Brings Experience Leading Social Media Initiatives for World Class Technology, Retail and CPG Brands including HP, Visa, Proctor & Gamble and eBay

NEW YORK - January 20, 2010 - MWW Group (www.mww.com), one of the nation’s top ten public relations firms, announced today that Sav Banerjee has joined MWW Group as a senior digital strategist in the firm’s industry leading DialogueMedia practice. Banerjee brings more than six years of experience working in the digital marketing and social media space and his experience spans a number of sectors including technology, retail and consumer packaged goods. Banerjee has worked with such notable clients as HP, Visa, Proctor & Gamble, and eBay. In his new role at MWW Group, Banerjee will develop strategic social media campaigns for a number of MWW Group’s key clientele.

“Sav is a key addition to our DialogueMedia team and brings a range of expertise leading social media programs for some of the world’s largest and most respected brands.  His insight and expertise will be invaluable to clients spanning a number of sectors, from retail and technology to CPG and food and beverage,” said Michael W. Kempner, president and CEO of MWW Group.

Prior to joining MWW Group, Banerjee acted as social media engineer at Gannett Digital where he developed digital marketing strategies for such Fortune 500 companies as Unilever and Proctor & Gamble. Previously, Banerjee served as director of social strategy at Vercai Inc. where he led the development of Mintbox, the first interactive fashion platform connecting web to retail stores. Before joining Vercai, Banerjee managed client services and strategy at Agency.com where he launched social marketing applications for eBay, both in the US and Canada, and managed integrated campaigns with an emphasis on interactive web development.

As a senior member of MWW Group’s DialogueMedia division, Banerjee joins a team that is recognized throughout the public relations industry for its award-winning work. DialogueMedia works with MWW’s clients across all of the company’s core practice areas: corporate communications, consumer marketing, public and government affairs, healthcare, internal communications, cause and social marketing.

About MWW Group

MWW Group is one of the nation’s top ten public relations agencies and is known for its results-driven approach to public relations and “Aim High. Deliver” commitment to client service. For four years in a row, MWW Group was honored with the #1 ranking in the Holmes Report agency client satisfaction survey. MWW Group achieved top rankings in the categories of account leadership, strength of account team, creativity, strategy and planning, and program execution. In 2008, MWW Group was named PR Agency of the Year by The American Business Awards and Mid-size PR Firm of the Year by PR News, in recognition of the firm’s growth, strategic account leadership and industry-leading employee retention. MWW Group is part of the Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG).

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King Is Re-Elected To Senior Leadership Role for the VICA, A Leading Business Organization in the San Fernando Valley

LOS ANGELES - January 14, 2010 - Coby King, senior vice president and general manager in MWW Group’s Los Angeles office, was named 2^nd Vice Chair of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) during the VICA’s 60th Annual Meeting last month. King has been involved with VICA for twelve years and previously served as vice chair and a member of the executive committee.

VICA is considered among the most influential business advocacy organizations in Southern California. Their mission is to enhance the economic vitality of the greater San Fernando Valley region by advocating for a better business climate and quality of life. It strives to make the Greater San Fernando Valley the location of choice for Southern California businesses and families.

“Coby has been a dedicated leader since joining MWW Group in 2008, and it is no surprise - active as he is in the community and region - that he has been re-elected to a senior leadership role at VICA,” said Michael W. Kempner, president and CEO of MWW Group. “He is a trusted counselor, and will no doubt play a big part in helping VICA achieve its goals.”

King currently serves as a member of the Board of the California Motor Vehicle Recovery Corporation, which helps consumers recover monies from auto dealers, and on various Democratic Party committees, including the State Central Committee and State Executive Board.  He served on the MTA’s San Fernando Valley Service Sector Governance Council from 2003 to 2008, representing the City of Los Angeles.  He also served as President of the Van Nuys Airport Citizens Advisory Council from 1999 to 2006, and was instrumental in achieving a long-delayed airport master plan.  He served as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency from 2000 to 2002, and on the California Council on Criminal Justice from 2002 through 2004.   

About MWW Group

MWW Group is one of the nation’s top ten public relations agencies and is known for its results-driven approach to public relations and “Aim High. Deliver” commitment to client service. For four years in a row, MWW Group was honored with the #1 ranking in the Holmes Report agency client satisfaction survey. MWW Group achieved top rankings in the categories of account leadership, strength of account team, creativity, strategy and planning, and program execution. In 2008, MWW Group was named PR Agency of the Year by The American Business Awards and Mid-size PR Firm of the Year by PR News, in recognition of the firm’s growth, strategic account leadership and industry-leading employee retention. MWW Group is part of the Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG).

