A proven leader with more than 24 years of experience in B2B PR, Seeds will expand on the success Ketner built and continue the agency’s dedication to creating a rock-solid culture
AUSTIN, Texas – May 2, 2023 – Ketner Group Communications, the leading public relations agency for retail technology companies, today announced it named Catherine Seeds president and CEO. Seeds, who has been an integral part of the agency for more than 20 years, succeeds Jeff Ketner, who assumes the role of founder and senior advisor.
The transition reflects Ketner Group’s ongoing dedication to being the leading retail technology PR agency, as well as creating a collaborative, authentic company culture that supports team members for the long term. These strategic goals are further illustrated in Ketner Group being recognized as one of Ragan’s Top Places to Work for the third year in a row last week. The agency is also a finalist for PR Daily’s Top Agencies for 2023.
Seeds brings to the role more than 24 years of experience working in B2B tech PR agencies. She started her career at Springbok Technologies and Bernard Group, providing media relations and content support for high-tech and healthcare tech companies during the “Dot-Com” boom. During her tenure at Ketner Group, Seeds has played a crucial role in every phase of the agency’s success, including overseeing three rebrands, ensuring steady year-over-year revenue growth and team expansion since 2002, opening the agency’s office in New York and growing its remote team.
“Catherine is a doer, thoughtful listener, creative thinker, and relationship-builder — all qualities that have become synonymous with Ketner Group because of her leadership,” said Ketner. “Catherine dares to dream big, while always having the best interests of the team at heart, and this agency absolutely wouldn’t be the same without her. I know she’ll continue to raise Ketner Group to new heights, and I look forward to supporting the agency and our clients in my new role as senior advisor.”
Seeds successfully oversees the agency’s business development, partnerships, HR/operations, client success and agency culture initiatives in collaboration with the agency’s top-notch senior leadership team that includes Adrienne Newcomb, VP of operations, and Kirsty Goodlett, VP of marketing.
“Jeff created a special place to work when he founded this agency more than 30 years ago,” said Seeds. “For more than 20 years, I’ve learned so much from Jeff about how to lead from a place of empathy, curiosity and passion. I’m excited to step into the role of CEO, and I can’t wait to keep working with our awesome team as we continue to manifest our vision of being the go-to communications agency for retail tech companies.”
As a result of the foundation created by Ketner, Ketner Group was recently recognized for its commitment to prioritizing the well-being of its employees when it was named one of Ragan’s Top Places to Work: Class of 2023. Ragan Communications is the leading publisher for communications professionals, and Ketner Group has been included in its annual lists since its inaugural class of 2021. Ketner Group stands out for championing work-life harmony, offering flexible work hours, and empowering employees to work in the environment that best suits their personal, creative needs. Since launching its employee-led Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee in 2020, it has implemented programs that encourage greater employee participation and shape the company culture for the better. These include facilitating regular monthly observances, creating company values and completing quarterly anonymous employee surveys.
Interested in being part of the future of Ketner Group? Check out open roles.
About Ketner Group Communications
For more than 20 years, Ketner Group has helped retail technology companies build brand, drive demand and grow shareholder value through strategic PR programs. We give retail technology clients an edge through our deep retail expertise, extensive network and targeted communication strategies. Our core services include media and analyst relations, content development, PR messaging and strategy, and more. Ketner Group has offices in Austin and New York City, working with clients located in North America, the UK and Europe. For more information, visit www.ketnergroup.com.
