S&A Communications is a full-service integrated marketing and public relations agency based in North Carolina's Research Triangle region. Founded in 1982, the firm has grown into a trusted, long-tenured partner for organizations that need a single team to manage public relations, marketing, creative, digital, and web development under one roof. Anchored by the philosophy of helping clients outthink, outwork, and outperform their competition, S&A starts with strategy—doing the homework, asking the right questions, and listening deeply to understand both clients and their audiences. The agency's capabilities span brand development, media relations, community outreach, crisis communications, marketing campaigns, creative design, photography and videography, SEO/SEM, PPC, email marketing, and user-centered web design and development. Its collaborative model allows senior strategists, creatives, and digital specialists to work as an extension of in-house teams, ensuring that every tactic reinforces a clear, consistent brand story. By focusing on measurable outcomes and continuous optimization, S&A Communications helps clients build stronger brands, navigate complex communications challenges, and achieve sustainable growth.

Name	Title	Bio	Source
Ron Smith	Founder	Ron Smith, APR, founded Smith & Associates (later S&A Communications) in 1982. He focused on creating a personalized approach to public relations that cut through the clutter of large agencies and customized services to meet individual client needs.

Name	Title	Department	Bio	Source
Chuck Norman	Owner/Principal		Chuck Norman, APR, is Owner/Principal of S&A Communications with over 25 years of professional experience. He has been a counselor to hundreds of executives and companies, developing strategies to help clients become thought leaders, build brand awareness, and navigate crisis situations. He served as 2019 Chair of PRSA's Counselors Academy and has held numerous leadership positions in professional organizations.	View Chuck Norman's canonical URL
Deneen Bloom	Vice President, Client Success		Deneen Bloom serves as VP of Client Success at S&A Communications, bringing extensive experience in client relations and strategic communications.
Joshua Harris	Account Manager & Business Development Director		Joshua Harris joined S&A Communications in 2023 as Account Manager and Business Development Director, supporting client growth and new business development.

Date	Milestone	Description	Source
1982-10-01	Company Founded	Ron Smith, APR, founded Smith & Associates, focusing on cutting through the clutter found at large agencies and customizing approaches to meeting clients' needs.
2022-10-01	40th Anniversary	S&A Cherokee celebrated 40 years of business as the longest continuously-operating public relations and marketing firm in the Triangle region.
2021-01-01	Forbes Recognition	Named one of Forbes Americas Top PR Agency 2021.	S&A Communications was named one of Forbes America Top PR Agencies in 2021

Product/Service	Category	Description	Link	Source
Full-Service Marketing Communications Agency	Category	You’ve probably heard the term “full-service marketing communications agency” before. So just what does that mean? To us, it means that our recommendations will always be made with conviction and purpose. They will be custom to your individual business. And most importantly, they will be made with an eye toward our core mission: to build your brand with sound marketing strategy, delivered to the right audience, at the right time and via the right media and tactics, all with the goal of making a real impact on your business. Our most effective relationships begin with research and planning. Before we can arrive at a strategy, we’ll get to work quickly and get to know you, your business, your customers, your competitors, your employees and your influencers. This is not a lengthy process, but it’s an intensive process that works best when all levels of your organization are involved. And it will arm us with the insight and knowledge to make recommendations that will move your business forward. What’s the right marketing mix for you? We don’t know… yet. Talk to us and together we’ll devise a plan tailored to your marketing needs.	https://sacommunications.com/services
PR and Marketing	Full-Service Marketing Communications Agency	Our full-service marketing communications team can help you reach your target audience through the right mix of public relations strategy and tactics. The combined experience of our seasoned professionals runs the gamut of marketing and communications expertise. Our integrated approach allows us to assist you using a variety of mediums and deliverables. * brand development * community outreach * consumer research * content creation * crisis communication * event management * government affairs * marketing campaigns * media relations * media training * promotions * social media strategy	https://sacommunications.com/works/pr-marketing/
Creative	Full-Service Marketing Communications Agency	Our graphic designers are more than just artists – they also understand how to channel their creative flair into sound, effective and impactful business communications. Whether it’s a basic stationary package or a comprehensive corporate rebranding, our Creative Team meets the needs of our clients – on budget and on time. * advertising design * business collateral * data visualizations * direct mail * event promotions * expo displays * logo design * manuals * proposals * presentations * signage * style guides	https://sacommunications.com/works/creative/
Digital	Full-Service Marketing Communications Agency	We have the talent, skill and expertise to help your business or organization navigate the digital landscape. Our Digital Team works closely with public relations and marketing professionals to ensure that your web identity reinforces your brand message and delivers a powerful return on investment. * analytics * email marketing * landing pages * lead generation * newsletters * online identity * PPC advertising * SEM/SEO * social media * user experience * web design * web development	https://sacommunications.com/works/digital/
Photo and Video	Full-Service Marketing Communications Agency	They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but we’ll use far fewer to describe our photography and videography services. We have a full-time, on-site, award-winning photographer, who’s one of the best in the business. And our exclusive video partner produces cinematic-quality videos that provide great value to our clients. * adventure * animals * architecture * art * events * fashion * food * home * garden * lifestyle * nature * people * places * products * sports * travel	https://sacommunications.com/works/photo/

