About
B2B Branding Build to Sell. Bet On The Muse - Melissa's superpower is the insight gained from years of B2B sales and her unique creative process to turn complex or hard-to-explain concepts into clear and magnetic communication through intuition and creative imagination.
Melissa Kunde is a force of enthusiasm, wisdom, and intuitive smarts. As an idea architect and copywriter, she has an uncommon ability to turn hard-to-explain concepts into magnetic, clear communication. With a background in sales, radio, digital marketing, and leadership, Melissa brings decades of experience to her clients.
Melissa quietly launched KÜCO Media in 2015, offering advertising and brand consulting. Her insights have helped clients achieve brand clarity and growth. In 2020, she joined forces with Xavier Estrada Designs, creating a powerhouse team for companies seeking fresh ideas, clean design, and a clear path to a stronger digital presence.
As the Executive Director of the Portland and Seattle Area Radio Associations, she revitalized radio's relevance in the digital age, earning her nationwide recognition. Early in the dot-com era, Melissa founded Furnish Publishing, one of the first integrated media advertising and content companies, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit and foresight.
Melissa is a long-standing DigitalMarketer Certified Partner, Wizard Academy alumni, and lifelong learner. She also has a wealth of certifications, courses, and an organizational communication degree, making her an exceptional strategist and muse.
Her portfolio includes brands such as Dezigned, Portland Area Radio Council, Seattle Area Radio Council, AFMS Transporation, Cable & Wireless Communication, The Salvation Army, The Portland Rose Festival, and more.
Melissa Kunde is an Idea Architect, Action Chief, and the secret weapon for brands that want to “woo” and grow.
Certifications & Courses
11 DigitalMarketer Certifications
Wizard of Ads – How to Make Radio Work
Fundamentals Coaching & Training Institute.
Courses:
AI Boot Camp Digital Marketer
Moolah Marketing – Advanced Facebook Community Funnel
Advanced SEO Playbooks for Agency’s
Neil Patel Advances Digital Marketing Course
Storytelling Seminar – Robert McKee
How to Make Radio Work – Wizard Academy
Leveraged Influence Public Relations Training
HemonX Advanced Traffic Media Buyer
Rachael Peterson’s Tiktok Academy
Ad Zombies Copywriting Training
Services
Articles by Melissa
Contributions
-
You're a content strategist. How can you stay ahead of the curve?
The best strategy is to be an original thinker. Carve out a voice that's authentically yours, echoing your brand's core. Use unexpected formats—videos, infographics, podcasts—to stand out. Venture off the beaten path to uncover untold stories and embrace failures; they're goldmines of uniqueness. Listen to your audience; their insights are invaluable. Collaborate with diverse minds for fresh perspectives. Prioritize original research and deep dives over surface skimming; we aim to make waves, not just ripples. Encourage risk-taking; the fear of failure is the only real failure. Embrace diversity for a richer narrative. Be the beacon that guides others.
-
How can diversity improve your Brand Development team?
In the game of brand success, what role does diversity play? Picture a championship-winning basketball team. Each player is an "A" player in their own right, vital to the team's synergy. Their goal? To clinch the championship and ignite a fiery passion among their fans. The mission is crystal clear. Now, apply this to brand development. It's not about ticking diversity boxes. It’s about an unshakeable core drive, an unwavering passion, vision that stands tall. Yes, understanding new cultures is crucial when venturing into foreign markets. But let's be real – iconic brands aren't sculpted by committees. They are forged in the fires of true vision. Take Steve Jobs of Apple, did he convene a diverse panel to carve out the Apple brand? No.
-
How do you successfully launch or rebrand a B2B product?
While chatting with Richard Thalheimer, the visionary behind The Sharper Image, I was struck by his intuitive knack for tapping into customer desires. He shared his simple yet profound secret: conversing with just 10 strangers to unearth a common thread. This approach, believe it or not, was a cornerstone in growing his empire to a staggering $750 million. As a strategist for clients, I take a leaf out of his book. I dive into Facebook groups and listen for desires and themes. But the real gold? It’s found in Amazon reviews and niche blogs. They’re like unfiltered focus groups, spilling desires, frustrations, and wishes. These voices, raw and honest, guide our strategy, ensuring we hit the mark, every single time
-
How do you successfully launch or rebrand a B2B product?
Starting a rebrand or launching a new product? Think of it as embarking on an epic journey. You need a clear destination. I ask clients, "Where are you now?" and "Where do you want to be?" marking two 'Xs' on a map. This isn't just about setting goals; it's about igniting transformation. We map the path from present to future, diving deep into your audience, honing your message, and ensuring every visual element echoes your brand's evolving essence. This is where magic unfolds – in the journey of becoming more.
