MWW Entertainment Will Help Brands Enhance Cultural Relevance Through Entertainment, PR, Digital Marketing and Celebrity Talent Integration

NEW YORK, May 8, 2012 – MWW Group (www.mww.com), one of the top-ten global independent public relations firms, announced it has teamed with iconic entertainment executive Kevin Liles, founder and CEO of KWL Management, former president of Def Jam Music Group and executive vice president of Warner Music Group to launch MWW Entertainment.  MWW Entertainment will leverage the combined expertise of MWW Group and KWL Management in strategic communications to create the public relations industry’s leading entertainment team.

MWW Entertainment will operate as a strategic practice area within MWW Group. Established in recognition of shifts in the cultural resonance of entertainers, pop culture personalities, and celebrities, the practice will specialize in helping clients enhance cultural relevance, integrate talent into programming and leverage tastemakers to drive business objectives.  The practice will also provide specialized services in entertainment, sports and fashion publicity, as well as multicultural and youth marketing.  MWW Entertainment will benefit from MWW Group’s category expertise in consumer lifestyle marketing, digital marketing and social media, philanthropic and cause marketing development and strategic brand positioning.

Clients of MWW Entertainment vary from established brands to younger companies, a model captured by two of the practice’s earliest clients, AARP Foundation, the venerable philanthropic arm of AARP, and Tosy, a leading Vietnamese toy and robotics manufacturer. Notably, in the case of Tosy, MWW Entertainment helped arrange and promote a widely reported upon appearance by Justin Bieber at their booth during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January 2012.

“Digital mediums have transformed the media and entertainment industries, presenting new opportunities for brands to connect with customers and establishing pathways for fans to engage like never before. This three-way dialogue enables brands to build the relevance and trust needed to motivate action by consumers,” said Michael W. Kempner, president and CEO of MWW Group.  “No one understands how to leverage the current entertainment environment to enhance brand relevance better than Kevin Liles.  Kevin’s deep industry knowledge of the multicultural youth marketplace and extensive personal network will enable MWW Entertainment to connect our clients with celebrity talent that establishes credibility and builds brand equity with their stakeholders.”

“To establish and build cultural resonance, the mandate for brands and content providers to be proactive has never been greater.  Consumers have a growing expectation of engagement from both brands and celebrities, creating a perfect storm for organizations to leverage talent to take their brand to the next level,” said Liles. “Through MWW Entertainment, we’re fusing KWL’s knowledge and vision for the future of culture with MWW’s best-practice public relations. This combination helps our clients matter more to their stakeholders and create programs that directly impact the bottom line. Through content creation, consumption and communications, we will offer a product that speaks to the ever-changing needs of the marketplace.”

Drawing from Liles’ extensive personal relationships and deep industry expertise, MWW Entertainment will apply MWW’s unique “Network PR” approach to activate all influencers within a client’s network.  Services include:

• Brand and Talent Management
• Talent Acquisition and Branding
• Entertainment, Sports and Fashion Publicity
• Strategic Marketing and Public Relations
• Digital and Social Media Consultancy
• Philanthropic and Cause Marketing Development
• Entertainment, Multicultural and Youth Culture Expertise
• Brand Positioning and Messaging

About Kevin Liles

One the most influential forces in the entertainment industry, Kevin Liles, founder and CEO of KWL Management has served as Executive Vice President of Warner Music Group and President and CEO of Def Jam, where he helped shape the careers of stars such as Jay-Z, Kanye, LL Cool J and Ludacris, to name a few.  In 2009, Liles founded talent management company KWL Management and personally manages global superstars in music, sports, and entertainment, including Grammy-winners, D’Angelo, Estelle and Nelly; Grammy-nominated performer Trey Songz; hip-hop stars Big Sean and Young Jeezy; Victoria Secret supermodel and spokesperson Selita Ebanks and Nascar K&N driver Darrell Wallace, Jr. Liles is the author of the bestselling book “Make It Happen: the Hip Hop Guide to Success” and oversees both Kevin Liles for a Better Baltimore, which invests in the Baltimore community, and the Make It Happen Foundation, which empowers multicultural youth to succeed in the business world.

