Former Saatchi & Saatchi Executive Brings a Decade of Experience in Talent Management and Employee Services

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – July 13, 2010 – MWW Group (www.mww.com), one of the nation’s top ten public relations firms, announced today that Meghan Farmer joined the firm as Director of Human Resources. Farmer brings nearly a decade of experience managing human resource programs for businesses across the media, corporate and healthcare sectors.  As Director of Human Resources, Farmer will help develop and implement HR operations at MWW, including retention/staffing initiatives and company-wide programs focusing on employee benefits, employee relations and performance management.

“Meghan is a great addition to our management team and brings a record of leading successful HR and talent management programs for some of the most respected media agencies in the world,” said Michael W. Kempner, president and CEO of MWW Group. “She will be an invaluable asset, leading the design and implementation of new employee programs and policies to help us continue to make MWW Group one of the best places to work in the PR industry.”

Prior to joining MWW Group, Farmer served as human resources manager at Saatchi & Saatchi Healthcare Advertising, where she was responsible for administering and communicating the firm’s HR and company policies and procedures as well as partnering with senior executives, managers and individual employees to help design and deliver solutions to meet business needs. She also led the company’s annual performance management process and coached senior level management and employees through cultural and leadership issues.

Previously, Farmer worked with Initiative Media Worldwide as human resources manager responsible for recruiting for all levels of the organization, performing employee relations interviews and implementing nationwide benefit marketing plans. Earlier in her career, Farmer served as a human resource specialist for Answer Human Assets benefits administrator for Ames Department Stores, and client service/benefit coordinator at Cendant Mobility, formerly known as Coldwell Banker.

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). 

MWW Group continues its outstanding award season with a prestigous Silver Anvil Award win from the Public Relations Society of America for our work on the 2010 Volkswagen GTI launch in the category of Marketing Consumer Products. The public relations profession’s most prestigious honor, the Silver Anvil Award acknowledges the very highest level of achievement and is the established icon of the “best of the best” public relations practices. The award was presented during the Silver Anvil Awards Ceremony held June 3 in New York City.

MWW Group was engaged to create national buzz and increase consideration amongst car buyers, around the launch of the Volkswagen GTI. The goal was to launch the GTI exclusively online. A unique overlap was recognized between the GTI and iPhone audience which led to the creation of an iPhone and iPod Touch app, “Real Racing GTI” by mobile agency AKQA. The app exclusively launch the all new 2010 GTI via a mobile platform, making Volkswagen the first auto manufacturer to do so.

MWW Group’s results far exceed expectations. Real Racing GTI saw more than 3.7 million downloads (nearly 800,000 in the 4 days following the launch event). Real Racing GTI became #1 free app on Apple iTunes App Store within 5 days, the #1 free global app on Apple iTunes for 36 of 59 countries and a Top 5 free app in all countries where the iTunes Store is available. Due to MWW Group’s efforts, the program generated more than 255 million media impressions in just 6 weeks.

In addition, MWW Group received Silver Anvil Awards of Excellence from the Public Relations Society of America for the following:

Americans Embrace Change with IKEA

Category: Marketing Consumer Products- Non- Packaged Goods

“Drive With A Smile” Palisades Highway Art Gallery

Category: Marketing Consumer Services- Other

Keeping Harrah’s Competitive: From the Inside Out

Category: Internal Communications

Harrah’s: Changing the Conversation: From Corporate Greed to Good Union Partner

Category: Crisis Communications

Sprint & Samsung Make it Easy to Be Green

Category: Marketing Consumer Products- Technology

About the Silver Anvils

The Silver Anvil Awards program has grown in scope and stature since its inception in 1946, and awards are now given in 59 categories and subcategories. In the 60-plus-year history of the Silver Anvils, many organizations have been recognized, including solo practitioners, agencies of all sizes, large and small businesses, top corporations, nonprofits, associations and government agencies.

We are pleased to announce the following campaigns from MWW Group have been named as winners in the Hermes Creative Awards competition.

PLATINUM

Volkswagen GTI Becomes the World’s First Car Launched Exclusively on a Mobile Device

Category: Product Launch

Living the Legacy: The Untold Story of the Milton Hershey School

Category: Writing/Advertorial

Changing the Conversation: Harrah’s

Category: Crisis Communication Response

Keeping Harrah’s Competitive from the Inside Out

Category: Employee Relations

Happy Holidays from MWW Group

Category: Marketing Collateral/Branding/Holiday Card

GOLD

Wine Yakima Valley Association Grows to Greatness

Category: Communication Campaign

Nikon’s Corkboard Media Mailer

Category: Publications

“Drive with a Smile” Palisades Highway Art Gallery

Category: PR Campaign

Turning 1-800-FLOWERS.COM’s “Spot a Mom” into a Social Media Movement

Category: Social Media

Turning 1-800-FLOWERS.COM’s “Spot a Mom” into a Social Media Movement

Category: PR Campaign

This international competition honors outstanding achievement in professional communications and it is a tribute to the creativity and hard work of our employees that so many MWW Group campaigns have been honored.

