Agency Named Largest PR Firm in the Southeast for Fifth Consecutive Year
RALEIGH, N.C. (May 5, 2009)
French/West/Vaughan (FWV), one of the nation's largest independent public relations, public affairs and brand communications agencies, has again been ranked as the largest independent PR agency headquartered in the Southeast region, according to the 2008 O'Dwyer's Ranking of PR Firms and the 2009 PRWeek Agency Business Report.
FWV began participating in the O'Dwyer's Ranking of PR Firms in 2004 and each year since has been ranked as the Southeast's largest independent PR agency. Additionally, according to O'Dwyer's FWV again ranks as the nation's 17h largest independently-owned PR firm, the spot the agency also held last year. Firms are ranked by audited financial results.
In PRWeek, FWV ranks 18th in the country, up from the 19th position last year. Rankings are based on financial data provided to the magazine by agencies.
"We are obviously very happy that, even as the financial environment became difficult last year, we were able to grow," said FWV Chairman and CEO Rick French. "That is a testament to our staff and the quality of work we continue to produce on behalf of clients."
FWV has ranked as North Carolina's largest PR firm, independent or otherwise, in various rankings for the better part of the last decade and continues to establish Raleigh as a national destination for an increasing number of prospective clients and PR professionals.
Jack O'Dwyer started the O'Dwyer Company 41 years ago and has become one of the most respected professionals in the public relations industry through his newsletter commentary, Web site and PR Report magazine. O'Dwyer's annual rankings are among the most watched and anticipated by the PR industry each year.
Launched in November 1998, PRWeek has established itself as the leading publication in PR and communications industries in the US. Its annual business report has become the barometer for the state of marketing, communications and public relations.
About French/West/Vaughan
French/West/Vaughan (FWV) is the Southeast's largest independent public relations, public affairs and brand communications agency. FWV was named a 2006 finalist for PR Week magazine's "Midsize PR Agency of the Year" award, and was named the Holmes Report's 2004 National Consumer Agency of the Year. National and international clients represented by the agency include the Global Water Foundation, the Coca-Cola Company, Wrangler, Justin Boot Company, Canada Post, GeneralSports Venue (exclusive U.S. licensee of AstroTurf), the International Gemological Institute, Nehst Studios, OTB Records, Nfinity Shoes - the official shoe of cheerleading, and the Gatlinburg Department of Tourism. Regional public relations clients include North Carolina State University, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and Tweetsie Railroad, among many others. The agency is headquartered in Raleigh and has offices in both New York City and Tampa. The agency's creative arm, FWV Distilled, was established in 2007 and provides award-winning advertising, graphic design and eMERGING media services for a wide range of clients. For more information, please visit www.fwv-us.com.
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