Kansas City Startup DeskSides Is Connecting Small Brands with Top Journalists
In the world of public relations, connecting small brands with top-tier journalists can be challenging. DeskSides, a Kansas City-based startup, is transforming this landscape by providing an innovative platform that bridges the gap between small brands and journalists at a fraction of the price of traditional PR agencies.
Founded in 2021 by Blish Mize Connor and Allison Hogan, DeskSides offers a user-friendly platform where brands can sign up, fill out relevant information and outline their PR goals.
Unlike conventional PR firms, DeskSides operates on a self-service model, significantly reducing costs for brands. Once signed up, brands are matched with journalists who are relevant to their market, ensuring targeted and effective PR outreach.
“Using our tool, brands can not only connect with journalists that are within their realm, but they also have access to the platform’s full database of journalists,” says Allison. “It’s a great way for brands to create touch points and build long-term relationships with these journalists, not just these one-off press placements.”
The platform includes features such as in-app messaging and video conferencing, enabling seamless communication between brands and journalists.
Additionally, DeskSides has introduced a story-sourcing tool, allowing brands to see what stories journalists are currently working on and submit their pitches accordingly. This comprehensive approach fosters long-term relationships between brands and journalists.
Kansas City Roots and Support
DeskSides has strong ties to the Kansas City entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The company pitched to Digital Sandbox KC twice, learning and evolving through the process.
“We learned so much from pitching [to the Sandbox]. The team of people that listened to our pitch gave us great feedback to then come back and secure project funding,” Allison says. “We ended up using that funding to complete our first version of the site. That was great for us to start beta-testing and really show proof of concept and lay out the kind of product that we wanted.”
The support from local resources like Digital Sandbox KC has been instrumental in DeskSides’ growth. Connections made through these organizations have led to key partnerships, including their fractional CTO, Jeffrey Barber, a former principal engineer at Meta.
“Through the Sandbox, we were connected with advisor Bob Zhou, who ultimately introduced us to our now fractional CTO,” Allison says. “It’s connections like this that have been instrumental in building our business and helping us advance to the next stage.”
Allison and Blish also participated in the Accessing Growth Capital Series, a program run by Nxtus that provides Kansas-based founders with the tools and resources to access funding sources.
Looking Ahead: Expanding DeskSides’ Impact
As the company works toward its next big steps, it is looking to close a $500,000 funding round by late 2024. The funding will further develop the platform, adding more features.
“We’re hoping to continue to add tools to make the platform a fully fleshed out, self-service PR, and to have partnerships with affiliate programs,” Allison says.
The company is also aiming to collaborate with larger media outlets and publishing houses, such as Hearst and Condé Nast, to offer enhanced resources and opportunities for their journalists.
With its innovative approach and strong ties to the Kansas City entrepreneurial ecosystem, DeskSides is poised to become a game-changer in the world of PR. As the startup continues to grow and refine its platform, it remains committed to empowering small brands with the tools they need to build meaningful, long-lasting relationships with top-tier journalists. Whether you’re a startup looking to make your mark or a journalist seeking fresh, relevant stories, DeskSides is bridging the gap and redefining how PR works for everyone.
