Kathleen O'Connell
PR Executive, VisitBritain
Kathleen O’Connell coordinates press visits and secures coverage in top consumer and travel trade media outlets for VisitBritain. She also has coordinated interviews for VIPs such as the Dean of Westminster, who performed the wedding ceremony of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, as well as for VisitBritain executives, which resulted in positive coverage in key U.S. media.
O’Connell took a lead role in executing VisitBritain’s Royal Wedding media event, from event design and menu selection to developing and editing the press kit. The event had over 100 key media in attendance, including The Early Show, the Today Show, Good Morning America, NY1 and Every Day with Rachael Ray.
She also developed the London 2012 Destination PR Toolkit for global use leading up to and during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The toolkit acted as a go-to guide for VisitBritain’s global PR network covering background information, contact details, story ideas and more.
Apps she can’t live without: “In general, my Starbucks app to cure any caffeine withdrawals. Personally, Facebook to keep in touch with friends and family. Professionally, CNN and USA Today—the push notifications ensure I’m kept in the loop on breaking news no matter where I am.”
Inspiration in her PR career: “Throughout my career I have been very fortunate to have had people who have inspired me, and continue to inspire me, as a public relations professional. At the University of Miami, I had several excellent professors, particularly Dr. Don Stacks and Professor Randy Stano, who both provided me with a solid foundation for viewing public relations situations both strategically and creatively.”
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