NEW YORK (June 18, 2012) – PR Boutiques International (PRBI), www.prboutiques.com, a global network of 32 boutique public relations firms in 11 countries, announced a new slate of officers and board members during its fifth annual meeting in New York City, May 31 – June 2.

“During the recent economic downturn, business owners and executives have really discovered the value that PR boutiques bring to their companies and organizations,” noted Dan Leinweber, president of Leinweber Associates, Boston, who was just elected president of PRBI.

“This recognition is driving growth for both our member agencies and our network. Our surveys and client feedback show that businesses value the hands-on role of senior level practitioners, personalized service, and the results achieved by our members that build their reputation and their business.”

The 2012 PRBI officers are:
• President: Dan Leinweber, President, Leinweber Associates, Sudbury, Mass. (Boston area)
• Vice President: Joy Scott, President, Scott Public Relations, Canoga Park, Calif. (Los Angeles area)
• Secretary: Rasila Hamzah, President and CEO, RUSS Consulting Group, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• Treasurer: Margot Dimond, Principal, DoubleDimond Public Relations, Houston, Texas
• Member-at-Large: Lucy Siegel, CEO, Bridge Global Strategies, New York, New York

Other members of the PRBI Board of Directors are:
• Jeanette Darnauer, Darnauer Group, Aspen, Colorado
• Paul Furiga, Word Write Communications, Wexford, Pennsylvania
• Ann Gallery, High View Communications, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
• Lisa George, Iris PR, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Judith Huss, Huss-PR-Consult, Munich, Germany
• Irene Maslowski, Maslowski & Associates Public Relations, Roseland, New Jersey (NYC area)
• Lee Weinstein, Weinstein Public Relations, Portland and The Dalles, Oregon

The annual meeting included presentations by industry experts Art Stevens and Rick Gould from Stevens, Gould, Pincus, on PR agency management; Peter Heymann of Peter Heymann Associates Inc., on new business development; and “actionable marketing” expert Heidi Cohen on trends in social media and mobile marketing. Members also shared PR “best practice” tips and participated in panels on differences in cultures and communications across the globe, that impact the practice of public relations.

PRBI’s sixth annual meeting will be held in Chicago, May 30 – June 1, 2013.

PRBI members are headquartered in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

About PR Boutiques International:
PR Boutiques International™ (PRBI) is an international network of boutique public relations firms. The principals of member firms are experienced practitioners who have held senior positions in large PR agencies and/or corporations but now put service first and work directly with clients. PRBI member firms excel in meeting a huge range of client needs in a large number of industries, including corporate public relations, consumer PR, health care PR, investor relations, crisis management, business-to-business PR, economic development PR, not-for-profit, academia, government, financial, technology, legal, multicultural and international PR and investor relations. Member practitioners have won the highest levels of professional awards, with qualifications ranging from PhDs to former top journalists. They also represent memberships in the most noteworthy international public relations and business associations. For more information, visit http://www.prboutiques.com.

Contact:

Joy Scott
Scott Public Relations
818-610-0270
Joy@scottpublicrelations.com

The worldwide collaborative network of PR firms, PR Boutiques International™ (PRBI), will gather for its annual meeting and fifth anniversary celebration at the University Club in New York City on May 31 – June 2, 2012.

Founded by a small group of boutique agencies, PRBI has grown to a network of 32 agencies in 11 countries in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

“PRBI’s first meeting was held in New York, and we are excited to return for our fifth anniversary with a larger network of senior practitioners,” said Bill Cowen, PRBI’s President. “The tough economic climate of the last several years has convinced many companies of the value of the boutique PR agency. Consequently, we will celebrate our fifth year as an international network with a roster of members that delivers outstanding results and a positive outlook towards the future.”

During the three-day meeting, which is only open to PRBI members firms, participants will welcome industry leaders to discuss topics in agency operations and communication including:

For more information about PR Boutiques International membership benefits, visit www.prboutiques.com.

