MONICA SMITH, President

Monica Smith oversees the media relations and content client teams, blending her commitment to details with a strategic perspective to ensure that our clients’ business development needs are met. In this role, Monica works closely with our talented team to set sound PR and content goals to achieve bottom-line focused results. She serves as senior-level counsel to our clients and guides our team leaders in helping to cultivate and teach all members of our agency. Throughout her 20-year career, she has worked with professionals across highly regulated industries in matters related to crisis and media relations, and to address internal and leadership communications.

Additionally, Monica advises and coaches CEOs and company / firm management on issues related to leadership, succession planning and communications. She helps them connect with their constituents – partners, employees and clients – on matters related to change, growth and crisis. Her clients have included law and accounting firms, financial services organizations and nonprofits, among others. She welcomes the opportunity to guide organizations in a positive direction, even when the issue at hand is stressful.

Monica supports Poston Communications’ Crisis Communications and Litigation PR division, which has been recognized by Chambers and Partners as one of the top 20 crisis firms in the U.S., achieving rankings in its Litigation Support and Crisis & Risk Management Guides. “Monica is a seasoned PR veteran who has a keen understanding of the media and how it operates. She is a voice of reason and strength during difficult times,” one Poston client told Chambers researchers.

In addition, Monica has worked with religious organizations and nonprofits on crisis response and management. Her work has spanned religions and denominations, serving alongside church leaders as they face allegations related to employment misconduct, fraud, sexual abuse in the church, and leadership and succession planning challenges.

Monica began her career in an Orlando-based public relations agency, working with a global law firm client. She then moved into an in-house role at that law firm, working with national industry groups, its Women’s Initiative and all of the firm’s Florida offices. She also worked in-house as marketing director of a regional accounting firm before becoming a consultant.

Monica serves on the corporate board of directors for United Against Poverty and on its Orlando Advisory Board’s Executive Committee. The organization helps lift the working poor and low-income families to self-sufficiency. Its most notable program is its member-share grocery store, where anyone needing the service can shop for quality, healthy foods at a fraction of traditional prices.

In 2018, the Orlando Business Journal named Monica on its annual list of 40 Under 40, recognizing up and coming leaders in Central Florida.

She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the PRSA Member of Counselor’s Academy, which is made up of public relations agency leaders around the world. She also serves as our agency representative to PR Council. Monica is a former president of the Legal Marketing Association’s Southeastern Chapter (LMASE), where she had the privilege of serving an 18-member board of directors and 80 volunteer leaders throughout the region. She also has chaired LMASE’s Orlando Local Steering Committee and served on the LMASE Regional Nominating Committee three times. She currently serves on the organization’s Education Advisory Council.

Monica earned her undergraduate degree from Stetson University in Deland, Fla.

Outside of the office, Monica and her husband are the proud parents of their elementary-school aged son. She is an aspiring golfer, tennis player and as the daughter of a professional chef, fan of great food.

LinkedIn

 

Publications

The Legal Intelligencer

“Battle Tested in 2020: Crisis Communication Trends for 2021”

 

Daily Business Review

“‘Does This Camera Make Me Look Like a Lawyer?’ Lessons from a Virtual Trial”

“Virtual Professionalism Is Here to Stay: It’s Time to Up Your Game”

 

Speaking Engagements, Presentations and Webinars

Legal Marketing Association Tech West 2021 Conference

Successful Virtual Communications: Guidance for Legal Marketers and Their Attorneys to Master On-Camera Presence

April 27, 2021

 

California Lawyers Association’s Law Practice Management Symposium on Virtual & Hybrid Trial Proceedings

Successful Virtual Communications: Mastering Your On-Camera Presence for Client Advocacy and Business Development

April 21, 2021

 

Houston Bar Association

“Media Relations as Part of Your Professional Responsibility as Counsel”

Webinar

November 10, 2020

 

Orange County Bar Association

“Mastering Your On-Camera Presence for Successful Virtual Communication”

Webinar

September 15, 2020

 

Numerous Private Law Firm Presentations

“Media Relations as Part of Your Business Development Toolkit”

“Successful Virtual Communications: Mastering Your On-Camera Presence”

“Media Relations as Part of Your Professional Responsibility as Counsel”

“Pandemic Habits That Impact Communications”

 

Private Communications Workshop

Brand and Corporate Journalism
April 29, 2021

Mission Driven Communications
April 28, 2021