Novità CommunicationsThis year marks a significant milestone for Novità Communications: the agency’s 25th anniversary. Led by founder and president Chris Abbate, Novità is a PR, marketing and social media firm focused on the A&D, building and real estate spaces. This award-winning agency and team have been recognized for their excellence; founder and president Chris Abbate was awarded Marketer of the Year by Interior Design Magazine, and Senior Vice President Joseph Cephas was a finalist for PR News’ 2021 CSR & Diversity Pioneer Award. In the last six months, the agency has added 10 new brands and organizations to its ever-expanding client roster. Novità, which means ‘The News’ in Italian, has HQs in NYC and Milan, and has recently added new members to their Atlanta-based team.
Notable long-term clients
Ceramics of Italy, the institutional brand name for the Italian ceramics sector, which represents and promotes Italian ceramic companies worldwide; Duravit, the leading supplier of sanitary ceramics, bathroom furniture, whirl tubs, accessories, and wellness ideas; Humanscale, the premier manufacturer of ergonomic products that promote health and comfort in the workplace and beyond; NeoCon, North America’s largest design expo and conference for commercial interiors; and the Architecture & Design Film Festival, the world’s largest film festival devoted to architecture and design.
Recent client wins
Andreu World, Arden Studio, timbur, JB Lighting Collection, LODES, Barovier & Toso, Chain 10, NYCxDESIGN, IDYLL Collective, Wildwood House
What are you most proud of as a leader?
I am incredibly proud of my team. Over twenty-five years we have grown and developed in tremendous ways while remaining as collaborative and supportive of each other as ever. The culture Novità nurtures is perhaps most poignantly visible in several staffers who have remained with the company for the majority of their careers including Executive Vice President Danielle McWilliams (16 years), Vice Presidents Kristin Coleman and Alexandra Zwicky (12 years each) and Account Director Lucy Mayer (10 years). I continue to be inspired by our team’s ability to find the silver linings and create new solutions for our clients and the industries we serve, especially during uncertain times.
At the start of the pandemic, we launched @DesignStandsTogether, a platform designed to unite and activate the design community to create a more connected, equitable, healthier, and sustainable world. Novità also started a Diversity Inclusion Pledge, signed by 35 other PR agencies; and established new ways to engage with our community including virtual happy hours, BeWell design personality videos and a biweekly Good News Blast, which shares positive stories from our clients with the media. The Best Workplaces accolade from Inc. Magazine this spring was the ultimate honor and reminder that our company culture is something special. Our values around wellness and sustainability have not only influenced the clients we choose to take on, by only working with brands that are actively making a difference in these areas, but they’ve also shaped our policies. By implementing flexible working policies early on (pre-pandemic), I’ve seen how each team is able to adapt and develop without sacrificing quality time with their kids and families or compromising their mental health and wellbeing.
