We are connectors who love to work collaboratively.

Our team is proactive and solution-oriented, with a sophisticated toolset and decades of experience.

We are open-minded, friendly, respectful, authentic and confident.

Founded in 2010, Flock and Rally is a full-service, women-owned creative agency based in Columbia, South Carolina. The firm integrates branding, public relations, marketing, traditional advertising, digital advertising, social media and more into campaigns for a diverse base of clients, ranging from local nonprofits to state agencies to large-scale businesses. Serving industry sectors ranging from hospitality, lifestyle and travel & tourism to business, health care, higher education, transit & transportation, government, technology, real estate, economic development and more, Flock and Rally’s mission is to rally communities around great ideas.

Like our clients, we care deeply about our community.

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Our Areas of Strength

Flock and Rally specializes in branding, communications and marketing for services, causes and community resources, as well as attractions, destinations and experiences. Our campaigns are focused on goals and objectives such as raising brand awareness; increasing ticket sales; driving behavioral change; generating leads for new customers; driving workforce recruitment inquiries; boosting brand reputation; spurring systemic change; improving stakeholder engagement; and much more.

The agency is particularly well positioned to serve institutional clients with many layers of operational infrastructure, working as a trusted partner alongside client teams who wish to simplify complex messaging and offer a cohesive brand experience to their audiences.

The firm is recognized as one of the top full-service agencies in the region and has earned more than 85 awards, including Best in Show awards from both the SCPRSA and the IABC/SC, a Shining Star Award from the Southeast Tourism Society, and five ADDY awards, including a Gold ADDY.

DBE Certification

Flock and Rally is federally certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and is eligible to partner or team on federal projects which include a DBE requirement for women-owned and minority businesses. Flock and Rally is also certified by Richland County as a Small, Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) and by the City of Columbia, S.C., as a Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (CDBE).

State of South Carolina Statewide Term Contract for Marketing Services

Flock and Rally is not just an active vendor in the SCEIS system. The agency is approved by the State of South Carolina’s SFAA Division of Procurement Services to provide work to governmental units across the state via the Statewide Term Contract for Marketing Services, a.k.a. the “state contract.”

Ownership

Debi Schadel

Co-FOUNDing Partner

Co-founding partner at Flock and Rally: Integrated Communications and Marketing, Debi Schadel is a marketing professional based in Columbia, S.C., who has a lengthy and successful track record in launching new initiatives, placemaking and community-building.

In 2010, she co-founded Flock and Rally, a full-service, women-owned creative agency that provides integrated communications and marketing services to clients in sectors such as higher education, nonprofit, travel and tourism, technology, health care, economic development and more.

Schadel has been honored as one of Columbia Business Monthly magazine’s “50 Most Influential,” Free Times’ “Power 50” and Columbia Regional Business Report’s “Women to Watch.” The Flock and Rally team has garnered more than 85 awards, including Gold and Silver ADDYs from the American Advertising Federation of the Midlands, Best in Show awards from the International Association of Business Communicators' S.C. chapter and the S.C. Public Relations Society of America, and the Shining Light Award from the Southeast Tourism Society.

Schadel co-founded TedXColumbiaSC, One Million Cups Columbia, Crafty Feast, the Columbia chapter of the American Marketing Association, Columbia's first women's roller derby league and more.

In 2022, she was selected as a member of the inaugural cohort of the Columbia Chamber's Midlands Minority Business Accelerator. Since 2012, she has served as a member of the World-Famous Kudzu Queens, a group that appears in the annual St. Pat's in Five Points parade and raises funds for charities that serve women and children in South Carolina.

She is a board member at the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce.

Originally from upstate New York, she brings an open, direct approach to the table and excels at developing and managing integrated marketing campaigns, branding and long-term project management.

Along with an undergraduate degree in Sociology from SUNY Fredonia, she holds a Master of Real Estate Development from Clemson University and a Master of Science in Geography from the University of South Carolina.

