Crosby Marketing Communications has been selected by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) for two projects that support humanitarian programs benefiting children and families in need around the world.

Crosby was engaged by CRS to conduct a strategic marketing assessment of Operation Rice Bowl, a national Lenten program that inspires Catholics in parishes and schools across the country to pray, learn, fast and give to those in need. The program supports the development projects that help people access food in their communities, worldwide.

Crosby is also working with CRS to develop interactive tools to allow CRS staff and partners to design holistic programs for child-focused international relief programs.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. It alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. Crosby has worked with CRS since 2005.

http://crosbymarketing.com/news/catholic-relief-services-selects-crosby-for-strategic-interactive-marketing-projects/

Crosby Marketing Communications recently received two Web Health Awards that honor the nation’s best electronic health programs and web-based tools for consumers. The awards were presented by the Health Information Resource Center, a national clearinghouse for professionals who work in consumer health fields.

Crosby received:

• The Silver Award in Microsites for ShorterERWait.com, an innovative online and mobile application for St. Joseph’s Medical Center. The microsite allows prospective patients to check the hospital’s emergency room wait time in real time, from any location.

• A Merit award in Websites for Ameritox.com, a completely redeveloped website for Ameritox, the nation’s leader in pain medication monitoring solutions. The new website provides clinicians, patients, workers comp and managed care organizations with rich content and information designed to meet their unique needs.

http://crosbymarketing.com/news/crosby-wins-two-web-health-awards/

Annapolis, Md. (November 30, 2010) — Crosby Marketing Communications has been selected to provide communications and outreach support for three new contracts with federal agencies: Social Security Administration (SSA), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

“These are three significant new contracts that further strengthen our government practice,” said Raymond Crosby, president of Crosby Marketing.  “Our ability to conduct national public outreach programs combined with highly targeted online and grassroots campaigns continues to be a winning combination for federal agencies.”

SSA has awarded Crosby a five-year communications contract to support its public information campaigns.  Under this contract, Crosby will work with SSA to develop national and localized public service advertising campaigns, and search engine marketing and interactive promotions to encourage seniors, Medicare beneficiaries and disability claimants to use SSA’s online resources.

SSA is the U.S. federal agency that administers Social Security programs, including retirement and disability benefits, as well as some elements of Medicare.

In another five-year contract win, HRSA selected Crosby to provide communications support for its organ donation programs.  Early in this new contract, Crosby will develop and implement a campaign that encourages more people to register as organ donors, especially within the Hispanic, African American and 50-plus communities.

The Crosby team has worked with HRSA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for more than 10 years.  HRSA is the primary federal agency responsible for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable.

For the third agency, Crosby will support FMCSA’s outreach and education division on a one-year contract by developing motor carrier safety outreach communications for Federal, State and local government stakeholders and the general public.  The contract includes marketing and communications, social media and media buying support.

The mission of FMCSA, an operating administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation, is to promote safe commercial motor vehicle operation through education, regulation, enforcement and innovative research and technology.

http://crosbymarketing.com/news/crosby-marketing-awarded-three-new-contracts-with-federal-agencies/

Annapolis, Md. (November 22, 2010) — Crosby Marketing Communications has developed new online and mobile applications for St. Joseph’s Medical Center that allow prospective patients to check the hospital’s emergency room (ER) wait time in real time. The information can be found at ShorterERWait.com.

ShorterERWait.com posts the estimated amount of time for patients to begin receiving care by a medical professional at the St Joseph ER.  The ER Wait Time is updated every thirty minutes.  This service is the first of its kind for Baltimore-area hospitals.

Crosby also created a mobile application and texting option for the service, allowing patients to receive instant access to ER wait times and driving directions on their cell phones.

“Last year, St. Joseph reengineered its ER process, cutting average wait time to just 14 minutes on average,” said Raymond Crosby, president of Crosby Marketing.  “With ShorterERwait.com, patients now have this valuable information at their fingertips to make more informed decisions when seeking emergency treatment.”

At www.shorterERwait.com, consumers can also learn about the award-winning care process at St. Joseph’s Emergency Department, read patient testimonials and meet the hospital’s ER staff.  Crosby also developed radio, outdoor, print, online and mobile advertising to build awareness of this new resource.

