As for a brief history, we were the first in Atlanta to go from “Public Relations” behind our name to “Communications Management,” clearly showing how we are ahead of the industry and providing strategic counsel to our clients.  Of course, we made the change again in Q4 by adopting and leading the industry again by adjusting to “Integrated Communications,” another first for an Atlanta agency.

Our new website, launched just a few months ago, continues to get positive comments from clients and prospects alike.  If you haven’t seen it lately, check it out, as we made some updates to the homepage rotating banner just a few days ago.

2012 is off to a great start,

Don

Wherever you decide to put your efforts, make sure you follow through.  The only thing worse than not having a presence on social media, is having a presence but never using it. So block off 20 minutes each day, post a Facebook or Twitter update, respond to any comments you may have or replies from your last post. Your customers will appreciate the chance to interact with you.  Social media can become one of your best tools to grow your business. 

Always remember that the brand is being represented on each post you make.  So be sure to have a plan and execute it flawlessly.  If you are interested in learning more about social media and how the Rountree Group can help you perfect your strategy, give us a call at (770) 645-4545 or email Don@rountreegroup.com.

We will be happy to show you how social media can build your brand and become another tool in building bridges to communications that join you to your clients.

MINNEAPOLIS – 23 January 2012: Warsaw-based Martis CONSULTING has joined IPREX – the worldwide corporation of public relations and communication firms.

Founded in 2001, the company provides integrated communication programs for market leading enterprises including publicly-quoted companies, financial institutions and social organizations. Clients include: LOTOS Group, Strabag, GDF Suez, Polimex-Mostostal and Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa.

Martis CONSULTING is the fastest-growing of the larger Polish agencies and now has a team of 30 experienced consultants providing a comprehensive range of communication services, with special expertise in strategic counsel, corporate PR and investor relations.

The effectiveness of their approach in adding value to their clients’ operations, has been attested by several awards for work in investor relations and corporate social responsibility, where they are recognized leaders in the field.

Company President Dariusz Jarosz said: “The Polish market is one of the most important and rapidly-expanding inCentral Eastern Europeand we are honored to represent IPREX here.

“Through the network we can advise companies in other parts of the world while cooperation with our IPREX partners will certainly be valuable for Polish companies looking to expand their presence overseas, and for foreign ones looking for an effective partner inPoland.”

IPREX EMEA President Christian Hannestad (The Communications Business, Edinburgh) commented: “Our new partner is a very impressive firm indeed, providing high-profile clients with a powerful combination of senior-level strategy and multi-channel implementation.

“IPREX has 35 offices in the EMEA group stretching fromDublintoDubai, and Dariusz and his team will be a great asset to our partners and clients not only in our region but around the world. As we continue to grow and to integrate our firms more closely on client business, the expertise and experience that Martis brings to the network will add significantly to our capabilities.”

About IPREX

IPREX is one of the world’s major corporations of public relations and communication firms. Founded in 1983, its 70 partners have 104 offices in North and South America, Europe, theMiddle East and Asia Pacific, with annual revenue of US$184m.  Its 1,400 professionals provide a comprehensive range of services for some of the world’s most successful companies.

- Ends -

IPREX enquiries

David Watson            executive@iprex.com                                     +44 1273 845462

Martis CONSULTING

Joanna Pydo               joanna.pydo@martis-consulting.pl                 +48 22 244 5700  Ewa Baldyga                      ewa.baldyga@martis-consulting.com.pl        +48 22 244 5700

DALTON GA (January 4, 2011) ––Dream Weaver Carpets, a newly acquired division of Engineered Floors, announced its planned unveiling of six new collections at the Surfaces trade show, Las Vegas, January 24-26. All six collections will incorporate PureColor continuous filament solution-dyed polyester fiber with SoilShield technology by Engineered Floors, which was founded by Robert E. Shaw.

“We’re part of the best carpet company with the best fiber technology with some of the best looks for residential replacement … and at the biggest event in the industry,” said Gary Hollowell, VP of sales and marketing for Dream Weaver Carpets. The new carpet collections, along with the management team of the combined companies will be at the Dream Weaver Carpets booth #S5739 at Surfaces.
 
