Success Stories

Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club

This corporate club, home to titans of industry dating back to the 60s, had experienced a dramatic loss of membership due to a poor economic climate and cutbacks in corporate perks and entertainment budgets. They needed a new direction.

We worked closely with the Trustees and senior club management to develop a strategy to reinvent the club as a hybrid corporate and family club. The plan included new amenities and facilities upgrades, a renewed commitment to premiere entertainment unlike any other club, and upgrades to senior staff. The Trustees delivered on a major financial commitment.

We led the planning effort and delivered a marketing campaign like no other. New brand positioning was created. Advertising was on message, a new website was developed, and new internal communications were created. We even brought in top tier entertainment unprecedented in the world of country clubs setting a new bar for others to compete with. Acts included the original Broadway cast of Jersey Boys (Midtown Men), rockers Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, and numerous tribute bands.

While most other clubs were experiencing drastic reductions in membership, our client grew its membership by over 600 members. Their future as the “NEW” Fiddler’s is brighter than ever.

Today we utilize a very successful and unique social and digital media program that delivers a highly targeted prospective member pipeline that to fill the positions of members that leave the club.

Madison Square Garden

MSG was Hugh’s first client. We handled brand development for the World’s Most Famous Arena, and tune in advertising and support for sponsorship and affiliate sales for MSG Network. We drove attendance and filled seats for MSG Entertainment’s live events in the arena. We did the same for the New York Rangers hockey franchise and the New York Knicks basketball franchise. When the WNBA launched we handled the advertising for the New York Liberty helping to introduce women’s professional basketball to the mecca of the sport.

New York Yankees

Our success with MSG Network led us to be hired by Mr. George Steinbrenner to promote ticket sales for the world’s most storied franchise. Our job included the marketing of individual and group ticket sales. Our campaigns were visible on television, radio, print and billboards throughout the New York metropolitan area. And our clients got to attend the World Series. Not a bad perk!

New Jersey Center for Prostate Cancer and Urology

Originally named Urology Associates of Bergen & Essex, these fine pioneers of robotic prostatectomy were not only pioneers of this surgical procedure, they also wrote the book on the subject and were teaching/training their future competition to perform it as well.

We immediately changed their name to New Jersey Center for Prostate Cancer & Urology, a name more fitting of their stature as the state’s leading robotic surgeons. We developed their first-ever advertising campaign utilizing WFAN radio and WABC radio to specifically target men of a certain age. Following a promotional event (that we managed) celebrating their 3000th successful life saving procedure, we utilized patient testimonials to attract similarly situated patients that wanted a less invasive approach with a 100% success rate.
We successfully raised their profile, established them as the leaders that their peers already recognized them as, and increased their patient stream by more than double.

When NJCPCU sought to develop a new revenue stream via treatment for BPH, we developed a campaign themed “Can’t Pee?” with thought provoking teaser billboards and radio spots utilizing personalities Geraldo Rivera and Don Imus.
The phones are still ringing….

Nobody Beats the Wiz

Nobody Beats The Wiz, a chain of 45 music, video and electronics stores, engaged us to help them sell more CDs and Videos. We wondered why anyone would choose them over any one of a number of options that offered parity products and similar pricing. We decided to make it cool to shop at The Wiz.

We brought in Little Steven Van Zandt, the respected musician, producer, actor and activist to partner with us in creating Little Steven’s Underground Garage Rock section in each store, and Little Steven’s Cavestomp concert series sponsored by The Wiz. Steven was and is on a crusade to save rock n’ roll and The Wiz became his ally.

We brought in television and radio personality, and MTV VJ Matt Pinfield to act as the “Music Wiz” on behalf of the brand. We developed two promotional searches for the “World’s Biggest Music Fan” and Little Steven’s Underground Garage Rock Band search. For advertising we engaged actor Vincent Pastore (best known at the time as Big Pussy on Sopranos) for a series of TV spots playing against type as an effete boutique owner, a big store clerk and degenerate thief. Traffic dramatically increased and sales improved by nearly 30% in a market where competition was closing and online sales would one-day rule. It was a great success.

We even co-produced an album with Little Steven!

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

You know them now but you didn’t before we got involved. When we were first engaged, we launched the first RCSH in Manhattan that quickly grew to and remains to this day the largest revenue generator in the franchise. We quite simply put this restaurant on the map. The product was and is amazing but we needed to drive traffic and that’s just what we did. From market to market we attacked each with a customized plan and strategy that worked. By the time the company sold, following the death of its founder, there were 85 locations and counting.

Shackamaxon Country Club

This prestigious member owned club had hit hard times and was sold to new owners who engaged us to rebuild their membership ranks that had dwindled to less than 100. We developed a rebranding campaign and a strategy to transition the club from a club made up of one faith based community to a diverse club that now welcomes all.

Our efforts helped reinvent the club that today boasts a “full” membership and is a thriving oasis for its membership.

Forsgate Country Club

We were tasked with driving prospective members to the club. And we did that in droves. One tactic was to negotiate the first ever endorsement deal with a touring pro-Ryder Cup legend Colin Montgomerie. Mr. Montgomerie won two majors while sporting the FCC logo on his hat. He also made appearances at the club offering clinics to the members and playing in exhibition matches. Talk about a unique selling proposition-only one New Jersey club could claim a major champion and Ryder Cup captain as its touring ambassador.

Fundraising Events

We conceived and produced many events that have raised thousands of dollars for charities such as Ronald McDonald House, Autism Speaks, David Feherty’s Troops First, Special Olympics-NJ, Make-a-Wish Foundation and New Jersey Golf Foundation just to name a few.

We develop the concepts, and identify and secure the sponsors. We then produce and promote the event which have included:

The Battle of the Sexes: LPGA Star Paula Creamer vs. Champions Tour Player Gary McCord hosted by David Feherty

NJPGA Tour Pro Challenge featuring Natalie Gulbis & Frank Esposito

Mixed Stix

A Concert for Hope featuring Jill Sobule

Prevent Child Abuse Dinners featuring The Platters, Greg Schiano and RU Marching Band, Strawberry Fields, Senator Cory Booker

Wills Laser Vision of Princeton (Princeton Eye Group)

We are very proud to be associated with “Best in Class” clients and Princeton Eye Group is a great example. This long time client is a fixture in Central Jersey thanks to the talents of their doctor/surgeons. Our team functions as their marketing department utilizing all of our tools in our toolbox-television, social & digital advertising, print, outdoor, direct mail, public relations and more. Our primary goal is to educate the public on the benefits of LASIK and why our doctors should be their choice for this life changing procedure. We also “focus” on the treatment of cataracts. We have worked with these extraordinary medical professionals for more than a decade—a decade of tremendous growth and dominant market share.