Tracie Broom

Co-FOUNDing Partner

Co-founding partner at Flock and Rally, Tracie Broom is a marketing and communications professional from Columbia, S.C., who believes in building connections between people, knowledge and resources to strengthen the community. She started her career as a writer and editor in San Francisco during the dot-com era, serving clients such as CNET and Toyota. In 2010, she co-founded Flock and Rally, a full-service, women-owned creative agency that provides integrated communications and marketing services to clients in sectors such as higher education, nonprofit, travel and tourism, technology, health care, economic development and more.

Broom is board president at PRConsultants Group (PRCG), an invitation-only, nationwide network of 50 award-winning, communications agency leaders who provide clients with cohesive service across multiple U.S. markets. She serves on the United Way of the Midlands Communications Committee and the Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR) Wisdom Council. In Fall 2023, she completed the Prisma Health Medical Scholars community outreach program.

She has been honored as one of Columbia Business Monthly magazine’s “50 Most Influential,” Free Times’ “Power List,” Columbia Regional Business Report’s “Women to Watch” and Women We Admire’s “Top 50 Women Leaders of South Carolina for 2022.” The Flock and Rally team has garnered more than 85 awards, including Gold and Silver ADDYs from the American Advertising Federation of the Midlands, Best in Show awards from the International Association of Business Communicators' S.C. chapter and the S.C. Public Relations Society of America, and the Shining Light Award from the Southeast Tourism Society.

Specializing in strategy, brand storytelling and partnership building, Broom spoke on building connections through authenticity and encouragement at TedXColumbiaSC in 2014, and she co-presented a case study on the Best in Show Mercury Award-winning “Total Eclipse Weekend Columbia, SC” tourism campaign at the Public Relations Society of America’s international PRSA ICON conference in San Diego in 2019. Broom was the keynote speaker at the 2020 Lexington Chamber Awards and spoke at the 2023 PRSSA Southeast District Conference.

Since 2012, she has served as a member of the World-Famous Kudzu Queens, a group that appears in the annual St. Pat's in Five Points parade and raises funds for charities that serve women and children in South Carolina. From 2015-2021, she served on the Foundation Board of the S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities in Greenville, S.C. She is a graduate of Wesleyan University with a B.A. in Dance Choreography and Performance. In a nod to her past as a food editor and lifestyle writer, she can be found on social media via @theyumdiary.

Our Team

Merritt McNeely

Chief Executive Officer

Merritt (McHaffie) McNeely joined Flock and Rally in 2018, first as VP of marketing, bringing with her an extensive background in marketing, communications and organizational leadership. In June 2020, she was promoted to executive vice president. In September 2022, she was elevated to the role of CEO.

Since 2005, she has been involved with many high-profile events, campaigns, and organizations and is known widely as a leader in the Midlands community. Merritt worked as the executive director for the Five Points Association from 2005-2013 and during her tenure, accomplished numerous vital projects for the neighborhood, including serving as the youngest and first female chair of the annual St. Pat's in Five Points festival.

From 2013-2018, Merritt was the director of marketing and membership for the South Carolina State Museum, overseeing an annual marketing budget of $450,000. She led the statewide marketing and communications for the grand opening of the new museum in 2014 and became founder and chair of the Total Eclipse Weekend, Columbia, S.C. campaign, which drew hundreds of thousands of travelers to the Midlands.

Since joining Flock and Rally, she has led the team to garner one Gold ADDY for The COMET’s “Saving Sarah’s Seat” campaign and three Silver ADDY awards for the South Carolina State Fair.

Merritt attended the University of South Carolina and earned her degree in Public Relations from the school of Journalism and Mass Communications.

She is a recipient of the State Media Company's “20 Under 40,” Columbia Regional Business Report’s “Women of Influence”, The Free Times’ Next Most Powerful 50 and Columbia Business Monthly's “50 Most Influential” and “S.C. Women in Business 2022” honors. In addition to years of board service and multiple leadership roles with the Congaree Vista Guild, Merritt served as president of the board from July 2018 to July 2020. In the past, she served on the boards of the Columbia Design League, the Animal Mission and the Babcock Center Foundation. Merritt currently sits on the Five Points Association’s Board of Directors as an at-large member.

