State’s No. 1 PR, Advertising Firm Continues To Give Back to Next Generation
PRINCETON JUNCTION, N.J.—March 31, 2022—CMA, a full-service communications, marketing and association management firm, welcomes three Rider University students to its internship program.
Marissa Fernandez, Kaitlyn Kurfuss and Samantha Mejia were chosen to be part of the firm’s longstanding program that fosters the next generation of talent in the marketing industry.
“CMA cares about the community where we work and play,” said Jeffrey Barnhart, CEO and founder of CMA, who is a Class of 1977 alum of Rider University. “We have built long-lasting relationships in our own backyard with faculty at Rider University and its students. Our internship program plays an important role in creating opportunities for our industry’s new talented professionals who are eager to learn. We are grateful to serve as a growth catalyst for our neighbors.”
CMA’s interns have worked on several client accounts, including the Organ Donation and Transplant Association of America and the relaunched Central New Jersey Network (CNJN), which was formally Princeton TV. (CMA President Christian Amato serves as a board member at CNJN.)
Fernandez, a senior marketing major with a concentration in advertising, has served as account manager on several accounts.
“My experience at CMA has been full of new learning and life lessons, from the best way to communicate with clients to digital marketing solutions, such as SEO and PPC/Google advertising,” said Fernandez, who resides in Franklin. “CMA has allowed me to learn more things beyond just account management. And the staff has always made me feel excited and comfortable to come to work during the week!”
Kurfuss, a junior marketing major with a concentration in advertising, has developed blogs and social media posts during her internship.
“During my internship at CMA, I have learned numerous things,” said Kurfuss, who lives in Chesterfield. “The most important thing I learned was key messaging. It is very important for the client and yourself to understand why the company wants marketing in the first place, whether that’s to raise awareness of the brand or to receive financial contributions.”
Mejia, a junior graphic design major with a minor in web design, is spending her internship creating graphics, advertisements and design elements for several accounts.
“My time at CMA from the very beginning made me feel welcomed and accepted as a part of the team,” said Mejia, who resides in Linden. “I learned through experience about creating quality design work within the guidelines/timeframes of the clients as well as input from the creative team at CMA. I’m extremely grateful to have the opportunity to work here and shape my skills as a young designer with others to guide me through.”
More Than 35 Years of Awards
CMA has built its standing in the region and in the industry with various examples of excellence.
According to NJBIZ’s 2021 Reader Rankings, CMA is the #1 public relations firm and #1 advertising agency in New Jersey. CMA had been second in PR and advertising/marketing in the state for the two previous years. Since 2018, the company has won 38 industry awards from several organizations, including N.J. Communications, Advertising and Marketing Association (NJCAMA). CMA delivered the “Best in B2B” marketing communications in 2019 from the Public Relations Society of America NJ, and it won “Best in Show” in all PR categories in 2020 from the N.J. Ad Club.
Overall, CMA has been recognized with more than 387 awards for client work in marketing and communications excellence. The firm has helped clients in various industries, ranging from financial services, health care, lighting, professional services and associations.
About CMA
CMA is a full-service communications, marketing and association management firm, which has provided its clients with award-winning and proven results for 35 years. To drive ROI, it utilizes its strategic solutions including branding, digital marketing, web and mobile app development, social media, public relations, advertising, collateral, association management, event planning, publications, and advertising sales. Through its proprietary discovery process, Marketecture™, CMA offers a strategic analysis to help clients understand how they can best be positioned in the marketplace. Community is central to CMA, with more than 3,000 hours dedicated to volunteering, fundraising and pro bono services over the past three decades. CMA embraces a workplace that fosters fun and creativity for its clients and staff, from summer BBQs and team-building activities to a pet-friendly environment. Visit CMAsolutions.com and follow @CMAresults on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
