Resources
Guides, tools and insights to help you think strategically about communications and marketing for modern commerce companies.
We share what we learn. Download our guides on everything from modern commerce PR, ABM strategy and building visibility in competitive markets.
Guides & eBooks
The Retail Tech PR Handbook
Are you ready to develop and execute a PR strategy that your leadership team will rave about? Whether you’re wanting to create a media relations approach from scratch or up level your current program, “The Retail Tech PR Handbook” will help. You’ll find clear steps for: creating your strategy, identifying tactics for execution, reporting best practices and more.
The PR Agency Readiness Checklist
Are you looking to leverage PR to develop thought leadership, increase visibility and capture leads, but you’re not sure where to start? “The PR Agency Readiness Checklist” outlines five steps we recommend you take to help you prepare for hiring a PR agency and establishing a true partnership.
Videos
Where Did You Go, Department Stores?
by Catherine Seeds
11/06/24
For this month's audio blog, Ketner Group CEO and president Catherine Seeds explores department stores, including their glory days, […]
Spatial Computing – The Next Big Thing in Retai?
by Catherine Seeds
07/16/24
In her latest audio blog, our president and CEO shares the latest trend in retail tech. Transcript of "Spatial […]
Domain Diaries: My Day With In-Store Technologies
by Catherine Seeds
06/06/23
In her latest audio blog, our president and CEO recaps some of the cool in-store technologies at the Domain […]
Subscription Boxes – In or Out?
by Catherine Seeds
03/07/23
As I type this, the weather is a beautiful 83 degrees in Austin, TX. This means that I'm wearing […]
Retail Sustainability Is So Hot Right Now
by Catherine Seeds
07/19/22
Sustainability has been a huge topic in retail for more than five years now. But the trend keeps on […]
Direct-to-Avatar (D2A): Retailers, Are You Ready for It?
by Catherine Seeds
05/17/22
According to our president Catherine Seeds, one of the best parts of her job is learning "the next big […]
Dishing With My Daughter: Interviewing “Gen Z” About Shopping Habits
by Catherine Seeds
03/22/22
Today we are digging into a topic that I find incredibly interesting – Generation Z and their shopping habits. […]
Top Four Ways for Building a Long-Term Relationship With a Reporter
by Catherine Seeds
11/16/21
Our president Catherine Seeds has worked in public relations for many years and one of her favorite parts of […]
Blogs
Company News
Hawke Media Acquires Aster Agency, Formerly Ketner Group
by Ketner Group
November 10, 2026
Hawke Media has acquired Ketner Group, the 35-year-old B2B technology communications agency now rebranding as Aster Agency. Read the full announcement: what the acquisition means for clients and the expanded capabilities now behind the team.
Company News
Meet Aster Agency: Same Roots, New Bloom
by Catherine Seeds
November 10, 2026
Ketner Group is now Aster Agency, a Hawke Media company — same team, same retail tech expertise, now with SEO, GEO, paid search, web and more. Catherine Seeds shares the story behind the name and what the move means for clients.
Media Relations
Media Relations in 2026, Part 2: The Proof is in the Results
by Catherine Seeds
August 27, 2026
Strong media relationships are step one. Results are step two. Here’s what meaningful media relations actually delivered this year, from an exclusive in WWD to Wall Street Journal quotes, and why that coverage matters to your board.
Media Relations
Media Relations in 2026: Fostering Genuine Relationships Can’t Be Automated
by Matthew Boncosky
July 30, 2026
Our relationships with journalists are the one thing that no tool can fake. Here’s a look at what really matters when it comes to managing a media relations program in 2026.
Media Relations
Customer Announcement Strategy: Everything to Do Before Hitting Send
by Abby Nelson
June 8, 2026
A customer announcement is worth celebrating, but it isn’t automatically worth a wire release. Here are the four things to work through before you hit send.
Culture
Introducing Sophia Romo: Our Newest Summer Intern
by KG Intern
May 27, 2026
From the sidelines of the Texas Spirit Program to a summer in B2B tech PR. Meet Sophia Romo, a UT Austin senior who found public relations in an unexpected place, and hear what she’s hoping to learn this summer.
Communications Strategy
Your CFO Will Ask You To Justify PR: Here’s What To Tell Them
by Kirsty Goodlett
May 4, 2026
Sooner or later, your CFO will ask what PR is actually delivering. Here’s how to answer the four questions finance always asks, along with the metrics and client results that make the case for keeping the line item.
Communications Strategy, Content, Media Relations
Custom Research: The Smartest PR Investment for Retail Tech
by Catherine Seeds
April 7, 2026
Media can’t resist a disconnect, and your competitors can’t copy your data. Here’s how proprietary survey research becomes an entire campaign instead of a single report, with two retail tech examples that turned one study into national coverage.
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