Meet the Team

Denise Blackburn Gay, APR Denise Blackburn Gay holds a Masters Degree in Marketing from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Blackburn is one of only 29 accredited public relations professionals in the state of South Carolina, hence the APR designation. She is a certified media buyer with a demonstrated knowledge of ad placement, rate negotiation, and coverage for news stories on a local, regional and national basis. She is a certified trainer and a graduate of Disney University where she received certification in the Disney Approach to Customer Service.   She has a strong marketing background both on the client and agency side, and is one of those rare individuals who has tasted academics, as well. She began her professional career in the area of banking and broadened her realm of experience to include packaged goods, technical marketing, food services, non-profits, real estate, retailing, professional services, entertainment, transportation, golf and tourism. Subjects she has taught include marketing, marketing research, advertising, consumer behavior, management and statistics, just to name a few. For more, see Unmasked: Denise Blackburn-Gay.
Sarah George, APR Sarah George is a native of Charleston, WV, who joined Marketing Strategies, Inc. in 2004 as a marketing assistant.  A graduate of Marshall University’s School of Journalism in Huntington, West Virginia, George holds a Bachelor's Degree in Advertising.  While attending Marshall, she was active in several student organizations and served on the staff of The Parthenon, Marshall's student newspaper.   George maintains professional affiliations in the Public Relations Society of America, the South Carolina Chapter of PRSA, and was recently awarded her Accreditation by the Public Relations Society of America, (APR).  She is responsible for the firm’s Public Relations Division. For more, see Unmasked: Sarah George.
Melanie Cormier Melanie Cormier joined Marketing Strategies, Inc in September 2006 as an intern for PRinciples, the Agency's Public Relations internship program. Cormier, a native of New Brunswick, Canada, will graduate from Coastal Carolina University in May 2007 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. While a student at Coastal, Cormier has been involved in several student and community organizations, including the Theater of the Republic. Prior to joining Marketing Strategies, Inc., she completed an internship program with The North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, where she worked as an Administrative Assistant. For more, see Unmasked: Melanie Cormier.
Kristi Swiger Kristi is a graduate of Columbia College in Chicago, IL where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design.  She joined  Marketing Strategies, Inc. with over 8 years of experience in graphic design development. She has worked nationwide in cities ranging from Los Angeles to Chicago and possesses extensive experience in political campaign development, graphic illustration and product package design. For more, see Unmasked: Kristi Swiger