Qorvis Named Public Affairs Agency of the Year

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - April 27, 2009) - Qorvis Communications, one of the largest independent, integrated communications firms in the U.S., has been named Public Affairs Agency of the Year 2008 by The Holmes Report, an influential independent publication covering the international public relations industry.

"To be recognized by the Holmes Report is an immense honor, especially considering the highly competitive nature of the public affairs industry," said Qorvis Managing Partner Michael Petruzzello. "Going into our tenth year, Qorvis is proud to build on our clear track record and reputation in this rapidly evolving field."

Qorvis has become the industry leader in coalition building and management, and in the development of innovative communications techniques, such as using mobile phone applications to drive grassroots organization and enhanced online information management to support message dissemination. As a fully integrated agency, Qorvis has the freedom to design and develop new methods in-house.

The Holmes Report stated: "Qorvis is much more than a public affairs firm, with strong corporate and financial communications and even strategic brand marketing capabilities. But it continues to do much of its best work in the broad public affairs arena, such as its efforts on behalf of the American Cable Association (helping small regional operators tell their story to the FCC), the Wireless Innovation Alliance (a broad-based coalition educating legislators and regulators on the potential of white space technology), and the Hope Now Alliance (a coalition of mortgage lenders explaining the industry's efforts to address the housing crisis)."

Each year, The Holmes Report evaluates the performance of public relations agencies based on specific criteria and a survey of leading corporations and clients to select the top agencies. The Holmes Report also nominated Qorvis for two Silver SABRE awards: one for its work with Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. in the "Beer, Wine, Spirits" category and one for its work with Cisco in the "Technology Hardware" category. The winners of the Holmes Report SABRE Awards will be announced in New York on May 12, 2009.

Qorvis kicked off 2009 with a PRWeek Midsize PR Agency of the Year 2009 nomination in January. In March, Qorvis was awarded four ADDYS, including Best of Category, for its advertising for the Virginia Lottery. Qorvis' 2009 Presidential Inauguration Mobile App, a free mobile application that enabled visitors to navigate Washington, DC on their mobile phones, was recognized as "Phone App of the Week" by The New York Times.

About Qorvis Communications, LLC

Qorvis Communications is one of the nation's largest independent, integrated communications firms. Formed in August 2000, Qorvis provides its clients with expertise in the areas of public and media relations, advertising, public affairs, investor relations and financial services communications, grassroots campaigns, Internet-based campaigns, social media strategies, and research and opinion surveys. For more information, visit www.qorvis.com or contact info@qorvis.com.

Contact Information: CONTACT: Renate Geerlings rgeerlings@qorvis.com 202-255-2744