# Southard Communications

> Southard Communications is a privately held New York public relations and marketing agency founded by Bill Southard in 1994. Its specialty is turning consumer products - especially toys, games, parenting, health, food and lifestyle brands - into stories that can move through broadcast, print, social, influencer, experiential and retail channels. The firm is best documented for helping launch LeapFrog and for long relationships with brands such as Etch A Sketch; today it also offers digital advertising, events, Amazon optimization and research-led brand strategy.

- **Founded:** 1994
- **Headquarters:** New York, United States
- **Founders:** Bill Southard (Founder and CEO)
- **Products:** Public relations and media relations, Digital and influencer marketing, Event and experiential marketing, Online sales strategy, Consumer research and brand strategy
- **Notable:** Helped launch LeapFrog; the 2000 campaign generated nearly 200 million consumer impressions and supported a December in which LeapPad exceeded $20 million in sales and ranked as the month's top-selling toy., Maintained a 25-year relationship with the Ohio Art Company and its Etch A Sketch brand until Ohio Art sold the toy line., Marked 30 years in business in 2024.

## Products & services

- **Public relations and media relations** — Strategy, media outreach, product launches, corporate communications, reputation work and crisis communications.
- **Digital and influencer marketing** — Social strategy and management, influencer campaigns, content, paid digital advertising and campaign analytics.
- **Event and experiential marketing** — Product launches, trade-show support, mobile tours, pop-up stores, sampling sites, PR stunts and branded experiences.
- **Online sales strategy** — Amazon listing optimization, competitor and keyword research, pricing, copy, graphics, launch advertising and international expansion support.
- **Consumer research and brand strategy** — Customer insight and market-dynamics work delivered with ESCALATE Strategies to inform marketing and communications programs.

## Achievements

- Helped launch LeapFrog; the 2000 campaign generated nearly 200 million consumer impressions and supported a December in which LeapPad exceeded $20 million in sales and ranked as the month's top-selling toy.
- Maintained a 25-year relationship with the Ohio Art Company and its Etch A Sketch brand until Ohio Art sold the toy line.
- Marked 30 years in business in 2024.
- Won four PRGN Best Practice Awards in 2025: silver for Events and Small Budget Campaigns, and bronze for Product or Service Launches and Thought Leadership and Expert Positioning.
- Joined the Public Relations Global Network in 2019.
- Built a documented client history spanning Sony Electronics, West Point, LeapFrog, Etch A Sketch, The Elf on the Shelf, Green Toys and other consumer and corporate brands.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Supported Hootenanny Games' nationwide consumer promotion inviting owners to submit dogs for the next Feelin' Cute game.
- **2026-06** — Welcomed Marissa Lerman as account coordinator and promoted Laura Joelsson and Alexandra Wilson to account executive.
- **2026-03** — Participated in PRGN's second annual Influence Insights Survey and represented toy clients at Toy Fair 2026.
- **2025-10** — Received four PRGN Best Practice Awards across events, small-budget campaigns, launches and thought leadership.
- **2025-06** — Promoted Maria Habermann to vice president and Kelley DeVincentis to executive vice president.
- **2024-02** — Formalized a strategic partnership with ESCALATE Strategies as the agency approached its 30th anniversary.

## Links

- Website: https://www.southardinc.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southard-communications
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/southardinc
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southardcommunications/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Southard-Communications-281511015930574/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/southard-communications
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-22