Batterman graduated in 2008 from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing & Entrepreneurship, with a minor in Spanish.  She currently resides in Miami Beach, Fla.

 

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About rbb
rbb Public Relations has a national reputation for delivering results. Named PRWeek’s “2008 Agency of the Year” and The Holmes Report’s “2009 Boutique Agency of the Year,” rbb delivers clients results on par with the largest national firms, but with the individual attention of a boutique PR agency. Its bilingual staff excels in media relations, corporate communications, digital/social media, product introductions and crisis counseling. The firm’s capabilities encompass a variety of practice areas, including B2B, consumer products, travel & leisure, health and fitness, luxury goods, real estate and food and beverage. rbb is a member of the Converge network of PR firms. For more information, call (305) 448-7450 or visit www.rbbpr.com.

 

This awards program honors the GMCC’s Leadership Miami® alumni who have excelled as leaders in their respective business fields, served the chamber with distinction and been integrally involved in the community. Christine’s commitment to the GMCC has including serving and leading numerous committees, earning a spot on the board of directors and being elected to the executive committee.

“The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce is the most powerful way to grow, improve and protect your business,” said Christine. “Serving this organization has not only been of value to rbb and its clients, it’s the right thing to do to help support an organization that is the voice of business on our community.”

 

Under Christine’s leadership, rbb is the only Florida firm to win every major public relations industry award, including being named the 2009 “Boutique Agency of the Year” by The Homes Report and the 2008 “Agency of the Year” by PRWeek Magazine, two of the industry’s leading publications. For three years running, rbb was also recognized as one of Wall Street Journal’s “Top Small Workplaces,” and one of 2009’s “Best Companies to Work For” by Florida Trend Magazine.

“We are excited to bring the prestige of Thorp & Company’s history, client base and talented staff into the rbb fold,” said Christine Barney, CEO, rbb Public Relations. “I’ve admired Patricia and her firm for years and our shared philosophy of delivering strategic client results makes us an even more attractive option for companies seeking the benefits of working with a large boutique PR firm.” 

Patricia A. Thorp, president of Thorp & Company, cited rbb’s national award-winning reputation and digital media expertise as key factors in the decision to join the firm. “rbb and Thorp are mirror images when it comes to commitment to quality,” said Thorp.  “After many years of building a solid reputation, adding our equity to rbb catapults us both into an even stronger position in terms of strength and size.”    

Barney noted the acquisition allows rbb to solidify two key practice areas – Issues Management and Financial Services.  Patricia Thorp will be senior counselor of the Issues Management and Reputation Practice and Peter Whalen, vice president, will lead the firm’s Financial and Professional Services Practice. 

Thorp & Company has managed major issues for clients such as Searle and DuPont, and within its financial practice represents PNC Financial – one of the nation’s largest financial institutions - and Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust.   Thorp’s years of healthcare expertise with companies such as Cordis, IVAX and Navitus will also add to rbb’s growing healthcare practice encompassing clients such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Cleveland Clinic of Florida, FIU College of Nursing & Health Sciences and United HomeCare Services.

The acquisition is rbb’s second this year, following on the heels of the successful integration of Haber & Quinn of Fort Lauderdale.  rbb expects to continue fueling its growth through organic expansion as well as additional mergers and acquisitions. “This economy presents great opportunity for those who are bold enough to think big and bring creative ideas to the table,” added Barney. “Patricia and her team are smart and dynamic counselors who will help us reach our growth and expansion goals faster.”

Thorp & Company staff will work out of rbb’s Miami and Fort Lauderdale offices.  

 

The Huizenga Business School is located in the state-of-the-art Carl DeSantis Building at Nova Southeastern University, the nation’s seventh largest, not-for-profit, independent institution of higher education. The school offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral business degree programs, and boasts the largest Master of Business Administration program in Florida.

A Miami native, Sangiovanni has previously served as the online producer for The Miami Herald, copy editing chief for The Miami Hurricane and web coordinator for SOBeFiT Magazine, where he launched the publication’s social media campaign.

 

“Raph will help drive the next phase of growth in the social media programs and online community engagement offered by Digital Park,” said Christine de la Huerta, vice president of rbb Public Relations and team leader of the Digital Park division. “We look forward to watching him advance within the firm.”

 

Sangiovanni holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and English from the University of Miami.

