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.
16-year Partnership Yields Continuing Industry Honors for Agency
This award marks the 130th award won by The Halo Group in global, marketing effectiveness, creative, and specific category competitions for its partnership with St. George’s University over the last 16 years.
“It is a remarkable achievement to be selected for such a prestigious honor,” said Linda Passante, CEO of Halo. “This consistent recognition is a testament to The Halo Group and St. George’s University successful partnership and is as significant as our 16 years of continued growth with SGU.”
Halo’s winning campaign videos celebrates the University’s leadership position in international education. The University Feature was produced as an overview, explaining the overall philosophy of the School and showcasing its absolutely stunning Grenada campus. The Veterinary Medicine Profile of Dr. Danielle Pugliese offers insight into how an SGU degree will help prospective veterinary students follow a successful career path. Finally, the School of Medicine video highlights specific important aspects of the medical program critical for potential medical students to know and touches on the breadth and depth of the medical program.
The 31st Annual Telly Awards honor the very best local, regional and cable television commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions, and work created for the Web. Over 11,000 entries are received annually from the finest advertising agencies, production companies, TV stations, cable companies, interactive agencies and corporations in the world.
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. Visit www.thehalogroup.net for more information.
About Telly Awards
Founded in 1978, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions, and web commercials, videos and films. The Telly Awards annually showcases the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world. The Telly Awards is a widely known and highly respected national and international competition and receives over 11,000 entries annually from all 50 states and many foreign countries. To find out more about the Telly Awards, please visit www.tellyawards.com.
NEW YORK, June 28, 2010 – The Halo Group, a branding and marketing communications agency announced today that it has been named Agency of Record by Liebherr Refrigeration North America, the world’s largest premium refrigeration manufacturer, headquartered in Germany.
“What drew us to The Halo Group was their proven track record of providing bottom-line results for their clients,” said Thorsten Platt, Vice President of Liebherr Refrigeration North America. “We are excited to work with Halo as our strategic communications partner as we establish Liebherr as a top-of-the-line brand in the competitive U.S. market. By displaying an excellent understanding of our business, they proved they could provide us with all the integrated marketing capabilities we were looking for.”
With over 50 years experience in cooling technology in the appliance industry, Liebherr sets the pace with continuous product innovation, European styling and a proactive environmental approach to responsible manufacturing. Liebherr offers a wide range of ENERGY STAR rated built-in, freestanding and fully integrated refrigerators to meet the needs of their U.S. and Canadian consumers, complimented by an extensive selection of wine and humidor cigar storage units.
Halo will create an integrated North American marketing communications campaign to build brand awareness amongst key trade and consumer audiences. The plan will focus on advertising, public relations, social media, promotions and event disciplines.
“Liebherr has successfully established their brand in Europe but is relatively unknown in the U.S.,” said Linda Passante, CEO of The Halo Group. “We are extremely honored Liebherr came to Halo as they continue to build brand awareness, bringing fresh, European design to the North American marketplace.”
About Liebherr
Driven by innovation and characterized by sophisticated, elegant design, Germany-based Liebherr Corporation brings the best of Europe to the refrigeration category in North America. Visit www.liebherr-appliances.com to view Liebherr’s full product line of freestanding, built-in and fully integrated refrigeration and wine storage units.
Will Spearhead Public Relations for Branding and Communications Agency
NEW YORK, June 21, 2010 – The Halo Group, a marketing communications and branding agency, announced today that Lara Cohn has joined the agency as Vice President/Director of Public Relations. In her position, Cohn will be responsible for the internal and external development of public relations and corporate communication strategic programs and tactical plans for Halo and its clients.
“Lara rounds out Halo’s communications efforts with her proven track record of developing and executing high-impact PR programs,” said Linda Passante, CEO of The Halo Group. “She will be an integral member of our collaborative roundtable team of experts, providing clients another key perspective in the communications mix.”
Prior to joining The Halo Group, Cohn held senior-level positions developing and managing brand-building campaigns at public relations agencies including HealthStar Public Relations, Zeno Group, Steele Rose Communications, MWW Group, DeVries Public Relations and The Lippin Group. A 15-year New York PR industry veteran, Cohn has created worldwide publicity and billions of gross media impressions for a roster of iconic brands including GlaxoSmithKline’s weight-loss aid alli, Procter & Gamble’s Pantene, Noxzema and Old Spice, Reckitt Benckiser, American Red Cross and PetSmart. Cohn began her career managing publicity for the world-renowned Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
“It is a privilege to join this accomplished group of practitioners who are the best in their fields,” said Cohn. “I look forward to playing a crucial role in the agency’s development and delivering outstanding results for our clients.”
Cohn has been honored with numerous industry accolades including SABRE Awards, Big Apple Awards, Communicator Awards, Mercury Excellence Awards, PRNews 15-to-Watch and three Silver Anvils. She holds a journalism degree from Lehigh University.
About The Halo Group, Inc.
Founded in 1994, The Halo Group is an independent marketing communications and branding agency, specializing in the education, financial, travel/tourism and consumer products 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. Visit www.thehalogroup.net for more information.
Rejoins Brand Agency as Vice President/Account Supervisor
NEW YORK, June 14, 2010 – The Halo Group, a marketing communications and branding agency, announced today that Cynthia Barbarito has rejoined the agency as Vice President/Account Supervisor. Barbarito, who previously was an Account Executive at The Halo Group in 2002, will direct the strategic implementation and creative development for client marketing communications plans.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Cynthia back into the Halo family,” said Linda Passante, CEO of The Halo Group. “Her addition is part of our core vision to bring together a senior team of seasoned specialists from all disciplines - brand strategy, creative, traditional, digital, social media and public relations - to work collaboratively and effectively with our clients to service all of their marketing needs.”