About KWL Management

Founded in 2009, KWL Management is a holistic talent management and brand development firm helping individuals, companies, and organizations reach their potential in a rapidly changing, interconnected world. Utilizing the vision, experience, and network of company founder, Kevin Liles, former President of Def Jam and Executive Vice President at Warner Music Group,  KWL provides resources and expertise, leading the diversification and expansion of career and brand horizons.

A purposely limited talent roster allows Liles to maintain a personal, direct involvement in the business and activity of all clients, many of whom are already internationally-recognized, award-winning entertainers, artists, and hosts. Current talent signed with KWL includes (in alphabetical order) Big Sean, Chrisette Michele, D’Angelo, Darrell Wallace, Jr., Estelle, Nelly, Raheem DeVaughn, Selita Ebanks, Shawn Chrys, Terrence J, Trey Songz, and Young Jeezy.

About MWW Group

MWW Group is one of the nation’s top mid-sized public relations firms and one of the ten largest independent global agencies. The company is industry-recognized for its work in consumer lifestyle marketing, digital marketing and social media, corporate communications, public affairs and government relations, consumer technology, healthcare and visual branding.

Through its “Network PR” approach, MWW Group helps its clients re-architect the conversation surrounding their brands to increase trust and relevance and drive action among key stakeholders.  Among its numerous awards for client work, the agency has been recognized as 2011 “Midsize Agency of the Year” and 2010 “Strategic PR Agency of the Year” by the Holmes Report and has received accolades from PR News for “Team of the Year,” “Digital Firm of the Year” and “Top Places to Work in PR.”

To learn more about MWW Group, visit www.mww.com, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

 LOS ANGELES – April 25, 2012 – MWW Group (www.mww.com), one of the top ten global independent public relations firms, announced today that Sanuk, a division of Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NASDAQGS: DECK), has retained MWW Group to develop and implement a strategic public relations campaign showcasing the footwear brand’s sponsored athletes, a family of veteran and up-and-coming surfers, rock climbers, snow athletes, and wakeboarders who embody the style and culture of the Sanuk brand.

Founded by Southern California native Jeff Kelley, Sanuk has grown into a line of “creatively-inspired yet distinctively designed” footwear sold in nearly 70 countries worldwide. The brand is best known for its Sidewalk Surfers, often referred to as “Not-A-Shoes,” for their patented sandal construction designed to create comfortable footwear for active men and women.

“Sanuk‘s brand culture is fun, unique, and innovative, and its products are superior in both design and quality,” said Michael W. Kempner, president and CEO of MWW Group. “It’s the kind of brand you want to befriend, and that human connection is critical to building the trust and relevance necessary to drive brand loyalty and sales. This campaign leverages up-and-coming action sports stars to bring Sanuk’s brand personality to life while increasing its relevancy among active lifestyle consumers and outdoor enthusiasts.”

MWW Group will be working with Sanuk to increase visibility and awareness to consumers nationwide through the stories and ambassadorship of several professional athletes, including surfer and musician Donavon Frankenreiter, world-class rock climber Chris Sharma, surfer and ocean activist Dave Rastovich, snowboard freerider Jeremy Jones, and emerging athletes such as surfer Matt Meola, climber Sierra Blair-Coyle and wakeboarder Bob Soven, among others.

“We chose to work with MWW Group because of the firm’s demonstrated ability to elevate awareness of other brands in the footwear and outdoors categories,” explained Michael Minter, global director of marketing, Sanuk. “More than that, they understand our culture, and will help us leverage our talented and influential athletes to tell our story and build greater cultural relevance.”

The account will be led out of MWW Group’s Los Angeles office.

