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.
Kristen Turner
Kristen Turner is a seasoned communications strategist and arts advocate with a decade of experience amplifying the voices of some of the nation’s leading classical music institutions. As Director of Communications at Bucklesweet, Kristen brings her deep industry knowledge, storytelling savvy, and media acumen to support a dynamic roster of artists, organizations, and cultural clients.
Before joining Bucklesweet, Kristen served as Director of Public Relations, Classical at the Kennedy Center, where she led national and international media strategy for the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington National Opera, Fortas Chamber Music Concerts, and other classical initiatives during a period of intense change for the institution.
Previously, she was the Director of Communications, Content, and Digital Strategies at the San Diego Symphony, where she played a critical role in expanding the institution’s press and digital footprint during a period of transformational growth. Kristen helped to promote the launch of the organization’s acclaimed Rady Shell at Jacobs Park and oversaw communications and public relations for the $125M renovation of Jacobs Music Center. Furthermore, during her time in San Diego, the Symphony saw a 50% increase in social media reach, and its digital storytelling efforts—including artist features, behind-the-scenes content, and campaign videos—received wide success. She also secured national and international media placements in The New York Times, Forbes, Le Devoir, and Musical America, among others.
Kristen’s career is grounded in a belief that compelling stories move audiences, and move the arts forward. She is a proud graduate of the University of Houston’s MA in Arts Leadership program, with earlier degrees in vocal performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Northern Arizona University.