Industry	Description	Source
Associations & Nonprofits	Strategic communications and marketing services for membership organizations, trade associations, charitable organizations, and nonprofit entities to amplify mission impact and stakeholder engagement.
Automotive	Specialized public relations and marketing for automotive dealerships, remarketing companies, certified pre-owned programs, automotive technology providers, and industry trade organizations.
Financial Services	Comprehensive marketing and PR services for banks, credit unions, wealth management firms, financial advisors, and financial technology companies to build trust and credibility.
Fintech	Strategic communications for financial technology companies, payment processors, digital banking platforms, and innovative financial services providers.
Government & Municipal	Public relations, community engagement, and communications services for government agencies, municipalities, economic development organizations, and public sector entities.
Healthcare	Marketing and communications services for hospitals, healthcare systems, medical practices, healthcare technology companies, and health-focused nonprofit organizations.
Higher Education	Strategic marketing, enrollment management, and communications services for colleges, universities, educational institutions, and education-focused organizations.
Professional Services	Marketing and business development support for law firms, accounting firms, consulting practices, engineering firms, and other professional service organizations.
Technology	Public relations, marketing, and demand generation services for software companies, IT service providers, technology startups, and enterprise technology vendors.

Title	Publication	Date	Abstract	Source
Storytelling in PR: Connecting Brands and Audiences	S&A Communications	2025-10-07	Explores how storytelling has evolved from cave paintings to TikToks and why it remains a strategic tool in public relations for building trust, humanizing organizations, and creating memorable brand connections.
Top Tip to Make the Most of Your Company's Social Media – Learn How to Engage Your Employees as Brand Ambassadors	S&A Communications	2025-05-01	Provides guidance on engaging employees as brand ambassadors on social media, particularly LinkedIn, to maximize company visibility and leverage LinkedIn's algorithm for broader reach.
Marketing Matters: A Collection of Insights From a Trusted Expert	S&A Communications	2025-07-30	Compilation of marketing and PR insights from Chuck Norman, APR, covering internal communications, crisis readiness, AI integration, and strategic communication planning fundamentals.
2023 Marketing Trends Part 1: PR & Reputation Management	S&A Communications	2023-02-09	Expert insights and predictions for 2023 marketing trends focusing on public relations, media outreach, and reputation management, including the importance of owned media and strategic content planning.
How to use social media engagement threads to boost website traffic	S&A Communications	2020-09-02	Detailed guide on using social media engagement threads in Facebook groups to drive traffic to websites and blogs, explaining the mechanics and best practices for effective threadwork.
Is it time to redesign your website?	S&A Communications	2015-09-28	Guidance on determining whether a website needs a redesign versus simple updates, covering factors like professionalism, company changes, and functional improvements.
Building effective newsletters	S&A Communications	2017-08-09	Best practices for creating effective email newsletters, including design tips, content strategy, and analytics tracking for driving traffic and generating leads.
Intern-to-Intern: Tips on Interning in the Field of Communications	S&A Communications	2018-03-01	First-hand perspective from an intern at S&A Communications about the experience of working in public relations, including insights on writing press releases, social media management, and research.
Three ways to survive an office job	S&A Communications	2017-06-14	Tips for maintaining wellness and productivity in an office environment, including listening to music, exercise, and bringing nature into the workspace.
Case Study: Band Together
Case Study: Hope for Haiti Foundation
Case Study: Moldova Mission
Case Study: North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors
Case Study: Atlantic Tier & Service
Case Study: DealersLink
Case Study: FLD, Inc.
Case Study: MetroGistics
Case Study: Precision Tune Auto Care
Case Study: Commercial Finance Association
Case Study: Cary ED
Case Study: Town of Cary
Case Study: Falcon Engineering
Case Study: RPG Solutions
Case Study: MerchLogix

