Boston PR Firm Expands, Announces Formation of Lifestyle, Social Media, Events, News Management and Social Responsibility Groups

BOSTON (Oct. 20, 2008) — CerconeBrownCurtis, a Boston-based public relations and marketing firm, will now call New York City home as well. The firm opened its new Seventh Avenue office to better reach the city’s lifestyle and business on behalf of its growing clients.

The expansion is coupled with the creation of its new approach to servicing its diverse PR client base, which ranges from Hasbro and Quiksilver to and GMAC Insurance and environmental technology innovators Sabertec.

“Our job is to turn the word ‘campaign’ from a noun to a verb, often deploying brand ideas in non-traditional channels,” said firm partner Len Cercone.  “In terms of PR, we blend traditional media relations with social media, blog relations, events, retail promotions and many other tactics.  This approach calls for cohesive, dedicated teams with specific skill that can work for all clients as needed.”

The new operational units are:

Social Media Task Force: Headed by former IBM Consulting executive Robin Pifer, this group takes campaigns digital, leveraging the grassroots groundswell of Facebook, blogs, YouTube, video sharing and all the other swirling elements of online communications.

Lifestyle Media: headed by Noelle Guerin, this team specializes in product publicity in high-level print and broadcast media. They also run our Winter and Summer House programs in Park City and Nantucket, respectively.

Brand Activation: Led by former Disney events pro Robin Whalen, these group get it done when the brand needs to break out in the real world.  At the moment, they’re running a Hasbro mobile tour and field marketing program, as well as an exciting inner-city grassroots program for Olivia’s Organics.

Corporate Social Responsibility: Just like it sounds, this group focuses on cause-related and green initiatives. The group is run by Caroline Budney, who holds a degree in environmental science. Capabilities include not only digital and traditional marketing, but also terrific depth in research and polling.

News Management: For business media and working newsrooms, CBC created this group headed by Anne Houseman. With two former journalists on staff, these pros know what it takes to make the news, from local broadcast to the business pages of the Wall Street Journal.

The company has also recently launched a blog designed to help businesses navigate the changing economic, environmental on social landscape, with practical how-to advice and insights.  For more information, visit www.eco-optimism.org.

About CerconeBrownCurtis

Founded in 2001, CerconeBrownCurtis provides a variety of services to companies from all walks of life. The company has worked with leading brands that include adidas, Hasbro Inc., GMAC Insurance, Nantucket Nectars, Orvis, Cognos, Sperry Top-Sider, K2, The Timberland Company, Vibram and ZOOTS. For more information, visit www.cerconebrown.com.

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BOSTON (Oct. 6, 2008) — CerconeBrownCurtis, a Boston-based advertising and public relations firm, today announced the addition of several members to its team. The new hires will provide essential support to the firms growing roster of clients, including GMAC Insurance, Hasbro, Inc., and Olivia’s Organics.

“In 2008, we’ve experienced more than 25-percent growth,” said CBC Partner Erika Brown. “Much of this comes from clients that want to add non-traditional communications and social media outreach to their marketing mix. It was imperative that we bring on people with the right skills to help.”

Recent new team members include:

  • Libba Cox, assistant account executive: Growing up on an organic farm has prepared this Colby graduate well for work in CBC’s Consumer Social Responsibility group.  Libba will be working on Nalgene’s “Refill Not Landfill” campaign, as well as Sabertec’s auto emissions control technology.
  • Melissa Kenyon, assistant account executive: Melissa joins as part of the Brand Activation Team, servicing Olivia’s Organics and new business development.
  • Meghan Gargan, assistant account executive:  A recent graduate of Northeastern University’s School of Journalism, Meghan is a published reporter, with her work appearing in The Boston Globe, The News-Observer (Raleigh, NC), among others.
  • Katie Stiffer, account executive: A former world-class ski racer, Katie brings to CBC an understanding of culture-driven marketing.  She supports campaigns for GMAC Insurance, including its annual GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test, as well as the grassroots driven Gardens of Goodness effort on behalf of Olivia’s Organics.
  

About CerconeBrownCurtis?

Founded in 2001, CerconeBrownCurtis provides a variety of services to companies from all walks of life. The company has worked with leading brands that include adidas, Hasbro Inc., GMAC Insurance, Nantucket Nectars, Orvis, Cognos, Sperry Top-Sider, K2, The Timberland Company, Vibram and ZOOTS. For more information, visit www.cerconebrown.com.