john nunziato brands westport — and beyond
In a career spanning 40 years, John Nunziato has helped shape and evolve brands like Coca-Cola, Burger King, Chicken of the Sea, Jolly Rancher, Gillette, Campbell’s, Unilever and Johnson & Johnson. He’s won major design awards, and speaks at industry conferences.
Locally, the longtime Westport resident has lent his talents to the Library’s VersoFest, school theater programs, and other organizations.
Recently, Nunziato launched @TheBrandvertisist. On Instagram and TikTok he shares behind-the-scenes stories about branding, advertising, creativity, happy accidents, lessons learned, and the occasional “beautiful mistake” that helped shape his career.
In one post, he strolled through downtown. GG & Joe, Spotted Horse, Lucky Brands, Blue Mercury, Vineyard Vines — all got his attention. Click here to hear his thoughts.
John Nunziato, on a branding tour of downtown Westport.
startup westport pitch competition: who wins $25,000?
We’re a few months away from the opening pitch of the baseball season.
But just one week away from StartUp Westport’s 2nd annual Pitch competition.
Next Thursday (November 19, 6 p.m., Westport Library), 4 Connecticut startups take the stage to pitch their businesses, showcase their ideas — and compete for $30,000 in prize money. The grand prize is $25,000.
Think “Shark Tank.” Each founder presents their business to a panel of judges. The audience votes for their favorite company too.
This year’s finalists — selected from 41 applicants — are:
Batch Global: A global sperm donation marketplace designed to make the process of finding and connecting with donors more accessible.
PayScopeMD: An AI-powered platform that helps physicians benchmark employment contracts and better understand their compensation.
Biome Botanicals: A natural digestive health company developing botanical-based products that support digestive wellness.
Starteryou: An AI-powered work-based learning platform connecting people with real-world work experiences and opportunities to build career-ready skills.
Audience registration is open; click here.
grateful for the senior center
Jane Ho writes: “This holiday season, I hope ‘06880’ readers will consider making a donation to the Westport Senior Center.
“It’s a remarkable place that serves as a safe haven for so many seniors and veterans.
“I began bringing my mother after she was diagnosed with dementia. I met 3 angels, who brought so much joy into my mom’s life and mine.
“We quickly bonded and became friends — sharing stories, laughing, playing pool, attending lectures and tea parties, celebrating birthdays and enjoying holiday parties together at the Center.
“The staff are so warm and inviting, I looked forward to seeing them every day.
“The luncheon is an integral part, where everyone gathers to spend time with old friends and make new ones.
“This is made possible by the dedicated, hardworking volunteers who serve lunch each day.
“It would be wonderful for the Senior Center to have a fund to help purchase door prizes for Volunteer Appreciation Day, hosting special events, an electronic bingo board — your generosity will be greatly appreciated.”
Click here to donate, and for more information.
Paulina Przybysz, serving lunch at Sue’s Cafe in the Senior Center.
firefighters “share the warmth” with coat collection
The Westport Fire Department and Westport Uniformed Firefighters Charitable Foundation are collecting new or gently used winter coats, gloves, scarves, hats and snowsuits, for the Bridgeport Rescue Mission.
And to make it easy, there are 6 drop-off spots:
- Fire headquarters, next to Terrain
- Senior Center
- Town Hall
- Kings Highway Elementary School
- Coleytown Elementary School
- Long Lots Elementary School.
The “Share the Warmth” collection drive runs through November 20.
STOCK THE SHELVES, SO BRIDGEPORT KIDS CAN SHOP
The Youth Klub in Bridgeport has a brilliant idea.
Serving low-income families and children, it rewards children for good behavior and trying their best in school. At the Holiday Store, they redeem their points by “buying” gifts for their families.
The Women’s League of Westport is helping stock the store’s shelves. On December 6 (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Imperial Avenue parking lot), they’re collecting new, unwrapped presents.
To drop off at another time, email atlasbethct@gmail.com.
You can also order online. Awesome Toys is offering 20% off for items purchased for the Holiday Store. Amazon also has a wish list.
Suggested ideas for children: books, dolls, board games, stuffed animals, educational and arts/crafts toys, cars/trucks, Legos, games, soccer balls and footballs.
For men: electronics, grooming kits, headphones, tools, cologne/skin care, watches, wallets, scarves, hats, gloves, slippers, mugs.
For women: make-up kit, perfume, costume jewelry, manicure set, toiletries, nail polish sets, books, scarves, hats, gloves, picture frames, slippers.
Youngsters shop at the holiday store.
PREMIER LEAGUE PRODUCER SCORES WITH ROTARY CLUB
Staples High School Class of 2001 graduate Michael Carey — now senior producer of Premier League soccer coverage at NBC Sports — gave an inside look at professional sports programming Tuesday, at the Westport Rotary Club’s lunch meeting.
The Premier League is the most watched sports program in the world.
