Berger Honored with Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree

On Sunday, August 2, R&CPMK Chairman Cindi Berger addressed the graduating class at her alma mater, Ithaca College, as part of the school’s 125th Commencement ceremony. During her speech, Berger shared keen insights, learnings, and knowledge from throughout her career, and offered valuable advice to help the graduating students as they embark on their own journeys.

In addition, Berger was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Ithaca College.

Following are highlights from the main address:

Berger on beginning your journey and what matters most:

“You have the power to use your platform for good. As you go out into the world – whether it’s a new city, or your old bedroom – use it. Be smart. Be thoughtful. Make us laugh with your dance moves. Inspire us with your words. And then, pick up the phone and call. Call that friend who needs a cheerleader. That person whose cause needs elevating. The family who has loved you your entire life. The professors who taught you the last four years. That company you’d love to work for. That’s how you build a network of friends, and do it with honesty and integrity. Because at the end of the day, that’s what matters most.”

Berger on the value of building strong relationships:

“If there’s anything I’ve learned from my career, it’s that relationships – real, meaningful relationships – are grounded in a simple, basic principle. A principle that I learned not at my job, but in my high school geometry class. It’s the principle that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Often, the shortest distance – the closest connection – comes from being direct and honest; from trusting that others are telling the truth; from avoiding gossip or hearsay and going straight to the source.”

Berger on her career path:

“My career path started one day the summer after graduation, when I was reading Cosmopolitan magazine, and there was an article about celebrity publicists. I said to my friend, ‘I love movies, music, entertainment… I think this is the career for me.’ And that was it. I took my resume, drove into Manhattan, and dropped it off at two different PR firms: Rogers and Cowan and PMK. Today, more than 30 years later, I’m the Chairman of both of those firms. Now, it’s actually one – I merged them last year.”

To watch Berger’s full commencement address, CLICK HERE

New ITB Showroom and Enhanced Services Designed to Maximize Opportunities for Clients in the Changing Industry Landscape

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – July 1, 2020 – ITB Worldwide, the leading global talent and influencer marketing agency, announced today the debut of its new Los Angeles-based showroom, relocated and designed with upgraded features to meet the needs of new industry protocols in entertainment and fashion. In addition, the agency is evolving its talent-driven strategies to continue to help clients drive maximum engagement with consumers.  

Alongside ITB’s showrooms in New York and London, the agency will continue its global offering from Los Angeles, in a new – easily accessible – ground floor space with curb side service for pickup and delivery on request. Following necessary guidelines, all returned garments will be quarantined for 48 hours for required aeration before returning to the showroom.

The new showroom is open to members of the industry – by appointment – for uniquely curated and intimate experiences of ITB’s partner brands in a beautiful new setting.

Additionally, with red carpet events currently paused, ITB has innovated its approach to engaging high-profile and celebrity talent for dressing opportunities. As such, the agency is activating further through digital and social pathways, with a wider community of influencers and creative content-makers at home, to drive greater levels of engagement for clients.

“As the industry continues to transition to the new normal, it was necessary for us to evolve our offering to remain a step ahead and continue to provide our clients the world’s best opportunities and capabilities globally,” said Emma Shuldham, Managing Director, ITB. “With this modernized suite of services, and adapted showroom, ITB remains expertly equipped and positioned to continue building brands through the power of talent and influence in the new normal and beyond.”

Following shifts in consumer behavior, ITB has also identified growth in new categories of interest for digital engagement and gifting beyond fashion. As such, ITB’s showroom offering has expanded to facilitate a broader spectrum of brand partners in product categories including beauty, home, consumer, lifestyle, and more.

With several new fashion, technology and beauty brands currently onboarding with ITB globally as AOR for influencer marketing, ITB showrooms will continue to play a pivotal role in the organic gifting of product that complement the strategic, paid campaigns that ITB’s global teams execute.

ITB’s brand clients include Azzi & Osta, Chopard, Chivas Regal, Georges Chakra, H&M, IT Cosmetics, JBL, Pandora, Privé Revaux, and many more.

For Los Angeles showroom enquiries, please contact Mitchell.Le@itb-worldwide.com

For New York City showroom enquiries, please contact Lauren.Stillman@itb-worldwide.com

For London showroom enquiries, please contact Sara.George@itb-worldwide.com

ABOUT ITB WORLDWIDE

ITB Worldwide is a Talent + Influencer Marketing agency, connecting brands with their audiences through the power of influence. Informed by Culture, Powered by Data, Built on Human Insight.

We build talent-based integrated marketing strategies for brands, partnering with people and IP of influence; from creators and artists to celebrities and cultural change makers through to scalable campaigns and micro influencers. We procure, borrow, cast, license, productise, gift + place to ensure a 360 communication strategy driven by influence.

