Goshen, N.Y. – July 29, 2010 – HVFCU Financial Services has named Focus Media Inc., a leading Hudson Valley-based public relations and advertising firm, its public relations agency of record.

Focus Media will provide public relations services designed to elevate awareness [...]]]> Focus Media to manage public relations for Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union’s financial planning division

Goshen, N.Y. – July 29, 2010 – HVFCU Financial Services has named Focus Media Inc., a leading Hudson Valley-based public relations and advertising firm, its public relations agency of record.

Focus Media will provide public relations services designed to elevate awareness of HVFCU Financial Services’ offerings in Orange, Dutchess, Ulster and Putnam counties. HVFCU Financial Services provides independent and personalized financial planning strategies. Their financial consultants serve as a local resource for comprehensive portfolio review, income planning, retirement planning, wealth accumulation, tax planning, asset protection, college planning and estate planning.

“We are extremely pleased to tap Focus Media’s public relations expertise to help us attract new customers and strengthen our market position,” said Jeffrey G. Thatcher, who oversees HVFCU’s Financial Services. “Our relationship with Focus Media adds an important new dimension to our overall marketing and public relations efforts.”

HVFCU Financial Services is a division of Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union (HVFCU), a community-chartered credit union providing personal financial services to more than 225,000 members. HVFCU offers savings and loan programs to people who live or work in Dutchess, Orange, Ulster or Putnam counties. The credit union has more than $2.7 billion in assets and serves its members through 19 locations, a nationwide network of 70,000 surcharge-free ATMs, Internet banking, online bill payment and 24-hour access by telephone.

“We are delighted to work with HVFCU Financial Services,” said Josh Sommers, Focus Media’s president and CEO. “Jeff Thatcher and his team provide great service and sound counsel to members and we are eager to help them extend their reach into Orange, Dutchess, Ulster and Putnam counties.”

About Focus Media
Focus Media, Inc. is an award-winning, full-service, public relations and advertising agency specializing in market research, media relations, crisis management, branding, design, Web development, TV and radio production, and media planning. Since founding the company in 2002, President and CEO Josh Sommers has assembled a highly talented team of marketing experts, public relations strategists and acclaimed graphic designers that have made Focus Media the region’s dominant advertising agency known for its creativity, innovation and cutting edge marketing strategies. In addition to prominent public figures, Focus Media has served clients in many industries, including banking, gaming, healthcare, tourism, construction, and real estate development.

CES, which started as a one-truck business, is now one of the largest gas and oil suppliers in the region, providing dependable propane gas, [...]]]> Goshen, N.Y. – July 15, 2010 – Focus Media, Inc., a leading Hudson Valley-based public relations and advertising firm, has been selected as advertising agency of record by Combined Energy Services (CES).

CES, which started as a one-truck business, is now one of the largest gas and oil suppliers in the region, providing dependable propane gas, home heating fuel oil, kerosene, diesel fuel, bio-fuel deliveries and HVAC service and installations. With offices in Monticello and Dingman’s Ferry, Pa., CES is independently owned and operated by the Taylor Family.

As agency of record, Focus Media will provide public relations and marketing services for CES, helping the family-run business stand out in a competitive energy market. CES has provided customers in Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties – and across eastern Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey – with reliable and trustworthy services since 1968.

“We are extremely pleased to be working with Focus Media’s public relations and marketing team,” CES General Manager Mike Taylor said. “They are always thinking forward and bring creativity and credibility to the table. This is the right firm for us and I know Focus Media will help us continue our growth. It’s an exciting partnership.”

“The Taylors are business leaders of our community and have built a great business that extends into multiple markets,” said Josh Sommers, Focus Media’s president and CEO. “We plan to help them grab more market share and further build their brand.”

