North American Public Relations Agency Celebrates 15 Years of Industry Firsts

    
    Environics Communications marks milestone anniversary with record
    revenue, workplace awards and expansion of client services
    

TORONTO , Nov. 3 /CNW/ - Environics Communications, a full-service North American public relations agency, is celebrating its 15th year with a Coldplay concert, company retreat to Fort Lauderdale , FL, and record revenue for the 2009 fiscal year.

Since opening its doors in 1994, Environics Communications has been a company of firsts - such as expanding into the United States , launching new companies that broaden services, unrivalled workplace benefits, and carbon neutral green practices.

"We've always aimed to set industry standards for exceptional client work, recognition of team members, and commitment to our community. Focusing on these priorities has served our business well," says Bruce MacLellan, President. "We celebrate this anniversary with our communications companies achieving 15 consecutive years of revenue growth to reach $21 million annually in 2009 - proof our approach resonates with the market."

Growing with Clients

Environics Communications is continually diversifying its services and expanding its family of companies to support clients and help them grow their businesses. In 1995, the company was the first Canadian-owned public relations agency to open a U.S. office. Today, the U.S. operations provide services to leading American organizations and contribute approximately 20 per cent to overall company revenue.

Environics Communications has grown to include:

    
    -  Sequentia Environics (2008) - investment and partnership with this
       company to enhance digital services, such as social media and online
       communities
    -  Ignite Excellence (2003) - co-founded this training and development
       company specializing in influential verbal and kinetic communications
    -  Free For All Marketing (1999) - founded this sampling and event
       marketing agency to deliver experiential marketing
    

The company also features the long-standing relationship with Environics Research Group.

"A research-driven strategy and commitment to measurement continues as a fundamental part of our philosophy and across all services," said MacLellan. "Our team of exceptional professionals offers clients the experience and perspective of a large agency, with the agility and nimbleness of a smaller boutique."

This business approach has attracted a solid roster of Canadian and U.S. based clients including: Nestlé Canada , Workopolis, eBay Canada , The Home Depot, GlaxoSmithKline, Biotechnology Industry Organization, Queen's School of Business, MasterCard Canada , WWF and SkyTerra, just to name a few.

"We are grateful to our fantastic clients for the partnerships we have built over 15 years. We're proud of our accomplishments and excited to pioneer new ideas and practices with them at every opportunity in the years ahead," added MacLellan.

In addition, Environics Communications has received more than 150 public relations industry awards at the regional, national and international levels. These peer-judged awards demonstrate the creative and collaborative approach the team consistently brings to the table to generate strong client results.

Nice Guys Finish First

By employing only the best, brightest and team-oriented public relations professionals, Environics Communications has one of the highest employee retention rates in the industry and is an award-winning workplace. The firm received the number two ranking on the 2008 and 2009 Great Place to Work(R) Institute Canada's list of 75 Best Workplaces in Canada , and number one designation in 2009 on the Institute's list of Canada's Best Workplaces for Women.

In addition to 15 consecutive years of profit sharing bonuses, team members celebrate milestone anniversaries with trips paid by Environics Communications. The distance travelled by people over the years totals over 200,000 kilometres and includes destinations ranging from Alaska to Athens , and Nova Scotia to New Zealand . Company events held to celebrate success have included attending concerts such as Madonna, U2, The Rolling Stones, and in the summer of 2009, Coldplay.

Community Support

In addition to workplace excellence, Environics Communications' ongoing commitment to charitable activities has included supporting Second Harvest, Frontier College, Greening Greater Toronto , Toronto Community Foundation and The Pembina Institute. In 2009, the company's work has included donating services for the White Ribbon Campaign's Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, a fundraising initiative to reduce violence against women that asks men to literally walk one mile in women's high-heeled shoes.

First in Green Practices

As the first North American public relations agency to achieve carbon neutrality (June 2008), respect for the environment is a core value shared by all staff. This commitment extends to the firm's wide range of client services, which now includes a clean energy & sustainability practice.

About Environics Communications

Founded in 1994 and now with more than 100 staff in the United States and Canada , Environics Communications Inc. is a full-service, management-owned public relations agency focusing primarily on the advanced technology, financial services, health sciences, association/non-profit, consumer, and sustainability and clean energy sectors. Ranked No.2 on the list of the 75 Best Workplaces in Canada for 2008 and 2009, the firm has also won more than 150 awards for client work. Environics Communications has a strong commitment to reducing environmental impact and in June 2008 became the first North American PR agency to be carbon neutral.

For further information: Stacey Flowers, Environics Communications, [phone], [email protected]