After serving as director of communications for two international non-profit organizations and holding senior management positions with advertising/public relations agencies in Chicago and Nashville, Don founded ABC&D Communications in 2002. Based in Franklin, Tennessee, the agency specializes in public relations and has served more than 60 clients in a variety of industries.
With a background in journalism, agency and corporate communications, Don’s experience includes executive messaging, reputation management, strategic planning, media training, public relations, community relations, media relations, stakeholder communications, crisis/issues management, direct marketing, event marketing, social media marketing, new business development, presentations, research, corporate sponsorships and philanthropy.
Throughout his career, he has worked with hundreds of news media outlets, successfully managed communication challenges in a variety of industries and received more than 20 profession awards. He also has co-authored or ghostwritten three books for clients.
Don has been part of numerous marketing teams and provided support to brands such as Coca-Cola Bottling Co., LifeWay Christian Resources and Saturn Corporation, as well as to local affiliates of Charter Communications, Coldwell Banker, John Hancock and UBuildIt.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Central Michigan University and a Master of Arts degree in Communication/Management from California State University, San Bernardino. He also attended Nashville School of Law.
Don formed ABC&D Communications with a vision to work closely with a select group of clients, become a valuable member of each client’s team and help them achieve their business objectives through focused communication.
His professional philosophy is based on the belief that strategy should drive all creative and tactical elements, and that the most effective programs and campaigns are those that use an integrated approach. While many things go into a successful client-agency relationship, Don believes that trust is at the core of any partnership, and that character is every bit as important as sound strategy, dynamic creative and outstanding service.
Getting agreement up front on the big picture and what it will cost to achieve the established objectives has, in Don’s experience, been the best way to develop a long-term partnership with clients. Accordingly, he puts a good deal of emphasis on fully understanding his clients’ objectives, how each client will determine success and what measurements will be used in the evaluation process.
