Public Relations Global Network (PRGN) Elects Mark Paterson as President

New Member Agencies Added in Eastern Canada and Dubai


CLEVELAND, May 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Public Relations Global Network (PRGN) (www.prgn.com), one of the world's top four international networks of leading independent public relations agencies, announced the election of Mark Paterson of Currie Communications in Australia as president at its international, 20th anniversary meeting in Cape Town, South Africa. Paterson will lead the worldwide network of 45 independently-owned public relations agencies on six continents. He succeeds Francine Robbens of the Brussels based company PRP – Public Relations Partners.

Mark Paterson provides counsel on influencer marketing, community engagement, media strategy, corporate reputation, and crisis management to senior executives at private and public sector clients, including the World Bank, Australia Post and the Global Change Institute. His contribution to public relations in Australia has been recognized with the title of "Fellow" by the Public Relations Institute of Australia. He is principal of Currie Communications of Melbourne, Australia, an independent public relations firm which assists leading private and public sector organizations to effectively engage influential corporate, government, media and community stakeholders. 

"It is a privilege to both lead and partner with this esteemed group of companies," stated Paterson. "With our recent expansion of agencies in Eastern Canada and Dubai, PRGN has augmented its international foothold and ability to effectively address the diverse markets and needs of the global client."

Two New Member Agencies

According to PRGN membership chair David Landis, of San Francisco based Landis Communications Inc. (LCI), the international network was seeking to bolster its presence in Canada, as well as the UAE. "We are pleased to welcome these established practices to the Public Relations Global Network," said Landis. "The inclusion of energi PR of Montreal and Toronto, and The Content Factory of Dubai, underscores PRGN's steadfast commitment to continued growth and further strengthens our long-established position as a leading global PR network."

The new PRGN member agencies include:

energi PR

Montreal, Quebec, Canada and Toronto, Ontario Canada

energi PR is a bilingual, full service and independently-owned public relations and digital communications firm with offices in Toronto and Montreal. The agency services a diverse roster of clients in the consumer goods, technology and hospitality sectors with a dedicated healthcare practice. energi PR specializes in the consumer and healthcare sectors and is well recognized for its thriving beauty, travel and pharmaceutical practices. The firm holds an A+ Accreditation from the Alliance des cabinets de relations publiques du Québec and has won numerous industry awards.

"energi PR's membership in the Public Relations Global Network brings tremendous value for those of our clients who are looking to expand internationally and want to consolidate their public relations with a proven network," said Carol Levine, APR, FCPRS, co-founder and managing partner of energi PR. "We also view this association as a strong opportunity to export successful programs and expertise to other markets throughout the US, Latin America, Europe and the Far East."

"We are proud to be associated with such an accomplished and well respected network of professionals. We are very much looking forward to growing these relationships, sharing best practices and working collaboratively on new business opportunities," added Esther Buchsbaum, APR, FCPRS, co-founder and managing partner of energi PR.

The Content Factory

Dubai, UAE

Established in Dubai in 2003, The Content Factory (TCF) is an independent integrated marketing agency at the forefront of innovative marketing developments in the Middle East. The company develops solutions by integrating client marketing activities to form cohesive plans that address consumer and corporate publics directly, and maximize returns. The organization's vast industry experience spans technology, consumer electronics, digital security, trading, manufacturing, oil and gas, finance and services, and lifestyle segments. In addition to a host of traditional, digital or Internet based public relations services, TCF capabilities include branding, advertising, direct, graphic design, production, and event marketing.

Working as an extension of their clients, TCF helps to set up and execute high yield, demand generating campaigns.

Key clients include: Gemalto, world leader in digital security; SanDisk, global leader in flash memory storage; IIR (Institute for International Research), the leading business conference organizer in the Middle East; SonicWALL, the leading provider of intelligent network security and data protection solutions; ITS (International Turnkey Systems Group), a leading Integrated IT solutions provider; cashU, the region's first prepaid online payment gateway; MEC AS (Magnetic Emissions Control) a company that develops emissions reduction and fuel efficiency technology; and VIPERA, a well known European cosmetics brand.

"The Content Factory is proud to be selected among PRGN's list of elite agencies," said Layth Dajani, founder and CEO of The Content Factory. "We believe in the power of partnership and with PRGN we have gained partners across the globe. This is a big step in the right direction."

Landis Named President-Elect

David Landis, president of Landis Communications, Inc. (LCI), was named president-elect for PRGN while in Capetown. Celebrating its 20th year of business, LCI is the 2010 Bronze Bulldog Winner for social media. Consistently named "one of the top PR firms" by the San Francisco Business Times and PR Week, LCI is a full-service, independent San Francisco-based public relations agency that specializes in consumer, business-to-business, social media, digital, consumer technology and non-profit communications for international, national and regional clients. LCI provides strategic, creative and results-driven public relations counsel and implementation to clients in a variety of consumer-focused and business-to-business industries. Dedicated to helping businesses improve their bottom line, LCI is known for its trademarked Promised Results© program. www.landispr.com

Stevens Strategic Communications:

Stevens Strategic Communications is an award-winning, full-service agency that serves business to business as well as consumer clients with integrated marketing, corporate and crisis communications services. For more information, call: (440) 617-0100 ext 201, or visit www.stevensstrategic.com.

Public Relations Global Network:

Connected Thinking. Globally.

More than 1,000 clients across six continents depend on the combined resources of the Public Relations Global Network (PRGN) to deliver targeted public relations campaigns in more than 80 markets around the world. With revenues of more than $110 million (U.S.D.), PRGN is among the world's top four international public relations networks. PRGN harnesses the resources of 41 independent public relations firms, 65 offices and more than 900 communications professionals to connect international companies and organizations with individual and culturally diverse markets globally. Visit PRGN online at www.prgn.com.

Contact:
Ed Stevens, APR
Stevens Strategic Communications for Public Relations Global Network
(440) 617-0100 ext 201
estevens@stevensstrategic.com
www.stevensstrategic.com
www.prgn.com

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The following pictures are available for download:

[Image] mark paterson
[Image] jean durbin
[Image] layth dajani
[Image] david landis
[Image] ester buchsbaum
[Image] francine robbens and mark paterson
[Image] carol levine
[Image] prgn logo