About Focus Media
Focus Media, Inc. is an award-winning, full service, public relations and advertising agency specializing in market research, media relations, crisis management, branding, design, Web development, TV and radio production, and media planning. Since founding the company in 2002, President and CEO Josh Sommers has assembled a highly talented team of marketing experts, public relations strategists and acclaimed graphic designers that have made Focus Media the region’s dominant advertising agency known for its creativity, innovation and cutting edge marketing strategies. In addition to prominent public figures, Focus Media has served clients in many industries, including banking, gaming, healthcare, tourism, construction, and real estate development.

Brings experience in economic development, marketing and public relations

Goshen, N.Y. – February 18, 2010 – Josh Sommers, president and CEO of Goshen, N.Y.-based Focus Media Inc., has been elected to the Orange County Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors.

Sommers, who also serves as [...]]]> FOCUS MEDIA’S JOSH SOMMERS JOINS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AT ORANGE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Brings experience in economic development, marketing and public relations

Goshen, N.Y. – February 18, 2010 – Josh Sommers, president and CEO of Goshen, N.Y.-based Focus Media Inc., has been elected to the Orange County Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors.

Sommers, who also serves as Chairman of the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development, brings deep experience in economic development and issue advocacy. On both a professional and volunteer basis, Sommers has played an active role in improving the Hudson Valley’s economy. This work includes advising some of the region’s most prominent companies on marketing and sales, as well as providing public relations counsel to applicants seeking land use approvals.

“The Chamber of Commerce has an exceptional board of directors that includes many of the region’s top business leaders and I’m very proud to join them,” Sommers said. “I hope to make significant contributions to the Chamber’s planning and strategy and help it foster an environment that attracts new businesses and helps existing ones thrive.”

Sommers noted he already has key insights on the Orange County Chamber’s activities as Focus Media serves as the Chamber’s advertising agency of record. He recently was named the keynote speaker for the Chamber’s April 28 marketing seminar.

“Josh Sommers will bring an exciting new vitality to the Chamber Board of Directors,” said Dr. John A. D’Ambrosio, the president of the Orange County Chamber. “The Chamber will benefit not only from Josh’s expertise and savvy in marketing and advertising, but from his unique and creative approaches to strategic planning. He will be a great asset to an already terrific Board.”

Sommers’ professional experience includes serving as public relations and political counsel to labor unions and developers seeking to bring casinos to the Catskills. Sommers is Vice President of Development for the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan Counties’ Board of Directors and is a Past-President of the Rotary Club of Monticello, New York.

He also was part of the team that ran a successful political and grassroots campaign for the New York State Transportation Bond Act, a statewide referendum in 2005 that approved $2.9 billion in infrastructure improvements around the state.

In the political realm, Sommers helped flip control of two county legislatures to and numerous media campaigns for elected officials that include Middletown Mayor Joe DeStefano, Sullivan County Treasurer Ira Cohen and Ulster County Sherriff Paul Van Blarcum.

The Orange County Chamber of Commerce has 2,000 members and is one of the 10 largest chambers of commerce in New York State. The Chamber is based in Montgomery, N.Y., and has been working for the Orange County business community for more than 125 years. More information is available at www.orangeny.com.

About Focus Media
Focus Media, Inc. is an award-winning, full service, public relations and advertising agency specializing in market research, branding, design, collateral development, TV and radio production, and media planning and placement. Since founding the company in 2002, President and CEO Josh Sommers has assembled a highly talented team of marketing experts, public relations strategists and acclaimed graphic designers that have made Focus Media a preeminent advertising agency known for its creativity, innovation and cutting edge marketing strategies.

In addition to prominent public figures, Focus Media has served clients in many industries, including banking, gaming, healthcare, tourism, construction and real estate development.

As agency of record, Focus Media will serve as Orange Regional’s strategic marketing partner. This role includes providing message development and creative for advertising campaigns, Web [...]]]> Goshen, N.Y. – January 7, 2010 –Focus Media, Inc., a prominent Hudson Valley-based public relations and marketing firm, has been named advertising agency of record for Orange Regional Medical Center.

As agency of record, Focus Media will serve as Orange Regional’s strategic marketing partner. This role includes providing message development and creative for advertising campaigns, Web and social media strategies, and public relations counsel.

