---
title: Red Fan Communications expands leadership team, poised for significant growth in 2019
description: AGENCY ADDS SENIOR TALENT TO SUPPORT A GROWING PORTFOLIO OF TRAILBLAZING B2B, TECH AND CONSUMER BRANDSAUSTIN, Texas (April 17, 2019) – Red Fan Communications, an Austin, Texas-based full-service public relations and marketing communications agency, announced today it has hired four new staff members, including Alicia Downard as supervisor of client services. Downard, a 10-year tech...
---

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## AGENCY ADDS SENIOR TALENT TO SUPPORT A GROWING PORTFOLIO OF TRAILBLAZING B2B, TECH AND CONSUMER BRANDS

AUSTIN, Texas (April 17, 2019) – Red Fan Communications, an Austin, Texas-based full-service public relations and marketing communications agency, announced today it has hired four new staff members, including Alicia Downard as supervisor of client services.

Downard, a 10-year tech and PR veteran, recently worked with Gartner’s Digital Markets unit, where she managed brand marketing and public relations campaigns for Capterra, GetApp and Software Advice. She previously worked at the Office of the Texas Governor and with the Texas Historical Commission. Downard’s team management expertise and impactful storytelling experience make her a natural fit at Red Fan, which has experienced 30 percent year-over-year growth in 2019.

In her new role, Downard oversees the agency’s client services team, including its content strategy and research division and the recently launched Brand Positioning + Narrative Lab. Downard reports directly to Red Fan’s founder, Kathleen Lucente, and works closely with her and other senior staff to identify and launch services, enrich client engagements and mentor client teams.

“Red Fan embraces innovative thinking and consistently exceeds expectations,” Downard said. “I’m honored to join this exceptional team and support our mission to help clients blaze new trails to success.”

Red Fan also bolstered its client services team with the following additions:

## DANIELLE SOUTH, SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE.

South began her career working with complex B2B companies at Hill+Knowlton Strategies’ Dallas and Austin offices. She arrives at Red Fan with well-honed corporate communications, reputation management and executive positioning skills. She specializes in integrated communications, including media strategy creation and execution, messaging development, reputation and corporate responsibility management, and internal communications. Her vertical expertise spans technology, retail, real estate, heavy equipment and construction, and professional services.

## VICTORIA JETT, SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE.

Jett comes to Red Fan with six years of in-house and agency work in New York CIty, Dallas and Austin representing luxury consumer and tech brands. She worked in Tiffany & Co.’s marketing and communications department, at Dallas-based Droese Public Relations and at New York City-based Moxie Communications Group. Her vertical experience includes tech, hospitality, food and beverage, health and wellness, and nonprofits. A well-connected media strategist and mentor, Jett brings a powerful punch to every client engagement and spearheads the agency’s media training offering for clients.

## AMBER LECATES, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE.

Prior to joining Red Fan, LeCates worked at boutique agencies representing consumer, lifestyle and mom-focused brands as well as entrepreneurs, motivational speakers and wellness organizations. In her career at previous agencies, LeCates has supported Central Market, St. David’s Foundation, The Longhorn Network and the East Texas Electric Cooperative. She has held positions at Kristy Ozmun Public Relations and Konnect Agency, where she established herself as a knowledgeable lifestyle PR pro and an impressive content writer.

“Red Fan was built on the guiding principle that exceptional client service is the driving force behind stellar results, which is why we take so much pride in identifying and hiring the very best communications pros to support every one of our clients,” said Kathleen Lucente, president and founder of Red Fan Communications. “For 11 years, Red Fan has successfully launched companies of all sizes and products of all types, positioned brands for exit strategies toward IPOs or acquisitions, established and managed brand reputations and elevated thought leaders through compelling content. Expanding our staff enhances our ability to provide these services for existing and new clients who want senior advisers in their corner.”

Red Fan is a HUB-certified woman-owned business. To learn more about Red Fan Communications, visit www.redfancommunications.com.

## About Red Fan Communications

Based in Austin, Texas, with a presence on both coasts, Red Fan Communications is the strategic communications partner for dynamic B2B tech and consumer brands. The full-service public relations and marketing firm helps early stage and established businesses build and sustain their brand reputations. Red Fan was established in 2008 by industry veteran Kathleen Lucente after a corporate communications career at IBM and JPMorgan Chase and Co. in New York City and Asia-Pacific. The agency delivers communication platforms that map to clients’ business goals, resonate with key audiences, strengthen brand identity and, ultimately, deliver measurable results. Red Fan pushes the boundaries for clients, blending traditional and non-traditional communications strategies and tactics to craft customized campaigns that lead to national, regional and local media placements that support sales, launch products and build brand awareness. Clients include Q2 Holdings, Inc., Banyan Water, Growth Acceleration Partners, ClearCorrect, Suerte and select nonprofits such as the ABC Kite Fest and the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum.

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