Hello zoomzoom-ga:
It was a pleasure to answer such a fabulous question. I sincerely and
honestly state that it was one of the most interesting questions that
I have ever answered but at the same time one of the most difficult.
Interesting, because I liked the idea of choosing the top ten firms
from so many different firms and in a way create my own 'Award List'.
Difficult, because I had to select firms based on such a strict
criteria. The firms had to be small to provide personalised service,
the firms had to be master of excellence and they had to have a good
reputation in any of the four specified fields.
So here is what I did. I sat in front of the computer for just a
little over 24 hours. During which, I compiled a list of relevant
firms by browsing through the internet and the database of different
websites. Not to mention, the rankings of the firms and 'awards' web
pages (see reference). From these I selected my 'top ten' for your
review.
In selecting my top ten, I scrutinized and evaluated every aspect of
the firms. There were more than ten firms that met most of the
criteria but couldn't make it to the 'top ten' because it had to be
the 'best'.
You will notice that I included one large firm in my 'top ten' list
and two 'mid sized' firms. You asked for a list of Boutique firms. I
am sorry! you can penalize me for this but THEY JUST HAD TO BE THERE ;
THEY HAD TOO MUCH.
In compiling this list, I gave special consideration to the firms that
were excellent in a certain specified category. Therefore, you will
find at least one firm that specialized in one of the four categories
that you mentioned.
Also, in some cases, I didn't provide much explanation for certain
firms. Becasue, words weren't enough and I wanted you to look for
yourself.
I am also providing a short list of some other firms. Large or Small
they demand your attention. They fall under 'Runner Up' category.
Without discriminating, let me provide the list in an alphabetical
order:
___________
TOP TEN
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Access Communications
http://www.accesspr.com
Contact Info: http://www.accesspr.com/resources.htm
Management Contacts and Bio's: http://www.accesspr.com/staff.htm
Leader In: Toys / Children Products
Class: Mid-Size, 45 Employees , Revenue 10.3 Mil.
WHY CHOOSE ACCESS COMMUNICATIONS?
It is the prestigious award list that doesn't end; it is the
successful case
studies; It is the experience in accomplishing many wonderful tasks in
the
'Kids Industry' that made me include this great PR firm. Instead of
summarizing, I will like you to explore its universe and the kind of
experience that it provides in working with youth industry including
LEGO, Toys R' US, Sega, ToysMax and just what not.
_____________________________________________________________________
Borshoff Johnson Matthews
http://www.borshoffjohnson.com
Contact Info: http://www.borshoffjohnson.com/bjm/index.asp?cp=contacts
Leader In: Educational Material (including Books)
Class: Small Firm - 25 Employees; Revenue 3.7 Mil.
WHY CHOOSE BORSHOFF JOHNSON MATTHEWS?
Borshoff Johnson Matthews is a small firm but its achievements since
its
inception in 1984 are tremendous. Its revenue keeps on jumping from
year to
year with a rise of over 24 percent at the start of 2002 (s-2). The
company
also recieved an honorable mention in the Fast 50 Magazine that lists
the
fastest growing companies in US (see below). It also has extensive
experience
in helping educational institutions and other firms. I didn't see any
awards
on its website but as soon as I serached the web, I kept on coming out
with a
list of awards, one after another. Here is a sample of few of its
awards:
2002 Inspire & Megellan Awards
http://www.lacp.com/2002inspire/869.HTM
http://www.lacp.com/2002m/734.HTM
Best of Show Honor
http://www.rose-hulman.edu/news/articles/hotlineaward.htm
Fast 50 List Honorable Mention
http://www.indy.org/memberupdate/muspring03/kudos.asp
Award of Excellence (External Communication)
http://www.n-email.net/IABCIndy/epic.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Caponigro Public Relations Inc.
http://www.caponigro.com
Contact Info: Please click on 'Contact Info', once on the main page.
Management Profile: Please clcik on 'Our People', once on the main
page.
Leader In: Entertainment Industry (including celebrities)
Class: Small Firm - 17 employees ; Revenue 2.3 Mil.
WHY CHOOSE CAPONIGRO?
