President and CEO, PRecise Communications
Fireside Chat: Friday, June 2 | 1:15 p.m.
"Authentically Engaging Multicultural Consumers"
Organizations of all sizes are taking a look at their marketing strategies and asking the question, “how to authentically connect and navigate relationships with a range of multicultural audiences?” Oftentimes specifically looking to connect with groups such as Black, US Hispanic, Asian & Pacific Islander, the LGBTQ+ community, as well as intersectional identities related to gender, age, ability and more. Uncovering a reality that in 2023 and beyond Multicultural needs to be embedded in everything we do—from influencer partners, to media outreach, to event activations.
In this session DE&I & Multicultural experts Alexis Davis Smith, CEO of PRecise Communications and Eric Winkfield, Head of DEI at M Booth will engage participants in a meaningful discussion on the things marketers should consider from strategy brief to execution.
Bio:
Building on nearly 30 years of experience and reputation as a trusted communications strategist, Alexis Davis Smith is a leader in Atlanta’s public relations industry and a national voice for multicultural marketing. She is responsible for creating breakthrough and strategic communications programs for major consumer brands.
Alexis has provided public relations counsel for leading global companies such as Coca-Cola, Toyota, Lexus and Pfizer. For Coca-Cola, she has directed nearly 100 PR programs including the launch of the innovative Coca-Cola Fridge Pack and the award-winning Coca-Cola Pay It Forward program. Her work with the world’s No. 1 automaker, Toyota, has enhanced its brand reputation among multicultural audiences via media relations, experiential marketing, community and philanthropic activities and strategic partnerships. She has worked closely with Pfizer and its Black employee resource group to affect positive and measurable change in the company’s efforts to realize greater diversity, equity and inclusion.
Alexis maximizes her influence and position to help make a difference in the community. As a result of her recommendations, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store established a scholarship for history students at Spelman College, which continues to assist deserving young people today. In addition, Toyota has donated $20,000 the National Trust for Historic Preservation to help save endangered sites representing important moments and icons in Black history.
Prior to establishing PRecise Communications in 2000, Alexis was an account supervisor at Ketchum, a top 10 global public relations firm, where she traveled the world supporting several key consumer accounts. In 1998, she co-founded the agency’s African American Markets Group, the first-ever in-house ethnic marketing team created by an international PR agency. Her work since that time has established her as a nationally recognized multicultural communications expert.
Alexis has received numerous industry awards including a Silver Anvil, “the Oscar of PR” from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and seven Phoenix Awards from PRSA of Georgia. She is immediate past president of the Black Public Relations Society of Atlanta and a board of director for HOPE Atlanta. The Atlanta Business League has recognized Alexis as one of Atlanta’s leading female entrepreneurs and a top 100 black women of influence. She served on its board for two terms. She is also on the executive committee for PRSA’s Counselors Academy section.
Alexis considers herself an advocate for multicultural consumers, helping companies recognize and tap into the viability and business opportunities ethnic groups offer. Her opinion has been featured in the popular industry trades, PR Week and O’Dwyers as well as Vanity Fair. She has also appeared on a number of PR and entrepreneurship-focused podcasts. Black Enterprise profiled her professional journey in a 2017 online article. In addition, she has served as a speaker at various local and industry events including the 2015 Insurers Public Relations Council Fall Meeting, 2015 Public Relations Society of America International Conference, 2013 Black Public Relations Society National Conference and 2018 PRSA Counselors Academy Spring Conference.
A Philadelphia, Penn. native and proud graduate of Florida A&M University, Alexis has a passion for women and giving back to the next generation of public relations professionals and entrepreneurs.