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WHO WE ARE

LEADERSHIP

ADVISORY BOARD

OUR PROCESS

OUR CLIENTS

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WHO WE ARE

LEADERSHIP

We are the few. We are the strong. We do One Thing. But we do it better than anyone else.
With 100 years combined experience. Our industry leading people get things done.
See what sectors we work with and find out what we can do for you.
No Frame

WHO WE ARE

With more than 100 years of combined experience. SME/GA is a new breed of branding, marketing and advertising agency that is intimately familiar with the Nations most trusted public brands and institutions. With deep-rooted public sector ties and extensive experience, SME/GA brings considerable resources within sports marketing, corporate/event sponsorship, recruitment events/campaigns, social media management and branding and puts them to work for our clients. The One Thing at Our Essence Dedicated professionals who succeed and excel in their everyday endeavors are always good at One Thing. Whether you are a Special Operations Force member, a Police Officer, a military systems delivery expert working for a large federal contractor, or a recruiting officer for the Army, you have developed and refined a niche; the One Thing that makes defines an expert and comes across in what you say and do. SME Government Affairs (SME/GA) was created to give our clients the One Thing they need in their overall marketing strategy. We created SME/GA with the sole purpose of winning and delivering our experience to the Government and contractor space.We pride ourselves on being creative with purpose. As a client of SME/GA, you benefit from our academic and corporate background in marketing and advertising allowing you to have the One Thing you require: a tailored program designed to allow your business to grow. SME/GAs job is to help you identify and build your brands personality so that your clients know 1) Who you are, 2) Where you stand, and 3) Why you are their best choice.How One Thing Makes a DifferenceWe are not a large company. We are the Few. We are the Strong. We Aim High in our approach and are a Global Force for Good in our impact for clients. As a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB), we understand our strengths and strive for excellence in all we do. We are the platoon to our parent organization, SME, Inc., allowing us to have tremendous reach back capabilities from the perspective of an established and award-winning team. We lean forward in our foxholes scanning the landscape for new areas of engagement of our much defined target audience. We walk the point and deliver results based on your mission requirements. We enjoy the planning, execution and the parade that follows.
LEADERSHIP

Kirk HARRINGTON

MANAGING PARTNER

Kirk Harrington is an Army veteran with over two decades of experience. He was a an early member of the elite Joint Task Force-SIX, a counter-drug and terrorism task force based in El Paso, Texas. He has also been an integral component within the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) community, having served abroad during overseas contingency operations. Mr. Harrington's background includes lecturing on Middle Eastern affairs at the US Military Academy, West Point and is a founding member of Emerging Foreign Market Collaboration, LLC, a knowledge transfer company based in Dubai. Mr. Harrington has a philanthropic side as well serving as the President and founding member of the Purple Heart Injury Lab (PHIL), a charitable organization set up to deal with the thousand of returning service-members who suffer from Traumatic Brain Injuries. Mr. Harrington and SME have joined forces in the creation of a new division named SME Government Affairs (SMEGA). As Managing Partner of SMEGA, Kirk and his team will seek to win branding, marketing, advertising, digital and social media contracts from various branches of the Department of Defense and Local, State and Federal agencies and US Government contractors. Prior to joining the SME family, Mr. Harrington served as Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff for Government Affairs at Oxygen Biotherapeutics Inc., (NASDAQ:OXBT). Additionally, Kirk also served as the Chief of Staff of Oxygen Biotherapeutics, a bio-pharmaceutical company located in Raleigh, North Carolina. In 2006, he was appointed by the United States Department of State as a senior adviser and diplomat to the Government of Iraq. As the sole diplomat to the Iraqi Ministries of Transportation and Construction and Housing, he oversaw every facet for implementation of new infrastructure. He held senior positions at the consulting firm Bearing Point, LLC and investment bank Bear, Stearns & Company. Prior he was a SVP at both Rubenstein PR and Robinson, Lerer & Montgomery, a WPP-owned crisis communications firm located in New York City. Mr. Harrington is a Distinguished Military Graduate of the University of South Dakota where he was a NCAA All-American in the Decathlon.

