YOUR PROVEN, EXCEPTIONAL MULTI-DIMENSIONAL MEDIA TEAM

About us

FirstStar Digital Media has been producing high quality, cost-effective and creative marketing tools since the company was founded in 1981. Utilizing state-of-the-art -production technology, our dedicated, highly creative professionals use their skills and expertise to consistently produce major award-winning projects for all size clients from Fortune 500 companies to small business owners!

Kathy Rivera, President/Executive Producer

Kathy Rivera has an elaborate, international, national and local experience production background matched by few in the Midwest.

Under Kathy’s direction, FirstStar Digital Media has produced a variety of national and local programs, major award winning tourism videos, corporate image, education curricula, multi-media and live special event programming, winning numerous Emmys, in addition to Platinum and Gold Telly Awards, a Gold Medal Award at the Houston International Film Festival, as well as the National Educational Association Award for Creative Excellence, just to name a few of her 80+ awards.

Kathy has been recognized with several prestigious Business Awards, including the Influential Women in Business Award from the National Association for Women Business Owners, and the Outstanding Working Woman in Illinois Award from the Northwest Chapter of the National Organization of Business and Professional Women.

In addition to her career in broadcasting, Kathy has served on numerous boards in Television, Healthcare, Senior Living Communities, and Chambers of Commerce.

Tom Rivera, Executive Vice President/Producer-Writer

When not producing and writing Emmy Award-winning projects, for over 20 years, Tom was President of the highly respected and renowned Greater Woodfield Convention and Visitors Bureau in the Northwest & Western Chicago Suburbs. At the CVB, he was responsible for all advertising, including multiple award winning creative print, radio, television, and collateral materials, promotions, and all public relations, developed and executed in house.

During Tom’s prestigious career, he was Director of Marketing and Television for Madison Square Garden Chicago at Arlington and Washington Park Race Tracks; Executive Vice President of Sports Ad, Inc., a full service in-house Ad and PR Agency; created and produced print, radio, television and billboard advertising, and produced and served as on camera talent for half-hour racing broadcasts for CBS-Chicago.

Currently, Tom holds an Emmy for his writing of a five-part National Television broadcast entitled “Pride in Illinois,” and numerous Telly Awards for his writing and producing accomplishments. In addition to the many awards not listed, Tom takes great pride in being inducted in the prestigious TOURISM HALL OF FAME.

Adding to his radio, broadcast, tourism and marketing experience, Tom is currently spear-heading a number of Strategic Planning projects.

Tom’s board experience includes: Alexian Hospital Network Board of Directors for over 18 years, and for 8 of those years as Chairman; Chambers of Commerce Boards; Convention and Visitor Boards; and Local and National Bank Establishments.