Public Relations Industry Leader and Successful Entrepreneur to Help Guide Business Vision and Strategy for Global Entrepreneurship Education Non-Profit

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - April 21, 2010 - MWW Group (www.mww.com), one of the nation’s top ten public relations firms announced today that its president, CEO and founder Michael W. Kempner has been appointed to serve on the board of directors of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE).  NFTE is a global non-profit organization that gives educators and students in low-income communities the tools to view and use education as a roadmap to future business success.  As director, Kempner will lend his expertise as a marketing communications leader and successful entrepreneur to help guide the future growth and business strategy of NFTE. 

“Michael is a tremendous addition to our board of directors. He brings the deep expertise of a world class marketer coupled with an entrepreneurial mindset that has seen him launch and guide the growth of many of his own businesses as well as that of his clients,” said Amy Rosen, president and CEO of NFTE.  “Our organization and the thousands of students and teachers who are a part of the NFTE global family will immediately benefit from the tremendous knowledge and sophistication that Michael brings to our leadership team.”

Earlier this year, MWW Group announced that it has been appointed NFTE’s public relations agency of record. In this role, MWW Group will implement a public relations and social media program focused on helping NFTE increase public awareness and support its fundraising objectives. The campaign will focus on strategic positioning, media relations, blogger outreach and the development of a branded blog and Facebook page for NFTE.

“At a time when education reform is among our nation’s most pressing and visible issues, I am honored and privileged to stand alongside NFTE, an organization that for 23 years has proven the powerful role that education plays in shaping and saving lives,” said Kempner.  “I look forward to joining an exceptionally talented and intelligent group of individuals in advancing a common goal of helping at-risk youth across the globe realize their potential and turn their dreams into reality.”

Kempner founded MWW Group in 1986 and has grown the company into one of the nation’s top ten public relations and marketing communications firms with a client roster that includes such blue chip accounts as McDonald’s, Nikon, Sara Lee, Hershey, Volkswagen and Nutrisystem, among many others. A nationally recognized authority on crisis management, investor relations, public affairs, business to business communications, consumer marketing and corporate social responsibility, Kempner has successfully guided communications programs for hundreds of companies including many Fortune 500 leaders.

An active member in the community, Kempner serves on the board of Keep A Child Alive, helping in the effort to provide treatment and care to children and orphans impacted by HIV/Aids in Africa.   Additionally, he serves on the board of Center for Food Action, one of Northern New Jersey’s most critical food banks.

 About Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship

Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) provides entrepreneurship education programs to young people from low-income communities. NFTE’s vision is that every young person will find a pathway to prosperity. Since 1987, NFTE has worked with more than 280,000 young people. NFTE currently operates programs in 21 states and 12 countries outside the United States and has over 1,500 active Certified Entrepreneurship Teachers. For more information, visit www.nfte.com.

 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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Former Public Affairs Director for the U.S. Department of Energy Brings Expertise in Environmental Sustainability, Energy, Transportation, Health and Safety Issues

Held Senior Role for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Transportation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 31, 2010 - MWW Group (www.mww.com), one of the nation’s top ten public relations firms, announced today that Andrew Beck has joined the company as senior vice president in its Washington, D.C. office. Beck is the former director of public affairs for the U.S. Department of Energy and brings over fifteen years of experience working among a variety of debated issues in Washington such as environmental sustainability, energy, transportation and health and safety issues.

“Andy has a deep background in both the public and private sectors, and a track record of spearheading public outreach, media relations, and government relations campaigns that move the needle. He is a first rate strategic thinker, who is expert at boiling down complex issues and policies and then articulating the case persuasively to a range of stakeholders through a variety of channels,” said Michael W. Kempner, president and CEO of MWW Group. “He has worked on the front lines of issues related to energy, environmental sustainability, safety, health, and transportation that will be invaluable to our clients. Adding Andy to our Washington, D.C. team further cements our status as a powerhouse firm on Capitol Hill.”

Before joining MWW Group, Beck served as vice president of public affairs at the renewable energy company PetroAlgae Inc. In this role, he served as the company’s spokesperson and directed the strategic communications, public outreach, government relations, and media relations operations. Beck was quoted in numerous media articles relating to renewable energy and environmental issues and frequently spoke on the subjects of U.S. government energy and environmental policy at conferences all around the globe.

Previously, as the director of public affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy, eck was the U.S. government’s top energy spokesperson and communications strategist. He directed the planning and execution of all Energy Department announcements, events and public education and advertising campaigns and was the senior communications advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Energy. Beck has also served as the senior communications and outreach advisor to the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and as a senior communications official at the U.S. Department of Transportation. In addition, he has worked for two prominent trade associations, the National Automobile Dealers Association and the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America.

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).