Great stories don't just happen. They need the right strategy.
I develop and execute media campaigns that connect audiences around the world with meaningful stories — from local project announcements to massive international campaigns . Whether partnering with journalists, pitching media or preparing spokespeople, I am passionate about finding the angles that turn a good story into one people never forget.
Featured Campaign
Kansas City on the World Stage
Elevating KC's global business reputation during FIFA World Cup 26™
When Kansas City was selected as a FIFA World Cup Host City, global media attention was inevitable. The challenge wasn't earning coverage — it was earning the right coverage.
While much of the world's attention focused on soccer, tourism and fan experiences, I saw an opportunity to tell a different story: how the World Cup positioned Kansas City as a world-class place for businesses to invest and grow.
Working alongside nationally recognized economic development PR agency, Violet PR, I led the World Cup media strategy for the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) — managing the agency relationship, identifying business-focused story angles and connecting reporters with regional leaders and partners who could tell Kansas City's economic development story.
The Challenge
The World Cup generated an incredible amount of media attention for Kansas City — but much of it centered on matches, fans and hospitality.
The challenge was to complement those conversations, not compete with them.
Rather than adding to the noise, we positioned KCADC as the region's trusted voice on business, investment and long-term economic growth. The goal wasn't to focus on the tournament itself — it was to demonstrate how the tournament could create lasting opportunity for Kansas City.
My Role: Strategic Campaign Leadership
I led KCADC's World Cup media strategy from planning through execution, serving as the primary point of contact for our PR agency while coordinating interviews, messaging and regional partnerships.
Strategy
- Directed campaign strategy
- Identified business-focused media opportunities
- Developed messaging around investment, talent and regional growth
- Prioritized stories aligned with KCADC's mission
Media Relations
- Managed the relationship with Violet PR
- Coordinated interview requests and logistics
- Prepared spokespeople and briefing materials
- Built relationships with national and international reporters
Regional Collaboration
- Connected journalists with KCADC leadership, regional partners and subject matter experts
- Coordinated interviews with civic and business leaders, including Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas
- Elevated partner organizations to showcase the region through multiple perspectives
KC•House
Turning hospitality into business opportunity.
One of the campaign's most valuable storytelling platforms was KC•House — a VIP, invite-only hospitality and business activation created during FIFA World Cup 26™.
Designed as a gathering place for business leaders, media, investors and influencers from around the world, KC•House showcased the innovation, culture and economic momentum shaping the Kansas City region.
KCADC served as a key partner in the activation, we leveraged KC•House as both a relationship-building space and a backdrop for media interviews, helping shift conversations from football to the long-term opportunities waiting beyond the tournament.
Results
The campaign successfully positioned KCADC as a leading voice on Kansas City's economic momentum during one of the world's largest sporting events, resulting in 49 pieces of coverage with a combined audience reach of 489 million across North America, Europe and the Middle East.
Coverage Highlights
The ‘Soccer Capital of America’ is now gunning for the Soccer Capital of the World (Cup)
Featured insights from KCADC president & CEO, Tim Cowden, highlighting the region's ambition, infrastructure and momentum beyond simply hosting matches.
World Cup raises the profile of US host cities looking for investment
Directly connected the World Cup spotlight to economic development, investment attraction and the opportunity to convert global visibility into business growth.
Will the FIFA World Cup be the economic bonanza US cities were promised?
Showcased how Kansas City was approaching the tournament as a long-term investment catalyst.
Terwijl in Nederland bankvestigingen sluiten, komen er in delen van de VS juist meer bij
(While bank branches are closing in the Netherlands, more are actually opening in parts of the US) Featured Kansas City in a business and economic context, highlighting regional growth and investment trends to an international audience.
What Worked
Focusing on our mission. Rather than competing with tourism and sports coverage, we focused on KCADC's expertise — economic development — creating a complementary story that added value to the broader media landscape.
Strong partnerships. Working alongside Violet PR while coordinating regional leaders, partners and elected officials allowed us to tell a more complete and credible story about Kansas City's momentum.
Creating media moments. Leveraging KC•House as both a networking hub and interview location gave reporters meaningful access to the people shaping Kansas City's future.
Thinking beyond the event. Every interview was an opportunity to position Kansas City not simply as a successful host city, but as a globally competitive place to invest and grow.
Looking Ahead
The World Cup wasn't the finish line. It's just the beginning.
While this campaign generated significant global visibility, the work didn't end with the final match.
Today, my team and I are building on that momentum, using Kansas City's successful World Cup story to engage business leaders, investors and influencers around the world. The focus has shifted from World Cup visibility to World Cup legacy — turning a once-in-a-generation event into a long-term platform for investment, talent attraction and economic growth.
