06/18/2013 - JMG Hires New Director Of Public Relations

GREENVILLE, S.C. (June 18, 2013) – Jackson Marketing Group (JMG), South Carolina's second largest integrated marketing communications agency, welcomes JoAnne Laffey Abed as the director of public relations.

Abed comes to JMG with nearly 20 years of b-to-b and b-to-c public relations and marketing expertise in media relations, branding, social media and online marketing, strategic planning and messaging, crisis communications, media training, government relations/lobbying and stakeholder communications. Her past positions include director and managing roles with Fortune 1000 companies, non-profit organizations, international PR firms and freelance marketing consulting. She has led initiatives for Motorola, Allstate, Nortel Networks, Hewitt Associates, U.S. Xpress, International Engine, American College Testing (ACT), The Tribune Companies, BrassRing, Proterra and ConAgra Foods, as well many smaller and start-up organizations. As JMG's director of public relations, she will spearhead new solutions across the company's client base.

"JoAnne is exactly the kind of accomplished communications leader we want to lead our already strong PR department to even higher standards of excellence, innovation and client service," said David Jones, CMO of JMG. "Given how important public relations, social media and content management are in today's marketing environment, we believe that adding JoAnne's expertise in these fields will play a critical role in our continued growth and industry leadership."

In addition to her participation with the United Way of Greenville County, Abed is a member in the South Carolina chapters of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and English from the University of Notre Dame and is an officer emeritus of one of the largest University of Notre Dame alumni clubs in the United States. Abed is also an active volunteer in Greenville County Public Schools and her children's schools' Parent Teacher Associations.

Jackson Marketing Group, with offices in Greenville, S.C., and Charlotte, N.C., is a fully-integrated marketing communications agency offering marketing consulting, market research, media planning and buying , interactive services , advertising , public relations , partnership marketing , event management , video production and support services .

JMG provides a variety of integrated marketing communications services for blue-chip brands such as BMW Manufacturing Co., Yale Lift Trucks, Hyster Lift Trucks, Clemson International Center for Automotive Research, Greenville Hospital System, Sage Automotive Interiors, The Palmetto Bank, Howden North America, Peace Center, Artisphere, Milliken & Company and the American Red Cross. For more information, visit the company's website at www.jacksonmg.com.

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