CEO of MZI Global Marketing, Mira Zivkovich, Heritage Marketing Leader, Among 100 Recipients of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor 2007

New York, NY (PRWEB) May 12,2007 -- Mira Zivkovich, a leader in heritage and multicultural marketing, has used her abilities and resources as President and CEO of MZI Global Marketing to promote social responsibility and awareness for various organizations and multicultural communities. She was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) on Saturday, May 12, 2007.

Each year, NECO serves as umbrella representing over 300 ethnic groups in the U.S. and awards annually the Ellis Island Medal of Honor to 100 outstanding individuals who portray a lifestyle dedicated to the community, exhibit interests for the preservation of cultural groups and who share and contribute through personal and professional achievements toward the overall benefit of society.
Both the United States Senate and House of Representatives have officially passed resolutions recognizing the Ellis Island Medals of Honor, which ranks among this country's most prestigious awards. Each year, Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipients are listed in the Congressional Record, honoring those who have made enduring contributions to our nation and to the world.

The Ellis Island Medal of Honor 2-day event begins with a reception the evening before the official presentation ceremony at the prestigious Metropolitan Club in NYC where the medalists meet each other. The following afternoon, recipients and guests are taken by ferry boat to Ellis Island for the ceremonial event lasting 7 hours. The colossal production worthy of Hollywood, starts with a ceremony in a 16,000 square foot tent, over 250 entertainers, marching bands, performers in full regalia, to honor the medalists. There are lights, camera and plenty of action but nothing matches the patriotic and emotional event which medalist Mira Zivkovich describes as the most memorable moment in her life. Following the tent ceremony, the medalists and over a thousand guests proceed to the Great Hall ballroom where candlelight, elegantly appointed tables, music and dance greet the medalists and their families for the evening's dinner celebration. To top everything, this spectacular ceremony and premier event of the year in New York City, ends with Grucci spectacular fireworks display in backdrop of New York Harbor.

Ms. Zivkovich is also the founder of the Slavic Heritage Coalition, which promotes the contributions of Slavic-Americans to American society, Her knowledge of heritage has helped her to make connections in the business of global marketing and develop marketing based on culture. Studies shows that 40 % of Americans can trace their roots to ancestors who entered United States through Ellis Island and are aware of their heritage roots. This has lead her to develop a proprietary methodology - Ethnosynergism™, which provides insights into the attitudes and behaviors of numerous market segments and connects companies and brands with diverse consumer groups. Ms. Zivkovich stated: "For me, the loss of one's heritage means a loss of identity and who we are as Americans, collectively. I strongly believe that the individual we have become today is a direct result of our history and places from which our elders came. Our past is something to build upon, something to fall back on, something that gives us courage to go forward, and something that makes us solid and stable as rock."

Tremendous appreciation goes to her beloved son, Brian Zivkovich Choudhary, and friends who also understand her commitments to her objectives and declining so many social engagements. Additional recipients of the 2007 Ellis Island Medals of Honor include: Her Excellency Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, President of the 61st Session of the United Nations General Assembly; Senator Chuck Hagel; Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., President of the University of Notre Dame; U.S. Congressman Tom Lantos, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Zivkovich has successfully transferred her leadership experience at her firm to assist critical social issues. "Our pro bono work allows us to help others and reaffirms our core company values. We believe good business should be meaningful, which is why MZI is committed to improving communities throughout the world," says Mira Zivkovich. She incorporates this philosophy in everything she does by speaking for the voices that cannot be heard and by donating her time and energy to various compelling causes over the years.

Because of her many achievements and her ability to touch communities through her personal and professional achievements, Zivkovich was honored at this year's ceremony on Saturday, May 12, 2007 in New York City. Zivkovich will join the honored ranks of past recipients include six U.S. Presidents -Bill Clinton, George Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, and Gerald Ford as well as Nobel laureates, entertainers, athletes, entrepreneurs, religious leaders and business executives, such as Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Muhammad Ali, Rosa Parks, Elie Wiesel, General Norman Schwarzkopf, Mickey Mantle, Gloria Estefan, Michael Douglas and Siegfried & Roy.

