Krissy Rushing Tomlin tells her AV history

It is the national women's month and for their own series, in which women in AV, our sister publication are celebrated. Commercial integrator, Recently had the opportunity to sit down with Krissy to speak Tomlin, CEO of Rise Media Strategy.

From 1997 as a copy editor for Home theater The magazine Tomlin has switched from journalism to marketing over the years and finally founded its own agency that serves AV manufacturers and integrators. She discusses challenges such as the restoration of your brand after a short departure and the underrepresentation of women in technology. Mentors, including her husband and business partner, helped her to take brave risks, e.g. It emphasizes the constant innovation and creativity of the industry as her favorite aspect at work in AV. With regard to the future, she believes that interest in AV careers is of crucial importance to improve the future of the industry.

Commercial integrator: How did you get to the AV industry?

Krissy Rushing Tomlin: I replied to an advertisement to be a copy editor for Home TheateR magazine in 1997 and got the job! I was at this publishing company for some time and switched to the executive editor and editor positions for the group, including other magazines such as Stereophilic guidelines for home cinema, connected guide to the digital homeAnd Home cinema interior. My journey touched almost all facets from AV, from journalist to work for manufacturers to the establishment of my own marketing agency for residential and pro manufacturers, service providers and integrators.

Ci: Did you meet difficulties or obstacles in the AV industry in your AV industry career?

Rushing Tomlin: When I went to the marketing page of the industry from Reiner AV journalist, I went to radio for a hot second. While I was there for only a few years, I was shocked by how quickly the industry progresses. When I came back to AV as a business owner, I had to restore myself and my personal brand, although I had never really left the AV industry and was still actively freelancer behind the scenes. In both sectors, however, women are still not equally represented in the industry. The technology seems to have this effect on the whole, which is why we volunteer for PRS voluntarily and examine what inspires for organizations such as Rosie Riveters Pro AV what inspires girls in school age in order to experience careers in our field.

Ci: Who would you indicate the most influential and helpful mentors of your career? What did you do to help you?

Rushing Tomlin: Mentoring can take up so many forms. My most influential mentors are those who have encouraged me personally to be brave and take risks like my children, my husband and business partner Jayson, who helped me to make the big leap from the content director at a broadcast audio company a CEO of my own AV marketing business.

Ci: What is your proudest career?

Rushing Tomlin: This moment is now. I am so proud to start the Rise Media Strategy almost three years ago, and the growth we achieved in such a short time. It was a great risk of making the entrepreneurial leap, and now I live for the moments when our customers are happy, impressed, more successful or simply say: “We love to work with them.” It is the most worthwhile experience to be responsible for my own success instead of doing a great job for someone else. As we continue to grow, we add team members. It is really an honor to build this team and lead you!

Ci: What do you love most about working in the AV industry?

Rushing Tomlin: Constant changes and innovations are a matter of course, but we really love to work with really great and extremely creative people who come from all parts of the industry. Among other things, we have a customer, the infraconic subwoofer that you can feel. A customer who does really interesting things with collaboration technologies and makes tech more accessible and fair. Integrators that create technical spaces that make people's lives better in work and at home. Immersing audio formats. Media seats that are as tailored as possible. Project management software specially developed for the AV industry. It is always exciting to wake up this variety of innovation and creativity. We have a great chemistry with our customers and I look forward to working with you every day to advance your companies and the industry.

Ci: How can the AV industry get even better?

Rushing Tomlin: That is difficult. I think we're doing a great job. People who are interested in careers in AV are probably where the biggest improvements can promote the industry and increase their image as a whole.

This article originally appeared on our sister site, Commercial Integrator. In the course of the month, the commercial integrator will shed light on some of the most remarkable women to AV, celebrate their contributions and share their stories to inspire and strengthen others in our industry.