Buzz

HBJ Features Bill Field in Cover Story

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:21:32 GMT

"Hospital advertising has exploded and will continue to grow and evolve for the foreseeable future," noted Mintz & Hoke President, Bill Field, who appeared on the front page of the Hartford Business Journal this week. As one of the agencies active in regional hospital advertising, Mintz & Hoke has its finger on the pulse of hospital marketing communications. Bill's observations weave throughout the story.

With more individuals paying for both insurance and health care costs, hospitals find themselves in fierce competition, seeking ways to stand out. It's not all about marketing services - hospitals are also looking for ways to become trusted sources of health care information and expertise. Their ability to inform and connect with people for the long term can be a crucial strategy. Bill continued in the story, "Traditionally hospital websites were talking at people. Now they are becoming far more inclusive to that patients see and feel the brand."

Read the entire article online:

Chris debates advertising on WNPR

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:29:42 GMT

Mintz & Hoke CEO Chris Knopf appeared on WNPR's Colin McEnroe Show to talk about holiday advertising.

Of course as consumers everyone has opinions about advertising. They can't escape ads. They're on television, the radio, the internet... especially during the holidays.

And during the holiday season, consumer advertising hits a different pitch. Chris discussed the ways advertisers change their messages to lure shoppers already on overload.

Chris joined guest host Mark Oppenheimer to ask and answer questions on advertising: "Do you love them? Do you hate them? What are your favorites? Coca Cola? Target? The House of Chow? And do they work on you? Can you think of stuff you bought just because of ads? Or, in this age of Tivo and Netflix, can you just skip past them all together?"

Rebecca Sheehan Promoted to Media Planner

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:26:14 GMT

Mintz & Hoke has promoted Rebecca (Becca) Sheehan to the position of media planner. She reports directly to Sara-Beth Donovan, VP and director of media. In her new role, she develops media strategies to increase media exposure and customer engagement for clients in aerospace, defense, building products, healthcare and entertainment.

Becca joined the company as a media assistant, and quickly took on new challenges of increasing responsibility. Previously, Sheehan worked with an agency in Asheville, North Carolina.

Sheehan received her Bachelor's degree in communications from Western Carolina University.

Bob Rooney Hired as Systems Administrator

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:53:28 GMT

Mintz & Hoke Communications Group has hired Bob Rooney as systems administrator. In this role, Bob is responsible for management and technical support for the company's office IT infrastructure and phone systems. In addition, he ensures that all website hosting meets agency standards.

He reports directly to agency CFO and head of IT Ron Perine, who made the announcement, noting, "Bob's extensive knowledge from both the end user and server sides perfectly aligns with our needs. His passion for everything that revolves around information technology shows in his can-do attitude."

Previously, Bob was a team lead at ESPN, managing a staff for Windows 7 roll-out. Before that, as a senior IT financial analyst at ING, he supervised a team of support analysts providing hardware, application support and data migration for field agents and support staff.

Bob Rooney earned his MBA degree in finance from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY.

Bill Field TV interview gives Groupon advice

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:02:20 GMT

It seems like a simple question. What's it worth to find new customers? Will more ads bring more prospects? Will discounting tarnish a shiny brand? Even top corporate marcomm managers struggle to find answers that will avoid leaking profits while keeping the new customer pipeline flowing.

With the spread of internet couponing, now small business owners are wondering the same thing. Recently, WFSB-TV explored stories of Main Street business success and failure with Groupon. Some owners complained that bargain hunters don't translate into loyal customers. Others feared losing the good faith of long-time fans as hordes of coupon shoppers elbowed them aside.

To learn more about the pros and cons of online couponing, the WFSB investigative team sought out Mintz & Hoke President, Bill Field. This advice comes just in time for companies considering Groupon discounts to lure new business through the long, post-holiday stretch.

"You're going to get your brand in front of a lot of people. You are going to do it very quickly and cost effectively, and you're reaching people you don't normally have," he explained. But he also warned that companies need to think through how to avoid an overwhelming - and damaging - response. "It can backfire, because in other words, they'll get overloaded. They don't have the resources to support it. They'll alienate rather than open arms to a customer."

Bill has advised companies for years, noting that when it comes to promotions, whether you're a Fortune 500 company or a cleaning service, there's nothing like experience and thoughtful strategy to bring some predictability to the dynamics of discounting. Knowing the branding pitfalls and how to use new online tools can help businesses find the sweet spot.

Efrim Dragovic Joins Mintz & Hoke

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:51:32 GMT

Mintz & Hoke has hired Efrim Dragovic as an account executive. He has been responsible for day-to-day project and media coordination for Mohegan Sun, CIGNA, and Quinnipiac University. He reports to Dean Simmons, director of client services, who made the announcement, "Efrim brings a blend of digital and traditional advertising experience to his position, which is a perfect fit for his accounts."

