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R&CPMK CHAIRMAN CINDI BERGER INDUCTED AS MEMBER OF PRWEEK’S 2020 HALL OF FAME CLASS
Berger Celebrated by The Communications Industry, Colleagues, and Clients for Her Countless Contributions and Iconic Career
Earlier Today, R&CPMK Chairman Cindi Berger was inducted as a member of PRWeek’s 2020 Hall of Fame class, recognizing her countless contributions to the industry and society throughout her storied career.
The PRWeek Hall of Fame annually recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to the development of the communications industry and paved the way for the modern world of PR. In the eight years since the Hall of Fame was founded, fewer than 50 individuals have been honored.
As part of the ceremony, Berger delivered a powerful acceptance speech highlighting her career and the importance of communication in breaking down barriers and cultivating lasting cultural change throughout society.
In addition, a collection of Berger’s R&CPMK colleagues and clients, including The Chicks, Billy Crystal, Billie Jean King, Norah O’Donnell, Rosie O’Donnell, Sharon Stone, and Jeff Zucker, all shared congratulatory messages and admiration for Berger on this momentous occasion.
FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TRANSCRIPT OF BERGER’S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH:
“I’m truly honored to accept this award and to be recognized among this wonderful class and esteemed collection of previous Hall of Fame honorees. Thank you so much.
I’d like to thank Steve Barrett and the staff at PRWeek. I also want to recognize my entire team at R&CPMK, as well as Octagon and IPG. I’ve been fortunate in my career to surround myself with a strong and smart team, including Alan Nierob, Mark Owens, Marian Koltai-Levine, Shirley Hughes, Bill Rosenthal. I’m appreciative for your leadership, guidance and friendship. It’s been quite a journey for all of us.
Thank you to my precious family. Mitchell, you’ve been my greatest supporter and partner. I could not have accomplished what I have without your love and encouragement. And thank you to my children, Sydney and Spencer, my greatest accomplishments of all. You’ve both grown up witnessing me juggle life at home, work, and everything in between. Your love and support is immeasurable.
I recently had the great honor of delivering the 125th commencement address for my alma mater, Ithaca College. In preparing that speech and now this one, I have had the opportunity to reflect on the path that got me to where I am today.
I have been privileged to meet so many extraordinary people throughout my career, and I’ve never taken that for granted. I remember as the receptionist for PMK, striking up a conversation with tennis legend Billie Jean King. What began as small talk 30 years ago is now a trusted client relationship and a meaningful friendship. Billie Jean wrote a book called Pressure is a Privilege. The title and the book resonated with me.
The passing of a baton is also a privilege. The late, great Lois Smith, who had also represented Billie Jean King, met a young and up and coming actor in a 1962 off-Broadway play. She slipped him her business card backstage and told him one day he would need a publicist and that he should call her. He eventually did call her. That up and coming young actor was Robert Redford. Lois represented him for over 40 years and passed the baton to me…this didn’t happen without me first being tested. Out of the many clients the company represented, Robert Redford had never been into the office. I vividly remember our first meeting. He told me that he was in New York and wanted to meet me, and he would be in my office in one hour. My reaction was what you would have expected, ‘Oh my God, I’m going to be meeting with The Sundance Kid.’ He sauntered down the long hallway wearing a baseball cap, his signature aviator sunglasses, and was escorted into my office. He took his cap and glasses off, flashed his famous movie star smile and sat on my couch. We talked. I passed the test, and we’ve been together ever since. Cue Billie Jean King: Pressure is a Privilege.
I have had the honor of working with Barbara Walters. As you know, Barbara was the first female co-anchor for The Today Show and later became the first woman to be named a co-anchor for a network evening news program. She paved the way for every female broadcast journalist that has followed her. The years that I have spent with Barbara gave me tremendous insight into the political arena and gender equality. My world’s collided when Barbara Walters asked my other client, Rosie O’Donnell, to return to daytime TV as a co-host and moderator of The View. It was quite a roller coaster as this piece of history also involved the 45th President of the United States, and all I will say is, Pressure is a Privilege!
I’m often asked by younger staff and those I mentor what got me to where I am today. My answer is always: passion, purpose, hard work, strong organizational skills, and understanding the importance of relationships. Real, meaningful, and honest relationships.
The public relations and marketing landscape have changed a lot since my career began. One thing that has not changed is what I have always told both my clients and staff, “Do not lie, because the truth will always come out. So, if you mess up, fess up.”