Among the new collections are Central Park and Park Avenue, both with elegant geometric level cut-loop patterns in six solid and soft barber pole colorations. Dream Weaver also will introduce several cut pile and loop pile collections, from entry level FHA-grade quality to luxuriously sophisticated styles. “We’ve got everything the carpet retailer is looking for,” said Hollowell.”

All are made with PureColor, Engineered Floor’s next-generation solution-dyed polyester that can withstand exposure to harsh sunlight or even spot cleaning with bleach solutions without fading. The new collections also come with SoilShield advanced soil protection built in, also an Engineered Floors exclusive feature.

###

For more information, contact:                       

Don Rountree on behalf of Engineered Floors and Dream Weaver Carpets

Rountree Group Integrated Communications

770-645-4545/404-219-1431

don@rountreegroup.com

About Engineered Floors, LLC

Engineered Floors, LLC is a privately held carpet yarn producer founded by Robert E. Shaw in 2009 and based in Dalton, Georgia with facilities in Calhoun and Dalton, Georgia. Engineered Floors employs approximately 500 people. The company produces stain-resistant and colorfast PureColor next-generation solution dyed polyester fiber with SoilShield for residential replacement and multi-family housing carpeting. The company acquired carpet maker Dream Weaver Carpet Industries, Inc. in 2011. Dream Weaver specializes in quality residential replacement carpets and can be found in floor covering specialty retailers, nationwide.

 PureColor and SoilShield are trademarks of Engineered Floors, LLC

 

Fisher & Phillips LLP Opens New Offices in Boston and Memphis – Leading labor and employment law firm continues national expansion

ATLANTA, BOSTON & MEMPHIS (January 10, 2012) – Fisher & Phillips LLP, a national labor and employment law firm, today announced its expansion into Massachusetts and Tennessee with the opening of offices in Boston and Memphis. The firm now has 27 offices across the country 

The Boston office will be led by Joseph W. Ambash, a leading Massachusetts employment law attorney. The Massachusetts office is the firm’s second New England location. Ambash joins Fisher & Phillips from Greenberg Traurig LLP, where he was co-chair of theBostonoffice’s labor and employment practice and headed the firm’s international compliance training program for managers and employees on employment-related issues.

The Memphis office will be led by Jeff Weintraub, one of Tennessee’s most highly rated employment attorneys. He was the name partner for Weintraub Law, P.C. a labor and employment firm originally formed in 1959. The Memphis office of Fisher & Phillips will initially do business as “The Weintraub Firm, P.C. a partner in Fisher & Phillips LLP.” Weintraub is joined by another partner, Craig Cowart, who comes from Kiesewetter Wise Kaplan Prather, PLC.

Ambash, with more than 35 years of experience, represents management in representation cases, unfair labor practice cases, strikes and other labor disputes. He was counsel for New Process Steel in the landmark 2010 Supreme Court case ruling that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) can not function without three members. He also represented Brown University in the precedent-setting NLRB case holding that graduate assistants are not employees under the National Labor Relations Act. He has served as chief negotiator for major collective bargaining agreements in the private and public sectors. He earned his law degree from Harvard University and his undergraduate degree from Yale University

“Fisher & Phillips has the same dedication to clients that I have applied throughout my career,” said Ambash. “I look forward to helping the firm grow its practice in Massachusetts and across New England.”

Weintraub represents employers in union arbitrations, negotiations, and elections. He is also a jury trial attorney with more than 30 years of experience representing public and private employers. He handles cases involving harassment/discrimination, retaliatory discharge, wage and hour matters, and a wide array of other matters. Weintraub is licensed and active in Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi. He earned his law and undergraduate degrees from Memphis State University.

Weintraub said: “Our clients will benefit from the fact that Fisher & Phillips has labor and employment attorneys all across the country, a number of whom I have worked with over the years. Our practice is both local and national, so this is a natural fit for us. I’m very excited about taking my practice to a national law firm with such a tremendous reputation.”

