World’s Largest Partnership of Independent Public Relations Firms Selects Ward as Houston Partner

World’s Largest Partnership of Independent Public Relations Firms Attracts Four Leading National Agencies

Worldcom Group Adds New Board Leadership

Cancun, Mexico – Oct. 23, 2013 – WORLDCOM Public Relations Group (Worldcom), the world’s leading partnership of global public relations firms, with more offices in more cities and countries than any multinational firm, today announced four new North American PR agencies joined as partners. Cookerly Public Relations, Atlanta, GA; Coyne Public Relations, Parsippany, NJ; Fishman Public Relations, Chicago, IL; and Ward, Houston, TX.

Following the appointment of Todd Lynch as Managing Director for Worldcom Public Relations Group, the partnership elected board leadership including: Sharon Linhart, Managing Partner, Linhart Public Relations, Denver, as Chair; Francie Israeli, KellenAdams Public Affairs, Washington, DC, as Chair-elect; Melissa Lackey, Standing Partnership, St. Louis, MO, as Peer Review and Partner Retention Chair; Tim Oliver, Morgan & Myers, Milwaukee, WI, as Meetings Chair.

The new leadership was elected during the Worldcom Americas Region Meeting in Cancun, Mexico, where partners from the U.S. and other geographies gathered for best practices for business growth and leading the convergence of PR, social media, marketing, advertising and digital initiatives.

“With the addition of four national agency partners, Worldcom PR Group is even stronger as a global communications force for client companies,” said Sharon Linhart, chair, Worldcom Public Relations Group, and managing partner, Linhart Public Relations. “Worldcom partner agencies are collaborating and winning more against multi-national firms and delivering valuable business outcomes to global brands. Worldcom Public Relations Group gives partner agencies extensive best practices, professional development and the most innovative PR disciplines across the globe.”

AMERICAS REGION NEW PARTNERS

Cookerly Public Relations, Atlanta, GA
Cookerly Public Relations provides focused, strategic public relations counsel to an array of diverse, complex clients—from Fortune 500 companies to the public sector—across a broad range of industries including finance, environment, healthcare, technology and professional services. The seasoned experience of the Cookerly team delivers measurable results that strengthen our clients’ bottom lines through effective media relations, issues management and crisis communication, branding, and B-to-B and B-to-C marketing communications. Founded in 1990, Cookerly Public Relations is consistently ranked by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of the region’s top 10 privately held public relations agencies.

Coyne Public Relations, Parsippany, NJ
Coyne Public Relations, LLC, is a full-service public relations agency with expertise in a variety of categories. The agency consistently displays the knowledge and creativity that has made it one of the country’s fastest growing agencies. Prominent companies including The Walt Disney Company, Hard Rock International, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Chrysler, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Shell Lubricants and Pfizer look to Coyne Public Relations to create high-profile public relations programs that deliver significant results and help them achieve their marketing communications goals. The agency has won more than 100 industry honors in just the past year. Recent awards include being named Midsize Agency of the Year by PR Week, Consumer Agency of the Year, Best Agency to Work For in America and Small Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report.

Fishman Public Relations, Chicago, IL
Fishman Public Relations is the premier national agency specializing in comprehensive PR programs for franchise brands, with an emphasis on strategic media relations and content marketing programs. With more than 20 years practicing exclusively in the franchising space, Fishman PR’s experienced team of media relations, seasoned writers and creative content marketing specialists have helped hundreds of prestigious franchise brands in the food, retail, health and wellness, B2B, technology and home improvement segments heighten awareness among consumers and potential franchisees.

Ward, Houston, TX
A Houston-based public relations firm representing local and globally diverse clients, Ward causes communication, both internal and external, that causes intended results through media relations, community relations, crisis communications, employee relations, social networking, marketing communications and more. The award-winning Texas public relations firm serves business-to-business, consumer and non-profit clients. Founded in 1990, the firm has experienced steady growth and gained a reputation for producing excellent results with a strong commitment to client service. Visit  www.WardCC.com  for more information.

Joining Linhart on the 2013/2014 Americas Region board are:

• Francie Israeli, KellenAdams Public Affairs, Washington, D.C. – Chair-elect
• Diego Arvizu, Arvizu Communcacion Corporativa, Mexico City, Mexico – At-large Chair for Latin American Partner Relations and Peer Review
• Tom Donoghue, Donoghue & Associates, Calvary, Alberta, Canada – At-large Chair for Canadian Partner Relations, Peer Review and Recruitment.
• Melissa Lackey, Standing Partners, St. Louis, MO – Peer Review and Partner Retention Chair
• Brian Fox, Enterprise Canada, Toronto and Ottawa, Canada – Professional Development Chair
• Miguel Angel Martinez, Infomedia Consulting, Buenos Aires, Argentina – Chair for Latin American Partner Recruitment
• Scott Chaikin, Dix & Eaton, Cleveland, OH – Sponsorships and Vendor Relations Chair
• Tim Oliver, Morgan & Myers, Milwaukee, WI – Meetings Chair
• Lauren Peters, PetersGroup Public Relations, Austin, TX – Marketing Chair
• Lisa Simon, Simon Public Relations Group, Philadelphia, PA – Partner Recruitment Chair
• Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group, Albuquerque, NM – Secretary-Treasurer

About Worldcom Public Relations Group
Worldcom Public Relations Group is the world’s leading partnership of independently owned public relations firms, with 140 offices employing 1,900 staff in 111 markets across six continents. In total, Worldcom partners reported combined revenue of US$343 million last year from 3,286 clients, with some 80 Worldcom partner firms sharing business referrals across 90 clients. Established in 1988, the group was formed so that the strongest, most capable independent firms could deliver immediate impact and sustained value through the intelligent use of communications – wherever in the world a client needs support. Partners serve national, international and multinational clients, while retaining the flexibility and client-service focus inherent in independent agencies. Through Worldcom, clients have on-demand access to in-depth communications expertise from professionals who understand the language, culture and customs of the geographic areas in which they operate. www.worldcomgroup.com

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For more information, contact:

Lauren Peters
Americas Region Board
O: 512.794.8600
M: 512.431.2938
lauren@petersgroupPR.com