Vote For Millburn

Committee to Elect Stoller & Saccomandi to Millburn Township Committee

These two experienced business executives, but novices  to politics, had major concerns/issues about their important, close to NYC, town we all live in. The Democrats had decided to support two of their incumbents desiring to run again. Our candidates switched parties making the point that in local political parties are not as relevant.

The candidates asked us to help create a platform and media strategy. beckercomm generated a unique internet domain name, VoteForMillburn.com, that was short hand for the non partisan battle cry for all materials. We preceded to create ads, video commercials, banners, printed handouts, a fully fleshed out website, 700 lawn signs and a 5,000 word unique 8 page newspaper dedicated to the issues plus offering potential solutions.

As New Jersey has a strong Democratic population, so does Millburn/Short Hills Township. Becker took the 1972 expression “all politics is local” literally – the logo is blue not red shaped like an American flag and the themeline is 

“Don’t vote for party. Vote for yourself, your family, your kids. Vote for Millburn” 

November 7th, 2023 we find out if the non-partisan approach worked in a heavily Democratic area.

https://voteformillburn.com

The Elizabeth Winterbottom Team

New Jersey Transit station poster campaign

Having worked for this Keller Williams Premier Properties regional real estate team for many years, beckercomm came up with a unique and inviting train station posters tailored to the main towns they serve in Northern New Jersey.

While two very different campaign headlines and visuals at each station the message is on the same strategy. “We’re Your Neighbors” features the whole Team posed with house warming gifts and “We Know Your Stop” features only the founder of the group located in a well known central location for some of the important communities they serve.

All posters document the local town that each Team member lives in.

They begin their run in early October 2023.

The Elizabeth Winterbottom Team

Elizabeth Winterbottom ad, Summit sign

New Jersey Transit station poster campaign

Having worked for this Keller Williams Premier Properties regional real estate team for many years, beckercomm came up with a unique and inviting train station posters tailored to the main towns they serve in Northern New Jersey.

While two very different campaign headlines and visuals at each station the message is on the same strategy. “We’re Your Neighbors” features the whole Team posed with house warming gifts and “We Know Your Stop” features only the founder of the group located in a well known central location for some of the important communities they serve.

All posters document the local town that each Team member lives in.

They begin their run in early October 2023.

The People’s Health Clinic, Park City, Utah

People’s Health Clinic is a volunteer-driven, community supported non-profit clinic providing high quality, no cost healthcare to uninsured residents near Park City Utah. The agency created a modest change to organization’s name, crafted a totally new logo and added a three word theme line that is used everywhere in English and Spanish. You can see the new look and feel in posters used in fund raising events and on the new website that launched in October of 2022.

www.PeoplesHealthClinic.org

Envision Inc. (non-profit for the blind)

Envision the Possibilities

Web work, Theme Line, Branding, Some Photography

Our agency worked with this good size non profit based in Wichita for 4 months on overall rebranding and in particular  their all important new website.

Envision was founded in 1933 in and is now one of the largest employers in the nation of individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Our team created their new and invaluable theme line used on the website (EnvisionUS.com) and on all materials. Envision the Possibilities

We also wrote mission or positioning copy, added photos to add to what they already had and advised on the website front page and all other pages.

EnvisionUS.com

Envision Inc.

Our agency worked with this good size non profit based in Wichita for 4 months on overall rebranding and in particular  their all important new website.

Envision was founded in 1933 in and is now one of the largest employers in the nation of individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Our team created their new and invaluable theme or positioning line used on the website and on all materials.
Envision the Possibilities

We also wrote mission or positioning copy, added photos to what they already had and advised on the website front page and all other pages.

The new site, EnvisionUS.com was launched in September 2021. It’s a wonderful organization with an important history of helping the blind and visually impaired.

EnvisionUS.com

Birds Eye

Birds Eye

Ad for Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables.

What a wonderful campaign for General Foods and the creative team. We went around the world shooting actor Dan Resin singing or actually saying the praises of the authentic taste of Birds Eye International Style Vegetables. In each country Dan stated at the end of the commercial “even though we make it over there (pointing to America) it tastes like here (it is obviously which country he is in when he makes that statement). There were a lot of countries and a lot of recipes or flavors. it’s an oldie but a goodie.