For nearly 20 years, Cowart has represented management clients in state and federal employment litigation and in administrative proceedings before state and federal agencies. He counsels employers about workplace issues, including discipline and discharge decisions. He spent part of his career working as in-house counsel for an international specialty chemicals company. Cowart received his law degree with honors from the University of Memphis and his B.B.A. degree from the University of Mississippi. He is admitted to practice before the state courts in Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

Fisher & Phillips Chairman and Managing Partner Roger Quillen noted that the decades of experience these attorneys bring to the firm will benefit clients. He also pointed out that the new offices were strategically chosen. “We go where our clients want us and both Memphis and Boston are important markets to our clients. When the decision was made to move into these areas, we sought the most respected labor and employment attorneys who share our firm’s commitment to combining excellent client service with stellar legal services. I’m glad to say we found the right attorneys.”

# # #

 About Fisher & Phillips LLP (www.laborlawyers.com)

Fisher & Phillips LLP represents employers nationally in labor, employment, civil rights, employee benefits and immigration matters. The firm has 270 attorneys in 27 offices. Founded in 1943, it is one of the first U.S. law firms to concentrate its practice exclusively upon representation of employers in labor and employment matters. In addition to Boston and Memphis, the firm has offices in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbia, Dallas, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Irvine, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, New Jersey, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, ME, Portland, OR, San Diego, San Francisco, Tampa, and Washington D.C.

AS DEXTERA JOINS

MINNEAPOLIS – 13 December 2011: Dextera Comunicación, based in Mexico City, has joined IPREX – the worldwide corporation of public relations and communication firms.

Founded in 2003 by Silvia Pineda Sibaja and Horacio Loyo Gris, both of whom had worked with multinational PR firms, Dextera has built a fully bilingual team with extensive experience of working throughoutMexicoand theAmericas- North and South.

The company takes a strategic view of its clients’ businesses and focuses on building communication programs designed to deliver measurable results consistently over time.

Its work with high-profile international companies in the entertainment, technology, retail and home improvement sectors has helped to build its extensive experience of working in foreign markets. Clients include Costco, Discovery Networks México, HBO Latin America Group, Interbrand, The Clorox Company and Navistar – plus project work for such companies as Booz & Co and Watchguard.

According to co-owner Horacio Loyo Gris: “We are thrilled to become part of the IPREX network and add value to the operation.  Like IPREX, Dextera puts a premium on building strong relationships, and our approach has resulted in a high rate of client retention – we have several clients for whom we have worked uninterrupted for eight years. We look forward to establishing and developing new relationships with our new partners around the world to deliver benefits to their clients and ours.”

IPREX Americas President Renzi Stone (Saxum,Oklahoma City) said: “We’ve spent time with the Dextera team and we’re very impressed with the quality of their thinking and implementation. As international companies grow their investments inMexico, they demand sophisticated strategic communication programs that mirror the work they are doing in theUS and other mature markets – and Dextera is exactly the right firm to deal with such demands.

“IPREX now has 53 offices in theAmericas group, stretching fromVancouver to Buenos Aires, and we are seeing increasing collaboration between them as our clients take a positive approach to the prevailing economic conditions. So – we are delighted to welcome such a professional firm as Dextera to the team.”

About IPREX

IPREX is one of the world’s major corporations of public relations and communication firms. Founded in 1983, its 70 partners have 104 offices in North and South America, Europe, theMiddle East and Asia Pacific, with annual revenue of US$183m.  Its 1,400 professionals provide a comprehensive range of services for some of the world’s most successful companies.

- Ends -

IPREX enquiries

David Watson:                        executive@iprex.com                         +44 1273 845462

Dextera Comunicación

Silvia Pineda Sibaja                silvia.pineda@dextera.com.mx          +52 55 5282 0826

Horacio Loyo Gris                   horacio.loyo@dextera.com.mx           +52 55 5282 0826

It was 1983 that MCI introduced its version of email called MCI Mail. The prediction of making the USPS obsolete seemed a bit far-fetched at first, and actually for a while afterward. After all, there’s nothing like the thrill of walking out to the mailbox and retrieving a real letter or, on a good day, a check made out to you.

But here we are at the end of 2011 and times have changed, and now the USPS is undergoing massive cuts just to keep functioning. What remains to be seen is if the USPS can maintain its viability and afford to continue operating.

I, for one, enjoy getting a “hard copy” of a birthday or Christmas card from a friend or relative. Wonder if there are any others like me out there?

Don Rountree