Anna Kate Twitty

DIRECTOR OF Channel Strategy

Anna Kate Twitty directs Flock and Rally’s award-winning channel strategy department, playing a pivotal role in driving the success of the agency’s integrated marketing campaigns and providing strategic oversight and guidance across a wide spectrum of channels, including earned, shared and owned media.

She also serves as the firm’s subject matter expert on marketing planning, public relations, media relations, storytelling and copywriting. She is an integrated communications and marketing professional with an extensive background working in the nonprofit sector as well as supporting clients in an agency setting. She has developed and implemented strategic communications for multiple large-scale campaigns, construction projects and grand openings.

Anna Kate has worked in a variety of communications positions across South Carolina since 2007. Before joining Flock and Rally, Anna Kate was an integrated marketing manager for Infinity Marketing in Greenville, S.C. In that position, she served as a key relationship manager and developed strategies for some of the firm’s largest integrated clients. Prior to joining Infinity Marketing, she was the director of marketing and communications at Historic Columbia and the public relations manager at the South Carolina State Museum. Additionally, she has worked at Cyberwoven as an account manager and at the American Red Cross as a regional communications director—where she deployed on several natural disasters and served as national media spokesperson.

Anna Kate has served on committees for Historic Columbia, A.C. Moore Elementary School and the University of South Carolina’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications. In 2024, Anna Kate was named 40 Under 40 by the Columbia Regional Business Report and a South Carolina Woman in Business by Columbia Business Monthly.

Mary Kate Korpita

Director of Client Relations

Mary Kate Korpita is a strategic communications professional from Columbia, S.C. Prior to joining Flock and Rally in 2019, she worked in Dallas for global communications marketing firm Edelman, where she specialized in content development, strategic planning and internal communications.

Through her work with Edelman Intelligence, the firm’s global research and analytics consultancy, she analyzed trends and incorporated research into media relations efforts for her clients. At Flock and Rally, she most recently served as director of brand strategy, supporting clients such as Peak DriftBeverages, Able South Carolina, the S.C. Institute of Medicine and Public Health, DisabilityRights South Carolina, Richland First Steps, OurRelationship, and more.

Mary Kate attended the University of South Carolina and earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. During her collegiate career, she served as the vice president of the International Association of Business Communicators student chapter.

She is a graduate of Leadership Columbia and served as vice president of the board and marketing committee co-chair of Historic Columbia's Palladium Society. Mary Kate is on the host committee of the Annual I Believe Anita Hill Celebration and enjoys networking with brilliant minds across the Palmetto State.

Julia Flowers

Director of Operations

As the director of operations at Flock and Rally, Julia Flowers uses her strengths of strategic problem-solving and operational structuring to drive the success of each client and the Flock and Rally team

Julia is responsible for operational staff management, business operations, business administration, human resources management and more. Having served in a creative capacity on numerous client project teams at Flock and Rally, Julia understands what clients and team members prioritize, particularly regarding processes and logistics

Julia graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of South Carolina in 2017, and she pursued a 2-year commitment with Teach for America immediately following graduation. She returned to South Carolina in 2019 to work in marketing and real estate development, and then joined the Flock and Rally team in 2022.

Forrest Clonts

Director of Creative Services

Forrest Clonts is a problem-solving creative professional with a background in photography and communications. As director of creative services at Flock and Rally, Clonts is responsible for fostering creativity and maintaining a cohesive style across projects that is consistent with each client’s brand, with a story-focused mindset. Clonts also serves as an account supervisor and creative strategist for numerous client projects.

Before Flock and Rally, Clonts played a substantial role on the creativeside of some of Flock and Rally’s most notable projects, many of which have been honored with industry awards—including the South Carolina State Fair’s 150th anniversary campaign. Since joining the agency, Clonts has supported Flock and Rally with clients such as Experience Columbia South Carolina, Motor Supply Company Bistro, Disability Rights South Carolina, Carolina Ale House, The COMET and Riverbanks Zoo & Garden.

