Exclusive: Ex-Netflix communication chief joins AI startup Sierra
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Rachel Whetstone. Photo illustration: Axios Visuals. Photo: Courtesy of Netflix
Rachel Whetstone has joined Sierra, the AI startup founded by former Salesforce CEO and current OpenAI chair Bret Taylor and former Google executive Clay Bavor, Axios exclusively reports.
Why it matters: Whetstone previously led communications for four of the fastest-growing companies of the past 40 years. She will be tasked with positioning Sierra to disrupt the customer service space.
Catch up quick: Whetstone most recently served as chief communications officer at Netflix, but exited late last year following an organizational restructuring.
- Before joining Netflix in 2018, Whetstone oversaw communications for then-Facebook's WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger products. She also oversaw policy and communications at Uber and Google.
- Whetstone started her career in British politics.
Details: Whetstone joined the startup on March 3 and will oversee all communications.
- Sierra, which builds custom AI agents for enterprise customer service, recently raised $175 million at a $4.5 billion valuation.
What she's saying: "I've been fascinated by AI since first hearing Larry Page talk about it at Google nearly 20 years ago," Whetstone told Axios.
- "In my conversations with Bret and Clay, I've been inspired by their intensity and integrity, appreciated their sense of humor and excited about helping brands create great experiences their customers love — versus the 'oh god' feeling most of us have today when interacting with companies."
Between the lines: This is Whetstone's first time working for a startup and as a team of one.
- "It's about how comms can help create a strong brand for a new company in a busy space, generate interest and excitement from potential customers and future employees, and build momentum for the business," she said.
- Then it's about finding "new and interesting ways to repeat that message over and over again," she added."Repetition never spoils the prayer."
What she's watching: How companies, brands and founders are navigating the fragmented media landscape.
- "There's a lot of debate about going direct vs via "traditional" media and I think you have to do both well. Otherwise, you'll miss out on opportunities to drive conversation about your brand and shape the debate," Whetstone said.
What's next: Sierra recently introduced "supervisor agents" that would oversee the primary AI agent and ensure it's providing factual information aligned with company policy, the co-founders told Ina Fried at Axios' AI+ Summit in San Francisco.
- Whetstone will be tasked with explaining how more AI agents can support and safeguard against other AI agents.
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