In addition to new business development for Sabrina Levine Communications, I am a senior team member on select accounts, including the following under the SLC umbrella.
Scott’s Protein Balls
Consumer Products
Scott’s Protein Balls: Disrupting the Crowded Snack Food Industry
SLC supported Scott’s Protein Balls at its first appearance at the Natural Products Expo West in March 2023, the Summer Fancy Food Show in June 2023 and at the Natural Products Expo East this past September 2023. We managed all new flavor announcements, provided hands-on trade show support and all other associated activities. The agency’s work generated significant coverage. Other objectives included jump starting conversations with key retailers and investors, which were an important part of the overall growth plan.
As part of the initial year-long plan, SLC included a specific strategy in seasonally-driven markets, including the Hamptons (NY), Miami, and Palm Beach. Counseling and guidance was ongoing and included brand activations and partnerships; vetting non-profit sponsorship opportunities and furthering awareness and exposure throughout key seasonal marketplaces.
SLC managed submissions for Scott’s Protein Balls for numerous awards including Expo West and Expo East Nexty Awards, Healthy Snack Awards, NOSH Best of 2023 Awards and SELF Pantry Awards. They were presented with The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation’s Outstanding Product Award and were honored at this prestigious Hamptons Annual benefit. SLC additionally assessed and suggested other non-profit sponsorship opportunities as they came up.
SLC has secured coverage in FOX’s Good Day New York, CNN Underscored, Cosmopolitan, Page Six, U.S. News & World Report, SheFinds, VegOut, Eat This, Not That, Today’s Parent, NOSH, Green Matters, The Fashion Spot, PYMNTS.com, Trend Hunter, and more since beginning to work with the brand. Throughout our engagement alone in the first year, SLC secured 122 press hits, reaching a total audience of 2,634,142,079 through media, additionally we reached 242 influencers organically, with exposure to their combined 2,634,142,079 audiences. Total audience reached combined is 5,268,284,158.
StayMarquis
Real Estate
StayMarquis: Launching a New Real Estate Platform in a Competitive Market
StayMarquis is a full-service vacation rental company founded in 2014 by entrepreneurs Alex Goldstein and Bryan Fedner. This luxury real estate platform has succeeded to grow in the competitive Hamptons’ marketplace welcoming many guests each season in over 700 exclusive homes available for discriminating consumers looking to vacation on the east end. The firm’s mission is to provide homeowners and guests to rent without reservation, ensuring first-class marketing, booking, rental management, and concierge services. Unlike many other, similar real estate platforms, StayMarquis guarantees a streamlined and hassle-free experience.
In the Spring of 2019, SLC formally introduced StayMarquis to the lifestyle, Hamptons’, general and business press. In addition, SLC worked with the founders to establish consistent brand messaging to all of their audiences, including owners, developers, and guests. SLC secured press coverage in a wide variety of media, including WSJ, Travel&Leisure, Yahoo! Lifestyle, PureWow, Social Life magazine, Men’s Journal, KD Hamptons, the Independent newspaper, BELLA, Hamptons magazine, Beach, Mann Report, The Real Deal, and many more. In addition to building further awareness for StayMarquis and educating audiences about the company, the team planned and supported their first Hamptons’ event activation for influencers in conjunction with PureWow which reaches over 3.7M consumers. Over 300+ social media influencers attended and were successfully introduced to the brand. Since its launch, the platform continues to grow year after yearand has expanded into other regions of Eastern Long Island, along with areas North of Manhattan such as Hudson Valley, Connecticut, Hunter Mountain and beyond.
MediaCrossing
Business to Business
MXEdge: Digital Advertising – B2B Client Navigates Changing Landscape for Clients
Amidst the global pandemic in 2020 and beyond, MediaCrossing found itself, like many, in a difficult position as it was trying to maintain its business. MediaCrossing was always at the forefront of providing the advertising tools, technology and expertise necessary for leaders. However, with clients such as Live Nation and others focused on increasing attendance at live events, it was a huge challenge to figure out a path forward at this time. The CEO connected with Karen Amster-Young (via Sabrina Levine Communications) at the recommendation of FIJI Water, a previous client, to discuss how they could launch a new division, MXEdge.
MXEdge was all about offering a super-fast, on demand and practical path forward for MediaCrossing’s prospects and clients. We worked with the CEO, Michael Kalman, and his team to introduce MXEdge capabilities and to further establish Kalman as a thought-leader in digital advertising by arranging interviews, and issuing press releases. We successfully generated buzz regarding new hires, expertise and key “survival” message points so that MediaCrossing and MXEdge could further its reputation as a company that works with its clients to maintain and attract clients regardless of the challenges.
Ess-a-Bagel
Consumer/Hospitality
Ess-a-Bagel: Pivoting During the Pandemic
Like many brands, Ess-a-Bagel, an iconic, multi-generational bagel empire with a direct to consumer and major retail presence, faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic. Their team sought consulting from Karen Amster-Young (via Sabrina Levine Communications) to revamp its brand messaging, communications materials, message points and guide the company during this challenging time. Along with the help of owner Melanie Frost, we helped the brand navigate an uncertain time to ensure its famous bagels reached customers wherever they were during the pandemic.
Working together, we brought its beloved products to consumers – at home, including as they navigated a new work reality. We focused on developing new partnerships with other companies in select areas, including the Hamptons, where many of the brand’s loyal customers had 2nd homes. Most importantly, we launched Bagels on the Beach to bring food to other areas and and also identified and executed ways to get the companys’ favorites to wherever people were working and living, including to first-responders, hospitals and NYC-based offices.
From researching and establishing key strategic partnerships to media outreach and new messaging, we established a short-term but effective plan to ensure the brand’s survival. SLC’s efforts resulted in countless social media placements, influencer and at-home gifting and prime press placements online. In addition to these new partnerships, results included strategically placed print and broadcast coverage to keep Ess-a-Bagel top-of-mind. Mostly, we provided the company’s executives with sound and reassuring counsel during an unprecedented time.