With more than 12 years of professional experience, Clonts most recently served as the public information director for the vice president of research at the University of South Carolina. During that time, Clonts also established and grew his business, Forrest Clonts Studio. There, his photography work would be featured in publications such as Southern Living, The Local Palate, at Home Upstate, Fig Columbia, Columbia Metropolitan Magazine, Jasper Magazine, Garden & Gun and more.

Clonts lives in West Columbia with his wonderful wife and young children. In his free time, he loves to woodwork, garden and visit South Carolina State Parks with his family.

Scott Harris

Director of Advertising

As director of advertising at Flock and Rally, Scott Harris uses his excellent communication skills and adaptability to drive the success of each client and the Flock and Rally team.

Scott is responsible for all Flock and Rally clients with paid media services and advertising strategy. He has supported Flock and Rally with clients such as Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Columbia Metropolitan Airport, South Carolina State Fair and more.

Scott graduated from Wingate University with a communications degree. He has garnered a total of 18 years in the advertising industry. He is a former local sales manager at WACH FOX TV in Columbia, SC. Before establishing and creating client relationships at WACHFOX TV, he served as the business development manager at Queue Advertising and spent 10 years at WIS Television as an account executive and political advertising specialist.

Scott is the former president of Columbia’s chapter of the American Advertising Federation and served as the director of programs for the organization for over five years. He remains involved with the federation and has served as an ADDY Awards judge for several southeast chapters. Scott’s currently on the communications board at his church, Trenholm Road United Methodist in Columbia.

In his free time, Scott loves playing tennis and exploring South Carolina with his family. Scott’s favorite part about Columbia is the diverse culture and close proximity to the mountains and coast.

Rachel Carter

Director of Project ManageMent

Rachel Carter is armed with acuity for project management and the ability to enforce deadlines with a smile. While she excels at managing integrated communications campaigns, large-scale advertising and graphics production, content creation and beyond, her role enables her to fine-tune the agency’s approach to project management best practices.

A longtime Flockstar who has been on the team since 2015, Rachel is constantly on the lookout for all things handmade and delicious, and she is passionate about playing a role in the flourishing small business economy in Columbia, S.C.

Rachel serves as president of the board of the nonprofit Jam Room Music Festival.

Photo by Sean Rayford for Flock and Rally — Photo by Sean Rayford

Cait Maloney

Senior art director

For years, Cait Maloney has been Flock and Rally’s most frequent creative collaborator, having played a major role in the development of new brands, beautiful campaign creative, inventive illustrations and outside-of-the-box ideas while serving on various of the agency’s project teams for many years. In 2022, she joined the agency full time as Senior Art Director. Her work is known for being fresh, cutting-edge and approachable, with a solid mix of mass appeal and niche interest. Cait Maloney is a published illustrator, award-winning graphic designer and experienced exhibition artist. In 2008, she earned her bachelor's degree with a focus in illustration from Syracuse University.

She has worked nationally and internationally with clients like Abita Brewing Company, Diesel Fragrance, the YMCA, TD Bank and PGA Junior League Golf and locally with clients like the Central Midlands Council of Government, The City of Columbia, Charleston County, and the South Carolina Asphalt Pavement Association. Cait serves on the board of the Columbia Design League, an affiliate of the Columbia Museum of Art. Her mural, "Lady Vista," was commissioned by the Congaree Vista Guild and is located on the east wall of 916 Gervais Street in downtown Columbia, S.C.

Cait has provided graphic design and illustration services to Flock and Rally for projects including the COMET, the S.C. State Fair, the BullStreet District, Richland Library’s Do Good Columbia initiative, the NSF’s Engineering Research Visioning Alliance, NTT Data, Hire Me SC, the University of South Carolina and many more.

Jamie Muldrow

Senior Communications Strategist

Jamie Muldrow, an integrated marketing and communications professional, joined Flock and Rally in May 2023. With an insightful approach and dedication to client success, Jamie works to develop communications plans that help clients deliver clear, compelling and consistent key messages to inform and inspire their target audiences.

