Biography

About Heather Atherton

Heather has always been a fan of variety in her workload, which made the PR agency environment a perfect fit. Finding just the right PR strategy for different products and clients has always been her specialty. She spent the majority of her career with agencies in Sacramento prior to becoming an independent consultant.

Beginning with Hedicke & Associates, she cut her teeth in media and community relations on the NCGAA/McDonald's account. After strengthening her community relations skills at the Sacramento Children's Home, she successfully landed at one of the top six PR agencies in the world, Ketchum Public Relations.

While at Ketchum Sacramento, she established herself with both the Northern California media as well as international technology media. Working in technology during the dot-com boom was exciting, as well as educational. Atherton learned how to ramp up quickly with new clients and execute on plans efficiently and effectively. The world of technology PR moves much faster than many other industries but the skills are valuable in any arena.

The highlight of Atherton's Ketchum Sacramento career was managing the campaign to introduce the Esquire IMAXŽ Theatre and the IMAX Experience to Northern California. She was very proud that her success led to the campaign winning a PRSA Silver Anvil Award in Community Relations. This award is a great honor in the PR field. Silver Anvil Awards are often referred to as the "Oscar" of the public relations industry.

After Ketchum Sacramento closed due to the dot-com bust, Atherton chose to continue her career in Sacramento and landed at one of Sacramento's top advertising agencies, Runyon, Saltzman & Einhorn. While at RSE, Atherton enjoyed managing PR for two of the agency's finest accounts, the grand opening of the Mondavi Center for the Arts and Krispy Kreme.

"After my daughter was born, I realized that I needed to find a way to balance my love for PR and client work with my precious family life. After my former IMAX client offered me a chance to handle publicity for the Theatre again, I knew that my new career path was to blaze my own trail. It was time to officially start Atherton Public Relations," explained Atherton.

Now in business for more than two years, Atherton Public Relations has provided successful media and public relations for many clients including: the Esquire IMAX Theatre, Robeks Fruit Smoothies and Healthy Eats, Tin Star Restaurant, Camp Hope, and many others.

I would like to learn more about your business and how I can assist in your growth and success. Please contact me if you have interest in public relations consulting, agency partner opportunities, or even if you are a student considering entering the PR field. I enjoyed managing intern programs for five years and continue to work with students at CSU, Sacramento to help guide them through their job searches.

Feel free to e-mail me at heather@athertonpr.com.