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About rbb
rbb Public Relations has a national reputation for delivering results. Named PRWeek’s “2008 Agency of the Year” and The Holmes Report’s “2009 Boutique Agency of the Year,” rbb delivers clients results on par with the largest national firms, but with the individual attention of a boutique PR agency. Its bilingual staff excels in media relations, corporate communications, digital/social media, product introductions and crisis counseling. The firm’s capabilities encompass a variety of practice areas, including B2B, consumer products, travel & leisure, health and fitness, luxury goods, real estate and food and beverage. rbb is a member of the Converge network of PR firms. For more information, call (305) 448-7450 or visit www.rbbpr.com.

 

Mary Sudasassi / mary.sudasassi@rbbpr.com / 305-448-6163

 

Relocating from North Carolina, Kennedy previously served as an account executive for integrated independent agency, Trone. During her three years at Trone, she worked with a diverse group of companies including Uniroyal Tire, Louisiana-Pacific, Fiber Composites and the Boy Scouts of America.

 

“Kristy joins our team with good experience in media relations and event planning,” said Christine Barney, managing partner and CEO of rbb Public Relations. “We look forward to watching her advance within the firm.” 

 

Kennedy holds a bachelor’s degree in communications specializing in public relations, with a minor in English from East Carolina University in North Carolina. She currently resides in Miami.

 

 

According to Eric Poms, CEO of the Orange Bowl Committee,rbb was selected for its strategic approach to the OBC’s public relations needs and the firm’s reputation for delivering bottom line-oriented client results. Additionally, Poms said that the OBC chose rbb for its experience in working with sports, entertainment and not-for-profit clients on national and local levels.  

 

“rbb looks forward to further enhancing the Orange Bowl Committee’s visibility and brand recognition throughout Florida, and on a national level,”said Tina Elmowitz, executive vice president, rbb Public Relations. “The Committee’s rich history and tradition runs deep in our community, from its sports events to outreach programs, and our experienced team will continue to drive the Committee’s mission of supporting Florida’s youth and the local economy.”

 

In addition to the OBC’s community involvement that places a strong focus on youth athletic programs, the OBC organizes a year-round schedule of events culminating with the Orange Bowl, this year taking place on January 3, 2011. Other OBC core events and initiatives include the Orange Bowl Youth Football Alliance presented by Sports Authority, MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic (December 18, 2010), Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships (December 2-12, 2011) and Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta (December 27-30, 2010).  

 

 

Previously a senior account executive at rbb, she also will continue to manage rbb News, the PR agency’s marketing and communications team. Since joining rbb in 2006, Velez-Couto has led numerous successful public relations campaigns for the firm’s travel and luxury consumer accounts.  Over the past two years, her campaign contributions have led to three prestigious industry awards, including the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) Silver Anvil Award for Crisis Communication (2009) and two consecutive Holmes Report’s Gold SABRE awards for Travel & Tourism programs (2008 and 2009).  

 

“We take great pride in encouraging our employees to grow with us, and we’re happy to recognize Maite’s talent with this new role” said Christine Barney, CEO of rbb Public Relations. “The numerous awards and accolades that she’s helped the firm achieve are a testament to the quality work she inspires for our clients on a daily basis.”

 

MIAMI – July 23, 2010 – rbb public relations, a leading national marketing public relations firm, has been recognized as one of Florida’s best workplaces, according to annual reports recently released by Florida Trend magazine and the South Florida Business Journal.

 

The award-winning boutique agency ascended five positions from last year’s ranking to land the #4 spot in the “Best Small Companies” class of Florida Trend’s “Best Companies to Work For” list that appeared in the August issue.  The annual survey ranks 100 companies in small, medium and large company categories. The issue also profiled rbb, showcasing the merits of the employee-driven workplace philosophy and open-office structure that has helped guide the firm’s continuous success.  

 

“rbb’s distinction as an outstanding workplace is a direct reflection of our employees’ commitment to building, protecting and growing a dynamic work environment,” said Christine Barney, rbb’s managing partner and CEO. 

 

Earlier this year, the agency was similarly honored by the South Florida Business Journal as one of its “Best Places to Work” in the “50 Employees and Under category. In addition, rbb has been named a “Top Small Workplace” by the Wall Street Journal for three years running.

