Maura FitzGerald has developed one of the best definitions of social media, simply calling it "shameless self-promotion."

The Boston-based technology PR guru posted a blog on Feb. 26 in which she hailed social media as a "fantastic opportunity to establish and maintain a direct channel to key audiences." To FitzGerald, social is like "having virtual office hours."

She told O'Dwyer's that not only are a small number of corporate titans are active across social networks, but also young chiefs at start-ups-- who have engineering or technology backgrounds--must be educated about the benefits of social media. That situation offers great opportunity for her firm, Version 2.0 Communications. 

FitzGerald founded FitzGerald Communications in 1993, and built it into an operation of more than 200 staffers in five offices.

The tech specialist worked for clients such as Price Waterhouse Coopers, Stamps.com, Great Plains and Software.com. She sold the shop to Omnicom in 2002.

Version 2.0 has 25 staffers—of which are women. When asked about her all-female team, FitzGerald told O'Dwyer's she hires the best talent available.

She may have a point. Version 2.0 reported 16 percent growth in 2014—its fifth consecutive year of gains, added European clients and established a beachhead in New York's Soho neighborhood.

Version 2.0, which was co-founded by FitzGerald alum Jean Serra in 2006, is ready to plunge into the Big Apple talent pool.

FitzGerald expects future growth will come from her firm's ability to help clients find their voice and following in the social media arena.