Welcome to BETTY&SMITH

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.

Rhonda Craig

Senior Director

For more than a decade, Rhonda has used her combination of communication skills, media savvy, and political acumen to champion progressive causes and elect Democratic candidates. Prior to Betty&Smith, Rhonda worked as a Communications Director on Capitol Hill. Before that, she built successful fundraising and public affairs campaigns for various non-profits and foundations both in the US and overseas. She began her career as a TV news reporter and producer in Central Missouri and in Central Florida. Rhonda received her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri and her Master’s in Policy Management from Georgetown University.

Tkeyah Lake

Director/Digital Director

Tkeyah Lake strategizes and executes digital and social media campaigns for clients. She leverages data-driven strategies and tactics to help reach and engage online communities and key audiences through targeted advertisements. Prior to joining Betty&Smith, Tkeyah spent six years at Banner Public Affairs as a Vice President of Digital Strategy supporting technology and defense clients, and issue advocacy campaigns. In addition to her role at Betty&Smith, she also serves as a Digital Communications FEMA Reservist – an emergency on-call responsibility supporting disaster relief efforts using social media channels. Tkeyah earned a B.S. in Corporate Communications from the University of Baltimore and an M.A. in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University.

Ariana Nguyen

Manager

As a Manager at Betty&Smith, Ariana supports strategy and management across multiple accounts. She is passionate about leveraging communications to impact policy and expand opportunity for individuals, families, and communities across the country. Prior to joining Betty&Smith, Ariana served as a consultant within IBM Public Sector, focused on strategic communications and governance for the Air Force Civil Engineers. Ariana graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and Cognitive Science from the University of Virginia.

Aaron Kaspi

Senior Account Executive

As a senior account executive at Betty&Smith, Aaron Kaspi helps keep projects running smoothly managing day-to-day account logistics. He focuses on the intersection of policy and communications, identifying opportunities to create change on issues he is passionate about including access to health coverage and care.  Prior to joining Betty&Smith, Aaron worked in communications for various Democratic campaigns across the state of New Mexico and for Rep. Ben Ray Luján, supporting his health care staff and helping manage constituent communications.  Aaron graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from the University of New Mexico.

Kenzie Bender

Account Assistant

As an Account Assistant at Betty&Smith, Kenzie supports team members in key client projects and manages the day-to-day operations of the firm. Prior to joining Betty&Smith, Kenzie worked in the Cancer Support Community’s policy department where she advocated on behalf of patients and survivors. Kenzie graduated with a B.A. in Communication and Political Science from La Salle University.

WHAT WE DO

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.