Kitty Hart on The Faces of Business Podcast: Creating Unforgettable Events

At Heroic Productions, we were fortunate to have our very own Kitty Hart, our VP of Client Brand Experience, as a guest on The Faces of Business podcast with the one and only Damon Pistulka. In this episode, Kitty takes a deep dive into the world of brand experiences, unraveling the secrets behind creating unforgettable events that truly resonate with audiences.

Kitty Hart: A Marketing Maven

Kitty isn’t just your average marketing professional; she’s a visionary with over 28 years of experience, specializing in breathing life into brands through strategic storytelling, impactful brand strategy, and innovative experience design.

The Value in Event Production

According to Kitty, her favorite part of working at Heroic is all about setting a stage and ensuring the people on stage are seen, heard, and remembered. The most thrilling moment for her team is seeing a concept evolve into a spectacular reality. It’s a journey that can take up to a year, from brainstorming ideas and creating room renderings to the actual event day. Her secret insight: being “on comm” with a headset during an event is the key to understanding all the behind-the-scenes magic that goes into producing these top-notch events.

At Heroic, our mission is crystal clear: our client is the hero. We’re not here to take the spotlight; we’re here to ensure our clients shine. Our happiness stems from their satisfaction. It’s essential for our customers to select a production partner who can execute flawlessly and be the expert in stage design, audio, and lighting. So when that speaker steps onto the stage, they don’t have to worry about technical glitches or whether the audience can see and hear them.

Kitty explains how some of our events span several days, which means our team needs lots of stamina. Consequently, staffing and crew management play pivotal roles in ensuring everything runs smoothly.

The Faces of Business Featuring Kitty Hart and Events

What Sets Events Apart?

“It drives a constant focus on creativity,” Kitty emphasizes. Many of our clients host the same event year after year, and they’re eager to keep things fresh. They often draw inspiration from outside their industry to inject new life into their corporate events, especially considering that the current workforce spans four different generations.

Kitty’s personal favorites are events that incorporate music and impactful lighting. “Surprising and delighting people is becoming increasingly challenging,” she notes. Beyond visuals, the choice of speakers and entertainment plays a substantial role. Transforming a simple ballroom into a rockstar experience is no small feat. When you can infuse as many of the senses into an experience, the more impactful that experience becomes. “It’s the senses that drive our memories,” Kitty notes.

Additionally, she goes on to mention a baseball stadium that pumps the smell of cotton candy into their stadium! Using scent to elicit the feeling of hunger and nostalgia. 

Challenges in Events

Damon inquires about the most challenging event Kitty has ever been a part of. She recalls an event for a beauty brand Heroic worked on. It spanned multiple days, with exceedingly high expectations, especially for the staging. It was a haircare product, and the main event was a fashion show. The event was one of our larger projects, demanding long and high-energy days. Our team was a part of keeping that energy high.

Education, entertainment, and networking are the key components to corporate events. With consumer brands, getting products into people’s hands to sample is a big part of it. For B2B clients, it’s about designing an engaging experience that goes beyond traditional PowerPoint presentations. Recreational time for attendees is undoubtably crucial for maintaining attention spans.

Success!

When asked about success, Kitty reflects on Super Bowl 52 event hosted on Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis. Our crew endured long days in subzero temperatures, but the event was nothing short of amazing. Over a million people flocked to Minneapolis for the Super Bowl festivities. Being part of such a remarkable event in our hometown was truly life-changing.

What’s Next for Events?

What’s next for event production? For Heroic, we’re keeping a watchful eye on AI, and we’ve also got our hands on the new Proto Epic hologram machine!

As Kitty and Heroic look to the future, one thing remains constant: our unwavering commitment to making every event exceptional. So, whether you’re hosting a corporate extravaganza or a show-stopping product launch, you can count on Heroic Productions to be the secret ingredient that transforms ordinary into extraordinary.

Stay up-to-date on what’s next in event tech with our latest blog post.

To get in touch with Heroic for your next unforgettable event, contact us.

Experiential Marketing with Kitty Hart on LifeBlood Podcast

Heroic’s own marketing maven, our VP of Client Brand Experience, Kitty Hart, shares some serious wisdom on the LifeBlood podcast. She dived into the thrilling world of experiential marketing alongside George Grombacher.

