Branding and Marketing Communications Agency Honored for Innovative Promotion Campaign 

NEW YORK, November 15, 2011 – The Halo Group, a New York-based branding and marketing communications agency, announced today that it was awarded a 2011 MarCom Award, an international competition that recognizes the creative achievements by marketing and communication professionals. The Halo Group won a Gold award in the Marketing/Promotion Campaign category for developing the ‘Marketing Innovation Reality Check’, a mobile survey sponsorship at Columbia University Business School's Center on Global Brand Leadership BRITE '11 Conference.

The Halo Group's mobile survey was accessed via a QR code and promoted by a program that included conference signage, social media and an onsite “street team.” This enabled attendees to participate in a survey, enter a drawing and understand the real internal challenges to creating, implementing and measuring innovation within their organization. Survey respondents were BRITE conference attendees ranging from CMOs from top brands to leading academics to some of the foremost marketing and branding agencies.

“It’s a privilege to be presented with this esteemed honor,” said Linda Passante, CEO/Founding Partner of The Halo Group. “We’re always striving to be recognized for our work we create for clients so it is very gratifying to win for our own marketing efforts, especially as we believe our survey gave attendees a candid look at our shared challenges and brought clarity to those that serve marketing driven organizations.”

The MarCom Awards are administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals, an international organization consisting of several thousand creative professionals. The mission of the MarCom Awards is to honor excellence and recognize the creativity, hard work and generosity of marketing and communication professionals. There were over 6,000 entries from throughout the United States, Canada and several other countries in the 2011 competition.

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The Halo Group Sponsors Mobile Marketing Reality Check Survey at Realtime NY 11

The Halo Group, a New York-based branding and marketing communications agency, surveyed attendees of the RLTM NY ‘11 presented by the Realtime Report on June 6, to assess their company’s receptivity to creating, implementing and measuring realtime marketing. The “Realtime Marketing Realty Check” survey showed that while realtime marketing is evolving rapidly, marketers still face challenges implementing innovations within their own companies.

The conference highlighted discussions about today’s best realtime marketing case studies from brands including McDonald’s, Delta, Pepsi and NHL. During his presentation, ‘The Future of the Realtime Brand’, Shiv Singh of PepsiCo Beverages stated that he believed at least 50% of one’s budget should be on realtime marketing efforts.  However when asked in Halo’s survey about their current marketing budget, most attendees said their organizations allocated less than a quarter of their budget to realtime, social media or mobile marketing efforts.

“It’s no surprise that brands are increasingly utilizing emerging technology in their marketing strategies however it is interesting how organizations continue to oppose allotting a bigger budget for realtime marketing,” said Linda Passante, CEO/Co-Founder, The Halo Group. “There are certain realities that are making the adoption of new communication strategies difficult and from this survey we can assume that financial resources play a large role.”

The survey identified four key areas marketers need to focus on in order to effectively implement realtime marketing: culture, training, technology and budget. The following are the key findings for each area:

• 1 out 4 respondents described receptivity to innovation in their company as only “baby steps permitted”
• Only 14% of those who answered had a highly developed training program for staff that manages their brands’ presence in social media
• Only 25% of survey-takers have a completely mobile-friendly website
• 71% of respondents allocate less than 25% of their budget to realtime marketing efforts

“We look for ways to make Realtime conferences into a playground where we can experiment with emerging tools and platforms to share information, connect with people and build our brands,” said Tonia Ries, Founder and Host, The Realtime Report. “The Halo Group’s survey focused on realtime marketing efforts, used a realtime marketing tool and provided attendees with realtime results—a perfect example of a brand fully immersing themselves in emerging technology.”

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For full survey questions and results, please click here.

Linda Passante, CEO and Co-Founder of The Halo Group was featured in the Business section of The New York Post on Sunday, April 24, 2011.

The article entitled "Women get the biz...female-owned firms are thriving" highlighted Linda as part of the fastest-growing segment of businesses -- companies owned by women.  The reporter called The Halo Group a "business more than just part of a trend. It's actually a leader, an exception in New York businesses."  

To read the full article: online: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/women_get_the_biz_lebal6vOlzp8qX6kwVaEzN#ixzz1KYO1Mk7fA  

The Halo Group, a New York-based branding and marketing communications agency, announced today that it was awarded several top industry honors. For its work creating online campaigns, The Halo Group was awarded a Silver Telly Award, two Internet Advertising Awards and was recognized as an Official Honoree by the Webby Awards.

St. George’s University’s ‘Make One Small Change’ public service announcement campaign was awarded a Silver Telly, the highest honor from the 32nd Annual Telly Awards. The online campaign created by The Halo Group for the agency’s longtime higher education client, promotes healthy habits such as smoking cessation and recycling. Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and web commercials, videos and films.

The 15th Annual Webby Awards, the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, also distinguished the “Make One Small Change” campaign as a 2011 Official Honoree. The Official Honoree is a distinction awarded to the top 10 percent of all work entered exhibiting remarkable achievement.

