A leader in the design space and a trusted partner for purpose-led brands revolutionizing the design industry, this year marks Novità Communications’ 25th year of business. Led by founder Christine Abbate, the agency recently expanded on its brand consulting services for both startups and fast-growing companies such as digby and Turf. With several new business opportunities to service, Novità invested in a host of exciting hires, nearly doubling its staff since Spring 2021. While pro-bono/non-profit work has been a priority for the agency over the last several years, Novità’s impact was felt more than ever this past year. The firm helped produce the first DIFFAxDesign event to raise critical funds for the non-profit’s newly expanded mission, focusing on homelessness, food scarcity and mental health.
Leadership team:
Christine Abbate, Founder & President
Notable long-term clients:
Ceramics of Italy, Duravit, Salone del Mobile, NeoCon, ASID, Humanscale, Fisher & Paykel
New client wins:
Material Bank, Digby, Biofabricate, Rimadesio, Refractory Studio, Studio Blitz, Interiors by Popov, Finding Sanctuary by Lisa Kahn Designs, Reseat
How is the agency advancing DEI in the industry?
“As the leader of a service-based company and communications, marketing and public relations agency, Novità has the unique position to impact change through our wide network of connections, relationships with media, clients, cultural organizations, and more. As members of the design community there is a responsibility for the firm to advance social justice by working within the frameworks and intersections of design, culture, equity and race. In 2020, the agency, led by President Chris Abbate, focused its initiative Design Stands Together on the Black Lives Matter movement, by creating panel discussions and starting an alliance of thirty-five industry PR firms to focus on efforts to make the design and PR industries more diverse and equitable through training, hiring practices, mentorship and pro-bono support of Black-owned design businesses. The agencies came together to create an industry-wide pledge to support anti-racist practices, promote diversity in their work and increase the representation of Black voices in their companies, their events, their social media and more. In an effort to evaluate Novità’s own practices, the firm has implemented the formation of an internal taskforce, putting diversity and inclusion initiatives at the forefront. In addition to the internal efforts as an agency, Senior Vice President Joseph Cephas advised The PR Net on the creation of its BIPOC Mentorship program and serves as a mentor today. He also sits on The DEI Impact Committee for the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) along with Chris Abbate.”
After just a handful of years in the biz, Savannah Engel Public Relations has proven itself as au courant as it is stylish. Savannah Engel’s community-minded team supports clients across the fashion, jewelry and entertainment industries with services including PR, event consulting and celebrity and VIP relations. Small but mighty, the young agency planned and produce NYFW runway debuts for Markarian and PatBO last year, and has dressed a who’s-who list of VIPs to date, including Maye Musk, Nicky Hilton, Finnegan Biden, Sydneey Sweeney, Ciara, Emma Roberts, Charlotte Groenveld, Micaela Erlanger and more. Most recently, Engel has expanded her business offerings to include wedding PR, which the agency launched with Ivy Getty’s wedding at the end of 2021. The new service, which is not limited to only VIPs, was designed to help alleviate stress from brides who want their special day featured in publications, and includes everything from finding the right photographers to sourcing wedding dress designers.
Leadership team:
Savannah Engel, Founder
Notable long-term clients:
Markarian, PatBO, Morgan Lane, Naomi Campbell’s Fashion For Relief
New client wins:
Ivy Getty, Marie Oliver, Filson, Ciao Lucia, CULT&RAIN
How are you innovating and moving the industry forward?
“Our motto is ‘long live community,’ and you may ask, what does that mean? Well, we respect and appreciate traditional press; however, we urge our clients to focus on growing their communities through events and activations, social media engagement and collaborations. We believe this will keep a company and branding alive by telling a story in an authentic way and thus, receive loyal followers. Additionally, by doing more than just traditional pitching, you’re creating newness that will give press more meat to write new stories about your brand.”
