Kalen Cotto

Originally founded as “Stars and Stripes Marketing” in 2010, Kalen pivoted in 2016 to Kalen Marie Consulting which shortened to KMC Digital.

Served as deputy, then as acting command PAO. - Formulated, implemented media relations, community relations and internal communication programs. - Lead and managed a robust public affairs program with responsibility for strategy, planning, executing and evaluating plan that included local and state elected officials. - Received, evaluated, researched, authored responses and responded to requests from local, national and international news media for a wide variety of information requests. - Created and edited Public Affairs (PA) products, which are widely disseminated to reach external (i.e., public affairs press releases for public events) - Responded to public requests for information, materials and photographs, and disseminates those products or refers requests to the appropriate source. - Participated with and represented the Public Affairs Officer in major program developments and policy-making decisions to determine expected external and internal public affairs impact. - Served as an official spokesman at the scene of accidents/incidents or when responding to media queries. - Planned, researched, reviewed for technical and factual accuracy, and wrote news and feature releases for external (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn) and internal media (unclassified command websites). - Participated with management in major program developments and policy-making decisions to determine expected external and internal public affairs impact. - Maintained direct contact with officials of local and state government officials and chamber of commerce officials in support of various ongoing and planned public affairs projects.

Public Affairs Officer (PAO) primary responsibilities are to assess the public affairs situation, advise senior leaders on public affairs issues, and assist them in making well-informed decisions, and translate the decisions into effective public affairs operations. PAOs plan and execute communication strategies to achieve desired objectives, and evaluate the effectiveness of the programs. The PAO analyzes the situation, anticipates issues, assesses implications, and develops comprehensive operations to meet the news and information needs of internal and external audiences. The PAO also facilitates media relations with domestic and international news media. The PAO supervises photojournalists and broadcasters who create information for print, broadcast and digital media. JOB DUTIES Provide media training for senior leaders Respond to media queries Plan and coordinate community events Develop and execute communication plans Evaluate the effectiveness of communication activities Supervise photojournalists and broadcasters Advise senior leaders on the implications of unit actions Communicate news and information to the internal military audience Gain the support of the American public TRAINING Hands-on training in how to develop communication strategies, oversee command information, media relations and community relations programs, supervise photojournalists and broadcasters, write speeches, give public presentation, coordinate press briefings, write the Public Affairs Annex for operations orders, and evaluate the effectiveness of communication activities. Served as a public affairs officer for various units in the Army / Army Reserve, and worked with all branches of service: - 372nd MPAD (team leader): 2003 - 2004 - 302nd MPAD/11th MP Brigade/3rd INF DIV (team leader): 2006 - 2008 - 63rd RRC (Deputy Command PAO): 2009 - 79th SSC (Acting Command PAO): 2009 - 2010 - 207th PAD (Commander): 2010 - 2012 - 201st PAOC: 2012 - June 2013

Responsible for creating and delivering compelling content that engages employees and strengthens the company’s culture. Worked closely with key stakeholders to ensure all internal communication was clear, consistent, and aligned with the company’s goals and values. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • Developed and executed the internal communications strategy for the organization, including key messaging, communication channels, and tactics • Create and deliver internal communications content, including email updates, newsletters, intranet content, videos, and presentations • Work with key organizational stakeholders to ensure all internal communication is clear, consistent, and aligned with the company’s goals and values • Develop and maintain a content calendar to ensure that internal communications are timely and relevant • Identify opportunities to promote employee engagement and help foster a positive company culture • Maintain the company’s internal communication tools, ensuring they are up-to-date, user-friendly, and aligned with the company’s goals and values • Coordinate internal events, trade shows and other initiatives to promote employee engagement and strengthen the company culture • Represent the company during promos on television • Liaise with stores to generate unique content

The instruction and training throughout this Functional Area provides the student with a basic foundation of knowledge required to perform the duties of a Department of Defense Military Public Affairs Officer. Upon completion of this Functional Area, a student will understand and be able to identify the primary principles of military public affairs policy, procedures and governing directives (laws, publications, etc.); the student will be capable of developing strategic communications plans, determining appropriate guidelines for release of information and imagery, and assessing the potential news value of a given situation. The student will also be capable of developing and recommending public affairs courses of action in the areas Media Relations, Community Relations, and Internal Information during peacetime, operational training, and operational deployments.