For more information about ITB, click here.

ITB Worldwide is a sister agency to R&CPMK – a creative communications agency that connects brands to consumers through the ever-changing world of entertainment, lifestyle, influence, and popular culture.

Multi-Tier Partnership to Include Brand Conceptualization, Strategy, Content Creation, Launch and Execution Support of CircleAround Media Brand and Website

CircleAround to Serve as First For-Profit Subsidiary of a Major Non-Profit Organization

Verizon and Shutterstock Join as Founding Partners of CircleAround

Rogers & Cowan PMK (R&CPMK), the preeminent integrated marketing and communications agency in global entertainment, and One GS Media (OGSM), the wholly owned new subsidiary of Girl Scouts USA (GSUSA), today announced a multi-tier partnership, in which R&CPMK’s Strategy and Transformation division will launch One GS Media’s ground-breaking new media brand and online platform CircleAround. 

Designed to meet the needs of today’s women, CircleAround will present compelling, inspiring and trusted content for women, grounded in the values all women share.

Central to the partnership, Rogers & Cowan PMK will provide comprehensive brand conceptualization, strategy, content creation, communications, launch and execution support to create and amplify opportunities for CircleAround and OGSM. In addition, R&CPMK will collaborate with One GS Media, on revenue generating sponsorship and partnership opportunities for CircleAround.

“We are proud to be disrupting the media space for women and ensuring our adult alums and women in general have content relevant to them.” said Sapreet Kaur Saluja, Chief Strategic Partnerships and New Ventures Officer, Girl Scouts of the USA. “CircleAround fills the current gap in the marketplace by providing a one-stop destination for content rooted in usefulness with a holistic approach that’s inclusive of the diversity of perspectives and interests of our readers.”

“Girl Scouts of the USA is one of the most trusted and respected brands in the world, and CircleAround is a transformative extension that will help this iconic organization continue to engage with women of all ages,” said Craig Greiwe, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Rogers & Cowan PMK. “We’re thrilled to partner with One GS Media on this new media platform, and harness our expertise in brand building, marketing and communications to help the organization grow in new ways, and drive additional revenue through advertising and partnerships with strategic partners that share the mission of supporting and empowering women.” 

Launching in July of 2020, the website will regularly feature new and uniquely curated content tailored for women with specific messages of commonality, positivity and inclusivity. CircleAround content pieces will also discuss Wellness, Work, Money, Parenting, Relationships, and News.

Original content in the form of articles, long and short form blogs, videos, podcasts, and sliding galleries will be centered on usefulness and holistic viewpoints, from multiple perspectives. In addition, the platform will include personal stories from prominent and influential individuals, as well as everyday women.

Verizon Business and Shutterstock will serve as Founding Partners of CircleAround. Formal partnership details will be released in the coming days, with additional media and signature partners set to be announced in the coming weeks.

CircleAround is operated by a wholly owned for-profit subsidiary of Girl Scouts of the USA. Revenue is generated through partners who advertise on the site. Revenue distributions are then made to GSUSA so they can further their mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. 

For more information about CircleAround, 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 500 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&CPMK is part of the Octagon Sports and Entertainment Network.

About CircleAround:

CircleAround is a content media site where women come together to find community & content that supports, informs, and inspires them wherever they’re at in their life’s journey. CircleAround uniquely fills the gap in content for women by offering true utility and taking a holistic approach, encompassing the diversity of perspectives & needs of our readers. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Girl Scouts of the USA, CircleAround is rooted in Girl Scouts values and supports the Girl Scouts mission of developing girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.

–R&CPMK–

R&C PMK is working with client Sean “Diddy” Combs to help spread the word about Our Fair Share, a platform built to help minority entrepreneurs and small businesses access much-needed capital amid the economic devastation brought by COVID-19.

With the initial round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) dollars not reaching all communities – or all those with the greatest needs – Our Fair Share will help minority-owned companies learn about the PPP and get connected to approved Small Business Association (SBA) lenders that can process applications for these potentially business-saving loans. Launched in partnership with The National Bankers Association, Our Fair Share will help simplify the application process surrounding the latest PPP rollout.

“COVID-19 is devastating our communities, and without access to stimulus funding, we risk losing critical businesses that create jobs and help build opportunities and wealth in our communities.” said Combs. “I created Our Fair Share to help entrepreneurs play on an even playing field and give them a chance to survive with the hope to thrive,” he continued.

Combs also shared a longer-term vision for Our Fair Share as a connector for entrepreneurs searching for capital and capital providers. The platform will be dedicated to getting funding into the hands of the entrepreneurs that need it and will evolve to meet the needs of the minority small business community.

