Barry Kluger is a 35-year communications and branding executive, having served in senior posts at some of the world’s most recognizable brands. Kluger’s expertise is in branding established companies, as well as startups, turnarounds and IPO’s. Kluger has served the non-profit, retail, legal, media, leisure entertainment, acquisition strategy and executive training markets, just to name a few. Kluger is an expert in crisis management as it pertains to executive and corporate issues, creating a link between management, employees and outside organizations and media. He is experienced in non-profit management, board activities and fund-raising efforts as well as a track record in company mergers, layoffs, consolidation, workplace accidents and human resources communications issues.
He served as Senior Vice President at MTV Networks, overseeing public relations, corporate communications and public affairs for all the channel brands MTV: Music Television, VH1, Nickelodeon, Nick@Nite/TV Land and the launches of MTV Europe, VH1 Europe and MTV Latino. He directed the 1991 launch of MTV’s first 24-hour comedy network which successfully merged with HBO to create Comedy Central.
Prior to serving MTV Networks for a decade, Kluger headed up communications for USA Networks for four years, overseeing all PR for the entertainment and sports network. In 1995, Kluger left MTV Networks to join internet pioneer Prodigy, directing all communications, pro-social initiatives and shareholder relations for Prodigy, Inc., Prodigy Internet, Prodigy Solutions and Prodigy International (which included Africa OnLine; Prodigy Mexico/Latin and South America, Prodigy China/Asia, Prodigy Europe) and the Company’s cellular and Internet businesses. He was part of a management group that bought the company from IBM and Sears and took it public.
He began Kluger Media Group (KMG) in 1998. Among his accomplishments at Kluger Media Group, Kluger oversaw the corporate brand positioning of Fingerhut Companies as an e-commerce leader, resulting in its acquisition by Federated Stores. He also advised a national food industry retail business chain on crisis management issue, which was eventually managed out of the media spotlight with minimal damage to the company’s reputation and shareholder value.
Kluger served as Co-Chairman of the Governor’s Film and Television Commission under Governors Napolitano and Brewer and served as Vice-Chairman of The Mayor’s Film Commission (Scottsdale). He served for two years (2012-2014) as President of The MISS Foundation, a global organization that provides support to grieving parents and families. He is a regular contributing columnist to The Huffington Post and City Brand Media and frequently appears in Gannett’s Arizona Republic as a contributor.