Category Archives: Company News

Leadership From Chicago Based Health Care Initiative “Project HUGS” Invited to Clinton Global Initiative

CHICAGO, June 29, 2011 /via Reuters/ — Two members of Chicago based Project HUGS leadership team were invited to attend the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in Chicago June 29th-30th. Project HUGS is a non-profit focused on bridging the gap found in the American health care system, with the ultimate goal of Helping Uninsured Get Surgery. CGI’s goal of economic growth rooted in global stability is the fostering ground for short-term solutions and long-term strategies that will revive the United States economy. One of the largest burdens on America’s budget is the ever increasing health care cost of the uninsured.

In a time of economic uncertainty and legislative reform, far too many individuals and families are unsafely living without health insurance.  Basic care, quality of life treatment and surgical procedures remain out of reach for thousands who are in desperate need of such aide. Project HUGS (Helping Uninsured Get Surgery) is a no cost surgery program serving individuals who are seeking costly yet necessary procedures, but are uninsured.

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to share ideas of American economic growth with leaders from around the world. Project HUGS is the starting ground for health care policy reconsideration. As a medical doctor I see the need daily to take some of the burden off America’s dwindling health care system. We have built a team that shares this common goal,” commented Dr. Severko Hrywnak, Founder and Co-Chairman of Project HUGS.

In addition to his role with Project HUGS, Dr. Hrywnak is also President and Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Ambulatory Surgical Center in Chicago as well as president and Chief Executive Officer of Elmwood Park Immediate Health Care Centers.

Also in attendance for CGI America’s program is Project HUGS Executive Director, Brij M. Desai. Mr. Desai is also Chief Operating Officer for @SportsTV Network, an interactive health, fitness and sports television network, and FliXpress, a groundbreaking service allowing users both consumers and businesses to produce high end 3D animation and video in minutes using only a web browser.

“It is amazing to sit with such high caliber global leaders. From my background in both business and the non-profit sector, I have had the opportunity to see markets shaped in the very rooms I sit in today. We are honored to be included, and are excited about changing the world through our initiative,” said Brij Desai.

One of the core goals of the Clinton Global Initiative is to generate employment for the roughly 13 million Americans currently out of work, businesses, governments, and nonprofits will need to work together to unleash innovation, rebuild infrastructure, and invest in targeted worker training.

“True leadership comes in many forms. President Clinton has led the way on issues pertaining to jobs and economic growth since the days he walked the halls in Arkansas’ executive offices. We are excited to be part of the process,” continued Hrywnak.

Project HUGS official launch is set for July 15th, 2011 in Chicago, IL. With an unprecedented response prior to launch, the Project HUGS team anticipates applications for their program to be in the thousands.

For more information on the Clinton Global Initiative in Chicago, visit www.CGIAmerica.org. For additional information on Project HUGS visit www.ProjectHUGS.org, or contact Chris Foltz at 312-772-4865 or by email at chris@christopherfoltz.com.

Chicago Television Personality Jane Monzures Celebrates Greek America’s Best and Brightest Stars

(Chicago, IL) June 2, 2011 –Chicago television personality Jane Monzures celebrates Greek America’s best and brightest stars, at this year’s GABBY Awards.  The awards are being held at Ellis Island in New York on June 4^th, where Jane will serve as the official host of the Red Carpet.

The GABBY Awards hosted by the Greek America Foundation recognize the best and brightest individuals who have excelled in their respective fields and strive for excellence in all they do. The Gabby Awards serve as the “Oscars^®” of the Greek American community. The Gabby Awards are the Greek American community’s first and only awards where the winners are decided by popular vote, thus serving as the true voice of the people.

“It is an amazing event that celebrates a culture and heritage that has been the basis for so much style, fine cuisine, and industry impact in America.  Every single guest and red carpet interviewee has made a dramatic impact on both Greek American culture, but more importantly, society as a whole,” commented Jane Monzures in a recent interview.

Jane, who is also Greek, is major market television and radio personality.  She is the host of television shows such as “You & Me This Morning”, “Living Healthy Chicago”, and “For The Love of Cooking”.  Jane’s latest television venture “America’s Domestic Divas” hits the airwaves this summer and takes everyday simple items and recreates them into something special; it’s food – remade; fashion – restyled; and home décor – refurbished.  The unique blend of humor, creativity, talent and fun allows Jane to take the average and make it amazing.