 

“Despite economic challenges facing our industry, we continue to strengthen our offerings and develop innovative campaign strategies that exceed our clients’ expectations,” said Christine Barney, rbb’s managing partner and CEO. "Our continued rankings growth further validates these efforts."

 

The publication also registered rbb’s entry into a Top 20 standing in the Travel & Leisure category. This move is the latest industry accolade for the firm’s Travel and Tourism division, which has already received several awards this year. In June, rbb was honored with prestigious back-to-back wins of a Silver Anvil Award by PRWeek, and Silver SABRE Award from The Holmes Report for its work on AMResorts' “Flu-Free Guarantee” Campaign.

 

Infante previously served as an Account Executive for a multinational communications firm based in Miami. She has managed a variety of business-to-consumer programs within the US Hispanic market for such clients as COVERGIRL®, Pantene Pro-V, Head & Shoulders, Target, Motorola and BMW.

“Infante joins our team offering a strong background in media relations, having orchestrated a variety of high-profile English and Spanish language campaigns,” said Lisa Ross, president of rbb Public Relations. “Her experience will further strengthen the firm’s media relationships and bilingual capabilities.”

Infante graduated from the University of Miami in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Modern Languages. She currently resides in Miami, FL.

MIAMI – June 11, 2010 – rbb Public Relations, a leading national marketing public relations firm, and AMResorts, provider of sales, marketing and brand management services for four luxury resort brands operating throughout Mexico and the Caribbean, were awarded a Silver Anvil Award in the Crisis Communications category by the Public Relations Society of America. The award, given for the “Flu-Free Guarantee” travel campaign, was presented at the 2010 Anvil Awards Ceremony in New York last week. Considered the Oscars® of the public relations industry, the Anvil Awards honor organizations that have successfully addressed a contemporary public relations issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness.    

“The Silver Anvil is one of the PR industry’s most coveted awards and we are truly honored to win it, especially in the crisis communications category,” said Lisa Ross, rbb’s president and leader of the firm’s travel and leisure practice.  “Knowing that the success of this campaign was critical to restoring not just our client’s bottom line, but Mexico’s largest industry, is extremely gratifying.   This award validates the quality work and professionalism that rbb strives to consistently produce.”   

The Silver Anvil win comes on the heels of another esteemed industry accolade commending the “Flu-Free Guarantee” promotion – the 2010 Silver SABRE award in the Travel category, which was received May 11, 2010, at The Holmes Report’s annual awards ceremony.  This marks the second consecutive year rbb’s travel and tourism division has garnered top acclaim for their programs and campaign strategies in travel and tourism. In 2009, rbb also earned a Silver SABRE award in the travel category for its successful campaign to restore industry confidence in the rebuilding of Mexican cruise port Costa Maya, which was damaged extensively by Hurricane Dean the prior year.   

“Successful public relations programs are always a collaborative effort between client and agency that have a keen understanding of each others’ practices and strengths, trusting in each other’s ability to develop and champion a common goal,” said Gonzalo del Peon, executive vice president of AMResorts.   “We value our partnership with rbb, and are delighted to be recognized in such a prominent manner by the distinguished members of the public relations community.” 

AMResorts’ “Flu Free Guarantee” campaign was created in direct response to the 2009 “H1N1” worldwide flu epidemic, which jeopardized tourism revenue and delivered a major blow to the Mexican tourism economy. The guarantee promised guests a refund of three-times the cost of their vacations if they contracted the H1N1 virus while staying at any AMResorts property. In May 2009, rbb launched an aggressively proactive, multi-faceted media communications program aimed directly at U.S. consumers to quickly restore confidence in travel to the company’s 11 Mexican properties. By June 2009, occupancy levels across its resorts had risen by 140 percent from its lowest point. The campaign ultimately enlisted AMResorts’ top competitors to join in the guarantee and work cooperatively, assuaging tourists’ fears and encouraging safe travel to help galvanize the Mexican economy back to recovery.   

These Silver Anvil and Sabre awards complement the praise lauded on AMResorts’ leadership  from Mexican officials  for the industry-saving impact the “Flu Free Campaign” had on the country’s tourism sector.  In October 2009, the Minister of Tourism bestowed the national “Llave del Progreso®” award (or “Key to Progress”) to Alex Zozaya, AMResorts’ CEO, on behalf of Mexican President Felipe Calderon. The award was given to Mr. Zozaya for his dedication and commitment to this sweeping campaign, ultimately restoring faith and economic solvency in Mexico's tourism industry. 

