Transform your business narrative into a compelling story that resonates with your audience and drives engagement. Explore Scary Plants Media's services today.
Choose Your Path
Build a plan that works across platforms.
Find your voice and own it.
Look as good as you sound.
Assets built to perform.
Visibility that compounds over time.
Clarity in high-scrutiny categories.
Storytelling for places and programs.
Crafting Stories That Connect
At Scary Plants Media, we believe in the value of authentic connection and the power of storytelling. We work with you to create a cohesive brand presence that speaks to your audience and fosters real community connection.
We provide support to organizations of all sizes that includes brand building, content strategy, planning, creation, visual identity, digital creative, and print design.
We're also committed to helping small businesses and nonprofits share their unique stories with the world. We break down financial barriers by offering affordable strategic guidance and 1-1 consulting. Done with, not done for.
Our Mission and Values
We're here to help businesses connect authentically with their communities.
Authenticity
Your voice is your greatest asset. We'll help you find and keep it no matter how great your reach.
Humanity
We believe the best content treats your audience as intelligent humans, not conversion targets.
Confidence
We hate second-guessing and believe clarity is the key to confidence when it comes to the soul of your brand.
Our Strategic Team
Scary Plants Media has a vast network of marketing and creative professionals at all capacities and levels. We work with sub-contractors, freelancers, and partners agencies to ensure client satisfaction from end to end.
Lesley Nickus
Founder & Principal Consultant, Strategy and Content
Lesley Nickus helps businesses turn their expertise into clear messaging, smart strategy, and content that actually connects. She brings a rare mix of story instincts and practical execution.
With 20+ years in journalism, content production, event planning, and marketing, Lesley leads strategy, stakeholder coordination, and campaign planning at Scary Plants Media. She partners with a trusted bench of specialists to deliver brand building, content strategy, visual identity, digital creative, and print design that's grounded in authenticity, humanity, and confidence.
Jaclyn Sears
Creative Director/Art Director, Experiential Design
Jaclyn Sears helps brands show up with creative that feels cohesive, intentional, and unmistakably “them.” She builds the visual and creative systems that make consistency easier across every touchpoint.
With 15+ years of brand and design leadership, Jaclyn leads creative direction, experiential development, and visual identity at Scary Plants Media. She translates strategy into clean, bold creative teams can execute with confidence across web, social, campaigns, and print, without losing the humanity and personality that makes people care.
Kinsey Birch
Campaign Operations & Account Management
Kinsey Birch helps projects move forward without chaos. She keeps timelines, deliverables, and communication tight, so that strategy and creative turn into real-world execution with clean handoffs and clear next steps.
With a background in project management and account leadership, Kinsey leads campaign operations and account coordination at Scary Plants Media. She supports multi-channel execution, reporting, and optimization in a way that makes complex work feel organized, steady, and easy to trust.
Shad Ruffin
Growth & Lifecycle Strategy Lead
Shad Ruffin helps brands turn attention into long-term relationships. He designs retention and engagement systems across activation, onboarding, churn prevention, and win-back, so marketing momentum compounds over time.
With deep experience in growth and lifecycle strategy, Shad leads retention-focused planning and performance optimization at Scary Plants Media. He supports journey design, segmentation, and experimentation across channels like email, SMS, push, and in-app. He connects strategy to execution in a way teams can sustain.
Dairy Air Media
Social & Community Engagement Lead
Dairy Air Digital Media is a digital marketing and operations partner that helps teams turn strategy into clean, measurable execution. The firm supports SEO, website optimization, email marketing, social media, analytics, and customer communications—paired with the operational leadership needed to keep complex, multi-stakeholder work moving smoothly.
With deep experience in high-accountability and regulated environments, Dairy Air brings a steady, process-driven approach to campaign delivery, stakeholder updates, and performance reporting. Their work is built to reduce friction, improve customer experience, and make results easier to track and act on.
Jacob Brower
Paid Media & Digital Distribution Lead
Jacob Brower helps brands build awareness with targeted digital advertising that reaches the right people, in the right places, at the right frequency.
