How are we different?

Experience. More than 300 combined years of skillfully crafting editorial profiles for 200+ of the nation’s most sophisticated and diverse destinations have given us an arsenal of ways to tell your unique travel story.

MEET OUR team

Robin Sutton Anders, Co-President and Publisher

Robin is Co-President and Publisher of Destination Creative Group, where she brings more than two decades of experience in publishing, editing, and storytelling to the creation of elevated visitor guides. Based in Greensboro, North Carolina, she has spent seven years with DCG, guiding destination publications that reflect the distinct character, culture and people of each community.

Robin holds a bachelor’s degree in English from NC State University and an MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her career includes work with respected publications such as Our State Magazine, Veranda, Southern Living, Coastal Living, Cottage Living, and HGTV, as well as leadership roles in custom publishing and content strategy.

What’s your role in DCG?
As Co-President and Publisher, I lead the creative vision for our destination guides, working closely with clients, editors, designers and writers to create elevated publications that reflect each community’s unique character. I carefully pair creative teams with destinations that match their passions and strengths, and I love taking on new challenges — whether crafting a guide that celebrates arts and culture, sustainability, or the stories that make a town unlike any other.

My favorite part: partnering with our clients to discover the local secrets of their destinations. It’s important to me that our editorial plans reflect our communities’ cultures. I also help to create and manage production timelines, as well as review processes — it’s exciting to see a plan come to life!  

What’s your ideal vacation?
Discovering a new city by getting to know the people who make it special — shop owners, chefs, artists, and locals. I love exploring thoughtfully, soaking in the culture, and finding the stories that give a place its true character.

My clients say… I'm collaborative, trustworthy and deeply invested in quality. Clients say I listen carefully, care about what makes their city unique, and treat their destination as if it were my own — bringing creativity, consistency, and genuine enthusiasm to every project.

Steve Mitchem, Founder and Strategic Advisor

Steve founded Destination Creative Group and continues to play a key role as Strategic Advisor, bringing an entrepreneurial viewpoint and deep destination-publishing expertise to the team. He works closely with DCG’s leadership and creative staff to help guide destination-based content that resonates with both readers and advertisers.

Prior to forming DCG, Steve spent 14 years at Pace Communications. There, he was publisher of US Airways Magazine and led Pace’s Destination Publishing Group, overseeing more than 150 destination features and publishing the official visitor guides for 15+ destinations, including Santa Barbara, Monterey, San Luis Obispo County, Charlotte, Pinehurst, Myrtle Beach, and Hilton Head Island.

What’s your role in DCG?
DCG has the best collection of creative and sales talent in the travel sector. In my role, I support the team and leadership by sharing perspective, experience, and strategic guidance. I’m passionate about contributing to an environment where people look forward to their work and feel energized by what they do. This is the DCG advantage for world-class work.

What’s your ideal vacation?
I’m very lucky that as part of my career I’ve been able to travel to some of the best places on earth. I never take this for granted and still play the role of “tourist” everywhere I go. When I vacation outside of work, it’s as simple as a pair of shorts, a tee shirt, and looking at the ocean in Emerald Isle, NC.

My clients say that I’m… Crazy passionate about what I do and a cheerleader for the destination. Ideas are unfiltered and not always in the proper sequence, but I’m always pushing clients to try new things.

Eleanor Spicer Rice, Co-President and Editorial Advisor

As a nature and science writer, Eleanor shares the joy and wonder she finds in the world with others. She believes that when people notice the natural world, they can’t help but fall in love with it, and if they fall in love with it, they will want to take care of it. Eleanor holds a PhD in Entomology and is the co-founder of Verdant Word Communications.

What's your role in DCG? 
I work behind the scenes to help with our publications’ editorial architecture, and I serve as a contributing writer for nature stories and outdoor adventures.

What's your ideal vacation?
Restorative and stimulating, filled with walks through the woods and snack breaks.

My clients say… I’m collaborative and imaginative.

Lisa Summerell, Design Director

Lisa is a versatile art director with more than 20 years of professional design experience. She loves a lively brainstorm session that produces new ways of presenting stories to engage readers. Lisa received her BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University.

