Strategic Communications, LLC Senior Consultant Kelly Gaggin successfully defended her doctoral dissertation to earn her Ph.D. in Mass Communications from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications today! In addition

It has been said that what other people think about you is none of your business. On a personal level, I could not agree more. On a business level, nothing

There is no handbook explaining how to balance marketing, media relations, internal communications and keeping other stakeholders informed during a pandemic. But fortunately – thanks to tools we already have

Business leaders for organizations large and small spend so much time trying to get their message out it can feel like a dream come true when the media approaches you

Buying local supports our local economy and builds community by directly helping our neighbors. According to Syracuse First, if we shift 10% of our budgets to supporting locally owned, independent

Strategic Communications, LLC in Syracuse has taken on its youngest client ever: 14-year-old Fayetteville-Manlius High School freshman and new book author Avery Luttrell.
Luttrell has published her first novel “The

Our routines were disrupted when the world as we know it paused earlier this year, but somehow, we have figured out how to (successfully) traverse a new normal, balancing the

Now more than ever, companies are boosting their internal communications strategies. But without an external communications strategy, the employee relations plan will not be as effective and may in fact

Eight weeks into the COVID19 pandemic, news media continued to be dominated by COVID, but at the same time stories were starting to get redundant. Public relations and communications professionals

When a client was suddenly thrust into protecting the most vulnerable population from COVID19, all of our planned good news stories and announcements were put on hold. But as they

Animal rescue and welfare is a passion for many people, and animal shelters across the country have been hit hard during COVID19. While individual communities rally to support local organizations,

During this time of tremendous change and uncertainty, we are so proud to be working with local organizations that are stepping up altruistically, and that we are able to help

Crystal DeStefano, APR, is not only President and Director of Public Relations at Strategic Communications, LLC – she’s also President of the Board of Directors for Helping Hounds Dog Rescue

The public relations team at Strategic Communications has grown tremendously in recent years. By having team members specialize in different skills based on their strengths, we’ve been able to deliver

Many of us are familiar with the phrase: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” That philosophy can seem really tempting – especially at the end of the year when

Tully Middle School students made their annual visit to Loretto Health & Rehabilitation to bake more than 40 pies that were served at a social for the residents.
Students from

NBT Bank’s Maine Regional Office is now open at its convenient new location on Portland’s waterfront. NBT moved from its previous location in the Pierce Atwood Building on Merrill’s Wharf

Marriott Syracuse Downtown is where Syracuse celebrates the holidays. The former Hotel Syracuse has planned another year of events and activities that provide just the right mix of family, friends,

Organizations spend a lot of money each year to develop their image, brand reputation and messaging for their key audiences.
But there comes a point when leadership wonders if what they are communicating is

NBT Bank opened a new location at the Colony Mill Marketplace in Keene, NH. The Bank moved from its previous branch location at 391 West Street to newly-renovated offices at

As public relations professionals, a lot of what we do involves managing an organization’s reputation.
For the most part, the more media attention your organization receives, the more your stakeholders

Helping Hounds Dog Rescue welcomed Crystal DeStefano, APR and Katrina Crocker to its Board of Directors at the organization’s April board meeting. At the meeting, DeStefano was elected to serve

Senior Consultant Kelly Gaggin, APR has been out and about this spring sharing her expertise in communications with professionals and students alike.
In March, Kelly participated in “Millennials: Changing the

For this #FlashbackFriday, a reminder for some advice we shared several years ago (and continue to preach) about “under-promising” and “over-delivering.”
We all get excited about what we do, and

As a follow-up to Strategic Communications’ series of crisis communications training sessions at the 2019 National Safety & Trainer’s Conference, Crystal DeStefano was interviewed for an in-depth article to further

This month, NBT Bank was rated the #1 bank in New York State, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine on Forbes 2019 World’s Best Banks list. Nationally, NBT came in at

Hey, do you know what time it is?
If you just looked at a clock and were prepared to tell me “It’s 8:30” or “It’s noon” or some other time,

PR Analyst Jack Pflanz has been featured in the new public relations textbook Public Relations in Practice.
Public Relations in Practice “moves beyond the reach of a traditional textbook” by bringing

Public Relations and Crisis Communications are expert services that Strategic Communications, LLC has been providing to the propane industry – and many other industries – for more than a decade.

