News: February 1, 2005

NEWS Update: February 1, 2005

Weber Shandwick's Twin Cities office announces 2005 pro bono client

Selects Achieve!Minneapolis For Yearlong Public Relations Support

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – February 1, 2005 – The Twin Cities office of Weber Shandwick has selected Achieve!Minneapolis, an organization that engages individuals, businesses, foundations, parent and community groups with Minneapolis public schools to support student success, as its pro bono client for 2005. Weber Shandwick will provide public relations services to Achieve!Minneapolis to help raise awareness for the organization’s "STEP UP" program – a summer job placement program for Minneapolis youth.

"STEP UP," a key component to Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak's “Close the Gap” program, places Minneapolis youth, ages 16 to 21 years, in summer jobs and provides the students with job coaching to help ensure their success. Retail stores, financial institutions, health care facilities, corporations and small businesses participate in the program by offering employment opportunities.
“We are thrilled to help 'STEP UP' educate the Twin Cities about the benefits of building a diverse workplace by connecting businesses with their future workforce,” said Sara Gavin, president of Weber Shandwick’s Twin Cities office.

In addition to working with pro bono clients, Weber Shandwick’s community outreach efforts include an annual communications workshop for non-profit agencies across the state and several daylong work projects. During the past 10 years, the agency has provided more than $1 million in services to more than 30 organizations. The Minnesota Keystone Program recently recognized Weber Shandwick’s efforts with a Star Award.

The Twin Cities office of Weber Shandwick is the leading public relations office in the upper Midwest, offering consumer, corporate, financial services, healthcare, public affairs and technology communications and marketing expertise. The office represents a variety of national and local clients, including Deluxe Corp., General Mills, Honeywell, The Internal Revenue Service, Lawson Software, the Mall of America and Polaris Industries.

Weber Shandwick, a unit of The Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG), is one of the world's leading public relations agencies, with offices in major media, business and government capitals around the world. Weber Shandwick is a leader in marketing public relations, public affairs and corporate communications counseling, and also provides services in advocacy advertising, market research and visual communications. Find out more at www.webershandwick.com.

The Interpublic Group of Companies is among the world's largest advertising and marketing services organizations.