Paul E. SEWARDS

PRESIDENT

As President of SME GA, Paul is instrumental in driving all strategic planning, client engagements and client services. His charge is nothing less than the growth and leadership of the company.In 2001, Paul was recruited by Andrew Robertson, Chairman of BBDO Worldwide to help transform the BBDO organization and position the agency as a leader in the development of a new consumer paradigm of creative engagement. Paul came to New York from London to serve as Vice President and Managing Director at BBDO Worldwide, where he ran BBDO Proximity in the USA and managed work for Pizza Hut, Financial Times, British Telecom, AOL and Office Depot. He was previously at BBDO Proximity in London, where he spent two years as a Board Director handling clients such as Financial Times, FT.com, Barclaycard and the Cannes Lions. Before that, he was a Group Account Director at TBWA Simons Palmer, London working on Nissan Europe, Apple, Absolut and Sony PlayStation. He also previously served as a Board Director at Craik Jones Watson Mitchell Volekel, London. If you happen to walk into a pub show in the West Village one night and find Paul standing in on harmonica, you might not guess that the Australian belting out blues harp was an award-winning creative strategist with over 20 years experience at some of the worlds leading agencies. Prior to joining SME, Paul was Managing Director at Barker/DZP and SVP at Publicis Digitas where he ran the Global Samsung business. If his accent is difficult to place, thats because Pauls an Englishman who grew up in Australia. One of his fondest memories from home was the day he spotted his musical hero Buddy Guy, walking down the sidewalk in Melbourne. Ten years and two continents later, Paul ran into the Chicago blues legend again, backstage after a show in New York. The fact that Buddy Guy still actually remembered meeting the young Paul Sewards in Australia tells you everything you need to know about SMEs charismatic captain.

Ken CRAWFORD

COO

Kenny is a vastly experienced professional with over 20 years dedicated to providing creative advertising and marketing services for consumer, sports, music and entertainment identity, marketing and digital / social media. As COO at SME GA, Kenny oversees client and partner relationships, and is the figurehead for strategy, creative development and consumer / fan engagements. His first experience with professional sports and talent came as a teenager, babysitting for the Hartford Whalers. Most recently Kenny has served as Creative Consultant at Barker/DZP and previously held senior positions leading strategic initiatives for agencies, brands and celebrities such as The Marketing Arm, BBDO, AOL, Gillette, Venus, Pizza Hut, Visa, eBay, Campbells Soup, FedEx, PepsiCo, David Beckham, Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Oasis, Cindy Crawford, David Ortiz and Georges St. Pierre, to name a few.Kenny lives in New York Citys East Village and is an avid sports, music and pop culture enthusiast who can somewhat sing, play guitar and deliver the theme to All in the Family on piano.

Mike CASSADY

CFO

At a young age Mike was already considered a disciplined self-starter and tireless serial entrepreneur, owning his first bar in his early 20s. Later graduating as a University of Houston law student and football player, who turned his interest in weightlifting into GlobalFit, Americas largest employee health benefits and after 12 years as President & CEO of Global Affiliates Inc., Michael founded Lyrio, a VoIP company in the Northeast region, served as Managing Partner at DAC Partners, LLC a private equity firm, and founded Phoenix Capital, LLC, a New York-based boutique investment banking firm. Little wonder that Michael was a 2005 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist and awarded a 40 under 40 Award. As COO of SME, Mike is the firm hand on the tiller, the friendly pat on the back, and the frightening finger of fiscal responsibility. He also serves on the board of Phoenix Capital, LLC and the advisory board of Oceanus Partners, is an active supporter of the HRC Federal Club, and a passionate supporter of the Sapphire Fund, a non-profit organization supporting human rights.
ADVISORY BOARD

Peter MAHMET

Director, Wicked Sportswear, LLC

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Peter is the Director of Wicked Sportswear LLC. He brings an intense zest for life and practices the fine art of attention to detail in all his endeavors. Formerly, Peter was CEO of Harley-Davidson footwear, Le Coq Sportif, and Ixspa 2000. A Vietnam veteran and avid motorcycle and car enthusiast, Peter has conquered the globe numerous times riding or driving some of the world's fastest cars and motorcycles. Peter also serves on the following boards: Director, SARDAN HOLDINGS, ADDIAS, Lucerne, Switzerland; Director, TRISTATE HOLDINGS, Hong Kong; Director, AMERICAN KIDNEY FOUNDATION, Baltimore MD and Board advisor, CES FOUNDATION, Jackson Hole, WY. His leadership qualities and years of industry experience make for a wonderful addition to our Advisory Board.