About Sanuk

Twice recognized at the SIMA Image Awards as the 2007 and 2010 Footwear Product of the Year, Sanuk makes creatively inspired and distinctively designed footwear for the global outdoor community.  Taking its name from the Thai word for fun, the brand is best known for its Sidewalk Surfers. These closed-toe sandals are often referred to as “Not-A-Shoes” for their patented construction, which allows your feet to bend and flex in natural comfort. Founded by Southern California native and surfer Jeff Kelley, Sanuk sponsors a spectrum of premier athletes, including surfers Donavon Frankenreiter and Dave Rastovich and rock climbers Chris Sharma and Daniel Woods. Sanuk products are now distributed in nearly 70 countries worldwide. Learn more at www.sanuk.com. Smile…Pass It On!

About MWW Group

MWW Group is one of the nation’s top mid-sized public relations firms and one of the ten largest independent global agencies. The company is industry-recognized for its work in consumer lifestyle marketing, digital marketing and social media, corporate communications, public affairs and government relations, consumer technology, healthcare and visual branding.

Through its “Network PR” approach, MWW Group helps its clients re-architect the conversation surrounding their brands to increase trust and relevance and drive action among key stakeholders.  Among its numerous awards for client work, the agency has been recognized as 2011 “Midsize Agency of the Year” and 2010 “Strategic PR Agency of the Year” by the Holmes Report and has received accolades from PR News for “Team of the Year,” “Digital Firm of the Year” and “Top Places to Work in PR.”

To learn more about MWW Group, visit www.mww.com, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – April 23, 2012 – MWW Group (www.mww.com), one of the top ten global independent public relations firms, announced the release of its fourth annual Corporate Citizenship Report and website www.mww.com/ccr/2012, highlighting the firm’s belief that being a good corporate citizen means being an even better business.

“MWW’s corporate responsibility story began more than 25 years ago and is a part of our DNA,” said Michael W. Kempner, president and CEO of MWW Group.  “Our fourth annual corporate citizenship report maps our commitment to building MWW into more than just a strong company, but a place where talented people can give back to their communities in tangible and meaningful ways.”

Added Kempner, “We’re privileged to have a number of clients who share our commitment to giving back to the communities where they do business.  In this report we showcase a number of inspirational campaigns that we’ve developed in tandem with our clients.” This year’s Corporate Citizenship Report details the programs and partnerships MWW Group has championed over the last year in three specific categories:

• MWW Employee Efforts. Whether it’s through firm-initiative volunteer opportunities or personal projects, MWW employees dedicate their own time and talents to causes that matter most to them;
• Nonprofit and Social Impact Clients. MWW Group provides strategic support and public relations services to several nonprofit and cause-focused clients, including Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship and Usher’s New Look Foundation; and
• Corporate Clients. MWW Group has designed and executed to help corporate clients increase their own CSR efforts, such as Jimmy Dean’s partnership to end child hunger with Share Our Strength and Nikon’s work with Ronald McDonald charities.

The report also highlights MWW Group’s newest practice, Sustainable Solutions, which focuses on client sustainability and green technology programs.

The annual report is one of the ways MWW Group consistently strives to improve communication, transparency and accountability as it helps build stronger communities for its clients, constituents and employees.

Read the full report at MWW 2012 Corporate Citizen Report.

About MWW Group

MWW Group is one of the nation’s top mid-sized public relations firms and one of the ten largest independent global agencies. The company is industry-recognized for its work in consumer lifestyle marketing, digital marketing and social media, corporate communications, public affairs and government relations, consumer technology, healthcare and visual branding.

Through its “Network PR” approach, MWW Group helps its clients re-architect the conversation surrounding their brands to increase trust and relevance and drive action among key stakeholders.  Among its numerous awards for client work, the agency has been recognized as 2011 “Midsize Agency of the Year” and 2010 “Strategic PR Agency of the Year” by the Holmes Report and has received accolades from PR News for “Team of the Year,” “Digital Firm of the Year” and “Top Places to Work in PR.”

To learn more about MWW Group, visit www.mww.com, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

SAN FRANCISCO– April 19, 2012 – MWW Group (www.mww.com), one of the top ten global independent public relations firms, announced today that it has been selected as agency of record by NQ Mobile Inc. (NYSE:NQ), a leading global provider of consumer mobile services focusing on privacy, security and productivity. As agency of record, MWW will focus on increasing NQ Mobile’s brand awareness, particularly as the company introduces products in expanding markets, while also positioning co-CEOs Henry Lin and Omar Khan as visionary thought leaders in the mobile industry.

