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 20-plus 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.
Ashley created the agency's media
training program. She has trained CEOs, entrepreneurs, physicians
and authors to be effective communicators in print and broadcast
interviews. Much of her training expertise comes from her
experience as a spokesperson for organizations on a range of issues
and sensitive matters.
She also directs the firm's Crisis
Response Team and Litigation Relations Practice. She has developed
dozens of crisis plans for corporations, institutions and
mission-focused organizations, and has played a key role in many
sensitive and complex issues including labor negotiations and
strikes, accusations of sexual harassment and abuse, state and
federal investigations, workplace violence, and community relations
for high-profile real estate developments.
A forceful presence and compelling
voice, Ashley regularly speaks on crisis planning and management
before trade associations and communications organizations. The
media call upon her to comment on crises and litigation. She has
appeared in The Boston Globe, New England Cable News
and PR Week, commenting on many of the pressing issues for
businesses and organizations as they rise and fall amidst the
current economic and political climate.
Earlier in her career, Ashley served
as marketing director for the Massachusetts Office of Travel and
Tourism. Her communications background also includes experience in
the television industry at the CBS affiliate in her native South
Florida and at WNET/THIRTEEN in New York.
Ashley has a bachelor's degree in
English from Mount Holyoke College.
Honors and
Accolades
Ashley is a member of the Board of Overseers for the MSPCA, a
member of the Progressive Business Leaders Network (PBLN) and The
Commonwealth Institute (TCI). She is past president of the
Publicity Club of New England. In 2006, she won Crisis Communicator
of the Year honorable mention at PR News' PR People
Awards.