Experiential Marketing

Experiential marketing is extremely important during this day in age. Kitty rightly points out that despite everything going electronic, people still crave real, physical connections with brands. “We live in such a digital age. Everything is electronic, but people still want to have a physical experience with a brand,” she mentions. Face-to-face interaction remains an essential need.

Experiential Marketing with Kitty Hart on LifeBlood Podcast

What Even is Experiential Marketing?

Kitty describes experiential marketing as, “Designing a physical experience where the brand shows up in a space and interacts with a person.” And guess what? This concept isn’t exactly fresh; it traces back to the 1800s. She shares intriguing anecdotes about the World’s Fair in Chicago. Providing examples like Wrigley’s handing out pieces of chewing gum, Aunt Jemima dishing out pancakes from their new mix, and Cracker Jacks giving away their product for people to try. It’s all about putting tangible samples in people’s hands to tickle their senses.

The Key to Success

She emphasizes that successful experiential marketing hinges on creativity, uniqueness, and an element of surprise. However, she underlines that authenticity to the brand is crucial. “The best experiential marketing campaigns are shareable,” Kitty stresses. Marketers should aim for experiences that people can’t help but share on social media, and they should consider this when planning events and experiences. 

According to Kitty, whether you’re in the B2B or B2C realm, it all boils down to “people to people.” Connecting with your audience on a personal level is key.

And here’s the kicker: engaging people’s senses is paramount in experiential marketing. Kitty delves into how sensory elements like scent, taste, and sound create lasting memories tied to experiences, influencing branding and marketing strategies. She sheds light on the impact of scents, citing baseball stadiums that infuse the air with the scent of cotton candy, ultimately evoking feelings of nostalgia and hunger. It’s like a sensory trip down memory lane! While it’s not necessary to tap into every one of the senses all the time, it is important to find opportunities to infuse the ones that will make the most impact. 

Experiential Marketing at Heroic Productions

Kitty notes that Heroic Productions primarily works with mid to large-sized companies, orchestrating elaborate corporate events aimed at delivering impactful messages through stage production, focusing on details, and ensuring a memorable experiences for attendees. However, she highlights that even smaller organizations can leverage experiential marketing techniques to enhance their events.

Kitty’s insights truly paint a vibrant picture of the exciting world of experiential marketing. If you missed the podcast, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! Keep up with Kitty for more marketing insights and remember, it’s all about creating those remarkable, shareable experiences that leave a lasting impact!

Let’s explore how you can create memorable and shareable experiences for your audience, contact us.

Learn how to leverage sensory elements, surprise, and authenticity in your brand experiences with our Corporate Event Strategies Guide.

Shakespearean Kitty Hart on Thoughts That Rock Podcast

Hey there, fellow champions of personal and professional development! We’re excited to bring you the highlights from Kitty Hart’s recent appearance on the Thoughts That Rock podcast with hosts Jim Knight and Brant Menswar. Kitty, Heroic Productions’ VP of Client Brand Experience, shared three transformative thoughts on how to become the star of your own show every day.

Shakespearean Kitty on Thoughts That Rock Podcast

THOUGHT #1 – View All the World as a Stage & Every Person a Player

To quote Shakespeare Kitty says, “All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players.” This profound thought holds the key to success both personally and in the business world. So, how do we apply this wisdom in our daily lives?

  • Lists as GPS: Think of your to-do lists as your guiding stars. But remember, it’s not just about having a list; it’s about tackling it with purpose and enthusiasm.
  • Dress for Success: Everything you do helps you create your own personal brand. This starts with the clothes you wear and how you present yourself. Kitty suggests thinking about the people you will be interacting with for the day and “level up one.” This shows people that you care and have come to the table prepared. 
  • Are You the Star or an Extra?: Brant challenged us to think about our daily approach. Are you treating each day like you’re a star in your own show, or are you merely an extra in someone else’s story? Remember, your power lies in your ability to take the lead.

THOUGHT #2 – Be Who You Are: It’s All About Authenticity (To Thine Own Self Be True)

People see through inauthenticity. Kitty passionately rejects the notion of “fake it till you make it.” Instead, she encourages you to manifest and work towards the life of your dreams. 

  • Authentic Armor: Authenticity is like a protective coat of armor. It’s crucial to find your voice and stick with it.
  • Adapt Without Compromising: Jim reminds us that it’s okay to adapt to different audiences, but your core beliefs, values, and goals should always stay the same. The show must go on, even if you need to leave some baggage at the door.
  • Discover Your Non-Negotiables: As Brant puts it, “You can’t be authentic until you figure out what your non-negotiable values are.” These principles are your compass in the vast world of life and work.

