Kurman Communications Opens Southeast Regional Office in Miami Area

Chicago-based Kurman Communications Inc. announced today the opening of Kurman Communications Southeast to provide the Southeastern region, including the greater Fort Lauderdale area south to Miami and out to the Keys, with integrated public relations, brand marketing, strategic communications planning, and social media networking, plus a wide variety of related services for the restaurant, hospitality, and entertainment industries.    

"South Florida's vibrant dining and entertainment venues are in the forefront of the culinary arts and Kurman Communications Southeast is uniquely positioned to assist those well-known establishments, as well as new entries to the scene," President Cindy Kurman Barrie said. "With 30 years of outstanding service to the restaurant industry, as well as our work in the hospitality, entertainment, technology, automotive and business fields, this is a perfect and exciting time for expansion into the Southeastern region."    

"We've created Kurman Communications Southeast to offer clients in the region our full complement of services, including maximum capabilities in social networking, social media and internet-based word of mouth marketing to create buzz, solidify the public's perception, and build excitement and loyalty for the brand," Kurman Vice President Lee Barrie remarked. "Our agency blog, www.gotbuzzatkurman.com keeps the media and consumers up to date and blissfully aware of our client highlights."   

Kurman Communications Southeast is managed by seasoned veteran and Fort Lauderdale resident Rick Karlin. "Rick has been a fixture on the Chicago dining and entertainment scene for more than 30 years," said Kurman Barrie. "He brings a breadth and depth of experience and passion for this business that will help make our clients succeed. He's a delight to work with. I know that under his direction, clients will be in skillful hands."    

Kurman Barrie's agency has represented a wide array of restaurant, hospitality, entertainment, philanthropic and business clients, many of which have been nationally recognized under Kurman's artful direction. They have represented many well-known brands from automotive giant Chrysler and General Motors to business start-ups, independent and franchise businesses and entrepreneurs. 

Known for its successful marketing of restaurants and hospitality venues, Kurman has represented national brands such as Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Quiznos, Houlihan's, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Devon Seafood Grill, and Gordon Biersch. They are equally accomplished in marketing independent ventures such as Coco Pazzo, Nick's Fishmarket, and Tru, offering the Southeastern region a proven track in establishing and building brands.    

Kurman is equally respected in the hospitality industry arena. The company has opened and marketed many national brands including Crowne Plaza Hotels, Hilton Hotels, Le Meridien Chicago, Omni Chicago Hotel, Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, South Floridian Hotels, Whitehall Hotel, and Wyndham International.    

The company has a long history in automotive marketing and public relations stemming from Kurman Barrie's background with Crain Communications' Automotive News. The company has represented such highly respected projects as the Chicago Auto Show, World of Wheels, and served as the Midwest public relations director of Chrysler Corp. for 10 years under Lee A. Iacocca.  

 

About Kurman Communications Southeast Regional Director, Rick Karlin  

Heading up the operations at Kurman Communications Southeast is Rick Karlin, a writer and communications specialist with more than 30 years of experience in the dining and entertainment industry.   

"It's an incredible opportunity for the local restaurant, hospitality, entertainment and business community as we launch Kurman Communications Southeast," Karlin offered. "Cindy Kurman Barrie's leadership, expertise and absolute dedication to her clients speak for themselves. What we're doing is bringing all that talent and skill to the Southeast region to deliver a face-to-face presence for our clients."  

Karlin has been a "snowbird" for a number of years, while continuing to write and edit for a number of Chicago publications and web sites. He has relocated to Fort Lauderdale permanently to head up the Kurman Communications Southeast office as Southeast Regional Director. In addition to reporting on and reviewing restaurants, hotels, entertainment and travel, he has both back and front of the house experience in the restaurant industry. He is also a published author and produced playwright.  

His reportorial work has appeared in print nationally in Genre Magazine and on such internet sites as Metromix, Huffington Post and GoPride.com. In Chicago, he has written or edited for Outlines/Nitelines, Windy City Times, Chicago Free Press and boiMAGazine. He has also written for The Wisconsin Gazette and Florida Agenda.

"Rick and I have known and worked with each other for years," Kurman Barrie said. "He always delivers full value with an absolute dedication to his craft. This is truly an exciting time for Kurman Communications Southeast."  

For more information about Kurman Communications Southeast, please contact Rick Karlin at kurmanSE@kurman.com or (786) 571-7428. Visit the Kurman website at www.kurman.com and the Kurman blog, www.gotbuzzatkurman.com.