About us

Kim Lichtenstein – Principal and Director of Public Relations

Kim Lichtenstein is the founder and co-principal of k101 Agency, a full service marketing and public relations firm located in Chicago and Atlanta. After graduating from Georgia State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts, she earned a position as senior editor of Jezebel Magazine, an Atlanta-based fashion and lifestyle publication, where she conducted celebrity interviews, created and directed editorial content and collaborated with the design team, all the while establishing long-term relationships with both local and national media. Her success as editor soon situated her on the other side of the microphone as an on-air radio personality for some of Atlanta’s top radio stations including 96 Rock, 99X and Q100. Her media experience also includes hosting high-profile events like ABC’s “The Bachelorette” casting, MTV’s “The Real World Tour” and the “GQ Fresh Dressed Awards.” To round out her on-camera expertise, Kim was named the “Party Reporter” for UPN’s popular TV show, “Atlanta Tonight” and served as a trend expert for the TBS hit show, “Movie and a Makeover”.

In 2002, Kim channeled her entrepreneurial spirit into starting k101 Agency, a company that has grown approximately 40% every year since its inception and continues to expand its offerings and client base. She is also the co-founder of Taurus Promotions, an ad specialty company that creates branded merchandise for clients like Sony Pictures, Albertsons and Autotrader.com.

An active philanthropist, Kim sat on the Board of Directors for Step Up Women’s Network, a national nonprofit membership organization dedicated to strengthening community resources for women and girls. Though she recently stepped down from her position, she continues her active involvement with Step Up and its members. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for Valentine Boys & Girls Club, and also spends time volunteering at the center where she teaches young members about entrepreneurialism and fiscal responsibility through a program she created called “Young Tykeoons”. In 2009, Kim parlayed her active social life into a charitable challenge as a founding host of Stimulus Social Club, a network of socially conscious professionals in the Chicago area who highlight the needs of local charitable organizations as well as Chicago’s restaurant and nightlife venues on the first Wednesday of each month.

Kim’s professional experience allows her to provide her clients with the most progressive media solutions available, while her love of charity keeps her connected to those who, like her, have the passion and vision to make their unique footprint in this world.

Tia Egidi Clarida – Principal and Creative Director

After graduating from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Communications, Tia headed west to Breckenridge, Colorado to hone her marketing (and snowboarding) skills working in the marketing department for Marriott’s Mountain Valley Lodge. After her stint in the snow, she headed back to the sunny south to continue her work in the marketing and promotions industry working for companies like Strottman International and Austin Kelley Advertising where she serviced the Chick-fil-A, YUM! Brands, and PepsiCo accounts. She then moved to an account director position at Eric Mower & Associates where she provided strategic marketing recommendations, creative direction and coordinated national product launches, photo shoots and promotions for the company’s consumer products division.

In March 2002, her entrepreneurial spirit took over and she helped launch Cover Magazine — the insider's guide to fashion, style, music and culture in Atlanta. As editor in chief, she was responsible for the content of the magazine, which included copywriting and editing, feature stories, conducting interviews with the likes of Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, Gwen Stefani and Usher, arranging fashion shoots and directing the overall creative product. Tia currently specializes in brand development, creative execution and integrated marketing strategies for k101 Agency.

In 2008, she launched the ad specialty company, Taurus Promotions, to provide clients with a vehicle to extend their message through well-designed and unique branded merchandise. She currently oversees the sales and design and helps to develop business with brands like Sony Pictures, Skechers and Disney.

Betsy Striltschuk – Vice President of Public Relations

Betsy is a Senior Publicist at k101 who manages key agency accounts including Caboodles, MiniLuxe and Lifeway Foods, Inc. Betsy’s experience spans the many facets of modern media including public relations, branding, marketing, advertising, and social media, with a focus on lifestyle brands. Her clients have graced the pages of InStyle Magazine, Boston Common, Chicago Sun-Times, Boston Globe, Daily Candy, Chicago Tribune, Huffington Post, WHERE, Boston Herald, GO Airtan, Teen Vogue, Boston Magazine, Michigan Avenue Magazine, Travel + Leisure and numerous television outlets including NBC’s “The Today Show”, MTV’s “The Seven,” as well as various CBS, NBC and ABC affiliates nationwide.

After graduating with honors from Ohio University with a marketing degree and working overseas in Liberty of London’s press office, she headed stateside to continue her PR career. She honed her skills in the PR and Marketing department at larger corporations like GHK – bringing on clients like Merrill Lynch, Quaker Oats Company and Bank One – as well as at the boutique agency, Sherman Consulting.

Betsy settled in Chicago and has spent the past eleven years exploring the ins and outs of the city and its inhabitants. When not finessing her social skills at the latest hotspot, you can find Betsy training along the lakefront for marathons or taking a foreign language class to prepare for her next trip abroad (her most recent trip was a honeymoon to Bali!). Betsy is also a licensed Realtor with At Properties and one of the founders of the Stimulus Social Club, a local networking group that has raised over $130,000 for local charities since its inception in 2009.

Staff
Katherine Lord – Marketing Manager
Josh Hersh - Social Media
Cassandra Bowman – Publicist
Lauren Adam – PR Assistant
Sarah Seebach - PR Assistant
Nicole Pritchard – Art Director
Tim Washburn - Creative Director

Taurus Promotions – Branded Merchandise Partner
Ron Bush – National Sales Manager, Taurus Promotions

k101 Agency has locations in Atlanta and Chicago - click here for contact information