We're excited to connect with our alumni through our Darlington Connects series. Today we hear from Tyler Pearson (‘99), owner of High Iron.
Tyler Pearson (’99) has spent his career telling great stories. From his time in front of the camera as TV news reporter and anchor, to working with clients at a prominent Atlanta marketing agency, to leading communication for one of the country’s largest healthcare mergers at Wellstar Health System, he’s helped others tell their stories.
All of these amazing opportunities, as well as a few others, inspired Tyler to step out and start his own company, High Iron, so that he can help his clients tell their stories in the best way possible.
“I never thought I would be an entrepreneur,” he said, “but it has been immensely rewarding to build something from the ground up.”
Tyler connects his career and experience right back to Darlington. Both he and his dad share a love for history, which suited Tyler well in Craig Schmidt’s AP European History class. He distinctly remembers when Mr. Schmidt had him stand on the desk to give a visual presentation of Charlemagne’s height on a horseback. It was history coming alive. This love for history was fostered while at Furman University, and his love for learning continued when he went on to get his Masters in Journalism from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.
High Iron gives Tyler the opportunity to work with companies to help them find their voice, develop marketing campaigns and tell their story to targeted audiences. He has experience working in numerous industries and building engaging content and campaigns. He envisions a holistic approach to marketing where departments work together instead of independently.
“I am fond of telling clients: Silos are for grain and missiles, not marketing and public relations,” he said. “If we can take a step back and see the full picture, we’ll understand the company’s story and better be able to communicate it to our audiences which ultimately helps fill the sales funnel and boost the corporate brand.”
We at Darlington love how our Darlington Connects program is helping tell our Darlington story. When asked about helping the Darlington Connects program, Tyler is all in.
“Throughout my career, there have been people to guide me along the way,” he said. “To this day, I seek guidance from my mentors. It’s a pivotal part of professional growth. As a result, we need to give back to young professionals, new graduates and students so they can be positioned for success.”
Tyler has his own great Darlington Connects story. Earlier in his career, he decided it was time to make a change from broadcast journalism into the marketing and communications world, which can be a tough transition. Fortunately, he reconnected with Kate Vinyard (‘96, LD ’15) at the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB), who connected him with the hiring manager for an open position. That foot in the door, helped Tyler start the next chapter in his career. For that, Tyler said he is forever indebted to Katie and the Darlington connection.
Tyler and his wife, Lindsi, live in Marietta, Ga., with their sons, Riley and Ty. He looks forward to continuing to tell his clients’ stories at High Iron. To connect with Tyler and High Iron, reach out to him on Linkedin or feel free to send him an email at tyler@high-iron.com. He would love to connect with any Darlington grads.
The Darlington Community wants to support local and non-local businesses owned by our alumni and constituents around the country. Please email alumni@darlingtonschool.org if you are interested in being featured.
