Media Relations Agency has announced an executive transition plan, effective immediately, with Partner and Vice President of Media Production Heather Champine promoted to Chief Operating Officer, and Managing Editor Robin Miller promoted to Editor in Chief.
The Kocinas are stepping back and turning over the day-to-day reins to the next generation of leaders. CEO Lonny Kocina will focus more of his energies teaching the Strategically Aimed Marketing principles outlined in his best-selling book, “The CEO’s Guide to Marketing.” Robin Kocina will now focus more on long-term strategy and new product development. In addition to their successful marketing agency, the Kocinas have built a decades-long legacy of community service and corporate philanthropy, which they intend to continue.
“After 30 years, it is time to pass on the privilege of leading the day-to-day operations of this wonderful agency and serving the needs of our global clientele,” said Robin Kocina. “Lonny and I have the privilege of working with the very best people. We’ve worked hard to ensure we have the right people on the bus, and in the right seats. We now look forward to some of these individuals, who have been with us long-term, taking the lead.”
She adds, “It takes great people to manage and grow an organization. Media Relations is performance based. We are flourishing because we empower our staff to be their best in all circumstances. We are blessed to have a talented, long-tenured staff. They thrive in the culture we’ve built. Our longevity and respected position as an international marketing agency stem from our strong, genuine engagement with our clients and with one another. I feel confident that our customers will be taken care of, and that these leaders will continue to grow our company.”
Key leadership changes
Replacing Robin Kocina as COO is Media Relations executive, Partner Heather Champine who has been a key leader within Media Relations Agency. Managing Editor Robin Miller has been named to the newly created position of Editor in Chief. Partner Mike Danielson has been named to President of the agency’s highly regarded Health & Nutrition Division. Customer Service Manager Heather Aarre has been promoted to Account Manager, and Office Manager Becky Quesnel has moved up to the Customer Service Manager position.
Shaping the future of marketing integration
The new leadership members are seasoned marketing professionals with 20-plus years of experience, well prepared to take the reins. Champine joined Media Relations in 1997 and has played an integral role in building the agency. “Media Relations is fortunate to have Heather Champine promoted into this position, which tees us up for further growth,” says Robin Kocina. “Her depth of knowledge about our agency and culture, combined with her long history of working side-by-side with our clients and the media with incredible results, give me utmost confidence in her abilities to strategically lead this agency to new heights.”
Miller, an IABC- and Mercury-award winner, has been the cornerstone of the agency’s writing division for more than 15 years. “Robin Miller is a rock star for Media Relations and we wouldn’t be where we are today without her,” Kocina remarks. “Under her leadership, the writing team has grown not only in numbers but also in abilities, including the development of a social media division. Robin and her team have written blogs, press releases, ads, marketing letters, scripts and much more for more than 70 different industries.”
Danielson’s promotion reflects the agency’s ongoing commitment to serving the marketing needs of the multi-billion-dollar health and nutrition industries. “Mike is a proven and trusted marketing mentor with impressive instincts,” says Media Relations CEO Lonny Kocina. “He’s been engaged with the health and nutrition industry since its infancy, and is one of it best educated marketers. Time and again, he’s used his marketing mastery to have a measurable impact on our clients’ bottom line.”
Founded in 1987, Media Relations Agency specializes in integrating traditional and digital media, social media, media-grade content and business websites. It is perhaps best known for using its Pay Per Interview publicity model to arrange media coverage across the U.S. and Canada for its clients. Media Relations represents major brands as well as new products, brought to market by companies headquartered in the U.S., Canada, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.
