Below is a short interview with Solomon McCown’s president, Ashley McCown that ran in The Publicity Club of New England’s April 2009 newsletter. For more information on The Pub Club please visit http://www.pubclub.org/.
“In the Spotlight with Ashley McCown, president, Solomon McCown & Company”
By Christine Comey, account executive at Solomon McCown
Nothing is as important today as reputation. Without it, a product or mission is lost. Building and protecting reputations is Ashley McCown's forté. Some of today's most well respected companies, organizations, and individuals have turned to Ashley as their keeper of the flame.
During her more than 20 years in the public and private communications sectors, Ashley has become known for her keen analytical skills, her calm in a storm, her commitment to results and her unwavering integrity. As Solomon McCown's president, she imbues her strategic thinking and values in all agency work and speaks regularly on crisis planning and management before trade associations and communications organizations, and in the media. Ashley directs the firm's crisis response team and litigation relations practice and runs several of its statewide public awareness campaigns.
Solomon McCown recently celebrated its sixth anniversary and the Pub Club caught up with our former president (2000-2001) to learn more about the agency.
Q: How has the agency evolved over the past six years?
A: Helene and I started the agency with a distinct vision: a firm that would include a mix of mission-focused clients from corporate, non-profit and public sectors that could co-exist and share synergies. Six years later, we are proud to represent a range of enterprises in real estate, housing and community development, health care and energy-that do exactly that. The immediate needs we see now are for high-level strategic communications counsel-especially around communicating change-and issues management and crisis communications.
Q: What lessons have you learned from the current economic downturn?
A: I am an optimist, so I choose to focus on the positive. Certainly the rules have changed. There is no roadmap for what we are going through, so we have to test every premise to see if it still holds in this new paradigm. We have seen how clients continue to value strategic communications as part of their business strategies which is really gratifying. In terms of our own organization, I have found an even deeper level of appreciation for and pride in our staff. PR is a team sport and our folks have totally risen to the times, and are contributing in new ways with determination and humor. A good sense of humor and laughter will get you through a lot!
Q: How do you balance managing a successful agency with your personal life?
A: You can't have the first if you don't take care of the second. To be an effective leader you must have passions and interests in your personal life. I have learned over the years that I can't do it alone, so having strong support in both halves of my life makes a huge difference. I have a great partner and friend in Helene. We have worked together so long and so well. We help each other balance everything and are good about pushing each other out the door at night to get to the gym. My husband understands my commitment to our business and is so supportive. And Guinness, our chocolate lab, gives me unconditional love no matter what kind of day I have had. We can all learn something from our dogs.
--Christine can be reached by email at ccomey@solomonmccown.com
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