We had a conversation with one-half of KDT Comms, Kirsty, about the advantages of being part of the PR world, as well as to what she credits their success. Take a gander!
Who is KDT Comms?
KDT Comms is a female-empowered company and our “baby”! It’s a company my sister, Kerryn, and I started back in 2014. It has been the main focus of our careers for the past 6 years. KDT Comms focuses on the PR, Marketing and Management of Celebrity Personalities, Professional Sportsmen and Corporate Lifestyle brands. KDT Comms is not your typical 9-5, it’s an every day, all hours kind of job, that comes with exciting campaigns, projects, clientele and working relationships. We proudly consider ourselves “Kreative. Kind. Kool. Kollected. And Kick-ass.”
Within KDT Comms itself, Kerryn and I work on entirely different things… I am more the creative PR features writer/Social content creator and sponsorship guru. Whereas Kerryn is more the client campaign queen and handles all admin and client logistics. Being sisters, you would think that we would clash and bump heads, but we are actually so opposite in nature and get along so well that everything within the business just ‘clicks’.
Why did you decide to enter into the PR industry?
PR and Brand Management was never really either of our dream-jobs. However, it was something that was clearly destined for us as sisters. Having studied Sports Marketing and Management, it set the foundation for the Marketing, Digital, Communications and Public Relations skills I possess today which helps me in my day to day duties at KDT Comms. Sports was, and always will be, my first and foremost passion. Kerryn got into PR and Brand Management by chance as she actually studied Zoology. She wanted to work with animals, but started working for a company alongside myself before we opened our own business. It wasn’t soon after that, Kerryn and I joined forces and opened our own company and KDT Comms was born.
What sets you apart from other agencies?
We are the thinkers, the do-ers, and the game-changers! The entertainment industry has changed drastically over the last 8/9 years but we have managed to adapt and constantly come up with new ways of staying creative and on top of our game. We’ve kept our company model the same since day one and we make sure that come rain or shine we deliver on our word. There are very few companies that do what we do; it is a very niche market which is why we are unique in our offerings. There are quite a few new “influencer management companies” popping up here and there, but not many with as much experience as us. I think people coming into this industry think it’s all glitz and glam, and don’t realize the blood, sweat and many tears that go into running a successful agency. Like any corporate, it requires constant love, dedication and attention. It requires adaption, nurturing and often failure. But the key is to never give up and to persist through the hard times and appreciate the good times.
To what do you attribute your success?
Loving what you do and giving it 99% every single day. That 1% is simply allowing ourselves to always make sure we put our health and sanity first though. After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup!
Being our own bosses means that we cannot skimp out on the hard work or simply decide when we feel like working and when we don’t. What we put into our work is what we will get out, and with us, our clients’ happiness is of the utmost importance to us. We like to think of our clients as “a loving family, with professional boundaries”. We are there for them no matter what, but they also know that they need to meet us halfway. As we can only do so much, our clients need to do the other half in order to create ultimate success. We are a lifestyle PR and Brand management company. We are PR and SM managers and publicists. We are not agents, magicians and cannot make success appear overnight. I think it is vitally important to always have realistic expectations not only as entrepreneurs but also as service providers.
What are the advantages of being a brand specialist?
Beyond the perks of being able to attend amazing events, and receive wonderful hampers and goodie bags, for us, the biggest advantage is the incredible people we meet and get to work with. As a little girl, I used to look up to professional sportsmen, specifically, and attend all the professional athletics meets and rugby games, and wait anxiously afterwards for an autograph. Back then, these individuals seemed untouchable. They seemed to have superpowers and it is still one of the greatest memories I hold as a child.
As the manager and publicist of many professional sportsmen and celebrities, I get to not only work alongside them but get to know them on a more personal level. At the end of the day, they’re just like you and me, normal people! We love seeing people’s brands grow. At the same time, it also helps us grow as people, bosses, and entrepreneurs, as we learn to navigate our way through understanding different personalities, different personal attributes and the different ways people express themselves.
Any advice for aspiring female business owners out there?
WORK – Find a niche market that works for you and your clients. Don’t just follow the trends and start something because it’s popular, everyone is doing that. If you have a skill and can turn it into something worthwhile, GO FOR IT!
WORKSPACE – When it comes to the workspace, work with like-minded people that understand your visions and goals. There is nothing worse than people expecting something from you that is unrealistic and simply unattainable. Don’t be afraid to tell people that their expectations are unrealistic, be honest and be straightforward with your promises.
CLIENTS – Get rid of ego, attitudes and dead-weight. No matter how much money they pay you, your sanity, and well-being comes first. At the end of the day, you want to love what you do and love the people you work with. If they aren’t pulling their weight, or if they are making it unpleasant, then put on your BOSS BABE pants and get rid of them. ALWAYS REMEMBER: If your clients aren’t proud to be a part of your team, and publicly support you in return, then ask yourself, why exactly are you investing so much in their brand when they don’t value you?
SUCCESS – success takes time. For some people, it takes months, for others, years. Starting a business is like a relationship – you don’t start a relationship with a breakup as the end goal, you start a relationship with a happy ending as the end goal. So understand that it’s a forever commitment. There will be MANY bumps along the road, but you have to persist through them.
Thanks Kirsty ❤︎ Follow KDT Comms Instagram below!
