[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 90 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1263-E1264]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO ANTHONY JOSEPH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 24, 2004

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Anthony Joseph in 
recognition of his entrepreneurial success in the marketing and 
communications field.
  As a product of New York City public school system, Anthony parlayed 
his academic achievement and his experience as an All-City championship 
football player into a walk-on position on the Boston University squad. 
Anthony promoted campus parties and events to subsidize his tuition. 
After graduation, he quickly turned a temp job in The New York Times' 
finance department into a staff position in the paper's marketing 
department.
  With just one experience as an employee with the New York Times, 
Anthony combined his knowledge of urban landscape with his marketing 
expertise to incorporate the fastest rising marketing/communication 
company in the urban field. Anthony laid the foundation for his urban 
success by moonlighting with Vital Marketing Group VMG while still at 
the Times. Through contacts at a major apparel and an advertising 
agency, Anthony was able to participate in business meetings where he 
was

[[Page E1264]]

able to present strategies, which, over time, turned into contracts 
with Tommy Hilfiger, Hush Puppies, and Wolverine Boots.
  Eventually, Anthony's growing client base necessitated his departure 
from the Times. He partnered with the African-American media company 
that established the billboard beachhead on Harlem's 125th Street, 
utilized by so many entertainment companies at the time. Together they 
formed VMG, with Anthony leading the charge. After merely four years of 
business, its roster counts big-timers such as the U.S. Army, Nike, 
Tommy Hilfiger, Coca Cola, Remy Martin, Foot Action, Posner Cosmetics 
and Universal Records to name a few. It has an income of over $7 
million in annual revenue.
  Vital Marketing's unusual methodology and its consistent success can 
be credited in great part to its founder and president, Anthony Joseph. 
The Queens-bred son of a Jamaican mother and Puerto Rican father, 
Anthony, understood the significance of culture early on as it related 
to marketing.
  In May 2001, VMG was presented with the Black Enterprise Rising Star 
Award, in honor of the high revenues garnered by VMG's high profile 
clients. A year later, VMG offered further proof that they were on the 
assent when they turned a cold call and a year of conversation into a 
multimillion dollar contract with the U.S. Army via advertising giant 
Leo Burnett.
  Mr. Speaker, Anthony Joseph has created a successful company through 
his own hard work and ingenuity. As such, he is more than worthy of 
receiving our recognition today and I urge my colleagues to join me in 
honoring this truly remarkable person.

                          ____________________