Title	Publication	Date	Description
S&A Communications Welcomes Account Manager/Business Development Director Joshua Harris to its Team	PRWeb	2023-06-23	Press release announcing the hiring of Joshua Harris as Account Manager/Business Development Director at S&A Communications.
S&A Communications Receives APEX Award	Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce	2026-07-19	S&A Communications, a full-service integrated marketing company, has won an APEX Award for Publication Excellence in the category of most improved website redesign. The winning entry was for the redesigned www.sacommunications.com website.
SA Cherokee Celebrates 40 Years of Business	S&A Communications	2022-07-27	Company announcement celebrating 40 years in business, highlighting achievements including Inc. 5000, Triangle Business Journal Fast 50, Forbes recognition, and over 300 industry awards.
S&A Communications wins five InSpire Awards from NCPRSA		2017-05-15	The North Carolina Chapter of Public Relations Society of America hosted many of the area’s best and brightest public relations and communications professionals at its annual InSpire Awards banquet May 10 at the City Club in Raleigh. S&A Communications was five for five for the evening, winning awards for each of its submitted entries. In addition to one Honorable Mention and four Awards of Excellence, it also won Best in Category for websites. The InSpire Awards honor the region’s best efforts in public relations and communications. Bronze InSpire Awards recognize tactics or components of campaigns. S&A Communications was honored for entries in three Bronze categories.

Value	Description	Source
Outthink	We start with a commitment to strategy. We do our homework, ask the insightful questions, and actually listen to the answers. We cultivate an exceptional knowledge of our clients and our clients' clients. We get granular to find the small things that could make a big difference.
Outwork	Our passion for building brands drives us to work smarter. We act as an extension of our clients' teams, and we work just as hard for them as we do for ourselves. We love what we do, and we love a challenge.
Outperform	Mediocrity isn't for us. We find out what success looks like to our clients, and we partner with them to make it happen. Our clients trust us to help them reach – and even exceed - their goals, delivering measureable results and positive outcomes.
Integrity & Transparency	We conduct our business with integrity and transparency. We eschew the obvious and embrace the original. We ask questions – lots of questions – and believe in building strong, lasting relationships based on honesty and trust.
Collaboration	We work with people who believe in strong, lasting relationships. We want it to be a good fit for both sides. Our collaborative approach ensures the right people work on the right projects at the right time.
Community Commitment	Giving back is essential to S&A Communications. We embrace pro bono clients, donate our time and expertise to civic organizations and nonprofits, and actively serve our communities through board service and volunteer work.

