About us
Founded in 2018, Haystack Media Co is a boutique creative content and public relations firm focusing on food and beverage and hospitality. Charleston-based, with a nationwide reach, we spotlight creative projects and amplify the incredible work being done in this space. Ambidextrous in our approach, we meet our clients where they are to tell their brand story.
Ashley Hay Mitchell
Ashley is a natural connector—most at ease when she’s building relationships and bridging creative minds. She thrives on working with people who are in alignment: purpose-driven, community-minded, and rooted in what makes their work distinct. Whether collaborating with chefs, makers, or cultural curators, Ashley has a gift for drawing out their creative genius and helping them communicate it with clarity and confidence.
After five years as a photographer with Down South Publishers on Hilton Head Island, Ashley moved to Charleston, where she spent a decade leading marketing and PR for luxury hotels and restaurants. In 2018, she launched Haystack Media Co., a communications firm focused on supporting restaurants, makers, and mission-driven brands.
Ashley brings a deep curiosity for food culture and a sharp eye for brand identity. She currently serves on the board of Slow Food Charleston, a global organization working for good, clean, fair food for all. When she’s not helping clients shine, you’ll likely find her in her backyard garden, fishing Lowcountry waterways with her husband, or chasing their pointer, Ladyfish.
Jaden Stepp
Jaden Stepp is a thoughtful and driven PR assistant who thrives in the fast-paced world of restaurant storytelling. At Haystack Media, she’s become a trusted part of the team—organizing media lists, building graphics, and ensuring that social media content is both timely and tailored to each client’s goals. She especially excels at working with restaurant teams, translating their voice into compelling messaging that resonates with press and diners alike.
A graduate of the College of Charleston and current master’s student in Food Studies at NYU, Jaden brings both academic insight and hands-on experience to her work. She grew up in a barbecue family, learning the rhythms of restaurant life from the inside out, and later trained in some of Charleston’s best pizza kitchens before studying in Naples, the birthplace of pizza. That blend of Southern hospitality and Italian tradition continues to shape her approach to food, communication, and community.
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