About PR Boutiques International:
PR Boutiques International™ (PRBI) is an international network of boutique public relations firms. The principals of member firms are experienced practitioners who have held senior positions in large PR agencies and/or corporations but now put service first and work directly with clients. PRBI member firms excel in meeting a huge range of client needs in a large number of industries, including corporate public relations, consumer PR, health care PR, investor relations, crisis management, business-to-business PR, economic development PR, not-for-profit, academia, government, financial, technology, legal, multicultural and international PR and investor relations. Member practitioners have won the highest levels of professional awards, with qualifications ranging from PhDs to former top journalists. They also represent memberships in the most noteworthy international public relations and business associations. For more information, visit http://www.prboutiques.com.

Contact:
Joy Scott
Scott Public Relations
818-610-02070
joy@scottpublicrelations.com

Respondents to a new PR Boutiques International™ (PRBI) survey of worldwide boutique public relations agencies predict moderate to high growth for their businesses in 2012, a reflection of the increasing recognition that these specialized firms deliver real value in a challenging economy.

PRBI, a worldwide collaborative network of firms, includes 32 agencies operating in 13 countries, spanning the globe from Argentina to South Korea.  Members of PRBI represent companies ranging from international conglomerates to Fortune 500, trade associations, and fast growing firms in industries such as technology, energy, financial services, government, tourism, education, lifestyle and healthcare.

“The boutique PR firm is more appealing than ever to clients because our structure and senior expertise yields results,” said PRBI president Bill Cowen, CEO of Metrospective Communications, Philadelphia, Pa. “Today companies need insightful and accurate advice, superb execution, and flexibility to adapt to constantly changing conditions, which is exactly the value proposition that our members provide.”

How social media helped to incite the revolutions in the Middle East was tapped by respondents as the biggest milestone in 2011 that proves the power of PR, followed by the heightened public hype and awareness around the technology world (including the death of Steve Jobs) and the use of social media to help turn Occupy Wall Street into a global phenomenon tied for second.

All member agencies responding to the PR Boutiques International™ (PRBI) survey reported that their confidence level about the business environment was either medium (72 percent) or high (28 percent), while 78 percent predicted moderate growth in 2012. Two out of three reported that the perceived value of the PR boutique has increased during the economic recession, because companies see that they get more value for their investment (38 percent) and clients value the hands-on-role of senior, experienced practitioners (38 percent).

The power of social media was cited by 44 percent of respondents as the major trend impacting communications in 2012, followed by the economic recession and its impact on spending (33 percent). The difficulty of telling a company story in a crowed marketplace was voted the biggest communication challenge that clients face in the coming year. Conversely the most significant opportunity facing companies today lies in telling that story through engaging, compelling media and channels, including the strategic use of social media.

Rather than predicting that social media will be the PR “magic bullet” for all clients, PRBI members instead view it as a tool that must be powered by engaging content and strategically integrated into the enterprise’s communication program.

“The cost effectiveness of PR, and the ability of senior practitioners like PRBI members to devise the best way to tell a compelling story in a crowded marketplace, is a key differentiator going forward and the reason why we are optimistic about 2012,” concluded Cowen.

About PR Boutiques International:

PR Boutiques International™ (PRBI) is an international network of boutique public relations firms. The principals of member firms are experienced practitioners who have held senior positions in large PR agencies and/or corporations but now put service first and work directly with clients. PRBI member firms excel in meeting a huge range of client needs in a large number of industries, including corporate public relations, consumer PR, health care PR, investor relations, crisis management, business-to-business PR, economic development PR, not-for-profit, academia, government, financial, technology, legal, multicultural and international PR and investor relations. Member practitioners have won the highest levels of professional awards, with qualifications ranging from Ph.D.s to former top journalists. They also represent memberships in the most noteworthy international public relations and business associations. For more information, visit http://www.prboutiques.com.

