Kathleen Kaiser Named “Publicist of the Year” by Book Publicists of Southern California

WPN president Kathleen Sexton Kaiser, president of Kathleen Kaiser & Associates, received notification that she has been named “Publicist of the Year” by the Book Publicists of Southern California (BPSC). The award will be given at a ceremony on October 13 at the Sportsman Lodge in Studio City, California. This is the 22nd year for the Irwin Awards.
“I was quite shocked by the phone call from Irwin Zucker of BPSC,” said Kaiser. “I’ve been doing publicity since the age of sixteen and have always stayed in the background. It’s quite a different sensation to be in the spotlight. I’m flattered by the award.”
Beginning as a music journalist turned publicist, Kathleen Kaiser’s career spans more than 40 years of involvement in the most exciting industries of her generation. From rock and roll in the ‘60s and ‘70s to the digital/Internet revolution of the late ‘80s and ‘90s, she has been a marketing professional and event producer for Fortune 100 companies, international trade associations, small startups, and nonprofits.
In 1993 she opened Kathleen Kaiser & Associates, an emerging technology-marketing firm, which now focuses on working with the literary and arts communities. With four published books and three plays under her belt, Kathleen understands how authors and artists are often confused by the new world of marketing their products and themselves. She aids authors and artists in navigating social media, building an audience, and knowing what sells. She’s a firm believer in the power of the well-written press release targeted to the correct media.
“I find working with artists of all genres far more fulfilling than corporate work,” said Kaiser. “There came a time fifteen years ago when I decided to work only with artists or organizations that give back to the community through creative endeavors.” Kathleen was president of the Ojai Shakespeare Festival for four years, worked on publicity and/or sponsorships for the Ojai Studios Artists, Ojai Art Walk, Humane Society of Ventura County, the Ojai Wine Festival, and other groups.
Kathleen is the co-founder and executive director of the Pacific Institute for Professional Writing (PIPW), producer of the annual 805 Writers’ Conference held in Ventura, California, past president of the Ventura County Writers Club, and organizer of a monthly literary meeting in Thousand Oaks, California, sponsored by WPN and the Independent Writers of Southern California.