Sarmanian, Skorupka receive promotions

WARD HILL, Mass. (Oct. 7, 2009) —Claire “Teddie” Sarmanian and Gregory A. Skorupka, both of North Andover, were promoted last month to operations manager and art director, respectively, by COCO+CO. President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Coco.

Sarmanian is responsible for tasks in a variety of departments, including client services, human resources and accounts receivable. Skorupka oversees the art department, which includes advanced Web site development and graphic design.

“The pair will play instrumental roles in serving client partners in this ever-evolving digital age, he said. Both staff members joined COCO+CO. three years ago and have since demonstrated unique abilities to help client partners achieve goals through brilliant implementation of COCO+CO.’s proprietary Connections Process,” said Coco.

Sarmanian earned her B.A. in Communications from University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She has a background in media and sales and has held positions at companies such as GSX Groupware Solutions in Reading, Western Media in Phoenix, Ariz., and WFXT-TV in Dedham.

Skorupka’s experience includes both traditional and digital arts, ranging from print advertising to computer illustration. He holds a B.A. in Digital Media Arts from Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass. He was a member of the Web Services team at Merrimack College, creating online virtual tours and assisting professors with Internet course-related materials.

COCO+CO. provides strategic corporate communications with an emphasis on brand consistency across media. COCO+CO. works with businesses in the financial services, quasi-public, energy efficiency and food manufacturing sectors. COCO+CO. may be reached at (800) 374-4103 or on the World Wide Web at www.cocoboston.com.

Hoefler becomes senior strategy planner

WARD HILL, Mass. (Oct. 7, 2009) — Erin M. Hoefler of Methuen was promoted at the beginning of the month to senior strategy planner at COCO+CO., a local strategic corporate communications firm.

Hoefler, who first joined COCO+CO. in 2006, will play a greater role in formulating marketing strategies for client partners, creating budgets and marshaling strategic and creative resources to achieve successful outcomes.

“Erin has clearly demonstrated excellent business sense, embraced the company’s signature ‘audience-centered’ philosophy and won the praise and respect of client partners,” said COCO+CO. President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Coco.

Hoefler first joined COCO+CO. in 2006 as a client services coordinator, working throughout summer and school vacations. Upon graduating college, she returned to COCO+CO. as an assistant strategy planner and was promoted to strategy planner in 2008.

A 2007 graduate of Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Hoefler earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a marketing emphasis, accompanied by a minor in public relations. At Marist, she was a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America and the Marist crew team.

COCO+CO. provides strategic corporate communications with an emphasis on brand consistency across media. COCO+CO. works with businesses in the financial services, quasi-public, energy efficiency and food manufacturing sectors. COCO+CO. may be reached at (800) 374-4103 or on the World Wide Web at www.cocoboston.com.

Ward Hill Park Association accepts gift of new Web home

www.wardhillpark.com

WARD HILL, Mass. (Aug. 3, 2009) — An economic development tool for helping businesses find available property in the Ward Hill Business Park is one of the features of a new Web site donated to the Ward Hill Park Association.

The Web site at www.wardhillpark.com, donated by local corporate communications firm COCO+CO., went online this week. Besides matching property owners with prospective tenants, the site also eases information sharing among park neighbors, employs an interactive display and offers an improved membership directory. COCO+CO. designed the site using open source versions of the latest Internet technology. This approach enabled the association to avoid costly software license fees while still providing a modern content management system that allows park leadership to quickly make updates as needed.

“We have taken the opportunity to build into this Web site recognition for those companies that have gone beyond paying their membership dues this fiscal year, and highlight the programs, projects and sponsorships provided by these companies to enhance the Business Park,” said William J. “Bud” Hart, manager.

For those interested in the business park’s 46-year history, background information is provided as well as a complete and viewable digital version of a 1969 brochure issued by the park’s founder, the Greater Haverhill Foundation. The Ward Hill Park Association was formed in 1997 and membership and benefits information also appears on the site.

Donation of the Web site is one of three such donations planned by COCO+CO. this year. The others are the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Brockton, Mass., and John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace, Haverhill.

