Blanchard Schaefer Advertising & Public Relations Selected as Agency of Record for Akili

Blanchard Schaefer Advertising & Public Relations® (BSAPR) a full-service, integrated strategic marketing services firm, today announced that it has been selected as the agency of record for Akili, a Dallas-based management consultancy that specializes in implementing SAP solutions for the office of the CFO.

Dallas, TX (Vocus) June 10, 2009

Blanchard Schaefer Advertising & Public Relations® (BSAPR) a full-service, integrated strategic marketing services firm, today announced that it has been selected as the agency of record for Akili], a Dallas-based management consultancy that specializes in implementing SAP solutions for the office of the CFO.

BSAPR will work with Akili to develop a brand positioning and key messaging in addition to generating web content for Akili's website.

Akili's EPM business has grown more than 700 percent in the last 2 years. The company has an amazing never-failed track record of delivery and work with Fortune 500 companies across the U.S. and in nearly every vertical.

"In a year where many agencies are seeing clients reduce budgets or go dark, we're finding that our SMB and BtoB focus actually puts us in a position of growth. I strongly believe that companies have two choices right now: they can hit the breaks on marketing and save some money temporarily or, they can hit the gas to gain momentum over the competition," said Ken Schaefer, president of BSAPR. "Akili is one of those companies that is choosing to rise above and push through the hard times because they realize the benefit they'll have when the economy turns around. It's the same message they tell their customers who are implementing technology solutions that positions them for future growth."

BSAPR is pleased to work with Akili, especially co-CEO Randy Marvel, with whom the agency had the privilege of working with in a previous engagement. Akili joins BSAPR's growing roster of technology clients and fits in perfectly with BSAPR's strategic decision to focus on BtoB marketing.

"We built Akili around the ideal that we would provide a highly specialized service to a niche audience. This focus and commitment to delivering above and beyond for every customer has proven successful for us," said Marvel. "We're very much aligned with BSAPR in that regard. BSAPR understands our business and how to communicate with our customers. I'm looking forward to much success in 2009."

About Akili
Akili is a management consultancy that specializes in implementing SAP solutions for the office of the CFO. Akili, which means knowledge in Swahili, helps companies achieve higher performance by turning financial and operational data into actionable information - a discipline known as enterprise performance management. Akili's core competencies include business process analysis, detailed architectural design, and rigorous project management. Akili is an SAP services partner, a gold partner in the SAP Consulting Partner Program, and a North America Gold Partner of Business Objects, an SAP company. Founded in 1992, Akili built its reputation by delivering custom application development solutions and complex system integration projects. For more on Akili, visit http://www.akili.com.

About Blanchard Schaefer Advertising & Public Relations
Blanchard Schaefer Advertising & Public Relations, an award-winning strategic marketing services firm, offers a full array of advertising and public relations expertise and services with a focus in the healthcare, supply chain and logistics, health and beauty, multi-location/franchise, and technology verticals. Its client-tailored strategic marketing services include proficiency and innovation in research, identity/collateral development, branding, creative, media placement, news generation/dissemination, media relations and trade show and speaking engagement coordination. Based in Arlington, Texas, Blanchard Schaefer serves clients across the United States. For more information, visit http://www.bsapr.com.

Media Contact:
Lynaia Lutes
Blanchard Schaefer
Advertising & Public Relations
817.226.4332 ext. 242

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