Karen Benson Smedley

Karen spearheads our Marketing and Communication Services area. With a Masters degree in Journalism from Syracuse University, she began working as a professional reporter and editor before embarking on a 20-year-career in marketing, communications and public relations management.

As Consumer Information Officer for a statewide department of consumer affairs, Karen served as media spokesperson, issued consumer advisories, made numerous speeches to civic groups and conducted educational workshops for the business community. Through her various PR management posts in large, complex organizations, Karen honed her expertise in marketing communications. She combines her writing and editing talents with her natural creativity to develop compelling copy for promotional and advertising materials as well as corporate websites.

As a senior director for a busy marketing and communications office, Karen was responsible for the planning and execution of all marketing strategy, including media relations, hundreds of publications, and dozens of special events. She has managed large and complex marketing budgets and is skilled in negotiating cost-effective media buys. Leading a staff of experienced and creative marketing professionals, Karen has developed and implemented highly successful “branding” campaigns to raise awareness and visibility and increase market share.

Karen also employs her well-honed presentation skills with an engaging instructional style to deliver a number of our customizable marketing training programs.

Karen Benson Smedley-- one reason why you should turn to SBG as the marketing partner you can trust!

Kent Smedley

Kent manages our Leadership and Management Training area. He has more than 20 years of experience in positions of increasing responsibility in sales, marketing and general management in the consumer packaged goods industry. After launching his career at Procter and Gamble, Kent became a key sales manager at The Clorox Company and was general manager for a joint-venture between two consumer packaged goods organizations. During his career he has developed and delivered a number of corporate sales and marketing training programs and builds upon this vast experience at SBG.

Combining his broad management background with his experience as a facilitator and stand-up trainer, Kent has developed a series of effective leadership and management training programs. He currently teaches an online course in sales management and serves as adjunct-faculty at a local community college. Kent is a member of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD).

Kent has delivered corporate training to diverse audiences ranging from H&S Bakery and the MTA to banks, hospitals and credit unions. Equally diverse are the range of leadership topics he has taught, which include selling skills, sales and performance management to strategic business planning and business ethics. Kent is a trained DiSC® interpreter and facilitator and is also a certified Appreciative Inquiry® Facilitator. AI is a process geared to facilitating strategic planning and change management and implementation.

Kent Smedley--another reason you should turn to SBG as the marketing partner you can trust!