Winning Strategies Wins Two Prestigious International Awards

Agency Recognized with Golden World Awards for Excellence by International Public Relations Association for Auto Insurance and Clean Cars Campaigns

NEWARK, N.J. (July 15, 2005) -- Winning Strategies Public Relations (WSPR) earned two Golden World Awards of Excellence from the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) for public relations and public affairs campaigns that led to reform of New Jersey's auto insurance laws and the reduction of car emissions.

"It's an honor to receive this recognition from our peers across the globe," said Jim McQueeny, chairman of WSPR. "We strive for excellence in the public relations field, and these two Golden World Awards help validate the hard work of our full-service agency."

WSPR is among the 27 winners, from 11 countries, to receive awards for the best global, regional and local public relations programs. The agency executed public relations campaigns for the Coalition for Auto Insurance Competition (CAIC) in New Jersey and the New Jersey Clean Cars Alliance.

Coalition for Auto Insurance Competition

With excessive regulation strangling competition and limiting choices for consumers, CAIC was formed to bring competition to the auto insurance market. The coalition, comprising businesses, trade associations, auto insurance agents and companies, worked to bring about change and encourage auto insurance competition while still protecting New Jersey consumers. The campaign proved successful when New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey signed measures that authorized reform of the state's auto insurance laws and regulations.

Campaign for the Passage of the Clean Cars Bill

After two years of unsuccessful lobbying, Environmental Defense, a leading national nonprofit organization that creates cost-effective solutions to society's environmental problems, contracted WSPR to implement a media relations campaign to aid the passage of the Clean Cars Bill in New Jersey in the 2003-2004 lame duck legislative session. It would be the bill's last chance before new legislators took office and years of education and lobbying were lost. WSPR generated media coverage in key areas of the state as well as on and around key legislative milestones, i.e. voting days, highlighted by a supportive editorial in The Star Ledger, New Jersey's largest newspaper. On January 14, 2004, Governor McGreevey signed the bill into law.

"Judging the Golden World Awards is especially rewarding because it is an opportunity to recognize the diversity of our profession around the world," said Jury Chairman, Louis Capozzi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Manning Selvage & Lee (MS&L). "While the winners represent a wide range of geographies, expertise and programming, all demonstrate a commitment to strategic planning, creativity and results that met or exceeded the stated objectives."

With more than 1,000 members worldwide, IPRA is the premier association for senior international public relations professionals. The annual IPRA Golden World Awards for Excellence recognizes the best programs from around the globe. Founded in 1955, IPRA is headquartered in England.

The awards gala dinner is scheduled to take place on Thursday, October 21, 2004 at the historic Merchant Taylors Hall in London, England.

About Winning Strategies

The Winning Strategies Circle of Companies offers advertising, public relations, marketing, and government affairs services. Winning Strategies has offices in metro New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

WSPR offers a range of expertise such as strategic counsel, media relations, corporate positioning, crisis management, media training and issues management and public affairs. It was recently awarded a prestigious Pollie Award for "Public Affairs Team of the Year" for its work on behalf of a coalition of national auto insurers by the American Association of Political Consultants. The agency was a finalist for the Public Relations Society of America SABRE Awards, and PR News Platinum PR Awards. In addition, WSPR has won awards from the Jersey Shore Public Relations and Advertising Association, International Association of Business Communicators/New Jersey Chapter and Public Relations Society of America/New Jersey Chapter. The agency was a winner and a finalist for the Public Relations Society of America/New York Big Apple Award.