Meet Denise Kovalevich | Founder & CEO dmk Publicity

We had the good fortune of connecting with Denise Kovalevich and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Denise, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started dmk Publicity because I wanted to offer clients more flexibility and choices when it came to their public relations and marketing campaigns. Until I started my own business, I had spent my entire career working for firms and corporations that offered a “one-size-fits-all” approach to PR and marketing. I experienced first-hand how this simply didn’t work for all clients. Some were paying too much for services they didn’t need and others weren’t maximizing those that were being offered. I decided dmk Publicity would utilize an a la carte approach instead. My clients can pay for only the projects that they need. Whether it’s a biography, press release, or overview written or a full strategic campaign, artist tour, or album release, I can provide them with what they need to be successful without “over-selling” them on the projects that they may not need.

What should our readers know about your business?
dmk Publicity is a full-service public relations and marketing agency that has worked with some of the most respected bands, artists, entertainment companies, and businesses in the world. Offering an a la carte approach to our campaigns, our clients only pay for the services that they need. They also have the opportunity to work on either a project basis like developing a media kit or releasing an album or a retainer, which is a monthly agreement. This allows the client the flexibility to choose a plan that fits his or her needs and budget.

Prior to starting dmk, I worked at QVC, the multi-media retailer, as the PR manager, overseeing the celebrity brands (i.e. The Kardashians, Heidi Klum, Joan Rivers) and the music artists (i.e. The Beach Boys, Justin Bieber, Sheryl Crow). Before joining QVC, I served as the PR manager for several PR agencies, including a music firm where I oversaw the tour campaigns for such artists as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, and many more.

I started dmk because I believed that there were was a need for a more diverse agency that could offer creative options when it came to PR and marketing. I am proud to say that as I approach my 10th year in business this June that I have been 100 percent referral-based and many of my clients have been with me since the beginning.

Of course, my journey has not always been easy. Covid and the Pandemic nearly shut me down entirely, as 90 percent of my clients at the time were music artists and they were out of of work. However, this also provided me with an opportunity to start writing more and take on assignments that I may not have had the courage or time to pursue before. I am still writing for those organizations and love every minute of it!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am conveniently located in King Of Prussia, home to the second largest mall in America, and minutes from Philadelphia. I am also only two hours from my favorite destination – the New Jersey beaches. If it was summer, the perfect day would be a ride to Sea Isle, where my family has a house. We would spend the day on the beach reading, listening to music, and catching up before getting ready for the best part of the day – “no shower happy hour”! We would take the Jitney down town and catch a set at one of our favorite outdoor bars like Patty’s On The Green or the Ocean Drive. Afterward, we’d grab dinner at Mike’s Seafood, sitting outside on the bay, drinking wine and laughing about the day’s events.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Success is really about surrounding yourself with amazing people who believe in you. My mother was, and always will be, one of my greatest role models. She started her own business from nothing and grew it to be one of the largest non-profits in New Jersey with numerous awards and recognition to its name. She always had the greatest network of family, staff, and friends, who respected her and would do anything for her, and I realized that was the key to making it.

My circle is much like hers. At the epicenter is my husband Brian Quinn, a professional musician who knows the industry inside and out (as well as when to give advice and when to just listen!), and my father, who is, perhaps, the most well-read and largest music aficionado alive (both traits come in handy when facing writers block!). My family, friends, and colleagues, who routinely hype me up, make me stop working late nights and weekends, and generally keep me sane, are also essential to my success and overall well-being.

However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my mentors, colleagues, and clients, who have always had faith in me and put my name at the top of every list. They include, but are not limited to, Bonnie Clark, vice president of communications for the Philadelphia Phillies; Nicole Pensiero, director, regional marketing for Jefferson Health & features writer; Amy Decker, artist manager for Candlebox & owner of Gluten Free Goose Bakery; Chris Phillips, director of touring, music management for Cast Management; Linda Kury, VP commercial partnerships and relationships for Universal Music Group; Christine Kluk, owner and CEO Creekside Communications; Christopher Reese, founder and CEO Revolve Solutions; Joe Staiber, chairman Rotation Records & CEO Rotation Productions, Bob Nolen, district manager at Yamaha Corporation of America, Dr. Karen Litzy, physical therapist, business coach and podcast host, and more.

Also, thank you to Melissa Stiles for recommending me for this article!

Website: www.dmkpublicity.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmkpublicity

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-kovalevich

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmkpublicity

Image Credits
dmk Publicity