# Flock and Rally: Integrated Communications & Marketing

> Flock and Rally is a women-owned integrated communications and marketing agency in Columbia, South Carolina. Founded in 2010 by Debi Schadel and Tracie Broom and led since 2022 by CEO Merritt McNeely, the firm combines research, branding, advertising, public relations, digital media and production for government agencies, destinations, nonprofits, universities and businesses. Its distinctive strength is turning complicated civic or institutional assignments into coherent public-facing campaigns.

- **Founded:** 2010
- **Headquarters:** Columbia, United States
- **Founders:** Debi Schadel (Co-founding Partner), Tracie Broom (Co-founding Partner)
- **Products:** Brand strategy and identity, Integrated marketing planning, Advertising and media buying, Public relations and media relations, Websites and digital experience
- **Notable:** Earned more than 85 awards across public relations, advertising, business and tourism programs., The 2019 South Carolina State Fair campaign accompanied a shift from national concerts to a free daily circus; every circus show filled and advance ticket sales nearly doubled., The collaborative 2017 Total Eclipse Weekend campaign helped draw roughly 400,000 visitors and an estimated $48 million in regional economic impact.

## Products & services

- **Brand strategy and identity** — Audience research, naming, positioning, visual identity, guidelines, messaging systems and customer-experience thinking.
- **Integrated marketing planning** — Long-range plans that coordinate content, advertising, public relations, social channels, stakeholder engagement and measurement.
- **Advertising and media buying** — Creative development, placement strategy and reporting across broadcast, print, outdoor, digital, streaming and social media.
- **Public relations and media relations** — Press strategy, pitching, events, crisis-aware messaging, media training, monitoring and coverage reporting.
- **Websites and digital experience** — Content planning, information architecture, user-experience planning, design, development and analytics.
- **Content and production** — Copywriting, graphic design, photography direction, video, television, audio, collateral, signage and campaign asset libraries.
- **Social and email marketing** — Channel strategy, content plans, paid campaigns, staff guidance, sentiment tracking and performance reporting.
- **Community and public-sector outreach** — Campaigns for government, transit, workforce, tourism and nonprofit clients where stakeholder coordination is part of the assignment.

## Achievements

- Earned more than 85 awards across public relations, advertising, business and tourism programs.
- The 2019 South Carolina State Fair campaign accompanied a shift from national concerts to a free daily circus; every circus show filled and advance ticket sales nearly doubled.
- The collaborative 2017 Total Eclipse Weekend campaign helped draw roughly 400,000 visitors and an estimated $48 million in regional economic impact.
- Won two Best in Show honors and four Awards of Excellence from SCPRSA in 2024.
- Won a 2025 Best-in-Show Mercury Award for the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership's Leadership & Valor event.
- Received five 2026 American Advertising Awards, including three Gold ADDYs and a Special Judges Award.
- Recognized as a 2025 S.C. Biz News Empowering Women honoree and a 2024 Best Women-Owned Businesses honoree.
- Serves as advertising agency of record for Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, a relationship that began in 2021 and expanded beyond media and creative into strategy and public relations.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Published guidance on building stronger influencer marketing programs and opened hiring for a senior integrated communications strategist.
- **2026-03** — Received five American Advertising Awards: three Gold ADDYs, one Silver ADDY and a Special Judges Award.
- **2026-02** — CEO Merritt McNeely was named to Columbia Business Monthly's 50 Most Influential list.
- **2026-01** — Published a review of its fifteenth year, describing full-team training and a sharper focus on AI-era discovery, credibility and trust.
- **2025-11** — Received three IABC/SC Palmetto honors, including an Award of Excellence for its internal Core Values Plan.
- **2025-04** — Hired Olivia Hyatt as vice president of strategy to lead paid, owned and earned media.

## Links

- Website: https://www.flockandrally.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flockandrally/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/flockandrally
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flockandrally
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlockandRally/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/flock-and-rally-integrated-communications-and-marketing
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-21