THOUGHT #3 – Bring Out the Best in Others

Kitty concluded her podcast appearance with yet another Shakespearean gem, “We know what we are but not what we may be.” It’s all about bringing out the best in others and fostering an environment of growth and support. 

  • Acknowledgment and Encouragement: Celebrate the strengths of others by acknowledging their talents. A simple compliment can have a tremendous impact. There is enough room for everyone to win.
  • The Power of Leaders: Brant emphasized the importance of strong leaders, citing Michael Jordan as an example. While we need “Mr. Rogers” vibes, we also benefit from those who challenge us to be better. Healthy competition can be a powerful motivator.
  • Choices in Leadership: Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to bringing out the best in others. Leaders may need to tailor their approaches when deciding how to inspire and lead, but the common goal is to help everyone reach their full potential.
Shakespearean Kitty on Thoughts That Rock Podcast

So, there you have it! Three powerful thoughts to help you become the star of your own show every day. With Kitty’s wisdom and a touch of Shakespearean inspiration, you’re well on your way to achieving your personal and professional goals.

Let’s embrace each day as our own show, and make it a blockbuster worth watching!

Explore more about Heroic Productions, visit our website.

To get in touch with Kitty Hart directly, simply shoot her an email.

Crafting Brand Design and Experiences: Insights From Kitty Hart on Corporate CPR

In the ever-evolving world of branding and marketing, it’s crucial to ask yourself a vital question: Are you telling the right story about your brand? To explore this intriguing topic, we turn our attention to the expertise of Kitty Hart, Heroic’s VP of Brand Experience, who recently shared her invaluable insights on the Corporate CPR podcast. With 25 years of experience in the branding and marketing arena, Kitty is a seasoned pro in crafting remarkable brand design and experiences. In the episode, she discussed a plethora of ideas that can transform the way you perceive and present your brand. Let’s dive into her wisdom and discover how you can breathe new life into your brand’s story.

Designing Every Interaction with Control and Consistency

Kitty’s first nugget of wisdom is all about designing every interaction your audience has with your brand. She states, “If you leave things undesigned, you will have misunderstanding.” She emphasizes that successful companies understand the significance of designing every moment, as it directly influences the way your brand is perceived.

Brand consistency is like the North Star guiding your audience through the galaxy of options. To maintain a positive brand perception, companies must control and be consistent in how their brand shows up in various instances. This consistency ensures there’s no room for misunderstanding about your brand.

Kitty underscores that the integration of design thinking into your business strategy is the secret sauce for creating memorable brand experiences. It’s not just about how your brand looks, but also how it feels. A well-thought-out design thinking approach can revolutionize your brand’s story and engagement.

Kitty Hart on Corporate CPR podcast: Crafting Brand Design and Experience

Listening and Adapting: Keeping a Finger on the Pulse

To gauge how well your brand is perceived, Kitty advises brands to actively monitor social media and conduct surveys. “Social media is a good sounding board,” she says. If people aren’t talking about your brand or are expressing negative sentiments, it may be an indicator that improvements are needed. Listening and adapting are essential to keeping your brand fresh and relevant.

Crafting a Clear Brand Story: Your “Why” Matters

Crafting a clear and compelling brand story, grounded in your “why,” is pivotal. Kitty emphasizes the importance of involving a cross-section of your organization to create and maintain a consistent brand message. A well-crafted brand story not only informs but also inspires.

Shift in Perspective: Beyond Products and Services

For your brand to truly stand out, Kitty suggests shifting the focus from products and services to the results and impact on customers. Challenge the status quo and emphasize why you do what you do. Your brand is more than just what you sell; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.

Design and Visuals Matter: Creating Engaging Environments

Visuals, staging, and technology play a significant role in crafting engaging and enjoyable corporate events. A well-designed environment enhances the learning experience and leaves a lasting impression. So, pay attention to the aesthetics of your brand’s touchpoints.

Balancing Content and Engagement: Keep Them Wanting More

Successful events strike a balance between informative content and enjoyable elements like entertainment and networking. Kitty advises keeping attendees engaged and looking forward to future events. It’s all about creating experiences that people want to be a part of.

