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Kathleen Lucente

CEO and FounderRed Fan Communications

Austin, TX

Skills

Media Relations
Public Relations
Corporate Communications

About

Kathleen Lucente is the founder and president of Red Fan Communications, an Austin-based strategic communications firm that partners with high-growth B2B technology and consumer brands to drive visibility, growth, and successful exits. With over 30 years of experience spanning both agency and corporate environments, Kathleen has developed a reputation for architecting communications strategies that deliver measurable business outcomes. As a trusted advisor to CEOs and CMOs, Kathleen specializes in helping companies navigate critical inflection points—whether positioning for rapid growth, preparing for funding rounds, or orchestrating successful IPOs and acquisitions. Her expertise lies in building comprehensive brand narratives that resonate with investors, attract top talent, and create meaningful connections with target audiences. Under Kathleen's leadership, Red Fan Communications has become known for its customized approach to strategic communications, combining deep industry knowledge with agile execution to help clients break through in competitive markets. Her work has supported numerous successful exits and funding rounds, while establishing lasting brand equity for companies across diverse sectors. Beyond her role at Red Fan, Kathleen actively contributes to the broader business community as a member of the Forbes Agency Council and through her board positions with Austin Gives and the ABC Kite Festival, America's oldest kite festival. She regularly shares insights on brand building and strategic communications through her #AskKathleen YouTube series, where she addresses the critical questions facing today's business leaders. Kathleen's leadership philosophy centers on constant evolution and learning, reflected in her current focus on business culture transformation through works like Ben Horowitz's "What You Do Is Who You Are." When not crafting strategic narratives for clients, she can be found gathering with family around her Austin fire pit, where she believes the best stories often come to life. Connect with Kathleen at kathleen@redfancommunications.com to discuss how strategic communications can accelerate your company's growth trajectory.

Published content

PR isn't dead—it's the most strategic business function of 2025

article

When CMOs dismiss PR as just media relations, they're about a decade behind reality—creating massive vulnerability for their organizations.

18 ways to navigate business uncertainty in today's marketplace

expert panel

Apply these strategies to balance risks and stability and fortify your team's resilience. Leaders are often tested to their limits in today's rapidly evolving work environment and uncertain economic conditions. However, when challenges do arise, those are the moments when resilient leadership is the most important to inspire teams and ensure organizational survival and confidence. This will positively impact the company's long-term success. Below, 18 leading experts from Fast Company Executive Board weigh in on how to best cultivate resilience in leaders and the teams they manage, no matter what the marketplace looks like today or tomorrow.

20 key habits highly productive managers swear by

expert panel

Here's how to master daily leadership responsibilities without burning out. What does an effective leader look like? Oftentimes, what comes to mind is an individual who can successfully balance daily workflow, foster positive team relations, and handle an unforeseen crisis calmly and collectively. But strong leaders have another secret ingredient up their sleeves. They realize how important it is to manage their most valuable resources: time and energy. As a leader, being intentional about where to invest your focus can significantly enhance your productivity.  Below, 20 Fast Company Executive Board members share their insights on other tried and true habits every successful executive should practice regularly.

19 tips for effective leadership in the era of digital transformation

expert panel

Leadership isn't just adapting to technology—it's being redefined by it. Technological advancements continue to push digital transformation forward and change the way businesses operate. In response to this, leadership styles and best practices are shifting toward greater agility, collaboration and real-time decision-making.  To help you navigate these shifts, the members of Fast Company Executive Board share practical tips for leading successfully in a technology-driven landscape. Here's how they recommend guiding innovation, balancing digital tools with human insight and building more flexible, connected organizations.

12 tips for partnering with the right virtual assistant agency

expert panel

Learn how to build strong, effective partnerships with virtual assistant agencies to support your business’s long-term growth. As the demand for virtual assistants grows, many companies are turning to VA agencies to access skilled support without the overhead of traditional hiring. However, building a strong, effective partnership with these agencies requires work beyond just hiring the first service provider you find. To help leaders establish the right foundation, Fast Company Executive Board members share their best practices for partnering with a virtual assistant agency. Their insights offer practical strategies to encourage clear communication, align expectations, and create a productive relationship that supports your business’s growth.

The 'perfect present' principle: Why great marketing is like masterful gift-giving

article

Much like choosing the perfect gift for someone, companies must deeply understand their clients' needs to deliver value.

Company details

Red Fan Communications

Company bio

Red Fan Communications is a strategic, integrated communications partner for dynamic B2B and technology brands. The full-service senior consultancy helps high-growth and established businesses build and sustain their brand reputations. Established in 2008 by marketing and communications industry veteran Kathleen Lucente, the firm delivers communication platforms that map to clients’ business goals, resonate with key audiences, strengthen brand identity and deliver measurable results. Red Fan Communications pushes the boundaries for clients, blending traditional and nontraditional communications strategies and tactics to craft customized campaigns that position brands as market leaders, support sales, engage customers and stakeholders and build brand awareness.

Industry

Marketing & advertising

Area of focus

Public Relations
Content
Brand Marketing

Company size

11 - 50