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CRT/tanaka Wins Prestigious PRSA Silver Anvil Award and Silver Anvil Award of Excellence

Agency Gains National Recognition of Work for the Virginia Department of Social Services and Longwood University

NEW YORK (June 15, 2007) – CRT/tanaka has been honored with a 2007 Silver Anvil Award, the highest honor given in the PR industry, and a 2007 Silver Anvil Award of Excellence (runner up), given by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the world’s largest organization for PR professionals.

The Silver Anvil, which recognizes outstanding achievement in strategic public relations planning and implementation, was presented during the Silver Anvil Awards Evening held June 14 in New York City. CRT/tanaka received the 2007 Silver Anvil Award for its Virginia Department of Social Services campaign in the community relations (government) category. The agency won its Silver Anvil Award of Excellence for its Longwood University campaign in the reputation/brand management (government) category.

Research shows that children who enter kindergarten not ready to learn are at a higher risk of dropping out of school and engaging in negative activities. As a result, children, communities and businesses suffer. Strong education is important for a healthy, competitive workforce. The Virginia Department of Social Services teamed up with CRT/tanaka to execute a statewide marketing campaign to promote the importance of early childhood education and raise public/private support. The integrated campaign included the development of a brand identity known as Smart Beginnings, educational events, media relations, print and radio advertising and coalition building in key areas of the state. The campaign resulted in public and private monetary support and the creation of the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation.

CRT/tanaka’s Silver Anvil Award of Excellence was awarded for its work with Longwood University. Longwood University needed an image update to attract and engage current and prospective students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff, community leaders and government officials. Longwood chose CRT/tanaka to redefine and reposition its brand via an integrated public relations and marketing campaign. CRT/tanaka conducted extensive quantitative and qualitative research before developing a comprehensive plan, executing tactics such as the development of a new athletic logo, Web site and collateral pieces; advertising across several mediums, including radio and outdoor; and media relations outreach.

About CRT/tanaka

CRT/tanaka is an award-winning public relations and marketing firm, known for creative solutions and workplace culture. The agency was formed in 2005, when Carter Ryley Thomas acquired New York consumer PR agency Patrice Tanaka & Company, Inc. to form one of the top independent agencies in the country. Headquartered in Richmond, Va. and New York, with offices in Los Angeles and Norfolk, Va.; CRT/tanaka specializes in three practice areas – Health, Corporate and Consumer. Through its legacy agencies, CRT/tanaka has been recognized with more than 260 national and regional awards for its strategic counsel, creativity and workplace culture. Clients include Sprint, Target Stores, Atkins Nutritionals, Capital One, Philip Morris USA, Charles Schwab & Co., Girl Scouts of the USA, Wines from Rioja (Spain), Chadwick’s, HoMedics, All-Clad Metalcrafters, D?Longhi, VHA Inc., Performance Food Group and ITT Corporation.

About the Public Relations Society of America

The Public Relations Society of America (www.prsa.org), headquartered in New York City, is the world's largest organization for public relations professionals with more than 31,000 professional and student members. PRSA is organized into 109 Chapters nationwide and 20 Professional Interest Sections and Affinity Groups, which represent business and industry, counseling firms, independent practitioners, military, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations. The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) has 285 Chapters at colleges and universities throughout the United States.