Kelly J. Kitchens, CEO, Kelly Kitchens PR | The Jeff Crilley Show

How does a 14-year-old yearbook editor end up running one of North Texas's most respected arts PR firms for over three decades? Kelly J. Kitchens has the answer—and it involves Paul Rubens, Judy Garland, and an upcoming AI film festival. Kelly is the CEO (Chief Enthusiasm Officer) of Kelly Kitchens PR, a publicity firm she founded in 1995 after serving as entertainment editor for The Met, a popular North Texas arts and entertainment weekly. She's been recognized as a "master publicist" by both the Fort Worth Business Press and The Dallas Morning News, and journalists regularly refer clients her way—a rare endorsement in the PR world. In this episode, Kelly and Jeff talk about:– Her journalism roots and how editing The Met's calendar connected her to every arts organization in the region– Surviving 9/11's devastating impact on entertainment PR and rebuilding her client base– Her work across major Texas film festivals, from Dallas International to Lone Star to her own creation, It Came From Texas, which showcases exclusively Texas-made films– The TCM Classic Film Festival community she's helped build over 16 years– An upcoming AI film festival she's planning with Dallas Video Fest founder Bart Weiss, and why she thinks the film world needs to engage with AI rather than dismiss it Learn more: kellykitchenspr.com