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.

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.
The Latest

A matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.

Sponsored by A Diamond Is Forever

The next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

It was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.


Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.

While the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Jack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.

Reena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.

The price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.

Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.

The 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.

From Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.

The partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.

The owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.

Jeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.

May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.

NDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.

The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.

She wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.

Two pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.

The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.

Led by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.

In his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.

José Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.

It has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.
























