Custom Media Options
“Consumers and women still love the printed format to turn to for inspiration and for more of that lean-back experience. And what we look for more with digital is as a utility to help them to do something in the short-term. So, inspiration versus utility, as I like to say.” – Tom Harty, President and COO, Meredith
Custom Media Options, LLC awarded Minority Business Enterprise certification from the Maryland Department of Transportation.
Custom Media Options, LLC can help you fulfill your minority business goals both locally and regionally – the MBE certification is reciprocal in many other states. In addition to our MBE, Custom Media Options is approved by Howard County Government as an Equal Business Opportunity vendor.
On Friday, September 25th Custom Media Options and Merriweather Post Pavilion were recognized by Howard County Tourism and Promotions as Partners of the Year.
We are proud to receive this award and will continue to help promote tourism in our county by publishing the biggest and most comprehensive annual Official Visitors & Residents Guide and work with the tourism team to create marketing campaigns to showcase what Howard County has to offer.
Photo by R. Scott Kramer
Photographer/Multimedia Specialist | Office of Public Information | Howard County Government
Her Mind Magazine is pleased to announce its most successful Power of the Purse (POTP) event yet. Held at Sub-Zero and Wolf by Fretz Showroom on June 8, the fourth annual POTP raised more than $18,000 for Blossoms of Hope to support the Claudia Mayer/Tina Broccolino Cancer Resource Center at Howard County General Hospital.
The 350 guests browsed among 1,700 gently used and vintage purses displayed throughout the opulent kitchen display areas and available for cash and carry. At the same time, guests bid on 70 new and designer handbags – including new purses by Kate Spade, Coach and Danielle Nicole – filled with such treats as certificates to spas and restaurants, and luxury accessories – as part of the Silent Auction.
Her Mind Magazine and Blossoms of Hope want to thank all who contributed to this event. Danielle DiFerdinando, founder of Danielle Nicole, a New York-based handbag company, was the guest speaker. Danielle, who grew up in Howard County, created Danielle Nicole at the age of 18 while a student at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.
Brenda von Rautenkranz, owner of Fit For Life Personal Training and the Fit To Be Fabulous video and television series, served as m.c. with her inimitable grace and humor. We can always count on Brenda to warm up the crowd.
Kudos to chairs Michelle Wildman and co-chair Pam Moss for pulling off this year’s event. Michelle is the owner of the 15-year-old MW Events, which coordinates galas, parties and social events throughout Howard County. Pam is community relations and project manager for Custom Media Options, publishers of Her Mind magazine. Each year Power of the Purse is bigger and better, and we look forward to 2016!
Thanks to this year’s sponsors—Horseshoe Casino for its generous financial contribution, and Iron Bridge Wine Company for consistently providing fine wines for our guests; Sub-Zero and Wolf by Fretz showroom has been a magical venue since the event started; Sir Speedy-BWI/Columbia provided printing services; and Pam Long Photography returned as the official event photographer. (Pam’s beautiful photos are included in this post); Chuy’s provided a fantastic Mexican buffet as a tantalizing preview of its move to Howard County in 2016.
Dana O’Sullivan of DellaBlooms & Gifts provided the flowers and the props for the purse displays, and Carol Weil, aka The Decorating Therapist, artfully staged the purses throughout the showroom.
Thanks to The Business Monthly and to the Business Women’s Network of Howard County for helping us promote the 2015 Power of the Purse, and thanks also to The Wendy Slaughter Team-REMAX 100, for donating the customized purple Power of the Purse shopping bags.
Ruth Toomey, sales manager at An Extraordinar Limousine, deserves a special shout-out for her last-minute contribution of transportation to and from the satellite parking lot.
In addition to all the contributors and volunteers, the success of 2015 Power of the Purse is largely due to the community. Without our many friends – who scour their closets for handbags to donate, and who show up to buy and bid – the event just wouldn’t be as festive and fun. Nor would it raise such generous funds for the important work of Blossoms of Hope and the Claudia Mayer/Tina Broccolino Cancer Resource Center at Howard County Hospital. Thank you again for making this year’s Power of the Purse bigger and better. See you in 2016!
See complete list of 2015 POTP contributors and volunteers
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Harford Transit Link, Harford County’s bus service, is accepting advertisements paid for by local businesses on Harford Transit Link buses.
(Bel Air, MD) The ads will be located on the outside and in the passenger area of the buses and will be paid for solely by the businesses that post the ads.
Commenting on the new practice of allowing businesses to advertise on Harford Transit Link buses, County Executive David R. Craig stated, “Allowing our business community to advertise on Harford Transit Link buses is another example of how local government and businesses can work to support one another. The ads paid for by local businesses not only helps drive business to them, but also help support the budgetary needs of county government that supplies transportation services to thousands of citizens throughout Harford County,” the County Executive remarked.
Harford County is not alone in allowing ads placed by businesses on their buses. The practice is also offered in Charles, Cecil, Howard, Frederick and Montgomery counties, as well as Ocean City and the MTA.
“I think it’s great that County Executive Craig would open up this wonderful opportunity for local businesses, community organizations and churches to help share their messages by advertising on our local bus system, the Link,” remarked Harford Transit Link Administrator Jim Ports.
Harford Transit Link is a division of the Department of Community Services. Its Link public bus services operates nine fixed routes Monday through Friday except county holidays, serving Aberdeen, Bel Air, Belcamp, Churchville, Edgewood, Havre de Grace, Joppatowne and Perryman. Harford Transit also links to MARC train service to Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
~ Press Release, Haford County Government, Dept. of Community Services
Custom Media Options, LLC in partnership with Howard County General Hospital, is producing a full-glossy medical staff directory.
This valuable resource will be mailed directly to homes in Howard County and surrounding areas. The Directory of Physicians provides information and exposure for the Howard County General Hospital medical staff and it is an excellent opportunity to inform the community about your practice and services.