Integrated Strategic Communications for U.S. Public Sector Business Leaders
Marka Strategies breaks the traditional PR agency model to create an agile, easily scalable and customized approach. We address our clients' brand visibility and reputation challenges, and promote their unique business interests in the government and defense contracting (B2G) markets aligned with domestic and foreign policy industry conversations.
Defense & Aerospace * Cloud Computing * Big Data/Analytics * AI and Machine Learning * Cybersecurity * Data Storage
High-Performance Computing * Internet of Things (IoT) * Healthcare IT * Education IT * Foreign Affairs
With two decades of experience working at one of the world's largest communications agencies and at Fortune 500 firms, we have the intelligence and access every small, medium and large-sized organization requires to succeed – with results-driven senior counsel under a cost-effective budget.
What We Do
Public Relations & Corporate Communications
We help clients craft their unique story around the latest industry - and policy - trends, and positioning their senior executive team as thought leaders. From messaging development, to opinion editorial pieces, editorial board meetings, media relations, news monitoring, media training, press conferences, influencer relations (e.g. think tanks, business councils, chambers of commerce) and events, we develop and implement growth-focused campaigns to help our clients engage with and influence their target audiences and effectively reach their communications goals. With our experience working at U.S. publicly traded firms listed in the NYSE and NASDAQ, we are uniquely positioned to offer strategic advice to our corporate clients on executing your PR campaigns while positively influencing your investors.
Content Development & Lead Generation Marketing
Production and development of content materials optimized for online and offline platforms, including speeches, creative writing for audio and video scripts, case studies, industry award and speaking nominations, white papers, webinars, newsletters, eBooks, blog posts, among others. We also partner with leading B2B and B2G media groups to generate cost-effective, qualified leads helping clients in partner targeting and content production.
Social Media Strategy & Management
In today’s always-on environment, brands are exposed to what their audiences are saying in digital platforms every second. With a holistic approach, we specialize in implementing award-winning digital content newsrooms to promote your key messages aligned with your overall goals, while also monitoring, evaluating and fostering the right online conversations with your target audiences. Through rich-media and branded content, such as text, video and audio, we help clients create their social media strategy and utilize optimization tools and digital best practices to build engaging and positive online conversations with key stakeholders.
Executive Programs & Training
Strategic and personalized counseling for high-level business leaders as they seek to build or further enhance their brand reputation, visibility and recognition. Whether you are a new manager looking to develop your communications skills or a senior leader seeking to further enhance your image and reputation with the public, we can help prepare you for the journey ahead. Services include media training, message development, award nominations, speaking nominations, social media training and auditing of existing communications programs.
Crisis Communications & Rapid Response
Advising and supporting senior management teams before and during challenging situations through a proactive approach. From strategic counseling, rapid-response statements to inaccurate posts, addressing requests for information, to spokesperson training, stakeholders outreach and 24x7 monitoring and analysis reports, we provide the advice needed to address and minimize any potential impact to our clients’ brand reputation.
Proven Experience
Our client roaster also includes renowned large, medium and small-sized PR agencies who rely on our results-driven skills to further enhance their own clients' campaigns.
Who We Are
Catherine Castro
Founder and Principal
Catherine is a senior communications and marketing strategist with more than two decades of corporate and agency experience creating integrated and highly customized campaigns for some of the most recognized B2B and B2G brands across the Western Hemisphere.
A trusted advisor in safeguarding the brand reputation and visibility of senior-level executives, she is also experienced in promoting business-related policy initiatives with local, national, regional and international impact.
Among her various national and international accomplishments, she is credited for:
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Transforming Cisco's U.S. Public Sector business, taking it from trade to mainstream media for the first time;
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Launching the U.S. Public Sector business for a renowned cloud data management firm based in Silicon Valley;
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Launching the first brand visibility campaign in Mexico for Infinidat's CEO Moshe Yanai, named "one of the most influential contributors in the history of the data storage industry" by IBM;
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Building and implementing a brand reputation campaign for a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council's cybersecurity subcommittee and former Presidential and Congressional cybersecurity advisor in the U.S., and brand awareness on the launch of its Canadian business;
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Serving as the international communications director for the first G20 Business Summit held in Latin America, promoting global CEOs policy recommendations - including ICT & Innovation - to G20 Heads of State;
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Co-founding AT&T's investor relations program in Latin America, serving as the primary liaison with the international investment community;
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Founding member and global director of Mexico's public diplomacy/country branding initiative working with the Presidential Office to positively promote the country as a global leader in trade and investment (aerospace, automotive and other high-tech), sustainability, tourism and culture.