Flock and Rally Names Merritt McNeely as Chief Executive Officer
Longtime regional business leader Merritt McNeely has been named chief executive officer (CEO) of Flock and Rally, the woman-owned integrated communications and marketing agency headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina.
McNeely, who has served in an executive leadership role at Flock and Rally since Spring 2018, now will lead strategic planning, financial management, business development and more for the company, serving as the agency’s key spokesperson while ensuring ongoing organizational excellence.
“Since Debi Schadel and I co-founded the agency in 2010, we have shared a passion for forging connections and fostering collaboration in our community,” says Tracie Broom, co-founding partner at Flock and Rally. “It is a dream come true to empower a trusted colleague to assume the role of chief executive. Merritt’s skill, experience and commitment to our unique company culture — as well as our shared vision for measured growth — make her a natural fit for the position of CEO.”
Since 2005, McNeely has been well known as a high-impact leader in our region and across the state. She is an award-winning marketing and communications professional with a proven track record in client services, staff management and oversight of vital business activities.
“This is a full-circle moment for me, having worked with Flock and Rally as a client multiple times over the years,” says McNeely. “It’s been an honor to be part of this agency’s remarkable growth in the last four years, and now, it is a privilege to be entrusted to lead this amazing team as we continue forward.”
McNeely joined Flock and Rally in April 2018 as vice president of marketing shortly after Broom and Schadel purchased the firm’s office building on historic Arsenal Hill in downtown Columbia. As the firm’s first executive hire, McNeely brought with her a strong background in advertising, marketing strategy, relationship building and more. In 2020, she was promoted to executive vice president, a role in which she managed the agency team while providing high-level client services.
Since McNeely assumed a leadership role at Flock and Rally, the company has more than doubled in size and revenue. McNeely is responsible for bringing on several major clients, promoting in-house staff, building out team infrastructure and vastly increasing the agency’s capabilities — all in the midst of a pandemic that has required immense resolve and flexibility.
Additionally, she has led Flock and Rally to garner dozens of awards, including a Gold ADDY award for The COMET’s “Saving Sarah’s Seat” campaign, three Silver ADDY awards for the South Carolina State Fair, and numerous awards from both the South Carolina Public Relations Society of America and the International Association of Business Communicators’ S.C. chapter.
“Flock and Rally is evolving while remaining true to our original mission: to rally our community around great ideas,” says Debi Schadel, co-founding partner at Flock and Rally. “With Merritt at the helm as CEO, we are positioned to do more for our clients and community than ever, providing an even richer experience for those with whom we work.”
From 2013-2018, McNeely was the director of marketing and membership for the South Carolina State Museum. She led statewide marketing and communications for "Windows to New Worlds," the 2014 grand opening of the museum’s new observatory and planetarium, and she co-founded and co-chaired the Total Eclipse Weekend, Columbia, S.C. campaign. McNeely worked closely with Flock and Rally on the campaign, which drew hundreds of thousands of travelers to the Midlands for the total solar eclipse of 2017.
From 2005-2013, McNeely served as the executive director of the Five Points Association, where her accomplishments included the installation of a new fountain at Saluda Ave. and Blossom St. as well as the creation of a public art monument at Harden St. and Santee. Ave. to honor the band Hootie and the Blowfish. Serving as the youngest chair of St. Pat's in Five Points, one of the state’s largest annual music festivals, McNeely implemented long-lasting, key upgrades, and under her leadership, the association reached its highest membership numbers to date.
McNeely currently sits on the Five Points Association’s Board of Directors as an at-large member. In addition to years of board service and multiple leadership roles with the Congaree Vista Guild, McNeely served as president of the board from July 2018 to July 2020. McNeely has served on numerous boards and committees, including Columbia Design League, the Animal Mission and the Babcock Center Foundation.
She is a recipient of the Columbia Business Monthly's “50 Most Influential,” the State Media Company's “20 Under 40,” Columbia Regional Business Report’s “Women of Influence,” The Free Times Power List’s “Next 50” and “S.C. Women in Business 2022” honors.
McNeely attended the University of South Carolina and earned her degree in Public Relations from the school of Journalism and Mass Communications. She has presented at national conferences such as the 2016 American Alliance of Museums conference and the 2019 Public Relations Society of America’s international ICON conference.
“As co-owners, Debi and Tracie will remain available to our clients, team and partners for strategy, long-range planning and more,” notes McNeely. “In my new role as CEO, I am excited to lead our team to drive remarkable outcomes for our clients and partners alike.”
Founded in 2010, Flock and Rally is a full-service creative agency that offers a range of services to clients across the South and beyond, from research, branding, strategy and planning to implementation services in marketing, public relations, social media and production management as well as traditional and digital advertising.
Flock and Rally serves a diverse set of clients in sectors including business, education, nonprofit, government, transportation, tourism, commercial real estate, economic development and technology. The company is headquartered on historic Arsenal Hill in downtown Columbia, S.C., and the firm is federally certified as a DBE. View the firm’s work, team and more at https://www.flockandrally.com/.
About Flock and Rally: Integrated Communications & Marketing
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 regional nonprofits to large-scale businesses across South Carolina and beyond. Serving industry sectors ranging from lifestyle and tourism to business, technology, real estate, economic development and more, Flock and Rally’s mission is to rally the community around great ideas. Learn more at www.flockandrally.com.
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