“Gramercy Communications is very excited to have Ariana join us as Director of Media Relations,” said Tom Nardacci, Founder and Principal of Gramercy Communications. “Her background in journalism makes her the perfect fit to meet the needs of the firm’s clients. Gramercy Communications is an emerging Public Relations firm in Upstate New York and Ariana’s talent and background will help propel our continued growth.”

Ariana, who is originally from New Jersey, moved to the Capital Region several years ago to pursue a position as a reporter for the weekly Spotlight Newspapers. Covering the Town of Colonie and Albany County, she was responsible for gathering news that would be most important to readers, writing and editing her stories. During her nearly two years with the paper, she was responsible for writing many community features, as well as covering hot-button county issues such as the debate over whether to close the Albany County Nursing Home and the county’s ban on trans fat from restaurants and bakeries. She also covered several local elections, including the 2008 21st Congressional District race and the 2009 Colonie Town Supervisor race. She also previously worked as a Staff Writer for The Legislative Gazette.

Ariana received a New York Press Association First Place for a News Story award in 2008 for a piece she wrote about bringing transparency on personnel issues to a local school district.

Ariana received a Bachelor of Arts in Magazine Journalism from SUNY College at Plattsburgh.

In addition to her reporting experience, Ariana also held a position at WPI Communications, Inc., a New Jersey based publication company that specializes in editorially-based practice development tools used to help professionals excel their businesses.

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About Gramercy Communications

Gramercy Communications, LLC offers strategic public relations, public affairs and marketing communications counsel for businesses and not-for-profit clients in the Capital Region and New York City. Gramercy clients include the Arsenal Business & Technology Partnership, Green Island Power Authority, 3tarchitects, and Mohawk Ambulance, to name a few. They are located at 39 N. Pearl Street, 1st Floor, Albany, NY 12207.

Thomas Nardacci, 34, founded Gramercy Communications four years ago because he saw a need in Tech Valley for a smaller public relations agency that is dedicated to client service.

“I have been fortunate, in a short period of time, to build a significant roster of clients that are impacting the Capital Region each and every day,” Nardacci says.

Nardacci is a member The Business Review’s Class of 2009 40 Under Forty.

“I get excited when I think about how our regional economy is being reshaped and I think Gramercy Communications is playing a role in enhancing the public relations and communications landscape,” he adds. “My clients bring new challenges every day, making it rare that two days are alike.”

His goal is to grow the Albany-based Gramercy Communications into a mid-sized public relations agency that is viewed as one of the very best in New York state.

His grandparents owned a butcher shop for 50 years on Broadway in Rensselaer. “They worked 365 days per year, and I learned the value of hard work from them. Whenever I think to myself that I put in a long day or long week, I think about how hard they [worked] and what they accomplished for our family.”

Nardacci owns a two-family rental property that he has been renovating for several years. “I try to do as much work as I can myself and have learned a great deal. I enjoy the physical work.”

After graduating from Syracuse University, Nardacci moved to Washington, D.C., for an internship at a nonprofit. He was hired by Congressman Mike McNulty, where he got his start working in media relations. Nardacci later became director of communications for Assemblyman Ron Canestrari in Albany. Later still, he headed to New York City to work on his master’s degree at Columbia University.

In New York City, Nardacci also served as director of public affairs for the Alliance for Downtown New York, lower Manhattan’s business improvement district.

Nardacci and his wife, Anne, both grew up in the Capital Region and appreciate what he called the “excellent mix of lifestyle and opportunity” that exists here. “After working and living in Washington, D.C., and New York City, we decided that the Capital Region offers a perfect mix of opportunities and lifestyle. The business environment is very healthy because of the region’s stable economy.”

Nardacci would like to see improved transportation in the area. “We need a mass transit system. I would love to take a Metro, or a ferry, to work.”

Nardacci and other 40 Under Forty winners were honored at a May 7 event.

