Public Relations Guru Gains Statewide Recognition

She's way under 40, but she's at the top of her game.

Kate Terricciano Sirignano was named one of Hartford Business Journal’s Class of 2011, 40 under 40 winners this month for her success as a business owner at the young at of 27.

Sirignano began her Plantsville-based company, Image Marketing Consultants four years ago, beginning as an event-planning firm and quickly expanding into a full-service marketing, public relations, and event agency.

"It's been really exciting so far. I love it," Sirignano said. "People look at me like I'm crazy to keep expanding, especially in this economy, but we've just been continually busy."

Sirignano's move into entrepreneuriship came after an impressive career path within the corporate and non-profit sectors. She's worked for companies like GE, planning events from her Manhattan office and meeting high profile celebrities along the way. She was then hired to head up the openings of all the Cocoa Keys Water Resorts nationally, before deciding to start her own gig.

Now running her own show, she's landed local and national clients like Bank of America, Oshkosh B’gosh, Meyer and the American Red Cross. Helping businesses and non-profits succeed is her motivating force, and she said the ability to provide outstanding customer care is what helps her succeed.

"I really like helping companies promote and strengthen their image, promote their consumer base, and work their marketing strategies," Sirignano said. "In this economy we just have to be more strategic, working from a smaller office, and be more creative."

Though she's carved a nice niche for herself nationally, the Southington native grad is a local girl at heart, enjoying her work with many local clients like Puerto Vallarta and the Town of Southington.

"Kate's business organized our networking breakfast recently and it was a big success," Economic Development Coordinator Louis Perillo III said. "She's very good at what she does."

Sitting on boards, including the United Way of Southington and the Rotary Club, Sirignano said it's always a challenge to balance her work, community involvement and personal life - but she accepts the challenge.

"It's definitely the most difficult part of it, because work really never stops - I get work calls all night and every day, but I guess that's part of really being committed to our clients," Sirignano said.

And judging by Sirignano's plans for the near future, busy-ness might just be a lifestyle.

"I definitely want to keep growing the company, and hopefully doing a lot more public speaking," Sirignano. "I love giving talks to professionals can take their image to the next level. I love helping other young people market themselves."

Sirignano's latest project is a website, www.imageeventplanning.com featuring a new division of her firm focused on weddings and similar events.