Meet Katie Bourke, Managing Director
Katie joined in 2019 as the first member of our team solely focused on the growth of VPR. Thanks to Katie’s dedication and leadership in this role, we’ve continued to meet our growth goals and set new ones, even through the challenges of 2020.
Not only has Katie led the growth charge here at VPR, she’s also been focused on the growth of her family. She welcomed her second child in August 2020, a beautiful boy named Max, and in late November she returned to work after her maternity leave proving once again that nothing can stop a working mom with a vision.
Read on below to get to know Katie:
1. What do you love most about working in PR?
I love coming up with creative ways to tell a story that will resonate with the target audience.
2. What is your personal PR Victory?
As director of strategy I’m involved in developing the strategies for many of our clients that help guide their PR. For one of our clients, I led the development of a campaign that needed to bridge our PR efforts and the client’s internal marketing team. I then got to witness the VPR account team and the client’s marketing team beautifully execute the campaign (and making it even better as it evolved) and hit every goal we set. On top of everything else, the work that we are doing will positively affect the lives of thousands of families. Being able to work with clients/brands that are making the world a better place is always a victory for me!
3. What advice would you give to someone hoping to leverage PR to grow their brand?
I have a lot of advice but I will narrow it down to my top three!
Understand the true value of PR before you engage. Data is amazing to track, but also don’t forget to look at the layered benefits you get from media. PR helps tell your story for long-term brand building. It builds trust with your audience because of third-party credibility. Its high-value content can be used in so many ways to enhance your marketing. It also contributes to SEO.
Be engaged with the media AND your publicist. The best media magic happens when you work as a team and collaborate.
Make sure your PR team is integrated with your marketing team. Disjointed campaigns lead to confusing communications and missed opportunities.
4. What advice would you give to someone hoping to land a job in PR?
Show energy, initiative, and creativity. If you want to be a publicist the first thing you need to know how to do is pitch yourself and the value that you bring.
5. Is there a trend in PR that you're particularly excited about?
Virtual events are certainly a PR trend and one that I have a love/hate relationship with. There is nothing better than building a genuine in-person connection with someone. However, virtual events have opened our audience potential so much more.
6. What do you do to unwind?
I love to be on or close to the water so if I’m on a boat, going for a swim, or walking by water I’m at peace. If I can’t be by water, put a glass of wine in my hand and we are good. Better yet, put me on a boat with a glass of wine and my family and I’m good to go!
7. What is your favorite motivational quote?
“The cookie jar is a place in my mind where I put all things bad and good that shaped me. Some people try to forget the bad in their life. I use my bad for strength when needed, great lessons learned. In that cookie jar, I pull out whatever I need for the task at hand.” – David Goggins
I use this mindset in life and my career. With my career, I’m usually the proudest of the work that challenges me the most. It may be painful to get through it but once I do I’m usually very proud of the outcome. If you are not challenging yourself you are not growing. Each challenge you get through will come along with learnings that help motivate and strengthen you to get through the next.
8. What is your go-to takeout place and favorite order?
When I’m home in Pearl River, NY there’s no question. I’ll never say no to a Munnos Italian sub with the works!
Connect with Katie on Instagram @KatieBourke1 or reach out directly via email!