| Press
Release
THE SPI GROUP RECEIVES BEST OF SHOW HONORS IN 2004 PRSA-NJ PYRAMID
AWARDS COMPETITION
Business Communications Firm Takes Home Two Trophies
and Top Honors
FAIRFIELD, N.J., June 10, 2004 – The SPI Group, a full-service
business communications firm, received top honors in this year’s
PRSA-NJ Pyramid Awards competition at a ceremony held on June 9
in West Orange, N.J. The firm’s work on Pfizer’s “Genome:
The Secret of How Life Works” Web site was honored as Best
of Show in addition to receiving a 2004 Pyramid Award. The agency’s
work on an integrated internal communications program for Merck
was also honored with a Pyramid Award.
“We believe that delivering customized, thoughtful and highly
effective service while infusing our professional relationships
with caring, focused communications expertise is crucial for our
success and that of our clients,” said Steve Goodman, general
manager. “In addition to enjoying our work, being recognized
by our peers for our work is especially gratifying.”
The SPI Group created Pfizer’s “Genome: The Secret of
How Life Works” Web site to support a Pfizer-sponsored, traveling
educational exhibit about Genomics. The Web site effectively helps
to position Pfizer as a leader in medical research.
The firm’s work for Merck, the development and ongoing support
of the EC2 / MC2 Intranet, has combined technology and communication
expertise to bring Merck employees and managers a centralized resource
for all Public Affairs information and communications support they
need to do their jobs.
Mr. Goodman added, “Both of these projects leverage technology
to achieve a meaningful public relations result. Neither would have
been possible without the participation of an excellent, multi-disciplinary
team who deserve this recognition.”
About the award-winning work
Online or Interactive Technology: Pfizer’s
“Genome: the Secret of How Life Works” Web Site
2004 Pyramid Award and Best of Show
Originally on display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington,
D.C., the Genome Exhibit, sponsored by Pfizer Inc., explores the
secret of how life works, delving into DNA, the history of genome
research and advances in modern medicine. In January 2004, the exhibit
began a five-year tour around the country. The SPI Group created
the Pfizer Genome Web site to extend the educational reach of the
exhibit beyond museum walls— putting the entire exhibit online.
The site (http://genome.pfizer.com) serves as an educational resource
for anyone interested in learning more about Genomics, while also
helping to position Pfizer as a leader in medical research and discovery.
Internal Communications: Merck’s EC2
/ MC2 Intranet
2004 Pyramid Award
The Merck Public Affairs Intranet ensemble-- the Employee Communications
Connection (EC2) and the Manager Communications Connection (MC2)—was
created by The SPI group to serve as a “one stop” user-friendly,
communications portal that includes Merck Public Affairs resources
for two audiences: Merck employees and Merck managers. Through the
Merck EC2 / MC2 Intranet, for the first time, Merck employees and
managers have a centralized resource for all Public Affairs information
and communications support they need to do their jobs. Since 1963,
Merck Public Affairs published The Daily, a two-page newsletter
in print and electronic (since 1997) formats, to convey timely news
and analysis about the company. Making best use of this trusted
internal brand, The SPI Group redesigned and incorporated The Daily
into EC2 / MC2 to help drive employee and manager communications
at Merck.
About the PRSA-NJ Pyramid Awards
The Public Relations Society of America New Jersey Pyramid Awards
program recognizes excellence in public relations. Superior communications
programs solve problems, change opinions and create opportunities.
The Pyramid Awards program seeks to recognize communications professionals
who have achieved the highest standards of excellence. The 2004
competition was open to all public relations professionals in New
Jersey, or out-of-state professionals representing New Jersey clients,
for campaigns or individual items created in 2003.
About The SPI Group
Located in Fairfield, N.J., The SPI Group was founded in 1997 to
offer clients traditional and online marketing and public relations
solutions. The agency offers a full range of business communication
services including communications strategy and planning, public
relations, Web site content development and management and online
marketing. The agency’s clients include Pfizer, KeyBank, GE
Lighting, Merck, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation and Novartis,
among others. To learn more about the agency’s award-winning
work, please visit The SPI Group’s Web site at http://www.spigroup.com.
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