
Phyllis Emmerich
Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I embarked on my career with determination, grit, and perseverance, leading me to seek a college degree that I’m proud to say I’m still utilizing decades later. After graduating from West Virginia University, “Let’s Go Mountaineers,” with a degree in Journalism/Advertising and English Literature, I began my professional journey at a 30,000+ newspaper, The Dominion Post, in the marketing and sales department. There, I held roles as a part-time advertising sales account executive and part-time graphic designer. Through post-graduate fine arts courses and self-taught graphic design, I quickly advanced to full-time graphic design manager within six months.
A few years in, opportunity knocked. I was drawn to a family-owned motocross production company that produced the Loretta Lynn Motocross Series. My role was to revitalize the company’s racing tabloid newspaper, creating a fresh look and introducing cutting-edge industry content. This eventually led to the birth of the national glossy publication, RacerX Magazine, with a growing following and readership.
The West Virginia “small town” experience fueled my drive, so I took off West for a fast-paced ride through many facets of marketing, print production, public relations, and advertising endeavors. By way of Denver, Colorado and a broken-down Volkswagen Golf, I accepted a position as the production manager of The Ten Mile Times, a resort newspaper in Frisco, Colorado. This is where my love for community and all things local truly blossomed. Writing about the vibrant local businesses, restaurants, recreational facilities, and ski resorts ignited a lifelong passion for storytelling.
I soon realized I was onto something bigger—loving my surroundings and connecting with the people who made the area special. My stories never felt like sales pitches, but heartfelt narratives born from passion. With an entrepreneurial spirit, I decided to invest in myself and take my career into my own hands. Since then, every step in my career has been bound by a common thread: my passion for marketing and public relations.
• In Breckenridge, Colorado, I opened and operated the only independent art film house, The Speakeasy Movie Theatre. Baby number one arrived, and I sold the theatre and moved East to Warwick, NY to be near family. The theatre is still thriving!
• Timing is everything. Shortly after moving East, I became the Public Relations Manager at Mountain Creek Resort, for a two-year stint.
• Baby number two shifted my priorities. I embraced freelancing, diving into logo design, content writing, PR outreach, trade show management, and handling marketing and social media initiatives for a family business. Social media was becoming a new frontier, and I knew it held untapped potential.
My professional and personal passions lie in cultivating authentic relationships and storytelling. I’m most fulfilled when I’m elevating brands and highlighting the hard work of others through meaningful marketing and PR initiatives.
Branded845 Marketing and Public Relations is built on a strong foundation of experience, boundless opportunity, and a deep connection to the community. Rooted firmly in the Hudson Valley, I continue to grow with success, happiness, and fulfillment. Isn’t it time we sow your seeds?
How do I spend my “free time”? When I’m not immersed in my work, you can find me exploring the local scene—enjoying eateries, craft beverages, and the local art community. I love boutiques and getting lost in the great outdoors. Yoga is another favorite activity that helps me recharge physically, emotionally, and soulfully, offering the perfect balance to peel me away from work. The community here in the 845 is rich and welcoming, and I’m proud to be part of it. Won’t you join me?

Olivia DiCostanzo
A Warwickian nearly all my life, I chose to stay relatively local for college, attending SUNY New Paltz. I’m a 2020 graduate with a BA in Public Relations, and a minor in Law. My interest in PR stemmed from a high school project that told the story of my community through photojournalism. Having always been interested in English and writing, this school project led me to discover that a career in public relations would expand opportunities to apply my academic skills professionally.
When my college classes became solely virtual, I chose to move back home to Warwick, NY. While completing my senior year classes, I accepted an internship with a local public relations, social media, and marketing firm that would put my four years of learning to the test, becoming one of the #845ers at Branded845.
As Branded845 continues to grow, so has my position with the agency. Upon completion of my internship, I was offered a part-time position with Branded845 as a Social Media, Digital Marketing, and Public Relations Coordinator. Taking the skills I acquired through my studies and the internship, I serve my clients through public outreach by executing social media messages, press releases, and any and all creative content to help spread their word. Being an 845er affords me opportunities to speak for some of my favorite retail shops, restaurants, and services through a variety of our agency’s marketing, social media, public relations, and photography services.
I’ve always been keen on exploring and adventuring and I’m always up for a good road trip. These days, you’ll find me staying closer to home honing my skills as an amateur photographer. My favorite subject to shoot? That’s likely animals, specifically Sparky, my seven-year-old Italian Greyhound. My love for alternative and Indie bands led me to be an avid concert-goer when concerts were still happening. Our vibrant local art scene has captured my heart too. I look forward to art openings returning soon. To keep my love for the arts alive, I’ve taken to singing in my car while out shooting photos, and writing creative content for B845 clients. When I’m not on the move, I still find comfort in curling up with a good book at our local library.

