About

Kairos is an ancient Greek word meaning the opportune or “supreme” moment. 

Supreme moments are essential to the success of any marketing or sales program.  But they’re not something that “just happens.”  Supreme moments are earned — by building awareness and credibility across multiple events, impressions, and experiences.  

Every company knows how essential effective communications is but few know how to go about putting a long term program and the right people in place to deliver.

Kairos is an independent consulting advisory service that helps businesses bolster their brand and achieve communications excellence. We specialize in developing integrated brand, marketing and communications strategies and programs that drive business growth.

 

Our mission


Help you use communications to achieve your vision, deliver on your business direction and separate you from your competition.  We do this by bringing proven experience and personalized leadership to every engagement, at every step of the way.

 

Leadership

Alex Smith is President of Kairos LLC.  With more than 30 years of experience, Alex is an award-winning business strategist, brand executive, public relations professional, and journalist. Few business leaders possess his unique combination of skills and experience.

Prior to founding Kairos, Alex was an executive with leading software provider Vertex Inc. for more than two decades. During his tenure, Vertex experienced 20-fold growth and is considered the dominant market leader in corporate sales tax software and services. 

Alex developed Vertex's Communications and Public Affairs Department from the ground up. His team was responsible for Branding, Marketing Communications, Corporate Communications, Government Relations, and Community Relations. 

He led a major rebranding effort launched in 2003 in support of Vertex's new business direction and a brand refresh in 2010 in support of a major market expansion. Alex also led the effort to promote Vertex’s "work-life balance" culture, which resulted in the company being selected as the "Best Place to Work" in Pennsylvania in 2001.

In 2014, Alex received the prestigious Chairman's Award from the Main Line Chamber of Commerce. As leader of their strategic advisory committee, Alex spearheaded the development of the chamber's Talent and Education Network, which connects local universities and their students with businesses in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.

Prior to joining Vertex, Alex was an award-winning journalist and public relations professional. He was honored for his work in establishing the Rohm and Hass Paint Quality Institute. He also managed major crises for Johnson Matthey, the Philadelphia Archdiocese and others.

Honors

Following is a list of honors that Kairos President Alex Smith has received during his career in the areas of strategy development, branding, marketing, public relations and journalism.

Main Line Chamber of Commerce Chairman’s Award - 2014

The Chairman’s Award recognizes a member of the Main Line Chamber of Commerce serving the greater Philadelphia region who has demonstrated outstanding service to both the organization and to the community.

“I greatly appreciate the leadership that Alex Smith took of the Strategic Advisory Committee the past few years, helping to guide us to identify the talent and education initiative and to scope out what it meant for the Main Line Chamber, " said Steven A. Scolari, Esquire, Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young, LLP and Chairman of the Board, Main Line Chamber. "This is a huge and important initiative, not only for the Chamber, but more importantly for our regional community."

Previous awards:

  • Rebrand 100 Award - 2007
  • Ad Q Award for Outstanding Advertising -2006
  • International Association of Business Communicators Award for Corporate Publications - 1993
  • Rohm and Haas Total Quality Leadership Award -1992
  • Virginia Press Association Awards -1984 and 1985

In addition Alex is a graduate of the following advanced study programs:

  • Delaware Valley Leadership Center's Executive Development Program 
  • Charles Krone's Developing and Managing Business Strategies Program
  • Geoffrey Moore's "Crossing the Chasm" Technology Marketing Program 
  • Stephen Covey's Seven Habits Advanced Program 
  • American Association of Advertising Agencies’ Institute of Advanced Advertising Studies
  • Direct Marketing Association's Direct Marketing Institute