NQ Mobile will draw upon three practice areas: Technology and Digital Content, Public Affairs and MWW Group’s Financial Relations Board.  Through this combination, MWW will marry digital content, technology, and marketing public relations, resulting in a strong expertise in driving the adoption of app-based services.  The account will be led out of the firm’s San Francisco office and will also support NQ’s efforts to bring its security and privacy technology to manufacturers, wireless operators and other partners.

“In this technology-driven world, where an individual’s most private and sensitive information is often stored on a smartphone, it’s critical for consumers to secure and protect their devices,” said Michael W. Kempner, president and CEO of MWW Group.  “With its proprietary approach and technology, NQ Mobile has a clear advantage over the competition and is poised for tremendous growth as it enters the mass consumer market.”

NQ Mobile is a global leader in mobile security and productivity applications. NQ Mobile’s proprietary “cloud+client” twin engine platform enables it to identify 75 percent of global mobile threats faster than any other mobile security provider. In addition to mobile security, NQ Mobile’s products include cloud-based privacy and security solutions, as well as productivity applications that allow consumers to better manage their time and relationships.

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with MWW Group previously, and we’ve seen first-hand the firm’s significant capabilities in mobile technology and consumer branding,” said Khan. “As NQ Mobile continues to rapidly expand across the globe, it was important to choose an agency that can provide us with a wide range of expertise as we drive the brand into the United States and Western Europe. We’re confident that MWW will be a vital partner as we continue to grow NQ Mobile’s market position and take our company to the next level.”

About NQ Mobile

NQ Mobile Inc. (NYSE: NQ) is a leading global provider of mobile Internet services focusing on security, privacy and productivity. The company was one of the first to recognize the growing security threats targeting smartphone users and is now a leading Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider with nearly 147 million user accounts in over 100 countries. NQ Mobile’s proprietary, cloud-based security solution has been recognized by third-party testing facilities around the world as the most effective solution for detecting and combating mobile threats. NQ Mobile was bestowed the 2011 Technology Pioneer Award by the World Economic Forum for its technology leadership and innovation in mobile security. To facilitate global expansion, NQ Mobile headquarters are co-located in Beijing, China and Dallas, TX, USA. For more information on NQ Mobile, please visit www.nq.com.

About MWW Group

MWW Group is one of the nation’s top mid-sized public relations firms and one of the ten largest independent global agencies. The company is industry-recognized for its work in consumer lifestyle marketing, digital marketing and social media, corporate communications, public affairs and government relations, consumer technology, healthcare and visual branding.

Through its “Network PR” approach, MWW Group helps its clients re-architect the conversation surrounding their brands to increase trust and relevance and drive action among key stakeholders. Among its numerous awards for client work, the agency has been recognized as 2011 “Midsize Agency of the Year” and 2010 “Strategic PR Agency of the Year” by the Holmes Report and has received accolades from PR News for “Team of the Year,” “Digital Firm of the Year” and “Top Places to Work in PR.”

To learn more about MWW Group, visit www.mww.com, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

NEW YORK – April 17, 2012 – MWW Group (www.mww.com), one of the top ten global independent public relations firms, announced today that Alan Araujo has joined the firm as director of social strategy. Araujo will manage the social media team in the firm’s award-winning Dialogue Digital practice, delivering insight driven strategies for their client’s innovative social media platforms that are tightly integrated with their overall PR programs.  Araujo reports to Jared Hendler, executive vice president, global director of digital and creative.

Araujo brings expertise from a wide variety of industries including technology, CPG, pharmaceutical, government agencies, B2B and trade organizations.  He has worked for clients including HP, Capital One, Busch Entertainment Corporation, SOYJOY, and Johnson & Johnson, covering both U.S. and global markets.

Prior to joining MWW Group, Araujo worked for 12 years at Porter Novelli, where he served as a senior vice president overseeing the digital strategy, production, and creative teams.  Araujo led multi-platform digital strategies for clients including Absolut, Consumer Electronics Association and Baxter. He played a key role in planning the integration of social media applications, mobile and other emerging media into overall marketing programs.

