Areas of expertise
New business development, marketing, professional development, and client branding/strategy.
Jeff Smith is the Founder and CEO of JS2 PR, where he is responsible for the agency’s day-to-day operations in addition to new business development, professional development and client branding/strategy.
Jeff holds a B.A. in history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He served as President of the Los Angeles chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) for two years, sat on its Global Strategic Alliance committee, and chaired the EO US West DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) task force. Jeff currently serves on the Advisory Board at UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Social Work where he was honored to receive the Tate-Turner-Kuralt Award for outstanding service to the School. He has held board positions with The Wonder of Reading, G.L.E.H., and the Alzheimer’s Association’s Marketing Advisory Council, and is a founding member of PR Masterminds, a group of PR industry thought leaders from across the U.S. Jeff is currently serving a four-year term on the vestry of his church, All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills.
Highlights
Launched firm 22 years ago (August 2001)
Has recruited and hired more than 250 team members
Has represented more than 350 clients
JS2 has won many awards, including Bulldog Reporter Awards and PR News Awards
LGBTQ+-owned firm
Experience
Prior to establishing JS2 PR in 2001, Jeff was a principal at the New York-based public relations and marketing communications firm Kratz & Company, which was sold in 2000. He began his career in Los Angeles in development at Fox Broadcasting Company, where he assisted in developing prime time specials, including the Emmy Awards and Billboard Music Awards.
Education
UNC-Chapel Hill graduate (BA, History); president of the Philanthropic and Dialectic Society, and member of the pre-law club.
3 Questions With Jeff
What’s the best thing you cook?
I can grill a steak to perfection.When was a memorable time you made lemonade out of lemons?
Every day: PR is a Gordian Knot whose twists and turns require creativity, tenacity, and smarts! We hit curveballs out of the park. It’s challenging, but a wildly rewarding existence.Why do you love working in food and beverage PR?
The people who work and thrive in the food & beverage industry are inspiring. I love them, I love what they do, and most of all, I love what they create.