# Barbara Bates

> Barbara Bates co-founded Silicon Valley technology communications agency Eastwick in 1991 and led it until its acquisition by Hotwire in September 2016. She became Hotwire’s global CEO in May 2017 and moved into a senior advisory role at parent company Enero Group in July 2021. Her public writing focuses on investing in agency employees, communicating business change and supporting women in technology.

- **Role:** Communications agency founder and executive; former broadcast journalist
- **Organizations:** Eastwick Communications, Hotwire, Enero Group, The Benjamin Group
- **Known for:** Co-founded and led Eastwick through 25 years of independent operation., Led Hotwire globally from 2017 until 2021., Received a 2020 Individual Achievement SABRE Award.

## Career timeline

- **Before 1991** — Worked as an on-air journalist and subsequently in Silicon Valley marketing and communications, including the Benjamin Group.
- **1991** — Co-founded Eastwick Communications in Silicon Valley.
- **2013** — Eastwick appointed Mark Veverka to lead its content marketing group.
- **2014** — Eastwick expanded its digital, social, editorial and research capabilities and its New York presence.
- **2015** — Led Eastwick through a rebrand reflecting its integrated communications services.
- **2016-09** — Eastwick was acquired by Hotwire; Bates became Hotwire North America CEO.
- **2017-05** — Became Hotwire global CEO.
- **2020-05** — Received an Individual Achievement SABRE Award.
- **2021-07** — Moved to a senior advisory role at Enero Group, supporting North American mergers and acquisitions; Heather Kernahan succeeded her at Hotwire.

## Achievements

- Co-founded and led Eastwick through 25 years of independent operation.
- Led Hotwire globally from 2017 until 2021.
- Received a 2020 Individual Achievement SABRE Award.
- Eastwick received the 2015 North America Technology Agency of the Year award.

## Latest updates

- **2021-07** — Bates transitioned from Hotwire global CEO to a senior advisory role at Enero Group focused on North American M&A opportunities; this is the most recent role change verified through company reporting and contemporaneous trade coverage.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbarabateshotwire
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/barbbq

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/barbara-bates
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22