]]> http://gramercycommunications.com/general/40-under-forty-thomas-nardacci/feed/ 0 http://gramercycommunications.com/general/40-under-forty/ http://gramercycommunications.com/general/40-under-forty/#comments Mon, 04 May 2009 23:19:41 +0000 Admin http://gramercycommunications.com/wordpress/?p=243 There is a common and tired cliche PR firms use to describe their own lack of PR: “The cobbler’s children have no shoes.” That happens here too.  Last year, winning an PRSA Empire Award for a client was one of those times we were able to promote our work.

Last month, I was honored to be named “40 Under Forty” by The Business Review.  I am very grateful for this designation, and am excited at the exposure that this distinction means for Gramercy Communications.

Below is the release we distributed regarding this honor:

Tom Nardacci, Founder & Principal of Albany, NY Public Relations Firm Gramercy Communications, Named to Business Review’s ‘40 Under Forty’ List

Tom Nardacci, Founder & Principal of Gramercy Communications, a boutique public relations firm located in Downtown Albany, New York, has been named to the “40 Under Forty” list of emerging business leaders by The Business Review.

Albany, NY (April 4, 2009) — Tom Nardacci, Founder & Principal of Gramercy Communications, a boutique public relations firm located in Downtown Albany, New York, has been named to the “40 Under Forty” list of emerging business leaders by The Business Review.

Nardacci founded Gramercy Communications in 2005, after over a decade working as a senior public relations strategist, public affairs advisor, and communications manager in Albany, in New York City and in Washington, D.C. Under Nardacci’s guidance, Gramercy Communications has become one of Upstate New York’s up and coming public relations firms.

Gramercy Communications clients include several of the Capital Region’s largest economic development projects. The Tech Valley based firm also works with energy clients, technology companies, corporations, associations and non-profits, and on issue-related campaigns. Gramercy has also won prestigious industry awards in recognition of client work, including a PRSA Empire Award for the best for-profit “Public Relations Campaign.”

“I am very proud that Gramercy Communications has emerged as a company that is reshaping the public relations and communications landscape in Upstate New York,” said Nardacci. “Our success is rooted in the successes we have achieved for our clients. Gramercy Communications clients are happy with the personalized service we provide and the creative approach we take.”

Tom Nardacci is active as a volunteer in the Albany, NY area. Nardacci is Past President of the Public Relations Society of America, Capital Region Chapter and launched the successful “Wednesday Workshop” guest speaker series aimed at building PR skills. Nardacci serves on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany, and is Past Treasurer and Chair of the annual “It Just takes ONE” campaign. In 2007, he helped the Clubs raise over $100,000. Tom Nardacci also serves as a Member of the Town of Colonie Planning Board, one of the Capital Region’s largest municipalities.

Thomas Nardacci earned his master’s degree in strategic communications from Columbia University and his bachelor’s degree in history from Syracuse University.

Albany, NY (November 23, 2008) – Gramercy Communications, a boutique public relations firm based in Downtown Albany, NY, is pleased to announce that they were selected to receive a prestigious Empire Award by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Capital Region Chapter in the highly competitive “Public Relations Campaign” category.

“We are honored to be recognized by PRSA for an Empire Award,” said Tom Nardacci, Principal and Founder of Gramercy Communications. “This award represents our results driven attitude at Gramercy Communications and the dedication we have to our clients’ success.”

The Empire Awards consist of nine categories including; public relations, public affairs, media relations, and internal communications. The Capital Region Empire Awards were judged independently by the Kansas City Chapter of PRSA.

The “Public Relations Campaign” award Gramercy won was for the public relations work the firm did over the past year for their client 3tarchitects. 3t is a progressive design studio based in Downtown Albany committed to sustainable and green standards.

In addition to winning the “Public Relations Campaign” award, Gramercy was also selected as the Finalist in the “Media Relations” category.

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to be a guest speaker for the Public Relations Society of America, Capital Region chapter’s “Wednesday Workshop” series. About 40 people attended the luncheon event in Downtown Albany, NY entitled “Guerilla Tactics: Using Unconventional PR Weapons.”

I focused my discussion on the opportunities that exist in PR by being a little creative and putting in some elbow grease and highlighted a number of national and local guerilla PR campaigns.

We discussed the need to be ethical and ensuring that tactics used are in line with the overall brand strategy for the organization or client. Guerilla tactics also work best when they are part of an overall PR campaign or program.