Contact:
Joy Scott
Scott Public Relations
818-610-0270
Joy@scottpublicrelations.com

Office Locations: US (lead agency – RED PR; support – Bridge Global Strategies, NYC) and South Korea (CJ’s World, Seoul)

Challenge: Korean health ministry found a banned, toxic substance in the company’s product, resulting in widespread negative media coverage in South Korea

Solution: Research, situation analysis, messaging, introduction to a Korean regulatory consultant, media training

Results: Crisis diminished in days. Client said that RED and PRBI understood and defused a volatile situation, produced a future-proof crisis plan, and used local knowledge to prevent potentially costly mistakes: “Heartfelt thanks to this terrific organization!”

RED PR’s client, an international company in the personal care-beauty products industry, discovered through its South Korean distributor that samples of its products had been taken from a retailer by Korean health ministry officials for random testing and that the product had been found to contain a banned chemical substance. News about this was reported in major Korean media, painting a very negative picture of the company and its products.

RED PR asked Bridge Global Strategies (which specializes in international PR) for help in managing the crisis, and then pulled in Seoul PRBI member company C.J.’s World, as well. The team researched the situation by reviewing media coverage, interviewing company executives and speaking to U.S.-based Korean government officials. They then suggested a plan of action and strategy for dealing with the crisis, which included message development and media training in Korea for the company’s spokesperson there. The PRBI team was also able to connect the client with a highly-qualified regulatory consultant in Seoul who could advocate for the company, both in the crisis situation and ongoing.

“As PRBI enters its fourth year, the organization is experiencing much continued growth and impact,” noted Bill Cowen, president of
Metrospective Communications, Philadelphia, who is beginning his second term as president of PRBI. “The tough economy of the last several years has created strong interest in the value proposition of boutique agencies: specialized skills, senior practitioners, flexibility, and results. PRBI’s international reach is also a powerful asset in today’s global marketplace.”

The 2011 officers are:

• President: Bill Cowen, President, Metrospective Communications, Philadelphia, Pa.

• Vice President: Dan Leinweber, President, Leinweber Associates, Sudbury, Mass. (Boston area)

• Secretary: Joy Scott, President, Scott Public Relations, Canoga Park, Calif. (Los Angeles area)

• Treasurer: Lucy Siegel, President, Bridge Global Strategies, New York, N.Y.

• Member-at-Large: Caraline Brown, CEO, Midnight Communications, Brighton, England, U.K.

Other members of the PRBI Board of Directors are:

• Nancy Choi, C.J.’s World, Seoul, Republic of Korea

• Fernanda Domingues, Fd Comunicação, São Paulo, Brazil

• Paul Furiga, Wordwrite Communications, Pittsburgh, Pa.

• Ann Gallery, High View Communications, Vancouver, BC, Canada

• Irene Maslowski, Maslowski & Associates, Roseland, N.J. (New York City area)

• Rolf Schmid, TEAG ADVISORS AG, Olten, Switzerland

• Lee Weinstein, LWA PR, Portland, Ore.

These officers and board members will lead the network until PRBI’s next annual meeting, May 31-June 2, 2012 in New York City, when the organization will celebrate its fifth anniversary.

PRBI members are headquartered in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

About PR Boutiques International:

PR Boutiques International™ (PRBI) is an international network of boutique public relations firms. The principals of member firms are
experienced practitioners who have held senior positions in large PR agencies and/or corporations but now put service first and work directly with clients. PRBI member firms excel in meeting a huge range of client needs in a large number of industries, including corporate public relations, consumer PR, health care PR, investor relations, crisis management, business-to-business PR, economic development PR, not-for-profit, academia, government, financial, technology, legal, multicultural and international PR and investor relations. Member practitioners have won the highest levels of professional awards, with qualifications ranging from PhDs to former top journalists. They also represent memberships in the most noteworthy international public relations and business associations. For more information, visit http://prboutiques.com.

Contacts

Scott Public Relations
Joy Scott, 818-610-0270


Joy@scottpublicrelations.com

The new directors are:
President: Bill Cowen, of Metrospective Communications, Philadelphia, Pa.

“In two of the toughest economic years in recent memory, PRBI’s growth has continued,” said PRBI president Bill Cowen, president of Metrospective Communications, Philadelphia, Pa. “Our members, and more importantly, our clients, recognize that PRBI serves a previously unmet need even in challenging times.”