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DALLAS, TX- December 1, 2009 - MWW Group (www.mww.com), one of the nation’s top ten public relations firms, announced today that Matthew Averitt has been promoted to vice president, corporate communications in the company’s Dallas office. Since joining MWW more than two and half years ago, Averitt has helped guide public relations strategy for a number of MWW’s top corporate accounts.  His areas of expertise include corporate positioning, executive eminence, brand communications, labor relations, issues management, business-to-business and business-to-consumer communications. As a member of the Dallas office’s management team, Averitt has used his experience working on behalf of organizations ranging from global Fortune 100, national non-profits and emerging-growth companies across multiple industries to further expand MWW Group’s presence in the greater Southwest United States region.

“Matt has been an instrumental member of our Dallas team since joining MWW Group in 2007 and he consistently delivers outstanding results for clients. His leadership, dedication and passion have helped MWW Group’s Dallas office continue to thrive and both clients and colleagues trust and rely upon his leadership and counsel,” said Michael W. Kempner, president and CEO of MWW Group.

Prior to joining MWW Group, Averitt worked at Burson-Marsteller where he led account teams and was responsible for new business development and writing and media relations activities.

About MWW Group

MWW Group is one of the nation’s top ten public relations agencies and is known for its results-driven approach to public relations and “Aim High. Deliver” commitment to client service. For four years in a row, MWW Group was honored with the #1 ranking in the Holmes Report agency client satisfaction survey. MWW Group achieved top rankings in the categories of account leadership, strength of account team, creativity, strategy and planning, and program execution. In 2008, MWW Group was named PR Agency of the Year by The American Business Awards and Mid-size PR Firm of the Year by PR News, in recognition of the firm’s growth, strategic account leadership and industry-leading employee retention. MWW Group is part of the Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG).

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Leading Provider of Global Asset Tracking and Management Technology Hires MWW Group to Lead Strategic Marketing, Media Relations and Executive Branding Initiatives

DALLAS - November 10, 2009 - MWW Group (www.mww.com), one of the nation’s top ten public relations firms, announced today it has been hired by Geoforce, Inc. to drive strategic communications that generate brand awareness and sales. A leading provider of global asset tracking and management technology, Geoforce is redefining how organizations leverage the power of asset visibility to achieve increased efficiency, business intelligence and profitability in the oil and gas, power and utility, heavy equipment and fleet markets.

“We selected MWW Group as our strategic communications partner not only due to their deep technology and vertical market expertise, but more importantly their ability to deliver our story in relevant ways to our target audiences,” said James MacLean, president and founder of Geoforce. “We are a results-focused, high-growth organization and are intensely focused on driving sales and establishing our brand in the markets we serve. MWW Group’s entrepreneurial drive aligns with our own high-performance culture and we look forward to taking our company to the next level together.”

Geoforce dramatically simplifies the way companies track and remotely monitor their valuable equipment wherever it’s located around the world. By leveraging Geoforce’s Web-based software platform that taps a blend of GPS, radio frequency identification (RFID) and other wireless technologies, companies can automate and streamline the process of tracking their assets in the field. Formed in 2007 by industry veterans from the oil and gas, equipment rental and related industries, Geoforce has a fast-growing customer base and manages the largest GPS oilfield equipment tracking and remote monitoring deployment in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Geoforce was founded by industry veterans who knew first-hand the challenges companies across industries historically have faced tracking and managing their valuable equipment in the field,” said Cherie Gary, senior vice president and general manager, MWW Group’s Dallas office. “Having identified a significant business challenge, Geoforce created an innovative, differentiated solution and is well positioned for strong growth. We are excited about the opportunity to partner with them and play a key role in helping Geoforce achieve its business objectives.”

About MWW Group

MWW Group is one of the nation’s top ten public relations agencies and is known for its results-driven approach to public relations and “Aim High. Deliver” commitment to client service. For four years in a row, MWW Group was honored with the #1 ranking in the Holmes Report agency client satisfaction survey. MWW Group achieved top rankings in the categories of account leadership, strength of account team, creativity, strategy and planning, and program execution. In 2008, MWW Group was named PR Agency of the Year by The American Business Awards and Mid-size PR Firm of the Year by PR News, in recognition of the firm’s growth, strategic account leadership and industry-leading employee retention. MWW Group is part of the Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG).

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LOS ANGELES, October 28, 2009 - On any given night, an estimated 43,000 people are homeless in Los Angeles’ Continuum of Care, according to the 2009 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Report (HC09), released today by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). The number of homeless people in Los Angeles, while still the highest in the nation, represents an estimated 38% decrease from 2007.

Although the data shows that a significant number of homeless in Los Angeles are still without shelter, it also demonstrates progress in the City’s and County’s efforts at reducing homelessness. The decrease reflects a combination of increased focus on homelessness by Los Angeles City and County leaders, investments in housing and innovative programs, and a strong network of agencies focused on ending homelessness. While progress has been made, two out of three homeless people in Los Angeles remain on the streets, including families and children.

