The Cannata Report Executive Team and Monthly Contributors
The Cannata Report’s team members come from a broad variety of backgrounds. Their collective experience and expertise fuels their passion and commitment to editorial excellence.
Frank G. Cannata is widely recognized as one of the most influential opinion leaders in the business technology, managed services, and imaging industry. His credible expertise and insightful commentary have established him as the voice of the independent dealer network.
Frank began his career in the office equipment industry in 1970 with Saxon Business Products after serving four years in the United States Marine Corps as a commissioned officer. From there, he went on to hold senior level marketing positions with Saxon Industries, Royal Business Machines, and Canon U.S.A., Inc.
In 1979, Frank took an entrepreneurial leap when he established Marketing Research Consultants Inc. to provide business intelligence and strategic advice to foreign manufacturers eager to enter the United States marketplace. With the introduction of The Cannata Report in 1982 (originally titled Office Machine News), Frank filled a void in the burgeoning independent dealer network by providing news analysis, critical business information, and authoritative commentary. Immediately, The Cannata Report became a go-to trusted resource and gained worldwide readership. In 1985, just as the facsimile machine was revolutionizing business communication, Frank garnered a larger audience by launching the Live Wire newsletter fax, which he distributed midway between The Cannata Report’s monthly publication date. The Cannata Report continued to expand and grow throughout the 1990s and 2000s, measuring the pulse of the evolving imaging industry and documenting the breakneck speed and radical impact of the digital revolution. Keeping pace with the industry’s changes, Frank helmed the digital expansion of The Cannata Report. Today, The Cannata Report continues as the essential resource for imaging reseller principals and senior executives in the business technology, managed services, and imaging industry.
Frank has gained international acclaim and given keynote speeches and presentations and moderated panels at numerous industry seminars, trade shows, and manufacturers’ conferences in the U.S. and abroad. Regarded for his unparalleled industry expertise, Frank’s informed opinions and keen vision keep him at the forefront of the industry today.
One of Frank’s most notable achievements has been the establishment of The Cannata Report’s Annual Awards & Charities Dinner, renowned industry-wide for its philanthropic deeds and the unique camaraderie enjoyed by the guests, many of whom are business competitors. To date, the event has raised well over $2 million for numerous charitable organizations nationwide, including Childhelp USA, Glide Foundation, the V Foundation for Cancer Research, and Hackensack University Medical Center, as well as the creation of scholarship endowments at California Institute of Technology, St. Mary’s College, Seton Hall University, and St. Ignatius College Prep.
In addition to his editorial and analyst work and his devotion to charity fundraising through the Cannata Dinner, Frank dedicates his time to several other important endeavors. For years, Frank has served as the Chair of the Italian Studies Committee for UNICO National, an Italian-American service organization that supports charitable works and higher education, including endowed programs for students to study in Italy. He has aided in the creation of four Chairs in Italian Studies, including the Noether Chair in Modern Italy History at the University of Connecticut, the first of its kind in the United States; the Graziadio Chair in Italian Studies at California State University Long Beach; the D’Amato Chair in Italian and Italian-American Studies at Stony Brook University; and the La Motta Chair in Italian Studies at Seton Hall University. Frank’s work on behalf of the La Motta Chair assisted in the creation of the Valente Italian Library, a collection of more than 20,000 volumes devoted to Italian history and culture.
A graduate of Seton Hall University, Frank has served as past president of the Connecticut Alumni of Seton Hall University and received the school’s Humanitarian of the Year Award in 1994. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of Seton Hall University’s Charles and Joan Alberto Italian Studies Institute, and previously served on the Advisory Board of the university’s Stillman School of Business.
The path that led CJ Cannata, an accomplished marketing and sales executive with 15 years of experience in both the entertainment and consumer media industries to his current position could not have been better planned, except it wasn’t planned at all. Throughout his career while working for such notable corporations like Time Warner and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, and implementing integrated marketing programs for a diversified range of blue-chip clients including Chrysler, Kraft Foods, MTV Networks, and Verizon, CJ didn’t realize his diversified skill set was preparing him to one day partner with his father at The Cannata Report. Until he did.
