Episode Details

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Picture the scene: the sun setting over Charleston's cobblestone streets, where history meets a thriving creative pulse. It's exactly this allure that captured the heart of Ashley Smith, founder of GSD Advisory, who joins us on the Charleston Marketing Podcast to discuss her voyage from big city life to the charm of the South. Weaving tales of her past in the bustle of LA and NYC into the fabric of Charleston's vibrant scene, Ashley offers up a treasure trove of insights that bridge the worlds of music industry madness and cutting-edge marketing strategy.

Crisis management, a term that often conjures images of frenzied PR teams and last-minute saves, gets the spotlight treatment as we exchange war stories worthy of a Motley Crue afterparty. With a nod to the finesse of figures like Dave Portnoy, we lay bare the blueprint for navigating the treacherous waters of public opinion, crafting a masterclass for both rookies and seasoned professionals. Through a lens of humor and hard-won wisdom, we dissect the art of turning negative reviews into positive momentum, while also sharing our own anecdotes about the unique challenges that Charleston businesses face when the court of public opinion comes knocking.

But why stop at crisis management when the realm of relationship building and business growth beckons? Relationships are the lifeblood of any venture, and we're pulling back

South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) is a public, nonprofit organization that fuels South Carolina’s innovation economy by supporting technology-based startups, academic research, and industry partnerships. Through funding, coaching, and its investment arm SC Launch, SCRA helps early-stage companies grow, commercialize ideas, and scale within the state’s key innovation sectors.

King & Columbus is a full-service marketing and advertising agency based in South Carolina that helps brands grow through a mix of creative storytelling and data-driven strategy. They offer everything from branding and content creation to media planning, digital advertising, and PR—focused on delivering measurable results across digital, social, and traditional channels. https://kingandcolumbus.com

Support the show

Title Sponsor: Charleston American Marketing Association

Presenting Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Annual Sponsor: ‪SCRA; South Carolina Research Authority

Quarterly Sponsor: King and Columbus

CAMACast Cohosts: Stephanie Barrow, Mike Compton, Rachel Backal, Tom Keppeler, Amanda Bunting Comen, 

Silicon Harbor Hot Take Host: Stanfield Gray, https://digsouth.com

Produced and edited: RMBO Advertising

Photographer | Co-host: Kelli Morse

Score by:  The Strawberry Entrée; Jerry Feels Good, CURRYSAUCE, DBLCRWN, DJ DollaMenu
Studio Engineer: Brian Cleary and Mathew Chase

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