GOSHEN, N.Y. (Dec. 8, 2021) – Communications professional Judi Stokes has joined Focus Media – a prominent and award-winning, full-service public relations and marketing firm – as a communications strategist for special projects. She brings to the role more than three decades of marketing, public relations and journalism experience in healthcare, higher education, the utility industry and media and government relations.
Stokes will collaborate on a range of Focus Media client initiatives to develop internal and external messaging, create high-impact marketing campaigns, enhance media relations, increase community engagement and produce content for publications, presentations, websites, social media and video.
Stokes worked for 10 years as Director of Communications and Public Relations at Dutchess Community College (DCC) in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where she was a member of the executive leadership team, drafted critical messaging and served as the institution’s spokesperson. Under her leadership, the DCC marketing, communications and public relations department earned several awards for excellence from the State University of New York Council on University Advancement and the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations, for print, digital and video materials that advanced a range of college initiatives.
Prior to DCC, Stokes was Director of Communications, Marketing and Media Relations at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in Orange County, N.Y. She led marketing and communications initiatives for two hospital campuses, 11 offsite facilities, four joint business ventures and a range of service lines, in addition to serving on the crisis management team.
Earlier in her career, Stokes was a writer/editor in the communications office at Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. and a writer/editor/columnist at the Poughkeepsie Journal. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
“Judi’s experience across sectors, and her attention to both the big picture and the smallest detail, align with our firm’s commitment to excellence,” said Focus Media President and CEO, Josh Sommers. “Her skills complement those of the Focus team and will enhance our efforts to help current and future clients achieve their strategic goals.”
About Focus Media
Focus Media 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 that have made Focus Media a pre-eminent advertising agency known for its creativity, innovation and cutting-edge marketing strategies. For more information, visit focusmediausa.com.
