Why Hiring a PR Firm Like You’re Buying Software Will Fail You in a Crisis
Most B2B tech CEOs hire PR firms by comparing proposals and picking whoever sounds good on paper—then wonder why their crisis comms team feels like outsourced customer service when a journalist calls at 2am about a board member scandal. In this candid conversation on the Inspiring Leadership podcast, Red Fan Communications CEO Kathleen Lucente talks […]
Why Your Startup Story Matters More Than Your Product
Most founders think they need press to get funding. But Red Fan Communications CEO Kathleen Lucente says you need a story. In this episode of Designing Successful Startups, Kathleen shares why storytelling is the most underused startup growth tool, why founders should define “super consumers” instead of broad ICPs, and how getting communications right early […]
The $8M Pattern in M&A Communications: Why Strategic Stakeholder Planning Prevents Customer Churn
The Pattern Behind High-Stakes Business Failures I’ve been thinking a lot about patterns lately. Not the kind you see immediately, but the ones that emerge over years of watching companies navigate their most critical moments. Here’s what keeps showing up: The companies that reach breakthrough moments—Series B funding, major customer wins, industry recognition—inevitably face high-stakes […]
Building Stronger B2B Brands: Red Fan’s Website Refresh and IREM Austin Case Study
Whether you’re a B2B tech company or a professional association, brand clarity is the foundation for meaningful growth. At Red Fan, we partner with high-growth companies to define their identity, articulate their value, and connect with the audiences that matter most. Every engagement begins with a simple premise: when your brand is clear, consistent, and […]
How Poor Communications Strategy Destroys Tech Company Value (And What B2B Leaders Can Do About It)
When your crisis response is the C-suite calling random PR firms with no strategic framework, you’ve already lost valuable market position and investor confidence. Picture this: A tech company has reported 76% revenue growth, a 300% surge in its core business segment, and positive gross margins for the first time. Wall Street analysts maintain “buy” […]
Brilliantly Wrong Podcast featuring Kathleen Lucente
Listen to an insightful conversation with Kathleen and Alex Stonehouse on the Brilliantly Wrong podcast about why brand narrative is B2B tech’s most underutilized growth lever. They dive deep into how startups can transform their “marketing sinkhole” into a revenue engine through compelling storytelling that actually drives business outcomes.
The Search Revolution: Why Traditional SEO Is Failing Marketing Leaders
The search landscape has fundamentally shifted, and most marketing leaders are still playing by outdated rules. While your team focuses on keyword optimization and link building, artificial intelligence has quietly become the primary intermediary between your brand and your customers. More than 50% of Google searches now end without users clicking through to any website […]
PR Isn’t Dead – It’s the Most Strategic Business Function of 2025
Modern PR has evolved far beyond press releases and media pitching. Today’s strategic communications professionals drive measurable business results through employer branding, crisis management, and integrated marketing approaches. If you think PR is just about getting on “Good Morning America,” you’re missing how this $129 billion industry is reshaping business strategy in 2025. I saw […]
How a Strong Brand Narrative Drives B2B Tech Success: Your Guide to Strategic Brand Positioning
The difference between flourishing and floundering in today’s crowded B2B tech landscape isn’t just about having a superior product—it’s about telling a compelling story that resonates with your target audience and differentiates your tech marketing strategy. From the Desk of a Former Tech Journalist: The Power of Strategic Communications As a tech journalist early […]