CJ joined his family’s business in 2013 with a keen determination to implement a transformation of The Cannata Report and increase the breadth and scope of its editorial voice. CJ’s expertise in creative direction, production, copywriting, multi-platform content development, and brand awareness and engagement has been instrumental in effecting a fully integrated expansion of The Cannata Report from a monthly newsletter to a multi-platform media brand. During his tenure, he has directed a number of initiatives including the creation of a website, a redesign of The Cannata Report print edition and the establishment of an integrated marketing, branded content, and advertising sales business, which is predominantly responsible for the company’s overall 100% growth rate in four years. He has effected significant advancements with a variety of new endeavors, including strategic partnerships that encompass content shares, special events, and seminars.
CJ has leveraged his experience and marketing acumen to develop a comprehensive website that includes a broad mix of digital-only, curated content of news, features, profiles, analysis, and video programming posted on a daily basis, as well as The Cannata Report’s monthly signature editorial. In addition, he launched a marketing and advertising sales platform to support The Cannata Report’s entire portfolio and created a vibrant social media presence for The Cannata Report on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Under CJ’s direction, The Cannata Report print edition has transformed into a perfect-bound magazine with high-quality production and photography that features branded columns, news reports, and feature stories. Issues embrace an enhanced editorial scope and are themed to provide an all-encompassing examination of topics essential to the industry. CJ has created several editorial franchises including Women Influencers and Young Influencers to reflect The Cannata Report’s dedication to diversity and attracting young, technology-educated talent to the imaging industry. In addition, he serves as a writer and has authored several cover stories for The Cannata Report, in addition to contributing a range of articles, feature stories, and photography. During his tenure, he has traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Asia, and Europe, meeting with top executives, covering trade shows and seminars, and attending key industry summits and conventions.
With an extensive background in event production, CJ has heightened The Cannata Report’s Annual Awards and Charities Dinner into a full-fledged multimedia presentation with category exclusive sponsors. The event now incorporates both an after-party and a Women Influencers brunch held the next day.
CJ’s diverse career also includes contributing to the creation of Emmy Award-winning “Book Obsessed,” a digital web series for Barnes and Noble. He has won two MIN Integrated Marketing Awards for programs he created and executed for Levi Strauss & Co. and MillerCoors during his respective tenures at Time Warner and FHM magazine. The roster of blue-chip clients he has worked with also includes Diageo, Heineken, MasterCard, NBC Universal, Principal Financial Group, S.C. Johnson, Sundance Channel, and Unilever.
CJ has a bachelor’s degree in international relations and Russian language and Eastern European area studies from Tufts University.
Carol C. Cannata is an accomplished interior designer whose artistic talents blend seamlessly with her creative marketing skills. A familiar presence in the industry for many years, Carol plays an integral role at The Cannata Report and has been instrumental in its growth and expansion.
After graduating from the New England School of Art and Design, Carol embraced the first wave of transformation taking place for women in business and moved to New York City to work as a fashion designer for such garment industry leaders as Prides Crossing, Misty Lane, and Garland. A trailblazer, Carol rose through the ranks and achieved tremendous success in the fashion industry. In 1983, Carol fulfilled a lifelong passion and transitioned into interior design and launched Creative Consultants Interior Design, a full-service design studio specializing in commercial and residential interiors. She distinguished herself immediately with her unique style and creative flair and amassed a large client base throughout the New York Metropolitan area and New England.
Carol’s contributions have been critical to the successful rebranding of The Cannata Report’s media portfolio in recent years. She manages client and subscriber services and oversees all event planning, coordination, and execution. Carol is the creative force behind The Cannata Report’s Annual Awards and Charities Dinner, a must-attend event in the industry.
Scott Cullen is regarded as one of the most respected and longest tenured journalists in the industry.
After losing what he thought was his dream job as an editor at a cable television magazine because of an acquisition, Scott answered an ad in his local paper for an associate editor at Office Systems magazine and was promptly hired, marking the beginning his 30-year career in the office technology space.
