GMG Public Relations Receives NYS Women's Business Enterprise Certification on the Eve of 21st Anniversary

Risa Hoag has been at the helm of GMG Public Relations for 20 years. During November of 2011, the month she opened her business twenty years prior, she applied for the NYS Minority and Women's Business Enterprise Certification and received the letter confirming that designation in January.

"Twenty years is an amazing milestone for any business; to receive this certification at this time is an honor," states Hoag who has worked with numerous companies in Rockland, Westchester and around the country over the past two decades and has received multiple awards for her creative work. Before founding her current firm, Hoag ran The Corporate Stork with her mother by her side in 1986. The mother/daughter duo helped to 'bring new businesses into the world' by researching the computer and office equipment and making suggestions for the best products for the best price. "It was a great idea but small businesses generally have little money so we didn't get very far."

Subsequently Hoag pitched the White Plains office of Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young) to hire her to oversee their marketing. "There wasn't a position for marketing, I created it and the managing partner was progressive enough to hire me. We both said we would give it three months and I ended up staying nearly four years," says Hoag.

During her time at Ernst & Young she had colleagues from the mortgage industry, where she worked while pursuing her Bachelors at SUNY College at Purchase, ask for her marketing assistance. After the third request, she figured she could strike out on her own again and she founded Global Marketing Group in November of 1991. In 1996, the company incorporated and became GMG Public Relations.

Hoag has provided public relations and marketing support to many well known companies over the years including IMAX Theatres, the Sidney Kimmel Foundation , Morton's The Steakhouse, The Wartburg Adult Care Community, The Clear View School, Westchester College for Business, Westchester Fund for Women and Girls, Rockland County Builders & Remodelers, Eye Designs of Westchester, VG Airlines and VisitScotland – The Tourist Board for Scotland where she was able to secure a feature story on CBS Sunday Morning with Sean Connery. Most recently she placed one of her clients on The Today Show with a four minute segment.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary milestone, Hoag decided to perform 20 random acts of kindness which are being chronicled on her website at www.gmgpr.com.

Hoag has been active with several not-for-profit organizations including the Westchester Association of Women Business Owners, where she held numerous board positions over a fifteen year period and twice received the organization’s President’s Award. She has also served as Vice President for the WAWBO Education Fund and for the Partnership for a Better Westchester, an organization she helped found in 1997. She is a past Public Relations Chairperson for the Advertising Club of Westchester as well as a past Vice President of the Nanuet Chamber of Commerce and the Tappan Zee International Trade Association. She currently serves on the Orange & Rockland Community Investment Committee, on the board of the Hudson Valley Visiting Pet Program and as the Marketing Chair for Beth Am Temple in Pearl River.

As a teacher certified by the State of New York and a seminar leader, Risa has presented public relations and marketing seminars and workshops to business organizations, and area colleges and high schools. An accomplished business writer and source, Risa has appeared on several radio and television programs and has been quoted and featured in numerous national and local publications. She will be one of the speakers at the Saturday, March 31 MACs 'Celebrate You' Women's Entrepreneur Summit in Eastchester at Lake Isle Country Club.

Founded by Hoag in 1991, GMG Public Relations is the only agency to twice have been awarded the coveted Gannett Best of Show award at the Advertising Club of Westchester beating 650 entries, including several from some of the largest agencies in the area.

GMG Public Relations provides marketing plan development, creative marketing and promotions campaigns, event planning, and placement of feature stories with print and broadcast media, writing of press releases, speeches, corporate brochures, newsletters, video scripts and websites as well as social and new media support. GMG also offers advertising services including media planning and buying, graphic design and Emmy-award winning video services. They work with a variety of industries including B2B, retail, consumer products and services, not-for-profit, education, and real estate.

GMG Public Relations is the only PR agency in the Rockland, Orange, Westchester, Manhattan, Putnam, and Dutchess area to be accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has received an A+ rating. For more information call 845-627-3000, email Risa at risa@gmgpr.com or visit the company's website at www.gmgpr.com.

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