“We selected Focus Media for its deep understanding of our market and full-service agency capabilities,” said Rob Lee, Orange Regional’s Executive Director of Public Relations and Marketing. “It’s gratifying for us to have found such a great firm right here in Orange County.”

Orange Regional has engaged Focus Media as the hospital continues to enhance healthcare for the community including the construction of  a new, state-of-the-art 600,000-square-foot hospital on East Main Street in the Town of Wallkill. The seven-floor, $355 million facility will have 353 private-room beds, a helipad, 12 operating rooms, two cardiac catheterization labs,  a 10 bed Level 2 Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and plans for Orange County’s first Level 2 Trauma Center. Construction is set to be completed in 2011.

“Orange Regional Medical Center is adding more and more healthcare services that Hudson Valley residents need to know about and Focus Media can help deliver those important messages. Certainly, the new hospital is going to change the quality of life for our entire region,” said Josh Sommers, Focus Media’s president and CEO. “We couldn’t be more excited to help position the hospital for future prosperity.”

Orange Regional is the latest prominent Hudson Valley organization undergoing an expansion to turn to Focus Media as its strategic marketing partner. SUNY Orange, in the midst of constructing Kaplan Hall, an 85,000-square-foot building on its Newburgh campus, selected Focus Media as its advertising agency in November. In addition, catering venue Catlin Gardens, in Slate Hill, hired Focus Media in April. Catlin is building a $7 million, Victorian-style inn with 40 rooms which is set to open in the spring.

About Focus Media
Focus Media, Inc. is an award-winning, full service, public relations and advertising agency specializing in market research, branding, design, collateral development, TV and radio production, and media planning and placement. Since founding the company in 2002, President and CEO Josh Sommers has assembled a highly talented team of marketing experts, public relations strategists and acclaimed graphic designers that have made Focus Media a preeminent advertising agency known for its creativity, innovation and cutting edge marketing strategies.

In addition to prominent public figures, Focus Media has served clients in many industries, including banking, gaming, healthcare, tourism, construction, and real estate development.

New Windsor, N.Y. – January 13, 2010 – Orange County Business Accelerator, in conjunction with Blue Springs Energy, hosted a successful energy grant seminar recently that offered municipalities in Orange County fast-track opportunities to apply for US Department of Energy grants early in 2010.

On [...]]]> Event offered OC communities a jump-start for energy grant opportunities

New Windsor, N.Y. – January 13, 2010 – Orange County Business Accelerator, in conjunction with Blue Springs Energy, hosted a successful energy grant seminar recently that offered municipalities in Orange County fast-track opportunities to apply for US Department of Energy grants early in 2010.

On Thursday, Jan. 7, nearly two dozen municipal designates, from planning, engineering and other municipal departments, attended the Clean Energy Grant Seminar at the Accelerator offices at Stewart International Airport, Town of New Windsor. The Accelerator and Blue Springs, a consultant responsible for millions of dollars in yearly energy grants to municipalities across New York, offered the seminar free of charge.

“Attendees were representative of key stakeholders in the economic impact of stimulus money hitting the ground in Orange County,” said Peter Gregory, director of enterprise development at the Accelerator. “With a deadline of Feb. 17 for competitive NYSERDA grant applications, this seminar played a vital role in educating municipalities about the fast-track process. The Accelerator was pleased to introduce Blue Springs Energy, with a long, effective relationship with NYSERDA, as a go-to resource for Orange County municipalities.”

Blue Springs Energy principal Larry Simpson added, “Now is a great time for municipalities to upgrade existing buildings and equipment by taking advantage of NYSERDA grants, and we can help streamline the process. We received great feedback from interested parties at the seminar, and look forward to helping Orange County communities become benefactors in this great opportunity for stimulus funding.”