Strategic Communications Senior Consultant Kelly Gaggin, APR has signed a contract with Rowman & Littlefield to co-author a book along with Regina Luttrell from Syracuse University and Adrienne Wallace from Grand

An open kitchen and expansive three-season patio are just two of the features at the new Craftsman Wood Grille & Tap House restaurant in Fayetteville, NY. Following a multi-million-dollar renovation

At a press conference and groundbreaking today, Loretto announced major renovations and new construction to expand and enhance dementia care at The Nottingham in Jamesville, as well as The Heritage

At an exciting press conference with a dramatic rooftop entrance by helicopter, St. Joseph’s Health announced the official opening of Care Flight, a medical helipad which provides faster and easier

Kelly Gaggin has earned her Accreditation in Public Relations and been named a Senior Consultant for the company. The Accredited in Public Relations (APR) credential is a mark of distinction

Strategic Communications, LLC is officially a WBE-certified business in New York State. The company has been led by Crystal DeStefano, APR since 2014.
As a WBE-certified business, the company is able

After $32 million of investment and just under a year of construction, St. Joseph’s Health will be officially opening a new 45,000 square foot Cardiovascular Care Center that will allow

Our partners – and friends – at The Digital Hyve have been named the 52nd fastest growing company in the U.S. by Inc Magazine! They are also the #20 fastest

100 boys, girls and volunteers from the Syracuse Boys & Girls Club were able to attend and receive a free meal during tonight’s Syracuse Chiefs baseball game thanks to NBT

Three Strategic Communications consultants have been quoted in recent public relations textbooks for their expertise in the industry:
President Crystal DeStefano provided examples of her proven media pitches for various

The Strategic Communications, LLC team helped Syracuse-based Loretto to launch a new brand today. The new brand consists of a new logo, tagline and updated mission statement, which came as the

February is National Heart Month, and St. Joseph’s Health in Syracuse earned national attention for its efforts to help people consider adding a dog to their lives to support better

Elizabeth Greenaway has been named professional advisor to the PR students in the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) at Penn State University. Professional advisors are counselors to the

I don’t know about you, but I still go out to my mailbox each day hoping to find something there besides a stack of catalogs from companies I’ve never heard

UPDATE: Thank you for all of the impressive resumes and proposals that Strategic Communications received. This position has been filled.
 
Strategic Communications, LLC is seeking a freelance / independent

Each member of the Strategic Communications team is deeply connected with various facets of the public relations industry’s leading organization, the Public Relations Society of America.
Crystal DeStefano, APR works

Elizabeth Greenaway joins the Strategic Communications team as a consultant. Based in Northeastern Pennsylvania, she will serve Strategic Communications’ clients in several areas of communications, including strategy development, writing and storytelling,

After serving as an adjunct professor at the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and McMaster University in Ontario for the past ten years, Michael Meath has joined

This year’s Taste of Fame details have been announced. And Crystal DeStefano, APR has been tapped again to co-chair the annual event for WCNY.
The Taste of Fame is the

The first annual Golden Paw Awards were hosted by Helping Hounds Dog Rescue in Syracuse, NY on June 8, 2017. And thanks to a little help from Strategic Communications, the

The details of a 150th Anniversary Campaign for St. Joseph’s Health were announced at a press conference today. With a goal of raising $20 million dollars, this capital campaign is

Safe grilling is back at the forefront of consumer and media conversations for summer in the Northeast. Crystal DeStefano has again been tapped to represent the propane industry in consumer

The annual public relations conference held by the Public Relations Society of America’s Northeast District “PRxNE” (“PR by Northeast”) was a great success.  The event drew hundreds of communications professionals to Corning,

Michael Meath is among four distinguished alumni of Onondaga Community College who have been named 2016 “Alumni Faces” honorees for their professional achievements and contributions to the College and the

Crystal DeStefano co-chaired the 2016 “Taste of Fame” event this weekend, presented by Central New York’s PBS affiliate WCNY. This was the second annual event, which serves as a fundraising

The Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) Leadership Assembly voted today to elect Samantha Villegas, APR, as the new Director of PRSA’s Mid-Atlantic District. In the election, Samantha’s years of experience

The highly anticipated New Year’s Eve party at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown has officially been announced. This is the first New Year’s Eve party at the hotel in more than

After a $76 million dollar restoration and over two years of dust, hardhats and the occasional discovery of hidden architectural gems, the Marriott Syracuse Downtown – formerly the Hotel Syracuse

NBT Bank offers their top five savings strategies to help minimize the impact of back-to-school expenses on the family budget – because parents know that the cost of school supplies,

QuiltWeek, the official traveling show of the American Quilter’s Society, is returning to Syracuse, NY for a second year! According to Visit Syracuse, last year’s QuiltWeek show had an economic

Crystal DeStefano has been talking with news show hosts and reporters at outlets across New York State through a public relations campaign promoting the importance of gas grill safety, including

Kelly Gaggin, Consultant with Strategic Communications, recently completed the Communications Management Master’s program at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, earning her Master of Science in Communications Management.

