Matt Kovacs

Phone calls still matter. Human contact and communication can not be replaced.

 

Matt Kovacs is one of California’s most respected consumer PR strategists, putting his 20 years of experience in strategic thinking and unique approaches to work for challenger brands. Kovacs adds his talent as the President and senior strategist at BLAZE PR, the nationally recognized consumer PR division of Davies. BLAZE represents leading brands in luxury travel, hospitality, consumer and lifestyle categories.

In recent years Kovacs and his team at BLAZE have been recognized for their leadership in consumer PR, taking home PR Week Awards, Los Angeles Business Journal Awards, Hermes Awards, Communicator Awards, PRSA PRism and Silver Quill Awards. Kovacs understands the opportunities and challenges each client faces, he leads his team to develop innovative, influential programs to overcome these obstacles and successfully achieve clients’ business objectives. Kovacs’ expert orchestration of traditional PR and social media tools sets BLAZE apart. He holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Communications and History from the University of Southern California.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

There are no typical days in PR agency life. I stay organized through the use of the Full Focus Planners and Trello. Disseminating information is key and I try to communicate as much as possible to ensure all strategies and campaigns are in motion.

How do you bring ideas to life?

By being hands on and working with our entire team to ensure our team executes flawlessly. The beauty of working in a boutique setting is that your ideas are heard and you get to help bring them to fruition.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Influencers – the bubble has yet to burst and the value continues to increase.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive?

Retaining information on all client communication; it’s imperative that I’m a sponge for all conversations and information that comes across my desk.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Meet as many people as you can.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Phone calls still matter. Human contact and communication can not be replaced.

What is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Stay in touch with people. Call, email, text, FB message; whatever it takes to keep connections alive.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Continual networking; you need to be meeting people all the time. It can’t be start and stop, it has to be an always thing.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

Trello. Keeps all our ideas, campaigns and deadlines in check. It’s helped us get to the next level.

What is the one book that you recommend that should be read and why?

Outliers.

What is your favorite quote?

Dreams are so important. You need to have big goals and expect a lot of yourself but you have to enjoy the ride too. – Sidney Crosby

Key learnings:

• Networking is key
• Stay in touch with everyone as best you can
• Retain client info and treat it like currency
• Be kind