“During these times, some of the largest companies have returned to hiring small agencies for their PR work,” Cowen added. “They appreciate that our agencies are unique, led by senior executives who wanted to get back to working with clients and applying their skills and experience as entrepreneurs. PRBI offers both senior-level talent and small-agency collaboration. Working together, PRBI agencies provide the breadth of big agencies while retaining the benefits of the boutique experience for our clients and members. It’s a winning combination.”

About PR Boutiques International:

Public Relations Boutiques International™ (PRBI) is an international network of boutique public relations firms. The principals of member firms are experienced practitioners who have held senior positions in large PR agencies and/or corporations but now put service first and work directly with clients. PRBI member firms excel in meeting a huge range of client needs in a large number of industries, including corporate public relations, consumer PR, health care PR, investor relations, crisis management, business-to-business PR, economic development PR, not-for-profit, academia, government, financial, technology, legal, multicultural and international PR and investor relations. Member practitioners have won the highest levels of professional awards, with qualifications ranging from PhDs to former top journalists. They also represent memberships in the most noteworthy international public relations and business associations. For more information, visit http://prboutiques.com.

Contacts

High View Communications
Ann Gallery, 416-322-5897 ext. 222
agallery@highviewcommunications.com
or
Scott Public Relations
Joy Scott, 818-610-0270
Joy@scottpublicrelations.com

PRBI was founded just three years ago by an initial group of about a dozen agencies and in one of the most difficult economic periods in decades, it has grown to more than 30 agencies in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

“Our annual meeting is both a celebration of what we’ve been able to achieve and an opportunity to expand our capabilities for our clients and agencies,” said Bill Cowen, president of PRBI and Metrospective Communications LLC, the Philadelphia headquartered PR agency.

During three days of meetings and events, PRBI members will dine at the National Press Club, welcome top industry leaders to discuss agency and network operations, and hear from experts in social media and emerging technologies. In addition to the formal sessions, the meeting will be an opportunity for agency leaders to network and share ideas and experiences.

“Our clients value the senior counsel and flexible relationships they have with our PRBI agencies,” he said. “Our members enjoy these same benefits and that’s why we look forward to an annual meeting that is not only professional and productive, but also quite personable.”

About PR Boutiques International:

Public Relations Boutiques International™ (PRBI) is an international network of boutique public relations firms. The principals of member firms are experienced practitioners who have held senior positions in large PR agencies and/or corporations but now put service first and work directly with clients. PRBI member firms excel in meeting a huge range of client needs in a large number of industries, including corporate public relations, consumer PR, health care PR, investor relations, crisis management, business-to-business PR, economic development PR, not-for-profit, academia, government, financial, technology, legal, multicultural and international PR and investor relations. Member practitioners have won the highest levels of professional awards, with qualifications ranging from PhDs to former top journalists. They also represent memberships in the most noteworthy international public relations and business associations. For more information, visit http:/prboutiques.com.

Contacts

High View Communications
Ann Gallery
(416) 322-5897 ext. 222
agallery@highviewcommunications.com

“During the downturn, many large clients turned to boutique agencies because of their cost-effective approach, the availability of experienced, senior practitioners, and the ability of smaller firms to quickly and effectively adapt to changing conditions.”

The new member agencies are:
- DoubleDimond PR (Houston, TX) – DoubleDimond serves businesses and nonprofit organizations in the Houston metropolitan and Texas Gulf Coast areas with strategic planning, media relations (B2B, consumer, social), media and presentation training, and marketing materials.

- LWA PR (Portland, OR) – LWA specializes in PR strategic planning and ideation, employee communications, consumer PR, corporate social responsibility and sustainability communications, issues management, public affairs, branding and social media.

- Midnight Communications (United Kingdom) – Midnight Communications offers a range of modular services providing communications strategy, implementation, media relations, event management, copywriting, and media training – in the UK and beyond. As one of the first PR companies to offer expertise on digital media, it offers a range of support in social media strategies.

