Established in 2001, Strategic Marketing & Charleston PR is a provider of marketing communications and social media plans for diverse clients.

More than 20 years experience

The firm’s principal is Cheryl van Landingham Smithem, a knowledgeable marketing communications professional with more than twenty years experience. Before establishing SM&PR, Smithem was a marketing and public relations executive for top Charleston corporations.

Smithem brings to SM&PR her experience as both a client and an agency executive. She knows what is newsworthy and what gets attention. SM&PR’s imperative is superior customer service.

Success for clients

Smithem has successfully marketed a number of coastal SC hospitality properties including:

• Charleston’s French Quarter Inn publicizing their TripAdvisor Award [#1 Luxury Property in the USA by TripAdvisor.com (2006)] and their Expedia award [Expedia Names Charleston’s French Quarter Inn One of the Top 10 Four Star Hotels in the US (2006)]
• Fine dining restaurants Slightly North of Broad and High Cotton
• Fast casual Charlotte based group (with Charleston locations and roots) Just Fresh.
• Currently, she partners with a Charleston marketing agency to provide public relations services to many of their clients.

Smithem’s work for a fine dining restaurant client achieved earned media in more than 40 publications/outlets/shows with greater than 4,726,809 reads/impressions in just 10 months. She recently has arranged features about the restaurant with Southern Living (forthcoming later in 2010); SouthernByWays.com Blog; Chef Magazine and Nation’s Restaurant News to name a few.

Satisfied clients & journalists

In addition, SM&PR also provides PR services to Crave Kitchen & Cocktails. Hired to increase awareness and the number of customers for the first quarter of 2009, Chris and Cara Dolan and Rebecca Gooden of Crave, said of firm’s work,

We feel that you have done a wonderful job. Your work has increased awareness of our restaurant and contributed to our businesses growth. We’ve had more response from the things that you’ve done than all our past advertising.”

Journalist Patricia Luebke recently wrote of one of Smithem’s query responses,

I get so many of ‘Oh, you absolutely must interview so and so and I can arrange it’ and I have no idea if it’s worth my time, or given the responses like yours I get I don’t need to go on a fishing expedition for more interviews. So if no one has told you today you’re doing a good job, I will. Good job!”

Smithem is the Connection Maven and author of a blog on marketing communications, The Connection Maven Writes.

Get connected

SM&PR creates intriguing public relations promotions to drive intense attention in tight time frames. The firm also has expertise in brand development, brand research, and positioning.

Where we work

SM&PR has in-depth knowledge of markets in Charlotte, NC; Greenville, Columbia, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Aiken, SC; and the Gulf coast of Florida. Smithem’s 20+ years in public relations have established her as a connected, credible professional who achieves results for her clients.