ASC Advisors Launches Dedicated Digital Media Practice Led by Seasoned Industry Executive Ana Villarreal DuFlo

STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ASC Advisors ("ASC" or the "Firm"), a strategic communications firm focused on the alternative investment management industry, today announced the expansion of its digital and social media capabilities with the launch of a dedicated Digital Media Practice. Ana Villarreal DuFlo, a seasoned financial services and communications agency executive with specialized expertise in digital strategy and execution, has joined the Firm to lead the practice as Senior Director, Head of Digital Strategy.

ASC's Digital Media Practice is designed to help hedge fund, private equity, private credit, and other alternative investment management firms strengthen and optimize their digital presence and increase target audience engagement across key platforms—including LinkedIn, Google, X (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook/Instagram). Ana brings over a decade of digital media and public relations experience, most recently serving as Senior Manager of Digital Strategy and Optimization at AIG. In that role, she led a high-performing team of digital strategists supporting global enterprise initiatives, and was a key contributor to AIG's social media strategy, helping to significantly increase its audience engagement, brand reach, and executive visibility.

The Digital Media Practice will expand upon ASC's current capabilities and offer a targeted suite of services designed specifically to meet the needs of alternative investment managers, including:

• LinkedIn profile development and management
• Advertising and paid media campaigns
• Online Reputation Management (ORM) and crisis management
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Executive profile and thought leadership support
• Social media monitoring and reporting
• Portfolio company engagement
• Content testing and audience mapping
• Activism campaigns and shareholder outreach

Steven Bruce, ASC Managing Partner, stated: "We have been actively advising clients on digital and social media since 2012, recognizing early on how this landscape can shape perception, drive engagement, and influence reputation. We remain committed to expanding our offerings and growing our senior leadership team, so launching a dedicated Digital Media Practice led by Ana is a natural progression for us."

"I am excited to welcome Ana to the ASC team and to be able to offer these impactful capabilities to our clients," said Taylor Ingraham, ASC Partner. "Using audience targeting across digital platforms can help drive results in special situations, including activism campaigns and M&A, as well as provide private equity, venture capital, and private credit managers a powerful way to engage directly with their portfolio companies, helping to accelerate growth, strengthen alignment, and drive long-term value."

"I have known Ana for eight years and have seen firsthand how her digital expertise elevates communications strategies," said Keely Gispan, ASC Managing Director. "We believe a cohesive online narrative with clear, consistent messaging not only strengthens brand recognition, but also improves recruitment and helps firms stay ahead of the competition. I look forward to working with Ana to bring this enhanced offering to our clients."

"A strong, data-informed approach to digital media is critical to raising firm profiles and driving business outcomes," added Ana. "Throughout my career, I've seen how performance data and real-time analytics can shape smarter, more strategic communications. I am thrilled to join the ASC team and have deep respect for my colleagues at the Firm – their expertise and insights are unmatched. I am eager to leverage our combined strengths to deliver focused, high-impact solutions for current and prospective clients."

Earlier in her career, Ana worked at communications agencies Brunswick Group and Finsbury (now FGS Global), serving on the firms' digital communications teams and supporting high profile crises, transactions, brand building and sponsorship campaigns. She was also on the Time Warner Inc. (now Warner Bros. Discovery) corporate communications team, and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's digital team, running their respective social media programs. Ana currently serves as an adjunct professor at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She received her B.A. in Economics and History from the University of Rochester and received an M.S. in Public Relations and M.A. in International Relations from Syracuse University.

Ana's appointment underscores ASC's ongoing growth strategy and commitment to providing clients with bespoke communications programs. In March, Max Rayden joined ASC from Edelman Smithfield as a Senior Director, based in West Palm Beach.

Further details regarding ASC's team and services, including its new Digital Media Practice, can be found here. 

About ASC Advisors
ASC Advisors, founded in 2010, is a strategic communications firm that supports leading hedge funds, private equity, credit/private credit, venture capital, real estate, crypto and other investment management firms and industry advisors. As the largest team in the communications industry dedicated exclusively to the alternative investment management industry, we partner with managers throughout market cycles and various stages of their evolution. ASC's exclusive focus on alternative investment management enables the Firm to offer a wide range of capabilities, including public, media and investor relations, shareholder activism and M&A, special situations and crisis support. For more information, visit www.ascadvisors.com.

Contact
Keely Gispan / Ana Villarreal DuFlo
[email protected] / [email protected]
(203) 992-1230

SOURCE ASC Advisors LLC