PR practitioner provides media services for financial advisers

by Bailey Collar

Tracey Stratton has made a name for herself in the public relations field. When it comes to financial advisors looking to make media appearances, she knows exactly how to help.

Stratton, ‘95, works in the creative service department for Advisors Excel as a public relations manager, where she helps independent financial advisers improve their businesses. Stratton specializes in public relations and creates PR programs for advisers and for her company.

Bill Kentling, vice president of media solutions, speaks highly about Stratton’s contributions to Advisors Excel.

“Tracey has made a significant impact on our company, ranging from local PR about Advisors

Excel to setting up media relations programs for our advisers,” said Kentling. “Nationally, she has established working relationships with Kiplinger, Forbes, and other key business-focused outlets.”

Stratton’s goal is to help advisers reach their PR objectives.

“A big thing for our advisers is being published, so we work with Kiplinger, the online magazine, to get articles for them published on that website,” said Stratton.

Kiplinger is an online finance magazine. Those who are published in Kiplinger instantly gain credibility for readers.

Stratton also gives advisers credibility and authority by helping them with book launches or getting them television airtime.

“I currently have an adviser who appears on Fox Business every

Wednesday with an interview on the Stuart Varney show,” said Stratton.

“Varney & Co.” is the highest rated market program on television; it discusses the business world and how current events affect finances.

Public relations is branding, so it isn’t something that can’t be easily measured. However, the way people think about a person or a business can show the amount of success someone is having.

“Most people Google your name or your brand,” said Kentling. “When positive news stories appear in the search, that is success.”

Stratton is married to Michael Stratton, ‘89. They have two kids, who have also graduated from WU.