Organization	Relationship	Date	Description	Source
S&A Cherokee	subsidiary		S&A Communications operates as a division of S&A Cherokee, which serves as the parent company. S&A Cherokee encompasses two main divisions: S&A Communications (the integrated marketing and PR agency) and Cherokee Media Group (which produces magazines and conferences including Cary Magazine, Main & Broad, Look West, and Wake Living).

Question	Answer	Source
What services does S&A Communications offer?	S&A Communications is a full-service integrated marketing and public relations agency offering public relations, media relations, crisis communications, brand strategy, marketing campaigns, creative design, digital marketing (SEO/SEM/PPC), social media marketing, email marketing, photography, video production, web design and development, and event planning.
What industries does S&A Communications serve?	We serve diverse industries including associations & nonprofits, automotive, financial services, fintech, government & municipal, healthcare, higher education, professional services, and technology. Our team has deep expertise across these sectors and can quickly understand unique industry challenges.
Where is S&A Communications located?	We are headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, in the Research Triangle region. While we are based in North Carolina, we serve clients across the United States and internationally.
How long has S&A Communications been in business?	S&A Communications was founded in 1982 by Ron Smith, APR, making us the longest continuously-operating public relations and marketing firm in the Research Triangle region. We celebrated our 40th anniversary in 2022.
What makes S&A Communications different from other agencies?	Our philosophy is to help clients outthink, outwork, and outperform their competition. We combine strategic thinking with integrated execution, operating as an extension of our clients' teams rather than just a vendor. Our collaborative approach, senior-level involvement, and commitment to measurable results set us apart.
Does S&A Communications offer crisis communications services?	Yes, crisis communications is one of our core competencies. We provide crisis preparedness planning, real-time crisis response, spokesperson training, and reputation recovery strategies to help organizations navigate challenging situations and protect their brand equity.
Can S&A Communications help with website design and development?	Absolutely. Our digital team provides comprehensive web design and development services including custom website design, responsive development, CMS implementation (WordPress), website redesigns, and ongoing maintenance and support.
Does S&A Communications offer photography and video services?	Yes, we have a full-time, on-site, award-winning photographer on staff and offer professional photography and video production services including corporate photography, commercial video production, event coverage, and product photography.
What is S&A Communications' approach to client partnerships?	We believe in true partnership. Our approach begins with research and planning – getting to know your business, customers, competitors, and challenges. We work collaboratively as an extension of your team, with senior-level involvement and a commitment to delivering measurable results that drive real business impact.
Has S&A Communications won any awards?	Yes, we have won over 300 industry awards for our client work. We've been recognized by Forbes as one of America's Top PR Agencies (2021), named to the Inc. 5000, Triangle Business Journal Fast 50, and received numerous awards from PRSA, APEX, and other industry organizations.

Platform	URL	Bio
LinkedIn	https://www.linkedin.com/company/sa-communications
Facebook	https://www.facebook.com/SACommunicate/
Instagram	https://www.instagram.com/sacommunicate/
X (Twitter)	https://twitter.com/sacommunicate
ZoomInfo	https://www.zoominfo.com/c/sa-communications/353888695
PRGN (Public Relations Global Network)	https://prgn.com/agency/sa-communications/
Yelp	https://www.yelp.com/biz/s-and-a-communications-cary
Cary Chamber of Commerce	https://web.carychamber.com/Public-Relations/SA-Communications-667
Communications Match Directory	https://www.communicationsmatch.com/company/sa-communications
Marketing Agency Near Me Directory	https://marketingagencynearme.com/listing/sa-communications/
RocketReach	https://rocketreach.co/sa-communications-profile_b5ce7a1bf42e0942
Crunchbase	https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/s-a-communications
DesignRush	https://www.designrush.com/agency/profile/s-a-communications
Contact Out	https://contactout.com/company/s-amp-a-communications-2279
Clutch	https://clutch.co/profile/sa-communications
LeadIQ	https://leadiq.com/c/sa-communications/5a1d9d4223000052008d1c26