News and Insights - Rogers & Cowan PMK

December 3, 2020

R&CPMK CHAIRMAN CINDI BERGER INDUCTED AS MEMBER OF PRWEEK’S 2020 HALL OF FAME CLASS

December 3, 2020

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’

November 20, 2020

November 12, 2020

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

November 12, 2020

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.

‘Super’ R&CPMK Clients Score Nominations for the Inaugural ‘Critics Choice Super Awards’
R&CPMK NAMED TO FORBES 2021 LIST OF “AMERICA’S BEST PR AGENCIES”

November 9, 2020

R&CPMK NAMED TO FORBES 2021 LIST OF “AMERICA’S BEST PR AGENCIES”

November 9, 2020

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–

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
BEYOND HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH: UNDERSTANDING THE LATINX CONSUMER

October 15, 2020

BEYOND HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH: UNDERSTANDING THE LATINX CONSUMER

October 15, 2020

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 NAMED TO FORBES 2021 LIST OF “AMERICA’S BEST PR AGENCIES”
R&CPMK ADDS INDUSTRY VETERANS ERICA MAPA, RICH GEORGE, AND MARISSA WALLACE TO SENIOR POSITIONS IN BRAND COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING DIVISION

October 7, 2020

R&CPMK ADDS INDUSTRY VETERANS ERICA MAPA, RICH GEORGE, AND MARISSA WALLACE TO SENIOR POSITIONS IN BRAND COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING DIVISION

October 7, 2020

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–

BEYOND HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH: UNDERSTANDING THE LATINX CONSUMER
R&CPMK CHAIRMAN CINDI BERGER NAMED TO PRWEEK HALL OF FAME

October 7, 2020

October 1, 2020

R&CPMK CLIENT NOMINEES TAKE OVER AT E! PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS 2020

October 1, 2020

The E! People’s Choice Awards nominees were announced this morning and R&CPMK clients are shining bright with more than 30 nominations! The nominations span across TV, film, music and social media with standouts Jamie Foxx, Vin Diesel, The Russo Brothers, Jerry Bruckheimer and Chase Stokes walking away with multiple nominations each. See below for the full list of R&CPMK nominations and make your voice heard! VOTE for your favorites and celebrate the best in Movies, TV, Music & Pop Culture through 10.23! See who wins Sunday, 11.15 on E!

THE FAMILY MOVIE OF 2020

Onward (Chris Pratt)

THE ACTION MOVIE OF 2020

Bloodshot (Vin Diesel)

Extraction (Russo Brothers, Randeep Hooda)

Mulan (Yifei Liu and Donnie Yen)

Power Project (Jamie Foxx)

Tenet (John David Washington)

Bad Boys for Life (Jerry Bruckheimer)

THE MOVIE OF 2020

Bad Boys for Life (Jerry Bruckheimer)

Extraction (Russo Brothers, Randeep Hooda)

Hamilton (Leslie Odom Jr.)

Project Power (Jamie Foxx)

THE COMEDY SHOW OF 2020

Grown-ish (Laurence Fishburne)

THE COMEDY MOVIE OF 2020

Bill & Ted Face the Music (Keanu Reeves)

THE DRAMA MOVIE OF 2020

Hamilton (Leslie Odom Jr.)

THE MALE MOVIE STAR OF 2020

Jamie Foxx, Project Power

Vin Diesel, Bloodshot

THE COMEDY MOVIE STAR OF 2020

Keanu Reeves, Bill & Ted Face the Music

THE ACTION MOVIE STAR OF 2020

Jamie Foxx, Project Power

John David Washington, Tenet

Vin Diesel, Bloodshot

THE SHOW OF 2020

Outer Banks (Chase Stokes)

THE DRAMA SHOW OF 2020

Outer Banks (Chase Stokes)

Power (Courtney Kemp, La La Anthony)

THE COMPETITION SHOW OF 2020

American Idol (Lionel Richie)

THE MALE TV STAR OF 2020

Chase Stokes, Outer Banks

THE DRAMA TV STAR OF 2020

Chase Stokes, Outer Banks

THE BINGEWORTHY SHOW OF 2020

Outer Banks (Chase Stokes)

THE SCI-FI/FANTASY SHOW OF 2020

The Umbrella Academy (Rita Aryu, David Castenada, Kate Walsh)

The Flash (Grant Gustin)

THE SOUNDTRACK SONG OF 2020

“Alexander Hamilton,” Leslie Odom Jr., Hamilton

THE SOCIAL CELEBRITY OF 2020

Britney Spears

THE COMEDY ACT OF 2020

In His Elements, Jo Koy

The Pale Tourist, Jim Gaffigan

R&CPMK CHAIRMAN CINDI BERGER NAMED TO PRWEEK HALL OF FAME
R&CPMK CLIENTS WIN BIG AT THE 72ND PRIMETIME EMMY® AWARDS

September 21, 2020

September 16, 2020

HOW WILL THE EMMY AWARDS LOOK DIFFERENT IN 2020?

