Slowey McManus Communications

10/21/2026

In a recent segment from NBC Boston on Mayor Wu's State of the Schools address, advocates from Next Chapter Boston point to the key facts missing from Wu's speech.

While Wu touted improvements in expanding math clubs, student sports programming, and select metrics to show small gains, the speech neglected the essential truth: the majority of students at BPS cannot read or do math at grade level.

The Next Chapter Boston campaign, launched earlier this month, aims to expose to the truth behind BPS performance to secure a better future for the city's students.

Watch the full segment at the link below:

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/boston-state-schools-address-video/4033642/

Learn more about Next Chapter Boston here: https://www.nextchapterboston.org/

BostonPublic Schoolsare failing her. In Boston Public Schools, 7 out of 10 students are not reading or doing math at grade level. The numbers don’t lie. With a budget of $1.7 billion and expenditures of $37,000 per student in 2026, why are only 30% of students proficient in our city’s schools? ...

10/16/2026

Last week, SMC celebrated 20 years since its founding alongside long-time clients, friends, family, and colleagues.

We want to take a moment to reflect on how grateful we are to both our internal team and clients who made these two decades of storytelling and partnership a success. Since our founding, SMC has grown into an award-winning PR firm that is trusted by clients not just in our region, but across the country.

This wouldn't be possible without our founders, Dom Slowey and Jim McManus, alongside the bright and talented team they've built. Cheers to many, many more decades of impactful storytelling!

10/14/2026

In a recent Boston Globe opinion piece, Marcela García highlights a key player behind Next Chapter Boston’s $1.5 million ad campaign targeting low student achievement in Boston Public Schools (BPS)—where 70% of 3rd graders aren't proficient in reading or math.

When City Hall urged donors to give directly to classrooms instead of buying ads, donor Michael Champa had a direct response: he already tried.

In 2022, Champa offered to fully fund a specialized literacy program at an East Boston elementary school. After nearly two years of bureaucratic delays, he pulled out in frustration. Other education programs he backed in Lawrence and Weymouth were running within weeks, according to Champa.

While Mayor Wu points to new partnership channels, critics argue red tape is still blocking vital support for BPS students.

Next Chapter Boston's campaign is now running on two billboards on Interstate 93 and a TV ad that’s running on streaming services after being pulled from the MBTA after a short debut. The campaign's goal is to tell the truth about student achievement in BPS — and to hold district and city leaders accountable for improving it.

Read the full column via the Boston Globe and learn more about the campaign at the link below:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/10/14/metro/boston-public-schools-security-official-charged-with-rape/

https://www.nextchapterboston.org/who-we-are

Who We Are We're parents, neighbors, and Bostonians who believe this city can do better for our children. Next Chapter Boston is a community campaign to tell the truth about student achievement in Boston Public Schools — and to hold district and city leaders accountable for improving it. Our story...

10/06/2026

Congratulations to both Tom Walton and Maeve Lawler on their promotion to Senior Account Executive!

Tom and Maeve have demonstrated significant growth on all their account teams, serving as a leader and go-to resource for both internal staff and clients.

Join us in congratulating Tom and Maeve on this exciting new chapter at SMC!

10/01/2026

This week, Brittany Murphy TV had the opportunity to join PRSA Greater Worcester Chapter for a sit down conversation with a group of reporters to talk about the current state of journalism, what’s top of mind for their newsrooms, and how PR professionals can serve as better partners.

Building genuine, long-term relationships remains the foundation of great media relations. It's always a pleasure learning directly from the people shaping today's news!

09/30/2026

An incredible achievement worth celebrating from our friends at Excel Academy Charter Schools >>

For the second year in a row, Excel Academy middle school students led Massachusetts public schools in academic growth, ranking #1 in ELA and #3 in Math on the 2026 MCAS exams.

This is a remarkable reflection of the hard work of Excel’s students, teachers and school community. Congratulations to the entire Excel Academy team!

Read more from EastBoston.com: https://eastboston.com/excel-academy-leads-state-in-growth-for-second-year/

EAST BOSTON, MA — For the second year in a row, Excel Academy middle schoolers led all public school districts in Massachusetts in academic growth, while securing special recognition for surpassing pre-pandemic learning levels in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. Excel Academy ranked #1 f...

09/22/2026

This past weekend, SMC's Maeve Lawler and Emma Kehoe participated in New England Donor Services' (NEDS) 9th annual Blue & Green Walk/5K in Worcester.

This amazing event brought together over 1,000 participants, each with a unique story to tell. Some participated in memory of loved ones who gave the gift of life, while recipients took part in tribute to the donors who saved their lives.

A special shoutout to 104.5 wxlo for sponsoring the event and morning show host Jen Carter for emceeing!

SMC is proud to support NEDS' mission to save and heal lives through organ and tissue donation, and we look forward to joining in on next year's event!

&Green

09/18/2026

Friday Wins: Today we're highlighting client news from a decades-old tradition at Hilltown Cooperative Charter Public School, the impact of organ donation during Hispanic Heritage Month with New England Donor Services, and Mary Tamer's (MassPotential) latest feature in the Wall Street Journal.

09/14/2026

In a recent segment for PIKE Radio in Worcester, local resident Tammy Farley shares why she participates in New England Donor Services annual Massachusetts Blue & Green Walk/5K.

This is Tammy's sixth consecutive year participating in the walk to raise awareness for the life-saving importance of organ and tissue donation. Tammy walks in memory of her daughter, Erica, who saved lives through organ donation.

Erica was very passionate about this cause, registering as an organ donor when she first got her license and encouraging others to do the same. Tammy, alongside family and close friends, will walk in memory of Erica this Saturday, September 19th at Polar Park in Worcester.

Listen to Tammy's full story at the link below. To learn more about the Blue & Green Walk/5K and register, https://neds.org/events/.

https://www.pikefm.com/2026/09/01/tammy-farley-talks-to-mike-hsu-about-the-neds-blue-and-green-walk-5k-and-organ-donation-awareness/

Tammy Farley is doing her 6th consecutive Blue And Green Walk at Polar Park in Worcester on September 19. She'...

09/11/2026

On this 25th anniversary of 9/11, we remember the lives lost and honor the first-responders who served.

American Medical Response (AMR) Field Training Officer, Scott Montellaro, reflects on his service that day in a recent story for Connecticut Public.

Scott rushed to Ground Zero from AMR's New Haven office to assist in rescue efforts, while also searching for his uncle, who tragically lost his life that day.

Today, Scott continues to serve his community and mentor the next generation of paramedics at AMR.

Listen to his full story at the link below.

Scott Montellaro was a paramedic working out of the American Medical Response (AMR) office in New Haven on 9/11. When Montellaro heard the attacks, he rushed down to New York.