Marketer Creates What Little Known Causes Crave

Marketing consultant Caroline Rustigian Bruderer zips back and forth between her sons’ sporting events, a home office in Laguna Beach and the listener-supported radio station KX 93.5 where she records her show, “Caroline’s Cause Corner.”

“Caroline gives a voice to the area non-profits,” said Mary Beth Pugh, a recent guest. Pugh manages With My Own 2 Hands,” which provides shelter, healthcare, clean water and education to African children in need. “Whenever I’m around town and people say ‘I heard you on the radio,’ I feel lucky,” Pugh added.

This month marks the second anniversary of Rustigian-Bruderer’s radio show, where she has interviewed representatives from 60 local charities and causes including former Gun ‘N’ Roses drummer and animal activist Matt Sorum, who heads a kids music art program called Adopt the Arts, which he started with Jayne Lynch and John Stamos, and Angels baseball chairman, Dennis Kuhl.

She views the show as way to give back to the local community,

dovetailing with the radio station’s own vision. “Caroline’s Cause Corner is a big part of our mission statement at KX 93.5,” said station co-founder Tyler Russell said in an email. “We aim to highlight local non-profits and persons doing good in our community. It’s very important for our radio station to serve as an awareness outlet for these passionate individuals with no fees or red tape.”

Caroline’s Cause Corner is not limited to interviewing individuals, who have a singular cause to promote. This week, Rustigian Bruderer will record an interview with Wahoo Fish Taco founder Wing Lam, who describes himself as a charity specialist.

He analyzes a non-profit organization and assists them in increasing their exposure. He’s known to reliably increase a charity event’s profits; what he calls “the 10 percent lift.” Recipients of his special networking talents are all friends or friends of friends. He has helped the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, organizations supporting ALS, cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis along with food banks, homeless shelters, various arts organizations and clean ocean advocates.

Share Our Strength, an organization that promotes the No Kid Hungry Campaign across the nation, raises funds locally to support Orange County food banks and provide nutrition education. The organization’s fundraiser, Taste of the Nation, took place at the Montage resort last weekend. “After being interviewed on Caroline’s show, our on-line ticket sales definitely increase,” said Judy Walker, the organization’s western regional director.

Maureen Allan, who runs Angels Among Us, raising funds for the poor in India and Africa, was also a

show guest. “My Facebook followers definitely know I was on the radio and I think we are going to feel a very positive effect,” she said.

Rustigian-Bruderer, a Lafayette, Calif., native started her business, K-line and Company, in 1990 in the Bay area. She continues to spend time there as well as in Laguna Beach. Her company offers brand development, product positioning and media awareness using print and digital resources. Her clients, who have all come to her by word of mouth, range from record companies to cosmetic makers.

An active philanthropist herself, Rustigian-Bruderer supports a variety of charity events including Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Foundation and the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund. But Caroline’s Cause Corner is the project most dear to her heart. Rarely has she had the same guest twice.

“As the show has matured, it’s become more interesting. I love doing it, I could do it full time,” said Rustigian-Bruderer. Although there is no real way to measure how much her interviews have helped local charities, she says, “I get great feedback.”