Kim Straka Email & Phone Number

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

I have always loved real estate. I began planning for and then purchased my first home shortly after graduating from college. I worked with a very good real estate agent, who happens to be with First Weber too. She held my hand and guided me through the process of owning my first home as young professional. That experience, and the other home purchases afterwards, ignited my continual interest in real estate. Now, I have the opportunity to work as a team with Krista Potter. By working together our goal is to make the process smooth, seamless, and enjoyable for all of our home buyers and sellers. We specialize in offering staging and home decor assistance to all current and past clients. We want to make your home as marketable as possible before it goes on the market, and we want to make your new home a special place to begin your next chapter in life.

Madison, Wisconsin Area

HYPE Communications is an integrated marketing communications firm. We work with a network of independent professionals from all different walks of life, with different experiences and perspectives. We team up for the sole purpose of helping our clients HYPE up their marketing and communications objectives.Like all businesses, we have a story to tell. The launch of ours was in 2009. From humble beginnings in not-so-pleasant times to succeeding as an upstart. We felt we had something to offer the organizations feeling the same pinch – so we began partnering with clients and sharing ideas for value-added marketing that would be the drivers for many to weather the storm.We have been helping upstarts, non-profits, large to small businesses, and individuals share their stories, humming to the tune of cost-effective, knock-your-socks-off marketing and spreading the word. That is why 99% of our client base is by referral, and that’s something to be proud of.

Madison, Wisconsin Area

Oversee all marketing initiatives for 50+ attorney law firm located in Madison, WI. Responsibilities include, strategic planning, public relations, web site, advertising, special events and business develop training.- Responsible for firm's public relations and business development strategies and execution, strategic marketing, and creative services for 50 + attorney firm- Rebranded the firm and implemented the first firm-wide brand standards policy for employees to utilize- Developed and launched new marketing and public relations campaign to unveil new firm brand and attorneys- Implemented firm’s first media policy, was firm spokesperson, and provided media training to attorneys- Created and managed six separate budgets based on practice area - Created training and business development strategies for attorneys

Purview included marketing, communications, public relations, and graphic design- Member of GMCVB Executive Management Team - Developed objectives and strategies for marketing, communications, and public relations for the organization- Developed and maintained ongoing beneficial relationships with member businesses, elected officials, community leaders, and industry partners - Oversaw the development and production of marketing pieces, strategic communications, business plans, annual reports, e-newsletters and reports to specialized audiences including elected officials, members, and visitors - Managed and developed both the marketing and communications budgetsDirector of Communications & Public Relations, February 2003 – August 2005- Directed and implemented GMCVB’s communications strategies- Spokesperson for GMCVB and the community for events in Madison and Dane County, including:Ironman Wisconsin, ESPN Great Outdoor Games, US Speedskating World Cup, Rhythm & Booms, WIAA State Tournaments- Garnered destination publicity in a variety of media outlets, including: NBC Today Show, Travel Channel, New York Times, Boston Globe, Men’s Health, Sports Illustrated, Boston Herald, Chicago Tribune, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Midwest Living, AAA Home & Away, Washington Post, Home & Garden Network- Contracted by Overture Center for the Arts to be the lead for all regional and national publicity from the construction process through the nine-day Grand Opening Festival unveiling the new $205 million arts center- Oversaw marketing brands for GMCVB, Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center and Alliant Energy Center- Increased unique visitors in first year of employment by 54% from previous year

- Media liaison to Governor’s Office for press releases, speeches, letters and media events on issues under the Department’s purview- Responsible for Department’s external communication and public relations programs- Created and maintained new relationships with various financial industry leaders, as well as other state agencies to have better relations and communicate similar messages on behalf of the Governor- Oversaw all written publications- Facilitated the State's Centennial Quarter Project steering committee and was the spokesperson for the projectAssistant Director of Communications, December 1996 – February 2000- Managed communication staff - Site Manager for the Department’s Internet and Intranet web sites, and developed DFI’s first web site- Developed a variety of brochures, newsletters, press releases, reports, speech material and other informational data- Core team member in the development and implementation of a new educational program designed for Wisconsin consumers- Department point person for State's Year 2000 Preparedness and the liaison for Wisconsin Emergency Management Communications Assistant, July 1995 – December 1996State of Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Banking (7/96 was made part of new WI Department of Financial Institutions)

Bachelor Of Science, Communications And Urban & Regional Studies

Education record