“Thanks to Crosby, our Medical Center is breaking new ground by serving consumers with valuable online and mobile tools,” said Kellie Taylor, director of marketing communications at St. Joseph Medical Center.

http://crosbymarketing.com/news/crosby-creates-onlinemobile-tools-to-promote-shorter-er-wait-times/

Village South and Arundel Gateway Projects Represent $500 Million in New Development

Crosby Marketing Communications has been selected by Greenberg Gibbons to handle the promotion and public relations programs for two new mixed-use projects in Anne Arundel County, Maryland: Village South at Waugh Chapel and Arundel Gateway.

Village South at Waugh Chapel is a 1.2 million square-foot, $275 million, mixed-use development.  Crosby handled the project’s groundbreaking announcement and VIP event in September, and will continue to work on public relations, community outreach and marketing programs for the lifestyle destination.

Village South will include 650,000 square feet of retail space, which is already 75% pre-leased by tenants such as Wegmans, Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods and PETCO.  The development will also feature a multi-plex movie theater, 125,000 square feet of Class A office space and 380 residential units.

Arundel Gateway is a joint venture between Greenberg Gibbons and Ribera Development.  Crosby will handle all branding and communications programs for this 4 million square-foot mixed-use project on 300 acres located less than two miles from Fort Meade.  Preliminary plans include 1,600 townhomes and condominiums with 360,000 square feet of Class A office space, 160,000 square feet of retail space and a 150-room hotel.

Crosby provides integrated advertising, public relations, direct-response and interactive services to regional and national market leaders in a variety of industries.  The agency has billings of $58 million and offices in Annapolis, Md. and Washington, D.C.

http://crosbymarketing.com/news/greenberg-gibbons-selects-crosby-to-promote-two-new-retail-destinations/

Crosby Marketing Communications received four Thoth awards at a recent event sponsored by the National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by our industry peers for creating innovative communications programs that yield measurable results,” said Crosby president Raymond Crosby.  The agency received:

• First Place in Marketing Business to Business Products & Services for “Ameritox: Creating a New Brand and a Brand New Category,” a rebranding campaign for Ameritox that positioned the company as a leader in a growing industry.

• Certificate of Excellence in Public Service for the “Asian Longhorned Beetle Black & White Campaign,” a program developed for the USDA to help stop the spread of the Asian longhorned beetle.

• Certificate of Excellence in Events and Observances for the “Fun Around Towne” grand opening of Annapolis Towne Centre, developed for Greenberg Gibbons.

• Certificate of Excellence in Media Relations for “PANDORA’s Introduction to North American Consumer Media,” a publicity launch campaign for PANDORA Jewelry.

Presented annually, PRSA’s Thoth awards pay tribute to talent, creativity and innovation in public relations and communications programs in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

Crosby provides integrated advertising, public relations, direct-response and interactive services to regional and national market leaders in a variety of industries.  The agency has billings of $58 million and offices in Annapolis, Md., and Washington, D.C.  For more information, visit www.crosbymarketing.com.

http://crosbymarketing.com/news/crosby-wins-thoth-awards-prsa/

Crosby’s CEO Publishes New Book, “It’s The Customer, Stupid!,”
A Practical Guide To Customer-Centric Marketing

Ralph Crosby, founder and CEO of Crosby Marketing, has written a new book; It’s The Customer, Stupid! Lessons Learned in a Lifetime of Marketing. In it, Ralph says that any organization’s success starts and ends with the customer, not with its products or services. Using examples and stories of both marketing success and failure, It’s The Customer, Stupid! offers guidance on how to achieve better business results through customer focus and satisfaction.

The book explains how Ralph’s education as a marketer led to his understanding of the critical nature of the customer-centric approach, especially in today’s fast-paced marketing environment, which blends traditional media with new, online media.

He contends that if you are in business – for profit or nonprofit – you must focus on those whose satisfaction is key to the organization’s success, be they buyers, members, contributors, patients, clients, volunteers, subscribers, employees or suppliers.

The book recounts 35-plus years of lessons Ralph learned through hands-on experience as head of the agency and the personal teachings of such experts as the late Peter Drucker, known as “the father of modern management.”

Among the subjects covered in the book:

• Best practices in the customer-centric process.
• How to bond with your customer.
• Sending the right message to the customer.
• Avoiding the myths and mistakes of marketing.
• Customer engagement in the Internet age.
• New media + old media = The future of marketing.

Copies of the book can be purchased through PayPal. The price is $19.95 plus shipping and handling. Quantity discounts are available.

Order Now

In concert with the book’s publication, Ralph has begun a blog on customer-centric marketing: www.its-the-customer-stupid.com.

http://crosbymarketing.com/news/its-the-customer-stupid/

Annapolis, Md. (July 21, 2010) – Crosby Marketing Communications, one of the Mid-Atlantic region’s leading agencies, announced today that Matthew Bivons has joined the company as interactive project manager.