Jane, who will be gracing the Red Carpet in a dress by Greek designer Elene Cassis, and jewelry by world renowned designer Alina Korotkina, will be interviewing Greekcelebrities from movie stars and athletes, to political figures and doctors. Celebrities walking the Red Carpet include, HBO’s Kary Antholis, Fox Film’s, Jim Gianopulos, and “Hangover” star, Zach Galifianakis.  Along with athletes like Nick Markakis from the Baltimore Orioles, Ted Leonsis, and hockey star Chris Chelios.  Jane will also be interviewing Michael Dukakis and Stephen Antonakos, both Lifetime Achievement Award winners.

Department of Communication Students from Bradley University visit CFCo May 16th

Students from the Department of Communication at Bradley University visit Christopher Foltz & Company for a session as part of their two-week, three-credit hour SPORTS INDUSTRY SEMINAR in Chicago from May 16-26.

During this two-week period, a selected group of 7-9 juniors and seniors from the Bradley University Department of Communication majoring in sports communication,public relations, advertising, journalism, organizational communication, and/or televisionarts have an opportunity to meet with major industry executives at their professionallocations to become more familiar with various aspects of the dynamic and challenging sports industry.

Dr. Ron Koperski of Bradley’s Department of Communication has created this unique education experience for the upper level students. On May 16th, Dr. Koperski’s seminar class will be visiting Christopher Foltz & Company’s River North office to spend time with CFCo Chairman Chris Foltz and Chicago Television Personality Jane Monzures.

“We are thrilled to have Christopher Foltz & Company participate in this summers seminar program. It gives the students the opportunity to spend time with both Jane and Chris to experience the public relations and communication sides of professional sports from two different angles,” commented Dr. Koperski.

Besides spending time with Chris Foltz and Jane Monzures, the Sports Seminar class will be visiting the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Fleishman-Hillard, Starcom Worldwide, WGN radio, and Fox Chicago.

Later that evening Foltz has the honor of presenting the Jeffery Werner Youth Award and Scholarship to two graduating seniors from Deerfield High School(Illinois). “I am excited to join the Board of Trustee’s during the village board meeting and recognize true community leadership. The Jeffery Werner Award is the highest honor the village and Community Relations Commission bestows to a student and acknowledges excellence and dedication to youth leadership, scholarship, and the community. This is what it’s all about,” said Foltz

CFCo adds Chicago’s top surgical center to client roster

Leading the way people think about medicine

Christopher Foltz & Company is proud to add Chicago’s top surgical center to our client roster. Licensed by the State of Illinois on May 4, 2000, Advanced Ambulatory Surgical Center is an accredited multi-specialty, outpatient surgical center centrally located in Chicago and to surrounding communities.

AASC offers an impressive roster of board certified specialists.

The 10,000 square foot, state-of-the -art facility accommodates three operating suites offering the most advanced technology and surgical instrumentation to perform outpatient surgical procedures including minimally invasive surgery. Customarily, surgery performed using minimally invasive techniques and instruments require significantly smaller incisions resulting in less pain, less risk, and less recuperative time for patients.

Dr. Sev Hrywnak, Chief Executive Officer of Advanced stated “We are extremely excited to work with Chris and his team. They have positioned themselves as not only one of the top medical communication strategy firms in America, but also do their work with the right intentions.”

Christopher Foltz & Company’s first task with the team at Advanced is to develop the new philanthropy model. “CFCo stands apart from most agencies in the Chicago market by leading the way for their clients in the realm of charitable models and corporate philanthropy programs. We are very excited to continue giving back to the communities we serve locally, and expanding our reach where it’s needed the most nationally,” Hyrwnak continued.

The Advance Ambulatory Surgical Center offers pioneering techniques in:

• General Surgery

• Gastro Intestinal Surgery

• Orthopedic Surgery

• Foot and Ankle Surgery

• Gynecological Surgery

• Plastic Surgery

• Ear, Nose & Throat Surgery

• Urology

• Diabetic Sensory Restoration Surgery

• Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST)

• Neurosensory and Motor Testing (NMT)

For more information on AASC please visit http://www.aascinc.com/

CFCo selected as agency of record for the Premier Basketball League, focused on national franchise development.