Mira and MZI Inc want to congratulate all the hundred 2007 Ellis Island medalists:
" I would like to wish you all my heartfelt congratulations for receiving the prestigious 2007 Ellis Island Medal of Honor. I feel extremely proud to have had the opportunity to meet you and share this honor with you. I hope this award has inspired you to greater heights as it has done for me. I also hope you enjoyed your trip to New York and had a comfortable and safe journey to your homes"

Dr. Gregory Adamian, Chancellor; H.E. Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, President - 61st Session of the General Assembly; George Altirs, CEO of GMA Accessories, Inc.; Peter Arnell, Founder & Chairman of Arnell Group; Dr. Elias Ayoub, Physician; Dr. Ernest M. Barsamian, Professor of Surgery (Emeritus) at Harvard University; Michelle Bodden, VP Elementary Schools; Eric Braeden, Actor; Edgar Cahn, Founder & CEO of Time Banks USA; Leo Chen, CEO of Spectroniq; Dr. Aram V. Chobanian, President (Emeritus) of Boston University; Jaekun Chung, President of Jay Joshua, Inc.; Mario Ciano, Chairman of Reminger & Reminger Co.;Denis A. Cortese, MD,President & CEO of Mayo Clinic; Hon. Leslie Crocker-Snyder, Partner of Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman; Victor Phillip Dahdaleh, Owner & Chairman of Dadaco Group of Companies; Nicholas J. Daniello, MD; Dr. Joel Alan DeLisa, Chairman, Dept. Physical Med. of Kessler Medical Rehab. NJMC; Kirti Desai, President of TAK Construction, Inc.; Dr. Akshay Desai, Chairman, President & CEO of Universal Health Care; Michael J. Dowling, President & CEO of North Shore LI Jewish Health System; James J. Dowling, Community Leader; Blaise Durante Deputy Asst. Secretary of US Air Force; Hon. Jacob Eapen, MD, MPH, Alameda County Medical Center; Mory Ejabat, CEO of Zhone Technology; Richard A. Elias, MD, Miami International Cardiology Consultants; Hani Findakly, PhD, Vice Chairman & Director of The Clinton Group, Inc.; Arthur Flegel, Founder & CEO of Flegel's Home Furnishings; Jon Fortgang, CEO of New Hair Technology; Douglas Foshee, President & CEO of El Paso Corporation; Philip Friedman, President & CEO of Computer Generated Solutions; Cynthia R, Garrett, Superintendent of Statue of Liberty National Monument; Obren Gerich, Sr. Vice President of Public Storage, Inc.; Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide; Col. R.L. Grabowski,USMC, Commanding Officer of First Marine Corp District; MSGT Nicholas G. Grand, USAF, Mobilization Coordinator of Nat'l Committee for ESGR; Patrick Grant, President & CEO of National Western Stock; Hon. Chuck Hagel, United States Senator; George Hamilton, Actor/ Dancer; William Harrington, Esq., Partner of Bleakley, Platt & Schmidt; Richard Heckmann, Chairman & CEO of K2, Inc.; Col. Jack H. Jacobs, USA (Ret.); Rev. John I. Jenkins, CSC, President of University of Notre Dame; Ik Joong Kang, Artist at Ik Joong Kang Studio; Dr. Sarkis Kechejian, President of K Clinics; Don Keenan, Founder of Keenan's Kids Foundation; Do-Young Kim, Vice President of Speed Management Corp; David E. Kimmel, Jr., Chief of Field Operations of WPIX-TV; Dr. Steven S. Koh, Chairman of Wilshire State Bank; George J. Kostas, President & CEO of Techno Economic Services; Les Kuczynski, Nat'I Exec. Director of Polish American Congress; Joan Kuyper Farver, Chair Emeritus of Pella Corporation; Irene Ladas, Aegean Real Estate; LTC Larry H. Lang, USAF, Commander & Conductor of USAF Band of Liberty; Rep. Tom Lantos, U.S. Congressman; Dr. Edwin