Kathy Muscato is a co-owner and our chief strategic and creative officer.
Official Bio:
Kathy Muscato delivers in-depth brand marketing strategy and oversees the creative process at Brand Cool.
With 30 years of experience in the marketing and advertising industry, she brings to her work a no-nonsense focus on the work at hand, a long-time entrepreneur's respect for clients' time and money, and a healthy sense of humor.
Kathy has been involved in branding and rebranding campaigns for both large and small organizations and many product launches.
Before joining Brand Cool in 2004, Kathy supported a variety of clients through her freelance business Kathleen Muscato Phrase|ology. Prior to that she was co-owner of Muscato/Novak Communications, Inc., where she provided creative direction, copywriting and primary account management for nearly a decade.
She spent a few years as the advertising manager and senior communications coordinator for Rochester Institute of Technology, where she oversaw the marketing launch for the new part-time “flexible degree.” She began her career as a regional representative and communications coordinator for the New York State Assembly (those blue newsletters you get from your representative in Albany? She used to write them. And photograph them. And design them.)
She graduated summa cum laude with a BA in Journalism from the State University College of New York at Buffalo and has avoided her initial career choice and the classroom ever since.
A former Volunteer National Ski Patroller and board member for Veterans Outreach Services, she currently volunteers with The Advertising Council of Rochester.
Unofficial (And More Interesting) Bio:
Why did you choose this career?
Couldn't help it. Intended to become Lois Lane, girl reporter, but was derailed by my first job offer of $13,000. It seemed too mean. Found myself drawn like a moth to the variety and possibility for original thought in marketing, advertising, writing.
Favorite food?
Since I was five years old, to my parent's chagrin, lobster tail. (What were they thinking?)
Favorite movie?
Magnolia. Also fond of American Beauty.
Favorite book?
At the moment—The Hours, Michael Cunningham
Favorite quotes?
“People are afraid to rock the boat in which they hope to drift safely through life's currents, when actually, the boat is stuck on a sandbar. They would be better off to rock the boat and try to shake it loose, or, better still, jump in the water and swim for shore.” —Thomas Szasz (Okay, I changed the gender reference).
“All beings want happiness. All beings do not want suffering.” —HH The Dalai Lama (repeat often for maximum effect)
“Intelligence is like a four-wheel-drive vehicle; it just allows you to get stuck in more remote places.” — ?
Favorite recreational activities?
Downhill skiing, gardening (obsessively), cooking for friends and family (big mess but always worth it), movies, addictive and probably not healthy interest in national political issues and machinations, any moment of the day I get to spend with Jack.
You think the world would be a better place if:
Everybody, with me first in line, took a chill pill. Alternatively, we could laugh so hard we started snorting. That would work.
The most profound thing you've ever heard or seen or experienced is:
Did I already mention Jack?
It would surprise people to know that you:
Were the “princess in the shoe” in the Brant Strawberry Festival when I was 5. I wore a lilac dotted organza dress and learned to wave sideways, from the toe of the shoe that was the “float.” The contestant for Strawberry Queen was in the heel. Cured me of any delusions of royalty. Also, won the Betty Crocker homemaker award my junior year in high school (hey, it was a written test). Belated apologies to all the serious home ec girls.
Suddenly blessed with a day off and no limitations of time, space or cash, you would:
Ski the back bowls of Vail (effortlessly and with grace); space travel to some remote Caribbean island for a massage and a swim in the ‘gin clear' ocean; read 14 novels I've been meaning to get to; do someone a favor or at least get them to smile; lie on the beach with Jack and watch the moon rise and the stars reveal themselves. Ahhhhhh….
The web sites you think everyone should have in their favorites file:
Epicurious for what's for dinner, works great on your iPad, The New York Times (I made it my home page) Also, Andrew Sullivan's The Dish.