About DCG

Hello, my name is Jeff Smutny. I have spent my entire career serving industry-driven marketing and trade associations. After spending 12 years as Executive Director for a Northern California advertising agency, I started Digital Communications Group in 1994, providing consulting services for the automotive, grocery, hospitality, and outdoor recreation industries. My first client remains a client to this day. Since 2008, I have worked almost solely for America’s agricultural commodities, primarily focusing on USDA Federal marketing orders and check-off programs. In 2009, I joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture and eventually became the Director of the Western Regional office, where I led a team providing advocacy and oversight of the California almond, date, dried plum, grape, kiwifruit, olive, pistachio, raisin, and walnut industries. My tenure with USDA included time spent in Washington, DC, where I assisted all 29 Federal marketing orders with their regulatory needs. In 2018, I joined one of those 29 orders, the American Pecan Council, as their Director of Global Marketing and Regulatory Affairs. While with pecans, in addition to directing domestic marketing, I developed the industry’s international program, establishing marketing programs through USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service trade programs in China, Germany, India, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. I also served on the program's strategic planning steering committee, working alongside Boston Consulting Group and McKinsey & Company. I have provided consulting services for various growers and exporters. I currently lead the American sweet potato industry’s international marketing efforts, where we invest USDA trade program dollars focusing on retail marketing in Canada, the EU, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
Over the years, DCG has nurtured long-lasting relationships, subcontracting with marketing and research experts who have consistently provided award-winning campaigns and sound market research, resulting in increased market share and sustainable share of voice.
Services Include:
  • Program Administration & Facilitation
  • Marketing Strategy Development
  • Oversight of In-Country Representation
  • Unified Export Strategy Management (USDA, FAS)
  • Regulatory Affairs & Compliance
  • Trade Event Representation
  • Grower Relations
  • Crisis Management
  • Creative Development
  • Social Channel Management
  • Media Buying (Radio, TV, OTT, Outdoor, Amplified Social)
  • Market, Export, and Production Data Analysis
  • Strategic Planning
  • Financial Management
  • Team Leadership & Development