Halo was also awarded a 2011 Internet Advertising Best Education Rich Media Online Campaign award for an online video campaign for St. George’s University. The online videos titled ‘Huminals’ consist of three separate videos promoting St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine. Halo was also awarded the Best Insurance Mobile Application award by the Internet Advertising Awards for MetaRisk, a mobile application created for leading global reinsurance company, Guy Carpenter. Produced by The Web Marketing Association, the Internet Advertising Competition is an international award and the only competition dedicated to recognizing online advertising by industry.

“It’s truly an honor to be recognized by these prestigious and well-respected organizations,” said Linda Passante, CEO/Co-founder of The Halo Group. “Halo continues to be extremely pleased with the work we create for our clients. We’re especially proud of the “Make One Small Change” campaign for St. George’s as it was their very first television PSA campaign and it aimed at improving the quality of life of those living in the Caribbean.”

These awards now mark the 134th award won by The Halo Group for its partnership with St. George’s University over the last 16 years.  

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“It’s Mountain Time” at Mount Airy Casino Resort Brings the Spirit of the Outdoors In

NEW YORK, April 11, 2011 – The Halo Group, a New York based branding and marketing communications agency, launches today a multi-million dollar rebranding advertising campaign “It’s Mountain Time” for legendary Pocono escape Mount Airy Casino Resort, redefining the picturesque mountain retreat. Bringing the spirit of the brand to life, the new creative campaign features a surprise, humans interacting with local animals sharing the mountain getaway experience.

“In a category that is defined by ‘Jackpot Smiles’, Halo has created this campaign using local denizens to represent the wooded outdoor surroundings and bring its differential location to life,” said Mark Sutter, Chief Strategic Officer, The Halo Group.  “The new campaign we created for Mount Airy allows the mountain retreat to find its own attitude and personality. ‘It’s Mountain Time’ is encouraging guests to get out there and have some fun!”

With the shift in brand messaging from Mount Airy’s pre-existing image, the new campaign features charming, local animals all intended to bring a smile to the viewer. To accomplish the animals incorporated in the ads, a special effects mixture of puppeteers and animatronics were used rather than real live animals. The photography highlights the smart design of the resort and heightened energy of the casino and nightlife.

The series of ads feature a couple of foxes enjoying the casino nightlife and a black bear awaking from his hotel hibernation. In one television spot, a man at the roulette table is unsure if he should let his bet ride, until he notices a squirrel going all in with his pile of acorns.

You can collect your nuts and save them for another day...or you can grow a pair and let them ride.  It’s Mountain Time. Mount Airy Casino Resort.

"Mount Airy, nestled in 12,000 wooded acres, is unique because it offers an entirely different experience from Atlantic City and the other local casinos.  Mount Airy owns the Poconos and the new campaign leverages this valuable equity,” said Linda Passante, CEO, Co-Founder of The Halo Group. “Mount Airy is more than a casino.  It’s more than a resort.  It’s a unique destination that allows guests to go a short distance for an abundance of outdoor activities in a mountain getaway.”

The new $5.6 million campaign is designed to connect with consumers, reaching a broader audience across several media channels:  television, radio, consumer print publications (national golf and entertainment magazines, casino daily newspapers), outdoor, transit (bus and train), digital geo-targeted banners and in the Northern New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania and New York City metro region. The “It’s Mountain Time” creative look and feel incorporating regional animals such as raccoons, bears and deer and mountain images will also be integrated into all on-site and direct mail collateral. Ads featuring resort spa and golf scenarios will break later in Spring/Summer 2011.

Agency Credits:

• Rick Midler, Creative Director, The Halo Group
• Tim Goodwin, Director/Producer, The Halo Group
• Stu Garrett, Senior Creative Director, The Halo Group

Production Credits:

• Celebrity Photographer Jeff Sciortino, Sciortino Photography
• Film Director Andrews Jenkins
• Deer and fox Special Effects, Barbara Muehleib
• Animatronic bear and Puppeteer, Matt Brady
• Squirrel and wolf Special Effects, AnimatronicFX puppeteer’s Dave Nelson and Norman Tempia
• Original rock score, Musician/Guitarist Sheldon Rifkowitz

To view high-resolution campaign images and TV/radio spots, as well as get a “Behind-the-Scenes” glance at the making of the new ad campaign, please visit: http://thehalogroup.net/news/2011-mountairy-spring-campaign/index.html.

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NEW YORK, March 22, 2011 – The Halo Group, a New York-based branding and marketing communications agency, announced today that Josh Mattes has joined the agency as VP/Account Director. Mattes will develop and execute engagement programs for Halo client marketing communications plans, managing Halo’s key client relationships.

“Halo goes beyond traditional advertising agency offerings. Josh fits right in with our philosophy of delivering integrated communications, creativity and results,” said Linda Passante, CEO/Co-founder of The Halo Group.

An MBA post-graduate of New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business specializing in marketing and strategy, Mattes brings more than 10 years experience in the advertising and client service industry. He has directed multi-disciplinary and specialized marketing programs for Fortune 100 companies spanning diverse categories including financial, healthcare, education, consumer packaged goods and pharmaceuticals.
 
