Darby Communications is an Asheville-based public relations and digital marketing firm representing leaders within the outdoor, active lifestyle, and craft food and beverage industries. We do everything from traditional media relations and event planning to social media management, email marketing, and athlete and ambassador management.
Mission Statement
Darby Communications is a team of fun-loving, hard-working communicators that brings a fresh approach to PR and digital marketing. We combine original ideas with good old elbow grease to deliver extraordinary campaigns and events. Never a one-person show, we incorporate teamwork into every aspect of our media relations and digital marketing strategies. At Darby Comm, our motto of work hard, play hard isn’t just a saying. It’s a way of life.
Meet the Darby Team
Coral Darby
Founder
Outdoor industry veteran, community volunteer, professional connector, staunch believer in people over profit, soon-to-be empty nester, happiest at the YMCA, on the trail, and spending time with her family.
Angie Robinson
President
WNC Native, go-to-market strategist, PR veteran, new biz developer, novice high school debate judge, trail enthusiast, always dreaming of summer days and what her next meal will be.
Cory Van Auken
Director of Operations
Master of analytics, #dadlife ambassador, Arsenal super-fan, digital marketing wizard, spreadsheet enthusiast, fly fishing hack, and kid wrangler/sherpa.
Clients: Appalachian Gear Company, Ignik, Johnson Outdoors, Maine Fly Company, PAKMULE
Suzanne Hermann
Media Relations Director
Darby PR team captain, copy editor for all the things, one-time Emmy winner (with no statuette to show for it), former D1 college volleyballer, holds the unofficial record for most summits of Bearwallow Mountain with two kids during a pandemic.
Clients: Appalachian Gear Company, Ignik, Industrial Revolution
Katie Richter
Assistant Media Relations Director
Event planning specialist, PR coverage collector, big idea generator, trumpet player, accomplished singer, yogi, master multi-tasker, sambista.
Clients: Knog, LifeSaver, Sierra Designs
Ashleigh Sherman
Senior Account Executive
Accomplished content writer, witty caption creator, non-profit PR whisperer, cat lover, Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, mountain chaser, grad student, quiet but fierce competitor.
Clients: Appalachian Gear Company, BRANWYN, Nantahala Pisgah Forest Partnership
Hannah Kaminer
Senior Account Executive
Creative content writer, experienced digital marketer, analytics geek, former wilderness therapy instructor, talented singer & musician, avid hiker.
Clients: Devil's Foot, Nine Mile, Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn
Mindy Smith
Account Executive
Eternal optimist, event planning master, in-the-details fanatic, marketing trendspotter, community builder, long-distance trail runner, stand-up paddleboarder, podcast enthusiast.
Clients: Around the Crown 10K, Astral, SylvanSport, Ultimate Direction
Lizzy Markman
Digital Media Strategist
Algorithm investigator, creative caption creator, aesthetic feed designer, coffee lover, climber, tarot reader.
Clients: Green River Preserve, Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn, PubCorps, Tarpestry
Lysianne Peacock
Account Manager
Creative project juggler, enthusiastic multi-tasker, witty writer, OUTspiration blog founder, 14er peak bagger, proud WI native, aspiring mediocre climber, Buncombe County Rescue Squad volunteer.
Clients: Industrial Revolution, SylvanSport, Wildwater
Stacy Kline
Account Manager
Dedicated project organizer, culture curator, thorough communicator, constantly curious, trail runner, rock climber, craft beer enthusiast, and Office fanatic (pre-Michael Scott’s exit). Usually in search of sunshine, the perfect playlist, and more dog friends.
Clients: Appalachian Gear Company, Asheville Adventure Company, Cultivate Climbing, Ignik, Knog, Sierra Designs
Kade Gewanter
Account Coordinator
Eager learner of all things PR, team player, kettlebell enthusiast, well-traveled angler, former college football player, aspiring foodie, IPA lover, can often be found looking for the perfect podcast or reading books.
Clients: Johnson Outdoors, Industrial Revolution, Maine Fly Company, PAKMULE
Mandy Giles
Controller
Keeper of the books, number cruncher, big idea thinker, office prankster, ray of sunshine, volunteer kids basketball coach, ex-hula hoop peddler.
Ziggy
Office Heartthrob
Dumpster diver, snuggle addict, avid runner, ball chaser.
Pooky
Office Protector
Adopted orphan, front door greeter, lifetime member of Weight Watchers, trail running lover.
Mowgli
Office Cuddler
Cat living in a dog’s body, playtime referee, adventure companion, official office chair tester.