Award-winning Chicago Star Media toasts to four successful years

Chicago Star Media celebrated its 4^th anniversary in grand style on the rooftop at Mariano’s Lakeshore East on June 12. On a perfect summer night, nearly 60 guests, that included supporters, advertisers, board members and contributors, mixed and mingled while enjoying a party that featured topline vendors from this iconic marketplace.

Presented by Mariano’s Lakeshore East and organized by Amanda Puck, Mariano’s Director of Strategic Brand Development, the event featured treats from the Salsa King of Chicago (Marty Garcia); ICHOR water (John Powers and Mike Dagnino); Oki Sushi; Murray’s Cheese; Pop Karma popcorn (Jean Tsai); Big Shoulders Coffee (Dave Marsalek and Chef Jaymes Berry); San Pellegrino presented its new San Pellegrino Zero Sugar (Matt Pozo and Milky); Quari Ice and more. Other important contributors to the event were Chris Weir (Store Director), Michal Gawkowski (Assistant Store Manager) and J & L Catering.

Elaine Hyde, Publisher/Editor, welcomed guests and shared the history behind the brand that had its beginnings in the Lakeshore East area. Ashlea Hearn, Marketing Account Manager, spoke about the new marketing opportunities available (see them here) and the many awards the brand has won recently. Candace Jordan, Associate Publisher, acknowledged key supporters and advertisers in the crowd and shared recent stats- in the last four years, the website has received over 1 million visitors and the team has written over 3,000 articles, covering everything from local news to cultural events. CSM writer Elena Smentkowski also addressed the crowd while other contributors, Susan Berkes, Margaret Laing and Michaela Wilson, were recognized as well. 

Partygoers posed with fanciful props created and donated by Kehoe Designs (Tom Kehoe and team) and left with goody bags containing branded baseball caps, notepads, marketing materials and “I Am A Chicago Star” pins. Longtime supporter and board member Maureen Schulman provided a beautiful Eli’s Cheesecake for the occasion branded with the Chicago Star logo. DJ World kept partygoers dancing to hot beats until the event concluded.

Over the past four years, the company and website have grown tremendously, becoming a pivotal source of news and entertainment for Chicago, and always staying true to its mission of serving up positive news that readers can use. Recently the media company has expanded to include marketing, PR and much more.

(For your marketing/PR needs, please contact Ashlea Hearn (ashlea@chicagostarmedia.com) and for advertising, please contact Candace Jordan (candidcandace@chicagostarmedia.com). We are also looking for a few qualified contributors so, if interested, please send your info to info@chicagostarmedia.com ) .

(Photos by Kelsy Goodwin and Candace Jordan)