Welcome Sandra Ceplo Johnson!
Riger Advertising has added Sandra Ceplo Johnson to its art department, in the capacity of graphic designer. Sandra joins the staff after several years of contributing as freelancer. Please take a moment to check out her official Riger bio!

Eye-Catching Outdoor for United Health Services
A prime location along Rte. 17/81 in downtown Binghamton called for something out of the ordinary. So Riger proposed using a Day-Glo ink to really make the "CyberKnife logo stand out. The laser-like rule beneath the logo leads the eye to the headline: "A new treatment for prostate cancer."

Celebrating the Man
Our client Sanofi Pasteur celebrated the career of their retiring President and CEO Dave Williams – and titled the event simply “Dave Williams Day.” Riger pitched in with the writing, design, and production of four floor-to-ceiling, museum-style exhibit panels that captured the highlights of Williams’ 30 years with the company. Sanofi Pasteur, located in Swiftwater, Pa., is a world leader in the manufacture of vaccines.

To whom do the rights belong?
Intellectual property rights can be a thorny thicket to marketers and publicists, especially in the era of the digital media revolution where text, images, music, drawings and likenesses are easy to appropriate (and to mis-appropriate). Riger’s Pete Cronk attended “The Rights of Publicity, Privacy and Licensing,” a half-day presentation by Philip Frankel, Esq., Bond, Schoeneck and King in Syracuse. Frankel spoke to a live audience in Syracuse, while other upstate New Yorkers connected via videoconference from Albany and Buffalo.

International Conference Held in Philadelphia
Representing the Finger Lakes Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, Pete Cronk, APR, attended the Assembly of Delegates at PRSA’s 2007 International Conference in Philadelphia. PRSA is the world’s largest organization for public relations professionals with nearly 32,000 professional and student members. Pete has been a PRSA member since 1977.

Media Day Panelists
Mark Bandurchin and Patty Farro chaired the BLI (Broome Leadership Institute) Media Day at the new Press & Sun-Bulletin facility in Johnson City. The day included a review of media basics such as the strengths and weaknesses of local media, the importance of ratings, and the differences between PR and advertising as marketing communications tools. This was followed by a panel discussion, with the BLI class asking questions of Calvin Stovall, executive editor of the Press & Sun-Bulletin and Greg Catlin, news director of WBNG-TV. Patty handled media basics, while Mark moderated the panel and wrapped up the session. The BLI program is offered through the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce with the intent of developing future community leaders.

B.U. Panel Explores Community Life and Business Atmosphere
“Promoting Business and Quality of Community Life” was the theme of an afternoon seminar for students at Binghamton University’s Downtown Academic Center. Riger’s Pete Cronk sat on a panel of speakers including representatives from city, county, state, as well as the private sector. The event was presented by B.U.’s College of Community and Public Affairs.

Keeping tabs on economic progress
Pete Cronk, Steve Johnson and Jamie Knudsen attended the 2007 Lackawanna County Economic Development Summit, "The Movement. The Momentum," sponsored by our Swiftwater, Pa.-based client sanofi pasteur. The agency heard firsthand how Northeast Pennsylvania community leaders are recreating a strong and economically vibrant region.

sanofi pasteur brings in national pandemic expert
Dr. Carole Heilman from the National Institutes of Health discussed "Pandemic preparedness from a public health perspective" at sanofi pasteur's Distinguished Speaker Program, held at East Stroudsburg University. Riger handled communications and public relations for the event (our Heather Preston is shown at the registration table), which educated hundreds of local healthcare leaders and students, and helped focus attention on our client's leadership role in national pandemic preparedness. Sanofi pasteur, located in Swiftwater, Pa., has seven contracts with the federal government to make avian flu vaccines.
 

"We have ignition!"
Riger's Patty Farro attends recent day-long professional development seminar, "What the Best Agencies Do Differently," held in Rochester by American Association of Advertising Agencies, New York State Council. Tim Williams of Ignition Consulting Group presented the latest thinking on leadership in the agency-client relationship, brand strategy, how to keep coming back with better work, etc. Editor's note: There are approximately 13,000 ad agencies in the United States. Fewer than a thousand belong to AAAA. Riger has been an AAAA member since 1982.

Marketing Survival Gear for the Small Business Jungle
"Marketing Survival Gear for the Small Business Jungle" was the subject of a half-day seminar that Riger staff presented at the Holiday Inn in Oneonta, NY. The session provided proven tactics for survival, including tips on how your small business can better compete in a tough economy. Riger "faculty" included Jamie Knudsen and Pete Cronk.

All aboard!
Riger people have routinely served on the boards and committees of local non-profit and community groups. Among the latest of note: …Pete Cronk was elected to the board of the Southern Tier Opportunity Coalition. …Mark Bandurchin is again chairing the PR Committee for First Night Celebration. …Patty Farro provided coordination and moral support to the Town of Maine Youth Softball Association.