Barbarito brings 18 years experience in the advertising and client service industry, with more than 13 years specializing in account and project management, tactical execution of collateral and promotional materials, direct mail, radio, and support programs.
“In all the agencies I have worked with, I always thought Halo was one of my best experiences,” said Barbarito. “Halo’s clients regard us as trusted advisors and appreciate the value of integrated communications, ensuring mutually rewarding relationships.”
Prior to rejoining Halo, Barbarito was the Regional Associate Director at Zimmerman Advertising, an Omnicom Group Company, spearheading regional marketing activities for Lennar Homes in Florida, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Previously, she held positions at Florida agencies McGuire & Associates and Bridge House, where her client roster included Ritz-Carlton Club & Residences, Tucker’s Point Club Bermuda and the Miami Design District.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing Communications from S.U.N.Y. Fashion Institute of Technology and is a member of the National Association of Professional Women, The Advertising Club and Advertising Women of New York.
The Halo Group to Rebrand Mount Airy Casino Resort as Poconos Top Destination
NEW YORK, April 6, 2010 – Once known as a honeymoon palace in the mountains, Mount Airy Casino Resort named The Halo Group, a marketing communications and branding agency, to launch a $5 million advertising campaign introducing the resort as the best place to escape in The Poconos.
“Mount Airy is re-emerging as a leading vacation destination in The Poconos,” said George Toth, CEO of Mount Airy. “Now, our new table games, coupled with a high end hotel and spa, outdoor sports, shopping, and fine dining, will entice new generations to The Poconos. We’re counting on The Halo Group to make it happen for us.”
A newly built, $412 million, 188-room hotel and casino opened in 2007 on the site of the old Mount Airy Lodge, once the Poconos’ largest destination. The latest refinement at the new Mount Airy Casino Resort is the addition of table games, which the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is expected to approve by Summer 2010.
“The resurgence of the Mount Airy brand is a game changer for the Northeast casino world,” said Linda Passante, CEO of The Halo Group. “Our passion to reestablish Mount Airy as a luxury destination is matched by the commitment of the DeNaples family to the legacy they are creating in their own backyard. Our advertising campaigns will make a whole new generation of vacation-goers feel the same way. Halo’s work for Mount Airy will be seen on TV and radio, on billboards, on the web all over the New York metro region.”
Hunts for One Perfect Client with "Recipe for Success" October 5, 2009 -- Starting today, The Halo Group, an independent marketing communications and branding agency, kicks off a campaign targeted at key industry players about the Agency's unique business-building model. The Agency is promoting its collaborative work style, which Halo leaders say is the only sensible solution to reaching consumers today. The five-day marketing initiative delivers daily insights, plus one baking ingredient, to ad agency search consultants and culminates in Halo's recipe for success. The campaign includes a pointed video of a singing barbershop quartet of mad scientist heads celebrating collaboration. The video will be launched in social media channels that include YouTube, Twitter and LinkedIn. "Collaboration breeds insight. And we are in search of one perfect client who is accountable for business growth through marketing and who will be inspired by the different perspectives we offer," said Linda Passante, CEO of The Halo Group. About The Halo Group, Inc.
The Halo Group is an independent Manhattan-based marketing communications and branding agency that brings together an Executive Roundtable of seasoned marketing, branding, creative, traditional, digital and mobile advertising, public relations and social media experts to work with a select list of international clients, servicing all of their marketing needs. Since its founding in 1994, Halo has been honored with almost 250 creative awards, including many in international advertising agency industry competitions. For more information, visit www.thehalogroup.net.
September 25, 2009 - Today, Tyler Jennings, Social Media Specialist for The Halo Group, was the keynote speaker at the sold-out event titled "Personal Branding 2.0: Best Social Media Practices" on the closing day of Advertising Week, North America's premier gathering of cutting-edge communications leaders. Jennings addressed the Advertising Women of New York, the first women's association in the communications industry, and offered his expert point of view on the importance of personal branding given the uprise of social media.
The Halo Group, a new agency model that brings together a team of marketing, branding, creative, traditional, digital and mobile advertising, public relations and social media specialists, to work collaboratively with clients. Jennings functions as the social media strategist among the multidiscipline environment of seasoned professionals at Halo.
"Tyler's knowledge of social media has strengthened Halo's digital offering and will keep the agency on the forefront of the newest technology," said Linda Passante, CEO of The Halo Group. "Personal branding is just as important as corporate branding and will remain so as social media continues to be a necessary tool of communication."
Jennings shared expert tips on how to sell oneself through a variety of social media channels. For those who are not yet savvy about social media and for those who want to perfect personal branding in the social media realm, Jennings provided insightful feedback on how to stand out in an oversaturated and competitive environment by communicating strategic messages to targeted communities.
About The Halo Group, Inc.
The Halo Group is a Manhattan-based marketing communications and branding agency that brings together a team of marketing, branding, creative, traditional, digital and mobile advertising, public relations and social media specialists to work collaboratively and directly with clients. Since its founding in 1994, Halo has been honored with almost 250 creative awards, including many in international advertising agency industry competitions. For more information, visit www.thehalogroup.net