“Alan brings both passion and a deep understanding of social media and digital strategy across a range of verticals and with a body of experience that crosses multiple continents,” said Jared Hendler, executive vice president, global director of digital and creative.  “His leadership will be a great asset as we craft programs that help our clients to matter more in the digital space, create conversation and drive engagement with their stakeholders.”

Araujo graduated with a bachelors of science in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University.

MWW Group continues the significant expansion of its Dialogue Digital practice and has more than tripled since the firm became independent.

About MWW Group

MWW Group is one of the nation’s top mid-sized public relations firms and one of the ten largest independent global agencies. The company is industry-recognized for its work in consumer lifestyle marketing, digital marketing and social media, corporate communications, public affairs and government relations, consumer technology, healthcare and visual branding.

Through its “Network PR” approach, MWW Group helps its clients re-architect the conversation surrounding their brands to increase trust and relevance and drive action among key stakeholders.  Among its numerous awards for client work, the agency has been recognized as 2011 “Midsize Agency of the Year” and 2010 “Strategic PR Agency of the Year” by the Holmes Report and has received accolades from PR News for “Team of the Year,” “Digital Firm of the Year” and “Top Places to Work in PR.”

To learn more about MWW Group, visit www.mww.com, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

NEW YORK – April 16, 2012 – MWW Group (www.mww.com), one of the top ten global independent public relations firms, announced today that Jessica Shearer has been promoted to vice president, director of marketing.  Shearer, who joined the firm in 2009, has helped significantly expand the firm’s marketing efforts, instituting an integrated model that has seen MWW heighten its social media presence. Shearer’s leadership and marketing efforts contributed to a year of tremendous growth for the agency. In 2011, MWW saw an 11 percent increase in revenue and captured numerous industry awards including five “Agency of the Year” honors.

In her new role, Shearer will continue to oversee MWW’s agency-wide marketing initiatives and will help guide the implementation of expanded programs to seize upon dynamic opportunities in the public relations industry as well as emerging social media and digital platforms and technologies.

“Jess has helped play a lead role in elevating MWW’s presence in the industry and she has made significant contributions to the growth and success of the agency,” said Michael W. Kempner, president and CEO.   “Her leadership has been essential in helping to build our brand and tell our story while developing a digital marketing strategy that has enabled MWW and its clients to capitalize upon emerging social media platforms and technology.  Jess’ continued advancement is a reflection of her tireless dedication to the agency and the valuable contributions she’s made in what has been a stellar period of growth for MWW.”

Prior to joining MWW Group, Shearer worked at a number of media companies, including Esquire magazine, SELF magazine, and Hachette Filipacchi Media providing marketing communications and promotional event services to such world class brands as Moët & Chandon, Cartier, BMW, Lufthansa, Continental Airlines, Tommy Hilfiger, Jaguar and Clarins, among many others.  Additionally, Shearer served as head of business development for a wide range of categories including automotive, consumer electronics, entertainment and liquor categories, while also creating strategic partnerships with organizations such as MoMA, PS 1, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Breeder’s Cup.

Shearer holds a bachelors degree in English from Marymount Manhattan College.

About MWW Group

MWW Group is one of the nation’s top mid-sized public relations firms and one of the ten largest independent global agencies. The company is industry-recognized for its work in consumer lifestyle marketing, digital marketing and social media, corporate communications, public affairs and government relations, consumer technology, healthcare and visual branding.

Through its “Network PR” approach, MWW Group helps its clients re-architect the conversation surrounding their brands to increase trust and relevance and drive action among key stakeholders.  Among its numerous awards for client work, the agency has been recognized as 2011 “Midsize Agency of the Year” and 2010 “Strategic PR Agency of the Year” by the Holmes Report and has received accolades from PR News for “Team of the Year,” “Digital Firm of the Year” and “Top Places to Work in PR.”

To learn more about MWW Group, visit www.mww.com, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.