Bivons will manage digital and online marketing programs — overseeing search, web/data analysis and optimization services — for several Crosby clients, including the USDA, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and CapitalSource.

Prior to joining Crosby, Bivons managed email, online and branding projects at Edison Worldwide in Baltimore and BLANK, Inc. in Washington D.C. He is currently an M.B.A. candidate at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland.

Crosby provides integrated advertising, public relations, direct-response and interactive services to regional and national market leaders in a variety of industries.  The agency has billings of $58 million and offices in Annapolis, Md., and Washington, D.C.

http://crosbymarketing.com/news/matthew-bivons-interactive-project-manager/

Annapolis, Md. (July 19, 2010) – Joel Machak, executive creative director for Crosby Marketing Communications, just experienced a taste of advertising immortality.  His work on the famous “Crash Test Dummies” public service campaign was accepted Wednesday into the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History collection.

Produced for the U.S. Department of Transportation, “Crash Test Dummies” ran on television and in print from 1985 – 1998. The campaign was co-created by Joel Machak and Jim Ferguson, both formerly at the advertising firm Leo Burnett.  This year marks the 25^th anniversary of the creation of the campaign, which was done in partnership with the Advertising Council.

“‘The Crash Test Dummies’ campaign is credited with creating a sea-change in attitudes toward automotive safety and seat belts,” said Joel Machak.  “I am proud that my work has had an impact on American culture and mindset about buckling up.  It’s gratifying knowing that we helped save thousands of lives, and I’m extremely honored that the Smithsonian made this campaign part of its permanent collection.”

Among the donated items were the original “Vince & Larry” crash-test dummy costumes that appeared in the campaign, numerous props, original drawings, set sketches and photographs, plus many of the industry awards the campaign earned, including the Clio and Canne Lion.  Machak also provided the museum an oral history on the making of the PSA campaign.  In addition, the collection received a 1961 Volvo three-point seat belt and an energy-absorbing steering column from a 1967 Chevrolet.  All of the items will become part of the museum’s permanent collection of American transportation.

Machak joined Crosby in 2005 after 20+ years with several of America’s leading advertising agencies, where he created campaigns for clients including McDonald’s, Kellogg’s, Hallmark Cards and Whirlpool.  At Crosby, Machak leads the firm’s creative team in developing campaigns with a focus on actions that matter for clients such as Kaiser Permanente, DuPont, USDA, Social Security Administration and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Crosby provides integrated advertising, public relations, interactive and social media services to government agencies, healthcare organizations and advocacy groups.  The firm has billings of $58 million and offices in Annapolis, Md., and Washington, D.C.

http://crosbymarketing.com/news/crash-test-dummies-smithsonian/

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (July 17, 2010) – Crosby Marketing Communications received 11 Best in Maryland Awards — more than any other organization — at a recent event sponsored by the Maryland Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

“It’s an honor to be recognized among the best public relations teams in the region, especially when it comes from our industry peers,” said Crosby President Raymond Crosby. The agency received:

• The Best in Maryland Award in Public Service Announcements and an Award of Excellence in Public Service for the “ALB ‘Black & White’ Campaign,” a program developed for the USDA to help stop the spread of the Asian Longhorn Beetle.
• The Best Representation of Theme Award, as well as the Best in Maryland Award in Media Relations, for “PANDORA’s Introduction to North American Consumer Media,” a media relations campaign for PANDORA jewelry.
• The Best in Maryland Award for Special Purpose Publications for “The New Reality: Turning Risk into Opportunity through the DuPont Legal Model,” created for DuPont Legal.
• The Best in Maryland Award in Special Events and Observances for the “Fun Around Towne” grand opening of Annapolis Towne Centre, developed for Greenberg Gibbons.
• The Best in Maryland Award in DVDs for the video “Greenberg Gibbons Wins National Environmental Phoenix Award,” created for its Annapolis Towne Centre development.
• The Best in Maryland Award in Brochures for “Your Roadmap to Quitting,” a guide to quitting smoking developed for the Anne Arundel County Department of Health.
• An Award of Excellence in Media Relations for “NIC Map Top 31 Market Outreach,” a media relations campaign for the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing & Care Industry.
• An Award of Excellence in Public Service for “It Takes a Community: Underrepresented Market Outreach Initiative,” a program created for Federal Student Aid to encourage students to fill out the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid.
• An Award of Excellence in Marketing Communications for a re-branding campaign developed for Ameritox.

