The print industry lost a long-time member and supporter on November 30 with the unexpected passing of Mark Bonacorso, president of PR and marketing firm Media Ink. He was 58.
Bonacorso was known and respected as an innovative, creative marketing and PR professional who brought a realistic, practical perspective to how clients should communicate their messages. A former graphic designer who understood the combined power of both words and images, one of his greatest strengths was the ability to create communications strategies that helped his clients stand out in a crowded marketplace.
“It is hard to put into words the sense of loss that I feel with Mark’s passing,” said Skip Henk, president of industry trade association Xplor International. “Professionally he was one of the most giving people I know, honest to a fault. He loved our industry and worked passionately for Xplor during difficult times. I valued his counsel as the Xplor chair but even more enjoyed talking with him about the things going on in our lives. Xplor has lost a great advocate and friend. I have lost one of my closest friends.”
“I am stunned and deeply saddened by Mark’s passing. He was a close friend as well as a valued colleague,” said Scott Baker, president of Scott Baker Associates. “I always looked forward to speaking with Mark because we would invariably end up talking about the fun things we both enjoyed—fine food, wines, recipes, our wives, our pets—as well as the business at hand. I will miss Mark’s humor, his creativity, his loyal friendship, and his unique take on life. Rest in peace, my friend.”
“How many times have you heard ‘it’s business, not personal?’ For Mark, it was personal,” said Andrew Gordon, director of enterprise marketing at Mimeo and executive committee member with PRIMIR. “For me, he was far more than my go-to PR guy. He was a brilliant strategic advisor, both personally and professionally, always there, behind the scenes, counseling, guiding and ensuring that I thought through every angle and detail before making a key decision. He approached all of his relationships this way and was passionate and personally committed to helping his friends and clients succeed. I will miss the countless conversations where he shared his thoughts and experiences on topics ranging from cooking, design, art, music, politics, his amazing wife and stepson, and his many pets. We have lost a great soul and he will be missed.”
“I loved working with Mark,” said Jeff Hayzlett, executive and former Kodak CMO. “I first worked with him at Webprint and later at my PR firm. When I went to Kodak he bought my business and created Media Ink. Mark was so good that after I left Kodak I tried get him to come work with me again but he was happy running his own shop and living in the desert with his love, Molly.”
“When I think about Mark, the first adjective that comes to mind is enthusiastic,” said Larry Vogel, executive director, AR Advisors. “Whether we were talking about the graphic arts industry or just sharing the joys of desert living, his enthusiastic energy was always palpable. We’ve lost a treasured friend and colleague way too soon.”
“Mark was at once an invaluable professional resource and a terrific guy to hang out with, but most of all he was a true friend,” said Noel Ward, managing director of Brimstone Hill Associates. “He was someone many of us would talk with about a host of business and personal issues. We always shared a lot on that two-way street. Mark was always ready with advice, willing to share his unique perspective, knowledge, expertise, and help others any way he could. Mark was truly one-of-a-kind and we’re all poorer with his passing.”
Mark leaves his beloved wife Molly Passmore and stepson Pierce. Funeral services will be private but industry friends and colleagues will be holding a celebration of Mark’s life at the Xplor conference in April. In the meantime, donations in Mark’s memory may be made through www.gofundme.com/1m6gjw.
