Two advisors have joined strategic healthcare communications firm Jarrard Phillips Cate & Hancock, Inc., officials announced today.

Aileen Bennett and Ellis Metz bring to the firm experience in media relations, marketing and communications.

Most recently, Bennett served as a teaching assistant while earning her master's degree in mass communication at Middle Tennessee State University. There, she researched the media's role in shaping public opinion, as well as qualitative and quantitative research methods.

"Aileen's expertise, as well as her politically minded thinking, are a natural fit for our firm," said David Jarrard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jarrard Inc. "Her skill set combines strategic communications, government relations and research techniques in a unique way that will benefit our clients immensely."

Previously, Bennett managed marketing and communications for the Institute for Sustainable Practice at Lipscomb University and assisted with strategic communications for clients in the healthcare, nonprofit, restaurant and retail industries at DVL Public Relations & Advertising.

While interning with Belmont University's Office of Communications, she assisted with public relations projects including the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate. She also interned in the Nashville and Washington, D.C., offices of U.S. Sen. Bob Corker.

Bennett, a Nashville native, earned a bachelor's degree in public relations from Belmont University.

With several years of experience in local and business-focused journalism, Metz offers a deep understanding of traditional and social media.

He most recently worked with Mobile Bay Magazine in Mobile, Ala., where he developed a following of readers through his stories and active presence on social media. He also contributed regularly to Business Alabama Magazine.

"Ellis is adept at crafting compelling stories and engaging the right audiences with those stories," Jarrard said. "I am confident his strong background in journalism and strategic communications will prove instrumental to our clients."

Before moving to Mobile, Metz developed communications plans and branding strategies for local companies as an intern with Marketing 24/7, Inc., in Birmingham.

He earned his bachelor's degree in public relations from the University of Alabama, where he was a founding editor for the campus's first digital newspaper. Metz is a native of Maryville, Tenn.

About Jarrard Inc.

Based in Nashville, Tenn., with an office in Chicago, Jarrard Inc. is the premier strategic communications firm for any hospital or health system in the nation experiencing a time of significant change, crisis or opportunity. The firm publishes healthcare newsletter Inside Baseball and ranks among the top 15 healthcare PR firms in the U.S. For more information, visit www.jarrardinc.com or follow us @JarrardInc.

Jarrard Phillips Cate & Hancock, Inc.
Morgan Ribeiro, 615-254-0575
Mribeiro@jarrardinc.com