Merritt McCarthy is a creative communicator with nearly 25 years’ experience working in the communication field. At AHC Consulting, she provides account support and social media management for clients.
Starting her career as a reporter for a small daily newspaper in Illinois, McCarthy moved to St. Louis to pursue a career in advertising and public relations, managing accounts at TMP Worldwide and Tretter Group, Inc. respectively. While at Tretter Group, McCarthy shifted her focus to trade shows and special event production, successfully planning and implementing trade show exhibits, convention parties and large scale events. As account manager with AH Whitelaw Consulting, she assisted in the production of the Lovelight Festival Concert, a free event that drew nearly 10,000 music fans to downtown St. Louis. Additionally, McCarthy managed fundraising programs for various St. Louis non-profit organizations, including St. Louis 2004, David R. Francis Society, St. Louis Heroes and the Archbishop’s Tribute Dinner.
In 2001, McCarthy joined the St. Louis Rams, providing administrative assistance to three key leaders: Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Vice President of Operations and Director of Corporate Communications & Community Outreach/Executive Director of the Rams Foundation. In addition, she was responsible for essential Community Outreach duties, including the allocation of all charitable tickets, merchandise and monetary donations distributed on behalf of the team. She became the Community Outreach Manager in 2007, managing all of the Rams Foundation’s fundraising efforts and special events, including the Rams’ game day 50/50 raffle, Motion for Kids Holiday Party, Rams/Urban League Thanksgiving Turkey Distribution, Community Quarterback Award and Team Georgia, the Rams’ Komen Race for the Cure team.
Using her writing skills, McCarthy generated over $450,000 for local charities and football initiatives through grant writing on behalf of the Rams and spearheaded the St. Louis Rams Recipes team cookbook, writing and compiling recipes from the teams’ players, coaches and front office. McCarthy also wrote and produced a children’s guide to healthy eating and physical activity, Rams ReciP.E.s, and wrote and produced the St. Louis 101 Resource Guide, a guide that was distributed to all players, coaches and staff joining the team. Both pieces were recognized by the NFL as team best practices.
Eager to give back to the St. Louis community, she has volunteered with more than 90 local non-profit organizations and is a dedicated volunteer for her daughter’s school and church, St. Mary Magdalen – Brentwood. McCarthy is a graduate of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication and a minor in Journalism. She resides with her family in Shrewsbury.