Mark’s 2011 in Review
To quote Sondheim (Follies)...”I got through all of last year....and I’m here”.
I started the year wrapping up loose ends from a benefit performance of The Capitol Steps at Mount Holyoke College as a fund-raiser for The South Hadley Youth Commission. My frequent collaborator, The Mike Thornton Agency and I, were thrilled that the event raised $10,000+ to provide programs and services for the youth of that town.
http://www.mtholyoke.edu/news/stories/5682654/
Although Mike and I chose to not co-produce a Capitol Steps performance in The Pioneer Valley in 2011, we worked together on two other projects: 1) The Capitol Steps 30th Anniversary Tour performances in Cambridge (Boston) over Thanksgiving weekend, and 2) Summer Cabaret/Comedy workshops for older teens and young adults, featuring members of The Capitol Steps, for Creative Cauldron in Northern VA suburbs outside Washington, DC.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/capitol-steps-turn-30/2011/12/28/gIQATJaLNP_story.html
The Capitol Steps’ 30th Anniversary recap: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4zkFDd1tHQ
My client, “The David Pakman Show”, continues to grow in leaps and bounds as a multi-platform political talk show on radio/TV, and the web. The show moved its production studios to Greenfield, MA this summer, and David was a guest speaker at several national media conferences including Talkers Magazine’s New Media Seminar in New York. The David Pakman Show offers an interesting array of topics and guests. www.davidpakman.com
The public TV news magazine Connecting Point featured David in a segment this fall: http://vimeo.com/32220455.
Some other projects of note:
My travel client, Cross-Culture Journeys, was featured in national media when the company owner, Ati Jain, led a group out of Egypt during national uprisings.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suzanne-skees/egypt-exploded-an-america_b_817899.html
I helped colleagues of mine from Wolf Trap, the performing arts center outside Washington, DC celebrate its 40th anniversary with a reunion of people who had worked there in the 1970’s. How awesome to see people I’d first met in my teens.
I developed social media projects for several clients, ghost-wrote press releases and ad copy for some ad agency colleagues’ clients; edited a mystery novel, a play, and several websites and Facebook pages; and I continue to serve Northfield Mount Hermon School as a class secretary and Facebook page administrator for two groups. I also edited resumes and cover letters for out-of-work friends and colleagues.
Personally, it was a year of highs and lows. The highs, besides the Wolf Trap reunion, was seeing the Broadway revival of “Follies” (a show I’d first seen while in college) TWICE. It’s a musical about a reunion, and having just been to one, resonated even more on a personal level. Other great moments: seeing Audra McDonald in “Porgy and Bess” at The American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, with my 92 year old dad along for the show; some other fine theatre performances, and getting the first chance in many years, to really enjoy a summer at the pool.
The low: one of my best friends for over 20 years, WFCR colleague Bob Paquette passed away unexpectedly in May. I helped several local reporters develop obituaries and memorials. One colleague, Scott Coen, developed a TV and print feature, which helped me personally move from grief to a celebration of Bob's life.. .
Scott’s feature:
http://www.masslive.com/mywideworld/index.ssf/2011/06/remembering_wfcrs_bob_paquette_a_trusted_voice_in_the_valley.html
I blogged about it as well: http://mgauerbach.blogspot.com/2011/06/remembering-bob-paquette.html
Some new clients coming on board in 2012, and the world goes round and on and on.
In lieu of cards and gifts this year, I decided to donate that money to a cause that is both important and needy--The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. It operates a 24/7 toll-free phone hotline for at-risk teens. It provides compassion and support.
Maybe you’ve seen some of The Trevor Project’s outreach efforts on the news or in conjunction with the incredible “It Get’s Better” Project. Their information is here. http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
I am most grateful to be associated with some fine clients, great colleagues, and good friends.
I hope that your New Year will bring good health and happiness to you and yours.
Best,
Mark
