Ashley Copeland

ashley copeland brings more than ten years of public relations, event planning, publicity and promotional services to the clients of ashleycopelandinc.  Her experience extends from working as an Account Executive for a Top 25, Atlanta-based public relations firm to owning and managing her own Birmingham-based boutique public relations agency.

ashley copeland founded the firm Copeland Communications LLC in 2005, taking on four initial clients in Birmingham, Alabama.  Since then, the firm has grown to include a full range of public relations services and clients in Birmingham and across the South.  ashley recognizes and understands the need for her clients to maximize the relationship between their business or product and the local and national media.  She organizes client interests through targeted media coverage of strategic messages and events.  Through positive media relationships, creative angles are developed to encourage media coverage.  Professional, effective follow-through ensures successful message delivery.

 In 2007, ashley had a fresh vision for the company and took a new direction to incorporate bridal consulting and wedding planning as an extension of her event planning services.    The company changed it’s name to ashleycopelandinc. and began servicing bridal clients locally, as well as regionally and nationally.  ashley received national wedding planning and bridal consulting certification in 2007 from the American Academy of Wedding Professionals (AAWP).

A variety of local, regional, and national clients serviced through Copeland Communications, LLC and ashleycopelandinc. include, Brio Tuscan Grille (Birmingham and Atlanta markets), Harmony Landing Home Décor store in Homewood, Watermark Place Outlet Center, and The Prescott House (a non-profit agency providing counseling services for abused children).  She manages regional clients such as The Southern Women’s Show Series, G4 Productions and the off-Broadway Production, “Menopause the Musical,” and has cross- promoted clients with organizations such as Broadway Across America and LiveNation shows in Birmingham such as “Sweet Charity,” “Movin' Out,” “On Golden Pond,” “Phantom of the Opera,” and ‘STOMP.”

ashley has volunteered her time and expertise to the promotion of events for non-profit organizations such as the Central Alabama Women’s Business Center (she is currently a board member) and its “Breakfast for Success event,” and Southern Bride’s “Eat, Drink & Be Married,” event, where she was also keynote speaker. 

She donates her time to other non-profit organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation® chapters in Alabama and Georgia, where she is the public relations/media liaison and event planner for the agency.  She was instrumental in providing PR/Marketing services to the Foundation that included more than $20,000 in pro bono work for 2006, and serves as co- chair for the annual Make-A-Wish Gala.

In the past two years, ashley has assisted the Prescott House, in raising more than $60,000 through specialized events and fundraising efforts.

ashley is also a member of the Entrepreneur’s Round Table of Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce.  As a young entrepreneur, ashley has recognized the importance of training for young practitioners and community involvement.  She has:
 

o        Provided an extended year-long internship training program tailored specifically for two University of Alabama Public Relations majors.

o        Organized a “Young Women's Connection” monthly meeting with community tie-in.

o        Partnered clients with community organizations such as Operation New Birmingham and with elected officials and VIPs. 

o        Organized 9.11 Remembrance Day for 3 local communities including Homewood, Mt. Brook and Vestavia. Worked with city officials in each community.

Prior to launching her own agency, ashley managed several accounts for KC Public Relations in Atlanta:  Swissôtel International Hotels, the Palm restaurant, 99X radio, and Dave & Busters Restaurant.  She was in charge of generating media placements, publicity, translating documents for French-based clients, and assisting in raising the level of general public awareness of all clients of the agency.  In 1997, she successfully led all public relations efforts for the grand opening of the second Atlanta based Dave & Busters.    

ashley graduated from Auburn University in 1997 with a double major in Communications and French.  She spent six years teaching French to local urban high school students.  While teaching, she successfully planned and implemented three trips to France for honors students at the high school.  She personally raised more than $20,000 for each trip (50% of the funds required for each student) and led the visits in 2001, 2003 and 2005.  As an educator, she received the “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” award, was nominated by the Alabama State Department of Education as an expert for the French Praxis Panel, and was a writer for the Birmingham City School’s National Board Handbook. 

ashley currently lives in Homewood with her yellow lab, Malli.

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