Matt Peacock Named Best Local Lifestyle Influencer | Best of Charleston 2026
We have some big news to celebrate — and honestly, it feels a long time coming.
Palm Social co-founder and Creative Director Matt Peacock has been named Best Local Lifestyle Influencer at the 2026 Best of Charleston Awards, hosted by the Charleston City Paper. This is one of the most recognized reader-voted awards in the Lowcountry, and being named the best in this category is a reflection of the authentic, community-first content Matt has built his platform on for years.
From Drone Pilot to Lowcountry Icon
If you've been following @mpeacockmedia on Instagram, you already know what makes Matt's content stand out. With over 86,000 followers, Matt has carved out a space that feels genuinely Charleston — golden-hour drone shots over the harbor, behind-the-scenes moments with local brands, coastal lifestyle content that makes even longtime residents fall in love with this city all over again.
Matt's journey into content creation started with a camera and a real curiosity for storytelling. A Florida State grad who came up through Charleston's creative scene — including time behind the lens for the Charleston Battery — he grew his platform the way Charleston itself grows on people: slowly, authentically, and without pretense.
Today, @mpeacockmedia reaches tens of thousands of locals and visitors across Instagram, TikTok, and Threads with content that spans aerial drone videography, food and hospitality, lifestyle, and the kind of candid local storytelling that major media outlets simply can't replicate.
What This Award Means for the Lowcountry
The Best of Charleston awards are special because they're voted on by the community — real Charlestonians choosing the people, places, and businesses that define this city. Being recognized as the Best Local Lifestyle Influencer in a market full of incredible creators isn't just a personal milestone for Matt. It's a signal that authentic, locally-rooted content still wins.
In an era where influencer culture has become increasingly polished and performative, Matt's approach has always been the opposite — showing up as himself, showcasing the real Charleston, and building genuine relationships with the brands and businesses he works with.
Palm Social: Built on That Same Foundation
Matt co-founded The Palm Social alongside partner Cary Ashley with one guiding belief: that the best content comes from people who actually love where they live and what they do. That belief is baked into everything we create for our clients — from drone videography and brand photography to full social media management and content strategy for Lowcountry businesses.
Winning the Best Local Lifestyle Influencer award is a reflection of everything we try to build into our client work, too: content that earns attention because it's real, not just because it's polished.
If you're a Charleston business looking to bring that same energy to your brand's social presence, we'd love to connect at thepalm.social/contact.
Congratulations, Matt. From everyone at Palm Social — this one's well-deserved. Charleston knows.
Follow Matt at @mpeacockmedia on Instagram and Threads.
