Meet Alicia Kurz

May 22, 2025 - 6:57pm - by Alicia Kurz

If you value a direct communication style, Alicia would be a good match as your Account Manager. She’s a firstborn, enneagram 8, Aries — and if that means nothing to you, then just know she will always choose the fastest way to get a direct answer. 

“I end up in friendships with a lot of my clients, so it seems to be working,” she laughs. “My goal is to be as clear as possible, and I think setting expectations, on both sides, leads to strong working relationships.” 

If you’re considering hiring an agency, keep reading to learn more about Alicia. 

Personal Life

There is not a craft project Alicia won’t try. “TikTok is not good for that particular habit,” she says. “I have the supplies to do probably 20 different projects at the moment, but my three kids don’t give me much time for personal hobbies.” 

Between momming, step-momming, caring for a dog, scheduling activities for the kids, and making time for her partner and friends, she’s really honed her organization skills — and it translates well into the digital marketing industry! 

Alicia jokes that she used to be a lot more exciting: travelling used to look like seeking out high adrenaline activities like skydiving in the Swiss Alps, bungee jumping in New Zealand, or hiking mountains in Bali. Now her vacations look more like the buffet tables at all-inclusive hotels — but she says she still loves this season of her life and feels grateful she can occasionally take her kids to other parts of the world. 

Despite her busy schedule, she always makes time for reading, because she says she really enjoys activities where you can sit. She even recently joined a book club with Starling’s Andrea and Tineke! 

Every year, Alicia and her partner Scott pick a meal and try to find the best one in the city, based on recommendations on social media. Previously, they have done pad thai, nachos, pizza, tacos, and this year is the year of the burger. So far, the Woodbine’s Smashburger is winning. 

Work Life 

Playing right into the Winnipeg communications stereotype, Alicia is a part of the “CreComm Mafia.” After graduation, she started at a local small business and became very familiar with the maker community. 

“Working with small marketing budgets forces you to get extra creative with ways to spread the word about your products. It was nice collaborating with other Winnipeg businesses. Generally, everyone is rooting for each other, and there is a willingness to give a hand up or helpful advice when you can,”  says Alicia. There is a fine line to balance with your asks, though. She stresses that it’s important to compensate people fairly for their time and skills. It’s okay to say no if a collaboration isn’t working for you. 

In 2019, Alicia joined the Starling team through a mutual friend, Joy, and is thankful every day that she was connected with Alyson.

“We clicked right away. Immediately, I knew Alyson was intelligent, organized, fair, and gave off good vibes. She offered higher compensation than I was asking, set clear expectations, and allowed me the flexibility to work on my own schedule. There was no micromanaging — just earned trust through good work.” 

With every career change, you learn a lot, but Alyson blew Alicia away with the level of care, detail, and documentation (!!!) Alyson dedicated to each client. 

“I still look at everything before I send it over to a client and think, ‘what would Alyson think of this?’ I am so grateful for everything she taught me, and I miss her every day,” says Alicia. “It’s important to me that her legacy is carried on the way she would have wanted.” 

Whether it’s social media content, ads, or copywriting, Alicia takes a lot of pride in delivering content that clients are excited to share as their own. 

Finding The Right Fit In A Marketing Agency 

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to marketing support, and that’s a good thing. 

Some companies prefer a set schedule, dashboards, and hard and fast rules. Our team sets expectations, has documented processes and procedures, but has the flexibility to work with you in a way that fits seamlessly into your business. 

Each client is different. While we would love if every client used Trello, didn’t need approval reminders, and gave consistently clear feedback, we know that’s not always going to be the case — you’re busy. We ask the right questions, give gentle pokes when needed, and are able to work with you in a way that works for your biz.

If you’re looking for strategy, execution, or just someone to take the “what should we post today?” stress off your plate, working with the right person (or team) makes all the difference.

Hiring a marketing agency doesn’t mean handing over the keys to your business voice. It means finding a partner who gets it, asks the right questions, and helps you show up consistently and confidently.

If you want someone who cares deeply about your brand, nerds out over great copy, and will gently but firmly tell you that your idea might need a second draft — Alicia might just be your person.

And if you’re into organized spreadsheets, direct feedback, and the occasional burger debate, even better.

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The Future of Starling Social

December 13, 2024 - 9:48pm - by Alicia Kurz

TL;DR: Starling Social is carrying on.

From a group of people who write for a living, figuring out what to say in this blog post is hard. One thing we know for sure is that people have questions about what is happening with the company and our team. 

Alyson’s passing was not something we ever imagined we would have to consider. 

We don’t have all of the answers — we don’t know what we don’t know — but here’s what we know right now. 

How We Made This Decision

Our entire team, including Alyson’s partner, came together after her passing to figure out what the next steps looked like. We unanimously agreed that continuing Starling Social was the best way to continue Alyson’s legacy. 