With more than 25 years of experience in media, communications, audience growth, and public-facing campaigns, Jacob is the founder of Archer’s Bow Media & Marketing and ABM Strategies, where he specializes in visibility campaigns, paid media, messaging, and strategic communications. He is also the creator of What’s Likely, a predictive strategy platform focused on behavioral analysis, forecasting, and decision-making.
Quick Navigation
You don't need louder marketing. You need clearer marketing.
We build marketing and production systems designed to give you clarity and structure
The Process
01. Align
We start by understanding where you are and where you want to go.
02. Build
We construct the foundation your marketing will run on.
03. Launch & Optimize
We put the work into the world and refine based on real results.
04. Report & Improve
Plain-language reporting that tells you what to do next.
What Collaboration Looks Like
Simple Check-ins
As-needed touchpoints that keep things moving without eating your calendar.
Fast Feedback Loops
Streamlined review cycles so nothing sits in limbo waiting for a response.
Organized Files
Version control and clean handoffs so you always know where things stand.
A Plan You Can Follow
A clear roadmap for getting things done that you can actually follow.
Your Role vs. Our Role
Great collaboration is about knowing who does what and trusting each other to do it well.
You Bring
- Goals and vision
- Context and history
- Approvals and sign-offs
- Subject-matter expertise
We Bring
- Strategy and storytelling
- Creative direction
- Production-ready assets
- A system to keep it all moving
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Senior-Led Strategy & Content Creation
You get direct senior oversight, plus specialists when it makes sense. That means better work, less handoff, and the right support at the right time.
Content Marketing Services
Everything we offer, in one place. Choose the area that fits where you are right now.
Campaigns + Launch Support
Focused sprints for big moments.
What We're Known For
Helping you show up consistently
Because showing up is half the battle, and we make it a lot easier to do with strategy and structure.
Making content feel human (and useful)
We produce content that sounds like a real person wrote it for a real person. Because they did.
Building visual systems you can actually use
Functional templates, rules, and assets that make consistency easy.
Turning messy ideas into clear messaging
We take the swirl of what you do and distill it into language that actually lands.
Common Reasons People Come to Us
"Our message is muddy."
"We're posting, but it's not working."
"We need a launch plan."
"We're busy and inconsistent."
Sound familiar? There's a clear path forward.
Not Sure Where to Start?
I Need Consistency
You're showing up, but not regularly or not cohesively. Let's build a system.
I Need Visibility
You're doing good work but the right people aren't finding you. Let's fix that.
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Clarity, Direction, and a Plan You Can Execute
Stop spinning your wheels. We'll help you get clear on what you're saying, who you're saying it to, and how to say it in a way that actually moves people.
What Consulting & Strategy Looks Like
We'll get clear on the things that matter most to your marketing:
Who You're Talking To
Defining your real audience—not a demographic, but a person with a problem you can solve.
What You Want Them to Do
Every piece of content should have a purpose. We'll define the action you're driving toward.
What to Say (and Stop Saying)
Sharpen your message. Cut the noise. Say the thing that actually resonates.
What to Publish, Where, and Why
A channel strategy grounded in your goals, not what everyone else is doing.
Strategy Services
What do you need most right now?
Messaging + Positioning
Define what you stand for and how to say it.
Content Pillars + Calendar
Build the themes and schedule that keep you consistent.
Campaign Plan
A focused strategy for a launch, event, or push.
Offer + Funnel Support
Align your content with how people actually buy.
Measurement Plan
Know what to track and what it means.
What Happens After You Commit?
You'll have clear next steps. No vague takeaways, no homework you don't know how to do. From there, we can:
Build a Roadmap
A strategic plan that maps out the next 90 days or beyond.
Run a Focused Sprint
Tackle one high-priority project with speed and precision.
Support You Ongoing
Stay in your corner as a strategic partner month after month.
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Content That Sounds Like You.
Creative That Looks Like You.
We don't produce generic content. We build a creative system rooted in your voice, your values, and your goals. Then, we execute it with consistency.
Content Strategy
Create a plan to engage your audience across platforms and meet your goals. We'll outline key audiences, themes, formats, and channels, so you're not guessing every week.
Audiences
Who are you trying to reach and why?