Jamie began her career as a promotions director for seven radio stations in the Columbia market, where she focused on developing and executing promotional strategies and campaigns, event coordination, and community engagement. Following two years as the business manager for The Ad Agency, Jamie moved into the nonprofit sector, working eight years for the American Red Cross.

As the communications manager for the South Carolina Blood Services Region, she led strategic communications and collaborated with media outlets and area businesses to raise awareness of the need for blood donations. More recently, Jamie worked as a marketing specialist for the Red Cross national donor marketing team to provide support for approximately 250 large-scale blood drives across the country.

In addition to her work experience, Jamie is a 2011 Leadership Columbia graduate and a recipient of the Glenn Jacobus Award. She has also served as past chair of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Marketing Communications Committee and as former advertising chair for the Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade Committee.

A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Jamie earned a bachelor’s degree in advertising from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Prior to joining Flock and Rally, she taught family and adult yoga classes and served as a member of the marketing team at Pink Lotus Yoga Center.

Larkin Belton

Senior Communications STRATEGIST

Larkin Belton is a communications professional with a well-rounded skill set in various forms of media. Belton helps clients deliver key messages to their audiences through public relations, social media and other forms of communication.

Belton has supported Flock and Rally’s work with clients, including Able South Carolina, Newsome Law, SC Thrive, the South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health, and The COMET.

In his most recent role, Belton served as the communications coordinator at the South Carolina Department of Commerce, where he worked with companies, local jurisdictions and the Governor's Office to promote economic development statewide. Belton is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in communications.

Rebecca Rebl

Graphic Artist

Rebecca Rebl is an award-winning creative professional from Columbia, S.C. with a creative, yet structured mindset, and a passion for design.

As the team's graphic artist, Rebl designs essential brand and campaign assets, print publications, social graphics, advertisements and other deliverables. Rebl has supported Flock and Rally’s work with clients, including The COMET, Peak Drift Beverages, the University of South Carolina and York Technical College.

Prior to joining Flock and Rally, Rebl worked in marketing and communications in the retail and wholesale industries. As she became more involved with creative projects in this role, Rebl found her passion for design. Rebl became a graphic designer for the University of South Carolina Office of Undergraduate Admissions, then transitioned into her most recent position as a senior assistant director for marketing production. Rebl is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in music performance.

Haley Nelson

Digital Marketing Strategist

Haley Nelson is a digital marketing strategist at Flock and Rally, where she drives integrated strategies that combine SEO, content marketing, website optimization, email marketing and organic social media. As a skilled marketing professional, she leverages data-driven insights and strategic content creation to execute cross-channel strategies.

Nelson supports a dynamic client portfolio, including Experience Columbia SC, the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership, Disability Rights SC, Prisma Health, Welvista, Anchor Investments, OneSpartanburg and Chapin Commercial Construction.

Her previous experience includes roles such as a content marketing specialist at Cognito Forms, retail market coordinator at REI Co-Op, director of communications at SC Women in Leadership, and marketing and events coordinator at The Rackes Group. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from the University of South Carolina’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

When she's not working, you can catch her hanging out at one of her neighborhood spots in Cayce or starting yet another home renovation project.

Aaliyah Jones

Communications STRATEGIST

Aaliyah Jones is a public relations and strategic communications professional from Greenville, South Carolina with a knack for storytelling. Using her diverse set of skills, Jones excels in content creation, brand development and crisis communication.

Prior to joining Flock and Rally, Jones worked at the PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation in Jacksonville, Florida, where she performed external and corporate communications services for 150 chapters within the network and numerous partners.

Jones graduated from Wofford College with an undergraduate degree in humanities and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a master’s degree in mass communications.

In her free time, Jones enjoys cooking, working out and spending time with family and friends.

Maiya Wingfield

Content Strategist

Maiya Wingfield is a content strategist at Flock and Rally, specializing in social media and influencer marketing. She develops impactful digital content and strategies that engage audiences and amplify clients’ brands. Known for her expertise in creating dynamic social campaigns, Wingfield supports clients such as Disability Rights SC, The COMET, Prisma Health, Architrave, South Carolina State Fair, USC Arnold School 5210, National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership, Chapin Commercial Construction, and the Columbia Food and Wine Festival.