Communication takes place in real time. Social media is the catalyst that propels stories to grow bigger and faster than ever before. The days of putting a newspaper article at the bottom of a birdcage are long gone. You must think carefully and strategically, and know that once something is out, it’s out forever. The quality of communication and truthful storytelling is more important now than ever before. We are living in a transformative time and must look at our work with our eyes toward the future. We need diversity, parity and must open the doors for opportunity. I encourage all of you to break down walls, shatter glass ceilings, shine a light on worthy causes, social activism, and injustice. We are the gatekeepers of culture and we need to open those gates. The biggest impact we can make is to provide opportunity and be the change agents making room for the next generation.
And remember, Pressure is a Privilege. Thank you all so much!”
— R&CPMK —
‘Super’ R&CPMK Clients Score Nominations for the Inaugural ‘Critics Choice Super Awards’
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) announced today the nominees for the inaugural Critics Choice Super Awards, a special event honoring the most popular, fan-obsessed genres across both television and movies, including Superhero, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Horror, Action and Animation. A full list of nominated R&CPMK clients can be found below. The winners will be revealed in a special television presentation, which will be produced remotely following COVID safety protocols. The ceremony will air on The CW Network on Sunday, January 10, 2021 (8:00-10:00pm ET/PT) and will stream the next day for free on The CW App and cwtv.com.
BEST ACTION MOVIE
Bad Boys For Life (Sony) – Jerry Bruckheimer
Extraction (Netflix) – AGBO
BEST ACTOR IN AN ACTION MOVIE
John David Washington – Tenet (Warner Bros)
BEST ACTRESS IN AN ACTION MOVIE
Yifei Liu – Mulan (Disney+)
BEST VOICE ACTOR IN AN ANIMATED MOVIE
Jamie Foxx – Soul (Disney+)
Chris Pratt – Onward (Disney+)
BEST ACTOR IN A HORROR MOVIE
Vince Vaughn – Freaky (Universal)
BEST HORROR MOVIE
Relic – AGBO (IFC Films)
BEST ACTOR IN AN ACTION SERIES
Shemar Moore – S.W.A.T. (CBS)
BEST SUPERHERO SERIES
Lucifer (Netflix) – Jerry Bruckheimer
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPERHERO SERIES
Grant Gustin – The Flash (The CW)
BEST ACTRESS IN A HORROR SERIES
Victoria Pedretti – The Haunting of Bly Manor (Netflix)
BEST SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY SERIES
What We Do in the Shadows (FX) – Stefani Robinson
BEST HORROR SERIES
The Walking Dead (AMC) – Scott Gimple
EMERIL LAGASSE AND LA LA ANTHONY HEADLINE NATIONAL MARCH OF DIMES “SIGNATURE CHEFS FEEDING MOTHERHOOD CELEBRATION” TO RAISE CRITICAL FUNDS TO FIGHT FOR THE HEALTH OF MOTHERS AND BABIES
Virtual Event and Campaign Designed to Unite Local Dining Communities and Support March of Dimes Motherhood Programs From Prenatal to Postpartum
“Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood” Virtual Events to Take Place Throughout the Fall and Feature Hundreds of Chefs Across the United States
ARLINGTON, VA - March of Dimes, the nonprofit organization leading the fight for the health of all mothers and babies, has announced that philanthropist, restauranteur, and celebrity chef, Emeril Lagasse, and actress, producer, and New York Times best-selling author, La La Anthony, will headline the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood Celebration on Friday, November 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The event, which will raise critical funds for research, programs, and services that support moms, moms-to-be, and babies, will be livestreamed on March of Dimes’ Facebook and Instagram pages.
Even before the onset of COVID-19, the United States faced an urgent maternal and infant health crisis and remained among the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth, with more than 50,000 women annually experiencing life-threatening complications as a result of pregnancy and childbirth, and nearly 400,000 babies born prematurely each year. Additionally, the crisis has been significantly driven by the healthy equity disparity in the country, with Black women being three times more likely to die from pregnancy compared to White women. March of Dimes’ virtual Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood Celebration, and ongoing Signature Chefs campaign, seeks to unite local dining communities to build awareness for the maternal and infant health crisis in the United States, as well as raise funds to nourish all aspects of March of Dimes’ motherhood programs, from prenatal to postpartum.
