Maryland has represented well in advertising sales lately,
as two Eastern Shore marketing masters shared the company’s quarterly
Starlifter Award. Cathy Koyanagi and Karen Riggin were surprised with the honor
at INI Delmarva Group’s sales summit on Oct. 11.
The Starlifter Award is presented to a salesperson with the
best growth, digital and overall sales and “in recognition for her outstanding
sales effort and her ability to raise our clients’ stars even higher.” These
two ladies’ sales accounted for 75 percent of the company’s quarterly overage
for Quarter 1 of FY2023.
CATHY KOYANAGI:
Cathy Koyanagi started with INI when the Salisbury
Independent was launched 2014, and she recently made huge marketing strides for
the new Stars of Salisbury promotion.
““This is a great honor. I could not have earned this
without the help of so many others, like Jenny Keim (account services manager),
Konrad LaPrade (VP of sales and marketing) and Editor Greg Bassett – Thank
you.” Koyanagi said.
Outside of work, “I enjoy volunteering in my spare
time. As a life member of Sharptown Volunteer Fire Dept. Ladies Auxiliary
and a new two-year member of West Side Vol. Fire Dept. LAX, I stay busy and
enjoy the communities I serve,” she said.
KAREN RIGGIN:
Marketing Consultant Karen Riggin primarily sells for the
(Crisfield-Somerset) County Times, with 10 years’ experience at the company.
Admittedly an introvert, Riggin grows as a person by stepping outside of her
comfort level to sell. She focuses on building trust ant putting herself in the
customers’ shoes. She recently worked on the Stars of Somerset promotions.
Riggin was honored to have her
hard work recognized with the Starlifter Award. “It comes with a little luck,
prayer and hard work. The funniest thing is I don’t keep track of the numbers …
I am more invested on reputation so I work hard to maintain that, the money
comes with it,” she said. “And, I like seeing my coworkers win it as well. Most
of us, as a team, really are encouragers.”
Outside of work, Riggin’s husband and family are her life. She heads the
Disaster Relief program at Oakridge (after years supporting recovery efforts
around the nation) also serving on the boards for Crisfield Chamber of Commerce
and the Somerset County Library.
Photo Caption: Karen Riggin, left, and Cathy Koyanagi with
their supervisor, Konrad LaPrade.