Pak-Wah Leung, Professor & Chairman of Department of Asian Studies in Seton Hall University; Dr. John M. Levinson; Hon. Guillermo Linares, Commissioner, Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs; Harvey MacKay, Chairman of MacKay Envelope Co.; Patrick J. Martucci, Chairman & CEO of Coreview Capital, LLG; Thomas Mattia, Sr. Vice President of Coca-Cola Company; CPT Gary A. Maynard, USN, Commander of Naval Weapon Station Earle; Mitchell Modell, CEO of Modell's Sporting Goods; Hon. Samuel Mok, Chief Financial Officer of U.S. Dept. of Labor, Todd Morgan, Chairman & Sr. Partner of Belair Investment Advisors; C. Warren Moses, CEO of The Children's Aid Society; Dr. Vance Moss, Urologic Transplant Surgeon of the Mid-Atlantic Multi-Specialty Surgical Group; Dr. Vince Moss, Cardiothoracic Surgeon of the Mid-Atlantic Multi-Specialty Surgical Group; Sharmin Mossavar-Rahmani, Managing Director of Goldman Sachs & Co; Maureen Murphy, Recording Secretary of Sergeants Benevolent Assoc.; Fereydoun Nazem, Founder & Managing Partner of the Nazem & Company; Hon. Liet Nguyen, Magistrate -Commonwealth of Virginia; Col. Tracey E. Nicholson, Commander, Ft. Hamilton; Fr. Michael O'Connell, Rector of Basilica of St. Mary; Dr. Kiran C. Patel, Chairman of Patel Foundation for Global Understanding; Antonio M. Perez, Chairman & CEO of Eastman Kodak Company; Asst. Chief Diana L. Pizzuti, Commanding Officer NYPD of Queens North; L. Rafael Reif, PhD, Provost, Maseeh Prof. of Emerging Tech. - MIT; RADM Stephen W. Rochon, USCG, Commander; James Rogers, Chairman, President & CEO of Duke Energy Corp; Michael Rogers, Exec. Vice President, Corp. Services of MedStar Health; Hon. Carlos A. Romero-Barcelo, former Governor of Puerto Rico; Ali A. Saberioon, President & CEO of Sabco Oil & Gas Corp; Carlos A. Saladrigas, Founder & Chairman of Premier American Bank; Dominick M. Servedio, Chairman & CEO of STV Group, Inc.; Smita N. Shah, President of SPAAN Tech, Inc.; Donald Soffer, Owner of Turnberry Associates; Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, Chairman & CEO of Abraxis Bioscience, Inc.; Toomas M. Sorra, MD, Community Leader; Debra Brown Steinberg, Esq., Partner of Cadwalader,Wickersham & Taft, LLP; Daniel J. Sullivan, President & CEO of FedEx Ground Package System, Inc.; Daniel J. Thomas, DDS, President of Periodontal Specialists, PA; Gerald Turpanjian, President of TF Educational Foundation; Luis A. Valentin, County Prosecutor of Monmouth County; Tai Nin Wang, Vice President of WAC Lighting Co.; Richard J. Wolff, CEO of The Global Consulting Group; Mahvash Yazdi, Sr. V.P. of Business, Integration & CIO of Edison International; Dr. Gazi Zibari, Professor of LSU Health Sciences Center.

Mira Zivkovich and MZI Global Marketing express an hearty appreciation to the board members of National Ethnic Coalition of Organization Foundation. Inc. (NECO) for organizing greatest and the most meaningful event in America- the Ellis Island Medal of Honor:

William Denis Fugazy, Co-Chairmen; Lee A. Lacocca, Co-Chairmen; Nasser J. Kazeminy, Chairman of the Executive Committee; William Denis Fugazy, Jr. Vice Chair; Brian O' Dwyer, Esq, Vice Chair; Maurice A. Buckley, President; Rosemarie Taglione, Executive Director; Board of Directors: Helene Irma der Stepanian; Louis Freech; William Denis Fugazy, Jr; John B. Goodman

Thank you ALL!

Two Serbians, Among 100 Recipients, are Awarded the 2007 Ellis Island Medal of Honor
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