“At a very young age, by spending time with my mother in the kitchen, I learned that a delicious meal was defined by so much more than just exceptional taste – food feeds our soul, brings us joy and gives families a reason to come together around the table,” said Lagasse. “In honor of my mother, my family and families around the world, I am grateful to be able to share my culinary passion by joining March of Dimes in an effort to help every mom and baby get the best possible start in life.”
“Food has the magical ability to connect different generations as favorite family recipes are passed down through the years. During the pandemic, food can also help us build a sense of family and community as we gather virtually from afar,” said Anthony. “And for generations, March of Dimes has been there to nourish healthier pregnancies for mothers everywhere. That’s why it’s crucial we support their vital work and ensure every mom and baby can be healthy.”
To help combat this issue, March of Dimes has partnered with Lagasse and Anthony for the Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood Celebration. As part of the event, Lagasse and Anthony will welcome viewers from around the world to a virtual celebration and cooking class, as the two stars prepare one of Lagasse’s very special recipes – Meril’s Pasta Nero – named in honor of his daughter and featuring his mother’s favorite food.
Additional guests will also join the celebration, including film and TV producer, advocate for moms and babies, and Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood National Event Chair, Tonya Lewis Lee, as well as broadcast journalist, author, advocate for women, and March of Dimes National Board of Trustees member, Gretchen Carlson.
In addition to the upcoming event on Nov. 13, March of Dimes chapters across the country will host a series of Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood virtual events throughout the Fall, with hundreds of chefs from across the U.S. scheduled to participate.
“Feeding Motherhood is a movement to fuel change and ensure all moms have access to care from prenatal to postpartum. We thank Emeril, La La, and all the chefs taking part in virtual events for stepping up to fight for the health of all moms, moms-to-be, and babies, by drawing attention to the critical need for more research and programs, as well as promoting healthy living,” said Stacey D. Stewart, President and CEO of March of Dimes.
March of Dimes worked with Rogers & Cowan PMK CEO and March of Dimes Los Angeles Chapter Board Member, Mark Owens, to develop the Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood Celebration event and campaign.
“Now more than ever, it’s incredibly important for organizations, industry leaders, and all people to come together to help vital causes and those in need. As a purpose-driven agency and influencers of culture, R&CPMK has a long history of helping shine a light on worthy causes to raise awareness and create change. We are proud to work with March of Dimes to amplify Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood, the critical need for health equality, and the fight for the health of mothers and babies,” said Owens. “From our ongoing work helping to promote social justice and equality for all, to our efforts creating necessary platforms for multicultural and inclusive diversity awareness, to our long-standing partnerships and advocacy efforts with the LGBTQ+ community, to representing and supporting both talent and brand clients who are champions for progress, social action and activism is in our DNA. It’s not just the right thing to do, but the only way to do business.”
Nearly 7 million American women of childbearing age live in countries with limited or no maternal care. Earlier this year, March of Dimes released a groundbreaking report, Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the U.S., highlighting the crisis.
For more information and to find local events, visit feedingmotherhood.org.
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About March of Dimes
March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every baby can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, we empower every mom and every family. Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. Visit shareyourstory.org for comfort and support. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
R&CPMK NAMED TO FORBES 2021 LIST OF “AMERICA’S BEST PR AGENCIES”
Preeminent Integrated Marketing and Communications Agency Named to Inaugural Forbes Power List
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Rogers & Cowan PMK (R&CPMK), the preeminent integrated marketing and communications agency in global entertainment, has been named to Forbes’ 2021 list of “America’s Best PR Agencies.”
Highlighting the agency’s collective excellence and comprehensive capability offerings across Brand Communications, Multicultural Communications, Content Marketing & Brand Integration, Experiential, Talent & Influencer, as well as Strategy and Transformation, R&CPMK was selected as one of Forbes’ Top 200 PR agencies in the United States. The agency was chosen among more than 5,000 firms nominated, and received a top rating of five-stars by the more than 12,500 experts and 20,500 customers surveyed for the list.
R&CPMK’s client services work this year once again featured a wide-ranging collection of campaigns and award-winning projects with brand clients, including Activision, Cisco, Hasbro, Heineken, Mastercard, McDonald’s, YouTube, and Verizon, among many others. In addition, the agency has continued to produce industry leading work representing 400+ of the most prominent and influential actors, musicians, producers, directors, content creators, and athletes in the world.
Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista for the inaugural ranking. For more information, click here.
