Katy Krassner
fan liason and ‘Ask Katy’

Patty Palazzo
webmistress John’s official site

Katy Krassner & Patty Palazzo: many of you have seen their names on the official Duran Duran and JT websites, though few truly know them. TDGD editor Christy "sat down" virtually with the ladies to find out more about them:

Katy Krassner, a.k.a. Ask Katy, receives about 100 to 150 emails a day and admits that if she misses a day of email, she has to "play a lot of catch up".

Katy’s greatest challenge is not letting it bother her when some fans make the wrong assumption about her. She says, "It used to upset me and I thought I could reach everyone to let them know what I was really like. I do the best I can do, and the guys and I know that".

Katy’s message to the fans is "don’t shoot the messenger". Katy handles ASK KATY and also posts the NEWS. She says, "I cannot post anything without their permission though, so when people complain about lack of news I wish there was something more I could do. But they decide on everything that goes up there."

Katy says the one thing she would change about her dd.com job if she could would be "to have the guys and I in the same time zone."

What is the typical day in the life of Ask Katy? In her words: "Well none of my days are really typical cos I have a full time job that has nothing to do with Duran Duran. So sometimes my days run into nights, DD-wise. I try and check the ASK KATY questions 3 to 4 times a day. If I am extra busy at work and don't have time, I have to do it all when I get home, so I prefer when I get a chance during the day."

Patty Palazzo – self proclaimed "Web Geek"... We’ll refer to her as the TTP Web Goddess. Her love of the job shines through in every things she says and does. But hey, wouldn’t you if you ran with JT a few times a week?

Patty met John at the end of 1995 when he was starting B5 and Neurotic Outsiders. After Patty pitched logo ideas for B5 to his assistant, John liked what he saw. He asked her to create the designs for the Neurotic Outsiders, and the working relationship began.

In 1998, Patty and John decided to take the initial website for B5 to "another level". John and Patty brainstormed and came up with the idea to create a site that involved the fans, an online community. TTP was "born" in 1998.

When I asked Patty what her official title and job description was, I could hear laughter in her answer. "Oooohhh, tough one! I wear many hats, as JT and I like to say! Assistant, designer, webmaster, merchandiser, bookkeeper, videographer, photographer, etc, etc."

The best part of working with John is the level of creativity and freedom. She also likes the variety that she has with TTP and JT. "Plus getting to work with someone who is very cool and creative". Patty confesses that she doesn’t know what a typical day is. "Well, there really isn't a typical day! It's dependant on what's going on, i.e.: are we gearing up to release new product, working on new product, is John touring, recording, rehearsing, or is it during downtime, etc... But mostly every day involves the computer and the phone - and going for a run with John a few times per week!"

Patty confessed that the only thing she would change about her job would be "to make the bank book balance itself." The biggest challenge for Patty is keeping the site interesting, and expanding the audience. She has been very creative, especially when John isn’t touring or actively pursuing his solo career.

What does the future hold for TTP and Patty? Since the regrouping of Duran Duran’s original five members, Patty has designed some logos that may be appearing on some merchandise in the Store section of DD.com soon. She will continue to support John and TTP, and follow the road wherever it takes her. Patty hopes that the next five years will see the site "continue to grow and intrigue."