- RD Communications (Dublin, Ireland) – RD Communications is Ireland’s, leading boutique PR consultancy with unrivalled expertise in health, beauty and retail.

“As the global economy slowly improves, the health of boutique agencies is a continuing theme,” said PRBI president Bill Cowen, CEO of Metrospective Communications, Philadelphia, Pa. “During the downturn, many large clients turned to boutique agencies because of their cost-effective approach, the availability of experienced, senior practitioners, and the ability of smaller firms to quickly and effectively adapt to changing conditions.”

“With the economy on the mend,” Cowen added, “we see that these clients want to continue their boutique agency relationships. PRBI’s growth through the addition of new member firms provides our great clients with added geographic capabilities and additional senior-level expertise to help them continue to see strong results from public relations.”

About PR Boutiques International:
Public Relations Boutiques International™ (PRBI) is an international network of boutique public relations firms. The principals of member firms are experienced practitioners who have held senior positions in large PR agencies and/or corporations but now put service first and work directly with clients. PRBI member firms excel in meeting a huge range of client needs in a large number of industries, including corporate public relations, consumer PR, health care PR, investor relations, crisis management, business-to-business PR, economic development PR, not-for-profit, academia, government, financial, technology, legal, multicultural and international PR and investor relations. Member practitioners have won the highest levels of professional awards, with qualifications ranging from PhDs to former top journalists. They also represent memberships in the most noteworthy international public relations and business associations. For more information, visit http://www.prboutiques.com.

Contacts
High View Communications 
Ann Gallery 
416-322-5897 
agallery@highviewcommunications.com
 or
 Scott Public Relations
 Joy Scott 
818-610-0270
 Joy@scottpublicrelations.com

A new survey of boutique public relations agency clients around the world finds that the specialized, focused services of senior practitioners is a common thread driving the hiring of such firms, regardless of today’s economic climate.

Public Relations Boutiques International™ (PRBI), released the survey, completed by clients of PRBI’s 29 member agencies. The agencies, which operate in 11 countries, span the globe from Argentina to South Korea.

“The survey results confirm what our clients and members have long told us anecdotally,” said PRBI president Bill Cowen, CEO of Metrospective Communications, Philadelphia, Pa. “Our firms provide a level of service that’s unmatched by much larger agencies because of the decisions PRBI principals have made about their approach to the business.”

He said boutique agency principals intentionally structure their firms to enable senior practitioners to have regular involvement with clients, bringing more experienced teams to client engagements. “Our firms are boutique firms because the agency principals want them to be,” Cowen added. “And as the survey shows, our clients value this approach.”

Survey respondents ranked flexibility, ability to meet deadlines, level of service, quality of strategic counsel and return on investment as the top five benefits of their boutique PR firm relationships.

While media reports have suggested that boutique firms have become more attractive options because of cost considerations in the current economy, Cowen said the PRBI survey found that clients made conscious decisions to hire boutique firms long before the economy became an issue.

“Among the clients responding to the survey,” he said, “More than 80 percent have been working with a boutique firm for one to three years, and nearly 30 percent have been working with their current boutique firm for longer than five years. This proves the staying power of the boutique agency model.”

“I have worked in a management consultancy,” wrote one PRBI client, “So I know that exceptionally talented people can be found in boutiques.”

“We could not do what we do without our boutique team,” wrote another PRBI client.

About PR Boutiques International:
Public Relations Boutiques International™ (PRBI) is an international network of boutique public relations firms. The principals of member firms are experienced practitioners who have held senior positions in large PR agencies and/or corporations but now put service first and work directly with clients. PRBI member firms excel in meeting a huge range of client needs in a large number of industries, including corporate public relations, consumer PR, health care PR, investor relations, crisis management, business-to-business PR, economic development PR, not-for-profit, academia, government, financial, technology, legal, multicultural and international PR and investor relations. Member practitioners have won the highest levels of professional awards, with qualifications ranging from PhDs to former top journalists. They also represent memberships in the most noteworthy international public relations and business associations. For more information, visit http://www.prboutiques.com.

Contact: