The 51 best public-relations people in the tech industry in 2017

Whatever is happening in the world these days, the tech industry always seems to be front and center - from new apps and futuristic innovations to divisive political debates and activities of high-profile billionaires.

While the work of journalists who cover the tech industry is very visible, there's a harder-to-see side: the communications pros who help reporters tell all sides of a story.

The relationship between reporters and communications professionals is often cantankerous and adversarial. Some PR people evade and spin, or take glee in torturing reporters with irrelevant pitches. On the flip side, journalists can be gruff, tough, and demanding, especially on deadline.

But there are PR folks who do an exceptional job in helping us report on the tech industry. They respond quickly, accuracy and fairly, even if the story is something the company would rather not be published.

Some of these people have massive networks of influence. Others are wizards at helping reporters find hidden stories to tell.

Based on all those criteria, this is the list of the best PR pros in tech in 2017, according to the tech journalists working at every big-name publication that covers the fast-moving industry.