SM COMMUNICATIONSInformation Package2014

About SM Communications

SM Communications (SM-Comms.com) is a full service boutique agency, founded by Sam Mattingly, a veteran communications/public relations expert with experience in diverse industries. SMC is focused on building trust, by delivering personalized, strategic and innovative communications solutions and client services.  

Using technology and new social platforms, combined with traditional communications skills, plan development, strategy and execution, SMC has established a strong track record with clients with a variety of needs.

SMC addresses all tasks with equal passion. Whether it is developing content to ennhance a client’s social media presence or creating a dynamic press release, the approach is always unique and tailored individually to optimize results. SMC  provides expert counsel on all aspects of media and public relations, crisis communications, executive coaching and media training, corporate social responsibility, reputation and issues management . 

Overview SM Communications

SMC is one woman, with a network of dynamic professionals ready to provide their skills, insight and knowledge if the project calls for a team. We bring over a half century of experience and accomplishments in entertainment publicity; work in the floral, beauty, literary, payments and financial industries, as well as government relations, medical and science communications.

We are highly skilled communicators who can manage personal and corporate brand communications needs with a wide range of skills.

We are event planners with a keen sense of timing and execution, handling everything, from venue selection to invitation design, seating arrangement, guest and press list, menu and presentation. We have organized industry parties -- film screenings and premieres; planned and managed national book tours; organized recording industry listening and record launch parties; worked on product launches for everything from lingerie to shoes, sports clothing and beauty products.

Our knowledge goes beyond public and media relations; product and media placement . We have hands on experience in the development, launch and stewardship of philanthropic initiatives and corporate citizenship programs that become the foundation for reputation building and corporate leadership; the catalyst for strategic alliances with important thought and opinion leaders and tools for engagement with key stakeholders.

Our network of communications professionals are former news journalists, writers and media specialists who have honed their skills to near perfection and are dedicated to providing their innovative ideas and passion to ensure the success of each project. 

Sam Mattingly, founderSam Mattingly is a respected communications/public relations professional with more than 25 years ofagency and corporate experience. She has been able to transition from entertainment publicity to corporate communications with relative ease.

Over the years she has managed a broad portfolio of clients/projects and events. She has held senior communications positions with a variety of well known national and international corporate brands. In her various roles, she has been called to provide valuable insight , guidance and leadership; constructing strategic and tactical communications plans to help brands remain leaders in their category and growing brand loyalty among key stakeholders.

She has provided counsel in mitigating potential risk issues, encouraged corporations to become more transparent. Has created strategies and rolled out programs that reflected an organization’s responsible social side, to internal and external stakeholders. She has been responsible for developing a number respected philanthropic and corporate citizenship initiatives : 1-800-Flowers Pink Ribbon Bouquet Program to benefit breast and ovarian cancer; the L’Oréal USA Fellowships for Women in Science, promoting gender equity; the SoftSheen Carson Scholarship Program to assist deserving minority students. And worked with MasterCard’s Executive Women’s Network to develop the organization’s citizenship initiative, partnering with the Global Fund for Women, an international network of women and men committed to a world of equality and social justice and advocating and defending women’s human rights.

These initiative provided reputational lift, a cache of good will, built third party brand ambassador and partnerships with important thought and opinion leaders, established academic and scientific organizations and institutions as well as encouraging cross business relationships .

EntertainmentDirector Michael Roemer – Nothing But a ManDirector M. Night Shyamalan – Praying with AngerDirector Mario Van Peebles – New Jack CityDirector Julie Dash – Daughter’s of the DustDirector Euzahn Palcy – A Dry White SeasonDirector Spike Lee – Do The Right ThingDirector Matthew Chapman – Heart of Midnight

DeLaurenttis Entertainment GroupManhunterTai PanThe Bedroom WindowFrom the HipMillion Dollar MysteryNear DarkWeedsDate with an AngelIllegally Yours

Academy Campaigns for:Blue Velvet – David Lynch, Isabella Rosallini, Kyle MacLachlan, Dennis HopperCrimes of the Heart – Bruce Beresford, Diane Keaton, Jessica Lange, Sissy Spacek, Sam Shepard

Clients & Career HistoryTelevision SeriesThe A Team television series – George Peppard, Mr. TThe Equalizer – Edward WoodwardThe New Mike Hammer – Stacey Keach

PersonalitiesNick NolteStacey KeachGeorge PeppardHinton BattleJoan CollinsJohn AmosPippa Scott

Music Industry ClientsGreg Osby’s Inner Circle Music GroupJoseph Lepore, bassistMichael Pinto, vibraphonistYukari, flutist

Alex Bugnon, jazz pianistNajee, saxophonistSarah Dash & Keath Richards, singerFreddie Jackson, R&B singer

Music, cont’dCBS/Epic Records, Blue Note, EMI Music, Sony Music

VH1 - Prince Live at the ApolloAgenciesGCIOgilvy & MatherBromley GroupRogers & Cowan Public Relations

Clients & Career HistoryCorporate CommunicationsWatetree Health – External Corporate Communications Consultant

Master Card Worldwide – Business Leader/VP Reputation and Issues Management

L’Oréal USA – Assistant Vice President Corporate Communications

1-800-Flowers.com – Public Relations/Promotions Manager

Harlem Urban Development Corporation – Director Media Relations and Community Affairs

SM CommunicationsObjectives

• Deliver creative communications solutions to meet individual client objectives /goals

• Develop and implement strategic communications/media and public relations plans for traditional and social media outlets

• Convert opportunities into actionable results

• Provide project leadership and guidance, focused on positive outcome

• Manage client expectations and ensure a clear understanding of deliverables

SM CommunicationsStrategy

Develop the story - message/information /position statement and platform.

Own the story – control outreach and distribution of information (when, how and whom).

Manage and control where the story appears, make sure to reach the intended audience, and who that audience is.

SM CommunicationsTactics

Create compelling content – press release, pitch letters, supportive materials (backgrounders, packaged features, press kits).

Create a target list – identify the media that best aligns with client and project need.

Make contact – through snail mail, email, phone or social platforms.

Sell the story – know what’s important, unique, relevant, trendy and newsworthy about the project/story.

Develop strategic communications plan

Write materials and distribute information to appropriate/ target media

Diversify pitch to align with individual media source

Provide guidance for strategic engagement within the social media landscape

Prepare weekly progress report, to keep client informed of progress

Stay true to the budget

What SMC does for you

Our media lists and contacts are as broad ranging as our experience and include contacts in the US, Canada and overseas:

Business pressTechnologyHealthcareFinancial Trade publicationsScience Journals, magazines, newslettersBeauty/fashion press – national and international magazines, trades and key newspaperLifestyles Arts & EntertainmentMusic pressTravel

We research each project to ensure that we connect with the appropriate media outlets. Our research includes identifying the leading influencers in the social media landscape and important sites. But we don’t stop there, we provide strategies for engagement, well defined purpose and ideas for either starting a conversation or entering the dialogue already in process.

Media/News