About Bill Leebens

I’ve worked both sides of the high-end audio table.

Bill Leebens at AXPONA 2023
AXPONA 2023: seminar programming and show production

I help high-end audio brands say something worth reading, then get it in front of journalists, dealers, and show floors that can smell hype from across the room.

The seats I’ve sat in:

  • Director of Marketing & Communications at PS Audio: global launches, dealer comms, product messaging.
  • Founding editor of Copper magazine: 96 issues of long-form audio journalism.
  • Show producer and seminar programmer: AXPONA, Chester Group NY Audio Show.
  • Director of Marketing at Audiogon (2009–2011): marketplace strategy, community, dealer relations.
  • Working journalist: Stereophile, Dwell, Strata-gee, Gizmodo, The Audio Cynic.
  • Industry association work: CEA High Performance Audio Advisory Board; public commentary on collective marketing.

Brands hire me when they need someone who already knows the journalists, the show floor, and how to turn engineering into language that doesn’t insult the audience. I don’t “do social.” I build credible stories, press pipelines, and industry relationships.

What a project looks like Read the work

Selected career highlights

PS Audio

Director of Marketing & Communications

Global manufacturer marketing. Product launches, reviewer relations (40 reviews in flight), dealer communications, brand messaging, show strategy. Paul McGowan’s public thank-you for Copper’s founding run (96 issues).

Copper Magazine

Founding Editor (96 issues)

Built and edited PS Audio’s long-form magazine from launch through issue 96. Audio history, industry news, interviews, cultural criticism. Dual fluency: trade and consumer. Spec sheets tell you what something is. Stories tell you why it matters.

AXPONA / Chester Group

Seminar Programming & Show Production

Curated the industry’s most attended educational track. Exhibitor reality, seminar logistics, speaker recruitment. Understands the show floor from both sides of the table.

Audiogon

Director of Marketing (2009–2011)

Marketplace strategy, community building, dealer relations, public face. Understands dealers and enthusiasts. The ecosystem where high-end audio actually sells.

Published Journalism

Stereophile, Dwell, Strata-gee, Gizmodo, The Audio Cynic

“Smart Devices, Stupid People” (Stereophile). Design and culture features (Dwell). Current publication: The Audio Cynic (audiocynic.com). Point of view that cuts through tone-deaf luxury marketing.

Industry Leadership

CEA HPA Advisory Board, Trade Association Strategy

Collective marketing literacy. The “Got Milk?” problem for high-end audio. Public advocate for industry-wide marketing coalitions.

What brands pay for

Dual fluency (trade + consumer)

Spec sheets tell you what something is. Stories tell you why it matters. Copper, Stereophile, Dwell, Gizmodo.

Manufacturer-side press ops

Review logistics. 40 reviews in flight at once. PS Audio Dir. Marketing & Comms.

Editorial leadership

Can build or mentor a content engine. Founding editor, Copper. 96 issues.

Show ecosystem

Seminar programming, exhibitor reality. AXPONA; Chester Group NY Audio Show 2012.

Marketplace / community

Understands dealers and enthusiasts. Audiogon Dir. Marketing, 2009–2011.

Point of view

Cuts through tone-deaf “luxury” marketing. Public commentary (LinkedIn, Strata-gee, Audio Cynic).