Empower your
Story
Enhance your
Brand
Elevate your
Business
Embolden your
Reputation
Our mission is the same today as it was the day we started S+C Communications at the kitchen table: Help good people tell great stories. We are advisers, ambassadors, advocates and friends – committed to ensuring our clients’ brands and reputations shine through authentic communications…one story at a time.
Empower your
Story
Enhance your
Brand
Elevate your
Business
Embolden your
Reputation
Our mission is the same today as it was the day we started S+C Communications at the kitchen table: Help good people tell great stories. We are advisers, ambassadors, advocates and friends – committed to ensuring our clients’ brands and reputations shine through authentic communications… one story at a time.
Our Expertise
Public Relations
& Strategic Communications
In today’s media landscape, owning the conversation is paramount. Our team of experienced PR strategists and former journalists help clients craft engaging stories and dynamic PR campaigns that drive meaningful coverage and strengthen their brand through media relations, crisp messaging, strategic communications planning and more.
Crisis Communications
& Planning
When your business and reputation are in crisis, S+C puts you back in control. Our veteran team of crisis experts provide candid and constructive advice when clients need it most. We also specialize in proactive crisis management planning, enabling clients to respond quickly in times of adversity.
Media Training
& Communications Coaching
When it comes to media interviews, you have everything to gain and a lot to lose. Effectively communicating clear, concise and compelling messaging during media interviews and public presentations is a highly valued skill. Our team offers tailored in-person or virtual media training and communications coaching sessions that will elevate your storytelling abilities.
Digital & Social Media
Communicating in the ever-evolving digital world is anything but one-dimensional. S+C’s comprehensive approach drives audience engagement, strengthens your brand presence and reputation, and leverages an industry leading, cross-platform monitoring technology to understand share of voice and existing perceptions.
Reputation Management
Our team understands the power of brand reputation and the unique nuances of building a positive and lasting media presence. We begin by evaluating your reputation and assessing potential risks. Then we reframe and reshape the perception of your organization through stakeholder communications, thought leadership and building trust with key audiences.
Litigation Support
We partner with a network of law firms, attorneys and prominent players in the legal community to help steer communications around complex, confidential and fast-moving situations. We craft impactful messages for the right audience at the right time and ensure alignment across all stakeholder communications.
OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM
Our team is lauded by clients for our candid, constructive honesty.
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Phoenix
Chip Scutari
Chip Scutari is co-founder of S+C Communications and managing partner of the firm’s Phoenix office. He brings an authentic knowledge of storytelling and public policy, using an eye for compelling content and a reporter’s instinct to the world of media relations, crisis communications and media coaching.
For 15 years, including several at the Arizona State Capitol, Chip worked on the journalistic frontlines covering Arizona’s most powerful politicians and influential business leaders. His reporting chops, connections and understanding of policy, politics and business helps an array of clients navigate the ever-evolving landscape of communications.
National news outlets like NPR, Fox News and The New York Times, frequently call Chip for his insights on the news because of his reach across the political spectrum. He has served on the boards of several organizations, including the Greater Phoenix Chamber and the Friends of Public Radio Arizona.
Get to Know Chip
Current city: Scottsdale, AZ
Favorite movie: Casablanca
What profession other than your own would you most like to attempt? Head Coach of the US Men’s National Soccer Team.
Favorite city to visit: Providence, RI
What book(s) have you read recently that you would recommend? “The Splendid and the Vile” by Eric Larson.
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, San Diego
Dave Cieslak
Dave Cieslak is co-founder of S+C Communications and managing partner of the firm’s San Diego office. As a former crime reporter and college journalism instructor, Dave brings a unique skill set and deep communications expertise to S+C’s media training, public relations and crisis management work.
In 2008, Dave was honored to serve as a state communications director for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, putting him on a first-name basis with business and community leaders across the nation. Dave was elected to the Ocean Beach Town Council in San Diego and served as its public relations chair in 2012. He also was a member of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Health Care, Energy & Water, and Legislative & Small Business committees.
Dave has provided analysis for The New York Times, Politico, and Newsweek, and has also appeared as a commentator on MSNBC, Fox News, CNBC and Dateline NBC.
Get to Know Dave
About my family: I live in San Diego with my beautiful, kind and exceptionally talented wife Jen, and our sweet rescue dogs.
Favorite TV show(s): It’s a three-way tie: The Office, Breaking Bad and MTV’s The Challenge.
People would be surprised to know: I played awkward teenager Joel Wasserstein in one episode of “The Ben Stiller Show”.
Favorite vacation spot: Kaneohe, on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.
Favorite food: Super nachos with soy chorizo and a ton of guacamole.
Executive Vice President and Managing Director, New York
Kim Mandara
Kim Mandara is an executive vice president and managing director of S+C Communications’ New York office and brings more than 20 years of strategic communications experience in sports, entertainment, media, hospitality and global brands.
Prior to joining S+C, Kim was previously Vice President and Global Head of Communications and Events for Legends, a sports, entertainment, hospitality and experiences company co-founded by the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys. Prior to that role, she spent 13 years at the National Basketball Association (NBA), where she directed the corporate communication practice and led communications for the league’s Global Partnerships division and the Strategy & Innovation group, managing communications strategies, creative storytelling, activations, media relations, and events for blue-chip brands.
Earlier in her career, Kim worked in corporate communications for Viacom (now Paramount) and at FleishmanHillard, a global PR and digital marketing agency.
Get to Know Kim
Current city: New York City
Pets: I have a 6-year-old mixed-breed rescue dog named Jeff, who is now a certified volunteer/therapy dog.
Bucket-list vacation destination: Japan or the Maldives
What is the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? I went skydiving and bungee jumping on the same day.
Most recent concert attended: NY State of Mind Tour featuring Wu-Tang Clan, Nas and De La Soul.
Global Clients That Partner With S+C
What our clients are saying
Barrie Scardina
Head of Retail, Americas
Cushman & Wakefield
“The S+C team is a pleasure to work with and a true partner. They provide strategic and thoughtful counsel, and they deliver exceptional results that directly impact our business.”
Molly Brannon
CMO, North America
Turner & Townsend
“With a plethora of agencies to choose from, I chose to partner with S+C Communications. My reasons are simple: I trust them and the quality of their work. More importantly, I enjoy working with them. Their personable and thoughtful approach to working with me, my team and the executive leadership of my company is the signature experience that I have grown to appreciate most.”
Penny Pfaelzer
U.S. Public Relations
Korean Air
“I haven’t seen talent like this
for a very long time.”
What our clients are saying
Molly Brannon
CMO, North America
Turner & Townsend
“With a plethora of agencies to choose from, I chose to partner with S+C Communications. My reasons are simple: I trust them and the quality of their work. More importantly, I enjoy working with them. Their personable and thoughtful approach to working with me, my team and the executive leadership of my company is the signature experience that I have grown to appreciate most.”
Barrie Scardina
Head of Retail, Americas
Cushman & Wakefield
“The S+C team is a pleasure to work with and a true partner. They provide strategic and thoughtful counsel, and they deliver exceptional results that directly impact our business.”
Penny Pfaelzer
U.S. Public Relations
Korean Air
“I haven’t seen talent like this for a very long time.”
CONNECT WITH S+C
We'd love to hear from you.
Have a question or interested in learning more about S+C? If you’d like to get in touch with us, please use the contact form below.