The Silver Anvils honor organizations that have successfully addressed a contemporary public relations issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness. This year’s winners will be announced during a ceremony on June 7 in New York.

“The recognition is a tribute to our forward-thinking client partners and a validation of the belief created in their brands,” said Tom Lindell, managing director, Exponent PR. “We are honored to have our work recognized with the outstanding work origination from Minnesota.”

This win is significant for the agency’s recently expanded Food and Agribusiness practice, which offers integrated, multidisciplinary expertise in strategic planning, branding, advertising, public relations, marketing, interactive, reputation management and media planning.

“We are honored to partner with innovative leaders in the agribusiness industry and are humbled by this recognition,” said Christine Fruechte, president and CEO of Colle+McVoy.

All first-place and merit winners will proceed to the National Best of NAMA Awards in Kansas City, with the winners announced at a ceremony on April 18, 2012.

“The IOC awarded Exponent PR the business after a thorough evaluation of every proposal submitted,” said Jean-Louis Barjol, executive director of the IOC. “We were drawn to the fresh ideas the agency presented to promote olive products in North America, as well as Exponent’s proven track record of increasing share of voice within the food and nutrition industry.”

“We are honored to be recognized by leading members of the agricultural media,” said Tom Lindell, managing director, Exponent PR. “More than just reflecting the creativity and high quality of our work, these awards are testaments to the successful, collaborative relationship we have with our client-partners.”

Just as obesity has become a health crisis for people, it has also become one for our four-legged family members. More than half of the nation's dogs and cats — an estimated 43 million dogs and 50 million cats — are overweight or obese. In response to this crisis, Purina Veterinary Diets® launched a comprehensive initiative called Project: Pet Slim Down™ to help both veterinarians and pet owners move beyond knowledge of the problem to implementing a solution. Media outreach has been a vital component of this program. It has been used to showcase the success of campaign pets featured in the program's online reality series as well as the importance of pet owners partnering with their veterinarians to devise a personalized program of diet and exercise. Project: Pet Slim Down™ has been featured in an Associated Press article, in numerous broadcast and newspaper stories, in pet blogs and in a pet weight loss article in Prevention magazine. Reversing a trend like pet obesity requires a long-term commitment to pet owner education as well as the use of effective diets and exercise. The Purina Veterinary Diets Project: Pet Slim Down™ will continue to be an important resource for veterinarians and caring pet owners.

The Northern Star Council of Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and Exponent PR obtained high-level awareness for the opening of a first-of-its-kind indoor scouting facility, called Base Camp. By strategically avoiding coverage devoted to past mistakes and criticism of BSA policies, the program promoted recognition of the Northern Star Council to inspire a new generation of Scouts to carry the Northern Star Council and BSA into the future. Coverage was universally positive, including in-depth feature articles on the front metro sections of the two local newspapers and on local network TV affiliates.

As an Exponent PR Associate you are responsible for planning, coordinating, problem solving and directing effective public relations campaigns for agency clients.

Exponent PR received a Silver Anvil Award in the Integrated Marketing Category for its rebranding efforts on behalf of Caribou Coffee, the nation’s second largest gourmet coffee retailer. To enhance Caribou’s brand position and create new opportunities to engage with customers, Exponent, together with its advertising partner, Colle+McVoy, helped makeover the 17-year-old brand by embracing the company vision of living life to the fullest and providing the highest quality coffee possible.

“Colle+McVoy strives to provide smart and creative work that achieves strong results for our agribusiness client partners,” said Christine Fruechte, president and CEO, Colle+McVoy. “We are honored to have the work of our growing Food & Agribusiness practice recognized.”

Exponent will implement ongoing media relations activities to promote the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of heartworm disease among veterinary professionals and pet owners.

“It’s an honor to have our work recognized as some of the region’s best,” said Tom Lindell, managing director, Exponent PR. “This recognition is a tribute to great client partners and their success.”

Brignac, a senior associate, has more than five years of experience implementing successful media relations and social media campaigns for clients in the agriculture, energy and B2B industries. He works on the DuPont Crop Protection and IBA Particle Therapy accounts. Brignac previously held positions at Tunheim Partners, Ronald McDonald House and Target Corporation.

Exponent is a finalist for its work with Caribou Coffee, Winfield Solutions, CHS, General Mills, Bikes Belong, DuPont Crop Protection, Nestlé Purina, Boy Scouts Northern Star Council, Muir Glen Organic, and the Propane Education & Research Council.

The project brings together prominent health organizations to reduce the country’s leading cause of death, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). While SCA kills more than 300,000 Americans each year, the survival rate of eight percent has not improved in three decades.

“Exponent PR impressed us and stood out by crafting a cohesive campaign of action that we are confident will contribute to the project’s goal of saving many lives,” said Rich Fischer, global communications director, Medtronic Foundation.