Clever Strategies

I earned a Bachelors degree in English & Public Relations from Howard University.  Unfortunately I graduated right into a recession and found it difficult to find a job.  So I used what no university can teach you; "god-given native New Yorker moxie".  I launched The Dexter Myers Agency and provided Public Relations consultation to small businesses and local artists.  This led to a partnership and expansion into Class Act Communications and my first lucrative client.   I then caught the eye of JWT (formerly J. Walter Thompson) the world's oldest and largest advertising agency in the world.  I spent 7 years at JWT and learned the inner workings of the advertising industry along side some of the best and brightest minds in the industry.  I emerged as a laser sharp integrated brand strategist and I was ready to help clients bring innovation and excitement to their brand.

Clever Strategies is born in 2006.  To my surprise, my name was on a short list of people to handle marketing duties for Todd Smith- LL Cool J's celebrity clothing line.  Days later I get a call to come meet the man himself.  After a winning presentation, I was awarded the account for the Todd Smith Clothing line.  Although brief, this was an opportunity of a lifetime and led me to Carmen Bryan, Author of "It's No Secret" an autobiography published by Simon & Schuster.  As Carmen's independent marketing strategist, I transformed a book that the publisher had marginal expectations into a New York Times Bestseller with six figure sales.  This remains a standout accomplishment in the publishing industry.

While Marketing remains a major passion, I primarily provide brand strategy consultation to companies and artists alike.  Do you have a brand or product that can use a fresh perspective?  Would you like a clever strategy?  Contact me and expect the unexpected!

The IndieSoul Story

I attended what seemed like every independent music conference in the late 90’s. In my travels, I noticed the level of organization on the Indie Rock scene. In addition, there was no real focus on soul music at any of these empowerment events. The most important lesson that I took away from Howard University was to ‘be the change that you want to see in the world’. I literally turned to an Indie Soul colleague and said, “Wouldn’t it be great if someone represented the interest of soul music at these events?”.

IndieSoul is born in 2003. IndieSoul is a lifestyle marketing & promotional company targeting the independent R&B/Soul community of artists and fans. The ultimate goal is to preserve, support and promote R&B/Soul music through a variety of special events, marketing programs and corporate/small business partnerships. The turbulence and uncertainty in the traditional music industry has invited the opportunity for talented & innovative minds to create a new paradigm and conduct business in a new and fair manner.

In 2006, Mike Ashley of LifeandSoulpromotions and I collaborated on a non-profit initiative to get all soul music artists and industry professionals in the same room to share ideas and experiences. The project became the Annual Indie Soul Mixer and evolved into one of the most anticipated events in the Independent Soul music industry. Our event unites the most experienced innovators in the same room to explore solutions for success in a challenging environment. After 4 successful Indie Soul Mixers, IndieSoul looks forward to supporting and promoting the Independent Soul music community.