Katy Gennaro
Katy is a multi-talented creative soul who blends graphic design, website design, and yoga with artistic flair. With a solid foundation from Pratt Institute, she has honed her skills in communication design while also embarking on a spiritual journey through yoga, completing a 200-hour teacher training with an additional 50 hours in various styles.
Her yoga practice inspires her art, filling her sketchbook with insights that come to life in her illustrations. Katy is passionate about connecting with kindred spirits, whether through collaborative design projects, building websites, yoga sessions, or meaningful, uplifting conversations. True to her Pisces nature, she brings creativity and empathy to all her endeavors.

Adam Emmerich
Meet Adam Emmerich, your amiable Digital Designer, Photographer, and Web Developer right in your neighborhood. In fact, Adam is a true 845er born and raised in Warwick, NY.
Adam, an enthusiastic creator, takes delight in enhancing the visual appeal of both digital and print platforms. Originating from the action sports industry, where he contributed to Ecommerce giants like evo.com and Burton Snowboards, Adam later returned to his Warwick roots.
Upon his homecoming, Adam delved into crafting websites, signage, and logos for local businesses to fill free time and hone his artistic skills. In 2018, he embraced a full-time role as a Production Designer at Straus News, specializing in designing bespoke print ads, websites, and email marketing campaigns. In 2019, Adam established Algot Design to extend freelance design services to small enterprises. After two bustling years, he transitioned away from Straus News to fully dedicate himself to freelancing.
Boasting more than a decade of experience in design and web development, Adam brings a distinctive perspective and a comprehensive skill set to the Branded 845 team. Holding certifications as an Adobe Professional, with expertise in Website Layout & CMS through Webflow, and as a certified SEO specialist, Adam is well-equipped for the challenges of the digital realm.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Adam treasures moments with family, indulges in photography, and avidly follows the English Premier League. You might even spot him during the Christmas season, personally selling Christmas trees at Emmerich Tree Farm.
Deeply rooted in the local community, Adam possesses a profound understanding of the needs of small businesses and their clientele. His ethos revolves around simplicity and effectiveness, allowing his work to eloquently speak for itself.
This homegrown creative not only contributes his wealth of creative expertise to your project but, being a Hudson Valley native, Adam is deeply connected to the local scene. If you’re seeking to revitalize your visual identity or enhance your online presence, Adam possesses the expertise to turn your vision into reality. We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have Adam as a valued member of the #845 community!

Java
Born in late winter of 2018, I joined The 845 as part of the team in August. I found my way to Warwick, NY from Michigan via a devoted chain of fosters who relayed me cross-country to meet my new family, the Emmerichs. My beginnings are not fully known, as I was found as a stray puppy and taken to a shelter that quickly recognized me to be a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and promptly notified the national rescue association, CBRR.
I’m responsible for morale building and security in the office. I’m a Chessie so being a bit overprotective comes with the territory. I’ll bark at the cat, squirrels, chipmunks, groundhogs, deer, fox, knocks at the door, slight movements of the chair. I come fully equipped with an inherent break whistle, often reminding the team that it’s time to get up from their desk for a stretch…or better yet a walk around the property. Or even better, a game of catch or tug of war. The best break, though, is the one where my fur mama gets all of her daily steps in as she chases me when I’m in fast pursuit of deer, ducks, geese, Pinot the cat or the resident blue heron, through the fields and across the stream.
Tensions may run high during the frantic pursuit of me, while I’m playfully pursuing anything, but the pet therapy I offer, dog-cuddles and kisses, seems to make my office mates quickly forget the chase. My favorite pastimes at work are sleeping on my cushy bed and floor-scoring anything that lands at my paws. Sometimes snacks come in disguise, like a stray shoe, plant or office supply. When my boss can’t find her pencils, I usually know what happened to them. Despite my shenanigans, I always think I’m employee-of-the-month because I’m the only one who gets to nosh on treats when anyone visits the office and the only one who is allowed to lie down on my bed and sleep at work.
February, 2018 – June 9, 2024 RIP
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