August 2, 2005
Howard, Merrell & Partners Chosen to Help Keep NC Clean and Beautiful

RALEIGH, NC – AUGUST 2, 2005 – Howard, Merrell & Partners, a full-service strategic branding and communications firm, announced it has been named the agency of record for NC Beautiful, a non-profit environmental education organization focused on protecting North Carolina’s natural beauty and good environmental stewardship.

“Our mission is to raise awareness and appreciation for the state’s natural beauty, its natural resources, and its effects on the quality of life and health of North Carolina citizens,” says Jane Rogers, NC Beautiful’s managing director. “We are confident that through a thoughtful communications campaign Howard, Merrell & Partners will help us follow through on that mission.”

The statewide campaign includes media relations, collateral development, event coordination support, and program publicity. In addition, Howard, Merrell & Partners will also help establish NC Beautiful’s web site.

For over 30 years, NC Beautiful has developed and executed the Windows of Opportunity Grants for K-12 Teachers, Environmental Action Awards, Environmental Studies Program for Graduate Students, Operation Beautiful, the Keep It Green program, Environmental Leaders for Business Excellence, and Azalea Celebration. NC Beautiful is looking to diversify its funding base by drawing additional foundation support and corporate sponsors to evolve into a membership campaign.

“We are very excited and proud to work with such a great organization and for such a worthy cause. North Carolina, being our home and a great business environment, is worth every effort we can put forth to keep it beautiful,” says Jim Cobb, COO of Howard, Merrell & Partners.

About Howard, Merrell & Partners
Howard, Merrell & Partners, Inc., one of The Interpublic Group of Companies, is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. The firm specializes in linking business and communications strategies to yield higher levels of financial performance. Recent clients include MED-El, Canvas on Demand, Advanced Lubrication Technology, Baseball Factory, BB&T Bank, Kimberly-Clark, Sappi Fine Paper, Coors Brewing, SAS Institute, and MacGregor Golf. The agency’s work has recently garnered Gold Effie and Clio awards. For more information, visit www.merrellgroup.com.

About NC Beautiful
NC Beautiful promotes and encourages awareness, appreciation and stewardship of North Carolina’s natural resources through environmental education and research. The 37-year-old organization oversees such programs as the Windows of Opportunity grants, Environmental Studies Program, The NC Beautiful Classic Golf Tournament and the Annual Azalea Celebration. For more information on NC Beautiful, e-mail ncbeautiful@bellsouth.net.