I was pretty impressed by the simplicity of the tone on its website. I
will
tell you later what I mean but important things first. Over eight
years,
Coponigro has achieved what most could not. It has recieved many
awards in
so diverse categories including Gold Sabre Award in 2002, 'Best
Practice'
award from the Detroit Reigonal Chamber, Iron Sabre Award for 'Best
workplace
initiative' and very recently Holmes Award for 'Best places to work in
PR'.
But that is not it, I saw (and the website claims) some of the most
experienced
public relation officers at the top that makes the company stand obove
rest.
Now, what did I mean by the simplicity of the tone? Actually, the
website
seems to provide detail of everything that it is proud of without
boasting for
its contributions and awards. To me, that what really is 'Public
Relations'.
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Carmicheal Lynch Spong
http://www.carmichaellynchspong.com
Contact Info: Once on the main page, Please click on 'About cls' and
than choose
the sub-categories, either 'More Information' or 'Locations'.
Leader In: Books
(Once on the main page, please see Groups->Services->Green dot
Publishing)
Class: Mid-Size, 36 Employees , Revenue 6 to 7 Mil., Nation Wide
WHY CHOOSE CARMICHEAL LYNCH SPONG?
This is the only company in my list for which I desperately craved to
make it in my 'top ten'. Not becasue it promotes itself as an
alterntive to big bland firms, not because of its nation-wide presence
or over ten years of experience but because of its astonishing ability
to get awards after awards after awards. While doing the research, it
was everywhere form the 'best' to 'the most liked'. Also, I admired
its focus groups rather than large number of specialities. Not to
mention its Green Dot Publishing Group which you will like for
anything related to books.
________________________________________________________________
Cushman/Amberg Communications
http://www.cushmanamberg.com
Contact Info: http://www.cushmanamberg.com/frameset_index.html
Leader In: Movies
Class: Small Firm - 30 or 32 employees ; Revenue 3 Mil.
WHY CHOOSE CUSHMAN/AMBERG?
What struck me was its existance of over 50 years, during which it not
only
worked for the largest companies in the world but doing so
successfully with
such a small staff. Another prominent feature that sits all above are
the
achievements of a certain project after its completion. You may read
more in
the 'Headlines' section of the website. It has also recieved many
major
awards (mostly due to a successful projects). One of its public
affairs
projects was nominated as among the 'top 100 projects' in year 2001
adding
to its diverse portfolio of successful campaigns.
__________________________________________________________________
Dome Communications Inc.
http://www.domecom.com
Managgement Contact Info & Bio: http://www.domecom.com/contact.htm
OR http://www.domecom.com/team.htm
Leader In: Celebreties, Video Production
Class: Small Firm - 45 employees ; Revenue 5.2 Mil.
WHY CHOOSE DOME COMMUNICATIONS?
If 62.5 percent growth in the year 2001 and 38 percent of overall
awards
earned in 2003 isn't enough than over 90 awards in only five years of
existence should be a motivation to choose this company. But, that is
not
that what impressed an unpermissive critic like me but what I liked
were
a serious of case studies and successful projects, nicely laid out on
the
company's website that speak for a proud public relations history.
____________________________________________________________________
LVM Group
http://www.lvmgroup.com
Contact Info: http://www.lvmgroup.com/contact.html
Leader In: Publishing Media (Books)
Class: Small Firm - 7 or 8 employees ; Revenue 1.2 Mil.
WHY CHOOSE LVM GROUP?
Over the years, LVM Group has worked with many major clients to come
out with a
working solution but it is most famous for its campaigns in Publishing
Media.
The company has worked with nearly every major company in the
newspaper and
publishing industry to get rave reviews for its performance. The eye
catching
quality of this firm is its small size with 29 years of expertise that
allows
it to focus on personal relationship with its clients. The company is
also
number one in my 'list of ten' among the revenue generated by
individual staff
members. (s-2)
_______________________________________________________________________
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
http://www.ogilvypr.com OR BWR Unit http://www.ogilvypr.com/bwr.cfm
Contact Info: http://www.ogilvypr.com/wherecon.cfm#boston
Leader In: Movies, Celebrities
Class: Large Firm - 978 Employees; Revenue 145 Mil; Worldwide Presence
(S-1)
WHY CHOOSE OGILVY?
OK! You said that you wanted a small firm that is on top of its field.