Themes
What topics do they want to hear about from you?
Formats
Will it be text, photo, video, or something else?
Channels
Where will this content appear?
Editorial + Writing
From web copy to long-form storytelling, we help you say the right thing clearly. Every word earns its place.
Website Copy
Pages that convert and sound like you.
Blogs
Long-form content that builds authority.
Sequences and newsletters that people actually read.
Thought Leadership
Position you as the expert you already are.
Case Studies
Proof that your work delivers results.
Creative Direction
We translate your brand into a creative system: look, feel, and rules that keep everything consistent. No more one-off decisions. No more "does this feel right?" Just a clear creative framework your whole team can follow.
Digital Creative
Sales enablement, social assets, digital ads, and campaign creative that's built to perform and still feel human, because it's made by humans.
Campaign Creative
Cohesive visual and copy systems for launches, promotions, and pushes.
Social Assets
Scroll-stopping content that stays on-brand and drives action.
Digital Ads
Ad creative that converts without feeling like an ad.
Sales Enablement
Decks, one-pagers, and materials that help your team close.
Print + Packaging Design
When you need something tangible, we make it cohesive with the rest of your brand. Because your printed materials should feel like they belong to the same family as your digital presence.
What You Get
Every content and creative engagement delivers the same core set of outputs, so you're never left wondering what you actually have.
Clear Briefs
Every project starts with alignment so nothing gets lost in translation.
Clean Creative
Polished, production-ready work that doesn't need a round of cleanup.
Organized Handoff Files
Everything labeled, versioned, and ready to use or hand to someone else.
A System You Can Reuse
Templates and frameworks that make the next project faster and easier.
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Find Your Authentic Identity and Define How It Shows Up in the Real World
Your brand is more than a logo. It's the feeling people get when they encounter your business. We help you define that feeling and make sure it shows up consistently everywhere you are.
Brand Building: What It Includes
Positioning + Messaging
Define your place in the market and the words that make it real.
Voice + Tone Guidance
A clear framework for how you sound in every context.
Brand Story + Key Themes
The narrative that ties everything together and makes people care.
Content Pillars
Themes that match your values and give your content direction.
If You Think You Need a Logo, You Probably Need a Visual Identity
A logo is one piece. A visual identity is the whole system: the colors, type, layouts, and rules that make your brand instantly recognizable wherever it shows up.
Visual Identity: What It Includes
A cohesive set of design elements that builds recognition across every touchpoint.
Color + Type
A palette and typographic system that expresses your brand personality with precision.
Layout Rules
Compositional guidelines that make every piece feel intentional and on-brand.
Templates
Ready-to-use files for social, presentations, documents, and more.
Asset Library Guidance
A system for organizing and using your visual assets so nothing gets lost.
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Visibility That Builds Over Time and Doesn't Rely on Burnout
Sustainable visibility isn't about posting more. It's about building a system that works even when you're busy, that compounds over time and brings the right people to you.
SEO: What We Do
Search engine optimization that's grounded in strategy, not tricks.
Audit + Quick Fixes
Find what's holding you back and fix the easy wins first.
Keyword Themes
Identify the topics your audience is actually searching for.
On-Page Plan
Optimize your existing content to rank for the right terms.
Content Roadmap
A publishing plan that builds authority over time.
Social: What We Do
A social presence that's consistent, strategic, and actually connected to your community.
Profile Tune-Up
Optimize your bios, links, and first impressions across platforms.
Content Pillars
Define the themes that give your social content direction and purpose.
Calendar + Workflow
A publishing system that makes consistency achievable, not exhausting.
Community Connection Plan
Show up in a way that builds real relationships, not just follower counts.
The System
These three channels work together as a flywheel. Search brings new people in. Social keeps you top of mind. Content builds the trust that turns visitors into clients. When all three are aligned, your marketing compounds instead of just accumulating.
What Success Looks Like
Right-Fit Traffic
More visitors who are actually looking for what you offer.
Clearer Leads
People who reach out already understand what you do and why it matters.
Stronger Trust
A consistent presence that builds credibility over time.
Consistent Publishing
Without the chaos, burnout, or last-minute scramble.