Just like a murmuration of Starlings, Alyson Shane built a team that moves in sync, adjusts to each other's actions and stays aligned with the bigger picture.

Her bigger picture was to support good businesses and non-profits doing great work in their communities. Having a person with a big heart at the head of Starling is what made it so successful. Our team all genuinely loves what we do and wanted to continue to do great work for our clients. That part was an easy yes. 

What Current Clients Need To Know 

First off, we want to thank our clients for their understanding, patience, and support during this time. Our team is so grateful that our clients’ trust has remained with their account managers, and the processes and procedures that Alyson had implemented. 

Our clients can rely on the same dedicated service and exceptional quality of work they’ve come to expect from us.

We are mourning Alyson’s loss, but doing this work, having a creative outlet and supporting our clients is something we can continue to feel good about moving forward. 

Who Is Filling Alyson’s Position

Alyson’s strong need for clear, documented communication has kept everyone aligned, even after her passing. Together, we have been able to navigate, collaborate, and now move forward with an addition to the team who will fulfill Alyson’s duties and add services — and a new perspective — to benefit our clients. 

We are welcoming a new Director to the team: Luke Thiessen. Luke is a longtime friend and collaborator who has been involved with Starling since its founding. A graduate of the Creative Communications program at Red River, he has spent more than a decade creating content, directing communications strategy and leading teams across a variety of industries and sectors. He is taking over leadership of the Starling Social team and looks forward to working with our clients as we enter this next chapter for the agency.

Our team wholeheartedly agrees that Luke is the natural fit to continue growing Starling. His skillset and experience complements our team, and as Alyson’s close friend, he knows and supports the direction and goals of the company. We feel good knowing another person with a big heart, and the same values, is continuing her legacy. 

We are looking forward to adding Luke’s skillset, sense of humour, and musical acumen to our murmuration. 

Honouring Alyson

Alyson used Starling Social to support women and BIPOC companies, and the LGBTQAI2S+ community where she could. Those will be the initiatives we continue to support. 

The University of Winnipeg Foundation has set up the Alyson Shane Memorial Award in Rhetoric. They aim to raise $35,000 to support underrepresented students studying Rhetoric, Writing and Communications at The University of Winnipeg.

She was also nominated for the Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and they will be honouring her memory and contributions to the community at the event. 

We will continue to share stories about Alyson, always be inspired by the drive and creativity she shared with her community, and produce work she would have been proud to have her name attached to. 

Our Services 

Our entrepreneurial crew of self starters works together to help our clients grow their businesses. Here’s a reminder of what we will continue to offer, and what’s new.

Digital Marketing Strategy

• Onboarding: This process allows us to act as an extension of your brand online.
• Transparency: Cloud-based tools keep you updated on every campaign detail.
• Monthly Reports: Detailed updates on performance, ROI, and strategic recommendations.
• Quarterly Meetings: Regular meetins to align goals and objectives.

Social Media Marketing

• Content Strategy: Data-driven insights make sure your posts reach your target audience.
• Content Publishing: Professional scheduling and promotion of your social content.
• Audience Engagement: Strategic interactions to grow awareness and connections.
• 24/7 Account Monitoring: Always stay on top of DMs and sales opportunities.

Copywriting

• Blogging: SEO-optimized blogs to drive traffic to your website.
• Email Marketing: Campaigns, newsletters, and nurture streams tailored to your needs.
• Website Copy: Refresh or overhaul your site with impactful, polished content.
• PDFs + More: Custom promotional materials for any campaign.

Social Media Ads

• Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and Pinterest Ads: Expertly managed to amplify your digital marketing efforts.

Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising

• Search and Display Ads on Google and Bing: Drive traffic and boost sales with precision-targeted campaigns.

Web Development

• Website Development: Create or revamp your site to showcase your brand.
• Branding and UX Design: Responsive, user-friendly websites highlighting your products and services.
• Logo Design and Brand Identity: Build a memorable visual identity that reflects your brand’s values and stands out in your industry.
• Shopify Setup and Management: Optimize your online store for sales and efficiency.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Improve your search rankings and visibility.

New Offers 

With our new addition to the team, we’re offering a small but beneficial expansion to our current offers. 

Media Outreach & Publicity

• Press Releases: Creating newsworthy stories to gain media attention.
• Media Relations: Building relationships with journalists and influencers to boost coverage.
• Event Promotion: Generating buzz for your events through strategic media campaigns.

Grieving

Grief can be overwhelming, especially over the holiday season. The Mood Disorders Association of Canada has free resources available for people who have lost a loved one and need support.  

Please take care of yourself. If you or a loved one is struggling, you can access Shared Health Manitoba’s Mental Health & Wellness Resources here. 

If you have questions about our team, the future of Starling Social, or digital marketing, you can reach us here.

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