Meet Allie Clouse: Storyteller, strategist and karaoke enthusiast

Allie Clouse joined Pierce PR in 2024 as an account manager, bringing a dynamic mix of creativity and strategic expertise across many industries, including nonprofits, healthcare, education and more. Allie is already helping clients cut through the noise with media relations, content creation and thought leadership strategies that earn attention and drive results. 

Before joining Pierce PR, Allie worked as a journalist at Knox News, where she covered everything from Dolly Parton to elections, learning firsthand what makes a story worth telling. She later managed PR initiatives for high-profile clients at MoxCar Marketing + Communications, earning a reputation as a trusted advisor and problem solver. She graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in journalism, where she also founded Ablaze Magazine, a publication dedicated to empowering women’s voices. 

Outside of work, Allie enjoys exploring Nashville with her fiancé, Alex, and their corgi, Fritter. She’s also a fan of karaoke and dreams of running a farm one day. We’re excited to share more about Allie and why she’s such a valued member of our team. Keep reading to learn about her approach to PR, how her journalism background influences her work and more!

Can you walk us through your creative process when developing a new strategy or media initiative for a client?

I lead every strategy with curiosity. I want to know everything — who the client is, what they do, who they’re up against and what’s already being said in their world. Research is my first stop. I dig into their competitors and industry trends to find the unexpected angles that set them apart. Once I’ve got the full picture, I brainstorm by dumping every possible idea onto paper. Some are simple (a LinkedIn update), some are ambitious (national headlines) and some are wild cards (hiring a skywriter for an anniversary celebration). I refine from there, keeping a few surprises in my back pocket because good PR is about exceeding expectations.

Then comes the big finale: presenting. Laying out a strategy for a client feels like New Year’s, full of potential. The best moment is when they say, “You completely got us.” That’s when I’m most proud of my work!

What’s one thing people outside of PR don’t realize about the industry?

PR is not about pushing out news releases; it’s about finding the story that actually matters. A lot of people assume that if something is important to their company, it must be important to the media. But journalists (and their readers) don’t care about internal wins or corporate milestones unless they connect to a larger conversation.

The best PR teams don’t ask, “What do you want to announce?” We ask, “Why should people care?” Every company has a story, but not every story belongs on the front page. The real magic happens when we find the angle that sparks interest, starts a discussion or taps into something bigger than the brand itself. If more people understood that, they’d see PR as a strategic driver, not just a megaphone.

Do you have a favorite PR or marketing trend that you love keeping up with?

Hard to choose, but I love a well-timed brand collaboration and a smart direct-to-audience strategy.

One of my favorite collabs is Kristin Juszczyk x Off Season x NFL. Juszczyk, a fashion designer (and wife of a 49ers player), went viral for her DIY gameday looks, and the NFL took notice. This led to an official brand deal and the launch of Off Season. It was a perfectly timed move as more women, myself included, are getting into football (thanks, Taylor Swift!). Not only was it a great PR play, but I’d also wear everything in the collection.

I’m also all-in on direct-to-audience strategies. Newsletters might seem old-fashioned, but with social media shakeups, business owners and thought leaders need a platform they control. I’ve always loved creating my own spaces — whether it was launching a family website as a kid, starting a magazine in college or running a pandemic-era newsletter for friends. Safe to say, I hope this trend sticks around.

Outside of work, what activities or hobbies help you recharge and stay inspired?

I am a hobby hoarder. My latest obsession is ice skating, and next, I want to pick up guitar (inspired by Sunset Party’s vibey pop covers). When I want to unwind, I pick up one of the many collages I’m working on at any given time. I always feel my most inspired when I’m making something, and having creative outlets outside of work helps me bring fresh energy to everything I do.

What’s your go-to karaoke song to sing?

“Strawberry Wine,” followed by nearly any ’90s/2000s woman-led country anthem.

As a Nashville newbie, what’s been your favorite local spot so far?

Parnassus Books! I loved Ann Patchett’s “Tom Lake,” so when I moved, her shop was top of my list. I’m definitely quick to judge a book by its cover, so I like to find an IRL bookseller who I can trust for recommendations. My favorite staff picks from Parnassus so far have been “Pony Confidential” and “Sipsworth.”

What do you wish more people would ask you about? 

My upbringing! I think where someone comes from says so much about who they are. Mine includes a two-century-old cattle farm, learning to tie my shoes in jail (it’s not what you think) and growing up with six siblings. There’s a story behind each of those, and I love it when people are curious enough to ask.