Intesa Communications Group, a San Diego-based strategic communications and government relations firm, has expanded its staff with the hiring of Caroline Smith, former assistant chief administrative officer for the County of San Diego.
A statement said Smith’s hiring will deepen the firm’s public sector expertise and strategic advisory services.
Smith joins Intesa as senior director following a 20-year career in public service, where she helped oversee day-to-day operations and advance key initiatives across a county workforce of approximately 20,000 employees and a budget exceeding $8.6 billion.
Her experience spans health and human services, economic development, operations, government affairs and organizational leadership, which gives her an understanding of how policy is made, how public systems function and how organizations can successfully lead through change with clarity and purpose, Intesa said.
“Our firm is shaped by leaders who have served at the highest levels, and we are proud to welcome one of our region’s most accomplished public sector executives to the team,” said Maddy Kilkenny, Intesa partner. “Caroline brings exceptional operational insight and firsthand experience navigating complex government systems through both crisis and opportunity.”“Intesa’s culture, values and thoughtful approach to purpose-driven work made this the right move for me,” Smith said. “I’m excited to bring my experience to this team that has a proven track record of helping organizations work more effectively in and alongside the public sector.”Additionally, Intesa announced two staff promotions.
Margaret Lutz Chantung, who joined Intesa in 2024 after 16 years leading communications at California State University, San Marcos, has been promoted to senior director, strategic communications. At Intesa, Luz Chantung leads client projects and campaigns, executive and crisis communications, higher education strategy and institutional strategy and storytelling.Emily Alvarenga, who joined Intesa last year after nearly a decade in journalism, most recently at The San Diego Union-Tribune, has been promoted to senior manager, strategic communications. She supports Intesa’s clients through strategic communications, media relations and community engagement initiatives.
“Every promotion and every hire reflects our bet on people who bring proven expertise and genuine care in equal measure,” said Margie Newman Tsay, founding partner of Intesa. “The result is a team with deep knowledge and the kind of passion for the work that keeps clients with us for the long haul.”
In other Intesa news, the firm was recently presented with the Customers First award at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Small Business Awards. The Chamber event honored small businesses whose commitment to customer service sets it apart from the competition.
Businesses with 100 or fewer employees were eligible for a Chamber award, Intesa said. Nominations were reviewed by a panel of chamber members.
“This award belongs to every member of our team and to the clients who trust us with their most valuable asset: their reputation,” said Newman Tsay. “Our clients stay with us for years because we show up prepared, fully invested and ready for the moments that matter most. Being recognized for putting customers first is the highest compliment our business community can pay us.”
Founded in 2012, Intesa, a certified women-owned firm, has grown from a boutique agency into one of the region’s leading public relations and government affairs firms. Intesa said it has doubled its team over the past two years, sustained three consecutive years of double-digit revenue growth and expanded its client portfolio by 26% last year.
Intesa provides public relations, strategic communications and government affairs services for a wide range of organizations, including San Diego State University, SeaWorld San Diego, Expedia Group, H.G. Fenton Company, San Diego Foundation, San Diego Workforce Partnership and South Bay Community Services.
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Carlsbad-based Everything Branding acquires nearby Darlington Marketing Co.
Everything Branding, a public relations and digital media agency, reports it has acquired Darlington Marketing Co. (DMC) with expertise in grocery, consumer-packaged goods and restaurant clients.
A statement said the combined company will operate under the Everything Branding name. Also, team members from both agencies will remain in place to support clients and maintain continuity.
Terms of the acquisition were not announced. Both agencies are based in Carlsbad.
A statement said the acquisition means Everything Branding is positioned to offer clients an expanded suite of services, including commerce-driven public relations, Google and Meta paid advertising, affiliate and influencer marketing, Amazon optimization, content creation, brand strategy and development, local and franchise marketing, event and experiential marketing, media planning and buying, SEO and website development and B2B and B2C marketing solutions.
Founded in 2011, DMC is led by founder Cyndi Darlington as president. The agency’s client roster includes grocery outlets, including Lazy Acres Natural Market, New Leaf Community Markets and Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks restaurants. Services include strategic planning, franchise marketing, local and community marketing, media planning and buying, branding and design, digital marketing and customer engagement and retention.
“For our clients, this acquisition means access to a wealth of new strategies that enhance everything we have already built together,” said Darlington. “Everything Branding brings world-class capabilities that will directly elevate the results we deliver. For the DMC team, it means joining a growing, forward-thinking organization with a national presence and a clear vision for what modern marketing looks like. I could not be more excited about what we will build together for the brands and communities we serve.”
Since its 2018 launch by Chelsea Glidden, Everything Branding has grown from a one-woman enterprise to employing a team of more than 20 on-camera lifestyle hosts, TV producers, content creators, journalists, performance PR veterans, Amazon strategists and digital performance ad professionals.
With offices in San Diego and Michigan, the agency has collaborated with hundreds of brands in more than 45 countries, it said. Services include earned media, paid digital advertising, SEO, social media strategy and AI-driven brand visibility.
The acquisition marks a significant milestone in Everything Branding’s growth strategy, according to Gladden, who serves as CEO of Everything Branding.
“Everything Branding is entering its next phase of growth, and this acquisition is a defining step in that journey,” said Gladden. “Cyndi and her team have spent 15 years building something truly exceptional, deep category expertise, long-standing client relationships, and a hands-on culture that mirrors our own. By bringing DMC under the Everything Branding umbrella, we are combining the best of earned media strategy, performance digital marketing and AI-driven brand visibility. Together, we are building a modern integrated communications agency that can serve brands at every stage of growth, from local operators to global enterprises.”
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San Diego Press Club supporting ice cream charity fundraiser
The San Diego Press Club is supporting the Sammy’s Messy Sundae Challenge, an annual charity fundraiser featuring local news media members creating messy ice cream sundaes, starting at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 28, at Seven Mile Casino, 285 Bay Blvd., Chula Vista.
Journalists and other news media members, including TV, radio, print, digital and social media influencers, are invited to participate and create the ultimate ice cream sundae, complete with sprinkles, nuts, candies and whipped cream.
The winning sundae will be featured on the menu of Sammy’s Restaurant and Bar at Seven Mile Casino for a limited time. In addition, Seven Mile Casino said it will donate $2,500 to a South County nonprofit to be selected by the Sundae Challenge winning team.
Judges for the competition include: Sami Ladeki, founder, Sammy’s Restaurant & Bar; Mayor John McCann, City of Chula Vista; Masis Kevorkian, managing partner, Seven Mile Casino; Marcy Weaver, president & CEO, Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce.
Confirmed ice cream sundae competitors include: Edgar Gallegos, KSDY-TV; MariPilli Becerra, Entravision San Diego; Melissa Mecija, KGTV-TV, ABC 10News; Andrew Luria and Maria Arcega-Dunn, KSWB-TV, Fox 5 San Diego; Linda Rosas. The Star-News newspaper; Lex “Ojitis” Navarro, KLNV Que Bueno 106.5-FM.
For more information, contact Pedro Anaya Jr., public affairs consultant, at panajajr@gmail.com.
Last year’s winning team included newsroom members with a bi-national weekday newscast, “KSDY Noticias with Fernando Martinez,” that airs that on KSDY-TV. KSDY-TV selected the Emilio Nares Foundation (ENF), a San Diego nonprofit that helps families navigate their child’s journey with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, for the $2,500 donation from Seven Mile Casino.
Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly in Times of San Diego.
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