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About rbb Public Relations  

rbb Public Relations has a national reputation for delivering meaningful client results on par with the largest national firms, but with the individual attention of a boutique agency. Its bilingual staff excels in media and community relations, corporate communications, digital/social media and product introductions. The firm’s capabilities encompass a variety of practice areas, including B2B, consumer products, crisis management, travel & leisure, health & fitness and food and beverage. rbb is a member of the Converge network of PR firms.  For more information, call (305) 448-7450 or visit www.rbbpr.com.     

About AMResorts 

AMResorts (www.amresorts.com) is the provider of sales, marketing and brand management services to five brands of exclusive resort properties in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica: ultra luxurious Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts  and The Zoëtry Collection (www.zoetryresorts.com; 888-4 ZOËTRY); adults-only Secrets Resorts & Spas (www.secretsresorts.com; 866-GO SECRETS), luxurious Dreams Resorts & Spas (www.dreamsresorts.com; 866-2 DREAMS) and stylish Now Resorts & Spas (www.nowresorts.com). Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts is a member of Leading Small Hotels of the World and Preferred Boutique™. Secrets, Dreams and Now Resorts & Spas are members of Preferred Hotels® & Resorts. Vacation packages for these resorts are available online, via toll-free brand phone numbers and through leading travel professionals in North America, Mexico, and Europe.   

Media Contact:

John Prieur / john.prieur@rbbpr.com / 305-717-8128

Miami – June 9, 2010 – rbb Public Relations, a leading national marketing public relations firm, was named a winner of the 2010 Good to Great^® Awards presented by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce at the organization’s recently held annual Goals Conference.   

The Sixth Annual South Florida Good to Great Awards program honors companies based in South Florida that embody ideas from Jim Collins’ best-selling business book, "Good to Great."  Created by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce along with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, the program spotlights the winning strategies of successful local companies throughout the tri-county region that have achieved greatness in their mission and established themselves as industry leaders.  rbb was chosen from among three finalists in the small business category. 

The winning companies were selected for showing a pattern of transitioning from good to great performance over a four-year period while demonstrating proven leadership and a solid workforce base. The firm went from “good to great” through an unwavering commitment to engage in results-oriented best practices, a pioneering philosophy to make an “employee-driven workforce” the core of its business operations, investing and cultivating talented professionals at every level, and proactively creating innovative solutions to stay ahead in a dynamic industry. 

“It doesn’t get much better than being told by respected sources that you are a great company,” said rbb CEO and managing partner Christine Barney.  “rbb is constantly evolving and seeks not just better, but the best ways, to serve our clients, encourage our staff, and deliver results that benefit everyone involved.” 

Since its inception in 2001, rbb Public Relations has amassed a strong client base including some of Florida’s top companies such as Florida Power & Light, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, the Florida Marlins, Flagler Development, and Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra, among others.  Building upon the strength of its regional clientele and consistent industry recognition, the firm continues to attract more national business, including Homewood Suites by Hilton, AMResorts, Bijoux Terner, Costa Maya,  Zumba Fitness, Ladenburg Thalman and Global Keratin. 

rbb is the only Florida firm to win every major public relations industry award, including being named “Boutique Agency of the Year” in 2009 by The Holmes Report and “Agency of the Year” in 2008 by PRWeek Magazine, two of the industry’s leading publications.  For three years running, rbb was recognized as one of Wall Street Journal’s “Top Small Workplaces,” and named one of the Inc Magazine’s 5,000 fastest growing companies in 2009. Also in 2009, the firm was named one of the “Best Companies to Work For” by Florida Trend Magazine, as well as a “Best Place to Work” by the South Florida Business Journal.   

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About rbb Public Relations
rbb Public Relations has a national reputation for delivering meaningful client results on par with the largest national firms, but with the individual attention of a boutique agency. Its bilingual staff excels in media and community relations, corporate communications, digital/social media and product introductions. The firm’s capabilities encompass a variety of practice areas, including B2B, consumer products, crisis management, travel & leisure, health & fitness and food and beverage. rbb is a member of the Converge network of PR firms.  For more information, call (305) 448-7450 or visit www.rbbpr.com.   

