On the Rise: Davis Adams-Smith

Davis Adams-Smith

Director of public relations | Bridgestone Americas Inc. | Gainesville, Ga. | Age: 38

What was your first job in the industry?

Technically, I had a blog in college called, "Davis in the Drivers' Seat," which I've now archived away. I also had an internship in college at 22Squared, the advertising agency that handles a lot of Toyota's work in the Southeast. However, my first real job in the industry was at Brandware PR, where I had clients ranging from Porsche and Vespa to Consumer Reports and Manheim.

What attracted you to the industry?

I've always been a car guy. My dad raised us on NASCAR and American Muscle, and I've had the automotive itch since childhood. In college, I really wanted to find a way to blend what I was learning and my natural talents with something in the automotive industry. It's been a fairytale ever since.

What is the biggest challenge you've faced in your career?

Oh, this one's easy. It's largely tied to the balance of ambition with values. In early 2020, I was offered a big promotion at a past employer, but it would've required my family to relocate back to Southern California. Instead, we rode out the pandemic in Atlanta, just long enough for Bridgestone to find me and start me on the career that I've continued and love today.

Who has had the biggest influence on your career?

Robyn Eagles found me during my career as a journalist and brought me back around to automotive PR and marketing. She gave me a chance at a job that I probably wasn't completely qualified for at the time and invested in me to make sure that I could succeed. The rest is history.

What is your biggest accomplishment in the industry?

I've had a lot of proud moments over the course of my career, but I think the one that sticks out most today is the establishment and formalization of the PR department at Bridgestone. Not just because it's something that I enjoy, but it's really incredible to watch a team of brilliant PR professionals work so hard to make the public more aware of the complexity of our industry and the incredible engineering that goes into every tire that you see on the road.

Tell us about your current job and responsibilities. How do you spend your workday?

I lead the external communications team for Bridgestone in North and South Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Our team manages the ongoing journalist and influencer relationships for Bridgestone and Firestone around the world, and much of my day is spent working with that team and our friends in the media, too.

Tell us about your family.

My husband and I live in Georgia with our dog, and our entire extended family has moved into the area now, too. We're close with our parents, grandparents, siblings and nephews and spend as much time outdoors as we can manage.

What is the most essential professional skill for someone in your job?

Written and verbal storytelling, followed closely by a real curiosity for our industry and business. Our goal is to make a round, black circle interesting to people who likely take it for granted. And it takes both product knowledge and the ability to interpret that knowledge into something interesting to win this game.

What song takes you back to high school? (Include the artist)

“Okay I Believe You, But My Tommy Gun Don't” by Brand New

If you could start a new career tomorrow, what would you do?

National park ranger. I love the outdoors and love sharing the outdoors with new people.

Do you live by inbox zero, or inbox disaster?

Inbox both. It normally starts out as Inbox disaster, but I slowly whittle away at the backlog throughout the day.

In the next 10 years, what will be the biggest change in the tire industry?

Process automation, AI and the rapid improvement of lower-tier products. Modernization is critical for the established players, and I believe that consumers will have a harder and harder time differentiating the premium segment from more affordable options if those affordable options are made well.

What moment in life would you like to live over again?

Our wedding week, surrounded by friends on a big vacation where we just quietly squeezed a ceremony into a bunch of other fun activities.

What hobby or activity helps you unwind?

Lake time on Lake Lanier. We love boating, floating and just a low-key night on the water.

If it was your job to persuade new people to join the tire industry, what would be your best selling point?

There's no easier way to change your car's personality than to simply swap the tires on it. You can dial in more comfort, more grip, more off-road capability, more silence — just by changing the tires. And you get the chance to love virtually every car for its interesting quirks and features, too.

What's one thing you would change about yourself?

I'd add a little more natural patience to my life, which I think most of my team would appreciate, too.

Pick a celebrity and explain why you think he/she would be a great tire dealer.

Taylor Swift. Look at what she's done for football. Imagine what she could do (to) bring the masses into the tire world, too.