Activity
-
Calling all female entrepreneurs! 🙋♀️ ⏳Your team matters more than you think. How you think and act during tough times makes all the difference…
Calling all female entrepreneurs! 🙋♀️ ⏳Your team matters more than you think. How you think and act during tough times makes all the difference…
Liked by Melissa Kunde
-
Unforgettable isn't luck. It's by design. Generative AI hands you 50% more time. Your move, visionary or status quo junky: A) Keep churning out…
Unforgettable isn't luck. It's by design. Generative AI hands you 50% more time. Your move, visionary or status quo junky: A) Keep churning out…
Liked by Melissa Kunde
-
Unforgettable isn't luck. It's by design. Generative AI hands you 50% more time. Your move, visionary or status quo junky: A) Keep churning out…
Unforgettable isn't luck. It's by design. Generative AI hands you 50% more time. Your move, visionary or status quo junky: A) Keep churning out…
Shared by Melissa Kunde
Experience
Education
Licenses & Certifications
Volunteer Experience
-
Board of Directors
Portland Rose Festival Foundation
- Present 12 years 2 months
Arts and Culture
I am honored to be chosen to serve on the Board of Directors. The Portland Rose Festival was named the Best Festival in the World in 2011 by the International Festivals and Events Association (for the second time in five years). It has been apart of Portland pop-culture for 105 years.
I serve on several committees: Golf Tournament, Fleet, and Sanctioned Events. -
Marketing Chair I Executive Board Member
Salvation Army ARC Command Western Territory
- 4 years 3 months
Social Services
-
Communication & Marketing Committee Member
Portland Business Alliance
- 1 year 8 months
Economic Empowerment
-
Communication & Marketing Committee Member
American Marketing Association
- 2 years 1 month
Economic Empowerment
-
Auction Committee & Consultant to Integrated Communications/Fundraising
Lines for LIfe (formerly Oregon Partnership)
- Present 10 years 6 months
Health
A committee member of Lines for Life major gala fundraiser. I am also assisting them in making their integrated digital communication strategy more effect for outreach and fundraising.
Publications
Courses
-
AI Boot Camp Digital Marketer
-
-
AI Marketing Persona with Jeff Hunter
-
-
Ad Zombies Copywriting Training
-
-
Brandon Burchard - Expert Academy
-
-
Coaching Training Institute Certification
-
-
HemonX Advanced Traffic Media Buyer
-
-
International Certification in Protocol & Etiquette
-
-
Moolah Marketing – Advanced Facebook Community Funnel
-
-
Neil Patel Advances Digital Marketing Course
-
-
Rachael Peterson’s Tiktok Academy
-
-
Storytelling Robert McKee
-
-
Wizard Academy - How to Make Radio Work
-
Languages
-
English
Native or bilingual proficiency
Recommendations received
20 people have recommended Melissa
Join now to viewMore activity by Melissa
-
An inspiring and very true message. Never stop believing in yourself and never give up.
An inspiring and very true message. Never stop believing in yourself and never give up.
Liked by Melissa Kunde
-
This has taken me almost a decade to learn: Perfectionism doesn’t scale.
This has taken me almost a decade to learn: Perfectionism doesn’t scale.
Liked by Melissa Kunde
-
ChatGPT's Canvas: The Future of AI Collaboration is Here OpenAI just raised the bar with Canvas, a feature rich new interface for ChatGPT. This new…
ChatGPT's Canvas: The Future of AI Collaboration is Here OpenAI just raised the bar with Canvas, a feature rich new interface for ChatGPT. This new…
Liked by Melissa Kunde
-
Two days with our region's talented leadership team delivered collaboration, forward thinking ideas, and a lot of fun. Lucky to work with the…
Two days with our region's talented leadership team delivered collaboration, forward thinking ideas, and a lot of fun. Lucky to work with the…
Liked by Melissa Kunde
-
Festival under way! #FoM2024 Festival of Marketing Marketing Week
Festival under way! #FoM2024 Festival of Marketing Marketing Week
Liked by Melissa Kunde
-
✨ PSA for any mid-career professionals thinking of an MBA ✨ Consider the 1-year accelerated program at USC Marshall School of Business…
✨ PSA for any mid-career professionals thinking of an MBA ✨ Consider the 1-year accelerated program at USC Marshall School of Business…
Liked by Melissa Kunde
-
Last week, I didn’t get to almost half of what was in my plan. I still feel like I won my week. Before I really understood how my ADHD brain works…
Last week, I didn’t get to almost half of what was in my plan. I still feel like I won my week. Before I really understood how my ADHD brain works…
Liked by Melissa Kunde
Explore collaborative articles
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
Explore MoreOthers named Melissa Kunde in United States
-
Melissa Kunde
Wine Professional, dipWSET Candidate
-
Melissa Kunde
Administrative Coordinator at University of Michigan
-
Mel Kunde
Contact Center Support Supervisor - P&C Licensed
-
Mel Kunde
--
5 others named Melissa Kunde in United States are on LinkedIn
See others named Melissa Kunde