MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JATechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee Group
Founder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
Alex Brown is the new president of The Smithee Group.
Dallas—Digital strategy and brand growth agency The Smithee Group (TSG) has announced that Alex Brown has been promoted to president.
Brown has been with the company for more than eight years and previously held the role of vice president of operations at TSG, according to her LinkedIn.
She has played a pivotal role in shaping the agency’s culture, operational excellence, and client success, the company said, and her promotion reflects both her demonstrated leadership, as well as the agency’s commitment to long-term growth, sustainability, and team development.
As president, Brown will oversee the agency’s operations, team leadership, and client partnerships, while continuing to scale the company’s impact in the digital and brand strategy space, said TSG.
“It’s an honor to step into this role and lead such a talented, values-driven team,” said Brown.
“TSG has always been about more than marketing—it’s about helping brands make meaningful impact. I’m excited to carry that mission forward and continue building on the foundation Ben and the team have laid.”
Related stories will be right here …
Brown has been with the company for more than eight years and previously held the role of vice president of operations at TSG, according to her LinkedIn.
She has played a pivotal role in shaping the agency’s culture, operational excellence, and client success, the company said, and her promotion reflects both her demonstrated leadership, as well as the agency’s commitment to long-term growth, sustainability, and team development.
As president, Brown will oversee the agency’s operations, team leadership, and client partnerships, while continuing to scale the company’s impact in the digital and brand strategy space, said TSG.
“It’s an honor to step into this role and lead such a talented, values-driven team,” said Brown.
“TSG has always been about more than marketing—it’s about helping brands make meaningful impact. I’m excited to carry that mission forward and continue building on the foundation Ben and the team have laid.”
“Alex has been the heartbeat of this agency for years,” said founder Ben Smithee.
“She’s led with excellence, humility, and strength—and this new role simply formalizes what many of our clients and team members already know. She’s the right leader for the next chapter.”
Smithee, the agency’s longtime CEO, will transition into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor. He will remain actively involved in vision, strategy, and key initiatives under his new title.
He will focus on thought leadership, client innovation, and mentoring the agency’s executive team, the company said.
“This is not a departure—it’s a deepening of our structure to allow for greater impact,” Smithee said.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built and even more excited about where Alex and the team will take it.”
The agency also announced a plan to rebrand.
TSG said the refresh, slated to be revealed later this year, will reflect the agency’s expanded capabilities and bold vision for the future.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Technology
The Latest
PodcastsAug 20, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
AuctionsAug 20, 2026
Storied Unicorn Brooch Up for Auction Gallops to New Home The Verdura brooch, which belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, was sold to a private collector in Asia.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2026
MJSA Education Foundation Names 5 Scholarship WinnersThe five students were awarded a total of $10,000 through the nonprofit’s 2026 “Future of Jewelry Making” scholarship.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
MajorsAug 20, 2026
Plumb Club Elects 2026-2027 BoardSteven Lerche is now beginning his term as the youngest member to become president of The Plumb Club’s elected executive committee.
Weekly QuizAug 20, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Mike Alexander To Succeed Scott Murphy as Jewelers Mutual CEO Murphy will retire at the end of the year and Alexander, currently the company’s president, will take over at the start of 2027.
Policies & IssuesAug 19, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Embraces Dupes With Trade-In ProgramThe jeweler is encouraging customers who own lookalike rings to come into the store and trade them for credit towards an authentic piece.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Zales Wants You to Wear Fine Jewelry Every DayThe new campaign, “You Are The Occasion,” discourages shoppers from saving their fine jewelry for special occasions only.
SourcingAug 19, 2026
Vasant Mehta, a Dedicated Diamond Industry Leader, Dies at 81Mehta led India’s GJEPC through the 2008 financial crisis and was respected worldwide for his wisdom, integrity, and knowledge.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
2 California Men Arrested in Fatal Vehicle Smash RobberyOne is the driver who allegedly crashed a car into a Sacramento jewelry store in April, striking a 71-year-old employee who later died.
ColumnistsAug 18, 2026
Peter Smith: The IKEA Effect and Bridal Branding In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
Thieves Snatch $1M in Jewelry From New Jersey Jeweler9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery on Aug. 8.
Lab-GrownAug 18, 2026
Ring Concierge, Kendall Jenner’s Tequila Brand Collab on GiveawayThe jeweler has partnered with 818 Tequila to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