Presented annually, the Maryland Chapter of PRSA’s Best in Maryland Awards pay tribute to public relations practitioners who, in the judgment of their peers, have successfully addressed a communications challenge with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness.

Crosby provides integrated advertising, public relations and interactive services to regional and national market leaders in a variety of industries.  The agency has billings of $58 million and offices in Annapolis, Md., and Washington, D.C.  For more information, visit www.crosbymarketing.com.

http://crosbymarketing.com/news/crosby-sweeps-prsa-best-in-maryland-awards/

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (May 17, 2010) – The DuPont Company recently honored Crosby Marketing Communications for providing outstanding service and results in 2009. A special presentation of a “Challenge Award” was made to Ralph Crosby, the agency’s chairman & chief executive officer, during DuPont Legal’s annual meeting in Wilmington, Del.

“As one of a select number of firms receiving the Challenge Award, Crosby has distinguished itself as one of the best among an already elite group of service providers to DuPont Legal,” said Thomas L. Sager, senior vice president and general counsel of DuPont.

Crosby was recognized for a variety of marketing communications, public relations and interactive programs created for DuPont Legal in 2009. Crosby also produced and publicized the fifth edition of a book on the DuPont Legal Model, “The New Reality.” The DuPont Legal Model offers best practices for corporate law departments and the law firms that service them.

Crosby provides integrated advertising, public relations and interactive services to regional and national market leaders in a variety of industries.  The agency has billings of $58 million and offices in Annapolis, Md., and Washington, D.C.  For more information, visit www.crosbymarketing.com.

http://crosbymarketing.com/news/dupont-honors-crosby-marketing-for-outstanding-service-and-results/

PRWeek Selects Program on Behalf of Federal Student Aid

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (March 18, 2010) – PRWeek magazine recently named Crosby Marketing Communications the winner of its Multicultural Marketing Campaign of the Year. The selected program, FAFSA Program Outreach Campaign, was developed by Crosby for the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid, which makes more than $100 billion in financial aid available to eligible students each year.

Through strategic partnerships, grassroots outreach and media relations programs conducted in Charlotte, N.C., Long Beach, Calif., and Philadelphia, Pa., African-American and Latino students were encouraged to apply for federal student aid. The program incorporated alliances with local government, schools and community groups to conduct outreach, and recruit and train volunteers to help students and parents complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA^SM.

“It’s an honor to be chosen as one of the country’s best public relations programs amid a very competitive and prestigious field,” said Crosby president Raymond Crosby. “It’s rewarding to know we inspired so many students to pursue the dream of a higher education.”

Presented annually, PRWeek’s Campaign of the Year Awards recognize outstanding programs in public relations and communications nationwide. The illustrious field of nominees in the Multicultural Marketing Campaign category included Burson-Marsteller for Federal Communications Commission; Cone for Ben & Jerry’s; Flowers Communications Group for McDonald’s; and MS&L Worldwide for Hennessey. The winners were announced in New York on March 11, 2010.

Crosby provides integrated advertising, public relations, direct-response and interactive services to regional and national market leaders in a variety of industries.  The agency has billings of $58 million and offices in Annapolis, Md., and Washington, D.C.  For more information, visit www.crosbymarketing.com.

http://crosbymarketing.com/news/crosby-wins-%e2%80%98multicultural-marketing-campaign-of-the-year%e2%80%99/

Annapolis, Md. (March 8, 2010) – Crosby Marketing Communications, one of the Mid-Atlantic region’s leading agencies, announced today that Sven Reigle has joined the agency as interactive project manager.

Reigle will manage search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), and online media campaigns for a variety of clients including Ameritox, College.gov, Social Security Administration and Catholic Relief Services.

Reigle joins Crosby from the World Wildlife Fund in Washington, D.C., where he led interactive campaigns that dramatically increased online fundraising and strategic partnerships.  Prior to that, he led search marketing efforts for Phoenix Contact, a leading developer and manufacturer of industrial electrical and electronic technology.

“Sven’s expertise further expands our SEO and SEM capabilities and the ability to provide clients with strong analytics that can drive a more effective return on investment,” said Raymond Crosby, president of Crosby Marketing.

Crosby provides integrated advertising, public relations, direct-response and interactive services to regional and national market leaders in a variety of industries.  The agency has billings of $58 million and offices in Annapolis, Md. and Washington, D.C.  For more information, visit www.crosbymarketing.com.

http://crosbymarketing.com/news/sven-reigle-interactive-project-manager/