“Halo has created a unique, collaborative environment where clients can engage all communication tactics, from traditional to mobile to social media,” said Mattes.  “I was immediately attracted to their unique approach and immense talent.”

Prior to joining Halo, Mattes served a roster of agency clients at TBWA\Chiat\Day and McCann Relationship Marketing from Capital One, Empire BlueCross BlueShield, American Management Association, TIAA-CRE and Johnson & Johnson.

Mattes holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Marketing Management from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.

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• 75% of attendees described their workplaces as “innovation obsessed”, but 1 in 4 said receptivity to innovation in their company as only “baby steps permitted”
• While 96% of attendees are currently using social media as a part of their marketing efforts, only 9% have an internal social media training program for their staff
• 97% plan to use mobile marketing technology in 2011 to connect with customers

The Halo Group’s mobile-marketing survey, accessed via a QR code and promoted by an on-site program that included conference signage, twitter posts and a “street team,” was intended to help understand the reality of creating, implementing and measuring innovation for today’s leaders in marketing.  Survey respondents were 109 BRITE conference attendees (roughly one-third of registrants) ranging from CMOs from top brands to leading academics to some of the foremost marketing and branding agencies. The survey was conducted and tabulated in real-time, with a sampling of the results delivered during the afternoon session of the conference. As an incentive, one winner was selected at random to win an Apple iPad.

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Will Head Fully Integrated Agency Account Services Team

NEW YORK, January 6, 2011 – The Halo Group, a New York-based branding and marketing communications agency, announced today that Patricia Cunningham has joined the agency as SVP/Client Services. Cunningham will direct Halo’s multi-disciplined client services department, overseeing Halo’s key relationships.

“Client services is the hub of Halo’s critical functions, and Pat Cunningham sits at the helm, bringing innovation and best-in-class service for Halo’s clients,” said Linda Passante, CEO/Co-founder of The Halo Group. “Pat’s account leadership experience and integration management skills make her uniquely qualified to direct the delivery of Halo’s expansive offerings.”

A seasoned 22-year advertising and client service veteran, Cunningham has led key strategic initiatives for prominent brands across a diverse group of industries including financial services, travel and premium food products.

“Halo is a multifaceted agency with significant talent and a proven track record of delivering its clients exceptional results,” said Cunningham. “I look forward to working with this skilled group of professionals and forging valuable client relationships.” 

Cunningham’s advertising career journey has taken her from Ogilvy & Mather and Bozell Worldwide to Gotham Incorporated where she spearheaded integrated campaign development for an impressive roster of global clients including Bank of America, Lindt Chocolates, Lufthansa German Airlines, United Way and Newman’s Own.

Cunningham holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from St. John’sUniversity in Staten Island, NY. 

About The Halo Group

Founded in 1994, The Halo Group is an independent marketing communications and branding agency, specializing in the education, consumer products, travel/tourism and financial industries.  Halo brings together a roundtable of seasoned marketing, branding, creative, traditional, digital and mobile advertising, public relations and social media experts to work with a select group of international clients. Halo has been honored with more than 250 industry awards. For more information, visit www.thehalogroup.net.  

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“We’ve created an identifiable signature.  Upon first look the viewer gets a sense that this is a fun place to visit. And it very quickly became shorthand for the brand. Doing this kind of work for great clients is fun. Above all else,” said Passante.

To view high-resolution out of home and print campaign images, as well as TV and radio spots, please visit http://thehalogroup.net/mountairy/funaboveallelse.cfm.

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Will lead fully integrated agency account services team

NEW YORK, August 9, 2010 -- The Halo Group, a branding and marketing communications agency, announced today that accomplished global advertising and marketing veteran Garrick M. Gelinas has joined the agency as SVP/Director of Client Services. In his new role, Gelinas will direct Halo's multi-disciplined client service department, overseeing Halo's key relationships including Mount Airy Casino Resort, Liebherr Refrigeration North America and St. George's University in Grenada, West Indies.

"Client Services is at the core of all of Halo's functions. Garrick's personal drive to exceed client expectations, combined with his experience as an integrated marketing communications expert makes him uniquely qualified to lead Halo's and its clients into successful partnerships, " said Linda Passante, CEO of The Halo Group. "Garrick is a perfect fit for Halo - a talented, assertive thought-leader with a drive for results - and we are very thrilled to have him on board."

Gelinas brings more than 16 years international experience in the advertising and client service industry to the role. He has directed multi-disciplinary and specialized marketing programs for Fortune 100 companies spanning diverse categories including consumer electronics, consumer packaged goods, health and beauty, pharmaceuticals, and tobacco.

"What attracted me to Halo was their culture, passion for producing high quality work and appreciation of the ever evolving challenge of communicating with customers," said Gelinas. "This is one of the most creative brand development agencies around and I look forward to utilizing their immense talent and capabilities in building quality client relationships."

Prior to joining Halo Gelinas spent the majority of his illustrious career at Ogilvy in their New York and international offices spearheading holistic campaign development for key agency clients including Kraft Foods, British American Tobacco, Kodak and Motorola.

He holds an MBA degree with a Marketing concentration from Fordham University Graduate School of Business and a BA from Wheaton College in Norton, MA.