Costco Wholesale

Costco Wholesale (Costco) operates an international chain of membership warehouses that offer a wide variety of goods and services – much like a multi-tenant retail center – but in a discount club format. When Costco sought to develop a location in Guilford, CT, they retained GBPR to create and execute a strategic communications plan incorporating community outreach, media relations and social media, as well as direct mail and advertising. GBPR worked closely with Costco’s leadership and a team of real estate development professionals to craft the campaign’s messages and deliver key points about the development to a range of audiences, including residents, town officials, media outlets and business and community leaders. The comprehensive campaign executed by GBPR included focused community outreach, direct communications with neighbors and extensive use of social media resources to both inform residents and provide an outlet for feedback and advocacy activities.

Developers Realty Corp.

Developers Realty Corporation (DRC) is a commercial real estate development firm that owns and operates nearly five million square feet of retail shopping centers throughout the country.  DRC retained GBPR to conduct a public opinion research project in a Connecticut community that was under consideration for a shopping center. GBPR worked with DRC leadership to develop the survey instrument, accounting for a wide range of factors including traffic, economic impacts and the proximity of a historic district. GBPR also developed the survey sample and managed the survey interview process. GBPR’s detailed analysis provided a clear understanding of the public’s view of the project, allowing DRC to make critical, strategic decisions about the project with timely, accurate data.

LeylandAlliance

When LeylandAlliance, a leading developer in sustainable communities, embarked on the Madison Landing project in Madison, CT, they encountered opposition by local special interest groups with significant financial backing. GBPR helped the company launch a local media campaign communicating to residents, community officials and environmental protection groups that the project’s waste water treatment system not only met, but exceeded all applicable environmental regulations, and that the addition would be to the benefit of the community. GBPR’s communications support was instrumental in LeylandAlliance’s success in receiving all necessary permits to move forward with the Madison Landing project.

McCue Mortgage

Founded in New Britain, CT in 1949, McCue Mortgage Company provides mortgage lending services in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The company closes over $500 million in loans annually, making it one of the largest mortgage lenders in Connecticut. For a better understanding of how McCue Mortgage’s products and services were perceived by key business partners across Connecticut, McCue retained GBPR to conduct an opinion research project. The research, utilizing both focus group and in-depth interview methodologies, yielded data that allowed the company to make informed decisions about their lending and communications strategies.

Preston Gateway Partners

Preston Gateway Partners (PGP), comprised of Renova Partners, LLC, Prudential Real Estate Investors, Inc. and LNR Property, turned to GBPR for communications support of its proposal to redevelop the site of the former Norwich Hospital in Preston, CT. PGP’s innovative design incorporated office space and residential, shopping, dining and recreational assets which included a public golf course and marina, all while preserving key historical assets. Working with leading members of the PGP team, GBPR developed a strategic communications plan that included media outreach, voter identification, direct mail and referendum management. A key element of the plan included communicating to policymakers the team’s unique expertise in remediating hazardous materials in environmentally sensitive real estate developments. As a result of GBPR’s comprehensive strategy, PGP was able to communicate the merits of its proposal with residents, business and community leaders, and elected officials.

Prudential Connecticut Realty

Prudential Connecticut Realty is the largest real estate company in Connecticut and the 19th largest in the United States. Prudential initially retained GBPR to communicate the terms of a settlement with the state Attorney General’s office regarding various fees charged by real estate companies. Following the settlement, GBPR helped position Prudential as a thought leader in the state of Connecticut. GBPR raised visibility of company news, including personnel announcements, the closing of significant transactions and Prudential’s extensive philanthropic initiatives.

Rabina Properties

GBPR worked with New York-based, international development company, Rabina Properties(Rabina) to gain official approval and community support for the company’s proposed mixed-use development on the former Pratt & Whitney propeller factory site in North Haven, CT. Leveraging the project’s transit-oriented development and smart-growth design, GBPR’s strategy sought to build appreciation for the project’s many benefits through introductory meetings and information sessions with key target audiences. After developing the underlying project message points, GBPR’s outreach plan included media, state agencies, state legislators and local officials, as well as community, environmental and business organizations. The three-phase project included the development of new collateral materials, briefings with key journalists and editors and the coordination of opportunities for target audiences to learn more about the project’s benefits.

Tomasso Brothers, Inc.

When Tomasso Brothers, Inc.,the owners of Robertson Airport in Plainville, CT, wanted to sell the airport to the town of Plainville, they contacted GBPR for counsel on communications strategies during an upcoming town-wide referendum. The referendum needed to pass in order to approve local funding that would contribute to a portion of the purchase, along with state and federal funding. With the priorities of Plainville’s citizens and town officials in mind, GBPR developed messages highlighting the importance of the historical preservation of the 100-year-old airport, as well as its value as an economic asset for the town. GBPR organized a grassroots coalition of local community and business leaders to support the town’s purchase, and developed collateral materials including brochures, mailers, newspaper op-eds and advertisements supporting the purchase of Robertson Airport. The project was approved overwhelmingly at referendum, with a broad-based group of supporters lending visible, vocal support.

Waterford Hotel Group

Waterford Hotel Group, Inc. (Waterford Group) is one of the nation’s leading hotel and convention center developers and management companies. When the Service Employees International Union attempted to organize the employees of the Connecticut Convention Center and Marriott Hotel in downtown Hartford, the Waterford Group called on GBPR for assistance. GBPR helped the company to develop and execute a communications plan, which informed employees of their unencumbered right to either organize with the Union, or remain unaffiliated.

William Raveis Real Estate

William Raveis Real Estate is the largest family-owned real estate company in the Northeast. Following a settlement with the Connecticut Attorney General’s office regarding various fees charged by real estate companies, the company enlisted GBPR to communicate the terms of the settlement while minimizing any unwarranted damage to the Raveis brand. GBPR designed and implemented a public relations campaign with a focus on media outreach and internal communications. This strategy allowed William Raveis to reinforce the company’s quality service and leadership position, both to its employees and within the real estate industry in Connecticut.