When the news came out that Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp., with a respected, 100-year history of service in New York, was to be acquired by the Canadian company Fortis Inc, some concerns and reservations were expressed by a segment of the community.  To reassure the public that the only changes would be for the better, and that the same people they knew and had come to trust would still be providing the kind of service they could always count on, Central Hudson turned to Ellenbogen Creative Media to help present that message.

In this 30-second commercial that began airing soon after the transaction was completed, Central Hudson employees are shown at work, at home, and being actively involved in volunteer activities throughout the Hudson Valley.  “…. Just as they’ve always done,” said Central Hudson’s Director of Corporate Communications Paul Tesoro, who wrote, directed and narrated the spot.

“The reason I turned to Ellenbogen for assistance once again is because I know that they are able to understand and capture my concept, and produce a first-quality finished product that communicates clearly to the audience,” Tesoro continued. “Plus, they are all great to work with.”

Jeremy Ellenbogen, President and CEO shared,  “With mergers and business deals happening all the time, we sometimes feel that people are forgotten in the process.  What we captured with this video reassures us that at Central Hudson, it’s People first!”

Actual Central Hudson people, all local area residents, are featured in the commercial, including one employee seen saying goodbye to his wife and daughter in his own driveway as he goes off to work in the morning, and then later coaching actual members of his girl’s AAU basketball team, and returning to his home in the evening. In other scenes, several CH employees who run the company’s charitable food drives for the less fortunate were filmed at The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley’s warehouse; and another employee is seen who devotes time, when he is off-duty, to his local volunteer fire department. In addition, some Central Hudson electric linemen, gas crews, and a customer service rep are all shown on the job.

Using a soft lighting system for shadowless lighting, Jib Arm crane for sweeping camera moves, time-lapse video techniques, and Canon DSLR cameras, Ellenbogen created a heartfelt 30-second commercial.

Ellenbogen hired local talent for the video.  The script was written, directed and narrated by Paul Tesoro, Director of Corporate Communications at Central Hudson and shot by cinematographers, Zoltan David and Dennis O’Clair.  Editing and post-production work was provided by Ellenbogen’s Eric Jacobs.