SoFresh, Inc.

The agency launched a website for a remarkable new product that can “positively save food”.

Our clients, with decades of packaging experience, developed an all-natural “secret sauce” for this unique and important product. The audience for this B2B product is food producers, wholesalers and retailers.

We named the product coverings/containers that retard mold in bread, berries, cheese, SoFresh. The domain is easy to remember and relevant: SoFresh.com

The theme line/mission statement we created is:  We Positively Save Food.

SoFresh is committed to mitigating food spoilage. Their team is dedicated to fighting food waste in the US and throughout the world.

The FAQ section is quite interesting and educational. One of their advisor investors is Bill and Melinda Gates and their Village Global Foundation.

www.SoFresh.com

SoFresh, Inc.

SoFresh, Inc.

The agency launched a website for a remarkable new product that can “positively save food”.

Our clients, with decades of packaging experience, developed an all-natural “secret sauce” for this unique and important product. The audience for this B2B product is food producers, wholesalers and retailers.

We named the product coverings/containers that retard mold in bread, berries, cheese, SoFresh. The domain is easy to remember and relevant: SoFresh.com

The theme line/mission statement we created is:  We Positively Save Food.

SoFresh is committed to mitigating food spoilage. Their team is dedicated to fighting food waste in the US and throughout the world.

The FAQ section is quite interesting and educational. One of their advisor investors is Bill and Melinda Gates and their Village Global Foundation.

www.SoFresh.com

Masterwork Chorus

Masterwork Chorus

Our firm just recently created a whole new branded website for Masterwork Chorus. Not only are they a wonderful chorus with a rich and long history but they also have the privilege of returning each year to the world famous Carnegie Hall to perform the Messiah.

The Masterwork Chorus has over 100 voices. Founded in 1955, the mission is simple, direct and meaningful. The non-profit chorus is dedicated to enrich, delight and support the cultural life of the community through high-quality inspiring choral performances.

The site is located at Masterwork.org

Academy Securities

This unique investment bank is is our nation’s first and only Post-9/11 Veteran and Disabled Veteran Owned and Operated investment bank with strength in public finance, fixed income and equity trading and underwriting. It is headed by former Naval officers CEO Chance Mimms and President and former NY Giants super bowl winner Phil McConkey.

Academy leverages intensive past Military training, in depth current financial experience, geopolitical knowledge and broad networks.

The agency refined and modified their logo, created their first theme line or positioning line which states their philosophy in only two words MISSION DRIVEN. The agency also worked on the mission statement, copy about the services provided and brings a whole branding effort to the front.

The agency designed and launched their website in January 2017. They have recently updated the site internally as they have grown with capabilities.

Besides dramatizing the Wall Street and military experience, the agency’s job was to express a feeling of being “proud out loud” for this unique company.

AT&T

AT&T campaign

Launch commercial for new phone number for life – all media, direct mail, print, television. Purchased Spinners 1976 song “Whenever you call, I’ll be around”. *

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAMw_YEfoag

* Account/client worked with during 30 years on Madison Avenue
at Papert Koenig Lois, Ted Bates Worldwide, BBDO, and Young & Rubicam Advertising

Sharon Klesse Interiors

Sharon Klesse Interiors

We created a first website for this talented interior decorator. We also created a small space print ad campaign based on the same concept of “I reflect you” which was our value proposition for this client.

Our modest research showed that many home owner prospects who might consider an interior decorator feel the decorator may impose their strong ideas. We wanted to assure these same prospects that Sharon Interiors does not do this but instead works with your ideas and direction.

This makes for a refreshing difference.

www.SharonInteriors.com

Inamed Corporation

Inamed Corporation

Designed and produced annual reports for several years and created first ever value proposition for this NASDAQ medical device company.

The Hemangioma Treatment Foundation

Launch ad for national medical foundation dedicated to helping children born with disfiguring and dangerous vascular birthmarks. Agency created their logo, theme line, first website, print ads and two TV public service commercials inviting actress Dyan Cannon to be spokesperson.

HemangiomaTreatment.org

Additional Consultants

Additional ConsultantsA few members of the team have staff jobs at giant agencies so obviously we can’t publish their names here. One is a senior 20-year agency researcher available for research issues, insights and testing needs.

