DC-BASED VANGUARD COMMUNICATIONS NAMED TO PR WEEK AWARDS SHORTLIST FOR MID-SIZE PR AGENCY OF THE YEAR

Vanguard Communications has been designated as one of five finalists in the category of Mid-Size PR Agency of the Year for the 2003 PR Week Awards, sponsored by PR Week magazine. The firm was judged by top professionals from all sectors of the public relations industry on its financial growth/business strategy, client relations and retention, PR innovations and creativity, and staff initiatives. Vanguard Communications is a Hispanic woman-owned public relations firm specializing in communications campaigns that change attitudes, perceptions and behaviors, and shape public debate about critical social issues. Based in Washington, D.C., the firm was founded in 1987 and has focused its time, effort and experience on issues related to public health, health, mental health, safe food and farming, the environment, energy conservation, human rights, civil liberties, education, and other quality-of-life concerns.

WASHINGTON-Vanguard Communications has been designated as one of five finalists in the category of Mid-Size PR Agency of the Year for the 2003 PR Week Awards, sponsored by PR Week magazine. The firm was judged by top professionals from all sectors of the public relations industry on its financial growth/business strategy, client relations and retention, PR innovations and creativity, and staff initiatives.

The agencys entry, Philanthropy, Food and Fun: A Year of Growth and Achievement, featured a description of the firms 2002 Buy Local Challenge," a unique, company-wide project that helped the firm, its clients and the community better understand the barriers to identifying and choosing locally and sustainably produced food.

Being recognized by our peers for our commitment to putting the power of PR to work on behalf of organizations and programs that are passionate about improving the health and well being of our planet and all of its people is a true honor," said Maria Rodriguez, president of Vanguard. The PR Week nomination is an added reward for our staff who give so much of themselves each and everyday to support our clients ambitious, yet vitally important, goals."

Vanguard Communications is a Hispanic woman-owned public relations firm specializing in communications campaigns that change attitudes, perceptions and behaviors, and shape public debate about critical social issues. Based in Washington, D.C., the firm was founded in 1987 and has focused its time, effort and experience on issues related to public health, health, mental health, safe food and farming, the environment, energy conservation, human rights, civil liberties, education, and other quality-of-life concerns.

The award nominees are featured in the Jan. 13 edition of PR Week. The winners of the 2003 PR Week Awards will be announced during a ceremony, scheduled for March 6 at Tavern on the Green in New York City. For more information on the awards ceremony, please contact awards@prweek.com.