Media Contact:

John Prieur / john.prieur@rbbpr.com / 305-717-8128

“John Quinn and Geri Haber bring their talents, staff and quality clients into the rbb fold,” said Barney. “We share a best-practices approach to delivering strategic results for clients and together have a stronger portfolio that will fuel the firm’s future growth.”   

Haber & Quinn (H&Q) leadership cited rbb’s national award-winning reputation, digital media expertise and employee-driven culture as key factors in the decision to join the firm. “rbb was the perfect choice for H&Q,” said John Quinn, partner at Haber & Quinn.  “We wouldn’t have considered a move that would bring anything less than rbb’s top-quality to our clients and staff.”      

Geri Haber will be senior counselor and EVP of the soon-to-be-named rbb/HQ event division. John Quinn will take on the mantle of EVP of healthcare for rbb. The healthcare division includes well established brands such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Cleveland Clinic, United Home Care Services and the FIU College of Nursing & Health Sciences.     

The event division’s client experience includes the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the world’s largest boat show, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and Disney on Ice, the 2010 American Institute of Architects National Convention, the Florida Marlins, among others.   

Haber & Quinn staff will work out of both rbb’s Miami and Fort Lauderdale offices.   

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About rbb Public Relations 

rbb Public Relations has a national reputation for delivering results on par with the largest national firms, but with the individual attention of a boutique agency. Named PRWeek’s “2008 Agency of the Year” and The Holmes Report’s “2009 Boutique Agency of the Year,” rbb’s bilingual staff excels in media relations, corporate communications, digital/social media, product introductions and crisis counseling. The firm’s capabilities encompass a variety of practice areas, including B2B, consumer products, crisis communications, travel & leisure, health and fitness, real estate, and food and beverage. rbb is a founding member of the Converge network of PR firms.  For more information, call (305) 448-7450 or visit www.rbbpr.com.     

About Haber & Quinn Public Relations 

Haber & Quinn Public Relations & Marketing works on a local, regional, national and international basis with clients range from privately held companies to multinational corporations.  The firm’s experience encompasses a variety of different industries, with special emphasis in the marine and healthcare industries.  The firm is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.   

Media Contact:

John Prieur / john.prieur@rbbpr.com / 305-717-8128

rbb was among five nationwide finalists at the North American SABRE Awards held May 11 in New York City. Last year, rbb also earned a Silver SABRE in the travel category for its successful campaign to restore industry confidence in the rebuilding of Mexican cruise port Costa Maya, which was damaged extensively by Hurricane Dean the year prior.             

“The campaign’s success was critically important to increase occupancy levels at AMResorts’ Mexico properties and to help rebuild Mexico’s image following last year’s devastating H1N1 epidemic, and rbb worked alongside AMResorts own marketing team and industry partners to regain normalcy as quickly as possible,” said Lisa Ross, rbb’s president and team leader of the firm’s travel and leisure practice. 

“We’re honored to receive this award for the second year in a row from The Holmes Report, which confirms that our work meets the profession’s highest standards of performance,” said Ross. According to Holmes Report Editor Paul Holmes, “This is a terrific accomplishment given the strong level of competition – there were more than 1,600 entries overall, of which only about 20% were finalists, and the quality was the highest the judges have seen in 10 years of SABRE Awards.” 

AMResorts’ “Flu Free Guarantee” campaign was created in direct response to the 2009 “H1N1” worldwide flu epidemic, which jeopardized tourism revenue and delivered a major blow to the Mexican tourism economy. The guarantee promised guests a refund of three-times the cost of their vacations if they contracted the H1N1 virus while staying at any AMResorts property. In May 2009, rbb launched an aggressively proactive, multi-faceted media communications program aimed directly at U.S. consumers to quickly restore confidence in travel to the company’s Mexican properties. By June 2009, occupancy levels across its resorts had risen by 140 percent from its lowest point. The campaign ultimately enlisted AMResorts’ competitors to join in the guarantee and work cooperatively, assuaging tourists’ fears and encouraging safe travel to help galvanize the Mexican economy back to recovery. Mexican officials even lauded AMResorts’ President Alex Zozaya with a major national award. 

