May 7, 2026

This piece is sponsored by Click Rain Inc.

Marketing is constantly evolving, and staying ahead requires collaboration, creativity and curiosity. Kate Kotzea, executive vice president at Click Rain Inc., knows firsthand how dynamic the digital world can be.

“Today’s technology is rapidly changing, creating opportunities for marketers to connect with people in new, innovative ways,” Kotzea said. “The evolution of this industry is what keeps it exciting, and Sioux Falls has such a strong marketing community, and it’s rewarding to be part of it.”

Marketing never stands still — and neither does Kotzea. She has built a reputation as a leader who doesn’t shy away from complex challenges. In fact, she goes straight toward them — whether that’s balancing team workloads, client budgets or creating community learning opportunities.

To Kotzea, marketing should be not just manageable but also meaningful. And marketers shouldn’t view technology solely as a means to sell a product or service but rather as a way to create authentic, people-centered connections.

Elevating marketing through executive leadership at Click Rain Inc.

Click Rain Inc. is a house of brands comprising sister agencies Click Rain and Lemonly. On the macro level, Kotzea helps the agencies — plus their annual marketing summit, Trendigital, and review management tool, Stratus — work in tandem to support businesses’ digital efforts. 

At Click Rain, she partners closely with department leaders to guide service evolution, build cross-functional alignment and ensure that the agency’s work consistently reflects client needs. 

For those who work alongside Kotzea, her passion not only for marketing but also for her team is unmistakable. Natalie Eisenberg, CEO and partner at Click Rain Inc., said: “Kate leads by example, setting high standards for herself and encouraging others to reach new heights alongside her. Many on our team say she’s played a key role in helping them grow and achieve their goals.”

Bailey Wood, director of marketing at Click Rain, is a testament to that, noting Kotzea’s expertise as a leader of the marketing department.

“Kate thinks through practical implications, knows how to drive meaningful change and, for me, genuinely serves as the core of my positive Click Rain experience,” she said. “We actually sometimes say we need to ‘Kate-ify’ something — which means taking a complex concept and presenting it in a clear, accessible way that everyone can understand and act upon.” 

Kotzea’s clarity and high standards empower her team as they innovate and keep Click Rain grounded in its commitment to people-centered, performance-driven digital marketing.

Connecting through partnership in an ever-evolving industry

Marketing teams juggle a lot: ever-changing platforms, new technologies, shifting audience behavior and growing expectations. That’s where Click Rain and Kotzea can come in, providing strategy, support and a little fun.

“A marketing partnership can help a business fill in the gaps of expertise they may be missing so the internal team can focus on areas they excel in,” she said.

“This is where Click Rain comes in. We get to help businesses do fun and unique things with their marketing strategy, but first, we always want to ensure the organization’s marketing foundation is strong. Taking a proactive approach to understanding and operating the technical changes and integrations is key for the foundation, and we can provide that assistance.”

Kotzea and her team at Click Rain thrive in the technical side of marketing and will partner with businesses to build a strategy from the ground up, based on these insights.

Partnering with an agency gives marketers and business owners a chance to take a step back, gain a new perspective, glean insights into their audience and access additional support and bandwidth. Not only that, but also partnering with an agency that assists in problem-solving is especially effective. For Kotzea and the rest of her team, they harness their industry expertise to support clients’ marketing strategies and goals.

Online review management tool

On their quest to discover new ways to serve businesses, the team at Click Rain saw a market need for support in online review management. This led Click Rain developers to create Stratus, a tool that helps businesses succeed in the marketplace. It gives businesses a central place to connect with their customers, manage their online profiles and reviews, and showcase key information they want users to know. 

“Local listings make such an impact in how you show up in search and now AI search. It’s such a core piece of information that needs to be accurate, updated and consistent. Otherwise, it’s like having a wrong number in the phonebook,” Kotzea said. This tool was designed to make marketers’ lives easier and to help their online presence better represent their brand in a clear, concise way.

Trendigital: A one-day marketing summit

To continue her passion for learning and supporting other marketers, Kotzea collaborates with team members across Click Rain and Lemonly to put on Trendigital. This yearly conference brings in marketing experts from across the Midwest to share their insights, dive into key metrics and discuss what’s next in the industry. 

Amy Moore, co-founder and executive creative director at Lemonly, works with Kotzea every year to plan this event. She said Kotzea’s energy and passion for marketing have helped make this event successful.

“Kate has an incredible pulse on what’s happening in marketing. She knows how to bring the right voices and ideas together for Trendigital, creating a conference that keeps our region’s marketers inspired and ahead of the curve. Working with her on planning and creative is always a productive, energizing experience.” 

Kotzea added: “The goal of Trendigital is to give people expert insights that they can apply to their jobs the very next day. I believe we have one of the best marketing communities in Sioux Falls, and I love getting to be part of it and have Trendigital be an event so many deem valuable enough to attend year after year.” Through connection comes opportunity, and by learning together, marketers grow together. 

Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the digital world, Kotzea encourages marketers to view change as an opportunity to learn and grow. “Your experience matters, but I think your willingness to learn matters more.” Stay curious. Stay passionate. Stay collaborative. Your marketing performance will reflect that.

A difference-maker in every role 

Kotzea’s leadership extends well beyond her day-to-day responsibilities. She has long believed that strong communities are built when people show up — and she lives that belief consistently.

Click Rain Inc. encourages team members to volunteer and provides time off for volunteering. “Giving our employees the time to serve creates a ripple effect for our company and community,” Kotzea said. “When our team gets the chance to step away from their laptops and go out into the world, they return refreshed and ready to take on new projects.”

As board chair of the Sioux Empire United Way, she helps guide key initiatives that support the organization and the broader community. She also has volunteered through programs and organizations like LSS School Mentorship, Bishop Dudley Hospitality House, The Banquet, Sioux Falls Cares and SEUW’s Day of Action, in addition to staying active at her children’s school.

Wood admires Kotzea’s dedication to her work and her community. “I learn from her every day what it means to be a difference-maker. I aspire to create even a fraction of the positive impact that Kate has brought to Click Rain and the Sioux Falls community,” she said.

Marketing excellence extends beyond the office. The more the Click Rain team can be involved in its community — seeing needs and having conversations — the stronger their marketing and connections can be.

Creating change through connection  

Kotzea has a consistent desire to make things better — for her team, her clients and her community. Whether she’s mentoring emerging professionals, crafting sessions for Trendigital or helping shape regional marketing conversations, Kotzea approaches every role with purpose and a desire to create connection.

In an industry defined by constant change, Kotzea embodies something remarkably steady: a leader who shows up, steps in and lifts others with her. And in every space she’s part of — agency, community or home — she continues to be exactly what Sioux Falls needs: a difference-maker in every role.

If you’re interested in attending the next Trendigital Summit, visit the Trendigital website to learn more.

If you’re looking to simplify the way you manage your online presence, try Stratus.