What's your role in DCG? 
I'm the lead design director for Hilton Head Island’s Official Vacation Planner and Bluffton's Official Vacation Planner.

What's your ideal vacation?
I'd love to combine a fantastic concert with an exciting destination...like seeing Khruangbin in Vienna.

My clients say… They appreciate my “can do” attitude and know that I hit my deadlines.

Lynn Gianiny, Design Director

Lynn has been an art and design director and a contributing writer in the content provider industry for 16 years. A native of Washington, DC, Lynn worked in film advertising in Los Angeles until moving to North Carolina as part of the creative team of awarding winning Attaché and US Airways magazine.

What's your role in DCG? 
Custom content Art Director for many of DCG's beautiful publications and visitor's guides from coast to coast. 

What's your ideal vacation?
A long stay in Tuscany to visit the Gianinni ancestral village of Fibbialla, and experience the surrounding beauty of hillside vineyards and the Mediterranean shores.

My clients say…
I am in tune with and personally interested in their vision. I'm reliable, detail-oriented and willing to go the extra mile to achieve the final creative goal – and meet the deadline!

JESSIE AMMONS RUMBLEY, SENIOR EDITOR 

Jessie has written for national publications and edited several city magazines, as well as destination guides in California and the Southeast. She loves to tell an authentic story and create platforms to celebrate places and people. Jessie lives in her hometown, Raleigh NC, and earned a degree in communication with entrepreneurship from Wake Forest University. 

What's your role in DCG? 
Writer and editor. I've worked on many of DCG's publications over the years, most recently leading editorial content for the Ventura and Augusta magazines. 

What's your ideal vacation?
Anyplace where a day can begin with a long walk or hike to a good view and end with a glass of wine watching the sunset. 

My clients say… I'm organized, detail-oriented, prompt, and friendly. 

Lance Elko, Writer

An editorial veteran with more than 30 years of experience, Lance Elko has served as editor/editorial director for six nationally distributed publications, most recently US Airways magazine and USAA magazine.

What's your role in DCG? 
Copy editor and writer

What's your ideal vacation?
A meandering and leisurely three-month drive across the U.S. and back

My clients say… I’m thorough, meticulous, and eagle-eyed.

Jody Mustain, Art Director

Jody holds 35 years’ worth of experience creating magazines and publications from United Airlines’ Hemispheres to Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Waldorf Astoria destination publications. For her, it’s all about experiential imagery paired with dynamic design and typography. “Keep it clean, organized and inspiring.” Preferably with a dog at her side, Jody loves gardening, cooking and traveling.

What's your role in DCG? 
Art director for Moore County, NC; Halifax, NC; Winston-Salem, NC; Golden Isles, GA; and Augusta, GA, destination guides.

What's your ideal vacation?
Remote, natural destinations filled with wildlife — and within an easy drive to upscale accommodations!

My clients say… I am skilled at capturing the essence of their destinations.  

Laura lee, Writer and Editor

Laura is a writer and editor who loves exploring new places, trying new food, and making friends. Now based in Richmond, Va, Laura graduated with honors from the University of Alabama’s College of Communication and has served as marketing director for Visit Pensacola as well as editor of Where publications throughout Florida.

What's your role in DCG? 
I’m a frequent contributor for Bluffton, SC; Winston Salem, NC; Hilton Head Island, SC; Halifax, NC; and Pinehurst, NC.

What's your ideal vacation?
Wandering through city streets or boating with the wind in my hair.

My clients say… I'm positive, thoughtful, flexible and deadline-driven.  

Anna Brannin, Copy Editor

Anna worked as a librarian for 13 years before beginning her career as an editor and consultant. She continually expands her repertoire to serve her clients. She earned a B.A. and an M.A., both in Information and Library Science, from the University of Southern Mississippi. Anna lives in Columbia, SC.

What's your role in DCG? 
Copy editor.

What's your ideal vacation?
Anywhere that has a great bookstore, bakery, and stationery shop. Bonus points for a good cocktail bar!

My clients say… I’m creative, thorough, and resourceful.