So why
did I choose Ogilvy. Its simple, there was too much that was more than
interesting about this firm. I was particularly impressed by two
components;
firstly their sub-unit BWR not only specializes in broad fields such
as
broadcasting, media, motion pictures and celebrities but also got many
awards for their services. Secondly, their worldwide presence is not
like any
other public relation firm that I have seen. Seldom you will see key
offices in
Middle East, Africa and South East Asia.
According to its website, Ogilvy Public Relations has recieved the
honor of
being named the top agency of the year three years in a row by
industry
publicaions around the world. The Holmes Report first named Ogilvy
Public
Relations "Agency of the Year" in 2000. In 2001, PR Week named Ogilvy
Public
Relations "Agency of the Year" in h US and most recently named the
agency 2002
"Network of the Year".
Please refer to its history page for its success in the public
relation
market. For a six year old company, it has achieved just too much.
_________________________________________________________________
Warschawski
http://www.warschawski.com
Contact Info: Please click on 'Contact Us' once on the main page.
Leader In: Writing/Editing (Books)
Class: Small Boutique Firm
WHY CHOOSE WARSCHAWSKI?
The award list speaks for the company. Sorry! It shouts choose me,
choose me.
It was choosen as 'Small Boutique Agency' and 'Small Boutique Agency'
to work
for' in 2003 by Holmes Report. Recently, it took 14 awards in the
awards
ceremony carried out by the Public relation Society of America. The
company has won over 80 awards during the last four years, alone.
____________________________________________________________________
Wiessman/Delson Communications
http://www.publicity4u.com
Contact Info: http://www.publicity4u.com/contacts.htm
Leader In: Movies, Celebrities, Books
Class: Unknown
WHY CHOOSE WIESSMAN/DELSON COMMUNICATIONS?
I just had to include it in my list. Talk about this Hollywood company
that
has helped actors attain over 200 acadamy awards nominations with more
than 50
winners with a hand behind most new Hollywood hits. It has worked with
famous Athletes, teams and personalities. Not impressed? What about
this? It
worked with less known authors to get their books among the best
sellers
in the country.
Its founders are the reciepient of 2003 Golden Satellite Award. In
only five
years since 1997, the company has established itself a leader in PR.
It is a
'three in one' shot with expertise in most of the things you need.
__________________________________________________________________
----------------------
RUNNERS UP
----------------------__________________________________________________________________
Here are the website address of the runner ups:
The Standing Parnership
http://www.standingpr.com/
Solane & Company
http://www.sloanepr.com/
Cohn & Wolfe
http://www.cohnwolfe.com/
Ketchum
http://www.ketchum.com/
Fleishman Hillard
http://www.fleishman.com/
Waggener Edstorm
http://www.wagged.com/
rbb Public Relations
http://www.rbbpr.com/
Hermanoff & Associates
http://www.hermanoff.net/
Ackermann
http://www.ackermannpr.com/
Berkeley Evergreen & Partners
http://www.beap.com/
Douglas Cohn & Wolfe
http://www.cohnwolfe.com
hwh Public Relations
http://www.hwhpr.com
Filmateria
http://bill@filmateria.com
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REFERENCE & USEFUL LINKS
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_______________________________________________________________
(s-1) Council of PR http://www.prfirms.org/who/members.asp
(s-2) http://216.239.37.104/search?q=cache:XK3naXmKJxMJ:www.prfirms.org/docs/2001rankings/totalwwrev.xls+borshoff+johnson+matthews+revenue&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
Other Useful Websites
http://www.prsa.org/_Resources/Type/index.asp?ident=type1
http://www.prweb.com
Very Useful-PR company Revenue Data
http://216.239.37.104/search?q=cache:XK3naXmKJxMJ:www.prfirms.org/docs/2001rankings/totalwwrev.xls+borshoff+johnson+matthews+revenue&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
Council of public relations firms
http://www.prfirms.org/findafirm/Find-A-Firm.asp
RANKINGS
http://www.businesswire.com/irpr/pr.shtml
http://www.holmesreport.com/holmestemp/story.cfm?edit_id=3000&typeid=1
Useful Search Criteria
'best public relation firms'
'public relation firms rankings'
__________________________________________________________________
I hope this helps. If you are not satisfied, please clarify. Thanks
for using Google Answers and a very Good Luck with your future
campaign.
Sincerely,
leader-ga. |