In previous roles, Wingfield was a social media coordinator at Linked UP Church in Powder Springs, Ga. and a social media marketing specialist at Aveanna Healthcare in Smyrna, Ga. She graduated Cum Laude from Spelman College in 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.

In her free time, she enjoys. reading a good fiction book, going shopping, traveling, spending time with loved ones, and watching UGA football.

Anna Gatch

communications Strategist

Anna Gatch is a creative strategic communications professional from Columbia, South Carolina, with a knack for copywriting and client relations.

As the team’s junior project manager, Gatch is responsible for leading and overseeing a variety of projects, while managing client sponsorships and community relations opportunities. With a keen eye for social media and brand strategy trends in the industry, she provides insight into growing engagement and brand refreshment, helping our clients adapt to trends. Gatch supports Flock and Rally’s work with clients, including Bluestein Attorneys, Hotel Trundle and Chapin Commercial Construction.

Gatch started out at the agency as a public relations intern in 2021, where she was able to grow her skills in social media management, copywriting and brand strategy research.

Gatch graduated with a bachelor's degree in public relations and a master’s degree in mass communications at the University of South Carolina.

In her free time, Gatch enjoys finding hidden treasures at local thrift shops and baking sweet treats for her friends and family.

Halleigh Carlson

Integrated Media Buyer

Halleigh Carlson is an advertising professional who specializes in executing integrated media plans across digital and traditional channels.

As the team's integrated media buyer, her expertise includes optimizing paid social media and search campaigns, managing media buys, providing media recommendations, creating tracking reports, managing budgets and building vendor relationships.

Halleigh has supported Flock and Rally’s work with clients such as SC First Steps, where she contributed to ad planning strategy and audience research for their Countdown to Kindergarten campaign. She also supported the SC State Museum by managing their media buy for the 80th Anniversary D-Day Salute event, and assisted Welvista with ad planning strategy and audience research for a general awareness campaign.

Prior to her current role, Halleigh served as an Integrated Media Specialist for Wier / Stewart. She holds a bachelor's degree in Digital Audiences from Arizona State University.

In her free time, Halleigh enjoys attending concerts, taking weekend trips, and spending quality time with her four pets. She is also a founding member of a very informal and unofficial movie club, where she holds the title of Chief Movie Contributor & Rating Expert.

Marty

CHIEF DOGGO OFFICER

Marty has served as Flock and Rally’s chief doggo officer since 2019. His role as CDO is demanding, so he is often found napping it off, either in his doggie bed by the desk of his human, Rachel Carter, or in the laps of various staff members. While Marty provides an essential service to the team, he is concerned predominantly with whatever he feels like doing at the moment. The team strives to be like Marty whenever possible.

Millie

Director of Barketing

Millie oversees all barketing efforts in the Flock and Rally office. She is a very collaborative pup, so you may find her in the conference room giving her two cents or in the offices of fellow coworkers encouraging them to play. Millie, daughter of Julia Flowers, reminds us to take breaks to laugh, relax and most importantly, play fetch.

Rigatoni

Barketing Intern

Rigatoni aids our team in talking social strategy and treats. He enjoys frolicking around the office and greeting our team with kisses and the occasional nibble. When he’s not napping in his mom’s (Mary Kate Korpita) lap, he regularly meets with his canine colleagues to play. As the youngest office pup, he has stolen our hearts.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Flock and Rally is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, biological sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, gender presentation, sexual orientation, veteran status, and/or any other category protected by law. We do not discriminate based on genetic information in accordance with the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act.

The Flock and Rally InternsHIP PROGRAM

Flock and Rally has a competitive internship program, which enables local university and college students to gain work experience in the field. More than 100 interns have gone through the Flock and Rally internship program since its founding in 2011.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. To apply, send a cover letter, resume and any relevant work samples to flockstars@flockandrally.com.