Ed Riley, the man who has led the restoration of the former Hotel Syracuse, received the Onondaga Historical Association’s OHA Medal Award in recognition for his outstanding and meritorious service to local history,

NBT Bancorp announced on  May 3rd that Daryl R. Forsythe will retire as chairman of the NBT Bank and NBT Bancorp Boards, and on May 4th its new chairman, succession

Anaren Inc.’s progress with its new products in 2016 have been followed with excitement – from first announcements at CES 2016, to the crowd pleasing Dino demo at Embedded World. Now,

February is Heart Month, and it should come as no surprise that this is a big deal at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center in Syracuse, NY. St. Joseph’s is recognized

The Syracuse St Patrick’s Parade will return to the former Hotel Syracuse (soon to be the Marriott Syracuse Downtown) for the Grand Marshal’s dinner Friday, March 11, 2016.
The hotel was a

In just a couple of minutes, everything can change. Often the changes happen to companies and organizations. But these entities can also make change, and make it work for the

After serving as president for the Central New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (2013-2014), and as a liaison to the Northeast District of the association, Crystal

Last night, Crystal DeStefano presented the award for “Community Partner/Advocate of the Year” to Syracuse-based St. Joseph’s Health at the 2015 Excellence in Health Care Awards event.
DeStefano nominated St. Joseph’s

In early October, Michael Meath led a group of 110 executive MBA students from Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management to develop an understanding of the strategic role that public

As Syracuse-based VIP Structures continues to evolve after 40 years in business, Katherine Hoeft has been leading VIP Architecture (VIP Architectural Associates, PLLC) for just over two years now.
Most

Whether tailgating with your portable grill or enjoying the game in the comfort of your home, propane appliances like grills, furnaces, space heaters and propane fireplaces should always be used

Auburn, NY’s daily newspaper, The Auburn Citizen, has launched a monthly column contributed by Auburn Community Hospital to inform the community about what’s happening at Auburn Community Hospital. Topics of interest and of

WCNY welcomed Crystal DeStefano to its Board of Trustees this month. The Board of Trustees of the Public Broadcasting Council of Central New York Inc. represents WCNY’s listeners and viewers, as well

When the American Quilter’s Society, the largest quilting membership organization in the world, debuted AQS QuiltWeek in Syracuse from July 29 to August 1, the announcement – and then the show

As the official spokesperson for the New York Propane Gas Association, Crystal DeStefano helps consumers keep grilling season safe with a statewide media outreach effort. Some key safety tips include:
Ventilation

As Crystal DeStefano marks the one-year anniversary as new owner of Strategic Communications, LLC, there is plenty to celebrate. Following more than ten years of strong business growth and continued

At a press conference today, Hotel Syracuse Owner Ed Riley announced the Hotel Syracuse property will now become part of Marriott International’s flagship Marriott Hotels brand. Marriott will work closely with

Selected by the College’s Office of Alumni Relations and the Career and Applied Learning Center, Crystal DeStefano led a LinkedIn workshop at Onondaga Community College to help students build and enhance

The propane industry has again tapped the expertise of Strategic Communications, LLC. In an interview with LP Gas magazine, Crystal DeStefano shared key steps for propane companies across the country

Advice from NBT Bank President of Retail Banking David E. Raven was published by several major newspapers in New York and Pennsylvania during America Saves Week (February 23-28, 2015).
The

St. Joseph’s celebrated its achievement of a vision started nearly 10 years ago—to implement the largest green healthcare project in Upstate NY.
At a press conference held at St. Joseph’s,

As President of the Central New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, Crystal DeStefano developed and lead an invite-only, closed-door roundtable of senior practitioners to discuss the

A History and Cookbook from The Sherwood Inn will be released on November 23, 2014. The book, co-authored by the Sherwood’s owner Bill Eberhardt, takes a look back at the

Strategic Communications, LLC was one of several organizations recognized as a 2014 Economic Champion in Central New York.
Each year, CenterState CEO recognizes local businesses as Economic Champions for their

Crystal (Smith) DeStefano has been named to the 40 Under Forty class of 2014 by Bizeventz, a company in the Business Journal News Network.
This awards program recognizes young professionals in

The New York Propane Gas Association has been offering scholarships to colleges across the state since 2010, and has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars helping students in fire science

Strategic Communications, LLC’s “Strategic Minute” continues to be featured in the Central New York Business Journal. This guest column features topics ranging from internal communications to managing the news media,

Michael Meath, senior consultant at Strategic Communications and adjunct professor for the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, has been tapped for a new program at Syracuse University.
New

Crystal (Smith) DeStefano, APR, will lead a group discussion of current and potential candidates from Central New York for the Accreditation in Public Relations at this year’s Public Relations Society

Crystal (Smith) DeStefano, class of ’04, is featured in the latest edition of Onondaga Community College’s alumni publication. In this interview, DeStefano shares the story of her time at Onondaga,

The Destiny USA Dine-Out will be held from Friday, August 1 through Saturday, August 9, as part of Destiny USA’s two-year re-branding anniversary. The re-branding of the facility from Carousel

