Bridging Artists with Audiences

A publicist has a unique role in the media ecosphere. They connect artists with their audiences, whether through events or media coverage.

And, for 30 years, Kelly Kitchens has been bridging artists with their respective audiences around North Texas.

“It is very special to have a business that is 99.5% all referrals,” she said.

Kitchens has weathered sizable changes to North Texas media. Shrinking newspaper staff have made it harder to get attention and coverage.

“I know that there’s more than just traditional press out there, of course, but having that traditional press be the pinnacle of where that coverage can start … it’s really heartbreaking. But I plugged through, and I keep going.”

Kitchens went into business on April 1, 1995. She had graduated from the University of North Texas and had been an editor for an arts and entertainment publication called The Met.

The work put her in contact with entertainers and publicists around North Texas looking to build an audience. She found that she could enjoy the work of public relations, even though her emphasis at the time was arts and entertainment journalism. So, she made the jump to a new career.

“I left The Met on March 31 and said, ‘Well, gosh, I guess I’m starting my business on April Fool’s Day,’” Kitchens recalled.

“I had no plans. I had $300 in the bank. My mother was freaked out, of course.”

But a few other local publicists were nice enough to let her shadow them as they worked. She watched and learned, and she singled out one in particular.

 “JoAnn Holt was the most influential person from the beginning,” Kitchens said. “As a journalist and publicist, she guided me and my business from the start.”

Kitchens would learn that when interacting with media, she should do things “the way that I wanted them done for me when I was at The Met,” she recalled. “That is to say, make things as easy as I can when it comes to being prepared with pictures, captions, etc.,” — all to guarantee her clients get covered.

Over three decades, Kitchens has built up a long list of former clients. They include Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas DFW, the Angelika Film Center, the Dallas VideoFest, the Dallas International Film Festival, National Geographic Films, the Pegasus Film Festival, and the Tallgrass Film Festival.

She has also worked with several celebrities, including Harry Shearer (“This is Spinal Tap,” “The Simpsons”); comedy legend Martin Mull; John Cleese (“Monty Python’s Flying Circus”), Michael Nesmith (“The Monkees”), Paul “Pee-wee Herman” Reubens; Amy Sedaris (“Strangers with Candy”); and Al Franken (“Saturday Night Live,” U.S. Senate).

Kitchens also worked with Broadway and film legend Carol Channing, who introduced her to another historical figure in 1995. Channing was in town to perform in “Hello, Dolly!” at the Music Hall at Fair Park, and an opening night party was underway.

“[Channing] said: ‘Kelly, darling, I want to introduce you to my best friend.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, I would love to meet your best friend.’

“She takes me by the hand and walks me to this lady. … And Carol goes, ‘Kelly darling, meet Lady Bird Johnson.’”

Meeting people like the former first lady is one of the many reasons Kitchens remains passionate about being a publicist. She also loves working with young filmmakers, especially those experiencing the film festival circuit for the first time.

“So many clients have become dear friends,” she said. “And I am just in heaven because I know there are two things that I was put on this Earth to do. … The first one is to spread joy. My second reason I am here was to connect people,” she added.

“I live a very charmed life because I can do exactly what I was put on this Earth to do.”

As if all she has done — and continues to do — weren’t enough, Kitchens also produces her own independent classic film festival in Garland. The third annual “It Came From Texas Film Fest” is scheduled for September 12–14. Check it out and experience the joy.