The “Flu Free Guarantee” campaign is also a finalist for the Public Relations Society of America’s 2010 Silver Anvil award, which will be held next month. rbb Public Relations is the only Florida firm to be recognized by all the major industry awards. In 2009, rbb was named “Boutique Agency of the Year” by The Holmes Report and the year prior took home PRWeek Magazine’s "PR Agency of the Year" title. The Wall Street Journal has also taken notice, naming rbb one of the best places to work for three years running.  To view rbb Public Relations’ award-winning work visit www.rbbpr.com and to learn more about AMResorts visit www.amresorts.com. 

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About rbb Public Relations 

rbb Public Relations has a national reputation for delivering meaningful client results on par with the largest national firms, but with the individual attention of a boutique agency. Its bilingual staff excels in media and community relations, corporate communications, digital/social media and product introductions. The firm’s capabilities encompass a variety of practice areas, including B2B, consumer products, crisis management, travel & leisure, health & fitness and food and beverage. rbb is a member of the Converge network of PR firms. For more information, call (305) 448-7450 or visit www.rbbpr.com.   

Media Contact: 

John Prieur  / john.prieur@rbbpr.com / 305-717-8128

“Last year was an undoubtedly tough one for many in our industry. However, we took the necessary steps to continue cultivating talent, resources and capabilities to maintain our ground while positioning us for growth in the near future,” said Christine Barney, managing partner and CEO of rbb.

In 2009, the rbb expanded its capabilities and client offerings with the launch of Digital Park – the agency’s digital communications and new media division. The division’s services include online reputation management and social media marketing, as well as enhanced search engine optimization through iPR, Digital Park’s proprietary search engine optimization tool. Digital Park has increased profitability and added value to the majority of the firm’s clients within the first year of existence, and ensures the firm’s competitiveness in this dynamic sector of the industry.

Prior to joining rbb, Gomez studied at Florida International University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication, specializing in public relations with a minor in marketing. She will service a diverse group of accounts including Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Zumba Fitness and Florida Power & Light. Gomez, active in the community, volunteers with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, American Cancer Society and American Heart Association and currently resides in Miami. 

Powell graduated cum laude from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in advertising. She honed her strategic research skills with the City of Gainesville’s Office of Equal Opportunity.  Powell previously also launched a unique social networking site that blended blogging and user-generated video content to raise brand awareness for a high-tech footwear company. Powell will join the account teams of rbb clients such as Homewood Suites by Hilton, Language Line Services, and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. 

Yen comes to rbb with previous PR experience from her collaboration on media relations, strategic research and event planning for the Florida Department of Children and Families and Ron Sachs Communications. She graduated magna cum laude from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in public relations. Yen will support several of the agency’s consumer clients including Bijoux Terner, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida and United HomeCare Services.    

“Amelia, Alysia and Luisa bring rbb diverse backgrounds, admirable levels of enthusiasm and refreshing perspectives on the evolving public relations landscape,” said Lisa Ross, president of rbb Public Relations. “We look forward to watching each of them develop and rise within the firm.”  

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rbb Public Relations has a national reputation for delivering results. Named PRWeek’s “2008 Agency of the Year” and The Holmes Report’s “2009 Boutique Agency of the Year,” rbb delivers clients results on par with the largest national firms, but with the individual attention of a boutique agency. Its bilingual staff excels in media relations, corporate communications, digital/social media, product introductions and crisis counseling. The firm’s capabilities encompass a variety of practice areas, including B2B, consumer products, crisis communications, travel & leisure, health and fitness, real estate, and food and beverage. rbb is a member of the Converge network of PR firms.  For more information, call (305) 448-7450 or visit www.rbbpr.com.         

Media Contact:

John Prieur / john.prieur@rbbpr.com / 305-717-8128

Based in Marbella, Spain, Baltus Collection is known for its devotion to furniture design and quality, while never losing sight of function. The 5,000-square-foot Miami showroom will feature of wide range of furnishings, from chairs and tables to bookcases, cupboards and more. Baltus prides itself on creating high-end, large-scale pieces that are contemporary interpretations of classic standards, combined with design innovations to form a truly breathtaking collection.     

The 2010 AIA National Convention will welcome more than 18,000 architects and design professionals to explore Design In A New Decade.  The convention, held this year in Miami Beach from June 8-12, will emphasis how the modern, global economy is redefining architecture. The convention’s focus is to reshape the future of architecture through sustainable, modern and innovative design.    

