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Brett’s reputation for first-class strategic public affairs is rooted in our team members’ combination of over 60 years experience in various campaigns. We anticipate what is around the corner, prepare you for any scenario that may arise, and communicate with the legions of stakeholders and groups who play a pivotal role in the outcome of your situation.
Our many achievements in this area translate fluidly when it comes to launching a successful event for your organization. We plan your event to complement and enhance to fit your organization’s image, crafting and implementing a sensational affair sure to be remembered by all those in attendance.
Health care providers in Upstate South Carolina became aware of Greenville Hospital System’s plans to merge the Anderson, Greenville and Spartanburg hospital systems. Concern grew that this merger would create a monopoly in the health care field and would negatively impact the smaller, non-profit health system and the community at large.
Brett was engaged to take on GHS. The Agency formed the Coalition for Quality Health Care – a group of local residents opposed to the hospital merger. The Agency developed a strategy and organized tactics including advertising, direct mail, media relations, community relations as well as governmental affairs to communicate the appropriate message to the public. The merger was defeated in a referendum with 78 percent of the vote.
Brett was hired to build a coalition to oppose the construction of a new mega landfill in Spartanburg County. The Agency was successful in recruiting spokespersons, elected officials and key community leaders to fight this issue. Had the supporters of the issue been successful, millions of tons of out-of- state garbage would have been brought into the county, in exchange for millions of dollars going into the county’s coffers. A unique branding campaign including collateral materials and key press conferences all planned and organized by Brett gave the coalition the edge in the dispute. As a result of the overwhelming community pressure created by this group, county officials denied the petition.
The City of Gaffney wanted to purchase the local gas company and so did Piedmont Natural Gas. A referendum was scheduled so that the public could decide whether or not the City should go into the gas business. Brett organized a group of business leaders to oppose the City’s purchase and created and implemented a grassroots plan, including media relations, advertising, public opinion polls and more. The campaign increased public awareness of the upcoming referendum and explained why the City should not own and operate the gas company. The referendum was defeated and Piedmont Natural Gas later purchased the gas company.
Laurens County School District 56 was in desperate need of new school facilities, but could not fund the projects without asking for the public’s support of a $48 million bond referendum, which would increase the amount of taxes local citizens paid each year. A group of supporters hired Brett to create a strategy to win the referendum. Brett helped create a grassroots organization called “Citizens for Better Schools,” and implemented an advertising/direct mail campaign to identify support for the referendum. The referendum passed in August 2005.
Since April 2008, Brett has handled corporate communications and media relations for Safe Ports Inc. – a Charleston, South Carolina-based company. The scope of work includes drafting and distribution of press releases, event planning, feature story writing and placement and web-based initiatives. Moreover, Brett has developed a comprehensive public relations strategy specifically for the internet to improve Safe Ports’ web presence and ultimately drive traffic to the company website.
In addition, Brett has helped Safe Ports, Inc. develop key relationships with community leaders and elected officials throughout the state of South Carolina. To complement this endeavor, the Brett staff worked with Lucy Duncan, President and CEO of Safe Ports, to develop an Advisory Board. Although Ms. Duncan and her company were highly respected internationally and in our nation’s capitol, they were not well known in South Carolina. Therefore, Brett sought out and invited several highly respected South Carolina business leaders to serve on the Advisory Board of Safe Ports. The end result was a well-balanced and impressive slate of individuals with deep roots in South Carolina, the military and international business. The first quarterly meeting of the board was held in Charleston on March 27, 2009.
In 2005, Brett Communications began nearly three years of volunteer and pro bono assistance to the Greenville County Salvation Army as it embarked upon an unprecedented capital campaign to raise $15 million for a new community center. This was the required local commitment for the Greenville Salvation Army to receive funding as part of the legendary billion-dollar Kroc bequest left to the national Salvation Army from McDonald's heir Joan Kroc.
The company provided extensive fundraising support and experience, as well as media and community relations, marketing and event planning services. In November 2007, a community event was held to commemorate the successful completion of the $15 million fundraising effort.
The World Club Championship began in 2002 on JeJu Island in South Korea at The Club at Nine Bridges as a way to celebrate two of golf’s greatest enduring traditions: Amateur golfers and the world class Clubs to which they belong. After three years at this location, the WCC Committee decided that the Championship and its participants would be best served by rotating courses, allowing the prospective field an opportunity to experience other clubs and countries.
Sage Valley Golf Club in Graniteville, SC proved to be the perfect site, as it provided a spectacular and beautiful location in which to celebrate the game of golf and continue to build relationships promised to last a lifetime. In order to receive an invitation to this prestigious tournament, Clubs must appear on GOLF Magazine’s list of the Top 100 Courses in the World in the preceding year. These clubs have the opportunity to send their club champion along with a player of his choice with a handicap of three or better.
Brett was hired by Sage Valley Golf Club to help facilitate this tournament, providing and implementing a promotional/advertising campaign for international media efforts; coordination of all elements related to the event with respect to meals, lodging and opening and closing ceremony details; maintenance of lists, mailings; all player communications and other correspondence; sponsorship solicitation and agreements; all needed on-site support. The 2006 event was the most successful to date, with primetime coverage on the Golf Channel, features in worldwide publications such as GOLF Magazine and extensive coverage in multiple local, national and international media outlets.
Brett organized and implemented the July 4th Concert at Furman University for six years. The Greenville Symphony Orchestra hired the Agency to plan the multi-faceted event and oversee the many logistical elements. The Agency coordinated children’s games, a VIP dinner, a patriotic concert and a massive fireworks display. In addition, the Agency was responsible for all promotions, securing sponsorships, ticketing, advertising and public relations. A family favorite, over 25,000 people came each year to enjoy the music and fireworks. Following a brief hiatus, it returned on July 4, 2005 with a new location, format and partnership to kick off the City of Greenville’s Red, White and Blue July 4th Festival.
In 2008, the concert reinvented itself with new sponsors, partners and a brand new location at Simpsonville’s Heritage Park Amphitheater. Brett has remained an integral part of the success of the event by continuing to provide logistical, fundraising and public relations support.
When the first university-affiliated not-for-profit continuing care retirement community in South Carolina opened in May 2009, Brett helped create the signature event that officially introduced The Woodlands as a permanent part of the Upstate. The Agency planned and implemented all elements of the ribbon cutting ceremony and program, and was also responsible for pre- and post-event media relations and press outreach.  The Woodlands at Furman is poised to become one of the state’s most remarkable continuing care communities, with an affiliation with Furman University that affords its residents access to some of the most enjoyable facilities, amenities and events offered in the community.
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Friends Opposing 
Citizens for Better Schools
Salvation Army – Kroc Center