Allison Kugel

Allison Kugel (born 1974) is an American journalist, editor, and entrepreneur. In 2001 Kugel founded two online enterprises which led to her being featured in Entrepreneur Magazine in 2004. She manages her own public relations firm, and serves as a freelance writer. As Senior Editor of PR.com, she frequently conducts celebrity interviews.

Early life and education

Allison Kugel was born in 1974^[1] on Long Island, New York, where she spent her childhood. She attended Long Island University C.W. Post Campus in New York City and majored in criminal justice. She became an auxiliary police officer during her senior year, interning at a Long Island county courthouse where she worked interviewed arrestees to determine if they were eligible for free legal council. She has stated, "After some less than pleasant experiences in both of these positions I came to the conclusion that at 5'3" and 110 pounds, perhaps this wasn't the right career path for me."

Career

Entrepreneurship

While in college Kugel began modeling, continuing to do so after graduating and moving to Los Angeles, California. After a few years, Kugel returned to New York City to accept a job at a public relations firm, only to be laid off after 9/11. She was inspired to become an entrepreneur after reading an Internet start-up book owned by her 15-year-old brother, Jared. The two pooled their savings to start the website LongIslandLefty.com, an e-commerce site for left-handed specialty products, operating out of their parents' home.^[1]

Kugel launched a second website, TireSignal.com, after her father showed her a clever but then-unpopular tire cap with a pressure indicator he'd received as a sample. TireSignal.com sold a similar product that Kugel's cousin had developed. The website started with online orders and bulk overseas sales, and eventually landed an account with AAA.^[1] The business expanded to sell a variety of niche auto products, and Kugel established offices in Plainview, New York, and New York City, and warehouses on Long Island.^[1] In 2004, Entrepreneur Magazine estimated the combined projected sales for the two start-ups in 2004 as $1.1 million.^[1]

After a February 2004 profile in Entrepreneur,^[1] Kugel began to receive emails asking for advice on business start-ups. A friend urged her to open a consulting firm. As her firm began to incorporate public relations and marketing consulting, she branded it Allison Dawn Public Relations. As of 2011, the company is based in Long Island, New York, and has a satellite office in^[2] South Florida.

Around the time, a friend acquired the domain PR.com, and approached Kugel to oversee public relations for the site and build Internet traffic. At Kugel's suggestion, the site began incorporating editorial content, including celebrity interviews, and Kugel became senior editor.

Writing

Kugel serves as a freelance writer for publications including US Weekly, the campus magazine for UCLA, and Jewish Living Magazine. Kugel has the status of expert author on Ezine. Her topics often include women's interests, business, and finance. She has also appeared as a guest American news correspondent for 96.7 Ocean FM in South England, where she delivered a 30-minute monthly news report on American politics and entertainment.^[3]

Interviews

Kugel has conducted dozens of interviews with individuals in politics and the entertainment industry. Her first interview to become prevalent in the media was a May 2007 interview of porn star Jenna Jameson, during which Jameson revealed she was endorsing Hillary Clinton for president, and that Bill Clinton's presidency had been positive for the porn industry.^[4] The story was covered by Jay Leno, Tucker Carlson of MSNBC, Saturday Night Live, Conan O'Brien, the Drudge Report,^[5] and the National Ledger.^[6]

Personal life

Kugel regularly donates to both ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).

References