Harold "Jay" CHRISTY

COO, Triple Canopy

Jay is not your regular weekend warrior. Known to ride off cliffs while mountain biking, Jay is a senior leader in one of the security's industry's most elite firms, Triple Canopy. Speaking of elite, Jay was a member of the US Army's 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta (SFOD-Delta Force) and retired as an officer after a 20-year career. A PMP certified skilled tactician, Jay has keen insight into the world of US Government consulting and contracting and is a valued member of the Board.

Jeff DAVIS

EVP, Global Sea Technologies

Currently recalled to Active Duty, Jeff is an esteemed 25-year veteran of both private and public industry. Jeff has had successful start up business experience dealing with local, state and federal contracting arms and his counsel to SME GA has been invaluable to the team. An infantry and intelligence officer while in uniform, Jeff has since recently returned from another combat tour in Afghanistan. We are glad to have him back.

Colonel Erik GUNHUS

Special Military Advisor

Erik is a public affairs officer for the United States Army. He has been on numerous deployments in his capacity as a PAO and as a Special Forces (Green Beret) officer. Erik ran the Office of the Chief, Public Affairs - NY (OCPA-NY) branch and led all marketing, public relations and outreach efforts in the biggest media marketplace in the world. A determined individual, Colonel Gunhus has incredible institutional depth and offers SME GA the ability to stay focused on the market niche we have created. A former football athlete at the United States Military Academy, West Point; Erik embodies the pure essence of body, mind and spirit as one of our Nation's finest service-members.
OUR PROCESS

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ASSESS

ANALYZE

ENGAGE

NEEDS ANALYSISOBJECTIVESPROJECT ASSESSMENTThe SME process begins with a meeting between leadership in order to establish teams and functions, set objectives, map the development process and respective needs, discuss barriers/ opportunities and articulate expected outcomes.
CAMPAIGN REPORTINGMETRIC CONVERSION DATA RESEARCHOur thorough and complete analysis team uses the latest technologies to continuously monitor and analyze campaign data and campaign learning.
CAMPAIGN TRACKINGSOCIAL MEDIA MONITORINGCONVERSATION MANAGEMENTSOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENTThe Engage phase activates the newly developed communications plan to fully engage the target audience in open dialogue.

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LISTEN

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DEFINE

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EXPRESS

CAMPAIGN AUDITMARKET INSIGHTS & TRENDSCOMPETITOR ANALYSISQUALITATIVE RESEARCHQUANTITATIVE RESEARCHBENCHMARKINGThe Listen phase is an opportunity to understand and absorb the brands relevant universe through the extensive use of primary and secondary research.
BRAND ESSENCEBENEFIT DEVELOPMENTIDENTITY & STRATEGYPOSITIONINGMARKETING PLANNINGMEDIA PLANNINGThe Define phase identifies the clear, compelling and actionable attributes that will set the brand apart. Delivering a grand strategy that inspires all future communications activities.
CREATIVE EXECUTIONPRINT & DIGITAL PRODUCTIONTV & RADIO PRODUCTIONOUTDOOR PRODUCTIONEVENT MARKETINGPUBLIC RELATIONSSOCIAL MEDIA & MEDIA BUYINGIn the Express phase, the brands strategic foundation blossoms into a complete communications plan of compelling expressions.
OUR CLIENTS

OUR CLIENTS

SME Govermenent affairs is a dedicated marketing services agency that specializes in the specific needs of the following sectors.
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Local Government

State Government

Federal Government

Department of Defense

Government Contractors

To request our full client list, detailed client case studies or agency capabilities, document below.

CONTACT

WASHINGTON DC

NEW YORK CITY

SME GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS1200 G Street NorthwestWashington D.C.Phone: 646 237 0951info_smegaagency.comwww.smegaagency.com
SME GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS212 West 35th Street, 14th FloorNew York, NY 10001Phone: 212 924 5700 info_smegaagency.comwww.smegaagency.com

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