Hirons, a full-service marketing and communications consulting agency providing advertising, public relations and digital services, is proud to announce the promotion of Jay Schemanske and Sheila Smiley to executive vice president.
This announcement follows the celebration of 46 years of business serving clients across local, regional and national markets and myriad industries.
In their new roles, both Schemanske and Smiley provide executive leadership tailored to unique clients and accounts. Schemanske will lead the communications management and business development departments, and Smiley will oversee the agency’s media, digital and supplier diversity departments.
“Jay and Sheila exemplify the bold approach we bring to our clients,” said Hirons CEO Deana Haworth. “During their tenures at Hirons, both have played significant roles in advancing innovation, embracing challenge and developing a culture of excellence. As we dream and plan for the future of our firm, their executive leadership is key.”
Schemanske joined Hirons in 2020 to lead strategy and account services for the agency. With more than 25 years of marketing and advertising experience, Schemanske is a proven and respected industry leader, driving success in both national and local campaigns. His expertise includes strategic communications, research, cross-channel marketing and data analysis. Schemanske is well known among colleagues for his commitment to empowering the teams he works with while providing top-notch customer service to clients.
“Every day I walk into the office, I am acutely aware of what an extraordinary opportunity it is to work with clients and fellow employee-owners on impactful and important work,” Schemanske said. “The last four years with the agency have been incredibly enriching, and our momentum is palpable.”
Smiley first joined Hirons in 2003 as media supervisor before leading strategic digital and traditional marketing campaigns at other Midwest-based agencies. She returned to Hirons in 2020 to head the agency’s digital and media teams. With nearly 25 years of industry experience, Smiley has been integral in strategic campaign development for Hirons’ clients, and her guidance on the investment of data, conversational AI and programmatic buying has been pivotal. She was also instrumental in Hirons’ recent designation as a WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise. She oversees the agency’s supplier diversity department.
“I’m grateful to have returned to Hirons to lead the teams I contributed to at the beginning of my career,” Smiley said. “The last four years have been among the most fulfilling of my career, largely due to the opportunity to lead important initiatives, such as our WBENC-Certification and formalization of our supplier diversity department, and spearhead innovations, especially in the AI space. We’ve come so far, but there’s still more to go. Hirons’ future is bright.”
Since its founding, Hirons has been known for several specialty areas of focus including business-to-business, crisis communications, government relations and a proprietary Rural Reach program.