WELCOME TO BETTY&SMITH
We’re a boutique communications firm of senior strategists with two decades of experience defining, shaping and elevating some of the most complicated and divisive issues of our day. We specialize in building unaffected communications strategies, rooted in research, offering fresh creative thinking and innovative media tactics.
We believe the best solutions come from a combination of imagination and know-how. We are a team of seasoned strategists who have “been there.” We do the work ourselves. Along with a deep, diverse team of creatives, producers and designers, we give our clients the benefit of our collective talent and experience on every project, every day.
We partner with foundations, trade associations, and advocacy groups to bring their stories to life in a most relatable, compelling way. And we have created and directed award-winning advertising campaigns for major brands and national organizations as well as Democratic candidates at the federal and state levels.
We shoot straight. We collaborate. And our passion is to make people’s lives better, healthier and happier.
WHO WE ARE
Alison Betty
Partner
Alison is the co-founder of Betty&Smith. For the past decade, Alison has been one of the nation’s leading communications experts on health and health care policy. She concentrates on consumer-oriented and values-based health care communications, working on complex health issues — most notably, implementation of the Affordable Care Act. She has defended Medicaid, protected Medicare and Social Security, combatted the childhood obesity epidemic, and fought for policies to improve early childhood development.
Alison was a Partner at GMMB, a strategic communications firm, where she managed the U.S. Health Care Practice and directed multiple award-winning health care communications and advertising campaigns. Prior to that, she worked in fundraising and sponsorship for Share Our Strength, an anti-hunger organization, and the National Campaign to Protect Youth Violence. She began her career on Capitol Hill with Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3). Alison holds a BA in Political Science from Indiana University, Bloomington.
David Smith
Partner
David is the co-founder of Betty&Smith. He has been at the center of some of the nation’s most consequential political and policy battles. His award-winning advertising has helped elect Democrats in the toughest states in the country. He works with major foundations, trade associations, advocacy groups and government agencies to craft communications strategies on a range of complex issues, including health care reform, tobacco control, early childhood development as well as protecting Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
Before creating Betty&Smith, David was a Partner at GMMB where he helped lead the domestic health care and political work. A campaign manager and organizer, he also worked at Greenberg Research, serving as research director for the polling operation of Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign. David graduated from Colgate University and earned a master’s degree from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Riley Greene
Director
Riley Greene specializes in developing creative solutions to complex communications challenges. She brings a laser-like focus to message framing and strategy with real-world relevance. Riley spent six years at GMMB working on state-based implementation of the Affordable Care Act on behalf of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and advocating for family caregivers through advertising campaigns for AARP. Prior to that, she was at MSHC Partners helping to build direct mail campaigns on behalf of Democratic candidates. Riley earned a B.A. in Political Science from Vassar College and holds a Master’s degree in Communications, Culture and Technology from Georgetown University.
Nick Richardson
Account Executive
Nick Richardson recently joined Betty&Smith as an Account Executive. Formerly with Politico, Nick is the team’s project manager helping to coordinate productions schedules, manage account timelines and provide overall team support. Nick graduated from the University of Virginia cum laude with a degree in American Studies concentrating in American Religious and Political Thought.
WHAT WE DO
Issue Advocacy Campaigns
Behind every policy decision is a group of dedicated individuals whose voice was successfully heard. We check our egos at the door, roll up our sleeves, and work with you to map out the strategy, assemble and manage the right coalition partners, and do the day-to-day work of winning a campaign.
Strategic Planning
Ensuring your organization’s objective and your organization’s needs are in alignment is crucial when crowdsourcing buy-in for your cause. You give us the pieces you are working with, and we will give you the roadmap to success.
Executive Leadership Coaching
Our leadership team has years of experience helping executive leaders refine their voice – then align it with their management practices and their organization’s communications strategy.
Advertising
TV, Digital, Social, Radio, Outdoor and everything in between. We help issues organizations, candidates, committees and PACs create a clear narrative and compelling content that stands out and changes hearts and minds.
Branding
We know you know your message, now let’s make sure everyone else does too. We are passionate about creating a powerful, unique brand story and a consistent brand experience for your audience.
Communications Planning
We are relentless in bringing focus and clarity to every communications strategy. We help you define your message; identify audience; activate communication; maintain discipline.
OUR CLIENTS
