New Haven, Conn., Advertising Firm Opens First U.K. Satellite Office.

By Steve Higgins, New Haven Register, Conn. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Jun. 16--NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Mascola, a marketing and advertising firm, has opened its first satellite office, on the southern coast of England.

The area is a stronghold of British-based marine manufacturers, and Mascola has several major marine-industry clients with headquarters in the United Kingdom.

"A tremendous number of marine manufacturers in Great Britain want to market to North America," said founder and President Chuck Mascola.

Mascola said he landed accounts with the North American subsidiaries of several British marine companies and ultimately ended up with the international accounts as well.

Two of Mascola's major clients, for instance, are Lewmar Ltd. and Raymarine, both headquartered in the United Kingdom.

Lewmar sells 25 percent of its marine hardware products in the United States, and Raymarine sells most of its marine electronics products in the United States.

In starting its U.K. branch, Mascola has formed an alliance with Neil Young, a British marketing professional based in Hampshire, England.

"He has significant experience and credibility," Mascola said. "We wanted to provide someone who is British to be the main contact for British-based companies."

Young, managing director of Neil Young Associates, will act as head of Mascola's U.K. operations.

"This alliance really is a win-win situation for U.K.-based companies looking to or currently marketing their products in the United States," Young said. "Additionally, the relationship will work both ways, with U.S.-based companies seeking to market themselves in the U.K. and Europe."

Robert Hill, director of Lewmar, praised the expansion.

"The presence of a U.K. office ensures that our communications across the pond will be even clearer and more consistent," Hill said.

Founded in 1989, Mascola, at 436 Forbes Ave., offers advertising, public relations and Internet marketing services.

The agency's clients also include Navtec Rigging Solutions, Ritchie Navigation, Okemo Mountain Resort, Stonewater Spas and various tourism destinations in Connecticut.

Mascola said he is considering opening other satellite offices, including in Florida, but no plans are in the works at this time.

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