Before Mintz& Hoke, Efrim was an account executive at Ryan Partnership, where he was hired as a traffic coordinator. Efrim worked on the Dove Personal Care business, and more specifically, worked on Dove's foray into the Male Personal Care industry with the launch of Dove Men+Care.

Efrim Dragovic earned a Bachelors of Science degree in marketing at Quinnipiac University.

Ron Recognized as a Top CFO of the Year Finalist

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:11:45 GMT

Inside Mintz & Hoke, we've always known that Ron excels at wearing his many hats. He's not simply our CFO, combining the wisdom and professionalism needed to keep the agency financially stable in an ever-changing business climate. He has also steered the creation of our entire technology infrastructure and today directs our development team. He manages a host of outside consultants and services, manages our space and works with Hill on the building at large. (As we witnessed recently, he literally helps keep the lights on and the heat running.) All that plus engineering the agency's benefits to remain as affordable as possible, despite exponentially escalating costs. In sum, Ron has been absolutely central to our agency and a keystone of our success.

But now, the outside world has caught on to what we witness every day. Recognized as a leading CFO, Ron was just named a 2011 CFO of the Year finalist by the Hartford Business Journal. He was one of a small number of CFOs honored across nonprofits, public companies and private. As it turns out, Ron's broad ability is essential to being a successful CFO. In its description of today's business finance leaders, the Hartford Business Journal could be quoting from Ron's job description, "Today's CFOs are actively engaged in virtually every aspect of the modern business. They provide the analysis that drives strategic decisions. They often have their hands deep into the IT infrastructure. Often, they play a role in human resource functions, labor relations and regulatory compliance." Sound familiar?

What this doesn't relate in describing Ron is the unflinching dedication and commitment he brings to everything he does for our agency. Even when there's no one to see, no one to even know that he's been selfless and determined in looking after our interests, he's relentlessly there for Mintz & Hoke.

The judges included Ron on the Hartford Business Journal list, but he got there thanks to a former Mintz & Hoke employee who made a behind-the-scenes nomination. Which shows that top CFO talent doesn't stay a secret for long.

Keep It Real with Social Media

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:17:25 GMT

With more than 800 million users on Facebook alone, it's no wonder marketers are hungry to learn how social media can connect them to customers, prospects, opinion leaders, and more. Maybe that's why Chris and Sharon have got the Connecticut and PR communities buzzing in the wake of their presentations to the PRSA and the Hartford Business Journal audiences. Even reporters picked up on their themes of how to Keep it Real, with an article in both the Fairfield County and Westchester County Business Journals.

Sharon noticed a shift in the tone of questions and feedback, reflecting less skepticism and more interest in what the options are in Social Media marketing. "The questions now are not 'Should we' but 'How can we' use social media effectively," she said. "We were speaking to professionals, who still ask a lot of questions. The difference is that many of the questions are now more tactical in nature."

Chris and Sharon showed ways to get started and then how to focus messaging in the right channels. One of the most-asked questions is (was?) how to know whether to start on Facebook, Twitter, Google +, LinkedIn, YouTube or any of the other social media platforms available. Their advice on how to evaluate existing conversations helps marketers assess and establish priorities.

Kara Mitchell Promoted

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:38:28 GMT

Mintz & Hoke has promoted Kara Mitchell to account supervisor. She reports to Dean Simmons, vice president and director of client services. She has made significant contributions to accounts, serving key industry categories including defense, insurance and financial services. Dean Simmons noted, "She has proven that her strategic leadership matches her ability to execute successfully and achieve solid results for clients."

Prior to joining Mintz & Hoke three years ago, Ms. Mitchell served as a marketing director with Westfield shopping centers. She also spent two years as an account manager with Decker Advertising in Glastonbury, Conn and began her career with Keiler & Co. in Farmington, Conn.

Ms. Mitchell received her Bachelor's Degree from Saint Anslem College.

Social Media Strategies for Engagement

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:03:50 GMT

Chris Knopf and Sharon Harper spoke about social media during an event hosted by the Public Relations Society of America: Westchester and Fairfield Chapter on October 11, 2011. This networking workshop and luncheon was attended by communications professionals and focused on making Facebook and Twitter part of a communications strategy.

The presentation focused on five main strategies as a guide for incorporating social media and included the hard truths, getting started, building a network, monitoring and measuring social media, and ways to practice.

Later this week on Friday October 14, 2011, they will share the agency's expertise in the 2011 Social Media Summit hosted by The Hartford Business Journal at the Farmington Marriott.

This session will include: identifying different engagement approaches, highlighting powerful forces that are reshaping the way marketing and communications work, illustrating the American Idol Effect, and outlining how marketers can learn from entertainment star makers.

For more social media engagement read our thought piece

To read more on the workshop luncheon and to learn more about the Social Media Summit