About
At Nuffer, Smith, Tucker, we’ve got our sights set on something big: redefining the public relations industry. This means helping others abandon the perception of PR as a wheel of propaganda, churning and burning self-serving, bias-driven news releases. Instead, we see PR as something bigger, greater and far more meaningful. We define public relations not by tactics or strategies, but rather by frameworks for strategic thinking, relationship building, creating connections, storytelling and producing results.
This new way of defining PR is not about abandoning what works – it’s about building on it, constantly growing our toolkit, looking for inspiration across disciplines, and giving all efforts modern and forward-thinking relevancy.
Our Values
At NST, our values are more than words on paper. They are our North Star guiding our decisions big and small, and we love it when we have the opportunity to partner with clients who share our commitment to:
- Push ourselves to explore.
- Commit to quality and add value every time.
- Be candid and kind.
- Take ownership and do the right thing.
- Balance hard work and fun while supporting one another.
- Seek out diverse perspectives.
- Get shit done.
Our Purpose
Not only do we help other organizations uncover their social purpose, we are also a purpose-driven company that believes in making a difference. At NST, our purpose is to better ourselves, our partners and the world around us. We live this purpose day in and day out through our commitment to exploration; client service; diversity, equity and inclusion; and initiatives like Make Things Better.
We Are NST
Our History
How It Started
The journey to modern-day Nuffer, Smith, Tucker began in 1974 when Dave Nuffer and Bob Smith opened a political campaign agency and special-projects division of San Diego-based advertising agency Phillips-Ramsey. Their first client was the Dairy Council of California, an organization the agency continues to support to this day.
The agency quickly grew, becoming deeply entrenched in the San Diego community. Kerry Tucker joined the team in 1980 and grew the agency’s reputation as a leader in the agri-food space. From 2000 to December 2016, the agency was led by Bill Trumpfheller, a champion of local nonprofit organizations, universities and businesses.
How It’s Going
In 2020, Teresa Siles, Mary Correia-Moreno and Price Adams — with a tenure at NST of more than 15 years each — acquired the firm, vowing a commitment to the agency’s values that made it successful in the past, while embracing a spirit of exploration, evolution and organizational agility. Since then, the trio has focused the agency on three strategic priorities: people, partners and promotion. Through these priorities, the agency’s leaders are taking aim on ensuring the team has the skills, training and resources it needs; providing value to our client partners; and telling the story of NST. As an extension of these efforts, the firm has introduced its Make Things Better initiative and diversity, equity and inclusion commitment.
Our Adventures
This past week we celebrated five decades of redefining PR by hosting a party in the heart of downtown San Diego alongside our clients, friends and family! 🎉
We honored 50 years of history that started in 1974, with Dave Nuffer, Bob Smith and Kerry Tucker, who joined later in 1980. In the years that followed, NST quickly grew and became deeply entrenched in the San Diego community. Despite acquiring the firm at the onset of a global pandemic, Teresa, Mary and Price persevered, leading the firm with the values that made the agency successful in the past, while embracing a spirit of exploration, evolution and organizational agility. Some of our most notable milestones over the last 5 decades include:
🥳 1974- Doors Open, Opportunities Abound
Nuffer, Smith & Assoc. is formed as a political campaign firm and special projects division of Phillips-Ramsey in April of 1974.
🥳 1989- Kerry Tucker Pens Influential PR Writing Textbook
The first edition of CEO Kerry Tucker’s textbook “Public Relations Writing: An Issue-Driven Behavioral Approach” is published. The book, used in classrooms across the country, ties the development of PR tactics to strategic planning and to a behavioral approach to writing.
🥳 1994- Inside PR Recognizes Innovative Spirit of NST
NST is honored as one of Inside PR’s “Top Ten Innovative Public Relations Firms in the Country."
🥳 2020- NST Becomes a Women-Owned Business
Longtime employees – Teresa Siles, Mary Correia-Moreno, and Price Adams – acquire the firm the day a national emergency is declared due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
🥳 2023- NST Launches “Make Things Better” Initiative
Formalizing its longstanding history of community service, the Make Things Better initiative provides opportunities for NST team members to live our purpose, designate annual beneficiaries of the firm`s time and resources, and support areas that matter most to them.
Read more about how we celebrated the milestone at the link in our bio. Here`s to another decade! 🥂
#NST50th #RedefiningPR #PublicRelations #SanDiego
Reliving the magic of our 50th anniversary bash in Downtown San Diego! 🎉 From NSTinis and views for days, to heartfelt toasts and fun walks down memory lane, thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating five decades of NST.
Here`s to the next chapter! 🥂
#NST50th #RedefiningPR #PublicRelations #SanDiego
Cheers to Rebecca Schmidt’s 14 incredible years at NST! 🎉
From social media strategy to planning for a new website project, her prowess in digital services and strategic communications knows no bounds. Becky continues to elevate many NST clients such as @WD40brand and @downtownsandiego Partnership. 🌟
Learn more about Becky and her role at NST at the link in our bio!