COCO+CO. provides strategic corporate communications with an emphasis on brand consistency across media. COCO+CO. works with businesses in the financial services, quasi-public, energy efficiency and food manufacturing sectors. COCO+CO. may be reached at (800) 374-4103 or on the World Wide Web at www.cocoboston.com.

COCO+CO. challenges businesses to demonstrate ‘tenacity’ during economic recession

No bailout for your business? Click on the “Tenacity Challenge" poster icon above, download, print and proudly display your intent to thrive on your terms in 2009.

WARD HILL, Mass. (Jan. 19, 2009) – A local corporate communications firm is challenging area businesses to demonstrate “tenacity” in the wake of the nation’s economic meltdown. COCO+CO. is distributing “Tenacity Challenge…Certified Winner” posters to any business accepting the challenge.

The challenge is rooted in the government’s unprecedented decision to bailout a few large companies while leaving smaller, struggling companies to fend for themselves.

“Most think Uncle Sam has a hell of a nerve choosing the ultra large companies and ignoring smaller businesses and community banks that generate more jobs,” Tim Coco, COCO+CO. president and chief executive officer, said in today’s COCO COntact newsletter. “Chances are your business won’t be receiving a bailout, low/no interest loan or a stock purchase from the government. There’s a certain pride, however, in knowing you succeeded by yourself. Hold your head high and dig in. You’re going to thrive on your terms and be stronger for your efforts,” he said.

The “Tenacity Challenge…Certified Winner” poster features a gold seal with a pair of well-worn boxing gloves in the center. The poster may be downloaded free at www.cocoboston.com.

Citigroup, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Bank of America, AIG, several Boston banks and at least one bank in the Merrimack Valley and one in New Hampshire are in the government’s “win” column, Coco said. “Where will your business be listed?” he asked.

COCO+CO. provides strategic corporate communications with an emphasis on brand consistency across media. COCO+CO. works with businesses in the financial services, quasi-public, energy efficiency and food manufacturing sectors. COCO+CO. may be reached at (800) 374-4103 or on the World Wide Web at www.cocoboston.com.

COCO+CO. launches “Red Phone” 24-hour media hotline

WARD HILL, Mass. – Breaking news seldom restricts itself to “business hours” and few reporters go home at 5 p.m., especially when catastrophe strikes. The round-the-clock nature of news requires that businesses respond to media inquiries anytime – day or night.

To help participating client partners conveniently respond to reporters’ questions, COCO+CO. this month launches its “Red Phone,” 24-hour media hotline. The 17-year-old advertising agency will accept media inquiries around the clock and assist in making connections between journalists and newsmakers.

“Ever more newspapers are turning out early morning editions, and Web and broadcast news sites operate continually. This reality means businesses can’t turn off the light at five and expect all will be well in the morning,” said COCO+CO. President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Coco. “Sometimes a call may simply be a night editor’s effort to verify information contained in a press release. Failing to timely respond may cause a delay in disseminating information the business considers vital,” said Coco, a former journalist himself. “Other times, turmoil in overnight financial markets or other emergencies may prompt a reporter’s call. Executives must respond or risk the seemingly suspicious ‘unavailable for comment’ appearing next to their names.”

Participating client partners are providing COCO+CO. with emergency contact and access information. Press releases will also be marked with COCO+CO.’s “Red Phone” insignia and toll-free number to alert the media to program participants.

COCO+CO. provides strategic corporate communications with an emphasis on brand consistency across media. The company was the recipient of the 2007 Small Business of the Year award in the Service for Profit category, presented by the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce. COCO+CO. works with businesses in the financial services, quasi government and energy efficiency sectors. COCO+CO. may be reached at (800) 374-4103 or on the World Wide Web at www.cocoboston.com.

COCO+CO. launches DSI to help smaller businesses compete online

WARD HILL, Mass. – Smaller businesses are not fully benefiting from the marketing potential of the World Wide Web. COCO+CO., a strategic corporate communications firm, has launched its “Digital Strategies Initiative” (DSI) to help local and regional businesses find and affordably target prospects online.

