John Balardo

John Balardo

John Balardo boasts over two and a half decades of expertise in the marketing industry, which he has applied to creating effective marketing strategies that help his clients meet their objectives.

He currently serves as president and CEO of Hour Media Inc., based in Troy, Michigan. It publishes Hour Detroit, DBusiness, Detroit Design among other publications.

Early Life and Education

John Balardo was born in West New York, New Jersey on June 21, 1922 and passed away January 8, 2005 at 82 years of age in Hauppauge, New York. A graduate of Bridgewater East High School and guidance counselor, he also belonged to its alumni association and volunteered at the school as well as coaching football and basketball games.

Belardo received his training at traditional institutions such as the New York Academy of Art and Newington Cropsey Academy. He is renowned for his intricate terra-cotta sculptures that are meticulously detailed. Unlike many modern artists, he uses time-honored techniques to craft powerful scenes that provoke thought and prompt viewers’ responses. Furthermore, Belardo teaches sculpture at CUNY Lehman College and belongs to the National Sculpture Society.

Professional Career

John Balardo is an accomplished lawyer specializing in State, Local & Municipal law as well as Land Use/Zoning law. He frequently represents public entities, developers and citizens before zoning and planning boards to secure approvals for office, industrial, commercial and residential development projects.

He is a member of the Bars of Maine, New Jersey and New York and admitted to practice before United States District Courts for both District of Maine and Southern District of New York. Additionally, he was selected by Super Lawyers 2006 – 2007 and holds memberships in the American Association for Justice, New Jersey League of Municipalities, Pennsylvania Bar Association and Maine State Bar Association.

Balardo is also president of Hour Media Group, a Troy, Michigan-based company that owns Hour Detroit and DBusiness magazine as well as various custom publishing programs. He and his partner Tom Hartle founded Hour in 1995 – an oversized glossy monthly that covers the metro Detroit area.

Achievements and Honors

Balardo is an accomplished professional sculptor whose works have earned him numerous accolades. He has exhibited nationally and has received public commissions from Georgetown University, Lehman College CUNY, Cooperstown Theater Festival and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. As a Fellow of the National Sculpture Society he also served as faculty at Lehman College, CUNY, New York Academy of Art and Newington Cropsey Foundation Academy of Art.

He has also released a book entitled “The Artist’s Studio.” Together with Hourstaff associate Debra Hartle, they are still busy with their publishing venture which is sold in nearly half of Detroit’s hotels, hospitals and doctor’s offices. Additionally, they plan on expanding into custom publishing this year; their goal is to have their magazine available in 600 more locations by year’s end.

Personal Life

John Balardo is a self-declared media expert who boasts an impressive list of publications. The most recent is City of Detroit magazine, which boasts 40,000 readers and an expanding list of high-profile advertisers. Additionally, he launched several special issues over time – most recently a midyear city guide – to further promote Detroit. It’s no secret that John and Stefan Wanczyk are passionate about their city and have invested considerable effort into its promotion. Besides publishing the popular city guide, they also ventured into custom media and digital advertising as well as operating an advanced research and development lab in downtown Detroit.

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