Throughout his distinguished career, Scott has contributed to numerous regional and national business and technology publications both inside and outside of the industry, including Inc. magazine, Consumer’s Digest, Intele-Card News, Mercer Business, and Moxie Woman. He has also has served as staff editor and freelance editor and writer for several industry publications including The Office Magazine, Office Dealer, Office World News, Independent Dealer, Office Solutions, and BTA’s Office Technology magazine. In addition, Scott has worked as a writer on special projects for a number of OEMs, including Xerox, Ricoh, and Mita (now Kyocera Mita), and written for Buyers Lab and CAP Ventures.
In 2009, Scott launched The Week in Imaging, serving as editor and publisher of the digital publication that focused on news and developments in the imaging technology sector. Under his editorial direction, The Week in Imaging further developed the Elite Dealer of the Year Awards and the 40 Most Influential People in the Imaging Industry, esteemed editorial franchises he created during his tenure at Office Dealer Magazine.
In 2014, Scott merged The Week in Imaging with ENX to create ENX/The Week in Imaging where he served as editorial director, overseeing all content for both the online and print editions.
In February 2016, Scott joined The Cannata Report as managing editor and chief correspondent and in October of 2016 was named editor-in-chief, his true dream job. Since joining The Cannata Report, Scott has accentuated breaking news and related follow-up coverage and analysis across The Cannata Report’s digital platforms. He has introduced substantial editorial coverage of business modeling, software, IT, and other professional services and enhanced coverage of product and vendor news. He has expanded The Cannata Report’s roster of editorial contributors with category specific experts in production print and software solutions, and has introduced in-depth coverage of the European marketplace.
In addition to serving as editor-in-chief, Scott contributes news and feature stories and has introduced the “Social Networking With” column, a human-interest Q&A spotlighting industry leaders. He also authors “The Contrarian,” a good-humored opinion column in which he challenges industry norms and hype.
One of the most eminent veterans of the document imaging industry, Scott was named to ENX/The Week in Imaging’s prestigious “Difference Makers” List in May of 2016.
A pop culture enthusiast with a passion for music, movies, baseball, and women’s basketball, when Scott’s not writing about the document imaging industry or traveling to an industry event, you can usually find him at a concert or sporting event somewhere between Philadelphia and New York City.
Sharon Tosto Esker brings 15 years of experience in financial services and journalism to The Cannata Report.
She began her career at Fidelity Investments, where she spent eight years serving in various roles in legal, marketing, and sales. She left Fidelity in 2006 to serve as the editor of The Cerulli Edge, U.S. Edition, a monthly publication that covers the most pressing issues and trends across the asset management industry. Sharon then returned to Fidelity and worked hand-in-hand with portfolio managers to write in-depth interviews for shareholder reports, marketing materials and other related publications. After spinning out on her own in 2009, Sharon has served as a freelance writer and editor for numerous asset management companies.
Since joining The Cannata Report in 2013, she has served as both copy chief and editor. Recently, the scope of her editorial duties has increased to include feature and profile writing. Sharon has been instrumental in the development of The Cannata Report’s Women Influencers editorial franchise and has authored the last two cover stories on the subject.
Sharon graduated from Tufts University with a B.A. in international relations and French. Sharon also has a Masters of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies in the field of journalism from Harvard University. When not cruising the AP Stylebook, you are most likely to find her dancing in her kitchen or in a handstand at a yoga class. She is also a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and more than happy to talk about how yoga and meditation and help your personal and professional life. Sharon currently resides in Hamilton, Massachusetts, with her husband and two children.
Tetsuo Kubo began his editorial career in 1970 covering the consumer electronics industry. In 1973, he joined Jimukiki Shimbun Co., Ltd. as a writer for its weekly newspaper dedicated to the office equipment industry.
In 1988, Kubo-san founded OA Life, regarded as Japan’s leading publication covering the copier and imaging industry in the Japanese marketplace and today serves as publisher and editor-in-chief. Kubo-san reports on Japan’s leading business equipment manufacturers for The Cannata Report and provides unique insight and analysis regarding their business operations both in the Japanese marketplace and worldwide.