Large conglomerates are responsible for the bulk of the $22 billion spent on Web advertising in 2007. These companies found and targeted their customers, but local and regional businesses have not likewise been able to identify where their prospects gather online or affordably reach them. Additionally, they don’t know where to turn for video, audio and other technologies to develop effective online campaigns.

COCO+CO.’s Digital Strategies Initiative involves negotiating smaller advertiser “zoned” access to popular destinations, identifying locally owned Web sites with large followings, determining which technologies are most effective and repurposing content for multimedia use. COCO+CO. will partner with as yet unnamed industry leaders to undertake the initiative. Over time, investment in the effort is expected to exceed $1 million, said COCO+CO. President and CEO Tim Coco.

“Smaller businesses are seeing declining sales and lower margins because they cannot compete against the large chains that effectively use the Web,” Coco said. “Like their counterparts around the world, area residents are visiting popular social networking sites such as MySpace, rich media sites such as YouTube, blogs, podcasts and other online destinations. While large companies can afford the millions of dollars necessary to reach prospects on these sites, smaller businesses have been disenfranchised,” Coco explained.

COCO+CO. provides integrated corporate communications with an emphasis on brand consistency across media. The company was the recipient of the 2007 Small Business of the Year award in the Service for Profit category, presented by the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce (GHCC). COCO+CO. works with businesses in the financial services, quasi government and energy efficiency sectors. COCO+CO. may be reached at (800) 374-4103 or on the World Wide Web at www.cocoboston.com.

Hoefler receives promotion to strategy planner

WARD HILL, Mass. – Erin M. Hoefler of Methuen was promoted to strategy planner by COCO+CO. President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Coco.
In her new role, she acts as a liaison between COCO+CO.’s creative department and clients. Her responsibilities include managing client accounts and relationships, copywriting, creating press releases, researching and developing strategies and implementing marketing plans.

“Erin is responsive to clients and addresses inquiries head-on. She demonstrates her ideal candidacy for this position on a daily basis by embracing company philosophies and continually generating new and creative ideas,” said Coco.

Hoefler first joined COCO+CO. in 2006 as a client services coordinator, working throughout summer and school vacations. Upon graduating college, she returned to COCO+CO. as an assistant strategy planner.

A 2007 graduate of Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Hoefler earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a marketing emphasis, accompanied by a minor in public relations. At Marist, she was a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America and the Marist crew team.

COCO+CO. provides integrated corporate communications with an emphasis on brand consistency across media. The company works with businesses in the financial services, quasi government and energy efficiency sectors.  COCO+CO. may be reached at (800) 374-4103 or on the World Wide Web at www.cocoboston.com.

COCO+CO. named 2007 Small Business of the Year

WARD HILL, Mass. – COCO+CO., a provider of integrated corporate communications, received Haverhill’s 2007 Small Business of the Year award in the Service for Profit category. The award was presented by the Small Business Committee of the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce (GHCC) on February 1.

Timothy J. Coco, president and chief executive officer of COCO+CO. accepted the award on behalf of the company at the 18th Annual Small Business Breakfast at the Atkinson Resort & Country Club in Atkinson, N.H.

“I am honored to accept the Chamber’s recognition of COCO+CO.’s pro bono work and proprietary Connections Process. Using this tool, many businesses have assembled successful, goal-oriented advertising, public relations and Web programs,” said Coco.

To qualify for an award, candidates were required meet specific criteria including maintain a membership of at least two years in the GHCC, impact the community in a positive manner, demonstrate positive leadership within his or her business and make a conscious effort to work with other members of the chamber.

Other annual winners included Beauty and the Bead, Haverhill Clubhouse, Leith Flower & Gift Shop and Runtal North America. Recipients of 2007 Business of the Month awards were honored as well.

COCO+CO. provides integrated corporate communications with an emphasis on brand consistency across media. The company works with businesses in the financial services, quasi government and energy efficiency sectors.  COCO+CO. may be reached at (800) 374-4103 or on the World Wide Web at www.cocoboston.com.

