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 Team
Coral Darby
Founder
Captain of the ship, team encourager, outdoor veteran, big idea generator, experienced strategist, PR virtuoso, community volunteer, life juggler, running enthusiast.
Angie Robinson
Vice 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.
Clients: Ultimate Direction
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
Cory Van Auken
Digital Marketing Director
Analytics master, YouTube influencer whisperer, social media advertising and email marketing expert, spreadsheet enthusiast, fly fisherman, beach bum.
Clients: Ignik, Johnson Outdoors, PAKMULE
Ashleigh Sherman
Social Media Strategist
Accomplished content writer, witty caption creator, social media trend spotter, cat lover, Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, mountain chaser, quiet but fierce competitor.
Clients: Appalachian Gear Company, BRANWYN, Nantahala Pisgah Forest Partnership
Katie Richter
Senior Account Executive
Event planning specialist, PR coverage collector, big idea generator, trumpet player, accomplished singer, yogi, master multi-tasker, sambista.
Clients: Johnson Outdoors, Knog, LifeSaver, Sierra Designs
Hannah Kaminer
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: Astral, SylvanSport, Ultimate Direction
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, PAKMULE, Sierra Designs, SylvanSport, Wildwater
Lizzy Markman
Account Manager
Social media whiz, creative caption creator, Boolean buff, Muckrack investigator, coffee lover, climber, tarot reader.
Clients: BRANWYN, Green River Preserve, Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn, Tarpestry
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.
Clients: 360 Adventure Collective
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.