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Who We Are

As a proven leader in strategic marketing, Kathy Hollenhorst started Blackline Marketing in 2008 to help clients create integrated marketing solutions that increase revenues and maximize long-term customer engagement. Blackline Marketing's clients have included Northcott Hospitality/Houlihan’s restaurants, Caribou Coffee Company, HealthSource Solutions, and the MN Women’s Public Golf Association.

Prior to starting Blackline Marketing, Kathy was the SVP of Marketing for Caribou Coffee Company where she was responsible for all areas of marketing, new product development, customer service, and the online retail store. Prior to that, Kathy had a successful 12-year career at Carlson, a privately-held, global hospitality and travel company headquartered in Minneapolis. MN. During her tenure at Carlson, Kathy was the Vice President in charge of integrating marketing for Carlson Companies, Executive Vice President of CRM for the Carlson Consumer Group (including the hotels, cruise, restaurants and leisure travel divisions) and Vice President of Marketing for Radisson Hotels & Resorts.

Prior to Carlson, Kathy worked for five years at Holiday Inn Hotels in Atlanta, GA (now InterContinental Hotels & Resorts) where she was responsible for the global expansion of the loyalty program and for developing global strategic partnerships. Kathy also worked in a marketing services agency providing account management for a $20-million client, and began her career in administration for a long-term health-care organization.

Education

Kathy received a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) with a Marketing emphasis from the University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management in 1988. She also holds bachelor of science degrees in Business Administration and Management from Moorhead State University.

Teaching & Speaking

Kathy teaches both introductory and advanced marketing classes at St. Cloud Technical and Community College. She has been a featured speaker at the University of St. Thomas and for the MN DECA organization, and over the course of her career has spoken to groups from 20 to 2,000. She is currently working on a program called Breaking the Grass Ceiling, which teaches professional women how to use golf to advance their careers.

Board Positions & Awards/Recognitions

Kathy is a Board Member of Creatis, Inc., a leading marketing and studio services company in Minneapolis. She also is a Board Member of the MN Women’s Public Golf Association and a Board Member at Large for the MN AMA. Kathy was named one of the Top 25 Women Changemakers in the Twin Cities by The Business Journal and received the Carlson Fellow Award from Carlson Companies. She also has been named one of the Most Powerful Women in Travel by Travel Agent Magazine.