Christopher Foltz & Company is excited to announce the signing of agency of record with the Premier Basketball League. CFCo will be working with the PBL organization on national basketball franchise development.

The Premier Basketball League (PBL) is a professional men’s basketball league that began play in January 2008. The league had ten teams for the 2008 season and thirteen teams for the 2009 season. Nine teams from Canada and the United States participated in the 2010 season. The PBL took over the position of the former Continental Basketball League (CBA) in the professional basketball arena.

“We are excited to work on franchise development for the league. Since taking over the CBA basketball operations, the PBL has raised the bar for sports and family entertainment in America,” said Chris Foltz of Christopher Foltz & Company at a recent interview.

CFCo is working with league leadership on strategic market placement for new franchise operations across the country. “Right now there is a heavy concentration of teams in the continental north east. We are excited to develop both west coast and central region franchise operations. Working with the league to develop regional divisions that ease the constant cross country travel burdens on franchise owners will raise the level of entertainment for fans across the nation,” said Foltz.

Christopher Foltz & Company is also working on league awareness development and strategic marketing and philanthropy development.  “PBL owner Dr. Sev Hrywnak is an absolute leader in charitable giving across the country. We are excited to work with him on giving back to society in every way we can. With Dr. Hrywnak’s leadership and compassion, the PBL will sit at the forefront of charitable models in professional athletics,” Foltz commented.

CFCo and the PBL are already looking at expansion markets. “We are looking at the Anaheim, Las Vegas, Tempe, Seattle/Tacoma, Chicago Suburban/Rockford, Madison, and St. Louis markets during our first round of franchise development,” said Foltz. The current PBL franchises are; Halifax Rainmen, Quebec Kebs, St. John Mill Rats, Bluegrass Stallions, Dayton Air Strikers, Lawton-Fort Sill Calvary, and the Rochester Razorsharks.

Christopher Foltz & Company becomes marketing partner of the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund

CFCo joins Coach’s GGAF Team

The Christopher Foltz & Company team is excited to announce becoming a marketing partner of the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund.  CFCo will be collaborating with the GGAF board of directors on the advertising, marketing and public relations facets of the esteemed Northbrook, IL based NFL assistance organization. CFCo will also work closely with the expansion and development of the overall national organization, as well as its globally recognized medical program.  The expansion of Gridiron Greats will allow them to continue providing the hands on assistance and financial aid they’ve been offering for the past five years, but on an extensive, national level.

As the Chairman of the Board for the GGAF, Mike Ditka says the organization’s mission is to assist retired NFL players in dire need of medical services for a variety of reasons, including inadequate disability coverage and pension benefits. “Our mission has been and will continue to be to help those former players and their families going through difficult times. The need is great. We welcome Chris and Christopher Foltz & Company to our marketing partners team and vision.”
In recent times, many of the NFL players who helped shape the league and make the game into what it is today are suffering physically, emotionally and mentally.  This is where Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund steps up and helps out players by providing them with one time and/or on-going services, as well as offering financial aid.  “Our entire Christopher Foltz & Company team is proud to be working with Coach and the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund.  We look forward to joining forces and making these services more widely available across the United States so that all retired NFL players in need get the help and assistance they deserve,” said Chris Foltz

Gridiron Greats Mission Statement

The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund’s mission is to assist retired NFL players, who are in dire health and financial distress by providing a means to regain a semblance of dignity and quality of life that every human being deserves. The Fund will support grant applicants through a series of conventional and non conventional fund raising efforts while calling attention to those in need through partnership programs, licensing efforts and public relations events with the set goal of expanding the Funds assets through partnerships with the National Football League and the National Football League Players Association and Alumni.

Christopher Foltz & Company Achieves Better Business Bureau’s Highest Rating and Accredited Business Status

Christopher Foltz, Managing Partner of Christopher Foltz & Company, announced today that the Chicago based communication strategy firm has received the highest rating, A+,  from the Better Business Bureau. CFCo became a  BBB accredited public relations counselor in August 2010. Becoming  an Accredited Business with the BBB is an honor not accorded to all businesses because not all businesses meet eligibility standards.

“Accreditation in the BBB is by invitation only,” says Steve J. Bernas, President and CEO of the BBB serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. “And only those businesses that meet our high standards and pass the review process are approved by or Board of Directors.”

