RECENT MMG NEWS

MMG Links Print Products with New Media
Frederick, MD 1/19/2010

"Call me old-fashioned," says MMG's president and creative director Joanne McCoy, "but I feel strongly that print products remain an important part of any company's overall marketing plan. In my opinion, the best promotional strategy for a business is linking the more traditional elements of its plan (newsletters, ads and sales sheets) with the newer applications (Web-based, YouTube, Facebook) so the two work hand-in-glove.

Among a variety of other products and services, McCoy's company, The McCoy Media Group, Inc, writes, designs, prints and distributes 4-16 page newsletters for clients ranging from the area's largest healthcare provider to an array of not-for-profit entities. According to McCoy, MMG's video department simultaneously works with each newsletter's editorial staff and the client to amplify the printed publication's articles and features, which are then included on the organization's Web site or You Tube Channel.

"The newsletters drive readers who want more information on a certain topic to the Web, without devoting too much ink to any one thing," says McCoy. "This allows our editors to include the widest variety of subjects in any given publication, without giving short shrift to any of them. We simply guide readers of a certain article to the business or organization's Web site, YouTube channel or Facebook page for additional photos, more in-depth, taped interviews and facility tours."

"I never like 'either/or' choices," concludes McCoy. "Creating a way for two different elements to bring out the best in each other is the happiest ending."

McCoy Reorganizes Media Company
Frederick, MD 3/23/09

The McCoy Media Group, Inc. announced recently that founder and president, Joanne R. McCoy, has regained 100% ownership of the firm.  According to McCoy, the revision in stock ownership was the perfect time to streamline the firm’s operation in favor of a more efficient business model.

“Holding price points in an economy like this one is critical,” said McCoy. “One of the best ways to do that is to reduce overhead. Our business manager helped me take a close look at our Balance Sheet, and the conclusions we drew led to some very definite and quick action.”

After years of having a large office space, sophisticated infrastructure and a full staff, said McCoy, she took an aggressive look at exactly what the company needed to function well.

“None of it was easy,” said McCoy, “but if business was easy, a lot more people would be doing it. Making these kinds of choices is what I signed up for when I took out my first business license in 2002.”

“Downsizing prior to extreme financial hardship is often a very forward thinking move,” said local CPA Linscott Hall, CPA. “It makes a lot of sense to cut away the fat in a lean and mean economy. That type of common sense is often the margin between barely hanging on and doing well.”

MMG To Produce FMH Annual Service Awards Recognition Video
Frederick, MD 07/27/08

For the fourth year in a row, the area’s largest healthcare provider has selected the McCoy Media Group to produce its annual Service Award Recognition presentation.

As one of the largest private employers in the County, Frederick Memorial Healthcare System takes their employee recruitment and retention seriously. Every year, their Human Resources Department recognizes people with 5 to 50 years of services in five-year increments. Special attention is given to those who have achieved 25+ years of service; those individuals are inducted into The Quarter Century Club, and recognized annually.

Although each year features a different theme, the video always “stars” the Service Award honorees themselves. Using a combination of still photography combined with ChromaKey video technology, MMG creates a one-of-a-kind presentation that is unique to each event.

Healthcare Operation Turns to MMG for Crisis Management
Frederick, MD 06/23.08

When an ambulatory surgery center needed to be evacuated after a chemical spill at an adjoining office, media coverage caused a crisis in patient and physician confidence. The center’s owners and board of directors retained MMG to come up with a plan of action to keep the facts of the situation in front of the public. Clear reporting of the facts—primarily that the center had been affected by circumstances beyond its control, and that there was nothing present in the center itself that presented any threat to the public health—helped return the facility to full functioning in short order.

MMG Named A 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year
Frederick, MD 06/18/08 

The McCoy Media Group was recently named 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year in the Small Established Business Category by the Entrepreneur Council of Frederick County. Awards were presented for both emerging (1-5 years) and established (5+ years) businesses. The Council also honored select individuals for business longevity (20+ years) and community participation with a Master Entrepreneur Award.

According to Council President Michelle Leveque, “These awards honor Frederick County residents or owners of Frederick County companies whose ingenuity, hard work and perseverance have created and sustained viable business ventures that contribute to the economic well being of our community.”

Accepting the award on behalf of The McCoy Media Group, co-owner and President Joanne McCoy said the firm’s success is the result of every person who has ever worked there in any capacity. “Every writer, every intern, every designer, every videographer has brought something unique and enduring to the MMG table,” she said, “and we are all more insightful, creative professionals because of it.”

In closing, she added, “Having your own business is not for the faint of heart. You need to realize that you’re signing up for a lifestyle, not a job. But in the end, if you love what you do and are passionate about more than the financial benefits, every minute will have been worth it.”

The Chef's Outlet Signs On with MMG for New Commercial
Frederick, MD 04/01/08

Formerly Frederick Produce, Food Pro recently launched a division for private customers called The Chef’s Outlet. In addition to stocking restaurant quality foods, The Chef’s Outlet is managed by an experience banquet chef who helps customers with menu ideas, and event planning.
The Chef’s Outlet turned to MMG to produce a commercial and some TV segments to help educate Frederick consumers about this unique business. MMG produced video materials that focused on both the array of restaurant-quality foods and the expertise available at The Chef’s Outlet for customers planning parties, fundraising dinners, and concessions.

Keeney & Basford Funeral Home, P.A. Added to MMG's Client List
Frederick, MD 03/10/08

Known citywide for their compassionate commitment to all the families they serve, Keeney & Basford Funeral Home, P.A. have helped thousands of families plan and carry out celebrations of the lives of their loved ones with the attention to detail they expect. Because the owners have made a strategic decision to have only one location, they have turned to MMG to help explain the advantages of this decision to the community. In addition, the owners wish to convey that they are “families caring for other families at their times of need.” Thus, the Family Matters campaign was born.

Family Matters is a multi-media campaign that includes educational television segments and discreet commercials. These video products will be uploaded to the Keeney Basford Web site to allow visitors to browse at their convenience. Also planned for the Web site are brief tours of the parlors, chapel, grounds and other areas of interest within the historic facility.

“Whether at-need or pre-need, people need frank, honest talk about funeral arrangements, and they seem to appreciate the way we’re going about it.  “I’m more than pleased with McCoy Media. They are an outstanding media partner for us.”

MMG Teams with Frederick Keys for 08-09 Season!
Frederick,MD 02/12/08

The Frederick Keys have selected the McCoy Media Group as their digital media production partner for the 2008-09 season. MMG will be providing several key media products to the local Single A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, including a pre-game video, a Meet the Team series and a commercial to hit the airwaves later this spring.

The current 2007 Carolina League champion Keys are celebrating their 20th year in Frederick in 2008.

Jean Peterson Design Selects MMG for FMH CyberKnife Campaign.
Frederick, MD 01/22/08

The CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System is a non-invasive alternative to surgery for the treatment of tumors anywhere in the body. The treatment--which delivers high doses of radiation to tumors with extreme accuracy--offers new hope to patients who have inoperable or surgically complex tumors, or who may be looking for an alternative to surgery.

After Frederick Memorial Hospital acquired the CyberKnife System, they hired Jean Peterson Design to coordinate a promotional campaign that would educate the community regarding this exciting new treatment, and bring patients to the program.

JPD realized the importance of video to their goals, and hired MMG to shoot, direct and edit a :30 commercial, and a 15-minute educational video.By artfully combining recorded footage of Dr. Paul Chomiak, Thoracic Surgeon and Medical Director of the FMH CyberKnife program, with stock footage and animation supplied by the manufacturer, MMG produced a locally-focused commercial and educational video at a very affordable cost.