Founder and CEO Josh Sommers an Integral Contributor to the Region’s Economic Development by Helping Secure Approvals for Billions of Dollars of Projects
GOSHEN, N.Y. (April 5, 2022) – Focus Media, a strategic full-service marketing, public relations and advertising agency based in New York’s Hudson Valley, is celebrating its 20th anniversary – two decades of growing businesses, creating jobs and fostering community investment and philanthropy.
Focus Media was founded by Josh Sommers in April 2002. He started his career as a radio broadcaster, but he saw the need for Madison Avenue-quality public relations, marketing and advertising services in the Hudson Valley and Catskills, with aspirations to do international work. Part of that work evolved into a management contract to oversee the day-to-day marketing operations at Monticello Gaming and Raceway for three years, and later remain a consultant for 15 years to its parent company Empire Resorts, which later built Resorts World Catskills. Sommers, his business partner and wife Lisa Sommers, and his company have parlayed that vision into a legacy of service for clients that has resulted in $2 billion in economic investment in the region.
“I am so incredibly proud of our company, but I am even more proud of how we have helped nurture business development and quality of life in the Hudson Valley and Catskills, and serve marketing and public relations clients internationally,” Sommers said. “We are tremendously grateful for all of the trust our valued clients in diverse fields have placed in us over the years, and how we’ve partnered in their successes.”
Sommers’ and Focus Media’s strategies to position economic-development and land-use projects are bold, creative and analytical. Several initiatives have resulted in an important legacy: A forever changed Hudson Valley. For example, Sommers was the public relations strategist and lobbyist who helped secure government and regulatory approvals for some of the largest, most complex, and dynamic projects in the Hudson Valley and Catskills: The construction and opening of a $500 million destination theme park in Goshen, Resorts World Catskills in Sullivan County, and the expansion of Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley.
Focus Media also has served, and continues to serve, numerous other clients in fields such as education, healthcare, manufacturing, heavy industry, construction, real estate, transportation, tourism, and government services. Sommers is particularly proud of his public relations contributions in securing government master-plan approval of the Monticello Motor Club in Sullivan County, a private racetrack and country club that has maximized the economic-development potential of that property.
That type of tailored client service has resulted in Focus Media being honored with national recognition:
- Inc. Magazine named Focus Media to its Fastest Growing Companies list for its expansion during the 2009-2011 recession.
- PR Week, the pre-eminent magazine for the public-relations industry, included Focus Media in its annual rankings, providing Sommers and the company with a national footprint and brand.
- Focus Media has won more than 200 national awards for marketing in healthcare, tourism and economic development.
Sommers generously shares credit for Focus Media’s success with several employees who have chosen to work at Focus Media for numerous years — a rarity in an industry with high turnover. These include Senior Vice President JP McGuirk, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer William Bratton, Assistant Vice President Victor Coreas and Assistant Vice President Kevin Green. He also cited other employees on the Focus Media team who bring decades of career experience to the agency’s clients, including former Poughkeepsie Journal Executive Editor Stuart Shinske and longtime public relations professional Judi Stokes. In addition, he credited additional team members who have selected Focus Media as their employer of choice. “These trusted stalwarts fuel the engine that makes Focus Media go,” Sommers said. “I’m very grateful for their myriad talents, dedication and commitment to our clients.”
Sommers also significantly credited Lisa Sommers as a stabilizing force and business partner who has helped guide Focus Media’s success. “I could not be prouder to operate a family business that offers the professionalism and culture of a Manhattan public-relations firm,” Sommers said, “Lisa’s expertise, vision, counsel and strategic approaches have been absolutely integral to that success.”
Community Service an Ongoing Priority
Sommers remains committed to his local community and has always prioritized service and volunteerism. He is First Vice Chairman of Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp.; Past Chairman of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan; Past Chairman of the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development; and Past Board Member and Officer of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. He and Lisa Sommers have chaired many nonprofit galas, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for persons in need and cancer research.
In 2012, Sommers, at age 36, 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, philanthropy and commitment to the community. He also received the Pillar of the Community Award from Cornerstone Family Healthcare in 2014. Additionally, he was the inaugural winner of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce Champion of the Chamber Award in 2021 and Board of Directors Member of the Year for the Chamber in 2011.
What’s Next
Sommers, 47, believes a much longer road is ahead for him, his team and Focus Media. He credits his success to continuously being nimble, embracing innovation and strategically managing change – while first and foremost understanding and satisfying client needs. “It has been an exhilarating ride,” he said, “but I am enthused about the future. Our clients’ success means the world to me, and the Focus Media team is at the ready 24/7 to assist in any way needed.”