Kitty’s Top 3 Takeaways for You

  • Consistency is Key: No matter the size of your company, maintaining brand consistency is vital.
  • Focus on Delivery: Observe how your product or service is delivered from beginning to end – encompassing words, visuals, behaviors, and more.
  • Learn from Others: Look beyond your industry to find inspiration in what other brands are doing. Apply these insights to your own business.

Kitty Hart’s wisdom is a treasure trove for anyone seeking to take their brand’s story to the next level. Remember, your brand is an ever-evolving story, and by embracing these insights, you can craft experiences that resonate with your audience, leaving an indelible mark on their hearts and minds. So, are you ready to tell the right story about your brand? Kitty Hart has given you the roadmap; now it’s your turn to embark on the journey. Happy branding!

To learn how Heroic can help you create memorable experiences, contact us.

To learn more about how Kitty Hart spearheaded Heroic’s rebrand, visit our blog post.

Kitty Hart Discusses Brand Experience on Your Business Greatness Podcast

Simone Sloan and Kitty Hart bring the magic to Your Business Greatness podcast! In an exciting episode of Your Business Greatness, Kitty Hart, the VP of Client Brand Experience at Heroic Productions, takes us on a journey through the world of brand storytelling and creating remarkable brand experiences.

Kitty’s Lesson in Sales

Kitty’s career began in sales, driven by the belief that it would give her control over her success. But sales today is so much more. It’s about crafting tailored, unforgettable brand experiences for customers.

“The center of experience design is empathy,” Kitty asserts. If empathy isn’t woven into your process, you’re bound to miss the mark.

Your Business Greatness Podcast with Kitty Hart and Simone Sloan on Brand Experience

Brand Experience Lessons from a Starbucks Cup

Kitty artfully illustrates her point with the Starbucks experience. She describes how Starbucks caters to three types of customers from drive-thru enthusiasts to in-store lingerers and on-the-go orderers. These are three distinct user experiences Starbucks must cater to in order to leave a positive lasting impression on all their customers.

Kitty defines an experience as an interaction, which can be positive, neutral, or negative. Identifying key moments that leave an impression is crucial for businesses to understand and improve their customer interactions. Simone adds, “If you are not thinking through that customer journey and all those different touch points you miss the mark big time, and when you miss the mark big time, it hurts.” 

Heroic’s Dance with Event Marketing

Kitty emphasizes that Heroic is in the business of event marketing, asking: what do we want people to do and feel when they leave the experience? Whether that is in-person or virtual. During COVID we had to learn how to take our business virtual and give attendees the same feeling they would get from an in-person experience. 

Diversity and Inclusion in Events and at Heroic

Regarding diversity and inclusion, Kitty mentions that when bidding on large projects that go through procurement, they are increasingly asked questions about their diversity, equity, and inclusion mission. 

At Heroic, we’ve fostered a culture of unity and mutual respect. Every member of our team is seen and celebrated for the unique role they play, regardless of their background. As a small company that doesn’t frequently hire, we approach each recruitment with a commitment to diversity. Our goal is to place the right individuals in the right positions, based on their skills, passion, and potential.

The Art of Storytelling and Electrifying Experiences

Simone Sloan and Kitty Hart delve into the nuances of brand storytelling and the art of crafting electrifying experiences for businesses. Kitty recounts an exhilarating project with a major fashion-focused beauty brand. Working along with the brand’s guidelines, she discusses how it was a fun experience getting to work with the client and define what the event was going to look like. The Heroic team helped to transform the space into a vibrant runway show with pulsating music and flowing hair. The energy was electric, and it perfectly embodied the brand’s essence.This endeavor required an abundance of talent and vision, ultimately turning a space into an enchanting environment.

Kitty Leaves with a Parting Thought

As we wrap up this engaging podcast conversation, Kitty leaves us with a powerful reminder on the topic of ageism. It’s a perception that often casts a shadow over accomplished women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. But in reality, these decades are when women are at the pinnacle of their careers. They bring a wealth of experience and wisdom to the table, making them invaluable assets to any organization.

The most successful organizations recognize the significance of a diverse workforce spanning generations, from the energetic innovators in their 20s to the seasoned professionals in their 60s. “Generational experiences matter,” Simone aptly points out. It’s the blending of these diverse life experiences that often leads to the most extraordinary and innovative outcomes.

