Business Beat

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NJ Natural Gas Launches ‘Love the Shore’ Campaign
 
In support of the state’s Show Your Love for the Jersey Shore initiative, New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) wants to help promote the Shore is Open for Business with its Love to $ave. Love the Shore. campaign.
This latest NJNG Conserve to Preserve® effort promotes locally owned businesses affected by Super Storm Sandy that are now open for business. Moreover, it encourages customers to support these businesses and follow simple energy-saving tips that will help them save energy and money; in turn, they will have extra money to spend in those communities hardest hit by Super Storm Sandy – and they will have a chance to win prizes.
Through its Love to $ave. Love the Shore. campaign, NJNG customers can nominate one of their favorite community establishments impacted by Sandy that is now serving customers and explain in 100 words or less why it should be an NJNG Business of the Day. Nominations can be sent to LovetheShore@njng.com.
Then, every day starting April 1 through May 31, NJNG will select two establishments as Business of the Day.
These selected businesses, along with an energy-saving tip of the day, will be featured on NJNG’s Facebook page – facebook.com/NewJerseyNaturalGas.
And to help promote the Shore is Open for Business, every day during the campaign, NJNG will give two prize winners each a $100 gift certificate to spend at one of the locally owned businesses that was featured as a Business of the Day, totaling $12,200 in prizes. Customers who “like” NJNG’s Facebook page and learn about the featured businesses and energy-savings tips can enter for a chance to win.
“It is important that we pull together as a community to support those establishments hardest hit and help them get back on their feet. We encourage our customers to follow these simple energy-savings tips that will help them save energy and money. In the end, the money customers save can be used to show they ‘Love the Shore,’ ” said Anne-Marie Peracchio, director of conservation and energy policy at New Jersey Natural Gas,
Complete rules are available on the Community tab at njresources.com by clicking on Love to $ave. Love the Shore.
 
Monmouth University Starts Record Label
 
WEST LONG BRANCH – Monmouth University’s Music Industry program is taking a revolutionary new approach with its curriculum; the students, under the guidance of their instructor, professor Joe Rapolla, have started their own record label.
The label, Blue Hawk Records, is launching with four young artists that are breaking into the scene.
The label was conceived to give students in the music industry program real-world exposure into the operations of a record company.
“We wanted to give our students some practical experience in the business. This gives them hands-on experience from sourcing talent to releasing a record, including recording, packaging, sales, marketing, PR, radio promotion and producing a live event, all from a current-day mindset and approach,” Rapolla said.
Rapolla, a 20-year veteran of the music industry, created and led marketing departments at both Universal and Warner Music Group, and ran two digital marketing agencies. He received his MBA from Monmouth in 1990 and returns to the university to help develop the music industry program.
The artists, like the staff of the label, are all Monmouth University students. The two flagship bands on the label are 99 Regrets, a melodic alternative rock band, and Seasons, a heavy electronic-alternative rock band. In addition, the label is launching with two singer-songwriters, Natalie Zeller and Sarah Gulbin.
The label will be releasing a compilation of its artists’ material in physical and digital channels globally, as well as showcasing the artists at a May 2 record release event on on campus.
“I love that we are doing exactly what a company does, today, to put music out, and we will be able to walk out of college with that experience”, said Sherri Kantor, a Monmouth University senior in the class starting the label.
“All the rules surrounding the music and entertainment media have changed and we’re making sure our students have their fingers on the pulse on the business as it evolves,” Rapolla said.
 
Kemler joins Resources Real Estate in Rumson
 
RUMSON – Resources Real Estate in Rumson is proud to welcome Margaret “Maggie” Kemler formerly of Brokers 3 to the company.

Carolynn Diakon
Carolynn Diakon

“Maggie’s understanding of the market and her experience ensure that both her buyer and seller clients succeed,” said Carolynn Diakon, broker-senior partner. “She’s a dedicated agent who takes her clients’ needs seriously.”
Kemler, a full-time real estate professional with 10 years of real estate experience, has a solid history of problem-solving and helping her clients achieve their goals.
“I believe that no problem is too great to tackle,” Kemler said. “Creativity and persistence can resolve any issue and I know that Resources supports my approach to getting the job done.”
“We are excited that Maggie has joined our growing team,” said Thomas McCormack, broker-managing partner. “She is a true professional and is very deserving of the respect and admiration she receives from her clients and peers alike.”
Resources Real Estate is a full-service independent residential brokerage opened by Diakon in 2000. McCormack, who has been with the company since 2002, joined her as a partner in 2010. Resources Real Estate is located at 112 East River Road in Rumson, 36 Beach Road in Monmouth Beach and 4A West Front St. in Red Bank.
Additional information is available by calling 732-212-0440 or visiting resourcesrealestate.com.