LAHSA, a Joint Powers Authority created and managed by both the City and County of Los Angeles, is the lead agency for the Los Angeles Continuum of Care, a consortium of homeless service providers that encompasses all but three cities throughout Los Angeles County, including the City of Los Angeles. As required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), LAHSA conducts a homeless census every two years during the last 10 days in January. Service providers in the Continuum of Care, which includes approximately 200 independent agencies, use these census estimates to plan for critically-needed services. The 2009 count was conducted from January 27-29, and excludes the cities of Glendale, Long Beach and Pasadena, which all conduct their own counts. Adding these three cities to the Los Angeles homeless count, the total homeless population for Los Angeles County is approximately 50,000, on any given night.

“Los Angeles’ new homeless data shows tangible results from the efforts of the City, County and the Continuum of Care agencies to address poverty and homelessness,” said Michael Arnold, LAHSA’s Executive Director.

“We will continue to build on our momentum and progress, but more needs to be done - we still have almost 15,000 people in shelters and temporary housing, and more than 30,000 unsheltered people on our streets every night,” said Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

The decline in the numbers for Los Angeles appears consistent with similar national decreases seen in areas like New York (-30% in street homelessness), Indianapolis (-22%) and Riverside County (-22%), which have also experienced significant reductions in homelessness between 2007 and 2009. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, 44% of the nation’s 2009 local homeless counts report decreases. “We have not won the war against homelessness in Los Angeles, but we are making progress,” Arnold continued. “Ironically, the recession may have had a counter-intuitive impact on homelessness as the declining real estate market has also helped lower housing rental rates, giving more people access to affordable housing.”

However, thousands of people have lost jobs in the Los Angeles region. As the unemployment rate continues to rise there are signs that homelessness could increase again. It is estimated that nearly 10,000 people were found living on private property in areas not meant for human habitation.

Major region-wide efforts to reduce homelessness are ongoing. Many factors likely contributed to this decline including new and expanded programs implemented by the Los Angeles CoC network of housing and service providers. Many of these new programs are funded by the County and City of Los Angeles, such as the County’s $100-million Homeless Prevention Initiative, the City’s Permanent Supportive Housing Program and expanded Section 8 vouchers that specifically target homeless individuals and families. Most importantly, local housing and service providers are making an important paradigm shift with programs centered on housing homeless families and individuals, and providing them with the tools and skills they need to remain housed. The City and County have embarked on an unprecedented expansion of a collaborative effort to reduce homelessness in recent years. The decline reflects their success.

“The good news here — that homelessness has declined significantly in Los Angeles — can be attributed to a new spirit of joint cooperation between the City, the County and the service providers who make up the Continuum of Care. We still have a long way to go, but this is real progress, and we are very gratified to see it,” said Commissioner Howard Katz, Chair of the LAHSA Board of Commissioners.

Like previous years, to collect the most reliable figures, four distinct components of the census count were completed: (1) a street count, (2) a shelter count, (3) a demographic survey and (4) a “hidden homeless” telephone survey. To ensure greater accuracy of these elements, more than 3,000 volunteers participated in the data collection process conducted over 13,000 square miles of the region - an area larger than nine states in the nation. Additionally, experts from the University of North Carolina’s Survey Research Unit, skilled in tracking hard-to-reach populations, provided data collection tools and statistical analysis.

While the methodology for the 2009 Homeless Count remained consistent with previous counts, enhancements to the data collection process have collectively enabled researchers to extrapolate more detailed information. Highlights of these enhancements include:

• 50% increase in the number of census tracts covered from 2007
• More than 3,000 volunteers covered more than 13,000 miles
• 3,073 interviews with the homeless were conducted
• More than 4,000 households were contacted during a telephone survey to locate the number of homeless living temporarily off the streets, but near private residences

About the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) is a joint powers authority of the City and County of Los Angeles, created in 1993 to address the problems of homelessness in Los Angeles County. LAHSA plans, funds and administers programs that assist homeless individuals and families in their transition to permanent housing. LAHSA is the lead agency in the HUD-funded Los Angeles Continuum of Care, and coordinates and manages over $70 million annually in federal, state, county and city funds for programs providing shelter, housing and services to homeless persons. Additionally, LAHSA partners with the City and County to integrate services and housing opportunities to ensure wide distribution of service and housing options. LAHSA funds agencies that address many homeless populations including survivors of domestic violence and their children, persons struggling with chronic homelessness, veterans, youth transitioning from foster care, and individuals with mental health needs. For more information, please see http://www.lahsa.org

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