ABOUT ROGERS & COWAN PMK:
Rogers & Cowan PMK is the preeminent integrated marketing and communications agency in global entertainment. The agency represents more than 400 of the most prominent and influential actors, musicians, producers, directors, content creators and athletes in the world, and creates distinctive integrated marketing campaigns for some of the largest brands and Fortune 500 companies across the globe.
As the industry leader in brand PR and Marketing, the agency has a full end-to-end marketing and business consultancy operation, including distinct practice groups in brand development, business strategy, research and analytics, creative, content, awards, digital, social, experiential and activation, partnership and integration, fashion, influencer, and paid media.
With offices in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Miami, and London, R&C PMK is part of the Octagon Sports and Entertainment Network.
For more information, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @randcpmk.
–ROGERS&COWAN PMK–
BEYOND HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH: UNDERSTANDING THE LATINX CONSUMER
BY STEPHEN MACAIS, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF MULTICULTURAL MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
There is no better time to learn about what drives Hispanic and Latin American consumers, and appreciate the complexities embedded in the DNA of this community, than Hispanic Heritage Month….or is it Latinx Heritage Month? Latino Heritage Month? Latin@?
That’s a dynamic conversation with no one ‘right’ answer, but as this consumer base continues to evolve, brands must know how to properly adapt and follow them in that journey. With the U.S. Hispanic consumer making up 19% of the population[1] and controlling a total of $1.5 trillion in buying power[2], it’s vital to understand that what makes the Latinx culture so rich is the diversity of its people and the intricacies that are built into its foundation. A perfect example of this is the discussion surrounding the use of Hispanic vs. Latino/a vs. Latinx vs. Latin@. Where younger generations are more likely to embrace and adopt the use of Latinx to describe their identity, their parents and grandparents are used to identifying as Hispanic or identifying by their country of origin (Mexican, Salvadoran, etc.). So, which one is it, and is it too risky to engage with the variations?
Beyond the terminology, activating around a tentpole as culturally significant as Hispanic Heritage Month requires insight into its history. This nationally-recognized holiday, which runs from September 15 to October 15, celebrates the history, culture, and contributions made by Latinx people in the U.S. Between September 15-22, many Latin American countries including Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica and more celebrate their independence. Día de la Raza, a holiday recognized in many Latin American countries that honors the people, tradition and cultures that were destroyed due to European colonization, also falls within this 30-day period on October 12.
Although Hispanic means ‘Spanish-speaking’ and is often associated with Spanish colonialism and the exclusion of indigenous groups, Hispanic Heritage Month also celebrates Latinos who might not necessarily speak the language, but have roots in any Latin American country. As a result, more people are adopting ‘Latinx Heritage Month.’
Tapping into this audience doesn’t just mean translating marketing materials to Spanish, or enlisting a notable Latinx personality to be the face of a new product. The backbone of a successful Hispanic/Latinx outreach campaign involves an understanding that this audience is not monolithic. It also requires access to experts that recognize that a Mexican who shows up to a Salvadoran Christmas gathering might be surprised by the type of tamales they see on the table.
This community is made up of people who have varied cultural experiences, come from different ethnic backgrounds, and even speak different languages. Brands who succeed at engaging them and telling their stories recognize these differences, and leverage them to create campaigns that make them feel represented.
Approaching a new market can be scary for brands, but we ensure to equip clients with the confidence that when it comes to the Hispanic market, it’s not about reinventing the wheel.
In the next 5 years, finding a way to appeal to this audience will be naturally built into campaigns, as Hispanic/Latinx Americans are the largest minority in the United States[3] and will be 21.1% of the U.S. population by 2030[4]. As the numbers show, the audience has always been there, it’s just a matter of shifting perspective.
[1] Total Annual Spending by U.S. Hispanic Households To Reach $978 Billion in 2020 – Higher Than Any Other Minority Consumer Group (Claritas, 2020)
[2] 2020 will be the year of the Hispanic (Hispanic Online Marketing, 2020)
[3] Hispanics in the US Fast Facts (CNN, 2020)
[4] 3 ways that the U.S. population will change over the next decade (PBS News Hour, 2020)
R&CPMK is a preeminent integrated marketing and communications agency in global entertainment. We represent more than 400 of the most influential actors, producers, content creators, musicians, directors, and athletes around the world. Contact us for consultations.