So, let’s remember that every age and stage of life is an opportunity for growth, contribution, and excellence. We hope this podcast leaves you ready to embark on your own journey of business greatness.

To learn more about our VP of Brand Experience, Kitty Hart, visit our website.To learn more about how Heroic can help you with your next event, contact us.

Kitty Hart’s Heroic Insights: Sharing Marketing Wisdom and Event Planning Tips on Legacy Leaders Podcast

Our VP of Client Brand Experience, Kitty Hart, had the opportunity to go on Legacy Leaders Podcast with hosts Stan Miller and Katie Beth Hand. Kitty brings over 28 years of experience in the sales and marketing industry, and her mission is clear: to champion the transformational potential of physical experiences for individuals and businesses alike. As she shares her insights, event planning tips, and experience, Kitty’s passion for what she does shines through.

Legacy Leaders cover art- Event Planning Tips With Kitty Hart blog featured image

Kitty’s Journey: From South Dakota to Minneapolis

Kitty’s journey began in South Dakota, but she’s called Minneapolis home for the past 30 years. Her career has been a winding road through business development, branding, design, and experiential marketing. She emphasizes the connection between sales and marketing, highlighting how each experience and role she’s had has contributed to her expertise in the field.

The Heroic Brand Experience

As the VP of Client Brand Experience at Heroic Productions, Kitty explains that the “hero” in the name represents our clients. Our mission is to ensure that clients emerge as the heroes of their own stories when they engage with us. Whether it’s a product launch, a sales kick-off, or employee recognition, Heroic Productions’ role is to make our clients shine.

The Magic of Experiential Marketing

Kitty’s passion for experiential marketing shines through as she discusses its power and creativity. She emphasizes that even in conservative industries, there’s room for creative marketing. The key is understanding your audience and finding unique and surprising ways to engage them. While experiential marketing isn’t new, it constantly evolves to keep up with changing expectations. “The challenge,” Kitty notes, “is to consistently surprise and delight people.”

Examples of Experiential Marketing

Kitty provides two diverse examples to illustrate the versatility of experiential marketing. For a conservative financial services company, Heroic Productions orchestrates multi-day events in large venues, ensuring that every detail is meticulously planned. The goal is to make every client look good to their executives.

On the other hand, for a major beauty brand, we hosted a fashion show with runway models, focusing on creating an engaging and energetic atmosphere. The aim is always to design an experience that leaves a lasting impact and has attendees eager to return.

Kitty’s Expert Event Planning Tips

Pitfalls to Avoid

Kitty doesn’t shy away from discussing the common mistakes she’s seen in event planning. Long lines, underestimating restroom and power needs, and inadequate sound and lighting can all mar an event experience. Her advice? Don’t leave any detail undesigned.

The Importance of Early Planning

For those looking to plan engaging and impactful events, Kitty’s golden nugget of advice is to start as early as possible. Kitty says, “So there’s an interesting trend that has happened over many years and that is that the planning window has continued to shrink.” A longer planning window allows for a better end product, regardless of the event’s size or budget.

The Impact of COVID-19 & Navigating Future Events

Kitty acknowledges the devastating impact of COVID-19 on her industry, with overnight cancellations of major events. Yet, she notes that the industry has bounced back as in-person events have returned. While virtual events gained prominence during the pandemic, they haven’t replaced the value of in-person gatherings. However, many clients still seek a virtual component to include a wider audience, especially, when budget is a factor. However, as Katie states, “It’s a whole different world to engage a virtual audience.” 

Image of Please Welcome, a Heroic hybrid event

The Starbucks Analogy

In closing, Kitty draws an analogy between event experiences and Starbucks’ diverse customer base. She describes at least three types of Starbucks customers. The customer that parks their car, comes in, orders, gets their order, and comes out. The person who is going to come through the drive-through. And the person who drives to Starbucks, gets out of the car, goes inside and orders, gets their order, and sits down. Just as Starbucks caters to various customer preferences, event planners must consider different interfaces for in-person and virtual attendees.

Event Marketing Matters More Than Ever

In this illuminating conversation, Kitty Hart leaves us with a final thought: marketing is essential, especially during recessions. Cutting back on marketing can cause a brand to disappear from the public eye. In a world where marketing is gaining the respect it deserves, businesses must recognize its pivotal role in their success.

To learn more about Kitty, or to get in touch with her, visit our website.

To learn more about planning your next hybrid event, download our Event Planning Guide.