Kim Donlan
Lecturer, Marketing
Kim Donlan is the CEO of RedSwan5, a Boston agency pioneering a new framework for creating unique messaging and brand strategies and connecting them to an innovative customer experience. She leads brands on the precise path to the #1 position. She spent her early marketing career developing messaging and positioning for 10 of Boston’s top tech and consumer IPOs. She was an early leader in interactive technology, working with clients like Braun, Reebok, DuPont, and Siemens. She was named the top Woman in Marketing Technology for developing her web application, Perfect Pitch.
She continues to serve as a hands-on CMO for hi-tech firms. Kim cut her teeth leading VC-backed technology firms Demandware (acquired by Salesforce), OrderMotion (acquired by NetSuite), and Prolify (DemoGod), winning a market leadership position for each firm while it was under her reign. She served as the digital strategist and head of client relations for two Boston agencies working on major initiatives for PayPal, Harvard University’s Alumni Services, Nickelodeon, Esquire, Beyonce, Scholastic, Macmillan, Pearson, and many VC-backed start-ups.
Kim has a BSBA from Northeastern University, and a master’s in media psychology from William James College. She teaches Business Ethics and Values, Purpose-Driven Marketing, Marketing and Culture, Branding, Advertising and Promotion, International Marketing, New Product Development, and Digital Marketing.
This Fall, Kim will publish her new book, Your Messaging Sucks: A Groundbreaking Approach to Customer-Centric Messaging Strategy.
Publications
Donlan, K. (2023). “Your Messaging Sucks – Become the Brand Your Customers Love A Groundbreaking Approach to Customer-Centric Messaging Strategy”, Redswan5