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High-Scrutiny Categories Need Extra Clarity, Not Extra Noise
Regulated industries face real constraints from legal, to platform, to reputational. We understand those constraints and build marketing systems that work within them, not around them.
What We Do For Regulated Industries
We support regulated brands with the full range of marketing support that's built to survive scrutiny.
Brand + Messaging Clarity
A clear, compliant brand voice that still sounds human and builds real connection.
Content Systems + Creative Consistency
A repeatable system that keeps your content on-brand and on the right side of the rules.
Distribution Strategy
Channel planning that respects real-world constraints such as platform policies, age-gating, and more.
Stakeholder Alignment + Clean Approvals
A process that keeps legal, compliance, and leadership comfortable at every step.
Regulated Industries We Specialize In
We have experience navigating the specific constraints of high-scrutiny categories.
Cannabis
Platform restrictions, age-gating, and compliance-first content.
Tobacco
Strict advertising rules and responsible messaging frameworks.
Wine + Spirits
Responsible marketing that still builds brand love and loyalty.
Adjacent Industries
Any category where the rules are real and the stakes are high.
Public Action
Education-based messaging that isn't confusing.
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Strong Storytelling. Clean Coordination. Reporting That's Actually Useful.
Destination and public-sector work needs more than good creative. It needs senior-led strategy, a flexible specialist bench, and a process built for stakeholder comfort. That's exactly what Scary Plants Media brings.
What We Do for Destinations
Integrated Campaign Planning
Strategy that connects paid, owned, and earned channels into a single coherent effort.
Content + Creative Systems
A repeatable creative framework that keeps your destination's story consistent across every touchpoint.
Digital Distribution Support
Get your content in front of the right travelers on the right platforms.
Stakeholder Coordination
Clear roles, clean approvals, and a process that keeps everyone aligned.
Reporting + Recommendations
Plain-language insights that tell you what's working and what to do next.
Stakeholder Comfort
Public-sector and destination work involves multiple stakeholders that range from boards, elected officials, community partners, and more. We build a process that keeps everyone informed, aligned, and comfortable at every stage.
Clear Cadence
Regular touchpoints so no one is ever surprised by what's coming next.
Clear Approvals
A defined review process that respects everyone's time and authority.
Clear Owners
Everyone knows who's responsible for what—no confusion, no dropped balls.
Reporting You Can Use
Plain-language insights, what's working, what's not, and what to do next. No dashboards full of numbers that don't mean anything. No reports that require a data analyst to interpret.
What You Get
- Plain-language summaries
- What's working and why
- What's not working and what to change
- Clear next steps you can act on
What You Don't Get
- Vanity metrics without context
- Jargon-heavy data dumps
- Reports that sit in a folder unread
- Recommendations you can't execute
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Where You've Seen Our Work
We've helped brands across industries find their voice, build their systems, and show up with confidence. Some of our work is highlighted below. Project examples are available upon request.
Highlights
Travel + Tourism Content Strategy
Integrated content systems for destination marketing organizations. Built for stakeholder comfort and real-world results.
Brand Storytelling + Campaigns
Narrative-driven campaigns that connect brands to their communities and drive meaningful engagement.
Visual Identity Systems
Cohesive design systems that make consistency easy and recognition inevitable.
Public Sector + Community Programs
Strategic communications for programs that serve the public that are clear, accessible, and built for multiple stakeholders.
Kind Words
"I highly recommend Scary Plants media!! Lesley is awesome!! She helped me build a brand from an idea, to a fully realized manifestation of my dream that has consistently gotten engagements of 25k+ per campaign!! She's wonderful to work with as well, and treats everyone like they're her only client. 💯🫶
— David W.
"Lesley has a rare ability to listen to what you're trying to say and translate it into something that actually lands."
— Kathryn H.
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Tell Us What You're Building.
We'll Tell You What to Do Next.
No pressure, no pitch. Just a conversation about where you are, where you want to go, and whether we're the right fit to help you get there.
Scary Plants Media — Expert Content Marketing for Small Businesses + Nonprofits + The Public Sector
Expert Content Marketing Services
Unleash the Power of Storytelling