Testimonials About Sommers and Focus Media
Several Focus Media clients from over the years expressed appreciation for Sommers and Focus Media, and offered congratulations on the company’s 20 years of service:
Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus: “I congratulate Focus Media on 20 years of growth and success. Josh Sommers opened Focus in a small office in Sullivan County and, through his hard work, creativity and willpower, he built Focus into a nationally recognized firm. The County’s Tourism Office has worked closely with Focus for many years and benefited from this partnership with Josh’s team. I look forward to collaborating with Focus in the future and watching the County’s flourishing tourism industry continue to grow.”
New York State Senator Michael Martucci: “Josh was one of the first people I met with when planning my candidacy. In addition to his deep knowledge of the district, I needed his firm’s strategic aggressiveness and guidance to ensure we invested resources wisely as we were facing a better financed incumbent. His revelation to launch a TV campaign early in my candidacy – an untraditional approach – proved to be a powerful difference maker leading to my victory.”
Dr. Belinda S. Miles, President, Westchester Community College: “Josh Sommers and his team at Focus Media are consummate strategic communications professionals who have been available and reliable as thought partners on college-community relations. Their insightful advice has been instrumental in refining our strategic messaging while keeping focus on our mission.”
Michael Oates, President and CEO, Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp.: “Focus Media’s impact across the Hudson Valley is clear, but driving up Route 17 in Orange and Sullivan Counties provides stark evidence of the economic transformation – and resurgence – that have taken place. From Westchester to the Upper Hudson Valley, Focus Media is the public relations, marketing and advertising brand people think of first. There’s no doubt that Josh Sommers and his team have energized the business climate, inspired the creation of thousands of jobs, and improved lives.”
Deo Persaud, CEO, Aurochemicals: “Focus Media has been an essential partner in growing our international fragrance and flavors business. The expertise of Josh and the entire team helped us triple our business volume over 10 years, which has given us a firm foothold in international commerce and made us a world leader in our industry.”
David Mistretta, General Manager, Woodbury Common Premium Outlets: “Focus Media served as Woodbury Common’s agency of record and managed public relations related to the center’s recent redevelopment projects. Josh’s strategic approach and deep community relationships were an important asset in securing the necessary approvals by local government and planning agencies. This redevelopment further enhanced Woodbury Common Premium Outlets’ reputation as the best-in-class local, regional and international shopping destination.”
David Campbell, Vice President, LeChase Construction Services: “There is no question that Focus Media has propelled LeChase into a new, rewarding sphere regarding public relations. Focus’ team has provided on-target strategic advice, and expertise and success in having our news placed in regional and trade publications. The public-relations approaches promoting the launch of our Infection Control Risk Assessment training center, for construction crews working in healthcare facilities, is just one example of how Focus has propelled our brand.”
Charlie Degliomini, former Vice President of Government Relations of Resorts World Catskills: “If not for the advocacy and strategic efforts of Josh and Focus Media, Resorts World Catskills – a vibrant part of the Sullivan County’s re-emergence – would not have been built. There is no question that Josh was the linchpin of that monumental effort, which spurred historic economic development, including a groundswell of jobs and ancillary businesses, that has changed the face of the region.”
John Koerner, Executive General Manager of Healey Brothers, one of New York’s largest automotive dealer groups: “Focus Media has led Healey Brothers’ deep success with TV, radio and digital marketing creative, as well as media strategy. This has helped us reach new customers and ensured our best-in-class vehicles and services are top of mind in the region – and deeply trusted. We could have chosen to work with any agency in the United States, but Focus Media’s guidance, depth and versatility have consistently proven to be powerful engines for our continued success.”
Phil Vallone, President, Rolling V Bus Corp., South Fallsburg, N.Y.: “After meeting with Josh Sommers, I was so incredibly impressed that I ripped up a contract with another agency. That decision has directly led to larger successes for Rolling V, and Josh’s timely strategies over so many years have built deep trust with the communities we serve.”
Walden Savings Bank President and CEO Derrik Wynkoop: “For more than 15 years, Walden Savings Bank has been proud to partner with Josh Sommers and Focus Media. Our hometown approach to banking mirrors Josh’s deep commitment to quality of life in our area. His team’s multifaceted expertise, from public relations to marketing to advertising and beyond, have been integral in positioning Walden Savings Bank as a trusted pillar of our community.”
About Focus Media, Inc.
Focus Media, Inc. is an award-winning, full-service public relations and marketing firm specializing in market research, branding, design, collateral development, TV and radio production, media planning and placement. Since launching the company in 2002, President and CEO Josh Sommers has assembled a highly talented team of marketing experts, public relations strategists and acclaimed graphic designers who have made Focus Media a preeminent advertising agency known for its creativity, innovation and cutting-edge marketing strategies. To learn more, visit FocusMediaUSA.com.