Many local organizations have been turning to the Central New York Community Foundation’s Strategic Partnership Fund. And for good reason.
As of this year, local organization mergers, affiliations or collaborations

Strategic Communications, LLC’s government relations and strategic planning practices are now operating as P.R. Quinlan.
Frank Caliva III – Strategic Communications, LLC’s Director of Public Affairs & Strategy Development –

Following more than ten years of strong business growth and continued financial success, Syracuse-based Strategic Communications, LLC is selling the majority of its assets to two current employees of the

Crystal (Smith) DeStefano – the company’s former Director of Integrated Media for Public Relations – has acquired SCLLC’s public relations practice, which will remain based in Syracuse, NY. This includes Media,

Approximately 100 kids participate in Summer Camp each week at Manlius Pebble Hill School. Children can even get a leg up in preparing for their courses this fall, while enjoying

Continually seeking guests’ feedback on the recently expanded destination offerings at Destiny USA, the facility has launched the Summer Day Pass in response to customer requests to be able to

On a test of five basic financial literacy questions, the national average was only 2.88 correct answers, according to the 2013 Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) State-by-State Financial Capability Survey. 

With decades of experience in the energy sector, the Strategic Communications team is helping the propane industry to increase awareness of another Industry Responders Conference for safety training. This two-day

Strategic Communications, LLC is often sought-after for its crisis communications and media training expertise. Last week, Michael Meath delivered a Fast-Track presentation called “Do’s & Don’ts of Incident Management” on

The Public Relations Student Society of America (www.prssa.org) at the State University of New York at Oswego hosts a panel of professionals each year to help give students a very

This month and year-round, the Strategic Communications team helps NBT Bank to increase awareness of financial literacy tips and programs available throughout the Bank’s five-state footprint. NBT Bank is a

In a recent news release, the American Coalition of Competitive Energy Suppliers (ACCES) explained why energy bills have seen an increase in price and what can be done to manage

The national financial education movement America Saves Week will be celebrated February 24 – March 1, 2014. As a registered local participant, NBT Bank is educating individuals on the importance

Destiny USA will formally celebrate its two year LEED anniversary, achieved on February 6, 2012, this month, showcasing its nearly 50 tenants who have achieved LEED certification. On February 27,

Centerstate CEO (the twelve-county business leadership and economic development organization based in Syracuse, NY) has engaged Strategic Communications, LLC for its first Training and Education Series program of 2014.
Michael

Crystal (Smith) DeStefano often presents to classes and groups of junior and senior college students about how they can use social media to best position themselves to apply for professional

Michael Meath founded Strategic Communications, LLC in January of 2004 as a public relations, government relations, crisis communications and strategic planning consulting business.
Now, 10 years later, the company has grown

Crystal (Smith) DeStefano, APR will begin a second term as president of the Central New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. During her first term as President

The Strategic Minute podcast series will now be presented on the WRVO-FM, a National Public Radio affiliate located in Upstate New York. Through a special underwriting agreement, Strategic Communications, LLC

Destiny USA in Syracuse, NY sees thousands of shoppers between the evening of Thanksgiving, through the early hours of Black Friday and well into the rest of that day. Visitors

During the week of November 12-18, 2013, the Central New York Community Foundation joins more than 750 community foundations across America for the 14th Annual Community Foundation Week to celebrate

Crystal (Smith) DeStefano, APR, hosted the 2013 PRSA Northeast District Conference in Syracuse, NY on Thursday, November 7, 2013 – the first time this Conference has ever been held in

In a guest blog post for the Syracuse University chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, Crystal (Smith) DeStefano, APR, provided three rules to guide public relations students

Every month, the Strategic Communications, LLC team writes and records one or two podcasts titled The Strategic Minute, which you can find under the podcast tab of this website. You

Onondaga Community College hosted its annual Celebration of Success breakfast this morning at the SRC Arena and Events Center. College President Dr. Casey Crabill and SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher

In addition to serving as Strategic Communications, LLC’s director of integrated media for public relations, Crystal (Smith) DeStefano, APR, also serves as the president for the Central New York Chapter

Crystal (Smith) DeStefano, APR, was featured in the latest installment of the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) discussion on PR Daily. In the article, “Should PR pros get accredited?” published

As the 2013-2014 incoming president of the Central New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA-CNY), Crystal (Smith) DeStefano has lead the effort for a revised format

Work Reimagined is an AARP initiative powered by LinkedIn, “dedicated to helping experienced professionals connect to more satisfying careers.” For the November issue, writer Elaine Pofeldt featured Michael Meath and

Crystal Smith has earned the prestigious Accredited in Public Relations (APR) credential from the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB). Smith is the youngest Accredited Public Relations professional in Central New York.

SCLLC has experienced significant success with clients throughout the United States and has now opened an office in Washington, DC to support recent growth and increased demand in the capital