Jeff accepts the ULGH Community Business Award from NBC Connecticut news anchor, Keisha Grant.

On September 16, Dornenburg Group was presented with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra’s Outstanding Business Partner of the Year Award. “This award is recognition of the company’s role in turning around sales results, and its commitment to the mission of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra,” commented Kristen Phillips, HSO Executive Director.

And on November 5, Dornenburg Group received the 2009 Community Business Award from the Urban League of Greater Hartford at its annual Equal Opportunity Dinner. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal recognized the agency for its “dedication and commitment to achieve educational, occupational and economic equality.”

Dornenburg Group recently completed another phase of the centennial anniversary campaign for Saint Mary’s Hospital. The Community Benefit Report for fiscal year 2008 was created in a multi-media format including a brochure, newspaper advertising, and custom website with video interviews featuring several members of the hospital’s medical and administrative team. “As we begin our second century of caring, our commitment to providing accessible healthcare for all residents of Waterbury – especially those in greatest need – remains strong,” states Chad Wable, President and Chief Executive Officer of Saint Mary’s. “For us, it’s never enough to be ‘in’ the community.  We are ‘of’ the community – part of the fabric.”

Listen to 'No Charge' Radio Spot Listen to 'Making Loans' Radio Spot

For the first time in its history, NewAlliance Bank launched a major marketing campaign aimed at business customers this past summer. It was designed to attract small- to medium-sized businesses searching for a bank that will address their needs in today’s uncertain economic climate.  The coordinated effort created by Dornenburg Group spans a variety of media, including ads in regional business publications and community newspapers, targeted direct mail, radio spots, billboards, branch collateral and merchandising, website content, news features authored by key NAB personnel, and special event sponsorships such as the Pilot Pen tennis tournament, the Hartford Business Journal’s annual Book of Lists, and Business New Haven’s Rising Star awards. “Our goal is to introduce the key business bankers in our organization and help businesses understand how accessible and knowledgeable they are,” said Joseph Tartaglia, First Vice President, Business Banking. “We hope to provide answers to today’s business customers who are seeking solutions.”    

Dornenburg Group recently launched two new websites for clients looking to use high tech to create high touch with their constituents. The idea for the new Simsbury Main Street Partnership site is to generate word-of-mouth advertising for merchants promoting the site to local residents and visitors – and vice versa. Countertop signage placed in local businesses promotes the site, which includes a community calendar and various features such as retail special offers, recipes from restaurants and a local heritage section. 

Likewise, when the Hartford Symphony Orchestra launched its search for a new music director to take the baton in the 2011, it wanted a way for the public to chime in on the decision-making process. Dornenburg Group created a blog site especially for the search, which is also accessible from the HSO’s new main site. It contains biographical information on each candidate, their written responses and video interviews answering a uniform series of questions, and blog postings to gather audience feedback as each candidate makes a guest conducting appearance with HSO over the next two seasons. 

Working in West Hartford continues to have its benefits. We have two new clients located in town – Playhouse on Park recently reopened and renamed by its new producers, Playhouse Theatre Group, Inc. – and Companions for Living which specializes in companion, homemaker, personal care and lifestyle coaching for its elderly and disabled clients.

Tod Kallenbach was also named to the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce marketing committee. Jeff Dornenburg recently helped Watkinson School in Hartford, where he serves on the board of directors, to celebrate the ribbon cutting for its Center for Science and Global Citizenship – an energy-neutral and sustainable building.