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Em-Media: Telling stories, helping businesses thrive for 25 years

ANNIVERSARY — Em-Media has been helping businesses spread their messages for 25 years. Helping to mark the anniversary are, front, Jim Emmerling; granddaughter Elianna; and his wife, Lee Ann. In the back, son Michael Emmerling holds his son, Trace. -- Ross Gallabrese

STEUBENVILLE — From national chains and area businesses to local schools and government agencies, Em-Media Inc. has helped many organizations spread the word about their products and services in a variety of ways.

“The advertising industry has changed extensively since I started in the industry back in the 1970s. I started before fax machines, let alone the Internet and cell phones. Over the years, we have experienced many highs and a few lows — 2020 was the absolute worst business year for us, but through it all we have endured. This would never have happened without the blessings from God, our incredible employees and, most important, our great clients, many who have been with us from the start,” said Jim Emmerling, president and founder of Em-Media, while reflecting on the firm’s 25th anniversary.

“Hopefully, my son Michael and the team can continue the legacy long after I’m gone, but I have a few great ideas left in me, so get to me while I’m still here.”

With offices in Steubenville, Wheeling and Pittsburgh, the full-service marketing, advertising and public relations company has represented hundreds of clients in the Steubenville-Wheeling, Clarksburg-Morgantown, Pittsburgh, Youngstown, Cleveland, Parkersburg and Johnstown-Altoona markets and beyond.

Headed by Jim and his wife and co-owner, Lee Ann, Em-Media’s staff includes a full-service graphics, social, digital, production and web departments.

Started in Emmerling’s home, the agency has grown dramatically in the last 24 years, moving in 2010 to its present location, a state-of-the-art communications facility at 2728 Sunset Blvd. known as the Em-Media Center.

Having spent such a long time in the business, Jim Emmerling said he has met so many good people and had so many experiences, it is difficult to single any out.

“One of the highlights — and there have been so many — would have been our trip to Iceland a couple of years ago to do a promotional piece on the use of fish skin,” he explained.

That trip provided the background needed to help educate the public on the use of Kerecis Omega3 as a method to treat wounds at East Liverpool City Hospital. The process uses intact fish skin that is rich in naturally occurring Omega3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. When grafted onto damaged human tissue such as a burn or a diabetic wound, the material recruits the body’s own cells and is ultimately converted into living tissue.

Em-Media’s primary function is consulting with its clients on marketing goals and creating advertising campaigns utilizing television, radio, cable, social platforms, digital outlets, billboards, music jingle campaigns and print media to accomplish these goals.

“Music has played an integral part in our client’s success. We have produced hundreds of music logos and songs over my career,” stated Emmerling. “We’ve created brands for so many people. There have been hundreds of pieces of music — everybody can sing them. There’s not a soul in this area who can’t sing one of our campaigns.”

Em-Media also specializes in creating a corporate identity through logos, letterhead, pamphlets and other materials. The agency assists in advancing advertising for clients with media planning, negotiation, budget planning and through the analysis of media and web performance.

“We depend on the experience of our team to assist in the development of your market area. When you look at our backgrounds, you’ll find strengths in all media and creative development everywhere on our team,” Jim Emmerling added.

Em-Media has handled dozens of successful political advertising campaigns, locally and swatted.

The Em-Media Center also is home to the Steubenville newsroom of WTRF-TV and Bella Hall, an 1,800-square-foot facility available for banquets, business seminars, graduation and anniversary parties, family reunions, wedding and baby showers. Overseen by Lee Ann, Bella Hall includes a kitchen for heating, public address system, podium, stage and wireless Internet access and has a capacity for 140 to 300 people.

Em-Media is most proud of its civic responsibilities and philanthropic donations. These include, but are not limited to, Appalachian Outreach, the Baron Club of the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Belmont and Ohio Counties, Catholic Schools of Jefferson County, Diocese of Steubenville, Jefferson County United Way, the Rotary Clubs of Steubenville and Pittsburgh, Lifeswork of Western Pennsylvania, Steubenville City Schools Fine Arts Association, Steubenville Kiwanis, West Liberty University Great Gala and Youth Services System of Wheeling among many others.

The agency, Jim Emmerling said, does not waiver in its commitment to the region and its residents.

“Obviously, economic development is something that it still very important to me,” he said. “But I hope that we do a better job with diversity. That’s the one area in all of the areas that I service that needs the most attention.”

Em-Media’s client base through the years has included virtually all product categories representing hundreds of clients. Jim Emmerling added that the region is a great place to live and do business.

“Quite honestly, I spend a lot of time driving around the area, and I mean all over the Tri-State Area, and Steubenville really is quite attractive,” he said.

For information about Bella Hall and Em-Media, including samples of work in a variety of different medias, visit www.em-media.com www.weareem.com or call (740 ) 264-2186.

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