice following his role as vice president of marketing for Boston-based Ximian. There, he drove marketing programs, product strategy, and corporate communications, playing a central role in the company's acquisition by Novell in 2003. An accomplished PR strategist and corporate spokesman, his work included briefings and company coverage in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Newsweek, USA Today, BusinessWeek, The Economist, and a host of technology trade publications worldwide.
Jon possesses an extensive background in corporate, product and web marketing from the Linux, Internet commerce, mobile application, and productivity software markets. He joined Ximian from Vendavo where he served as vice president of customer experience, driving the company's product strategy, content production, customer research and support. Previously, Jon served as vice president of marketing at Intellisync, a leader in mobile device synchronization later acquired by Nokia. He also served on the management team at Claris Corporation, now FileMaker, Inc., where he was vice president of product marketing for the global Windows and Macintosh software company.
Jon holds a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University.
Perr is also a regular contributor at Crooks and Liars and BlueOregon. His writing has also been featured in newspapers, magazines and blogs, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Salon, Slate, Esquire, Vanity Fair, Mother Jones, The Hill, Politico and other leading publications.