R&CPMK ADDS INDUSTRY VETERANS ERICA MAPA, RICH GEORGE, AND MARISSA WALLACE TO SENIOR POSITIONS IN BRAND COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING DIVISION
MAPA APPOINTED VICE PRESIDENT, BRAND STRATEGY AND THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
GEORGE TO SERVE AS VICE PRESIDENT, DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT AND GAMING
WALLACE NAMED GROUP DIRECTOR, MULTICULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. – OCTOBER 7, 2020 – R&CPMK today announced the addition of three executives to senior leadership positions in the agency’s Brand Communications & Marketing division. Erica Mapa has been appointed Vice President, Brand Strategy and Thought Leadership; Rich George will serve as Vice President, Digital Entertainment and Gaming; and Marissa Wallace joins the agency as Group Director, Multicultural Communications and Marketing.
With over three decades of combined experience in entertainment, product, digital technology, and multicultural communications, the industry veterans join R&CPMK’s expanding Brand Communications and Marketing practice, which represents more than 30 global brands.
“Over the past four years, we have significantly grown the service capabilities, practice groups, and client roster of R&CPMK’s Brand Communications & Marketing division, to further our industry leading position and ability to provide our clients best-in-class insight and deliverables on every level,” said Shirley Hughes, President of Brands, R&CPMK. “Erica, Rich and Marissa are proven leaders, who bring a compounding wealth of knowledge to our agency, and will no doubt further enhance the forward thinking and award-winning work we do for our clients.”
As Vice President of Brand Strategy and Thought Leadership, Mapa will oversee the agency’s communications and strategy efforts for clients across entertainment and technology. Prior to joining R&CPMK, Mapa served as Vice President at M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, where she managed integrated communications campaigns for consumer brands within the tech, music and beverage industries. Mapa has also held positions at Cornerstone Agency, Havas Formula, and Coyne PR. Mapa will report to Executive Vice President, Brand Strategy and Thought Leadership, Genesa Garbarino.
In his position as Vice President, Digital Entertainment and Gaming, George will help lead efforts for R&CPMK’s comprehensive Entertainment, Technology and Gaming department, working with clients including Activision Blizzard and Call of Duty. George will also assist with new business efforts for the group. Prior to his role at R&CPMK, George held positions at Golin, as Vice President and Director of Product PR and Gaming. Additionally, he served as Executive Editor at IGN Entertainment. George will report to Cary Kwok, Executive Vice President, Digital Entertainment, Technology and Gaming.
As Group Director of R&CPMK’s Multicultural Communications department, Wallace will help manage multicultural communications strategy and public relations campaigns for a cross section of R&CPMK’s brand and talent clients. In addition, she will execute new strategies, initiatives, partnerships, and programs designed to further client communications and marketing to general and multicultural audiences, including communities of color, LGBTQ+, women, differently abled, and youth communities.
Wallace joins R&CPMK following a tenure at MWWPR, where she led multicultural communications efforts for Fortune 500 brands across a series of high-profile campaigns, integrated programs and strategies. Wallace is currently an executive board member of the Black Public Relations Society of Los Angeles, as well as a member of ColorComm. Wallace will report to Executive Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion Consumer Strategies, Stephen Macias.
Led by Hughes, the agency’s Brand Communications & Marketing division features six distinct specialty groups, and includes clients Activision, Cisco, Hasbro, Heineken, Mastercard, McDonald’s, YouTube, Verizon, as well as many others.
In addition, R&CPMK’s client portfolio includes 400 of the most prominent and influential actors, musicians, producers, directors, content creators and athletes in the world. The agency’s clients are represented by a team of 350+ of the world’s best marketing and communications experts across film, television, digital distribution, music, fashion, sports, gaming, technology, brand marketing and social media.
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Click herefor headshots of Mapa, George and Wallace.
ABOUT R&CPMK:
R&CPMK is the preeminent integrated marketing and communications agency in global entertainment. The agency represents more than 400 of the most prominent and influential musicians, actors, producers, directors, content creators and athletes in the world, and creates distinctive integrated marketing campaigns for some of the largest brands and Fortune 500 companies across the globe.
We are a creative communications agency with insider access allowing us to influence trends and spark meaningful conversations. We leverage culture to create defining moments and experiences that stand the test of time. Our unique position, and the insight to know what to do with it, allows us to deliver the best of brand marketing with the best of entertainment strategies.
With offices in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Miami, and London, R&CPMK is part of the Octagon Sports and Entertainment Network.
–R&CPMK–
