Bucklesweet is the brainchild of media maven Amanda Sweet, who brings strategic public relations and marketing expertise to a diverse roster of artists, musicians and institutions.
Amanda Sweet
Amanda Sweet has been a marketing and public relations specialist for 20 years, with developed expertise in a variety of industries including arts and entertainment, food, and luxury goods. Since 2008, Ms. Sweet has worked as founder and president of Bucklesweet. She has held senior management positions at prestigious record labels including Telarc and Heads Up, both subsidiaries of Concord Music Group, and Atlantic Records.
At Bucklesweet, Ms. Sweet has signed and represented a diverse client roster including: opera singers Kristine Opolais, Jennifer Rowley and Lucas Meachem; PUBLIQuartet, Turtle Island Quartet; legendary rock drummer and composer Stewart Copeland; organist Cameron Carpenter; and Third Coast Percussion. Ms. Sweet has also represented major performing arts institutions including The Blues Foundation; Washington Performing Arts; University Musical Society, American Pianists Association; Steinway & Sons; Levine Music; Strathmore; and festivals such as Bravo! Vail; Virginia Arts Festival; and Women’s Voices Theater Festival.
A thought-leader and sought-after expert, Ms. Sweet is a member of the Americana Music Association, the Blues Foundation, and is a voting member of the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), home of the annual GRAMMY® Awards. She is engaged regularly to speak with students and young artists about the music business and how to develop a comprehensive promotions and media strategy. Most recently, Ms. Sweet has served as a speaker/mentor with the DeVos Institute of Arts Management, American University’s Kogod School of Business, the Manhattan School of Music, and Strathmore’s Artist-in-Residence. Ms. Sweet was named one of the Top 30 Professionals by Musical America in 2019.
Amy Killion
Amy Killion has been a Public Relations specialist for 20 years with a demonstrated expertise in celebrity brand engagement for some of the United Kingdom’s largest not-for profit organizations. She nurtured her passion for storytelling and developed her PR skills in a diverse range of industries including: child protection, animal welfare, disability and healthcare.
In 2015 Amy relocated from London to Washington D.C. and landed the opportunity to harness her degree in Performing Arts, and pursue her passion for theatre, at the Shakespeare Theatre Company located in downtown D.C., where she served as Publicist for three years. She managed press outreach for main stage productions, special events, audience engagement projects, and major institutional activities including, the retirement of long standing Artistic Director, Michael Kahn and the announcement of the incoming Artistic Director, Simon Godwin. Amy joined Bucklesweet in January 2019 and is continuing to foster her flair for arts PR.
Photos: Tracey Salazar
Location: Shakespeare Theatre Company
Lauren Fischer
Lauren Fischer is a recent graduate of The Media School at Indiana University, where she studied public relations and business. At The Media School, Lauren served as Vice President of the Public Relations Student Society of America and was the Student Marketing Manager for her college newspaper, the Indiana Daily Student (IDS). In May 2022, the IDS staff awarded Lauren the Donald G. Cross Award for ensuring independence and financial stability of student media at IU.
Lauren strengthened her storytelling skills while interning with the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City and the Indiana House Democratic Caucus in Indianapolis. She enjoys combining her love of storytelling with her interest in music and the arts. For four years, Lauren played clarinet in the Indiana University Marching Hundred and the Big Red Basketball Band. She also served as the band’s social media coordinator. Lauren joined Bucklesweet as a Junior Publicist and Social Media Associate in September 2022.
Photo by Mallorey Daunhauer