“It is inspiring to see a cultural icon like Sean Combs partnering with minority banks and others to ensure economic opportunity for minorities in this program,” said Kenneth Kelly, Chairman of the National Bankers Association. “Our leaders in economics, politics, and culture must unite because the COVID-19 healthcare and economic impacts on our communities are interrelated. We can help our communities weather this storm if we work together.”

Combs also extended an invitation for major financial institutions to partner with Our Fair Share.

“Minority businesses have always struggled to access the capital they need to thrive. Now is the time to show commitment to the communities being hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. I look forward to working with the institutions that want to help,” said Combs.

–Rogers & Cowan PMK–

R&C PMK to Launch New Multicultural Communications Division to Help Clients Further Reach Diverse and Growing Audiences

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Thursday, March 5, 2020 – Rogers & Cowan PMK announced today that Stephen F. Macias has been named to the newly created position of Executive Vice President Entertainment and Multicultural Practice Lead. In the role, Macias will manage communications efforts and lead overarching strategy for the agency’s new Multicultural Communications division, for a collection of R&C PMK’s talent and brand clients.

Macias will oversee a team that develops communications strategy and public relations campaigns for Rogers & Cowan PMK’s high-profile talent and Fortune 500 brand clients. Additionally, as the agency’s Multicultural Practice Lead, Macias will be responsible for creating and executing multicultural communications strategies, initiatives, partnerships, and programs – including traditional and earned media, digital and social tactics, crisis communications, and integrated marketing solutions – that further connect brands and talent to consumers and organizations in the LGBTQ+ community, communities of color, and female driven initiatives. 

Macias will dual report to Alan Nierob, Entertainment Division Chairman, Rogers & Cowan PMK, and Shirley Hughes, President of Brands, Rogers & Cowan PMK.

“With the expansion of Rogers & Cowan PMK over the last three years, and our continuing growth into new capabilities, adding Stephen to our already strong management team – and launching a Multicultural Communications division – is an important next-step in our business and who we are as an agency,” said Mark Owens, CEO, Rogers & Cowan PMK. “Stephen has a reputation for designing innovative campaigns and strategies, and with his expertise this new division will help our clients reach important and growing audiences, and transform the next generation of their businesses.”

“I’m thrilled to join Rogers & Cowan PMK, and help grow this next evolution of the agency’s capabilities and expertise,” said Macias. “R&C PMK has a strong track record of leading the industry on many levels, in who they represent and how they serve their clients. The industry and our country are changing, and wisely becoming more inclusive and strategic in reaching new segments and diverse communities. As such, smart companies are understanding that communicating with all audiences is not just the right thing to do, but the only way to do business.”

Rogers & Cowan PMK has a long history of helping create platforms for multicultural and inclusive diversity awareness, social advocacy, as well as representing and supporting talent and brand clients who are champions for change. In 2019, the agency helped promote the Cannes Lions award-winning documentary 5B, which highlighted the efforts of the nurses and caregivers who opened the first AIDS ward at San Francisco General Hospital. R&C PMK’s multicultural and inclusive diversity work also extends across its talent and brand roster, including serving as agency of record for the LA Pride Festival, as well as projects and campaigns for clients such as Elton John, Michael B. Jordan, Rosalía, J Balvin, Caitlyn Jenner, Eugenio Derbez, and many more.

Macias joins R&C PMK from MWWPR, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion Practice Lead. In that role, he was responsible for overseeing LGBTQ+ and multicultural marketing and programming for existing and incoming clients, managing LGBTQ+ and multicultural resources within the firm, and serving as MWWPR’s steward for issues pertaining to public relations associated with diverse communities.

Macias and his team have worked across the entertainment and media landscape with companies including Comcast, Focus Features, FX, Netflix, United Artists Releasing, and Amazon Studios, in addition to leading accounts with global brands such as Kellogg’s, Frito-Lay, and Hilton Worldwide.    

Prior to joining MWWPR, Macias founded Macias Media Group LLC., where he grew the agency into one of the top boutique PR firms specifically targeting the LGBTQ+ community. Previously, Macias spent eight years as Executive Vice President and GM for Here Media Inc., overseeing iconic media brands, including The Advocate and OUT magazine, and served as Entertainment Media Director for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).

Macias has also held a succession of senior leadership positions and worked with numerous leading non-profits and organizations in the LGBTQ+ community, including the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Outfest, the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Equality California, the U.N., and the Global Equality Fund.  

Click here for photography of Macias.

ABOUT ROGERS & COWAN PMK:

Rogers & Cowan PMK is the preeminent integrated marketing and communications agency in global entertainment. The agency represents more than 500 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–