Emily Kotecki, Bradford & Bigelow's Rising Star, Says New Technology Makes Possibilities Nearly Endless

Despite the mainstream mantra of “print is dead,” anyone who works within the commercial printing space in any capacity knows just how incorrect that statement is. It will continue to evolve and prosper, driven by technologies like inkjet printing on all kinds of substrates, interactive print, big data, and expansion into brand-new applications. It may change and adapt, but printing will never disappear.

As such, commercial printing will need leaders to help drive that change and spearhead the adaptations that will need to occur. As the next generation, those future leaders bring new energy, new excitement, and new ideas that can — and will — shape the future. But who are they? What are their backgrounds? How did they discover print?

To answer some of these questions, Printing Impressions put out a call to the industry at large to nominate some “Rising Stars in Commercial Printing.” The eight people profiled are already making an impact, and have big plans for a long career in printing. Here is a closer look at one of the remarkable individuals — still in the early stages of their career — and where he plans to go next.

Emily Kotecki

Emily Kotecki, Marketing Manager | Bradford & Bigelow, Newburyport, Mass.

Emily Kotecki discovered the printing industry at 19 years old, when she was working for a temp agency and got a placement as an account manager at a small commercial printer. She developed a love for the industry, and the rest, as the saying goes, is history.

Today, Kotecki, 27, is the marketing director for Bradford & Bigelow, filling a variety of roles as the need arises. “It varies day-to-day. One day I could be working on proposals, another on social media. The majority of my job is sales enablement,” which she describes as ensuring that sales and marketing are aligned and moving in the same direction, including keeping an eye on what’s working, what isn’t, and finding ways to improve.

Although Bradford & Bigelow had a marketing department when Kotecki first joined the company, she notes that marketing wasn’t a high priority. “I transitioned into this position from a sales role,” Kotecki explains. “I was finding a need for marketing and getting our company better brand awareness to gain new customers. There was a need we had that no one was fulfilling, so bringing marketing here in a larger sense is a proud highlight of my career so far.”

Fascinated by Technology Advances

But Kotecki doesn’t plan to stop there — she recently graduated with her degree in marketing, and hopes to someday step into the role of chief marketing officer for a printing company. While it is necessary to look at the short-term goals, she ultimately wants to drive the bigger picture strategy for a printing organization. Part of that strategy is staying ahead of the trends, with the constant evolution of technology one of the things she loves most about print. “There is always innovation to take print a step further,” Kotecki says. “All I see is a world of growth and new opportunities.”

One example she gives is that her company just installed new digital presses, with quality that matches its offset equipment. “That’s pretty amazing, and so exciting,” she notes. “There is no greater feeling than walking the [industry] shows and being exposed to all of the new equipment OEMS are bringing to market.” The possibilities for what she can do with all of this innovation, according to Kotecki, are pretty endless.

“I love this industry and I can’t wait to see where it takes us in the next 5, 10, or 20 years,” Kotecki concludes. “I don’t think I’ll ever leave the graphic arts industry — I’m here to stay!”