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Kathleen Buczko

Location
los angeles, CA (US)
Work Category
Marketing
Currently working on...
building a new media company, launching new conference for photographers and educators, writing for Huffington Post

About Me

I have over 15 years of public relations and marketing communications experience in the computer, electronics, telecommunications, energy, utilities, healthcare, packaged goods and franchising industries. Throughout the last decade, she has managed launch, crisis and reputation communications as well as other issues that impact the reputation and integrity of the firm's clients in the U.S., UK and Europe. Before becoming a consultant specializing in strategic communications and reputation management, Kathleen was Director of Public Relations at Epson America, Inc. While at Epson, she was responsible for the strategic development and direction of the company's public relations and reputation management program for the Western Hemisphere, developing online and offline management programs that set a new standard in the imaging industry.

Previously, she was managing supervisor at Manning, Selvage & Lee, Los Angeles, Calif., supervising high technology accounts such as Motorola Computer Group, Pioneer Electronics and Sega. Her experience spans both business-to-business and business-to-consumer clients -- from launching beers to closing nuclear power plants. Kathleen is often tapped by professional associations to share her expertise as a speaker at conferences worldwide. Kathleen began her career as a member of the media at WDIV‑TV, an NBC affiliate.

Work Experience

  • Apr 1997 - present
    rolling hills estates, CA (US)
    Partner
    NMC Partners
    • Developed the firm’s proprietary planning tools, predictive mapping and impact mapping.
    • Leads integrated social media and marketing programs to build, extend and defend brands across markets and geographies. Spearheaded programs using social media for monitoring and participating since 1995 with an integrated social media customer service monitoring program.
    • Initiated development of integrated sales and social media tools platforms to monitor and act upon customer service, pricing issues, compliance and marketing effectiveness.
    Key accomplishments include:
    • Repositioning software company to expand target market, communicate position to investment community and increase shareholders value
    • Launched skateboarding company into 4 countries with limited resources
    • Regained market position for wireless company after technology failure
    • Launched integrated program linking direct response to PR efforts for UK photography company relaunching in US after bankruptcy
    • Planned and executed crisis communications for technology product failure, litigation and customer service
  • Feb 1994 - Dec 1996
    long beach, CA (US)
    Drector, Public Relations
    Epson America
    Director, Public Relations
    2/1994 - 12/1996 Epson America, Inc., Long Beach, CA
    • Provided leadership and direction for Epson's Western Hemisphere public relations program, including managing internal staff, international communications managers and external agencies.
    • Repositioned firm from single technology company to a digital color imaging company. Awareness levels jumped from less than 3 percent unaided awareness to 50 percent unaided consumer awareness by category.
    Key Accomplishments included:
    • building in-house communications function, including relationships with key division and marketing team members
    • strategic program development and execution for components, computer, printer, digital imaging and all Seiko Epson Group OEM businesses
    • executive counsel, U.S., Asia, Latin America and Europe
    • direct management of lobbying efforts, including association participation and legislative watch and regulatory/governmental affairs, including EPA, FTC and SEC requirements
    • crisis communications, corporate and product
    • global product publicity
    • employee communications and U.S. community relations
    • initiated development of and management of Epson's World wide web presence and online activity beginning in 1993
    • acted as strategic counsel and international spokesperson for parent company, Seiko Epson Corporation
  • Jun 1992 - Feb 1994
    los angeles, CA (US)
    Management Supervisor
    Manning, Selvage & Lee (Publicis SA)
    Directed the domestic communications programs for a variety of technology and consumer clients, including Nestle, Contadina Foods, Time Warner Interactive Group, Motorola Computer Group, Epson America, Inc. and Pioneer New Media. Activities included:
    • product marketing counsel
    • domestic and international media/analyst relations activities
    • executive speechwriting
    • investor relations
    • crisis communications, supported programs for Mitsubishi Motors and Proud Lion Foods
    • facilitated business development for the agency totaling $1 million.

Education

  • 1981 - 1984
    Bachelor's - Speech Communications
    Wayne State University

Courses & Certifications

Accredited Public Relations, Certificate

Clubs & Organizations

CrimeSurvivors
LAGoal
KD Paine & Partners National Investor Relations Institute
Public Relations Society of America
Torrance Cultural Arts Center Foundation Volunteer Center South Bay

Hobbies & Interests

Cooking, running, theater, organic gardening,education reform