Cindy Riccio Communications, a leading independent PR and digital marketing agency in NYC, announced today that it has been selected as AOR for SimplyProtein, a new protein bar acquired by Atkins Nutrionals and Ceramedx, a natural skincare system owned by Earth Science Naturals.
Earlier this year, the agency launched plant-based yogurt, The Coconut Collaborative, the number one European dessert and yogurt brand from the UK in the United States. As CRC grows and creates an expertise in health and wellness, it is also expanding its talent pool.
“Small yet mighty, CRC is continuing to thrive with brands that we are passionate about and focus on a healthier and clean-living lifestyle,” said president and founder Cindy Riccio. “I’m thrilled to announce a team of devoted and talented communications specialists who have a client-first attitude, passion for PR and digital marketing as well as an ongoing desire to learn.”
Dorothy McEntee, Senior Director of Health & Wellness, has over two decades of experience with science-based consumer product experience including skincare, oral-care and dietary supplement industries as her primary areas of expertise. With a proven track record of developing multi-faceted strategic marketing plans and business solutions designed to accelerate awareness and sales, Dorothy’s brand experience includes top tier household names such as Cerave, Dove, Lever 2000, Vaseline Intensive Care, Mentadent, Sensodyne, Crest, Scope, and Colgate. Her medical background and understanding as it relates to working closely with doctors, dermatologists and nutritionists, provides a strong platform to her consumer product communications strategy.
Dorothy’s marketing experience stems from extensive work on both the agency and corporate sides of the table, with JDS Therapeutics, Catalyst-Agency, Sudler & Hennessey, Medicus Intercon, PAR Pharmaceutical, and Taro Pharmaceuticals. Her unique perspective has benefited a roster of companies including: Actavis, Alpharma, Bayer, Block Drug (GlaxoSmithKline), Colgate, King Pharmaceuticals, Merck and P&G, Pfizer, Unilever and Valeant (L’Oréal).
Rachel Newman, Account Supervisor and Director of Media Relations, brings more than eight years of experience in fashion and beauty PR with her most recent position at Fox Greenberg PR working on a variety of skincare, fashion accessory and consumer lifestyle brands including wine and hospitality accounts. At FGPR, Rachel worked closely on accessory and intimates brands including Addition Elle (specifically Ashley Graham’s lingerie line and the general accessories line) and Martin Katz Jewelry. Some of her placements for these clients include Glamour, InStyle and Teen VOGUE.
Prior to FGPR, Rachel worked at Lippe Taylor playing an instrumental role in maximizing media relations and forging strong relationships with consumer magazines and relevant beauty awards in the skincare space for Cetaphil. She also worked on Moroccanoil while at Lippe Taylor and NYFW initiatives and influencer campaigns including #InspiredByWomen with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Rachel started off in communications at GQ Magazine and her first PR position was with luxury retailer, Bergdorf Goodman, where she managed internal communications and social media.
As part of her current role at CRC, Rachel oversees the Echo, SimplyProtein, Ceramedx and bluwinx accounts as well as all media relations in the fashion, skincare and food industries including, DKNY Intimates, Donna Karan Hosiery, Hanes Hosiery, L’eggs and Joules.
Amira Clement, promoted to Senior PR & Influencer Marketing Manager, joined CRC nearly two years ago. Amira has contributed greatly to the agency’s growth and success including press placements for the DKNY Intimates fall campaign featuring actress and model Emily Ratjawoski in People.com, Extra-TV, Popsugar and Elle.com. She has secured product placements in top-tier consumer publications including Glamour, Oprah, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Real Simple and Us Weekly and seeded product to celebrities and influencers securing placements on Robin Roberts at Good Morning America multiple times as well as with Caroline Vazzana and Olivia Jeanette at Coachella and NYFW and Natalie Lim Suarez for Echo’s 95th anniversary event at Bloomingdale’s.
Amira oversees influencer marketing for all CRC clients with specific overall account responsibilities for Hanes Hosiery, L’eggs, DKNY Intimates/DK Hosiery and Joules.
Cristina Tangredi, Junior Account Executive, joined CRC with a passion for public relations and digital marketing. Through previous internships, Cristina gained strong experience in writing, monitoring ad campaigns, developing client case studies and drafting press releases. Most recently, she was an intern with the Hadley Pollet Accessories Company. Cristina’s current client roster at CRC includes various accounts in the fashion, skincare, and food industries: Ceramedx, DKNY Intimates and Donna Karan Hosiery, Hanes Hosiery and L’eggs.
Kelly Tick, Junior Account Executive, is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan where she majored in Communications and minored in Digital Studies. Kelly interned for two summers at Fox Greenberg Public Relations where she supported fashion, lifestyle, and food brands and contributed to Addition Elle, Martin Katz, Row NYC, and City Winery businesses. Kelly was also a social media intern over the past year with Big Brothers Big Sisters where she managed their social media platforms, established influencer partnerships and contributed to their ongoing growth of followers. Her current client roster at CRC includes Echo, SimplyProtein and bluwinx.
Hollis Byram, Junior Account Executive, brings to CRC the experience she gained working at Pure PR in London assisting account teams to coordinate media outreach and press release copy for publications including Vogue U.K. and GQ U.K. Hollis also interned at the French-American Chamber of Commerce and at the Meadows School of the Arts as Content Manager for the Film Department where she wrote blog posts, managed social media and media relations.
CRC has also been named one of the top 20 PR firms in New York City by Expertise.com. Analyzing over 2,000 PR firms serving New York City, Expertise.com hand-picked the best agencies according to reputation, credibility, experience, availability and professionalism.
Expertise.com is an online directory that uses a research and selection process to identify top service professionals in public relations firms. While scoring agencies in an article titled “We Looked at 2,050 PR Firms Serving New York City and Picked the Top 20,” Expertise recognized CRC as a PR firm that focuses on storytelling techniques aimed to drive brand awareness through creative and unique content strategies. Expertise also acknowledged the team of seasoned professionals at CRC, who possess a wide-range of experience in TV, magazines, media buying and digital advertising. Through their understanding of ROI, CRC combines creative solutions with programmatic implementation and strong focus on influencer marketing.