Emily Blair – designer/art director

Emily BlairEmily began her career as an Assistant Professor at Washington State University in Pullman, where she taught all levels of print and web design. Her artwork takes many forms including video. As part of the collaborative artists’ team Next Question, Emily also worked on large-scale community based art projects. Emily has a B.A. in Fine Arts from Wesleyan University in Connecticut and an M.F.A. in Graphics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Emily currently lives in Brooklyn with her long time partner, and also an artist, Phuong and their son Max.

Danielle Speckhart – senior writer

Danielle BeckerCopywriter Danielle is a 1990 graduate of Simmons College with a degree in Communications. She started her advertising career at D’Arcy, Benton & Bowles on accounts: Burger King, IBM Latin America, Pampers, Always, Marine Midland Bank, Corning, Coke and Club Med. Working with Grey Advertising in NYC, Danielle did all the work that helped the the agency win the $15,000,000 in billings AmericanGreetings.com business. Awards include a Gannett Outdoor $10,000 Grand Prize for Lender’s Bagels and an Effie Award for Advertising Effectiveness for P&G. Danielle also studied acting which she believes has helped her in her advertising career. She and her husband Mark have a son Kyle, daughters Maggie and Anna and two large weimaraners Milo and Pearl. Danielle is smart, creative and always with a quip. Copywriter Danielle even can be called on for on camera work and recently did the narration for a short five minute video about the town she lives in.

Katherine Becker – business office manager, media, production

Katherine BeckerKatherine is the sounding board for everything and is usually right on. Talk to her and it’s done or on the way. Katherine not only handles all financials for the small agency but also media and production. Background: Born in Versailles France, Katherine grew up in New Jersey and went to work for Worthington Corporation after graduating from high school at 17. She became an Art Director then Art Supervisor for Worthington. Katherine graduated from Kean University and holds a degree in accounting. She was the first women President of an Art Directors Club in America. Katherine graduated magna cum laude at 35 from Kean College with a BS in accounting while raising three children now grown with families of their own. She served as President and board member for The League of Women Voters of New Jersey as well as serving as President for a time. She was a founding member and served as Vice Chair of The Women’s Fund of NJ and held many board positions of the 60-year-old, 100 person, Masterwork Chorus.

Barry Spector – senior art director, designer, web creation

Barry SpectorBorn in New York, Barry grew up as an artist. At the age of six he attended art classes at the Brooklyn Museum of Art (although the minimum age was seven) and took oil painting classes in the cluttered, rustic back rooms of art and framing stores. He commuted to the High School of Art & Design where he studied drawing, sculpture, large-format photography and animation. At Pratt Institute, Barry earned a Communications BFA with an emphasis on advertising and photojournalism. It was there, at Pratt, that Barry first met Mike Becker who was at Young & Rubicam Advertising agency. It seems that Mike was also a part-time guest professor at Barry’s college teaching copywriting to art direction majors. Barry’s first experience in the real world was as an Art Director at Avon Products in New York. He spent five plus years refining his craft there. He established Spector Design in 1984 when computers became available to commercial designers. As the computer became more commonplace in the business world, he sought new ways to utilize it for the ‘next thing,’ which for him was the creation of web sites. His organizational and design skills became key ingredients in successfully developing web sites for clients from Neuberger&Berman Management to International Truck and Engine Corporation. Barry helped his wife Shelley Spector start Spector & Associates, a public relations firm. In 1997 he created the Museum of Public Relations an online resource discussing the early pioneers of public relations. Barry lives in Short Hills with his family. One relevant hobby is photography for fun and business. Actually, Barry is a highly talented professional photographer and does many of the “still shoots” for the company.

Mike Becker – marketing strategist, writer, leader

Mike BeckerYes, slightly enlarged ego but fortunately big mind to go along with it. More than 30 years on Madison Avenue building brands and winning awards taught Mike a thing or two even if he was born in Toledo, Ohio.

Mike grew up in New Jersey, graduated from Syracuse University and after military service delivered traffic helicopter reports for three years for a New York radio station. He came down to earth and began his advertising career as a copywriter at the first public ad agency, Papert Koenig Lois.

