December 12, 2023
Kitty Hart: Building Brands Through Events on Digital Velocity Podcast
Our powerhouse VP of Client Brand Experience, Kitty Hart, recently stole the spotlight on the Digital Velocity podcast, hosted by the dynamic duo, Erik Martinez and Tim Curtis. They dove deep into the world of building brands through events that are not just memorable but downright life-changing.
Business development is the name of Kitty’s game. She currently sits in this seat selling experiential meetings and events. She’s got this knack for selling experiential meetings and events that are more than just gatherings – they’re highly architected experiences where nothing is left to chance. Why? Because connecting brands and people is both a science and an art. It’s about creating events that hit you right in the feels – engaging all the senses.
So, where does it all start? According to Kitty, it begins with a simple yet tremendously important question: “Why are we doing this?” Then, in a world where we’ve seen it all, the challenge for event and marketing teams is to ask, “how can we do this event differently from how we have done it in the past?” It’s important for returning audience members to look forward to the event year after year.
And here’s a nugget of wisdom – just because we live in a digital age doesn’t mean experiential marketing takes a back seat. Take Uber, for instance. Identifying super users, they crafted a unique dining experience on an Uber-branded bus for 12 lucky souls with a celebrity chef. The physical experience was intimate but the buzz those super-users created through social media was through the roof!
Now, creating buzz isn’t exclusive to consumer brands. B2B marketers, it’s time to embrace the buzz! Heroic’s corporate events aren’t just about meetings, education, and a bit of entertainment sprinkled in; they’re about creating experiences that people can’t wait to share.
In the world of Heroic, collaboration with brands is more than a partnership – it’s setting the stage, literally and figuratively. As Kitty puts it, “All the world’s a stage. We are going to help your brand show up on that stage in the very best way that it can.” Crafting the narrative is key.
In-person events are evolving, now often accompanied by a virtual component. It’s like creating two different worlds – one for the in-person audience and one for the virtual voyagers. Holding the attention of virtual attendees is crucial; after all, distractions are just a click away.
Kitty brings up her Starbucks example. Describing how Starbucks must tailor experiences to different customers. Customers who go through the drive through, customers who come in, order and sit down, and customers who come in and order their coffees to go. Each of those customers need a different tailored approach.
“Event marketing is a tried and true method of marketing,” Kitty says. It is unmatched and worth every penny.
She leaves us with “the next big thing in your industry will come from another industry.” So stay on top of marketing trends! Identify things that can be applied to your business.
Ready to dive deeper into the world of brand-altering experiences? Connect with Kitty and let’s create some magic!
Need help planning a hybrid event? Download our Hybrid Event Planning Guide!