Where Bold Ideas Take Flight.
Who We Are
Play Nice was born from one loud, unshakeable truth: Disruption is easy. Doing it with integrity? That’s the game.
We looked around and saw a sea of sameness—cold campaigns, copycat branding, and marketing machines churning our noise with zero soul. So, we built something, not just bolder – but better. A creative agency that leads with guts, operates with heart, and refuses to treat people like metrics.
Behind every product, every pixel, every campaign, there’s a real story—and real people. That’s who we show up for.
We’re not just marketers. We’re builders. Storytellers. Boundary pushers. Culture shapers. We build brands that don’t just compete—they connect.
Our Ethos
Excellence is never optional, and culture means more than clout (compliments are still welcome, of course). We walk the talk in everything we do – and we never settle for the first easy solution.
Our Values
Tune in:
We don’t just nod along- we actually listen. To our crew, clients, and anyone with something smart to say. Great ideas don’t come from echo chambers, and collaboration wins every damn time.
Run toward the fire:
Growth doesn’t come from playing it safe. Relentless curiosity and fearless ambition fuel our work. And pushing past convention is how we create legacy brands, built to last.
Exclusivity is overrated:
We champion perspective over consensus and know our boldest ideas are born from a clash of viewpoints, not a chorus of agreement.
No half-measures:
We’re obsessed with excellence. There are no short-cuts or lazy hacks—just relentless pursuit of flawless work, owning every detail, and getting it right, every single time.
Leave a legacy:
Brands are agents of social change, not just something to sell. Our work isn’t just marketing—it’s a mission to challenge the status quo, spark real cultural change, and leave the world kinder and more human than we found it.
Leader Profiles
Rachael Chestnut
Meet the woman who doesn’t have an off switch. As Founder and CEO of The Play Nice Agency, Rachael’s dedicated her career to helping brands rethink what’s possible—whether that’s a Fortune 500 powerhouse or a scrappy startup. Her award-winning work with clients like Deloitte, Leo Burnett, Saatchi & Saatchi, and MSL Group proves that strategy and creativity aren’t mutually exclusive—they’re a power couple.
As a people-centric business leader, Rachael is dedicated to giving back to her local Asheville community by supporting local businesses and causes that keep the city vibrant, weird, and a wonderful place to call home. Outside of her work in the community, you’ll likely find her in the woods foraging for cool rocks, testing NA beers in search of one that doesn’t taste like regret, or lobbying (unofficially) for yoga pants to qualify as “business casual.”
Erika Fleitz
Shaped by a deep appreciation for creative expression, Erika thrives on transforming visionary ideas into compelling realities. As Creative Director at The Play Nice Agency, she partners with clients across industries—from consulting firms and tech startups to hospitality, real estate, and PR—to deliver innovative, high-impact solutions. Her knack for translating business values into bold, distinctive brand identities has helped elevate client presence while driving measurable results.
Outside of agency life, Erika leans into the same curiosity and creativity that fuel her work. You’ll likely catch her in the gym or trying new fun ways of being active, in the kitchen trying out a new recipe, or on long walks or having cuddles with her dog Finn. Equal parts design devotee and wellness enthusiast, she’s also known to dive into naturopathic rabbit holes, discover inspiring new music spanning all genres, and find beauty in the small details that make life—and brands—unforgettable.
Good Karma
For us, this change starts in our local Asheville community. We’ve been fortunate enough to work alongside organizations and people who show up every day for our most vulnerable neighbors. Below are some of the local organizations we’ve partnered alongside for efforts from Hurricane Helene clean-up to supporting survivors of domestic abuse and human trafficking. If you’d like to support their work, we’re more than happy to play matchmaker.
We believe in the ripple effect—that big change starts with the smallest acts. One moment of paying it forward. One moment of stepping up to the plate instead of looking away. One moment of giving a damn. Stack enough of those moments together, and you’ve got real societal change.