#PRPro #NSTAnniversary #Congratulations #SanDiego #PublicRelations #RedefiningPR
Out with the old, in with the organized! 🌷 We`re not only tidying up our inboxes but also our offices, including going through some fun items from past activations with our client @McDonalds! ✨ 🧹
#SpringCleaning #PublicRelations #NufferSmithTucker #workrefresh
Spotted... NST in the Times of San Diego 👀
The Times of San Diego shared a feature spotlighting recent updates at NST as we toast to our 50 years in business! 🥳✨
Read about everything we have to celebrate, from new clients to an expanding team and a fresh website at the link in our bio!
Cheers to 50 Years!
#SanDiegoPR #RedefiningPR #PublicRelationsAgency #WeAreNST
As the longest-standing PR agency in San Diego, the journey to modern-day NST has been a long and memorable road.
Over the past five decades, the PR landscape has undergone a seismic shift with the advent of digital media, social platforms, and evolving consumer expectations. Through it all, NST has remained a pioneer, continuously innovating and redefining PR by seamlessly integrating traditional strategies with cutting-edge techniques, ensuring relevance and effectiveness in an ever-changing world.
⭐ 1978- SDUSD Organizes Citizens Advisory Commission:
NST assists the San Diego Unified School District in organizing the Citizens Advisory Commission on Racial Integration and develops a communications plan on integration for the district.
⭐ 1993- Food Foresight Developed for Agri-Food Chain:
NST partners with UC Davis to develop a trends intelligence system for the agri-food chain, which is still in use today.
⭐ 2002- Kerry Tucker Participates in Trade Mission to Cuba:
As an ambassador representing the U.S. and NST agriculture industry clients, CEO Kerry Tucker joins the 2002 trade mission group to identify opportunities to market agricultural products to Cuba and to help open trade with Cuba.
⭐ 2009- NST Develops, Hosts Social Media Symposium:
The first San Diego Social Media Symposium is conceptualized and hosted by NST to elevate the dialog above the "how-to" of social media to discuss the strategy behind the tactics.
⭐ 2021- The Conrad Prebys Foundation Grants $78 Million:
NST supports the announcement of The Conrad Prebys Foundation’s inaugural grant distribution of more than $78 million to 114 organizations, shifting the philanthropic landscape in San Diego.
#nst50th #PublicRelations #anniversary #SanDiego #RedefiningPR
As part of its ongoing efforts to increase equity in sports, San Diego McDonald’s and local Owner/Operator Bob Sutherland recently supported @MiracleLeagueSanDiego for its Spring 2024 opening day. The organization provides children and adults with special needs an opportunity to play baseball in an organized league.
The NST team was onsite to manage media and support McDonald’s Owner/Operators as they continue to prioritize showing up for the communities they serve.
#PublicRelations #WeAreNST #SanDiego
Say hello to NST’s new intern, Saraí Solorzano 👋
Double majoring in public relations and political science at @sandiegostateuniversity and serving as a @broomcenter Student Fellow, Saraí is eager to learn and build her PR skills as she begins her post-graduation career later this summer.
Join us in giving Saraí a big warm welcome!
#Intern #PublicRelations #SDSU #NewHire #WeAreNST #SanDiego #RedefiningPR #SanDiegoStateUniversity #BroomInitiative #BroomStudentFellows
While “doing the right thing” is likely a familiar concept for most, it holds tremendous value at NST. In President and Partner Teresa Siles latest blog post in her series celebrating learnings from NST’s 50 years in business, she explores what this concept means at our agency and how we put it into practice with our clients, partners and our team.
Read how we hold ourselves accountable to “doing the right thing” every day at the link in bio!
#RedefiningPR #SanDiegoPR #50thanniversary #anniversary #WeAreNST
Three cheers for three years of Anja Riedel at NST!
As a project management savant and media pitching queen, her steadfast work ethic and dependability have delivered countless results for @mcdonalds, @rmhcsandiego, @capstoneadvisors and more.
Over the past five years, Anja has learned a thing or two about what it takes to make it in the PR industry. She believes that we are our own biggest advocates sharing, “No matter where you are in your career, you need to be able to raise your hand for opportunities, share what you’re passionate about and seek those opportunities. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want and ask for help when you need it.”
#Anniversary #Congratulations #WeAreNST #SanDiego #PublicRelations #RedefiningPR
We know good talent when we see it and that’s why our former intern, Elle Seeler, is our newest account coordinator!
Serving as President of @prssasdsu and a @broomcenter Fellow, Elle knows what it means to get sh*t done. Since joining NST, she has hit the ground running, providing support for clients like @GoEoSFit , @WD40brand and more. What, like it’s hard? I mean, pink is her color :)
Her bubbly personality and go-getter mentality make her an absolute joy to work with.
#Congratulations #WeAreNST #RedefiningPR #SanDiego #PublicRelations #MediaRelations #PRSSA #SDSU #NewHire
Our latest blog post uncovers the transformation of PR and marketing roles 🔄 from distinct specializations to an integrated approach. Explore the changing dynamics in the communications landscape at the link in bio!
#SanDiegoPR #RedefiningPR #PublicRelationsAgency #WeAreNST
