SKILLSHARE
In the Field: Turning a Funding Announcement Into a Global Headline
“Skillshare’s $28M Series C” — The July 2018 announcement was more than a funding headline. By tying the raise to the growth of the independent workforce and the platform’s global user base, the story resonated far beyond venture coverage. The result: multi-market media pickup, premium outlet features, and positioning Skillshare as a category leader in online learning
9-month engagement (April–December 2018)
15+ earned placements across business, tech, and lifestyle media
Coverage in 3 international markets in addition to U.S. outlets
Series C announcement drove major uptick in inbound media interest
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
Lessons in Momentum: Skillshare’s Series C and the PR Push That Went Global
Skillshare had already carved out a place as one of the leading names in online learning, connecting millions of students to classes in design, business, technology, and beyond. By 2018, the platform was poised for its next leap forward: a $28 million Series C funding round to fuel growth and expand its learning ecosystem .
Brought on to lead traditional PR and strategic media outreach, I was tasked with ensuring the news landed with maximum impact — not just in the U.S., but across Skillshare’s global footprint. The challenge was to make a financing announcement resonate far beyond the venture capital press cycle, positioning Skillshare as an industry leader in the fast-evolving edtech space.
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
From Manhattan boardrooms to Singapore news desks, Skillshare’s funding announcement became a masterclass in strategic media relations.
Like crafting the perfect course syllabus, the approach was structured, layered, and tailored for multiple audiences.
Priming the Audience — Began with targeted outreach to top-tier media “friendlies” in tech, business, and creative verticals, laying the groundwork for deeper coverage.
Tiered Launch Strategy — Offered embargoed access to key journalists ahead of the global announcement, allowing for thoughtful, in-depth features.
Expanding the Map — Leveraged the international scope of the Series C investor pool to break into press markets in Singapore, London, and other global media hubs.
Beyond the Numbers — Framed the funding as a growth milestone for the “Independent Class” — freelancers, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals seeking continuous learning.
Executive Visibility — Supported company leadership in delivering compelling, media-ready commentary, including the appointment announcement for Chief Product Officer Christophe Gillet .