Kim Keough has been named director of public relations at Clarendon Group. She will be responsible for everything from marketing collateral to “earned media” opportunities. Most recently, Keough was assistant vice president of public relations at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island. She is an Emmy-nominated journalist and former television broadcaster. Keough has a B.A. from the University of Montana School of Journalism.
PBN: What are you looking forward to in your new position?
KEOUGH: From a public relations perspective, Clarendon Group has a broad spectrum of clients, ranging from real estate to health care to the government arena, which will be exciting as well as challenging. Having worked in health care for the past several years, I look forward to leveraging that experience while continuing to expand my knowledge into other areas.
PBN: How does your background in journalism influence your work in public relations?
KEOUGH: I have worked in news media outlets for many years – as a sports and news reporter for 15 years … I am very familiar with the news environment and what to look for in a story – be it print, radio or television. As a reporter, I quickly realized that everyone has a good story to tell – you just have to take the time and ask the right questions. Public relations is not much different. I think the general perception of public relations is that you write a press release and then send it to the media – thankfully, it is much more strategic than that.
PBN: What strikes you about the firm?
KEOUGH: First and foremost, I was immediately impressed with the quality of their work and equally as impressed with their client base. While the group is small, the in-house talent is outstanding and knows how to get things done effectively and efficiently. Christine Heenan, the founder and president, gets the big picture. She has created an environment that is immensely professional, creative, hardworking and enjoyable. One thing I have learned over the years is that, as an employer/manager/supervisor, if you trust in your ability to hire good people and provide him/her with the tools to be successful everyone wins and Christine understands that. Another unique aspect to CGI is the belief that life and business need to be in balance. I have 3-year-old twins and with the flexible schedule that Clarendon provides – it allows me to perform at a high level at the office but also to be with my family. •