As with all businesses that are accredited by the BBB, Christopher Foltz & Company has committed to the BBB code of Business Practices. The Code is a comprehensive set of policies, procedures and best practices on how businesses treat consumers. These standards call for building trust, embodying integrity, advertising honestly and being truthful. Bernas adds, “To maintain their Accreditation, a business must be transparent, honor their promises, be responsive to their customers and safeguard their privacy.”
“We are proud to be a BBB Accredited Business,” said Foltz. “In today’s world it is imperative that our customers know how seriously we take our commitment to excellence and good customer service. Our achieving BBB Accreditation exemplifies that goal. Over the last quarter we have been able to develop systems to facilitate the best levels of customer service with our ever expanded agency.”

The Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois represents more than 7,000 Accredited Businesses and lists an additional 102,000 businesses in its ratings of area companies. In addition, it is part of an international organization with ratings on more than 4.5 million businesses throughout the United States and Canada.

Chicago based Drink Deck collaborates with CFCo on philanthropic development and major market expansion

Expansion with a cause

The CFCo signed on with the Drink Deck team to help build a collaborative charity model throughout the nation.  Currently Drink Deck has decks available for the Chicago and Portland area, and CFCo is working with Drink Deck leadership to expand to the New Orleans, Miami & San Francisco markets this quarter, allowing bar enthusiasts and tourists to enjoy deals in destination cities across the nation.  Drink Deck is currently available in over 30 retail locations in Chicago, as well as a new fully integrated IPhone application.  This past holiday season Drink Deck was featured in countless “Top Gift” lists and publications across America. “We are excited to work with Drink Deck and their popular platform on major market expansion and philanthropy development  throughout the nation. Will and the Drink Deck team have stood out as industry leaders, and we are thrilled to stand with them in making both a brand and philanthropic impact in major markets across the United States,” said Chris Foltz of Christopher Foltz & Company.

About Drink Deck

Everyone wants to go to their local bar and have a bartender friend buy a round or two, now imagine if there was a way to get this perk at all the best bar scenes across your town.  This is exactly what Drink Deck does for you! The bar enthusiasts travel and discount guide to the best bar scenes in Chicago, IL and Portland, OR, Drink Deck combines savings and urban exploration with a full 52 card deck of professional poker sized playing cards.  Each card represents a local bar, simply present the card, have the bartender rip off the bottom left corner and you instantly get $10 of your tab. This unique product has been dubbed, “the perfect guy gift”. Combining savings, urban exploration and a deck of professional poker sized playing cards Drink Deck features celebrated “hoods” of the Windy City or the dynamic “quadrants” of PDX!

For more information about Drink Deck, and for a complete list of participating locations and retailers please click here.

Northwestern Wildcats Legend Darnell Autry signs CFCo on as Publicist

Television Personality and Host Jane Monzures pens representation deal with Christopher Foltz & Company

Jane Monzures

Jane is indeed a media darling…having graced the airwaves at various radio and television stations across the country. Her whip smart spirit and sassy antidotes will put a smile on your face. Friends say, guys want to date her and girls want to be friends with her. You can hear Jane’s voice on various local and national commercials and you may also catch exclusive clientele wearing an original JEM-Stone couture creation from her fashion forward clothing line JEM Stone. Because, if it wasn’t for a good night out, who would really have the best looking wardrobe?

Jane can be seen every week on “Living Healthy Chicago” showing on WGN and CLTV as well as also appearing on Chicago based WCIU.

America’s Plain Jane

America’s Plain Jane is Jane Monzures. She takes everyday simple items and recreates them into something special; its food – remade; fashion – restyled; and home décor – refurbished. The unique blend of humor, creativity, talent and fun allows this “Plain Jane” to take the average and make it amazing. Breathing new life in the hum-drum, drab, old and boring, Jane will transform what is considered trash into treasure.

Jane also visits whip-smart, visionary women inside their real American homes to show off their untapped culinary talents, self-styled fashion trends, and original home decorating techniques. Plain Janes are everywhere taking the trivial and converting it to titillating, the mainstream and revamping it to magnificent. From drab to fab, the simple is finally something… you just never knew it until now. A “Plain Jane” is the crafty, modern “household heroine” who is clever and inventive in all aspects of her life.

America’s Plain Jane is the domestic diva that lives inside all of us.

For more information about Jane click here.