“Our campaign for Baltus includes development of core messages and press materials, identifying strategic event partners and debuting the latest Collection to key members of the trade, consumer and lifestyle press. For the AIA, we will focus primarily on creating awareness of the convention through key design and architecture media outlets,” said Lisa Ross, president of rbb Public Relations. “rbb looks forward to showcasing these clients to select target audiences and creating greater awareness of their offerings.”    

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rbb Public Relations has a national reputation for delivering results. Named PRWeek’s “2008 Agency of the Year” and The Holmes Report’s “2009 Boutique Agency of the Year,” rbb delivers clients results on par with the largest national firms, but with the individual attention of a boutique agency. Its bilingual staff excels in media relations, corporate communications, digital/social media, product introductions and crisis counseling. The firm’s capabilities encompass a variety of practice areas, including B2B, consumer products, crisis communications, travel & leisure, health and fitness, real estate, and food and beverage. rbb is a member of the Converge network of PR firms.  For more information, call (305) 448-7450 or visit www.rbbpr.com.       

Media Contact: 

John Prieur / john.prieur@rbbpr.com / 305-717-8128

         MIAMI - April 12, 2010 - rbb Public Relations, a leading nationalmarketing public relations firm, has been named a finalist for two of the industry’s top awards programs that recognize the very best public relations programs annually: Public Relations Society of America’s 2010 Silver Anvil and The Holmes Report’s 2010 Silver SABRE. The awards recognize rbb for its work on the “Flu-Free Guarantee” campaign for client AMResorts, provider of sales, marketing and brand management services for several luxury resort brands operating in Mexico and the Caribbean. The campaign was designed in direct response to the 2009 “H1N1” flu epidemic, which jeopardized tourism revenue and delivered a major blow to the Mexican economy.               
         In May 2009, rbb launched a multi-brand consumer program to help restore confidence in travel to AMResorts’ properties throughout Mexico. The “Flu-Free Guarantee” promised guests a refund of three-times the cost of their vacations if they contracted the H1N1 virus while staying at an AMResorts property. By June 2009, AMResorts’ occupancy levels across its eleven properties in the country increased 140 percent and Mexico’s economy was on its way to recovery.             

         “The strategy behind the ‘Flu-Free Guarantee’ was not to react to the crisis, but to challenge it head-on, transforming concerns into affirmative outcomes,” said Lisa Ross, president and rbb’s travel and tourism practice leader. “While others were running from the media, we encouraged our client to proactively communicate with media and trust that this was the most effective way to promote a message of confidence to its customer base.”             

         Comprehensive media coverage and targeted communication channels created the means for AMResorts to assuage fears, increase consumer confidence, and provided a much needed boost to Mexico’s tourism economy. rbb and AMResorts’ ability to enlist several direct competitors to join in the guarantee and work cooperatively helped galvanize Mexico’s entire tourism industry to overcome the crisis. Ultimately, AMResorts’ CEO received an award from the Mexican government for the company’s revolutionary offer and work to lure tourists back to Mexico.             

         This year’s Silver Anvils, considered the “Oscars” of the public relations industry, included 134 finalists out of 823 total entries. The current field of SABRE Awards nominees is equally strong, with roughly 300 finalists from more than 1,600 entries. SABRE Award organizers regarded the quality of this year’s nominations among the highest received in ten years of SABRE Awards. SABRE  and Silver Anvil Award winners will be announced at May and June gala events held respectively in New York City. 

 

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About rbb Public Relations

 

rbb Public Relations has a national reputation for delivering results. Named PRWeek’s “2008 Agency of the Year” and The Holmes Report’s “2009 Boutique Agency of the Year,” rbb delivers clients results on par with the largest national firms, but with the individual attention of a boutique PR agency. Its bilingual staff excels in media relations, corporate communications, digital/social media, product introductions and crisis counseling. The firm’s capabilities encompass a variety of practice areas, including B2B, consumer products, travel & leisure, health and fitness, luxury goods, real estate and food and beverage. rbb is a member of the Converge network of PR firms. For more information, call (305) 448-7450 or visit www.rbbpr.com.     

 

Media Contact:    

 

John Prieur / john.prieur@rbbpr.com / 305-717-8128