Carey oversees studio and match coverage in both the US and England. He previously helped produce the Summer Olympics and NFL football.
When Simone Biles withdrew in the middle of the Tokyo Olympics, Carey completely rewrote the story. “That change may have impacted my schedule more than any other person on the planet,” he said. “I’m happy I did it, but I never want to do it again.”
Mike Carey, at the Westport Rotary Club. (Hat tip and photo/Dave Matlow)
the arts & local real estate: all you need to know
Non-profit arts and culture generates nearly $1 billion in economic activity in Connecticut: $600 million spent by organizations, and another $350 million by audiences on dining, parking and lodging.
Next Tuesday (November 17, 8 a.m., SoNo Collection in Norwalk), FLB Law’s 9th annual Real Estate Outlook explores how the arts give Fairfield County properties a second life, while enriching community culture, attracting foot traffic and increasing real estate values.
Panelists for “Second Acts: Real Estate and the Arts in Fairfield County” — including Carleigh Walsh (Levitt Pavilion), Darcy Hicks (Norwalk Art Space), Eric Bernheim (FLB Law), Danny Loftus George (Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts), Jessica Vonashek (Manresa Island — will discuss the artistic uses of these properties, and why they matter to the real estate market, local businesses and community members.
Dan Woog — hey, that’s me! — will moderate.
For more information and to register, click here.
The Levitt Pavilion is more than an entertainment venue. It’s also an economic engine. (Photo/Susan Garment)
WESTPORT GARDEN CLUB CELEBRATES VETERANS DAY
To honor local veterans yesterday, the Westport Garden Club placed 250 flowers at VFW Post 399. Lori Meinke created the arrangement.
It’s still there, for everyone — servicemembers and everyone else — to enjoy.
(Photo/Kathie Motes Bennewitz)
ASTRONOMERS’ ALERT: ALL ABOUT CORONAS
Other posts range from local (Verso Studios) to international (The Gap). To join Nunziato’s 6,000-plus followers, follow @TheBrandvertisist.’
What’s up with coronas? (The sun’s version, not the brew.)
Next Tuesday (November 17, 8 p.m., Westport Astronomical Society hosts Dr. George Hripcsak.
The New York astronomer will review visual properties of the solar corona, related work in the area, the design and construction of a coronagraph, and images taken with it
The talk will also be live-streamed on YouTube and on Zoom, and posted to the WAS YouTube channel afterward.
Holy corona!
OBITUARY: RENA SCHINE
Longtime Westport resident Rena died Tuesday. She was 93, and led a long life of advocacy and adventure.
She grew up in a mid-century modern home in Fairfield designed by her father.
Surrounded by Russian culture, original art, song, music and philosophical conversations, Rena’s life-long search for meaning and beauty in life was formed.
She earned a B.S. in biology and psychology at Tufts, studied early education at the University of Bridgeport, school psychology as a 2-time master’s student at Fairfield University, and wrote her Ph.D. thesis at NYU on the subject of language acquisition and abstract thought in deaf students.
She worked for many years in the Fairfield Schools as a psychologist and deafness specialist. She used a sabbatical and retirement to work at the American International Schools as a counselor in Tanzania and Israel.
Back in the US, she focused on non-profit and private advocacy for students with special needs. She also worked for the state of Connecticut as an advocate for students in the foster care system.
Rena finally retired, at 89 years of age.
She was a world traveler, beginning with bicycling adventures in Europe. Later, she hiked and toured in the US and abroad.
Rena filled many albums with photos of friends made, landmarks and scenery, local cultural arts and crafts, clothing and hats, and exotic animals.
In a note left behind, she said her bucket list was fulfilled, including singing at a wedding of a classmate’s wedding, in dorm competitions, and with a band on a military ship returning from Germany.
Also on that list: rebuilding homes in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Rena is survived by her daughters Rachel and Carla, sons-in-law Adam and Jay, grandchildren Noah, Leah, Ross and Ruby, and niece Selena Alkon Sautter.
A funeral services will be held Friday (November 13, 1 p.m., Abraham L. Green & Son Funeral Home, Fairfield).
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to The Center for Children’s Advocacy.
“westport … naturally” & song of the day
We sometimes think of Sherwood Island as a “beach.”
But there is so much more there — including woods.
Molly Alger’s “Westport … Naturally” image reminds us of some of the wonders of Connecticut’s first state park.
(Photo/Molly Alger)
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And finally … Tony Butala, a founder of the Lettermen, died November 1 in Wisconsin. He was 87.
The New York Times called the trio “a mainstay of the pop charts, cruising through the rocking 1960s as the musical equivalent of dad’s comfy Buick on a highway filled with fire-breathing Corvettes and Mustangs.” Click here for a full obituary.
(Whether you think of “06880” as a comfy Buick or a fire-breathing Corvette, we are your hyper-local blog. We’re here 24/7/365, and we depend on your support. Please click here to help. We thank you!)