September 16, 2020

BY MEILANI WEISS, EVP BRAND INTEGRATION

THE 2020 EMMY AWARDS BROADCAST LIVE—NOT PRE-RECORDED—ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, FROM THE STAPLES CENTER IN LOS ANGELES AND NOMINEES’ HOMES AROUND THE WORLD.

The energy will certainly be different, with host Jimmy Kimmel at the Staples Center with the crew and very few special guests at the venue, and about 140 camera feeds going into the production.

This year’s ceremony will be the first where award attendees and home viewers will have essentially the same experience (give or take a ring lighting rig to make the nominees’ watch parties more broadcast-ready). In recent talk show appearances, nominees have discussed what they’ll wear to the ceremonies from their living rooms, and viewers who love television can make a night of it as well—whether in their own living rooms or in socially-distanced outdoor viewing parties.

Viewers may also have extra curiosity in the awards show this year, simply from not seeing their favorite actors, writers, directors, and other creative talent in so long. With filming on scripted series halted for months and 2020/2021 premiere dates delayed and in flux, this Emmys ceremony provides an opportunity to see our favorite talent let their more authentic selves shine through, without the long schedule that attending an awards show traditionally entails. And, perhaps, we’ll also see a nominee’s family, pets, or interior decorating decisions steal the spotlight.

For his part, Kimmel is used to improvising hosting duties by now, and has proven adept at producing compelling content during quarantine.While the quality of remotely-produced projects this year has drastically varied in quality, the experience can also lend an intimacy to a broadcast which otherwise may not draw much enthusiasm this year. And as the ceremonies themselves are reimagined by necessity, the Outstanding Series nominees serve as a bellwether of longer-term industry trends.

The OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES category includes a range of tone and distributors, from “Dead to Me” (Netflix) to “The Good Place” (NBC), “Insecure” (HBO) to “Schitt’s Creek” (CBC/Pop TV) to “What We Do in the Shadows” (FX, a major partner with fellow Disney-controlled service Hulu). As streaming series tend to have fewer seasons overall, HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” is by far the longest-running series nominated, though on its own anomalous schedule.

For OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES, the nominees represent the most critically-celebrated with dedicated fans: “Better Call Saul,” “The Crown,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Killing Eve,” “Ozark,” “Stranger Things,” “Succession”—and Star Wars series “The Mandalorian.” Notably, none of the series are from the major broadcast networks, and Disney+ being represented—with a Star Wars spinoff series no less—is perhaps as good a sign as any of the paradigm shift of the last few years, and how difficult it is for broadcast series to break through in awards season beyond individual contributions.

As we look to Sunday, September 20, not knowing exactly what to expect, I’m more intrigued in the Emmy Awards than in previous years—from how Kimmel and his production team invigorate the show, to what the list of eventual award-winners says about the industry’s priorities.

R&CPMK CLIENTS WIN BIG AT THE 72ND PRIMETIME EMMY® AWARDS
2020 HOLIDAY GUIDE FOR ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURE TRENDS

September 15, 2020

August 2, 2020

R&CPMK Chairman Cindi Berger Delivers Main Address At Ithaca College’s 125th Commencement Ceremony

August 2, 2020

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

2020 HOLIDAY GUIDE FOR ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURE TRENDS
R&CPMK Talent Shine Bright in This Year’s Announcement of the 2020 Primetime EMMY® Nominations

LATEST NEWS & INSIGHTS

R&CPMK CHAIRMAN CINDI BERGER INDUCTED AS MEMBER OF PRWEEK’S 2020 HALL OF FAME CLASS

‘Super’ R&CPMK Clients Score Nominations for the Inaugural ‘Critics Choice Super Awards’

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

R&CPMK NAMED TO FORBES 2021 LIST OF “AMERICA’S BEST PR AGENCIES”

BEYOND HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH: UNDERSTANDING THE LATINX CONSUMER

R&CPMK ADDS INDUSTRY VETERANS ERICA MAPA, RICH GEORGE, AND MARISSA WALLACE TO SENIOR POSITIONS IN BRAND COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING DIVISION

R&CPMK CHAIRMAN CINDI BERGER NAMED TO PRWEEK HALL OF FAME

R&CPMK CLIENT NOMINEES TAKE OVER AT E! PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS 2020

R&CPMK CLIENTS WIN BIG AT THE 72ND PRIMETIME EMMY® AWARDS

HOW WILL THE EMMY AWARDS LOOK DIFFERENT IN 2020?

THE 2020 EMMY AWARDS BROADCAST LIVE—NOT PRE-RECORDED—ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, FROM THE STAPLES CENTER IN LOS ANGELES AND NOMINEES’ HOMES AROUND THE WORLD.

2020 HOLIDAY GUIDE FOR ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURE TRENDS

‘TIS THE SEASON

R&CPMK Chairman Cindi Berger Delivers Main Address At Ithaca College’s 125th Commencement Ceremony

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R&CPMK CHAIRMAN CINDI BERGER INDUCTED AS MEMBER OF PRWEEK’S 2020 HALL OF FAME CLASS