Focus on Focus Media

Dear Nieces and Nephews, Our Orange County government saga continues! Apparently Dain Pascocello's workload as the county media spokesperson was becoming too heavy for poor Dain. Perhaps that is why the Orange County Exec "Stevie Thunder" Neuhaus hired Focus Media to the tune of $180k per year. (Dain decided to return to Dutchess County.) Maybe Focus will hire him.

 Wow, does this mean Josh and his team at Focus are on retainer? Is this a first? A County Government that spends so much on media folk? with a deficit looming large? Or did Stevie fix that?

Why don’t we take a cursory glance at Focus Media?

http://www.focusmediausa.com/leadership/

Josh Sommers President and Chief Executive Officer

  

He received the same smile implants as Stevie Thunder and Karl Brabenec, remember? http://orangecountyoutlook.blogspot.com/2014/11/separated-at-birth.html

Josh Sommers, a former veteran radio broadcaster, newspaper columnist and casino marketing executive, founded Focus Media, Inc

Just like someone mentioned later in this post (K.D.) the only references to his radio broadcasting career seem to be his references.

"In 2012, Sommers received the Walter A. Rhulen Award from the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development, the organization’s highest honor, for his leadership in economic development and commitment to the community."

Sounds nice, doesn’t it? But how difficult was that when: 

"Sommers is the Immediate Past Chairman of the Board of the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development"

(FYI Did you know that your Auntie Alibi won “The Best Blogger of the Year, 2014” awarded by the Auntie Alibi School of Self-Promotion? Accolades abound!)

Tony Morino Executive Vice President 

Tony Morino, the former OC legislator?

No, not that Tony Morino.

That Tony Morino is a statesman. This Tony is a big time broadcaster for a NYC radio station WABC.

"Prior to joining Focus Media, Morino had an esteemed career in television and radio broadcasting, including working at Time Warner Cable to expand local programming. He currently broadcasts for WABC New York radio".

But it seems they have not heard of him. 

  

"…at Time Warner Cable to expand local programming…" Does that mean he was a Sales Rep? Nothing wrong with that, but don’t try to make it something else to puff up your resume.

Bill Bratton Chief Financial Officer

Wow, the NYC Police Commissioner? What a catch! We did not know he was a financial guy?

No, not that Bill Bratton. 

This one is an IT guy and former IBM’er which made us wonder why he is the CFO. He did receive a BS degree in accounting, so that must be it.

JP McGuirk Vice President 

The former Justice in Orange County? He would know a great deal about people from his observations on the bench.

No, not that McGuirk

This one was based in NJ: Prior to joining Focus Media, McGuirk was the Director of Marketing for North East Dental Management (NEDM) in Paramus, N.J.

Maybe he knows the Hoboken film festival creator who ran for State Senate in NJ but was defeated in a primary, what was his name? Oh yes!

Kenny Delvecchio! "K.D" (look at that smile...)

Or maybe, McGuirk  knows the Billy Big Bucks of the Smiling Americas Heroes Dental plan, William Deprospo!!!, who is married to the judicial hanger on, Catherine Bartlett.

 

Did Josh do this on purpose? Did he hire these people for name recognition? And those dazzling smiles? Is this an example of his marketing prowess?

Sure glad Orange County is in such  honest, capable hands.