Focus Media Celebrates 20th Anniversary in the Hudson Valley

Focus Media, a strategic marketing, public relations and advertising agency based in the 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 as a radio broadcaster, but saw the need for Madison Avenue-quality public relations, marketing and advertising services in the Hudson Valley and Catskills. Part of his work evolved into overseeing the day-to-day marketing operations at Monticello Gaming and Raceway for three years, and later as 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 parlayed their 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,” 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 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 continues to serve numerous clients in fields such as education, healthcare, manufacturing, heavy industry, construction, real estate, transportation, tourism, and government services.

Focus Media has received national recognition for their work, including:

· Inc. Magazine named Focus Media to its Fastest Growing Companies list for its expansion during the 2009-2011 recession.

· PR Week, included Focus Media in its annual rankings.

· Focus Media has won more than 200 national awards for marketing in healthcare, tourism and economic development.

Sommers 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.

Sommers also 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 the 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.

Sommers 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. Additionally, he was the inaugural winner of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce Champion of the Chamber Award in 2021.

Sommers 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.”