Much of Mike’s career was spent at Young & Rubicam Advertising (26 years in total). He left for a while to spend three years as Chief Creative Officer at Ted Bates and then to BBDO as a top creative executive and member of the Board. He was part of the team that won the coveted Apple Computer account. Mike returned to Young & Rubicam and industry-leading direct marketing division Wunderman. As Chief Creative Officer Worldwide, he was also a member of the Young & Rubicam Partnership Board.

Mike is considered to be an innovative and influential executive in the advertising industry. At Y&R companies, Mike created the award winning 25-year television campaign, “I’m stuck on Band-Aid ’cause Band-Aid’s stuck on me”. He led the creation and production of the 10-year American Express Corporate Card campaign “To Your Success”.

During the late 70’s and 80’s, Mike created and supervised 1/3 of all Y&R’s creative accounts including Jell-O Pudding with Bill Cosby, Dr Pepper, KFC, Eastern Airlines (his client was former astronaut Frank Borman), Time Magazine, Met Life, Johnson & Johnson, US Army, General Foods, Cadbury, AT&T, the U.S. Postal Service, President’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports (client was astronaut Jim Lovell) and others.

Mike created the first Earth Day campaign for then Mayor Lindsey and after the Gulf War the “Operation Welcome Home” campaign for a commission named by Mayor David Dinkins.

Mike has spoken at conferences in more than 40 countries traveling out of America over 200 times during his career. Some of his speaking titles: Credibility in Advertising, Product Positioning, Behavior Marketing, The New Digital World.

Becker and art director partners have won over a hundred awards at numerous advertising and marketing festivals including: Cannes Film Festival (Gold & Silver Lions), Clio Film Festival, Art Directors Show and many others.

In 1998, he formed beckercommunications to advise clients on marketing, advertising and public relations. Mike was instrumental in building the creative team for Bill Bradley for President.

Recently Becker has worked with medium size clients that range from a Napa Valley vineyard to a major flavors and fragrance firm, architects, lawyers, real estate, insurance, brokerage firms and luxury builder.

Mike’s team is small but very talented. Skim the bios of the team members. Past and current clients can be found on the this site.

David Fogle – senior art director, designer

David FogleNot one but two degrees in Architecture from Rhode Island School of Design. Dave is very strategic, highly creative and blink-fast. He has a great mind and is great at details too.

Dave went straight into graphic design in the 80’s and traditional print design. Now he keeps pace with all the new technologies and is well versed in all forms of production including the web.

Dave also teaches college workshops in Internet technology and web design. Dave is a highly talented creative designer and art director whether creating logos, design books, exhibition booths, annual reports or a total advertising campaign. He is not only creative but very strategic.

Over the past 20 years working with beckercommunications, Dave has created and produced some of the best work. Whatever the project, he always has a sense of style and flair.

Dave, his wife and two college age sons and live on the West Side of New York City. Golf is a hobby but he wishes he only had the time for more of it.

Kathy Schlein – MBA advisor

Kathy SchleinMs. Schlein in an active angel investor and advisor to a number of startup companies across multiple different business sectors. Her focus has been in consumer-driven software and hardware technologies as well as lifestyle consumer products. Her expertise lies in branding and brand management, product development, and product marketing. Ms. Schlein started her career immediately after college working on the original Macintosh team at Apple and remained in Silicon Valley for 24 years working at a number of cutting-edge technology businesses. She was VP of Research & Development for Hasbro Inc., and in management at Apple twice, Momenta Corporation and T-Maker. She consulted for Life Technologies, Sanford Burnham Medical Discovery Institute, and Interval Research (a Paul Allen Think Tank). She also serves on the Board of Academy Securities. Ms. Schlein is currently a Board Member of: Academy Securities and has served on the board of Logoworks (sold to HP), Skullcandy (IPO), Dotspotter (sold to CBS). Ms. Schlein sits on the Boards of the Trustee Council for Penn Women (TCPW) and the Track Alumni Board, and Stance’s (a consumer lifestyle business) Innovation Board of Advisors. Ms. Schlein has a BA in American History from The University of Pennsylvania, where she was the Captain of Penn’s Cross Country and Track Team with 8 Varsity letters, and an MBA from Harvard Business School.