Local graduate returns to COCO+CO.

WARD HILL, Mass. – Erin Hoefler has joined COCO+CO as an assistant strategy planner. Hoefler’s responsibilities include the research, development and implementation of client marketing plans. Hoefler first joined COCO+CO. in 2006 as a client services coordinator, working throughout summer and school vacations.

A 2007 graduate of Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Hoefler earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a marketing emphasis, accompanied by a minor in public relations. At Marist, Hoefler was a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America and the Marist crew team. Hoefler is a resident of Hampstead, N.H.

“I am pleased to announce Erin’s return. She is a welcome addition to our staff and in the past has proven herself to be a valued member of our organization. Her knowledge and skills of promotional strategy will unquestionably strengthen COCO+CO.’s creative team,” said Tim Coco, president and CEO of COCO+CO.

COCO+CO provides integrated corporate communications with an emphasis on brand consistency across media. The company works with businesses in the financial services, construction and real estate sectors.  COCO+CO. may be reached at (800) 374-4103, or on the World Wide Web at www.cocoboston.com.

New graphic designer joins COCO+CO.

WARD HILL, Mass. – Graphic Designer Greg Skorupka has joined the staff of COCO+CO.

A resident of North Andover, Skorupka graduated from Merrimack College with a B.A. in Digital Media Arts. Skorupka’s experience includes both traditional and digital arts, ranging from print advertising to computer illustration. He was a member of the Web Services team at Merrimack College, creating online virtual tours and assisting professors with Internet course-related materials. He also worked in pre-press/desktop publishing for Staples Hub Production Center in Danvers.

“Joining COCO+CO allows me to realize my professional goal to be an effective member of a highly creative team. I enjoy offering creative input and being challenged in order to develop innovative ideas from inception to completion,” said Skorupka.

COCO+CO. provides integrated corporate communications with an emphasis on brand consistency across media. The company works with businesses in the financial services, construction and real estate sectors.  The company may be reached at (800) 374-4103, or on the World Wide Web at www.cocoboston.com.

COCO+CO. appoints strategy planners

WARD HILL, Mass. – Kathy Sciacca and Karen McDowell have been named strategy planners by COCO+CO. President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Coco. Now in its sixteenth year of operation, COCO+CO. provides integrated corporate communications with an emphasis on brand consistency across media.

In their new roles, both Sciacca and McDowell are becoming more involved in the research, development and execution of client marketing and media plans.

Sciacca, who resides in Haverhill, was a long-time member of the Eagle-Tribune editorial staff before joining COCO+CO. in 2006. She served in several leadership positions, including Haverhill Editor, Suburban Editor and New Hampshire Editor. She also coordinated the newspaper’s award-winning special sections and worked as a reporter. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Suffolk University.

McDowell, who has 19 years of experience as a professional writer and journalist, has been with COCO+CO. since 1998. She also has a background in mainstream news reporting, including roles as city editor at the Alameda Journal in California, and reporter at the Daily News of Newburyport and the Derry News. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Emerson College. Formerly a resident of the Merrimack Valley region for 38 years, McDowell now resides in Gilford, N.H.

COCO+CO. works with businesses in the financial services, construction and real estate sectors.  The company may be reached at (800) 374-4103, or on the World Wide Web at www.cocoboston.com.

Sarmanian joins COCO+CO. team

WARD HILL, Mass. – Teddie Sarmanian of North Andover, Mass., has joined the staff of marketing communications firm COCO+CO. as client services coordinator.

Sarmanian earned her B.A. in Communications from University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She has a background in media and sales and has held positions at companies such as GSX Groupware Solutions in Reading, Western Media in Phoenix, Ariz., and WFXT-TV in Dedham.

COCO+CO. provides integrated corporate communications with an emphasis on brand consistency across media. The company works with businesses in the financial services, construction and real estate sectors.  COCO+CO. may be reached at (800) 374-4103, or on the World Wide Web at www.cocoboston.com.