Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I embarked on my career with determination, grit, and perseverance, leading me to seek a college degree that I’m proud to say I’m still utilizing decades later. After graduating from West Virginia University, “Let’s Go Mountaineers,” with a degree in Journalism/Advertising and English Literature, I began my professional journey at a 30,000+ newspaper, The Dominion Post, in the marketing and sales department. There, I held roles as a part-time advertising sales account executive and part-time graphic designer. Through post-graduate fine arts courses and self-taught graphic design, I quickly advanced to full-time graphic design manager within six months.

A few years in, opportunity knocked. I was drawn to a family-owned motocross production company that produced the Loretta Lynn Motocross Series. My role was to revitalize the company’s racing tabloid newspaper, creating a fresh look and introducing cutting-edge industry content. This eventually led to the birth of the national glossy publication, RacerX Magazine, with a growing following and readership.

The West Virginia “small town” experience fueled my drive, so I took off West for a fast-paced ride through many facets of marketing, print production, public relations, and advertising endeavors. By way of Denver, Colorado and a broken-down Volkswagen Golf, I accepted a position as the production manager of The Ten Mile Times, a resort newspaper in Frisco, Colorado. This is where my love for community and all things local truly blossomed. Writing about the vibrant local businesses, restaurants, recreational facilities, and ski resorts ignited a lifelong passion for storytelling.

I soon realized I was onto something bigger—loving my surroundings and connecting with the people who made the area special. My stories never felt like sales pitches, but heartfelt narratives born from passion. With an entrepreneurial spirit, I decided to invest in myself and take my career into my own hands. Since then, every step in my career has been bound by a common thread: my passion for marketing and public relations.

• In Breckenridge, Colorado, I opened and operated the only independent art film house, The Speakeasy Movie Theatre. Baby number one arrived, and I sold the theatre and moved East to Warwick, NY to be near family. The theatre is still thriving!

• Timing is everything. Shortly after moving East, I became the Public Relations Manager at Mountain Creek Resort, for a two-year stint.

• Baby number two shifted my priorities. I embraced freelancing, diving into logo design, content writing, PR outreach, trade show management, and handling marketing and social media initiatives for a family business. Social media was becoming a new frontier, and I knew it held untapped potential.

My professional and personal passions lie in cultivating authentic relationships and storytelling. I’m most fulfilled when I’m elevating brands and highlighting the hard work of others through meaningful marketing and PR initiatives.

Branded845 Marketing and Public Relations is built on a strong foundation of experience, boundless opportunity, and a deep connection to the community. Rooted firmly in the Hudson Valley, I continue to grow with success, happiness, and fulfillment. Isn’t it time we sow your seeds?

How do I spend my “free time”? When I’m not immersed in my work, you can find me exploring the local scene—enjoying eateries, craft beverages, and the local art community. I love boutiques and getting lost in the great outdoors. Yoga is another favorite activity that helps me recharge physically, emotionally, and soulfully, offering the perfect balance to peel me away from work. The community here in the 845 is rich and welcoming, and I’m proud to be part of it. Won’t you join me?

Katy is a multi-talented creative soul who blends graphic design, website design, and yoga with artistic flair. With a solid foundation from Pratt Institute, she has honed her skills in communication design while also embarking on a spiritual journey through yoga, completing a 200-hour teacher training with an additional 50 hours in various styles.

Her yoga practice inspires her art, filling her sketchbook with insights that come to life in her illustrations. Katy is passionate about connecting with kindred spirits, whether through collaborative design projects, building websites, yoga sessions, or meaningful, uplifting conversations. True to her Pisces nature, she brings creativity and empathy to all her endeavors.

Born and raised in Warwick, NY, Kaitlyn Peconie is a Content Marketing Intern at Branded845 and a senior at Ithaca College, where she’s pursuing a degree in Television, Photography, and Digital Media Production with a minor in Advertising, Public Relations, and Marketing Communications.

Kaitlyn’s journey into media began with two years of high school journalism and a healthy obsession with The Morning Show, which sparked her interest in television production and ultimately led her to combine her love of TV, social media, and storytelling into one creative path. Coincidentally, that origin story felt strikingly familiar to Branded845 founder Phy Emmerich, who also studied Advertising, Public Relations, and Marketing Communications and discovered early on that great stories have the power to connect people and build communities. Their mutual admiration for The Morning Show only sealed the connection.

When Kaitlyn discovered that Branded845 was the creative force behind many of the brands and businesses she grew up seeing around Warwick, she knew she wanted to be part of the magic. And when Phy learned that Kaitlyn was not only a pop culture enthusiast but also a fellow member of the Stevie Nicks fan club with a deep appreciation for all things Gypsy, it became clear that the office vibe was destined to work.

Drawn to the power of storytelling and community, Kaitlyn is excited to gain hands-on experience in photography, video production, content strategy, and public relations while helping local businesses bring their stories to life.

At Ithaca College, Kaitlyn has immersed herself in student media and leadership roles. She currently serves as Director of Social Media and Public Relations for the New York Film & Television Student Alliance, overseeing communications and outreach for the organization’s 300 plus members. She’s also spent the last three years working behind the scenes with Ithaca College Television, taking on everything from assistant directing and content producing to camera operating and social media management.

Outside of the classroom, Kaitlyn is a digital creator and editor with a passion for television, music, and fandom culture. Her short form content has amassed more than five million views and one million likes across social media, creating a community of fellow pop culture enthusiasts and proving that creativity and connection go hand in hand.

When she’s not creating content, you’ll probably find her listening to vinyl records, attending concerts, curled up with a good book, or binge watching her latest favorite series. She’s also the co host of the upcoming podcast Girls Doing Great, where she and her co host chat about all things television and entertainment.

One day, Kaitlyn hopes to combine her love of storytelling and fandom by working in digital strategy and fan engagement for television and entertainment brands. Along the way, she’s committed to becoming the most confident version of herself, trusting her instincts, embracing creativity, and worrying less about what others think.

“I have no fear, I have only love.” — Stevie Nicks

For Kaitlyn, those words are a reminder to lead with authenticity, embrace creativity, and bring her whole self into everything she does.

Fun Fact: Kaitlyn played the trumpet for nine years, dreams of learning the guitar, and if she could have dinner with anyone, she’d choose Stevie Nicks without hesitation. Chai tea in hand, Fleetwood Mac spinning on vinyl, and a cozy night binge watching Daisy Jones & The Six? That’s pretty much her perfect day.

For Phy, seeing shades of her own early interests in Kaitlyn, from journalism to communications to a genuine love of storytelling, made this mentorship feel especially meaningful. Discovering their shared admiration for The Morning Show and Stevie Nicks was simply the bonus track.