Orange County Business Accelerator Managing Director Michael DiTullo stated, “Attendees heard dynamic, informative lectures on grant-writing, funds availability and eligibility, and a host of other grant-related topics. This seminar proved to be a great asset to municipalities looking to take advantage of clean energy grant opportunities NYSERDA has made available early this year.”

Pat Courtney Strong, a coordinator for NYSERDA (New York State Energy & Research Development Authority), was a featured guest speaker. She offered information to municipal delegates with regards to the eligibility and application phases for the highly-competitive federal grant fund, soon to be distributed by NYSERDA through its Small Community Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program.

Strong said, “Municipalities are focused on the federal stimulus funding now, and our office can help with that, but there are many money-saving programs offered by NYSERDA that will be there after this current grant opportunity passes. We are ready to help people access that technical and financial help, at any time.”

Examples of eligible projects include energy efficient retrofits, transportation efficiency measures, material conservation strategies, energy distribution technologies, energy efficient street and traffic signal lighting, renewable technologies for government buildings and regional planning activities.

Over 2,300 governments across the country vie for US Department of Energy grants on a yearly basis. Many municipalities may not be eligible for direct grants, but can still compete for a share of the $30 million in funding that NYSERDA receives from the federal government.

OCBA, located at 4 London Avenue in New Windsor at Stewart International Airport, is a business incubator program launched by the Orange County Industrial Development Agency (IDA). The incubator, 10,000 square feet of class-A high-tech research and development space, is designed to attract new entrepreneurial investment by providing businesses with below market occupancy costs, a menu of mentoring programs and a high-tech plug-and-play office environment.

For more information, contact:

Orange County Business Accelerator

Michael J. DiTullo

Managing Director

845-220-2208

mditullo@ocaccelerator.com

It’s what they do.

Focus Media, the largest advertising and public-relations firm in Orange and Sullivan counties, is acquiring Madden Communications, the largest P.R. firm in Rockland County.

Financial terms were not disclosed. The deal should be finalized Monday. It’s been [...]]]> By Michael Levensohn

GOSHEN — The public-relations people would call this one a blockbuster.

It’s what they do.

Focus Media, the largest advertising and public-relations firm in Orange and Sullivan counties, is acquiring Madden Communications, the largest P.R. firm in Rockland County.

Financial terms were not disclosed. The deal should be finalized Monday. It’s been years in the making.

“We had a chance over the last four years to professionally work together on projects, and there has been a tremendous synergy,” said Josh Sommers, founder and president of Focus Media and a Times Herald-Record columnist.

The past year has been a whirlwind for Focus. The company lost several clients early on, but then Sommers followed his own advice on how to survive a recession and ramped up his marketing efforts.

“By the summer, we had grown significantly in the double digits compared to last year,” Sommers said. “We didn’t hold on by our fingernails. We grew significantly.”

Focus has made substantial inroads in Orange County in recent years, locking up contracts with the Orange County Chamber of Commerce and SUNY Orange, and, most recently, Orange Regional Medical Center.

In a market where most P.R. agencies are one-man shops in home offices, Focus is about to go from two offices to four, and from 10 employees to 14.

The firm will operate out of its new headquarters in Goshen, with branches in Bridgeville and Chestnut Ridge. Later this year, it will open an office in White Plains, a springboard into Westchester and Bergen counties.

The merger is a marriage of contiguous territories and complementary strengths.

Sommers is the creative pitchman, an audacious promoter who held his first news conference while in high school. A former radio DJ, he’s repackaged himself as a spin meister of another kind — a bold marketer and political strategist.

He helped engineer Democrats’ takeover of the Sullivan County Legislature in 2003, and last fall aided Joe DeStefano’s return to power in Middletown.

Bill Madden, president of Madden Communications, is the studied and experienced hand, a former managing editor of The Journal News in Rockland and Westchester. As Focus’ senior vice president, he’ll lead the charge into the lower Hudson Valley.

“In Westchester, the competition will be different,” Madden said. “There are some mature agencies over there “» but they aren’t as contemporary as ours.

“I think, creatively, our firm is ahead of all the Westchester firms.”